Netflixpours a lot of money into its own original productions, but the streaming service is also home to many great licensed movies from across the decades that stand up to the test of time. However, it’s not always easy to find these.
To save you wading through the garbage, I’ve singled out fantastic five movies that are available to stream on Netflix this week.
1988
Runtime
1 hour 30 minutes
The name Studio Ghibli might conjure images of Totoro, the Japanese animation studio’s round and furry mascot, and thoughts of delightful movies likeSpirited AwayandPonyo. WhileGrave of the Firefliesstill has gorgeous hand-drawn 2D visuals like those, the story is far more serious and devastating. It’s about Seita and Setsuko, two young siblings who are orphaned during the Pacific War, and their fight to survive in a country facing devastation.
Don’t let the fact that this is an animation deceive you; it’s not one for young children. But for those ready to handle its powerful portrayal of war, you’ll find it stays with you long after the credits roll. And although the film may be sad, it’s also profound and has moments of light. It’s easily one of Studio Ghibi’s best creations.
2008
1 hour 50 minutes
Mamma Mia!is a jukebox musical romcom that is based on the songs of Abba. That premise alone has glorious potential for fun, but when you chuck in big-name stars like Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Julie Walters, you know you’re in for a good time. And that’s exactly whatMamma Mia!offers. This isn’t arthouse cinema, but instead a chance to kick back, relax, and hear Brosnan butcher some classics.
The romp follows Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), who is getting married on a Greek island. She’s invited three men to her wedding, one of whom she believes is her biological father, with the aim to figure out who it is so he can give her away—all unbeknownst to them and her mother. It’s silly and charming and was so successful that it spawned a sequel in 2018, the excellently-titledMamma Mia! Here We Go Again(not currently on Netflix in the US).
2016
1 hour 41 minutes
Studio Laika is responsible for so many brilliant films—Coraline,ParaNorman,Missing Link—that choosing the best seems like an impossible challenge. But I think the 2016Kubo and the Two Stringstakes the crown. It’s a deceptively mature stop-motion animation set in a fantasy version of ancient Japan, about a boy who goes on a quest to defeat some evil spirits. Joining him on the journey are Monkey (Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey).
The story is thoughtful and touching. It works well no matter your age, though what you take from it might differ, but there are also exciting action sequences. The visuals throughout are spectacular and deserving of the biggest screen you can find—every frame bursts with creativity. To top it all off, the original soundtrack from Dario Marianelli is wonderfully evocative.
2024
I have to admit, I didn’t have high expectations forThe Penguin Lessonsbecause I thought it looked too twee, but it’s actually a thoroughly endearing and moving little film. It stars Steve Coogan as Tom Michell, a teacher who goes to work at a boys' school in Argentina in the 1970s, a time of political unrest in the country. He rescues a penguin from an oil spill and tries to return it to the sea, but the bird has other plans—it soon becomes an important companion and positive impact at the school.
This might sound a bit ridiculous, but it’s based on Michell’s memoir, a fact that only elevates the movie. Coogan is on strong form, giving a considered performance, as are the other cast members, including Jonathan Pryce as a headteacher and Vivian El Jaber as a housekeeper. This is the sort of flick that is perfect for Sunday afternoon viewing. It’s funny, heartwarming, and moving.
2019
2 hours 12 minutes
Parasiteis special for many reasons, not least because it was the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars. It’s clear why director Bong Joon Ho’s South Korean production was showered with accolades like this, and it remains one of his finest works (no mean feat, when judged against the likes ofSnowpiercer,Mickey 17, and Netflix’sOkja).
This 2019 thriller is a darkly comedic and gripping tale about a low-income family who manipulate their way into working different jobs, like tutor and driver, for a wealthy family. It’s an enticing premise that plays out surprisingly, performed to great effect by the ensemble cast that has no weak link. Whether you want to delve into the class commentary or simply enjoy it on a surface level,Parasiteis a must-watch.
No matter if you’re seekinghigh-octane action flicks,women-directed movies, orshows and films for music lovers, Netflix has much to discover beyond these five picks (even if the new interface makes that a challenge).
Netflix
Stream all of these great movies, along with plenty more original and licensed programming, with a Netflix subscription.
