This list is updated monthly to reflect recent availability and to showcase films currently streaming on Netflix, whether talking classics or modern gems. Netflix offers roughly a gazillion different movies available through its streaming platform — well, approximately a gazillion. However, while the landmark service might become surprisingly accurate with its suggestions once you've been using it for a while, it's still often tough to find something worth watching amid the trove of terrible choices.That being the case, we've taken the time to wade through the ridiculous amount of content in order to bring you a list of some of the best films currently available on Netflix Instant. Planning your weekend has never been easier. Related: Here's what's new on Netflix in December, and what's going away Choose a genre: Recent Additions Documentaries Comedies Dramas Thrillers & Action Adventure Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy Kids Horror Romance New for December 2015 A League of Their Own Please enable Javascript to watch this video Centered around the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the comedy-drama that is A League of their Own follows two small-town sisters from rural Oregon who join an all-female baseball team during the height of World War II. The film stars the likes of Geena Davis and Madonna, but it's a titular Tom Hanks and young Rosie O'Donnell that make the film well worth the watch. The Library of Congress even selected the title for preservation given its historical significance, though, it's unclear if this was merely due to its oh-so-sweet charm or the way the film functions as an early — and possibly, the best — example of how women's liberation fell into the traditional confines of professional baseball within the states. Your guess is as good as mine. Ray Please enable Javascript to watch this video Ray Charles was an endearing figure in the realm of R&B, if not the music industry as a whole, especially in the two decades following WWII. Jamie Foxx's award-winning performance captures that charisma and passion in Ray like few others who've portrayed pop idols have done in the past, delivering it with the fervor and eccentricity of man who's was as manic as he was talented. The literal-minded biopic sheds a light on his drug addiction and promiscuous ways, yes, but it also showcases his qualities with a deft honesty (for better or worse). The music covers everything from his gospel roots and his later foray into country, and if you thought Tom Hanks could lip-sync like no other, wait until you get a glimpse of Foxx's inaudible delivery behind the piano. Tangerine Please enable Javascript to watch this video Shot entirely using just three iPhone 5s smartphones, Sean Baker's Tangerine is a stylish and captivating tale of love, loss, and betrayal. Set in present day Los Angeles, the film concerns a prostitute named Sin-Dee Rella (played by transgender actress Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) who travels the streets of the City of Angels on Christmas Eve in search of her pimp boyfriend Chester. After learning Chester (played by The Wire alum James Ransone) cheated on her while she was in jail, Sin-Dee tears through the streets of Los Angeles in hopes of confronting him and his new girlfriend. Rodriguez's turn as Sin-Dee is as delightful and charming as it is sassy, leading many to call performance one of cinema's best in 2015. The Best Offer Please enable Javascript to watch this video Starring Geoffrey Rush, The Best Offer tells the story of an eccentric older man who's made a name for himself as an avid art collector. Respected the world over, Virgil Oldman's (Rush) knack for art nets him an opportunity to help a young heiress auction off her parent's rather large collection of antiques and artwork. Over time, Oldman develops an attraction to the heiress despite the fact she rarely meets him in person and often belittles him when she does. The heart wants what the heart wants, so Oldman continues his pursuit. A rather odd love story chock full of artistic mystery, The Best Offer is peak Geoffrey Rush. Rocky Please enable Javascript to watch this video In a nutshell, Rocky is a rag-to-riches story of the highest caliber. Starring and written by Sylvester Stallone, the film follows a Philadelphia debt collector and his one crack at the world heavyweight championship and the undisputed Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). It's often overlooked as overly predictable and pure schmaltz, but Stallone's performance is a knockout — pun not intended — drawing on the career of at least three real boxers and showcasing a guy who'd quickly become a tour de force in action films. It also lacks the complex twists and motifs that often work to dress up straightforward narratives, leaving you with nothing more than an emotional underdog story that doesn't try to pretend to be anything it's not. Joe Frazier does make an appearance though, which ought to count for something. The Warriors Please enable Javascript to watch this video It's funny how often critics pan films upon release, only to retract their statements down the line after a second look. The Warriors , Walter Hill's violent film based on Sol Yurick's 1965 novel of the same name, is one such example. It's a violent, futuristic tale concerned with a Coney Island street gang who makes the trek home after being wrongly accused of killing a rival gang leader. The dialogue might come off as stiff and a bit banel — perhaps because it is — but Hill's stylistic and bleak vision of the mean streets of New York isn't as filthy as the grimy setting initially lets on. The labyrinth of set pieces and slow-motion shots are exceptional, as is the choreography, all of which beautifully lend themselves to film with an unexpected sense of humanity. Can you dig it? Stations of the Cross Please enable Javascript to watch this video At its core, Stations of the Cross is a heavy expose on unwavering, religious fundamentalism. It tells the story of 14-year-old Maria (Lea van Acken) through a series of 14 individual shots meant to represent the 14 stations of the title cross, each of which showcases the lengths to which the devout Catholic will go in order to serve God when she should be addressing her own well being. Many of the scenes are static and almost parallel the framing of da Vinci's The Last Supper , and while the film might be depressing when taken in chunks, it does a remarkable job humanizing and understanding a plight that's often a result of a strict doctrine. Fortunately for German director Dietrich Brüggemann, Acken delivers a performance nearly as strong as her character's vindication. A Clockwork Orange Please enable Javascript to watch this video Stanley Kubrick's 1971 opus A Clockwork Orange is many things. On the surface, this dystopian science fiction drama concerns the actions of Alex DeLarge, a sociopath with a strange affection for classical music and "ultra-violence." Between the lines, the film takes a hard look at the boundaries of someone's free-will and whether aversion or condition-reflex therapy is a sensible solution for those deemed immoral. Over the course of the roughly 2-hour film, DeLarge and his droogs (Russian for friend or buddy) embark on a harrowing spree of crime and mischief, culminating with DeLarge's capture and supposed rehabilitation. Not for the faint of heart, A Clockwork Orange is horrifically brilliant cinematic experience. Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection Please enable Javascript to watch this video Everyone knows Disney has a knack for storytelling, but unless you've seen one of the shorts that accompany the studio's feature-length films in theaters, you might not know just how quickly Disney can tell those stories. This short film collection rounds up 12 of the more recent standouts, including those shown before Frozen and Big Hero 6 , thus providing 12 tales that vary greatly in both style and substance. Some, such as The Little Matchgirl and the feline-centric Lorenzo , were originally meant to be packaged with a third Fantasia film, while shorts such as the Oscar-winning Paperman stand on their own. The animation is superbly designed and executed either way, and rehashes everything from cold-stricken birthday parties to the black-and-white portraits of love in the late-1940s. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil Please enable Javascript to watch this video The premise behind Tucker and Dale vs. Evil revolves around a simple misunderstanding. A gang of college undergrads on a weekend getaway mistake two backwoods rednecks, aka actors Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine, for psychotic killers after the duo saves a young girl who falls in the water and gets knocked unconscious. The ensuing comedic ride is a one-trick pony, yet, it's also one lined with a stream of upended cliches that are equally funny and horrific. The slapstick violence and solid performances, particularly from Tudyk and Labine, also imbue the Canadian flick with an air of uniqueness in an otherwise tepid field… even before one of the kids accidentally jumps in the wood chipper and the bodies start to pile up. The Fly Please enable Javascript to watch this video While David Cronenberg's 1986 remake of The Fly is great in its own right, the 1958 original version is a horror staple. Chock full of retro effects and vintage blood curdling screams, The Fly centers on a recently widowed spouse and an experiment gone terribly wrong. After scientist Andre Delambre builds a controversial teleportation machine, he accidentally swaps parts of his body with a fly passing by the machine. Now his head and arm resemble that of a fly while the fly packs Andre's human head and arm. As strange as it sounds, The Fly is classic horror at its finest and a must-watch for any fan of old-fashioned scares. Anna Karenina Please enable Javascript to watch this video Despite its age, Russian author Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina remains a pinnacle of realist fiction. The latest adaptation of the book is set in a world of over-the-top theatrics and design, one in which a 19th-century Russian aristocrat (Keira Knightley) enters a forbidden love affair with a well-heeled cavalry officer (Aaron Johnson). The way the scenes unfold amid auditoriums and changing set pieces allows the film to essentially function like a musical, sans the music, better drawing your attention to the on-screen performances. The bold approach ultimately sacrifices the novel's underlying poignancy for overarching sense of creative pizzazz, which frankly, makes it far more enticing to look at than the previous two adaptations of the film. And Knightley's superb performance just goes to show how much she's matured since her days upon the Black Pearl . Next Page: Documentaries Choose a genre: Recent Additions Documentaries Comedies Dramas Thrillers & Action Adventure Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy Kids Horror Romance Documentaries Blackfish Please enable Javascript to watch this video See the film that is causing some major waves — pun intended — for Sea World. Featuring interviews from former trainers spliced with live video footage of killer whales in the wild and captivity, Blackfish examines if it's truly safe for humans to house the enormous creatures in captivity. The film showcases the horrid living conditions the captive whales are exposed to, along with the deaths of multiple trainers. Prepare to have your memories of Free Willy shattered in 123 minutes. Somm Please enable Javascript to watch this video Regardless of whether or not you enjoy wine, Somm is a heart-wrenching story about four men trying to pass the hardest test in the world of wine: the Master Sommelier exam, which only 214 people in the world have passed. You will be hooked watching the four men study all night to prepare for the most important test of their life, memorizing arcane wine facts pertaining to wine regions and methods. You may not be able to distinguish an oaky wine from one showcasing hints of grapefruit, but they do. Muscle Shoals Please enable Javascript to watch this video Muscle Shoals' Fame Studios is a legendary institution for many reasons. The fabled studio, which initially opened in 1969, has served as the home of everyone from Boz Scaggz and Aretha Franklin to the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon, with newer acts such as the Black Keys and Band of Horses rounding out its fourth decade of existence. Fittingly, Muscle Shoals chronicles the studio's unexpected rise to fame, along with the key cast of players that defined the funky, soulful undercurrents and undeniable grooves with which the studio became synonymous. Jiro Dreams of Sushi Please enable Javascript to watch this video You'll never look at the California Roll the same way again after watching this fascinating documentary about one of the best sushi chefs in the world. Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old legend in Tokyo, charges $300 a plate at his small restaurant. The film follows his never-ending quest to perfect the art of sushi, while profiling his two sons along the way, the latter of which is poised to succeed Jiro and carry on the family tradition at the renowned restaurant (Sukiyabashi Jiro). Iris Please enable Javascript to watch this video Albert Maysles' penultimate film is a fitting portrait of a fashion icon who, surprisingly, still remains at the top of her game despite her old age. The 93-year-old subject is Iris Apfel, one of the most renowned fashionistas and interior designers to have ever trotted the globe. Maysles' film depicts the stages of her life through a series of interviews, many of which contribute to a film that functions as both an ode to individual uniqueness and an intimate look into a marriage more than 65 years in the making. Apfel's life (and home) might be cluttered, but it's chock-full of charming insight more than anything else. Fed Up Please enable Javascript to watch this video Fed Up is the Inconvenient Truth of the health movement. Stephanie Soechtig's praised documentary looks to expose the underlying causes of childhood obesity, primarily with a focus on the effects of dietary sugars. It's a thorough examination — if not a scary one — of what's becoming one of the most serious medical issues in the United States, one featuring eye-opening statistics and a host of talking heads that outline our unregulated addiction to unhealthy foods. The film is a good deal to digest at times (pun intended), but the plainspoken interviews with obese teens are probably enough to make you pass on your next Snickers. Alive Inside Please enable Javascript to watch this video Michael Rossato-Bennett's documentary about using music to combat the effects of Alzheimer's and dementia is an astonishingly moving piece of filmmaking. Viewers follow Dan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, as he struggles with America's failing health care system while attempting to show music's incredible power over those suffering memory loss. Each scene showing an Alzheimer's patient "awaken" after being played music from their past is as visceral an experience as you'll find in any movie. Maidentrip Please enable Javascript to watch this video Circumnavigating the globe alone is no small feat for anyone — especially a 14-year-old Dutch schoolgirl. However, Laura Dekker did just that in 2010, departing from Gibralter and sailing the world for two years using a 38-foot refurbished ketch named Guppy. She filmed the bulk of her trip using a Sony Handy Came, whether talking her onshore romps in the Pearl Islands to her harrowing encounters at sea, essentially documenting a modern coming-of-age tale that revels more so in loneliness than social media and an acute fascination with boys. Thank God. The Wrecking Crew Please enable Javascript to watch this video You've likely heard the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" and the Ronettes' "Be My Baby," but you probably never knew that neither band played the instruments on either track. The Wrecking Crew chronicles the collective of L.A.-based studios musicians that did, though, while emphasizing just how integral the rotating cast of players were to some of the most iconic sounds of the '60s. The nostalgia-seeped documentary — which is profiled by Denny Tedesco, a filmmaker who's late father was a guitarist in the band — is essentially an ode to these lauded, under-appreciated player that lacks conflict but shines with candid interviews. Honor Flight Please enable Javascript to watch this video Honor Flight is truly a film about volunteers and veterans. The feature-length tribute chronicles a band of Midwest volunteers who tirelessly work around the clock to send every local World War II veteran to Washington D.C., so they can look upon the memorials built in their honor. It's an emotional documentary to say the least, filled with wide-ranging interviews that encompass both the war itself and the ensuing aftermath for a small slew of vets, many of whom are now in their late '80s or '90s. The film's premier in Milwaukee in 2012 even drew a crowd of more than 30,000 people, setting a Guinness World Record for movie premiere attendance. That alone makes it worth the watch. 1 80° South Please enable Javascript to watch this video Chris Malloy's 180° South is an adventure documentary in the most basic sense. The film revolves around surfer-mountaineer Jeff Johnson's journey retracing Patagonia founders Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins' epic 1968 trip to Patagonia, Chile. Questions of ecological conservation and wanderlust belie the footage of rock climbing and surfing, though, prompting you to reconsider our role on this planet amid a phenomenal Ugly Casanova-anchored soundtrack. What Happened, Miss Simone? Please enable Javascript to watch this video Nina Simone, though one of the most gifted performers of all time, was often a mess behind the scenes when she wasn't in front of them. The classically-trained pianist and jazz singer regularly suffered from bipolar episodes and bouts of depression throughout her career, while continuing to advocate for civil rights and equality for blacks. Liz Garbus' excellent documentary is a tough-love portrait of the late legend, one that culls from audio interviews, rare performance footage, and lost diary entries to create a thorough examination of her life and times. To be honest, it will make you wonder how she didn't burn out sooner. The Short Game Please enable Javascript to watch this video Ever seen the excellent, 2002 documentary Spellbound ? Well, The Short Game is kind of like that, though, it focuses on eight entrants in the 2012 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship and their overzealous parents instead of a national spelling bee in Washington D.C. Director Josh Greenbaum's inspiring film follows the young athletes — five of which are boys and three of which are girls — beginning six months prior to the competition, profiling their athletic drive and personal interests in equal measure. Some of the athletes hog more of the spotlight than others, such as tennis superstar Anna Kournikova's younger brother, but they all wind up participating in a competition that spurs both laughter and tears alike for the children and their parents. I guess some people just can't handle defeat. The Battered Bastards of Baseball Please enable Javascript to watch this video Baseball, and sports in general, should really be about the love of the game. Netflix's original documentary chronicles an independent professional baseball team in the early '70s that truly exemplified the spirit and camaraderie of one of America's greatest past times. It's a heartwarming and surprisingly-true film, one following a ragtag group of players in Portland, Ore., you wouldn't believe — including a blacklisted former Yankee pitcher and team owner's son, actor Kurt Russell. Long Way Round Please enable Javascript to watch this video TK COPY. Virunga Please enable Javascript to watch this video Conflict, like it or not, is often what makes a film what is. Virguna has a good deal of it, too, spanning everything from poaching and internal warfare to the looming threat of oil exploration. The heart-wrenching documentary follows four characters fighting to protect Virunga National Park, home of the last remaining sects of mountain gorillas, yet it does so with a keen environmental focus and attention to the region's complex political issues. It's exemplary in a multitude of ways, but none more so than the way it portrays the passion of all those involved in the conflict. Life Itself Please enable Javascript to watch this video Roger Ebert was the premiere American film critic before his death a mere two years ago. Drawn from his memoir, Life Itself chronicles his life from his earliest days at his school newspaper to his long-standing gig at the Chicago Sun-Times . It's composed of interviews taken with his family and peers — along with those carried out with iconic critic during his final days — as well as his numerous television appearances and clips from his popular show alongside Gene Siskel. There's a heavy focus on Ebert's final moments, which can be jarring and perhaps too revealing at times, but the film as a whole is awash with warm detail and affection. The Other One: The Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir Please enable Javascript to watch this video To Deadheads — and even many outside the Grateful Dead's cultish following — Bob Weir remains an unsung hero. As a longtime musician and the founding rhythm guitarist of the band, he spent decades on the road and recording swaths of both studio and live albums, effortlessly carving his signature sound into the throne of American music and paving the way for all jam bands to come. Netflix's moving documentary examines his modest upbringing, splicing contemporary interviews with the musician and his family alongside archival footage of his last days with the infamous Jerry Garcia and his long, strange trip into the realm of psychedelics. It's far out, sure, but worth a watch given his insightful take on Jerry's death and all that came prior. Man on Wire Please enable Javascript to watch this video On August 7, 1984, Frenchman Philippe Petit performed a tight-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, a quarter mile above the ground. The aptly-titled Man on Wire explores Petit's preparation and historic feat, using both actual and staged footage of the event and Petit's motley crew of accomplices. The preparation and stunt are enough to give someone without acrophobia an acute sense of vertigo, but the way the documentary seamlessly splices the two together renders it a unified statement of how ambition and passion can ultimately overshadow rational to glorious effect. After all, a 1,350-foot drop is just insane. Next Page: Comedies Choose a genre: Recent Additions Documentaries Comedies Dramas Thrillers & Action Adventure Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy Kids Horror Romance Comedies Chef Please enable Javascript to watch this video Jon Favreau may be best known for Swingers and his directorial efforts behind Iron Man , but the "back-to-the-basics" Chef is still poised to remain one of his most endearing films of all time. It revolves around failed restaurateur Carl Casper (Favreau), who decides to ditch Los Angeles and open a food truck in Miami near his ex-wife and son before toting it across the country. It's quirky and bitingly realistic at times — some say the new, quintesstntial date movie — with a stellar supporting cast that includes Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johannson, and others. Almost Famous Please enable Javascript to watch this video Almost Famous is essentially the story of director Cameron Crowe's early years. It chronicles William Miller (Patrick Fugit) as he sets out to cover the fictional band Stillwater in an effort to produce his first cover story for Rolling Stone — much like Crowe did while touring with the likes of Poco and Led Zeppelin during their heyday. Sure, it bombed at the box office, but it's excellent casting and honest, offbeat scenes make it more than a movie about friendship and unbridled love. Election Please enable Javascript to watch this video Believe it or not, Matthew Broderick shined in more than just one film. Election is a prime example, encompassing a high-school election in which he — a popular history professor — attempts to bolster a football player's chances of winning the student council presidency against sociopath Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon). The smart film is a bitter satire of the American electoral process and high school in general, with standout performances from everyone involved. Still, as Tammy Metzler (Jessica Campbell) might say, "Who cares about this stupid election?" Good point. Mean Girls Please enable Javascript to watch this video There's no finer take on high school social cliques than Tina Fey's Mean Girls . The cult classic stars Lindsey Lohan as Cady Heron, a 16-year-old girl who is forced to attend public school once her family returns from a decade-long research trip in Africa. Lohan joins the school's most exclusive outfit, but soon finds herself grappling with psychological status warfare when she falls in love with Aaron Samuels. It showcase girl-on-girl cattiness at its best (and most maniacal). Ferris Bueller's Day Off Please enable Javascript to watch this video Any self-respecting movie buff has seen this movie more times than they can count, but we just couldn't leave it off the list. The plot follows protagonist Ferris Bueller, who convinces his entire school that death is knocking at his door, then hits the streets of Chicago with his girlfriend and best friend for a day of complete and utter debauchery. It's a warm-hearted comedy about innocence and growing up, chock full of Chicago landmarks and unforgettable scenes. Oh, yeaaaaah. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Please enable Javascript to watch this video Although Stephen Herek's classic film only achieved modest box office success, the charming and goofy remains a mainstay among cult fanatics. The plot revolves around two underachieving high school students, Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves), who are destined to flunk their history class unless they ace their year-end presentation. The two travel back back in time via a time machine disguised as phone booth, meeting the likes of Socrates and Billy the Kid in the process. Legally Blonde Please enable Javascript to watch this video While you could read Amanda Brown's novel on which Legally Blonde is based, or the mediocre musical for that matter, MGM's sleeper hit of 2013 is far more entertaining. The featherweight comedy stars Reese Witherspoon as a ditzy, former sorority girl who attempts to win back her ex-boyfriend (Matthew Davis) with a law degree from Harvard. Witherspoon is more animated and witty in the film than she's ever been since, especially alongside co-stars like Luke Wilson and Selma Blair, offering up plenty of fashion advice, spa-centric one liners, and sound defense during the film's pivotal trial scene at the end. Sadly, the sequel doesn't exactly carry the same weight. The Addams Family Please enable Javascript to watch this video In our day and age, no series or sitcom is safe from becoming a potential revival. The Addams Family is no exception, even if it is a feature-length film instead of a modern rehashing of the popular TV show from the mid-1960s. The film's dreary atmosphere and punchy one-liners take a cue from Charles Addams' cartoon of the same name, acting as a droll canvas on which director Barry Sonnenfeld, aka the Coen brothers' former cinematographer, fleshes out the story of Morticia (Anjelica Huston), Gomez (Raúl Juliá), and the entire Addams crew. The dry humor and Sonnenfeld's ace visual work capture the deadpan spirit of Addams' original work with splendor and wit, while the nightmarish gags and Huston's scene-stealing delivery further solidify it as a cult classic. Zoolander Please enable Javascript to watch this video Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Christine Taylor, Will Ferrell, and Jerry Stiller all start in the star-studded film about a dimwitted male model who finds a iconic fashion mogul to be behind an assassination plot to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The film is saturated with notable cameos from everyone from David Bowie to Donald Trump, with memorable one liners — i.e. "Hansel, so hot right now" — that perfectly compliment the cast and the film's take on fashion. Kung Fury Please enable Javascript to watch this video The 31-minute spectacle that is Kung Fury is a testament to what can be done with a touch of nostalgia, a few special effects, and more than $650,000 in backing. The short film began as the Kickstarter project of one David Sandberg, a Swedish music video director and special effects whiz, before coming to fruition and YouTube in mid-2015. The premise itself — which revolves around a Miami detective who travels back in time in order to assassinate Hitler and overthrow the Nazi regime — is as ridiculous as the over-the-top martial arts sequences, all of which benefit from the use of dinosaurs, vikings, ninjas, and leather-wielding David Hasselhoff. It's an action-packed homage to the prolific cop genre from the '80s, and though void of taste, it's better off because of it. Hot Fuzz Please enable Javascript to watch this video Hot Fuzz is basically actor-writer Simon Pegg's shot at the buddy cop genre, though, one spliced with same comedic elements that made Shaun of the Dead so amusing in the first place. Pegg stars as a former London constable in the film, who's assigned to investigate the sleepy town of Sanford alongside the dimwitted Butterman (Nick Frost). However, things start to become interesting following a string of so-called "accidents" plaguing various members of the town. The biting, British film is the second in director Edgar Wright's Cornetto trilogy, which ultimately culminates with The World's End and capitalizes on the fantastic interplay between Pegg and Frost. Moonrise Kingdom Please enable Javascript to watch this video Few directors, writers, or producers showcase a visual or narrative style as distinct as Wes Anderson. The whimsical Moonrise Kingdom is one of the best to date, too, one that tells the escapade of a young boy scout (Jared Gilman) and a bookish girl (Kara Hayward) who decide to run away together in an effort to temporarily escape their lives, and more so, their parental figures surrounding them. A beautiful, subdued palette makes the oddity of a film a joy to watch, while a tremendous supporting cast — including Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Bruce Willis, and others — helps capture an eccentric summer filled with affairs, beachside portraits, and khaki's. Clueless Please enable Javascript to watch this video Another cult classic in the Mean Girls vein, Clueless adapts Jane Austin's 1815 novel, Emma , and turns it on its head with a modern twist. It follows the wealthy and winsome Cher (Alicia Silverstone), a Beverly Hills high school student who sets out to unite two teachers and then popularize new student, Tai Frasier (Brittany Murphy). The lighthearted film spurred a book series, but much like the TV series of the same name, it wasn't quite the sleeper hit the original film was. Wet Hot American Summer Please enable Javascript to watch this video David Wain's Wet Hot American Summer was, by all accounts, a complete flop when it hit theaters in 2001. It's garnered a commendable cult following in the years since, though, and even recently received additional backing from Netflix in the form of an eight-episode prequel debuting sometime this year. The raucous, satirical comedy chronicles the final day at the fictional Camp Firewood, one filled with lust, loose lips, and one of the most ludicrous talent shows to ever hit the state of Maine. It also stars a who's who cast of actors and actresses — Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Michael Ian Black, Elizabeth Banks, Ken Marino etc. — many of which went on to topple television ratings and the modern standup circuit as we know it. A League of Their Own Please enable Javascript to watch this video Centered around the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the comedy-drama that is A League of their Own follows two small-town sisters from rural Oregon who join an all-female baseball team during the height of World War II. The film stars the likes of Geena Davis and Madonna, but it's a titular Tom Hanks and young Rosie O'Donnell that make the film well worth the watch. The Library of Congress even selected the title for preservation given its historical significance, though, it's unclear if this was merely due to its oh-so-sweet charm or the way the film functions as an early — and possibly, the best — example of how women's liberation fell into the traditional confines of professional baseball within the states. Your guess is as good as mine. In Bruges Please enable Javascript to watch this video Ripe with dark humor and showcasing Colin Farrell in what might be his only film worth watching, In Bruges remains a British-American drama of the highest caliber. Though the oddball film features a gloomy premise that revolves around two hit men who must lay low at a bed-and-breakfast in Belgium until their boss contacts them, it finds an incredible amount of humor in its witty and sharply-written script. Farrell is stupendous, too, whether portraying an offhanded killer or a fumbling lover that's as nervous as a 13-year-old boy fresh out of middle school. Next Page: Dramas Dramas Choose a genre: Recent Additions Documentaries Comedies Dramas Thrillers & Action Adventure Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy Kids Horror Romance Django Unchained Please enable Javascript to watch this video Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained is a brilliant, though jarringly violent and stylistic, take on slavery in the 1800s. It follows a German bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz) and a freed slave named Django (Jamie Foxx) as they set out to free Django's wife from a sadistic plantation owner (Leonardo DiCaprio). The linear western is undeniably brazen, with heavy use of vulgarity and racial slurs, but it's still a sensational satire — so long as you can overlook a few historical inaccuracies and stomach the atrociousness of the gladiator-like Mandingo scene. Rosewater Please enable Javascript to watch this video Not everyone thought comedian and satirical news anchor John Stewart would leave behind his primetime charades to direct a film, especially one as dramatic and heavy-hitting as Rosewater . The turbulent film, which is based on Maziar Bahari's memoir ( Then They Came for Me ), recounts a London-based journalist who is imprisoned, tortured, and interrogated in Iran for nearly four months as an alleged U.S. spy. Stewart seamlessly captures the overwhelming tension of the whole ordeal alongside lead actor Gael García Bernal, and moreover, does so while shedding light on political absurdities of it all and upholding the utmost respect for the Iranian people. Beasts of No Nation Please enable Javascript to watch this video The inevitable release of Beasts of No Nation was a long time coming. The Netflix-distributed film, the streaming service's first, simultaneously premiered on the service and in limited releases throughout the globe to widespread critical acclaim in October. Lauded director Cary Joji Fukunaga penned and shot the entire feature, which traces the harrowing life of a child soldier (Abraham Attah) who falls in line with a group of mercenaries and their larger-than-life commandant (Idris Elba). The latter actor is a powerhouse, both terrifying and charismatic, while the rest of the film tackles the brutal atrocities of war with just the right amount of impact and implication. It's certainly not an easy watch given the film's more bold and bloody moments, yet, why should it be given the nature of its content? August : Osage County Please enable Javascript to watch this video August: Osage County is a brilliant play, and in turn, August: Osage County makes for a brilliant film. The film and play both center on a dysfunctional family, three sisters in particular, who return to their childhood home in Oklahoma following the disappearance of their father. The A-list cast features everyone from Julia Roberts and Benedict Cumberbatch to Ewan McGregor and Meryl Streep, all of whom spend the majority of the film quarreling with one another over matters of incest, mistaken paternity, adultery, and a laundry list of grudges rooted within their childhood upbringing and their current state of affairs. The black comedy is ripe with dark humor and theatrical setpieces, not to mention scathing dialogue that will make your annual family outings seem tame. City of God Please enable Javascript to watch this video Although the 2014 World Cup may have depicted otherwise, Rio de Janeiro isn't the most hospitable of places. Adapted from author Paulo Lins' semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, City of God follows a young boy named Rocket as he attempts to skirt the drugs, gang violence, and crime plaguing the Brazilian slums he calls home for three decades. It's both breathtaking and terrifying, with excellent character development, camerawork, and authenticity. The Hurt Locker Please enable Javascript to watch this video Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker may be the lowest-grossing film to have ever won Best Picture, but it's still one of the best dramatizations of the Iraq War to date. The gripping drama follows a three-man, Explosive Ordinance Disposal team in the war-torn country tasked with eradicating bombs during the height of the Iraq War. It received quite a bit of flack for inaccurately portraying certain aspects of wartime, yet the brilliant film's suspenseful action and steely atmosphere render it more than simply a movie about mindless explosions and special effects. It's also the undisputed highlight of Jeremy Renner's career thus far, showcasing a confidence and charisma most people never thought he possessed. Lee Daniel's The Butler Please enable Javascript to watch this video Director Lee Daniels has been on a roll as of late, first with Precious and again with the acclaimed Empire . With The Butler, he helped hone a melodramatic tale regarding a White House butler who served under eight U.S. presidents during his 34-year career. The understated Forest Whitaker shines as butler Cecil Gaines despite the film's uneven narrative, which slowly unfolds alongside dramatic shifts in politic perspective and American culture. It's sentimental in a Forest Gump kind of way, with a host of historical anecdotes that tie one generation with the next. And to think, President Barack Obama teared up just thinking about it. Ray Please enable Javascript to watch this video Ray Charles was an endearing figure in the realm of R&B, if not the music industry as a whole, especially in the two decades following WWII. Jamie Foxx's award-winning performance captures that charisma and passion in Ray like few others who've portrayed pop idols have done in the past, delivering it with the fervor and eccentricity of man who's was as manic as he was talented. The literal-minded biopic sheds a light on his drug addiction and promiscuous ways, yes, but it also showcases his qualities with a deft honesty (for better or worse). The music covers everything from his gospel roots and his later foray into country, and if you thought Tom Hanks could lip-sync like no other, wait until you get a glimpse of Foxx's inaudible delivery behind the piano. To Kill a Mockingbird Please enable Javascript to watch this video Robert Mulligan's To Kill a Mockingbird has been heralded as a masterpiece ever since it graced the silver screen in '62. The heartfelt film is based upon Harper Lee's Pulitzer-winning novel of the same name, which follows lawyer Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) and the maelstrom of hate and prejudice that swirls around him as he works to defend an innocent black man (Brock Peters) accused of raping a white woman. In many ways, the historical film is a strong portrayal of how justice functioned in small-town Alabama, one which also examines the innocence of the children and the special bond between a father and child. Peck's incredible performance is also one for the books, so much so his role has essentially become synonymous with the character. Tracks Please enable Javascript to watch this video Underrated director John Curran's Tracks is particularly known for its high-octane excitement and penchant for action, but more so its sprawling cinematography and actress Mia Wasikowska's exemplary performance as real-life adventurer Robyn Davidson. The film is based on Davidson's novel of the same name, which chronicles her 1,700-mile trek across the Australian outback during the late '70s with little more than four camels and her dog. Adam Drivers plays a National Geographic photographer charged with periodically capturing her journey along the way, and though it never achieves the widespread acclaim of similar titles such as Wild , it remains an inspiring tale of one steely broad who just strives to be alone. Tangerine Please enable Javascript to watch this video Shot entirely using just three iPhone 5s smartphones, Sean Baker's Tangerine is a stylish and captivating tale of love, loss, and betrayal. Set in present day Los Angeles, the film concerns a prostitute named Sin-Dee Rella (played by transgender actress Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) who travels the streets of the City of Angels on Christmas Eve in search of her pimp boyfriend Chester. After learning Chester (played by The Wire alum James Ransone) cheated on her while she was in jail, Sin-Dee tears through the streets of Los Angeles in hopes of confronting him and his new girlfriend. Rodriguez's turn as Sin-Dee is as delightful and charming as it is sassy, leading many to call performance one of cinema's best in 2015. Million Dollar Baby Please enable Javascript to watch this video Million Dollar Baby actually cost around $30 million to make, but frankly, it paid off. The performances in the film swept the Academy Awards — garnering Clint Eastwood, Hillary Swank, and Morgan Freeman an Oscar — subsequently establishing it as one of the most revered sports dramas every conceived. It's based on a collection of short stories depicting an underappreciated trainer and the amateur boxer beneath him, yet, the film's scathing emotion and vivid characterization render it far more memorable than the any work produced by fight manager F.X. Toole. It's an undisputed triumph, even if the story itself is not. Rounders Please enable Javascript to watch this video Underground, high-stakes poker is both lucrative and lethal, which is probably why ace players Matt Damon and Edward Norton aren't exactly thrilled when they're forced to come up with $15,000 within five days due to an outstanding gambling debt. Nonetheless, the brilliant film remains a go-to among poker players to this day, featuring well-staged games and solid performances across the board. Norton's mischievous nature and John Malkovich's performance as Russian mobster Teddy "KGB" are particularly grand, even if you can't quite get behind the latter's accent when he rattles off lines like "Ho-kay, Meester sum of a beech" in his club. Philomena Please enable Javascript to watch this video Based on the true story of Philomena Lee's five decade-long search for her adopted son, Philomena is a powerfully affecting drama film lovers won't soon forget. Judi Dench and Steve Coogan head this incredible film's cast, with each giving some of the most moving performances of their entire careers. If you haven't heard much of the movie's real-life source material don't worry, director Stephen Frears leaves no stone unturned and gives this heartwarming tale of love and family its proper due. It's not the least bit surprising this film turned critics heads en masse in 2013. The Aviator Please enable Javascript to watch this video The late Howard Hughes was a big name, not necessarily in stature but in vision. Scorsese's stylistic, Oscar-winning film looks back upon the life and times of Hughes, touching upon his earlier days as an aviation magnate to his later work producing what would essentially become the world's first blockbuster to include sound. Scorsese litters the film with insight and intrigue, and DiCaprio's portrayal as the eccentric Hughes manages to capture both his golden years and the dark, troublesome life he would later inhabit once he locked himself within the Beverly Hills Hotel. The supporting cast is also phenomenal, particularly Cate Blanchett and Kate Beckinsale, as is the set design and the film's ability to examine the complexity of man few have tried. Braveheart Please enable Javascript to watch this video Just try to overlook Mel Gibson's personal affairs for a moment and take Braveheart for what it is: one of the best medieval epics to ever grace the big screen. It's centered on Scottish warrior William Wallace (Gibson) and the revolt he led against King Edward I in the First War of Scottish Independence. Despite the wealth of historical inaccuracies, the film has single-handedly bolstered Scottish tourism more than anything else. It's brutal and violent, but so was the 13th century and Blind Harry's epic poem on which the film is based. Forrest Gump Please enable Javascript to watch this video There's never been a film quite like director Robert Zemeckis' Forrest Gump. A romantic dramedy of sorts, the film stars Tom Hanks as a slow-witted Alabama with exceptional athleticism, one who finds himself in some of the most pivotal and defining moments of the second half of the 20th century (i.e. the Watergate scandal). Though it swept the 67th Academy Awards, it remains a polarizing film given the undisclosed symbolism and vague political interpretations. Nonetheless, it was a box office success and one of Hanks' strongest roles to date. Finding Neverland Please enable Javascript to watch this video The beauty of Marc Forster's Finding Neverland lies in its stark use of contrasts. The semi-autobiographic, Edwardian film follows author J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) and his relationship with the family who inspired him to write Peter Pan. No performance is particularly exemplary, even if Depp was nominated for an Oscar, but it unconventionally blends the whimsy of nostalgia with the harsh realities of the world, allowing the slow-paced film to curb an demeanor that may come off as maudlin or hokey on first glance. The costumes and score take it all one step further. There Will Be Blood Please enable Javascript to watch this video Daniel Day Lewis won an Oscar for his portrayal as Daniel Plainview, a mineral prospector in New Mexico in 1898. Life is pretty good for Daniel and his adopted son H.W. — that is, until companies start to vie for Daniel's oil source. There are gun-fights, murder, arsonists, and of course oil. The film is based on a novel by Upton Sinclair, so prepare yourself for violence and grit, and lots of it. Boogie Nights Please enable Javascript to watch this video While Paul Thomas Anderson's 1997 drama Boogie Nights does, in fact, focus on the porn industry of the 1970s, it's anything but a raunchy or lewd piece of filmmaking. Over the course of the film's semi-long run time of two and a half hours, Anderson tells the story of Dirk Diggler (played by Mark Wahlberg), a young high school dropout who stumbles into the world of porn because of his large… personality. With a star studded cast and perfectly written script, Boogie Nights excels at nearly every turn. Next Page: Thrillers & Action & Adventure Choose a genre: Recent Additions Documentaries Comedies Dramas Thrillers & Action Adventure Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy Kids Horror Romance Thrillers & Action & Adventure The Best Offer Please enable Javascript to watch this video Starring Geoffrey Rush, The Best Offer tells the story of an eccentric older man who's made a name for himself as an avid art collector. Respected the world over, Virgil Oldman's (Rush) knack for art nets him an opportunity to help a young heiress auction off her parent's rather large collection of antiques and artwork. Over time, Oldman develops an attraction to the heiress despite the fact she rarely meets him in person and often belittles him when she does. The heart wants what the heart wants, so Oldman continues his pursuit. A rather odd love story chock full of artistic mystery, The Best Offer is peak Geoffrey Rush. Return of the Dragon Please enable Javascript to watch this video Whether your refer to it as The Way of the Dragon or its U.S. title, Bruce Lee's iconic film is mainstay in the realm of kung-fu flicks. The action-comedy traces Tang Lung's path from Hong Kong to Rome as the martial arts master works to make quick work of a gang of knife-wielding mobsters at the beckoning of a feeble restaurateur. The plot certainly isn't the best, but the articulate fight sequences are stupendous and the film remains the only one in which Lee dons double nunchuks. And who would have guessed Chuck Norris would be that hairy without his shirt? Rocky Please enable Javascript to watch this video In a nutshell, Rocky is a rag-to-riches story of the highest caliber. Starring and written by Sylvester Stallone, the film follows a Philadelphia debt collector and his one crack at the world heavyweight championship and the undisputed Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). It's often overlooked as overly predictable and pure schmaltz, but Stallone's performance is a knockout — pun not intended — drawing on the career of at least three real boxers and showcasing a guy who'd quickly become a tour de force in action films. It also lacks the complex twists and motifs that often work to dress up straightforward narratives, leaving you with nothing more than an emotional underdog story that doesn't try to pretend to be anything it's not. Joe Frazier does make an appearance though, which ought to count for something. Nightcrawler Please enable Javascript to watch this video Jake Gyllenhaal has done exemplary work in the past — take Donnie Darko and Brokeback Mountain , for instance— but nothing quite compares to his eerie performance as TV stringer Louis "Lou" Bloom in Nightcrawler . The modern thriller, a resounding success of first-time director Dan Gilroy, follows an amateur journalist and former thief as he trolls the mean streets of Los Angeles looking for heinous accidents and crimes to capture on film. Gilroy's script and vision is both dark and thought-provoking, however, it's Gyllenhaal's twisted charisma and his sordid actions as he navigates the lucrative business that truly bring the film to the forefront of recent, neo-noir films. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Please enable Javascript to watch this video Paul Newman and Robert Redford lead a gang of outlaws in this Wild West classic. It has everything you could want from an action movie: gun fights, knife fights, fist fights, and of course, mustaches. The film is loosely based on actual events, following the two seasoned train robbers after a heist goes wrong and they flee to Bolivia in order to avoid the posse pursuing them. It's widely regarded as one of the first buddy films, leaving a legacy for many movies to follow in suit. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 Please enable Javascript to watch this video Kill Bill is, quite simply, Tarantino's gritty two-part tale of revenge. After being shot and left for dead by her employer (David Carradine) and other members of her squad, a deadly assassin known merely as "The Bride" (Uma Thurman) sets out to kill her ex-colleagues. The film is undeniably violent, brimming with homages to old-school martial arts films, spaghetti westerns, and Japanese anime, yet done with a style and non-linear story that's incredibly captivating and utterly unique. Lord of War Please enable Javascript to watch this video Nicholas Cage is an actor some love to hate, but Lord of War remains proof he's got more up his sleeve than most would suspect. It's the story of a two-bit, Ukrainian immigrant that goes from small-time to the big leagues when he becomes the world's leading arms dealer. Ethan Hawke, Jared Leto, and Bridget Moynahan round out the cast in the form of Interpol agents and family, though, it's Cage who manages to give the bleak film its character. If it reads like a political satire concerned with international gun trafficking, that's because it is — one that doubles as an intelligent examination of the cost of war. Protagonist Yuri Orlov is even loosely based on factual criminals such as Sarkis Soghanalian, subsequently furthering the film's air of realism. Rambo: First Blood Please enable Javascript to watch this video Rambo: First Blood is not a film to be trifled with — even if it doesn't really have much of a plot. The iconic film remains one of the most influential action flicks of all time, revolving around battered Vietnam vet John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) and his standoff with aggressive sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy). The bulk of the film features a melange of cops hellbent on stalking Stallone through the rugged forests of the Pacific Northwest, yet the action is still so over-the-top and classic you can almost simply overlook its lack of character complexity. And what other film on our roundup lists a rat wrangler and the craftsman responsible for Rambo's exotic knife in the closing credits? That alone should be more than enough. Once Upon a Time in the West Please enable Javascript to watch this video Once Upon a Time in the West is the direct result of the late Sergio Leone trying to retire from the same genre that made him an international icon in the mid-'60s. It's a spaghetti western at heart, one pertaining to unyielding gunslinger named Frank (Henry Fonda) and the western expansion of the railroad, but it also represents a notable shifts from Leone's earlier work. Nonetheless, its profound influence on filmmakers like Tarantino and Scorsese cannot be overstated, nor can its subtle irony or the ample references to previous western films and literature. The Warriors Please enable Javascript to watch this video It's funny how often critics pan films upon release, only to retract their statements down the line after a second look. The Warriors , Walter Hill's violent film based on Sol Yurick's 1965 novel of the same name, is one such example. It's a violent, futuristic tale concerned with a Coney Island street gang who makes the trek home after being wrongly accused of killing a rival gang leader. The dialogue might come off as stiff and a bit banel — perhaps because it is — but Hill's stylistic and bleak vision of the mean streets of New York isn't as filthy as the grimy setting initially lets on. The labyrinth of set pieces and slow-motion shots are exceptional, as is the choreography, all of which beautifully lend themselves to film with an unexpected sense of humanity. Can you dig it? Marathon Man Please enable Javascript to watch this video Adapted from William Goldman's novel of the same name, Marathon Man is more than just an escapist film starring Dustin Hoffman as the likable "Babe" Levy. It's a tour-de-force thriller that whirls around a student who gets catapulted into a deadly game with a Nazi fugitive, one who also happens to have disturbing affinity for torture. The great Laurence Olivier portrays Dr. Christian Szell with a twisted zeal, and despite the films heavy censorship, there's still plenty of graphic moments worthy of a cringe (i.e. the unforgettable torture scene with Levy's teeth). Oldboy Please enable Javascript to watch this video Spike Lee should have never remade the South Korean Oldboy , especially with Josh Brolin as the lead role. The 2003 iteration of the neo-noir film is still a standout, based on a manga and anchored in bloody, operatic anguish. In the film, Choi Min-sik plays a business man who's drugged, imprisoned, and tortured for 15 years before seeking revenge on his captors. It's a statement, violent and maddening, with unforgettable scenes and thought-provoking climax. There's a reason Quentin Tarantino praised the film at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. Patriot Games Please enable Javascript to watch this video The sequel to Tom Clancy's The Hunt for Red October and the first featuring Harrison Ford as C.I.A. operative Jack Ryan, the film follows the virtuous agent as he navigates a international terror network in the aftermath of a spoiled assassination attempt on a member of the British royal family. Clancy disowned the film upon its release and many have criticized it for straying to far from the book, but the riveting tension and Ford's solid performance still make it worth mentioning in the same breadth of Star Wars — which is actually saying quite a bit. Enemy at the Gates Please enable Javascript to watch this video Enemy at the Gates has it's faults, but the film is exemplary if you focus on its historical significance and overlook the whole romance aspect of it all. The title is taken from William Craig's nonfiction book of the same name, and though the film is more considered a work of fiction, it still loosely examines a lengthy game of cat-and-mouse between Soviet sniper Vasily Zaytsey (Jude Law) and renowned Nazi sharpshooter Erwin König (Ed Harris). Both actors give commendable performances, as does the young Gabriel Thomson, but the film's allure simply lies in the game of wits and wills played out amid the blasted ruins of Stalingrad — everything else is just there to tie the scenes together. The Bourne Supremacy Please enable Javascript to watch this video The second film in the original Jason Bourne trilogy, The Bourne Supremacy yet again finds Damon's Bourne utilizing his special set of assassin skills to get out of a series of sticky situations. This time around, someone frames Bourne for a botched CIA operation and inadvertently kills his wife, sending the amnesic former operative on the hunt for even more answers. Joan Allen, Brian Cox, and Julia Stiles join Damon in this action packed sequel which owns the rare distinction of being as good, if not better, than its original film. You won't find as much intense action anywhere else and for what it's worth, Damon is at the top of his game. Next Page: Foreign Choose a genre: Recent Additions Documentaries Comedies Dramas Thrillers & Action Adventure Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy Kids Horror Romance Foreign Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Please enable Javascript to watch this video If you sat through the Daniel Craig version of author Stieg Larsson's best-selling book and thought, "I wish there were at least six more hours of this," then Swedish version of Larsson's "Millennium" trilogy is surely for you. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo recreates the books scene by scene, starting with an investigation into a 40-year-old case and ending with an engrossing murder and government conspiracy. Also, Noomi Rapace's portrayal of the lead heroine is impeccable. Kung Fu Hustle Please enable Javascript to watch this video Kung Fu Hustle was once the highest-grossing film in the history of Hong Kong — and it's easy to see why. Co-written and directed by Stephen Chow, who also stars in the leading role, the film revolves around a hapless mobster and his pal whom attempt to dupe the residents of Pig Sty Alley into thinking they're members of the dreaded Axe Gang. The oddball flick harkens back to the '70s heyday of kung-fu films, though, it does so while ditching in-depth character development in favor of cartoon elements and a heavy dose of slapstick. Retired actors such as Yuen Wah and Yuen Qiu round out the outstanding ensemble cast, the latter of which has been away from film for nearly 20 years. Think Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon meets Looney Tunes, with rampant use of black comedy. Amelie Please enable Javascript to watch this video Director-writer Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Amelie remains the highest-grossing French film released in the United States (and for good reason). It's the whimsical tale of a shy waitress in contemporary Paris who decides to return a collection of toys she found behind a baseboard in her apartment to their original owner, an act that helps her cope with her own isolation and despair after a difficult upbringing. Still, the film is warmhearted and quirky, with laughs to spare. IP Man Please enable Javascript to watch this video There are hundreds — if not thousands — of kung-fu movies on Netflix, but few of them are as good as the film dramatizing the life of Yip Man, one of Bruce Lee's teachers and the first to teach Wing Chun martial arts in China. Film title controversy racked the film even before its debut in Hong Kong, and though we wouldn't say the film is historically accurate when it comes to detailing Ip's life in the city of Foshan during Sino-Japanese War, the spectacular stunts belie its accuracy. The Square Please enable Javascript to watch this video House of Cards isn't the only Netflix original of merit. Egyption filmmaker Jehane Noujaim's Oscar-nominated film is a powerful documentary that depicts the rapid series of revolutions and toppling of successive governments in Egypt during the Arab Spring. It's both troubling and encouraging, a thought-provoking testament of what can happen when an oppressed society attempts to regain its freedom from the corrupt regime moonlighting as a functioning government. Blancanieves Please enable Javascript to watch this video Spanish director Pablo Berger's modern retelling of the classic Snow White story is not what you might expect—and the band of bullfighting dwarves and remarkable gladiatorial scenes don't even begin to sum it up. The silent film is shot entirely in black-and-white and brims with an eerie sense of ambiguity and melancholia, which further capitalizes on the sadomasochism of the evil stepmother and inspiration drawn from the likes of horror masterminds such as Hitchcock and Browning. It's a dark portrayal of Spanish culture set in 1910, yet, there's also an unspoken beauty lining the vivid close-ups and flamenco-flecked score. Instructions Not Included Please enable Javascript to watch this video Starring Eugenio Derbez, Instructions Not Included focuses on Acapulco playboy Valentín and his growing relationship with a baby girl thought to be his daughter. The amusing film represents the highest-grossing opening for a Mexican film of all time, and though it often comes off as overly comical, it remains teeming with serious commentary on the nature of life. It features a lackluster supporting cast, but Derbez and Peralta's film chemistry is a wonder to watch. Living is Easy with Eyes Closed Please enable Javascript to watch this video Living is Easy with Eyes Closed is an appropriate title for this Spanish comedy, given the title is culled from a Beatles song and revolves around an English schoolteacher (Javier Camara) and two hitchhikers who road trip across Spain in 1966 in the hopes of meeting John Lennon. The low-key film swept the country's Goya Awards upon its release and was even selected to represent Spain at the Academy Awards, owing to Camara's winning performance and that of fledgling actress Natalia de Molina. It's also based on a true story, one that takes a tender turn with the help of director David Trueba's vision and subtle, political undertones. Rememberance Please enable Javascript to watch this video Films depicting the Holocaust are, understandably, emotional. However, few exhibit the kind of passion and unparalleled love carried out within German filmmaker Anna Justic's Remembrance. It's the narrative of a married woman who discovers her former lover, one who previously rescued her from a concentration camp and she believes to be dead, is still alive 30 years down the line. In the end, it's as suspenseful as it is heart-wrenching, with an unexpected ending many find far from bittersweet. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Please enable Javascript to watch this video Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor-in-chief of French Elle magazine, suffered a massive stroke when he was a mere 43 years old. The crippling incident left him with a condition known as lock-in syndrome, which paralyzed nearly all voluntary muscles in his body except for his eyes. Bauby was still able to dictate an entire memoir by blinking his left eyelid, however, giving rise to the The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and the film adaptation thereof. The heroic film chronicles the day-to-day life with the condition, along Bauby's fantasies and past life, culminating in a film that brims with wisdom and celebrates life when it could very easily dawdle in despair given the grave subject matter. Moreover, French actor Mathieu Amalric's portrayal as Bauby is spectacular… right down to his stationary antics and frenzied twitching. The Admiral: Roaring Currents Please enable Javascript to watch this video South Korean director Kim Han-min's look on the 1597 Battle of Myeongnyang is a David-and-Goliath tale of the highest caliber. It focuses on Korean admiral Yi Sun-shin — played by Choi Min-sik if Oldboy acclaim — and his efforts to thwart an encroaching fleet of 330 Japanese ships with little more than 12 of his own and a literal boatload of courage. However, the characters in the film are only secondary to the Michael Bay-esque action sequences strewn throughout the film, all of which seamlessly combine model warships and computer-generated effects to great effect. The way Sun-shin utilizes the currents and whirlpools to his advantage is captivating, even if Han-min doesn't delve into the logistics of it all with that much attention to detail. Ode to My Father Please enable Javascript to watch this video South Korean director Yoon Je-kyoon's Ode to My Father is teeming with political controversy — some feel it attempts to idealize the country's past under the rule of a authoritarian regime — but that hasn't stopped it from becoming one of the country's most glorified films in recent years. The epic melodrama traces Korean history from the 1950s through the present day using the lens of one Yoon Deok-soo (Hwang Jung-min), an everyday refugee and shopkeeper who spends his life attempting to care for his family after the death of his father and sister. The film's merit lies in its resounding ability to interweave historical events, such as the Hungnam Evacuation, with a concise narrative, while managing to wring a sentimental familiarity from the distant events. Stations of the Cross Please enable Javascript to watch this video At its core, Stations of the Cross is a heavy expose on unwavering, religious fundamentalism. It tells the story of 14-year-old Maria (Lea van Acken) through a series of 14 individual shots meant to represent the 14 stations of the title cross, each of which showcases the lengths to which the devout Catholic will go in order to serve God when she should be addressing her own well being. Many of the scenes are static and almost parallel the framing of da Vinci's The Last Supper , and while the film might be depressing when taken in chunks, it does a remarkable job humanizing and understanding a plight that's often a result of a strict doctrine. Fortunately for German director Dietrich Brüggemann, Acken delivers a performance nearly as strong as her character's vindication. Shall We Dance? Please enable Javascript to watch this video Shall We Dance? should never have been remade for American audiences with Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon in the starring roles. Japanese actor Kôji Yakusho does a fine job portraying the lovable Shohei Sugiyama, a dejected office worker who begins taking dance lessons after becoming infatuated with the instructor in passing. The original is a delightful and winsome examination regarding the healing powers of self-expression, rooted in superb character development and built upon an award-winning screenplay. Too bad ballroom dancing is still considered shameful and on the verge of taboo to many Japanese residents. Headhunters Please enable Javascript to watch this video If you like smart, gut-wrenching thrillers, you must watch this movie. Norwegian actor Aksel Hennie plays Roger Brown, an art thief who finds himself in hot water after stealing a rare painting from an ex-mercenary and expert tracker, and his oddball fight to stay alive will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's the highest-grossing Norwegian film of all time, one teeming with dark humor and offering a gritty twist on the familiarity likened to author Jo Nesbø's novel of the same name. Next Page: Sci-Fi & Fantasy Choose a genre: Recent Additions Documentaries Comedies Dramas Thrillers & Action Adventure Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy Kids Horror Romance Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2001: A Space Odyssey Please enable Javascript to watch this video The harrowing, intergalactic satire that is Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey is more than a cult classic. The hugely influential film pushed the boundaries, in terms of both special effects and narrative, chronicling the two astronauts who wage ware against their ship's intelligence system while investigating the appearance of a mysterious monolith in deep space. Dialogue is limited and interspersed with classical music, which gives the film differing shades of nuance, while the film's accurate depiction of space flight and ambiguous imagery only further the existential questions it brings up regarding what humankind is truly capable of. You could say it delivers on a cosmic scale, even if Matt Damon is nowhere to be found. The Terminator Please enable Javascript to watch this video There was a time, after Arnold Schwarzenegger's body building days and before his time in office, when he was a machine in more ways than one. The Terminator solidified his acting career and propelled director James Cameron to the forefront of Hollywood, helping spur a franchise that still continues to this day for better or worse. The original remains one of the best post-apocalyptic flicks of the entire '80s though, and tells the tale of a cyborg (Schwarzenegger) who travels back in time to kill a woman (Linda Hamilton) whose unborn son is destined to lead the human resistance against the machines. It's light on dialogue and backstory, sure, but the high-octane chase scenes, sly humor, and endless carnage are more than enough. The iconic theme music helps, too. Big Trouble in Little China Please enable Javascript to watch this video Ignore the fact that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is starring in a remake of John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China . The original film, starring trucker extraordinaire Kurt Russell and then-heartthrob Kim Cattrall, remains the kind of cult classic you can only dream up. It appeased Carpenter's long-standing desire to make a martial arts film when it was made in '86, telling the story of Jack Burton (Russell) and his heroic encounter with the ancient sorcerer residing beneath San Francisco's Chinatown. The movie's premise is over-the-top, especially when you factor in the complicated special effects and the melange of canny references to other iconic films, but its the two-fisted Russell that truly gives it a timeless appeal. Snowpiercer Please enable Javascript to watch this video Snowpiercer is based directly on the French graphic novel, Le Transperceneige. It's follows the aftermath of an experiment to counteract the threat of global warming, one that leaves the remaining citizens of Earth confined to a single, class-divided train circling the globe. It's an ambitious spectacle, anchored by director Bong Joon-ho's claustrophobic action scenes, Hong Kyung-pyo's progressive cinematography, and reveling in a refreshing vision of post-apocalyptic society. No one is as fed up with traveling coach than protagonist Chris Evans. Big Fish Please enable Javascript to watch this video Big Fish doesn't quite showcase the hallmarks of a typical Tim Burton film. Nonetheless, the father-son fantasy is a charming tale of one reporter's attempts to learn the truth behind his dying father's bevy of tall tales. Many people still liken it to Forrest Gump without political facade, but it's a smart celebration of the art of storytelling even if you don't see the numerous parallels. Protagonist Edward Bloom is also one of Ewan McGregor's better roles, a steadfast rendition of the man Daniel Wallace first forged in his 1998 novel of the same name. The Day the Earth Stood Still Please enable Javascript to watch this video Much like 2001: A Space Odyssey , director Robert Wise's black-and-white vision of the short story Farewell to the Master is both epic in scope and vision. It remains one of the most influential sci-fi films of all time, revolving around an alien visitor (Michael Rennie) who comes to Earth with a mechanical companion and a message that will ultimately affect the future of the entire human race. Rennie and his cool, collected demeanor present a universal call for peace to those living during the Atomic Era, though, many of the films sentiments still echo today. Now, if only the 2008 remake starring Keanu Reeves wasn't such a catastrophe. From Time to Time Please enable Javascript to watch this video "This movie is exceptional fare," begins one Netflix review, "tears may be forthcoming, but it's just a good and beautiful fairy tale!" Said review encapsulates the heart of Julian Fellowes' From Time to Time , a century-spanning tale centered on young boy (Alex Etel) who travels through time to unlock the secrets of his grandmother's estate after his father is reported missing in action. The ghostly film jumps between 1944 and 1811 on the drop of a dime, and even though it's directed more toward bookish pre-teens than older audiences, Maggie Smith delivers an excellent performance alongside a cast of familiar faces. It's touching, too, without being overly twee. Underworld Please enable Javascript to watch this video What Underworld lacks in thoughtful character development, it makes up for with sublime Gothic visuals and an extensive backstory that chronicles the troubled relationship between vampires and werewolves (aka Lycans). It stars Kate Beckinsale as Selene, a vampire who's ultimately forced to go against her own clan when she falls in love with a mortal that she believes is being targeted by the Lycans. The film is certainly not for everyone — in fact, it seemingly shares more in common with a cologne commercial than your standard horror epic — but the trademark style and over-the-top acting of the entire series are utterly entertaining. A Clockwork Orange Please enable Javascript to watch this video Stanley Kubrick's 1971 opus A Clockwork Orange is many things. On the surface, this dystopian science fiction drama concerns the actions of Alex DeLarge, a sociopath with a strange affection for classical music and "ultra-violence." Between the lines, the film takes a hard look at the boundaries of someone's free-will and whether aversion or condition-reflex therapy is a sensible solution for those deemed immoral. Over the course of the roughly 2-hour film, DeLarge and his droogs (Russian for friend or buddy) embark on a harrowing spree of crime and mischief, culminating with DeLarge's capture and supposed rehabilitation. Not for the faint of heart, A Clockwork Orange is horrifically brilliant cinematic experience. A Trip to the Moon The legacy of Georges Méliès' A Trip to the Moon cannot be understated, whether you prefer to watch the original silent film or opt for the remastered, hand-painted version that was first shown at the Telluride film festival. The pioneering work is often considered to be the first science fiction film and was widely considered a technical marvel upon release, one that dazzled exhibition goers in 1902 and told the tale of a band of astronomers on an expedition to the moon. It's overtly theatrical and incredibly short, but remains one of the most influential — and memorable — works in all of cinema to this day. The fact French electronic duo Air soundtracked the remastered version doesn't hurt, either. Sharknado Please enable Javascript to watch this video Sharknado is one of those films that's so bad it's good. The movie quickly became a cult film following its TV debut on the SyFy channel in 2013, revolving around a group of residents who attempt to fend of a slew shark-filled tornadoes that descend upon Los Angeles. It's littered with B-level acting for the most part, with the film's only "claim to fame" being Tara Reid. Fortunately, the horrendous acting, brainless action, and terrible CGI are what makes it. Oh, and that chainsaw scene. Stardust Please enable Javascript to watch this video Stardust probably isn't the Oscar-worthy, fantasy film you hope it will be. Nonetheless, it's surprisingly more entertaining than most matinees your kids would drag you to. It's the whimsical tale of love-struck Tristan Thorn, one following as he travels to a forbidden realm in an effort to capture a fallen star that has taken human form. It's rather lighthearted and campy, and moreover, it's always somewhat refreshing to see the renowned Robert De Niro out of his usual element. Next Page: Kids Choose a genre: Recent Additions Documentaries Comedies Dramas Thrillers & Action Adventure Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy Kids Horror Romance Kids The Nightmare Before Christmas Please enable Javascript to watch this video It's difficult to overstate the overwhelming success of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas . It's long been heralded for its exemplary use of stop-motion animation and creative storytelling, revolving around Halloween Town resident Jack Skellington and his ploy to play Santa Claus on Christmas morning after kidnapping the real deal. It's timeless in many ways, with Grinch-like parallels and a host of memorable songs courtesy of Danny Elfman, rendering it as entertaining to adults as kids. And to think, it all started as a mere poem written in '82. How to Train Your Dragon 2 Please enable Javascript to watch this video The second of three planned films, How to Train Your Dragon 2 expands on the hallmarks of its predecessor in every way imaginable. The animation is more vibrant and fluid, while the high-flying action sequences featuring Hiccup and his dragon Toothless are more invigorating and entertaining than ever before. The charming film is also chock-full of valid life lessons for kids, whether in regards to family or ecology and war, with a saccharine story and an imaginative cast of characters courtesy of writer Dean DeBlois. Moreover, the family film takes cues from Star Wars and Game of Thrones, which provides it with an unexpected inkling of maturity and a vision that exceeds most animated endeavors in the same vain. Hook Please enable Javascript to watch this video When the nefarious Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman) kidnaps Peter Pan's kids and whisks them off to Neverland, an aged Pan must venture back to into a world he had previously forgotten — or so goes the premise of Spielberg's 1991 film. No other film in the director's catalog has culled from Spielberg's strained relationship with his father quite like Hook , and although it was never reviewed favorably among critics, it remains a flagship of Robin Williams' career years after its debut. Plus, it's a classic, with a cast of familiar characters and plenty of sword fighting. The Secret of Kells Please enable Javascript to watch this video The fabled Hayao Miyazaki isn't the only director with a penchant for animated whimsy. Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey's The Secret of Kells is a delightful romp steeped in Irish tradition and Celtic mythology, one that beautifully employs ornate design and a luscious colors to tell the tale of a medieval monk (Evan McGuire) on a mission to save an enchanted forest and complete a storied book. The way the otherworldly images and story unfold on a flat, 2D plane is magnificent, as is the way the hand-drawn film meshes the ancient manuscript illustrations with modern animation. The ravenous wolves and dark forests of the film are as reliant on history as they are fantasy, and though they take a cue from a book first conceived in a remote Irish abbey more than a millennium ago, they do so with a contemporary twist that's suited for children and adults alike. The Gruffalo Please enable Javascript to watch this video The Gruffalo is more of a dedicated short than a feature-length film, which makes it perfect for those with short attention spans (i.e. probably your kids). Regardless, the 27-minute short was nominated for an Oscar and culls its story from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's picture book of the same name. The computer-animated characters are nothing short of charming, while Helena Bonham Carter's voicework imbues the delightful story about a mouse and a Gruffalo with an air of familiarity that simply cannot be denied by anyone who's seen a Tim Burton film. Fantasia 2000 Please enable Javascript to watch this video The original Fantasia was a sight to behold, even in 1940. It seamlessly blended classical orchestrations with brilliant animation, and as its successor, Fantasia 2000 does the same. The mix of traditional and computer-generated imagery is fitting, as is the melange of lighthearted and conceptional pieces spanning the film's eight shorts. Few sequences top the natural beauty of "Firebird Suite," though, the restored version of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" from the original film comes damn close. And the image of Mickey in a wizard's cap is still just as iconic. The Emperor's New Groove Please enable Javascript to watch this video Aside from Lilo and Stitch, there are relatively few films of merit adorning Disney's post-Renaissance era. The buddy-centric The Emperor's New Groove is one of them, though, centered on a South American emperor who suffers from a role reversal when his greedy adviser transforms him into a llama. It features a refreshing and humorous cast of characters, most notably Patrick Warburton as the lovable henchman Kronk Pepikrankenitz, along with iconic animation fleshed over a period of years. The film was apparently a pain to make, as evident in The Sweatbox . Hachi: A Dog's Tale Please enable Javascript to watch this video This Richard Gere and Joan Allen starring drama concerns the story of a college professor and his relationship with an abandoned dog named Hachiko. After a Japanese Akita Inu escapes his cage en route to America, professor Parker Wilson (Gere) finds the young pup wandering in a local train yard. Intent on returning the dog to its rightful owner, Wilson begrudgingly brings the dog home to his family while he waits. Much to their delight, the dog brightens their life in ways they hardly expect and soon becomes a part of Gere's daily life. Perfect for family movie night, Hachi: A Dog's Tale is a heartwarming story of companionship and love. Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection Please enable Javascript to watch this video Everyone knows Disney has a knack for storytelling, but unless you've seen one of the shorts that accompany the studio's feature-length films in theaters, you might not know just how quickly Disney can tell those stories. This short film collection rounds up 12 of the more recent standouts, including those shown before Frozen and Big Hero 6 , thus providing 12 tales that vary greatly in both style and substance. Some, such as The Little Matchgirl and the feline-centric Lorenzo , were originally meant to be packaged with a third Fantasia film, while shorts such as the Oscar-winning Paperman stand on their own. The animation is superbly designed and executed either way, and rehashes everything from cold-stricken birthday parties to the black-and-white portraits of love in the late-1940s. James and the Giant Peach Please enable Javascript to watch this video What Tim Burton and Henry Selick did with Roald Dahl's infamous children's story in 1996 raised the bar for what could be down with stop-motion animation. The imaginative film spliced together live action and animation with a resounding amount of fluidity and grace, recounting the fairy-tale journey of a young orphan who traverses foreign — and freakish — lands alongside a band of colorful, offbeat insects. The artful film isn't just for children, either. The entire film has a macabre edge about it, whether talking the death of James' parents or the oh-so-sweet finale in the Big Apple, one that makes you wonder when Disney stopped releasing films intended to make parents balk. The Perfect Game Please enable Javascript to watch this video The love of the game often transcends age and language barriers more than anything else. Based on true events, The Perfect Game chronicles the journey of the Industrial Little League of Monterrey, Mexico, as they work toward the 1957 Little League World Series. You likely know how it's going to pan out for the team despite heavy amounts of racial discrimination and the team's visa troubles upon entering the United States, but it's still an inspiring underdog story that features excellent casting and a true sense of heart. And you gotta love Cheech Marin. Jumanji Please enable Javascript to watch this video Robin Williams was a talented individual in many respects, but no more so than when he was cast in the right role. Adapted from a Chris Van Allsburg novel, Jumanji encompasses the story of two sibling who discover a magical boardgame, one in which 12-year-old Alan Parrish (Williams) has been trapped for 26 years. The game essentially brings the fictional to life, catapulting four individuals in a race to finish the unique game before someone is killed. It's teaming with action and over-the-top moments, but still plays on your emotions given the wonderful performances. Chicken Run Please enable Javascript to watch this video Nick Park, the stop-motion mastermind behind the Wallace and Grommit series, is known for his unconventional approach to storytelling. Chicken Run, a film about a smooth-talking rooster who leads a group of complacent hens in a prison escape, is a prime example. Mel Gibson and Julia Sawalha lend their voices to a stellar cast of whimsical characters, each of which imbues the clever family film with a touch of slapstick, a dash of charm, and a grim nuance that's typically absent from more formulaic comedies. It's an ode to British inventiveness in a way, and moreover, a claymation-bred tribute to the Great Escape. It just goes to show the power of home-spun ingenuity. Mulan Please enable Javascript to watch this video Since its release in 1998, Mulan has been a film riddled with feminist quandaries and controversial stereotyping. Nonetheless, it remains one of the most beloved cartoons in the classical Disney arsenal, portraying the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan with a set of memorable songs and lighthearted camaraderie. The animation is superb, and moreover, the film addresses themes of honor and duty while still managing to deliver a story suitable for children. Mulan isn't a fabled Disney princess, either, and her resounding bravery is a conscious decision we can all learn from. Holes Please enable Javascript to watch this video Yes, there was a time when actor Shia LaBeouf wasn't completely off his rocker. Holes takes Louis Sachar's novel of the same name to the big screen, focusing on a Texas detention camp where juvenile delinquents are forced to spend their days digging holes as part of a supposed "character-building" exercise in the middle of desert. Cinematographer Stephen St. John's shots only further convey the film's feel of isolation, and being true as it is to its literary source, it offers a sense of friendship and quaint quirkiness not always found in Disney films. Next Page: Horror Choose a genre: Recent Additions Documentaries Comedies Dramas Thrillers & Action Adventure Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy Kids Horror Romance Horror The Babadook Please enable Javascript to watch this video One of the most original horror movies of the past decade, The Babadook is a tense thriller sure to have you on the edge of your seat. The story follows Amelia, a widowed single mother who attempts to help her son Samuel overcome his arresting fear of monsters. After stumbling upon a book depicting a horrific, shadow-dwelling monster called the Babadook, both mother and son start feeling an eerie presence in their house. Several attempts to destroy the book fail, leaving both Samuel and Amelia in a constant frenzy to stay alive and avoid the sinister Babadook. Rosemary's Baby Please enable Javascript to watch this video Regardless of what you think about Roman Polanski as a person, there's no denying the guy knows a thing or two about directing a movie. Coming in as the second film of Polanski's "Apartment Trilogy," Rosemary's Baby stars Mia Farrow as an expecting mother who fears her husband sold their first born child for sacrifice to their neighbors. As her pregnancy continues, nearly everything around her feeds into the suspicion her unborn child's safety may be in jeopardy. Frighteningly eerie and just downright creepy, Rosemary's Baby is one of the best horror movies in the history of cinema. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil Please enable Javascript to watch this video The premise behind Tucker and Dale vs. Evil revolves around a simple misunderstanding. A gang of college undergrads on a weekend getaway mistake two backwoods rednecks, aka actors Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine, for psychotic killers after the duo saves a young girl who falls in the water and gets knocked unconscious. The ensuing comedic ride is a one-trick pony, yet, it's also one lined with a stream of upended cliches that are equally funny and horrific. The slapstick violence and solid performances, particularly from Tudyk and Labine, also imbue the Canadian flick with an air of uniqueness in an otherwise tepid field… even before one of the kids accidentally jumps in the wood chipper and the bodies start to pile up. The Fly Please enable Javascript to watch this video While David Cronenberg's 1986 remake of The Fly is great in its own right, the 1958 original version is a horror staple. Chock full of retro effects and vintage blood curdling screams, The Fly centers on a recently widowed spouse and an experiment gone terribly wrong. After scientist Andre Delambre builds a controversial teleportation machine, he accidentally swaps parts of his body with a fly passing by the machine. Now his head and arm resemble that of a fly while the fly packs Andre's human head and arm. As strange as it sounds, The Fly is classic horror at its finest and a must-watch for any fan of old-fashioned scares. Dead Snow: Red vs. Dead Please enable Javascript to watch this video Dead Snow was entertaining, yes, but it wasn't nearly as good as its successor. Nonetheless, Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola helmed both films and employed the same kind of comedic horror in the second installment as he did the first, except with a bigger budget for grotesque effects and Martin Starr of Party Down fame in tow. The splatter-fest of a film — which picks up directly where the first film left off — still falls very much in "The Evil Dead" vein, revolving around a bloodthirsty battalion of Nazi zombies and a student hellbent on gathering an army to fend them off. The Star Wars references can be a bit much, however, the excessive gore never dulls. Let the Right One In Please enable Javascript to watch this video Tomas Alfredson's brilliant Let The Right One In puts an incredibly unique spin on the "outcast falls in love with the new girl in town" romance story. The film centers around 12-year-old Oskar, a particularly puny child who bullies at his school pick on regularly. After a strange new girl named Eli moves in next door, Oskar begins to learn from her how to fight back. Problem is, Eli is a vampire. As Oskar starts to fall in love with Eli, he's filled with a series of emotions over how to handle this startling truth. A competent American remake of Let The Right One In popped up in 2010, though Alfredson's reigns supreme. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night Please enable Javascript to watch this video Tagged as "The first Iranian Vampire Western," A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is screenwriter Ana Lily Amirpour's directorial debut, and one which has critics calling her the next Quentin Tarantino. Based off Amirpour's graphic novel of the same name, the film takes place in an Iranian ghost-town called Bad City; a town a lonely vampire stalks the streets of, unbeknownst to its citizens. Viewers follow Arash, a teenager battling with the fact his father is a drug addict and the notion he may have fallen in love with a vampire. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is one of the most original takes on the vampire genre in years. Housebound Please enable Javascript to watch this video Being under house arrest is bad enough, but being under house arrest in a house full of evil spirits is even worse. That's the basic premise for Housebound , a recent film meticulously orchestrated to be as funny as it is terrifying. The film, Gerard Johnstone's directorial debut, follows a troubled Kylie Bucknell (Morgana O'Reilly) and her strange family throughout the duration of her stay — a stay that's brimming with the kind of unforeseen plot twists and ace editing that made it an unexpected hit amid the festival circuit. It's a thrilling, and frankly, a much needed facelift for the haunted-house genre as a whole. Sleepy Hollow Please enable Javascript to watch this video When first released in 1999, Sleepy Hollow was the strangest and most fully-realized of Tim Burton's works since Batman Begins. It was based on Washington Irving's short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow , which reeled around New York detective Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) and his investigation into the deaths of a host of decapitated victims. The charismatic cast and excellent set design give what would be an excessive slasher flick its true character, while Depp's steadfast performance and the bizarre special effects endow the age-old tale with a modern touch. It all makes for a film that excels when it comes to atmosphere, even if the tongue-in-cheek nature of the story sometimes retracts from the film's overall image. And if that weren't appealing enough, it features a dude who stalks the town headless. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Please enable Javascript to watch this video Director Robert Wiene's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a strange film by all accounts, yet, it's often considered the quintessential work of German Expressionist cinema and arguably the first horror film in existence. A multitude of jagged landscapes and sharp angles punctuate the bizarre cinematography — giving the silent film about an evil hypnotist, an asylum inmate, and a psychiatrist an added depth of surrealism and two-dimensional mystique — while other cubist-esque touches and techniques further define its visual flare. Looks aside, the iconic film serves as an enduring expose on the mental state of Francis (Friedrich Feher), serving both as a vessel for examining the duality of human nature and our owns perceptions of reality. It's likely not, as some claim, a premonition of the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, but that doesn't render it any less unnerving. From Dusk Till Dawn Please enable Javascript to watch this video Quentin Tarantino flashes his writing chops in this Robert Rodriguez-directed action-horror, From Dusk Till Dawn . ER -era George Clooney joins Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, and Juliette Lewis in this film about two criminals who intend to abscond to Mexico after robbing a bank. After kidnapping an unsuspecting family and forcing them to take them across the border, the group comes across a dive bar inhabited by vampires. Through one gruelingly long night, the criminals must fight for their survival against the pack of vampires until dawn hits. Though it's directed by Rodriguez, fans of Tarantino's filmography will no doubt enjoy this gore-fest. Next Page: Romance Choose a genre: Recent Additions Documentaries Comedies Dramas Thrillers & Action Adventure Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy Kids Horror Romance Romance Silver Linings Playbook Please enable Javascript to watch this video David O. Russell directs this award-winning romantic comedy — starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence — about a man struggling with bipolar disorder and lost love. After returning home from a stay at a mental institution, Pat Solatano Jr. (Cooper) attempts to rekindle a relationship with his wife, Nikki. After learning she's moved on, Pat meets another wayward soul in Tiffany (Lawrence) and begins a rather a awkward relationship with her. While Pat tries to use Tiffany to get a note to his lost love, the couple begin to grow an off-the-wall romance that's far from normal due to their neurotic behavior. Robert DeNiro, Jacki Weaver, and Chris Tucker also star in this terrific adaptation of Matthew Quick's novel, Silver Linings Playbook. Anna Karenina Please enable Javascript to watch this video Despite its age, Russian author Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina remains a pinnacle of realist fiction. The latest adaptation of the book is set in a world of over-the-top theatrics and design, one in which a 19th-century Russian aristocrat (Keira Knightley) enters a forbidden love affair with a well-heeled cavalry officer (Aaron Johnson). The way the scenes unfold amid auditoriums and changing set pieces allows the film to essentially function like a musical, sans the music, better drawing your attention to the on-screen performances. The bold approach ultimately sacrifices the novel's underlying poignancy for overarching sense of creative pizzazz, which frankly, makes it far more enticing to look at than the previous two adaptations of the film. And Knightley's superb performance just goes to show how much she's matured since her days upon the Black Pearl . Chocolat Please enable Javascript to watch this video More often than not, woman swoon at the mere mention of one John Christopher "Johnny" Depp III. Well, the light-hearted Chocolat offers plenty glimpses of the American actor alongside terrific co-star Juliette Binoche, who also just so happens to be the centerpiece in a film regarding a young mother who opens a small chocolaterie in a fictional French village. The 2000 film functions much like a traditional fable, except with adult undertones, a standout soundtrack, and phenomenal supporting cast highlighted by Judi Dench. It hits the sweet spot just like a Cadbury bar, not only in context but in character as well. Dear Frankie Please enable Javascript to watch this video Director Shona Auerbach's Dear Frankie doesn't state the obvious, but more so, prides itself in it's ability to show it to you. The plot of the Scottish romance deals with an overly protective mother (Emily Mortimer) and her deaf son (Jack McElhone), along with a unnamed man (Gerard Butler) who pretends to be the boy's father for a day so his mother can keep up a charade years in the making. However, although the liner notes might portray the film as a sappy tearjerker, the honest writing and poignant performances render the working-class tale something rich and beautiful. It's basically a touching portrait of three bruised individuals, with subtle shades of humor and nuance that belie even the most cumbersome parts of the film. Terms of Endearment Please enable Javascript to watch this video Terms of Endearment is a classic tear-jerker of much renown. Much like Larry McMurtry's novel of the same name, the offbeat film follows widow Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and daughter Emma Greenway-Horton (Debra Winger) over the span of 30 years, exploring the humor and heartbreak that accompany the men they date. It's a bittersweet melodrama with wonderful performances and taut scripting at its core, so much that its examination of dating and our relationships comes off as natural as it gets. Jack Nicholson's supporting role only just bolsters it all, even if it is Winger's performance in the closing scenes that truly gives the award-winning film its gusto and humanity. Hook, line, and sinker. Shakespeare in Love Please enable Javascript to watch this video It's easy to knock Shakespeare in Love , however, you probably shouldn't. Although the witty film stands on its own, depicting a fictional love affair between Viola de Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow) and a young Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) while he's writing Romeo and Juliet , it also functions as an ode to the aforementioned playwright's sterling collection of works. Allusions abound in the form of passionate love and politics, both of which play on a fair share of topical references and screwball timing. It even showcases a contemporary humor and solid performances — particularly Paltrow — along with more sweetness than a white chocolate mocha from Starbucks. The Way He Looks Please enable Javascript to watch this video A story of love, independence, and new beginnings, The Way He Looks follows Leonardo, a blind teenager looking to get out from the grasp of his overprotecting mother. Against the well wishes of his friends, Leonardo decides to embark on an exchange program, intent on gaining some independence for himself. Leo's entire viewpoint on his life, and those around him, completely changes once he meets Gabriel, a new student who arrives in town. A touching love story, The Way He Looks has the power to make you laugh, cry, and smile with joy. Jerry Maguire Please enable Javascript to watch this video People tend to forget that Tom Cruise has done other films besides those lining the Mission Impossible series, and honestly, who can blame them? That said, Jerry Maguire remains a phenomenal example of what the now-53-year-old actor is capable of when paired with right vision. Cameron Crowe's script blends sports and romance with a surprising amount of panache, focusing on a sports agent who leaves behind his high-profile job with little more than single co-worker (Renee Zellweger) and client (Cuba Gooding Jr.) in tow. It's loaded with more subplots than need be, sure, yet, it's also heartwarming and chock-full of the kind of performances that garner universal acclaim and Academy Awards. Case in point: Cuba Gooding Jr. Breakfast at Tiffany's Please enable Javascript to watch this video Truman Capote's brilliant novel about an unlikely connection between a struggling writer and a New York socialite is the toast of literary circles. The film adaptation — which sees Audrey Hepburn playing the iconic Holly Golightly — did wonders with Capote's written word and faithfully recreates this wonderful, romantic tale. George Peppard and Mickey Rooney also star in the film, though it's Hepburn's performance which easily steals the show. The Cider House Rules Please enable Javascript to watch this video Lasse Hallstrom directs this touching story starring Tobey Maguire, Michael Caine, Charlize Theron, and Delroy Lindo. The film centers around an orphanage run by Dr. Wilbur Larch (Caine), who serves as both the director of the site, and its physician and abortionist. When one orphan named Homer (Maguire) desires a life outside the orphanage, he leaves with a couple who visits the orphanage looking for an abortion. After Homer proceeds to have an affair with the wife — and subsequently abandoned — he returns to the orphanage to follow in Larch's footsteps. The Cider House Rules is a compassionate story about love, loss, and morality. Copenhagen Please enable Javascript to watch this video What do you do if the girl of your dreams is half your age? Mark Raso tackles this question in his romantic drama, Copenhagen. After travelling through Europe for several weeks, 28-year-old William lands in Copenhagen, the birthplace of his father. While there, he meets 14-year-old Effy and the two instantly hit it off, with Effy making William feel like no other woman has before. As the couple sets out to locate William's grandfather, William battles with the fact he's falling in love with a woman 14 years his junior, while uncovering particularly ugly details about his family's history. The chemistry between the two leads makes this thoughtful love story a pleasure to watch. Cinema Paradiso Please enable Javascript to watch this video Giuseppe Tornatore's foreign drama Cinema Paradiso took the award circuit by storm in 1989, bagging a Golden Globe and an Academy Award as that year's "Best Foreign Language Film." The movie revolves around a celebrated film director who reflects back on his childhood spent at Cinema Paradiso, a theater which helped foster his love for films. During the flashbacks, the director returns to his former home at a Sicilian village where he quickly remembers Elena, his first love and the one who got away when he moved to Rome some 30 years prior. A beautiful love story sure to make you bawl your eyes out, Cinema Paradiso is top-notch filmmaking.
