Since then, the company has produced hundreds of original movies including the Oscar nominated ‘Roma‘ and ‘Marriage Story,’ as well as popular films like ‘Bird Box‘ and ‘Red Notice.’
Moviefone has compiled a list below of the 10 best Netflix Original Movies of all time.
Directed by Shawn Levy, a time-traveling pilot (Ryan Reynolds) teams up with his younger self (Walker Scobell) and his late father (Mark Ruffalo) to come to terms with his past while saving the future.
Directed by Aaron Sorkin, what was intended to be a peaceful protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention turned into a violent clash with police and the National Guard. The organizers of the protest including Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen), Jerry Rubin (Jeremy Strong), Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne) and Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) charged with conspiracy to incite a riot and the trial that followed was one of the most notorious in history.
Directed by Spike Lee, four African-American Vietnam veterans (Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr.) return to Vietnam. They are in search of the remains of their fallen squad leader (Chadwick Boseman) and the promise of buried treasure. These heroes battle forces of humanity and nature while confronted by the lasting ravages of the immorality of the Vietnam War.
Directed by Martin Scorsese, in 1956 Pennsylvania, Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), a war veteran of Irish origin who works as a truck driver, accidentally meets mobster Russell Bufalino (Joe Peci). Once Frank becomes his trusted man, Bufalino sends him to Chicago with the task of helping Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), a powerful union leader related to organized crime, with whom Frank will maintain a close friendship for nearly twenty years.
Gunning for revenge, outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) saddles up with his gang to take down enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba), a ruthless crime boss who just got sprung from prison.
Directed by Martin Scorsese, part documentary, part concert film, part fever dream, this film captures the troubled spirit of America in 1975 and the joyous music that Bob Dylan performed during the fall of that year.
A documentary about Hollywood veteran Bing Russell (Kurt‘s father), who creates the only independent baseball team in the country—alarming the baseball establishment and sparking the meteoric rise of the 1970s Portland Mavericks.
There’s a reason why Hollywood coined the term “development hell” — namely, because even when there’s lots of interest in a project and motivation and big stars and distributors, the process of making a movie can be a protracted, painful experience. Since first garnering attention in 2010, “Triple Frontier” went through director and casting changes, studio shake-ups and more before finally getting released this week via Netflix, a distributor fast gaining a reputation for swooping in and supporting films that are obscure passion projects, underfunded or otherwise troubled. To commemorate its opening, we decided to look back at just a few of those stumbling blocks the filmmakers faced while attempting to get it to the screen.
When the project was first announced in October 2010, Johnny Depp and Tom Hanks were in talks to star in the film for director Kathryn Bigelow, still hot off of “The Hurt Locker.” Hanks was officially cast a month later and production was set to start early the next year. But some five years later, there was no movement on the project — Bigelow moved on to “Zero Dark Thirty,” and a project focusing on US soldier Bowe Bergdahl and his time as a prisoner in Afghanistan. After “All Is Lost” and “A Most Violent Year” made waves with critics groups, writer-director J.C. Chandor entered into talks in 2015 to direct the project from Mark Boal’s script for Paramount Pictures. He later signed on to direct the film in September of that year.
By then, Hanks’ commitment to the film was on shakier ground, though he and Will Smith were still negotiating the possibility of joining the film. Additionally, Depp’s name re-entered the picture as a potential star as Smith left the film due to scheduling conflicts for “Collateral Beauty.” But by January 2017, Depp and Hanks were out, and Channing Tatum and Tom Hardy were being considered for roles in the film, followed by Mahershala Ali, who was collecting accolades for his work in “Moonlight.” All three joined the production officially, but by April of that year, Paramount dropped the project altogether, and only Ali remained among the confirmed cast members, now joined by Adria Arjona (HBO’s “True Detective”).
One month later, Netflix began negotiating for the rights to the film, eyeing Ben Affleck and his brother Casey for the roles that were previously to be filled by Tatum and Hardy. Ben Affleck left the film a month later citing “personal reasons,” and Mark Wahlberg entered into talks to replace him. By July 2017, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal had joined the film, even as Ali was forced to drop out due to production delays. And less than a year later, in March 2018, began production in Oahu, Hawaii, with Ben Affleck once again in the lead role.
In addition to Affleck, Hunnam, Hedlund and Pascal, Oscar Isaac also eventually joined the film — a big get for Chandor, who wanted to reunite with his “A Most Violent Year” star (timing originally prevented them from working together). Chandor, who is a writer or co-writer on all of his films, eventually received a co-writing credit alongside Mark Boal, who first conceived the story. At various stages, the film was also rumored to receive a name change to “Sleeping Dogs,” but clearly that idea didn’t take.
Nevertheless, Deadline’s Mike Fleming had it right back in March of 2018 when he considered the movie’s endurance a “study in how a worthy script can stay alive , despite setbacks that are often fatal.” “Triple Frontier” is not just a prestige project or star-studded, military-themed thriller, but a testament to the longevity of good ideas and the fortitude of producers and filmmakers committed to bringing them to the screen.
The second film in the “Harry Potter”-adjacent franchise introduces Jude Law as a younger Albus Dumbledore, who recruits protagonist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to take down the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) before he divides and destroys the wizarding world. Lots going on there.
The movie arrives on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on March 12 (and is already available on Digital HD). Bonus features include an extended cut of the movie, deleted scenes, and making-of featurettes.
The Best Picture Oscar winner is the feel-good tale of an unlikely interracial friendship based on a true story. Rough-and-tumble Italian-American bouncer Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen) is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a refined black black pianist, on a concert tour through the Deep South. While the film generated some controversy for its depictions of race relations (and questionable history of some of its key creative personnel), it still triumphed at the Academy Awards and Ali won his second Oscar.
The movie arrives on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on March 12 (and is already available on Digital HD). Bonus features include behind-the-scenes featurettes.
The sci-fi adventure is set in a post-apocalyptic world where everyone lives in giant moving cities on wheels, roaming the Earth to find resources. When an assassin and historian team up, they lead a band of outcasts to prevent London from gobbling up everything in its path. You know, that old story.
The movie arrives on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on March 12 (and is already available on Digital HD). Bonus features include behind-the-scenes featurettes and an audio commentary.
‘The Kid Brother‘ (March 12): The Criterion Collection has a new 4K digital restoration of this 1927 Western romp starring silent comedy legend Harold Lloyd that’s an irresistible blend of action, romance, and slapstick invention.
‘The Magic Flute‘ (March 12): Ingmar Bergman‘s 1975 version of Mozart’s opera is considered one of the best opera films of all time. It fulfilled a longtime dream of the director and showcases his deep love of music. Criterion’s release has a 2K digital restoration with uncompressed stereo soundtrack.
‘Someone to Watch Over Me‘ (February 12): After the fantastical flop of Tom Cruise‘s “Legend,” Ridley Scott returned to more earthbound intrigue with “Someone to Watch Over Me,” an oddly underrated entry in the director’s oeuvre. A sturdy romantic procedural starring Tom Berenger and Mimi Rogers (hey, it was 1987), this new edition from our friends at Shout Factory includes new interviews with writer Howard Franklin and cinematographer Steven Poster. If you’ve never seen it and consider yourself a Scott enthusiast, seek it out. It’s got style to spare.
Barry Jenkins follows up his Oscar-winning film “Moonlight” with this adaptation of James Baldwin’s acclaimed novel. The beautiful and tragic love story follows young adult Tish (KiKi Layne) and her fiancé, Fonny (Stephan James), whose future is derailed when he is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. The stunning performances are led by Oscar winner Regina King. Now available on Digital HD.
The sequel stars Emily Blunt as the magical nanny, who returns to the Banks family to help the grown-up Michael (Ben Whishaw) and his children through a difficult time. Lin-Manuel Miranda plays a lamplighter, while original star Dick Van Dyke makes a special cameo. The movie features brand-new songs, including the Oscar-nominated “The Place Where Lost Things Go.” Now available on Digital HD.
Christian Bale’s eye-popping transformation into former Vice President Dick Cheney nabbed the movie’s makeup artists an Academy Award. The often-satirical movie, from “Big Short” director Adam McKay, follows Cheney on his path to becoming the most powerful VP in American history. Now available on Digital HD.
‘Catastrophe’ (March 15)
Amazon’s rom-com-with-a-twist series comes to a close with a final season that follows Rob (Delaney) and Sharon (Horgan) continuing to struggle with parenthood and adulting. Rob is now attending AA, while Sharon tries to keep their family together.
‘Shrill’ (March 15)
In Hulu’s new comedy series, Aidy Bryant stars as Annie, an overweight woman who wants to change her life — but not her body. She’s trying to get ahead in her career while juggling bad boyfriends, a sick parent, and a perfectionist boss.
The heist movie teams up quite a cast of Hollywood heavy-hitters: Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, and Pedro Pascal. They play former Special Forces operatives who reunite for a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. And though they’re used to carrying out dangerous missions, this one is solely for self-gain. But when events take an unexpected turn, their loyalties and moral code are pushed to a breaking point.
‘Arrested Development’ Season 5, Part 2 (March 15)
The Bluths are back and in more trouble than ever. Buster’s on the run, no one has seen Lucille 2, and the wall is still unfunded. Then the gay mafia gets involved and even Michael can’t seem to save the day.
‘Love, Death & Robots’ Series Premiere (March 15)
David Fincher and Tim Miller team up for what’s being billed as the first animated anthology series for adults. The 18 stories span the science fiction, fantasy, horror and comedy genres; have unique animation styles, from traditional 2D to photo-real 3D CGI; and deal with topics including racism, government, war, free will, and human nature.
‘Queer Eye’ Season 8 Premiere (March 15)
The Fab Five — Antoni Porowski (Food & Wine), Bobby Berk (Interior Design), Jonathan Van Ness (Grooming), Karamo Brown (Culture), and Tan France (Fashion) — head to Kansas City, Missouri to help people of different backgrounds be their best selves. Can you believe?!
‘Turn Up Charlie’ Series Premiere (March 15)
Idris Elba, who DJs himself in real life (he spun at Prince Harry’s wedding), plays a struggling DJ named Charlie who reluctantly becomes a manny to his best friend’s problem-child daughter.
‘The Good Fight’ Season 3 Premiere, CBS All-Access (March 14, 3:01 a.m.)
The legal drama returns to CBS All-Access for a no-holds-barred third season. Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) continues to try to resist a crazy administration without going crazy herself. Meanwhile, Lucca Quinn (Cush Jumbo) balances a new baby with a new love.
‘Project Runway’ Season 17 Premiere, Bravo (March 14, 8 p.m.)
Bravo’s venerable fashion design competition show gets an almost complete makeover. Host Heidi Klum and mentor Tim Gunn are out; Karlie Kloss and Christian Siriano are in.
‘Billions’ Season 4 Premiere, Showtime (March 17, 9 p.m.)
A new war is brewing in the financial and political circles of New York City. But where the fighting used to be between Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) and Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti), now the two enemies are allies in a union brokered by Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff).
They play former Special Forces operatives who reunite for a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. And though they’re used to carrying out dangerous missions, this one is solely for self-gain. But when events take an unexpected turn, their loyalties and moral code are pushed to a breaking point.
The film is directed by Oscar nominee J.C. Chandor (“A Most Violent Year,” “All Is Lost”) and co-written by Chandor and Oscar winner Mark Boal (“The Hurt Locker”). It was originally intended as a vehicle for Kathryn Bigelow after “The Hurt Locker,” with Channing Tatum and Tom Hardy eyed for roles, but the project didn’t come together at the time.
“Triple Frontier” will premiere on Netflix in March 2019.
