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With tons of streaming services out there and hundreds (if not thousands) of original titles available now, with new ones coming out every day, it can often seem like the amount of movies and shows to choose from is endless and ever-growing. And yet, even with so much to choose from, it’s often the same titles that make their way to the forefront of our collective consciousness and list of recommendations, so that when you’ve finally watched all of them, it can feel like you’ve seen everything there is to stream, and it’s hard to know where to go from there.
We at Decider understand that it can easy to fall into streaming ruts where you feel like everyone is telling you to watch the same old things, where you struggle to find anything fresh or unique to queue up, leading to a fair share of boredom and frustration. But don’t fret, because we’re here to help you shake things up by introducing you to some movies and shows you may have never seen or heard of before, but which are certainly well worth investing your energy and time into for a wholely rejuvenating viewing experience.
Here are the 13 top titles to stream when you feel like you’ve already watched everything else.
'Life Is Beautiful'
PLOT: After being forced into a German concentration camp, one man puts on a brave face to make his young son think their unthinkable situation is all a game.
LEAVING NETFLIX: May 1st [Stream on Netflix] Photo: Everett Collection
CAST: Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini, Giustino Durano, Horst Buchholz, Marisa Paredes
RATING: PG-13
DESCRIPTION: Sorry to start with a title that is going to absolute break your heart, but if you haven’t seen Life Is Beautiful yet you must amend this immediately, because this is a film that everyone needs to see at least once in their lifetime. Made in 1997, the Academy Award-winning Italian language comedy-drama follows Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni), a kind-hearted Jewish-Italian waiter who meets and immediately falls for beautiful schoolteacher Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), whom he eventually manages to woo with his off-beat charm and sweet sense of humor.
They eventually marry and have a son named Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini), but their bubble of happiness is abruptly popped when Guido and Giosue are separated from Dora and taken to a Nazi concentration camp. Even then, Guido will do anything to protect his son’s life and innocence, using his broad imagination to convince Giosue that it’s all just a game in order to shield the young boy from the horrors of his surroundings. The first half of the film will make you laugh and the rest will make you cry. It’s truly a moving cinematic experience you’ll never forget.
'Love Is Blind: Japan'
CAST: Yuka Itaya, Takashi Fujii
RATING: TV-PG
DESCRIPTION: To take a major tonal shift from Life Is Beautiful, we come to Love Is Blind: Japan, an entertaining and slightly mindless (in that you can just relax, turn your brain off, and enjoy) reality dating series on Netflix. While you’ve probably heard of the show’s American counterpart, I can assure you that this version of the show is the superior one and is well worth your time. Perhaps it’s the cultural differences, but there’s something soothing about Love Is Blind: Japan that many Western reality shows are not.
Though it follows the same premise of the American series, where singles get into pods that obstruct their view of one another as they date around until they get to know someone well enough (in theory) to propose and only then be able to meet up, it still feels completely original, as nearly all the contestants ask thoughtful, detailed questions to their potential partners and seem to genuinely be in it to find a spouse for life. Of course, it’s reality TV, so there’s drama and tears and awkward moments, but there’s a surprising about of wholesomeness, too, making for a fascinating spin on the reality and dating show genre that quickly pulls you in and has you hungry for more.
'The Meyerowitz Stories'
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
There's good Adam Sandler (The Wedding Singer! Big Daddy!) and then there's bad Adam Sandler (Jack and Jill, Grown Ups 2). Noah Baumbach's The Meyerowitz Stories is an example of superb Adam Sandler. The 2017 dramedy follows an estranged family brought together to celebrate the artistic work of their father. Also starring Ben Stiller, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, Grace Van Patten, and Elizabeth Marvel, The Meyerowitz Stories is one of best films on Netflix, regardless of category. Photo: Netflix
CAST: Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Elizabeth Marvel, Grace Van Patten, Candice Bergen, Adam Driver, Sigourney Weaver, Judd Hirsch, Rebecca Miller, Matthew Shear
RATING: TV-MA
DESCRIPTION: With an all-star cast, a shot at the famous Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or top prize, and a mass release both in theaters and on Netflix, it’s a bit surprising that 2017 comedy-drama The Meyerowitz Stories isn’t more of a mainstream hit. Directed by Noah Baumbach and featuring many award winning actors, the film follows a group of dysfunctional adult siblings (Sandler, Stiller, and Marvel) coming together in New York City to celebrate the life and work their sculptor father, Harold Meyerowitz (Hoffman).
As multiple generations and the largely estranged Meyerowitz family come together, bonds are made, tested, and broken, and we’re given an up-close look at the complex intricacies, pain, and beauty that are so inherent to life, love, and familial ties.
'Kuroko's Basketball'
CAST: Kensho Ono, Yuki Ono, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Chiwa Saito, Hirofumi Nojima, Ryohei Kimura, Junichi Suwabe, Kenji Hamada, Daisuke Ono, Fumiko Orikasa, Kenichi Suzumura, Hiroshi Kamiya
RATING: TV-MA
DESCRIPTION: I know that anime isn’t for everyone, but Kuroko’s Basketball does a pretty great job at checking the boxes for many, as everyone from sports fanatics to comedy lovers to action aficionados can find something to enjoy about this series. Prepare to suspend your sense of disbelief as you begin the story of Tetsuya Kuroko (Kensho Ono), the mysterious phantom sixth man of the legendary Teiko Middle School Basketball Team that produced five prodigies, AKA the “Generation of Miracles,” who have since gone their separate ways as they move onto high school an effort to see whose basketball is truly best.
While the Generation of Miracles are keen to rely on their, quite frankly, Marvel superhero-worthy basketball powers, I mean skills, to make it to the top, Kuroko wants to win fair and square by playing team basketball and working with basketball loving and high jumping hothead Taiga Kagami (Yuki Ono) and the rest of Seirin High School’s basketball squad in order to draw out his own unique abilities and teach that there’s no basketball better than, you guessed it, Kuroko’s basketball.
'Honeyland'
CAST: Hatidze Muratova, Nazife Muratova, Hussein Sam
RATING: Unrated
DESCRIPTION: Honeyland is an Academy Award-nominated 2019 documentary out of Macedonia that filmed over three years to capture a moving glimpse at a Macedonian woman’s life while also emphasizing themes of climate change, humanity’s relationship with and affect on nature, and bonds both familial and platonic. The film’s central subject is Hatidže Muratova, one of the last keepers of wild bees in Europe, who earns a living by selling honey four hours away in Skopje in order to support both herself and her 85-year-old bedridden and partially blind mother, Nazife, in their small village of Bekirlija.
But when nomadic rancher Hussein Sam moves to Bekirlija with his wife and seven kids, Hatidže’s own life grows complicated, as Hussein’s attempts to follow her into making money via wild beekeeping only ends up threatening Hatidže’s livelihood and land. It’s an eye-opening tale of humanity, wastefulness, and the life experiences of those geographically far from us, culminating in a movie that anyone could appreciate and learn something from.
'Feel Good'
CAST: Mae Martin, Charlotte Ritchie, Lisa Kudrow, Phil Burgers, Adrian Lukis, Pippa Haywood
RATING: TV-MA
DESCRIPTION: Based on some of the real life experience of series co-creator Canadian stand-up comedian Mae Martin, Feel Good is a Netflix Original comedy-drama series that follows Mae in their romantic and professional life, as they attempt to recover from drug addiction while regularly performing stand-up in Manchester, England and navigating a new relationship.
Mae’s girlfriend, Georgina “George” Lawson (Ritchie) is a Englishwoman who is not fully confident or open in her sexuality, creating rifts in her relationship with Mae, who is hurt by George’s inability to come out to her family and friends even after she and Mae have gotten serious. On top of this, Mae struggles with relapses that even regular visits to a local Narcotics Anonymous meeting can’t seem to stop, adding further strain to Mae and George’s relationship. It’s a very human story with everything from hilarity to heartbreak, and is therefore something that nearly everyone can relate to in some way and enjoy.
'Okja'
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
I admit I feel a little bad calling Okja a monster movie, thus implying that the adorable super pig named Okja is some kind of monster, when in fact, Okja is the best, most beautifully pure pig to ever not exist. Still, taking cues from classic monster flicks like King Kong, this Korean-American film introduces us to a fantastical, potentially monstrous creature, and shows us that we shouldn't believe the worst in folks--even if they're very large.
[Stream Okja on Netflix] Photo: Everett Collection
CAST: Ahn Seo-hyun, Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhaal, Byun Hee-bong, Steven Yeun, Giancarlo Esposito, Lily Collins, Yoon Je-moon, Shirley Henderson
RATING: TV-MA
DESCRIPTION: South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho has been the driving force behind many incredible movies, but big-time international hits like Parasite and Snowpiercer may overshadow his deeply moving and quite visceral 2017 2017 action-adventure film Okja. The film is a fascinating intersection of language, culture, and talent across nations as it tells the story of Mija (Seo-hyun), a young farm girl who lives in rural South Korea with her grandfather and their super pig, Okja.
Mija and Okja have an extremely close bond, so she’s devastated when American zoologist Dr. Johnny Wilcox (Gyllenhaal) visits their home to say that he and the company he works at, the powerful Mirando Corporation, will be taking Okja away to New York City. Mija makes a journey across the world to save her beloved super pig from Mirando’s abusive clutches and then bring her back home. The film is unlike nearly anything else with its unique blend of sweetness, heart, humor, disturbing sequences and themes, and social commentary that culminates in a tonally and narratively rich movie you’ll be thinking about years after you’ve seen it.
'The Wilds'
CAST: Sophia Ali, Shannon Berry, Jenna Clause, Reign Edwards, Mia Healey, Helena Howard, Erana James, Sarah Pidgeon, David Sullivan, Troy Winbush, Rachel Griffiths
RATING: TV-14
DESCRIPTION: With so many awesome TV shows to choose from right now, there’s bound to be a few that have somehow slipped through the cracks. The Wilds is one of those shows that deserves more hype and eyeballs (if you haven’t already seen it), so buckle up for a terrifically turbulent ride that evokes both Lost and Dare Me.
This Amazon Prime Video Original drama series follows a group of teenage girls (dubbed the “Unsinkable Eight”) all from different backgrounds who are forced together when their plane crashed on a remote island while en route to a young women’s empowerment retreat called Dawn of Eve. The girls work together to survive, getting to know one another in the process, all whilst unknowingly participating in a social experiment orchestrated by the head of Dawn of Eve, Gretchen Klein (Griffiths).
'Captain Fantastic'
CAST: Viggo Mortensen, Frank Langella, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Zahn, George MacKay, Samantha Isler, Annalise Basso, Trin Miller
RATING: R
DESCRIPTION: Though it certainly earned its fair share of critical acclaim and award nominations when it first came out in 2016, this indie drama film has slipped somewhat in the public consciousness over these last few years, meaning that it’s high-time for it to be rediscovered by the masses. Captain Fantastic centers on Ben Cash (Mortensen), who lives in an isolated and mountainous area of Washington state on 10 acres of land with his wife Leslie (Miller) and their six children.
The two raise their kids to be self-reliant and physically fit critical thinkers who don’t need to rely on technology or the American capitalist system to get by, making them all smart and capable but also woefully socially awkward. But after Leslie’s sudden death, Ben is left to raise the children on his own, which is made all the more complicated by the necessity to introduce the kids to the outside world for the first time in order to make it in time for (and hopefully prevent) the funeral Leslie’s father (Langella) is holding for his daughter against the beliefs and wishes she had for her own after-life plans.
'Lovesick'
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Johnny Flynn plays Dylan, an unlucky-in-love landscaper who's just been diagnosed with VD and must then contact all his previous sexual partners to inform them. A comedy about young people's lives and romantic struggles is nothing new, but this one drew raves for its refreshing honesty.
[Stream Lovesick on Netflix] NETFLIX
CAST: Johnny Flynn, Antonia Thomas, Daniel Ings, Hannah Britland, Joshua McGuire, Richard Thomson, Klariza Clayton, Yasmine Akram
RATING: TV-MA
DESCRIPTION: When it comes to sitcoms, it’s easy to feel like you’ve seen it all, but Lovesick finds a way to feel fresh, with witty writing, superb acting, and sharp editing and cinematography that all come together to create a show that breaks your heart, heals your soul, and continually finds new and interesting ways to delight and surprise you. Lovesick sets itself apart from many other cookie-cutter shows pretty much from the get-go when the protagonist, Dylan Witter (Flynn) diagnosed with chlamydia, both setting the tone for the kind of series you’re about to watch, as well as kicking off an engrossing goose chase told via flashback as Dylan tries to get in touch with all of his past sexual partners to let them know as a courtesy, bringing them back into his life in various ways.
Beyond that, though, the British series is about a group of friends from university and their relationships with one another as well as outside figures, told over time, allowing us to feel personally invested in their love, loss, and growth. The Brits sure do know their comedy, so see some at the top of their game in Lovesick as soon as you can!
'Your Name'
CAST: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi, Ryo Narita, Aoi Yuki, Nobunaga Shimazak, Kaito Ishikawa, Masami Nagasawa, Etsuko Ichihara, Kanon Tani, Masaki Terasoma
RATING: TV-PG
DESCRIPTION: Gorgeously animated and exceedingly original, Your Name is a triumph of both art and storytelling that deserves as many eyes and ears as possible. The 2016 romantic fantasy film out of Japan begins with high school girl Mitsuha Miyamizu (Kamishiraishi) wishing to be a Tokyo boy in her next life, as she has grown bored of and feels slightly stifled by the rural town of Itomori she’s lived in her whole life.
Things take a drastic turn when her wish is seemingly granted one day when she inexplicably wakes up in the body of Tokyo high school boy Taki Tachibana (Kamiki) who, at the same time, is experiencing life in her own body. The two continue to swap bodies at random for one day at a time, gradually getting to know and understand one another by leaving messages for the other to find when they return to their original bodies. As their connection depends and feelings develop, enraptured viewers are left to wonder if they can ever finally meet in person, or if there’s more than just geographical distance keeping them apart.
'We Are Lady Parts'
CAST: Anjana Vasan, Sarah Kameela Impey, Juliette Motamed, Faith Omole, Lucie Shorthouse, Aiysha Hart, Zaqi Ismail, David Avery, Shobu Kapoor, Sofia Barclay
RATING: TV-MA
DESCRIPTION: We Are Lady Parts is a highly underrated British sitcom that boasts an impressive Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been routinely lauded as a subversive, laugh-out-loud funny, and spirited series well worth the world’s attention. Get ready to rock as you watch this title about a London-based all-female Muslim punk band called Lady Parts, who embark on a mission to get a proper gig that will eventually help lead them to breaking into the music industry.
At the same time, the band’s members attempt to navigate friendships, romance, as well as cultural differences and expectations. With their passion for music and drive to support one another in chasing their various dreams and goals, Lady Parts is a force to by reckoned with that just may take everyone by surprise if given the chance.
'Hunt for the Wilderpeople'
CAST: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House, Rhys Darby, Oscar Kightley, Stan Walker
RATING: PG-13
DESCRIPTION: Taika Waititi is a brilliant creative mind known as the driving force behind Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok, and Thor: Love and Thunder, but his slightly lesser-known 2016 film Hunt for the Wilderpeople deserves just as much love, hype, and attention. Shot in New Zealand, this adventure comedy-drama based on Barry Crump’s 1986 book Wild Pork and Watercress is wonderfully offbeat, funny, and full of heart.
The film follows juvenile delinquent Ricky Baker (Dennison) who is sent to live on a remote farm with new foster parents Bella Faulkner (Te Wiata) and her grumpy husband Hector (Neill). While Bella manages to connect with Ricky and break him out of his shell, Hector remains avoidant and uninterested in connecting with the 13-year-old boy. But following Bella’s sudden death, Ricky and Hector are forced together in a way they could have never imagined as they become the unwitting subjects of a manhunt whilst stranded in the New Zealand wilderness.
