Netflix Original Movies Best: The Hidden Oscar Contender
The Best Netflix Original Movies You Missed (Seriously, Watch Them)
The best Netflix original movies include Society of the Snow, All Quiet on the Western Front, The Power of the Dog, Roma, Marriage Story, The Irishman, They Cloned Tyrone, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and Enola Holmes. These films have earned Academy Award nominations and wins, with Netflix accumulating 26 Oscars by the 2025 Academy Awards.
Top 10 Netflix Original Movies Worth Your Time
Netflix launched its initial original film with "Beasts of No Nation" in 2015, and a decade later the streaming giant has become a powerhouse for award-winning cinema. In the United States, original and exclusive Netflix films comprise half of the platform's content offerings.
- Society of the Snow - 93 million viewers worldwide, Oscar-nominated for Best International Feature Film and Best Makeup and Hairstyling
- All Quiet on the Western Front - Won 4 Academy Awards including Best International Feature Film
- The Power of the Dog - 12 Oscar nominations including Best Picture; Jane Campion won DGA Award
- Roma - 3 Oscar wins (Director, Cinematography, Foreign Language Film); 10 nominations total
- Marriage Story - Noah Baumbach's drama starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver; 136 minutes runtime
- The Irishman - Martin Scorsese's 209-minute epic with De Niro, Pacino, and Pesci
- They Cloned Tyrone - Sci-fi mystery comedy with John Boyega, Jamie Foxx; 122 minutes
- The Trial of the Chicago 7 - Aaron Sorkin's legal drama; 129 minutes; released October 16, 2020
- Enola Holmes - Millie Bobby Brown as Sherlock's sister; PG-13; 123 minutes
- Uncut Gems -_Top-rated Netflix original on IMDB lists_
Award-Winning Netflix Originals by Category
| Film Title | Year | Oscar Wins | Oscar Nominations | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Society of the Snow | 2023 | 0 | 2 | 144 min |
| All Quiet on the Western Front | 2022 | 4 | 7 | 148 min |
| The Power of the Dog | 2021 | 1 | 12 | 126 min |
| Roma | 2018 | 3 | 10 | 135 min |
| Marriage Story | 2019 | 0 | 6 | 136 min |
| The Irishman | 2019 | 0 | 10 | 209 min |
Hidden Gems You Probably Missed
While Netflix churns out formulaic movies alongside its hits, meticulous scrubbing reveals genuine gems among the excess. Working with top art house filmmakers has been one of Netflix's two greatest strengths in building its original film catalog.
- They Cloned Tyrone offers a unique sci-fi mystery with shadow government conspiracy themes starring John Boyega and Jamie Foxx
- The Trial of the Chicago 7 addresses police brutality debates through its 1968 Democratic National Convention story
- Enola Holmes launched a franchise with Millie Bobby Brown as the super-sleuth younger sister of Sherlock
Why These Films Matter for Educational Viewing
These Netflix originals demonstrate educational rigor through historical accuracy, complex character development, and social themes that align with values-driven learning. Films like Society of the Snow (1972 Andes plane crash survival) and All Quiet on the Western Front (WWI anti-war message) provide measurable impact for educational discussions about resilience, ethics, and historical context.
For educators seeking student-focused outcomes, Marriage Story offers compassionate perspectives on family dynamics, while The Trial of the Chicago 7 presents timely civil discourse themes relevant to civic education. These films exemplify how holistic education can integrate entertainment with meaningful learning opportunities aligned with formative values.
Expert answers to Netflix Original Movies Best The Hidden Oscar Contender queries
What are the best Netflix original movies I should watch?
The best Netflix original movies are Society of the Snow (93 million viewers), All Quiet on the Western Front (4 Oscar wins), The Power of the Dog (12 nominations), Roma (3 Oscar wins), and Marriage Story. These represent Netflix's highest-quality filmmaking with critical acclaim and award recognition.
How many Oscars has Netflix won for original movies?
By the 2025 Academy Awards, Netflix had amassed 26 Oscars total, with 22 Oscars won prior to 2024 and 18 nominations in 2024 alone. All Quiet on the Western Front won 4 Oscars in 2023, while Roma won 3 in 2019.
What was Netflix's first original movie?
Netflix launched its initial original film with "Beasts of No Nation" in 2015, marking the beginning of the streaming giant's original movie program.
Which Netflix original movie has the most viewers?
Society of the Snow has been viewed by 93 million people worldwide, making it one of Netflix's most-watched movies in 2024. It ranked third on Netflix worldwide during its first seven weeks with 81 million viewers.
Are Netflix original movies worth watching?
Yes-Netflix has collaborated with talented indie filmmakers and given platforms to newcomers, creating genuinely excellent films despite some formulaic content. The hit-and-miss nature is the price for moving away from existing templates to create something original.
