In seemingly less than a month’s time, the coronavirus has changed all our lives – at least for the time being.
In the hopes of encouraging social distancing – therefore slowing the spread of the virus and lessening the impact and pressure on our nation’s hospitals and health care centers – just about everything has closed, from sports arenas to music halls to bars and restaurants, and movie theaters.
In short: We’ve all been spending a lot of time at home. And sure, we could try to convince ourselves that we’re going to spend that time getting around to those cleaning projects we’ve been putting off, learning a new skill or talking to our fellow self-quarantined family members, but the reality is we’re going to streaming a ridiculous amount of movies over the next few weeks. So, to help your social distancing go as entertainingly as possible, here’s a list of good movies – from awesome action flicks to cool choices for children to stellar sports stories – you can currently find on Netflix.
So, stay home, stay healthy and watch away, everyone; we’re in this together.
Comedies
“Don’t Think Twice”: If you’re a fan of Mike Birbiglia’s stand-up comedy work, you should definitely stream this bittersweet and winsome indie comedy gem about an improv group strained as its various members go in different career directions.
“Kung Fu Hustle”: Throw a classic kung-fu action movie into a blender with a Road Runner/Wile E. Coyote bit, and you might get something like this consistently unpredictable live-action cartoon about some cons who get in hot water when the gangsters they’ve been impersonating come after them.
“The Naked Gun”: The famed ZAZ crew brings their delightful sense of comic, throw-every-joke-at-the-wall lunacy to the world of cop movies in this detective send-up starring the late great Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin, a cop trying to foil an assassination attempt on the Queen.
“The Other Guys”: Aim for the bushes and jump for this very funny buddy cop comedy starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Samuel L. Jackson and The Rock. It’ll happily remind of you of the days when writer-director Adam McKay made goofy comedies like this instead of condescending political Oscar bait like “Vice”!
Documentaries
“Amy”: This Oscar-winning documentary follows the rise and fall of acclaimed singer Amy Winehouse, going through her musical genius and incredible voice but also her demons and the cruel press coverage that helped push her to her premature death.
“Jiro Dreams of Sushi”: One thing’s for sure, this delectable documentary, about an aging sushi master in charge of a tiny subway restaurant that’s earned three Michelin stars, will make you crave sushi. An excellent food doc from David Gelb – who would go on to tell more tasty stories via Netflix’s “Chef’s Table” series, if you’re hungry for more.
“Paris is Burning”: An essential work of American culture and documentary filmmaking, “Paris is Burning” lovingly goes into ball culture in New York City during the late ’80s and introduces the audience to the colorful and effervescent real-life individuals that lived it gloriously loud and proud.
For Movie Night with the Kids
“The Adventures of Tintin”: You don’t often get to use the word “under-appreciated” with Steven Spielberg – but you can with this animated adventure. The lifelike animation takes some getting used to, but it’s worth it for the jaw-dropping visual panache and whimsical energy.
“Ralph Breaks the Internet”: Everyone’s favorite delightful video game villain presses start on another adventure in this Disney sequel, this time trying to save the Sugar Rush arcade game by adventuring into dangerous territory: the internet.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”: This may quite possibly be the greatest superhero movie ever made. With gorgeous and inventive animation that constantly gives your eyes something new to see, a whip-smart script with equally exciting comic book-esque action and a surprisingly strong beating emotional heart, “Spider-Verse” is outstanding.
Romance
“About Time”: General Hux plays a young British man who falls in love with Rachel McAdams but messes it up. Luckily, the men in his family just happen to have the ability to travel in time in this charming tear-jerking romance from the creator of “Love Actually.”
“The Spectacular Now”: A cocky high school hotshot (Miles Teller) faces his uncertain future, and his many demons, when he starts dating a quiet girl from school, played by Shailene Woodley, in this excellent coming-of-age drama for fans of “Good Will Hunting.”
“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”: The rom-com isn’t dead yet thanks to Netflix – and thanks to this charming teenage romance about a high schooler whose secret letters to her crushes get sent to them. The sequel, while not as fun, is worthwhile too. Hopefully the final chapter, “To All the Boys: Always and Forever, Lara Jean,” keeps things cute.
Sci-Fi
“Okja”: “Parasite” knocked your socks off last year? Luckily, Netflix has your back with 2017 adventure film “Okja,” another undefinable feature about a young girl trying to protect an adorable giant pig from a factory wanting to turn it into meat.
“Snowpiercer”: This one might actually be our favorite from the “Parasite” director, as he follows a train containing the last surviving members of humanity after a global freeze. But things aren’t peaceful amongst the remaining few, as the poor are stuck in the back in terrible conditions while the rich control their ecosystem comfortably at the front.
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