As a good percentage of our readers are based in the UK here’s a list of great movies streaming on Netflix UK to help keep our UK readers busy during the pandemic. I’ve paired up most of the recommendations so if you like one, you might like the other. So, in no particular order here’s 39 great movies to watch on Netflix UK:
- First Reformed: a powerful drama about a priest doubting his faith amidst Climate Change
- Uncut Gems: a sport infused thriller with gambling, loan sharks, and NBA stars that never slows down. Also see Good Time.
- Pom Poko: a Studio Ghibli animated story of magical raccoons fighting human expansion. For more Studio Ghibli animation, see Howl’s Moving Castle.
- Contagion: probably the most relevant film on this list. Focuses on world stalling pandemic that started in China. A lot of similarities with COVID19, but more deadly.
- The Death of Mr. Lazarescu: for a horrifying and depressing look at the overcrowded Romanian health system, this is your film.
- High Flying Bird: a sports drama focusing on all aspects of the NBA lockout for anyone interested in the side of sport you don’t see. Also watch Soderbergh’s unique The Laundromat, which looks at offshore accounts in Panama. Both films are more interesting and fun than they sound.
- The Grandmaster and Ip Man: both great films for your marital arts fix.
- Lord of the Rings trilogy: if you want to disappear into another world for 9 hours.
- Ex Machina: simple but tense film featuring two men debating and fighting over the responsibility of creating A.I. If you’ve already seen it, watch Annihilation.
- Dolemite is My Name: a wholesome dramedy about the life of Black comedian Rudy Ray Moore.
- Miles Ahead: a brilliantly innovative ‘biographical’ film about Miles Davis.
- The Social Network: brilliantly charts the rise of Facebook – could do with a sequel now. If you’ve already seen it and you like sport check out Moneyball (brilliantly written by the same screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin).
- The Irishman: Martin Scorcese’s epic, nostalgic gangster film. Goodfellas is also available on Netflix.
- Erin Brokovich: one woman fighting the water companies for providing contaminated tap water. For more films about people fighting the system, check out Kill the Messenger (Iran-Contra crisis) and Spotlight (pedophilia in Catholic Church).
- Under the Shadow: a must watch horror film based in Iran that uses the Iran-Iraq War and patriarchal society to provide its punch. For more horror, watch A Quiet Place.
- Fruitvale Station: the last day in Oscar Grant’s life. For more films focusing on black characters in the Bay Area, California, check out Blindspotting.
- Beasts of No Nation: child soldiers in Africa featuring Idris Elba. For more child soldiers and oppressive regimes, check out First They Killed My Father.
- Boyz in the Hood: the original Los Angeles hood film featuring Ice Cube. Or to watch a biographical film featuring Ice Cube, check out Straight Outta Compton which charts the rise of N.W.A.
- Lady Bird: a fun dramedy of one girl’s high school life in small town California. If you want another great good-humored film featuring small town American life, check out Boyhood.
- Death of Stalin: for more comedy. This time a political satire as all of Stalin’s cronies plot to win power following his death.
- The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open: an immersive day in the life of two indigenous domestic abuse survivors meeting out of chance. Could also watch Sandstorm for another international film featuring women shaped in patriarchal societies.
- Roma: follow the life of Cleo, a domestic worker to a wealthy family in Mexico City. One of the best art films on Netflix. For more great Latin American films, check out Birds of Passage (perfect for fans of Narcos).
- Phantom Thread: watch if quirky upper class British families are your thing.
If you’re outside of the UK you can look up all of these films on JustWatch to find out where they’re streaming. Or check out the Best Movies of the 2010s That You Can Stream Right Now or scroll through the Netflix films.