Netflix has a pretty bad rap when it comes to it’s movie selection. That’s not to say Netflix isn’t wildly popular. We love Netflix! But, I think most people will agree that they love Netflix for the shows they can binge watch – one episode after the other. While every once in a while, you’ll be surprised with a gem like Silver Linings Playbook, which recently got added, most of the movies are more obscure.
Obscure, but not necessarily bad.
There are a lot of really cool movies on Netflix, but the hidden treasures either weren’t popular in theaters, or they were small and independently made, so you may not have heard of them.
Here are a few hidden gems we found that you might want to give a try next time you’re in the mood for a good flick.
1. Tiny Furniture
If you like interesting, off-beat dramadies with brilliant dialogue, watch this. It’s the thing that made Lena Dunham such a thing. She wrote, directed, and starred in it, and it really put her on the map.
2. Safe Haven
This one was based on a Nicholas Sparks book, so if you like romance, you’ll love it. It’s romantic and full of drama and mystery, and definitely has those scenes you will be replaying over and over again, when no one is looking. Maybe that’s just me…?
3. Your Sister’s Sister
I really enjoyed this movie. Emily Blunt is fantastic in it. It’s quirky and poignant and a little funny – a peek into the friendship between a guy and girl who are best friends but secretly in love with each other. There’s death…there’s a love triangle…weird, off-beat characters. It’s a winner.
4. Stuck in Love
I feel like this is a movie for everyone. It follows an entire family – the dad, a famous writer, his ex-wife, his wild college-age daughter and son in high school. It’s got something for everybody and the characters are just so rich and interesting. I’ve watched this one multiple times.
5. Happy Christmas
It doesn’t have to be Christmas-time for you to watch this movie. It came out just this year – starring the captivating Anna Kendrick. She’s kind of a self-destructive deadbeat who moved in with her brother after a bad breakup. Her brother, much more of a straight arrow, has a wife and kid. It’s really low key and fun to watch the tension swell and fade and see all these interesting relationships developing.
6. Take This Waltz
This is a great one – very low key – exploring the dynamics of a happy, but stagnant marriage. There is so much between the lines with this one and it’s just a really interesting peek into a new world. You really do feel like a fly on the wall.
7. Girl Most Likely
This is a movie starring Kristen Wiig, but not so much the goofy SNL star you know and love. I included this movie on the list because I think she did a great job in this independent dark comedy – playing a girl who is a bit crazy in a very relatable way. The supporting cast in this movie is fantastic and I think it’s one of the great hidden gems on Netflix.
8. Heartburn
An oldie, but a goody. Who better to bring a classic Nora Ephron book to life than Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson? This is a story of marriage and infidelity with a killer cast, back when they were in their prime.
9. Drinking Buddies
I added this one to the list because it is so true to life. It’s got an über-famous cast and it was only put out last year, but it’s just so low key and lacking of all the predictable bells and whistles that you’d expect from a typical rom-com.
Netflix is a fun place to find movies because there is just so much there. Most all of the movies I included on this list are similar in that they have an offbeat, indie vibe. They are easy to watch and each one pleasantly surprised me.
Have you found any hidden gems on Netflix? What were they?