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Here are the best Netflix movies currently on the platform

Is it just me or are the majority of movies and shows on Netflix not as good anymore? Or maybe our standards have risen in general. I find myself starting and stopping after a few minutes all too often. Either the acting is bad or the dialogue is off. Which is why a list of the best Netflix movies that do make the cut is all the more important.

These picks are either Netflix originals or movies currently available on Netflix. 

Outside in netflix movies

1. Outside In

Outside In tells the story of a guy who finally comes home after 20 years in prison. His former teacher was actually the one working hard behind the scenes all the years to get him out; he never did commit the crime and it was all a mistake. It’s no wonder he has feelings for her now. She, on the other hand, is married with a teenage daughter and doesn’t know what to make of it, though she is flattered.

What I liked about Outside In: the acting and choice of actors. They were an interesting pair to watch on screen.

2. Someone Great

In Someone Great Jenny is a sweet and firey music journalist. Her two best friends are sarcastic Eric and put-together Blair. Together they navigate relationships, especially Jenny’s breakup.

What I liked about Someone Great: That it was a whole movie about the working through the stages of grief from a breakup.

3. Marriage Story

Marriage Story follows a couple who have just enough quirks to pass as an average, ordinary husband and wife going through a divorce. She feels he’s too self absorbed and he doesn’t have too many issues with her, he just doesn’t have time to be a real husband.

What I liked about Marriage Story: The care taken to make sure this felt nuanced and realistic.

4. The Platform

In The Platform a man is quarantined together with his cell mate in a building with a few hundred levels, each holding another pair. The levels, and the cell mates, are rotated every month by the “administration.” Everyday chefs prepare a sprawling feast and lay it out on a platform that passes through the levels, starting at the top. Those in the middle levels are grateful for the leftovers…the bottom end up starving.

What I liked about The Platform: all the messages. See them in my full review here.

5. Queenpins (leaving Netflix soon)

Connie, an aimless housewife, and her bff JoJo, are obsessed with couponing. It gives them a bit of control over their lives, a purpose, a bunch of “little wins” as Connie says. One day they realize that they can sell coupons for pure profit and they hatch a plan to get their hands on a giant stash…but not in the most kosher way.

What I liked about Queenpins: the balance of silly and shit hitting the fan. Also, it being a true story.

6. Emily The Criminal

Emily is in a bind: she has a ton of student debt but little way to make money thanks to her criminal record. So when an opportunity to join an underground credit card fraud ring presents itself she takes it. But of course these things aren’t so simple.

What I liked about Emily the Criminal: the unique premise and fight or flight energy.

7. Tallullah

Tallulah is a homeless teen wandering the streets in her van with her boyfriend. Then her boyfriend leaves her and she’s on her own. She tries to steal from a hotel but ends up taking a neglected child back to her van child with her because she can’t bear to see how she’s treated. I mean she has a heart! Except that’s kidnapping…

What I liked about Tallulah: I go for anything about survival. And its emphasis on emotions.

8. I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore

In I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore, a nurse feels she has to make herself small for others. Then, her home gets broken into. Her laptop is stolen along with her grandmother’s cutlery. When the police don’t seem to take it seriously it’s the last straw. She then teams up with one of her odd neighbors to get justice.

What I liked about I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore: watching this woman take matters into her own hands.

9. Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile

Most were disappointed with the portrayal of Ted Bundy and what he did in Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile. Probably because we didn’t see too much of the evil that’s mentioned in the title, more heard about it in the courtroom. But the movie was based on his girlfriend, Liz Kendall’s memoir, so it was more about their relationship (where he was kind and caring) than his vile actions. So to me it made sense we didn’t see the evil so clearly.

What I liked about Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile: how the movie asked if their relationship was even real. Could such a monster be capable of love?

10. Let Go

Within the first few minutes of Let Go Gustav tells his wife Stella he wants out of their marriage. But when she finds out their daughter Anna has a dance competition in Skane she insists they all go on the days-long trip together as one last goodbye. Of course, the trip brings all their issues to the forefront. Then, Stella overhears him on the phone with his girlfriend. Surprisingly, she’s not too fazed. But she is angry about the lack of connection with and responsibility for the kids.

What I liked about Let Go: Trying to get to the bottom of what Stella wanted with the trip: to rebuild the marriage or what? See my full review here.

11. I Care A Lot

In I Care A Lot, Marla knocks on elderly people’s doors and tells them it’s time for assisted living. Lol, what? Yes, she’s a con artist and wants to sell their house, lock them up and keep the money.

What I liked about I Care A Lot: the interesting premise and seeing Marla work her “magic.” Terrifying.

12. Lost Girls

In Lost Girls a single mother’s 20-something daughter has gone missing. She’s all on her own in getting to the bottom of it. And as she does, she learns a lot about her daughter’s life.

What I liked about Lost Girls: we never got the feeling that we knew more than the characters. We were just bystanders as we learned about this tragic event. This fit perfectly with the fact that it’s a true story.

13. The Age of Adaline

In The Age of Adeline, a woman just doesn’t age. At first glance, good for her! But it becomes a problem when it comes to her partners and friends aging while she stays the same. Why doesn’t she age? She just wants to be like everyone else.

What I liked about The Age of Adaline: How it showed the downside of not aging. Even the “negative” things in life are a gift.

14. Tully

An already harried mom unexpectedly gets pregnant and gives birth to her third child. Her husband convinces her to hire a night nurse, so she does. Both the mom and the audience can’t help wondering who exactly is this angelic woman Tully?

What I liked about Tully: motherhood on screen. Enough said.

15. Bird Box

An apocalypse-type phenomenon that causes people to instantly kill them themselves has taken over the world in Bird Box. It’s some sort of creature that manifests as people’s worst fears, but we as the audience never see what it looks like for the characters.

What I liked about Bird Box: the survival storyline with an emotion-focused edge.

16. Pain Hustlers

Critics didn’t love this movie but I found it entertaining enough, probably because it’s based on true story. In Pain Hustlers, a single mom is just trying to make ends meet when she’s offered an opportunity to earn a lot more. The job is to convince doctors to prescribe a start up’s pain reliever drug to patients instead of the competitors’.

What I liked about Pain Hustlers: the hustle and not knowing how everything would end up.

17. Rebecca

I figured I’d watch this classic that I read in class back in 9th grade and was really surprised at how much I liked the movie depiction. In Rebecca, a young woman is alone in the world when she meets the rich and famous Maxim. Circumstances push them into a quick marriage and she’s now the lady of his mansion. The problem is she’s living in Rebecca, Maxim’s deceased wife’s, shadow and it seems like she’ll never measure up.

What I liked about Rebecca: they did a great job showing how trapped and gaslit she felt.

I hope you got some great ideas from this list of best Netflix movies. Agree or disagree with any of the movies I chose? Let me know below. And check back for updates to this list!

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