Checking out Netflix is often like wandering through a maze built by film-crazed minotaurs. The big blockbusters and newly released trending originals are, of course, the face of the service, but the truth is the real gems are hiding a few clicks away. If you’re into the idea of finding hidden movie gems, then you’ve come to the right place. These 10 movies might not have been very visible, but they are definitely the ones you should consider watching.
10. Candy Jar
In general, high school debate is only thinking up violent plot twists by caffeine-fueled overachievers. Candy Jar instead creates a hilarious, heartfelt rom-com. Rivals Lona and Bennett are thus forced to work side by side, making way for a sharp enemies-to-lovers love story. Christina Hendricks and Uzo Aduba, as two mothers overly involved and, most of all, funny, steal the production and thereby become the highlight of this loveless story. If you happen to be a fan of witty and heartfelt teen romance, then Candy Jar will be your perfect surprise.
9. Tallulah
It was Sian Heder who directed this emotionally touching drama featuring Elliot Page and Allison Janney before her big success with CODA. Tallulah is about a wanderer who, without thinking, “rescues” a totally neglected baby, thus inciting a sequence of events that are both touching and funny. Page and Janne have too great an effect, bringing the film to life through their outstanding liaison, and the movie’s brilliant, humorous, and touching interweaving makes it one of the best Netflix originals.
8. The Land of Steady Habits
Very often, the most interesting stories turn out to be about simple people who are just trying to figure life out. The Land of Steady Habits centers on Anders, a newly retired divorced man, who is struggling with his regrets, second chances, and family dynamics in the affluent suburbs of Connecticut. Ben Mendelsohn delivers a subdued yet strong performance, which is a perfect match for the film’s mixture of dark comedy and honest introspection. This film serves as a quietly brilliant diamond for those who appreciate thoughtful, character-driven dramas.
7. Kodachrome
Prepare for a movie that will make you cry. Kodachrome is a road trip movie with Jason Sudeikis playing the role of the son who is mending his relationship with his estranged, dying father, Ed Harris, a well-known photographer. Elizabeth Olsen plays a perfect foil to the rest of the cast as the nurse who is making the journey almost impossible for the family to kill each other. The film is a bittersweet going over of forgiveness, legacy, and the art of capturing life through a lens. A perfect combination for a wine and tissue night in your room.
6. Polka King
Jack Black as a polka-playing Ponzi schemer? Definitely, Yes. Polka King is the true story that reveals how Jan Lewan, whose musical activities were just a facade for a huge fraud scheme, did it. The movie portrays a crazy, incredibly funny journey, yet at the end of the day, it somehow makes you sympathize with its morally incorrect main character. Through its combination of laughs and surprisingly heartfelt moments, it is a comedic crime story that stays with you long after the credits.
5. Barry
Before becoming the household name that Barack Obama was, he was just a college student who was trying to figure things out. Barry is not a political biopic. Instead, it is a coming-of-age story, awkwardly, ambitiously, and all, with the protagonist going through identity struggles, along with others. Devon Terrell puts on a breakthrough performance as young Obama, and early Anya Taylor-Joy’s cameo adds further mystery. You can consider it more of a John Hughes than an Oliver Stone-a gentle, character-focused, and insightful study of the formative period in the life of a future president.
4. The Half of It
Alice Wu’s “The Half of It” is a smart, modern, and very close-to-the-original literary work. In this film, being the secret love of both, introverted Ellie helps out Paul, an extroverted and charming guy, to win the girl whom they both love, resulting in a complicated, emotional narrative, with characters’ great acting abilities. The movie is genius in showing the desire of the youth and their quest for companionship; it has deep characters, and the plot is very down-to-earth, which gives the whole thing a very strong sense of reality, and it is also very nice to the viewers. It is a very rare teen love story that can be described as being both intellectually stimulating and emotionally very strong at the same time.
3. They Cloned Tyrone
If you like your science fiction with a side of social critique and a heavy dose of style, then They Cloned Tyrone is the movie for you. Jamie Foxx, John Boyega, and Teyonah Parris star as a trio of people who discover a surreal government conspiracy in their neighborhood. Creatively wild and vastly stylized, the movie is a mix of humor, enigma, and sharp intel through the style of Jordan Peele. It is not only fast but also visually captivating; thus, it is a movie that needs to be seen attentively.
2. The Extraordinary Life of Ibelin
Gaming documentaries rarely, if ever, hit as hard emotionally as does The Remarkable Life of Ibelin. This film is a chronicle about Mats Steen, a Norwegian man with muscular dystrophy who found freedom and friendship in World of Warcraft. It was only upon his death that his parents learned just how profound his impact had been on his online friends. This documentary shows just how much real-life importance online communities have, using a mix of home videos and animated recreations to capture the human connection they can foster.
1. Rebel Ridge
Firstly, there is Rebel Ridge, an intelligent, very engaging thriller that is full of characters’ emotions. In the film, Aaron Pierre plays a character of a former Marine who, after a violent encounter with a dishonest cop, ends up in a corruption scandal. The movie, however, is filled with very little downtime, but what really distinguishes the film is its intricate plot and the delightful character of Pierre to the viewers. It has been singled out by the critics as a leading global trendsetter of the 2020s genre of action films, which would be just right if you want to get your adrenaline flowing and have your brain fully engaged simultaneously.
Netflix is overflowing with the predictable and the obvious, but these ten hidden gems prove some of the best films are those you almost missed. Whether you’re in the mood for some laughter, a cry, or edge-of-your-seat thrills, here are titles deserving a spot on your watchlist.