I know how difficult it can be to decide what to watch onNetflix, so why not let me save you the endless scrolling? As someone who’s seen more movies than I can count, I’m confident I can guide you well.
Whether you’re craving an undeniable classic, a modern romcom, or some family fun, I’ve found these wonderful movies waiting for you on Netflix.
1975
Runtime
2 hours 4 minutes
It’s hard to believe it’s been fifty years since Steven Spielberg made us all scared of sharks withJaws. So much of it is now embedded in our culture: John Williams' looming two notes, the dolly zoom on Roy Scheider, “you’re gonna need a bigger boat”… But while there are certainly plenty of iconic moments,Jawsis so much more than that and still stands up as a thrilling watch.
This tale of a shark terrorizing a town has much to appreciate. It maintains suspense, cleverly keeping the deadly creature hidden for a long time, and the tight script is bolstered by fantastic performances. It may be Spielberg’s best movie—when pitted against the likes ofJurassic ParkandSchindler’s List, that’s no mean feat.
2023
1 hour 43 minutes
Let’s get one thing out of the way:Anyone But Youis not a flawless movie—far from it. So why am I recommending it? Because, despite being clichéd, it’s a fun romcom that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s the type of film that Hollywood used to make in abundance: attractive and charismatic people falling for one another, even if they don’t realize it.
It stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell as Bea and Ben. Despite initially hitting it off, the pair have a falling out, and the situation gets awkward when they both attend the same wedding in Australia. With prying parents and an ex in the mix, Bea and Ben pretend to be a couple to keep people off their back. You know where it’s heading, but it’s charming, light, and doesn’t overstay its welcome.
2020
2 hours 3 minutes
Sherlock Holmes, the great detective created by Arthur Conan Doyle, doesn’t have a sister in the original stories, but that didn’t stop writer Nancy Springer from bringing her to life in 2006 with a book series. Netflix’sEnola Holmesis the first adaptation of that, starring the sparky Millie Bobby Brown in the title role and also featuring the likes of Helena Bonham Carter as her mother and Henry Cavill as Sherlock.
When Enola’s mother goes missing, the young sleuth sets out to discover what has happened to her—and gets into plenty of hijinks along the way, of course. With ample action and humor,Enola Holmesis an ideal family movie. If you enjoy it and want more, the sequelEnola Holmes 2awaits you, with a third on the way.
1958
2 hours 8 minutes
After recommendingRear WindowandPsychoin previous weeks, it’s only natural that I want to point you to yet another Hitchcock classic:Vertigo. LikeRear Window, James Stewart takes the lead, this time as a former police detective who is hired to investigate his college acquaintance’s wife (Kim Novak).
What follows is a twisty, gripping tale of obsession, and which many consider one of the greatest films of all time—despite the curious fact that it received a mixed reception on its 1958 debut. Personally, I think it’s stylish, the performances are excellent, and Bernard Herrmann’s score tops it all off. See what you think.
2021
2 hours 6 minutes
Benedict Cumberbatch never gives a bad performance, but he’s on extra special form inThe Power of the Dog. Set in 1925, he plays Phil, a cruel man who owns a ranch with his gentler brother George (Jesse Plemons). When George marries, his wife Rose (Kirsten Dunst) and son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) move in, and Phil treats them with disdain.
This is a beautiful slow-burn of a film about masculinity and repression. It’s tense, powerful, and sad, with masterful direction by Jane Campion—there’s a reason she won an Oscar for her work. Considering it took twelve years between this film and Campion’s previous (Bright Star), I’m hoping we don’t have to wait so long until her next.
Netflix may not have all the features I want, like being able to host a watch party or hide things I’ve already watched, but I’m happy with its library. Hopefully you enjoy these movies—I’ll be back next week with another batch to keep you entertained.
Netflix
Stream all of these great movies, along with plenty more original and licensed programming, with a Netflix subscription.
