The Best Drama Movies on Netflix to Stream Now

Mar. 15, 2025

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively in ‘It Ends with Us,’ 2024.Photo:Nicole Rivelli

Nicole Rivelli

Netflix has made a name for itself when it comes to drama movies.

Over the past few years, many of their original films have become critically acclaimed — and some have even earned Best Picture nominations at theAcademy Awards. On top of that, the platform is also home to numerous excellent dramatic offerings from other studios around the world. From relationship dramas to biopics based on real people, there’s never a shortage of films to fit your mood.

But with the number of options on the streaming service, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out exactly what to watch. That’s why we’ve compiled some of the best drama flicks available to view on the platform right now. Between newer releases likeLonely PlanetandHis Three Daughtersand award-winning films likeSchindler’s List,Marriage StoryandRoma, you’ll find the perfect movie to stream in no time.

Ahead, the best drama movies on Netflix to watch.

It Ends with Us

Jenny Slate and Blake Lively in ‘It Ends with Us,’ 2024.Jojo Whilden

Jojo Whilden

Beforethe PR turmoilandongoing legal battles,It Ends with Uswas already packed with its fair share of fictional drama. Based onColleen Hoover’s best-selling romance novel about domestic violence, this 2024 film centers around Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a florist who starts a new life in Boston and falls for a smooth-talking neurosurgeon (Justin Baldoni), only to have her teenage love (Brandon Sklenar) come back into her life just as her current relationship takes a turn for the worst.

WatchIt Ends with Uson Netflix

The Whale

Brendan Fraser in ‘The Whale,’ 2022.Courtesy of A24

WatchThe Whaleon Netflix

Melancholia

Kirsten Dunst in ‘Melancholia,’ 2011.Christian Geisnaes/Magnolia Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

Christian Geisnaes/Magnolia Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

WatchMelancholiaon Netflix

Lion

David Wenham, Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman in ‘Lion,’ 2015.Courtesy The Weinstein Company

WatchLionon Netflix on Jan. 9

Schindler’s List

Liam Neeson (center) in ‘Schindler’s List,’ 1993.Snap/Shutterstock

Snap/Shutterstock

InSteven Spielberg’s seven-time Oscar-winning historical masterpiece,Liam Neesontakes on the role of Oskar Schindler, a real-life profit-driven German businessman who initially exploits Jewish labor for personal gain during World War II. But when the Nazis begin their extermination of Jews in Polish ghettos, Schindler orchestrates the protection of his workers to keep his factory running — and in the process saves more than 1,000 lives.

WatchSchindler’s Liston Netflix

Out of Africa

Robert Redford and Meryl Streep in ‘Out of Africa,’ 1985.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Winning seven Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director,Sydney Pollack’s 1985 romantic dramacenters on Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep), a Danish baroness whose aristocratic husband, Bror (Klaus Maria Brandauer), invests their wealth in a coffee plantation in 20th-century Kenya. Joining him in Africa, Karen discovers Bror’s infidelity and finds solace — and love — in the arms of bohemian hunter Denys (Robert Redford), while redefining her own aspirations and desires.

WatchOut of Africaon Netflix

Erin Brokovich

Albert Finney and Julia Roberts in ‘Erin Brockovich,’ 2000.Bob Marshak/Universal/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

WatchErin Brockovichon Netflix

Judy

Renée Zellweger (center) in ‘Judy,’ 2019.David Hindley/BBC Films/Kobal/Shutterstock

David Hindley/BBC Films/Kobal/Shutterstock

WatchJudyon Netflix

Lonely Planet

Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth in ‘Lonely Planet,’ 2024.Anne Marie Fox/Netflix

Anne Marie Fox/Netflix

Reclusive novelist Katherine Loewe (Laura Dern) escapes to a Moroccan writer’s retreat, hoping an unfamiliar environment will somehow cure her writer’s block. Instead, she finds an unexpected, life-changing romance with a younger man  (Liam Hemsworth), who’s there to reassess his own path.

WatchLonely Planeton Netflix

I Used to Be Funny

From left: Rachel Sennott, Caleb Hearon and Sabrina Jalees in ‘I Used to Be Funny,’ 2023.Everett/Shutterstock

Everett/Shutterstock

WatchI Used to Be Funnyon Netflix

His Three Daughters

From left: Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen and Carrie Coon in ‘His Three Daughters,’ 2024.Sam Levy/Netflix

Sam Levy/Netflix

Carrie Coon,Natasha LyonneandElizabeth Olsenstar as the titular sisters in Azazel Jacobs' family drama, which premiered at the 2023Toronto International Film Festival. When news of their father’s (Jay O. Sanders) imminent death brings them back together after years of estrangement, the siblings must confront their long-buried tensions while navigating their patriarch’s final moments.

WatchHis Three Daughterson Netflix

Aftersun

Paul Mescal in ‘Aftersun,’ 2022.A24

A24

As a blissfully unaware 11-year-old, Sophie (Frankie Corio, with Celia Rowlson Hall playing the older version) makes core memories basking in the Turkish sun with her lively and kind father, Calum (Paul Mescal) — who represses his inner struggles from her. Two decades later, Sophie revisits their last holiday through her miniDV recordings and an adult perspective, finding the nuances she once overlooked in her youth.

WatchAftersunon Netflix

Carol

Cate Blanchett in ‘Carol,’ 2015.Wilson Webb/Killer/The Weinstein Company/Kobal/Shutterstock

Set in 1950s Manhattan, this 2015romantic drama centers on the sapphic relationshipbetween a shy but ambitious twentysomething photographer (Rooney Mara) and an older woman (Cate Blanchett) amid a divorce from her husband (Kyle Chandler). This critically acclaimed film also starsSarah Paulson, Jake Lacy and Cory Michael Smith, among others.

WatchCarolon Netflix

The Peanut Butter Falcon

Zack Gottsagen and Shia LaBeouf in ‘The Peanut Butter Falcon,’ 2019.Seth Johnson/Courtesy of Roadside Attractions and Armory Films

Fleeing his assisted living facility to chase his wrestling dreams, a young man with Down syndrome named Zak (Zack Gottsagen) befriends Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) — an outlaw fisherman — and embarks on a road trip to the Salt Water Redneck’s wrestling school in North Carolina. However, when Zak’s caretaker (Dakota Johnson) catches up with them, she joins their adventure.

WatchThe Peanut Butter Falconon Netflix

May December

Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman in ‘May December,’ 2023.Francois Duhamel/Courtesy of Netflix

Francois Duhamel/Courtesy of Netflix

In Todd Haynes' 2023 drama,Julianne Mooretakes on the role of a controversial woman, Gracie Atherton-Yoo, who’s loosely based on the real-lifeMary Kay Letourneau. Married with three children to the man (Charles Melton) shefirst met as a 13-year-old boy, Gracie’s relationship — which led to her incarceration 20 years prior — faces new challenges when actress Elizabeth Berry (Natalie Portman) arrives to do research for a film about their past.

WatchMay Decemberon Netflix

Nyad

Annette Bening and Jodie Foster in ‘Nyad,’ 2023.Kimberley French/Netflix

Kimberley French/Netflix

Athlete Diana Nyad (Annette Bening) once embarked on an epic 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida but had to surrender to the harsh winds. Now, 32 years later at age 60, Dianarekindles her dream of conquering this aquatic marathon, determined to face the open waters with the support of both her coach (Jodie Foster) and a team of sailors and without the protection of a shark cage.

WatchNyadon Netflix

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Dev Patel, Sir Ben Kingsley and Richard Ayoade in Roald Dahl’s ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,’ 2023.Netflix

Netflix

WatchThe Wonderful Story of Henry Sugaron Netflix

Boy Erased

Nicole Kidman and Lucas Hedges in ‘Boy Erased,’ 2018.Focus Features/Kobal/Shutterstock

Focus Features/Kobal/Shutterstock

In the 2018 adaptation ofGarrard Conley’s memoir,Boy Erased, we follow Jared Eamons (Lucas Hedges), whose revelation of his gay identity puts him at odds with his Baptist parents (Nicole KidmanandRussell Crowe). Coerced into a conversion therapy program, Jared clashes with its hostile leader (Joel Edgerton), igniting a transformative journey of self-acceptance.

WatchBoy Erasedon Netflix

Miss Juneteenth

Nicole Beharie in ‘Miss Juneteenth,’ 2020.Sailor Bear/Ley Line Entertainment/Album/Alamy

Sailor Bear/Ley Line Entertainment/Album/Alamy

Premiering at theSundance Film Festival, this critically acclaimed 2020 drama centers around Turquoise (Nicole Beharie), a single mother and former beauty queen. She dedicates herself to preparing her headstrong teenage daughter (Alexis Chikaeze) for the “Miss Juneteenth” pageant, hoping to shield her from the challenges in life that Turquoise faced herself.

WatchMiss Juneteenthon Netflix

RRR

Ram Charan in ‘RRR,’ 2022.Raftar Creations/Courtesy Everett

Raftar Creations/Courtesy Everett

With jaw-dropping action scenes and multiple musical sequences, the award-winning Tollywood adventure drama is one you don’t want to miss. Dubbed in several languages — with Telegu being the original —RRRfollows two Indian revolutionaries (Ram Charan and N. T. Rama Rao Jr.) who join forces to combat British colonial rule.

WatchRRRon Netflix

The Wonder

Tom Burke, Florence Pugh and Kí­la Lord Cassidy in ‘The Wonder,’ 2022.Christopher Barr/Netflix

Set during the aftermath of the Great Famine, 2022’sThe WonderstarsFlorence Pughas English nurse Elizabeth “Lib” Wright, who’s sent to a countryside village in Ireland to examine a young fasting girl (Kíla Lord Cassidy). Although the 11-year-old claims she has survived without food for months, Lib is determined to uncover the reason behind this marvel.

WatchThe Wonderon Netflix

Luckiest Girl Alive

Mila Kunis in ‘Luckiest Girl Alive,’ 2022.Sabrina Lantos/Netflix

Adapted fromJessica Knoll’s best-selling novel of the same name, this2022 mystery thrillerfollows a N.Y.C. writer whose storybook life is upended when a true-crime documentarian forces her to rehash her dark past. This film features an ensemble cast, includingMila Kunis,Chiara Aurelia, Finn Wittrock,Connie Brittonand more.

WatchLuckiest Girl Aliveon Netflix

Passing

Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson in ‘Passing,’ 2021.Edu Grau/Netflix

In her directorial debut,Rebecca Hall’s critically acclaimed drama — filmed entirely in black-and-white — centers on two mixed-race childhood friends who reunite as adults during the 1920s; one who is “passing” as a White woman and the other who identifies as Black. StarringTessa Thompson,Ruth Negga,André HollandandAlexander Skarsgård,Passingexplores race, gender and sexuality in the early 20th century.

WatchPassingon Netflix

The Good Nurse

Jessica Chastain in ‘The Good Nurse,’ 2022.JoJo Whilden/Netflix

JoJo Whilden/Netflix

Based on a chilling true story,The Good Nursechroniclesoverburdened ICU nurse Amy Loughrenas she discovers that her colleague Charlie Cullen has a dark past. When a patient’s unexpected death casts him in a suspicious light, she helps uncover that Charlie has been guilty of murdering dozens of patients.Jessica ChastainandEddie Redmaynestar in the crime thriller.

WatchThe Good Nurseon Netflix

Hustle

Ainhoa Pillet, Maria Botto and Adam Sandler in ‘Hustle,’ 2022.Scott Yamano/Netflix

Stanley Sugerman finds himself in a tough spot after being fired as a professional basketball scout. But after discovering an incredible street ball player during a trip to Spain, he takes the opportunity to prove that they both have what it takes to make it to the NBA.Adam Sandlerstars alongsideQueen LatifahandJuancho Hernangómez.

WatchHustleon Netflix

Emily the Criminal

Aubrey Plaza in ‘Emily the Criminal,’ 2022.Roadside Attractions/Courtesy Everett

Roadside Attractions/Courtesy Everett

Aubrey Plazastars as Emily, a college grad drowning in student debt and unable to find a job thanks to a minor criminal record. When she’s offered a position as a “dummy shopper,” she signs on, even if it means she’ll be shopping using stolen credit cards. It isn’t long before she teams up with her middleman Youcef (Theo Rossi) to take things to the next level — but their risky move ends up having deadly consequences.

WatchEmily the Criminalon Netflix

All Quiet on the Western Front

‘All Quiet on the Western Front,’ 2022.Netflix

WatchAll Quiet on the Western Fronton Netflix

The Power of the Dog

Benedict Cumberbatch and Kodi Smit-McPhee in ‘The Power of the Dog,’ 2021.Netflix

When intimidating rancher Phil Burbank and his brother George meet widowed proprietress Rose, theirlives are changed forever. After George marries Rose and brings her back to the ranch with her teenage son, Phil begins to torment the new family. One day, Phil’s mockery of the young boy unexpectedly turns into mentorship — but it’s unclear if his kind gesture is part of a larger scheme. Benedict Cumberbatch stars alongsideKirsten Dunst,Jesse PlemonsandKodi Smit-McPhee.

WatchThe Power of the Dogon Netflix

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

From left: Chadwick Boseman, Colman Domingo, Viola Davis, Michael Potts and Glynn Turman in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,’ 2020.David Lee/NETFLIX

In 1927 Chicago, groundbreaking blues singer Ma Rainey is in the middle of a high-stakes recording session with her band. When Ma Rainey shows up late with a list of demands, tensions rise between the singer, her trumpet player Levee and veteran musician Toledo. Based on August Wilson’s 1982 play of the same name,Ma Rainey’s Black BottomstarsViola Davis,Chadwick Boseman(inhis last film performancebeforehe died in August 2020) and Glynn Turman.

WatchMa Rainey’s Black Bottomon Netflix

Mank

Amanda Seyfried in ‘Mank,’ 2020.NETFLIX

Manktransports viewers back to Hollywood in the 1930s, following the trials and tribulations of acclaimed screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. TheDavid Fincher-directed film tells the true story of how Mankiewicz developed the first draft of what would becomeCitizen Kaneand the real-life inspiration behind its characters.Gary Oldman,Amanda Seyfriedand Lily Collins star.

WatchMankon Netflix

Tick, Tick… Boom!

Andrew Garfield in ‘Tick, Tick…Boom!,’ 2021.NETFLIX

Based on playwrightJonathan Larson’s autobiographical musical,Tick, Tick… Boom!is a coming-of-age story about an aspiring theater composer in N.Y.C. On the verge of his 30th birthday, Jonathan feels his time is running out to create something revolutionary. As he has second thoughts about his career, he must also navigate the complexities of both love and friendship. Andrew Garfield stars as Jonathan inLin-Manuel Miranda’s directorial debut alongsideAlexandra ShippandVanessa Hudgens.

WatchTick, Tick… Boom!on Netflix

Phantom Thread

Vicky Krieps and Daniel Day-Lewis in ‘Phantom Thread,’ 2017.Annapurna Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock

In 1950s London, celebrated dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) is at the center of the fashion scene, dressing everyone from the royal family to movie stars. Despite having many women in his life, Woodcock can’t commit — that is, until he meets Alma (Vicky Krieps), a headstrong young woman who becomes both his muse and his lover. Over time, their relationship becomes increasingly more intense — until unusual occurrences occur.

WatchPhantom Threadon Netflix

Marriage Story

Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver in ‘Marriage Story,’ 2019.Netflix

Marriage Storytakes an emotional look at divorce as a stage director and his actress wife navigate the bittersweet unraveling of their relationship. They are pushed to their emotional limits as they struggle through their exhausting split and subsequent hostile custody battle.Scarlett JohanssonandAdam Driverstar alongsideLaura Dern.

WatchMarriage Storyon Netflix

The Two Popes

Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce in ‘The Two Popes,’ 2019.Netflix

WatchThe Two Popeson Netflix

The Guilty

Jake Gyllenhaal in ‘The Guilty,’ 2021.NETFLIX

The Guilty, a remake of the 2018 Danish filmDen Skyldige, follows a troubled police detective relegated to fielding 911 calls on the night shift. When a call comes through from a kidnapped woman, he must scramble to save her — and confront his troubled past.Jake Gyllenhaal,Ethan HawkeandRiley Keoughstar in the crime thriller.

WatchThe Guiltyon Netflix

The Irishman

Al Pacino (center) and Robert De Niro (right) in ‘The Irishman,’ 2019.Netflix

WatchThe Irishmanon Netflix

The Lost Daughter

Olivia Colman in ‘The Lost Daughter,’ 2021.NETFLIX

WatchThe Lost Daughteron Netflix

The King

Timothée Chalamet in ‘The King,’ 2019.Netflix

Prince Hal (Timothée Chalamet), the heir to the English throne, wants nothing to do with royal life and is living among commoners when his tyrannical father dies. He must return to the life he so desperately attempted to escape, where he is reluctantly crowned King Henry V. In his new role as king, he is left to deal with the chaos his father left behind.

WatchThe Kingon Netflix

The Devil All the Time

Sebastian Stan and Tom Holland in ‘The Devil All the Time,’ 2020.Glen Wilson/Netflix

WatchThe Devil All the Timeon Netflix

Roma

From left: Marco Graf, Daniela Demesa, Yalitza Aparicio, Marina De Tavira, Diego Cortina Autrey and Carlos Peralta Jacobson in ‘Roma,’ 2018.Carlos Somonte/Netflix

WatchRomaon Netflix

source: people.com