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The best Netflix original movies of 2022

The best of the best in Netflix originals this year

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It’s been a great year in movies. We’ve already gone over our picks for the best new movies of the year , but not all of those are available to watch at home (and many are spread across a litany of streaming services).

Netflix released well over 100 new movies in 2022. Not all of them can be winners, but these ones are.

Here are the best new Netflix original movies that came out this year.

Lost Bullet 2

Genre: Action thriller Run time: 1h 38m Director: Guillaume Pierret Cast: Alban Lenoir, a bunch of people who punch and/or chase Alban Lenoir

Lost Bullet rules, and the second movie — newly released on Netflix in November — ups the ante to another degree.

The chase scenes are even more action-packed — this time our superstar mechanic Lino adds electrified rods to the front of his car, making him a sort of sick-as-hell automotive jouster and/or a mad scientist but for car chases — and the fights are visceral (Alban Lenoir throws so many hard right crosses in this movie, and he receives just as many). It helps to have a lead who just looks like he’s been in a few bar fights in his time, and Lenoir delivers the exact kind of personality you need for this role. Throw in a sense of chaotic joy in making cars blow up in as many exciting ways as possible, and you have Lost Bullet 2 . — Pete Volk

Genre: Thriller Run time: 1h 39m Director: Romain Gavras Cast: Sami Slimane, Dali Benssalah, Ouassini Embarek

Athena is the very definition of a movie firing on every cylinder. It’s truly impossible to separate out the best part of the movie — is it the performances of Sami Slimane and Dali Benssalah as Karim and Abdel, two brothers each struggling with their youngest brother’s death? The long tracking shots director Romain Gavras expertly utilizes to mount the tension in every scene? The arch soundtrack? Or maybe it’s just the beauty of every frame, capturing a neighborhood in revolt, intent on waging war against the police to make themselves heard.

What works about Athena is how these things merge into a grander story; like the cries of its rebels or the heavily armored police retaliating against them, every little bit is part of a more momentous whole. While the movie has (rightfully) gotten attention for its single-shot sequences, Gavras uses them to a beautiful end — at once highlighting the chaos of the last stand, and letting shared gazes of Karim and Abdel feel weighty with just a few cuts.

In a lesser movie, the nature of the drama would feel easier to stick in a neat box, or there’d be a clear moment that defines things. But in a feast like Athena , expertly blending all its ingredients into something truly meaty, nothing is simple. Revolution is messy, and Athena understands that spill happens on both sides. This movie is all gas, no brakes. A thrill ride and a Greek tragedy, all in one. — Zosha Millman

Genre: Sports drama Run time: 1h 57m Director: Jeremiah Zagar Cast: Adam Sandler, Juancho Hernangómez, Queen Latifah

Adam Sandler loves basketball. The tales of his pickup basketball exploits are legendary, he’s a huge Knicks fan, and his work in Uncut Gems is the closest I’ve ever seen to a filmic representation of what it feels like to root for a sports team you love in a high-pressure situation.

So, who better to put together one of the best sports movies in years?

In Hustle , Sandler plays a former college player who has had a long career as a scout for the 76ers, with dreams of becoming a coach. When those dreams seem to be about to come true and then are suddenly dashed, Sandler’s Stanley Sugerman must find a generational prospect or risk losing his job. When he spots the young Bo Cruz (played by real NBA player Juancho Hernangómez) at a pickup game in Spain, it seems his luck may finally be turning.

Featuring a star-studded cast of movie stars and basketball stars alike, Hustle is an ode to the joys and the struggles of basketball, and of making your passion your job. Sandler is terrific in the lead role, as are Hernangómez and NBA star Anthony Edwards in supporting roles. The movie also takes full advantage of the talent on display, with thrilling basketball sequences utilizing the unbelievable skills of the cast. — PV

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Genre: Fantasy/musical Run time: 1h 56m Directors: Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson Cast: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann

Many big-name directors have tapped up Netflix to fund the projects they just couldn’t get made elsewhere; Guillermo del Toro turned to the streamer to greenlight this 15-year passion project of his, an unruly, charming, stunningly crafted stop-motion take on the 19th-century Italian children’s story. It takes huge liberties with the source material, relocating it in time to Mussolini’s Italy and turning it into an anti-fascist parable about death, rebirth, and the joy of nonconformity. It’s not a children’s movie, but it’s not not one either; like del Toro’s horror fables The Devil’s Backbon e and Pan’s Labyrinth , Pinocchio finds clarity on some very grown-up concerns by viewing them from a child’s perspective. It’s del Toro’s best movie since those two as well — moving, personal, richly imaginative, and unlike anything else you’ve seen. — Oli Welsh

Genre: Action comedy Run time: 2h 21m Director: Timo Tjahjanto Cast: Abimana Aryasatya, Putri Marino, Marthino Lio

You know how movie trailers often advertise something as “from the twisted mind of” someone... not so twisted? Timo Tjahjanto is the rare filmmaker that lives up to that label.

The action-horror maestro who brought us the Netflix masterpiece The Night Comes for Us turns his skills to the action-comedy genre, bringing together a wacky group of retired assassins who work together to solve the murder of their father figure. It’s a setup not unlike another great Netflix movie — The Paper Tigers — but this one brings Tjahjanto’s particular wicked sense of humor into the fold. Your mileage may vary on the comedy, but the fights in The Big 4 are undeniable. They’re visceral, brutal, filled with comedic beats and splashes of gore. Tjahjanto is one of the most exciting young filmmakers working today, and The Big 4 is one of many reasons to get excited for his upcoming Train to Busan remake. — PV

The Stranger

Genre: Thriller Run time: 1h 57m Director: Thomas M. Wright Cast: Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris, Jada Alberts

Thomas M. Wright’s The Stranger is one of the year’s most beautifully shot and well-acted thrillers, full stop. Sean Harris stars as Henry Teague, an itinerant day laborer who inadvertently finds himself working alongside Mark Frame (Joel Edgerton) for an Australian criminal organization. Unbeknownst to Teague, he is at the center of one of the largest manhunts in Western Australia’s history, for being suspected of the brutal murder of a teenage boy several years prior. By turns both procedural and cerebral, Wright thrusts the audience into a drama in which the leads are pitted against one another in a fraught cat-and-mouse game where the stakes are both lawful and personal. From the dark, dreamlike cinematography to Edgerton’s and Harris’ impeccably calibrated performances to composer Oliver Coates’ dark, thrumming score, The Stranger is an unnerving and engrossing thriller that holds you close and won’t let go until the very end. —Toussaint Egan

Slumberland

Genre: Family Run time: 1h 57m Director: Francis Lawrence Cast: Jason Momoa, Marlow Barkley, Chris O’Dowd

Slumberland is a heartwarming, visually rich production that boils Winsor McCay’s classic comic strip down to its essentials and builds it back up into something modern. Marlow Barkley plays Nemo, with Jason Momoa as her Beetlejuice-like companion, the disreputable Flip.

Momoa plays the role with obvious gusto, repurposing the physical presence of a superhero in physical comedy. But Slumberland never lets anything — its wild vistas, its intricate world-building, or its outsized personalities — get in the way of its true center: Nemo, Flip, and Nemo’s wet blanket of an uncle, played by Chris O’Dowd. The colorful fantasy is just the kind of weirdness that could get happily stuck in the head of a creative young viewer for a very long time. — Susana Polo

Genre: Comedy Run time: 1h 58m Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson Cast: Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke, Austin Abrams

Do Revenge is like Heathers and Mean Girls for 2022, a sharp black comedy about two girls with a quest for vengeance in an elite Miami high school. It’s a great update to the very specific genre of hellbent teenage girls , and like similar movies in the subgenre, Do Revenge curates a specific aesthetic timely to its era. But what makes Do Revenge particularly memorable is how both fallen It Girl Drea (Camila Mendes) and new girl Eleanor (Maya Hawke) are incredibly vicious, and watching their relationship turn from something inspired (yay! Women supporting women!) into something toxic and then mutate into something else entirely is just incredibly fun. Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson smartly avoids turning the film into a moralizing statement about vengeance, because at the end of the day, we’re watching Do Revenge for the revenge! — Petrana Radulovic

The School for Good and Evil

Genre: Fantasy Run time: 2h 27m Director: Paul Feig Cast: Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Kit Young

The School for Good and Evil is like something I would’ve scribbled ideas for in the margins of my notes in middle school. Make no mistake — this is a very good thing. It’s about two girls — sullen Agatha and spunky Sophie — who get whisked away to a magical school for fairy-tale characters. Except Agatha gets tossed into the good school, with pretty princesses and dashing knights, while Sophie gets stuck in the evil school, where witches and other villains go to train. Visually, it’s gaudy and over-the-top in the best way possible, really showcasing the fairy-tale inspiration. The deconstruction of fairy-tale tropes is nothing super new (hello, Shrek and Enchanted ), but the fact that the heart of The School for Good and Evil is Agatha and Sophie’s friendship turns it from something cliche to something wonderful. — PR

The Sea Beast

Genre: Adventure Run time: 1h 55m Director: Chris Williams Cast: Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris

After a run at Disney that included directing Big Hero 6 and guiding Frozen , Wreck-It Ralph , Zootopia , and Moana , Chris Williams jumped ship to Netflix. So far, the streamer’s major coup has only resulted in this under-the-radar animated flick, which brings the epic adventure of How To Train Your Dragon to the seas, and a political theme that may not pass muster at Disney. In a Victorian-esque world populated with sea monsters, Maisie Brumble (Zaris-Angel Hator) dreams of sailing the high seas to avenge the death of her parents. So she sneaks aboard the Imperator, the most valorous ship in the royal armada, to accompany Jacob Holland (Karl Urban) on a hunt for the legendary Red Bluster. But what the two unlikely companions learn over the course of their adventure is that their target may not be as violent as it seems, and that the Crown may not be on the right side of history. Williams, with all the tools at his disposal, spins action that any Dragon or Pirates of the Caribbean fan will flip for, while not flinching in a dissection of the moral complexity of heroism and loyalty. The Sea Beast is a big, fun, all-ages movie, even on a tinier TV screen. — Matt Patches

My Father’s Dragon

Genre: Adventure Run time: 1h 39m Director: Nora Twomey Cast: Rita Moreno, Judy Greer, Adam Brody

It’s been a terrific year for Netflix animated features. Though My Father’s Dragon didn’t make as big a splash as Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio or The Sea Beast , and is a relatively minor work from the great studio Cartoon Saloon ( Wolfwalkers ), it’s still a touching, enthralling adventure. Adapted from the (very strange) children’s classic by Ruth Stiles Gannett, it tells the story of a boy who flees his new life in the city only to be transported by a talking cat to a wild island where the local animals have captured and enslaved a young dragon. Director Nora Twomey sensitively and smartly updates the material and finds a dimension of almost political allegory to the sinking island and its desperate animal inhabitants, as well as a surprisingly epic scale. — OW

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The 15 Best Netflix Original Movies Of 2022, Ranked

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The 13 Best R-Rated Movies on Netflix Right Now

The classic thriller that put alfred hitchcock on the fbi’s watchlist, m. night shyamalan's most underrated twist ending is not the one you think.

Netflix may be facing an uncertain future as it attempts to retain its subscribers while making sure that you’re not sharing your login information, but it's hard to discount what a successful year they had in 2022. Between returning favorites like The Crown, Stranger Things, Ozark, and Peaky Blinders alongside new hits like Wednesday and The Recruit , it’s easy to see why the service has been so valuable to fans. However, their film slate was just as strong, and this year provided some interesting developments on the future of Netflix’s franchises.

While The Gray Man was a disappointing attempt at being a “blockbuster” that could spawn a new franchise, the surprising box office sensation of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery added a new layer to Netflix’s distribution method. While the service screens some of its films in select theaters in order to qualify for awards ceremonies, Glass Onion ’s astounding per-theater average signified that interest in Rian Johnson ’s mystery series was high. Hopefully, we’ll get to see more Netflix films in wide release, as 2023 projects like Bradley Cooper ’s Maestro, David Fincher ’s The Killer , Gareth Evans ’ Havoc , and Niki Caro ’s The Mother all deserve the chance to be seen in the cinema.

Looking back at the Netflix films of 2022, there was something for everyone; you had comedies, awards contenders, documentaries, thrillers, indies, and horror films. Here are the top 15 best Netflix movies of 2022, ranked.

One month after Joseph Kosinski won the box office with Top Gun: Maverick , Netflix dropped his highly unusual science fiction thriller Spiderhead . Its emphasis on scrutinizing tech geniuses felt particularly timely, and the premise of a test subject ( Miles Teller ) tormented by a strange inventor ( Chris Hemsworth ) felt particularly timely in 2022. Hemsworth’s scenery-chewing performance is worth watching on its own, but Kosinski shows the same incredible action filmmaking techniques he did in Maverick in a confined, intimate environment.

Alejandro González Iñárritu has never been a filmmaker who has avoided excess, and Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths , may be his most self-aggrandizing film to date. However, it’s also his most sincere and personal; the story of a documentary filmmaker ( Daniel Giménez Cacho ) wrestling with his critics, his new fatherhood, and his heritage in Mexico feels as if Inarritu is contemplating the issues that he’s dealt with personally. It’s a fascinating work of self-therapy on the part of a filmmaker who can always deliver spectacle.

Windfall may feel like a leftover from the “pandemic era” of intimate thrillers shot in isolated locations, but the film’s minimalist approach only makes it more thrilling. Jason Segal gives a hapless, yet emphatic performance as a robber who desperately tries to negotiate with a kidnapped billionaire ( Jesse Plemons ) and his girlfriend ( Lily Collins ). There’s a great sense of brittle humor that arises from their award interactions, but the dark twist the film takes during its third act serves as a cautionary reminder of the reality of economic inequity.

Munich: The Edge of War

Sometimes, you just need a great “dad movie,” and Munich: The Edge of War is the perfect old-fashioned World War II chamber piece that works as an informative and entertaining glimpse at the past. The always likable 1917 star George McKay gives a surprisingly nuanced performance as Hugh Legat, a British agent tasked with negotiating with old friend, the German worker Paul von Hartmann ( Jannis Niewöhner ). Can a friendship prevent bloodshed? Munich: The Edge of War looks at these underseen heroes whose story is often left out of historical accounts.

RELATED: The Top 10 Most Popular Movies on Netflix Right Now

The Stranger

Undercover cop movies deserve a comeback, and The Stranger might be the closest thing we’ll get to Donnie Brasco in 2022. Based on a shocking true story, the film follows the Australian policeman Mark Frame ( Joel Edgerton ) as he explores a child abuse case related to the suspect Harry Teague ( Sean Harris ). While it's simply a riveting two-hander where Frame is constantly on the edge of being discovered, Edgerton’s exploration of the anxiety of being a parent showed that the film had a heart too.

The Good Nurse

The true story behind The Good Nurse is so shocking that if it was fiction, it would have been dismissed as completely unbelievable. While it would have been easy to sensationalize the story, director Tobias Lindholm creates an earnest procedural that follows the nurse Amy Loughren ( Jessica Chastain ) as she steadily realizes that her coworker, Charles Cullen ( Eddie Redmayne ), may be a serial killer. Chastain taps into the anxiety of being a mother and uncovering her employer’s coverups, but it's Redmayne’s hauntingly creepy performance that deserves serious award season attention.

Blonde may be the most controversial film of the year, and many may have tuned the film out entirely due to Andrew Dominick ’s callous remarks to the press. Yet, there is incredible craftsmanship that has been buried; Blonde isn’t as much a biopic about Marilyn Monroe as it is an analysis of her image, and what values were projected on her by a cruel, unsympathetic society. Ana de Armas ’ performance is graceful and moving, and Dominik recreates moments of terror that feel plucked right out of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me .

Florence Pugh may have been getting more attention for the Don’t Worry Darling controversy than anything else this year, but she’s much stronger in this underrated British independent film. The Wonder follows the 19th century English nurse Lib Wright as she struggles to care for a child forcing herself to fast to the point of malnourishment. Like The Good Nurse , this is a film that could have easily been either stigmatizing or sensationalized, but it's a respectful examination of mental health issues that benefits from one of Pugh’s best performances ever.

Adam Sandler has made several standard Happy Madison movies at Netflix, but surprisingly he took on a serious role as a basketball scout in Hustle . It’s great to see Sandler make the type of movie that you don’t really see anymore; it’s an old-fashioned, inspiring sports drama that puts its emphasis on the characters. Sandler takes himself seriously and shows his genuine love of the game through his chemistry with breakout star and actual NBA player Juancho Hernangómez .

Apollo 10 ½

Richard Linklater returns to the world of animation for this slice-of-life story about a child’s experience during the summer of the Apollo 11 moon landing. It’s obviously inspired by Linklater’s own experiences growing up in Houston, Texas, and rather than trying to summarize everything into a more structured narrative, Apollo 10 ½ simply feels like a collection of memories, observations, and funny stories. It’s just as personal as a film like Boyhood , but uses animation to show the playful nature of a child’s imagination.

Sr. is the type of movie that makes you immediately want to call your parents. Robert Downey Jr. had intended to make a documentary about his father’s very odd films and career, but this turns into a riveting look at healing and acceptance as Robert Downey Sr. suffers from a terminal diagnosis. The banter between these two idiosyncratic artists gives the film an enjoyable sense-of-humor, and the intimacy that is captured could only be done so by a family that gets to tell its own story. While it’s hard to imagine a movie about death to be “inspiring,” Sr. shows why it's important to celebrate the time we have and the people we share it with.

All Quiet on the Western Front

Remaking a film as iconic as 1930’s All Quiet on the Western Front is an ambitious undertaking, but this German-language reimagining of the conflict and its dehumanizing impact on soldiers is one of the most riveting war films in years. There is not an inch of the film that attempts to find meaning in the conflict; war makes fascists of everyone, and the film shows that in a war between governments, it's the young men forced into lines that have to pay the price. All Quiet on the Western Front is deservedly one of the frontrunners this year for the Academy Award for Best International Feature.

White Noise

Noah Baumbach has never made anything like White Noise before, so it's interesting to see a filmmaker best known for intimate character dramedies take on a disaster movie with a razor-sharp comedic edge. White Noise doesn’t lack the emotional authenticity of Baumbach’s work, and despite the idiosyncratic humor, it goes in a surprisingly sincere route with the romance between Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig in the final act. Additionally, Don Cheadle ’s role as a professor obsessed with Elvis is absolutely delightful in every way imaginable.

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

The same year we got Robert Zemeckis ’ nightmarish live-action remake of the animated classic, Guillermo del Toro delivered one of the most stunning stop-motion animated films ever made with his gripping adaptation of the original novel Pinocchio . Del Toro doesn’t shy away from the themes of fascism and loss, but the musical numbers are just as delightful as you would expect from the industry’s most likable director. It’s a stunningly crafted visual masterpiece, and although voice acting isn’t always considered “serious,” David Bradley ’s role as the heartbroken Gepetto is one of the most riveting performances you’ll see all year.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Unsurprisingly, Glass Onion had very high expectations from fans of the first Knives Out , but Johnson somehow delivered a follow-up that was even funnier, more clever, and more insightful about the egocentric personalities of wealthy people than the first one. The film is stacked with standout performances (including more than a few memorable cameos), and although Edward Norton ’s performance as an Elon Musk-esque influencer is hard to ignore, it's Janelle Monae who steals the film. There will be even higher expectations for Knives Out 3 , but if Glass Onion is any indication, we’d be lucky to get as many adventures with Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc as we can.

• Movie Features

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Best netflix original movies of 2022.

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Bob Odenkirk's Action Movie Sequel Can Deliver My Dream John Wick Casting That Keanu Reeves' Franchise Hasn't

“low-hanging fruit”: the bikeriders director is over comparisons to martin scorsese’s 1990 crime drama, eddie murphy teases plans to remake 1963 oscar-winning comedy movie with martin lawrence.

2022 saw streaming giant Netflix continue to make major waves in the world of original movies. In 2021 the service committed to releasing a new movie every week, and this continued into 2022, with Netflix releasing more movies than in any prior year. With so many releases, it can be difficult to sort the wheat from the chaff, but some of Netflix’s productions are among the best movies of the year.

The service had a somewhat turbulent year, having to deal with declining Netflix subscriber numbers and the ongoing debate over how streaming releases should fit into Hollywood productions. Major bids for awards and prestige like Bardo and White Noise met with a mixed reception from critics. However, Netflix continued to excel at producing and making available types of content that traditional studios have neglected, such as foreign-language films and adult-oriented animation. This means that many of Netflix’s best movies of the year are among its most unusual.

RELATED: Best Sci-Fi Movies Of 2022

Uncut Gems showcased Adam Sandler’s ability as a dramatic actor, and he’s back in another sports-centered drama in Hustle . In Hustle Sandler plays a more sympathetic, sometimes idealized NBA talent scout, Stanley Sugarman, who discovers a raw prospect on the streets of Spain and risks his career in an attempt to make him a basketball star. In addition to Sandler, Hustle features real NBA players delivering surprisingly strong performances and is a great pick for fans of inspirational sports dramas.

One of the most divisive films of the year, Andrew Dominik’s Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde turned off some viewers with its brutal depiction of sexual exploitation in mid-century Hollywood. However, the film is also a virtuoso display of cinematography, using many different techniques to create a disorienting and affecting visual spectacle, and features a compelling central performance by Ana de Armas. It’s definitely worth giving Blonde a try while keeping in mind that it isn’t all that accurate to Marilyn Monroe’s life.

8 Apollo 10 1/2

Richard Linklater’s animated, semi-autobiographical film Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood is an example of the type of odd creator-driven projects that are perfect for Netflix. Ostensibly a childish fantasy about a young boy becoming the first person to land on the moon, Apollo 10 1/2 is really a rambling reminiscence on Linklater’s experience growing up in Houston in the 1960s. The mostly plotless nature of the film may try some viewers’ patience, but for a movie that’s mostly an older man (voiced by Jack Black, in one of his most transformative performances) recounting the ordinary events of his childhood, it’s surprisingly entertaining.

Alia Bhatt co-starred in one of Netflix’s best-acquired movies from 2022, RRR , and in Darlings she takes center stage as a young woman who conspires to get revenge on her abusive husband with the help of her mother. The movie manages to remain fun and colorful while dealing with the serious subject matter. Darlings became one of Netflix’s biggest non-English hits, and it’s not hard to see why.

RELATED: What Blonde's Director Still Doesn't Get About The Backlash

6 Wendell & Wild

Wendell & Wild comes from the creative dream team of legendary animator Henry Selick and modern horror auteur Jordan Peele. The twisty story sees a young girl partnering with the eponymous pair of demons to try to bring back her parents from the dead and stop the building of a private prison. The result is a fun, vibrant horror-comedy supported by Wendell & Wild ’s voice cast and a soundtrack full of punk rock classics. Wendell & Wild occasionally bites off more than it can chew in terms of issues and plot elements but remains a good time with an inventive visual style throughout.

5 The Wonder

Featuring a stirring pair of central performances from Florence Pugh and Kila Lord Cassidy, The Wonder is an adaptation of Emma Donaghue’s novel about a young girl who claims to not need to eat or drink in 19th-century Ireland. The Wonder gets off to a slow start but gradually becomes a gripping drama about religious faith and exploitation. Sebastian Lelio’s direction helps to bring the story to life while conveying tremendous emotional nuance, all the way until The Wonder ’s resonant ending .

4 Descendant

In addition to feature films, Netflix continues to have an impressive library of documentaries, and its most acclaimed this year was Margaret Brown’s Descendant . The documentary chronicles the attempts to discover and raise the Clotilda, the last ship to carry slaves to the United States. Featuring beautiful imagery amidst discussion of some of the ugliest moments in American history, Descendant is a vital film on the ongoing impact of slavery and the possibility of healing.

3 The House

Part film and part series of animated shorts, The House is a dark narrative about three generations living in a house that seems to have a mind of its own. Featuring vocal talents such as Mia Goth and Helena Bonham Carter, The House follows a nightmarish logic that makes it one of the most unique productions available on Netflix. The House ’s true meaning provides a trenchant commentary on capitalism and the way it affects the human psyche, all with evocative stop-motion animation.

RELATED: Best Movies Of 2022

2 All Quiet On The Western Front

One of Netflix’s best movies this year was the first German-language adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s classic anti-war novel All Quiet on the Western Front . The film features some of the most gruesome battle scenes this side of Saving Private Ryan , and striking shot composition from director Edward Berger that highlights the machine-like nature of twentieth-century warfare. It’s not an easy watch, but All Quiet on the Western Front is a rewarding and necessary film.

1 Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

In a year with Disney failing to capitalize on the same material, Gullermo del Toro produced one of his best films in a stop-motion animated version of Pinocchio . Featuring a stacked voice cast, del Toro’s Pinocchio brings the story back to its roots as an Italian instructional tale, while transporting the action to the fascist 1940s. The result is a movie that’s dark while being overtly edgy and captures all the weirdness of the source material alongside very modern-feeling political commentary. Del Toro’s Pinocchio is a treat for viewers of any age and an example of Netflix ’s creative freedom at its best.

More: Why Del Toro's Pinocchio Cuts Two Of The Biggest Disney Songs

• SR Originals

The Best Netflix Original Movies of 2022

From YA romance to whodunits to tearjerking fairy tales

Netflix released a lot of original films in 2022, from animation to prestige fare to especially young adult book adaptations. There was no shortage of feel-good and transporting films to immerse viewers into entire universes, and even a bona fide box office success in the form of Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” follow-up “Glass Onion.” Below, we’ve singled out some of our favorites.

Behold, the best Netflix original movies of 2022, listed in order of release.

This one flew way under the radar when it was released back in March, but it’s a taut and twisty little thriller that touches on some hot-button issues in interesting ways. Jesse Plemons plays a wealthy CEO who returns to his home in Ojai one day with his wife (played by Lily Collins), only to discover they’re in the midst of being robbed by a stranger (played by Jason Segel). The stranger ties them up and holds them hostage, and the rest of the film plays out in the same location. There’s a healthy dash of Hitchcock in this latest film from director Charlie McDowell, and it boasts a sharp script from Justin Lader and Andrew Kevin Walker (the latter of “Seven” fame). – Adam Chitwood

Along for the Ride

Adapted from the best-selling book by Sarah Dessen, “Along for the Ride” kicked off the summer with a bang. The May Netflix release stars  Emma Pasarow as main character Auden, a young girl who feels she has never quite fit in anywhere between her divorced parents and her more mature outlook on life, and Belmont Cameli as enigma Eli, a nocturnal boy who, much like Auden, keeps to himself lone-wolf style. Auden meets Eli when she decides to spend the summer with her father (Dermot Mulroney) and his new wife Heidi (Kate Bosworth) in Colby, a small seaside town where they have settled down. Auden’s loneliness dissipates when she makes friends with the girls who work at Heidi’s boutique, where Auden works for the summer doing accounting before heading to college. She and Eli form a broody, edgy bond that blossoms into more as they embark on a quest, daring each other to confront parts of themselves they’d rather leave in the past. Complete with a secret diner nook that serves great pie and a prom scene that ties the film together, “Along for the Ride” successfully brought Dessen’s vision to life . – Dessi Gomez

One of the year’s biggest (and best) surprises was “Hustle,” which could have been a fairly by-the-book sports movie but is elevated, mostly due to Adam Sandler’s sensitive lead performance, easily his best work since “Uncut Gems” in 2019. (Yes, “Hubie Halloween” was very fun.) Sandler plays a scout and coach for the 76s, a pro basketball team always on the hunt for new talent. He finds that talent in an unlikely place: on a neighborhood basketball court in Spain. That’s where he spots Bo (Juancho Hernangómez), a single father with a dicey past that Sandler’s Stanley Sugarman thinks can go all the way. Surrounded by a satellite of outstanding character actors in supporting roles (including Queen Latifah as Sandler’s wife, Heidi Gardner, Robert Duvall and a scheming Ben Foster – is there any other kind of Ben Foster these days?) It’s the kind of midbudget character drama that big studios are too scared to produce anymore but Netflix will happily oblige (especially if it stars Adam Sandler). Few movies this year were as cathartic and openhearted as “Hustle.” – Drew Taylor

Purple Hearts

Director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum’s feature film starring Sofia Carson and Nicholas Galitzine explores the coming together of a couple who each have very different backgrounds. The enemies to lovers trope takes on a whole new meaning when polarized political views become involved. Luke (Galitzine) is training as a marine, about to deploy, when Cassie (Carson) proposes marriage to his friend Frankie (Chosen Jacobs) because she’s in a tight situation with medical insurance — she has diabetes and her dire need for insulin can’t be met by her current policy. Luke, whose father is a retired military policeman, offers to marry Cassie, who clashes with him immediately because she skews more liberal while he leans conservative, so that he can reap the benefits of a stipend to pay off a drug dealer who he owes a lot of money. Cassie gets better health benefits out of the deal, and while Luke gets deployed, her music starts to take off because she has found a theme she really connects to — the love and the sacrifice of military families. – Dessi Gomez

Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between

A grounded Talia Ryder and a happy-go-lucky Jordan Fisher unite to create an authentic young adult love story set in between senior year of high school and freshman year of college. Ethan (Fisher) meets Claire (Ryder) at a party right before their last year of high school is set to begin, and though Claire hesitates to act on their spark because she has moved around a lot, and her high school sweetheart parents didn’t make it in marriage, Ethan keeps pursuing her until she relents. Fisher contributed an original song to this adaptation of Jennifer E. Smith’s popular novel. The up-in-the-air ending reflects the reality of life and romantic relationships. – Dessi Gomez

Look Both Ways

If not for the split dual timelines involving a baby or no baby, this film should be watched for its amazing animation. Natalie Bennett (Lili Reinhart) sleeps with her good college friend Gabe (Danny Ramirez) in a spur-of-the-moment decision on one of their last nights of college before graduation. Later on at their last party during the actual eve of graduation, Natalie’s narrative branches into two possibilities: one in which she gets pregnant with Gabe’s child, and one in which she doesn’t. From there, the film splits into two universes that sometimes parallel each other in certain areas. Exploring the themes of career and motherhood as well as soulmates and true love, Natalie ultimately still gets to pursue her passion for art, animation and drawing in both realities. She learns different life lessons with and without daughter Rosie. – Dessi Gomez

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s girly riff on Hitchcock’s “Strangers on a Train” captured the attention of millennials, Gen X and Gen Z alike with it’s colorful basket of easter egg references to films like “Mean Girls,” “Clueless” and more. The ‘Revenger’ cast consisting of Camilla Mendes, Maya Hawke, Austin Abrams, Rish Shah, Alisha Boe, Jonathan Daviss, Talia Ryder, Maia Reficco, Paris Berlec and Ava Capri pack a punch of young starpower , accompanied by cameos from Sophie Turner and Sarah Michelle Geller. Drea Torres (Mendes) falls from grace when her boyfriend Max (Austin Abrams) leaks a sex tape she makes for his eyes only. The former “It” girl stumbles upon Eleanor (Hawke) at summer tennis camp, where Eleanor plants the seed of doing each other’s revenge in Drea’s mind. Some twists and turns dig up true dirt along the way, both literally in the form of acid mushrooms and metaphorically when Drea has to face her true self and the past she thought she had left behind. This one is delectably fun. – Dessi Gomez

Luckiest Girl Alive

Mila Kunis brings the edge as TifAni FaNelli in the film adaptation of Jessica Knoll’s book “Luckiest Girl Alive.” Chiara Aurelia plays Kunis’ younger counterpart . TifAni, who know goes by just Ani, has climbed her own ladder of success, making her way up the ranks of editorial and landing a coveted role at The New York Times Magazine as well as a hot soon-to-be husband (Finn Wittrock). She’ll be marrying into money, but she has deep trauma. When Ani was in high school, she tried to run with the popular crowd, until she gets gang-raped one night and doesn’t know who to tell about it. She confides in her high school English teacher Mr. Larson (Scoot McNairy), who later triggers her memories of the whole experience when he comes back into her life just before her wedding. On top of the gang rape, her at-first friend Arthur (Thomas Barbusca) — who took her under his wing when the popular kids dropped her — organizes a school shooting with their adjacent friend Ben (David Webster). When a producer asks Ani to participate in a documentary called “Friends of the Five” referencing the five lives lost in the school shooting, all the drama and trauma gets dredged up and the tension comes to a head, leaving Ani with some difficult choices to make . – Dessi Gomez

Wendell and Wild

All hail the return of Henry Selick. Stop-motion animation’s elder statesman hadn’t produced a feature since 2009’s Oscar-nominated “Coraline.” After a brief, disastrous stint at Pixar, it seemed like we might never get another movie from him. But thanks to Jordan Peele, who signed on to co-wrote, produce and co-star, it actually happened. And the resulting film, “Wendell & Wild,” is probably more imaginative and odder than if Selick had cooked it up himself. A “Beetlejuice”-style dark comedy about a young girl and her communion with otherworldly demons (played by Peele and his frequent collaborator Keegan-Michael Key), there’s an anarchic spirit that runs through “Wendell & Wild,” with its afro-punk soundtrack, open jabs at current political leaders and storyline that features an army of invading zombies (among other things). It might not be the most prestigious stop-motion animated feature produced by Netflix this year, but there is something incredibly special about having Selick back – and, what’s more – having him produce something so esoteric and grand. Let’s hope he’s got another one in him. The world is better off if he’s making movies in it. – Drew Taylor

The School for Good and Evil

The adaptation of Soman Chainani’s best-selling “School for Good and Evil” book series, directed by Paul Fieg , arrived on Netflix just in time for Halloween. Sophie (Sophia Anne Caruso) and Agatha (Sofia Wylie) bond in the classic opposites attract style, but when they get whisked away to the very real School for Good and Evil and Sophie lands in Evil while Agatha lands in Good, the tale of their tested friendship begins. With a staff of starpowered teachers like Professor Dovey (Kerry Washington), Lady Lesso (Charlize Theron), Professor Anemone (Michelle Yeoh) and of course the Schoolmaster (Laurence Fishburne), the girls embark on an education that completely deconstructs fairytales and the notion of good and bad as a strict binary. Fantastical creatures and magical classes abound, just like at Hogwarts, but in a world all its own. – Dessi Gomez

Enola Holmes 2

Millie Bobby Brown returns, epic stunts and all, as Enola Holmes in the sequel to the first installment that came out in 2020. Also returning are director Harry Bradbeer and Henry Cavill as Sherlock, Enola’s older and famous brother. Mycroft (Sam Claflin) unfortunately does not make an appearance in “Enola Holmes 2,” but Helena Bonham Carter does as their mother Eudoria, and Lousi Partridge also returns as the Viscount Tewkesbury. Enola takes on her first independent case as she starts her detective firm, but it turns out that the case intertwines with Sherlock’s own complicated one that has been stumping him recently. Historical events, social etiquette and the continued feminine action main character role makes for a sequel just as strong as the first “Enola Holmes” (2020) with more than a whodunnit conclusion — some life lessons for both siblings are learned along the way. Plus, a very special guest makes his debut in the Enola universe in a post-credit scene that sets up for another wrinkle in the detective story and world. – Dessi Gomez

The Good Nurse

One of the year’s best, least talked about movies was “The Good Nurse.” Based on the true story of the man who could be America’s most prolific serial killer, a nebbish nurse named Charles Cullen (played, chillingly, by Eddie Redmayne) and the coworker who brought him down (Jessica Chastain), the latest feature from Danish filmmaker Tobias Lindholm is an unsettling and deeply human thriller. “Last Night in Soho” and “1917” writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns’ script wisely focuses on the friendship between Charlie and the nurse who brought him down (Amy Loughren) with the crimes kept in the background until they become unmissable. And what’s more, Lindholm and Wilson-Cairns put as much blame on America’s broken medical system, which allowed for questionable deaths to occur at Cullen’s various jobs for years, as on Cullen himself. (Estimates suggest he could be responsible for hundreds of deaths.) When Amy finally asks him why he did it he responds, “Because they didn’t stop me.” It’s a chilling admission but speaks to how the architecture of hospital administration allowed a killer to drift in and out of its doors. – Drew Taylor

Weirdly overlooked, Florence Pugh’s best film of 2022 is this arresting period mystery based on a novel by “The Room” author Emma Donoghue. In 1862 Pugh’s character, a nurse who served in the Crimean War, is summoned to rural Ireland to investigate a medical conundrum – a young girl (Kíla Lord Cassidy) who claims to be fasting for months but also somehow surviving. Parts of “The Wonder” feel like a Victorian episode of “The X-Files” as faith is pitted against science and skeptical locals frown upon the arrival of an inquisitive outsider. But there’s also so much more going on beneath the surface of “The Wonder,” to the point that the “truth” of the situation slips away entirely, revealing instead a story about what makes us human and the power it takes to believe. Directed and co-written by the great Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio, who adds a number of tantalizing flourishes, both stylistically and textually, and who brings along perhaps the movie’s most unheralded MVP, British electronic musician Matthew Herbert, who composes a score made of samples of characters breathing and other propulsive elements. It’s unlike anything you heard in movies this year and only adds to the magic of “The Wonder.” – Drew Taylor

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Guillermo del Toro’s rendition of “Pinocchio” infuses new beauty into the classic Italian folktale. The impressively detailed stop-motion animation combined with an equally impressive voice cast — including Gregory Mann, David Bradley, Ron Perlman, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Finn Wolfhard, Burn Gorman, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson and more — makes for an immersive viewing experience. The film finds multiple ways into the hearts of the audience. Not even 10 minutes into the movie, the emotional themes of love, loss and familial bonds will grip viewers and plunge them into the world of pine puppet Pinocchio, who borrows the soul of Geppetto’s son Carlo, killed tragically too early in a church bombing, to bring Gepetto joy and give the boy’s soul a second chance at life. The telling of the tale from the perspective of Sebastian J. Cricket (Ewan McGregor), who literally takes up residence in Pinocchio’s heart, seals the deal. – Dessi Gomez

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

One of the year’s biggest crowd pleasers (hey, it did play in theaters for six days at Thanksgiving) is also one of Netflix’s very best movies this year. Writer/director Rian Johnson returns to the world of his 2019 breakout “Knives Out” with the same puckish wit and attention to detail. This time detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is drawn into an extravagant thriller on a tech billionaire’s (Edward Norton) fanciful island getaway, where he’s involved a cluster of his closest friends to take part in a murder mystery party that soon gives way to an actual killing. Among the potential victims (or murderers) are Janelle Monae, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Leslie Odom, Jr., Jessica Henwick and Kathryn Hahn. And while the characters are broader and the situation more colorful than the cozy, locked-door whodunnit of “Knives Out,” the performers and Johnson craft deeply felt characters that serve to draw you deeper and deeper into the movie’s dark contours. (Johnson, too, has a lot on his mind, about everything from men’s rights activists to the unnecessary lionization of big business revolutionaries.) “Glass Onion” is a minor miracle, in the sense that movies that are this fun are also rarely this good. – Drew Taylor

White Noise

For his first adaptation Noah Baumbach chose a whopper – Don DeLillo’s supposedly unfilmable 1985 novel “White Noise.” Adam Driver plays a professor at a leafy New England college (he teaches Hitler Studios) whose wife (Baumbach’s partner Greta Gerwig) he suspects of popping pills and whose boisterous family, mostly cobbled together from the children of their previous marriages, is a tornado of endless crosstalk and jibber jabber. Baumbach would probably be happy to just stay in their cloistered, dysfunctional enclave, but there are bigger issues here – primarily a train wreck that has unleashed a noxious cloud (classified as an “airborne toxic event”) that threatens their small town and allows for Baumbach to indulge in bigger action sequences that border on the Spielbergian. You can feel, while watching it, Baumbach using the endless runway afforded him after the success of his brilliant, Oscar-winning “Marriage Story,” to make something truly exceptional and definitely sprawling. And the movie’s very end, an elaborate dance sequence set to a killer new LCD Soundsystem song, serves as the perfect postmodern punctuation. What a ride. – Drew Taylor

The 30 Best Netflix Original Movies of 2022

There's much more to Netflix's batch of originals than The Good Nurse . (But yes, that one too.)

Fast-forward 15 years or so, and things are much different. When Netflix expanded its platform into a streaming service, it promised even more convenience. Honestly? It delivered. Nowadays, there are thousands of options to choose from, including an impressive collection of Netflix originals. But with so many options at our disposal, picking a movie nowadays has become a bit taxing. Just for you, we’ve rounded up what's worth the watch, from The Good Nurse , a bone-chilling true story, to Me Time , a buddy comedy that will have you laughing from start to finish. Keep reading for the best Netflix original films of 2022 so far.

The Good Nurse

The Good Nurse is a horrifying, but true story about America’s most undetected serial killer. The film follows Amy Loughren, a nurse who works with the police to arrest her coworker, Charlie Cullen, a man responsible for killing hundreds of patients.

Luckiest Girl Alive

Mila Kunis stars as Ani Fanelli, a seemingly perfect writer in Luckiest Girl Alive . Her past comes back to haunt her when she’s asked to participate in a true-crime documentary that investigates a tragic event from her high-school days.

A Jazzman’s Blues

Tyler Perry’s latest film, A Jazzman's Blues , is a harrowing love story that unravels 40 years of family drama and deceit. When Bayou (Joshua Boon) and LeAnne (Solea Pfeiffer) fall for each other, their families do just about everything to keep them apart. Turns out, their efforts prove to be more dangerous than anticipated.

End Of The Road

End Of The Road is an action-thriller starring Queen Latifah and Christopher Bridges (AKA Ludacris). Brenda (Latifah) and her family embark on a cross-country road trip, which turns into a fight for their lives when they become the targets of a brutal killer.

Wedding Season

If you love an enemies-to-lovers scheme, then Wedding Season is perfect for you. The rom-com follows Asha and Ravi, two perpetually single adults who pretend to date for their parents' approval. When they’re tasked with attending a series of summer weddings, the pair realizes they might actually be a good match.

Look Both Ways

Lily Reinhart stars in Look Both Ways , a film that explores a woman’s parallel realities following a pregnancy scare. In one life, she’s a young mother who moves back home to raise her child, and in the other, she moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams.

Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg star in this buddy comedy, which follows a dad who leaves his wife and kids behind for a weekend trip with his childhood best friend. What starts as an ordinary vacation threatens to ruin his cushy suburban life.

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between

In this romantic-drama, teenagers Claire and Aiden decide to break up before going to college. They may call themselves the “queen and king of ending things,” but an epic final date might change their plans.

A Perfect Pairing

Victoria Justice stars in A Perfect Pairing as Lola Alvarez, an ambitious wine executive who abandons her Los Angeles life for an Australian adventure. But when Lola arrives, her work endeavors are uprooted by a handsome local.

Incantation

Incantation is a Chinese thriller, shot in a found-footage style a la The Blair Witch Project . The film follows Li Ronan, a woman who is cursed after breaking a religious practice then has to protect her daughter from the consequences.

Dakota Johnson joins the Jane Austen canon in this adaptation of the novel, Persuasion . A story about true love and second chances unravels in this quirky and modern twist on the classic tale.

If you feel like you can't get enough Riverdale , or you've always want to know what Strangers on a Train would be like if it took place in a high school in 2022, then Do Revenge is the movie for you. Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke play high school outcasts who decide to take care of each other's bullies.

Day Shift is a star studded action comedy that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Jamie Foxx plays a pool cleaner by day and a vampire hunter by night, who is struggling to make ends meet, and is teamed up with Dave Franco, who plays his partner and co-vampire hunter. Oh, and Snoop Dogg makes a special appearance. What more could you ask for in a movie?

The Weekend Away

In this film starring Leighton Meester as a young woman named Beth, two friends travel to Croatia for a getaway, but things spiral out of control quickly. After a drunken night out, Beth is suddenly thrust into a world of mystery as her friend goes missing. This suspenseful and engaging tale will keep you on your toes.

Based on the short story by George Saunders, this film starring Chris Hemsworth, Miles Teller, and Jurnee Smollett, follows incarcerated people at a penitentiary who volunteer to test experimental mind altering drugs in exchange for reduced sentences. This dystopian sci-fi flick will take you to a world unlike any you've ever seen.

The Gray Man

This breakout film of the year has a star-studded cast, lead by Ryan Gosling and directed by Anthony and Joe Russo of Marvel film fame. Gosling plays Sierra Six, a secret agent, who resembles a Marvel superhero in many ways. The film offers breakneck speed action and the action stunt antics of actors like Chris Evans, Regé-Jean Page, and Ana de Armas. The Gray Man was such a hit that it's already been tapped for a sequel and a spinoff.

Metal Lords

Two high school outcasts played by Jaeden Martell, of IT fame, and Adrian Greensmith, decide to form a metal band and compete in their school's battle of the bands. As if growing up isn't hard enough, try forming a successful metal band with your best friend and getting your girlfriend to join the crew, too. This movie will take you right back to your angsty high school days.

Senior Year

Rebel Wilson's new comedy, Senior Year , is definitely worth the watch if you'd like to unwind with something that'll make you laugh. Wilson plays a grown woman who has to return to high school due to an unfortunate accident. Weird and hilarious hijinks ensue.

The Sea Beast

This film from Chris Williams, the filmmaker behind Moana , serves up a classic tale of fantasy and adventure. Set in a world where sea monsters are lurking everywhere, a brave sailor and monster hunter named Jacob Holland embarks on a quest. Holland is hunting down his next monster, when he finds himself partnered with a young girl stowaway—and the two kick off an epic adventure.

Love and Leashes

This Korean romantic comedy puts a spin on a typical workplace romance. Seohyun, a member of the hugely popular K-pop group Girls Generation , plays an office worker named Jung Ji-Woo who has a crush on her co-worker, Jung Ji-Hoo, played by Lee Jun-Young. When she finds out that her crush has a BDSM fetish, she begins a sexy (yet wholesome!) new relationship.

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'Windfall' is a satisfying, well-acted thriller that lives up to its clever premise

Linda Holmes

Jason Segel, Lily Collins and Jesse Plemons play three unnamed characters who simultaneously seem on the verge of violence — or an alilance. Netflix © 2022 hide caption

Jason Segel, Lily Collins and Jesse Plemons play three unnamed characters who simultaneously seem on the verge of violence — or an alilance.

Windfall is not shy about its aspirations to be a throwback. The opening titles come up over a static shot of a curtain blowing across one open French door off the courtyard of a luxury home. They come in an art deco font — and when they reach the word Windfall , it ' s in quotation marks and accompanied by a sudden, tense chord. The quotation marks are right out of Casablanca or The Wizard of Oz , and that crashing chord over the title recalls the openings of Hitchcock movies including Vertigo and Dial M for Murder .

The film is directed by Charlie McDowell — who got solid notices for The One I Love — from a story credited to McDowell, Justin Lader and Jason Segel, with a screenplay by Lader and Andrew Kevin Walker. The great majority of the film concerns three people, none of whom are given names. They are credited as Nobody (Segel), CEO (Jesse Plemons) and Wife (Lily Collins). Nobody has broken into CEO and Wife's vacation house, and he's about to get away when they unexpectedly arrive.

I will tell you as much about the setup as the trailer reveals: These people all wind up stuck in the house together, because Nobody never intended to hurt anyone. But he isn't willing to get caught, either, so he can't let CEO and Wife leave or call the police. He's willing to scram and let them go if they give him enough money. But it will take time to get hold of that much cash, even for CEO, who's a tech billionaire. So they all have to wait, together.

What follows is unsettling and suspenseful and very, very tense. It's also not infrequently comic; Nobody is not a brilliant criminal, and there are logistics to holding people hostage that he did not anticipate when he expected to rob an unoccupied house. Often, he and CEO both seem ridiculous, just a pair of doofuses of different kinds. Sometimes the comedy and the suspense collide and either mix or trade off, as they do in CEO's lavish orange grove. The score, from Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans, remains pleasingly, nervously old-fashioned.

The film, specifically conceived as a pandemic-appropriate project, makes good use of Wife and CEO's lush outdoors property. Netflix © 2022 hide caption

The film, specifically conceived as a pandemic-appropriate project, makes good use of Wife and CEO's lush outdoors property.

McDowell has explained that this film was specifically conceived as a pandemic-appropriate project — and as such, it's something I honestly expected to see more of than we have in the past year or so: small-cast, limited-space, modest-scale stories that could easily have been plays. Much of it even takes place outside, in various parts of the sprawling property CEO and Wife use for their getaways. McDowell makes good use of a wide variety of backdrops both luscious and spare, as these three people grow to feel more and more trapped in this luxurious place.

The basic questions of a story like this are the simple ones: Is Nobody, a regular Joe trying to rob a billionaire, a good guy or bad guy? Is CEO secretly right that Nobody is just a resentful failure taking his disappointments out on other people? Are CEO and Wife the cohesive unit they appear to be when they are first confronted?

And, of course, how is this going to end? Will Nobody get away with it? Will the burbling threat of violence ever materialize? With the stakes so high and the tension mounting, will any of these people pay some very high price for a mistake that they make, or one someone else makes? You wonder if you will see some surprising alliance — between Nobody and CEO, or between Nobody and Wife, or between all three characters. You have a sense that at least one of them will show new sides under pressure.

There's a limited set of answers (in a movie that plays fair) to the question of whether this will end well or badly for (1) Nobody (2) CEO and (3) Wife. But that doesn't take anything away from what's ultimately a well-done, stripped-down thriller. Plemons has fun with the idea of the world-buying billionaire whose unshakable arrogance, even while he's a hostage, is both a weapon and a flaw. Collins plays Wife as a woman who has struggled to make her peace with being extraordinarily wealthy in return for being married to this man — a struggle with which Nobody is unsympathetic. And the bearded, sweaty Segel, who has a long history of playing lovable, lanky sad sacks, brings menace to Nobody, but balances it with a measure of false bravado that suggests he doesn't really intend anything bad to happen.

It's a well-structured tale that has the elements a movie like this needs most: details that will pay off later, truths you only spot on second viewing, and missteps by characters that suddenly change personal dynamics. It is, in a word, satisfying.

You'll often hear the argument that nobody makes grown-up films anymore, or films that don't rely on special effects, or movies that are just people talking — and fortunately, it's just not the case. This is a clever, tight (at 90 minutes), well-edited, well-acted and well-written movie that isn't done any disservice by being viewed at home as a Netflix offering. It's a fun movie that lives up to that retro opening.

10 Best 2022 Netflix Movies

Add these to your queue immediately.

We’ve all had those nights where Netflix feels like a massive black hole as we scroll and scroll through a seemingly endless selection of content. But as 2022 rounds out, you’re in luck. We’ve chosen the absolute best original Netflix movies of the past year to add to your queue and just press play on. These are all winners for the huge studio and streaming service you gotta catch up on. 

Netflix released over 150 original movies in 2022, but here are the best 10! There’s everything from a whodunit mystery, war epic, heartfelt stop-motion and wild true stories to experience with a Netflix subscription . 

Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio 

Though it’s technically the second Pinocchio movie of 2022, it’s not only the best by miles, it’s among the strongest films of the year. Guillermo del Toro , the imaginative mind behind fantasies like Pan’s Labyrinth , The Shape of Water and Pacific Rim , puts his own mark on the beloved children’s character alongside a stunning voice cast including Ewan McGregor, Cate Blanchett, Christoph Waltz and Tilda Swinton. Deep, dark and beautifully crafted with stop motion animation, this Pinocchio explores new grooves of the character all-while being a charming family musical. Check out ReelBlend’s interview with del Toro for behind-the-scenes stories on the film.  

It’s not everyday that a truly great teen comedy comes our way, so we were pleasantly surprised at how electric Maya Hawke and Camila Mendes are together in Do Revenge . This movie stars an unlikely pair from two different sides of the high school prep food chain who team up to do each other’s revenge. It’s a really stylish, fun and twisty time that may very well go down in history as a new classic in the genre. Plus, it’s riddled with great references to classic teen comedies . We love our revenge mommies! 

Hustle 

Coming off of Uncut Gems and Hubie Halloween , we really don’t know what to expect from Adam Sandler these days. Hustle is an engaging sports drama that has Adam Sandler flexing those acting chops as an NBA scout who discovers a Spanish basketball player for the draft. Hustle is grounded in a compelling authenticity that we love to see Sandler flex every once in a while between his more screwball comedies and a great addition to Hollywood’s lexicon of great basketball movies .  

Florence Pugh had a massive 2022 as the star of Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling , but another gem of the actress’ this year was Netflix's The Wonder . The dramatic mystery based on Emma Donoghue’s novel follows an English nurse (Pugh) who is brought to a small Irish village to observe a young girl who miraculously stops eating, yet remains alive. Between an intriguing story and another slam-dunk performance from Pugh, this is another Netflix gem of the year. 

Enola Holmes 2 

Sequels are no easy feat, but Millie Bobby Brown ’s Enola Holmes 2 nails it. Armed with a more complex mystery for Sherlock Holmes’ sister to solve, it’s a blast to return to Enola’s fourth-wall breaking world as she opens her own detective agency and delves into a case to find a matchstick girl’s missing sister. Additionally, Henry Cavill’s Sherlock gets a wonderful supporting plot line. The Enola Holmes franchise is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s best original properties. 

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Wendell & Wild 

Henry Selick, director of The Nightmare Before Christmas , and critically-acclaimed horror filmmaker Jordan Peele teamed up for the stop motion comedy Wendell & Wild , and it’s another 2022 highlight. The animated film follows a teen girl and the demon brothers she meets (played by Peele and his Key & Peele collaborator Keegan Michael-Key) who craft up a deal that bend the rules of life and death. It’s an offbeat comedy full of the creepy vibes one would expect from these two minds. 

The Swimmers 

Based on the true story, teen Syrian refugee sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini swam alongside a sinking dinghy full of refugees and helped them safely go across the Aegean Sea. Yusra would go on to become part of the Olympics as part of the Refugee Olympic Athletes Team and win one of the competitions at the 2016 Rio games. The Swimmers premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before reaching Netflix. You can check out our interview with the star Nathalie Issa here on CinemaBlend. 

The Good Nurse

Another true story, albeit on a much darker side of the spectrum is The Good Nurse . Based on the true crime book, it follows a nurse named Charles Cullen (played by Eddie Redmayne ) who later became a convicted serial killer. The story follows the perspective of his close colleague and another night nurse, Amy Loughren, when she begins to suspect Charles after a series of mysterious patient deaths take place. It’s a gripping thriller and marks a different, but very well-played performance especially from Redmayne. 

All Quiet On The Western Front 

Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 anti-war novel All Quiet on the Western Front has certainly been adapted before, but the source material gets an incredible update with director Edward Berger’s version. This Netflix movie is faithful to the original story and employs an incredible hold on filmmaking as it delivers a timeless message about the pitfalls of war. 

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery 

Following Rian Johnson’s 2019 clever and hilarious whodunnit introduced us all to Daniel Craig ’s Detective Beniot Blanc with Knives Out , the filmmaker does it again with Glass Onion . This time, Blanc finds himself amidst a group of old friends of a billionaire, Edward Norton’s Miles Bron, who invites them all on a weekend getaway on his private island. Glass Onion is not only stacked with an incredible cast, but Johnson uses the relationship we as a public have with many of the actors to play into another stunning mystery that just keeps getting better as the mystery unfolds.

It’s been another great year for Netflix original movies! There’s plenty more exciting movies from the streamer to get hyped for in 2023 as well. David Fincher’s next movie, The Killer and Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro , along with the Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan-led action movie Heart Of Stone , are all set to be 2023 Netflix releases.

Sarah El-Mahmoud has been with CinemaBlend since 2018 after graduating from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Journalism. In college, she was the Managing Editor of the award-winning college paper, The Daily Titan, where she specialized in writing/editing long-form features, profiles and arts & entertainment coverage, including her first run-in with movie reporting, with a phone interview with Guillermo del Toro for Best Picture winner, The Shape of Water. Now she's into covering YA television and movies, and plenty of horror. Word webslinger. All her writing should be read in Sarah Connor’s Terminator 2 voice over.

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The 15 Best Netflix Original Movies Of 2022, Ranked

With the pandemic still raging on and many, myself included, still feeling nervous about heading to the theaters, streaming services have been a lifeline for film fans. Netflix still reigns as the victor of the streaming wars and is continuing to establish itself as a certifiable force as a production company. The streamer led the Academy Award nominations last year with "The Power of the Dog," and there's a good chance they'll have plenty to celebrate in the coming weeks regarding this year's slate. 2022 was a time for restructuring and recouping massive losses , but Netflix still managed to put out some undeniably great original narrative features. As we head toward 2023, here are the 15 best original Netflix films of the year, including a few that haven't arrived on the app just yet.

15. Jackass 4.5

Okay, yeah, I'm kicking off this list by cheating because Netflix didn't make this film, but whatever, it's exclusive to the streamer and I will never lose an opportunity to talk about my favorite dudes. The world is on fire, cut me some slack! As is tradition for the "Jackass" films, "Jackass 4.5" sees Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and the rest of the crew return for another round of hilarious stunts and hijinks featuring extra footage and out-takes from "Jackass Forever." Calling this a movie might be unfair, but the bonus material featured in "Jackass 4.5" is more entertaining and action-packed than some of the streamer's most expensive features this year.

The 90-minute collection also features interviews with the cast, explanations of how some of the biggest stunts in the film were pulled off, and provides all of the endearing interactions that elevate the "Jackass" films as more than just juvenile pranks. "Jackass 4.5" is also the best look at the new team — Zach Holmes, Poopies, Eric Manaka, Rachel Wolfson, Jasper Dolphin, and Dark Shark — as well as how they were able to pull off "Jackass Forever" in the midst of COVID-19 lockdowns. Look, life is hard, and sometimes you just want to watch people get kicked by their best friend on a swing set while wearing an inflatable animal costume.

14. Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood

As a former teacher, I would always laugh when my coworkers would lament how many students would say they wanted to be an "influencer" or "Twitch streamer" when they grow up, instead of, say, "an astronaut." The reason is simple — kids today aren't constantly bombarded by the awe-inspiring imagery of astronauts suiting up before missions, and traveling to space is now something a bunch of rich weirdos can do just for the funsies. But for that brief period of time when space adventure was uncharted territory, it allowed a generation to grow up in a web of wonder.

Richard Linklater's latest venture is the rotoscoped animated film for Netflix, "Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood," which was described by /Film's Josh Spiegel as "a sweet, friendly, low-key affair that often feels less like a story and more like a home movie Linklater collected to share with his grandkids," in his review . Linklater's film feels like a meticulously curated time capsule of the era, just barely acknowledging the more tumultuous real-life events so as not to cloud the nostalgic lens of the "good ol' days." Linklater is certainly more than capable of crafting a more evocative film, but that was so clearly not the intent with "Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood." The intent was to remember a time when science felt like magic, and the horrors of adulthood were still out of reach.

I am a staunch defender of The Sandman, and it's still odd to me that after all this time, people are still shocked when Adam Sandler turns it out in a dramatic performance. After being snubbed by the Oscars for "Uncut Gems" and following it up with the goofball comedy, "Hubie Halloween," Sandler is back in serious mode with the basketball drama, "Hustle." In his review , our own Chris Evangelista called it "a predictable underdog sports story that still manages to charm," which is quite possibly the best way to describe the film. Sandler is a lifelong basketball fan, and his love of the game has been well on display for years. "Hustle" may feel like 100 other underdog sports movies, but at its core, this is a passion project for Sandler and a way to honor the sport he loves so much. The characters of "Hustle" feel archetypal, but that's also part of the film's allure — we can safely predict how things will play out, bringing a great deal of comfort to the viewer.

"Hustle" is also a film that has a deep reverence for basketball in its direction, featuring extended sequences of training montages, live gameplay, and camera work that highlights the athleticism of the players rather than the spectacle of competition. I've never seen a basketball game shot quite like this, and it only adds to the intensity of the story. Okay, sure, there are one too many "LOOK AT THIS CAMEO!" moments for my liking, but "Hustle" is a solid watch with a fantastic performance from Sandler, and will be a great movie to watch with your dad over the holidays.

12. Metal Lords

Man, sometimes you just need to sit back, relax, and watch a genuinely fun, good-hearted movie with some swears. The teen comedy "Metal Lords" is an ode to outcasts everywhere, as Hunter (Adrian Greensmith) and Kevin (Jaeden Martell) decide to start a heavy metal band despite being the only two people at their high school who knows anything about metal. Struggling to find a bassist for their new band, the two manage to enlist Emily (Isis Hainsworth), a classically trained cellist, to help them reach their rock dreams. The three-piece metal band has to figure out how to write and play music together and deal with the day-to-day trials and tribulations of being a teenager.

If you enjoyed the film "Deathgasm" but were craving something a little more based in reality, "Metal Lords" is your all-inclusive backstage pass. To be transparent, "Metal Lords" is a bit of a paint-by-numbers approach to a teen movie, which is exceedingly weird considering "Game of Thrones" co-creator D. B. Weiss wrote the script, and director Peter Sollett previously made one of the best teen romance films of the 2010s, "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist." Regardless, "Metal Lords" is a tender, funny approach to coming-of-age, backdropped against the power of kickass tunes.

11. The Wonder

While "Don't Worry Darling" got most of the attention for Florence Pugh this year, her strongest performance came from the Netflix film, "The Wonder." A psychological period drama set in the Irish Midlands in 1862, the film follows an eleven-year-old girl who stops eating but remains somehow stays alive and agile. Pugh plays an English nurse named Lib Wright who comes to the small village to observe the girl, as tourists and pilgrims flock to witness the, you guessed it, wonder.

Admittedly, the premise of "The Wonder" likely would have played out better as a true-to-form horror film. There are plenty of odd decisions made throughout, but as /Film's Chris Evangelista said in his review, "I was still hypnotized by it all; wrapped up in the strangeness mixed with the beautiful-but-lonely countryside. By the time the credits rolled, I was chilled, but puzzled. What does it all mean?" If you're a fan of haunting period pieces in the middle of the European countryside, "The Wonder" will be right up your alley.

10. White Noise

Don DeLillo's 1985 novel "White Noise" is one of the cornerstones of postmodern literature, so Noah Baumbach certainly had his work cut out for him when adapting the material for the screen . Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig star as a suburban couple living in a college town who are forced to evacuate their home after an Airborne Toxic Event. If this sounds like the perfect story after the pandemic irreversibly changed everyone's lives, you're right on target. Rather than focus on the harrowing aftermath of a pandemic, "White Noise" is a commentary on how capitalism has turned crisis into a commercialized commodity.

At the same time, "White Noise" is extremely frank about the harsh realities of existence, pointing out with unflinching (and oftentimes hilariously camp) accuracy that we're all doomed to eventual nothingness, so don't feel bad about enjoying life while you still have it. "White Noise" is also a deeply existential film, meaning each viewer will likely get something entirely different out of it than the person next to them. "White Noise" is a masterclass in examining death, dying, and the drama of life, but filled with plenty of cathartic bursts of humor to keep the psychological damage at a minimum.

"White Noise" arrives on Netflix on December 30, 2022.

9. The Sea Beast

Despite the mass layoffs and cancellations earlier this year, Netflix put out some ridiculously great animated features. One such example is the swashbuckling adventure film by Academy Award-winning director, Chris Williams, "The Sea Beast." The story follows a young girl named Maisie who stows away on the ship of a legendary sea monster hunter, just as he is about to explore uncharted waters and take down a never-before-seen creature. /Film's own Rafael Motamayor called the film "a crowd-pleasing anti-imperialist seafaring adventure," highlighting the exciting battles at sea, the legitimately scary sea monster designs, huge animated thrills, and sweet dynamic between "a hardened monster hunter and an energetic and hopeful kid."

Animation is often unfairly maligned as nothing more than a " kid's genre, " when the medium has always existed to tell stories fit for all ages. While "The Sea Beast" does boast a child as one of the leading protagonists, this is the type of all-ages adventure movie that feels at home with the live-action films of Amblin Entertainment. Story aside, "The Sea Beast" is also a gorgeous animated film, which some of the most realistic ships, water, and the greatest monster in animation – ropes . This film didn't get the massive marketing rollout it deserved, which is a shame considering it's easily one of the best-animated features of the year.

8. Matilda the Musical

If you're on TikTok, chances are your For You Page has been inundated by people attempting the "Matilda the Musical" choreography for the song "Revolting Children." The film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical based on Roald Dahl's beloved children's novel (but with no real relation to the live-action film adaptation from 1996) features music from Tim Minchin, a script by Dennis Kelly, and is directed by Matthew Warchus, who also ran the show on Broadway. As this film isn't yet available on the platform, I won't say much, but know that the musical is just as whimsical, hilarious, and wonderful as the story that inspired it. Alisha Weir is an absolute delight as Matilda Wormwood, and Lashana Lynch's voice as Miss Honey brings the perfect level of sweetness, but alas, despite her talents, Emma Thompson is a bit too buried under prosthetics and padding to allow Miss Trunchbull to be as terrifying as she needs to be. Regardless, "Matilda the Musical" will have you singing your heart out ... and trying that ridiculously good choreography in your kitchen.

"Matilda" will be available on Netflix beginning December 25, 2022.

7. Wendell & Wild

Can we finally cut the crap and officially declare Henry Selick as the king of stop-motion animation? The man responsible for "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "James and the Giant Peach," "Monkeybone," and "Coraline" is back with another instant-favorite. "Wendell & Wild" tells the story of two titular demon brothers (Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele) who convince a rebellious 13-year-old orphan named Kat Elliot to help them into the land of the living. Like many of Selick's films that came before, "Wendell & Wild" is beautiful and macabre but still brings a deeply important message about society — distilled into something young viewers can process. Sure, it's a movie where Hell is a theme park and James Hong is an undead priest, but this is also "Baby's First Prison Reform Movie."

Despite its fantastical elements, "Wendell & Wild" is deeply critical of the systemic failures in America that make the lives of marginalized communities difficult, and also allows Kat, a young Black girl, to showcase justified anger at the circumstances she's been thrown into. This shouldn't be revolutionary in 2022, but it is. Selick has delivered a coming-of-age companion piece to "Coraline" in the best ways possible, and the film boasts arguably the best soundtrack of the year. Fishbone? X-Ray Spex? The Specials?! Yeah, "Wendell & Wild" rules.

6. Do Revenge

Hollywood has been trying and failing to capture the essence of Gen Z in their teen films for years, but Jennifer Kaytin Robinson's "Do Revenge" did the impossible and absolutely nailed it. Alfred Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train" by way of the edgy teen films of 1999, "Do Revenge" is about two elite teenagers who join forces to take down their respective tormentors. Of course, this is a teen film, so there's plenty of twisty melodrama along the way, but with "Riverdale" star Camila Mendes and "Stranger Things" fave Maya Hawke in the lead roles, "Do Revenge" brings "Cruel Intentions" levels of next-big-thing-in-Hollywood star power.

"Do Revenge" is a teen movie that simultaneously embraces and subverts the tropes made popular between the era of John Hughes and "Mean Girls," while still feeling like a completely fresh approach to the conflicts of high school living. The characters' problems are treated with legitimacy, but there are plenty of nods to just how ridiculous life can be when you're old enough to have your own freedom but too young to truly be on your own. "Game of Thrones" star Sophie Turner also delivers the best line of 2022 ... you'll know it when you hear it.

5. Aníkúlápó

Regardless of your pick for a favorite streamer, it's undeniable that Netflix surpasses all of its competitors with its international collection. One of the best films on the platform this year comes from Nigeria, the Yoruba-language epic, "Aníkúlápó." Director Kunle Afolayan is known for being one of the biggest revolutionaries in Nollywood cinema, helping elevate the medium with larger budgets, shooting on film, pushing for releases in theaters, and telling stories outside of the usual clichés. Set in the 17th-century Oyo empire, "Aníkúlápó" centers on a zealous textile weaver who encounters a mythical bird that offers him one more chance at life, after an illicit affair with the king's wife brings him to death.

"Aníkúlápó" is an epic in every sense of the word, with Afolayan telling The Guardian that he originally conceived the idea as a series like "Game of Thrones," but Netflix requested a film first to gauge the temperature of public interest. The film shattered expectations, becoming the most-watched non-English-language film on Netflix in October. Shockingly, Nigeria didn't enter "Aníkúlápó" for Oscar contention (they didn't submit any eligible films), but if they had, it's likely that the film would have been, at the very least, shortlisted for Best International Feature. It's that good.

4. All Quiet on the Western Front

There's a famous line uttered by Hawkeye in "M*A*S*H*" where he says, "War isn't Hell. War is war, and Hell is Hell, and of the two, war is a lot worse." That sentiment is the blood pumping in the veins of "All Quiet on the Western Front," the painfully honest and bleak look at the way war irreparably changes the lives and minds of those thrown into battle. Based on the 1928 German novel of the same name, Edward Berger's epic war drama is not here to glorify fighting for one's country or exist as an instrument of propaganda like ... a majority of the American war films, instead painting a bleak, anti-war portrait with the graphic accuracy that was impossible when Universal first adapted the material in the 1930s.

"All Quiet on the Western Front" is violent and difficult to watch, as it rightfully should be. The scope of how devastating World War I really was is impossible to grasp by most, but Berger's film does a hell of a job trying. He takes the familiar story of an enthusiastic group of German students brainwashed by military propaganda into enlisting only to come face-to-face with the stark realities of war and elevates it into the ultimate cautionary tale and takedown of the start of the military-industrial complex. "All Quiet on the Western Front" is an early front-runner for a Best International Feature nomination at this year's Academy Awards, and it wouldn't be surprising if Netflix took home the statue for this one.

3. Darlings

If you liked Alia Bhatt as Sita in "RRR," you're going to absolutely love her in the Hindi-language dark comedy, "Darlings." Co-written and directed by Jasmeet K. Reen in her directorial debut, "Darlings" is a riveting revenge film about a woman (Bhatt) and her mother attempting to take down her abusive, alcoholic husband after his rage takes things a step too far. The film plays out like a comedy of errors, which is a fascinating choice considering the film centers on the very un-funny subject matter of domestic violence. On paper, "Darlings" sounds like something that shouldn't work — but it does to fantastic effect.

"Darlings" often borders on absurdism, but that's part of the charm. This is a film that chooses comedy and humor as the cure for pain and agony, and Bhatt, Vijay Varma, Shefali Shah, and Roshan Mathew more than deliver. There's a perfect balance of satirical farce and the harsh realities of being trapped in a marriage with an abusive partner, even if the film may make some people uncomfortable for simply existing. As someone who can, unfortunately, relate to the story, I found great catharsis in the comedy. It's okay to laugh about the things that cause us pain, in fact, it's a really healthy way to start the recovery process. For all of its wacky humor, "Darlings" is a daring debut from Reen, and a shining example of why Netflix's international catalog is unmatched.

2. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

It's another Rian Johnson whodunnit! Netflix paid a pretty penny to become the exclusive home of not just one, but two sequels to the comedic mystery, "Knives Out," and it was worth every penny of the $400 million price tag. "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" is just as fantastic as its predecessor, with some critics declaring it to be even better . Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc, this time solving a case regarding a tech billionaire and his pals during a private excursion to his Greek island.

"Glass Onion" is a bigger, twistier, and arguably funny adventure for Benoit Blanc, and the new ensemble cast including Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn, Ethan Hawke, Janelle Monáe, Dave Bautista, Leslie Odom Jr., Madelyn Cline, and a career-best Kate Hudson is just as phenomenal as the group that came before. If you didn't get the opportunity to catch the film during its limited theatrical run in November, make sure to carve out some time this holiday season to catch one of the best films of the year.

"Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" becomes available on Netflix beginning December 23, 2022.

1. Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

Look, I'm adult enough to admit my weaknesses, which apparently now include a stop-motion talking wooden boy desperately trying to earn the paternal love of a mourning old woodworker. In all honesty, the fact that this blurb isn't just a photo of me crying as I press "start from the beginning" again on my Netflix app is a miracle. Guillermo del Toro has been trying to make his version of "Pinocchio" for well over a decade, saying "No art form has influenced my life and my work more than animation, and no single character in history has had as deep of a personal connection to me as Pinocchio [...] I've wanted to make this movie for as long as I can remember." The result is a moving, devastating retelling of the classic tale, which /Film's Hannah Shaw-Williams called , "an adaptation that refuses to talk down to children or draw a sunny curtain over the terrors of the world."

Guillermo del Toro's "Pinocchio" is an absolute masterpiece and the best adaptation of Carlo Collodi's novel ever put to screen. Plenty may argue that there are other films on this list more deserving of the top spot, but the reason I chose to put "Pinocchio" here is that the film is not just phenomenal but was only possible because of Netflix. "Pinocchio" was in development hell for years, and the streaming giant stepped up to make it happen. The moviemaking landscape is in the middle of an evolution, and "Pinocchio" is proof-positive that these industry changes don't have to be something to fear. The cinematic landscape is better because of films like "Pinocchio" and Netflix deserves credit for making it happen.

The Best Netflix Original Movies Of 2022

In previous years, Netflix has often delivered a number of award-worthy films. Since 2015, movies like "Marriage Story," "Roma," "Dolemite Is My Name," and "Beasts of No Nation" have made waves and quickly established the streaming service as one of Hollywood's greatest production companies. In its attempts to keep up with the production numbers of powerhouse studios, Netflix makes a lot of movies. To no surprise, many of them are subpar, often featuring redundant romance plots or cliche action tropes.

But every year, numerous projects become big players and remind audiences why Netflix's films are no joke. The company might not have a bona fide Best Picture candidate in its slate this year, but there are definitely more than enough great, rewatchable stories lurking in the seemingly never-ending catalog of titles.

2022 has not been a banner year for Netflix, with films like "Marmaduke," "The Bubble," and "The Royal Treatment" meeting a mountain of leering eyes from critics. However, the company was able to produce some of its best animated films to date, along with rewarding entries in the action, romance, and mystery genres. At the end of the day, they're still hanging in there with Amazon Studios and HBO Max. From lunar fantasies to heartfelt romances, here are the 12 best Netflix original movies of the year so far.

If any one type of movie defined Netflix's output in 2022, it would be the action thriller genre. With films like "The Gray Man," "Blackout," and "Spiderhead," the streaming service titan has staked its claim in big-budget Hollywood. The best entry, however, is "Lou," a story about two women who try to save a kidnapped child.

As the titular Lou, Allison Janney delivers a standout performance, while Jurnee Smollett as Hannah provides a stellar supporting turn. Lou and Hannah are searching for Hannah's daughter Vee (Ridley Asha Bateman), who was kidnapped by Philip (Logan Marshall-Green), Vee's father. Janney plays the role of Lou like Liam Neeson does Bryan Mills in "Taken," which is such a bankable concept it's surprising that it took this long to happen.

But as fun as it is to watch Janney beat men up with random objects, Anna Foerster's script could've used much more of it. Sure, there's a lot of action, but not nearly enough. With better writing, "Lou" could've been one of Netflix's absolute best projects of the year. Luckily, Janney's performance still makes it undeniably enjoyable.

Silverton Siege

Mandla Dube's depiction of the real-life 1980 siege in Silverton, Pretoria is a riveting, tense 100 minutes. When a trio of freedom fighters, Calvin (Thabo Rametsi), Mbali (Noxolo Dlamini), and Aldo (Stefan Erasmus), carry out their plan to sabotage a petrol depot, they quickly realize they've been set up.

The trio believes that one of them is a rat, and Dube's storytelling perfectly captures the hostility that ensues immediately afterward. The chances that they survive the bank siege are slim and, if they do, they'll spend their lives rotting away in prison. They realize they can't fight for their own freedom much longer and opt to negotiate for Nelson Mandela's release from prison in exchange for their surrender.

Parts of the bank siege hark back to "Dog Day Afternoon," with a type of tension that builds atop the looming uncertainty of capture and possible death. Rametski, Dlamini, and Erasmus deliver terrific performances full of worry, anger, and determination.

The Good Nurse

Despite having a script with a lot of lifeless, messy dialogue, Tobias Lindholm's "The Good Nurse" features one of the best cast performances of any of Netflix's films this year. Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne are in the driver's seat, and they do their best to resurrect the often unmoving drama based on Charles Graeber's book of the same name. It's supposed to be a medical procedural thriller, but often comes across like an arthouse film.

The story revolves around the friendship between Amy (Chastain) and Charles (Redmayne), and that is what carries this movie across the finish line. Amy is a single mother with heart disease who works as a nurse at Parkfield Memorial Hospital, while Charles is one of the unit's most experienced nurses. They bond together during night shifts, but there's a catch: Unbeknownst to Amy, Charles is a prolific serial killer, and she must grapple with how to move forward once she begins to suspect his guilt.

There is some good commentary on healthcare disparity, as we see Amy forced to work through her condition in order to obtain the insurance she needs to cover a heart operation, but the movie's best parts revolve around the simplicity of human connection, and how that closeness can often be compromised by terror. It's not as thrilling as other serial killer films, but watching Chastain and Redmayne bounce off each other is an unrelenting treat.

Wendell & Wild

Any Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele reunion is a good one. In their first performance together since "Toy Story 4" in 2019, comedy duo Key and Peele star as the titular demon brothers Wendell and Wild in this ambitious stop-motion horror flick. The siblings dream of making a theme park for lost souls, but must first defeat the Klaxons, a private prison-owning family who burned down a factory and killed all of the workers inside.

There are zombie plots, resurrections, and hell maidens afoot, and all of this doesn't even scratch the surface of the intensity of the narrative's ambitions. Henry Selick and Peele's script sometimes lacks focus, but the characters, including a marvelous performance by Lyric Ross as the traumatized teenage punk Kat Elliot, and the animation make every twist satisfying.

While offering commentary on capitalism, the American prison complex, and prison living conditions, "Wendell & Wild" also is an inclusive film that puts marginalized faces in the spotlight. Based on Selick and Clay McLeod Chapman's unpublished book of the same name, "Wendell & Wild" is a gorgeous picture destined to become an animated classic.

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson's sophomore directorial feature, "Do Revenge," is not just one of the best comedies of 2022, but it's one of the most fun mysteries of the last few years. Drawing influence from Alfred Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train," "Do Revenge" has a great cast, including Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke, Austin Abrams, and Sarah Michelle Gellar, along with a technicolor set design that defines the film's retro, high school utopia.

Co-leads Mendes and Hawke are the stars of the show, showboating a chemistry that carries the film through even its messiest moments, which tend to arrive when the revenge plot gets too expansive to make complete logical sense. "Euphoria" alum Abrams plays the perfect antagonist, too, in his role as Max, the popular king of Rosehill Country Day High School.

There are parts of the film that feel contrived, like some of the beats centered around toxic masculinity, but that is often the point. The characters of "Do Revenge" live in a wealthy, utopic version of Miami. Their bubbles are far away from the rest of the world, so the tone in which the important, cultural talking points are portrayed on-screen mimics the naivety and stiffness that plights the characters' existence.

"Do Revenge" is a triumphant black comedy with a great twist that will continue to find audiences interested in off-beat, dynamic plots that make every character untrustworthy and leave each viewer on edge.

Munich: The Edge of War

In 2022, Netflix struck gold with war films. In January, the streaming service unveiled "Munich: The Edge of War," Christian Schwochow's adaptation of Robert Harris' 2017 historical novel of the same name. The film depicts the events leading up to the beginning of World War II, as Adolf Hitler is about to invade Czechoslovakia and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain is trying to do everything in his limited power to prevent Europe from plunging into another devastating war.

In a key performance as Chamberlain, Jeremy Irons shines above the rest of the cast. The acting across the board is superb, though, especially from George MacKay, who captivatingly portrays protagonist Hugh Legat. "Munich: The Edge of War" conjures as much conflict and suspense as its genre contemporaries, but with a lot less graphic, on-screen violence.

Much of "Munich: The Edge of War" is centered around the creation of the Munich Agreement, which allowed Nazi Germany to take over the region, in exchange for a halt in other hostilities. We know what the ending of "Munich: The Edge of War" will be before we even press play, but when Chamberlain gives his infamous "Peace for our time" speech in Great Britain before eventually resigning as Prime Minister and dying soon after, for a moment, we are allowed to imagine an alternate history without war or genocide.

Wedding Season

Many of Netflix's romantic comedies have been critical flops, but sometimes, films like "Set It Up" and "Always Be My Maybe" break through and bring fresh eyes to the genre. Tom Dey's "Wedding Season" belongs in that company. Centered on protagonists Ravi (Suraj Sharma) and Asha (Pallavi Sharda), the film depicts the two characters embarking on a fake relationship to appease their parents.

Sharma and Sharda are the heart and soul of "Wedding Season," turning in career-defining performances and making audiences fall in love with their story, even if it's an easy narrative to telegraph if you've ever seen a rom-com before.

"Wedding Season" isn't devoid of common tropes, like the evolution from reluctance to infatuation between the main characters, but Dey employs them creatively. The film doesn't reinvent the wheel; instead, it's full of earnest actors playing good characters who just so happen to fall in love with each other. It's the kind of joy that shouldn't be taken for granted.

Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood

Nearly two decades after directing his last animated film, "A Scanner Darkly," prolific director Richard Linklater returns with a beautiful coming-of-age movie set right before the Apollo 11 moon landing. The story follows Stanley (Milo Coy), a wishful Houston kid with dreams of going on a covert moon mission, and a near-exact recreation of the astronauts living through mankind's greatest feat in 1969. Jack Black narrates the story as the adult version of Stanley, and his buoyant voicework properly matches the bubblegum odyssey of childhood wonder depicted on screen.

Linklater filmed much of the film in live-action, in front of a green screen, before using a rotoscoping method to animate the scenes. And, as is customary in a Linklater production, the soundtrack is perfect, featuring songs of the time period from musicians like Donovan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Canned Heat, and The 5th Dimension.

"Apollo 10 ½" isn't a nostalgia trip as much as it's a lesson in sentimentality. The past isn't being commodified and sold to us. Instead, Linklater wants us to remember a time when our wildest ambitions never felt too out of reach, and he uses the moon landing to tell his own version. That's what makes this film one of the year's best.

Gen-Xers, Millennials, and Zoomers alike might not have lived through the Space Race, but the central feeling of being young, invincible, and free is one of universal commonality. No 2022 film, animated or live-action, has this much goofy, electric heart.

All Quiet on the Western Front

Based on Erich Maria Remarque's 1929 novel of the same name, Edward Berger's " All Quiet on the Western Front " is a loose remake of Lewis Milestone's 1930 Academy Award-winning adaptation. Its 147-minute runtime takes as long as it wants to revel in the mundanity of non-combat moments in a gruesome war. Whether it's through depictions of soldiers skinning potatoes or eating in the trenches before an attack, "All Quiet on the Western Front" aims to be as accurate as possible.

The film is an unromanticized look into the brutality and sadness of war. There are not many happy times in the film, aside from occasional scenes of egg theft and reading letters from loved ones. The onslaught begins immediately, when we see a German soldier die on the battlefield and watch the military repurpose and clean his uniform before re-distributing it to our protagonist, Paul Baumer (Felix Kammerer), a once-hopeful schoolboy tricked into enlisting in the German army in the name of fighting for the pride of his homeland. He has no choice in carrying out the murderous commands of higher-ranking officers, and it's clear that he quickly realizes the nationalism he was sold back home was a ruse.

Watching this film in German with subtitles adds a certain element of sorrow with which the English dub can't compete. When the dust settles after the armistice, the battlefields are quiet, but our hearts still ache with the pain of meaningless, futile loss.

Nearly 30 years after playing his first leading role in "Billy Madison," Adam Sandler  stars in his best-reviewed movie to date. " Hustle " pays homage to the unsung heroes of the NBA: Talent scouts. Sandler plays Stanley Sugerman, a top scout for the Philadelphia 76ers.

"Hustle" follows the prospects of Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangomez), a Spanish streetball star hoping his rocky life can level out if he can make it in the NBA. Hernangomez is an NBA player already, but his surprising acting chops bring a flavor of authenticity to an already well-constructed film. Sandler doesn't try to do anything flashy, because he doesn't need to. There are no floundering jokes or raunchy humor. "Hustle" is the kind of film that makes us remember why Sandler is one of our most endearing leading men.

The heart of "Hustle" is the bond between Bo and Stanley, who connect over their shared love for basketball and their common role as fathers to young kids. Queen Latifah puts in a great turn as Stanley's wife Teresa, as does Robert Duvall as Rex Merrick, the 76ers' owner. "Hustle" is, undoubtedly, one of Sandler's best movies, a refreshing follow-up to his underwhelming performance in "Hubie Halloween" two years ago.

The Sea Beast

Recently, Netflix has had a great run of animated movies. Titles like "The Mitchells vs. the Machines," "The Willoughbys," and "Klaus" have found immense critical delight and multiple Academy Award nominations. 2022 might be the streaming service's best year yet, led by Chris Williams' " The Sea Beast ."

In recent years, Williams has struck gold in the director's chair with "Big Hero 6" and "Moana," the latter of which he co-helmed with Ron Clements, but "The Sea Beast" might be his grandest title yet. The film's concept isn't too complicated: An orphan, Maise (Zaris-Angel Hator), meets a sea monster hunter, Jacob (Karl Urban), his father Captain Crow (Jared Harris), and his mom Sarah (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), as they are on the hunt for the legendary Red Bluster monster. Maise and Jacob forge an unforgettable friendship over the course of their journey.

On top of a clever, heart-wrenching script co-written by Williams and Nell Benjamin, the movie's animation is beautifully constructed. Wholly original and moving, "The Sea Beast" is one of Netflix's best entries in 2022, and one of the best animated movies this year. New York Magazine critic Bilge Ebiri puts it best, writing that the film is "so thoroughly immersive it might make you believe in sea monsters."

The Stranger

Australian director Thomas M. Wright's " The Stranger " is a refreshing entry into the psychological crime genre. Fresh off of "Acute Misfortune," which The Guardian named the best Australian film of 2019, Wright crafts a haunting thriller about a child abduction case. Based on Kate Kyriacou's non-fiction book "The Sting: The Undercover Operation That Caught Daniel Morcombe's Killer," "The Stranger" is two hours of tracking down a suspect, but the tension is reflected inwards, as we watch those affected by the case get turned inside out trying to solve it.

Wright offers a vulnerable look into the daunting day-to-day experiences of sting cops, rather than romanticizing them. Joel Edgerton steps into the spotlight as Mark Frame, an undercover police officer on the hunt for the man who abducted and killed 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe. Frame and Henry Teague's (Sean Harris) friendship is the film's psychological backbone, as Frame wrestles with the realities of becoming close with a murder suspect. Wright and company do fictionalize the details of the sting operation, but the heart of the story is offering perspective to the men involved in murder cases that aren't front-page headlines.

Though "The Stranger" caught backlash from Morcombe's parents, who called it a "morally corrupt and cruel" film and demanded that their son's name be removed from promotional materials (via news.com.au ), it did receive almost unanimous  praise from critics .

The best movies of 2022: TechRadar’s top 40 picks on Netflix, HBO Max, and more

These are the best movies of 2022

• Disney, Marvel, and Pixar
• Prime Video
• Paramount Pictures/Plus
• Apple TV Plus
• Peacock/Universal Pictures
• Best of the rest

It’s been a terrific year for movies. Whether they’ve been released in theaters, on one of the best streaming services , or both, 2022 has been packed with brilliant blockbusters, intriguing indies, and streaming sensations.

With 2023 looming into view, it’s time to look back at the biggest, best, and criminally underrated movies of the past 12 months. Below, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best 40 movies, including offerings from Netflix , Marvel , Paramount Pictures, and Warner Bros.

We’ve organized our best movies of 2022 list based on the streamer they debuted on or, in the case of theatrical exclusives, the studio that distributed them. You’ll also find a miscellaneous round-up of films that didn’t fit into other categories, such as offerings from Sony and A24.

Here, then, are the 40 best movies of 2022, as chosen by TechRadar’s entertainment experts.

Best Netflix movies of 2022

Glass onion: a knives out mystery.

Knives Out wowed fans and critics alike in 2019, so sequels were inevitable. The first of those – Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery – is another elaborate and highly entertaining whodunnit from Rian Johnson. Buoyed by its excellent ensemble cast and the confidence carried over from its predecessor’s success, Glass Onion is even showier, funnier, and narratively intelligent than Knives Out. In short: it’s one of the best Netflix movies for a long time. 

The Gray Man

The Russo brothers delivered one of Netflix’s biggest movies of 2022 with The Gray Man. Okay, it’s not perfect – in our review of The Gray Man , we said it favors style over substance. However, there’s still lots to like about this espionage thriller. Its action set-pieces are spectacular, it’s suitably suspenseful, and its cast, particularly Chris Evans in a rare villainous role, is superb. With film and TV sequels greenlit, this could be Netflix's big-budget franchise to rival James Bond .

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

With Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio , Netflix breathed new life into Carlo Collodi's beloved 1883 fairytale about a wooden puppet who longs to become a real boy. Del Toro’s darker adaptation is set in 1930s Italy during Mussolini’s fascist regime, is shot entirely using stop-motion, and features a star-studded voice cast, including Ewan McGregor, Tilda Swinton, Christoph Waltz, and Cate Blanchett. Full of heart and humor, and never less than utterly original, Del Toro’s Pinocchio is necessary viewing. 

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This Indian Telugu-language action epic is arguably the biggest surprise hit of the year. Set in the 1920s, it centers around the fictional friendship between two Indian revolutionaries as they battle the British Raj. With a three-hour runtime, it’s an Avengers: Endgame-style marathon of a movie. But, with some absolutely phenomenal action set-pieces (involving plenty of tigers) and a completely unexpected dance number, RRR is a stellar watch. Must be seen to be believed. 

The Sea Beast

Netflix has stepped up its animation game in recent times, with shows and films like Arcane and The Mitchells Vs. the Machines being met with universal acclaim and numerous awards. The Sea Beast is another that can be added to Netflix’s burgeoning animation back catalog. It’s a bright, breezy, daring, and visually arresting film tailor-made for an evening spent on the proverbial high seas with the family. Yo ho ho and all that.

One of two documentary films to make this list, Sr. is a wonderfully assembled piece of art that doubles as a fascinating insight into Robert Downey Sr.’s life and a poignant ode from his A-list actor son. Okay, it espouses the virtues of storytelling in cinematic form, but viewers will find its intimate, amusing, and passionately raw spotlight on familial relationships extremely relatable. A moving, intergenerational film that takes pride of place on our best Netflix documentaries list. 

Troll doesn’t rewrite the monster/kaiju rulebook and its plot is extremely derivative. Nonetheless, it’s a thoroughly entertaining Norwegian language film, with lots of destruction-based action, wonderful cinematography, and a pulsating score. It’s also rich from a mythology perspective so there’s potentially more monster folklore to explore in this universe. Given Troll is Netflix’s biggest foreign language movie hit, expect sequels to be greenlit. 

Best Disney, Marvel, and Pixar movies of 2022

Avatar: the way of water.

Say what you want about James Cameron’s Avatar, the 2009 sci-fi cinematic juggernaut was a moment in pop culture history. It’s fitting, then, that its long-awaited sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water , is equally boundary-pushing in its use of new filmmaking technologies. Set 15 years after its predecessor, The Way of Water finds the Sully clan forced to flee the lush forests of Pandora and seek refuge in its aquatic regions – and the underwater results are nothing short of spectacular. If you can stomach the film’s three-hour runtime, Avatar: The Way of Water is a truly transcendent cinematic experience. 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been a mixed bag, and that’s certainly reflected in Marvel’s three films this year. Thor: Love and Thunder , for instance, was a mess (even though we enjoyed it at the time) but the same can’t be said for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever . In the wake of Chadwick Boseman’s shock death in August 2020, this was always going to be an emotionally taxing watch. However, Black Panther 2 proved to be more than just a cathartic cinematic experience – it’s exciting, culturally significant, amusing, and thematically dense. Without sounding hyperbolic, it’s one of the best Marvel movies ever. 

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

If Wakanda Forever was Marvel’s best film of 2022 (and Thor 4 its worst), Doctor Strange 2 sits somewhere in the middle. It pushed the boundaries of Marvel’s usual PG-13/12A age rating, with director Sam Raimi leaving his indelible horror-infused mark on proceedings. Meanwhile, Doctor Strange 2's various cameos had fans cheering with delight. Strange’s latest solo adventure was undercooked in many aspects (Wanda’s character arc is baffling and America Chavez is nothing more than a plot device) but it’s mostly a spellbinding watch. 

Turning Red

Of Pixar’s two films for the year, many wouldn’t have said Turning Red would beat Lightyear for a place on our list. They’re both charming, packed with humor and heart, and look visually stunning. However, Turning Red just feels more original as a concept, narratively and thematically challenging, and (most importantly) grounded in real life. It’s impossible not to like it – oh, and its soundtrack will be stuck in your head for weeks after you stream it on Disney Plus . One of the best Disney Plus movies to watch right now.

Best Hulu movies of 2022

A black comedy horror that topically explores the perils of modern dating, Fresh puts a, well, fresh and enthralling spin on its subject matter. Thanks to exceptional performances from Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan, Fresh doesn’t feel like a hammed-up version of similar films that have come before, either. Given the story it tells, though, maybe don’t watch this one when you’re tucking into those meat-based holiday season leftovers. 

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

If Fresh put a novel spin on the comedy-horror genre, this uninhibited and sizzling flick did likewise for the sex comedy subgenre. Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack are on fire as an insecure widow (who’s never experienced an orgasm) and the sex worker Thompson’s Nancy hires to correct that. In its oversimplified form, its plot doesn’t sound too original. But Good Luck to You, Leo Grande’s side-splittingly funny and unexpectedly tender story beats are what make it so refreshing. 

The Predator franchise received a long overdue shot in the arm with Prey, a quasi-prequel flick that’s as tense, action-packed, and gory as its predecessors. In our Prey review , we said there’s no question that it’s the best Predator movie since the original. It treads that tricky fine line between honoring what’s come before and taking the series in new directions. Easily one of the best Hulu movies of all time. 

Best Prime Video movies of 2022

Argentina, 1985.

Great Prime Video movies have been few and far between this year, but Argentina, 1985 proves there’s still life in Amazon Studios’ movie division. This unsurprisingly Argentine language historical flick explores the events surrounding the 1985 Trial of the Juntas, which saw a group of courageous lawyers battle against the odds to bring members of Argentina’s last (and most bloody) dictatorship to justice. A barnstorming courtroom drama not to be missed. 

Emergency went under the radar back in May and that’s a big shame. It’s a clever thriller packed with biting social commentary on frat parties, racial double standards, and the unexpectedly serious after-effects of making incorrect, spur-of-the-moment choices. It’s wickedly funny, too, even if Emergency’s humor is born out of the shocking and awkward scenarios its lead characters are involved in. Come for the comedy, stay for the fundamentally important societal messages.  

Good Night Oppy

The sci-fi genre has given us numerous iconic and lovable robots and AI companions throughout the decades. But, when it comes to feeling true emotion, you can’t beat the real thing – especially when they’re anthropomorphically positioned in the way Mars rover Opportunity is in Good Night Oppy. You’ll marvel at how NASA created it, be amazed at the sights Oppy takes in once it lands on the red planet, and definitely be wiping away tears during this documentary’s emotional climax. A wonderfully warm story set in the cold expanse of space. 

Best HBO Max movies of 2022

Bones and all.

We didn’t have a cannibal-centric romance movie on our best films of 2022 bingo card, but Bones and All delivered on that front anyway. Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet sparkle as a pair of young cannibals who fall for each other as they flee together on a cross-country road trip. It’s an at-times deeply gruesome watch, but it’s also profound and unexpectedly tender. Bones and All might not make it onto our best HBO Max movies list, but it’s beautifully tragic in its own right. 

DC’s film franchise has had a torrid 2022. Movies have been delayed, The Flash star Ezra Miller has courted a great deal of controversy, and the series is undergoing a complete reset under new co-studio heads James Gunn and Peter Safran. There was one, Bat Signal-sized shining light in the sky, though: The Batman . Matt Reeves’ neo-noir detective take on the Caped Crusader is a masterpiece. Aside from a couple of niggly CGI/green screen elements, every part of this DCEU movie 's production is astonishing. The cast, score, action, atmosphere, story, themes – everything fits together perfectly. 

Dazzling and splashy films have been Baz Luhrmann’s forte since 1992’s Strictly Ballroom – and Elvis is no different. It’s a biopic as humanly devastating as it is bewitching, one that captures the legendary rockstar’s life (with some choice creative deviations, mind you) in dramatic fashion. Austin Butler’s portrayal of the King of Rock’n’Roll is mesmeric and powerful, while Tom Hanks revels in a rare antagonistic role as Elvis’ financially abusive manager. We were all shook up and you will be, too. 

Steven Soderbergh is a master of the filmmaking craft. It’ll come as no surprise, then, that his latest project – Kimi – takes a place on our list. As she is in The Batman, Zoë Kravitz is in outstanding form as an agoraphobic tech company employee who becomes entangled in a murder mystery via Kimi, her employers’ new smart speaker. With its smart focus on tech-based voyeurism, human paranoia, and the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact, Kimi delivers a compelling streaming movie experience.

Best Paramount Pictures/Plus movies of 2022

After an 11-year hiatus, movie makers felt it was time to take another, erm, stab at the Scream franchise. Thanks to Scream 5’s blend of newfound subversiveness and penchant for meta storytelling, we’re glad Paramount Pictures did, too. It’s arguably not as scary or original as other entries in the series, but its irreverence, fun casting, and copious amounts of slasher-based humor mean Scream 5 is well worth your time. Even better, you can now stream it on Paramount Plus .

Significant Other

Paramount Pictures provided plenty of horror fare this year – some good, some less so – and Significant Other certainly falls into the first of those categories. Like Scream 5, this sci-fi horror flick doesn’t reinvent the genre wheel. However, its survival story-positioned narrative, compelling characters, and newfangled take on the alien horror subgenre make it one of the best Paramount Plus movies out there. 

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is not only one of the best family movies of the year, it’s also one of our favorite films of 2022 full stop. Its homage to the blue blur’s popular video game series is impressive, riffing on some of Sonic’s most iconic moments in surprisingly terrific fashion. Its introduction of fan-favorite characters from the gaming franchise, expansion on what made the first movie so good, and set-up for future films and shows also make for hugely entertaining viewing. 

Top Gun: Maverick

Notwithstanding its predecessor’s cult status and the old school star power of Tom Cruise, Top Gun: Maverick exceeded expectations and then some. Not only was Cruise’s long-awaited return as aging flying ace Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell one of the most accomplished Hollywood sequels ever, it also flew high at the box office, becoming the first film of Cruise's 40-year career to break $1 billion. Long story short: Top Gun: Maverick is a good old fashioned rollercoaster of a movie in a saturated age of superheroes and streaming. 

Best Apple TV Plus movies of 2022

Clocking in at 92 minutes, Causeway won’t take a whole evening to stream on Apple TV Plus . Its advantageously short runtime isn’t the only good thing about it, though. With emotionally gripping performances from Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry, and a subdued but no less powerful examination of trauma, Causeway’s sensitive and intimate storytelling approach makes it a small movie with a big heart. 

Cha Cha Real Smooth

Cooper Raiff is one of the most talented young filmmakers of his generation, so the inclusion of his latest movie – Cha Cha Real Smooth - in our best movies of 2022 guide is understandable. It’s a sweet-natured, highly relatable dramedy that depicts the growing pains of, well, growing up. Dakota Johnson steals the show as Domino, while Raiff’s skillset – he wrote, acted in, directed, and produced this flick – confirms just how multi-talented he is. 

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Okay, you might suggest we’re cheating with this one. The Tragedy of Macbeth had a limited theatrical release in December 2021, but it wasn’t widely available until its Apple TV Plus release in January 2022, allowing us to include it here. And why wouldn’t we? Denzel Washington is at his enthralling best as the legendary Shakespearean character in Joel Coen’s creatively monochromatic flick. A truly breathtaking watch and one of the best Apple TV Plus movies ever made. 

Best Peacock/Universal Pictures movies of 2022

The bad guys.

Not to be outdone by Netflix or Pixar, Universal Pictures’ The Bad Guys is a very entertaining heist comedy that’s perfect for adults and kids alike. Its eye-popping visuals, eclectic cast of well-voiced characters, and hilarious plot elevate The Bad Guys above your typical CGI animated movie. It helps, too, that its more childish humor serves a narrative purpose throughout, ensuring no joke falls flat. A stylish and underrated film, which is now streamable on Peacock .

Bros was a box office bomb when it arrived in September, so some readers might wonder why it’s one of our favorite movies of 2022. For one, it’s a ton of fun – Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane prove to be equally charming and funny throughout. But it’s Bros’ spotlighting of LGBTQ+ rom-com representation that really makes it stand out. In a genre littered with stories about cisgender relationships, Bros is a landmark moment for inclusivity. 

The Fablemans

To some, The Fablemans might come across as iconic filmmaker Steven Spielberg indulging in a self-absorbed biopic about himself. It’s anything but. This semi-autobiographical coming-of-age tale is another cinematic masterpiece from the multi-award winning director, packed with raw emotion, riveting family drama, and numerous odes to the power of films. A masterful movie that needs to be seen on the biggest screen imaginable. (NB: it’s not out in theaters in the UK until January 27).  

Nope is a tricky movie to describe in under 100 words. On the one hand, Get Out director Jordan Peele’s slow-burning third feature is a refreshingly old-school Spielbergian creature feature. On the other, it’s an aggressively high-concept meditation on race, art, trauma, and exploitation that wouldn't be out of place as the subject of a college dissertation. However you interpret Nope, there’s no denying that the Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer-starring movie is wholly original and undeniably entertaining. 

The Northman

As movies go, The Northman – Robert Eggers’ stylish viking epic – is a bloody affair. The Witch director’s third film stars Alexander Skarsgård as Amleth, a young prince in medieval Scandinavia who embarks on a brutal quest to avenge the memory of his father (Ethan Hawke) and save his mother (Nicole Kidman) from the clutches of his traitorous uncle (Claes Bang). If that all sounds very Game of Thrones , that’s because The Northman mixes violence, betrayal, and incest into an artsy (but exceptionally bleak) tale of Norse mythology.

Best miscellaneous movies of 2022

The banshees of inisherin.

In Bruges acting duo Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson reunite in this indie-positioned but captivatingly droll flick from director Martin McDonagh. Set on the fictional Irish isle of Inisherin, The Banshees of Inisherin follows one man’s quest to come to terms with his best buddy’s sudden ending of their lifelong friendship. The film has been near-universally praised and it’s easy to see why. Its unusual blend of comedy and tragedy, fantastic performances, and stunning cinematography make The Banshees of Inisherin a strong contender for next year’s Best Picture Oscar.

Available on HBO Max (US and supported territories), Disney Plus (UK), and in select theaters worldwide.

As our best movies of 2022 list shows, it’s been a particularly good year for horror – and Barbarian ranks among the most impressive of the lot. It tells the tale of Tess, a young woman who rents an Airbnb for a job interview, only to discover the house is, erm, housing a horrifying secret. Revealing anymore would spoil Barbarian’s most terrifying, suspense-laden, and gory moments. Stick it on your watch list ASAP.

Available on HBO Max (US and supported territories) and Disney Plus (UK). Also rentable via Amazon, Apple TV , iTunes, and Vudu.  

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Marvel, DC, and Sony’s Spider-Man movies (live-action and animated) have explored the concept of the multiverse to varying degrees. However, this A24 production usurps them all when it comes to exploring such a hypothesis. Michelle Yeoh delights in multiple roles in this riotous flick from Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. It’s a film of swirling genre disorder and, unlike its more popular counterparts, confidently leans into the absurdity of the multiverse without missing a beat. From the Raccacoonie rescue mission to the sausage fingers realm and everything in between, Everything Everywhere All at Once is multiversal exploration at its finest.

Available to rent via AMC on Demand, Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play , iTunes, Rakuten TV , Redbox, Vudu, Xbox , and YouTube .  

We told you it was a good year for horror. Another dark comedy-horror flick, The Menu asks you to dine on its slow-cooked main course with an increasing sense of foreboding and suspense. It’s a tad long and its social commentary is a bit on the nose, but The Menu will leave you feeling suitably satiated. Top marks for Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy, who particularly shine in their roles as celebrity chef Julian Slowik and unexpected dinner guest Margot Mills.

Available on HBO Max in the US from January 3, 2023, and on Disney Plus in the UK from January 4, 2023.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Love him or loathe him, Nicholas Cage is a bonafide movie star who gives his all in every movie he’s in. What better way to celebrate his unorthodox but supreme talents, then, by making Cage play himself in an incredibly meta action-comedy film? That’s the general gist of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent , a wildly creative spin on ‘90s action blockbusters that’s surprisingly funny and heartfelt. A must for Cage enthusiasts.

Available to rent via Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, iTunes, Rakuten TV, Vudu, and YouTube.

Cage is one of many former big-name actors (Robert Downey Jr. is another) who have enjoyed renaissance periods in recent years. Few are more deserving of a comeback story, though, than Brendan Fraser – and his colossal performance in potential 2023 Oscar nominee The Whale proves why. A highly emotional movie about a 600-pound reclusive teacher who attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter Ellie, The Whale would ordinarily be a good but not great watch. However, thanks to Fraser’s astounding performance, The Whale is prestige movie making at its finest.

Available in US theaters now and UK cinemas on February 3, 2023.

The Woman King

Viola Davis doesn’t miss, does she? The Oscar winner’s latest film – The Woman King – is a scintillating action epic, albeit one that some will argue is slightly historically inaccurate. Even so, The Woman King delivers on the spectacle front, with frenetic and imposing set-pieces as grand as fan-favorite historical films like Gladiator and Braveheart. Its Black female-led cast feels suitably groundbreaking for a movie of this scope, too. Some day, maybe we’ll reach a point in the film industry (and society overall) where a celebration of such welcome inclusivity, particularly in this genre, is the norm rather than the exception…

Available to rent via Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, iTunes, and Vudu.

As TechRadar's senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You'll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot .

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across. Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

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The 83 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now (June 2024)

Fake hitman Glen Powell has to win Adria Arjona's heart by becoming the real thing in Richard Linklater's Hit Man

When you need something, anything , to watch, Netflix has your back — few other streamers can compete with the volume of Netflix's output, both in terms of originals and licensed content. And two new additions, Godzilla Minus One and Hit Man , represent the best of both worlds — licensing the outstanding Godzilla Minus One is a major get for the service with all the American Godzilla flicks living at Max, and Richard Linklater's Hit Man , starring Glen Powell and Adria Arjona, could very well be Netflix's best original of 2024. And there have been plenty of other great new additions to the Netflix library recently as well, such as the romantic comedy Anyone But You , the British journalism drama Scoop , the horror comedy  Bodies Bodies Bodies , and the Adam Sandler sci-fi film Spaceman . 

This is a list of the best movies to watch on Netflix right now . To keep things relevant, we're specifically highlighting the best recent releases, Netflix originals, and some of our own personal favorites.

Last updated June 12; newer additions are at the top.

For fans of : Sexy thrillers that aren't too serious

Glen Powell and Adria Arjona,  Hit Man

Director: Richard Linklater Stars: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona Genre: Thriller, romantic comedy Rating: R Metacritic score: 83  

Richard Linklater is known for making thoughtful films about suburbia and the inevitable toll that time takes, but his latest is pure fun. Hit Man stars Top Gun: Maverick 's Glen Powell (who also co-wrote the film with Linklater) as a college professor who goes undercover as a hit man in order to arrest those who try to hire him. But when a beautiful woman (Adria Arjona) tries to enlist his services to kill her husband, he falls in love with her and tries to save her from the law. The film is astonishingly based on a true story and earned rave reviews on the festival circuit late last year. As Gavia Baker-Whitelaw writes in her TV Guide review , "Linklater understands that the best rom-com protagonists have strong personalities — the weirder the better — and Arjona and Powell are happy to play their assigned roles to the hilt." - Tim Surette [ Trailer ]

Godzilla Minus One

For fans of : Godzilla movies that are very serious

Director: Takashi Yamazaki Stars: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Genre: Action, drama Rating: PG-13 Metacritic score: 81  

On the American side of the Godzilla franchise, things don't usually get too serious, but maybe we're doing it wrong. Because Godzilla Minus One , the latest Godzilla flick from Japan, is both an awesome Godzilla spectacle made at a tiny fraction of the cost of the American ones, and a fascinating rumination on post-World War II Japan. Which is to say that Godzilla Minus One is that rare monster flick that we can say is just a great movie, period, rather than being "good for a Godzilla movie." - Phil Owen [ Trailer ]

A Simple Favor

For fans of : Twisty mysteries in the vein of Gone Girl

Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, A Simple Favor

Director: Paul Feig Stars: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, Linda Cardellini Genre: Thriller Rating: R Metacritic score: 67

This spicy little thriller sees an up-and-coming mommy blogger named Stephanie (Kendrick) befriend a fashion executive named Emily (Lively), who wastes no time in disappearing without a trace. Stephanie investigates, gets a little bit too close with Emily's hot husband in the process, and learns some really wild things about her missing friend's past. It's all just a bit too much — there's a reason the book on which this movie is based isn't particularly well regarded — but with Kendrick holding things down in front of the camera, and Feig's deft touch behind the wheel, A Simple Favor is impossible to turn off once you get going. - Phil Owen [ Trailer ]

Anyone But You

For fans of : When people who look like dolls kiss each other

Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney, Anyone but You

Director:  Will Gluck Stars:  Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp, Dermott Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths Genre:  Romantic Comedy Rating:  R Metacritic score:   52

A romantic comedy movie starring two blonde leads harkens back to the days of yore, which is probably at least some of the reason why Anyone But You was such a big hit. The film follows Bea ( Sydney Sweeney ) and Ben ( Glen Powell ), who, after their fairy tale first date turns to mutual hate, reunite at a destination wedding. And then, get this, a series of events forces them to pretend to be a couple in order to keep up appearances. Classic! Actually, it literally is classic: Anyone But You  is loosely based on the Shakespeare comedy  Much Ado About Nothing.  - Allison Picurro [ Trailer ]

For fans of : True stories, political intrigue, journalism

Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell, Scoop

Director:  Philip Martin Stars:  Gillian Anderson, Rufus Sewell, Billie Piper, Keeley Hawes Genre:  Drama Rating:  TV-14 Metacritic score:   63

In 2019, BBC Newsnight managed to land an interview with British Royal Prince Andrew to discuss his relationship with billionaire convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — that interview had major negative consequences for the prince, and would lead to his ostracism from the royal family over the next few years. This docudrama tells the story of how that incredibly unlikely interview came to be, both from the perspectives of the media and the royal family's PR liaison who was responsible for making it happen. Scoop condenses the details of this story a bit more than it needs to, but it makes up for it with riveting performances by Anderson, Piper, and Hawes and a kinetic pace that never lets you look away. - Phil Owen [ Trailer ]

Bodies Bodies Bodies

For fans of:  Gen Z horror, movies with perfect endings

Rachel Sennott, Bodies, Bodies, Bodies

Director:  Halina Reijn Stars:  Rachel Sennott, Amandla Stenberg, Pete Davidson, Lee Pace, Maria Bakalova, and Chase Sui Wonders Genre:  Horror Rating:  R Metacritic score:   69

A24 is putting some of its fine movies on Netflix, but the big deal it has with Warner Bros. Discovery (and therefore Max) means that the movies Netflix does get won't be there for long. So watch this horror flick about a group of friends who play some deadly games at a secluded mansion before it leaves the service. With a distinct Gen Z flavor, an escalating sense of paranoia, and an ending that just tickled me, it's the perfect "I don't know what to watch tonight" watch. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

More recommendations:

• The best TV shows on Netflix right now
• Everything coming to and leaving on Netflix
• What to watch on Amazon, Hulu, HBO Max, and more in May

For fans of:  Adam Sandler being more serious, space movies

Adam Sandler, Spaceman

Director:  Johan Renck Stars:  Adam Sandler, Carey Mulligan, Paul Dano, Isabella Rosselini, Lena lin Genre:  Drama Rating:  R Metacritic score:   55

The Sandman has become the Spaceman.  Adam Sandler 's latest foray into dramatic acting sees him playing an astronaut who may be losing his damned mind. Six months into a lone mission in space and on the brink of insanity, he gets the psychological and emotional support he needs from a giant talking space spider (voiced by  Paul Dano ). So yeah, things are going just fine for him.  Spaceman  is based on the 2017 novel  Spaceman of Bohemia  by Czech author Jaroslav Kalfař. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

The Greatest Night in Pop

For fans of:  Star power, the process of collaboration, crazy Michael Jackson stories

Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, and Lionel Richie, The Greatest Night in Pop

Director:  Bao Nguyen Stars:  Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Dionne Warwick, Huey Lewis, and a whole lot of others Genre:  Documentary Rating:  TV-MA Metacritic score:   69

'80s kids remember the charity anthem "We Are the World," a massive collaboration put together between Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Bob Geldof, Harry Belafonte, and Quincy Jones to bring awareness to famine in Africa that brought together dozens of pop music's biggest stars. This documentary with tons of behind-the-scenes footage charts its creation, from Jackson's humming of a melody to the ultra-secretive recording session to its impact (it's still the ninth-best selling physical single of all-time), and it's all guided by the charismatic Richie, whose recounting of meeting with Jackson in his animal-filled house kicks off this unbelievable story. It's worth watching just to see Bob Dylan look very uncomfortable the entire time. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

The Society of the Snow

For fans of:  Survival stories, cannibalism

Enzo Vogrincic, Society of the Snow

Director:  J.A. Bayona Stars:  Enzo Vogrincic, Agustín Paradella, Matías Recalt, and Esteban Bigliardi Genre:  Drama, Thriller Rating:  R Metacritic score:   72

The disaster of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 in 1972 has been covered in many books and movies, but J.A. Bayona's take stands on its own thanks to some heart-pounding action sequences. The film covers the survivors of a plane crash in the Andes, and the lengths — including cannibalism — to which they had to go to see the next day. Society of the Snow is one of Netflix's 2024 Oscar nominees, most notably for its nomination for Best International Feature. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

For fans of:  Fighting The Man, stacked casts, diamond hands

Paul Dano, Dumb Money

Director:  Craig Gillespie Stars:  Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson, America Ferrera, Shailene Woodley, Nick Offerman, Sebastian Stan, Vincent D'Onofrio Genre:  Comedy, Thriller Rating:  R Metacritic score:   66

**This is not financial advice** The GameStop stock saga of 2021 was one of the wildest things to happen during a time when wild things were happening all the time. In this comedic look at the financial battle between retail traders and the monolithic power of Wall Street, Paul Dano plays Keith Gill, aka Roaring Kitty, aka DeepF---ingValue, who used Reddit and YouTube to rally retail investors toward short squeezing hedge funds out of billions by investing in GameStop. It's a story that will give you hope and make you mad at the same time. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

For fans of:  Biopics, romance, musical icons

Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan,  Maestro

Director:  Bradley Cooper Stars:  Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke Genre:   Rating:  R Metacritic score:   77

The expertly composed Maestro  raked in Oscar nominations this season. In addition to directing and writing this biopic about composer Leonard Bernstein,  Bradley Cooper  stars in the leading role, opposite  Carey Mulligan  as Bernstein's wife, Felicia Montealegre. It's hardly surprising that critics are  heaping praise on  both lead performances. - Kat Moon   [ Trailer ]

May December

For fans of:  Dark slow-burns, melodrama

Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore,  May December

Director:  Todd Haynes Stars:  Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, Charles Melton Genre:  Drama, romance Rating:  R Metacritic score:   85

One of this winter's buzziest films — and an Oscar nominee for Best Original Screenplay — has landed on Netflix. In  May December , Gracie  (Julianne Moore ) and Joe's ( Charles Melton ) marriage threatens to crumble when an actor shows up on their porch one day. To prepare for a film, Elizabeth ( Natalie Portman ) has made it her goal to learn about their controversial relationship beyond the tabloid headlines from two decades ago. But what happens when the actor takes her research a little too far? - Kat Moon   [ Trailer ]

For fans of: David Fincher, relatable psychopaths

Michael Fassbender, The Killer

Director:  David Fincher Stars:  Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton Genre:  Action, Thriller, Drama Rating:  R Metacritic score:   73

David Fincher 's newest project,  The Killer , is based on the French graphic novel series of the same name that was first published in 1998. The film stars  Michael Fassbender  as an assassin bent on fulfilling his mission without letting emotions cloud his judgment.  Charles Parnell ,  Kerry O'Malley ,  Sala Baker , Sophie Charlotte, and  Tilda Swinton  round out the cast.  The Killer 's trailer promises a chilling energy signature to Fincher's films, as well as high-octane, smoothly choreographed action scenes. - Kat Moon   [ Trailer ]

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

For fans of: Spider-versity and Spider-people, sequels that are as good as the original

Director:  Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson Stars:  Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson Genre:  Animation, Action, Fantasy Rating:  PG Metacritic score:   86

Rarely do sequels match the energy of the original, but in this case, Across the Spider-Verse , the sequel to 2018's Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse , should clear some space for more trophies. Miles Morales ( Shameik Moore ) returns as a more established hero and travels the Spider-Verse with Gwen ( Hailee Steinfeld ), where they, along with a group of various Spider-People from different universes, must stop a new evil. The animation is incredible, the beats are delicious, and the emotional story hits hard. This is as close to a must-watch as there is. - Tim Surette  [ Trailer ]

The Saint of Second Chances

For fans of: Going to baseball games but not to watch baseball, fathers and sons and daughters

Rebecca and Mike Veeck, The Saint of Second Chances

Director:  Jeff Malmberg and Morgan Neville Stars:  Charlie Day, Jeff Daniels (narrator) Genre:  Documentary, Sports, Comedy Rating:  NR Metacritic score:   71

This documentary is less a historical document and more of a series of true tall tales passed down from generation to generation about the Veeck family, notably Bill Veeck, the beloved and fun-loving owner of the Chicago White Sox in the 1970s, and his son Mike, whose up-and-down relationship with his dad — which hit a low after Mike's brainchild, the infamous "Disco Sucks" night, tarnished Bill's reputation — eventually left him clawing his way back up in the world of baseball and reflecting on his relationship with his own family. Mike is charismatic as he talks about his dad and his life, and Malmberg and Neville have fun with the direction, bringing in Charlie Day to play a young Mike Veeck in reenactments. It's a heartwarming story that transcends the world of baseball. - Tim Surette  [ Trailer ]

They Cloned Tyrone

For fans of: Blaxploitation films, sci-fi/comedy

Jamie Foxx, Teyonah Parris, and John Boyega,  They Cloned Tyrone

Director:  Juel Taylor Stars:  Jamie Foxx, Teyonah Parris, John Boyega, David Alan Grier, Kiefer Sutherland Genre:  Comedy, Sci-Fi, Mystery Rating:  R Metacritic score:   76

It would be a shame if  They Cloned Tyrone  got lost in the Netflix shuffle. The sci-fi mystery is director  Juel Taylor 's feature film debut, and boasts a trio of standout lead performances from  John Boyega ,  Teyonah Parris , and  Jamie Foxx , playing three people thrown together by circumstance who, after a shooting in their neighborhood, find themselves wrapped up in an increasingly bizarre government conspiracy. Their search for answers leads them down an eerie path, and to say more would be a disservice to this funny, inventive film. - Allison Picurro  [ Trailer ]

The Deepest Breath

For fans of: Sacrifice, stunning underwater shots,  Fire of Love

Alessia Zecchini, The Deepest Breath

Director:  Laura McGann Stars:  Alessia Zecchini, Stephen Keenan Genre:  Documentary Rating:  PG Metacritic score:   70

The A24-produced documentary about a couple at the top of the freediving world really delves into what drives people to risk everything to be the best. World champion freediver Alessia Zecchini and Irish safety diving instructor Stephen Keenan seemed destined to meet, but their passion for exploring beneath the surface and risk-taking meant danger would always be near what they loved to do. There are some interesting storytelling choices made by director Laura McGann that some say border on manipulation, but the end result is worth it, and no one can deny that the stunning and treacherous underwater footage of the dives will make your heart pound.  -Tim Surette [ Trailer ] 

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

For fans of: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse , cats, cool as heck villains

Antonio Banderas,  Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Director:  Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford Stars:  Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Florence Pugh, John Mulaney, Wagner Moura Genre:  Animation Rating:  PG Metacritic score:   73

A member of the excellent class of 2023 Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a dazzling sequel to the 2011 Puss in Boots film, though it exceeds it in every way. Slightly darker than its predecessor, as its main focus is on death — Puss comes dangerously close to expiring his nine lives — The Last Wish still manages to be very family-friendly with its colorful characters and comedy, thanks to an excellent voice cast that includes new franchise members John Mulaney, Florence Pugh, and Wagner Moura. It was also clearly influenced by Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse , which you'll notice in its animation style. I love this movie.  -Tim Surette [ Trailer ] 

For fans of: Queer-friendly messages, dazzling animation

Director:  Nick Bruno, Troy Quane Stars:  Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Beck Bennett, RuPaul, Lorraine Toussaint Genre:  Animation, Action, Sci-fi Rating:  PG Metacritic score:   75

This charming animated movie about not putting labels on people may seem pretty typical, but it relays that message well and is the rare family-friendly film with LGBTQ+ themes. (The film was reportedly delayed multiple times and eventually canceled in 2021 by boneheaded Disney leadership because of its LGBTQ+ storyline , before being revived by Annapurna and Netflix.) Based on the award-winning graphic novel by ND Stevenson, Nimona features  Riz Ahmed as the voice of a disgraced knight whose only chance at redemption is a rambunctious, shapeshifting teenager ( Chloë Grace Moretz ). Set in a world that evokes science-fiction and D&D fantasy, it's a feast for the eyes, but it's your heart that will feel the fullest by the end.  -Tim Surette [ Trailer ] 

King of Clones

For fans of: Ethics, science, cloning, dogs that look alike

Director:  Aditya Thayi Stars:  Woo-suk Hwang Genre:  Documentary Rating:  NR Metacritic score:   n/a

Scientific breakthroughs aren't without their moral dilemmas — sure we COULD have jetpack backpacks, but how do you keep grandma from rocketing into a wall? — and this Netflix film focuses on the moral and ethical questions of cloning. The idea is framed around the story of South Korean scientist Woo-suk Hwang, who rose to fame as a pioneer of xeroxing living things but then became vilified for breaking the rules.  -Tim Surette [ Trailer ] 

Extraction 2

For fans of: Chris Hemsworth, brutal action

Chris Hemsworth, Extraction 2

Director:  Sam Hargrave Stars:  Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa, Olga Kurylenko Genre:  Action, Drama Rating:  R Metacritic score:   57

The sequel to one of Netflix's biggest movies ever continues the "story" of a mercenary (Hemsworth) whose skillset includes... extraction. I say "story" because the real reason to watch this (and its prequel) is for the mindless action and violence, which flows so copiously  that you can smell the shrapnel.  -Tim Surette [ Trailer ] 

Longest Third Date

For fans of:  Watching YOLOers make mistakes, COVID flashbacks, dating horror stories, man buns

Matt Robertson and Khani Le,  Longest Third Date

Director:  Brent Hodge Stars:  Khani Le, Matt Robertson Genre:  Documentary Rating:  NR Metacritic score:   n/a

You know those annoying people who film every second of their lives? Matt Robertson is one of those guys, but in a rare case of "I'll allow it," I'll allow it. Matt suggested to an online match that they spend their third date on an adventure and — as young people are wont to do — make the shortsighted decision to fly to Costa Rica together. Even when they were just getting to know each other. The problem? They left in March 2020. After they landed, the world went into lockdown, stranding them together on an island paradise that became an island prison. This is their story.  -Tim Surette [ Trailer ] 

Kill Boksoon

For fans of:  Female assassins, overworked moms

Lee Yeon and Jeon Do-Yeon, Kill Boksoon

Director:  Sung-hyun Byun Stars:  Do-yeon Jeon, Esom, Fahim Fazli, Gyo-hwan Koo, Jeong-min Hwang, Kyung-gu Sol Genre:  Action, Thriller Rating:  NR Metacritic score:   67

This Korean action film features plenty of clichés — a seasoned assassin whose personal life gets in the way of work agrees to one last mission before retirement and decides she can't go through with the killing for moral reasons — but that's OK, since it executes them all pretty well and features a great performance from Do-yeon Jeon as a woman who flips back and forth between heartless killer and doting mother to her teenage daughter. Violent, stylish, and tense, it's worth a watch for fans of Korean dramas and action flicks. -Tim Surette [ Trailer ] 

All Quiet on the Western Front

For fans of:  Classic literature, anti-war war movies

Director:  Edward Berger Stars:  Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Daniel Brühl, Sebastian Hülk Genre:  Drama, War Rating:  R Metacritic score:   75

This epic adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's classic and ever-timely 1929 anti-war novel is one of the best Netflix Original movies of 2022, and the winner of the Best International Film award at the 2023 Academy Awards as well as a nominee for Best Picture. It tells the story of Paul Bäumer (Felix Bammerer), a 17-year-old who enlists in the Germany army and gets a firsthand look at the pointless, dehumanizing slaughter of World War I. It's a devastating film that's especially notable for composer Volker Bertelmann's modern, powerful score. -Liam Mathews [ Trailer ] 

Justin Salinger, Samuel Paul Small, Tom Andrews, Lucy Liemann, Ashley Madekwe, and Bukky Bakray, The Strays

Year:  2023 Director:  Nathaniel Martello-White Stars:  Ashley Madekwe, Jordan Myrie, Bukky Bakray Genre:  Drama, Thriller, Horror Rating:  NR Metacritic score:  n/a

This British horror film gets a lot of comparisons to Get Out , and rightfully so, as it not only has a similar sensory aesthetic to Jordan Peele's beloved film, but it's also steeped in race relations. Ashley Madewe stars as a light-skinned black woman living in an upper-crust predominantly white community, when she begins to have visions that others can't see. Fans and critics have been divided on most of the film, but all agree that the ending is a delightful whopper. -Tim Surette [ Trailer ]

Pamela, a love story

Pamela Anderson, Pamela: A Love Story

Year:  2023 Director:  Ryan White Genre:  Documentary Rating:  NR Metacritic score:   66

Pamela Anderson shares her side of the story in this revealing documentary about her life, in which she discusses the fame, movies, shows, sex tape scandals, and men that have come to define her with the public. It's the perfect chaser to Hulu's raucous  Pam & Tommy , which Anderson wasn't part of and didn't really portray her fairly. -Tim Surette [ Trailer ]

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker

Year:  2023 Director:  Colette Camden Genre:  Documentary, True Crime Rating:  TV-MA Metacritic score:  n/a

This documentary uses the tried-and-true Netflix true crime formula of an irresistibly lurid title that you can't help but click play on. Sometimes you get shameless trash, and sometimes you get surprisingly thoughtful examinations of viral fame, mental illness, and small-scale human tragedy. The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker tells the story of Kai Lawrence, a young homeless man who became an internet sensation in 2013 when a news report of his spirited account of using his hatchet to save a woman from an attacker went viral. Not long after, he was convicted of murdering a different man. It's a sad tale that will make you feel for everyone involved. -Liam Mathews [ Trailer ]

The Pale Blue Eye

Christian Bale, The Pale Blue Eye

Year:  2022 Director:  Scott Cooper Stars:  Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Toby Jones, Robert Duvall Genre:  Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Drama, Historical Rating:  R Metacritic score:   55

Scott Cooper  writes and directs this mystery film based on Louis Bayard's 2003 novel of the same name.  Christian Bale  stars as Det. Augustus Landor, who's investigating a grisly murder at West Point in 1830 with the help of a curious cadet played by  Harry Melling . That cadet's name? Edgar Allan Poe. The extremely stacked cast also includes  Gillian Anderson ,  Charlotte Gainsbourg , and  Robert Duvall . -Liam Mathews   [ Trailer ]

White Noise

For fans of:  Postmodern literature, '80s imagery

Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig, White Noise

Year:  2022 Director:  Noah Baumbach Stars:  Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, Don Cheadle, Raffey Cassidy, Lars Eidinger, Jodie Turner-Smith Genre:  Drama, Comedy Rating:  R Metacritic score:   66

Adam Driver  and  Greta Gerwig  star in director  Noah Baumbach 's adaptation of Don DeLillo's classic postmodern satirical novel. I don't usually do this, but I'm going to defer to Netflix's description for this one, because it's really good: " White Noise  dramatizes a contemporary American family's attempts to deal with the mundane conflicts of everyday life while grappling with the universal mysteries of love, death, and the possibility of happiness in an uncertain world." That's exactly what it's about!  Reviews  have been more mixed than you might expect for a film with this pedigree, perhaps because DeLillo's stylized dialogue is meant to be read, not spoken aloud, so it sounds really weird, not at all like how people actually speak. But once you get on its unique wavelength, you might find White Noise to be a thought-provoking and darkly funny film. -Liam Mathews [ Trailer ]

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery   

For fans of: Good old-fashioned murder mysteries, actors having fun with their personas

Kate Hudson, Jessica Henwick, Daniel Craig, and Leslie Odom Jr., Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Year:  2022 Director:  Rian Johnson Stars:  Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista Genre:  Mystery, Drama, Thriller, Comedy Rating:  R Metacritic score:   81

The first  Knives Out  was a box office smash, and the sequel got the widest (though still very brief) theatrical release for a Netflix movie ever, but make no mistake, this stylish sequel is a Netflix film.  Daniel Craig  returns as master detective Benoit Blanc, who's tasked with solving a murder mystery at a Greek villa that starts out as a game and turns real. The cast includes  Edward Norton ,  Kate Hudson , and  Dave Bautista . The plotting is brilliant, the performances are delightful, and the social commentary is astute. In his  review  for TV Guide, Jordan Hoffman gave it a 9 out of 10, an exceptionally high score for any movie, let alone a Netflix Original in 2022. -Liam Mathews  [ Trailer ]

Emily the Criminal

For fans of:  Crushing student loan debt, smart indies

Aubrey Plaza, Emily The Criminal

Year:  2022 Director:  John Patton Ford Stars:  Aubrey Plaza, Theo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Gina Gershon Genre:  Drama, Crime, Thriller Rating:  R Metacritic score:   75

Aubrey Plaza stars in this crime drama that isn't technically a Netflix original but had such a small indie release that it may as well be. The White Lotus star plays the titular aspiring artist, who has a crushing amount of student debt and a past felony conviction that prevents her from getting a job that makes enough money to pay down what she owes. But then she meets a guy named Youcef ( Theo Rossi ), who runs a credit card fraud ring. It's a tight little thriller with astute social commentary. -Liam Mathews   [ Trailer ]

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

For fans of:  New takes on classic stories, that signature del Toro touch

Year:  2022 Director:  Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson Stars:  Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Burn Gorman, John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, Tim Blake Nelson, Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton Genre:  Drama, Fantasy, Animation, Family, Musical Rating:  PG Metacritic score:   80

It took  Guillermo del Toro  a decade to bring this passion project, a stop-motion adaptation of the timeless tale of the puppet who wants to be a real boy, to life. GDT's take is steeped in his signature allegorical style of dark fantasy, setting the story in Fascist 1930s Italy and making Pinocchio much less cute than the Disney version of popular imagination. In his review for TV Guide, Jordan Hoffman had particular praise for Pinocchio's character design. "He's lively and charming and lovable, but still looks like real wood," he wrote. "It truly is a work of minor magic." -Liam Mathews  [ Trailer ]

For fans of: Overgrown garden gnomes, blockbuster tropes, Norwegian troll movies

Year: 2022 Director: Roar Uthrag Stars: Ine Marie Wilmann, Kim Falck, Mads Sjøgård Pettersen Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Rating: N/R Metacritic score: n/a

Trolls come in all shapes and sizes, from hair-raised freaky-looking dolls to leprechaun-sized B-movie stars to the mammoth monster of this Norwegian sci-fi action flick. Part Godzilla-esque kaiju movie, part Roland Emmerich disaster film, Troll executes its pea-brained premise — a skyscraper-sized creature made of mountain wreaks havoc on Norway — wonderfully, incorporating American blockbuster tropes gleefully and winking at the audience as it does so. The effects are great and the action is plentiful, and a government aide constantly talking about the movie script he's writing about a monk who can throw his head and hands as weapons is a running joke that keeps things from being too serious. You'll start the movie laughing at it; you'll end it cheering it on. -Tim Surette [ Trailer ]

For fans of:  Flo,  The Banshees of Inisherin

Florence Pugh, The Wonder

Year:  2022 Director:  Sebastian Lelio Stars:  Florence Pugh, Tom Burke, Kila Lord Cassidy, Niamh Algar, Ciaran Hinds Genre:  Drama, Mystery, Thriller Rating:  R Metacritic score:   72

The Wonder is an eerie period drama film starring woman-of-the-moment Florence Pugh . She plays a nurse sent to an isolated Irish village to investigate a local girl who hasn't eaten in months. It's got those European folk horror vibes that Pugh's familiar with from  Midsommar  (minus the bear suits), plus a unique eye behind the camera by director Sebastian Lelio (just watch the opening scene to see it in action). -Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

Is That Black Enough for You?!?

For fans of:  Movies, culture, a smart man saying smart things

Laurence Fishburne, Is That Black Enough for You?

Year: 2022 Director: Elvis Mitchell Genre: Documentary Rating: R Metacritic score: 82

Film critic and academic Elvis Mitchell explores Black cinema in this insightful and incredibly researched documentary that features interviews with Samuel Jackson, Harry Belafonte, Whoopi Goldberg, and other legends. Starting with the early representations of Black people in movies and paying close attention to the blaxploitation era of the 1970s, Is That Black Enough for You?!? is a fascinating and illuminating cultural essay that looks at Black cinema from all angles. The always great Mitchell outdoes himself here in what should be required watching for all cinephiles. - Tim Surette [ Trailer ]

My Father's Dragon

For fans of:  When animated movies are great

Director:  Nora Twomey Stars:  Jacob Tremblay, Gaten Matarazzo, Whoopi Goldberg, Ian McShane, Chris O'Dowd Genre:  Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Family Rating:  PG Metacritic score:   72

If you don't have a kid, you might consider picking one up to watch  My Father's Dragon , the latest animated film from Irish studio Cartoon Saloon. Cartoon Saloon gave us the outstanding  Wolfwalkers , as well as  Song of the Sea  and  The Secret of Kells , all of which were nominated for Oscars and all of which are fantastic. My Father's Dragon is an adaptation of the classic children's novel of the same name, and features the voices of Jacob Tremblay , Gaten Matarazzo , and Whoopi Goldberg . We miss the Irish accents Cartoon Saloon movies usually have, but it's still really good. -Tim Surette [ Trailer ]

Enola Holmes 2

For fans of:  Millie, Bobby, Brown

Henry Cavill, Millie Bobby Brown, Louis Partridge, Enola Holmes 2

Director:  Harry Bradbeer  Stars:  Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter, Louis Partridge, David Thewlis Genre:  Action, Adventure, Comedy, Mystery Rating:  PG-13 Metacritic score:   62

Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown 's other franchise is this energetic mystery movie series in which she plays Sherlock Holmes' little sister (Sherlock is played by Henry Cavill , himself no stranger to franchises, both on Netflix and off). The sequel is a ton of fun as Brown, "a natural born comic with a hydrogen bomb's worth of screen charisma, turns what could be just another disposable tween-and-teens romp into a genuine delight," Jordan Hoffman wrote in his review for TV Guide. -Liam Mathews [ Trailer ]

The Good Nurse

For fans of:  Great casts, tense medical dramas, true crime

Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain, The Good Nurse

Director:  Tobias Lindholm Stars:  Jessica Chastain, Eddie Redmayne, Nnamdi Asomugha, Noah Emmerich, Kim Dickens Genre:  Drama, Thriller, Crime Rating:  R Metacritic score:   64

Oscar-winners  Jessica Chastain  and  Eddie Redmayne  star in this drama about the chilling case of Charles Cullen, a nurse who is confirmed to have killed 29 people and is suspected to have possibly killed hundreds more during a period of time in which he kept getting jobs at hospitals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Redmayne plays Cullen, while Chastain plays Amy Loughren, a nurse who played a pivotal role in catching Cullen. In his review for TV Guide, Jordan Hoffman called it "tense" and "engrossing," with a better performance from Redmayne than the one that won him an Oscar. -Liam Mathews   [ Trailer ]

The Stranger

For fans of:  Good Netflix thrillers, saying "Joel Edgerton is so underrated"

Joel Edgerton, The Stranger

Director:  Thomas M. Wright Stars:  Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris Genre:  Drama, Thriller Rating:  TV-MA Metacritic score:   74

Joel Edgerton stars in this tense Australian crime drama as an undercover cop who befriends a murder suspect (the Mission: Impossible movies' Sean Harris ) in order to get close enough to get information, but he gets in really, really deep, and if he gets any deeper, he'll lose himself entirely. It doesn't break any new ground, but the performances are great. Not to be confused with the Harlan Coben limited series The Stranger , which is also on Netflix. -Liam Mathews [ Trailer ]

The Munsters

For fans of: When extreme horror directors make family movies

Daniel Roebuck, Jeff Daniel Phillips, and Sheri Moon Zombie, The Munsters

Director:  Rob Zombie Stars:  Jeff Daniel Phillips, Sheri Moon Zombie, Daniel Roebuck, Sylvester McCoy, Richard Brake Genre:  Comedy, Family Rating:  PG Metacritic score:   57

Writer-director Rob Zombie ( House of 1000 Corpses , Halloween 2007) goes gentle with this earnest, PG-rated remake of The Munsters , the '60s sitcom about a family of monsters living an affectionately satirical Leave It to Beaver -style suburban life. The movie is an origin story for how Herman ( Jeff Daniel Phillips ) and Lily Munster ( Sheri Moon Zombie ) met and fell in love. The series clearly had a big influence on Zombie, who has spent his musical and theatrical career doing slightly ironic riffs on classic horror images and intellectual property. It's the first thing he's ever made that's safe for the whole family, unless you take your family with you when you dig through the ditches and burn though the witches and slam in the back of your Dragula . -Liam Mathews [ Trailer ]

For fans of:  Strangers on a Train , Gen Z icons Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke

Maya Hawke and Camila Mendes, Do Revenge

Director:  Jennifer Kaytin Robinson Stars:  Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke, Austin Abrams, Rish Shah, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sophie Turner Genre:  Comedy, Drama Rating:  TV-MA Metacritic score:   66

This stylish teen revenge comedy is inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's classic Strangers on a Train , where two strangers swap targets in order to eliminate the motive and avoid being caught. In this version, high school seniors Drea ( Riverdale 's Camila Mendes ) and Eleanor ( Stranger Things '  Maya Hawke ) team up to punish each other's bullies. "What it has going for it most is Maya Hawke, a very gifted performer who carries herself through the comedy quite well," Jordan Hoffman writes in his review of the film. "Hawke makes funny faces when you least expect them, and it's fun to watch." -Liam Mathews [ Trailer ]

Sheng Wang: Sweet & Juicy

For fans of:  Laughing a lot

Sheng Wang, Sheng Wang: Sweet & Juicy

Director:  Ali Wong Stars:  Sheng Wang Genre:  Stand-up Special Rating:  n/a Metacritic score:  n/a

Comedian Sheng Wang has delivered one of Netflix's all-time great comedy specials, dissecting office printers, Costco pants, and snoring in his unique Texas drawl. Wang, based out of the Bay Area, keeps things irreverent but relatable with observational comedy about getting older and not giving a crap about it. It's funny from the moment he steps on stage until the second he leaves it.  -Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

Inside the Mind of a Cat

For fans of: Saying "my cat is very empathetic"

Year: 2022 Director: Andy Mitchell Genre: Documentary, Family Rating: TV-PG Metacritic score: n/a

People like to say that cats are a mystery, but the truth is there just hasn't been a lot of research into why our feline friends are the way they are. That's starting to change. This family-friendly documentary explains the science of cats in a cute and fun way. For example, it's scientifically proven that cats know their own names, but don't always choose to respond. If you love cats, this film will help you understand them better, and if you love a cat-lover, it will help you understand them better. -Liam Mathews [ Trailer ]

The Sea Beast

For fans of: Moana , nautical adventures arrr matey

Year:  2022 Director:  Chris Williams Stars:  Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste Genre:  Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy Rating:  PG Metacritic score:   74

Most Netflix original kids movies are just re-dubs of second-tier CGI films from foreign studios, but  The Sea Beast , from Moana and Big Hero 6 director Chris Williams, looks like a legitimate contender for best family film of the year. A young girl stows away on her idol's ship to help him hunt gigantic sea creatures, leading to seafaring adventure and action. It's getting  great reviews , and features three TV Guide favorites as voice actors:  The Boys '  Karl Urban ,  Legion 's  Dan Stevens , and  Chernobyl 's  Jared Harris . - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

Girl in the Picture

For fans of: The most messed up true crime you've ever seen in your life

The Girl in the Picture

Year:  2022 Director:  Skye Borgman Genre:  True Crime, Documentary Rating:  TV-MA Metacritic score:   n/a

This haunting true crime documentary tells the story of a young woman named Sharon Marshall, who was abused by her stepfather Franklin Floyd in unspeakable ways. Marshall was found dying by the side of a road in 1990, which led to an investigation that uncovered Floyd's crimes. The documentary is structured around the unbelievable twists in the things Floyd did, but unlike most true crime documentaries like this, it always cares more about the victims than the perpetrator, which keeps it from getting too lurid. -Liam Mathews [ Trailer ]

For fans of: Dystopian thrillers, when Chris Hemsworth plays himbos

Chris Hemsworth, Spiderhead

Year:  2022 Director:  Joseph Kosinski Stars:  Miles Teller, Jurnee Smollett, Chris Hemsworth Genre:  Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller Rating:  R Metacritic score:   55

This expensive movie has unusually literary background for a Netflix dystopian sci-fi thriller. It's based on a short story by MacArthur Fellowship recipient George Saunders originally published in  The New Yorker . While that seems like source material that would have to be dumbed down a lot to get made into a Netflix movie — and some of the despairing story's darkness has definitely been filtered out —  Deadpool  screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick and  Top Gun: Maverick  director Joseph Kosinski actually kept it pretty smart. It's unusually thoughtful for a Netflix blockbuster. It stars  Chris Hemsworth  as the warden of an experimental prison where mysterious pharmaceuticals are tested out on the prisoners, who include Jeff ( Miles Teller ) and Rachel ( Jurnee Smollett ). Jeff and Rachel form a special bond, which leads to them getting subjected to some mind-bending, darkly funny psychological thrills.  -Liam Mathews   [ Trailer   |   Review ]

For fans of:  Adam Sandler: Serious Actor 

Adam Sandler, Hustle

Year:  2022 Director: Jeremiah Zagar Stars:  Adam Sandler, Juancho Hernangomez, Queen Latifah, Robert Duvall Genre:  Drama, Comedy, Sports Rating:  R Metacritic score:   67

In  Uncut Gems , which sadly expired from Netflix in May, the game of basketball is essentially second billed, right behind  Adam Sandler  himself. Sandler is famously a  huge basketball fan in general , so it was only a matter of time before he made a movie about it. Another reminder to the world that Sandler is a solid dramatic actor,  Hustle  is a sports drama that stars Sandler as a washed-up scout who makes it his mission to recruit a talented street ball player from Spain (Utah Jazz forward Juancho Hernangomez) into the NBA. -Allison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

For fans of:  Bromance, epics, insane action

Year:  2022 Director:  S.S. Rajamouli Stars:  N.T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan Genre:  Action, Epic Rating:  NR Metacritic score:   87

As Americans, we're pretty much just "Marvel movie, drrr drrr, Star Wars, drrr drrr," but now's your chance to expand your range to some quality action from international cinema. S.S. Rajamouli's insane epic RRR is a global phenomenon, a dazzling period adventure about two real figures from India's history who meet, form a friendship, and fight the British Raj together, and find a missing girl. With over-the-top, physics-defying action sequences, you won't care that it runs over three hours long. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood  

For fans of: The good old days, childhood memories, Waking Life

Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood

Year:  2022 Director:  Richard Linklater Stars:  Jack Black, Zachary Levi, Glen Powell Genre:  Animation, Drama, Comedy Rating:  PG-13 Metacritic score:   81

Richard Linklater returns to his animation style of choice — rotoscoping, in which film is drawn over frame-by-frame for realistic movement with a dream-like feel — that he used in Waking Life and A Scanner Darkly . This time, it's used to tell a story about his very real childhood growing up in Houston in the late 1960s and a very unreal story about a 10-year-old boy who goes to the moon in a secret NASA program. It's a wistful, energetic tale of childhood innocence during a period of immense change, and Linklater nails the vibe of youthful exuberance and coming-of-age. Plus, it has a fantastic soundtrack. Watch this with your parents, they'll love it. (You will, too.)  -Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

The Tinder Swindler

For fans of:  Dating app nightmares, con jobs

Year: 2022 Director:  Felicity Morris Genre: Documentary Rating:  TV-MA Metacritic score:   n/a

This frightening documentary about a con man who used Tinder to — you guessed it — swindle unsuspecting ladies into handing over their credit cards and taking out loans to funnel him cash will make you want to hunt down this scumbag yourself. By putting up a front of extravagance, paid for by his current mark, this man would woo women he met on the dating app and set them up to be his next source of cash before disappearing into the internet and tropical locales where he partied his ass off on their dime. It's not a particularly well-made documentary, but the story is riveting and the victims are rightfully treated with compassion. - Tim Surette [ Trailer ]

The Lost Daughter

For fans of:  Olivia Colman, bad vacations, "Livin' on a Prayer"

Dakota Johnson and Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter

Year:  2021 Director:  Maggie Gyllenhaal Stars:  Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson Genre:  Drama Rating:  R Metacritic score:   86

Maggie Gyllenhaal 's directorial debut is dark, psychological goodness. In this adaptation of the Elena Ferrante novel, Olivia Colman stars as Leda, a college professor on a solo trip to Greece, where she meets and becomes obsessed with Nina ( Dakota Johnson ), a young, overwhelmed mother. It all quickly turns into the vacation from hell as Nina forces Leda to confront memories of her own experience as a young mother. Jessie Buckley plays the younger version of Leda in flashbacks, while Peter Sarsgaard , Ed Harris , Dagmara Dominczyk , and Paul Mescal fill out the rest of the cast.  -Allison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

The Hand of God

For fans of: Coming-of-age dramas, world-class directors in their prime

Filippo Scotti and Marlon Joubert, The Hand of God

Year:  2021 Director:  Paolo Sorrentino Stars:  Betty Pedrazzi, Biagio Manna, Ciro Capano Genre:  Drama Rating:  R Metacritic score:   76

Italian movie magician Paolo Sorrentino ( The Young Pope ) is in peak form with his highly personal coming-of-age drama The Hand of God , which will almost certainly be nominated in the International Feature Film category at next year's Oscars. Set in the 1980s in Naples, Italy, The Hand of God follows a teen through the ups and downs of life, and ties it together with soccer star Diego Maradona's infamous "hand of god" play. Though some critics note its messiness, no one can deny that it's absolutely gorgeous. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

The Power of the Dog

For fans of: Tension, Benedict Cumberbatch being a big ol' meanie

Kodi Smit-McPhee and Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog

Year:  2021 Director:  Jane Campion Stars:  Benedict Cumberbatch, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons Genre:  Drama Rating:  R Metacritic score:   89

Jane Campion's first film since 2009 heads out on the range with one mean cowboy in Benedict Cumberbatch . The 1925-set Western quickly reaches a boil and holds it as a rancher ( Jesse Plemons ) gets a new wife ( Kirsten Dunst ) whom his brother (Cumberbatch) takes a strong disliking to. It's a masterclass of simmering tension and spellbinding acting, but if you're here for shoot 'em ups, this Western ain't it. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

For fans of: Healing, the power of art

Year:  2021 Director:  Robert Greene Stars:  Dan Laurine, Ed Gavagan, Joe Eldred, Michael Sandridge, Mike Foreman, Tom Viviano Genre:  Documentary Rating:  R Metacritic score:   90

Robert Greene's gutting documentary comes to Netflix just two months after making its debut at Telluride, a quick turnaround that belies how much time went into this movie. Shot over three years, Procession  focuses on six men who each suffered abuse by Catholic priests in the diocese of Kansas City, Missouri, when they were boys. Greene's project is unique: The men, working with both Greene and a therapist who uses theater in her work, create short films about their trauma. It's an unmissable story of how to reckon with evil. - Kelly Connolly   [ Trailer ]

tick, tick... BOOM!

For fans of: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Broadway

Andrew Garfield, tick tick...Boom!

Year:  2021 Director:  Lin-Manuel Miranda Stars:  Andrew Garfield, Vanessa Hudgens, Bradley Whitford Genre:  Drama, Musical Rating:  R Metacritic score:   74

Lin-Manuel Miranda has a type: musicals about guys who are worried their time is running out. And why mess with success? Miranda makes his directorial debut with this film adaptation, already racking up good reviews, of Rent creator Jonathan Larson's semi-autobiographical musical. Andrew Garfield stars as the struggling playwright, who's anxious that he hasn't accomplished enough by his upcoming 30th birthday. (The story is made more poignant by Larson's real-life early death at the age of 35, the night before Rent 's off-Broadway premiere.) Garfield is a hit in this, Vanessa Hudgens is in her element, and Bradley Whitford does a rock-solid Sondheim impersonation. - Kelly Connolly   [ Trailer ]

For fans of: Stars wisecrackin', dumb action, dumber twists

Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, Dwayne Johnson, Red Notice

Year:  2021 Director:  Lin-Manuel Miranda Stars:  Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, Ryan Reynolds Genre:  Adventure, Action, Comedy Rating:  PG-13 Metacritic score:   37

I watched this entire movie in one sitting and I had a great time, but in no reality would I say this is a good movie. It's one of those, y'know? It's a film in which the stars are secured and then you write the script. Those stars happen to be Dwayne Johnson , Gal Gadot , and Ryan Reynolds , some of the biggest celebrities on the planet, and the script sees them playing various combinations of FBI agents and art thieves, sometimes both! Add in a budget of about $200 million, and you've got yourself one of Netflix's most popular original movies ever. This is streaming candy; they can't all be Roma .  -Allison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

For fans of: Where the line of racial equality blurs, gorgeous black and white photos come to life

Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson, Passing

Year:  2021 Director:  Rebecca Hall Stars:  Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, Andre Holland Genre:  Drama Rating:  PG-13 Metacritic score:   85

Would you give up your culture if it meant you could have an easier life? That's the question posed in this stirring film set in 1920s New York City that stars Tessa Thompson as a Black woman who runs into a childhood friend (Ruth Negga) who has been passing for a white woman, bringing up questions of racial identity and whitewashing. Shot entirely in black and white, the film features wonderful performances from Thompson, Negga, and André Holland.  -Allison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

For fans of: Heartfelt stories, discovering your roots and culture

Lily, Chloe, and Sadie, Found

Year:  2021 Director:  Amanda Lipitz Genre:  Documentary Rating:  PG Metacritic score:   82

This documentary about three adopted Chinese high schoolers looking into their roots could also pass as a robot test, because if you aren't moved to tears at some point, then you're made out of tin. What makes it so effective is that it looks at adoption from every angle: the girls looking for answers and discovering their culture, their adoptive families looking to help them find their roots, the Chinese families who were forced to give up their babies under China's one child policy, and the intrepid investigator who helps adopted children find their birth parents in China. It's an emotional wallop. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

The Harder They Fall

For fans of: Quentin Tarantino films, Red Dead Redemption , lots of shootin'

Regina King, Idris Elba, and LaKeith Stanfield, The Harder They Fall

Year:  2021 Director:  Jeymes Samuel Stars:  Idris Elba, LaKeith Stanfield, Regina King, Jonathan Majors Genre:  Drama, Western Rating:  R Metacritic score:   68

This Netflix blockbuster is an action Western with a lot more style than you're used to. Director Jeymes Samuel takes a tried-and-true cowboy premise — a gang gets together to exact revenge on the persons responsible for the deaths of loved ones — and infuses it with gorgeous violence, snappy dialogue, and a predominantly Black cast that includes  Regina King ,  Idris Elba ,  LaKeith Stanfield ,  Jonathan Majors ,  Delroy Lindo , and  Zazie Beetz . The result is a rollicking good time and one of the gosh dang coolest films you'll see.  -Allison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

For fans of: Couples therapy, violence, Noomi Rapace 

Aksel Hennie and Noomi Rapace, The Trip

Year:  2021 Director:  Tommy Wirkola Stars:  Aksel Hennie, Noomi Rapace Genre:  Thriller, Comedy Rating:  NR Metacritic score:   n/a

This Norwegian dark comedy follows a couple (Aksel Hennie and Noomi Rapace ) who go to a remote cabin in an attempt to repair their dissolving relationship. Little do they know that they each plan to murder each other as their solution to their problems. Even littler do they know that others are out there in the wilderness to give them even more troubles. Spectacularly violent with humor as black as the night, The Trip is a trip. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

For fans of: One-man plays, Jake Gyllenhaal, thrilling phone conversations

Jake Gyllenhaal, The Guilty

Year:  2021 Director:  Antoine Fuqua Stars:  Jake Gyllenhaal Genre:  Drama, Thriller Rating:  R Metacritic score:   63

Jake Gyllenhaal plays a cop sent to desk duty at a 9-1-1 call center and becomes embroiled in a case when a woman being held against her will calls to ask for help. An adaptation of a 2018 Danish film, The Guilty is the rare intense thriller without any action as it's mostly set in the call center with Jake on the phone and only voices coming from the other end. But director Antoine Fuqua and Gyllenhaal keep things mesmerizing. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer  | Review ]

The Father Who Moves Mountains

For fans of: Cinematography, the battle between sanity and madness, fast snow & slow burns

Year:  2021 Director:  Daniel Sandu Stars:  Adrian Titieni, Bogdan Nechifor Genre:  Drama, Thriller Rating:  TV-MA Metacritic score:   n/a

This Romanian film follows a powerful man of means desperate to find his son after he goes missing on a mountain trek. It's not an action film, but rather a contemplative exploration of how far a man will go to save his son and at what cost to others. You'll understand why he does what he does, but you might not like him for it.  -Allison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

The Old Ways

For fans of: Witchcraft, Latin American demonology, creepy crawlies

Year:  2020 Director:  Christopher Alender Stars:  Brigitte Kali, Andrea Cortés Genre:  Horror Rating:  R Metacritic score:   67

A young journalist goes deep into the jungles of Veracruz, Mexico, for a story on indigenous people who practice ancient witchcraft, only to be kidnapped by them when they believe she is possessed by a demon. It's full of terrifying imagery, as is expected, but it's the claustrophobia of being imprisoned that really drives the horror. On top of that, there are themes of cultural identity that take it to a smarter level than your typical horror film, and visually, it's aces. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

Blood Red Sky

For fans of:  Monstrous surprises, small-space horror

Peri Baumeister and Carl Koch, Blood Red Sky

Year:  2021 Director:  Peter Thorwarth Stars:  Carl Anton Koch, Peri Baumeister Genre:  Horror Rating:  R Metacritic score:   43

This German-English language action-forward horror film is set on a Transatlantic flight between Berlin and New York City that is besieged by hijackers. But they don't know that one of the passengers on board possesses supernatural powers, and will do anything to protect her young son, which sometimes means eating the bad guys. It's a taut thriller with a paranormal twist that's one of Netflix's better original horror films. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

Bo Burnham: Inside

For fans of:  Existentialism, music

Year:  2021 Director:  Bo Burnham Stars:  Bo Burnham Genre:  Comedy, Musical Rating:  TV-MA Metacritic score:   98

Indie auteur  and  certified bad movie boyfriend   Bo Burnham  surprised his fans when he announced he had orchestrated a return to his comedic roots during the pandemic. With  Inside , which Burnham wrote, directed, and edited without a crew or an audience while stuck at home, he lets out his feelings through music, delivering a setlist of very catchy, very meme-worthy songs that have titles like "White Woman's Instagram" and "FaceTime with My Mom (Tonight)." The special gets in touch with the collective mood 2020 inspired in all of us -- the anguish, the despair, the horniness. Burnham's comedy has always touched on the existential, but he goes deeper than ever here. -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

For fans of: Realizing that the horrors of the past are still effecting the present

Year:  2021 Director:  Kristine Solakis Genre:  Documentary Rating:  PG-13 Metacritic score:   76

Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum executive produce this documentary about Exodus International, an Evangelical group formed in the '70s that claims it could turn gay people straight through prayer and conversion therapy. What's most interesting about this film is that it features interviews with ex-leaders who are now speaking out against the movement they were part of for so many years.  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

For fans of: Eric Andre, the Sacha Baron Cohen effect

Eric Andre and Lil Rey Howery, Bad Trip

Year:  2021 Director:  Kitao Sakurai Stars:  Eric André, Lil Rel Howery Genre:  Comedy Rating:  R Metacritic score:   61

How in the world is  Bad Trip  as great as it is? There is no plausible reason why a prank movie was able to feel so fresh and hilarious in the year 2021, and yet here I am, writing about the greatness of  Bad Trip . It has a pretty loose plot (two listless best friends take a road trip so one can reunite with his high school crush), which is sort of unnecessary to the film's broad comedy, but does help with providing structure and emotional beats when needed. Anyway, that's not really why it's on this list.  Bad Trip  shines thanks to its many interactions with the unsuspecting public, who have no idea they're being filmed or that they're part of a movie. The way the film's stars, Eric Andre , Lil Rel Howery , and Tiffany Haddish , drag poor strangers into the bizarre world they've created and get them invested in their characters' fictional problems (a particularly memorable scene in which Haddish recruits the patrons of a restaurant into helping her track down Andre and Howery becomes an instant classic thanks to the passionate reaction from one woman), ends up producing the best comedic moments. Clocking in under 90 minutes,  Bad Trip  is a quick, wholeheartedly joyful watch.  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

The Forty-Year-Old Version

For fans of:  The struggles of hitting the big 4-0, the artist's life

Year:  2020 Director:  Kitao Sakurai Stars:  Radha Blank Genre:  Comedy Rating:  R Metacritic score:   80

Soon-to-be household name Radha Blank writes, directs, and stars in this poignant comedy about a playwright who is approaching her 40th birthday but still has nothing to show for it, even after winning a coveted "30 under 30" award nearly a decade before. To reinvent her life, she breaks into rapping, spitting rhymes from her unique viewpoint and fighting to stay true to her own artistic vision. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

For fans of:  The Coen brothers, dark comedy

Tim Blake Nelson, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Year:  2018 Director:  Ethan Coen, Joel Coen Stars:  Tim Blake Nelson, Tom Waits, James Franco Genre:  Drama, Comedy Rating:  NR Metacritic score:   79

The Coen brothers strap on their spurs for this collection of short stories from the Wild West, all peppered with that trademark Coen absurdism made famous in their films Fargo and Raising Arizona . The stories range from a singing cowboy ( Tim Blake Nelson ) who's quick on the draw to a mumbling prospector ( Tom Waits ) tracked down by an opportunist to an outlaw ( James Franco ) who's no stranger to the gallows. It's a gorgeous film about opportunity in a land where there's nothing but opportunity.  -Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

Da 5 Bloods

For fans of:  Spike Lee, being reminded that war is bad

Year:  2020 Director:  Spike Lee Stars:  Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock, Jr., Chadwick Boseman, Norm Lewis Genre:  Drama Rating:  R Metacritic score:   82

Spike Lee 's latest is a sprawling drama split between two timelines: the first during the Vietnam War, where a group of Black soldiers band together, and the second during the present, where the surviving members, now aging veterans, return to the country in the hopes of recovering the remains of their fallen squad leader ( Chadwick Boseman , in one of his last performances) and locating the gold they buried years ago. It's a dazzling, stylized adventure, and the kind of movie that will make you walk away feeling like you learned something without skimping on character development.  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

My Octopus Teacher

For fans of:  Unlikely friendships, cephalopods

Year:  2020 Director:  James Reed and Pippa Ehrlich Stars:  Craig Foster, Tom Foster Genre:  Documentary Rating:  NR Metacritic score:   82

This film about the intimate relationship between a man and his octopus won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2021. Craig Foster, a diver, buddies up with an octopus in South Africa for a year, documenting her life as she sleeps, eats, and battles sharks. The whole experience teaches Foster about life and moves him to gain appreciation for humanity's relationship with nature, as well as form a closer bond with his son. The whole thing feels a little like a more wholesome version of Guillermo del Toro's  The   Shape of Water , but I'm not here to knock anyone who dares to explore interspecies friendships.  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

The Trial of the Chicago 7

For fans of:  Aaron Sorkin's whole thing, watered down history

Year:  2020 Director:  Aaron Sorkin Stars:  Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Jeremy Strong, John Carroll Lynch Genre:  Drama Rating:  R Metacritic score:   76

In 1969, a group of anti-war activists were charged with conspiring to start a riot at the Democratic National Convention, and in 2019,  Aaron Sorkin  told an extremely Hollywood version of their story. Although Sorkin really simplifies a lot of the more radical politics people like Abbie Hoffman ( Sacha Baron Cohen ) and Jerry Rubin ( Jeremy Strong ) actually had, a big, showy courtroom drama -- full of grandstanding and dramatic speeches and quippy dialogue -- is a perfect vehicle for his style. It's grounded by the performances of its sprawling, star-studded cast (which also includes  Mark Rylance ,  Frank Langella , and  Michael Keaton ) and the writing, which earned Sorkin a Best Original Screenplay nod at the Oscars, and it'll teach you something about the injustices of the American justice system, which, spoiler, has always been pretty bad!  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

For fans of:  Haunted houses, immigrant horror stories

Wunmi Mosaku and Sope Dìrísù, His House

Year:  2020 Director:  Remi Weekes Stars:  Wunmi Mosaku, Sope Dirisu Genre:  Horror Rating:  TV-14 Metacritic score:   72

A refugee couple from South Sudan find their new housing in England is not what it seems in this chilling and stylish horror movie from writer-director  Remi Weekes . If you love ghosts and grief but are ready for a little more intensity,  His House  is a must-watch; it's a haunted house story that blends serious scares with thoughtful commentary on immigration and trauma. Plus, it's anchored by unmissable performances from stars  Wunmi Mosaku  and  Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù . - Kelly Connolly   [ Trailer ]

I Am Not Your Negro

For fans of:  Social justice, visual poetry, hard truths

Year:  2016 Director:  Raoul Peck Genre:  Documentary Rating:  PG-13 Metacritic score:   95

Raoul Peck's 2016 documentary that's an adaptation of James Baldwin's manuscript about racism in America through the eyes of Black people -- specifically civil rights activists Martin Luther King Jr. Malcolm X, and Medgar Evans -- is a visual masterpiece with a clear message: America has failed the Black community. The powerful 2016 film brims with energy through old footage of segregation and current shots of protests in the streets in the wake of police violence against minorities. It's an essential watch to better understand America's shameful past and present. - Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

For fans of:  Oscar winners, art films

Year:  2018 Director:  Alfonso Cuarón Stars:  Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Fernando Grediaga Genre:  Drama Rating:  R Metacritic score:   96

Sorry Mank , you aren't the best black-and-white film on Netflix. Not even close. Alfonso Cuaron 's 2018 personal tale of a housekeeper in Mexico to a wealthy Mexican family won Best Foreign Film, Best Director (Cuaron), and Best Cinematography (Cuaron) at the 91st Academy Awards, but could have won tons more. It's both quiet and epic in scope, balancing a fascinating relationship between a hard-working woman named Cleo and the family that relies on her, unforgettable shots involving hundreds of extras, and a sensitive story on life bubbling under the surface. – Tim Surette   [ Trailer ]

Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé

For fans of: Beyoncé, of course… and who isn't?

Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé

Year:  2019 Director:  Beyoncé, Ed Burke Stars:  Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kelly Rowland Genre:  Documentary, Music Rating:  NR Metacritic score:   93

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Homecoming is perhaps the best, most impactful concert film of at least the past few years. This is Beyoncé at the absolute top of her game, showing not only her historic performance at Coachella 2018, but the emotionally and physically taxing preparation that led up to it. It's just a pleasure to watch, not only because Beyoncé's unparalleled work ethic and commitment to precision, but because of how dedicated she and her team of artists, dancers, and musicians were to making sure the performance was a celebration of Black culture. It's called Homecoming because of the way it evokes traditions made popular by homecoming concerts at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and it's maybe the most entertaining history lesson you'll ever get. Also, there's a pitch-perfect Destiny's Child reunion. We love to see it.  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

The  To All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogy

For fans of: Teen rom-coms, John Hughes references

Noah Centineo and Lana Condor, To All the Boys: Always and Forever

Year:  2018-2021 Director:  Susan Johnson Stars:  Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart Genre:  Comedy, Drama, Romance Rating:  TV-14 Metacritic score:   64

Based on Jenny Han's young adult trilogy,  To All the Boys I've Loved Before took the Netflix world by storm when it debuted in 2018. The teen rom-com stars Asian American actress  Lana Condor  as Lara Jean Covey, a hopelessly romantic high schooler who pens letters to all her crushes in order to get her abundance of emotions out. But when those love letters are mailed out to the crushes by her younger sister, she's mortified -- especially because one is delivered to her older sister's boyfriend, Josh ( Israel Broussard ). To cover up her feelings for Josh, Lara Jean begins fake dating the popular and charming Peter ( Noah Centineo ) -- another love letter recipient who wants to make his ex jealous -- but old feelings die hard.  To All the Boys I've Loved Before  has an inherent sweetness to it that calls back to classic '80s films like  Say Anything...  or  Sixteen Candles . Once you've finished it, check out its sequels,  P.S. I Still Love You , which introduces yet another recipient of Lara Jean's letters, and Always and Forever , the third and final film in the saga. - Kaitlin Thomas [ Trailer ]

Always Be My Maybe

For fans of: Keanu Reeves doing the most

Randall Park and Ali Wong, Always Be My Maybe

Year:  2019 Director:  Nahnatchka Khan Stars:  Ali Wong, Randall Park, Keanu Reeves Genre:  Comedy, Romance Rating:  PG-13 Metacritic score:   64

Ali Wong  co-wrote this 2019 romantic comedy in which she stars as Sasha, a celebrity chef who returns home to San Francisco to open a new restaurant and runs into her former childhood friend, Marcus (co-writer  Randall Park ). The romantic chemistry from their teenage years still remains, and after she breaks off her engagement to her fiancé after he delays their wedding yet again, Sasha attempts to embark on a new relationship with Marcus. However, his fears and her fame -- and a great guest spot from  Keanu Reeves  -- create obstacles that first have to be overcome before true happiness can be found. - Kaitlin Thomas   [ Trailer ]

Before he got recruited by the Marvel machine, Taika Waititi made Hunt for the Wilderpeople , an adventure dramedy about a young delinquent ( Julian Dennison ) and his reluctant foster dad ( Sam Neill ) who, after a series of mishaps and misunderstandings, become the targets of a manhunt. They go into survival mode as they hide out in the New Zealand wilderness, running into a cast of oddball characters as they evade the police. As is the case with these things, the longer they stay out on their own, the closer they get. Waititi's signature comedic style is what makes the whole thing really shine.  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

The Irishman

For fans of: Impressive de-aging CGI, looooong movies

Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Ray Romano, The Irishman

Year:  2019 Director:  Martin Scorsese Stars:  Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci Genre:  Drama Rating:  R Metacritic score:   94

Martin Scorsese loves telling stories about almost-great men undone by their own hubris, and The Irishman is the latest example of that. A lot was made of its three-hour runtime, and its use of CGI to de-age its stars, Robert De Niro , Joe Pesci , and Al Pacino , but those aren't the only things this film has to offer. De Niro plays Frank Sheeran, the titular Irishman, who works as a hitman alongside Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and famous Teamster Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino), both of whom are tied to organized crime. It's an epic about power and betrayal, and contains easily the best performance De Niro's given in years.  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

Marriage Story

For fans of: Laura Dern memes, Adam Driver memes, being sad

Laura Dern and Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story

Year:  2019 Director:  Noah Baumbach Stars:  Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern, Ray Liotta Genre:  Drama Rating:  NR Metacritic score:   94

A marriage unravels in Noah Baumbach's latest, as Charlie ( Adam Driver ) and Nicole ( Scarlett Johansson ) try to keep themselves afloat during their divorce. Yes, there's definitely a lot movie going on in this movie emotionally, but isn't the most important takeaway that we got two great memes out of it? I think so.  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

Dolemite Is My Name

For fans of: Underdog stories, Eddie Murphy doing something different

Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name

Year:  2019 Director:  Craig Brewer Stars:  Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Keegan-Michael Key Genre:  Drama, Comedy, Biography Rating:  R Metacritic score:   76

In 1970s Los Angeles, struggling musician-comedian Rudy Ray Moore ( Eddie Murphy ) decides to create a raunchy alter ego named Dolemite in effort to get noticed. The movie highlights the way, through his work, Moore was able to help pioneer rap as a musical genre, provides wider commentary on the blaxploitation phenomenon, and touches on some of Murphy's own feelings about the critics who have commented on his films. Spoiler: He doesn't care!  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

Dick Johnson Is Dead

For fans of: Crying!

Year:  2020 Director:  Kirsten Johnson Stars:  Dick Johnson, Kirsten Johnson Genre:  Documentary Rating:  PG-13 Metacritic score:   89

You should break out a box of tissues before checking out Kristen Johnson 's tender documentary about her father. When we're introduced to the 86-year-old Dick, the frightening, heartbreaking effects of his dementia are starting to show, marking what both Dick and Kristen accept to be the beginning of the end of his life. What makes this film unique is the way it blends fiction and reality: Kristen imagines ways for her dad to die that he gamely acts out, from falling down a flight of stairs to bleeding out from a head wound. The two have such an easy rapport that it's easy to laugh at their antics one minute and be horribly upset the next when Dick describes the pain of feeling his memory slip away from him in real time. It's a beautiful film quite unlike anything else.  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

It should be said straight up that I'm Thinking of Ending Things ,  Charlie Kaufman 's haunting adaptation of Iain Reid's novel, is probably not for everyone. It's also not the kind of movie that will tell you exactly what it's about; it doesn't really follows a linear, cause-and-effect plot, and the story unfolds according to dream logic. I'll describe it in the best way I can, though: A woman ( Jessie Buckley ) goes on a trip with her boyfriend ( Jesse Plemons ) to visit his parents, all while she's considering breaking up with him. It only gets trippier from there! The only things that are really made clear to the audience is that the woman is a wholly unreliable narrator and nothing is as it seems. If you like your movies a little out there, this one's totally worth checking out.  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

For fans of: Great performances from great actors, monologues

Chadwick Boseman,  Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Year:  2020 Director:  George C. Wolfe Stars:  Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Colman Domingo Genre:  Drama, Music Rating:  R Metacritic score:   87

Chadwick Boseman 's final film role was in this Netflix original, which is based on the Tony-nominated August Wilson play. Viola Davis stars as Ma Rainey, a powerhouse blues singer in 1927 Chicago who holds up a recording session to butt heads with her white manager, and Boseman plays a trumpeter in the recording session angling to get a foothold in the music business. On its own, it's a good film that has a lot to say about race and music ownership, but the performances from Davis and Boseman elevate it.  -Aliison Picurro   [ Trailer ]

12 best Netflix movies of 2022

By reed gaudens | dec 20, 2022.

Each year, the rollout of Netflix movies keeps getting better and better, and 2022 might have been the best year yet for Netflix movies.

From the beginning of the year to the very end, dozens of huge stars brought their talents to the streamer’s original movies. This year brought the likes of Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Jessica Chastain, and so many more right to our watch lists.

There were larger than life action blockbusters, teen comedies full of romance, fantasy adventures that took as to faraway places, and everything in between. But which Netflix movies were the best of the best in 2022?

Best Netflix movies 2022

Here are 12 of the best Netflix movies released in 2022, beginning below with the ultimate new teen comedy Do Revenge .

For years, Netflix has been carving out a space within the teen movie genre with some amazing hits. However, the streamer truly outdid itself in 2022 with the release of  Do Revenge. 

Do Revenge  is not only one of the best Netflix movies of the year, but one of the greatest movies 2022 had to offer period. Its writing is so witty and brilliant, with so many callbacks to the films it was inspired by and absolutely amazing twist ending you won’t ever see coming. Not only is the film whipsmart and so incredibly funny, but it also features a truly amazing cast who deliver flawless performances.

Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke are iconic as Drea and Eleanor, delivering a pair of characters who are so rich and layered. From their character’s stunning looks to the amazing one-liners they hit us with across the film, Mendes and Hawke created a pair of characters who will live on for ages in the pages of pop culture history!  Written by Cody Schultz

Look Both Ways

The Riverdale girls sure dominated Netflix movies this year! Lili Reinhart headlined her own hit original movie on the streamer in 2022 with Look Both Ways, a comedy-drama inspired by Sliding Doors . Sure, we have seen the alternate timeline based on a singular choice plot played out before, but Look Both Ways was incredibly charming and impactful in the way it chose to tell this particular story. Danny Ramirez and David Corenswet were each perfectly cast as Reinhart’s love interests, but it’s the lead actress that aptly steals the spotlight. Without Lili Reinhart, Look Both Ways would have just been another movie. But with her, it’s something truly special.  Written by Reed Gaudens

The School for Good and Evil

Before I get into why  The School for Good and Evil  is one of the best Netflix movies of 2022, let me start by saying you’re missing out if you haven’t watched it already. If you’re a fan of fairytales or TV shows like  Once Upon A Time ,  The School for Good and Evil will be right up your alley.

It’s a fantasy film starring  High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star Sofia Wylie and Broadway star Sophia Anne Caruso as two unlikely best friends who find themselves at odds after they’re kidnapped and taken away to an enchanted school where fairytale heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance between good and evil.

This film will definitely keep you engaged from beginning to end. The visuals are incredible, the plot is interesting enough to keep you tuned in, the casting was spot-on, and the actors gave outstanding performances. Also, it didn’t feel rushed, which can sometimes happen when a movie is an adaptation of something else. Overall, I think  The School for Good and Evil did a great job at honoring the source material, and I’m looking forward to a follow-up film!  Written by Crystal George

Senior Year

Senior Year was an early standout in a year when Netflix struggled to make good movies, especially good comedies. Despite mediocre reviews, I thought  Senior Year was a hilarious high school comedy starring Rebel Wilson as a cheerleader who wakes up after a 20-year coma and decides to redo her senior year to achieve her dream of becoming prom queen.

Senior Year reminded me of the teen rom-coms I grew up watching in the early 2000s, and it’s definitely a comfort film. I had a blast watching it and found the nostalgic references charming.  Written by Maddy Lennon

Falling for Christmas

We can’t cap the year without mentioning a holiday film, and Falling for Christmas starring Lindsay Lohan and Chord Overstreet definitely fits the bill! The romantic comedy may have a predictable storyline, but that’s what makes it a great Christmas movie! And compared to others, the production is more heartwarming rather than cheesy. This film is sure to give you all those warm feels while making you laugh, too. The chemistry between our two leads is definitely there, and the sweetness young actress Olivia Perez brings ties it all together into the perfect bow!  Written by Aysha Househ

The Adam Project

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not the biggest fan of sci-fi and usually pass on films from the genre. However, from the beginning, there was something about  The Adam Project  that managed to draw me in, in a way other genre films had failed to do so in the past. And I’m so glad I ended up giving it a chance.

Starring Ryan Reynolds,  The Adam Project tells the story of a time-traveling pilot (Reynolds) who teams up with his younger self (Walker Scobell) and his late father (Mark Ruffalo) to come to terms with his past while saving the future.

The film has everything you’d expect from a sci-fi film: spaceships, time travel, futuristic technology, and the works. What sets it apart from the rest is the way it manages to perfectly blend the genre together with elements of family, drama, and, particularly, humor. The chemistry shared between Reynolds and Walker Scobell is flawless and truly carries the film, as the creative team could not have found a better pair to lead the cast.

The Adam Project  was a true standout from the year which proved Netflix is more than capable of competing with the top studios and delivering incredible blockbusters.  Written by Cody Schultz

If you told me I would be writing a “best of” blurb about an Adam Sandler movie that the Safdie brothers didn’t direct, I would have called you crazy. It’s not that I hate Sandler, I find him charming enough, and I have liked some of his comedies, but more often than not, I’m unimpressed.

However, Hustle stood out as a well-written film with a great cast and an earnest performance from Sandler. Sure, Hustle runs on sports movie clichés, but that doesn’t stop it from being entertaining and endearing. Plus, Juancho Hernangómez makes the transition from sports to acting look effortless.  Written by Maddy Lennon

Enola Holmes 2

Between Stranger Things season 4 and Enola Holmes 2, Millie Bobby Brown had a jam-packed year, and you know what? She hit both right out of the park. While Brown uses a completely different skill set to portray Enola Holmes, the film again leaves us in awe of her talent . Arguably, the sequel was even better than the first movie and has a much richer story for audiences to grab onto. Enola Holmes 2 was more mature without losing its youthful sense of whimsy and left us wanting as many sequels as Netflix will give us.  Written by Reed Gaudens

Entergalactic

Kid Cudi’s long-awaited passion project was finally released on Netflix on Sept. 30, and I dropped everything I was doing at the time to check it out. And I wasn’t disappointed at all!  Entergalactic  is a beautifully animated special that follows a young artist named Jabari (voiced by Kid Cudi) as he attempts to navigate love and success in the city of dreams, New York City.

To go along with the fantastic visuals is an amazingly talented voice cast including well-known actors and artists such as Jessica Williams, Timothée Chalamet, Ty Dolla $ign, Laura Harrier, Vanessa Hudgens, Jaden Smith, Teyana Taylor, Macaulay Culkin, and others. Kid Cudi also used his new album of the same name as the music component to the special by making it the soundtrack.

Everything about this special was wonderful and refreshing. I hope this isn’t the end of Kid Cudi in the animation world. We definitely need more projects like this stat!  Written by Crystal George

The Weekend Away

Most people probably would have considered The Weekend Away one of the worst movies of the year because they’re no fun. But not me. Was it the greatest movie of all time? No, not by a long shot. Was it Leighton Meester’s best role ever? Don’t insult Blair Waldorf or Angie D’Amato. Was it the perfect spring thriller? Yes, yes it was. You might have forgotten about The Weekend Away amid the bigger Netflix movies of the year, but Leighton Meester doesn’t deserve that. I loved watching her in this easy-to-watch, escapist movie and hope to see much more of her in 2023.  Written by Reed Gaudens

Luckiest Girl Alive

Based on the 2015 book of the same name by Jessica Knoll, Luckiest Girl Alive debuted on the streamer in October and received mixed-to-negative reviews. Despite this, I thought it was pretty good, especially by the end. Mila Kunis portrays protagonist Ani, a 35-year-old woman running from her past who creates a brand-new life after surviving multiple traumatic experiences in school, including sexual abuse and a school shooting.

Luckiest Girl Alive is a very heavy movie, which definitely isn’t for everyone, but the performances from Kunis and Chiara Aurelia as a younger version of Ani are really strong. It’s nowhere near my favorite movie of the year, but it’s a decent one for Netflix.  Written by Natalie Zamora

The Good Nurse

From director Tobias Lindholm comes The Good Nurse based on the 2013 book of the same name by Charles Graeber, following the real-life story of serial killer Charles Cullen . Netflix also released a documentary about Cullen called Capturing the Killer Nurse this year, though the fictionalized movie was much better.

The Good Nurse doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but the performances from leads Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain are really great. If anything, it’s worth watching just for them.  Written by Natalie Zamora

What Netflix movies do you think were the best in 2022? Share your picks in the comments!

Next. 14 best Netflix movies coming in 2023. dark

Best Netflix Original Movies of 2022, Ranked

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Every Movie Coming to Prime Video in July 2024

Netflix quietly cancels unaired urban fantasy series that wrapped filming in 2022 and will never be released, critically panned dracula movie bites its way to top of netflix charts 10 years after release.

Netflix had a lot on its plate in 2022, from losing a quarter of a million subscribers to launching Netflix Basic . It attempted to save the best for last, but that undoubtedly contributed to the initial lack of high-quality content during the first half of 2022, with the best of the streaming giant’s output heavily concentrated into the year's final months. Of course, this is partly due to Netflix deliberately coinciding the service’s releases with awards season.

Update May 11, 2023: This article has been updated with more 2022 Netflix movies and additional details about a few Academy Awards some of the films on this list received.

With how busy 2022 was, that means there were many Netflix films audiences didn't get to watch within the calendar year and now might have fallen behind or forgotten about. With so much being released now on both Netflix and its fellow streaming competitors and in the theatrical market, it might be hard to remember the best of 2022 for Netflix films. For anyone looking to catch up, or see what was some of the best the streaming service had to offer, here are the best Netflix Original films from 2022.

10 The Good Nurse

Jessica Chastain lines up alongside Eddie Redmayne in this enthralling, disturbingly detailed account of the true story of remorseless, sociopathic nurse Charlie Cullen. The Good Nurse documents the Platonic relationship between nurse, and single mother, Amy Loughren and fellow healthcare professional Cullen and the shocking revelations made by Amy that Charlie has been spiking IV bags with lethal doses of insulin, and other such medications, subsequently killing patients. A story that shocked the United States and caused untold damage to the reputation of the American healthcare system.

Stream on Netflix

9 The Stranger

This low-key, low-budget Australian crime thriller was a surprisingly hard-hitting addition to the 2022 Netflix catalog. Starring Joel Edgerton in the central role of undercover cop Mark Frame, The Stranger details Frame’s infiltration of an organized crime outfit and a suspected murderer, Henry (Sean Harris). Stopping at nothing to procure the truth and evidence required for conviction, Mark puts himself and Henry in potential harm's way. The Stranger premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022 before it streamed on Netflix on October 19 of that year.

Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths is as though Alejandro G. Inarritu has thematically spewed the emotions of regret, guilt, longing, forgiveness, and loss onto a Darius Khondji-composed canvas that feature vast plains of emptiness and back-lit, artistically performed hallucinations of the Mexico he left behind. The film, based on Inarritu’s life, concerns journalist-turned-documentarian Silverio Gacho (Daniel Giménez), his battle with existentialism, and the profound effect leaving his homeland has had on his personal relationships. This admittedly self-indulgent passion project is a visual delight that confronts the issue of Mexican criminality, corruption, and a yearning for belonging.

7 Wendell & Wild

Netflix has made it abundantly apparent that they mean business as far as their animated content is concerned. With The Sea Beast and Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio being prime examples of their commitment to rival the industry’s big hitters, Wendell & Wild is another such title that took viewers by surprise and is one of the best films of 2022 .

Related: Best Netflix Shows You Can Have on in the Background

Premiering on Netflix in time for the Halloween flurry of movies, the stop-motion animated horror follows demonic brothers Wendell and Wild, who enlist the help of a 13-year-old girl in order to take down their nemesis. It marked the return of director Henry Selick, whose previous film, Coraline , was released back in 2009.

The shining Adam Sandler of Uncut Gems, The Meyerowitz Stories, and Punch Drunk Love returns in Jeremiah Zagar’s Netflix-backed Hustle . In this zero-to-hero sports picture , Sandler plays NBA and Philadelphia 76ers scout Stanley Sugerman, who goes on the hunt to uncover the world’s next NBA superstar. While in Spain, Stanley is mesmerized by Point Guard Bo Cruz, who convinces him to fly to the States to partake in trials and the subsequent NBA Draft. Hustle was a big hit for Netflix and was one of the most underrated films of 2022.

5 White Noise

Noah Baumbach’s White Noise premiered on Netflix on December 30, 2022. Based on author Don DeLillo’s 1985 novel of the same name, it stars Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, and Don Cheadle. The dark satire follows the story of Jack Gladney, his wife Babette, and their four children from various relationships along the way.

A Professor of ‘Hitler Studies' at the local college, Jack is an esteemed name in town and a well-respected academic voice. Following a train crash at the edge of town, a cataclysmic toxic waste spillage means that the family and everyone else must evacuate. White Noise confronts the inevitability of death and the mechanisms our minds employ to divert our thinking away from those thoughts.

4 The Wonder

Florence Pugh steals the show in Sebastian Lelio’s science vs. religion flick , the quietly haunting The Wonder . Inspired by several true stories of miraculously “fasting” Victorian girls, The Wonder tells the haunting and sobering chronicle of an 11-year-old Irish girl, Anna O’Donnell (Kila Lord Cassidy), who has reportedly abstained from any food consumption for several months. Disbelieving nurse Lib Wright (Pugh) is brought over from England to partake in a “watch,” whereby she and a nun merely sit and observe this so-called miracle taking place.

3 Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Daniel Craig returns to investigative Knives Out duties, reprising the role of Detective Benoit Blanc, everyone’s favorite “Kentucky fried foghorn leghorn” crime solver in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery . In the second edition of this punchy murder mystery, we are taken to tech-tycoon Miles Bron’s (Edward Norton) Greek island, where you guessed it, a murder is committed, and Blanc suspects “foul play.”

Related: Is Glass Onion Better Than Knives Out, and Is it the Next Big Franchise?

With another all-star acting ensemble and the financial might of Netflix now behind it, Glass Onion is a more grandiose and brasher affair than its predecessor. It is a film that, despite a slightly convoluted middle, once again nails the genre that’s given birth to so many classics and somehow manages to muster really contemporary originality. Netflix released the film in theaters for a limited run and proved so successful they may do an extended run for the third Knives Out film.

2 Pinocchio

Having premiered at the London Film Festival, Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio was the second major streaming Pinocchio movie after Robert Zemeckis Dinsey+'s version that remade Walt Disney's classic 1941 film. Yet while the Disney one was a disappointment, the Netflix version was a big hit when it premiered in December.

Following the tale of the wooden boy brought to life by a grieving father, the Mexican director Pinocchio promised a darker and more mature take on the material, and it certainly delivered. His Pinocchio received universally positive reviews and won The Academy Award for Best Animated Film.

1 All Quiet on the Western Front

There have been several screen adaptations of Erich Maria Remarque’s novel All Quiet on the Western Front over the years, yet none illustrate the true cost of war quite like Edward Berger’s 2022 version. The remake captures World War I in all its hellish barbarity, as a group of four German soldiers, all under the age of conscription consent, join the German war effort in the hope of realizing some sort of patriotic ideal. Once the four reach the frontline, the grim, blood-scorched reality of battle truly sets in.

The film specifically follows the character of Paul Baumer (Felix Kammerer), who is employed as the movie’s token of tarnished innocence, an adolescent who should be enjoying his teenage years in the safety of peace, but instead, has it bludgeoned by the merciless, pointless act of inter-country conflict. At a time when Ukrainian troops are holding off Russian forces and bombs fall over Palestine, this a beautifully poignant composition of how mass violence still remains a parasitic stain on humanity. All Quiet on the Western Front was nominated for nine Oscars at the 95th Academy Awards and won four, including Best International Feature, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design.

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Frankie Corio and Paul Mescal in a scene from the film 'Aftersun.'

Aftersun —a timeless exploration of memory, of unyielding depression, of the complex meeting between our past and present as we struggle to evolve—has finally made its way to Netflix . Widely acclaimed as one of the best films of 2022, this poignant A24 narrative (that owns one of the best soundtracks in recent memory) from writer-director Charlotte Wells delves deep into the heart of a father-daughter relationship strained by years and years of unspoken sorrows and unacknowledged pain. Akin to A24’s other most dazzling feature of the 2020s, Past Lives , the film finds our protagonist at a crossroads as a young adult after being forced to reckon with a precarious, fragmented past.

Aftersun revolves around Sophie, a woman reflecting on a summer vacation she spent with her father, Calum, in Turkey. As Sophie (as an adult, played by Celia Rowlson-Hall; as a child, played by Frankie Corio) revisits the video footage and memories of their trip, she grapples with the painful realization that her father hid his depression from her and the rest of the world for many years. During the course of their vacation, Calum (Paul Mescal) puts on a content face, attempting to hide the inner turmoil that plagues him daily. We are painfully aware of his waywardness, while young Sophie remains oblivious to just how broken he feels. It is only through the lens (an important word for a film that uses a camera as its most powerful motif) of adulthood that Sophie begins to understand the signs of her father’s struggle. (If you’d like more insight into the deeper themes and meaning of Aftersun , then check out this thorough breakdown .)

You would never know this is Wells’ directorial debut for a feature film, as she masterfully balances the love between father and daughter with the unspoken emotional chasm that divides them, perfectly capturing the static, impenetrable tension at the heart of their relationship. The film delves into the dual nature of depression: the sufferer, Calum, who cannot express his pain, especially to the closest people in his life, and the loved one, Sophie, who may sense the disarray but is powerless to help, is too young to understand. This delicate dynamic is portrayed with haunting authenticity (Wells referred to the film as “emotionally autobiographical), especially once you’re on the other side of depression, when the battle has already been lost. In effect, Aftersun , perhaps more than any other film released in the 21st century, painfully reflects the real-life challenge of dealing with a loved one's mental health struggles.

This unbelievably vibrant, undeniably tragic, yet ultimately insightful, illuminating, encouraging story is further enriched by how Wells crafts her tale visually. The expansive Turkish landscapes serve as a backdrop to the characters' mental journeys (with motifs such as distant hang gliders and the foreboding sea constantly commenting on the characters’ states of being), mirroring their sense of isolation and longing for connection. Wells’ minimalist yet constricting aesthetic evokes a disorienting sense of limbo for both wavering father and naive daughter, as there’s a painful strain on their vacation that unknowingly becomes the final moments they’ll spend together. The reflection on this short, cherished time together painfully becomes more and more distant and confusing as the years wear on.

Which brings us to the most compelling exploration in Aftersun that should apply to anyone who struggles with pieces of their past: memory. Sophie’s recollections of that final vacation together, captured through photographs and video footage achingly revisited throughout the film but relayed in narrative form only through her memory of the events, offer a fragmented yet altogether intimate glimpse into Calum’s troubled state from a daughter’s point of view. The film poignantly illustrates how memories, while comforting, are also distressingly limited. Photographs only offer just that: an image. And a video recording provides a fixed perspective; what we chose to capture and at what angle we chose to capture it. What’s missing are all of the machinations of humankind, all of the complex, unspoken avenues between people, all of the neuronal pathways that make our emotions seemingly impossible to communicate, to even understand in the first place. Sophie’s recollections of a vacation secretly plagued by desolation and despair, of a man she desperately seeks to understand, are mere representations of a reality she does not comprehend, leaving Sophie to grapple with the elusive truth behind her father’s actions, the ambiguous impact it’s had on her life.

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The movie’s climax beautifully intertwines reality and imagination—the irrefutable truth and how we mentally deal with the truth—a hazy yet striking juxtaposition of two scenes that offer perspective on the perilous divide between past and present: young Sophie dancing with her father in a moment of pure, unadulterated ecstasy, and an older Sophie desperately searching for him in a surreal, rave-like setting that haunts her dreams. This powerful sequence, underscored by the most perfect musical use of Queen and David Bowie’s song “Under Pressure” in cinematic history, underscores the devastating gap between what Sophie remembers and what she longs to understand—this is the tragic beauty that Wells so exquisitely elucidates with her emotionally crippling, philosophically illuminating film.

Now available on Netflix, Aftersun is a must-watch for anyone who has a complicated relationship with their past, who has dealt with depression, either personally or tangentially, who is plagued by the fallibility of memory. The film’s powerful performances, especially by rising star Paul Mescal, who earned a Best Actor nomination at the Academy Awards, combined with Wells’ unbelievably assured direction for a first-timer, make it a standout film that will resonate long after the credits roll (and clearly the movie’s impact has lasted through 2024, as the film currently resides on the Lettterboxd Top 250 ). If you haven’t seen it yet, or if you just need a reminder, be sure to witness why Aftersun was hailed as the best movie of 2022 by so many.

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Best Movies of 2022 Ranked

Welcome to the best-reviewed movies of 2022! All eyes are on the film slate as 2022 represents the first year since the pandemic lockdown that saw theaters back at full capacity. The year started strong with Scream in January, becoming the first Certified Fresh movie in the franchise since 1997’s Scream 2.

Spring saw a string of critical hits, including the dark crime epic on The Batman , the spirited YA comedy  Turning Red from Pixar , and two from A24 : Some throwback horror with X , and Everything Everywhere All At Once , which would become A24’s biggest box office hit, surpassing  Hereditary.

Of course, no story about the state of movies in 2022 is complete without full mention of  Top Gun: Maverick . With afterburners activated, the crowd-pleasing blockbuster set records across the board, including an easy landing on the coveted billion-dollar movie hall of fame .

More headline-grabbing films include another great Adam Sandler dramatic turn in Netflix’s  Hustle , the surprise  Predator return-to-form prequel  Prey , the latest from auteurs Jordan Peele and Robert Eggers ( Nope and  The Northman , respectively), and  Jujutsu Kaisen 0 , which sees anime continuing to make inroads with critics and at the box office.

Read on for the best movies of 2022, ranked! (And for more, explore the best movies of previous years with our guides on 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , and 2018 .) — Alex Vo

No Bears (2022) 99%

Happening (2021) 99%

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021) 98%

Girl Picture (2022) 97%

Till (2022) 96%

The Quiet Girl (2022) 97%

Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie (2021) 98%

Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019) 98%

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) 96%

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) 96%

The Duke (2020) 97%

Hellbender (2021) 97%

Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe (2022) 95%

Great Freedom (2021) 97%

To Leslie (2022) 93%

Top Gun: Maverick (2022) 96%

Official Competition (2021) 96%

The Innocents (2021) 97%

EO (2022) 96%

Neptune Frost (2021) 97%

Sissy (2022) 96%

Lingui, The Sacred Bonds (2021) 96%

Saloum (2021) 96%

Utama (2022) 96%

A Wounded Fawn (2022) 96%

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) 93%

Turning Red (2022) 95%

Aftersun (2022) 96%

Living (2022) 96%

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) 95%

Belle (2021) 95%

A Love Song (2022) 95%

Hit the Road (2021) 95%

RRR (2022) 95%

Gagarine (2020) 96%

The Justice of Bunny King (2021) 95%

The Woman King (2022) 94%

X (2022) 94%

Emily the Criminal (2022) 94%

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022) 94%

Broker (2022) 93%

Fire Island (2022) 94%

The Sea Beast (2022) 95%

Enola Holmes 2 (2022) 93%

Ali & Ava (2021) 94%

Clara Sola (2021) 93%

The Long Walk (2019) 96%

Prey (2022) 94%

Decision to Leave (2022) 94%

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022) 93%

Hustle (2022) 93%

Benediction (2021) 93%

You Won't Be Alone (2022) 93%

Compartment No. 6 (2021) 93%

Nitram (2021) 93%

Vortex (2021) 93%

The Fallout (2021) 93%

The Pink Cloud (2021) 93%

Lost Illusions (2021) 93%

You Resemble Me (2021) 93%

Bull (2021) 93%

Everything Went Fine (2021) 91%

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) 91%

Barbarian (2022) 92%

Emergency (2022) 91%

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) 90%

Hatching (2022) 93%

Kimi (2022) 92%

The Good Boss (2021) 92%

My Old School (2022) 92%

Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical (2022) 93%

Close (2022) 91%

God's Creatures (2022) 89%

Catch the Fair One (2021) 93%

The Righteous (2021) 92%

Slash/Back (2022) 89%

Pearl (2022) 92%

Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood (2022) 91%

We're All Going to the World's Fair (2021) 90%

Piggy (2022) 91%

Mad God (2021) 91%

Murina (2021) 91%

Dinner in America (2020) 91%

Something In The Dirt (2022) 90%

Deadstream (2022) 91%

A Chiara (2021) 91%

INU-OH (2021) 91%

The Stranger (2022) 92%

Tár (2022) 91%

After Yang (2021) 89%

Women Talking (2022) 90%

Nanny (2022) 90%

Werewolf by Night (2022) 89%

Anaïs in Love (2021) 90%

Vesper (2022) 91%

What Josiah Saw (2021) 91%

The Tale of King Crab (2021) 90%

Alcarràs (2022) 93%

Tove (2020) 90%

The Northman (2022) 90%

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43 best Netflix movies in 2024

The best movies on Netflix for your streaming pleasure

• New Additions

Science fiction

Documentaries, family movies.

With the best Netflix movies, you may never have to leave the house. They'll provide hundreds of hours of entertainment, whether you're in the mood for action, comedy, thrills, romance, or education. 

Netflix original films can be hit or miss. On the one hand, they've got Oscar nominees like "Maestro"; on the other, well, check out movies like 'Rebel Moon' but better . 

Fortunately, the streaming service is still constantly adding licensed movies. You can find everything from newer hits like " Spider-Man : Across the Spider-Verse" and "Wonder Woman" to older classics like "Jurassic Park" and "Apollo 13."

The best movies on Netflix to stream now

New additions to best netflix movies.

Sophie (Frankie Corio/Celia Rowlson-Hall) is a young woman who looks back on a significant vacation she shared with her father, Calum (Paul Mescal), two decades earlier at a once-vibrant but now deteriorating holiday resort. As Sophie delves into her memories, she focuses on the precious moments spent with her father when she awas just 11. Simultaneously, Calum grappled with the challenges of life beyond his role as a father now as he grapples with the issues plaguing him throughout his adult life. 

Genre: Coming of age/Drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 96% Stars: Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, Celia Rowlson-Hall Director: Charlotte Wells Watch now

Gary Johnson (Glen Powell) is a seemingly ordinary man who finds himself entangled in a web of deception when he pretends to be a professional hit man. Madison (Adria Arjona) is a woman with secrets of her own who enlists Gary's services. As their paths intertwine, the chemistry between them is undeniable, and a romantic connection begins to develop. However, their budding relationship is soon put to the test as layers of lies and deceit threaten to unravel the truth. It turns out no one has been telling the complete truth about themselves, after all. 

Genre: Comedy/Action Rotten Tomatoes score: 96% Stars: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta Director: Richard Linklater 

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'Godzilla Minus One'

"Godzilla Minus One" takes us back in time to postwar Japan for a thrilling mixture of emotional drama and destructive action. Chiefly, it follows kamikaze pilot Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki) who struggles with guilt both over his military abandonment and his failure to fight during an earlier encounter with the giant lizard. 

On his return home, he takes in and starts to build a connection with homeless woman Noriko Ōishi (Minami Hamabe) and an orphaned baby. When Godzilla looms over an already-devastated Tokyo, Shikishima links up with a group of veterans who are determined to stop the monster in its tracks.

Genre: Action/Sci-fi Rotten Tomatoes score: 98% Stars: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Director: Takashi Yamazaki Watch now

'May December'

Elizabeth Berry (Natalie Portman) visits a couple known for their widely publicized, controversial age-gap romance. Berry's role in the movie is to portray Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore), who ends up marrying the same man she was involved with in her 30s when he was only 13, now twenty years later. As Berry delves into the dynamics between Gracie and her husband Joe (Charles Melton), she discovers the frailties in their marriage. This journey uncovers a trove of long-buried secrets that threaten to break the couple apart.

Genre: Drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 90% Stars: Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, Charles Melton Director: Todd Haynes Watch now

The Squid and the Whale (2005) 

Noah Baumbach, the indie director who was also half of the writing team that just blessed us with Barbie, made his name with movies like The Squid and The Whale. Here, we see a family on the verge of collapse. Frustrated father Bernard (Jeff Daniels) can't get his books published anymore, while wife Joan (Laura Linney) has been unfaithful and successful. 

All of this finds its way to their sons (Owen Kline and Jesse Eisenberg), who have a very hard time adjusting to everything. A fantastic small story that gets all of its emotional beats perfect, The Squid and the Whale is still a great watch.

Genre: Family drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 92% Stars: Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg, Owen Kline Watch now

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

Netflix's 2022 version of All Quiet on The Western Front does the improbable: it actually earns a space alongside the 1930 original film.  For those unfamiliar, the movie tracks 17-year-old Paul Bäumer (Kammerer), who is compelled to enlist to serve in the Imperial German Army for the First World War. He enters the battlefield with a mind filled with propaganda but soon realizes his dreams of being an iconic hero reached too far. A tough and emotionally gripping movie that will make you uncomfortable and compelled to keep watching. It's one of the best Oscar movies to stream online with 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes .

Genre: War Rotten Tomatoes score: 91% Stars: Daniel Brühl, Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer Director: Edward Berger Watch now

Marriage Story (2019)

Director/writer Noah Baumbach is continuing to improve as he matures, as evidenced by his latest feature: Marriage Story, released both in theaters and on Netflix. While Baumbach has fared well in fractured family tales before, this film stands out for deftly telling both sides of the chaotic divorce at its core. Of course, that would mean little without strong acting, and the leading performances of Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver make the emotional trauma real for all watching. In short: watch to understand the meme of the film's stars arguing, keep watching to engage with one of the best Netflix movies.

Genre: Romantic drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Stars: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern Director: Noah Baumbach Watch now

The Irishman (2019)

Forget all of the Scorsese vs comic book movies debate, the only drama you need to know about in this conversation is how good the famed director's latest film, The Irishman, is. One of the best movies on Netflix is long enough to be broken into  4 digestible 'episodes'  that are about 52 minutes each. And this crime thriller utilizes each and every moment to build suspenseful situations for Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino, with the latter portraying Jimmy Hoffa, a good friend of De Niro's character.

Genre: Crime drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Stars: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Al Pacino Director: Martin Scorsese Watch now

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)

Breaking Bad fans have had it good. First, they got a prequel in the series Better Call Saul. Then, they got a sequel in this one-off movie, which follows Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) after the events of the Breaking Bad series finale. Last we saw Jesse, he was driving off after being held captive. But breaking free is just the first step in a fraught journey for Jesse, who has to figure out how to leave his life behind and start over. Does this movie need to exist? No, but it's deeply satisfying to hang out with Jesse again and to see so many Breaking Bad cameos. 

Genre: Crime/Drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 91% Stars: Aaron Paul, Jesse Plemons, Bryan Cranston Director: Vince Gilligan Watch now

The Power of the Dog (2021)

An adaptation of Thomas Savage's novel of the same name, The Power of The Dog is another film that Netflix can use to say "we're not all Adam Sandler comedies and big action movies." An intense western set in 1925 Montana, the film is focused on two ranch-owning brothers: Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George (Jesse Plemons). George marries Rose (Kirsten Dunst) who has sent her son Peter (Kodi Smith-McPhee) to college to study medicine. 

Unfortunately, Phil's the mean-spirited and cruel type, and he loves to be meant to Rose and Peter. Stellar performances from the whole cast are heightened by the film's gorgeous beauty and a phenomenal score from Johny Greenwood (whose also composed for The Phantom Thread, among others). It's one of Netflix's latest Oscar-nominated movies .

Genre: Western/Drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 96% Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee Director: Jane Campion Watch now

Roma (2018)

This beautifully-shot black-and-white film gives director Alfonso Cuarón a chance to show a slice of his past. Taking place in Mexico City in the early 1970s, Roma focuses on an indigenous woman who serves a white family, as they all fight to survive calamity after calamity. From betrayals to natural disasters, Roma throws the kitchen sink at this family, and then tacks on the Corpus Christi Massacre of 1971. Emotionally harrowing, this Academy Award-nominated film (and one of the best dramas on Netflix ) demands you watch with tissues or some other coping mechanism.

Genre: Drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 96% Stars: Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira Director: Alfonso Cuaron Watch now

Mudbound (2017)

Black soldiers have fought alongside white soldiers for America in many wars, but come home only to find they have to fight for their lives in a different way. That's the message of Dee Rees' powerful drama, set after World War II. White soldier Jamie McAllen (Garrett Hedlund) and black soldier Ronsel Jackson (Jason Mitchell) return to their small Mississippi town. Jamie's brother owns a struggling farm, where Ronsel's parents work as tenants. The two former soldiers begin to build a friendship, but the racist attitudes of Jamie's family and the community lead to a devastating confrontation.

Genre: Historical drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Stars: Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, Mary J. Blige Director: Dee Rees Watch now

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

The Coen Brothers do it again, with a sumptuous short story slab of Western storytelling. Starring a whole host of A-list actors, and James Franco, the anthology has been nominated for three Academy awards and is a movie that wriggles through both comedy and blood-speckled violence seamlessly. Yes, it’s a satire on Westerns, and yes there’s plenty of Coen-esque characters involved, but beneath the pastiche this is a love letter that tips a cowboy hat to the movies of old. — Marc Chacksfield

Genre: Western drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 91% Stars: Tim Blake Nelson, James Franco, Liam Neeson, Zoe Kazan Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen Watch now

Tigertail (2020)

A delicate, elegant love story that spans continents and decades, Tigertail comes from writer/director Alan Yang, an Emmy winner and co-creator of Master of None. Pin-Jui is a poor young man from Huwei ("tiger tail") who falls for a wealthy girl, Yuan Lee, but ends up losing touch with her. Pin-Jui jumps on an opportunity to go to America, but years of grueling work leave him a shell of himself and unable to connect with his daughter. When a chance to revisit the past comes along, he takes it, hoping to change his life into the one he always wanted.

Genre: Drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 79% Stars: Hong-Chi Lee, Tzi Ma, Christine Ko Director: Alan Yang Watch now

Beasts of No Nation (2015)

Cary Joji Fukunaga directed Beasts of No Nation: a wartime drama based on the 2005 novel by Uzodinma Iweala. In a fictional African country, a war breaks out, which separates the young Agu (Abraham Attah) from his family. Now, he must navigate the war-torn country, evading hostile militia forces and coming face-to-face with senseless violence. This one's not just one of the best movies on Netflix but an original to boot.

Genre: War drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 92% Stars: Idris Elba, Abraham Attah Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga Watch now

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

Writer/director Aaron Sorkin brings his signature rapid-fire, sharp and witty dialogue to this story of the 1969 trial of seven people charged by the federal government with conspiracy and more, arising from the protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The star-studded cast is more than up to the task of delivering Sorkin's words. 

Genre: Historical drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 91% Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jeremy Strong Director: Aaron Sorkin Watch now

Da 5 Bloods (2020)

Spike Lee's newest joint wasn't intended to be so timely, but then again, the director has always been ahead of his time in speaking to the truths that underpin our society. The story follows four African-American Vietnam veterans who reunite in Ho Chi Minh to retrieve the remains of their fallen squad leader Stormin' Norman (the late Chadwick Boseman). All of them — Eddie (Norm Lewis) Melvin (Isiah Whitlock Jr.), Otis (Clarke Peters) and Paul (Delroy Lindo) — are struggling with personal issues as well as memories of their time in Vietnam.

Genre: War drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 92% Stars: Delroy Lindo, Chadwick Boseman, Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock Jr. Director: Spike Lee Watch now

'The Peanut Butter Falcon'

When a young man with Down syndrome named Zak (Zack Gottsagen), he meets an outlaw fisherman named Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) who's on the run. Zak wants nothing more than to meet his hero, the Salt Water Redneck, so Tyler accompanies him on a trip to North Carolina to attend the Redneck's wrestling training school. All the way, care facility representative Eleanor (Dakota Johnson) trails the pair until she finds herself joining them on their quest, having learned that Zak's future at his home facility is a bleak one. 

Genre: Comedy/drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 95% Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, John Hawkes, Zack Gottsagen Director: Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz Watch now

'Leave the World Behind'

This thriller, based on Rumaan Alam's novel of the same name, follows a family on a getaway who find themselves in the middle of a world in chaos. While vacationing at an idyllic home in the middle of nowhere, a cyberattack destroys society as we know it. A cautionary tale of overreliance on technology and a terrifying vision of a different kind of apocalypse, this Netflix original is a big budget picture of what our future could look like should social order crumble in many of the same ways around us.   Genre:  Apocalyptic psychological thriller Rotten Tomatoes score:  74% Stars:  Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Kevin Bacon Director:  Sam Esmail Watch now

They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

Fontaine (John Boyega) sells drugs, Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx) is a pimp and Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris) is a sex worker. And while this trio may come off as caricaturish in a bad way if you only read that above sentence and watched They Cloned Tyrone's trailer expecting the worst, Netflix's managed to release a gem of a movie.

And it all starts with a big twist that you might have ruined for you (as it was for me) when you read a review. Instead, just take my word that Netflix's created a stellar modern Blaxploitation movie that deals with government surveillance. And its trio of leads all deliver to make it a must-see. 

Genre: Sci-fi comedy thriller Rotten Tomatoes score: 91% Stars: John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, Teyonah Parris, Kiefer Sutherland, David Alan Grier Directors: Juel Taylor Watch now

Missing (2023)

June (Storm Reid) was going to have the weekend most teen dream of. The plan was simple, throw a rager of a house party while her mother Grace (Nia Long) was on vacation with her new boyfriend Kevin (Ken Leung). The only problem? Mom didn't come home.

Missing, told through the screens and cameras of everyone tied to Grace's disappearance, is an inventive mystery. And in a very 2023 twist, June hires Javier (Joaquim de Almeida), a gig economy worker in Colombia to help track her mother down. Filled with the twists and turns, Missing will leave you hanging on every click and yelp.

Genre: Mystery/Thriller Rotten Tomatoes score: 87% Stars: Storm Reid, Joaquim de Almeida, Ken Leung, Nia Long, Daniel Henney, Amy Landecker, Megan Suri, Tim Griffin Directors: Will Merrick, Nicholas D. Johnson Watch now

Do Revenge (2022)

At Miami's elite Rosehill Country Day High School, Drea's (Camila Mendes) picture-perfect life shatters when an intimate video with her boyfriend goes viral. Ostracized and humiliated, she forms an unlikely alliance with Eleanor (Maya Hawke), the mysterious new girl at school. Together, they plan to take their revenge on those who wronged them. But as Drea enlists Eleanor to be her eyes and ears to strike back against her boyfriend, she soon finds that things aren't exactly what they seem. Though it seems Drea and Eleanor have formed the foundation of an unshakeable friendship, old habits die hard and it soon comes to light that Eleanor may be hiding more than she's letting on. - BV

Genre: Comedy Rotten Tomatoes score: 84% Stars: Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke, Austin Abrams Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson Watch now  

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery may not be streaming on Netflix this minute, but having paid to see it in theaters, I can give it a strong recommendation. In fact, I think you should see this film on Netflix, rather than spend time and money to see Benoit Blanc's latest mystery in theaters. This sequel finds the southern sleuth on a private island in Greece where a wealthy tech mogul is pretending to get killed to set up a murder mystery for his friends, a group of influencers who call themselves disruptors. Funny, engaging and serpentine in its mystery, Glass Onion is the latest piece of proof that director Rian Johnson can do no wrong.

Genre: Comedic noir Rotten Tomatoes score: 93% Stars: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Dave Bautista, Janelle Monae, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr. Director: Rian Johnson Watch now

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

If you're in the mood for a deeply silly but also truly heartwarming comedy, Eurovision is a great choice. It fits right in with the other movies in Will Ferrell's ouvre, like Blades of Glory and Anchorman. He plays Lars, an Icelandic man-child who's obsessed with the Eurovision Song Contest (which is a real thing!). Along for the ride is his childhood friend Sigrit (Rachel McAdams). When they finally get the chance to compete, will Lars' single-minded focus on winning ruin his relationship with Sigrit?

Genre: Comedy and musical Rotten Tomatoes score: 64% Stars: Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens, Pierce Brosnan Director: David Dobkin Watch now

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

A strong example of a veteran actor who's "still got it," "Dolemite Is My Name" stars Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore, the comedian who became the iconic blaxploitation character Dolemite. But while Murphy owns the film outright, we get another actor coming out from the shadows to wow us, with Wesley Snipes stealing scenes as D'Urville Martin, the director who Moore clashes with. But while the film is stocked to the brim with great actors (including Keegan-Michael Key, Craig Robinson and Tituss Burgess), this is still Murphy's film. This is one of the best movies on Netflix overall.

Genre: Dramatic comedy Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Stars: Eddie Murphy, Wesley Snipes, Da'Vine Joy Randolph Director: Craig Brewer Watch now

If you want to browse more of our favorite funny films and shows, we've listed even more of the best comedies on Netflix to keep the laughs coming.

Troll (2022)

Professor Nora Tidemann (Ine Marie Wilmann) is a paleontologist with trolls etched in her memory from childhood. When mysterious eruptions and unusual footprints draw attention to the mountains of Dovre, Tidemann has to investigate. Assisted by father Tobias (Gard B. Eidsvod), a disgraced professor, military Captain Kris Holm (Mads Sjøgård Pettersen), and government advisor Andreas Isaksan (Kim Falck), Nora races against time, seeking answers to a number of riddles from the past. Soon a troll awakens, threatening Oslo with a complete evacuation and an impending nuclear strike to get rid of it once and for all. Nora has to make a difficult decision if she wants to save the creature's life or the lives of Norway's citizens. 

Genre: Monster, Action/Adventure Rotten Tomatoes score: 89% Stars: Ine Marie Wilmann, Kim Falck, Mads  Sjøgård Pettersen Director: Roar Uthaug Watch now

You know you're in for a wild ride when a director describes his own film as being about "imaginary friendship between two superheroes." And that's exactly how S.S. Rajamouli described his amazing epic film RRR, which focuses on two Indian folk heroes working together to fight British Colonialists in the 1920's. It all starts when an evil colonialist steals a girl after tricking her family into a "sale" they didn't know was happening. RRR, which feels part Fast & Furious and part Step Brothers, is a joyous epic film that we bet the MCU will be copying in upcoming Marvel movies for years to come.

Genre: Drama/Action Rotten Tomatoes score: 89% Stars: N.T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Ajay Devgan, Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran Director: S.S. Rajamouli Watch now

The Old Guard (2020)

Just when we thought summer would pass by without a blockbuster movie, we get a thrilling, action-packed treat in The Old Guard. Four immortal warriors, led by the ancient and badass Andy (Charlize Theron), have been helping humanity for centuries. When their secret is exposed to a ruthless CEO, Andy and new recruit Nile (KiKi Layne) team up to prevent him from using them as money-making lab rats. The movie puts a fresh spin on the superhero saga — more philosophical, thoughtful and emotional than most entries in the genre. And more progressive, with a deeply romantic same-sex pairing. All of that has us clamoring for The Old Guard 2 . Get with the undying program, Netflix!

Genre: Action and fantasy Rotten Tomatoes score: 82% Stars: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Chiwetel Ejiofor Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood Watch now

If you want to browse more of our favorite action movies, we've listed even more of the best action movies on Netflix to keep you entertained.

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)

Those video games you love don't make themselves, as you seen in Bandersnatch, which highlights the hazards of overworked employees. Since this is a Black Mirror film, though, everything goes crazy as the audience is given the ability to direct the protagonist's actions, turning the movie into a choose-your-own-adventure experience. The many forking twists of the film mean that its advertised 90 minute run time can stretch to 150 minutes, if you find all of its endings and story points.

Genre: Interactive sci-fi drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 72% Stars: Fionn Whitehead, Will Poulter, Craig Parkinson Director: David Slade Watch now

For more of our favorite sci-fi movies, we've listed even more of the best sci-fi movies on Netflix so you can delve into wilder adventures.

Victim/Suspect (2023)

While much of Netflix's documentaries look back at famous true crime stories of note, Victim/Suspect takes on a more important topic. Journalist Rae deLeon is investigating how rape cases are prosecuted by police officers, and how the accusers can be turned into the accused by the criminal justice system.

Both a damning indictment of the police and proof of the value of investigative journalism, Victim/Suspect is proof that Netflix is still giving a platform for important stories.

Genre: Documentary Rotten Tomatoes score: 82% Stars: Rae deLeon, Amanda Pike Director: Nancy Schwartzman Watch now

13th (2016)

A Netflix original, 13th, directed by Ava DuVernay, is an in-depth look at the prison system. She examines the intersection of racism and mass incarceration in the United States. The film is named for the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibited slavery and freed the slaves. Public figures like Angela Davis, Van Jones and Cory Booker make captivating appearances.

Genre: Documentary Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Stars: Angela Davis, Cory Booker, Henry Louis Gates Director: Ava DuVernay Watch now

The Tinder Swindler (2022)

The last few years or so have seen rise to the era of scammer documentaries and shows based on con artists-turned-celebrities. One of Netflix's most successful documentaries on the topic is The Tinder Swindler, which opened eyes about how wild the art of catfishing can get. While some lie on Tinder to lure someone into the bedroom, Simon Leviev swiped right to trick people into giving him millions of dollars in help he supposedly needed. At just under two hours, this smartly-paced documentary is a cinematic page-turner, and may be the best version of its genre to date.

Genre:  Documentary Rotten Tomatoes score:  97% Watch now

Descendant (2022)

Netflix's documentaries are mostly known for the true crime stories, and while Descendant is technically one of those, it's far from the cold case stories that chart on the streaming service. One of the best Netflix movies in years, this film tells the untold story of the Clotilda, the last known ship to smuggle stolen Africans to America — through the descendants of its captive passengers. Currently, they live in a region known as Africatown (found near Mobile, Alabama), and this film shows their fight to keep their communal story from being forgotten. Hidden after the Clotilda was burned and sunk to destroy evidence of this all even happening, the stories out of Africatown are as important as any Netflix has told.

Genre: Documentary Rotten Tomatoes score: 100% Director: Margaret Brown Watch now

What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)

Nina Simone was a celebrated singer who did as much for the world of music as she did for the perception of black singers in the United States. Liz Garbus directed this documentary about Simone's life, working with Lisa Simone Kelly, Nina's daughter, as the executive producer. in addition to being on our best Netflix movies list, the film has already been showered with awards, praising its accuracy and quality.

Genre: Music documentary Rotten Tomatoes score: 89% Stars: Nina Simone Director: Liz Garbus Watch now

For more of our favorite documentaries on the big red streaming machine, check out our guide to the best Netflix documentaries so you can delve into wilder adventures.

The Wailing (2016)

In the quiet of the South Korean the village of Gokseong becomes the backdrop for a mysterious infection and multiple murders. Officer Jong-goo (Kwak Do-won) faces a macabre puzzle that finds him trapped in a web woven by a Japanese stranger whose arrival in the village heralds a wave of inexplicable. As Jong-goo investigates, he meets Moo-myeong (Chun Woo-hee), an enigmatic woman in white. When Jong-goo's own daughter falls ill, he must figure out a way to get to the bottom of the killings and all the illnesses plaguing Gokseong, even at the cost of his own life, to save his daughter's. - BV

Genre: Horror Rotten Tomatoes score: 99% Stars: Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, Jun Kunimura Director: Na Hong-jin Watch now

Someone walking steadily toward you at a leisurely pace doesn’t sound all that scary, but when that person could come from any direction and will never stop until they reach you and kill you, the prospect is a lot more alarming. That’s what happens to the characters in writer-director David Robert Mitchell’s eerie film about a curse that can only be lifted by passing it along to someone else via sexual contact.

Maika Monroe stars as a young woman who receives the curse from a man she thinks is her boyfriend, leaving her to be stalked by a dangerous entity that can look like anyone. Mitchell builds a sense of unending dread, making the viewer constantly aware of a threat that could arise at any time. The dreamlike tone gives the movie the feel of a waking nightmare. - JB

Genre: Horror Rotten Tomatoes score: 95% Stars: Maike Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto, Olivia Luccardi Director: David Robert Mitchell Watch now

For more of our favorite scary movies, check out our guide to the best horror movies on Netflix so you can keep the screams going.

'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar'

This short but sweet adaptation of the Roald Dahl story of the same name is an Oscar winner. It follows a gambling-addicted wealthy man who decides to stop relying so much on his riches and more on his senses. He spends years learning to see without his eyes and use his hands instead — all to cheat at poker. He decides to give the money to charity after attaining the impressive feat and travels the world hitting up casinos to win more money and contribute more cash to hospitals and orphanages to build up some of the best around the globe ahead of his untimely death. - BV

Genre: Drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 96% Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel Director: Wes Anderson Watch now  

'Marcel the Shell With Shoes On'

This adorable and charming mockumentary dramedy about a one-inch-tall shell named Marcel is a feature adaptation of Dean Fleischer Camp's shorts, which he co-wrote with voice star Jenny Slate. Marcel lives with his grandmother Connie and their pet lint, Alan. They were once part of a sprawling community of shells but now have a lonely existence. When a documentary filmmaker discovers them in his Airbnb, he posts a video that earns Marcel fame and fans — and hope of finding his long-lost family. - KW

Genre: Drama/comedy Rotten Tomatoes score: 98% Stars: Jenny Slate, Rosa Salazar, Thomas Mann Director: Dean Fleischer Camp' Watch now  

Nimona (2023)

Knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) stands falsely accused and cornered, with only Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) by his side. She's a rebellious teenager whose unpredictable shapeshifting powers seem much more trouble than they're worth until she learns to use them for the right cause. While Ballister is determined to restore his honor, Nimona seems much more interested in sowing discord wherever she goes. This somewhat dysfunctional duo go on some serious misadventures from kidnapping someone involved in Ballister's situation to investigating Nimona's true origins. It's equal parts heartwarming and chaotic, but all memorable. - BV

Genre: Animation/Family Rotten Tomatoes score: 94% Stars: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang Director: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane Watch now

Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood (2022)

Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood is one of those great family-friendly movies that also just a great movie in general. And when you see its animation style and take note of all the emotion conveyed, you won't be surprised to hear that this is a Richard Linklater (Waking Life, A Scanner Darkly, Slacker) joint. And this time, he's brought his lens and charm to the summer of 1969, as the first moon landing captivated the world. Oh, and it's narrated by Jack Black. 

Genre: Adventure/coming of age Rotten Tomatoes score: 92% Stars: Jack Black, Bill Wise, Lee Eddy, Milo Coy, Director: Richard Linklater Watch now

The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)

The Mitchells vs. The Machines is one of our picks for the best family movies on Netflix , and it's good enough for a slot in our main list. Not only does this animated movie about a family during a robot uprising offer a great cast that parents and kids will both love (including Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph and Olivia Colman), but it looks amazing too.

And that's only what we expect from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the team behind the amazing Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. And that's the kind of movie that set a great standard for what an animated movie should be. Throughout, you've got a good story, with the Mitchells trying to reconnect for one last time before daughter Katie goes off to film school.

Genre: Animated comedy/adventure Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Stars: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Eric Andre and Olivia Colman Director: Mike Rianda Watch now

If you want to browse more of our favorite animated films, we've listed even more of the best family movies on Netflix for your next movie night.

The Lovebirds (2020)

The Lovebirds got mixed reviews, as you can see from the low Rotten Tomatoes score, but we found it to be a funny, delightful romp showcasing two of our favorite actors. Issa Rae (Insecure) and Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley, The Big Sick) combine their comedic talents, playing a couple who are on the verge of breaking up when they get unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery. The plot definitely defies logic, but honestly, who cares? Watching the two leads bicker, freak out, get kicked by a horse and dress up in ridiculous outfits is  worth it.

Genre: Romantic comedy Rotten Tomatoes score: 66% Stars: Kumail Nanjiani, Issa Rae Director: Michael Showalter Watch now

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)

Netflix may be single-handedly reviving the romantic comedy genre, thanks to charming and winning films like To All the Boys I've Loved Before. Yes, it's a teen flick, but the story and performances appeal to adults, too, making it one of the best romantic comedies on Netflix . Lana Condor stars as Lara Jean Covey, a high school girl whose previously non-existent love life spirals out of control  when the letters she wrote to her crushes are mailed out. When popular jock Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) receives one, he hatches a plan with Lara Jean to solve their respective romantic problems by pretending to be a couple. But in true rom-com fashion, they start to catch feelings for each other.  — Kelly Woo

Genre: Young adult romance drama Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Stars: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo Director: Susan Johnson Watch now

How we pick the best Netflix movies

Deciding what movies make this list, and which don't is a two step process that usually repeats itself. We watch as many Netflix movies as we can, and then we debate the quality of them.

This is why we keep looking through what's been added to Netflix to see what to add here, because Netflix is still one of the best streaming services because stays true to its core competency of offering high-quality films that it didn't make. (You can also check out Netflix's secret codes that can unlock new categories for you). 

• The best Netflix comedies • The best family movies on Netflix • The best horror movies on Netflix • The best Netflix documentaries • The best Netflix anime movies and shows • The best Netflix sci-fi movies

Looking to the future, the big list of new Netflix movies for 2023 is stacked with stars. And as for the immediate future: Netflix’s password sharing crackdown isn't even here in the U.S., but its first mistake led to even more confusion.

And if you run out of titles, try the best movies on Amazon Prime Video , the best Hulu movies and the best Peacock movies next.

You'll also want to check out guide to the best Netflix shows for more ways to make the most of your Netflix account.

How to access blocked movies on Netflix

Wherever you are in the world, Netflix offers a huge range of top-quality movies like the ones we’ve listed above. However, due to something called geo-blocking, you may find that your favorite flick isn’t available. This is especially noticeable if you’ve traveled abroad – a film you had your eye on back at home may well now not be available.

The easiest way around this is to use a Netflix VPN . By using a VPN to change your virtual location, you can trick Netflix into showing you that country’s catalog of movies. Perfect if you’re in need of a blockbuster to fill your vacation downtime, or even if you fancy globetrotting from the comfort of your sofa.

Kelly is the streaming channel editor for Tom’s Guide, so basically, she watches TV for a living. Previously, she was a freelance entertainment writer for Yahoo, Vulture, TV Guide and other outlets. When she’s not watching TV and movies for work, she’s watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening.

• Josh Bell Writer
• Henry T. Casey Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)
• Brittany Vincent

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Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, black writers week, trigger warning.

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Beginning with a wonky opening chase sequence, “Trigger Warning” lacks urgency. Beginning in Syria’s Badiyat al-Sham Desert, an elite squad led by Parker ( Jessica Alba ) zip after potential terrorists in CGI trucks that look like Lego vehicles riding across the sand. Parker’s jeep, a jalopy on a soundstage, rocks about as she fires from its window. This isn’t a long sequence, ending anticlimactically with a garishly shot crash of a Syrian’s truck. Its purpose, other than being a banal cold open, is to bloodily dispense with Brown people while portraying Parker as a by-the-book killer—she stops a colleague from executing the MENA prisoners. 

Indonesian director Mouly Surya ’s “Trigger Warning” arose from a screenplay from three scribes: John Brancato , Josh Olson , and Halley Wegryn Gross—and it feels like it. No sooner than that chase sequence, this rural revenge thriller becomes vague. Parker receives an urgent call from Jesse ( Mark Webber ), the town sheriff, who informs Parker of her father’s sudden death in a mine collapse. She races home to discover a possible suicide note from him and to take over the bar he left. Despite these details, the facts aren’t adding up for Parker. Her father was a former Green Beret, yet the mining accident was supposedly caused by him losing the pin to a grenade. There are also vicious weapons—machine guns, RPGs, and grenades—mysteriously making their way into the area. 

“Trigger Warning” is a self-serious, brooding film without the wherewithal to know how righteously dumb it could be if it committed to the bit. Or, at least, the expertise to elevate it to the suspenseful level it so desperately aims to reach. 

I can personally take a threadbare script—give me light backstories and basic character motivations any day. What I can’t take is an erratic script. The discrepancies spring up often in “Trigger Warning,” most often occurring with the Shaw family. After some investigating, Parker discovers footage her father took with hidden cameras of Elvis Shaw ( Jake Weary ) making illegal arms deals with domestic terrorists. We take a long roundabout way toward Elvis’ father Senator Swan ( Anthony Michael Hall ), who’s running for re-election, and Elvis’ brother Jesse’s involvement. Nothing about them makes much sense. How is Elvis testing heavy duty arms by an army base? Why is Senator Swan so interested in Parker’s endorsement? But most all, why are we supposed to be rooting for Parker? The vagueness of her background is often played for laughs. But truly, I want to know the basics of why anyone should find empathy with a shadowy killer like Parker.

It’s clear that Surya is often fighting against the limitations of her budget and her script. Her previous feature, “ Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts ,” a rural Indonesian thriller, premiered at Cannes and was selected as Indonesia’s submission for the Academy Awards. She uses that experience well here. Apart from the rickety VFX-heavy scenes, Surya conjures some handsomely mounted shots: the mountainous surroundings, dusty roads, and wooden interiors are warmly captured. Where the action sequences, big shootouts across this small town, fall short, the character-driven sequences, scenes in worn bars and quaint homes, are wonderfully understated.  

Yet, the rural region in which this film takes place is morbidly underwritten. There is the Latinx component that somewhat bobs to the surface, one where a predominately Latinx town is governed by a white family. There is also the dead-end Conservative politics ruling the land that has its moments, like Jesse being caught between loyalty to his family and Parker. These are interesting ideas in the periphery that, with greater room to breathe, could provide some thematic importance. Here, they’re left dangling. 

The minimal breathing also translates to the hand-to-hand combat scenes. Scenes that should go on for far longer—such as Parker infiltrating the Swan’s compound—are cut far too short, killing the momentum before it can build. The choreography also lacks snap (there is a glaring difference between Alba being on screen and her far more accomplished stunt double). Alba isn’t so much an unstoppable action star, but an underwhelming presence without the precision or the time to build out what could be a memorable recurring character. 

It’s difficult to call “Trigger Warning” a terrible film, even with fangless action and mind numbingly inconsistent script. There are far, far worse films—especially of the action-thriller variety. But should not being the worst be good enough? Netflix is often trying to walk that line with its glut of revenge-type films, and this one does it a tad better than most. It is moderately better; however, it isn’t enough to make “Trigger Warning” stand out from the rest of the streamer’s dregs.  

Robert Daniels

Robert Daniels is an Associate Editor at RogerEbert.com. Based in Chicago, he is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) and Critics Choice Association (CCA) and regularly contributes to the  New York Times ,  IndieWire , and  Screen Daily . He has covered film festivals ranging from Cannes to Sundance to Toronto. He has also written for the Criterion Collection, the  Los Angeles Times , and  Rolling Stone  about Black American pop culture and issues of representation.

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Film credits.

Trigger Warning (2024)

Jessica Alba as Parker

Anthony Michael Hall as Ezekiel Swann

Tone Bell as Spider

Mark Webber as Jesse Swann

Jake Weary as Elvis Swann

• Mouly Surya

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Netflix Movies 2022: Our Most Anticipated Movies Coming This Year

With 2022 set to be another fantastic year of movies on Netflix, we've selected our most anticipated Netflix movies coming to Netflix in 2022.

2022 is going to be another jam-packed-filled year of movies on Netflix. Across a whole variety of different genres and diverse filmmakers, Netflix subscribers can expect to be incredibly entertained. Below we’ve selected our most anticipated Netflix movies of 2022.

Netflix unveiled their 2022 slate of movies on February 3rd with 87 movies announced but plenty more likely to release throughout the year. If you want to see our complete list of upcoming movies , we’ve got that preview here.

Here are our most anticipated Netflix movies on Netflix in 2022:

Knives Out 2

Director: Rian Johnson Genre: Mystery Cast: Daniel Craig, Dave Bautista, Edward Norton, Janelle Monae, Kathryn Hahn Netflix Release Date: Late 2022

Knives Out 2 – Picture: Netflix

One of the most surprising acquisitions of 2021 was perhaps Netflix wrenching Rian Johnson and his ambitious plans for two further Knives Out movies away from Lionsgate. Netflix’s deal for the two sequels has cost them $469 million, which will see Johnson return to write and direct both sequels, along with Daniel Craig set to reprise his role as Benoit Blanc.

Just like the first film, the sequel will also feature a fun star-studded cast , filled with many extremely familiar faces that we can’t wait to see in action. Set for a late 2022 release, Knives Out 2 will be one of Netflix’s biggest movies of the year.

Knives Out 2 will be its own stand-out story, with a brand new mystery. We are still waiting to learn more about the plot of the sequel but given filming took place in Greece and Serbia, expect a fun mystery in Europe.

The Gray Man

Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo Genre: Action Thriller Cast: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Dhanush, Jessica Henwick Netflix Release Date: July 2022

Netflix’s bank breaker of 2021 was Red Notice, and in 2022 it’s The Gray Man, with an eye-watering budget of $200 million. However, in the hands of the Russo Brothers, who directed some of the best and biggest movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you know it will be worth every cent for Netflix.

The action-thriller will be the fifth time Chris Evans has worked with the Russo Brothers, but the first time outside of the MCU.

Count Gentry aka, Sierra Six a highly skilled former CIA Operative, was once the agency’s best merchant of death. After his escape from prison, and recruitment by former handler Donald Fitzroy, Gentry is now on the run from the CIA with agent Lloyd Hansen hot on his trail. Aided by Agent Dani Miranda, Hansen will stop at nothing to bring Gentry down.

The Adam Project

Director: Shawn Levy Genre: Sci-Fi Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Garner, Zoe Saldana, Mark Ruffalo, Catherine Keener Netflix Release Date: March 11th, 2022

The Adam Project (L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Big Adam and Walker Scobell as Young Adam. Cr. Doane Gregory/Netflix © 2022

First working together on Free Guy , almost immediately after Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy have collaborated for their second feature film in Netflix’s The Adam Project .

Ryan Reynolds, already one of the world’s most recognizable actors, is becoming a regular on Netflix thanks to previously starring in the high-budget action movies 6 Underground and Red Notice . As for Shawn Levy, who thanks to his production company 21 Laps Entertainment, is responsible for the creation of such television shows as Stranger Things and Shadow & Bone .

At the age of 13, Adam Reed is reeling from the sudden death of his late father a year earlier. One night, Adam discovers an injured pilot, who turns out to be Adam from the future, who has risked everything in order to get help from his younger self to save their father and to save the future. But first, the pair need to learn how to get along.

Enola Holmes 2

Director: Harry Bradbeer Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime Cast: Millie Bobby-Brown, Henry Cavill, David Thewlis, Susan Wokoma, Helena Bonham Carter Netflix Release Date: 2022

Millie-Bobby Brown is one of the most talented young actresses in Hollywood right now, and while she is instantly recognizable as Eleven from Stranger Things , she has begun to branch out into feature films, such as her recurring role as Madison Russell in the Godzilla movies, and now the title character of Nancy Springer’s detective novels Enola Holmes .

Production and filming on the movie wrapped in January 2022, which means by the time we see the sequel drop on Netflix it’ll be around two years since the first feature dropped amidst the global pandemic.

We’re still waiting to learn about the plot of Enola Holmes 2, but what is exciting is that we’ll also see the return of Henry Cavill and Helena Bonham Carter, who will be reprising their roles of Sherlock Holmes, and Eudoria Holmes, respectively.

The School for Good and Evil

Director: Paul Feig Genre: Fantasy, Romance Cast: Sophia Anne Caruso, Sofia Wylie, Charlize Theron, Laurence Fishburne, Kit Young Netflix Release Date: 2022

The School for Good and Evil (L-R) Kerry Washington as Professor Dovey, Charlize Theron as Lady Lesso. Cr. Helen Sloan / Netflix © 2022

Soman Chainani’s hexalogy of books is incredibly popular with teenagers and young adults. This means that if Netflix plays its cards correctly, and knocks the first School for Good and Evil movie out of the park, then it could have one extremely popular film franchise that will massively bolster its library in the near future.

From the very little footage we’ve seen of the movie, thanks to Netflix’s 2022 film preview, fans should be incredibly excited ahead of the film’s release.

Every four years on the night of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, two children aged 12 are stolen from the village of Gavaldon and spirited away to the School for Good and Evil. Sophie, fair-haired and beautiful, and Agatha, ugly with dark hair and bulging bug eyes are perfect candidates for the school. But to their horror, both are sent to the “wrong” school,

The Sea Beast

Director: Chris Williams Genre: Animation, Adventure Fantasy Cast: TBA Netflix Release Date: 2022

In an era when terrifying beasts roamed the seas, monster hunters were celebrated heroes – and none were more beloved than the great Jacob Holland. But when young Maisie Brumble stows away on his fabled ship, he’s saddled with an unexpected ally. Together they embark on an epic journey into uncharted waters and make history. From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chris Williams (Moana, Big Hero Six, Bolt), THE SEA BEAST takes us to where the map ends, and the true adventure begins.

From the very little we’ve seen of The Sea Beast we’re already incredibly impressed, especially how the feature practically looks like it’s been ripped right out of the filmography of Disney.

The film’s design and Disney-esque familiarity make sense given that Academy-Award-winning director Chris Williams worked for Disney for twenty years between 1998 and 2018. Williams worked on 18 different animated features for Disney, was the director of Bolt, Big Hero 6, and the Co-Director and writer of Moana.

In an era when terrifying beasts roamed the seas, monster hunters were celebrated heroes – and none were more beloved than the great Jacob Holland. But when young Maisie Brumble stows away on his fabled ship, he’s saddled with an unexpected ally. Together they embark on an epic journey into uncharted waters and make history

All Quiet on the Western Front

Director: Edward Berger Genre: Action, Drama, War Cast: Daniel Bruhl, Albrecht Schuch, Sebastian Hulk, Edin Hasanovic, David Striesow Netflix Release Date: 2022

There’s a lot of history behind All Quiet on the Western Front and will be certainly a film for the history buffs amongst Netflix subscribers.

Over 90 years ago, Lewis Milestone made history by directing the very first movie to win the Academy Award for Best Picture that is based on a novel, Erich Maria Remarque’s novel of the same name.

If the latest adaptation is even half as good as its 1930 counterpart, then Netflix’s All Quiet on the Western Front will be one of the best movies of the year. Considering the feature will star Daniel Bruhl, we’re already expecting a potential Oscar-worthy performance from a Spanish-German actor.

A young German soldier’s terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.

The Pale Blue Eye

Director: Scott Cooper Genre: Crime, Horror, Mystery Cast: Charlie Tahan, Christian Bale, Gillian Anderson, Harry Melling, Lucy Boynton Netflix Release Date: 2022

The immediate phrase that comes to mind to describe Scott Cooper’s The Pale Blue Eye is “passion project.” For over a decade Cooper has attempted to get the gothic thriller produced, and finally, in 2022 his feature will see the light of a day to an audience of hundreds of millions worldwide on Netflix.

Like many of the films above, The Pale Blue Eye will also feature an incredibly fun ensemble cast such as Christian Bale, Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton, Ozark’s Charlie Theron, and Harry Potter and Queen’s Gambit star Harry Melling, who takes on the enigmatic role of Edgar Allan Poe.

Set in October 1830 at the United States West Point Academy, the young cadet Edgar Allen Poe assists veteran detective Augustus Landor when the body of a young cadet, who committed suicide, has his heart removed from his body overnight, in a locked room where the body lay.

Director: Moon Hyun Sung Genre: Action, Crime Cast: Yoo Ah In, Go Kyung Pyo, Lee Kyu Hyung, Park Joo Hyun, Ong Seong Wu Netflix Release Date: 2022

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a rapid rise in the amount of South Korean media consumed on Netflix. 2021 was the best year on record for Korean content on Netflix thanks to the likes of Squid Game, and while that level of success will be hard to replicate that doesn’t mean Netflix isn’t going to be dropping some fantastic shows and movies across 2022.

Comparable to the likes of The Italian Job , or the early years of the Fast & Furious franchise, expect Seoul Vibe to be one of the most entertaining action films on Netflix in 2022.

1988, during the middle of the Seoul Olympic Games, a thrilling car chase takes place on the streets of Seoul as the Samgyedong Supreme Team, a crew of talented drivers, find themselves involved in the middle of an investigation of a slush fund.

What movies are you looking forward to watching on Netflix in 2022? Let us know in the comments below!

Jacob joined What's on Netflix in 2018 as a fulltime writer having worked in numerous other industries until that point. Jacob covers all things Netflix whether that's TV or movies but specializes in covering new anime and K-dramas. Resides in Norwich in the United Kingdom.

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‘Federer: Twelve Final Days’ Review: Roger, Over and Out

A new documentary follows the Swiss tennis star from his 2022 retirement announcement to his final match.

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By Amy Nicholson

Roger Federer retired from tennis at 41 having achieved everything there was to conquer: 20 Grand Slam titles and a reputation so sterling that his home country of Switzerland minted his face on a coin. (He was even once voted the second most admired person in the world after Nelson Mandela.) “Federer: Twelve Final Days,” a polite documentary by Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia, follows the living legend throughout September 2022, from his goodbye announcement to his last professional match. The camera stays at a respectful distance as Federer exits private planes and cars and navigates news conferences where, as every sports fan knows, candid feelings are as rare as talent like his.

Federer’s gravity-flouting litheness has always made a striking contrast against his grounded disposition. In his farewell match, playing doubles alongside longtime rival Rafael Nadal, his expressed hope is simply to “to produce something that’s good enough.” Federer describes himself as an emotional guy, but with the international press and his management team nearly always on the sidelines, there’s little privacy to get personal. One of the more vulnerable moments the film manages to capture comes when Federer wears the wrong dress shirt to a photo call.

To deliver sentiment, the film instead relies on a score that sniffles as though a racehorse is being taken out to get shot. Yet, athletes do witness their own wakes. Flickers of spliced-in footage from Federer’s youth eulogize the grace that will forever outshine his four brutal knee surgeries. When he flubs a shot at his last match, the spectators look funereal — and the colleagues in attendance, from Björn Borg to Novak Djokovic, appear to recognize that this tragedy, this mass bereavement for an aging superhuman, has happened to them. Or it will.

Federer: Twelve Final Days Rated R for language. Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes. Watch on Prime Video.