Stuck inside? Here are Movies to watch on Netflix

It’s a question nearly all of us have asked a friend, spouse, and most definitely, ourselves: What do you want to watch tonight? 

It’s a normal question, but in this weird COVID-19 time, it’s a question most of us will be asking more and more. So, if you are “social distancing” yourself from the Coronavirus, here are some recommendations of great movies to watch on Netflix!

The goal here is to recommend movies you haven’t seen, heard of, or it’s just been awhile. So, if you are looking for new releases to check out, this isn’t the list for you.

Also, make sure to check back for recommendations on all the major streaming services!

Feel Good Movies

About Time

Rated R - Don’t let this scare you. With 5 F-words, this movie is much more light-hearted and beautiful than many films with lesser ratings.  

81% Audience Score 

As mentioned, I plan to recommend a lot of movies to you during this time, but there is a very good reason why About Time is the first movie on the first list created - it simply deserves more love. 

About Time is a beautiful romance story that everybody will love. It’s not cheesy and even the most cynical person will have a hard time rolling their eyes at this exceptional depiction of the best parts of love. Not only that, but given the state of the world right now, About Time illustrates ones of life's most sacred truths that all of us need to hear. 

Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Rated PG-13 - Definitely for teenagers, if not, adults. Odd, quirky, and a bit abstract.

84% Audience Score

Keep in mind that this list is being made by the resident nerd of Nerd Critic. Aka, this movie might specifically be for the nerds out there! It’s odd, quick, and quirky. From the director that brought you movies like “Hot Fuzz” and “Baby Driver” you can imagine what it might be like if he got his hands on a comedic graphic novel and turned it into a video-game-centric-super-powered-nerdfest of a movie. 

That being said, if you are the “odd” one in your group of friends and grew up playing classic video games, then this movie is made for you! It’s witty, absolutely hilarious, and a ton of fun! It has action better than you’d ever expect and a plot that is about as straightforward as the levels in a classic video game. And if that doesn’t convince you, maybe the STAR-STUDDED cast will do it. Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead lead the way with Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Aubrey Plaza, Brandon Routh, and Jason Schwartzman, all being funnier than maybe they ever have before. 

Action Movies

Snowpiercer

Rated R - It’s got some gore with a good amount of language. Definitely for the more mature crowd.

72% Audience Score

The plot is a simple one. The world has frozen on ice. The last of humanity lives on a train that never stops moving. Poor in the back, rich in the front. The poor are REALLY poor. The rich are REALLY rich. The poor have had it! One hero, played by Chris Evans, helps lead a revolution as the poor make their way to the front of the train, meeting new obstacles in every car they get into. 

Have you heard of Parasite? You know, the first international movie to win best picture? Yeah, that one. Well, Snowpiercer is the only English film made by that same director, Bong Joon-ho. It’s a thrill ride with some unique action set pieces and a message so straight forward it hits you like a train (see what I did there?). In a nutshell, this is an action movie that is easy to follow with a very relevant social message. 

Ip Man

Rated R - Strictly for violence. It’s a martial artist movie. So, you see some bones break. 

92% Audience Score

I didn’t originally plan to do this, but it looks like I have a movie in each genre that is “not for everyone.” This is that movie for the action genre. It is subtitled for English and is a classic eastern martial arts movie - wire work and all. Most (American) people write it off because it has subtitles. I will personally ask you, please don’t do that. If you are looking for a solid action movie, the first Ip Man is a great choice! 

Ever wonder who trained Bruce Lee? Well, Ip Man tells the story of that man. Granted it’s an embellished story, it’s still a lot of fun. This movie gives you a glimpse of the impact of the Japanese invasion of 1937. A wealthy man has to go back to work and reluctantly agrees to train others in the art of self-defense. This movie is full of eastern-style duels, mind-boggling martial arts, and falls entirely on the shoulders of Donnie Yen (of Rogue One fame). The good news is, there is a many more you can enjoy if you like the first one.

Dramatic Movies

Ex Machina

Rated R – This is for language and nudity. The nudity is not sexual in any way.

86% Audience Score

This is a hard movie to explain. I don’t want to tell you what it’s about. I don’t want to tell you what kind of movie it is – mainly because it falls into many different genres. So, I will tell you who is in it and leave it there. This might be my favorite Domhnall Gleeson performance. If you don’t know who that is, you do… you just don’t know you do. Oscar Isaac is nearly perfect in this movie and Alicia Vikander made a good case for an Academy Award as Ava. Needless to say, this movie is incredible and you should see it.

Saving Mr. Banks

Rated PG-13 – Dives into addiction and emotional abuse.

84% Audience Score

Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney. That is all.

Funny Movies

Swiss Army Man

Rated R – Language and… other weird stuff.

72% Audience Score

Here it is – “this movie is not for everyone”. I dare say, this movie is for few. It’s uncomfortable, crude, surreal, and just kind of off – but all in the best of ways! I mean, here is the iMDB synopsis for this movie, “A hopeless man stranded on a deserted island befriends a dead body and together they go on a surreal journey to get home.”. The way you felt after reading that is similar to how you will feel during this whole movie. Slightly confused and not sure why it’s so interesting.

Paul Dano figuratively carries this movie and literally carries Daniel Radcliffe through this movie. The two play-off of each other in an extremely uncomfortable but endearing way. Where they are going and what they are doing almost doesn’t matter as you just sit in the uncomfortable comedy of what’s happening on the screen in front of you. 

It’s better than I am making it sound. It’s just hard to articulate. Watch it and you’ll know what I mean.

Groundhog Day

Rated PG – A classic for the whole family

88% Audience Score

I would be surprised if there is someone reading this who hasn’t seen this movie. The goal here was not to introduce this movie to you, but to let you know that it’s on Netflix and you should watch it! If it’s been awhile, do yourself a favor and put it on one evening.

On top of the fact that this is just a classic movie, I put it on this list because as I have stayed quarantined, I have started to feel the effects of a Groundhog Day. It’s the same day and the same thing over and over again! Watching this movie helped me remember the time I have been given. I can learn an instrument, write a book, or even write a blog about what Netflix movies to watch. In a way, it’s a gift. So, learn a lesson and watch Groundhog Day.

Family Movies

Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse

Rated PG – Cartoon that kids, teens, and adults will love!

93% Audience Score

This is the one of the highest rated movies on this list and rightfully so! From the same directors of the first Lego Movie, Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse is one of the most transcendent and groundbreaking animated movies in years! It’s absolutely gorgeous to look at, has diverse characters, is loyal to its source material, and has one of the most heartwarming messages in all of film. 

I know many people who write off animated movies as “kids movies”. I know! I know! That probably pisses more readers off than it does apply to many of you, but JUST IN CASE it does – you are stupid and closed-minded. In my opinion, there are some animated movies as good, if not better, than any live action film out there. Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse is among those elite. Don’t write it off. Give it a chance. Right now. Like, for real. What are you doing still reading this? Go watch it. 

Klaus

Rated PG

97% Audience Score

I know it’s not Christmastime, but I feel like the world needs a little holiday spirit right now. So, I would like to recommend one of the best animated movies of last year. And I’m not the only one saying that! Klaus was nominated for Best Animated Feature this last year. It truly is a heartwarming tale with a unique style of animation that captures the eye upon first viewing!

Have you ever considered that Santa Clause is a superhero? I mean, he is magic, fights for good, and has a seriously strict moral code! Well, Klaus is the origin story of Ol’ Saint Nick. A surprisingly human story for being a fictional kid’s movie. It talks about hatred, forgiveness, service, and what it means to be “good.” If you are ok with watching a Christmas movie in March, make it Klaus. You won’t regret it.