Irrespective of your emotional state, circumstances, or whereabouts, indulging in a delightful comedy is always a favorable choice.
This genre encompasses a wide array of film types, ranging from timeless slapstick and heartwarming rom-coms to family-friendly escapades, clever dramedies, and action-packed adventures coupled with humor.
Given the multitude of choices at your disposal, we have curated a compilation of 12 movies, each originating from Netflix’s own creations, and they undoubtedly deserve a slot in your schedule.
1. Title: Beasts of No Nation
Release Year: 2015
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Runtime: 2h 17m
Netflix’s initial venture into original filmmaking marked a bold move, acquiring writer/director Cary Joji Fukunaga’s passion project “Beasts of No Nation” after its completion, aiming for accolades. The narrative follows a young boy’s odyssey in an undisclosed West African nation, delving into his transformation into a child soldier.
2. Title: Resident Evil
Release Year: 2002
Director: Paul W. S. Anderson
Runtime: 1h 40m
The 2002 film “Resident Evil,” directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, loosely adapts the video game franchise with the same title. While it diverges from the game’s storyline, the movie effectively retains the same harrowing atmosphere. Following a catastrophic event at the concealed subterranean research facility of the Umbrella Corporation that claims the lives of its staff, a special operations unit is dispatched to unveil the truth.
3. Title: Mudbound
Release Year: 2017
Director: Dee Rees
Runtime: 2h 14m
Among the top movies of 2017, Dee Rees’ expansive southern epic delves into the intertwined stories of two families during the 1940s – one black and one white. While a lesser work might have focused solely on one family or perspective, “Mudbound” astutely explores the challenges faced by both the land-owning white family and the laboring black family, unraveling the intricate web of conflicts and connections that emerge among their diverse members.
4. Title: Set It Up
Release Year: 2018
Director: Claire Scanlon
Runtime: 1h 45m
While the romantic comedy genre often falters, fans of quality romcoms should not miss director Claire Scanlon’s delightful creation “Set It Up.” This Netflix original revolves around two assistants (Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell) who cleverly scheme to set up their overbearing bosses (portrayed by Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs) as a means to secure some well-deserved time off.
5. Title: 22 July
Release Year: 2018
Director: Paul Greengrass
Runtime: 2h 23m
In 2011, a far-right extremist detonated a bomb at a government office in Norway and later targeted a youth camp on an island, resulting in the deaths of 77 people. Director Paul Greengrass, known for “Bourne” and “United 93,” meticulously portrays this terror attack’s initial half-hour in “22 July.”
6. Title: Private Life
Release Year: 2018
Director: Tamara Jenkins
Runtime: 2h 7m
“Private Life,” a poignant work by Tamara Jenkins, masterfully navigates the complex realm of a couple’s fertility struggles. Balancing the frustrations, anxieties, and challenges of Rachel and Richard Biegler (played by Kathryn Hahn and Paul Giamatti), who are in their late 40s and yearning for a child, the film retains a profound human touch and even introduces moments of quirky humor amidst their journey.
7. Title: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Release Year: 2018
Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Runtime: 2h 12m
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” diverges from the Coen Brothers’ usual style, presenting a unique departure. While rooted in the Western genre they explored with “No Country for Old Men” and “True Grit,” this anthology delves even deeper into the realm of “tall tales,” weaving together six distinct stories with varying tones.
8. Title: Knock Down the House
Release Year: 2019
Director: Rachel Lears
Runtime: 1h 26m
“Knock Down the House,” directed by Rachel Lears, doesn’t focus on the traditional right-left divide, despite its prominent feature of Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. Rather, it’s a narrative of grassroots, insurgent politicians challenging established power structures. Alongside Ocasio-Cortez, the film also follows other female political figures as they strive to win their respective primary contests.
9. Title: Roma
Release Year: 2018
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Runtime: 2h 15m
“Roma” stands as a profound masterpiece. Acclaimed director Alfonso Cuarón, known for “Gravity” and “Children of Men,” delves into his personal history through the lens of a domestic worker named Cleo in this period drama. Set in 1970s Mexico City, the film portrays the disintegration of a middle-class family while Cuarón’s distinctive cinematography immerses the audience as unbiased witnesses.
10. Title: Miss Americana
Release Year: 2020
Director: Lana Wilson
Runtime: 1h 25m
“Miss Americana,” the Taylor Swift documentary on Netflix, defies expectations. While it does touch upon Swift’s career trajectory, its core centers around an iconic figure unearthing her self-identity amidst public scrutiny. The film captures a notable evolution, showcasing Swift’s feminist awakening unfolding right before us.
11. Title: Da 5 Bloods
Release Year: 2020
Director: Spike Lee
Runtime: 2h 34m
When the iconic director Spike Lee approaches the Vietnam War, his approach is unparalleled. His 2020 film “Da 5 Bloods” centers on four Vietnam War veterans in the present day, embarking on a journey to Vietnam to retrieve their fallen squad leader’s remains and the treasure they had left behind during their time there.
12. Title: Dolemite Is My Name
Release Year: 2019
Director: Craig Brewer
Runtime: 1h 57m
To relive Eddie Murphy’s golden era, don’t miss his 2019 film “Dolemite Is My Name.” Inspired by the real-life tale of Rudy Ray Moore, the movie tracks a comedian’s journey as he seizes control of his fate by crafting, directing, and starring in a shoestring-budget film centered on his original stand-up character.
StudentsandScholarship Team.
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