These are the best Netflix movies of 2024
As a film lover, I have been keeping track of which movies I have seen for a number of years. And although the list has been nicely expanded again in 2024, my watchlist remains a sort of never-ending story. For every title I cross off, two new ones come in its place. But with so much choice, you sometimes scroll through Netflix longer than you actually watch. To save you this trouble, I gathered the best movies of this year according to IMDb. This way, you can still cross them off at the last minute.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin
Not an exciting action movie, but an emotional documentary tops the list this year. ‘The Remarkable Life of Ibelin’ tells the story of 25-year-old Mats Steen from Norway. Due to a muscle disease, he could hardly do anything and spent most of his time playing the computer game ‘World of Warcraft’. In the eyes of his parents, he lived a lonely life, but nothing could be further from the truth. After Mats' death, they discover the online world of his alter ego Ibelin. He actually had many friends and even a relationship. The documentary is an impressive tribute to Mats' life and the power of the online world. If we are to believe the reactions on X, tissues are certainly not unnecessary.
The Greatest Night in Pop
After four years of absence, the song ‘We Are the World’ is back in the Top 2000, and this may well be due to the documentary ‘The Greatest Night in Pop’. The doc gives a behind-the-scenes look at how 47 artists came together one night in 1985 to record the song. In various interviews, Lionel Richie and Bruce Springsteen, among others, talk about the entire process and the impact of the song. A must-see for music lovers.
Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour
As a concert lover, nothing is more frustrating than missing out on what TikTok calls the ‘Ticketmaster war’. To ease that pain a bit, many artists nowadays have one of their concerts fully filmed so that people can (re)experience the show at home. Netflix collaborated this year with singer Olivia Rodrigo for her ‘GUTS World Tour”. The doc gives a behind-the-scenes look at her performance in LA and also shows the full show, including the duet with Chappell Roan. One advantage: no one can hear your off-key singing now.
Drawing Closer
The 17-year-old artist Akito works hard on his career until he hears that he has only a year to live due to a tumor in his heart. On the hospital rooftop, he meets Haruna, who has only six months left. Akito does not tell her about his own situation but makes it his mission to make the time she has left as beautiful as possible. A touching Japanese drama that hits you right in the heart.
Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley is still seen as ‘the king of rock ‘n’ roll’, but he also had a less successful time. In the mid-60s, a number of not-so-great film roles caused Elvis's music career to stall for a while. In 1968, producers Bob Finkel and Steve Binder came up with the idea to create a special in which Elvis played various classic hits. This turned out to be a golden move. With archival footage, interviews, and new conversations with, among others, Bruce Springsteen, ’Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley‘ tells the story of this great comeback.
Daughters
At a father-daughter dance, you might think of a wedding, but it is also a beloved tradition at many American elementary schools. But what if your father is in prison? In the documentary ‘Daughters’, we follow four girls who, thanks to a special program from the prison in Washington D.C., still get the chance to experience this family moment. What the fathers have done is not mentioned, but it becomes clear that these are not small things and that this has a significant impact on their daughters. Another doc where you probably won't stay dry-eyed.
Will & Harper
It is the docs that dominate Netflix this year, and ‘Will & Harper’ is also doing well. For over 30 years, comedian Will Ferrell worked with writer Harper Steele for the show ‘Saturday Night Live’. The two were good colleagues but also formed a close friendship. When Harper comes out as a transgender woman, they decide to take a road trip across the US to further strengthen their bond and show the world who Harper really is. A journey full of emotion, but also a hefty dose of humor.
Ordinary Angels
Hairdresser Sharon Stevens (Hilary Swank) leads a messy life, partly due to her drinking problem, and lacks a clear goal. That changes when she reads about the financial troubles of Ed Schmitt (Alan Ritchson), a widower whose 5-year-old daughter has the same illness that took his wife. Sharon wants to do something and tries to bring the community together to help Ed's family. Knowing that ‘Ordinary Angels’ is based on a true story makes it even more impactful.
Il Treno dei Bambini
This Italian film has only been on Netflix since early December, but is already in the top ten of 2024. 7-year-old Amerigo has lived in Naples his whole life and has known nothing but poverty. His mother Antonietta joins ‘the trains of happiness’, a program that brings children from southern Italy to the prosperous north. This way, she wants to give her son the chance to grow up in a better environment. The film is based on true events from the eponymous book by Viola Ardone and is, according to X, a true masterpiece.
The Return Journey
At the last minute, one Dutch title manages to secure a spot in the top ten: ‘The Return Journey’. Jaap (Martin van Waardenberg) and Maartje (Leny Breederveld) have been together for almost 50 years, although they seem to be opposites. He is a bit grumpy, while she, despite her dementia, is still full of energy. When they receive a letter from an old vacation friend, Maartje wants to visit him in Spain. Bickering, the two take a road trip full of memories that makes Jaap realize that their life will likely change quickly due to Maartje's dementia. The film unfortunately just missed the Oscars shortlist, but is still definitely worth watching.
