These days, most theaters are closed, and even if they were open, most people would be reluctant to sit for two hours in a crowded room with no windows. Even if that weren’t the case, sometimes we prefer to watch movies at home – that way we can have a private screening with just our close friends, have a relaxed night at home and enjoy the comfort of our living room.
When you’ve decided to have a relaxed night at home, invited your ultimate movie-partner and prepared the popcorn, there’s only one problem that remains: choosing the right film. For most of us, choosing what film to watch might take as long as watching the movie, and for some people it gets so frustrating, they give up altogether. We’re here to make sure this doesn’t happen to you next time you plan a movie night, with a list of all the Oscar-winning films on Netflix.
Milk (2008)
The popular drama Milk won two Oscars – Actor Sean Penn won the much-desired Best Actor award, and the film won the category for Best Original Screenplay. If you haven’t already watched it, this is a must-see film, and luckily, you can stream it on Netflix. The biographical film follows the journey of Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist and politician, to promote the gay community in San Francisco during the early seventies. This movie captures a crucial moment in American history, and Milk’s tragic and inspiring story is beautifully portrayed by Sean Penn.
Marriage Story (2019)
Marriage Story received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and it deserves every one of them. The film follows the marriage and divorce of Charlie, a theater director, and Nicole, an aspiring actress, as the two try to put their child’s needs ahead of themselves and end their marriage on friendly terms. The film provides an authentic, realistic look at the process of divorce and all the struggles it entails.
Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Out of its seven nominations, Dallas Buyers Club won three Academy Awards. Set in the mid-eighties, Matthew McConaughey portrays the character of Ron Woodroof, an AIDS patient who’s got 30 days to live, according to doctors. Woodroof stumbles upon an illegal drug that helps treat the ailment and begins smuggling and selling it across the U.S. The movie’s producers have done extensive research on the disease and the spirit of the time prior to filming, and so the film provides both an accurate portrayal of characters and a fictional plot line.
Inception (2010)
Inception, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, won four Academy Awards. This science fiction action film isn’t just for fans of the genre, but anyone can enjoy this Hollywood masterpiece, and if you haven’t yet watched it, cancel all your plans for the weekend. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a professional dream thief – he possesses the ability to infiltrate people’s dreams and subconscious and steal their secrets. Needless to say things get messy when you mess with people’s dreams, and the film takes an unexpected turn.
Her (2013)
You know that any movie starring Joaquin Phoenix is ought to be good, and with Scarlett Johansson and director Spike Jonze, you can’t go wrong. Theodore Twombly is a lonely writer coming to terms with his divorce and trying to get over his ex-wife. His life and perspective changes when he develops a meaningful relationship and falls in love with an A.I operating system named Samantha (the voice of Scarlett Johansson).
The Theory Of Everything (2014)
The biographic drama The Theory of Everything follows the life of physicist Stephen Hawking during his years at Cambridge University, as he copes with the challenges posed by his chronic disease, embarks on his relationship with his wife Jane and finds scientific success. The film is an adaptation of his wife’s memoir, Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen.
Lincoln (2012)
The Historical Drama was nominated for 12 Academy Awards, and Daniel Day Lewis won Best Actor for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln. The biographical film follows Abraham Lincoln’s efforts to abolish slavery in the United States, during the last months of his life, and the toll it took on his life to pass the 13th amendment. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this isn’t another boring historical drama, but a moving film you can enjoy with your friends or family.
The Hateful Eight (2015)
This list (or any good movies list) wouldn’t be complete without a Quentin Tarantino film. Every one of Tarantino’s film were nominated for at least one Academy Award, and The Hateful Eight was nominated for three categories. If you’re a Tarantino fan, you know he’s a fan of Westerns motifs, and this Western thriller, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Kurt Russell include all the best features of the genre. We can’t say anything else without spoilers, but this is another must-watch film on Netflix.
Icarus (2017)
The American documentary won an Academy Award for the category of Best Documentary Feature. The film maker, Bryan Fogel, sets out to explore the world of doping in sports – the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Fogel contacts Russian scientist Grigory Rodchenkov to help him experiment with doping ahead of an amateur cycling race, and along the way, they uncover a vast doping scandal connected to Russia.
The King’s Speech (2010)
The King’s Speech was nominated for 12 Academy Awards, and won four, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director. Colin Firth won Best Actor for his role as King George VI, who copes with a speech impediment. Feeling as if his stammer might undermine his authority, the king hires a speech therapist and an inspiring friendship ensues between the two. There’s also a dramatic turn of events and action, but it’s mostly the surprising friendship between the men that makes the movie what it is.