What are the best original movies to watch on streaming service has become a legitimate awards season contender, subscribers are paying more attention to Netflix's original content.
Until 2015, Netflix was just a popular destination for cord-cutters and streamers. And then everything changed, as Netflix began producing original films, marking a major shift in the film industry as high quality mid-budget movies became available to watch at home immediately upon release.
Not all Netflix Originals will be awards season contenders, but most are entertaining. It all depends on what you're looking for. A romantic comedy? An art house film? How about a movie that's representative of 2019 culture? Check out our list of 15 Netflix Originals that you need to watch ASAP.
- This Page: Best Netflix Original Movies #15-13
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15. Triple Frontier
As a throwback genre film, Triple Frontier checks all the boxes. For one, there’s an all-star cast led Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, Garrett Hedlund, and Ben Affleck. In addition, director J.C. Chandor provides numerous ridiculously awesome sequences as the former Special Ops crew pulls off a heist in South America - moments that you'll need to text somebody about. Most importantly, however, Triple Frontier doesn’t take itself too seriously.
From a critical point of view, Triple Frontier can be easily picked apart. There are blatant plot holes, and many viewers will surely laugh at the heightened sense of male bravado. But that’s part of the fun, as Triple Frontier is all about embracing the action, and how the characters react. Chandor and co-screenwriter Mark Boal (Zero Dark Thirty) infuse the military aspects with authenticity, while the male leads anchor the film with their puffed-chest camaraderie. Triple Frontier is a wild ride from beginning to end; a film that's worthy of multiple re-watches, if only for pure popcorn entertainment.
14. Someone Great
Starring DeWanda Wise, Someone Great is perfect for the late-twenties crowd. While many romantic comedies target younger millennials with trendy dialogue and pop culture references, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson takes a more mature approach with Someone Great. Each of the female protagonists seem to understand that ion alone won’t get them through life; they have to work, and work hard.
Aesthetically, Someone Great looks beautiful with its warm color palette, tinged with pinks and blues. Plus, the music alone elevates many scenes, most notably when Lorde’s “Supercut" hits. And while Lakeith Stanfield doesn’t receive much screen time, it works to the film’s advantage, as the female leads are indeed the primary focus. There’s substance behind all the style, as Someone Great's characters back up the talk and walk the walk, at least in of how they approach their wants and needs.
13. The Kindergarten Teacher
Directed by Sara Colangelo, The Kindergarten Teacher is the story of a well-meaning educator who crosses the line. Maggie Gyllenhaal stars as Lisa Spinelli, the titular character who recognizes that one of her young students, Jimmy, has a knack for poetry. Naturally, Lisa attempts to nurture Jimmy’s talent, though personal issues ultimately cloud her judgment.
In The Kindergarten Teacher's main role, Gyllenhaal delivers an unnerving performance as a woman who loses her sense of self. As a director, Colangelo keeps the audience off-guard, as the troubled Lisa manipulates the truth for self-serving reasons, only to progressively spiral out of control. The Kindergarten Teacher raises questions about mental health and emotional , both in domestic and educational settings. And whereas some Netflix Originals invite the audience to contemplate different ways of life across the world, this particular film asks the viewer to look within, and to consider how feelings of inadequacy can affect one’s daily decisions.
12. Set It Up
When Set It Up released in June 2018, the fresh spin on romantic comedy tropes resonated with many viewers. Starring Pete Davidson, and Meredith Hagner all have their moments, but Deutch is the most valuable scene-stealer.
For some viewers, Powell’s Set It Up character may be entirely unlikable, but that’s crucial to the dynamic with Deutch’s Harper Moore. They’re continuously at odds but invested in a mutual goal. In that sense, Set It Up presses hard on genre tropes, as there’s the usual hustle and bustle of big city life, and - surprise - Deutch’s character is an aspiring journalist (a major genre cliche), one who doesn’t seem to actually write much. As a whole, Set It Up works because it feels timely, fresh, and self-aware. For the collective characters, immediate happiness is more important than the next big promotion, and there’s value in appreciating the moment, along with the small, gradual changes that pave the way for a more mature outlook in life.
11. Shirkers
One one level, Shirkers is exhilarating for its depiction of three young women who make an indie film in Singapore. The production scenes offer insight into the Do-It-Yourself approach, along with all the compromises that must be made while executing a collective creative vision. However, Sandi Tan's Shirkers isn’t focused on the absolute brilliance of the original “Shirkers,” but rather how a man named Georges Cardona took the production footage and never explained why.
Essentially, Shirkers is a dual character study about Cardona and Tan herself. Through interview footage, both subjects are presented as egotistical figures, in entirely different ways, with Cardona being the most enigmatic (and for a good reason). Whereas some film industry figures show no shame while taking advantage of others, Cardona’s documented behavior raises questions about his intent from the beginning. Above all, however, Shirkers celebrates the filmmaking process, and how moving pictures don’t necessarily need complementary audio to tell an effective story.
10. Gerald’s Game
Based on Stephen King's 1992 novel, Gerald's Game is a master class in suspense. Set mostly in a bedroom, the film's narrative examines the plight of Jessie Burlingame (Gerald’s Game succeeds for two big reasons: director Mike Flanagan’s ability to sustain a claustrophobic mood, thus immersing the audience into Jessie’s frame of mind; and Gugino’s rollercoaster performance.
By exploring Jessie’s worst fears in The Haunting of Hill House the following year.
9. The Meyerowitz Stories
Right from the start, Noah Baumbach's The Meyerowitz Stories has that New York cinéma vérité feel. Adam Sandler steals the show as Danny Meyerowitz, an umemployed, self-loathing father who just can’t find any peace of mind. Whereas most Sandler performances are over-the-top and adhere to a specific brand of comedy, this one is subdued and entirely moving.
Baumbach directed and co-wrote both Lady Bird), but he’s long been one of cinema’s most interesting indie auteurs. The Meyerowitz Stories represents another strong chapter in the filmmaker’s oeuvre, as he comments on NYC art culture and how posturing is so crucial to the game. Incidentally, Grace Van Patten’s performance as Danny’s daughter Eliza adds even more depth, as she’s a provocative young artist who hasn’t been through the wringer yet. However, the way that Eliza communicates with her father suggests that she may have the most emotional intelligence of the entire group.
8. Mudbound
Based on Hillary Jordan’s novel, Mudbound is heavy, challenging, and heart-warming. Set in the American south during World War II, the film explores the relationship between the McAllans (a white family) and the Jacksons (a black family). When Jamie McAllan (Jason Mitchell) return home from war, they discover that they have a lot in common, despite their obvious differences. These two central performances ground Mudbound with heart, as the world around the two war veterans is full of racism and resentment.
In Mudbound, Rachel Morrison’s cinematography represents the connective tissue. She uses a strong green-brown color palette throughout, whether it’s in rural Mississippi or during the World War II aerial scenes. There’s an incredible amount of subtext in the color contrasts alone, and Morrison’s symmetrical framing emphasizes the powerful bond between Ronsel and Jamie, along with the inherent segregation of the south. For Mudbound, Morrison become the first female cinematographer to earn an Oscar nomination, and her visuals add a spectacular amount of depth to an already effective film.
7. Cam
From a 2019 perspective, Blumhouse psychological horror stars Madeline Brewer as Alice Ackerman aka Lola_Lola, a camgirl looking for a larger following and more income. Based on the premise, one might expect Cam to be full of graphic nudity and questionable dialogue, however it's less about the sexual aspects of the camgirl experience and more about the psychological manipulation that equates to big tips. Based on Mazzei's personal experience as a camgirl, she's undoubtedly familiar with basic strategies, which allows her to then manipulate the audience by infusing horror elements into the script.
After appearing in The Handmaid's Tale, Brewer delivers another jaw-dropping performance in Cam. And despite the film's relatively modest budget, the production design enhances Brewer's camgirl interpretation, which makes it easier to buy into the premise and keep watching. Meaning, if Cam didn't look great, then it most likely wouldn't be on Netflix. Ultimately, the filmmakers take a simple premise and then subvert expectations to raise even more questions about Lola_Lola. Cam is the way of the future.
6. To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Directed by Susan Johnson, To All the Boys I've Loved Before doesn’t fall into genre traps. The lead isn’t a quirky, insecure journalist, but rather a stylish teenager who writes in private. Lana Condor’s Lara Jean Covey doesn’t need a makeover, but rather a boyfriend who appreciates her as a woman. With its subtle nods to the cinematic past and understanding of modern culture, To All the Boys I've Loved Before’s narrative feels clever and progressive, but without feeling the need to shout it out loud. Condor’s character is a breath of fresh air, a diverse character who doesn’t seem interested in being The Cool Girl, The Manic Pixie Dream Girl, or a Mean Girl. She’s just Lara Jean.
In contrast to Set It Up’s Charlie, Noah Centineo’s Peter is likable from the start in To All the Boys I've Loved Before. Plus, he feels like a worthy boyfriend for Lara Jean, even if she can’t quite pinpoint his intentions. As a whole, the film’s use of social media is spot-on, and it seems to understand the day to day realities of high school life. Most teen romance films feel the need to overly explain cultural trends, but To All the Boys I've Loved Before understands its identity. And Condor’s natural charisma and star power will ultimately translate to various genres beyond this franchise.
