No Offense, but These Are the Best Movies on Netflix Right Now
Many people eagerly anticipate Netflix putting out popular shows like Stranger Things and A Series of Unfortunate Events, but the streaming site also acquires a ton of freshly released movies and original films each year. And the flicks that it released this year are nothing to sneeze at!
In the past few months alone, one of its newer films, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, received a ton of buzz and recognition. So we did our research and rounded up a list of the most critically acclaimed and totally underrated 2018 films that you can watch on Netflix right now. From the comforts of your blanket fortress, you can instantly stream understated gems (all certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes!) that range from incisive social documentaries like Seeing Allred to star-studded historical dramas like Outlaw King.
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6 Balloons
In the understated indie drama 6 Balloons, Dave Franco plays a struggling heroin addict and new father with a caring sister who helps him find a detox center.
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Seeing Allred
The social documentary Seeing Allred pays homage to the fierce women's rights attorney Gloria Allred, who's renowned for fighting in sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and employment discrimination cases. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the US Documentary Competition.
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Roxanne Roxanne
The biopic Roxanne Roxanne tells the origin story of rapper Roxanne Shanté, who grew up in the projects of Queens, NY, in the '80s and made her mark with the song "Roxanne's Revenge." It features performances from Chanté Adams, Nia Long, and Mahershala Ali.
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First Match
In her directorial debut, First Match, Olivia Newman tells the story of Monique, a gritty teenage girl who joins her school's all-male wrestling team in order to reconnect with her ex-con father who was formerly a state wrestling champion. Keep an eye out for newcomer Elvire Emanuelle, who plays the protagonist, and Jharrel Jerome, who plays Kevin in Moonlight.
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The Trader (aka Sovdagari)
This short film won the Short Film Jury Award at Sundance for its portrayal of poverty in rural Georgia through the eyes of a traveling trader.
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Benji
Yup, this Netflix original is a modern retelling of the 1974 classic about the fluffy canine who comes to the rescue when his human pals get in trouble. While it's a fresh take on a long-standing classic, it's still full of feel-good, adorable moments that'll make you laugh.
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The Ritual
Set in the sparse, ominous backdrop of the Scandinavian wilderness, The Ritual is about a group of men who meet up for a hike after losing one of their closest friends. The trip could very well be their last as they become lost in the woods full of evil, chilling secrets.
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Happy Anniversary
On their third anniversary, a couple looks back on their relationship and contemplates breaking up in the offbeat indie drama Happy Anniversary. You might recognize its leads, Ben Schwartz and Noël Wells, as Jean-Ralphio on Parks and Recreation and Rachel on Master of None.
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Outlaw King
After being exiled from his own kingdom, Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine) leads a group of outlaws to take back the throne.
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Set It Up
Two overworked associates attempt to play matchmaker by setting up their demanding bosses, but begin to feel a romance of their own.
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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
This hit rom-com stars Lana Condor as high school junior Lara Jean Covey who secretly writes five love letters to all the boy she previously had feelings for. When those letters are secretly mailed out, she's finds herself in a fabricated relationship with the school's heartthrob, Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo). But things get a little more complicated with real feelings begin to develop.