100 movies on Netflix that everyone needs to watch in their lifetime
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Netflix has a lot of titles to choose from. Actually, combining its original content, movies, and TV shows, you could go on an endless binge and never crack the surface.
But narrowing it down to just movies, you can put a good dent in some classics, if you have the right guide.
Well, that's why we're here.
We have searched through all of the titles on the streaming giant so you don't have to, and we put together the 100 movies on Netflix you have to watch in your lifetime.
Now get binging!
1. "13 Going on 30" (2004)
Jennifer Garner plays a 13-year-old who dreams of being 30. Yeah, we don't get it either, but it's one heck of a romantic comedy.
2. "Almost Famous" (2000)
Loosely based on writer-director Cameron Crowe's adventures as a teenager writing for Rolling Stone, "Almost Famous" follows a young man's journey into 1970s rock and falling in love along the way.
3. "Amadeus" (1984)
The incredible talent of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is showcased in this stunning, Oscar-winning film.
4. "Amelie" (2001)
With an incredible imagination and an interest in helping those around her, Amélie sets off on a unique journey of self-discovery and, perhaps, love.
5. "American Beauty" (1999)
Suburban life is highlighted at its most dysfunctional in this best picture Oscar winner that looks at a father (Kevin Spacey) in a midlife crisis and the drama surrounding the rest of his family.
6. "Armageddon" (1998)
Sure it's a corny Michael Bay movie, but it's one of the better corny Michael Bay movies. Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, and a whole bunch of oil drillers head out to space to save the world from an oncoming asteroid.
7. "The Babadook" (2014)
One of the best horror movies in the last five years. A mother and son's realization that a spirit is among them leads to much deeper meaning.
8. "Back to the Future" (1985)
This classic action comedy by visionary director Robert Zemeckis is as good now as it was in the '80s. In fact, it might actually be better. The sequels are also on Netflix.
9. "Barbarella" (1968)
Jane Fonda plays a woman assigned to stop a villain and ends up becoming the epitome of sex for the free-love 1960s.
10. "Basic Instinct" (1992)
Responsible for the most famous leg-crossing of all time, Sharon Stone plays a seductive temptress who makes Michael Douglas (and the audience) go mad.
11. "Battle Royale" (2000)
Before "The Hunger Games" novels became a YA phenomenon, there was this Japanese movie that looks at a future where young school kids are ordered to take part in a killing tournament that ends when one person is left alive.
12. "Beasts of No Nation" (2015)
Director Cary Fukunaga gives a harsh look at survival by spotlighting a young boy who becomes a child soldier during a civil war in Africa.
13. "Beverly Hills Cop" (1984)
In one of the greatest roles he's ever played, Eddie Murphy is a Detroit cop who finds himself in a very different world when tracking down a criminal to swanky Beverly Hills.
14. "Beverly Hills Cop II" (1987)
Eddie Murphy returns to Beverly Hills with Tony Scott at the helm and makes one of the best comedy sequels ever.
15. "Beyond the Lights" (2014)
One of the most underrated movies of 2014. Nate Parker and Gugu Mbatha-Raw are explosive as a couple who try to escape the materialistic world of pop celebrity.
16. "Big Daddy" (1999)
Though Netflix and Adam Sandler are in bed together on his latest films, let's celebrate this classic that is still available to stream on the service.
17. "The Big Short" (2015)
Director Adam McKay is best known for his outrageous comedy work with Will Ferrell, but here he takes a sobering look at when the housing bubble burst.
18. "Big Trouble in Little China" (1986)
Though not fully appreciated until years later, John Carpenter's magical comedy thriller starring Kurt Russell is a highlight in the pair's collaborations.
19. "Blackfish" (2013)
This powerful documentary cannot be missed. It looks into the abusive captivity of killer whales at SeaWorld.
20. "Braveheart" (1995)
Mel Gibson directs and stars in this gory look at one man's mission for Scottish independence from the English in the 13th century. The movie went on to win five Oscars, including best picture and best director.
21. "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957)
This Oscar winner looks at a World War II POW group that's forced to build a bridge that the Allies plan to destroy. If you've never seen Alec Guinness in anything other than "Star Wars," you should watch this Oscar-winning performance he gives here.
22. "The Burbs" (1989)
Before Tom Hanks became an Oscar-winning actor, he was stuck in the comedy bubble and this is one of the few that is memorable. With an incredible cast that includes Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern, and Corey Feldman, this gem is as strange as living in the suburbs really is.
23. "Bulworth" (1998)
Warren Beatty plays a politician who has given up on the system and starts to talk real with the public. Remind you of a real-life election?
24. "Can't Buy Me Love" (1987)
Patrick Dempsey plays a nerdy high schooler who pays his way into becoming the most popular guy in school.
25. "Carlos" (2010)
Edgar Ramírez gives a tour-de-force performance as revolutionary Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, who founded a worldwide terrorist organization in the 1970s.
26. "Cleopatra" (1963)
At one time one of the most expensive movie ever made, in which the biggest star of the era, Elizabeth Taylor, plays the Egyptian queen.
27. "Clerks" (1994)
The Kevin Smith era (like it or not) started with this different kind of independent film that had countless pop-culture references and adolescent humor.
28. "Crocodile Dundee" (1986)
When a crocodile poacher falls for an American reporter he heads back to New York City with her and finds himself in a very different kind of outback.
29. "The Color Purple" (1985)
A look at the life of a Southern black woman (Whoopi Goldberg) over 40 years directed by Steven Spielberg received 11 Oscar nominations but didn't win a single one. Decide for yourself if it was robbed.
30. "Coming to America" (1988)
This classic comedy stars Eddie Murphy as an African prince who travels to Queens, New York, to find the woman of his dreams. What ensues is some of the most memorable comedy in movie history.
31. "Days of Thunder" (1990)
Tom Cruise plays a hotshot driver who takes over NASCAR with his aggressive style, but is always a bad turn away from ending his life.
32. "Defending Your Life" (1991)
This Albert Brooks romantic comedy starring Meryl Streep is an entertaining look at the afterlife, which is really a court proceeding where it is decided if you move on or return back to earth to do it all over again.
33. "Deliverance" (1972)
Nominated for three Oscars, it's about a river trip in the South that leads to a story of survival. It's caused people to be scared whenever they hear a particular banjo riff since its release in 1972.
34. "Django Unchained" (2012)
Django Unchained v Lincoln: Tarantino wins the shoot-out with his first Western
Show all 2
Quentin Tarantino's first Western follows a freed former slave as he rescues his wife from a Mississippi landowner. And in typical Tarantino fashion there's a lot of blood and colorful chatter.
35. "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood" (1996)
The Wayans family has always had a talent for spoofs, and in the mid-1990s Shawn and Marlon wrote and starred in this hilarious sendup of the recent African-American movies of that time.
36. "Eddie Murphy: Delirious" (1983) & "Raw" (1987)
"Eddie Murphy: Raw""Eddie Murphy Raw"
Two of the greatest standup movies of all time. You really can't name one without the other. Eddie Murphy delivers material (and a fashion sense) that few have been able to pull off in standup. Honestly, spend a night and binge these two movies together.
37. "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"
Steven Spielberg's classic is one of his most flawless movies. Capturing a friendship between a boy and an alien, it has a timeless quality and is something that you should watch every few years.
38. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (2004)
Perhaps the greatest collaboration from the minds of director Michel Gondry and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (so far), this unique love story is powerfully told through amazing performances and incredible sleight-of-hand visuals.
39. "Erin Brockovich" (2000)
Though Steven Soderbergh has made more memorable movies in his career, this is one where the story is perfectly delivered. Julia Roberts plays an unemployed single mother who almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city's water supply. Soderbergh steps back and lets Roberts shine.
40. "The Exorcist" (1973)
In one of the scariest movies ever made, director William Friedkin uses his background as a documentary filmmaker to create horror that feels so real, some people fainted while watching the movie when it was first in theaters.
41. "The Fast and the Furious" (2001)
Before they parachuted their cars out of airplanes and did jobs for the military across the globe, the characters of the "Fast and Furious" franchise were just street racers looking for a rush. The movie that started it all is fun to look back at now since it's shocking to see how far a movie about street racing has expanded.
42. "Fatal Attraction" (1987)
If you're looking for a good thriller, you can't do better than this classic. There's really never been a better movie on the repercussions that come with cheating on your spouse.
43. "The Fly" (1958)
This classic horror has to be seen at least once in your life. A scientist's accident leads to a gruesome discovery that leads to a chilling ending.
44. "Force Majeure" (2014)
One of the most uncomfortably funny movies you'll ever see, it follows a family whose ski trip is interrupted by an avalanche. The actions by the father in the moment of the event lead to an awkward rest of the vacation for everyone.
45. "Forrest Gump" (1994)
Tom Hanks solidifies himself as one of the greatest actors of his generation with this look at a man whose life intersects with some of the greatest moments in history while trying to connect with his true love, Jenny.
46. "Frances Ha" (2012)
Greta Gerwig and director Noah Baumbach combine forces to create one of the best movies from the "mumblecore" genre. Gerwig plays a New York nomad who bounces around hoping one of her life aspirations will bear fruit.
47. "From Dusk Till Dawn" (1996)
Robert Rodriguez's vampire tale is some grindhouse fun. George Clooney may have to carry Quentin Tarantino in a few scenes, but the fun of the movie is watching Clooney up against vampires. Yes, kids, at one point in his career he was in movies like this.
48. "Full Metal Jacket" (1987)
Stanley Kubrick's look at the madness of war is still a powerful work, mainly because of the first half of the movie in which the Marines go through training. No matter how many times I've seen it, the beginning of the movie still makes me feel uneasy.
49. "Galaxy Quest" (1999)
This comedy that has grown to have a following as large as the fake sci-fi movie it highlights is fun to watch when you need someone to spoof the bizarre themes of all science fiction.
50. "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953)
In this Howard Hawks classic, Marilyn Monroe is the object of affection for numerous suitors. The musical made her an icon.
51. "Gladiator" (2000)
Ridley Scott's Oscar winner is one of the last epic swords-and-sandals movies Hollywood has made that have been successful.
52. "Good Will Hunting" (1997)
The movie that made Matt Damon and Ben Affleck stars (and Oscar winners). The story of a genius in the rough section of Boston is a solid film by all and Robin Williams shines.
53. "Grease" (1978)
Spend an evening watching this classic musical and don't be shy about singing out loud all the songs. Don't worry, we won't tell.
54. "Gomorrah" (2008)
If you like mafia movies you should check out this exceptional story that gives us a peek inside organized crime in Italy.
55. "Heathers" (1988)
One of the best looks at high school life ever put on screen. Winona Ryder and Christian Slater are everyone's spirit animals in this great dark comedy.
56. "Hoop Dreams" (1994)
One of the greatest documentaries ever made. The lives of two Chicago high school basketball players are captured in vivid detail.
57. "The Hustler" (1961)
This Paul Newman essential stars the legend as a pool shark who ruins everything he touches. Things get even worse when he challenges the great Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason).
58. "The Interview" (2014)
It's the movie that sparked an international incident. Though there is no definitive proof that this comedy by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg about the attempted assassination of Kim Jong-un sparked the Sony hack, it certainly got a lot of attention.
59. "In the Loop" (2009)
Before there was "Veep" the show's creator Armando Iannucci made this foul-mouthed political comedy about not-too-bright politicians from Britain and the US who try to stop a war.
60. "Jurassic Park" (1993)
The groundbreaking movie that showed how far computer graphics had come since the 1980s, it's a Spielberg classic.
61. "Kingpin" (1996)
The most underrated movie by the Farrelly brothers. Woody Harrelson plays a disgraced pro bowler who thinks he's found a meal ticket in a very talented amateur bowler who is Amish (Randy Quaid). Not to mention that you get some incredible Bill Murray comedy.
62. "Lethal Weapon" (1987)
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover elevate the cop genre with their incredible chemistry. And if you're in a binge mood, most of the sequels are on Netflix, too.
63. "Major League" (1989)
Writer/director David S. Ward captures all the great aspects of baseball and adds some outlandish characters to create one of the best movies ever made about the sport.
64. "Mean Girls" (2004)
Think of this as a modern-day "Heathers." Lindsay Lohan plays the new girl who completely loses her identity to become a part of the cool kids in school and then attempts to tear down the leader (played by Rachel McAdams).
65. "Meet the Parents" (2000)
Robert De Niro was just beginning to get into the comedy scene when this Ben Stiller movie came calling. By the time this movie hit theaters De Niro suddenly became one of the few serious actors from the 1970s who could do comedy convincingly.
66. "Moonrise Kingdom" (2012)
Wes Anderson's unique brand of storytelling is perfectly captured in this look at a pair of youngsters in love and how the adults on the small island they live on become frantic trying to find them when they run off together.
67. "Nightcrawler" (2014)
Jake Gyllenhaal gives a haunting performance as a man driven to rule the world of crime journalism. And as an added treat, there's also the great performance by Riz Ahmed in the movie (who has blown up since with his performance in the HBO hit "The Night Of").
68. "No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson"
Director Steve James ("Hoop Dreams") directs this powerful ESPN "30 for 30" documentary that recounts the incident in former NBA star Allen Iverson's youth that almost kept him from continuing his basketball career. However, what we find in the aftermath is a town that is racially divided.
69. "The Princess Bride" (1987)
This fairy tale told through the comedic skill of director Rob Reiner has become a classic love story. And it's got Andre the Giant in it!
70. "Pulp Fiction" (1994)
Quentin Tarantino's career-defining movie changed the way we looked at independent film forever and launched a slew of copycats.
71. "Pumping Iron" (1977)
Before Arnold Schwarzenegger was the biggest action star in the world he was a Mr. Olympia champion starving to gain fame. This documentary shows an Arnold on the cusp of stardom.
72. "Reservoir Dogs" (1992)
Before "Pulp Fiction" Tarantino got the attention of the movie industry with this gritty caper. Instead of the crime being the focus it's the men behind it.
73. "Rounders" (1998)
Matt Damon and Edward Norton play an incredible duo on-screen as two card hustlers. Norton the lovable loser, Damon the guy who has to get him out of trouble.
74. "The Running Man" (1987)
This Schwarzenegger classic is the ultimate 1980s action movie. Arnold plays a man wrongfully convicted of a mass killing and must survive an execution obstacle course that's also a game show.
75. "Saturday Night Fever" (1977)
The movie that defined the disco era. Look back on when John Travolta was a sex symbol and the Bee Gees were the biggest band in the world.
76. "Scary Movie" (2000)
Following their success spoofing the urban drama with "Don't Be a Menace..." the Wayans brothers took on the horror genre. Though there have been numerous "Scary Movie" sequels, the original is legitimately funny.
77. "Scrooged" (1988)
Bill Murray is nonstop funny in this spoof of "A Christmas Carol."
78. "Short Term 12" (2013)
Before Brie Larson became an Oscar-winning actress, she starred in this critically acclaimed, little-seen indie that looks at a twentysomething supervisor at a treatment facility as she tries to get through to troubled youth and deal with her own problems.
79. "Silver Linings Playbook" (2012)
Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Robert De Niro all give great performances in this dark relationship comedy from director David O. Russell that went on to give Lawrence an Oscar win.
80. "Sixteen Candles" (1984)
This John Hughes classic highlights almost every embarrassing moment that can happen in high school, but matched with incredible comedy, it's a must-watch.
81. "Spanglish" (2004)
Arguably Adam Sandler's best dramatic performance (though "Punch-Drunk Love" may have the advantage), this look at a well-off family's life through the eyes of the daughter of the Mexican housekeeper who works for them is one of the unrecognized great movies of the 2000s.
82. "Spotlight" (2015)
The best picture Oscar winner of 2016, this look inside the investigative newspaper team that uncovered the child sex abuse going on among Boston priests is a powerhouse of great acting and storytelling.
83. "The Sting" (1973)
Four years after Paul Newman and Robert Redford became one of the most memorable screen duos in history with "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," the two do it again with this "perfect con" movie. Winner of seven Oscars, including best picture, it also will forever be known for its use of the Scott Joplin piano ragtime piece "The Entertainer."
84. "Sunset Boulevard" (1950)
One of the greatest movies ever to look at the movie industry, Billy Wilder's 1950s-era pop culture noir is timeless for its story of the struggle in the business and the effects of fame when everyone forgets you.
85. "Swingers" (1996)
You can thank Jon Favreau for the "you're so money" and "baby" slang that was thrown around for a while after the release of this comedy. But seriously, the movie is an entertaining look at heartbreak and friendship.
86. "Tangerine" (2015)
Shot with an iPhone, this low-budget comedy that focuses on a transgender sex worker out for answers when she learns that her pimp boyfriend has been cheating on her is incredibly executed and the performances are top-notch.
87. "There Will Be Blood" (2007)
Daniel Day-Lewis gives one of his most diabolical performances as an oil man who will stop at nothing to thrive in his business. Director Paul Thomas Anderson creates arguably his masterpiece.
88. "The Thin Blue Line" (1988)
A gem of the documentary genre, Errol Morris' movie looks at the wrongful conviction of a Texas man. It's not just visually groundbreaking but got its subject released from prison.
89. "To Catch a Thief" (1955)
This Alfred Hitchcock classic includes two of his favorites, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, in a thriller involving jewel thieves and the French Riviera.
90. "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962)
Regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time, in which Gregory Peck plays the iconic role of Atticus Finch, a lawyer who defends a black man against a rape charge, while also teaching his family to treat every person equally.
91. "Trainspotting" (1996)
Danny Boyle's incredible look at the Edinburgh drug scene launched the career of Ewan McGregor and includes one of the best soundtracks ever put to a movie.
92. "Traffic" (2000)
Steven Soderbergh adapted a British TV series for the big screen. It won four Oscars, including best director. This look at the war on drugs shows the fight on both the US and Mexican side.
93. "Upstream Color" (2013)
This indie darling delves into deep questions like who we are and why are we here. It's basically the best movie you've never seen.
94. "Urban Cowboy" (1980)
John Travolta and Debra Winger are two single people who love the cowboy lifestyle in Houston. At a local bar they learn about life and love.
95. "The Usual Suspects" (1995)
It's the movie with the ending you can't speak about. It's also an extremely clever crime movie filled with colorful characters and some great one-liners. What else do you need?
96. "The Warriors" (1979)
A video-game movie before there were any made. The gang The Warriors are accused of killing one of the biggest gang leaders in New York City. Now they must fight their way back to their turf in the most dangerous city in the world.
97. "Wet Hot American Summer" (2001)
Starring numerous actors who have gone on to become huge stars, this wacky 1980s-set comedy that looks at the last day of camp has become a cult classic.
98. "Y Tu Mama Tambien" (2001)
Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal play a pair of teens who head on a road trip with an older woman, but come to learn that there's more in store than getting lucky as they learn about themselves and the realities of life.
99. "Zero Motivation" (2014)
This must-see comedy looks at the extremely boring lives of a group of female Israeli soldiers as they do their required time serving in the military on a remote desert base.
100. "Zoolander"
If you still can't lose the bad taste of the sequel, check out the original, in which the jokes feel less stale and Will Ferrell is still the best part of the movie.
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