(Credit: Netflix)

Critically acclaimed films carry themselves like that chic lady who makes an appearance at the town party once in a blue moon, but that appearance is remembered for years.

They’re not just popular; they are the ones that critics write essays about, the ones audiences leave theatres arguing over, and the ones that end up shaping conversations about movies for years.

Netflix, for all its endless rom-coms and comfort rewatches, also has a catalogue of these standouts. You might have come across a section stuffed between the algorithm-friendly hits. These are titles that once had critics calling them “essential viewing” and audiences gathering up to see what the fuss was about.

What sets these films apart isn’t that they are intimidating or “serious cinema”. What truly clicks is that they balance sharp storytelling with staying power. They make you laugh or cry in the moment, but they also stick around in your head, demanding a little more thought after the credits. Most importantly, they make you think.

So if you’re looking to swap out the forgettable for the unforgettable, this list is a good place to start. Five films, each praised by critics and loved by audiences, all ready to stream on Netflix.

Five critically acclaimed movies to watch this weekend

Da 5 Bloods (Spike Lee, 2020)

Spike Lee is known for detonating stories instead of just telling them. Da 5 Bloods belongs to the same category. It is about four Vietnam War veterans returning to the jungle, but forget any idea of a nice, cosy reunion. They’re there for two things: to bring home the remains of a fallen comrade and to dig up gold they buried decades ago. What they find, though, is trauma, guilt, and a history. It is part war film, part treasure hunt, but most importantly, it is an emotional gut punch. It keeps on switching gears from camaraderie to paranoia to grief in the blink of an eye.

Critics hailed it as one of Spike’s boldest late-career moves. Variety praised it as “another bold salvo” in his career, and it earned spots on top-ten lists across 2020. Reviewers highlighted Delroy Lindo’s powerhouse performance, calling it Oscar-worthy even if the Academy didn’t listen. It’s exactly the kind of film critics rally behind.

Dolemite Is My Name (Craig Brewer, 2019)

If Da 5 Bloods is heavy, Dolemite Is My Name is a riot. Eddie Murphy effortlessly plays Rudy Ray Moore, a struggling comic in the ’70s who reinvents himself as Dolemite. But he is not an ordinary man. He is an outrageous, foul-mouthed, kung-fu-faking character who shouldn’t work but somehow does. The film is pure energy. You have gaudy costumes, raunchy jokes, and the wild determination of a man who refuses to be ignored. Murphy’s charm is so electric you can practically feel it through the screen.

Critics called it Murphy’s big comeback. Sitting at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, it was praised across the board as hilarious and heartwarming. Entertainment Weekly said Murphy brought “hope, hunger, and pure life force” to the role, making the Oscars’ decision to snub him one of the biggest head-scratchers of that year.

Hit Man (Richard Linklater, 2023)

You must have seen hitmen in movies a million times. Full of action and adrenaline. Now forget all of that. Richard Linklater’s Hit Man stars Glen Powell as a mild-mannered professor who moonlights as a fake hitman for police stings. His secret weapon? He’s a chameleon. He slips into disguises, accents, and whole personas, and he is so good at it that the lines between play-acting and reality start to blur. Add in a forbidden romance with a woman who thinks he’s the real deal, and suddenly you have got a rom-com, a thriller, and a character study rolled into one.

Critics adored the film’s genre-bending style. The New Yorker called it “a diabolically smart yarn” and one of the most clever romantic comedies in recent years. Reviewers singled out Powell as a revelation, and he got praised for not just his star power but also his co-writing chops.

Hustle (Jeremiah Zagar, 2022)

Can you imagine Adam Sandler as a serious actor? If you have seen Hustle, you already know the answer is yes. He plays a tired basketball scout who comes across a raw talent in Spain and stakes everything on getting him into the NBA. The film nails the beats of a sports drama but with a sincerity that makes it feel more personal than most underdog stories. Sandler strips away the comedy schtick, and what’s left is a performance full of heart.

Critics were quick to shout about it. The New Yorker described it as “a refracted self-portrait” of Sandler, and reviews across the board praised his nuanced acting. Many even called it one of the best sports movies Netflix has ever produced. For a guy known for goofy comedies, Sandler proved once again he’s got serious range.

I Care a Lot (J Blakeson, 2020)

To close things out, let’s talk about villains. I Care a Lot stars Rosamund Pike as Marla Grayson, a scammer who exploits the elderly by tricking the courts into making her their guardian. She’s sleek and ruthless, and impossible to look away from. Watching her scheme is half horrifying, half thrilling, but all that is until she picks the wrong target and the film shifts into a cat-and-mouse thriller. Pike’s icy grin makes it clear that she knows you hate her, and she’s loving every second.

Critics couldn’t resist either. The New York Times called it “wildly entertaining”, and Pike’s performance won her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical. Even reviewers who nitpicked the story agreed: Pike’s razor-sharp villainy was the kind of role critics live for.