The 20 Best Netflix Original Films, Ranked
It has been 10 years since Netflix released its first original series — the Steve Van Zandt-fronted Lilyhammer — in 2012. Today, the streaming giant spends billions of dollars on original content each year, releasing hundreds of its own feature films, documentaries, specials, and TV series annually.
In many ways, Netflix’s investment in original content has paid off. The company’s movies have earned accolades from all of the major awarding bodies, including at the Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, Emmys, Golden Globes, Grammys, SAG Awards, and more. It’s also the biggest streaming service on the globe, boasting more than 221 million users worldwide.
It should be no surprise, then, that Netflix has released some highly-regarded films. In the following list, we’ve highlighted the service's 20 best original movies, ranging from crime thrillers to psychological dramas to period pieces to animated flicks.
Many of these movies have been nominated for or received major awards, feature performances from hugely popular actors, and have been created by accomplished directors, writers, and producers. For instance, last year’s Western drama The Power of the Dog is the latest film to win Best Director at the Oscars (from a total of 12 nominations).
All of the titles have Metascores of 80 and higher, indicating generally favorable reviews or universal acclaim. No matter what type of films you like to watch, you’ll almost certainly find one (or more) movies on the list that appeal to you.
Here, Metacritic highlights Netflix’s best-reviewed original films, ranked by Metascore. Documentaries and films with fewer than 7 reviews from professional critics are excluded.
All photos courtesy of Netflix.
Adapted from Jennifer Clement’s novel of the same title, Prayers for the Stolen chronicles the lives of three girls in the mountains of Mexico. In their day-to-day life, they wear modest clothes, cut their hair short, and hide underground in their rural town, which is riddled with crime but full of magic. One day, after the girls have snuck out of their hiding places, they face the tragic consequences of life in a cartel- and military-dominated town. Written and directed by Tatiana Huezo, Stolen was Mexico’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2022 Academy Awards.
“Of all of the things Tatiana Huezo captures in Prayers for the Stolen, her first narrative feature, the terror of the night is most unnerving.” —Sheila O’Malley, RogerEbert.com
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