Quarantining can get kind of boring, but it is definitely for the best. All of us here at KLM are sending our best wishes to everyone and hoping that our current pandemic state ends soon but safely. You may be finding yourself bored, lonely or perhaps even out of movies to watch. But fear not! Read as we recommend 15 great films currently streaming on Netflix that you can watch in the comfort of your own home (in alphabetical order). Click each title to visit its Netflix page.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
We often turn to cinema to offer a form of escapism during difficult times. No filmmaker has mastered the art of escapism to the same level as Steven Spielberg. Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Arc are among the incredible cinematic achievements within Spielberg’s vast filmography. Spielberg’s 1977 science-fiction classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind is just as magical as the aforementioned films, but is not as widely seen. The film explores how the ordinary life of an electric lineman is turned upside down when he encounters a UFO. With groundbreaking visuals and an iconic score by John Williams, this is the perfect film to watch with the whole family.
Crazy Stupid Love (2011)
If you are in the mood for a thoughtful and consistently hilarious romantic comedy, look no further than Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s Crazy Stupid Love. The film follows a middle-aged man who’s life dramatically changes when his wife suddenly asks him for a divorce. Down on his luck, he seeks to regain his confidence when he meets a young man who impacts his life in the most unexpected ways. Featuring an all star-cast including Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore and Marissa Tomei; this is a sharply written and thoroughly entertaining film that is certainly worth watching.
The Edge of Seventeen (2011)
School may be cancelled for the rest of the semester due to the ongoing quarantine, but that doesn’t mean you can’t watch a good high school movie! Kelly Fremon Craig’s directorial debut, The Edge of Seventeen, is a consistently funny and heartfelt look at the struggles of growing up. The film stars Hailee Steinfeld as Nadine, a high school student who’s life becomes miserable when her best friend begins dating her older brother. It’s a terrific coming-of-age film that borrows from the work of John Hughes while also feeling distinctly modern.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
The second collaboration between acclaimed filmmaker Michel Gondry and legendary screenwriter Charlie Kaufmann, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, is arguably one of the most creative and influential films of the 2000s. This science-fiction/romance stars Jim Carey in a dramatic-leaning role as an introverted man named Joel Barish, who undergoes a medical procedure to erase his ex-girlfriend (Kate Winslet) from his memories, after their relationship turns sour. It’s a poignant, bittersweet and deeply relatable film that features a brilliant concept and two incredible performances.
Frances Ha (2013)
Noah Baumbach had a smash hit on his hands this past year in the form of Marriage Story (which is also currently streaming on Netflix). The acclaimed drama was nominated for six Oscars and was one of the most widely beloved films of 2019. While it may be Baumbach’s most successful and well known film to date, he had already established himself as one of the most important independent filmmakers of his generation with a myriad of phenomenal films. Frances Ha is one of his best and its his greatest collaboration with Greta Gerwig, who stars in this film as a young woman living in New York trying to cope with growing older and becoming a full-fledged adult. The coming-of-age genre often focuses on stories about childhood or teenagers, but this is one of the few that focuses on the difficult transition between the early stages of adulthood and settling down.
Hugo (2011)
Martin Scorsese is primarily known for making dark and gritty adult-oriented films that often revolve around obsession, corruption and a character’s descent into madness. However, in 2011 he stepped out of his comfort zone and surprised audiences by directing an adaptation of Brian Selznick’s family-oriented fantasy novel: “The Invention of Hugo Cabretâ€. Hugo takes place in 1931 and chronicles the adventures of a young orphan living in a clock tower above a train station, who gets wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father, an automaton and the birth of cinema. This was a brilliantly directed and magical ode to film that offers some much needed escapism and a glimmer of hope in these dark times.
Within the past few years, Netflix has made it a priority to produce quality animated films and series for all demographics. I Lost My Body is another great addition to their growing selection, as it is one of the most original and thought provoking animated films in recent memory. This French film chronicles the journey of a severed hand that escapes a dissection lab and travels through Paris to return to the body in which it belongs to. It also tells the story of a young man named Naoufel (Dev Patel), which runs parallel to and eventually coincides with the story of the severed hand. It’s a strange, dark, but psychological film that is definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a film that will make you think.
Quentin Tarantino has a few films currently streaming on Netflix, but we decided to include his Best Picture nominated WWII drama Inglorious Basterds to our list. Set in Nazi-occupied France during WWII, Inglorious Bastards consists of several segments leading up to coinciding plans to assassinate Nazi leaders. This was the first film in which Tarantino created a fictionalized version of a dark period in history and it was incredibly successful, resulting in several Oscar nominations. This film is certainly one of Tarantino’s greatest achievements, featuring an immaculate script and extraordinary performances from Christoph Waltz (earning him a well-deserved Oscar), Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender.
Panic Room (2002)
David Fincher is widely known as one of the greatest filmmakers currently working today and he is a master of creating dark psychological thrillers that keep audiences at the edge of their seats. Panic Room may be his most underrated film to date, not receiving the same amount of attention as films like Se7en, Zodiac, and Fight Club. The film follows a mother and daughter played by Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart respectively, who are put at danger when three men break-in to their house, searching for a missing fortune. It’s an incredibly tense and well acted film that is definitely worth checking out if you are in the mood for a thriller.
Despite earning four Oscar nominations and universal acclaim out of Sundance, Dee Rees’ extraordinary civil rights drama hasn’t received nearly enough attention from the general public as it deserves. The film follows two men as they return home from WWII to work on a farm in rural Mississippi, where they struggle with racism, inequality and adjusting to life after war. Mudbound is an exquisitely crafted film, featuring an all-star cast including Garrett Hedlund, Jason Mitchell, Mary J. Blige, Carey Mulligan and Jason Clarke. It’s a deeply important and emotionally impactful film that is certainly worth watching.
A River Runs Through It (1992)
Robert Redford is primarily known for his acting career, but he has directed quite a few acclaimed films, the Oscar nominated drama A River Runs Through It. Craig Sheffer and Brad Pitt star as Norman and Paul, the sons of ministers who grow up to live two very different lives. Norman goes away for college and becomes a professor, while Paul stays in his home town and starts to become intrigued with gambling. The film explores their complicated relationship and how their common love for fly fishing brings them together. It’s an emotional and thoughtful film that is certainly worth checking out.
Alfonso Curaron’s passion project was one of the most acclaimed films of 2018 and was a major contender in a number of categories at the Oscars, including Best Picture. Roma chronicles the life of Cleo; a young woman working as a maid for a middle class family in Mexico City. Cuaron draws from his experiences from his own childhood, while also exploring several key political events that took place in Mexico in the 1970s. The film is a sprawling, yet intimate experience that is absolutely worth watching.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
In 2004, Edgar Wright burst onto the scene with Shaun of the Dead, a consistently sharp, creative and thoughtful horror-comedy that completely redefined the “zombie”sub-genre and became an instant cult classic. The film stars the legendary duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, as slackers who’s lives are suddenly interrupted by a zombie apocalypse. With Wright’s highly anticipated upcoming film Last Night in Soho currently scheduled to release later this year, it’s the perfect time to check out the film that essentially put him on the map.
She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
Shortly before establishing himself as one of the most important American filmmakers of his generation with Do the Right Thing, Spike Lee burst onto the scene with this groundbreaking and thoroughly entertaining low budget indie. She’s Gotta Have It stars Tracy Camila Johns as Nola Darling, a woman who struggles with her love-life as she juggles relationships with three widely different men. Shot in just fifteen days on a budget of $175,000, This was one of the most significant films in the American independent film movement of the 1980’s and has recently spawned a TV series. If you are a fan of Spike Lee’s style of filmmaking, this one is definitely worth checking out.
The Truman Show (1998)
There have been many films made about the media, but Peter Weir’s The Truman Show is perhaps one of the most successful, if not the most creative. Jim Carrey stars as an insurance salesman named Truman, who is oblivious to the fact that his entire life is a TV show. The film follows Truman as he slowly uncovers the truth and explores themes such as the power of the media, the blurred lines between utopia and dystopia and the limits of simulated reality. It’s a complex and incredibly creative film that is definitely worth checking out for those who have not seen it yet.
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