Looking at the history of cinema, there have always been innovations to push it to its next iteration and change the way we view and consume the medium, from the introduction of color all the way up to modern times with the advent of streaming. At many points, these pushes have been met with challenges and reservations; look where Blockbuster is (or isn’t) now after laughing off the Netflix team who tried to sell their service to them. Streaming, even as it gained popularity, was still not necessarily seen as a format that could compete with the studio system when it came to creating spectacles for the big screen.
Over time, Netflix has proven that this is far from the case, with many of its hit original titles becoming bigger talking points than theatrical releases. Now, one can even say that there are Netflix originals that surpass most theater outings in terms of content and quality. These 10 films are shining examples of just that.
‘Beasts of No Nation’ (2015)
Cary Joji Fukunaga’s Beasts of No Nation views the conflict within a community due to an incoming civil war through the eyes of a young boy, Agu (Abraham Attah). A once idyllic life is disrupted when violence breaks out and his father is killed, forcing Agu to flee and try to make it on his own. It is here that he is drafted by a charismatic Commandant (played by celebrated actor Idris Elba) as part of his growing child army.
An Early Critical Success for Netflix
An early Netflix Original, Beasts of No Nation was one of the first films to make many recognize that streaming could be competitive with, and often surpass, any theatrical offerings. The unflinching emotional and social exploration of the atrocious child soldier issue was seen as shockingly authentic and won over the praise of critics and fans alike. While the movie may have set aside spectacle to approach the subject with the needed sincerity, the strong performances, sharp visual direction, and engaging story made this an early standout on the Netflix catalog.
‘The Ballad of Buster Scruggs’ (2018)
Joel and Ethan Coen would bring their distinct style to Netflix with the American West-inspired anthology The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. From the titular short, which tells the tale of a cheerful singing cowboy deceptively hiding his deadly skill with a gun, to “The Mortal Remains,” which sees eccentric passengers on a stagecoach to the afterlife delve deep into the philosophical implications behind their departure, each short is quintessential Coen Brothers in the best sense.
The Sharp Comedic Wit of the Coen Brothers Came to Netflix in a Big Way
The anthology format proved to be the ideal way to run the gamut of themes, humor, and reflections that have made the Coen brothers such an endearing fan-favorite duo. For two filmmakers who have seen great success on the big screen, it is evident that this offering on Netflix would also have been able to soar in theaters, especially with the endearing popularity of Westerns.
‘Dolemite Is My Name’ (2019)
Dolemite Is My Name follows the unlikely celebrity of Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy), a struggling comedian and entertainer in the 1970s who reinvents himself as the larger-than-life character Dolemite to great success. From creating Dolemite and refining him in clubs, to taking the concept to the studio systems with a ragtag team of creatives to make the definitive cult, blaxploitation film, Dolemite Is My Name is a love letter to the larger-than-life character.
One of the Best Biopics of the 2010s
With an energetic pace, sharp humor, and heartfelt homage to the icon that was Rudy Ray Moore, Dolemite Is My Name was a smash hit among critics and fans on release. The production’s design and groovy score also helped to really capture the ’70s aesthetic in which Rudy Ray Moore was able to carve a name for himself. Uplifting, but also not one to shy away from the challenges of the era and struggles of Moore as a person, Dolemite Is My Name is one of those movies that would have been successful in theaters through word-of-mouth hype alone.
‘Klaus’ (2019)
A new take on the origin of Santa Claus, Klaus follows Jesper Johansen, the spoiled son of a postmaster, who is sent to a remote town to try to drum up business. Here he meets the townsfolk who have been at war with each other for generations, and a man, Klaus, living up on a hill, whose love for making toys was lost when his partner died. Jesper convinces Klaus to remake his toys for the town’s children, a somewhat selfish request that turns into a legitimate desire to help the people of Smeerensburg.
A Modern Holiday Classic
Hindsight is 20/20, a fact that will come up more than once in this list. Netflix had no way of knowing that they had on their hands not just a holiday hit, but one of the best Christmas movies ever made in Klaus. With how many movies attempt to take over theaters around the holiday season, Klaus had the heart, humor, visual flair, and a unique story to tell within the saturated genre. It is becoming rare to get a new Christmas release that seems like a classic, but Klaus will very much be a film that fans come back to every year.
‘The Two Popes’ (2019)
The Two Popes presents a dramatization of the conversation between Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins) and Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) during a time when the church was facing controversies and questions about its leadership. These conversations ranged from confrontational to surprisingly humorous, highlighting a deep exploration of theology and the future of the Catholic Church before Pope Benedict’s unprecedented resignation and Francis’s reluctant acceptance of the papacy.
An Award Contender Comes From Streaming
With five BAFTA nominations, four Golden Globe nominations, and three Oscar nominations, The Two Popes became one of Netflix’s most critically acclaimed and industry-recognized originals to date. The movie is simplistic in execution, and it may not have been a global theatrical draw. However, with how many movies are made with limited runs and the goal to get those nods come award season, The Two Popes arguably got even more attention on Netflix than it would have in the ‘usual route’ to award season.
‘The Old Guard’ (2020)
The Old Guard followed a team of immortal fighters led by Andromache of Scythia, simply “Andy,” played by Charlize Theron, who all have the same restorative abilities. The group accepts a mission in South Sudan, not realizing it is a setup that also puts them in the path of a corrupt pharmaceutical mogul who wants to harness their ability. At the same time, a new immortal is discovered in a young Marine named Nile (Kiki Layne), who soon becomes an integral member of the team as they face a series of threats.
A Clever Entry Within the Saturated Superhero Genre
While the follow-up to The Old Guard would be met with a collective sigh, the first film offered an exciting entry into the superhero genre that would have been worthy of theaters. With superhero fatigue feeling all too real, the film’s ability to exist outside a greater universe and favoring emotional depth and character exploration over spectacle could have helped make the superhero blockbuster seem less repetitive and reliant on established properties. Moreover, with many audiences craving more maturity in the genre, The Old Guard offered a somewhat darker edge, not shying away from the toll of a long life.
‘Shadow Strays’ (2025)
A 17-year-old assassin known only as 13 has a moment of hesitation at a recent job, causing the organization that raised her to put her on hold. It is during this time that she befriends a young boy after he loses his mother in a violent altercation with her boyfriend, who happens to be an affluent gang member. When the kid tries to get revenge for himself, he becomes captured, and 13 decides to break protocol and fight the men who abducted him.
Explosive Action That Surpasses Most Hollywood Offerings
One of the great things about streaming is how it has opened up international cinema to a broader audience, with the action genre, in particular, being able to show off how other countries tackle it. Now revered as one of the best action directors working today, Timo Tjahjanto’s films would thrive at the box office if it were not for studio hesitation to place foreign films in theaters. Explosive action at its best, Shadow Starys is a non-stop thrill ride from start to finish that easily surpasses many other Hollywood offerings in both style and spectacle.
‘Roma’ (2018)
Set in Mexico City in the early 1970s, Roma follows Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a live-in domestic worker, who faces a series of life-altering events while trying to attend to her job. Set against a backdrop of political and social turmoil, the movie offers a portrait of Mexico’s working class in the ’70s, balancing unique circumstances with universal struggles.
The First Film To Show Netflix Could Capture the Same Prestige as a Theatrical Film
Visually gorgeous, socially conscious, and a profound portrait of one woman’s struggles, Roma resonated deeply with both audiences and critics. Whereas The Two Popes cemented Netflix as being able to produce Oscar-quality content, Roma was the film that first showed this potential, with the movie earning an astonishing 10 Oscar nominations and tearing down the divide between theatrical and streaming. Aside from critical praise, the movie’s poignant and beautiful exploration of family trauma set against a tumultuous Mexico would have certainly deserved a big theatrical run.
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ (2022)
A German-language adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s 1928 novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, follows 17-year-old Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer), who enlists for WWI after being caught up in patriotic fervor. Yet, upon reaching the front lines, Paul and his comrades come face-to-face with the real horrors of war. Focusing on the final days, Paul’s experiences remain in sharp contrast to the voices of those above him in framing the war.
Life in the Trenches of World War I
An unflinching portrayal of war, director Edward Berger aimed for authenticity in capturing the intensity, bravery, and fears of soldiers on the battlefield. Cinematography, sound design, and performances were all perfectly constructed to immerse viewers in the grim reality of life in the trenches. Here, visual prowess and refinement were easily on par, and better, than many Hollywood outings.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ (2025)
The hugely popular K-pop girl group Huntr/x hides their sacred duty of protecting the earth from demonic forces from their adoring fans. Yet, with an upcoming catastrophic event and the appearance of a rival band, Saja Boys, who are hiding their demonic visages and plan, the group is about to face its greatest challenge.
A Cultural Phenomenon That Proved Its Theatrical Prowess After Streaming
What may go down as one of the biggest blunders in oversight, Sony sold the rights to KPop Demon Hunters to Netflix, giving them what is going to be one of the largest cinematic properties of the 2020s. That is what happens when old executives try to predict what will resonate with kids. With a perfect blend of action, comedy, and the sleek aesthetic of the popular music sub-genre, the movie is not just all hype. The animated feature that has proven it can kill it in theaters, receiving special sing-along releases after its record-breaking run on Netflix.
Release Date
June 20, 2025
Runtime
96 minutes
Director
Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang
Writers
Hannah McMechan, Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang, Danya Jimenez
Producers
Aron Warner
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