Over the last several years, Netflix has made a name for itself in the cinematic world, releasing original films that have dominated awards shows like the Oscars and Golden Globes. So, with plenty of films to choose from on the streaming service, which should you pick for movie night?
Here are our recommendations for the 12 best Netflix original movies. And if you’d rather go with a series, check out our picks for the best TV shows to watch on Netflix.
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This mobster film from director Martin Scorsese features a gripping (and gory) storyline, and stellar performances from lead actors including Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino. Based on the book I Heard You Paint Houses, the movie chronicles the life of truck driver Frank Sheeran (De Niro) in 1950s Philadelphia, who becomes a hitman for the Italian-American Mafia. It’s an epic that’s both fascinating and unsettling, and if you’ve got the patience for the 209-minute runtime, it’s worth a watch.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
A standalone sequel to 2019’s hit film Knives Out, Glass Onion follows detective Benoit Blanc’s (Daniel Craig) mission to uncover a mysterious death, after tech billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton) invites friends to his private Greek island. The film features fun plot twists, and is broken up by lighthearted humor and aloof characters played by an all-star cast.
Leave the World Behind (2023)
An absorbingly unsettling psychological thriller, Leave the World Behind chronicles the strange events that arise during a family’s getaway at an opulent rental home. A blackout renders their phones, TVs and other electronics useless, and two strangers show up at the door. TikTok has been flooded with clips and analyses of this apocalypse movie, with people reflecting on potential “hidden messages” and real-life parallels. Check it out and see what you make of it.