Though it may be a while before you can hit the movie theaters again because of the pandemic , you can most definitely enjoy Netflix films from the safety and comfort of your home. The web streaming platform has made it possible for people to experience the magic of the big screen from a TV, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. On top of that, Netflix has an endless selection of films from a variety of genres. Aside from previous releases done by big production houses, Netflix also has its own repertoire of original films exclusively for streaming.
What should you watch for your next movie night? Consider these seven Netflix originals, some of which have garnered critical acclaim as well as widespread popularity. If you don’t already have a subscription, you can sign up and use your Maya card to pay for Netflix fees. Then it’s just an issue of sitting down with your favorite movie house snacks and enjoying the awesome original content Netflix has to offer!
Beasts of No Nation
The war drama Beasts of No Nation was released on Netflix in 2015, arguably before the heyday of the platform in the Philippines. But several years since its debut on the streaming service, this film about the trials and tribulations of a Ghanaian child soldier has lost none of its relevance. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, this film’s accolades include a Screen Actors Guild Award and the Venice International Film Festival’s Marcello Mastroianni Award. It stars the talented young Abraham Attah as Agu and Idris Elba as the Commandant. If you’re up for a thought-provoking watch with searing commentary on the travesties of war, be sure to watch Beasts of No Nation.
Okja
Before the historic social thriller Parasite, the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, Korean director Bong Joon-ho helmed Okja. Released in 2017, this sometimes funny, sometimes action-packed, but mostly heart wrenching dark fable about a giant genetically modified pig features an ensemble cast of Korean and North American stars. Among the actors that feature on Okja’s marquee are Ahn Seo-hyun, Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Steven Yeun. As one of the most successful and acclaimed Netflix originals to date, it’s hard to believe that Okja was booed upon its debut, apparently because of technical issues at the theater where it was shown. Regardless, Okja deserves to feature in your next movie marathon simply for its wit, humor, and extent of imagination.
Bird Box
Are you into thrillers or survival movies like A Quiet Place and Alien? You’ll get the same vibe from the 2018 Netflix original Bird Box, which is based on a novel by Susanne Bier. Sandra Bullock makes a formidable comeback as a mother protecting her children from death in a horrifying post-apocalyptic world. Though reception of Bird Box has been mixed, it will nonetheless prove an enjoyable watch for its tension, atmosphere, and simple but gripping premise. You’ll be on the edge of your seat at every moment that the main characters are blindfolded.
Roma
Next on your to-watch list should be the Mexican drama Roma, directed by Alfonso Cuarón of Y tu mamá también, Harry Potter, and Gravity fame. The film, which is partly based on Cuarón’s middle-class upbringing in Mexico City’s Colonia Roma neighborhood, may resonate with Filipino viewers. Yielding a strong performance from its lead Yalitza Aparicio, Roma has been praised for its powerful story and the emotional depth of its characters. If you’re interested in movies that deftly tackle the issues of class, social expectations, and difficult moral judgments, you’ll have a lot to chew on after Roma.
The Irishman
The 2019 crime epic The Irishman has a running time of 209 minutes. But if you have the time and love gangster movies, this one is a must-watch. The Irishman is a passion project of one of the film industry’s Renaissance men, Martin Scorsese. To date, it is his longest and most expensive project. Reuniting Godfather stars Robert de Niro and Al Pacino on the screen, The Irishman promises a rewarding, well-acted, and well-fleshed out cinematic experience. Before you know it, those three hours on Netflix will have gone by pretty fast. Don’t miss out on this crime film that’s as satisfying to watch as Goodfellas and The Departed.
Marriage Story
The subject of many popular Internet memes, 2019’s Marriage Story is nonetheless one of the most poignant and entertaining releases on Netflix today. Featuring career-high performances from both Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, Marriage Story is a timelessly relatable tale about personal conflicts and clashing dreams. Watch it to see a great mix of humor and pathos, as well as a realistic take on the humanity that drives two opposing people. Marriage Story is deserving of its many awards, like from the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs, and won’t disappoint if it’s on your to-watch list.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Rom-com fans can indulge in the 2018 Netflix original To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, based on Jenny Han’s coming-of-age series. It stars Lana Condor as the endearing Asian American protagonist, Lara Jean, and heartthrob Noah Centineo as her on-off beau Peter Kavinsky. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a great spin on high school romance and tropes like fake dating. At times it’s tense, feel-good, and nostalgic, but it never loses focus on the sincerity and humanity of its heroine. If you end up liking it, you’ll be in for a treat when the last film in the trio, To All the Boys: Always and Forever, Lara Jean, drops on Netflix soon.
Thanks to Netflix, you can stream all your favorite movies from one place, whenever you feel like having a movie night. But don’t stop at the films you’ve already seen on the big screen. Subscribe to the streaming service and discover exclusive content that’s in no way lacking originality and entertainment value. And for a quick and easy way to settle Netflix subscription fees, top up your Maya account and use your Maya card!
