Spooky season is over, which means we are entering the entertainment industry’s favorite time of the year: the holidays. And with it comes awards season. What better time to check out the best dramas on Netflix, many of which will hope to make a splash in the 2024-2025 Oscar season? This month alone, Netflix has the Oscar hopefuls Emilia Pérez and The Piano Lessen scheduled, meaning many surprises await Netflix subscribers in the drama department. Netflix caters to all tastes and ensures quality by recruiting some of modern Hollywood’s most acclaimed auteurs. On any given day, you can find masterpieces from Scorsese and Cuarón while browsing Netflix.
Beyond the new arrivals and awards fare, the best dramatic movies on Netflix offer a mix of searing romantic tales, intense family dramas, passionate romances, tragic tales of woe, and a few small-scale, yet no less worthy movies. Although Netflix has a wide and diverse collection of quality films, it might be difficult for you to choose just one. Some are not as high in quality as others. To save you some time and effort, we’ve compiled a list of the best dramas on Netflix right now.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
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Pedro Páramo2024 -
The Nest2020
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The Whale2022
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Still Alice2014
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Whiplash2014
Pedro Páramo (2024)
59%
6.3/10Pedro Páramo, the seminal magical realism masterpiece of Mexican literature, receives the Netflix treatment courtesy of esteemed cinematographer and four-time Oscar nominee Rodrigo Prieto. The Lincoln Lawyer‘s Manuel García-Rulfo stars as the eponymous character, a powerful figure in a town full of mystery and dread. One day, his son, Juan Preciado, played by Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s Tenoch Huerta, arrives searching for answers, only to find heartbreak.
In his feature film directorial debut, Prieto brings to life this iconic story with style and immersive atmosphere. He’s supported by a game performance from García-Rulfo. Pedro Páramo doesn’t quite live up to the novel’s legacy, but it doesn’t die trying to translate the action to the small screen.
The Nest (2020)
81%
6.3/10This criminally underrated psychological drama from 2020 came and went with little fanfare, but deserves all the attention in the world. The Nest stars Oscar nominee Jude Law and Emmy nominee Carrie Coon as a married couple whose lives begin to unravel after moving to a country manor in England in the late 1980s.
Elevated by a pair of tour de force performances from Law and Coon, The Nest is a profoundly unsettling family drama that’s tense and thoughtful. It’s a controlled drama with a highly precise story that moves slowly, but surely, leading to an emotionally cathartic ending that perfectly captures the difficulties of family life with remarkable and non-judgemental honesty.
The Whale (2022)
60%
7.6/10Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale is among the most divisive films of 2022. Based on the eponymous play by Samuel D. Hunter, the film follows a morbidly obese homosexual English teacher attempting to reconnect with the daughter he abandoned eight years prior.
Like many other Aronofsky movies, The Whale has all the subtlety of a hammer. It deals with heavy emotional themes with a furious and confrontational approach, using Brendan Fraser’s broken, highly emotional Oscar-winning performance to balance all the pain and cruelty. The Whale might be slightly manipulative and shameless in its attempt to make its audience cry, but it works, resulting in a must-see drama that’s worth a watch.
Still Alice (2014)
72%
7.5/10And speaking of very emotional movies featuring an Oscar-winning performance, 2014’s Still Alice fits the bill. A tremendous Julianne Moore stars as Alice Howland, a linguistics professor at Columbia University who discovers she has early-onset Alzheimer’s. As she attempts to navigate the situation alongside her family, Alice struggles to adjust to her new reality.
The main attraction here is Moore, who delivers a titanic portrayal that ranks among the best in her career. The actress dives fully into Alice’s difficult reality, crafting a deeply impactful and empathetic depiction of a situation few can possibly imagine. Still Alice doesn’t quite live up to Moore’s efforts, but it remains a solid drama for all those who enjoy a good sob.
Whiplash (2014)
89%
8.5/10Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash made a huge splash at the 2015 Oscar ceremony, and it’s not hard to see why. Miles Teller stars as Andrew Neiman, a 19-year-old drummer at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory. There, he meets the emotionally and physically abusive jazz instructor Terrence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), who will push him to the breaking point in the name of perfection.
It’s an intense tale of artistic integrity and the sacrifices made in the name of greatness. Teller is good, but it’s Simmons who steals the movie, delivering a monstrous, larger-than-life performance that rightfully earned him the 2015 Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Ruthless but rewarding, Whiplash is a psychological drama that stays with you long after the credits roll.
First Man (2018)
84%
7.3/10Academy Award winner Damien Chazelle’s follow-up to the juggernaut that was La La Land, 2018’s First Man reunites him with Ryan Gosling to tell the story of Neil Armstrong. The biopic centers on Armstrong’s challenging journey to become the first man on the moon, exploring the physical and emotional toll it took on him and his family, especially his wife, Janet (Claire Foy).
Introspective and emotionally intelligent, First Man is a dramatic tour-de-force for Gosling and Foy. Although it stays close to Armstrong, the film also succeeds in depicting a pivotal moment in American history, guided by Chazelle’s firm hand and accompanied by a soaring score from Justin Hurwitz.
Captain Phillips (2013)
82%
7.8/10Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks stars in Paul Grengrass’ dramatic thriller Captain Phillips. Based on the 2009 hijacking of the cargo ship Maersk Alabam, the film centers on Captain Richard Phillips, whose vessel is taken hostage by a band of Somali pirates led by Abduwali Muse, played by an outstanding Barkhad Abdi. A masterclass in tension, Captain Phillips thrives on the strength of Greengrass’ assured direction and a reliably great performance from Hanks. Yet, it’s Abdi who ultimately steals the film. Captain Phillips is his vehicle, and he stirs it firmly and confidently, delivering one of the most impressive acting debuts in recent memory.
Molly's Game (2017)
71%
7.4/10A spectacular Jessica Chastain stars as real-life poker mogul Molly Bloom, who becomes the target of an FBI investigation upon the discovery of her underground poker empire catering to celebrities, athletes, and even the mob. Molly’s Game represents an assured directorial debut for Oscar winner Aaron Sorkin, but it works largely as a showcase for Chastain, who delivers another furious performance. In her hands, Molly Bloom is incandescent and irresistible, a fascinating and shifting figure who you can’t help but root for, even when it becomes clear that she is in over her head. Fans of anxiety-inducing biopics will not want to miss Molly’s Game.
Southpaw (2015)
57%
7.3/10Oscar nominee and Road House star Jake Gyllenhaal delivers one of his most impassioned performances in Antoine Fuqua’s 2015 sports drama Southpaw. The film tells the turbulent story of Billy “The Great” Hope, a boxer whose life becomes derailed after his wife dies and his daughter is taken away by child protective services. Determined to get his act together, Billy begins a journey to recovery after surrendering to alcohol and drugs. Like most other films from Fuqua, Southpaw is not particularly subtle. However, whatever flaws it may have are more than made up by Gyllenhaal’s committed performance and the work of a stellar supporting cast, including Oscar winner Forest Whitaker and Oscar nominee Rachel McAdams.
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
65%
7.3/10Lily James is one of our best and most dynamic younger actresses, and her charm is on full display in Mike Newell’s romantic drama The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society. James plays Juliet Ashton, a London writer who travels to the remote island of Guernsey after exchanging letters with its inhabitants. There, she begins to fall in love with their stories, discovering a new side to herself in the process. Aside from having one of the best movie titles in the past decade, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society is a delightful and quirky romance that remains emotionally poignant and entertaining. James is incredible in the lead role, accompanied by an equally wonderful ensemble, including Michiel Huisman, Jessica Brown Findlay, Penelope Wilton, Tom Courtenay, and Hit Man‘s Glen Powell.
Shirley (2024)
57%
6.3/10Oscar-winner Regina King stars as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black congresswoman, in John Ridley’s biopic Shirley. The film chronicles her 1972 presidential campaign, which made her the first Black candidate to run for a major party nomination and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s nomination. Although somewhat generic, Shirley benefits from a stellar cast led by the ever-reliable King and includes Oscar nominees like Terrence Howard and Lucas Hedges. King is the reason to stay, delivering yet another commanding performance that more than compensates for the screenplay’s by-the-numbers approach.
Scoop (2024)
63%
6.5/10Emmy winner Gillian Anderson dusts off her now-iconic English accent to play British journalist Emily Maitlis in the biographical drama Scoop. The plot dramatizes the pivotal 2019 Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew. Anderson is joined by British icons Billie Piper, Keeley Hawes, and Rufus Sewell, with the film depicting the process leading to the interview, the taping, and the aftermath. Solid, tight, and well-acted, Scoop is as much a fictionalized take on one of the U.K.’s most scandalous events in recent history as it’s a love letter to journalism. Anderson is great, as usual, but the film belongs to a discomforting Sewell as the eerie Prince Andrew and a never-better Piper as the tough and resourceful producer Sam McAlister.
The Good Nurse (2022)
65%
6.8/10Oscar winners Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne join forces for the dramatic thriller The Good Nurse. Based on the real-life case of serial killer Charles Cullen, the plot centers on Amy Loughren, whose close relationship with new colleague Charlie Cullen deteriorates when she begins suspecting him following a patient’s suspicious death. Soon, she discovers his involvement in a series of murders throughout the past 16 years. The Good Nurse succeeds on the strength of Chastain’s passionate performance and Redmayne’s unnerving work. The duo do wonders with the screenplay, turning an already shocking story into a true work of cinematic discomfort that will more than satisfy true-crime fans.
The Boys in the Band (2020)
70%
6.8/10From producer Ryan Murphy (The Watcher) and director Joe Mantello comes The Boys in the Band, a remake of the eponymous and seminal 1968 play, previously adapted as a 1970 film. The plot follows Michael, who is throwing a party for his friend Harold’s birthday. However, the arrival of an unexpected guest throws the event into disarray, pushing the guests into an increasingly uncomfortable situation. Starring a cast of openly gay performers, including Emmy-winner Jim Parsons and Emmy nominees Matt Bomer and Zachary Quinto, The Boys in the Band is a poignant yet challenging depiction of homosexuality, identity, and torment. Although a challenging watch, especially toward the end, the film remains insightful and resonant, largely thanks to Mantello’s assured direction and the kinetic, unabashed performances of a brilliant ensemble.
Spaceman (2024)
51%
5.8/10Adam Sandler has quickly become the reigning king of Netflix. His latest effort, Spaceman, is a sci-fi drama about an astronaut who, half a year into his solo mission on the edges of the solar system, bonds with the mysterious creature he finds hiding on his ship. Spaceman features a strong performance from Sandler and an equally impressive supporting cast, including the always-reliable Carey Mulligan and a gripping Paul Dano as the voice of the creature. Far more concerned with the lead character’s fractured psyche than with exploring its sci-fi themes, Spaceman is an engaging character study that allows Sandler to flex the acting muscles he seldom gets to use.
The Unforgivable (2021)
41%
7.1/10A powerful Sandra Bullock delivers some of her finest work on the screen in The Unforgivable. The 2021 drama features Bullock as Ruth, a woman recently released from prison after serving 20 years for murder, who becomes determined to reconcile with her younger sister. Bullock is the main draw behind The Unforgivable, an otherwise by-the-numbers drama elevated by the actress’ committed, heart-wrenching portrayal. The film risks being overly dire, but Bullock and a great supporting cast, including Vincent D’Onofrio and the mighty Viola Davis, ultimately drive the story home, ending on a safe yet positive note.
Society of the Snow (2023)
72%
7.8/10J. A. Bayona’s Society of the Snow is among Netflix’s most acclaimed recent films. The plot dramatizes the 1972 Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crash, forcing the survivors, including several members of a Uruguayan rugby team, to rely on each other to survive. Harrowing yet powerful, Society of the Snow is an expertly crafted survival drama that boasts the best of Bayona’s technical skill. Featuring a cast of mostly inexperienced actors who bring an additional layer of realism to the ordeal, Society of the Snow is a gripping tale of resilience and willpower. It received two Oscar nominations for Best International Feature Film and Best Makeup and Hairstyling at this year’s Oscars.
May December (2023)
86%
6.9/10Acclaimed auteur Todd Haynes reteams with his long-time muse, Julianne Moore, for the dramedy May December. Natalie Portman stars as Elizabeth, an actress traveling to Savannah to spend time with Gracie (Moore), the woman she’s set to play in an upcoming movie. Gracie rose to infamy years earlier after her scandalous affair with a 13-year-old boy became public. Anchored by career-best turns from Portman and Moore, May December is a discomforting masterpiece that seamlessly blends drama and humor to tackle profound issues. The film also benefits from a stunning showcase from Charles Melton, who delivers one of the year’s most heartbreaking performances.
Maestro (2023)
77%
6.8/10Bradley Cooper’s second directorial effort, Maestro, chronicles the life of renowned composer and conductor, Leonard Bernstein. Cooper stars as Bernstein, with the film revolving around his marriage with actress Felicia Montealegre, played by a stellar Carey Mulligan. Maestro sees Cooper go overboard both in front of and behind the camera, with a showy performance and even showier directing. However, the film finds strength in Mulligan’s stoic performance, even if it doesn’t necessarily reveal anything new about Bernstein’s private life or his legacy in modern music.
Rustin (2023)
68%
6.6/10Colman Domingo stars as activist Bayard Rustin in George C. Wolfe’s biographical drama Rustin. Based on Rustin’s real life, the film follows his efforts and contributions to the civil rights movement and his pivotal role in helping Martin Luther King Jr. organize the 1963 March on Washington. Powered by an outstanding turn from Domingo, Rustin shines a light on one of history’s most undersung heroes, whose name was all but erased because of his standing as a Black gay man. Rustin does not reinvent the biopic, but it remains a worthwhile showcase for both Domingo and Bayard Rustin.
Nuovo Olimpo (2023)
7.2/10Fans of LGBTQ+ movies can’t find a more worthy movie than Nuovo Olimpo. The Italian romantic drama stars Damiano Gavino and Andrea Di Luigi star as Enea and Pietro, two young men who meet and fall in love in 1970s Rome. Unexpected circumstances separate them, leading them to try to reunite throughout the years, even as their lives take different directions. Sweeping and rising on the strong chemistry between Gavino and Di Luigi, Nuovo Olimpo is a gorgeous and emotional romantic drama that makes the best out of its straightforward premise. Well-crafted romantic dramas are becoming a rarity, making Nuovo Olimpo stand even taller in the current entertainment landscape.
Fair Play (2023)
73%
6.4/10Alden Ehrenreich and Phoebe Dynevor star in Chloe Domont’s erotic thriller Fair Play. The plot centers on a young couple working at a hedge fund firm. When one gets an unexpected promotion over the other, their relationship slowly unravels. A glorious return for the long-dormant erotic thriller genre, Fair Play offers the same psychological thrills as classics like Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct. Rising on the strength of its well-matched leads and Domont’s wicked screenplay, Fair Play is a biting, engaging, and steamy thriller that will keep audiences on edge.
NYAD (2023)
65%
7.1/10Four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening and two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster star in the biographical drama Nyad. The directorial debut of Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the film is based on Diana Nyad’s biography and chronicles her efforts to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. Featuring a traditional crowd-pleasing narrative elevated by the considerable talents of its two leads, Nyad is an uplifting sports drama that paints its real-life subject in a decidedly positive light. The film has stirred controversy and reignited doubts about Nyad’s real-life swimming feats, adding another fascinating layer to this story.
The Devil All the Time (2020)
55%
7.1/10A large ensemble led by Spider-Man himself (Tom Holland) proves a major draw for Antonio Campos’ Southern Gothic thriller The Devil All the Time. Also starring Bill Skarsgård, Sebastian Stan, and Robert Pattinson, the film is set in the years following World War II and continues into the 1960s, following several storylines of revenge and violence in two Ohio towns.
Although harrowing and violent, The Devil All the Time provides a worthy showcase for its impressive cast and a suitably engrossing decades-spanning mystery. The film’s constant descent into darkness might be too much for some, but its storytelling approach, engrossing atmosphere, and excellent ensemble are reason enough to press play on this gothic nightmare.
The King (2019)
62%
7.3/10Academy Award nominee Timothée Chalamet stars in the 2019 historical drama The King. Drawing from several Shakespeare plays, the plot centers on the young King Henry V of England, chronicling his rise to power and his handling of the war against France. Featuring a stellar supporting cast, including Robert Pattinson as the Dauphin of France, The King is a riveting tale of court intrigue for fans of period pieces. It might not be a faithful retelling of history, but it features enough lush scenery and outstanding production values to satisfy viewers.
To Leslie (2022)
84%
7.1/10Andrea Riseborough stars in Michael Morris’ 2022 drama To Leslie. The plot revolves around Leslie, a single mother struggling with alcoholism who starts working in a motel after squandering the money she won at the lottery. To Leslie might be more famous for the controversial Oscar campaign that resulted in Riseborough’s much-discussed Best Actress nomination. However, the film is a haunting, poignant portrayal of addiction powered by Riseborough’s committed, passionate performance. To Leslie‘s plot is conventional, but Riseborough’s work is worth the price of admission.
I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
78%
6.6/10Charlie Kaufman’s surrealist, genre-bending 2020 film I’m Thinking of Ending Things stars Oscar nominees Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons. It follows a young woman on a trip to visit her boyfriend’s parents. The story is intercut with scenes of a school janitor at work, adding to the film’s layered and challenging narrative. I’m Thinking of Ending Things will leave audiences scratching their heads, as it offers multiple questions and no answers. However, the film is also among the most daring and thought-provoking Netflix originals, making it required viewing for fans of intricate and slightly frustrating narratives.
Lady Chatterley's Lover (2022)
67%
6.6/10The Dig (2021)
73%
7.1/10Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan and Harry Potter‘s Ralph Fiennes star opposite Lily James in the 2021 historical drama The Dig. The plot dramatizes the real-life story of Edith Pretty and Basil Brown and his 1939 excavation on her land in Sutton Hoo. Although the plot might not sound like a prime source for a compelling drama, The Dig is a rich and gorgeously-shot story about friendship, legacy, and the importance of the past. Mulligan and Fiennes are at their usual best, while Mike Eley’s cinematography perfectly captures the lush vistas of the English countryside.
The Wonder (2022)
71%
6.6/10Sebastián Lelio’s 2022 period psychological drama The Wonder stars Academy Award nominee Florence Pugh. Based on the eponymous 2016 novel, the film follows an English nurse sent to a rural village to observe a young girl who has seemingly survived for months without eating. Led by a remarkable turn from Pugh and benefitting from Lelio’s atmospheric approach, The Wonder is a fascinating look at faith and prejudice that ranks as one of Netflix’s most ambitious original efforts.
Mudbound (2017)
85%
7.4/10Dee Rees directs the 2017 historical drama Mudbound. Set in World War II, the film centers on two veterans dealing with severe PTSD returning from the war as their families struggle with poverty in rural Mississippi. Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Clarke, and Mary J. Blige star. Mudbound received acclaim from critics, with the cast attracting near-universal praise. Blige earned considerable praise, including an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress and one for Best Original Song for the film’s theme, Mighty River.
The Harder They Fall (2021)
68%
6.6/10Jeymes Samuel makes his feature directorial debut with The Harder They Fall, starring Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, and Lakeith Stanfield. The plot centers on an outlaw who reunites his gang upon realizing his long-time enemy will soon get released from prison. The Harder They Fall is among the few Westerns with an all-Black cast, with characters loosely based on real-life figures from the American West.
Emily the Criminal (2022)
75%
6.7/10Da 5 Bloods (2020)
82%
6.5/10Spike Lee directs an ensemble cast including Delroy Lindo — robbed of an Oscar nomination — Jonathan Majors, and the late Chadwick Boseman in Da 5 Bloods. The plot follows a group of four aging Black Vietnam veterans who return to the country to retrieve the remains of their squad leader and the gold treasure they buried during their war days.
Hustle (2022)
68%
7.3/10Roma (2018)
96%
7.7/10All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
77%
8.1/10Phantom Thread (2017)
90%
7.5/10The Lost Daughter (2021)
85%
7.1/10The Power of the Dog (2021)
89%
7.7/10Doctor Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch stars as cowboy Phil Burbank in this slow-burning Western. Phil’s entire life is tied up in the land, and he’s known throughout 1920s Montana as one of the best ranchers around. One night, he heads into market with his brother, George (Jesse Plemmons), where they meet Rose (Kirsten Dunst), the widowed proprietress of the Red Mill restaurant, and her son, Peter. While George takes an immediate liking to Rose, Phil treats her barbarically. But when George returns to the restaurant to propose to Rose and bring her back to the Burbank ranch, Phil is forced to adapt. As such, he takes Peter under his wing. Or does he?
Passing (2021)
85%
6.6/10The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
55%
7.3/10The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
76%
7.8/10Pieces of a Woman (2020)
66%
7.1/10Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)
87%
7.0/10Mank (2020)
79%
6.8/10Concrete Cowboy (2020)
67%
6.3/10Marriage Story (2019)
94%
7.9/10The Two Popes (2019)
75%
7.6/10The Irishman (2019)
94%
7.8/10
