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If there was one streaming service that brought its A-Game (and more) in 2020, it was definitely Netflix. The red streaming giant not only dominated with some of the best streaming content of the year, but it also fended off fierce competition from newcomers such as Disney Plus, Apple Tv, and HBO Max.
But out of all Netflix’s 2020 releases, they were those that stood above the rest and reminded us of how great cinema can be (even though we couldn’t go to one). And so, without further delay, here are our opinions of the Best Movies, Animations, and Tv-Shows of Netflix 2020.
16. Over The Moon
Watch On Netflix (Subscription)
Watch TrailerReview: Over the moon is a colorful and breathtaking animation that effortlessly combines a child’s imagination with the life lesson of a familiar story.
While the animated film starts out as a childish mission to prove the moon goddess’s existence, its true story is about the desolation caused by personal loss. The film skillfully draws parallels between the lives of its two main characters to show how even during the worst pain of our lives, we are never really alone.
Why You Should Watch: Amazing Soundtrack, Good Storyline, Beautiful Animation.
Why You Might Skip: Predictable
15. I’m Thinking of Ending Things
Review: One of the best psychological dramas of 2020, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, is both a dark and beautiful story of love, regret, and death.
The movie’s real story follows an older man named Jake, as he reflects on how different his life would be had he taken certain decisions in his youth. Haunted by loneliness and many missed opportunities at happiness, Jake spends his day thinking about ending his life.
What makes this film particularly good is how it presents its story as a jigsaw puzzle for the audience to solve. And when you finally put all the pieces together, the movie reveals an amazing story that no one should miss. Read Our Full Review
Why You Should Watch: Beautiful Storyline, Deep Message
Why You Might Skip: Non-Linear Storytelling, Slow-Paced Movie
14. Da 5 Bloods
Review: Da 5 Bloods was an unexpected gem of 2020 that showed how deep friendship and the scars of war could run. Through its main character’s lives, the film touches on the darker aspects of the Vietnam war, while also showing how war never really ends for those who survived or fought it.
Why You Should Watch: Excellent Acting, Deep Message
Why You Might Skip: Long Drama, Slow-Paced Movie
13. The Haunting of Bly Manor
Review: While not as scary as its predecessor, The Haunting of Bly Manor is still a sweet and chilling love story that leaves you wanting more. After an au pair’s tragic death, the show sees Henry Wingrave hire a young American nanny to care for his orphaned niece and nephew, who live at Bly Manor. But all is not as it seems, as at Bly Manor, dead doesn’t mean gone.
The best part of the series is hands down its acting and storytelling. And these aspects help Bly Manor take the audience through a century-long story, waist-deep in love, betrayal, and death.
Why You Should Watch: Excellent Acting, Amazing Storytelling
Why You Might Skip: Long Drama, Slow-Paced Series
12. Blood of Zeus
Review: “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”
Made by the creators of Castlevania, Blood of Zeus is an awesome animation that explores a different angle to The Greek pantheon. While the series initially focuses on Heron, a commoner who discovers he’s the son of Zeus. All that changes when the show’s antagonist, Hera, learns about her husband’s latest illegitimate child and sparks a civil war within the pantheon.
Why You Should Watch: Good Storyline, Awesome Fight Scenes, and Animation.
Why You Might Skip: Run-of-The Mill First Two Episodes
11. The Platform
Review: The Platform is a subtly disturbing movie I can’t recommend enough. The film takes place in a futuristic world, where prisoners housed in vertical cells watch as inmates in upper levels eat to satisfaction while those below starve.
What’s interesting is, within the lower levels of the prison, survival depends entirely on the mercy of your neighbors above. And where such consideration is absent, prisoners resort to either cannibalism or die from starvation. While disturbing, the movie uses this concept to reflect society and show how everything would quickly crumble if everyone only thought about their survival.
Why You Should Watch: Good Storyline, Deep message
Why You Might Skip: Disturbing Movie
10. Mosul
Review: After an Iraqi SWAT team saves him from an assault by insurgents, Mosul sees a police officer join the team in their fight against ISIS.
One of the best aspects of Mosul is how the movie gives a fresh perspective on the war in the middle east. Rather than have external forces come to the rescue, Mosul shows a squad of Iraqi men fighting to save and rebuild their country. And it accomplishes this while highlighting the nation’s culture and history.
Why You Should Watch: Respectable Storyline, Great Action scenes
Why You Might Skip: Predictable
9. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Review: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a beautiful metaphorical film that uses a simple recording session from the Mother Blues and her band, to dissect whitewashing and racism in America. While the cast’s overall performance was amazing, it was the late Chadwick Boseman’s energetic performance that got me invested in this movie.
For a much better explanation of the events of the film, check out Screen Rant’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Ending Explained.
Why You Should Watch: Excellent Acting, Amazing Storytelling
Why You Might Skip: Slow-Paced Movie
8. His House
Review: His house is an amazing thriller that almost went under my radar last year. The movie follows a refugee couple who barely escape a war-torn South Sudan to start their new life in an English town. However, days into moving in, they soon discover that something from their past home has followed them to their new house.
While borderline Horror, His House tells a tale about the ugly cost of survival in a war-torn country. Through the incredible acting of its protagonists, the film gives a raw look at the refugee experience and the survivor’s guilt that often comes with it.
Why You Should Watch: Excellent Acting, Thrilling Storyline
Why You Might Skip: Disturbing Movie
7. The Queen’s Gambit
Review: Yet another Must Watch from Netflix, The Queen’s Gambit tells an incredible but fictional story of Elizabeth Harmon, a young orphan who struggles with addiction while on a quest to become the greatest chess player in the world.
Anya Taylor Joy gives a career-defining performance in this amazing story that reminds us that nothing worthwhile ever comes easy (not even for talented people). Read Our Review
Why You Should Watch: Excellent Acting, Amazing Storyline
Why You Might Skip: Long Drama, Slow-Paced Series
6. The Devil All The Time
Review: The Devil all the time is an incredible movie I never expected from either Netflix or Tom Holland. This gothic thriller tells an amazing multi-narrative story that cuts across several generations and shows the dangers of blind religious faith through its characters.
What’s interesting about this movie is how it uses each character to represent a different vice or issue. And while some characters are in a constant battle with their Devil All The Time, others give in to them and suffer the consequences. Read Our Full Review
Why You Should Watch: Excellent Acting, Amazing Storyline
Why You Might Skip: Slow-Paced Series
5. Ozark Season 3
Review: The third season of Ozark gave us one of the most shocking endings of the entire series. One that we should have seen coming, but still never expected. But considering where things left off, many believe that the series will end with a showdown between Marty and his wife, Wendy.
Why You Should Watch: Funny, Excellent Acting, Amazing Storyline
Why You Might Skip: Slow-Paced Series
4. Mank
Review: From the brilliant acting to an amazing story about the socio-political drama of the movie industry, Mank is, by all means, a love letter to all cinephiles and movie lovers.
Set in 1930s Hollywood, the movie is told from Herman J. Mankiewicz’s unforgiving eyes, as he reevaluates the film industry and rushes to finish the screenplay of his iconic movie Citizen Kane.
Why You Should Watch: Excellent Acting
Why You Might Skip: Long drama, Slow-Paced Movie
3. The FortyYear Old Version
Review: Arguably one of the funniest movies of 2020, The 40-year-old version is a semi-autobiography of screenwriter Radha Blank’s life. The movie follows Radha (who stars in her own film) as she struggles to find inspiration and reinvent herself as a rapper known as RadhaMUSPrime.
Honestly, I could give you a hundred and one reasons why you should see this movie, but nothing I say would be better than you actually seeing it for yourself. Yes, it’s that good.
Why You Should Watch: Funny, Inspirational, Good storytelling.
Why You Might Skip: Slow-Paced Movie
2. The Trial of The Chicago Seven
Review: The Trial of The Chicago 7 is one of those movies that gets your attention and doesn’t let go until it’s done. Featuring an all-star cast, the film tells the true story of seven defendants who were charged by the US government with conspiracy and other crimes from the protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.
Writer and director Aaron Sorkin does a brilliant job of presenting the facts of the infamous trial while also showing the events that led to the brutal clash between police officers and protesters. Given its excellent storyline and the brilliant acting of its cast, The Trial of The Chicago 7 is an easy must-watch of 2020.
Why You Should Watch: Great StoryTelling, Fast-Paced Movie
Why You Might Skip: There’s No Reason Why You Shouldn’t See This Movie.
1. Dark
Review: Easily one of my best series of 2020, Dark is a sci-fi masterpiece that nails time travel without sacrificing any bit of its suspense or drama. The German Netflix series follows a missing person investigation that ends up exposing the double lives, secrets, and fractured relationships between four different families throughout time. Read Our Full Review
Why You Should Watch: Great StoryTelling, Amazing Storyline, Excellent Acting, Good Soundtrack
Why You Might Skip: Long Drama, Occasionally Confusing.
