TOP 10 NETFLIX ORIGINAL MOVIES
Jun 4
Streaming services are out of control my friends. Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Showtime, Starz, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and probably a few more I’ve missed. It’s exhausting. Does anyone else here miss the ritual, the family bonding opportunity, and the overall experience of renting movies at the local video store? I sure do. Well, for better or for worse, streaming is seemingly here to stay in all its “well isn’t that convenient” glory. Can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em I always say. Which brings me to Netflix. It’s the obvious king of the stream so I thought it would be a good place to start. No, I haven't seen every Netflix Original Movie, that’s simply inconceivable. But I’ve seen a crap ton. At least 50+. So here’s my ever changing list of the Top 10 Netflix Original Movies I’ve seen so far.
10.) “Army of the Dead” (2021)
This movie is shameless popcorn gobbling fun that wears its absurdity on its sleeve. There’s $200 million locked in a vault under a zombie infested Las Vegas and a ragtag team of mercenaries has to retrieve it before the entire city is nuked by the Government to prevent a worldwide outbreak. Love him or hate him, Zack Snyder sure can make an entertaining film that is filled with memorable characters, wild action sequences, and a unique visual experience.
9.) “Bright” (2017)
From the dude that brought us 2016’s “Suicide Squad” starring America’s favorite 90’s rapper, comedian, and action star Will Smith. We get a fun genre blend we haven’t quite seen before mixing action buddy cop flick with storybook fantasy where creatures like elves and orcs live alongside humans.
8.) “The King” (2019)
When was the last time we got a sprawling sword-wielding historical epic in the vein of “Braveheart”, ”Gladiator”, or “Kingdom of Heaven”? It’s been awhile. Enter “The King” from director David Michôd starring an all-star cast including Timothée Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, Robert Pattinson, and Ben Mendelsohn.
7.) “Da 5 Bloods” (2020)
There’s no shortage of movies about the Vietnam War within cinematic history, but when director Spike Lee wants to add another, there’s no arguing here. Tonally “Da 5 Bloods” is kind of all over the place, but it works.
6.) “Mudbound” (2017)
A historical melodrama that centers around two families, the Jacksons, who are Black, and the McAllans, who are White in post-WWII America uneasily living on the same land.
5.) “The Highwaymen” (2019)
This is definitely a hidden gem that caught me by surprise. It tells the tale of the two Texas Rangers responsible for ending the murderous multi-state rampage of Bonnie and Clyde.
4.) “Triple Frontier” (2019)
Imagine a realistic take on Sylvester Stallone’s “The Expendables” with a star-studded cast that includes Oscar Isaac, Ben Affleck, Garrett Hedlund, Charlie Hunnam, and Pedro Pascal.
3.) “The Irishman” (2019)
How this became a Netflix exclusive instead of a theatrical release I’ll never know. This is AAA cinema right here friends. Martin Scorsese returns to crime drama and he brings along icons of the genre including Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci.
2.) “El Camino” (2019)
Some may argue this is more of a final epilogue episode of writer/director Vince Gilligan’s deeply cinematic “Breaking Bad” television series, but it’s just too damn good to not include on this list.
1.) “Beasts of No Nation” (2015)
Writer and director Cary Joji Fukunaga is a master storyteller who crafts truly unique visual experiences as displayed in HBO’s “True Detective” season 1. And he’s done it again with “Beasts of No Nation”.
Coming up with this list sure wasn’t easy. There’s so much to choose from and only so many hours in a day to consume all this streaming business. Be sure to bookmark this page and check back from time to time as this list will surely change.