The 10 Best Movies on Netflix in May 2024

Archie Fenn
Written By Archie Fenn

Archie is a writer, journalist, and critic from South London. He spends most of his free time (and his work hours) watching and writing about cowboys in space and hip-hop samurai. His parents are very proud of him. You can learn more at archiefenn.com and theinsightfulnerd.com

As the streaming wars continue, services are packing their content libraries full of classic films in a desperate bid to entice viewers, and few streaming services are more stacked than Netflix.

While much of their original content is entirely forgettable, their list of classic movies is a must-watch for anyone who calls themselves a cinema fan.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Reservoir Dogs
Image Credit: Miramax Films.

The film that shot Tarantino through the Holywood stratosphere. Reservoir Dogs‘s exploration of a heist gone wrong is a suspenseful, violent and engaging post-heist movie that kickstarted the Hollywood legend’s directorial career.

Oldboy (2003)

Oldboy
Image Credit: Tartan Films

One of the most iconic Korean films, Oldboy is a classic tale of revenge, filled with all the gore, violence, and grit you want from a bloody revenge flick. A highlight of the film is Oldboy‘s signature one-take fight scene, where the protagonist fights off multiple attackers across a long hallway, with the whole 3-minute sequence being shot in one take.

American Beauty (1999)

American beauty
Image Credit: Dreamworks

While Ester’s life seems perfect, his everyday frustrations lead him to depression, causing him to become enamored with his daughter’s friend, Angela. Despite its melodramatic premise, American Beauty keeps audiences on the edge of their seats thanks to its opening line “In less than a year, I will be dead. Of course, I don’t know that yet, and in a way, I am dead already.”

Django Unchained (2012)

Django Unchained
Image Credit: The Weinstein Company

Tarantino’s most commercially successful film (and my personal favorite), Django Unchained follows the titular Django as he is freed from slavery and builds his skills as a bounty hunter, eventually embarking on a mission to free his love from the evil Calvin Candie.

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Cinema Paradiso
Image Credit: Miramax

A true love letter to cinema, if there ever was one. Cinema Paradiso follows Salvatore, a renowned film director, as he returns to his hometown for the funeral of the local theatre’s projectionist. During his travels, Salvator reflects on his life when he fell in love with cinema as a boy.

Sunset Blvd. (1950)

Sunset Blvd.
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

“All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.” Sunset Blvd is as entertaining as it is iconic. Directed by Billy Wilder, Sunset Blvd follows Norma, a silent-screen actor whose dying career gets a second life when a screenwriter agrees to write her a part.

City of God (2002)

City of God
Image Credit: Miramax

Labeled as the best Brazillian film ever made, Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund’s bloody exploration of the slums of Rio de Janeiro is as emotional as it is violent. City of God follows two boys whose lives take them down very different paths, with one becoming a photographer and the other a drug dealer.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Forrest Gump
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

One of Tom Hanks’ most iconic roles, Forrest Gump follows the life of its titular protagonist from childhood in the 1940s through the Vietnam War, up until the death of his abusive partner in 1982.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pulp Fiction
Image Credit: Miramax

Quinten Tarantino’s magnum opus, Pulp Fiction intertwines the lives of hitmen, mob bosses, amateur boxers, and drug addicts through its non-linear narrative into a tense, funny, and dark tale with twists at every corner.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The Shawshank Redemption
Image Credit: Castle Rock Entertainment

Often lorded as the greatest film of all time, Frank Darabond’s adaptation of Stephen King’s short story is simultaneously hilarious, heartbreaking, and uplifting on every re-watch. The Shawshank Redemption follows Andy Dufresne, an accountant who is wrongly convicted of the murder of his wife and her lover and sent to Shawshank Penitentiary.

Unforgettable Bonding Moments: The Top 20 Family Films Ever Made

Wonder
Image Credit: Lionsgate.

Are you tired of endlessly scrolling through streaming services, searching for a family-friendly movie that won’t make you want to pull your hair out? Look no further! As a fellow movie enthusiast and parent, I’ve compiled a list of the 20 best family movies of all time. From heartwarming classics like It’s a Wonderful Life to the modern-day antics of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, this list has something for everyone.

The 20 All-Time Greatest Animated Masterpieces

Spiderman
Image Credit: Sony Pictures Animation.

Dive straight into our list of the top 20 animated films, a vibrant collection featuring a range of unforgettable stories. Experience the visually striking universe of ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’, journey alongside the adventurous ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’, and stand at the frontlines of the epic ‘Justice League Dark: Apokolips War’. This selection promises captivating narratives, stunning artistry, and emotional resonance, showcasing the best that animated cinema has to offer.

The 20 Most Epic Adventure Movies Ever Made

Lord of The Rings
Image Credit: New Line Cinemas.

Prepare to traverse magical realms, distant galaxies, and perilous landscapes with our ultimate selection of the best adventure films ever made. From the monumental battles in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ to the cosmic voyages in ‘Interstellar’, these 20 cinematic treasures promise an unparalleled journey of thrill, heroism, and mesmerizing storytelling.