The 30 Best Dramas on Netflix Right Now
Ready for some serious movie viewing? Netflix has an impressive list of award-winning, thought-provoking, must-watch dramas.
'The Godfather' (1972)
This quotable epic crime drama is a Coppola masterpiece and still stands as a pinnacle of filmmaking.
'Schindler's List' (1993)
Spielberg's unforgettable Holocaust drama won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, but we still can't believe Ralph Fiennes was robbed for his haunting portrayal of Nazi commandant Amon Göth.
'The Departed' (2006)
While on one hand "The Departed" is basically an Americanized remake of 2002's "Infernal Affairs," it also draws inspiration from one of the most notorious Boston criminals who ever lived. Jack Nicholson's Frank Costello is clearly based on Whitey Bulger, while Matt Damon's crooked cop Colin Sullivan is inspired by Bulger's childhood friend/FBI agent John Connolly.
'Spotlight' (2015)
Boston journalists uncover one of the biggest scandals of all time -- the Catholic church's cover-up of pedophile priests -- in this excellent, Oscar-winning drama. The outstanding ensemble cast includes Michael Keaton and Oscar nominees Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams.
'To Kill a Mockingbird' (1962)
A landmark American film that's still enthralling, more than 50 years later. Gregory Peck won a Best Actor Oscar for his career-defining performance as noble lawyer Atticus Finch, who defends a black man (Brock Peters) unjustly accused of rape. Stream on Netflix.
'The Constant Gardener' (2005)
Rachel Weisz won an Oscar for her role as a woman who investigates a criminal cover-up. Ralph Fiennes is also Oscar-worthy in this first-rate drama.
'Milk' (2008)
Sean Penn won his second Best Actor Oscar for playing slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk in this moving drama. Josh Brolin was nominated for his role as shooter Dan White.
'Cinema Paradiso' (1988)
This glorious ode to the cinema remains one of our favorite Italian films from the '80s. It won the Best Foreign Film Oscar.
'Carol' (2015)
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara both received Oscar nominations in this sumptuous Todd Haynes romance.
'City of God' (2002)
This stunning Brazilian crime drama was nominated for four Oscars. And critics regularly name it as one of the best movies of the 21st century. Which is all to say that, if you have yet to see this underrated film, fix that.
'Million Dollar Baby' (2004)
Clint Eastwood won his second Best Picture and Best Director combo for this boxing drama, which also scored Oscars for Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman.
'Dallas Buyers Club' (2013)
Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto both underwent incredible transformations -- and both took home Oscars for this true-life drama. It also won Best Makeup and Hairstyling, with nominations for Best Picture, Editing, and Screenplay.
'Howards End' (1992)
One of the very best of the Merchant-Ivory period films casts a scathing look at the British class system, circa early 20th century. Emma Thompson won a Best Actress Oscar; the rest of the cast (Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, and Helena Bonham Carter) isn't too shabby, either.
'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)
One of the quirkiest films on this list stars Jim Carrey (in a rare dramatic role) and Kate Winslet as lovers who both opt to have their memories of each other erased.
'The Breadwinner' (2017)
A young Afghan girl dresses as a boy to provide for her family after her father is arrested by the Taliban in this Oscar-nominated animated film. Excellent, but dark.
'Mudbound' (2017)
This riveting story of two families -- one black, one white -- after the Civil War was nominated for four Oscars, including two for Mary J. Blige (Supporting Actress and Original Song.)
'Ex Machina' (2015)
Screenwriter Alex Garland ("Sunshine") made his directorial debut with this brilliant sci-drama about a tech genius and an employee sent to test his latest A.I. creation. In a major upset, it won the Best FX Oscar over "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
'Touch of Evil' (1958)
Yes, Charlton Heston plays a Mexican in this Orson Welles neo-noir about a corrupt border cop. But it was also Heston's request to have the out-of-favor Welles direct, resulting in one of the master's most wildly visual films.
'Boyhood' (2014)
The Academy flipped for Richard Linklater's 12-year indie project, giving it six nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Ethan Hawke). It took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress Patricia Arquette.
'Lincoln' (2012)
Daniel Day-Lewis collected his third, record-breaking Best Actor Oscar for his role as Abraham Lincoln in Spielberg's historical drama.
'The Aviator' (2004)
Scorsese's sprawling biopic about enigmatic inventor and movie mogul Howard Hughes was nominated for 11 Oscars and won 5, including Best Supporting Actress for Cate Blanchett.
'Steel Magnolias' (1989)
Julia Roberts received her first Oscar nomination in this star-studded Southern drama that calls for all the Kleenex.
'Half Nelson' (2006)
Ryan Gosling received his first Oscar nomination for playing an inspirational teacher who also happens to be a drug addict.
'Lion' (2016)
The moving true story of a man (Dev Patel) searching for his birth parents in India racked up Oscar noms for Patel and Nicole Kidman as his adoptive mother, as well as Best Picture and Best Screenplay.
'An Education' (2009)
Carey Mulligan won a BAFTA (and was nominated for an Oscar) for this film, in which she plays a British teen seduced by an older man (Peter Sarsgaard) in 1960s London. It was also nominated for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
'Beasts of No Nation' (2015)
"True Detective" director Cary Fukunaga directed this harrowing based-in-fact tale of child soldiers in Africa. Idris Elba is chilling and charismatic as a warlord, but you'll truly be haunted by young newcomer Abraham Attah in the lead role -- a happy kid who's slowly transformed into a soulless killing machine.
'Blue Valentine' (2010)
Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are a couple on the rocks in this emotional indie. WIlliams was nominated for an Oscar and both were nominated at the Golden Globes.
'A Most Violent Year' (2014)
Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain star in this terrific crime drama set in 1981.
'Locke' (2013)
Who knew a movie that's just Tom Hardy in a car, on the phone, could be this riveting? In one event-filled night, he manages to turn his life upside down forever.
'Slow West' (2015)
Miss this underrated western starring Michael Fassbender? Time to catch up with this great Sundance award winner now.
