{"id":38623,"date":"2023-10-26T13:15:15","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T11:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1693060"},"modified":"2023-10-26T14:22:23","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T12:22:23","slug":"50-best-movies-to-watch-on-netflix-right-now","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/50-best-movies-to-watch-on-netflix-right-now\/","title":{"rendered":"50 best movies to watch on Netflix right now"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some of the best movies on Netflix right now include Nimona, Talk to Me and Last Night in Soho. Updated weekly. <\/p>

By Radio Times Staff\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 26 October 2023 at 11:15 AM<\/p>

\n\n

With Halloween now upon us, Netflix<\/a> has taken the opportunity to add one of this year\u2019s best horror offerings to its library \u2013 A24 supernatural horror Talk to Me<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you missed it in cinemas then its well worth a watch if you\u2019re looking for a spooky night in, but of course it\u2019s not the only horror or thriller available on the platform currently.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of other great scary flicks, including recent gems such as Last Night in Soho and Evil Dead Rise<\/a>, to cinematic classics like Jaws and Guillermo del Toro\u2019s superb fantasy horror Pan\u2019s Labyrinth.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, if Halloween isn\u2019t for you and you\u2019re looking to escape the scares, then there are still more great options from other genres than you\u2019ll be able to count. For instance, if you\u2019re a fan of Wes Anderson\u2019s films you can check out his four new shorts based on the works of Roald Dahl \u2013 The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar<\/a>,\u00a0The Swan, The Ratcatcher and Poison.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, there are also plenty of family-friendly choices on Netflix, including Nimona<\/a>, the recent animated film featuring the voice talents of Chlo\u00eb Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed, and Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse.<\/p>\n

Read on for our latest picks of the best films on the streaming service below \u2013 updated weekly \u2013 or head over to our guides to the\u00a0best series on Netflix<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0best comedies on Netflix<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, check out our helpful list of\u00a0Netflix secret codes<\/a>\u00a0which help you unlock hidden movies and TV shows.<\/p>\n

Updated: 26th October 2023<\/em><\/p>\n

Best movies to watch on Netflix right now<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Talk to Me (2023)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Mia\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Sophie Wilde as Mia in Talk to Me.<\/span><\/figcaption> Umbrella Entertainment<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

You know you\u2019re always in for an interesting ride with an A24 horror film, but this year\u2019s Talk To Me proved to be a real unexpected thrill ride. The supernatural horror comes from YouTubers turned directors Danny and Michael Philippou, and follows Mia, a young woman who gets involved with a group of friends who have found a mystical ceramic hand, which can grant spirits access to your body.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an already chilling premise which is only heightened by extremely successful execution. Some of the sequences are so terror inducing and stressful that you\u2019ll need a long lie down afterwards, but for those looking for some properly thrilling horror then look no further.<\/p>\n

Sophie Wilde is hugely impressive in the central role, while the supporting cast all do stellar work. The film\u2019s thematic storytelling also hits home come the end, as it explores topics around grief and addiction more successfully than many a drama.<\/p>\n

Last Night in Soho (2021)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Last\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Anya Taylor-Joy and Matt Smith in Last Night in Soho.<\/span><\/figcaption> Universal<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Edgar Wright is one of the most acclaimed British directors working today, who is particularly known for his comedies, The Cornetto trilogy. However, having dazzled us with his action and stunt driving direction in Baby Driver, in 2021 he showed us a whole new side to his work with with the eerie, gloriously shlocky horror thriller Last Night in Soho.<\/p>\n

The film features a star-making performance from Thomasin McKenzie as well as phenomenal turns from the likes of Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith and, in her final on-screen role, Dame Diana Rigg. It follows Ellie Turner, a young woman hoping to make it in the fashion industry, who finds herself haunted by the ghosts that stalk London\u2019s streets.<\/p>\n

Wright doesn\u2019t forgot to add in some of his trademark humour here, which helps to heighten the film\u2019s singular tone and make it a real genre gem to have come out of the last few years.<\/p>\n

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Benedict\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Benedict Cumberbatch as Henry Sugar in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Having previously turned Roald Dahl\u2019s Fantastic Mr Fox into a delightful stop-motion animated feature, Wes Anderson has returned to the iconic children\u2019s author\u2019s oeuvre with this adaptation of one of his lesser-known tales \u2013 The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.<\/p>\n

At just 41 minutes long, it\u2019s a brief but hugely enjoyable experience, full of all the intricate design and wit we\u2019ve come to expect from the director\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

It tells the story of the titular socialite (Benedict Cumberbatch) after he chances upon a book that contains information about a guru named Imdad Khan who could reportedly see without using his eyes \u2013 something that gives Henry inspiration to become an accomplished card cheat.<\/p>\n

Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Richard Ayoade, Ben Kingsley, and Rupert Friend all star, and those same cast members can also be seen in three other short Dahl adaptations by Anderson that have landed on Netflix alongside this one.<\/p>\n

Reptile (2023)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Benicio\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Benicio Del Toro as Tom Nichols and Alicia Silverstone as Judy Nichols in Reptile.<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re a fan of slow burning thrillers, this one\u2019s for you. Reptile is the latest Netflix original film to land on the streamer, and follows the events after the brutal murder of a young real estate agent.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a murder that has understandably rocked their small community, but soon Detective Nichols is faced with a web of conspiracy and deception that has been enveloping this town. It\u2019s the kind of film where nothing is quite as it seems \u2013 the mainstay of any good thriller, if you ask us \u2013 and will follow this hardened detective as he has to dismantle the illusions in his own life.<\/p>\n

Accused (2023)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The acclaimed director of Boiling Point<\/a> (soon to be a BBC drama<\/a>) is behind this new thriller, in which a young man named Harri (Sex Education<\/a>\u2018s Chaneil Kular) is falsely accused of committing a devastating terrorist attack in London. Once his name is thrown into the social media sphere, a bloodthirsty gang sets about tracking him down to his parents\u2019 remote countryside home, where he must attempt to survive a nightmarish evening alone.<\/p>\n

Those familiar with Philip Barantini\u2019s previous film will know that he\u2019s a master of ratcheting up tension, while the central performance from Kular has also been widely praised. In addition to being a nail-biting home invasion thriller, Accused also draws attention to the dangers of a mob mentality that can be all too easy to slip into in our current climate. An under-the-radar release that\u2019s deserving of attention.<\/p>\n

Nimona (2023)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Two\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Nimona.<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

This animated adventure started its life at Blue Sky Studios only to be shelved following Disney\u2019s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2021, eventually being picked up by Netflix for release in 2023. And it\u2019s a good job it was rescued: it\u2019s a rollicking, inventive, and amusing fairytale that deftly touches on LGBTQ+ themes, with some impressive voice performances from the likes of Chlo\u00eb Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed.<\/span><\/p>\n

The film tells the story of Knight Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed) who has to turn to the titular shape-shifting teen (Moretz) for help when he is falsely accused of murdering the Queen. Nimona is the only person willing to help him prove his innocence, but things are somewhat confused by the fact she is also the monster he has sworn to kill. Cue an enjoyable adventure that features all sorts of havoc and makes for top-tier entertainment for the whole family.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Talented Mr Ripley (1999)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"The\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Matt Damon in The Talented Mr Ripley.<\/span><\/figcaption> Miramax<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Matt Damon and Jude Law have arguably never been better than they were in this mesmerising adaptation of Patricia Highsmith\u2019s thriller novel from director Anthony Minghella. The pair respectively play expert conman Tom Ripley and wealthy heir Dickie Greenleaf, with the former growing obsessed with the latter after inserting himself into his glamorous life in Italy \u2013 with all sorts of dramatic consequences.<\/p>\n

Damon and Law are joined by a stellar supporting cast including terrific performances from Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett and Phillip Seymour Hoffmann, while the beauty of the Italian landscape is shot superbly to create an enticing atmosphere that viewers can\u2019t help but get caught up in. Consistently suspenseful and enthralling, it\u2019s also a film that manages to have an emotional centre despite the sociopathic tendencies of its main character.<\/p>\n

Evil Dead Rise (2023)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Evil\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Evil Dead Rise.<\/span><\/figcaption> StudioCanal<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The fifth entry in the Evil Dead film franchise \u2013 following Sam Raimi\u2019s beloved original trilogy and Fed\u00e9 Alvarez\u2019s more divisive 2013 reboot \u2013 takes the action away from the traditional cabin in the woods setting and into a high-rise apartment block in LA, which lends the film a fresh feel while still delivering many of the things fans love about the series, including no shortage of Deadite-driven mayhem and some rather nasty bursts of violence.<\/p>\n

In the absence of franchise stalwart Bruce Campbell, the film also introduces us to a new family, who prove to be a likeable bunch of characters, with some great performances from the likes of Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland \u2013 the latter of whom is the first to be preyed upon by the demonic parasites. There are buckets of blood, chainsaws, and an ending that could well set up another entry in the franchise. If it\u2019s anything like this one, it will be very welcome.<\/p>\n

There Will Be Blood (2007)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Daniel\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood<\/span><\/figcaption> Lionsgate Entertainment<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Of the several masterpieces Paul Thomas Anderson has made since he first burst onto the scene in the late \u201890s, There Will Be Blood perhaps stands out as his most towering accomplishment. Loosely adapted from Upton Sinclair\u2019s 1920s novel Oil!, it charts the life of ruthlessly ambitious oil prospector Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) and the sometimes heinous acts he commits to become the leading tycoon in the US.<\/span><\/p>\n

Day-Lewis picked up the second of his three Best Actor Oscars for his immense performance in the lead role, but at times he almost finds himself upstaged by a never-better Paul Dano \u2013 who plays the preacher with whom Plainview has something of a contemptuous relationship. Packed with memorable set scenes \u2013 the breathtaking finale in a bowling alley is a corker \u2013 the film is at once a mesmerising character study and a damning treatise on the corrupting nature of capitalism.<\/span><\/p>\n

No Country for Old Men (2007)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Javier\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men.<\/span><\/figcaption> Paramount Pictures<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Before going their separate ways, the Coen brothers had firmly established themselves as one of the most consistently brilliant filmmaking teams in the business \u2013 but this 2007 adaptation of Cormac McCarthy\u2019s novel is the only one of their films to have picked up the Academy Award for Best Picture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The film focuses on three men who get caught up in a bloody pursuit across the West Texas desert in the aftermath of a drugs deal gone wrong: opportunistic hunter Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), psychopathic assassin Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), and world-weary sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones). Although perhaps slightly more serious in tone than some of their other efforts, the film retains much of the Coens\u2019 black humour \u2013 and Bardem\u2019s performance is a villainous turn for the ages.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Fantastic\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Fantastic Mr Fox<\/span><\/figcaption> 20th Century Fox<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Wes Anderson\u2019s aesthetic is without any doubt one of the most distinctive in modern cinema \u2013 even when he\u2019s dabbling in the world of stop motion animation, such as in the case of this delightful Roald Dahl adaptation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Full of the kind of deadpan line deliveries and quirky jokes you\u2019d expect in an Anderson picture, it boasts a typically star-studded cast, with George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray and Willem Dafoe among the many A-listers to lend their voices to the film\u2019s menagerie of woodland creatures. And of course, it\u2019s gorgeously designed \u2013 with the impeccably detailed, symmetrical sets on their own enough to provide audiences with plenty to purr over.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RRR (2022)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"RRR\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
RRR<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The latest work from legendary Telegu filmmaker <\/span>S. S. Rajamouli, RRR became a major international hit upon its release \u2013 enrapturing viewers all around the globe. It\u2019s not difficult to see why it resonated so much \u2013 across its epic three-hour running time the film packs in all manner of superbly executed action scenes (sometimes involving CGI animals) and splendidly choreographed dance scenes, including one to Oscar-winning song <\/span>Naatu Naatu.<\/span><\/p>\n

Set against the backdrop of the brutal British Raj, RRR is a thrilling tale of revenge. The film chronicles a charming fictional friendship between real-life revolutionaries Komaram Bheem (NT Rama Rao Jr) and Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) as they seek to rid the nation of British rule.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pan\u2019s Labyrinth (2006)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Pan's\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Pan\u2019s Labyrinth<\/span><\/figcaption> Optimum Releasing<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Throughout his film career, Guillermo Del Toro has often explored the theme of life under brutal dictatorships, but never with as much success as in this spellbinding, hugely imaginative film from 2006. Set in Francoist Spain, it follows a ten-year-old girl who moves to her step-father\u2019s house and soon finds herself having fantastical encounters with strange and magical creatures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Poetic, dark and hugely empathetic, it is a consistently enrapturing look at childhood told as a gothic fairytale for adults \u2013 featuring incredible creature and production design. It won three Oscars, for Art Direction, Cinematography and Make-up and was nominated for a further three including Best Foreign Language Film.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Spotlight (2015)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"The\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The cast of Spotlight<\/span><\/figcaption> Kerry Hayes\/E1 Entertainment<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

This Oscar-winning film from director Tom McCarthy takes inspiration from the likes of All the President\u2019s Men to tell the story of a groundbreaking journalistic investigation: specifically the harrowing case of abuse by Catholic priests in Boston.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It boasts a superb cast including Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams, all of whom excel as the real-life reporters who played a crucial role in uncovering the scandal. As you\u2019d expect from subject matter like this, the film contains some distressing scenes, but it\u2019s expertly put together in a sensitive, realistic way that shines a light on the importance of quality investigative work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step Brothers (2008)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Will\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Will Ferrell and John C Reilly Step Brothers<\/span><\/figcaption> Columbia Pictures<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Before he was making Oscar-nominated satires such as The Big Short and Don\u2019t Look Up, Adam McKay was one of the leading directors of riotous, unapologetically immature comedies like this one \u2013 which remains one of the funniest mainstream American movies of the 21st century.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Will Ferrell and John C Reilly star as fully grown step brothers who haven\u2019t quite developed into adults in any traditional sense of the word \u2013 still living with their parents and struggling to get on when they must move into the same room. In a runtime stuffed with silly pratfalls, crude jokes and a huge number of scenes showing grown men acting like children, the duo slowly begin to develop something of a bond \u2013\u00a0leading up to a memorable conclusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"All\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
All Quiet on the Western Front.<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

When the Film BAFTA nominees for 2022 were announced, it came as something of a shock that Edward Berger\u2019s adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque\u2019s classic novel had scored an incredible 14 nods. But most of those who watched the film quickly understood the acclaim \u2013 it\u2019s an immense technical achievement filled with visual action and first-rate performances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The film makes a few changes from its famous source text but remains unflinching in its anti-war stance, following idealistic German soldier <\/span>Paul B\u00e4umer<\/span> as he discovers the horrors of war. Those horrors are made all the more stark when put against the comparatively luxurious conditions enjoyed by those negotiating to reach an armistice \u2013 a plot strand that was absent from Remarque\u2019s novel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Age of Innocence (1993)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Michelle\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Michelle Pfeiffer as Ellen Olenska in The Age of Innocence<\/span><\/figcaption> Columbia Pictures<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Legendary director Martin Scorsese is perhaps best known for his epic crime films, but his long career has been exceptionally varied and this wonderful period drama ranks up there with the very best of his work. Adapted from an Edith Wharton novel of the same name and boasting an exceptional cast that includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Winona Ryder in the lead roles, it recounts a tragic love triangle that develops in a wealthy New York estate in the 1870s.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s an exquisitely made film with a brilliantly-judged melancholic tone, and the impressive cast members are all at the top of their game. Scorsese\u2019s direction is stunning, if less bombastic than in his gangster pictures, and there are several standout romantic moments \u2013 including an especially memorable scene that involves the removal of a glove.<\/p>\n

Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Daniel\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc in Glass Onion<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The comedy murder-mystery has been enjoying something of a moment in recent years \u2013 thanks to everything from British flick See How They Run to hit TV series Only Murders in the Building. But arguably no one has done it better than Rian Johnson, whose two star-studded Knives Out mysteries are both available on Netflix, with a third expected to follow at some point in the future.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The films see Daniel Craig\u2019s heavily accented sleuth Benoit Blanc attempt to unravel a couple of very mysterious cases \u2013 first the death of a revered crime writer in a cosy mansion, then an even more puzzling death on a private island owned by tech billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton). Craig is on terrific form throughout, and both films are as humorous as they are exciting, each packed with intriguing twists that keeps the audience guessing until the end.<\/span><\/p>\n

Guillermo Del Toro\u2019s Pinocchio (2022)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Pinocchio\"\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Pinocchio<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Guillermo Del Toro\u2019s first foray into stop-motion animation \u2013 alongside co-director Mark Gustafson \u2013 is one of many new takes on the tale of the wooden boy to have been released in recent years. It also happens to be by some margin the best of the bunch, ingeniously transposing Carlo Collodi\u2019s classic tale to Benito Mussolini\u2019s Italy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many of the story beats are, of course, familiar: Geppetto makes a puppet that comes to life, with the pair then getting tangled up in adventures alongside a talking cricket. But, this new version also laces its narrative with profound meditations on grief, death, religion, and authoritarianism, adding up to a truly beautiful and visually sumptuous piece of work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Adele\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Adele Haenel as Heloise and Noemie Merlant as Marianne in Portrait of a Lady on Fire<\/span><\/figcaption> Lilies Films \/ Hold Up Films & Production \/ Arte France\/Curzon Artificial Eye<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

French filmmaker Celine Sciamma has made some of the best films of the last decade \u2013 and this period romantic drama arguably ranks as the finest of the lot, winning a major prize at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, where it opened to glowing reviews. Set in France in the late 18th century, it follows the romance that develops between a reluctant bride-to-be and the artist hired to paint her portrait.<\/span><\/p>\n

No\u00e9mie Merlant and Ad\u00e8le Haenel are luminous in the lead roles, and the whole film is superbly put together by Sciamma, whose direction is frequently subtle and intelligent. Certain scenes will linger long in the memory, none more so than the heartbreaking final shot.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Harry Potter series<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Daniel\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.<\/span><\/figcaption> Warner Bros<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

After long having been absent from major streaming platforms, all eight Harry Potter flicks arrived on Netflix in 2022, giving fans the chance to once again relive the magical adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione in Hogwarts and beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to kickstarting the careers of leads Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, the film also featured many of the finest thespians Britain had to offer, with Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon and Alan Rickman among the stars to bring beloved characters to the screen. A new TV adaptation of the books is currently in the works at Max, but these films \u2013 released between 2001 and 2011 \u2013 will take some beating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prisoners (2013)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Hugh\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Hugh Jackman and Paul Dano in Prisoners.<\/span><\/figcaption> Warner Bros. Pictures<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Denis Villeneuve has recently been working mostly in the sci-fi genre, but he\u2019s equally adept when it comes to crafting a thriller \u2013 and this 2013 effort stands as a testament to that. Villeneuve\u2019s first feature in the English language, it boasts an all-star cast that includes Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis and Paul Dano, each of whom delivers an engrossing performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jackman is Keller Dover, a man whose daughter \u2013 along with his neighbour\u2019s daughter \u2013 is abducted. Although Gyllenhaal\u2019s Detective Loki is drafted in to work on the case, Dover soon pursues a vigilante form of justice convinced that intellectually disabled man Alex Jones (Dano) is the person responsible. What follows is a gritty and gripping thriller that features its fair share of shocking violence \u2013 but that is near impossible to turn your eyes away from.<\/span><\/p>\n

Benediction (2021)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Jack\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Jack Lowden as Young Siegfried Sassoon & Kate Phillips as Young Hester Gatty in Benediction<\/span><\/figcaption> Vertigo Releasing<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

This Siegfried Sassoon biopic from legendary British filmmaker Terence Davies, which premiered at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival, was one of the best films released in UK cinemas in 2022. A beautiful but melancholy portrait of the wartime poet, it explores some of the obstacles he faced as a gay man in the first half of the twentieth century, charting his marriage to Hester Gatty and eventual conversion to Catholicism.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite being a deeply sad piece of work, Davies injects real wit into proceedings, and the film is anchored by two absolutely superb performances from Jack Lowden and Peter Capaldi, who play the poet at different stages of his life.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Loop (2009)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Peter\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Peter Capaldi and Chris Addison in In The Loop<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Armando Iannucci\u2019s Westminster satire The Thick of It is one of the best British sitcoms of the 21st century, so it\u2019s no surprise that this feature-length spin-off \u2013 which features many of the same actors playing different characters \u2013 makes for such a hilarious 90-minute flick.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tom Hollander leads the ensemble as Simon Foster, the Secretary of State for International Development who finds himself embroiled in political games on both sides of the Atlantic, but it\u2019s Peter Capaldi who once again steals the show as spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker \u2013 the scariest and sweariest comic creation of recent years.<\/p>\n

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Colin\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Colin Farrel as Steven Murphy & Barry Keoghan as Martin in The Killing of a Sacred Deer<\/span><\/figcaption> Sacred Deer Limited\/Channel Four Television Corporation\/New Sparta Films Limited<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Yorgos Lanthimos is known for injecting a feeling of unease into his films, and that\u2019s certainly the case in this gripping psychological chiller. The Killing of a Sacred Deer chronicles the unusual relationship between an accomplished heart surgeon and a teenage boy, who he invites to stay with his family for reasons that aren\u2019t initially clear.<\/span><\/p>\n

Barry Keoghan marked himself out as one to watch with his extremely disquieting role as the unwanted house guest, playing opposite his future Banshees of Inisherin co-star Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman, while you\u2019ll probably never be able to listen to Ellie Goulding\u2019s song Burn in the same way after watching.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Passing (2021)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Ruth\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson in Passing<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

An adaptation of the 1929 novel of the same name by Nella Larsen, Passing is a hugely accomplished directorial debut from BAFTA-winning actress Rebecca Hall. A thoughtful period piece, it follows two African-American childhood friends who meet again later in life and discover they have taken radically different paths in life\u00a0\u2013 with one of them having taken steps to \u201cpass\u201d as a white woman.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hall handled the topic with great sensitivity, and the use of Academy ratio and crisp monochrome photography ensures that it\u2019s also a stunning work from an aesthetic point of view. Meanwhile, Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson are both exquisite in the lead roles, and there is able support from the likes of Bill Camp and Alexander <\/span>Skarsg\u00e5rd.<\/p>\n

Paddington 2 (2017)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Hugh\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Hugh Grant in Paddington 2<\/span><\/figcaption> StudioCanal<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The first Paddington film in 2014 had already proved irresistibly charming to audiences across the world \u2013 but this sequel took things up a notch to deliver arguably one of the best family films ever made. The film picks up with the Peruvian bear \u2013 still living with the Brown family \u2013 as he embarks on a journey to get the perfect gift for his Aunt\u2019s 100th birthday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Only there\u2019s a spanner in the works \u2013 and that spanner comes in the shape of a scene-stealing Hugh Grant, who stars as narcissistic thespian Phoenix Buchanan, who would like Paddington\u2019s preferred gift all for himself. What follows is a delightful, rip-roaring adventure that was deservedly heaped with praise. We\u2019re still waiting for a planned third instalment, but for the time being this one is always ripe for a revisit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inglourious Basterds (2009)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Inglourious\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Inglourious Basterds<\/span><\/figcaption> Universal<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Inglourious Basterds marked something of a change in direction for Quentin Tarantino \u2013 who until that point had largely made films set in contemporary times. All of his films since Basterds have been period pieces \u2013 not that this change in approach led to any watering down of his instantly recognisable style or his fascination with revenge narratives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starring Brad Pitt as a lieutenant leading a troop of vengeful Jewish-American soldiers, and an Oscar-winning Christoph Waltz as the chilling Nazi villain Hans Landa, this film is electric throughout \u2013 from the unbearably tense opening scene to the immensely cathartic conclusion. Complete with plenty of Tarantino\u2019s trademark dialogue and a handful of perfectly constructed set pieces, this two-and-a-half-hour epic is the writer\/director at the very top of his game.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m Thinking of Ending Things (2020)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Jesse\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Jesse Plemons as Jake, Jessie Buckley as Young Woman, Toni Collette as Mother, David Thewlis as Father in Im Thinking Of Ending Things<\/span><\/figcaption> Mary Cybulski\/Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The work of Charlie Kaufman is always innovative and often divisive, and both those descriptors certainly fit this 2020 adaptation of Ian Reid\u2019s novel of the same name. On the face of it, the film tells the simple story of a young woman (Jessie Buckley) travelling with her boyfriend (Jesse Plemons) to meet his family on their secluded farm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Only things take several unconventional turns as the film becomes a nightmarish exploration of the young woman\u2019s psyche, with all sorts of surreal imagery, dark jokes and even interpretative dance sequences. It certainly won\u2019t be for everyone, but for those who can get on its wavelength, it will prove a haunting and unforgettable experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Da 5 Bloods (2020)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Da\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Da 5 Bloods on Netflix by Spike Lee<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Da 5 Bloods went somewhat under the radar when it arrived on Netflix at the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020 \u2013\u00a0but this is another terrific Spike Lee joint, following hot on the heels of his high-profile return to form with BlackKklansman two years earlier. That this film didn\u2019t manage nearly as many nominations at the Oscars can be seen as something of a snub, particularly given the quality of some of the performances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Delroy Lindo (The Good Fight), Clarke Peters (The Wire), Norm Lewis (Scandal) and Isiah Whitlock Jr (BlacKkKlansman) star as a group of Vietnam vets who return to the country to search for the remains of their fallen commander, played in flashback by the much-missed Chadwick Boseman \u2013 whose portrayal is even more poignant in light of his tragic death in 2020. On their journey, the group confronts their traumatic memories of the conflict while also reckoning with the different paths they\u2019ve each taken since.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Marriage Story (2019)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Marriage\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver in Marriage Story<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Writer\/director Noah Baumbach has teamed up with Adam Driver on a number of occasions, but this divorce drama is arguably the peak of their collaboration. The film earned six nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards \u2013\u00a0winning one \u2013\u00a0and proved every bit as popular with audiences as it did with critics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Based in part on Baumbach\u2019s own divorce, Driver and Scarlett Johansson star as a director and actor couple whose marriage has reached its end, but things only get more bitter when lawyers are called in to begin divorce proceedings. By turns funny and tear-jerking, this film is a real winner \u2013 worth it for a scene that sees Driver singing Stephen Sondheim\u2019s Being Alive alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Irishman (2019)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"The\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The Irishman<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

There was a time a few years ago when Netflix was gladly giving a number of acclaimed big-name auteurs big budgets and free rein to make their passion projects, and the greatest result of that era was Martin Scorsese\u2019s superb gangster epic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, the great director has famously dabbled in the gangster genre many times before, but what marks The Irishman out from the likes of Goodfellas and Casino is the more sombre, elegiac tone. The film follows Frank \u201cThe Irishman\u201d Sheeran (Robert De Niro), as he recalls his involvement in the disappearance of his longtime friend Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), whilst also reflecting on a number of relationships, including that with his daughter, Peggy (Anna Paquin).<\/span><\/p>\n

13th (2016)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Angela\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Angela Davis in 13th<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The title of Ava DuVernay\u2019s searing documentary refers to the 13th Amendment in the US Constitution, which declares: \u201cNeither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The film goes on to draw parallels between slavery and the major flaws in America\u2019s modern-day criminal judgment system, examining the prison-industrial complex and the ways in which the system disproportionately affects Black Americans and other minority communities. The film won huge acclaim on release and secured Netflix its first BAFTA \u2013 while it found an audience again following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Uncut Gems (2020)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Adam\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Adam Sandler stars in Uncut Gems<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Most of the Adam Sandler films you\u2019ll find on Netflix are of rather dubious quality, but every so often the actor picks a project that shows just how good he can be \u2013 and there\u2019s never been a better example of that than Uncut Gems. This unbearably tense, blackly comic offering from the Safdie Brothers was a huge critical hit when it debuted in 2020, with many feeling that Sandler was unfortunate not to nab an Oscar nomination.<\/span><\/p>\n

He stars as a New York City jeweller with a gambling problem, who must risk everything to banish his debts and escape the collectors after him \u2013 whilst also balancing his role as a father, a crumbling marriage with his soon-to-be-ex-wife (Idina Menzel) and an affair with an employee (Julia Fox).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Velvet Goldmine (1998)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"The\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The cast of Velvet Goldmine<\/span><\/figcaption> Eric Robert\/Sygma\/Sygma via Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Although telling a fictional story, the characters in this ode to the glam rock era are heavily based on real musical icons \u2013 with David Bowie serving as the main inspiration for lead character Brian Slade (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). The film follows events after British journalist Arthur Stuart (Christian Bale) is assigned to write about Slade\u2019s disappearance from public life a decade before.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Through interviews with those close to him \u2013 including American rocker Curt Wild (Ewan McGregor), Arthur pieces together Slade\u2019s life, while we also find out more about the significance of glam rock to his own life. Superbly written and directed by Todd Haynes, this is a surreal and glittering experience with some tremendously theatrical performances at its centre.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Heat (1995)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Robert\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Robert DeNiro in Heat<\/span><\/figcaption> Warner Bros<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Hollywood icons Robert De Niro and Al Pacino famously both starred in The Godfather Part II, but it wasn\u2019t until the infamous diner scene in Michael Mann\u2019s crime epic that the pair finally shared the screen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The film sees De Niro take on the role of seasoned criminal Neil McCauley \u2013 who is preparing for his last heist before waving goodbye to a life of crime \u2013 while Pacino plays the troubled LA cop desperate to take him down. Across a gripping, gruelling three hours, the psychology of both men is examined, leading up to one of the most memorable shootouts in cinema history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Groundhog Day (1993)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Bill\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Bill Murray in Groundhog Day<\/span><\/figcaption> Sony Pictures Television<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The kind of film you can watch over and over again, Groundhog Day features one of Bill Murray\u2019s finest comedic performances and an ingenious plot device that is now as famous as the film itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Murray stars as misanthropic weather reporter Phil Connors who is extremely disgruntled to be covering the titular celebration in the Pennsylvanian town of Punxsutawney. Unable to leave due to adverse weather conditions, Phil is further alarmed when he repeatedly wakes up on the same morning \u2013 forced to relive the same day on repeat with seemingly no way to end the loop. Often imitated but never bettered, Groundhog Day remains the gold standard when it comes to time-loop narratives, with both Murray and co-star Andie MacDowell in fine form. It\u2019s a doozy!<\/span><\/p>\n

Drive (2011)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Ryan\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Ryan Gosling in Drive<\/span><\/figcaption> FilmDistrict<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Nicolas Winding Refn has made a career out of crafting stylish crime flicks \u2013 that is when he\u2019s not adapting The Famous Five for the BBC \u2013 and this moody neo-noir is arguably his crowning achievement. Ryan Gosling stars as a nameless, taciturn stunt performer whose side gig as a getaway driver is put at risk when he falls for his neighbour, played by Carey Mulligan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gosling is superb in an almost wordless performance, while there are also notable supporting turns from Oscar Isaac and Albert Brooks, among others. Meanwhile, Refn\u2019s direction creates a richly atmospheric experience \u2013 full of neon lights, synth beats and occasional bursts of extreme violence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Peter\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Peter O\u2019Toole and Omar Sharif in Lawrence of Arabia<\/span><\/figcaption> Columbia Pictures<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Netflix\u2019s library is not quite so well stocked when it comes to films made before the 1990s, but one bonafide classic of British cinema available on the streamer is David Lean\u2019s epic Lawrence of Arabia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The film, which unfolds over more than three hours, is based on the life of archaeologist and army officer T. E. Lawrence, and specifically his experiences in the Ottoman Empire during the First World War \u2013 including his involvement in the Arab National Counsel. It won seven Oscars and is regarded as one of the finest ever film achievements, remembered for its visual style, storytelling, themes, and performances from the likes of Peter O\u2019Toole and Omar Sharif.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tinker Tailor Solider Spy (2011)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Gary\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Gary Oldman in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy<\/span><\/figcaption> StudioCanal<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Arguably the best big-screen adaptation of a John Le Carr\u00e9 work, this suspenseful thriller from Swedish director Tomas Alfredson is a masterful piece of espionage cinema. Gary Oldman leads a cast packed to the brim with British acting talent, taking on the role of retired MI6 agent George Smiley \u2013 who is brought back into the fold to root out a bad egg in the Secret Service.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a film that requires the utmost concentration, but those that stick with it will be intensely rewarded. Meanwhile, the cinematography and production design also combine to create a chilly atmosphere of paranoia and dread \u2013 showing an altogether less glamorous side to spycraft than the likes of James Bond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Truman Show (1998)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Jim\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Jim Carrey in The Truman Show<\/span><\/figcaption> Paramount<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Jim Carrey had worked almost exclusively in comedies when he took on the role of Truman Burbank in Peter Weir\u2019s satirical drama \u2013\u00a0but his terrific and somewhat restrained central performance proved himself a dramatic force to be reckoned with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The premise is now the stuff of legend: Truman is an insurance salesman who thinks he\u2019s been living an ordinary life, totally unaware that he\u2019s actually the subject of a successful TV show and everyone in his life is merely an actor. Thought-provoking and often very funny, it\u2019s a film that has only become more relevant with time, deftly satirising celebrity culture, commercialism, and the role of the media in our lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Monty Python\u2019s Life of Brian (1979)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Monty\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Monty Python\u2019s Life of Brian<\/span><\/figcaption> FilmPublicityArchive\/United Archives via Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Monty Python remain one of the most influential comedy acts of all time, and their 1979 film The Life of Brian ranks up there with their very best work. Controversial with religious groups upon its initial release, the film follows a young man named Brian (<\/span>Graham Chapman) who was born in close proximity to Jesus \u2013\u00a0and is often confused for the Messiah.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s the usual blend of absurdist humour, juvenile japes and biting satire, with a huge variety of delights sprinkled throughout \u2013 from a cameo by Spike Milligan to the iconic rendition of the original song Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. All in all, it\u2019s a consistently hilarious film that rightly stands as a landmark in British comedy.<\/span><\/p>\n

12 Years a Slave (2013)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Chiwetel\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave<\/span><\/figcaption> E1 Entertainment<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Steve McQueen\u2019s astonishing Oscar-winning drama tells the true story of Solomon Northup \u2013 a free Black man living in 1800s New York who was captured and sold into slavery in the Deep South. Brutal scenes of suffering ensure it can be a tough watch, but it\u2019s directed with sensitivity and grace by McQueen and makes for a truly powerful piece of filmmaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

The performances from the cast are also uniformly exceptional \u2013 Chiwetel Ejiofor is a magnetic force in the lead role, while the supporting turns from the likes of Michael Fassbender and Oscar-winning Lupita Nyong\u2019o are equally impressive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nightcrawler (2014)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Jake\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler<\/span><\/figcaption> Open Road Films<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Jake Gyllenhaal turns in one of his greatest performances in this electrifying neo-noir \u2013 which exists as both an intimate character study and an uncompromising societal critique. Gyllenhaal plays Louis Bloom, a man inspired to enter the world of \u2018night-crawling\u2019 \u2013 the act of taking lurid videos of shocking incidents including car crashes and shootouts, with the intention of selling the clips to the press.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The film offers a fascinating insight into Bloom\u2019s psyche as he acts in increasingly sociopathic ways to get the best footage, while also asking very relevant questions about the exploitative and unethical nature of the news ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n

Memento (2000)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Memento\"\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Memento<\/span><\/figcaption> Twentieth Century Fox<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Christopher Nolan had already made waves with the ultra-low budget Following, but this was the film that really announced him as a cinematic force to be reckoned with. Based on a short story by his brother Jonathan, it tells the story of an amnesiac insurance investigator desperately attempting to piece together clues from tattoos and notes he has left to himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

The film\u2019s fascinating non-chronological structure has become the stuff of legend \u2013 although perhaps ensures that no rewatch will ever quite live up to the thrilling experience of solving the puzzle the first time around. But complete with neo-noir trappings, a mood of distinct unease, and an impressive turn from Guy Pearce in the lead role, this is a terrific piece of cinema.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Two\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The second instalment in the Spider-Verse saga arrived in cinemas to rave reviews in 2023, but this first entry in the series is perhaps even better. The film follows Miles Morales after he is bitten by a radioactive spider and becomes the titular superhero \u2013 only for his life to become even more complicated when he finds himself fighting alongside alternate versions of himself in a bid to save the multiverse.<\/span><\/p>\n

The film\u2019s hugely inventive approach to animation \u2013 blending a range of different styles, and superbly adopting a comic book aesthetic \u2013 has already proved hugely influential. But as well as being impressive from a technical point of view, it also serves as an inspiring story about who gets to be a hero.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My Neighbour Totoro (1988)\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"My\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
My Neighbour Totoro<\/span><\/figcaption> Studio Ghibli<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Pretty much the whole Studio Ghibli oeuvre is available to stream on Netflix, giving subscribers a huge range of wonderful animated flicks to enjoy including Spirited Away, Kiki\u2019s Delivery Service and Whisper of the Heart. And there can be no doubt that this delightfully charming little film \u2013 just their third feature \u2013 is one of the greatest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It follows two girls who move with their father to the countryside while their mother is ill, where they find themselves having a number of magical encounters with the titular friendly monster and other surreal beings. The story itself is fairly minimalist, but the gorgeous animation and the way the film captures a youthful sense of wonderment make it a must-watch.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jaws (1975)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Crowds\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Jaws<\/span><\/figcaption> Universal\/Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Few films can be said to have truly changed the face of cinema \u2013 but Jaws is one for whom that statement is by no means an exaggeration. After being subject to a famously disastrous production process, the film went on to achieve monumental success, becoming known as the first-ever blockbuster and launching the career of a young Steven Spielberg in the process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Almost 50 years on, it very much endures as a classic \u2013 still a thrilling example of building suspense by withholding the terrifying shark for as long as possible. The character work is also tremendous \u2013 with Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss all bringing great heft to their roles \u2013 and John Williams\u2019s iconic score is one for the ages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Scarface (1983)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Scarface\"\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Scarface<\/span><\/figcaption> Universal Pictures<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Al Pacino plays one of his most iconic roles in Brian De Palma\u2019s operatic crime epic, which takes the excesses of the gangster genre to their most extreme degree. Pacino plays Tony Montana, a Cuban who arrives in Miami and builds a drug empire \u2013 only to come undone by his own hubris and growing paranoia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s certainly one of Pacino\u2019s more overstated performances, but his extravagant turn is the perfect match for De Palma\u2019s virtuosic direction, while Michelle Pfeiffer gives a hugely memorable supporting performance as Tony\u2019s love interest Elvira. Although criticised upon release for its excessive violence, it\u2019s correctly come to be regarded as a classic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Women (2019)\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Little\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Little Women<\/span><\/figcaption> Sony Pictures Releasing<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Greta Gerwig has emerged as one of the most vital cinematic voices of her generation \u2013\u00a0a status only further bolstered by the recent groundbreaking success of Barbie. Her Oscar-nominated adaptation of Louisa May Alcott\u2019s beloved coming-of-age novel is perhaps her richest work to date, innovatively reworking the structure of the classic text to bring fresh insights to a tale adapted many times before.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It helps that the performances are exceptional across the board. Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh were both nominated for Oscars for their roles as Jo and Amy March respectively, while Emma Watson, Eliza Scanlen, Timothe\u00e9 Chalamet, Meryl Streep, Laura Dern, James Norton and Bob Odenkirk are among the others to produce fine work.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stand by Me (1986)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Wil\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Jerry O\u2019Connell and Corey Feldman in Stand By Me<\/span><\/figcaption> Columbia Pictures<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Of all the terrific Stephen King adaptations for the big screen \u2013\u00a0from Carrie to The Shining to Misery \u2013\u00a0this could just be the best of the lot. Based on the writer\u2019s 1982 novella The Body, it differs from most of the films based on his work in that it is not a horror film but an emotional coming-of-age tale, superbly directed by Rob Reiner.<\/span><\/p>\n

It follows four young friends who take a trip to find the corpse of a local teenager who was hit by a train, with the quartet learning a lot about the value of friendship along the way. With wonderful performances from the likes of Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman and the late River Phoenix, and a closing line that won\u2019t fail to make the most hard-hearted viewer tear up, this is a real treasure of a film.<\/span><\/p>\n

Streaming services we think you might like\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n