BY: Amanda Jane Stern

There are a lot of movies on Netflix. Many viewers often find themselves spending more time figuring out what to watch than actually tuning in to something. It can be overwhelming sorting through the seemingly endless titles. With that in mind, we have rounded up ten of the best films, of different genres, currently streaming on Netflix. Next time you find yourself at a loss for what to watch, why not try one of these?

 

If you’re in the mood for a biographical drama, watch: The Trial of the Chicago 7

This Aaron Sorkin biopic follows an infamous court case in U.S. history. At the height of anti-Vietnam war protests, a violent altercation broke out between police and protestors at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Although officers started it, seven activists stood trial, charged with conspiracy. 

 

If you like war dramas, watch: Da 5 Bloods

This Spike Lee project also has to do with the Vietnam War. In this drama, four African-American vets return to Vietnam decades after the war to collect the remains of their fallen squad leader, as well as buried treasure. It is also one of the late Chadwick Boseman’s last roles.

 

If you think about Mark Zuckerberg a lot, watch: The Social Network

There’s a lot of debate nowadays about the social media giant Facebook, and specifically the ethics of founder Mark Zuckerberg. In 2010, David Fincher directed The Social Network, with a script by Aaron Sorkin, about how Facebook came to be and the multiple lawsuits levied against Zuckerberg.

 

If you loved the Netflix series Ratched, try: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

If you’ve already watched all of Ryan Murphy’s new series Ratched, starring Sarah Paulson, then it’s time to check out the movie where her character originated. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest follows petty criminal McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), who gets himself sent to a mental ward because he thinks it will be easier than prison.

 

If you’re in the mood for romance, try: Carol

This lesbian love story from director Todd Haynes is based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Price of Salt. Set in the 1950s, it follows Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), a young woman who works in a department store. One day she meets the elegant Carol (Cate Blanchett) and is immediately drawn to her. Don’t worry, there are no tragic endings here.

 

If it’s a coming-of-age story you want, watch: Moonlight

This Oscar-winning picture follows a young African-American boy through three distinct chapters of his life: when he is a child, a young teen discovering his sexuality, and finally, as a young adult, ready to embrace his sexuality. Like Carol, this is a queer-themed film that escapes ending in tragedy. 

 

If you want a comedy, try: Easy A

This hilarious adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter follows high school student Olive (Emma Stone). She tells a lie about losing her virginity that takes on a life of its own. Her classmates shun her for her presumed “trampiness.” So she decides to own the lie by wearing a red A on her clothing.

 

If you want to feel deeply unsettled, watch: A Clockwork Orange

This Stanley Kubrick classic takes place in England in a dystopian future. It follows a violent gang leader, Alex (Malcolm McDowell), arrested for bludgeoning a woman to death. In jail, he agrees to undergo behavior modification therapy to gain his freedom, but when he is set free, he finds himself the victim of those he’s harmed.

 

If it’s horror you’re after, try: The Platform

This Spanish social-commentary horror film is set in a futuristic, vertical prison, where each level has only one cell, with two prisoners per enclosure. Prisoners are rotated in and out of different sections monthly. However, the prisoners in the bottom cells starve, while inmates in the upper cells get to eat.

 

And finally, if it’s superheroes you want, watch: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

This animated Spider-Man movie follows Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), who develops superpowers after a radioactive spider bite. When a supervillain discovers a way to open portals to other dimensions, Miles teams up with other spider-people from different worlds to stop him.