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WeirdThe 20 Best Drama Movies On Netflix
By Jade Budowski
@jadebudowski
Published
April 25, 2017, 9:00 p.m. ET
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Crime flicks, war dramas, and coming-of-age stories are among the diverse selection available for viewing on the streaming giant.
Photos: Everett Collection ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps
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Schindler's List
IMDb Rating: 8.9
Steven Spielberg's stunning telling of Oskar Schindler's efforts to save refugees from the Nazis during the Holocaust is one of the most riveting films ever made. Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Raph Fiennes, and a stellar ensemble cast, this gut-wrenching black and white film is necessary viewing.
[Stream Schindler's List ]
IMDb Rating: 8.9
Steven Spielberg's stunning telling of Oskar Schindler's efforts to save refugees from the Nazis during the Holocaust is one of the most riveting films ever made. Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Raph Fiennes, and a stellar ensemble cast, this gut-wrenching black and white film is necessary viewing.
[Stream Schindler's List ]
Everett Collection
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Forrest Gump
IMDb Rating: 8.8
America's sweetheart Tom Hanks is a legend in more ways than one, and this iconic film is a showcase of exactly why he is a household name around the world. Forrest may not be traditionally intelligent, but he sure knows how to love - and make others see the beauty in their own lives. This moving modern classic is a must-see
[Stream Forrest Gump ]
IMDb Rating: 8.8
America's sweetheart Tom Hanks is a legend in more ways than one, and this iconic film is a showcase of exactly why he is a household name around the world. Forrest may not be traditionally intelligent, but he sure knows how to love - and make others see the beauty in their own lives. This moving modern classic is a must-see
[Stream Forrest Gump ]
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The Prestige
IMDb Rating: 8.5
Starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie, Christopher Nolan's masterful tale of mystery and deception follows two rival stage magicians in 19th century London. Willing to go to any length to one-up the other, a series of tragic and terrifying events ensue.
[Stream The Prestige ]
IMDb Rating: 8.5
Starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie, Christopher Nolan's masterful tale of mystery and deception follows two rival stage magicians in 19th century London. Willing to go to any length to one-up the other, a series of tragic and terrifying events ensue.
[Stream The Prestige ]
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Sunset Boulevard
IMDb Rating: 8.5
This classic noir film from Billy Wilder follows a screenwriter who falls into a dangerous relationship after he begins to a job reworking a script for a fading silent film star. This bizarre, thrilling film crosses genres and establishes itself as a classic from the very first shot.
[Stream Sunset Boulevard]
IMDb Rating: 8.5
This classic noir film from Billy Wilder follows a screenwriter who falls into a dangerous relationship after he begins to a job reworking a script for a fading silent film star. This bizarre, thrilling film crosses genres and establishes itself as a classic from the very first shot.
[Stream Sunset Boulevard]
Everett Collection
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The Third Man
IMDb Rating: 8.3
This 1949 film-noir finds a pulp novelist investigating the mysterious death of his friend in postwar Vienna after he arrives to discover that no one can give him a consistent story about what happened to his friend. This unnerving film features a slew of incredible performances and surprises at every turn.
[Stream The Third Man]
IMDb Rating: 8.3
This 1949 film-noir finds a pulp novelist investigating the mysterious death of his friend in postwar Vienna after he arrives to discover that no one can give him a consistent story about what happened to his friend. This unnerving film features a slew of incredible performances and surprises at every turn.
[Stream The Third Man]
Everett Collection
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Full Metal Jacket
IMDb Rating: 8.3
Stanley Kubrick's iconic war film examines the effects of the military mentality and war as a whole on Vietnam-era Marines, and its quotable lines and unforgettable performances have inspired countless other works and parodies. This tight, disciplined, honest look at the way war seeps into the collective conscience of its participants is a classic.
[Stream Full Metal Jacket]
IMDb Rating: 8.3
Stanley Kubrick's iconic war film examines the effects of the military mentality and war as a whole on Vietnam-era Marines, and its quotable lines and unforgettable performances have inspired countless other works and parodies. This tight, disciplined, honest look at the way war seeps into the collective conscience of its participants is a classic.
[Stream Full Metal Jacket]
Everett Collection
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To Kill a Mockingbird
IMDb Rating: 8.3
Based on the classic novel by Harper Lee, this 1932-set film follows lawyer and widower Atticus Finch as he defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. In the meantime, Finch's children come of age and learn that monsters aren't real and their father might be a real hero.
[Stream To Kill a Mockingbird]
IMDb Rating: 8.3
Based on the classic novel by Harper Lee, this 1932-set film follows lawyer and widower Atticus Finch as he defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. In the meantime, Finch's children come of age and learn that monsters aren't real and their father might be a real hero.
[Stream To Kill a Mockingbird]
Everett Collection
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Spotlight
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
This harrowing film tells the true story of The Boston Globe's team of journalists who exposed the epidemic of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in Boston and around the world. This star-studded, necessary film took home the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2016.
[Stream Spotlight]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
This harrowing film tells the true story of The Boston Globe's team of journalists who exposed the epidemic of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in Boston and around the world. This star-studded, necessary film took home the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2016.
[Stream Spotlight]
Everett Collection
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No Country for Old Men
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Woody Harrelson star in this superb drama from the Coen Brothers. When a hunter happens to come by a drug deal gone wrong (and more than $2 million in cash) near the Rio Grande, complete chaos and violence ensues.
[Stream No Country for Old Men]
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Woody Harrelson star in this superb drama from the Coen Brothers. When a hunter happens to come by a drug deal gone wrong (and more than $2 million in cash) near the Rio Grande, complete chaos and violence ensues.
[Stream No Country for Old Men]
Everett Collection
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Million Dollar Baby
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Hilary Swank won an Oscar for her portrayal of Maggie Fitzgerald, a determined young boxer who works hard with her trainer (Clint Eastwood) to become a professional. While her career evidently skyrockets, the events that ensue are absolutely heart wrenching.
[Stream Million Dollar Baby ]
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Hilary Swank won an Oscar for her portrayal of Maggie Fitzgerald, a determined young boxer who works hard with her trainer (Clint Eastwood) to become a professional. While her career evidently skyrockets, the events that ensue are absolutely heart wrenching.
[Stream Million Dollar Baby ]
Everett Collection
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Lion
IMDb Rating: 8.1
This riveting film tells the story of a 5-year-old boy named Saroo who is separated from his family across India after getting lost on a train and adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty-five years later, he sets out to find his family and return home. The beautiful, uplifting tale gifts us with truly compelling performances from Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, and newcomer Sunny Pawar, and will allow you to experience the full range of human emotions (and leave with a smile).
[Stream Lion ]
IMDb Rating: 8.1
This riveting film tells the story of a 5-year-old boy named Saroo who is separated from his family across India after getting lost on a train and adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty-five years later, he sets out to find his family and return home. The beautiful, uplifting tale gifts us with truly compelling performances from Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, and newcomer Sunny Pawar, and will allow you to experience the full range of human emotions (and leave with a smile).
[Stream Lion ]
Everett Collection
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The Imitation Game
IMDb Rating: 8.1
This stunning untold story of World War II follows gay mathematician Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), the man who helped crack the German enigma code and win the war. Moving and more relevant than ever, this film is a showcase for Cumberbatch and this incredible true story.
[Stream The Imitation Game]
IMDb Rating: 8.1
This stunning untold story of World War II follows gay mathematician Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), the man who helped crack the German enigma code and win the war. Moving and more relevant than ever, this film is a showcase for Cumberbatch and this incredible true story.
[Stream The Imitation Game]
Everett Collection
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Mulholland Drive
IMDb Rating: 8
This mystery from the mind of David Lynch stars Naomi Watts and Justin Theroux and depicts a young actress who moves to Hollywood and encounters a woman who has narrowly escaped murder. Now suffering from amnesia after a car crash, they embark on a quest to solve what happened to her. Sexy, surprising, and completely weird, this modern classic is a must-see.
[Stream Mulholland Drive]
IMDb Rating: 8
This mystery from the mind of David Lynch stars Naomi Watts and Justin Theroux and depicts a young actress who moves to Hollywood and encounters a woman who has narrowly escaped murder. Now suffering from amnesia after a car crash, they embark on a quest to solve what happened to her. Sexy, surprising, and completely weird, this modern classic is a must-see.
[Stream Mulholland Drive]
Everett Collection
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Patton
IMDb Rating: 8
This war epic features a performance by George C. Scott that earned him an Academy Award - but he refused to accept it. The biographical film depicts the career of controversial American general George S. Patton during World War II and the way his temper and unorthodox methods led to his downfall.
[Stream Patton]
IMDb Rating: 8
This war epic features a performance by George C. Scott that earned him an Academy Award - but he refused to accept it. The biographical film depicts the career of controversial American general George S. Patton during World War II and the way his temper and unorthodox methods led to his downfall.
[Stream Patton]
Everett Collection
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Boyhood
IMDb Rating: 7.9
There's honesty to this film that's rarely seen on screen; Richard Linklater shot this gorgeous coming-of-age drama over 12 years with the same actors and edited the final result into a feature-length film that follows Mason's life from early childhood to his arrival at college. Genuinely moving and featuring a career-best performance from Patricia Arquette, Boyhood truly understands what it means to grow up.
[Stream Boyhood]
IMDb Rating: 7.9
There's honesty to this film that's rarely seen on screen; Richard Linklater shot this gorgeous coming-of-age drama over 12 years with the same actors and edited the final result into a feature-length film that follows Mason's life from early childhood to his arrival at college. Genuinely moving and featuring a career-best performance from Patricia Arquette, Boyhood truly understands what it means to grow up.
[Stream Boyhood]
Everett Collection
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E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
IMDb Rating: 7.9
A lonely suburban boy dealing with the divorce of his parents befriends a friendly alien he dubs 'E.T.' and tries to help him get back home. Things aren't as easy as he hopes, however, as the government is intent on apprehending E.T. for their own experiences. Emotional, funny, and resonant, this coming-of-age story from Steven Spielberg remains a classic for a reason.
[Stream E.T. The Extra Terrestrial]
IMDb Rating: 7.9
A lonely suburban boy dealing with the divorce of his parents befriends a friendly alien he dubs 'E.T.' and tries to help him get back home. Things aren't as easy as he hopes, however, as the government is intent on apprehending E.T. for their own experiences. Emotional, funny, and resonant, this coming-of-age story from Steven Spielberg remains a classic for a reason.
[Stream E.T. The Extra Terrestrial]
Everett Collection
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Nightcrawler
IMDb Rating: 7.9
Jake Gyllenhaal is at his bonkers best in this neo-noir crime thriller. Gyllenhaal stars as Louis Bloom, a very determined man who will do just about anything to get what he wants. When he fights his way into the world of Los Angeles crime journalism, he begins to overstep his boundaries and endanger the lives of those around him to get the perfect shot.
[Stream Nightcrawler]
IMDb Rating: 7.9
Jake Gyllenhaal is at his bonkers best in this neo-noir crime thriller. Gyllenhaal stars as Louis Bloom, a very determined man who will do just about anything to get what he wants. When he fights his way into the world of Los Angeles crime journalism, he begins to overstep his boundaries and endanger the lives of those around him to get the perfect shot.
[Stream Nightcrawler]
Everett Collection
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Beasts of No Nation
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Cary Fukunaga's riveting drama follows Agu, a child soldier fighting in a civil war in a fictional West African country. He fears the men around him and tries to make sense of his war-ravaged world as he's forced into a life of death and violence. Equally devastating and fascinating, the film also stars Idris Elba as the menacing commander.
[Stream Beasts of No Nation]
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Cary Fukunaga's riveting drama follows Agu, a child soldier fighting in a civil war in a fictional West African country. He fears the men around him and tries to make sense of his war-ravaged world as he's forced into a life of death and violence. Equally devastating and fascinating, the film also stars Idris Elba as the menacing commander.
[Stream Beasts of No Nation]
Everett Collection
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The Longest Day
IMDb Rating: 7.8
This classic war epic famously combined the efforts of multiple famed directors and the biggest names of the time (John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Richard Burton, and Sean Connery among them). The film intricately depicts Normandy on D-Day in World War II and the five invasion points that were part of the operation.
[Stream The Longest Day]
IMDb Rating: 7.8
This classic war epic famously combined the efforts of multiple famed directors and the biggest names of the time (John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Richard Burton, and Sean Connery among them). The film intricately depicts Normandy on D-Day in World War II and the five invasion points that were part of the operation.
[Stream The Longest Day]
Everett Collection
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Atonement
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are star-crossed lovers Cecilia and Robbie in this breathtaking war film from Joe Wright. When young Briony (Saoirse Ronan) makes an unfounded accusation, the implications of her claims affect Robbie's life and his romance with Cecilia forever.
[Stream Atonement]
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are star-crossed lovers Cecilia and Robbie in this breathtaking war film from Joe Wright. When young Briony (Saoirse Ronan) makes an unfounded accusation, the implications of her claims affect Robbie's life and his romance with Cecilia forever.
[Stream Atonement]
Everett Collection
