5 Near-Perfect Netflix Movies You Likely Skipped

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As a movie and TV reviewer, I have to say Netflix is everywhere right now. They completely own the streaming landscape and show no signs of letting up! Seriously, they’re releasing so many original shows and movies every month – it’s honestly overwhelming. It’s almost impossible to watch everything they put out, even if you tried!

Netflix has a huge library of movies and shows, but its original films and series are often the highlights. While many Netflix originals have gained a dedicated following, here are 5 particularly well-made films you might have missed.

Rebel Ridge Is a Unique Spin on a Classic Action Formula

As a huge movie fan, I have to say Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge (2024) is a brilliant update to the spirit of First Blood. It really feels like a modern classic. The story centers on a former Marine who gets into trouble with a crooked sheriff after trying to bail out his cousin, and honestly, the action sequences are some of the best I’ve seen on streaming – incredibly well-done and gripping. It’s a fantastic film.

What makes Rebel Ridge different – and likely why many viewers didn’t watch it on Netflix – is that its main character, Terry Richmond, played by Aaron Pierre, tries to resolve conflict without violence for as long as he can, only using non-lethal force as a last resort.

You know, most action movies follow the same old formula: the hero blasts through bad guys, takes down the boss, and walks away without a scratch. But Rebel Ridge really surprised me. Instead of that, it gives us a genuinely selfless hero – honestly, he’s one of the most compelling characters I’ve seen in a long time.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio Is a Bizarre and Beautiful Take on an Iconic Tale

It’s a shame when animated movies get overlooked on streaming services. Animation has given us some of the most creative and visually stunning films ever made, and it should be celebrated as much as live-action movies. Too often, though, animation is unfairly considered just for kids, causing more mature animated films to be missed.

The acclaimed director collaborated with animator and filmmaker Mark Gustafson to create a visually stunning and technically remarkable film – one of the best of the last twenty years. Though set against the backdrop of rising fascism in the early 1900s, its unusual storytelling approach and somewhat ambiguous appeal meant it was overlooked by many viewers on Netflix.

Blonde Is a Misunderstood, Hard-to-Watch Epic

Andrew Dominik’s 2022 film about Marilyn Monroe is a daring and thought-provoking movie, and it’s one of the best of recent years. While it takes risks with its style and storytelling, those choices are ultimately what make it so compelling.

Dominik’s film doesn’t aim for strict historical accuracy with its depiction of Marilyn Monroe. Instead, she represents a larger concept, which understandably bothers some people.

It’s surprising how many opinions about the movie Blonde exist from people who haven’t actually seen it. While it’s a lengthy film – nearly three hours long – its striking visuals, complex story, and powerful lead performance are all compelling. It’s definitely not an easy watch, but Andrew Dominik’s Blonde is one of Netflix’s most ambitious original films, and that deserves recognition.

I’m Thinking of Ending Things Is a Surrealist Nightmare of Staggering Proportions

Charlie Kaufman is a remarkably unique and often strange filmmaker. While he’s best known for movies like Being John Malkovich, everything he directs is still compelling to watch. His 2020 film, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, could be his most confusing and unsettling movie to date.

Charlie Kaufman’s I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a strange and unsettling story about a young couple’s trip to meet one of their parents. It feels like a dream, and constantly keeps you guessing as nothing is quite what it appears. Jesse Plemons and Jessie Buckley deliver fantastic performances, and the entire cast is strong.

There’s really nothing like seeing this movie for the first time. If you didn’t get a chance to watch it when it was on Netflix six years ago, now’s a great time to check it out.

The Irishman Was Simply Too Long for Some Audiences, But It Demands Viewing Today

As a film critic, I believe anything Martin Scorsese directs deserves to be seen by anyone who loves movies. But I noticed a lot of people were hesitant about his 2019 film, The Irishman, simply because it’s a long one – almost three and a half hours! And that’s a shame, because I truly think The Irishman is a masterpiece, and a perfect way to conclude his incredible career exploring the world of gangsters.

This film is a beautiful and emotionally powerful work of art. While some have unfairly compared it to Goodfellas and called it a weaker version, that’s simply not true. The Irishman feels like a thoughtful answer to Goodfellas, exploring themes of aging, regret, and the realization of what truly matters in life as time passes. It’s a story about losing what you once valued and never quite reaching your goals.

The Irishman is a truly exceptional film. If you haven’t seen it, you should definitely make time to watch it right away.

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2026-02-11 06:40