Because the time we spend binging on Netflix is precious

Let's be honest. There's an awful lot of shite on Netflix.

We've previously given our picks for the best drama, comedies, horror and action on the streaming service. But we haven't really touched on Netflix original content much.

While Netflix original series continue to impress, their original movies are typically lacklustre. In fact, a lot of the time, they're complete and utter rubbish.

Well we've watch a LOT of movies (you can thank us for watching the crappy ones so you don't have to) and come up with these eight that are actually really good.

We kick things off with...

 

Roma

You may have been among the numerous moviegoers who in spite of owning a Netflix account, never actually bothered to watch Oscar nominee 'Roma'. Well we can't recommend it enough. It's a simple story following a year in the life of a maid in 1970s Mexico. The beautiful performances and stunning cinematography from director Alfonso Cuaron ('Gravity', 'Children of Men') elevate it to something else entirely.

 

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Originally intended as a TV series, the anthology style of 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs' really works for it. It sees the Coen Brothers return to that familiar territory of the Old West where their previous films 'True Grit' and 'No Country for Old Men' were set. Familiar faces like Tim Blake Nelson, James Franco, Liam Neeson, Brendan Gleeson and Zoe Kazan pop up in various chapters.

 

Okja

If there ever was a non-documentary movie to permanently turn you to veganism, it's 'Okja'. Starring Tilda Swinton and Jake Gylenhaal, it tells the bittersweet story of a Korean girl and her super pig pet, who are separated when a powerful, multinational company takes away the latter. The little girl - played by Ahn Seo-hyun in a stunning turn - goes all the way to New York to get Okja back. It's a powerful, bittersweet movie that alters between heartbreak and exhilaration to make for an emotional rollercoaster of a film.

 

Set It Up

'Set It Up' is actually one of the best romantic comedies of recent years. Laugh-out-loud funny and so sweet it will give you a toothache, it features 'Everybody Wants Some!!' co-stars Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell as two PAs who are sick of working long hours for their demanding bosses (played by a truly fabulous Lucy Liu and devilishly charismatic Taye Diggs). They decide to set their employers up in the hopes that a romantic relationship will distract them enough that they get some down time. Of course, their plan doesn't work out quite as they'd hoped.

 

Gerald's Game

'Gerald's Game' is a truly haunting horror that gets stuck in your head for days after watching it. Based on a Stephen King novel, it stars Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood as a married couple whose trip away to a remote lake house goes horribly wrong. Directed by Mike Flanagan, who is also the man behind 'The Haunting of Hill House', it's powerful but dark and graphic. The scariest parts are not what you'd expect.

 

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Given all the terrible teen dramas on Netflix (like 'The Kissing Booth' and 'The Perfect Date', to name just a couple), we're surprised ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ is as good as it is. Storywise, it's about a teenage girl whose secret love letters get distributed to her crushes. Lana Condor is perfection as the lead and Noah Centineo makes for a charming support. The movie is entertaining, not only insightful but fun. Audiences beyond the YA target market will find much to enjoy in it.

 

Mudbound

‘Mudbound’ truly is a gem. The movie earned four Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Song (both for Mary J. Blige), Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography. Based on a novel by Hillary Jordan, it relates how two World War II veterans, one white and one black, struggle with racism and PTSD when they return home to farm in rural Mississippi.

 

Beasts of No Nation

'Beasts of No Nation' is one of the older entries on our list. If you haven't watched it yet, you're missing out. We follow Agu, a child soldier fighting in the civil war somewhere in Africa. Idris Elba plays the Commandant who comes to be his mentor. It's a haunting, compelling narrative and it's no wonder that its director Cary Joji Fukunaga (whose other major credits would be 'True Detective' and Netflix sci fi series 'Maniac') would go on to get the Bond 25 gig.