Netflix carries tons of amazing movies to stream over the weekend, and with summer drawing to a close very soon, there’s no better time for a binge-watch. Helping to spearhead the streaming boom, Netflix has long been the leading name in online content. The streamer doesn’t just carry older movies and shows, but they also host their own original projects.
Essentially helping to coin the term binge-watch, Netflix is still the perfect streaming service for long weekends on the couch watching great movies. Because they carry so much content, it can be hard to pick what exactly is worth watching. New stuff is dumped on the platform each week, and it can be quite overwhelming.
Fortunately, some movies on Netflix stand head-and-shoulders above the rest, and should go straight to the top of any to-watch list. From chilling horror films to family-friendly favorites and even compelling dramas, Netflix’s wide selection is its greatest strength, and it helps to create some winning combinations for a weekend of binge-watching.
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Barbarian (2022)
With director Zach Cregger’s latest film, Weapons, making a mark in theaters right now, it’s the perfect time to watch his previous film, Barbarian. The skin-crawlingly terrifying sleeper success was one of the many unassuming horror films of 2022, but Cregger’s unique vision made it a must-see movie. Twists and turns abound, and nothing about Barbarian is as it seems.
Barbarian is leaving Netflix at the end of August.
In between the shocking scenes of pure horror, Barbarian has a deeper message about the disintegration of American infrastructure. It has a point to make, but it never sacrifices any of its spookier elements in order to get its message across. Barbarian is genuinely scary, and only recommended for those who are looking for a truly chilling experience.
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Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024)
It had been nearly 20 years since the delightful British duo of Wallace and Gromit had appeared in their own movie, and Vengeance Most Fowl brought them back with a bang. As always, one of Wallace’s inventions goes awry, but it’s really a nefarious revenge plot from famed baddie, Feathers McGraw.
The film continues Aardman’s signature claymation style, and is a well-crafted adventure story with a lot of heart and humor too. The film earned an impressive 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and even scored an Oscar nod for Best Animated Film. Though it does have some slightly scary scenes, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is appropriate for most kiddos.
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Captain Phillips (2013)
Tom Hanks is one of the most celebrated actors of any generation, and his turn in Captain Phillips is still one of his best modern performances. The exciting based-on-a-true-story film was released just a few years after the actual event took place, and the film explores the bravery and heroism of the crew of the Maersk Alabama.
Though it’s fact-based, Captain Phillips is still a thrill ride that never gets bogged down or boring. Hanks is at his best, and the performance of Barkhad Abdi is one of the most memorable villains of the 21st century. Captain Phillips stands out among a crowded field on Netflix, and is still worth a watch over 10 years later.
