Five Hollywood movies on Netflix screaming for your attention this weekend
Rome wasn’t built overnight, neither was Netflix’s streaming reputation. In fact, to get there, it took a lot of blood, sweat, planning, plotting, and a whole lot of creative genius, some owned, some borrowed. While Netflix has its original production slate ready to save the day any time, for a change of cinematic air, how about we swap them with these five Hollywood movies this weekend instead?
The streaming mogul went all out with its arrival arc in the first week of October, as is tradition with Netflix’s monthly transition. And although the OTT platform isn’t short of original releases, missing out on these five blasts from the past feels like a sin.
While this marathon could be an eye-opener for first-time viewers, even for those eyeing a rewatch, this list won’t disappoint. Most essentially, Netflix doesn’t.
So, in case you planned a laid-back weekend, consider this a call to binge the five ultimate Hollywood movies screaming for your attention this weekend on Netflix.
Five best Hollywood movies to watch this weekend
The Hurt Locker (Kathryn Bigelow, 2008)
Before Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite explodes on Netflix, take some time out this weekend to watch or rewatch The Hurt Locker, the 2008 war-action thriller. Starring the Marvel Cinematic Universe veterans Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie, the movie offers a deep, nuanced look at the psychology of a soldier, particularly of an Iraq War Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, as they become the target of insurgents.
The Hurt Locker provides a gripping character-focused point of view of the Iraq War, which also made Bigelow an Oscar-winner. From stunning handheld camera usage to its cutthroat realism, everything makes the film high-stakes suspense worthy of a weekend watch.
Point Break (Kathryn Bigelow, 1991)
In case you’re done watching The Hurt Locker already, we have another Kathryn Bigelow pick for the weekend, Point Break. While Best of Netflix didn’t exactly intend on making this marathon purely action-filled, with Bigelow lurking in the Netflix corridor, how could you not make the most of her? Described as a masterclass in grounded action, the film stars Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. The iconic foot chase sequence lives rent-free in every mind, while the extreme sports sequences still make the heart skip a beat.
Whether it’s the starry chemistry between Reeves and Swayze or the groundbreaking premise, each and every aspect of Point Break makes it a quintessential ‘90s action film.
Scarface (Brian De Palma, 1983)
When Netflix opens the floodgates of cult classics, it doesn’t believe in slowing down. For those uninitiated, based on Amitage Trail’s 1930 novel, Scarface also serves as a remake of the 1932 film, starring Al Pacino. The crime drama centres on Cuban refugee Tony Montana, who became the unexpected kingpin of the drug world on his arrival in Miami amidst the Mariel boatlift.
Even the ones who have not watched the movie know about Pacino’s powerful delivery that is equal parts aggressive and equal parts flamboyant. Although some may see it as an extensive stylisation of the rags-to-riches-to-ruin concept, Scarface remains one of the most high-octane thrillers that owns and embraces the gaudy excess of Miami back in the day. From pop culture influence to its quotable dialogues, make sure to revisit everything with Brian De Palma’s gem this weekend.
The Mask (Chuck Russell, 1994)
If there’s a face of unmatched physical comedy in Hollywood, it’s undeniably Jim Carrey. And although he has many blockbusters in his resume, nothing hits the mark like the 1994 laughter riot, The Mask. The superhero comedy revolves around the ill-fated bank Teller Stanley Ipkiss, who stumbles upon a mysterious mask that transforms him into a green-faced, yellow-suited troublemaker.
As the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year, The Mask made waves as the ultimate underdog story in cinema history. While Carrey left his mark in more ways than one, Cameron Diaz also delivers an unforgettable performance throughout.
Dirty Dancing (Emile Ardolino, 1987)
While action thrillers and crime dramas are always part of weekend watch parties, end the marathon with something completely feel-good, the 1987 romantic drama, Dirty Dancing. The film tells the meet-cute story of Frances Houseman, who falls head over heels for her dance instructor Johnny Castle at a resort in the 1963 Borscht Belt. Despite reports surrounding their off-screen rifts, the chemistry on-screen between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey is one for the books.
From the iconic soundtrack to the memorable dance sequences, Dirty Dancing stands the test of time. But if you mistake it for just surface-level romance, the loss is probably yours.