25 Best Netflix Drama Movies: Full List
Anyone who likes to watch things online is always looking for directions. With that in mind, we created several articles to fulfill this function, such as most popular series on Netflix, the best Netflix series and the best animes of 2019. Now, we’ve written the nominations for the best Netflix drama movies!
If you want to find out what they are, read on and check out synopses and links for each one!
1. History of a Wedding
If you like watching movies, you need to know Story of a Wedding, one of the best Netflix movies in 2019 that is written, directed and produced by Noah Baumbach and featuring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver in the main roles.
It follows the story of a couple in a separation process, who reach this decision after many problems. It shows how painful it can be for everyone involved. Check the link right now!
2. With love, Van Gogh
This film is a biographical experimental animation released in 2017, about the life of the famous painter Vincent van Gogh. It is written and directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, in a Polish and English collaboration.
It focuses mainly on the circumstances of the painter's death. It is the first fully painted animated film. To watch this innovative work, follow the link to Netflix, one of the best sites to see movies and series.
3. The Movie of My Life
The Film of My Life is the first of Brazilians on our list of the best Netflix drama films. It mixes drama, romance and comedy and is directed by Selton Mello.
Follows Tony, a young man who after graduating decides to return to his hometown of Remanso and discovers that his father returned to France without telling anyone. Show your new life in this city. Check it out through the link!
4. Okja
One of the excellent Netflix original films, Okja is of South Korean origin and competed for several awards, with actors such as Tilda Swinton and Byun Hee-bong in the cast.
Here is a little girl, Mija, who creates a super sow, Okja, who is genetically modified. However, the sow is taken away and the girl must go on a mission to rescue her. Follow the link to watch!
5. Aquarius
Another excellent Brazilian film on our list is Aquarius, written and directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and with Sonia Braga in the main role, having raised many political controversies when he left.
Follows Clara, the last resident of the Aquarius building who refuses to sell her apartment to a company that intends to replace that building with a new one. Check it out on Netflix, which has one of the best apps for watching movies and series.
6. Manchester by the Sea
A 2016 American film, written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea features Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, and Lucas Hedges in the cast.
There follows a man, Lee Chandler, who has just suffered the loss of his brother. After that, he moves from Manchester, but, years later, is forced to return. Watch it now on Netflix!
7. Lion – A Journey Home
Lion – A Journey Home is an Australian biopic directed by Garth Davis and written by Luke Davies.
Follows the young Saroo, who is one of 80,000 Indian children who disappear annually. He is adopted by an Australian couple and, 25 years later, tries to reunite his family in India. To see the film, click here and go to Netflix.
8. Secret Memories
Another of the best Netflix drama films is Secret Memories, written by Benjamin August and directed by Atom Egoyan. It is a Canadian and German co-production.
It follows a holocaust survivor with dementia who decides to kill a Nazi war criminal, with the help of a surviving companion. Follow the link to Netflix!
9. Atlantique
A French film, Atlantique is a supernatural romantic drama directed by Mati Diop. She competed for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes festival in 2019. The director was the first black woman to direct a film that competed at that festival.
It follows a young woman, Ada, and her partner, Souleiman, who are struggling with difficulties in finding jobs, class problems, migration, crimes, family problems and ghosts. To watch on Netflix, one of the best streaming services, follow the link.
10. Invincible
A 2014 American war film, produced and directed by Angelina Jolie and written by the Coen brothers, Richard LaGravenese and William Nicholson.
It follows the real story of the athlete Louis Zamperini who suffered a plane crash during World War II and fell into the sea with two companions. The three were captured and tortured for two years. Watch it now on Netflix!
11. The Theory of Everything
The Theory of Everything is a 2014 biographical romance film, directed by James Marsh. It features Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones in the cast.
It follows the life of Stephen Hawking, a British astrophysicist responsible for numerous discoveries and theories of more recent times. It also shows his relationship with Jane Wilde. If you want to check it out, click on the link.
12. Indomitable Genius
Untamed Genius is an American film directed by Gus Van Sant that features Robin Williams, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in the cast.
It follows a 20-year-old Will Hunting, an unknown genius who is in therapy after attacking a police officer and studying advanced mathematics with a renowned professor. Through therapy, he reevaluates all his personal relationships and with himself. To see this classic, follow the link!
13. Severity
Another of the best Netflix drama films is Gravidade, written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón. It has Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.
It follows two American astronauts who are trapped in space after the accidental destruction of their ship. It shows his countless attempts to return alive to Earth. Watch through the link on Netflix, one of the best streaming services!
14. The Breadwinner
Who likes to watch movies and series online you need to know this Cartoon Saloon animation, directed by Nora Twomey and produced by Mimi Polk Gitlin and Angelina Jolie.
It tells the story of Parvana, an 11-year-old young girl from Afghanistan, who is under Taliban control. Her father goes to prison, and she disguises herself as a boy in order to support the family. Watch now through the link!
15. The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is also one of the best Netflix movies to watch on weekends, based on a book of the same name. It was written and directed by Baz Luhrmann and features Leonardo DiCaprio in the cast.
Follow the life of millionaire Jay Gatsby and his neighbor, Nick Carraway, who recounts his encounter with Gatsby at the height of the 1920s on Long Island. To see, click on the link!
16. 12 Years of Slavery
12 Years of Slavery is a biographical film from 2013 and an adaptation of the book of the same name, by Solomon Northup. It is directed by Steve McQueen and features Chiwetel Ejiofor in the lead role.
Follow the life of Solomon, a free black man who lives in New York with his family. However, he is deceived, kidnapped and enslaved by merchants in 1841. Check it out through the link!
17. Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre is one of the best Netflix drama films, being a romance film released in 2011, directed by Cary Fukunaga and featuring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender in the cast.
It takes place in Victorian England and follows the story of orphan Jane Eyre, who decides to become a governess at the Thornfield Hall mansion. Over time, he falls in love with his boss. To watch, head to Netflix, one of the best streaming services!
18. Loving – A Love Story
Another biographical romance film, Loving was directed and written by Jeff Nichols and features Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton in the cast.
It follows the story of Richard and Milfred Loving, the couple who fought against laws that prohibited interracial marriages in their state. Check out this great movie on Netflix right now!
19. Ray
Ray is an American biographical film that focuses on R&B musician Ray Charles. It was independently written, produced and directed by Taylor Hackford. It features Jamie Foxx in the lead role, which earned him an Oscar.
Follow the life of Ray, raised in a plantation in northern Florida and going blind at age seven. He discovers his gift as a pianist and singer and makes that his career. Find out more about his life through the link!
20. First They Killed My Father
First Killed My Father is a 2017 Cambodian biographical and historical film, directed by Angelina Jolie and written by her with Loung Ung, based on Ung's memoir.
It takes place in 1975 and follows Ung at the age of 5, who needs to be trained as a soldier while his brothers are sent to forced labor camps. Check it out on Netflix.
21. A Man Among Giants
Directed and written by Peter Landesman, Um Homem entre Gigantes was released in 2015. It features Will Smith in the main role.
Follows Dr. Bennet Omalu who fights against the National Football League, which is trying to silence his research on brain damage suffered by sports professionals. See the movie by clicking here!
22. Coach Carter – Training for Life
Coach Carter is also among the best Netflix drama films, directed by Thomas Carter and Samuel L. Jackson in the lead role.
Following is a basketball coach who decided to cancel classes because students are behaving badly and having poor results in class. To see him, follow the link!
23. The Minimum to Live
Written and directed by Marti Noxon, The Minimum to Live is a film released in 2017 that features names like Lily Collins, Keanu Reeves and Carrie Preston in the cast.
Here is the story of a young 20 year old girl suffering from anorexia, showing her battles with the disorder. See it right now through the link!
24. Frida
Frida is a 2002 biographical film directed by Julie Taymor. She has Salma Hayek in the main role and Alfred Molina as her husband.
It follows the life of one of the greatest icons today, Frida Kahlo, showing all her sufferings during her life and how she channeled them into her art. The performances are extremely captivating. To check, follow the link.
25. Girl, interrupted
The last of the films on our list is Girl, Interrupted, a psychological drama released in 1999 based on a memoir by Susanna Kaysen about her stay in a psychiatric clinic in 1967. It is directed by James Mangold and features Winona Ryder in the lead role.
Follows Kaysen, a young woman who, after a consultation with her psychiatrist, is diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and sent to a psychiatric hospital. It shows his hospitalization that lasts two years, with all the problems involved. Watch this excellent film by clicking here!
So, what did you think of our list of the best Netflix drama movies?
Leave in the comments your opinions about them, saying if you already knew the films we include and if you like them. Also, tell us if we help you find what to watch and don't forget to check the Netflix westerns movies, the Netflix spy movies and the best documentaries from Netflix!