We all must find ways to entertain ourselves during these strange and scary times, and for Netflix subscribers, that might well be by hosting a movie night.
But what to watch? We’ve got you covered in that regard, with a list of 46 of our favorite movies on the platform right now.
We’ll start the list with some movies that are new this month, then move on to the others. We’ve tried to have a healthy mix of comedy, drama, sci-fi and others.
Some other lists to check out:
- The 18 best food shows on Netflix right now
- The 41 best movies to stream on Amazon Prime right now
- The 17 best sitcoms to stream on Hulu right now
Ok, on to the movies.
1. THE MATRIX -- (New in April) It's wild going back and seeing just how truly well done this film is. Sci-fi can feel dated, quickly, unless it's done perfectly. This movie still feels right, as it was done perfectly.
2. THE SOCIAL NETWORK -- (New in April) Aaron Sorkin has never been better, with a sharp script that is handled beautifully by director David Fincher. Also, the topic of Facebook's rise to dominance and what that means, well, it's relevant, let's put it that way.
3. DJANGO UNCHAINED -- (New in April) Quentin Tarantino's story of a freed slave's quest to liberate his wife is violent, hyper-real, and affecting.
4. HAIL, CAESAR! -- (New in April) The Coen Brothers' ode to early Hollywood has a wonderful performance from George Clooney as a blusterous star of the silver screen.
5. TAXI DRIVER -- (New in April) Robert DeNiro is horrifying and brilliant in this look at a broken loner. Skip The Joker, see the original instead.
6. BLOW -- Johnny Depp gives an impassioned performance in this tale of a drug kingpin in mile over his head.
7. BLADE RUNNER -- With the possible exception of 2001: A Space Odyssey, it's the most influential sci-fi film of all time. And for good reason.
8. BLUE RUIN -- This revenge story starts sweetly and then descends into absolute madness. One of the best surprises I've had in recent years of cinema.
9. THE DARK KNIGHT -- Still the gold standard of superhero films. Christopher Nolan is at the peak of his powers, and the story feels essential.
10. CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON -- This kung-fu movie transcends the genre and becomes something more, something timeless. One of the true modern masterpieces.
11. DOLEMITE IS MY NAME -- Eddie Murphy shines in this 2019 remake of a 1975 film of the same name.
12. EX MACHINA -- Oscar Isaac is stunning in this look at artificial intelligence, machines, and what it means to find connection. A truly gorgeous film.
13. GROUNDHOG DAY -- Take a simple concept: One day relived over and over. Add Bill Murray. You've now got one of the best movies ever made.
14. GOODFELLAS -- The Godfather is synonymous with mobster films, but Goodfellas might actually be the superior watch.
15. HELL OR HIGH WATER -- This modern Western takes on big themes — family, prison, income inequality — but never feels preachy. Ben Foster is spectacular.
16. HUGO -- Martin Scorcese helms this ode to early cinema. A great watch for cinephiles.
17. INCEPTION -- The plot of Inception is probably too clever by half, but writer/director Christopher Nolan has a keen eye, and the strong cast keeps the film tethered to reality.
18. INCREDIBLES 2 -- Part family comedy, part superhero romp, this movie is perfect for movie fans of all ages.
19. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS -- Brad Pitt is fantastic in Quentin Tarantino's revenge fantasy about a roaming band of Jewish Americans who kill Nazis during WWII.
20. THE IRISHMAN -- The newest film from Martin Scorcese is long (maybe watch it in a few sittings?), but feels essential. With a cast that you can't beat.
21. JERRY MAGUIRE -- This film is overwrought and silly but in the best ways possible. Tom Cruise leans fully into the melodrama about a sports agent going through a midlife crisis.
22. KILL BILL -- Another Tarantino film, but a good one, in this ... other violent revenge fantasy, this one starring Uma Thurman.
23 / 24: LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS / LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING -- Due to rights issues, Netflix only has the final two films of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, but it's the right two of the three.
25. MAGNOLIA -- My favorite Tom Cruise performance, Magnolia shows him as a talented huckster who is forced to confront his feelings when his father falls ill.
26. MARRIAGE STORY -- Noah Baumbach's look at a faltering marriage doesn't sound fun, exactly, but it's got a big heart, and a deep-rooted hope.
27. THE MASTER -- This look at a new religion which looks an awful lot like Scientology features stunning performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
28. MIRACLE -- Watch it and try not to get choked up during the climactic scene. I dare you.
29. MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL -- So many funny lines, it's become a second language for fans of the film. You could go weeks just relaying references back and forth with friends.
30. MOON -- This film has one of the great twists in recent cinema history, and only takes off from there.
31. MOONLIGHT -- Barry Jenkins wrote and directed this stunning film which explores youth, young manhood, sexuality, and our relationship with the past.
32. MYSTIC RIVER -- Sean Penn gives a performance filled with pain and fury as the father of a daughter brutally murdered in a poor neighborhood in Boston.
33. NATIONAL TREASURE -- This film is one of the silliest ever made and it knows it, which gives it its power.
34. OKJA -- Bong Joon Ho won an Oscar for Parasite, but his earlier film Okja, a surreal look at the meat industry, is just as affecting.
35. PHILADELPHIA -- Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington shine in this somber legal thriller that looks at the AIDS crisis.
36. PURPLE RAIN -- We miss you, Prince, but we can still enjoy Purple Rain.
37. ROMA -- Alfonso Cuaron's Netflix original film is one of the most beautifully shot movies I've ever seen. Each frame is like a painting.
38. SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION -- Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman take a Stephen King tale and make it into one of the modern classics.
39. SILVER LIVINGS PLAYBOOK -- This David O. Russell directed feature is about dancing, sure, but mostly how we recover from being broken.
40. SIN CITY -- Stylish and not afraid of its comic book roots, it's hard not to fall for this film.
41. SNOWPIERCER -- Another film from Bong Joon Ho, Snowpiercer isn't subtle with its messaging, but the action is so well done you'll find yourself swept up in it anyway.
42. STEP BROTHERS -- Idiocy has never been more beautifully done.
43. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE -- An animated comic book film that is so tender, smart, and sweet, you'll love it even if you don't like animation or comic books.
44. THERE WILL BE BLOOD -- Paul Thomas Anderson's masterpiece features a once-in-a-lifetime performance from Daniel Day-Lewis.
45. THE TWO POPES -- Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce shine in this look at the rupture in the Catholic church.
46. Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN -- Alfonso Cuaron's early film is equal parts road trip movie and coming-of-age tale, and speaks earnestly on wealth and class in Mexico, all in one entertaining ride.