Ever feel like you’ve scrolled through Netflix a hundred times and still can’t find something new? That might be because some of the platform’s best movies aren’t being shown to you. Beneath the trending titles and algorithm-driven suggestions lie a handful of hidden gems—movies that critics loved, but that most viewers haven’t even heard of. If you’re in the mood for something different, strong, and well-written, these seven movies are well worth your time. Each has a high Rotten Tomatoes rating and a story you’ll never forget.
7. System Crasher (2019)
You might have thought you’d seen intense child drama in the past, but System Crasher takes it to a whole new level. This unflinching German drama tracks Benni, a volatile nine-year-old whose tantrums prove too much for the child welfare system. Helena Zengel delivers an unforgettable turn that takes no prisoners—raw, emotional, and eerily authentic. The film examines how trauma can unravel even the best-intentioned systems. It’s a tough film, to be sure, but one that lingers long after the final credits in a most human way. Germany even chose it as their official submission to the Oscars, and it was a huge winner at the German Film Awards.
6. Happy as Lazzaro (2018)
Happy as Lazzaro may seem like a straightforward period drama at first glance, but it soon devolves into something much more surreal and profound. Dramatized in a rural village marooned in a feudal-like regime, the film traces the benevolent Lazzaro as he inadvertently embarks on a quest that violates time itself.
What begins rooted in stark social reality turns into a lyrical, near-dreamlike reflection on innocence and exploitation. Director Alice Rohrwacher won Best Screenplay at Cannes for a reason—it’s the type of movie that lingers, with moments of subtle magic and incisive commentary packaged together.
5. The Look of Silence (2014)
This is no ordinary documentary. In The Look of Silence, director Joshua Oppenheimer tracks Adi, an eye doctor whose brother was killed during Indonesia’s mass killings in the 1960s. Adi stands up to the men in charge, not by accusing them, but by doing their eye exams—a hushed, unsettling setting that does more than a thousand words.
It’s slow, but unrelenting, and demonstrates how silence and denial can be as crushing as violence. The film was nominated for an Oscar and won several awards at prominent festivals. It’s hard to stomach, but its effect is unmistakable.
4. The First Slam Dunk (2022)
You don’t have to be an anime addict—or even a hoops aficionado—to love The First Slam Dunk. The animated sports drama is a surprise hit with its depth of emotion and cinematic storytelling. Centering on Ryota Miyagi, a point guard tormented by the loss of his older brother, the movie pairs eye-popping 3D basketball action with wonderfully illustrated character scenes.
It’s action-packed, moving, and visually stunning. While grounded in a hit manga, this film stands alone, charming lifelong enthusiasts as well as new fans alike. It’s also one of the greatest basketball films ever created globally, and for good reason.
3. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024)
Don’t let the saucy title fool you—this is a tear-jerker that strikes close to the heart. This Thai movie is about M, who, at the age of 26, chooses to take care of his sick grandmother in hopes of inheriting her fortune. What starts as a selfish plan soon becomes something more meaningful. Through gentle, sometimes heart-wrenching scenes, M learns what family is all about. The narrative is honest and genuine, with both laughter and tears. It was a huge hit at the box office in Thailand, and it’s not difficult to see why—anyone who’s ever had a mixed-up relationship with family will find something to identify with here.
2. Güeros (2014)
This isn’t exactly a run-of-the-mill coming-of-age movie. Filmed in black-and-white and against the backdrop of a student protest in Mexico City, Güeros is like a punk rock poem to youth, rebellion, and looking for meaning. It tracks three young guys on a loosely organized road trip to locate a virtually forgotten folk singer—an odyssey that’s more concerned with the road than the destination. The movie is centered on a particular moment of culture, but makes its themes universal: boredom, idealism, and attempting to understand who you are. It received multiple major Mexican film awards and was feted at festivals such as Berlin and Tribeca. Thoughtful and stylish, it’s a film that’s worth the wait.
1. The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024)
This documentary is perhaps the most surprising and emotional film on Netflix. The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is the true tale of Mats Steen, a Norwegian man in his early thirties with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, who spent much of his life in a wheelchair—and even more online. Through World of Warcraft, Mats forged a rich, colorful persona as “Ibelin” with friends from all corners of the globe. When he died, his parents realized how much their son was loved and respected in the virtual world. The documentary mixes home movies and animated segments from the game to forge a deeply human image of life, disability, and the relationships that flourish in virtual environments. It won top honors at Sundance and holds an outstanding approval rating for good reason—it’s a story that stays with you.
Next time you’re scrolling through Netflix wondering what to watch, consider skipping the obvious picks. These hidden cinematic treasures have already earned the respect of critics, but now they deserve your attention too.