Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the world’s largest on-demand media provider, with over 200 million paid subscribers in the first quarter of 2021. Starting out as a DVD rental service, Netflix changed its business model to streaming. Netflix disrupted the television industry and drove cable companies to adjust their business models. By focusing on creating original content, analyzing user data to better serve subscribers, and, most importantly, allowing people to enjoy the content they forced major changes in the industry. Netflix has successfully kept its subscribers loyal and engaged by offering economical packages and incorporating original documentaries and original TV series in their stream of content.
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) has been quite the trendsetter in the industry. In 2013 Netflix started not only production of its own original content but also started to release entire series of already trending shows at once. This effectively created the binge-watching trend.
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) has readily adapted to its target market’s evolving demands. It’s no wonder, therefore, that Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) has seen its subscriber base and stock value increase at a rapid rate over the years. During the COVID-19 pandemic when most industries saw a tragic decrease in their stock values, the stock values of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) increased. The lockdown triggered an immediate increase in subscriptions. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 paid subscriptions of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) increased from 203.66 million subscribers in 2020 to 209 million in the second quarter of 2021. Introduction of extensions such as Netflix party (now known as Tele-party) enabled Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) to maintain its position as a top streaming giant.
Netflix party allows users to stream the same content on different screens. This feature was highly popular during quarantine as it allowed people to enjoy movie nights while maintaining social distance.
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) has many competitors in the industry now. Amazon Prime Video by Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) ranks second to Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) in terms of popularity and subscriptions. Other known names in the industry are Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: APPL), HBO Now provided AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ: DISCA), YouTube by Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Disney + by The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS).
With 175 million subscribers in 2021, Amazon Prime Video (NASDAQ: AMZN) is directly behind Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) in terms of popularity. AppleTV+, Apple’s video streaming service, is a popular alternative in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Central Asia, and Africa, similar to Netflix, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: NFLX) and Amazon Prime Video’s (NASDAQ: AMZN) services.
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) continues to maintain its dominance in the market. Planning to continue on the trajectory of growth, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is investing in virtual video games. This will allow the user to live in the movie and be the protagonist rather than just watch it passively.
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Our Methodology
One of the most popular genres watched on Netflix is drama. We have complied a list of 35 best drama movies on Netflix. To find the best drama movies we caried out an intensive search on public forums like Reddit and Quora. Based on reviews posted on these forums and lists on websites like CNET.
With this context in mind, we have compiled a list of the 35 best drama movies on Netflix for you.
35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix
35. Erin Brockovich
Erin Brockovich is a drama film based on the actual tale of Erin Brockovich, played by Julia Roberts. The protagonist of the movie Erin Brockovich battled the energy company Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for its role in the Hinkley groundwater pollution disaster. The film was a box office hit and received favorable reviews from critics. Despite the tragic circumstances that had occurred to her, Erin’s confident demeanor shone out right away. She had a way with words and a level of confidence that most women at the time didn’t feel comfortable displaying. She took use of her beauty to get what she wanted the majority of the time. Erin landed a job as a legal clerk for her lawyer despite having no legal experience or formal schooling. The movie is ranked 35th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
Erin Brockovich is now available for streaming on Canadian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
34. Notebook
The Notebook is a romantic drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes and released in 2004. It is based on Nicholas Sparks’ 1996 novel of the same name. Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) star in the film as a young couple who fall in love. Allies’ parents, on the other hand, are against it. When Noah enlists in the military during World War II, it appears that their relationship is over. In the meantime, Allie starts dating Captain Lon Hammond Jr. (James Marsden). When Noah returns, just before Allie’s wedding, it’s evident that their romance is still alive. The movie is ranked 34th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix
It is now available for streaming on Australian and Canadian Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) . Nootbook is also availabe at other streaming platforms owned by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and The Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS).
33. (500) Days of Summer
The movie is ranked at 33rd position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix. Marc Webb is the director of this movie. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. It has a disruptive narrative, with the story centered on the male protagonist’s, Tom Hansen (Gordon-Levitt), memories of a failed romance.
It is now available for streaming on Netflix Norway , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
32. Monster’s Ball
Marc Forster directed Monster’s Ball is a romantic drama film released in 2001. Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger, and Peter Boyle are in the main lead. The story follows Hank (Thornton), a jail guard, who is a witness to Lawrence Musgrove’s (Sean Combs) execution. He falls in love with Leticia (Halle Berry), a black woman, without realizing she is Musgrove’s widow. The movie is ranked 32nd on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available for streaming on Netflix Norway , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
31. Paris is Us
Elisabeth Vogler directed Paris Is Us, a 2019 French drama feature film. It follows a story of a girl named Anna (Noemie Schmidt) who finds herself stuck in a spiral of dreams, amid a troubled romance and mounting tensions in Paris. The movie is ranked 31st on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available on Australian Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX). Paris is Us is also available at other streaming platforms owned by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and The Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS).
30. Titanic
The movie is ranked 30th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix. The epic 1997 film by James Cameron is set against the ill-fated first trip of the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Titanic. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio (Jack) and Kate Winslet (Rose) in the lead, who belong to completely different societies and end up falling in love.
Titanic is now available for streaming on Canadian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
29. Top Gun
Tony Scott directed Top Gun, a 1986 American action-drama film. Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, and Tom Skerritt star in this film. Maverick (Tom Cruise), a fighter jet pilot, is sent to The Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School. His reckless attitude and arrogant personality set him at odds with the other pilots, especially Iceman (Val Kilmer). The movie shows Maverick vying for the title of best fighter pilot; at the same time, he’s also competing for the attention of Charlotte Blackwood (Kelly McGillis), his lovely flight instructor. Based on our research of review on Reddit, the movie is ranked 29th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available for streaming on Australian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
28. The Time Traveler’s Wife
Check out The Time Traveler’s Wife if you’re looking for a romantic drama that will make you cry. The plot focuses on a guy who time travels across his life without warning or control. The movie is based on Audrey Niffenegger’s blockbuster novel of the same name. The story is recounted from the perspective of the man’s wife, who must deal with his sporadically disappearing and reappearing, or appearing in other shapes. The film’s sci-fi is very realistic, as the emotions at its core are the film’s primary focus. The movie is ranked at 28th position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
The Time Traveler’s Wife is now available for streaming on British Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
27. Carol
The movie is ranked 27th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix. Carol is a heartbreaking love story that somehow manages to be hopeful. Cate Blanchett plays a 1950s housewife who is coming to terms with her sexuality, and Rooney Mara who plays Therese, a young woman falls in love with her. Every gaze, every gesture, every suggestion of desire becomes something deep as the film’s lush, beautiful aesthetic washes over the characters. The intense park of their first meeting transforms into a deep beautiful connection. As Carol tries to break free from a loveless marriage, Carol’s husband questions her competency as a mother when her affair with her friend comes to light.
It is now available for streaming on Canadian Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX). Other streaming platforms like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and The Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) are also offering Carol.
26. Immortal Beloved
This biopic follows renowned classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven (Gary Oldman) through his terrible battle with hearing loss. After Beethoven’s death in 1827, his assistant, Schindler (Jeroen Krabbe), hunts for a woman mentioned as “immortal beloved” in the composer’s love letters. A series of flashbacks illustrates Beethoven’s journey from passionate young man to disturbed musical genius as Schindler uncovers the puzzle. The movie is ranked 26th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
Immortal Beloved is now available for streaming on Canadian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
25. Only Yesterday
It is a 1991 Japanese animated drama film. It follows a story of a depressed 27-year-old Japanese office worker who travels to the countryside and reflects on her youth in Tokyo and what a different life she might have had. The movie is ranked 25th position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available on British Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
24. The Bridges of Madison County
It is based on a novel written by Robert James Waller. Francesca Johnson (Meryl Streep) is an Italian war bride who lives on an Iowa farm with her husband and two children in 1965. That year, she meets Robert Kincaid (Eastwood), a National Geographic photojournalist who visits Madison County to capture the county’s historic covered bridges. The two have an intense four-day love affair when Francesca’s family is away on a brief holiday. The movie is 24th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available for streaming on Australian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
23. The Social Network
The Social Network is ranked 35th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix. The movie depicts the establishment of social networking website Facebook and the ensuing litigation, based on Ben Mezrich’s 2009 book ‘The Accidental Billionaires’. Jesse Eisenberg plays Mark Zuckerberg, and Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, and Max Minghella play Eduardo Saverin, Sean Parker, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra, respectively. Although Saverin was a consultant for Mezrich’s book, neither Zuckerberg nor any other Facebook employees were involved in the project.
Mark Zuckerberg, a 19-year-old Harvard University sophomore, is rejected by his girlfriend Erica Albright in October 2003. When he gets back to his room, Zuckerberg makes an insulting post on his LiveJournal blog about Albright. He builds Facemash, a campus website, by stealing photographs of female students from college databases and allows site users to assess their beauty. Zuckerberg is placed on academic probation for six months when the site’s traffic causes portions of Harvard’s computer network to breakdown. Facemash’s success, on the other hand, catches the attention of Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, as well as their business partner Divya Narendra. The group asks Zuckerberg to work on Harvard Connection, a dating-focused social network for Harvard students. The movie is ranked 23rd on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available for streaming on Canadian and American Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
22. Theory of Everything
The film is based on Jane Hawking’s book and depicts the life of Professor Stephen Hawking, an English physicist and cosmologist who is regarded as “the smartest living scientist”. In the 1960s, Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne), a Cambridge University student and future physicist, falls in love with Jane Wilde, a fellow collegian (Felicity Jones). Hawking is diagnosed with motor neuron disease at the age of 21. Despite this, and with Jane at his side, he embarks on an ambitious study of time, of which his doctor claims he has very little left. He and Jane overcome all difficulties to forge new ground in medicine and science, accomplishing more than any of them could have imagined. Filled with love the movie is ranked at 22nd position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix. The movie is ranked at 22nd position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix
It is now available for streaming on Canadian and Australian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
21. Blue is the Warmest Color
At 25th position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix is Blue is the Warmest color. Abdellatif Kechiche directed this film. Lea Seydoux and Adele Exarchopoulos star in this drama film produced in 2013. Adele (Exarchopoulos), a French adolescent, discovers passion and freedom when she meets Emma (Seydoux), an ambitious painter, in a lesbian bar.
The film is now available on Australian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
20. The Master
The film is a two-headed monster, loosely based on the tale of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Joaquin Phoenix portrays a PTSD-ridden, instinct-driven WWII soldier who meets the charismatic Lancaster Dodd (a brilliant Philip Seymour Hoffman), who is heading a budding philosophical organization known as “The Cause.” The picture primarily centers upon the push and pull between these two guys. You receive out of The Master what you put into it, so go in with an open mind and be prepared to spend a long time contemplating the ending. The movie is ranked 20th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available for streaming on American Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
19. Brokeback Mountain
Ang Lee directed Brokeback Mountain, a 2005 drama film. Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, and Michelle Williams feature in this film. From 1963 through 1983, it explores the complicated emotional and sexual relationship of two American cowboys Ennis Del Mar (Ledger) and Jack Twist (Gyllenhaal). The movie is ranked at 19th position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available for streaming on Canadian Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX). Other streaming platforms like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and The Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) are also offering Brokeback Mountain.
18. Blue Valentine
Derek Cianfrance wrote and directed Blue Valentine; a romantic drama film released in 2010. The fiml depicts lives of Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) who reside in a humble neighborhood and enjoy a calm life. Everything appears normal to the casual spectator. However, a closer look reveals a deteriorating relationship. Their marriage suffers due to his lack of motivation and her retreat into self-absorption. Based on our research of reviews on Reddit, the movie is ranked at 18th position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix
The film is now available on Canadian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
17. Gods Own Country
Francis Lee’s feature directorial debut, God’s Own Country, is a 2017 British romantic drama. Josh O’Connor and Alec Secareanu are among the cast members of the film. The story revolves around a young Yorkshire sheep farmer Jonny (Josh O’Connor) whose life is turned upside down by a male Romanian migrant worker Ghoergie (Alec Secareanu). The movie is ranked at 17th position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix
The film is now available on Canadian and Australian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
16. Boyhood
The film follows Mason (Ellar Coltrane), his parents (Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke), and his sister as they navigate the joys and challenges of growing up (Lorelei Linklater). Family meals, road trips, birthday celebrations, graduations, and other significant events are captured in vignettes shot over a 12-year period with the same cast. Coldplay, Arcade Fire, and more musicians have written songs that perfectly reflect the era. Richard Linklater directed this film. The movie is ranked at 16th position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix
Based on our research of reviews on Reddit and Quora, the movie is ranked at 32 in our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available Norwegian Netflix, , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX). Other streaming platforms like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and The Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) are also offering Boyhood.
15. Marriage Story
A basic tale lies at the core of one of Netflix’s finest films to date. ‘Marriage Story’ follows Charlie (Adam Driver), a theater director, and his wife, Nicole (Scarlett Johansson), as they go through a divorce. It is smart and heartbreaking, having both humorous and sympathetic moments. Its subject matter has the potential to be revolting. But, because Charlie and Nicole’s love and care are so obvious, it’s difficult not to be affected by their predicament. Nicole, a former adolescent movie star (and a child of Hollywood), is a major actress in Charlie’s experimental stage company, which he directs. What we know about their relationship comes from an introductory montage in which each spouse identifies the qualities they like in the other. They’ve put together these catalogs on the advice of the mediator they engaged to assist them go through their divorce. The movie is ranked 15th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
Marriage Story is now available for streaming on Australian, British and Canadian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
14. Boogie Nights
Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg), an adolescent busboy in the San Fernando Valley in 1977, is discovered by porn director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds), who transforms him into adult-film sensation Dirk Diggler. Dirk achieves all of his goals after being introduced to a supportive circle of friends that includes fellow actors Amber Waves (Julianne Moore), Rollergirl (Heather Graham), and Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly), drugs and ego threaten to bring him back down. The movie is ranked 14th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix
The film is now available on Canadian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
13. Forest Gump
Forrest Gump is a drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Eric Roth. It was released in 1994. The story revolves around Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks), a man with a low IQ, as he recalls his early years, when he found himself in the midst of major historical events. He just wants to be reunited with Jenny (Robin Wright), his childhood sweetheart. Based on our research of reviews on Reddit, the movie is ranked at 13th position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix
It is now available for streaming on Australian and Canadian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
12. Legends of the Fall
The movie is ranked 12th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix. Edward Zwick’s classic historical drama Legends of the Fall was released in 1994. Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn, Julia Ormond, and Henry Thomas are in the main lead. The story follows three brothers and their father in the early twentieth century as they live in the plains of Montana, and how nature, history, war, and love affect their lives.
It is now available for streaming on Australian and Canadian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
11. Gone with the Wind
Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American historical romance drama film based on Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel. It depicts the life of a strong-minded Southern belle Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) in epic Civil War drama. The film follows her through the sad history of the South throughout the Civil War and Reconstruction, beginning with her beautiful childhood on a huge farm, and her tumultuous relationship with Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard) and Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), whom she eventually marries. The movie is ranked 11th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix
Gone wit the Wind is now available for streaming on Canadian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
10. The Trial of Chicago
The film is based on the infamous 1969 trial of seven defendants accused by the federal government with conspiracy and other charges stemming from the 1968 Democratic National Convention countercultural demonstrations in Chicago. The trial captivated the nation and generated a national debate about acts of terrorism meant to destabilize the US government. The movie is ranked 10th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix
This legal drama is ranked at 25 in our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available for streaming on Australian and Canadian Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
9. Atonement
Joe Wright directed Atonement. The film released in 2007. The lives of young lovers Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) and Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) are followed in this epic English drama based on Ian McEwan’s book. When Cecilia’s jealous younger sister, Briony (Saoirse Ronan), fabricates a story, the pair is torn apart, and all three must deal with the outcome. The movie is ranked at 9th position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix
It is now available for streaming on British Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
8. Before Sunrise
Before Sunrise is a romantic drama film directed by Richard Linklater. The story follows Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy). Jesse encounters Celine a student returning to Paris, on his route to Vienna. The form an unexpected bond. Jesse persuades Celine to disembark with him in Vienna for a night’s stay together. The movie is ranked at 8th position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available for streaming on New Zealand Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
7. Before sunset
Before Sunset is the sequel to 1995’s Before Sunrise. Jesse (Ethan Hawke) travels around Europe giving evaluations from a book he wrote about the night he spent in Vienna with Celine (Julie Delpy). The film picks up nine years later. Celine tracks him down after his reading in Paris, and the two spend the rest of the day together before Jesse has to fly again. Jesse has a son, but as their strong feelings for each other resurface. They both admit their desires to each other. Based on our research of reviews on Reddit, the movie is ranked at 7th position on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available for streaming on New Zealand Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
6. American Beauty
American Beauty is ranked 6th on our list of Best Drama Movies on Netflix, is a black comedy-drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. The plot centers around a man who is frightened of growing older, losing hope of genuine love, and not being respected by his closest friends and family. Lester Burnham, the hero of American Beauty, is portrayed by Kevin Spacey as a man who is rejected by his daughter, forgotten by his wife, and unwelcome at work.
It is now available for streaming on American Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX). Other streaming platforms like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and The Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) are also offering American Beauty.
5. 12 Years a Slave
In 1841, Solomon Northup (Ejiofor) is a free musician who is abducted and sold into slavery. When the film’s protagonist Solomon is taken to Washington and cries that he is free, he is severely beaten. His cries reverberate through Washington’s sky, unheard by the White House, which stands silently by. Slave dealer Theophilus Freeman (Giammati, beautiful) sells nude, trembling black captives, who are displayed like exhibits among fine porcelain teacups and cream cakes. Timber farmer William Ford buys Northup, who has been battered into answering to ‘Platt’ (Cumberbatch).
The film is deeply powerful with brilliant acting. Deep focus shots demonstrate how the elegant life of the American South, with its mansions and masquerades, tea parties and dresses, was built on the backs of enslaved blacks. The movie is ranked at number 30th on our list of 35 Best Drama Movies on Netflix.
It is now available for streaming on British Netflix , Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX).
Pixabay/Public Domain