With a part in the Fantastic Four cast, the starring role in the new Chris Farley biopic, and so many other things on the way, Paul Walter Hauser is about to be everywhere. But, before one of the most interesting and talented actors on the planet kicks off the next stage of his career, which will hopefully include more wrestling appearances, we thought it would be fun to look back at some of his best film and TV appearances from over the years.

From some of the best Spike Lee movies to a couple of great Apple TV+ original series, and so much more, there was a lot to choose from, but we think we covered all the bases in terms of comedy, drama, and some downright terrifying characters. Here are the best Paul Walter Hauser movies and TV shows and how to watch them. 

Black Bird (2022) 

Paul Walter Hauser won a Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy for his take on convicted serial killer Larry Hall in the 2022 Apple TV+ limited series, Black Bird, a show so good and twisted even Stephen King was a fan. At times terrifying and others sympathetic, Hauser’s performance brings so much out of the story about Jimmy Keane (Taron Egerton) a convicted drug dealer sent to prison in hopes of getting Hall to confess to committing some heinous crimes. But, it proves to be much more complicated than that.

Stream Black Bird on Apple TV+.

I, Tonya (2017)

Though Hauser had been around a while by the time he appeared in Craig Gillespie’s I, Tonya, his portrayal of Shawn Eckardt helped take the actor to the next level. Tonya Harding’s (Margot Robbie) bodyguard and one of the ringleaders of the plot to take out Nancy Kerrigan (Caitlin Carver), Eckardt is both a menacing figure and an overconfident and bumbling fool, a dynamic that is pulled off masterfully by Hauser’s command and versatility.

Stream I, Tonya on Max.
Rent/Buy I, Tonya on Amazon.

Richard Jewell (2019)

If Shawn Eckardt was one of Paul Walter Hauser’s most detestable characters, his titular performance in Richard Jewell has to be one of his most sympathetic. This 2019 Clint Eastwood biopic centers on the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta, Georgia, and how Richard Jewell (a hero who saved countless lives) was treated like a criminal by the FBI and media outlets around the world. One of the best 2019 Oscar snubs, this movie is made all the better thanks to Hauser’s touching and empowering performance. 

Rent/Buy Richard Jewell on Amazon.

Cobra Kai (2019 - Present)

Throughout the middle portion of Cobra Kai’s run, Paul Walter Hauser took on the role of Raymond "Stingray" Porter, one of the most complicated characters on the Netflix original series. From his days of trying to join Cobra Kai as an escape and doing everything he can to win to help save the day during the Cobra Kai Season 5 finale, Stingray was part of some major moments. 

Stream Cobra Kai on Netflix. 

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman features electric performances from the likes of John David Washington, Adam Driver, and Topher Grace, but one that shouldn’t be overlooked is Paul Walter Hauser’s portrayal of Ivanhoe. A caricature of a stereotypical KKK member more than an honest character, Ivanhoe is an over-the-top, unapologetic, moronic, and dangerous racist who is at the center of some of the movie’s most memorable scenes, including his last.

Stream BlacKkKlansman on Prime Video.

Orion And The Dark (2024)

Before showing off his skills in Inside Out 2, Hauser lent his voice to one of the titular characters in the 2024 Netflix animated movie, Orion and the Dark. The incredibly moving film follows a young boy named Orion (Jacob Tremblay) as he's taken on an eye-opening and life-changing journey through the night with Hauser’s Dark, the embodiment of the 11-year-old’s fears. Great voice acting, animation, and lessons make this a family-friendly movie you won’t want to miss.

Stream Orion and the Dark on Netflix.

Kingdom (2014 - 2017)

A couple of years before he became one of the most interesting big-screen actors, Paul Walter Hauser landed a recurring role on Kingdom, an Audience Network drama series about a Venice, California, MMA gym and the people caught in its gravitational pull. Hauser took on the role of Keith, a former convict trying to change his life for the better while also overcoming his past. Though not the star of the show, the actor made a name for himself here.

Stream Kingdom on Peacock.
Buy Kingdom on Amazon.

Da 5 Bloods (2020)

Hauser worked with Spike Lee again in the director’s 2020 drama, which is one of the best Vietnam war movies, Da 5 Bloods. He comes into the picture kind of late in the game as Simon, a LAMB volunteer clearing old landmines in the jungle when he meets the core group looking for their long-lost treasure. The role again allowed Hauser to show his on-screen talent and rub shoulders like the likes of Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, and Jean Reno.

Stream Da 5 Bloods on Netflix.

Cruella (2021)

If you want to see a Paul Walter Hauser performance that blurs the line between good guy and villain, look no further than his take on Horace in Cruella. The lifelong friend and accomplice of Emma Stone’s Estella/Cruella, Horace is a fun and lovable petty thief, who, despite being rather unsavory, has a heart of gold with shades of Bob Hoskin’s Smee from Hook.

Stream Cruella on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Cruella on Amazon.

The Afterparty (2023)

When The Afterparty came back for a second season, and a completely new story, fans of Hauser’s work were stoked to see his involvement in the hilarious Apple TV+ murder mystery comedy. He plays Travis Gladrise, a “citizen detective” and ex-boyfriend of the season’s prime suspect, and it’s just great. Hauser, who excels in these types of roles, is especially on point throughout this mystery.

Stream The Afterparty on Apple TV+.

Beats (2019)

Netflix’s 2019 coming-of-age music drama, Beats, follows Romelo Reese (Anthony Anderson), a struggling producer who takes a high school student and hop-hop prodigy under his wing in hopes of turning both of their fortunes around. Paul Walter Hauser comes into the picture as Terrence, a label owner who shares a rocky past with Romelo. Hauser does a masterful job of wearing pain, resentment, and animosity, and makes the character feel like a real person.

Stream Beats on Netflix.

Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm (2022)

The actor also appeared in Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm, a 2022 movie based on the OG Adult Swim series. In this wild home video release, he takes on the role of Elmer, a scientist working under Neil (Peter Serafinowicz), the main antagonist. In typical Aqua Teen Hunger Force fashion, this movie is wild and full of strange humor, which works really well for someone like Hauser. 

Stream Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm on Max.
Rent/Buy Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm on Amazon.

With Paul Walter Hauser set to appear in several of the biggest films on the 2024 movie schedule, there’s a good chance we’ll be making some changes to this run-down of his best movies and TV shows in no time at all. 

In the years that immediately followed its conclusion and the decades that have passed since, the Vietnam War has inspired some of the best war movies of all time. More so than any other conflict, besides maybe World War II, the nearly 20-year saga has given audiences some of the most realistic depictions of war with stories focussing less on the battle between right and wrong and more on the internal struggles faced by everyone caught up in it.

Below is a list of over a dozen of the best Vietnam War movies and how to watch them, either on various streaming platforms or on old-fashioned physical media. Queue up some Creedence Clearwater Revival because we’re going back to Vietnam…

Platoon (1986)

Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) finds himself trapped in the middle of a life-or-death situation in the heat of battle while also caught between the differing philosophies of his two superior officers. The once idealistic young soldier becomes a shell of his former self after facing the horrors of war.

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: Oliver Stone’s Platoon, a Best Picture winner, kicked off the director’s Vietnam trilogy with its harrowing military drama, an emotionally grueling and physically exhausting exploration of war and its effect on those trapped in its game. 

Stream Platoon on Max.
Rent/Buy Platoon on Amazon.
Buy Platoon on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Born On The Fourth Of July (1989)

Psychologically and emotionally damaged after accidentally killing one of his fellow soldiers, and confined to a wheelchair after being paralyzed in battle, Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise) comes home to find a country with no intentions of taking care of him or others in his position.

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: Oliver Stone’s Vietnam trilogy continued with the 1989 release of Born on the Fourth of July, an exploration of the real-life Kovic and how his experiences transformed not only his life but the lives of countless soldiers carrying physical and mental scars.

Rent/Buy Born on the Fourth of July on Amazon.
Buy Born on the Fourth of July on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Heaven & Earth (1993)

Caught in the middle of the devastation of the Vietnam War and abused by soldiers and leaders on both sides of the conflict, Le Ly (Hiep Thi Le) attempts to find her place in the world; a journey made a little easier after meeting U.S. Marine Steve Butler (Tommy Lee Jones).

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: What makes Oliver Stone’s Heaven & Earth (the concluding chapter of his trilogy) worth watching is the fact that it offers a different perspective of the Vietnam War and shows how those who lost their homes, families, and lives were impacted.

Rent/Buy Heaven & Earth on Amazon.
Buy Heaven & Earth on DVD on Amazon.

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

A young soldier/photographer (played by Matthew Modine) goes from covering the Vietnam War to being caught in a life-or-death firefight in the middle of one of its bloodiest battles. 

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: One of the best Stanley Kubrick movies, Full Metal Jacket is about as hardcore as it gets. From the first half set during basic training where young G.I.s endure physical and psychological torture to the second half depicting the actual war, this one doesn’t let off the gas.

Rent/Buy Full Metal Jacket on Amazon.
Buy Full Metal Jacket on 4K UHD on Amazon.

The Deer Hunter (1978)

Three tight-knit friends (played by Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and John Savage) are shipped off to fight in Vietnam, an experience that changes everything. Torn apart from their shared experiences, the three attempt to pick up the pieces in their own way. 

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: A war movie that won a Best Picture Oscar, Michael Cimino’s The Deer Hunter offers one of the most traumatizing and unflinching depictions of the conflict you will see. Epic in both scope and scale, the film dives into the lingering effects of war on man.

Rent/Buy The Deer Hunter on Amazon.
Buy The Deer Hunter on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Tasked with finding and killing Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando) in the middle of the jungle, Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) embarks upon a tumulous journey into the heart of darkness that will test him in every way imaginable.

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: Despite its troubled production, severe on-set injuries, and all other kinds of issues, Francis Ford Coppola’s film remains one of the premier war movies. Intense battles, tremendous character development, and a maddening story make this a classic.

Buy Apocalypse Now on DVD on Amazon.

Da 5 Bloods (2020)

Decades after the Vietnam War has ended, a group of soldiers returns to the jungle to find a massive stash of gold they left behind and to give their commanding officer a proper burial.

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods is another movie that focuses more on the aftermath of the Vietnam War than the actual fighting, and it does a damn fine job of doing that. 

Stream Da 5 Bloods on Netflix.

Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

After being sent to Vietnam to help boost the morale of American soldiers stationed in the jungle, radio DJ Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams) finds himself in the middle of a life-changing experience.

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: Barry Levinson’s Good Morning, Vietnam is often thought of as a comedy, but it’s so much more than that. Sure, it’s hilarious thanks to Robin Williams’ character, but it also dives into themes like the importance of truth no matter how much it hurts.

Rent/Buy Good Morning, Vietnam on Amazon.
Buy Good Morning, Vietnam on DVD on Amazon.

Hamburger Hill (1987)

A squad of U.S. soldiers consisting of seasoned vets and new recruits fights tooth and nail to take and hold a hill deep in Central Vietnam while also dealing with personal issues arising from the controversial military campaign.

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: Featuring incredible performances from Dylan McDermott, Courtney B. Vance, and Don Cheadle, John Irvin’s Hamburger Hill is an action-packed and devastating war film, one that benefits from focusing on the personal lives and ideologies of the soldiers it covers.

Stream Hamburger Hill on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Hamburger Hill on Amazon.
Buy Hamburger Hill on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Rescue Dawn (2006)

After being shot down over enemy-controlled Laos during the Vietnam War, pilot Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) finds himself trapped in a hellish prison camp. 

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: One of the most thrilling movies based on real-life survival stories, Werner Herzog’s Rescue Dawn is a frightening and intense thrill ride in which soldiers find that what lies behind the walls of their prison is just as dangerous and unforgiving as the torture within the camp.

Rent/Buy Rescue Dawn on Amazon.
Buy Rescue Dawn on DVD on Amazon.

Casualties Of War (1989)

Private Max Eriksson (Michael J. Fox) finds himself at odds with Sergeant Tony Meserve (Sean Penn) when the former refuses to help capture a young Vietnamese woman and use her as a sex slave. Just when it seems like things can’t get any worse, their divided unit is forced to take on Viet Cong troops in a brutal battle.

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: Brian De Palma’s Casualties of War is a movie that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough, which is a real shame. Though it doesn’t get as much attention as other films on this list, this tense war drama is remarkable on so many levels.

Rent/Buy Casualties Of War on Amazon.
Buy Casualties Of War on Blu-ray on Amazon.

We Were Soldiers (2002)

Severely outnumbered by the North Vietnamese army, Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore (Mel Gibson) and his battalion fight like hell to win the Battle of Ia Drang, the first major battle fought by America in the Vietnam War.

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: Randall Wallace’s We Were Soldiers, which is based on Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway’s book of the same name, is absolutely riveting in terms of drama and action. A remarkable cast, outstanding battle sequences, and a powerful story make this a must-watch.

Stream We Were Soldiers on Pluto TV.
Rent/Buy We Were Soldiers on Amazon.
Buy We Were Soldiers on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Throughout his remarkable life, Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) goes from being a young Alabama boy in leg braces to a decorated soldier to a successful ping pong player to a wealthy shrimp boat captain, all while never losing touch with who he is. 

Why it’s one of the best Vietnam War Movies: Robert Zemeckis’ Academy Award-winning drama, Forrest Gump, isn’t technically a war movie, but Vietnam is a major part of the second half of the movie, and its impact can be felt in just about every character and decision after Gump flies into the jungle.

Stream Forrest Gump on Paramount+.
Stream Forrest Gump on Prime Video.
Rent/Buy Forrest Gump on Amazon.
Buy Forrest Gump on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Each of these movies depicts the Vietnam War honestly and faithfully, making them not just some of the best military films of all time, but also some of cinema’s greatest achievements. 

For over a century, war movies have taken audiences into the heat of battle, life-or-death situations, and on the frontlines of some of history’s biggest military conflicts. Today, more so than ever before, it’s incredibly easy to watch some of the best war movies of all time with streaming platforms like Netflix, where dozens of great titles are waiting to be watched.

If you’re in the mood to check out inspirational stories about the resilience of the human spirit, World War II movies set around the world, or one of the all-time great World World I films, look no further because we have some movies we think you will like.

All Quiet On The Western Front (2022)

Technically an anti-war film, Edward Berger’s 2022 adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, follows Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer) as he goes from a young and idealistic German student enthusiastically signing up to fight in World War I to a broken-down soldier unable to escape the horrors of war. Epic in both scope and scale (the movie has a nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime), it is a harrowing tale of death, destruction, and millions of unnecessary deaths due to the actions of a few.

All Quiet on the Western Front took the world by storm and was a big surprise at the 2023 Academy Awards, taking home four Oscars, including Best International Feature Film and Best Original Score. Though hard to get through, this is a must-watch.

Stream All Quiet on the Western Front on Netflix.

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

One of the most realistic war films, Hacksaw Ridge, is also one of the more unique additions to the genre, as it features an atypical depiction of armed combat. The movie follows Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), a pacifist who helped save scores of lives during the Battle of Okinawa during World War II without ever firing his rifle. 

From Doss’ days in basic training after being drafted to the massive battle that made him a hero we still celebrate all these years later, the film does a masterful job of telling his story.

Stream Hacksaw Ridge on Netflix.

Da 5 Bloods (2019)

Though much of what unfolds in Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods takes place long after the Vietnam War ended, the impact the military conflict has on the group of former soldiers at the core of its story can be felt throughout. This 2020 Netflix original follows four Vietnam vets as they travel back to the jungle to find a supply of gold bars they hid decades earlier and the remains of their old squad leader (played by the late Chadwick Boseman).

Throughout the movie, it becomes apparent that these soldiers (played by Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norma Lewis, and Isiah Whitlock Jr.) still carry the pain and guilt from their days in the service and what they experienced in the jungle.

Stream Da 5 Bloods on Netflix.

Darkest Hour (2017)

Gary Oldman won the top acting prize at the 2018 Academy Awards for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Joe Wrigtht’s Darkest Hour, a movie that is part World War II thriller and part intense biographical drama. Set during the early days of the Second World War, the film follows Churchill as he goes from a dark horse candidate for British Prime Minister to one of the most prominent figures in the global conflict.

If you’re looking for a movie to watch in tandem with Dunkirk, Darkest Hour will do the trick, as Wright’s biopic essentially ends just as the plot of Christopher Nolan’s blistering war drama is getting started.

Stream Darkest Hour on Netflix.

The Woman King (2022)

A game-changing film by a female director, Gina Prince-Bythewood’s The Woman King is based on the story of the Agojie, a group of warrior women who served to protect the West African kingdom of Dahomey. The movie primarily follows General Nanisca (Viola Davis), the group’s leader, as she trains a new generation of skilled and fierce warriors to protect their homeland from all threats, including a foreign enemy that wants nothing more than to wipe out their tribe and their centuries-long legacy.

Incredible and hard-hitting action sequences, human drama, and tremendous storytelling make The Woman King a war movie you must watch, even if you aren’t a big fan of the war film genre.

Stream The Woman King on Netflix.

Unbroken (2014)

Angelina Jolie's 2014 biographical drama, Unbroken tells the story of  Capt. Louis "Louie" Zamperini (Jack O'Connell), a former Olympic long-distance runner who would go on to fight in World War II, where he was captured and subjected to torture and other horrors at the hands of the Japanese army.

The movie doesn't shy away from depictions of war or man's brutal nature and features multiple scenes throughout Louie's imprisonment that may prove too much for some. Regardless, it's a moving and brilliantly shot feature (thanks to the talented Richard Deakins).

Stream Unbroken on Netflix.

Narvik (2022)

If you’re looking for a movie set in the early years of World War II, look no further than Narvik, Erik Skjoldbaerg's military drama about the Nazi army’s first major defeat. Set during the Battle for Narvik, the film centers on a small yet key town in northern Norway that is the source of more than two-thirds of Germany’s Iron ore and the fight to disrupt the Nazi’s supply chain. Both epic and dramatic, this intense WWII drama has it all.

This movie features some incredibly orchestrated action sequences, perfectly composed shots, and terribly dramatic moments, all of which work in concert to create an unforgettable experience.

Stream Narvik on Netflix.

Operation Mincemeat (2022)

John Madden’s 2022 drama film, Operation Mincemeat, chronicles a plot by Allied forces to trick the Nazis into believing they were planning to invade Greece when in actuality, their real goal was taking Sicily and working their way north. Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen lead as Ewen Montagu and Charles Cholmondeley, respectively, the masterminds behind “Operation Mincemeat,” and their tense working relationship is the heart and soul of the film.

Though there isn’t as much action in Operation Mincemeat as in other movies from the genre, fans of the spy work behind military campaigns will get a kick out of this.

Stream Operation Mincemeat on Netflix.

The Imitation Game (2014)

The Imitation Game, Morten Tyldum’s 2014 drama about Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his crusade to crack Germany’s enigma machine with a team of top minds during World War II, is a great war movie despite primarily taking place in the English countryside. Though the movie lacks intense battle scenes, it does capture the fears and attitudes of the era as well as the tireless fight to beat the Nazis once and for all.

There is also a tremendous amount of tragedy in The Imitation Game, especially when the film dives into the life of Turing, a brilliant mathematician who was later persecuted for his sexuality.

Stream The Imitation Game on Netflix.

Though each of these movies has differences in story, tone, and even action, they are all worth checking out if you’re in the mood for a good war film. On top of that, they’re all available with a Netflix subscription, which also grants you access to the streamer’s best movies. 

Jonathan Majors is appearing in several of the most anticipated 2023 new movie releases. This includes new Marvel movies, as he appears in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. You can also see him take on Michael B. Jordan as part of the Creed III cast. Though it may seem like he has quickly risen to fame, some of his best movies and TV shows were around long before he entered the MCU. Many of them are available on your favorite VOD platform or streaming services. 

Majors has already built an impressive acting resume over the last several years. He has appeared in critically acclaimed TV shows, popular streaming movies, and made a big splash in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Kang the Conqueror. He is definitely an actor to watch. 

If you’re unfamiliar with his previous work, here are the best Jonathan Majors movies and TV shows to watch. 

Lovecraft Country (2020) 

Lovecraft Country is an HBO horror series that was unfortunately canceled after only one season. The show follows Tic (Majors) as he travels across the United States in the 1950s in search of his missing father. His old friend Leti (Jurnee Smollett) and his uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) accompany him on this journey.

While traveling, the trio not only face prejudices and threats of racially motivated violence but actual monsters. This is a great show to watch for horror fans because there are plenty of classic horror references, and it is a show that knows how to surprise and frighten. Lovecraft Country is also skilled at showcasing the horrors of segregation and racism at that moment in history and how it is just as terrifying as any fictional monster, maybe even more so. 

Stream Lovecraft Country on HBO Max.

 The Harder They Fall (2021) 

The Harder They Fall's cast features an ensemble of Black actors including Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, and Lakeith Stanfield. It’s a Western, and as such has plenty of shootouts, robberies, and revenge. Majors plays the lead of The Harder They Fall. 

His character, Nat Love, is on a revenge mission. This film really allows him to shine. In a cast full of world-renowned, award-winning, talented actors, he manages to carry the film as its lead. You’re compelled to watch his journey and look forward to the eventual showdown between him and Rufus Buck (Elba). 

Stream The Harder They Fall on Netflix.

Devotion (2022) 

Devotion is a biographical film about Jesse LeRoy Brown and Tom Hudner. Both men were United States Navy Officers and aviators in the 1940s and 1950s. Brown became the first African American aviator to complete the Navy’s flight training program. 

Majors plays Brown, and Glen Powell plays Hudner. The first half of the film is about their friendship. The movie doesn’t completely focus on Brown’s life but gives a snippet of it, especially his time as an aviator during the Korean War.  

Devotion overall is a film about friendship and bonds that last a lifetime. It’s also a good introduction to the history of Jesse L. Brown. Majors and Powell really give some of their best performances in this movie. Their friendship is heartwarming but you also feel the weight of each character’s life and decisions.

Stream Devotion on Paramount+.
Rent/buy Devotion on Amazon.

Da 5 Bloods (2020) 

Da 5 Bloods is one of Spike Lee’s best movies. It follows four Vietnam War veterans as they return to Vietnam in search of the remains of a friend and buried treasure, and stars Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Chadwick Boseman. 

Major plays David, Paul's (Lindo) son who joins the men on this journey. The movie is full of outstanding performances and tells a deep and devastating story with care. It’s a mesmerizing film.

Stream Da 5 Bloods on Netflix.

The Last Black Man In San Francisco (2019) 

Jimmie Falls dreams of owning the home that his grandfather built. He spends most of his days doing random activities with his best friend, Mont (Majors). The two men basically live in their own little hopeful reality. When the opportunity presents itself, Jimmie moves into his grandfather’s former home without actually buying it.

This film has a poetic touch and whimsical nature despite being very much grounded in reality and all its tragedies. It’s a very personal story that comes across on screen. 

Rent/buy The Last Black Man In San Francisco on Amazon.

When We Rise (2017) 

When We Rise is an ABC miniseries that takes place from the 1970s to the 2010s. It follows a group of LGBTQ activists and rights advocates. ABC aired the eight-episode series in 2017. The cast includes Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker, Jonathan Majors, Michael K. Williams, and Dylan Arnold. 

The characters and events are all based on real people and events. Majors appears in several episodes as young Ken Jones, and it was his first major TV role.

Buy When We Rise on Amazon. 

Captive State (2019) 

Chicago is placed under martial law after aliens invade. A group of rebels decides to change things by bringing the fight to the extraterrestrials and proving to the world that they can fight and win against these invaders. It stars John Goodman, Ashton Sanders, Vera Farmiga, Alan Ruck, and Jonathan Majors

Majors plays Rafe Drummond, the face of the rebellion. He witnesses his parents being murdered by the creatures and makes it his life mission to stop them. This is a sci-fi film that I only discovered while creating this list, and it’s surprisingly a really interesting concept. The movie isn’t one of the best sci-fi films of all time, but it has a lot of fascinating ideas. It’s definitely worth a watch.

Rent/buy Captive State on Amazon.

White Boy Rick (2018) 

White Boy Rick is about a teenager who gets involved in a life of crime. He also acts as an FBI informant. The cast also includes Richie Merritt, Matthew McConaughey, Bel Powley, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Brian Tyree Henry.

Majors has a supporting role here, but his character is a critical part of the story as one of the head gangsters. Instead of just being a one-dimensional thug, he brings lots of layers to Johnny, even with his limited screen time. 

Rent/buy White Boy Rick on Amazon. 

Loki (2021-) 

Loki is the Disney+ Marvel TV show about the God of Mischief (Tom Hiddleston). It takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame, when a Loki time-variant is grabbed by the Time Variance Authority and held captive while they decide what to do with him. The series also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Owen Wilson, and Sophia Di Martino.

Majors only appears in a couple of episodes, but it’s his introduction in the MCU. Therefore, Loki is a good place to start, because Majors and his character play a critical role in future Marvel movies.

Stream Loki on Disney+.

Catch Jonathan Majors next in Magazine Dreams, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Creed III.

One way to celebrate Black History Month is to immerse yourself into the multifaceted world of Black Cinema. These films can teach, enlighten, inspire, and reflect a country’s past and present. Streaming services, like Netflix, have made it much easier to watch films about, created by, and starring Black talent. In recent years, Netflix has been one of the leading companies producing and hosting highly acclaimed Black films, like Dolemite Is My Name, Da 5 Bloods, The Harder They Fall, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

For this list, I wanted to highlight a diverse collection of Black films and TV shows that are available on Netflix. Many of these movies and shows are ones that you’ve heard of, but a few may be new to you. Let’s look at some of the best Black-centered content on Netflix.

Da 5 Bloods (2020)

Spike Lee directed the war drama Da 5 Bloods. It is one of his most socially relevant films. Da 5 Bloods is a movie about four Black Vietnam War veterans returning to Vietnam to find the remains of one of their fallen brothers and to obtain buried gold. Da 5 Bloods’ cast includes Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and the late Chadwick Boseman.

Spike Lee has quite a few movies on Netflix worth watching during Black History Month, but I chose Da 5 Bloods to highlight because its subjects, Black soldiers, are not often seen and discussed in American cinema. We have plenty of great war epics, movies that showcase the effects of War, like PTSD, and the bonds of brotherhood films, but we rarely see these types of stories told through the eyes of Black protagonists.

Da 5 Bloods is a drama that not only gives life to these fictional characters but makes time to honor real Black historical heroes. Delroy Lindo also gives one of the best performances of 2020 in Da 5 Bloods, even if the Academy criminally ignored it, that alone makes it worth including on your Black History Month to-watch list.

Stream Da 5 Bloods on Netflix.

See You Yesterday (2019) 

See You Yesterday follows two Black teen science prodigies who discover how to time travel. They first plan to use their discovery to win a science award, but a tragedy strikes and it becomes a much bigger tool in these teens’ lives. Eden Duncan-Smith and Dante Crichlow play the main characters CJ and Sebastian. It also features Michael J. Fox in a small supporting role, which is fun casting as he was in one of the best time-traveling movies.

See You Yesterday is a powerful Black Lives Matter sci-fi drama. The focus of the film is how an unarmed young black man, CJ’s brother Calvin (Stro) is murdered. She spends the rest of the movie trying to prevent his death. The shooting of an unarmed young Black man makes See You Yesterday tragically relevant in today’s society. Through the unpredictable variables that come with time-traveling, the film is able to demonstrate the helplessness that one can feel when these stories of young Black men fatally wounded by the police continue to happen, even when variables change.

Stream See You Yesterday on Netflix.

Dolemite Is My Name (2019) 

Dolemite is My Name stars Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore. It follows Moore’s journey to make the film Dolemite and his early days as a comedian. Dolemite Is My Name’s cast also includes Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Wesley Snipes, Titus Burgess, and Keegan-Michael Key.

Dolemite is My Name is the celebration of Rudy Ray Moore’s dream, and how Black culture and blaxploitation films helped give him a niche audience. In many ways, Dolemite is My Name is a film about hope and the American dream. If you continue to fight for something you want, you can achieve it. It’s also a celebration of the importance of how this Black audience allowed him to achieve fame.

Stream Dolemite is My Name on Netflix.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)

Based on August Wilson’s play of the same name, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom tells the story of real-life blues singer Ma Rainey and her band. It focuses on one day in Chicago in 1920 during a recording. Viola Davis plays the title role and Chadwick Boseman plays her band member Levee Green, who dreams of his own musical success.

The role resulted in him winning a Golden Globe award. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom deals with such issues as discrimination, black trauma, exploitation, and religion. Not only does this film offer one of Chadwick Boseman’s best performances but it also gives a little insight into Ma Rainey as the “Mother of the Blues,” and it’s a reminder of why August Wilson’s plays continue to find new life and audiences in various forms. They’re riveting and speak to the soul. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is truly a fascinating look at Black artists on many different levels (the playwright who wrote it, Ma Rainey and her band, and the actors bringing all this together).

Stream Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom on Netflix.

When They See Us (2019) 

When They See Us is a mini-series directed by Ava DuVernay. It tells the true-life story of the Central Park Five, five Black and Latino teens who were accused and tried for raping a woman in Central Park. They were later acquitted of all charges after the real rapist confessed to the crime.

When They See Us is a powerful mini-series that takes a look at how the justice system sometimes fails. It shows a very painful moment in history that should not be forgotten, but instead, act as a reminder of how the justice system needs to do everything in its power to make sure something like this never happens again. When They See Us cast includes Jharrel Jerome, Vera Farmiga, John Leguizamo, and Niecy Nash.

Stream When They See Us on Netflix.

13th (2016)

13th is a documentary by Ava DuVernay about the American prison system. It goes through the history of the prison system and how mass incarceration especially affects men of color. It’s a documentary that you need to watch for many reasons, including its critical look at the prison systems.

13th makes you take a different look at incarceration and the prison system in general. Even if you have your mind made up about prisons, this film is worth watching, especially during Black History Month, to get a different perspective and history surrounding the prison system and its relation to race.

Stream 13th on Netflix.

Canvas (2020) 

Canvas is a short animated film about an artist who stops painting because of his wife’s death. Through his granddaughter, he starts to paint again.

Canvas is one of the many great Black animated films that are perfect to watch Black History Month. Canvas is a simple concept animated very well. It’s heartwarming and visually stunning.

Stream Canvas on Netflix.

What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015) 

What Happened, Miss Simone is a biography and documentary about Nina Simone. It takes you on a journey through her life, ups, downs, and things that defined her as an artist and person.

Netflix has a lot of great documentaries on historical Black figures, but What Happened, Miss Simone is definitely one of the best. It includes videos and recordings from the legend herself, which allows Nina Simone to tell her own story. It’s a fascinating look at her life and a smart way to showcase her story.

Stream What Happened, Miss Simone on Netflix.

Self Made: Inspired By The Life Of Madam C. J. Walker (2020) 

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker is a Netflix mini-series inspired by the life of Madam C. J. Walker. Walker is the reported first self-made female millionaire. Octavia Spencer stars as C. J Walker in Self-Made.

Netflix and the team behind Self-Made play fast and loose with actual facts for this four episode series. So it may not be the best show to watch if you want an accurate look at the life of one of the most well-known Black figures. However, the show could act as an introduction into Madam C.J Walker’s life.

Stream Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker on Netflix.

Passing (2021) 

Passing follows two Black women who grew up together but took different paths in life. Clare (Ruth Negga) chose to pass as white and live life as a white woman. Irene (Tessa Thompson) stayed true to her identity. Neither women have perfect lives but both find themselves questioning their choices after a chance encounter brings them back into each other’s orbits.

Passing is a superbly acted movie that’s also beautifully shot. It has an underlying tension that adds even more layers and depth to this movie. Passing gives you a compelling look at a time when Black people were still trying to find their home in America.

Stream Passing on Netflix.

The Harder They Fall (2021) 

The Harder They Fall cast includes Idris Elba, Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, and Regina King. It’s an American Western film with an all Black main cast — a rarity in these types of films.

It’s a film with lots of action and great performances. American Westerns have been a big part of the cinema landscape for decades. However, it’s very rare to see one starring or featuring many Black actors or actors of color. The Harder They Fall showcases the long ignored Black cowboy in an exciting and fun way. It may be one of the best modern Western films.

Stream The Harder They Fall on Netflix.

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Rustin (2023)

Rustin is a biographical movie about Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin. It tells the story of his impact on the 1963 March on Washington. As a gay Black man, Rustin faces plenty of prejudice and judgment, but he doesn’t let anything stop him from organizing one of the most groundbreaking marches in United States history.

Colman Domingo is breathtaking in this role, and he gives his all. Rustin is one of the best Civil Rights and biographical films, especially about an LGBTQ+ figure. More people need to watch it, as it's one of the few that highlights an important Black figure who isn’t often spoken about in the history books. This film corrects a huge oversight in historical storytelling.

Stream Rustin on Netflix.

Miss Juneteenth (2020)

Juneteenth is a holiday that has only recently begun to be recognized in pop culture. Therefore, few movies directly reference or celebrate it. Miss Juneteenth is possibly one of many to come. It’s a mother-daughter movie that showcases the relationship’s heartwarming and complicated nature.

It also feels like a coming-of-age story for mother and daughter. Miss Juneteenth was one of the most under-the-radar movies of 2020. It stars Nicole Beharie, Kendrick Sampson, and Alexis Chikaeze.

Stream Miss Juneteenth on Netflix.

A Different World (1987-1993)

A Different World is one of the quintessential Black classic TV shows. Set in the fictional historical Black college, Hillman College, the series follows a group of students dealing with life and love. The series originated as a spin-off ofThe Cosby Show. Lisa Bonet starred in the first season as her Cosby character, Denise Huxtable. However, once she left A Different World, the show focused on other key characters.

Whitley (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison), especially, became A Different World’s main characters and eventual couple. The comedy aired for six seasons, and Netflix has all of them. It’s a great show to binge for hilarious characters and storylines, with some occasional more serious topics.

Stream A Different World on Netflix.

They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

This science fiction movie follows a drug dealer named Fontaine (John Boyega). He’s murdered only to reappear the next day. This sets Fontaine, Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris), and Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx) on a quest to uncover the truth. They Cloned Tyrone is a sharp-witted movie that satirizes the American government, the Black community, and injustice.

It does this all while being a really interesting science fiction movie and thrilling entry in the clone genre. They Cloned Tyrone is funny and bold.

Stream They Cloned Tyrone on Netflix.

Black Lightning (2018-2021)

Black Lightning is a CW superhero drama based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The cast includes Cress Williams as the main character, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvin “Krondon” Jones III, and Damon Gupton.

The hero returns from retirement to try to stop a surge of criminal activity. With shows like Supacell, Luke Cage, and Raising Dion, there are a few compelling Black superhero shows. However, there still aren’t enough, and Black Lightning is a great place to start. Make sure to check out all the Black superhero series on Netflix and beyond.

Stream Black Lightning on Netflix.

Insecure (2016-2021)

Insecure is an HBO original series by Issa Rae. It follows Issa (Issa Rae) as she tries to navigate the complications of life, growing up and relationships. It’s also a series about Black women and friendship. Molly (Yvonne Orji) and Issa’s relationship is more vital to the show than any of their romantic partners.

Insecure aired for five seasons and won many awards as well as dedicated fans. The show depicts a messy, complicated female protagonist who isn’t afraid to let her flaws show. It’s a really relatable show that women of all races and ages may connect with.

Stream Insecure on Netflix.

Simone Biles Rising (2024)

Simone Biles is one of the most well-known and popular American gymnasts. Therefore, many have wanted to hear her story. In 2024, Netflix released Simone Biles Rising, a docu-series that chronicles her journey back to the Olympics.

It’s a four-episode series that may be worth watching if you love Biles or are interested in the highs and lows of a highly profiled athlete.

Stream Simone Biles Rising on Netflix.

The Bernie Mac Show (2001-2006)

The Bernie Mac Show is one of the best Black sitcoms of the 2000s. The series follows Bernie as he and his wife become the caretakers of his sister’s three children. This hilarious show highlights Mac’s talent for comedy in a more family-friendly way.

It’s also about the journey to parenthood. The Bernie Mac Show is heartwarming and very funny. It is a great show to binge during Black History Month or any time of the year.

Stream The Bernie Mac Show on Netflix.

Martin (1992-1997)

Martin is one of the best comedies of all time. It’s ‘90s essential viewing, but also just a must-watch for those who enjoy very funny, sometimes outrageous, TV shows. The Fox series follows Martin (Martin Lawrence), his girlfriend Gina (Tichina Campbell), and their friends Cole (Carl Anthony Payne II), Tommy (Thomas Mikal Ford), and Pam (Tishina Arnold).

Martin also occasionally featured Laurence as various recurring silly characters, like Jerome and Sheneneh.

Stream Martin on Netflix.

The Six Triple Eight (2024)

Tyler Perry directs The Six Triple Eight, a war drama about an all-black, all-female battalion during World War II. The ensemble cast includes Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston, and Ebony Obsidian.

American war movies that focus on the Black and other people of color who fought to help protect Americans are rarely seen. It’s even more rare to see women in war movies as more than just love interests. This makes The Six Triple Eight a special and rare gem.

Stream The Six Triple Eight on Netflix.

These are only a few films currently available to stream on Netflix that showcase Black talent and stories. One thing the streamer has done well in the few years is to continue to diversify its content, and appeal to many different races, genders, sexualities, and a variety of film and TV lovers. Netflix will be adding more Black stories in the coming months, so make sure to monitor Netflix new releases list for future Black films and TV shows.

Every awards season, there are certain films, directors and actors who don’t receive the recognition that many believe they deserve. The Academy Awards recently released this year’s nominees and unsurprisingly, there were quite a few snubs, depending on who you ask. Iconic director Spike Lee is the latest to share his thoughts on Da 5 Bloods star Delroy Lindo and the news of his snub going viral.

Spike Lee took to Instagram to share a Delroy Lindo appreciation post, noting the actor's incredible performances across his entire career and acknowledging this year’s Academy Awards. Check it out:

In the heartfelt post, Da 5 Bloods director Spike Lee noted that the lack of a nomination means little compared to the impact of Lindo’s career on the big screen. Lindo, who has appeared in a number of Spike Lee’s films, such as Crooklyn and Clockers, was considered by many to be an Oscar front runner after his performance in Da 5 Bloods.

Despite winning a number of early awards, the nominations end up falling off. Lindo failed to secure a nomination at the Golden Globes, leading to speculation that he was going to be snubbed by the Academy as well. Well, it looks like the predictions panned out. Despite the internet going wild for his impressive performance as Vietnam veteren Paul in Da 5 Bloods, it looks like he will be sitting out of this year’s ceremony.

I know that I’m pretty disappointed Lindo didn’t earn a nomination at this year’s Academy Awards. His monologue in the latter half of Da 5 Bloods is one of the most impressive performances that I’ve personally seen in years. Based on Spike Lee’s post and the rest of the internet’s reaction, I’m not the only one who is disappointed by the snub, either.

Delroy Lindo was beat out in the Best Actor category by Riz Ahmed, Anthony Hopkins, Gary Oldman, Steven Yeun and his Da 5 Bloods co-star Chadwick Boseman. Despite Lindo’s snub, it’s not all bad news for the cast and crew of Spike Lee’s latest joint. Da 5 Bloods ended up earning a single Oscar nomination in the Best Score category.

While it’s certainly not how some fans thought Lindo’s Oscar race would come to an end, it’s not terribly surprising considering the year we’ve had. Awards season has been marred by controversy since kicking off earlier this year. Spike Lee’s post is just another reminder that awards aren’t everything, especially for someone as talented as Delroy Lindo.

Fans can revisit Delroy Lindo’s all-star performance in Da 5 Bloods on Netflix right now. From there, you can decide if he was snubbed after all. As for me? I’m pretty solidly in the “I can’t believe he didn’t even get nominated for this” category, but to each their own. Let us know what you think in the poll below!

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Netflix’s Da 5 Bloods was one of 2020’s most acclaimed films, scoring multiple award nominations in the process. Along with its gut-wrenching storyline and stellar performances, the film’s opening scene captured many viewers. Of course, the opening followed the tradition of other notable Spike Lee openings, and the director explained why Da 5 Bloods opens the way it does.

Since the beginning of his career, Spike Lee’s beautiful, yet complicated openings have been a signature part of his films. Over time, many of these openings have become iconic outside the actual films. Lee’s recent Netflix film fell right in line as one of his most memorable. Variety recently interviewed the Oscar-winning director about the history-cramming yet timely opening. Lee said:

Given the premise and Vietnam references in Da 5 Bloods, Spike Lee made sure to connect the various movements and moments of the 1960s and 1970s. Lee went on to explain about educating the current generation, while also illustrating his connection to the time. Lee stated:

Spike Lee was able to make his opening a time capsule of the tumultuous 1960s. With his characters being Vietnam War veterans, using the footage only made sense to illustrate what the conflict did to the United States and other countries. Seeing huge moments, such as the Moon landing and Kent State University shootings, kept the film grounded.

Spike Lee used Da 5 Bloods opening to reach across different generations. The footage allowed the film to remind Baby Boomers and Gen X of a time that still lives on in their minds. At the same time, he was able to show Millennials and Gen Z a part of history they may be unaware of. Using old footage showed so many parallels between the modern day movements, such as Black Lives Matter and Defund the Police, and movements of the 1960s. Being a child of the 1960s, Lee could see those similarities between his generation and current generations.

Da 5 Bloods opening was given the same Spike Lee touch just like films, such as Crooklyn and Do the Right Thing. While the Oscars may have wronged the film and star Delroy Lindo, it will stand as one of Lee’s best works in his filmmaking career.

When you think of 2020, more than a few film performances are likely to stick out for you. Riz Ahmed’s emotional work in Sound of Metal or Maria Bakalova’s comedic breakthrough in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. But among such excellent work, one of the most impressive performances of the year had to be Delroy Lindo’s performance in Spike Lee’s acclaimed war drama, Da 5 Bloods. Unfortunately, the veteran actor was passed over for a number of major awards and, just this morning, we learned he had been snubbed for an Oscar nod. Now, many are probably wondering if it was this year’s biggest snub. Well, the internet has some thoughts.

Since the 2021 Oscar nominations were announced, critics and general viewers alike have taken to the web to ponder why Delroy Lindo wasn’t recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. One Twitter user has even gone as far as to call it the biggest snubs the film industry has ever seen:

It was pretty hard to miss Delroy Lindo’s performance, let alone Da 5 Bloods as a whole. The film centers a group of Vietnam War veterans who return to the country to find the remains of their squadron leader and recover a serious treasure they buried during their service. Lindo plays the role of Paul, a vet dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. It made for a chilling and beautiful performance, which leaves fans all the more disappointed that it wasn’t nominated for an Oscar:

Believe it or not, Delroy Lindo’s snub wasn’t the strangest thing to happen during the Oscar nominations. Judas and the Black Messiah’s Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield were both nominated, and one fan couldn’t help but link that anomaly to Lindo’s situation:

Very few people would argue the merits of Delroy Lindo’s work, as it’s simply a performance that doesn’t come around all too often. To that point, one disappointed fan gave the actor a major compliment when comparing the performance to Best Actor winners of the past decade:

Delroy Lindo has a number of powerful scenes in Da 5 Bloods, from Paul’s rescue of his son to the vet’s mesmerizing monologue near the end of the film. Of course, when talking about the snub, some fans can’t help but reflect on one of Paul’s most relaxed (and now iconic) moments:

On the surface, Paul could have been a one note character, but Delroy Lindo and Spike Lee managed to transform him into a multifaceted figure audiences could identify with. During his appearance on our own ReelBlend podcast, Lindo even revealed how some have reached out to him, starting conversations about PTSD.

It’s very possible that Delroy Lindo’s Da 5 Bloods snub could indeed be the biggest of this year - and possibly one of the biggest in Oscars history. While it’s absolutely disappointing that the veteran actor won’t be honored at the big show this year, it’s good to see film buffs across the internet shine a light on his work.

Da 5 Bloods is currently available to stream on Netflix.

It goes without saying that we want to congratulate everyone who woke up to the news that they are Academy Award nominees this morning. This has been, and continues to be, a bizarre awards season, but the films that are represented across the board do adequately reflect the best and brightest that found its way in front of an audience in 2020. We ended up with eight Best Picture nominees ranging from Minari and Mank to The Trial of the Chicago 7. We’ll discuss the odds of the favorites as we get closer to the show.

This morning, we focus on the folks who didn’t get the call, the Snubs that held Oscar hopes, only to have them dashed in the wee hours of the morning, Pacific Coast Time. These are movies, actors, directors and craftsmen who had been told at various stages of the race that this would be their year. For some, it could have been career-altering. For others, it’s a blip on an already seasoned stint in the business. So, who was left on the outside of the Oscar bubble, looking in?

Da 5 Bloods

Such an egregious snub, the movie gets its own category at the top of this list. Simply put, the Academy didn’t care for Spike Lee’s searing examination of post-war PTSD, the Trump effect on our nation’s psyche, the power and urgency of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the stirring treasure-hunt thriller that Lee rolled into one devastating package. While the film’s lone Oscar nomination went to Terence Blanchard’s heroic film score, thet means that the Academy snubbed Da 5 Bloods in Best Picture, Best Director for Spike Lee, Best Actor for Delroy Lindo (an absolute crime), and Best Supporting Actor for the late Chadwick Boseman. One has to wonder if Oscar voters even bothered to watch their Netflix screener?

One Night in Miami

Regina King’s stirring and provocative One Night in Miami is another film that probably expected a lot more love on Oscars morning, and woke up holding a half-empty bag. The movie did collect a few key nominations, with Kemp Powers landing a Best Adapted Screenplay nod for his words and ideas, and Leslie Odom Jr. getting into the Best Supporting Actor race. But that excluded his co-stars, all of whom were integral to One Night in Miami working as well as it did. Choosing one performance over the others is very difficult. While Picture seemed in play, it didn’t happen, but what I really regret is that Regina King isn’t joining Chloe Zhao and Emerald Fennell in the Best Director category, because she deserved to be there after juggling the issues and performances at the heart of this film.

Zendaya, Best Actress

The Best Actress category this year might be the most stacked of all the races. Four extremely talented and worth nominees are going to go home empty-handed, and we will live in a world where Viola Davis or Carey Mulligan might not win for their amazing performances in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom or Promising Young Woman just because Frances McDormand is THAT good in Nomadland. Zendaya, though, didn’t even get into the conversation, and she belonged there. Her work opposite John David Washington in the contentious Malcolm & Marie showed a soul-baring side to the actress that many are still waking up to (watch Euphoria, people), and a nomination would have pushed her further into the spotlight of respect.

Jared Leto, Best Supporting Actor, The Little Things

The thing about Jared Leto is that he’s extremely popular. And he takes big, bold risks with his performances. This allows him to get nominated and actually win for Dallas Buyers Club. It also makes him a lightning rod for controversy when he tries something like The Joker. His turn as a menacing weirdo in The Little Things for early awards buzz, picking up nominations the HFPA and the Screen Actors Guild (a big deal). An Oscar nomination seemed possible, but Leto’s turn proved a tad too elusive for Academy members to fully embrace.

Palm Springs, Original Screenplay

As streaming services generate far more Oscar-worthy films, Hulu found itself in the race for a number of deserving movies this year. Palm Springs should have been one of the them, and I’m more than a little shocked that it didn’t find its way into the Best Original Screenplay category. This was the year, because of the bizarre nature of film distribution, that the Academy could have shone a brighter light on mainstream fare that connected with audiences while still elevating the craft of filmmaking. Palm Springs is clever, hysterical, heartfelt and fun. When Borat 2 got a nod, I got hopeful, only to have those hopes dashed.

Soul, Best Picture

As long as the Best Animated Feature category exists, no animated feature will ever win Best Picture at the Oscars. The Academy basically considers that category to be “enough,” as evidenced by Disney Pixar’s Soul not even getting into the Best Picture race, which is a crime. Pete Docter’s fascinating exploration of the afterlife and our purpose here on this planet plumbed emotional and spiritual depths not seen in any of the live-action films in the Best Picture category. Soul also breached difficult conversations about depression and anxiety, as well as the freeing power of music and musical composition. It’s an endlessly rewarding film that’s as vibrant and beautiful as it is funny and sad. But it’s animated, so it never really had a shot at the category in which it belongs, did it?

Ludwig Goransson, Score, Tenet

A score can complete a movie. It can serve as a character, an audio propulsion that comes around exactly when the story needs it. This is what Ludwig Goransson achieves with Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, a time-twisty thriller that plays forwards and backwards but gets anchored by the musical cues provided by Goransson. The composer already has a track record with the Academy, having picked up an Oscar for his work on Black Panther. His work on The Mandalorian was brilliant, and could have contributed to the Academy just giving Goransson the nod for his body of work. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

Mank, Original Screenplay

Personally, I don’t think that Mank deserved a nomination in this category. I fear that David Fincher’s Old Hollywood homage is the least interesting story in the brilliant filmmaker’s filmography. But what IS interesting is the story behind Mank, where Fincher’s late father, Jack Fincher, had a script that delved into the making of Hollywood’s greatest drama -- Citizen Kane -- but gets lost in the exploration of the battle between screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz (Oscar nominated Gary Oldman) and media tycoon William Randolph Hearst (Charles Dance). I thought that maybe the story of Mank would get the screenplay a nomination, but no dice.

Jodie Foster, Best Supporting Actress, The Mauritanian

Because of the unusual nature of this year’s Oscar race, we saw a handful of films that were released in 2021 connect with the different critics groups that can be bellweathers for the direction that the Academy is going to go. And that turned out to be the case for Judas and the Black Messiah, which earned six Oscar nominations, but not so much for The Mauritanian. While that drama played well for the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes (where Jodie Foster won over Glenn Close, Olivia Colman and Amanda Seyfried, the Oscars weren’t having it, and the Foster slot likely went to Maria Bakalova for Borat 2 instead. No real complaints here!

The late Chadwick Boseman’s Oscar chances just received another boost with the announcement of nominees for the 27th Screen Guild Awards. The actor, who passed away in August 2020, has broken the previous record with a total of four SAG film award nominations, with two of those coming from Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods. While he has no doubt left a lasting legacy in Hollywood, there is one all-star performance from the Spike Lee joint that isn’t getting the awards attention that it deserves.

Delroy Lindo, who co-starred with Chadwick Boseman in Da 5 Bloods, drummed up quite a bit of buzz for his incredible performance as Paul, a Vietnam veteran suffering from PTSD. But since the major awards circuit has started, Lindo has been notably absent from the nominations.

Chadwick Boseman’s performance as Stormin’ Norman was certainly impressive, and I’m happy he earned another nomination. However, I simply don’t understand how the SAG voters could watch Da 5 Bloods and not have Delroy Lindo on the short list for best male performance of the year.

In addition to his supporting nomination, Chadwick Boseman, who is perhaps best known for Black Panther, beat out Delroy Lindo in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role category with Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. The other nominees in the category include Riz Ahmed, Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins and Steven Yeun.

I just don't get it. In an already confusing year, some of these nominations continue to mystify me. Delroy Lindo’s performance made a big splash after Da 5 Bloods released in June of 2020. His monologue alone, which can be seen towards the end of the film, was easily one of the most powerful scenes of the year. Shortly after its release on Netflix, fans were clamoring online for Lindo to receive awards recognition.

Because of those initial reactions, Netflix decided to start the Oscar campaign process for Delroy Lindo’s performance, according to Variety. But the streaming service’s efforts seem to have come up short, at least for two of the major awards shows. It’s no surprise that Hollywood veterans such as Gary Oldman and Anthony Hopkins were nominated for their performance, especially considering the Golden Globe nominations that were announced earlier this week.

Still, I’m disappointed that Delroy Lindo has yet to receive a nomination from any of the major awards organizations. Late last year, he garnered a bit of attention with wins on the smaller circuit, netting awards from both the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics.

While I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that the Academy gives Delroy Lindo some much deserved awards attention, it’s not likely considering his absence from both the Golden Globes and SAG. If anything, I encourage you to revisit his monologue from the film, which is streaming on Netflix, and decide for yourself if Lindo deserves to be up there with Gary Oldman and Anthony Hopkins. Let us know what you think in the poll below.

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Leaving a huge impact on the landscape of 2020 film, director Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods contains a host of powerhouse performances from its ensemble of acting talent. Two of the most moving performances come from the late Chadwick Boseman and co-star Delroy Lindo as "Stormin'" Norman and Paul, respectively, both of which have seen an exciting amount of early awards season attention paid. But when it comes to Boseman himself, Mr. Lindo appreciated his scene partner the most for the attention that not only he received, but also a member of his family that just happened to be on set.

During an actor’s roundtable held by The Los Angeles Times, a group of actors including Delroy Lindo had the usual conversation you’d expect to happen around this time of year. Sadly, with Chadwick Boseman’s untimely passing in 2020, part of that talk was reserved for how everyone present missed his presence, especially in light of his luminary final performances delivered in the past year. But when it came to Lindo’s recollections of working with his co-star on Da 5 Bloods, he recalled the following story as why he was so appreciative of his fellow actor:

This story of Chadwick Boseman’s giving nature lines up perfectly with the image that he projected, both through his work and his personal presence. The late Black Panther star’s personable nature and intense professionalism both shine in this story from Delroy Lindo. Treating Lindo’s son with an “open and welcoming” nature shows just how nice of a man Boseman truly was, but the fact that a 5-10 minute meeting was all that took place before that key Da 5 Bloods scene makes the end result even more impressive than it already is based on performance alone.

We’re about to dive into spoilers for Da 5 Bloods, so consider this your spoiler warning.

While “Stormin’” Norman’s presence is felt throughout Da 5 Bloods, he’s actually only on screen for a handful of moments. But one of the most crucial moments is when Delroy Lindo’s Paul, returning to Vietnam to try and get rich quick with some former squad mates, meets with the spirit of his former commander. Confronting the dark truth that Da 5 Bloods weaves into its story, which reveals that Paul actually killed Norman in an accidental moment of friendly fire, is resolved with the moment Lindo mentions in his memory above, which can be seen below:

All it took was 5-10 minutes of conversation for Chadwick Boseman and Delroy Lindo to form a bond that spanned decades on film. Just as Mr. Lindo appreciated Mr. Boseman’s time on set, and his treatment of others, we the audience can appreciate his Da 5 Bloods performance all the better. It’s a landmark role in a blisteringly timely film, which can currently be enjoyed on Netflix.

Were there any good movie released this past year? For months at a time, it seemed like no movies were being released at all, as we hunkered down in our homes and dealt with the new reality of differing ways to consume entertainment. But Hollywood did figure out how to get new movies in front of audiences (though a heavily balance of streaming, and the occasional branch out into safe-as-possible theatrical distribution), and a handful of them were truly great.

My Top 10 list for 2020 feels so very unusual, which is an accurate representation of the year, itself. There are traditional storytelling powers, major studio fare, some indie darlings, and the best films that I saw on streaming services. But because this year was so nontraditional, I couldn’t think of any other way to capture, via snapshot in time, the bizarre year we just lived through. Looking back on 2020, these are the ten films that moved me, inspired me, spoke to where I was as a person, and entertained at a time when we were all desperate for distractions. These are the 10 best movies I saw this year.

10. Uncorked

I’m a sucker for “chase your dreams” fables. Heck, I write about movies full time, so clearly I had some lofty dreams that I’ve been lucky enough to fulfill. Then, as writer-director Prentice Penny’s inspirational Uncorked unfurled, it pushed every personal button for me as an audience member, and just as a person in general. Obsessed with wine, Elijah (Mamoudou Athie) aspires to be a top-ranked Master Sommelier. His father (the always wonderful Courtney B. Vance) instead wants Elijah to take over the family’s barbecue business. You had me at “wine,” Uncorked! You have to go and throw “BBQ” into the mix?

Even if you think you know where Uncorked is going, the steps along the journey delight and inform. I learned a ton about wine. I invested in the dramatic squabbles of the family. I rooted for Elijah, and connected with every obstacle. Open up a bottle of red and settle in for Uncorked if you haven’t yet seen it. It’s a warm-blanket of a movie that I’ll revisit often.

9. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

No one thought we actually needed a sequel to Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat until we finally saw Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. As it turns out, this was exactly the type of controversial, envelope-pushing, boundary-tearing exercise in social and political lunacy that 2020 deserved. It’s the first movie I can recall watching in 2020 that I immediately wanted to start over as soon as it was done because I couldn’t fully process what I had watched. Did that abortion clinic scene really happen? Did Cohen really disrupt Mike Pence’s rally? What was Rudy Giuliani really doing in that hotel room?!

Above all else, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is outrageously funny. Like, “grab your sides and scream out loud” funny. You laugh, but remain in shock at the ridiculous things Borat convinces people to do, with very little prodding. The sequel lands on my Best list, though, for the enormous amount of heart that it also brings, courtesy of the relationship between Sacha Baron Cohen and newcomer Maria Bakalova, playing Borat’s daughter. She’s 2020’s comedic MVP, and if she found her way into the Oscar conversation, I wouldn’t be mad.

8. The Trial of the Chicago 7

An Aaron Sorkin courtroom drama has a damn good chance of making it onto my list just by simply existing, but the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind The Social Network, Moneyball, TV’s The West Wing and the masterpiece A Few Good Men backed up the promise of The Trial of the Chicago 7 with a star-studded historical drama that landed numerous punches aimed at the events of our own time. It was surreal watching America’s streets being clogged with police protests in the Summer of 2020 as Sorkin spun this true-life story about the fallout from police-brutality protests in 1968. Everything old is new again.

Restaging a tense trial is one thing. Sorkin’s movie stands out for the compelling ways that he weaves us into the lives of everyone participating in the circus, from the warring attorneys (Joseph Gordon Levitt and Mark Rylance) to the irascible judge (Frank Langella) to the colorful political voices whose lives and reputations were on the line. Good luck picking the best performance in this stunning ensemble, but I do want to note Sacha Baron Cohen for playing both Borat and Abbie Hoffman, and doing it so well that both movies made my Top 10.

7. One Night in Miami

Here’s the continuation of a trend for 2020: Movies set in the past that say just as much about our present as they do about the time in which they take place. The four icons speaking their truths in One Night in Miami -- Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) -- wrestle with the cultural and civil issues of 1964. But the conversations strike chords in 2020, and it’s the connections made by screenwriter Kemp Powers and director Regina King that force One Night in Miami to linger in our conscience.

Also, hot damn Regina King. The Oscar-winning actress has directed television episodes prior to this feature-film debut. She arrives for One Night in Miami with confidence and swagger, keeping Powers’ stage play from feeling like a stage adaptation. She divides her focus between all four men, and is just as comfortable in a boxing ring following Clay as she is in the hotel room where the action is largely set. Miami is a knockout, a calling-card film that declares King as a storyteller to watch for years to come.

6. Da 5 Bloods

The aforementioned trend of 2020 continues with Spike Lee’s latest masterpiece, a thrilling tightrope walk through history that feels like the movie Lee has been preparing to make his entire career. The Brooklyn legend loves shining a spotlight on our nation’s past indiscretions, this time going all-in on the Vietnam conflict, and the toll it takes on African-American soldiers shipped overseas to die.

Lee’s entry into the commentary this time, though, also works as an exciting treasure hunt that has close friends and former war colleagues returning to Ho Chi Minh City to unearth gold they’d buried back during the fight. Lee recruits a murderer’s row of talent for Da 5 Bloods, unleashing Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., the late Chadwick Boseman and the devastating Delroy Lindo on a brilliant screenplay that connects racial injustice of the 1960s to the Black Lives Matter movement of 2020. This is Spike Lee at his most important, and that’s saying something.

5. Promising Young Woman

I can’t remember the last time a movie grabbed me by the collar and just shook me as hard as Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman. The writer-director serves up a vicious anti-date-rape PSA that’s cloaked in a pitch-black comedy, made all the more depressing that lessons included in Promising Young Woman have to be repeated at all in 2020.

Not that Fennell is preaching at her audience. Quite the opposite. She merely turns the keys over to her ingenious lead, Carey Mulligan, and lets the versatile Oscar-nominee dance vividly through the uncomfortable realities included in this eye-opening story, right up until the very last twist. Mulligan has been turning heads with performances like this for years. I’m amazed that this is Fennell’s feature-film directorial debut, and will be curious to see if this was her passion project, or if she’ll bring the same wit, style, bravado and sass to future stories, because damn, this one packs a wallop.

4. The Kid Detective

Too many people slept on Evan Morgan’s brilliant, unpredictable The Kid Detective, even though the films that it resembles -- The Nice Guys, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Brick -- are routinely celebrated as underappreciated comedic film noirs. Hopefully like those films, The Kid Detective builds its audience over time, because it’s fantastic.

Evan Morgan essentially has made a grown-up Encyclopedia Brown movie, casting Adam Brody as a once-beloved child crime solver who has outgrown his gimmick but still seeks to unravel mysteries. Kid Detective creates one of those worlds that you simply want to inhabit, soaking in the quirky details and spending more time with the colorful array of weirdo characters. I had such a blast with this movie, and didn’t see the conclusion coming, which helped to make this one of the best movie experiences I had in 2020.

3. News of the World

We spent so much time in 2020 debating whether or not movies could play on the big screen, where they belong. Paul Greengrass’s News of the World, to me, was the only one that fully deserved to be witnessed on the biggest screen possible. The United 93 director re-teamed with his Captain Phillips star, Tom Hanks, to rejuvenate the classic Western, and cinematographer Dariusz Wolski uses every tool in his kit to capture the vast expanse of the American frontier.

What took Hanks so long to make a Western? The history buff seamlessly transitions into the mood and tone of this timeless genre, and Greengrass matches his energy to make a vintage frontier tale about heroism, compassion, trustworthiness in our news providers, and the hope that comes from the bonds of friendship (or newfound family). News of the World is top-notch filmmaking from every contributor, leading to one of the most exhilarating, entrancing and rewarding features released this year.

2. Tenet

I’ve only seen Christopher Nolan’s Tenet once. That’s a crime, as I know that the structure of this mind puzzle will only be rewarded by repeat viewings. Knowing where the story is going and understanding how/why things play out will make more sense the number of times that you return to this riveting spy thriller, but you shouldn’t HAVE to watch a movie more than once to have it work.

Thankfully, even on the first pass, Nolan’s Tenet is groundbreaking visual and mental storytelling, asking the audience to perform acrobatic leaps to reach jaw-dropping conclusions, while the director executes mind-blowing action set pieces that literally other directors aren’t even capable of dreaming up. John David Washington cements himself as a badass but sophisticated leading man. Kenneth Branagh hams it up as an old-school Bond villain. Tenet will be remembered as the movie that pushed the theatrical conversation to the forefront, but I think that overshadows the mastery of Nolan’s accomplishments in this film. It’s astounding.

1. Soul

By now, we should expect this from Pixar. Especially from director Pete Docter, who has used the animation art form to explore such beautifully human topics as grief (Up), loneliness (Inside Out) and fear (Monsters Inc.), still running them through the family-friendly Pixar lens. Those were appetizers for Docter. Soul is the main course, and it’s nothing short of life-changing.

It starts with death. Joe (Jamie Foxx) dies at the worst possible time… as if there’s ever a good time to die. But Joe was just about to achieve his life dream. However his trip through The Great Before teaches him that his “life dream” might have been the wrong quest, which will have all of us wondering if we’ve used our time on this Earth wisely. Soul swings for the fences, and connects over and over. It’s a glorious exploration of expectations, both those that we have in some things, and those that people have in us. It’s creative, emotional, hilarious and heartfelt. It’s the best movie that I saw in 2020.

While totally unexpected, Netflix had an important role to play in 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit and theaters began to close, the streaming giant was thrust into the spotlight as the most accessible source for new feature films around the world. Some titles were released as planned, and some titles were acquired from other studios, but either way no company consistently produced as many original movies throughout the year. And while the full catalog most certainly didn’t exclusively provide winners, there were some phenomenal premieres on the service, and now that we’ve reached the back half of December we’re taking a moment to celebrate those releases.

There wasn’t a month that went by in 2020 that didn’t see Netflix release at least one legitimately entertaining or fascinating new feature, but we’ve whittled a list down to 10 titles to focus on. There are examples from a wide variety of genres and mediums, and multiple made by some of the best directors in the business. These are titles that should never get buried in the streaming service’s massive catalog – and we’ll start by highlighting what is, full stop, one of the best films of the year…

Mank

It takes a lot of guts for a film to purposefully stand in the shadow of what is arguably the greatest movie ever made, but that’s exactly what David Fincher did in the making of Mank, and the result is glorious. It’s sold as the story behind the making of Citizen Kane, but what it is ultimately is an examination of not only the fascinating man that was Herman Mankiewicz (portrayed brilliantly by Gary Oldman), but also a brilliant snapshot of Hollywood and politics of the 1930s. It’s as smart as it is funny as it is enlightening, and black-and-white visual feast.

I’m Thinking Of Ending Things

If you’re looking to experience cinematic existential angst, you really can’t do much better than the work of Charlie Kaufman, and Netflix has allowed him to do what he does best with I’m Thinking Of Ending Things. The story begins simply enough, following a girlfriend (Jesse Buckley) and boyfriend (Jessie Plemons) as they travel for a dinner at the boyfriend’s parent’s house, but how things spin out from there is brilliant in its strangeness and utterly mesmerizing. It’s a work that demands dissection, but one of the great things about the streaming service is that as soon as the movie ends you can immediately go back and analyze it scene-by-scene.

The Social Dilemma

Do you ever feel like you’re addicted to your phone? Well, there’s a good reason for that, and Jeff Orlowski's documentary The Social Dilemma delves into that reason with frightening clarity. Utilizing a well-done dramatic narrative featuring Skyler Gisondo and Vincent Kartheiser to further illustrate its points, the movie exposes the disturbing inner workings of your favorite social media apps via interviews with a number of people who helped bring them to life. It’s a wakeup call that very well may cause you to start creating some distance between yourself and your mobile devices.

Da 5 Bloods

Netflix has attempted in recent years to paint itself as a haven for the best filmmakers in the world to make projects they are passionate about, the roster including names like Martin Scorsese, Alfonso Cuaron, and Bong Joon-ho, and this year saw Spike Lee join that awesome collective with the epic Da 5 Bloods. The film sports drama and adventure in equal measure, following a squad of Black former US Army soldiers (Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr.) as they return to Vietnam in search of a hidden treasure, and what emerges from journey is a powerful reconciliation of the present and events of the past.

The Trial Of The Chicago 7

Aaron Sorkin most definitely knows how to handle true story adaptations (The Social Network, Moneyball) and courtroom dramas (A Few Good Men), and the writer/director puts those talents to great use for The Trial Of The Chicago 7. It was a film that was headed to theaters before the pandemic, sold to Netflix in July, but still packs a punch even shown at home – telling the story of a group of anti-war protestors who find themselves on trial facing charges from the federal government in the fallout of the riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The all-star cast, including Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Keaton, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, doesn’t have a single weak link, as everyone in the ensemble delivers excellent performances.

His House

We went without the high profile scares of Halloween Kills and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It this fall, as both movies were delayed until 2021, but Netflix came through in a big way for Halloween by dropping Remi Weekes’ His House on the service at the end of October. Following a couple of Sudanese refugees who try to make a home for themselves in London, the movie weaves a terrifying tale as the husband and wife not only struggle to adapt to their new world, but also find themselves haunted by the past. It provided us with some of the most unnerving sequences of 2020, which is why it also made our list of the year’s best horror films

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Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

George C. Wolfe’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom will forever be remembered for featuring the final performance by Chadwick Boseman – a talent who passed away far too young this year – but even standing apart from that sad fact it’s an astonishing work. It doesn’t stretch far from the August Wilson play on which its based, but material packs a spectacular punch, and both Boseman and Viola Davis deliver two of the best performances of their remarkable careers, trading off protagonist and antagonist roles throughout the narrative, and leaving you pressed hard in the back of your chair as the end credits roll.

The Lovebirds

Michael Showalter’s The Lovebirds was originally going to be an early-in-the-year big screen comedy, set to be released theatrically in late March – but then it wound up being one of the first movies delayed by COVID-19. Thankfully, Netflix scooped it up from Paramount, and while it was released about two months after originally intended, it delivered huge laughs at a crucial time. Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae are both stellar in the film and make for a hilarious bickering couple on the run from the law after being framed for murder. Even though it didn’t play in theaters, it still further establishes its stars as talented big screen leads, and we can’t wait to see them heading more features in the near future.

Enola Holmes

It’s easy to dismiss Harry Bradbeer’s Enola Holmes on paper, as it seems like another attempt by Hollywood to take advantage of Sherlock Holmes’ public domain status by telling a familiar story from the perspective of a spunky teen girl. What that perspective overlooks, however, is that spunky teen girl being played by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown, who delivers the best performance of her young career. The central mystery is more compelling for younger viewers, but there’s still no denying its wonderful energy, and it still manages to be thrilling. It has tons of franchise potential, so expect to see more chapters on Netflix in the coming years.

Uncorked

Prentice Penny’s Uncorked has the structure of a standard coming-of-age story, following a young man (Mamoudou Athie) as he belies the wishes of his father (Courtney B. Vance) to take over the family barbecue business in favor of pursuing a dream to become a master sommelier. And while it’s actually very successful in that simple fact, building strong characters and emotional relationships, it also goes beyond the familiar by diving into particular culinary worlds not greatly explored in cinema. And if you can swing it, it’s definitely best enjoyed with a smoked brisket paired with a nice red – otherwise you might just be left with cravings during and after.

Is your favorite Netflix movie of the year on our list? Do you think there’s a film that we’ve overlooked? Hit the comments section with all of your thoughts, feelings, and opinions, and be on the lookout for more of CinemaBlend’s End of Year features as we get closer and closer to 2021.

2020 has been an absolute nightmare for Hollywood. The closure of theaters in March was the first domino to fall, and they haven't stopped falling since. Theater closings resulted in delays of releases, and many of the movies that we were expecting in 2020 still haven't been released. The ongoing delay then forced organizations that give out year end awards, like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, to rewrite their rules for eligibility. As a result, movies released as late as February 2021 will be eligible for next year's Oscars.

That means that several of the movies that are expected to be in contention at next year's ceremonies, like the Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Coleman drama The Father, and Lee Daniels' The United States vs. Billie Holiday, among others, won't actually be released in 2020. But if the rules hadn't changed, what would next year's Oscars actually look like? Here are the films that have been, or shortly will be, released in 2020 that would probably make up the Best Picture category. Many of these movies still won't see wide release until next year, but have either received qualifying runs in Los Angeles already or will before the end of 2020.

Trial of the Chicago 7

There's no drama quite like a good old fashioned courtroom drama, and the last time Aaron Sorkin wrote one of those, A Few Good Men, it was nominated for Best Picture. So it seems quite likely that his newest film, Trial of the Chicago 7, which Sorkin also directed, would get a similar response from the Academy. While the film had been in development for years, the fact that it deals with men charged with crimes stemming from public protests in a year that saw widespread public protests itself would be difficult to ignore, and would likely make the film resonate a bit more with voters.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom has only just arrived on Netflix for audiences to view, but the buzz coming from the movie has been around for quite some time. Staring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in one of his final performances, both actors have been mentioned in conjunction with conversations regarding Best Actress and Best Actor awards. More often than not, the Best Picture category sees overlap with the acting awards, so this one seems like it would be a likely candidate.

Minari

A24 movies don't always get as much Oscar love as you might think that they would. The studio tends to produce a lot of serious dramas with character-driven stories performed by top notch talent. It's everything the Oscars usually loves. However, when the Best Picture nominees are announced, A24 is frequently (though not always) left off the list. That could still happen again this year, but the odds of it happening would seem to be less likely if the Academy was forced to choose films released this year. The new film Minari, starring Steven Yeun, is about a Korean family trying to live the American Dream, and it currently has a lot of Oscar buzz. We'll have to wait and if that buzz is still there in a couple months.

Nomadland

Nomadland is one of those movies that most of us still won't see until 2021, but many critics have seen it, including our own Eric Eisenberg, who gave it 4.5 stars. We already know Frances McDormand is a powerful actress; she's won a couple of Oscars herself in the past. But she basically carries Nomadland, a movie that Chloe Zhao directed in the middle of getting ready to make a little move called Eternals all by herself. And so, if the whole movie is basically her, and she's great, then by association, so is the whole movie. And thus, it has a shot at a Best Picture nomination.

News of the World

The last time Paul Greengrass directed Tom Hanks it was for a movie called Captain Philips, and that was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Now the two have come together again for a Western drama called News of the World, and if the re-teaming of this duo didn't tell you enough on its own, then maybe the Christmas Day release date will clue you in on the fact that News of the World has Oscar aspirations. In a normal year, we'd expect Tom Hanks in a period drama to be an obvious Oscar nominee, and so this would be on the shortlist. It still might make it, but this year has been anything but normal.

Mank

You know what Hollywood loves making movies about? Hollywood. If you can make a good movie about making movies, then there's a good chance you'll be recognized for it come awards season, which is why Netflix's Mank, which is about screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz's journey to write the script for Citizen Kane, is just the sort of thing we would expect to get love on Oscar night. It's even shot in black and white to help give it that old Hollywood vibe to the production, and the last movie to make a black and white movie about movies, The Artist, wasn't simply nominated for Best Picture; it won the award.

Soul

Pixar has actually seen two of its films nominated for Best Picture before. Both Up and Toy Story 3 received the honor previously, and based on the reception that Soul has earned from critics, it's possible that the studio's newest feature could follow suit. It's a beautiful movie with emotional performances and a great message that people will almost certainly embrace when it's released on Disney+ Christmas Day. When it's all said at done at next year's Oscars, Soul might not make the cut, but with the more limited competition, it might have had a shot.

Tenet

In the last couple of years, there has been a concerted effort by the Academy Awards, and also the television network that broadcasts the Academy Awards, to try and get more popular movies into the mix by nominating one or two of them in major categories. In that time, we've seen movies like Joker and Black Panther receive Best Picture nods. The problem is that 2020 has been decidedly lacking in those sorts of movies overall. They were the first to push their release dates back because box office numbers are so vital to them. Tenet wasn't a universally loved movie to be sure, and a lot of people still haven't actually seen it, but it's about the closest thing we have to a "blockbuster" that could conceivably be nominated. So if only 2020 was being considered, it could have happened.

Da 5 Bloods

Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods was one of the first movies of the year to begin to get people talking about Oscars. Way back in June, the film wowed audiences with some great performances, and the film took on an entirely new light only a couple of months after its release when Chadwick Boseman passed away. The Oscars tend to have a short memory, which is why it's more likely that Boseman's newer movie, mentioned above, probably has a better chance of nomination in most categories. But if we were limiting our look to 2020 movies only, it would be tough to not recognize both of these films as great and potentially worthy of Best Picture.

It's almost a guarantee that some of these movies, even most of them, will eventually be nominated for Best Picture. They're great films with great performances that Academy members will want to recognize. However, with all the changes going on this year with nominations (and we could still see more changes before it's all said and done), it seems likely that at least a few worthy films that could have been recognized will ultimately be overlooked.

The following contains minor spoilers for the Netflix film, Da 5 Bloods.

With the surprising and untimely death of Chadwick Boseman, it's natural to go back and look at the actor's body of work in a new way. Spike Lee, who was one of the final directors to work with Boseman, in the recent Netflix film Da 5 Bloods, looked back at the filming of that movie recently, a time when Boseman was suffering from cancer, but few people knew it, and now sees one key scene in the film as having been touched by God.

Chadwick Boseman's character in the film, Stormin' Norman, died during the Vietnam War, and so, he's mostly only seen in flashback sequences, with younger versions of the rest of the film's main characters. However, near the end of the film Delroy Lindo's Paul finds himself having a one-way conversation with God, leading to a vision of Boseman and an emotional dialogue between them. It's a moment meant to evoke the ethereal and it does, mostly through the use of light, but Spike Lee tells Variety the scene's lighting wasn't part of the production. According to Lee...

The scene is beautifully lit. The light is filtering through the trees of the jungle. It's coming down from above and the light and the mist mix together to obscure the background, making it all feel less real. You can get an idea what the scene looks like in the image above. And it's an emotional and heartbreaking scene between the two friends. It's one of several great moments in the film.

Since Delroy Lindo is speaking with a dead man, the heavenly look to the scene makes perfect sense. So much sense that I'm sure most people, myself included, assumed that everything about the lighting had been designed by the production, or had been handled digitally after the fact. Instead, it seems this was all natural lighting that just happened to be perfect for the moment. And considering what would happen just a short time after Da 5 Bloods was released, it makes it easier to believe that there was something special in that moment, as the actor who was playing somebody who had passed away too soon, would do so himself.

Da 5 Bloods can be seen on Netflix now.

Netflix has come a hell of a long way in the last 15 years. It used to be that people would think about the company as that service that mails you rented Blu-rays and DVDs in red envelopes, but now it is not only the biggest streaming service in the world, but also regularly produces some absolutely massive original films. The company has grown to become a powerhouse in Hollywood, and that’s very much continued through 2020 with a slate of awesome Netflix movies including hits like Da 5 Bloods, Enola Holmes, and The Old Guard.

Because their library is so big and because they put out new content so rapidly, it can be easy to lose track of all the best new titles that movie fans should be checking out, but that’s exactly why you have your good friends at CinemaBlend to help you out. Looking back to the beginning of 2020, there have been a number of truly excellent films put out, including those both produced as originals and those picked up for distribution, and we’ve highlighted 12 of the best for you below!

Da 5 Bloods

While there is no denying the power of the big screen, Netflix has managed to get some of the greatest filmmakers of all time to produce original movies, and this past summer we saw a perfect example with the release of Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods. It’s an epic story about a group of Black Vietnam War veterans (Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, and Isiah Whitlock Jr.) who travel back to the South Pacific with two goals in mind: find and lay to rest the body of their fallen squad leader (Chadwick Boseman) and recover a lost, hidden treasure. It’s a powerful and emotional cinematic experience, and one only made more powerful following Boseman’s passing in August.

The Trial Of The Chicago 7

Courtroom dramas appear few and far between in modern Hollywood (perhaps a side effect of decades of Law & Order?), but there are few in the world that can construct that kind of story quite like A Few Good Men’s Aaron Sorkin, and with his second directorial effort the filmmaker does a brilliant job bringing to screen one of the 20th century’s most notorious cases. The Trial Of The Chicago 7 features not only passionate writing and excellent performances from stars like Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Rylance, Eddie Redmayne, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, but also has arrived at a time when it’s incredibly socially relevant to what’s happening in the world.

The Old Guard

With memories of Aeon Flux having dissipated, Charlize Theron has become respected as one of the industry’s most excellent ass-kicking heroes, from Atomic Blonde to Mad Max: Fury Road, and in 2020 she only further bolstered her record with the release of Gina Prince-Bythewood’s The Old Guard – a badass action film centering on a team of immortals secretly moving through the world and trying to contribute the most good possible. She’s joined by some fantastic co-stars including KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Harry Melling, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, and considering that sequel talks have already begun, you should do yourself a favor and start obsessing now.

I'm Thinking Of Ending Things

If you’re ever looking for a film that can totally turn your brain into a pretzel, the works of Charlie Kaufman are a great resource, and I’m Thinking Of Ending Things is one of his best movies in that regard. It starts out with a premise that’s simple enough, following a girlfriend (Jessie Buckley) and boyfriend (Jesse Plemons) as they travel to have dinner at the boyfriend’s parent’s house, but before too long things start to spin out in surrealist absurdity, and it successfully manages to be both comedic and horrific. It’s a winner, and a perfect Netflix release in that once it’s over you can immediately go back through it to parse all the details and analyze the hell out of it.

The Lovebirds

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down, Michael Showalter’s The Lovebirds was one of the first movies to shift from theatrical plans to streaming, as Netflix purchased distribution from Paramount, and we’re incredibly happy that happened because it means that the comedy now exists on a platform to be enjoyed over and over again. Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae make an excellent comedic duo playing an on-the-rocks couple who find themselves having a seriously crazy night when a man claiming to be a police officer commandeers their car and uses it to carry out a murder. It’s one of the funniest films of the year so far.

Enola Holmes

On paper, the idea of telling a story from the perspective of Sherlock Holmes’ teenage sister seems like a way for filmmakers to simply continue to exploit the legacy of the public domain detective, but that just makes Harry Bradbeer’s Enola Holmes that much more enchanting. Millie Bobby Brown delivers the most charismatic performance of her young career thus far playing the title role, and the material is sharp and well-constructed, giving the teenage girl a fun mystery to solve and plenty of her own agency in the rapidly changing Victorian era.

The Willoughbys

It’s always a bit of fun to see dark humor make its way into the animated film realm, and Kris Pearn, Cory Evans, and Rob Lodermeier's The Willoughbys is most definitely a standout in that realm in 2020. Based on the Lois Lowry book of the same name, it centers on a group of brothers and sisters who become fed up with their emotionally abusive and terrible parents and create a plan that will send them on what is hopefully a deadly adventure. It’s kooky and weird, and at times hilarious, and sports an excellent voice cast including Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, and Ricky Gervais.

Uncorked

The story of a son who forgoes taking over the family business in hopes of blazing his own trail in life is one that audiences have seen play out time and time again in cinematic history – but what ultimately matters when it comes to plots like that is execution, and Prentice Penny’s Uncorked is delightful. In this particular case it’s the tale of a young man (Mamoudou Athie) who pursues a dream of becoming a master sommelier, much to the chagrin of his barbeque restaurant-owning father (Courtney B. Vance), and in addition to bucking a number of tropes and takes some surprising turns, it’s an emotional, engaging, and intimate story that features wonderful performances from the leads.

A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon

In 2015, Shaun The Sheep Movie turned out to be an absolutely lovely surprise, telling a beautifully animated, dialogue-less story about life on a farm, and its sequel, Will Becher and Richard Phelan's A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, matches it. This time around there is a peculiar alien with strange powers roaming around that makes things quite a bit weird, and the results are laugh-out-loud funny and even a bit emotional.

Project Power

With Marvel Studios being forced to sit out 2020, the year has featured far fewer superhero movies than normal, but Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman's Project Power proved to be a nice substitute this summer – albeit operating on a much, much smaller scale. The film features a tight, awesome, high concept plot that explores what would happen if there was a new drug on the streets of New Orleans that provided users with 15 minutes of random superpowers, and it sports an outstanding cast including Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Its scope prevents the film from fully exploring its biggest ideas in its 114 minute runtime, but that also just means that there are a lot of exciting directions to go in a sequel.

Rebecca

If you’re scrolling through Netflix unsure of exactly what it is that you want to watch, Ben Wheatley’s Rebecca is a pretty damn solid choice in that it covers a lot of genre bases – going from being a romantic drama, to a haunted house horror movie, to a crime thriller. The movie has some big shoes to fill by being a remake of material previously adapted by Alfred Hitchcock, but it’s well-made and beautifully shot in addition to featuring impressive performances from Lily James, Armie Hammer, and Kristin Scott-Thomas.

Extraction

Arriving on Netflix in late April, Sam Hargrave’s Extraction proved to be tremendous medicine for those concerned that 2020 would wind up being devoid of big action blockbusters, as the film is basically 117 minutes of action. Tyler Rake is one of the most exciting heroes portrayed by Chris Hemsworth outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and some of the sequences featured are just down-right impressive, including a 12 minute long chase constructed with multiple battle locations and no obvious cuts. And like the case with The Old Guard and Project Power, it very much looks like the film will prove to be only chapter one of a longer series.

How many of these 2020 Netflix movies have you seen? Which ones haven't you seen, but are now definitely going to check out? Hit the comments section with all of your thoughts, feelings, and opinions, and stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for all of the latest news and updates regarding the big titles set to hit the massive streaming service.

Hollywood, countless fans and Chadwick Boseman’s family, friends and colleagues are still processing the shocking death of the Black Panther actor. He died in late August of Stage 3 colon cancer at the age of 43. In the week following news broke of his passing, many of his closest collaborators admitted to be in the dark about his sickness, including Spike Lee.

Da 5 Bloods was shot in early 2019, ahead of its drop on Netflix over the summer. Co-star Chadwick Boseman was quietly battling cancer at the time, but Spike Lee never knew it. In the legendary director’s words:

Chadwick Boseman was reportedly dealing with a colon diagnosis for four years before his death. During this time, he debuted his Black Panther in Civil War, before playing the hero three more times in his solo outing and two Avengers films. He also made Marshall, 21 Bridges, Da 5 Bloods and his upcoming final film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

As Spike Lee told Variety during his cover interview, in retrospect he respects Chadwick Boseman’s decision not to disclose his battle with cancer. If he had known, he thinks he would have had the actor pull back on his performance for his health. Lee recalls Boseman was weak during the shoot in Vietnam, but it never crossed his mind it could be cancer.

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler did not know about Boseman’s battle with cancer either until after his death. It’s almost unbelievable to hear this, especially since Boseman was in the height of his career doing strenuous stunts in action-heavy movies during a time when his health was deteriorating. This fact goes to show Boseman’s strength in character. He didn’t let the ticking clock stop him from offering up his best work.

Spike Lee recalled on the night of Chadwick Boseman’s death, he went to sleep early. When he woke up the following morning, he was flooded with messages on his phone about the news. The director said he has since watched Da 5 Bloods again, and it plays totally different now. Ironically enough, Boseman’s character in the searing war film grapples with death and legacy.

Boseman’s Da 5 Bloods co-star Clarke Peters previously admitted to noticing the actor being pampered on the set of the film and thinking, “Maybe the Black Panther thing went to his head.” Of course he had no idea what the actor was going through, and regrets having those thoughts. You never really know what someone is going through, and Boseman’s story is a testament to this.

Chadwick Boseman’s last movie Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is heading to Netflix on December 18. Keep track of what other movies are rounding out 2020 with CinemaBlend’s release schedule.

Spike Lee’s latest flick Da 5 Bloods was one of Chadwick Boseman’s final projects. While the actor wasn’t a lead character in the movie, his co-star Clarke Peters recently spoke out about not having the best first impression of Boseman, thanks to the entourage of people he brought with him on set. Now, he’s speaking out about regretting this first impression following the actor’s death at 43 following a battle with Stage IV colon cancer.

In a recent interview, Clarke Peters told Good Morning Britain that he was super excited to be working with Chadwick Boseman, who had been coming off of his high-profile Marvel role Black Panther when Spike Lee set Da 5 Bloods up. He recalls not really getting to know Boseman on the movie because he was always off by himself or surrounded by people he’d brought with him to the set.

Apparently, when Da 5 Bloods was filming in the hot, sweaty landscapes of Thailand, Chadwick Boseman had brought along his wife, but also a slew of people. Looking back, it’s easy to see that Boseman likely had people there to help him just get through filming as he was dealing with the ravages of cancer while also trying to make sure his performance came together. It was a silent battle and one Clarke Peters knew nothing about, but he says he honestly wishes he could go back and see the experience through another lens, revealing,

The Good Morning Britain people told Clarke Peters he can’t beat himself up about what happened because nobody knew about Chadwick Boseman’s illness. But most of us have moments in our own personal lives where we don’t look back with fondness on ways we acted or behaved, even if it’s just thoughts and not actions. Even if we just didn’t have a key piece of information to complete a picture.

In the case of Chadwick Boseman, things are more complicated. By all accounts Da 5 Bloods actor was intensely private about his personal life, to the point where most of the people who knew him did not know he was battling colon cancer, from his Avengers to 5 Bloods collaborators. As a celebrity, Boseman likely gained a lot from not being open about his diagnosis, in terms of maintaining the image he wanted to in public life and avoiding all the media scrutiny and questions, but like everything, life is complicated, and there is some loss there as well.

Ultimately, Chadwick Boseman’s not a lead in Da 5 Bloods, but he does put in an excellent performance around the movie’s leaders, Clarke Peters, Delroy Lindo (who's already landed some awards buzz for the gig), Isiah Whitlock Jr., Norm Lewis and Jonathan Majors. If you haven’t watched it yet, it’s currently available streaming on Netflix.

I’ve done a few of these articles where I spotlight black actors. And with Chadwick Boseman’s resume, I definitely would have gotten to him eventually. But that’s the problem. Chadwick Boseman didn’t have eventually. His life was tragically cut short from colon cancer, which he was diagnosed with 4 years ago. Very few knew about his struggles because he decided not to tell many people. Instead, he went to work, day in and day out to entertain and inspire us. That’s why his death impacted so many people. It's heartbreaking to know that his family has lost such an amazing person, and that we, the fans, have lost such an amazing actor.

Now, I normally rank these kinds of lists, but I decided not to do that with this one. It’s not because some of his performances aren’t better than others, but because I’d rather this article just be a celebration of the man’s work than anything else. Chadwick Boseman forever.

21 Bridges (Andre Davis)

Boseman plays Andre Davis in this thrilling cop drama about a police officer who has to shut down Manhattan in order to apprehend two criminals. Davis has a reputation for killing cop killers, but at his heart, he’s just a man who seeks justice, even if it means nabbing his own brothers in blue. In 21 Bridges, Boseman showed that he could play a tough guy with heart.

In an age when people are protesting against police brutality, it’s interesting to see that Chadwick Boseman took on the role of a police officer. And not only that, but one who is willing to sacrifice his reputation in order to do the right thing. A lot of people of color will cite Chadwick Boseman’s role as Black Panther as inspirational. But I personally think it’s great to see a black police officer on the big screen, especially one as good as Andre Davis.

Get On Up (James Brown)

James Brown was a very complicated man. And in the hit movie, Get On Up, Chadwick Boseman was electric as the Godfather of Soul. He even did all of his own dancing and some of the singing in the role. Now that’s amazing. The film itself jumps all over the singer’s life, and you get to see Chadwick Boseman do some pretty bad things. But that’s the beauty of this performance, since he totally embodies James Brown in the role, which is no small feat.

I actually saw James Brown in concert before I saw this movie. James Brown must have been about 70 when I saw him perform, and I can tell you with certainty that Chadwick Boseman nailed the role. The movie itself wasn’t the best, but Boseman’s performance certainly was.

You can stream Get on Up on HBO Max.

42 (Jackie Robinson)

In 42 Chadwick Boseman played Jackie Robinson, the first black Baseball player in the Major Leagues. But any story about Jackie Robinson is going to be about more than just how he was a great first baseman. Instead, 42 is about Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier and the insane amount of intolerance he had to endure in order to make a difference in the league.

Boseman was perfect for the role. Bold, but humble, a giant on the field, but also able to show the complexities of pain and humiliation, Chadwick Boseman exhibited just what a powerhouse of an actor he could be with this role. I remember this one scene in the film where he's getting on a train, and says, “Young man,” to a black child and then tosses him a baseball. I don’t know why, but I got really teary-eyed at that scene for some reason. God. I miss him already.

Da 5 Bloods (“Stormin’” Norman Earl Holloway)

Spike Lee’s latest joint, Da 5 Bloods, is a Vietnam film like no other. In it, some old war buddies head back to Vietnam to uncover some buried gold. But many of the scars of the past come to haunt the former soldiers in the present, and tensions mount. Chadwick Boseman played a soldier who was killed in combat and acts as a ghost and a memory to the men, most notably to Paul (played by Delroy Lindo) who's been living with a terrible secret ever since the war.

During the war, Boseman's character acted as a sort of totem to be embraced and looked up to by the other soldiers, most notably Paul. In the end, Boseman is not a major character in the film, but he’s definitely a vital one who permeates the entire story and drives the narrative forward. Quiet and sagacious, nobody could play it better than Boseman.

You can find Da 5 Bloods streaming on Netflix

Message From The King (Jacob King)

Chadwick Boseman played another King (this time, by name only) in this Netflix revenge thriller. We’ve seen Boseman play tough guys before, but none like Jacob King, who will mess your face up as “a message from the king." It’s all in retribution for the murder of his little sister. Boseman’s character in this one gives a beating, but could take one, too. It was probably Boseman’s coldest role ever.

Boseman was always a likable actor, even when he was playing an enforcer. Denzel Washington has The Equalizer, and Boseman had Message from the King. I didn’t know he had it in him until I saw this badass movie.

Stream Message from the King on Netflix.

Marshall (Thurgood Marshall)

In yet another biographical film, Chadwick Boseman played Thurgood Marshall, the first black Supreme Court Justice. The film concerns his first major case, The State of Connecticut v. Joseph Spell. A great majority of the film is about the actual case with Spell (played by Sterling K. Brown), and how Marshall and an insurance lawyer (played by Josh Gad) worked together on the case.

I think Marshall is a great example of why Boseman was such a fantastic actor. He’s compelling throughout what is essentially just a courtroom drama. But as somebody who played Jackie Robinson, James Brown, and Thurgood Marshall, it just shows what a talented actor he truly was.

Rent or Buy it on Amazon.

Draft Day (Vontae Mack)

Draft Day is really a Kevin Costner film, and, well, I find it kind of boring. It’s about the machinations of drafting players into the NFL. So, not my cup of tea. But Chadwick Boseman is pretty good in it as a tweeting top prospect linebacker from Ohio State.

I’m including this performance because it’s low-key the most entertaining part of the whole movie. Boseman has charisma and charm to spare, and he plays the role of a character who knows he’s the best player on the field, which is really interesting since Boseman seemed like such a humble human being and nothing like his role as Vontae Mack. What range!

Rent or Buy it on Amazon.

Captain America: Civil War (T’Challa/Black Panther)

Ah, and now the Marvel stuff, which will undoubtedly be Boseman’s legacy. Captain America: Civil War was the first time we saw T’Challa in action. In this film, he sided with Iron Man since he believed that Bucky killed his father. As the title suggests, many of the MCU’s greatest heroes battled against each other. It’s definitely one of the best films in the MCU, and T’Challa’s introduction is one of the major reasons why.

What’s crazy is that Spider-Man also makes his MCU debut in this film, but T’Challa does not get overshadowed for a second. And that’s because Boseman exhibited such character and potency in the role. He had such a bright future.

Stream Captain America: Civil War on Disney+.

The Avengers: Infinity War (T’Challa/Black Panther)

Thanos is coming to Earth and he’s seeking out the Infinity Stones. And the Soul Stone just happens to be in Wakanda. It’s a battle royale, and T’Challa’s leading the charge!

One would think Chadwick Boseman’s role couldn’t get any bigger than it was in Civil War, but he managed to outdo himself in Infinity War, where he revealed himself to be the king that he truly was. There’s a great scene in the movie where Don Cheadle’s character, James Rhodes, tricks Mark Ruffalo’s character (The freaking Hulk!) to bow to T’Challa, where Boseman says, “We don’t do that here.” Maybe not, but T’Challa was still every inch a king.

Stream The Avengers: Infinity War on Disney+.

Black Panther (T’Challa/Black Panther)

And the role that meant so much to so many people, Black Panther will forever be the movie most associated with Chadwick Boseman. In it, we see T’Challa truly grow as a character as he comes to grips with his father’s past actions and also his own legacy. It’s a story that tackles oppression, urban poverty, and the differences of being African and African-American. And this is a Marvel/Disney film, no less!

Black Panther is just a movie, but I have a feeling that people will still be saying “Wakanda forever” (and crossing their arms over their chests) for many years to come. And it’s not just because it’s cool to say, but because Chadwick Boseman made it cool to say. Black Panther, for a lot of black people, was a cultural milestone, and Chadwick Boseman was the face of it all. And he will always be the face of it. As I said at the start, Chadwick Boseman forever.

Stream Black Panther on Disney+

We’re really just beginning the mourning process of Chadwick Boseman, but there are several movies we can watch to keep his spirit alive. We’ll miss you, King.

There is nothing about the death of Chadwick Boseman that isn't utterly heartbreaking, but a part of what makes the emotions so powerful is the understanding of the incredible strength the man demonstrated in the last four years. A testament to pure fortitude, the actor took on some remarkably challenging roles and projects while simultaneously going through treatment for a terminal illness, and in all that time he never revealed or even really hinted at his personal struggle.

This very much includes Boseman's time making writer/director Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods, which was released on Netflix earlier this summer, and during an event this past weekend the filmmaker opened up about his experience working with the man.

According to E!, Lee addressed the passing of Chadwick Boseman during his annual Brooklyn MJ Block Party (an event celebrating Michael Jackson's birthday), and he talked about the opportunity he had to work with the actor last year. According to the writer/director, the conditions on the set of his latest movie were far from comfortable, but there was never a point when he had insight into what Boseman was going through personally:

In Da 5 Bloods, a group of Vietnam Veterans (Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, and Isiah Whitlock Jr.) travel back to the site of the international conflict with two intentions: finding a lost locker full of gold bars, and also the body of their former squad leader, "Stormin'" Norman Earl Holloway – played by Chadwick Boseman – so that he can be given a proper burial. Boseman is primarily featured in flashback sequences that feature quite a lot of action and are mostly set deep in the jungle.

Continuing, Spike Lee explained that the harsh conditions during the making of the movie never inspired a single negative reaction from the actor, and that he believes the nature of the man comes through in what we see in the finished cut. Said Lee,

The filmmaker also specifically meditated on one scene in Da 5 Bloods that was apparently cut from the movie due to the inability to use an unspecified Marvin Gaye song. Spike Lee expressed that he was particularly moved by Chadwick Boseman's performance in the moment, and that he decided to rewatch it on Saturday morning after the news broke of Boseman's passing on Friday night. The filmmaker said,

For those of you who haven't seen it, Da 5 Bloods is currently available to watch on Netflix – and we couldn't recommend it more highly. Not only is it truly one of the best films of the year so far, but Chadwick Boseman's turn really is remarkable and beautiful, and an impressive illustration by itself of his incredible talent. It can't be repeated enough times: he will be deeply, deeply missed.

As I said in a previous article, I love Spike Lee. His films often challenge not only the medium of film, but also culture in general. From Do The Right Thing to BlacKkKlansman, Spike Lee has always had something important to say. And while he’s had a few missteps over the years, one thing that nobody could ever call Spike Lee is boring.

But here’s the thing. With such a long list of films under his belt, some of his movies have been more socially relevant than others. Sure, I love films like 25th Hour and Inside Man. Hell, I even love Summer of Sam (but not so much his Old Boy remake). But those movies are more—I don’t want to say popcorn fluff—but more populist pictures than films that really try to address a major issue. So that’s what this list is for. Here are Spike Lee’s most socially relevant movies, ranked. And hey, when you're done reading this list, do the right thing, and leave a message in the comment section.

10. Crooklyn (1994)

Crooklyn isn’t really all that “socially relevant” compared to many of the other films on this list. But it did something that many other films weren’t doing back in 1994, and that’s showing a depiction of a black neighborhood without trying to be all preachy or having some grand message about it. Delroy Lindo plays a struggling musician, and his desire to bolster his career impacts the whole family financially.

But the true star is Troy, played by Zelda Harris. She takes over the matronly responsibility of the family once her mother gets cancer. It’s a role that humanizes a black neighborhood much more than a lot of the gangster epics of the 1990's were doing. And that in itself is kind of revolutionary.

9. Da 5 Bloods (2020)

The newest Spike Lee joint as of this writing, Da 5 Bloods tackles Vietnam movies from a black perspective, painting a picture of the war from a different angle than any other Vietnam movie in the past. Running underneath the whole treasure hunting plot is a story about both oppression and repression, and it’s mostly found in Delroy Lindo’s stunning performance.

The only thing holding Da 5 Bloods back is that it’s so much more of a commentary on Vietnam movies in general than the black experience in Vietnam. But it’s still really good, of course. It’s Spike Lee at his best and I much prefer it to Miracle at St. Anna.

8. She’s Gotta Have It (1986)

Tracy Camilla Jones stars as a woman seeing three men. To her, monogamy is a form of slavery, and she doesn’t see why she has to choose a partner. And while the movie is marketed as a comedy, it goes into some dark territory. And then, there's the rape scene, which robs the movie of a lot of its good will. But still, everything around that is pretty potent.

Especially for this being Spike Lee’s first feature-length film. It was pretty bold to challenge sexual norms back in 1986. The show was pretty damn good, too.

7. Chi-Raq (2015)

Chi-Raq is a weird movie, but a worthy one. Taking its ideas from the Greek play, Lysistrata, Chi-Raq is about a woman named Lysistrata (played by Teyonah Parris) who is fed up with gang violence, and has motivated other women in her neighborhood to give up sex with their men to get them to stop fighting.

Tackling gang violence in Chicago is a pretty audacious move. Especially since it’s a black take on what is spurring all the violence in the first place. It was a controversial film upon its release, but would it be a Spike Lee joint if it wasn’t?

6. School Daze (1988)

On its surface, School Daze is mostly about warring fraternities and sororities at an historically black college. But underneath it all is the college experience from a black perspective. It tackles ideas of activism and working toward getting ahead, but also what it means to be black in a society where unity can be seen as a detriment. And like She’s Gotta Have It, it also takes a look from a female perspective. It was a definitely ahead of its time.

So much so that we likely wouldn’t have a show like A Different World or Dear White People without it. Wake up!

5. Get On the Bus

If Road Rules was a movie featuring black men, it would be Get on the Bus. A variety of different black men heading to the Million Man March bicker and argue with each other over issues of race, class, sexuality, religion, and everything else in-between.

Get on the Bus is also great because it shows an entirely unvarnished look at black people without shying away from the darker side. It’s not Spike’s best movie, but it’s close.

4. Jungle Fever (1991)

Starring Wesley Snipes as a character having an extramarital affair with a white woman, Jungle Fever feels ahead of its time and a little dated at the same time. It deals with the perception that the black community often has about dating outside of your race, and it’s a movie that doesn’t make anybody look good. Plus, Samuel L. Jackson has a knock-out performance as a crack addict.

Jungle Fever deals with a touchy subject in an honest way, which is why it still works today.

3. BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Tackling racism head on, BlacKkKlansman pulls no punches with its approach to showing off the darker side of America. But it does so deftly in a way that only Spike Lee can pull off by showing the inner conflict of how a black man can reconcile being a police officer in the face of racism. But it also shows how the only way to actually combat racism might be through the system itself.

BlackKklansman is elevated over a lot of Spike's other films because of that stunning ending that parallels today’s times. Bold move, Spike Lee. Bold move.

2. Bamboozled (2000)

Bamboozled is Spike Lee’s hidden gem. By tackling America’s perception of black people both in the past and in the then hip-hop crazed present, Bamboozled is all about how the minstrel show of yore hasn’t really changed all that much. It’s just changed its make-up a little bit.

Bamboozled works so well because the satire is just so dead on and piercing. It also shows how black people have somewhat openly invited some of the images that are perpetuated in today’s society, giving no clear solution on how to fix the problem. It’s a funny movie, but a cringy one, too, just as all good satire should be.

1. Do the Right Thing (1989)

Do the Right Thing will probably always be Spike Lee’s best movie. It’s got it all—humor, heart, heartache, and searing commentary. It shows a neighborhood on the brink of exploding. The people living there just don’t know it yet. But it sure is hot.

Do the Right Thing is just as --if not more-- powerful today than it was back in 1989. And with the events happening now, it probably speaks to today’s time more than any other movie currently being produced. Spike Lee kept his ear to the ground and gave us this masterpiece of cinema in the process.

And those are the most socially relevant movies of Spike Lee’s career. But what do you think? Were there any that I left off? Please let me know in the comments.

This poll is no longer available.

Any budding cinephile will tell you that all it takes is the right director to kick off a lifelong obsession with the world of films. When it came to Jonathan Majors, one of the stars of Spike Lee’s killer ensemble drama Da 5 Bloods, it was Lee’s own filmography that lit the fuse on his cinematic education. And as he admitted during his promotion of the Netflix original film, that education started very early on in life.

While speaking with EW about Da 5 Bloods, Jonathan Majors wove an origin story of how his life ties to iconic director’s filmography. And in that origin, one of the most impressive details was that as young as three years old, his introduction to Spike Lee’s filmography came from the absorption of the 1992 epic Malcolm X:

Malcolm X was just eight minutes shy of three and a half hours, with an R-rating and two VHS tapes back in the day. So imagining young Jonathan Majors, carrying that movie throughout his youth and watching it obsessively is something that seems to have signaled he was always destined to work with Spike Lee. Which led to his powerful performance as Da 5 Bloods’ David, the young son to Deroy Lindo’s Vietnam Vet, Paul.

Engaged in a fickle relationship with his father, who one moment loves him as a son and the next considers his own blood dead to him, Da 5 Bloods sees Jonathan Majors playing one of the classic modes of drama that Spike Lee has employed time and again in his filmography. This troubled familial bond helps keep the movie’s story glued, as David and Paul’s story is one of the unique strands bonded together to make this Netflix original a film worth seeking out.

It’s the sort of story you’d expect to see in the movies: with a young kid like Jonathan Majors idolizing the works of a director like Spike Lee, and eventually making his way into one of his films and throwing fandom together with professionalism. In this particular case, not only does that story have a happy ending, the results are sure to be talked about for some time to come.

Da 5 Bloods, as well as Malcolm X, are currently available on Netflix, and Jonathan Majors can next be seen as a lead in the new HBO sci-fi thriller series Lovecraft Country, which is set to premiere on the cable network this August.

Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods appears to be having a major effect on viewers, as many have formed personal connections with the critically acclaimed film. One character that’s really left a mark on audiences is the frustrated and emotionally scarred Paul, who was played beautifully by Delroy Lindo. The veteran actor steals more than a few scenes throughout the movie, but he says its Paul’s monologue in the jungle that has really grabbed people’s attention:

The scene plays out bittersweet way, as it allows Paul to vent his frustrations with his current situation and confront his demons in the process. Delroy Lindo went on to explain to HuffPost that there’s a complexity to monologues. While in many cases, characters are reciting the words alone, they’re not exactly just posing their thoughts to themselves:

Delroy Lindo raises an interesting point about monologues, as many of them do involve a character posing questions. Paul’s “Salt in the Vaseline” monologue in Da 5 Bloods is distinct in the fact that the character holds his focus on the camera the entire time. And based on his constant questions and anxious attitude, the scene can definitely be read as Paul desperately seeking out answers from someone.

However you want to interpret the scene, it can definitely be said that Delroy Lindo nailed it. Those who’ve seen Da 5 Bloods know that Paul could have been a one-note character in the wrong hands, but both Lindo and Spike Lee strayed away from this and turned him into a fleshed-out character. With this, it’s no wonder the internet is already calling for Lindo to get some major recognition when awards season arrives.

Regardless of how much buzz Lindo receives, Da 5 Bloods marks another powerful performance from him, and it’s sure to sit with audiences for years to come.

Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods is currently streaming on Netflix.

The latest Spike Lee joint is now available to watch in the comfort of your own home. Netflix’s Da 5 Bloods follows a quartet of Vietnam War veterans who travel back to that country in search of buried treasure and the remains of their fallen squad leader. The movie has been earning critical acclaim, and one actual Vietnam War vet told Lee he was glad that the director finally explored the conflict in his own special way.

It goes without saying that Spike Lee is no stranger to tackling social issues and race relations in his movies, and Da 5 Bloods is no exception. Here’s what Lee recently had to say about how this Vietnam War vet he spoke to felt about his movie:

Da 5 Bloods certainly covers a lot of ground when it comes wrapping the movie’s fictional narrative around real-world context, from the flashback scenes set in Vietnam (including one scene where the soldiers learn about Martin Luther King Jr. being assassinated) to how the older veterans have been affected by current events in the United States. The movie also throws in a lot of archival footage for audiences to absorb, particularly revolving around the civil rights movement in the late 1960s and how it addressed the experiences of black soldiers in Vietnam.

Spike Lee has been churning out feature films since the mid-1980s with She’s Gotta Have It, and while he’s no stranger to covering the general time period when Da 5 Bloods’ flashbacks take place (see the final chunk of Malcolm X and Black KkKlansman)/ Still, as the filmmaker informed Indiewire, clearly he’s hit on something particularly special with this latest feature.

It may have been a long wait, but for those of you who have followed along with Lee’s career for years, he’s finally delivered his Vietnam War flick. Fortunately, Da 5 Bloods being met with a lot of positive reception from critics and the general public alike, as well as arrives at a time when the United States finds itself embroiled in protests condemning systemic racism.

Among the other praised elements of Da 5 Bloods, are the performances, particularly from Delroy Lindo. The Good Fight actor plays Paul, one of the title characters, who suffers from PTSD and must confront his inner demons as he and his brother-in-arms, as well as his son David, embark on their dangerous journey. In the days since Da 5 Bloods was released to the public, there’s been a lot of social media campaigning for Lindo to get an Oscar nomination for this role.

Be sure to read CinemaBlend’s review of Da 5 Bloods and keep checking back with us for all the biggest items in movie news. Feel free to also look through our 2020 release schedule to learn what movies are supposed to be shown in theaters later this year.

Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods has finally arrived, and the film has achieved massive acclaim from audiences and critics, including a glowing review from CinemaBlend’s own Sean O’Connell. The film centers on a group of Vietnam War veterans who journey back to the country to retrieve treasure they buried while serving. While Lee’s vision is being praised, many are also singling out the performances, particularly that of Delroy Lindo. Social media has certainly taken notice of his work, and it would appear many are already campaigning for him to get some serious awards buzz.

Delroy’s Lindo’s character, Paul, has quite an emotional journey in the film, one that sees him slowly unravel and face his demons as he and his brothers in arms attempt to claim their treasure. With his strong performance, many social media users believe that Lindo deserves the top prize for his work and have already envisioned him receiving it using a scene from the film:

Many viewers became extremely engaged in Delroy Lindo’s performance, with some finding it hard to look away from him, and Lindo makes it hard to do so. One Twitter user even felt like the actor could jump out of the screen at any moment:

One of the aspects of Lindo’s portrayal of Paul that really seems to be resonating with audiences is the depiction of PTSD’s serious effects on those who’ve experienced war, and viewers are making sure to note this:

Having worked in film for over 40 years, Delroy Lindo has a number of memorable roles under his belt. Some of his most notable performances are actually from Spike Lee films. The internet is well aware of this, and fans are working to ensure that those unfamiliar with his work will seek to rectify that:

Needless to say, viewers have simply been in awe of what Lindo has done in Da 5 Bloods, with some touting his performance as something they've never seen before:

Delroy Lindo has always been a strong actor, and it’s so good to see him get recognized. It’s definitely evident that movie buffs would love to see him pick up a gold statue at the Oscars (and grab other awards) next year, and this early buzz certainly kickstarts that campaign in tremendous fashion. As one of the first actors to be showered with true Oscars praise this year, Lindo is in a very good position to make some noise.

We’ll have to wait and see who else garners any buzz like this as more films are released throughout the year, but it’s certainly going to be hard to top a performance like Delroy Lindo’s. Let’s hope that this not only lands him the coveted award but even more meaty roles to add to his already impressive resume.

You can stream Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods on Netflix now.

It’s probably not fair to Isiah Whitlock Jr., who has appeared in several outstanding movies and television shows, but every time that he appears on screen, I immediately think of Clayton “Clay” Davis from HBO’s The Wire. The corrupt state senator was a standout in an ensemble filled with memorable characters, and he had the greatest catchphrase in television history: “Shhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.”

Now, to be fair, Isiah Whitlock Jr. leans into the popularity of this elongated catchphrase. He’s been known to bust it out in other instances, and his character does use it in the new Spike Lee movie, Da 5 Bloods. So when CinemaBlend spoke with the actor at the movie’s press day, I asked him how it ended up there and I learned it was very deliberate, and calculated. Whitlock Jr. told us:

It’s not up to me to tell you anything about the money, or what provoked the line. But I can tell you that I screamed out loud when Isiah Whitlock Jr. said it in Da 5 Bloods. And if you are a rabid fan of The Wire, you likely will, too.

Even if you didn’t watch David Simon’s HBO drama (and you need to, stat), Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods is required viewing now that the film is on Netflix. Lee tells the story of four Vietnam vets who head back to the country to retrieve gold they buried during the war. But in doing so, he speaks to racial inequalities and social injustices, as only Lee can. Our full review can be found right here.

And here’s the full clip of our interview with Whitlock Jr. about his The Wire catchphrase:

As mentioned, Da 5 Bloods is a film that will be part of the Oscar conversation, whatever the awards season ends up looking like in this crazy year. Pay close attention to the work of Delroy Lindo in this new drama. It’s devastating work.

Bookmark our Streaming section for more details on all of Netflix’s programming. And once you have seen Da 5 Bloods, head back here and drop your review in the comments.

We have new movies to discuss! Not one. Not two. Three new movie releases are coming to streaming and paid VOD this week. Plus, the ReelBlend guys have news to get to regarding movie theaters opening back up.

What are you waiting for? Press play on ReelBlend 121!

This week, the guys review Artemis Fowl (going to Disney+), Judd Apatow’s The King of Staten Island (on paid VOD), and the latest Spike Lee joint, Da 5 Bloods. The last one, you can catch on Netflix. They’ll all be available starting Friday, June 12. Big busy day in the world of film entertainment.

We were also lucky enough to get Artemis Fowl director Kenneth Branagh on the show this week. He dives into his use of practical sets and effects on films like Fowl and Death on the Nile. He opens up about working with Christopher Nolan on Tenet. And we discuss tricks he learns when working as an actor for other directors he admires. It’s an honor to have Branagh on the program.

As far as news, the guys break down this new Bill and Ted Face the Music trailer.

The get into a conversation about AMC Theatres’ plans to reopen in July, and whether it’s time to go back to the movies.

And the Blend game this week has to do with Twists. What is your all-time favorite?

Be sure to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, including YouTube!

Spike Lee’s newest film, Da 5 Bloods, dances back and forth between Vietnam during the war, and contemporary times. It follows a small platoon of soldiers who buried gold during the conflict, and choose to return to Vietnam in present day to find the stash, and smuggle it out of the country. The gold isn’t the primary objective: These men are also paying tribute to their fallen leader (Chadwick Boseman), who died in combat.

As the movie seamlessly glides between past and present, though, something we normally see on screen changes. The actors hired by Spike Lee to play his five “Bloods” in the movie stay in character in the flashbacks, instead of being replaced by younger actors with striking resemblances. It’s not jarring in the least bit. In fact, it’s a welcome creative decision. And when CinemaBlend spoke with Da 5 Bloods cast about it, Delroy Lindo elaborated:

It’s an excellent creative choice, and one I can’t recall seeing done that often (if ever before). There are distinct ways that Spike Lee lets the audience know that we are in the flashback. Usually it’s the involvement of Chadwick Boseman’s character, who we know from the get go is no longer with us. But giving this cast the chance to play the younger versions of their layered characters adds so much depth to the movie. Press play on this and listen to Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock Jr. and Norm Lewis elaborate on the director’s choice:

Da 5 Bloods is essential cinema – even more that we’d normally equate with a Spike Lee film. The master storyteller is ticking every box in this Netflix film, and we advise you to make time in the immediate future to watch it once it drops on the streaming service on June 12.

This weekend, audiences will get to see the latest Spike Lee Joint, Da 5 Bloods, debut on Netflix’s streaming library. While it’s not Lee’s first project in the streaming realm, it certainly seems to be one that’s gathering a pretty big head of steam when it comes to being hyped. And that’s only going to grow after the reviews that have landed this morning.

While this is only a smattering of the commentary that’s coming out about the film, there seems to be an air of raving acclaim at best, and constructive criticism at worst. Starting with our own Sean O’Connell, his review gave Da 5 Bloods a perfect 5 stars, with the following praise included:

Meanwhile, Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian, a reviewer who also gave the film a perfect 5 out of 5, had some interesting notes on the varying tones of the film:

On the lighter end of the scale, The Washington Post’s Ann Hornaday enjoyed Da 5 Bloods as well, rating it a 3 out of 4, and providing this caveat:

Vulture’s Bilge Ebiri gave Da 5 Bloods a pretty high evaluation himself, going as far as to make a pretty big claim about where the movie sits in the pantheon of Lee’s work:

Rounding out this handful of reviews for Da 5 Bloods, critic Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent had a 3 out of 5 rating, with an overall positive experience. However, there was a catch, as she singled out the following concern with the overall film:

Spike Lee has always been known as a passionate filmmaker with an equally motivated base. While his works over the years have ranged in reactions elicited from the press, he continues to be a visionary filmmaker, and that’s something that has to be respected regardless of the result. Thankfully, it currently looks like Da 5 Bloods might be one of Spike Lee’s more highly evaluated efforts.

We’ll see how the public reacts to Da 5 Bloods, when it premieres this Friday on Netflix.

Spike Lee is one of the few directors who could make a Vietnam War-era story that feels relevant, vital and integral to today’s news cycle. Lee’s a student of history, often connecting dots between past events and present-day headlines to make difficult points about why our culture needs to evolve (and singling out the reasons we’ve failed to do so over the years). Coming off of his Oscar-winning BlackKklansman, Lee keeps one eye cocked toward our nation’s complicated history while also addressing our continued inequality in the riveting Da 5 Bloods.

The title refers to a tight-knit squad of Vietnam vets who laid their lives on the line for a country that didn’t (and doesn’t) respect them. During the war, these men acquired a cache of U.S. gold bars, and immediately devise a plan to bury it. Decades later, four of the surviving five “Bloods” have returned to the battlegrounds where the director sends them on a treasure hunt that’s fraught with life-threatening peril, soul-altering confrontations, and politically-charged debates that we want from a Spike Lee joint.

Give Delroy Lindo an Oscar nomination.

Honestly, the entire Da 5 Bloods ensemble is magnificent, but Lindo lucks into the juiciest role in Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo’s screenplay. He plays Paul, a proud conservative who voted for Trump, sports a MAGA hat during the jungle adventure, and hides countless skeletons in his closet. Paul almost serves as the group’s de facto leader, as their actual captain, “Stormin” Norman (Chadwick Boseman), died during combat.

Each man has personal reasons for returning to Vietnam, beyond the financial gain. Otis (Clarke Peters) reconnects with a lost love – and learns he might have fathered a child. David (Jonathan Majors) tags along to better understand his father, Paul. But Paul is the tempest in a teapot, a conflicted man who allows his demons to overwhelm him, repeatedly jeopardizing the mission.

Lindo is fiery, contemplative, angry and damaged. He embodies every difficult step of Paul’s journey, but he’s assisted by powerful supporting performances. Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock Jr. and Norm Lewis have tangible chemistry as Lee’s five “Bloods.” They banter, joke and provoke one another, coming across as men who fought in and survived a war, not actors hired to portray those roles. Their bond helps you invest in the fate of the “Bloods,” when victory seems far from certain.

Da 5 Bloods effortlessly connects to our current events.

Spike Lee understands better than most the racial and social issues plaguing our nation to this day. He has addressed our racial divide in numerous films, dating all the way back to 1989’s Do The Right Thing. Here, his lesson appears to be that through the years, the dire situation facing African-Americans hasn’t changed much, and the same oppressive inequalities are pushing protestors into the street.

Lee’s characters will discuss historical examples of blatant racial and social injustices, all while lamenting that the fought in a war for a country that – at the time – still did not grant these men equal rights. Lee’s tone isn’t heavy handed. It’s factual. He doesn’t demand change. He doesn’t have to. The way that Da 5 Bloods lays out its facts in the guise of a treasure hunt, you’ll want to contribute to the effort to implement change. The movie essentially spotlights our broken past and let’s us ask why it hasn’t led to an improved future.

How in tune is Lee to the uproar happening in America’s cities? Da 5 Bloods contains a scene of protest swirling around a “Black Lives Matter” gathering. He informed me, during a recent CinemaBlend interview, that it wasn’t a reshoot, or additional photography. Lee, with his finger ever on the nation’s pulse, knew to include it, because the demand for change we’re experiencing now was inevitable.

Da 5 Bloods is one of Lee’s most complete films.

You can’t call Da 5 Bloods Spike Lee’s masterpiece, because that devalues the staggering accomplishments of Do The Right Thing, Malcolm X and (for me, personally) He Got Game. But for his handful of gems, it’s fair to say Lee sometimes allows his message to trump his movie. Gang violence, paranoia and interracial relationships are worthy topics of discussion, but that doesn’t help Chi-Raq, Summer of Sam or Jungle Fever to be memorable exercises.

Da 5 Bloods ticks every box, though. It balances story with history, character development with social commentary, and noteworthy acting with conversation-starting topics that will have you rewatching the film over and over. Technically, Spike hasn’t been this adventurous in years, working with cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel (Drive, Three Kings) to juggle noticeable aspect-ratio shifts that define the time periods that the story occupies. And though this compliment sounds like a broken record, the work done by life-long Lee collaborator Terence Blanchard on the 5 Bloods score is exceptional. The music elevates the material, cementing Blanchard’s status as God-tier in the realm of film composers.

By exploring the pain of the past, Da 5 Bloods draws a thick, bold line to hurt that people still feel today. It’s a compelling treasure hunt story, with an extremely powerful undercurrent that’s provided by the history of our country, and the deep scars of war. There’s no need for Spike Lee to elevate the film’s melodrama, because the drama of history amplifies any message Lee is pushing. It’s an important story, told by an important storyteller, and will be remembered as one of the year’s best films.

The film industry is looking for ways to change, to progress. One way forward would be to continue highlighting black voices in the filmmaking community. When we do, we’re treated to unconventional, challenging stories like Sorry to Bother You by Boots Riley, Carlos Lopez Estrada’s Blindspotting, or the phenomenal work of Ryan Coogler.

It’s not enough, though. Films from filmmakers of color are finding larger audiences, but the industry can (and needs to) do more. For every Jordan Peele, there are 10 more filmmakers getting films released in theaters or on streaming. How can we change the system?

The iconic Spike Lee has been working the film industry as an Inside Man for decades. He makes uncompromising visions, laced with his insight and opinion, and he’s been doing it since his low-budget debut She’s Gotta Have It, filmed in 1985 for a reported $175,000. He’s back this month with Da 5 Bloods, a Vietnam War commentary that’s wrapped inside of a treasure hunt, boasting one of the best ensembles you will see on screen this year. When we spoke with Lee, we asked him his thoughts on how his industry can provide more opportunities for filmmakers of color, and he told us:

He’s not wrong. Walt Disney Studio’s current CEO, Bob Chapek, is a Caucasian man. Jim Gianopulos, a Greek-American businessman, runs Paramount Pictures. Warner Bros. currently is led by a woman, Ann Sarnoff, but she is not a person of color.

Spike Lee goes on to explain that changes at the highest levels of the studio system will not only have an effect on the types of films that are made and screened. Promotions such as these will have a trickle-down effect on the movies that compete for, and win, awards. He continued:

He’s referring to the inclusion of movies such as Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite (which won Best Picture this year), his own Blackkklansman, Alfonso Cuaron’s Mexican drama Roma, and the Marvel blockbuster Black Panther in 2018, as well as Jordan Peele’s Get Out in 2017. Prior to these films finding their way into the current Oscar races, the Academy faced backlash in the form of the “Oscars So White” slogan.

Of course, it doesn’t help when Green Book wins over Black Panther, Blackkklansman and Roma. When Spike Lee and I start to discuss ridiculous Oscar choices, he reminds me:

That year, Lee was nominated for a screenplay Oscar for what has become his seminal work, and he lost to the safe period piece. He clearly still holds a grudge to this day.

Some black filmmakers probably would love the chance to get to a point where they are competing against Driving Miss Daisy, instead of being overlooked altogether. Black Lives Matter has become a touchstone slogan as protestors make their voices heard in cities across America. But Black Films Matter, too, and we continue to hope that Spike Lee’s advice leads to systematic changes in the studio systems of Hollywood, so alternate programming can become mainstream programming, for all to see and enjoy.

You can begin to stream Da 5 Bloods on Netflix beginning on June 12.

June's a pretty big month for streaming libraries to compete in, as not only is Hulu deciding to break out the massive firepower in its library, but HBO Max will already be online and streaming for those looking for something new. And yet, with its usual brand of old favorites and surprising originals, Netflix is soldiering on into this brave new world, complete with its own strong library of titles to behold.

If you want to take a look at May 2020's bevy of added content, you can find that information below. However, if you're ready to see what June 2020 is going to bring to Netflix, then you can continue on and see what's in store for the start of your streaming summer!

Week of June 1

Act of Valor – 6/1/20

All Dogs Go to Heaven – 6/1/20

Bad News Bears – 6/1/20

Cape Fear – 6/1/20

Casper – 6/1/20

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clow Card – 6/1/20

Cardcaptor Sakura: Sakura Card – 6/1/20

Clueless – 6/1/20

Cocomelon: Season 1 – 6/1/20

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – 6/1/20

The Healer – 6/1/20

Inside Man – 6/1/20

Lust, Caution – 6/1/20

Observe and Report – 6/1/20

Priest – 6/1/20

The Silence of the Lambs – 6/1/20

Starship Troopers – 6/1/20

The Boy – 6/1/20

The Car (1977) – 6/1/20

The Disaster Artist – 6/1/20

The Help – 6/1/20

The Lake House – 6/1/20

The Queen – 6/1/20

Twister – 6/1/20

V for Vendetta – 6/1/20

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story – 6/1/20

West Side Story – 6/1/20

You Don't Mess with the Zohan – 6/1/20

Zodiac – 6/1/20

Alone: Season 6 – 6/2/20

Fuller House: The Farewell Season - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/2/20

Garth Brooks: The Road I’m On: Season 1 – 6/2/20

True: Rainbow Rescue - NETFLIX FAMILY – 6/2/20

Killing Gunther – 6/3/20

Lady Bird – 6/3/20

Spelling the Dream - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY – 6/3/20

Baki: The Great Raitai Tournament Saga - NETFLIX ANIME – 6/4/20

Can You Hear Me / M'entends-tu? - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/4/20

13 Reasons Why: Season 4 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/5/20

Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai - NETFLIX FILM – 6/5/20

Hannibal: Season 1-3 – 6/5/20

The Last Days of American Crime - NETFLIX FILM – 6/5/20

Queer Eye: Season 5 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/5/20

Queen of the South: Season 4 – 6/6/20

Week of June 7

Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj: Volume 6 (New Episodes Weekly) - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/7/20

Before I Fall – 6/8/20

Curon - NETFLIX SERIES – 6/10/20

DC's Legends of Tomorrow: Season 5 – 6/10/20

Lenox Hill - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY – 6/10/20

Middle Men – 6/10/20

My Mister: Season 1 – 6/10/20

Reality Z - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/10/20

Pose: Season 2 – 6/11/20

Da 5 Bloods - NETFLIX FILM – 6/12/20

Dating Around: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/12/20

F is for Family: Season 4 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/12/20

Jo Koy: In His Elements - NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL – 6/12/20

Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts: Season 2 - NETFLIX FAMILY – 6/12/20

ONE PIECE: Alabasta – 6/12/20

ONE PIECE: East Blue – 6/12/20

ONE PIECE: Enter Chopper at the Winter Island – 6/12/20

ONE PIECE: Entering into the Grand Line – 6/12/20

Pokémon Journeys: The Series - NETFLIX FAMILY – 6/12/20

The Search - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/12/20

The Woods - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/12/20

Alexa & Katie: Part 4 - NETFLIX FAMILY – 6/13/20

How to Get Away With Murder: Season 6 – 6/13/20

Milea – 6/13/20

Week of June 14

Marcella: Season 3 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/14/20

Underdogs – 6/15/20

Baby Mama – 6/16/20

Charlie St. Cloud – 6/16/20

The Darkness – 6/16/20

Frost/Nixon – 6/16/20

An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn – 6/17/20

Mr. Iglesias: Part 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/17/20

A Whisker Away - NETFLIX ANIME – 6/18/20

The Order: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/18/20

Babies: Part 2 - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY – 6/19/20

Father Soldier Son - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY – 6/19/20

Feel the Beat - NETFLIX FILM – 6/19/20

Floor Is Lava - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/19/20

Lost Bullet - NETFLIX FILM – 6/19/20

Girls from Ipanema: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/19/20

One-Way To Tomorrow - NETFLIX FILM – 6/19/20

The Politician: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/19/20

Rhyme Time Town - NETFLIX FAMILY – 6/19/20

Wasp Network - NETFLIX FILM – 6/19/20

Week of June 21

Goldie – 6/21/20

Dark Skies – 6/22/20

Eric Andre: Legalize Everything - NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL – 6/23/20

Athlete A - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY – 6/24/20

Crazy Delicious - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/24/20

Nobody Knows I'm Here / Nadie sabe que estoy aquí - NETFLIX FILM – 6/24/20

Amar y vivir - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 6/26/20

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga - NETFLIX FILM – 6/26/20

Home Game - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY – 6/26/20

Straight Up – 6/26/20

Week of June 28

Bratz: The Movie – 6/29/20

Adú - NETFLIX FILM – 6/30/20

BNA - NETFLIX ANIME – 6/30/20

George Lopez: We'll Do It For Half - NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL – 6/30/20

June TBD

It's Okay to Not Be Okay - NETFLIX ORIGINAL

One Take - NETFLIX FILM

Roswell, New Mexico: Season 2

The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story

Netflix’s Movie Highlights For June 2020

Knowing that June is around the corner, Spike Lee fans are undoubtedly ready for Netflix to get its next month of content underway. The director's new Netflix original film Da 5 Bloods is set to drop closer to the middle of the month, with a tale of four Vietnam vets returning to the country they once fought through for a very special mission.

However, if you're looking for a new Netflix original that plays to more of a silly and comedic angle, then the long-awaited debut of Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga will most definitely tide you over. Yes, this is that Will Ferrell movie you heard was in the works a while ago, and no, this isn't a dream. There's even a music video to prove it.

Sometimes, you need a classic or two in order to really feel at home, and Netflix has you covered there as well. Whether you want the Spielberg-led warmth of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, or the '90s style adaptation of Jane Austen literature with the Alicia Silverstone comedy Clueless, you can be sure that those magic moments you still remember have not lost their sparkle.

Netflix’s TV Highlights For June 2020

TV has its fair share of teary-eyed moments headed its way in June 2020, as Netflix is ready to mount an all-out assault on your feelings. Wrapping the decades-long legacy of the Full House franchise, an early look at Fuller House: The Farewell Season even has its leads crying and laughing in quick succession. If you're someone who cries during weddings, prepare for a triple threat, courtesy of the Tanner family.

If you prefer your tears to be more reality-based, Queer Eye: Season 5 will oblige your Kleenex inducing needs, as the new Fab 5 will be on the road to bettering people's lives yet again. This season's antics take the boys to the city of brotherly love, as Philadelphia acts as the home base for this next group of episodes. Here come the cheesesteak jokes.

Last but not least, the network TV options on Netflix are about to get a lot more interesting in this heated month of content! After six whole seasons of intrigue and twists, How To Get Away With Murder Season 6 brings the hit ABC series to a shockingly dramatic close. If you're one of those fans who's been hoping that Bryan Fuller's Hannibal would continue on Netflix, your wishes are kind of coming true. The complete series run will be on the Netflix platform for you to enjoy, and possibly fuel further speculation that the series could return.

June 2020 is almost here, and from the looks of the content listed above, Netflix is ready to play ball against even the stiffest of competition. So make sure to keep an eye on this list, as titles are subject to change and availability; meaning if something feels out of place or missing, it's probably for a very good reason. We'll see you back here this time next month, when July 2020 unravels its exciting delights on the Netflix platform.

Netflix has been insanely good when it comes to collecting auteur filmmakers who are known for doing their own things. Writer and director Spike Lee is no exception, as his latest collaboration with streaming giant Netflix, the Vietnam War treasure hunt Da 5 Bloods, is pound-for-pound a Spike Lee Joint. As you’ll see in the trailer, this is exactly the sort of project the studio has made a killing on, in a style and tone that could only come from one man.

Telling the story of four Vietnam vets (Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, and Isiah Whitlock, Jr.) returning to their former battlefield, Da 5 Bloods sees these soldiers on a very special mission. As it turns out, this group buried some hidden treasure, upon the suggestion of their former squad leader (Chadwick Boseman), with the intent of retrieving it at a later date. Of course, while the war may be over, the terrain is still pretty dangerous in its own ways; and there’s bound to be other parties interested in stealing that loot themselves. Take a look.

On the surface, Da 5 Bloods almost seems like a very dramatic remake of that episode of The Simpsons where Bart and Abe Simpson went on a quest to recover some hidden Nazi gold. In true Spike Lee fashion, the concept couldn’t be further from that distinction, as his film sees these aged veterans still dealing with the fallout of their own PTSD from this long ended conflict.

Told across the present day’s treasure hunt, and flashbacks to the unit’s time in country, Da 5 Bloods also looks to be an impressive exercise in style as well. As the story of the past and the present shifts focus, there will also be a switch in aspect ratio depending on the era the film is focusing on at the time.

Netflix is on a roll with its catalog of movies like Da 5 Bloods, where prolific filmmakers make passion projects that can dabble both in the world of theatrical release, as well as direct streaming releases. With Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma, Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, and Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story as prime examples of this model’s success, Da 5 Bloods only furthers the streamer’s track record of pushing bold artistic visions from their unique market position.

If you’re looking for a story that examines humanity at its worst, as well as at its best, the man who brought us films like Do The Right Thing and BlacKkKlansman, as well as his previous streaming exclusive film Chi-Raq, is someone you know you can trust. Da 5 Bloods takes that trademark style of incendiary activism and intense drama that Spike Lee knows how to spin, and delivers it to the masses yet again.

Fans and audiences alike will be able to see Da 5 Bloods when it hits Netflix’s streaming library on June 12.

Move over Disney, Warner Bros. Paramount, and Sony because Netflix has some of the most highly anticipated films of 2020. These Netflix Original movies feature huge stars and directors. Quickly, Netflix is becoming an important player in the movie production industry; film fans know that Netflix creates content that is on the same level as many major studio movies.

In 2020, Netflix plans to release 25 original movies, and it seems like Netflix is going for quantity and quality because almost all of them sound appealing, either for the cast, director, or storyline. Despite the abundance of options, we narrowed the list to twelve films that we can’t wait to watch on Netflix in 2020.

Miss Americana (Early 2020)

Set to open the Sundance film festival, Miss Americana follows Taylor Swift’s life and career over a several year period. The Sundance lineup describes the film as “a multifaceted window into Swift, her creative process, and her singular experience of being one of the brightest lights on the world’s global stage.” Miss Americana makes its world premiere at Sundance on January 23, 2020, but Netflix has not set an official release date to stream the film, only saying that will be released globally in early 2020. Those fascinated by Taylor Swift view Miss Americana as a must-see film for what will hopefully be unfiltered access to the life and career of one of the most influential women in the world, especially with her recent legal battles, career evolution, and Cats.

Mank (TBD)

From 1926 to 1952, Herman J. Mankiewicz was a respected Hollywood screenwriter. Over the course of his career, he wrote and worked on scripts for some of the most popular films of all-time, including The Wizard of Oz, Pride of the Yankees, and most importantly Citizen Kane. Herman J. Mankiewicz and Orson Welles both won Academy Awards for Citizen Kane, but the story doesn’t end there. David Fincher directs Mank, a film about the combative journey Mankiewicz experienced to receive writing credits for his work on Citizen Kane.

Gary Oldman plays the title role, and Tom Burke takes on the role of Orson Welles, and Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins have supporting roles. Production on Mank began in November, so likely this film won’t appear on Netflix until late 2020. The level of talent involved in Mank, from David Fincher to Gary Oldman, makes this film worth the wait.

Rebecca (TBD)

Lily James and Armie Hammer star in the latest adaptation of the beloved horror novel Rebecca. Rebecca follows newlyweds Maxim de Winter (Armie Hammer) and Mrs. de Winter (Lily James) as they deal with a haunting from the ghost of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca. The circumstances surrounding her death are mysterious. Production on Rebecca began in June 2019, but Netflix hasn’t announced an official release date. Due to the suspense and horror elements of Rebecca, we predict that Netflix could release the film in fall 2020, just in time for the Halloween season. Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940s version of Rebecca won him awards and critical acclaim, so if executed with the same precision, but with careful alterations to appeal to a modern audience, then Netflix’s Rebecca could become one of the most discussed films of 2020.

Da 5 Bloods (TBD)

Chadwick Boseman stars in Spike Lee’s latest film Da 5 Bloods. Da 5 Bloods is a war epic that follows four African American Vietnam veterans. The men travel back to Vietnam in search of the remains of their deceased squad leader and buried treasure. Da 5 Bloods’ cast includes Paul Walter Hauser, Norm Lewis, Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, and Isiah Whitlock Jr. Spike Lee is one of the most sought after directors in the film industry, and with critically acclaimed films like BlacKKKlansman, 25th Hour, and Do the Right Thing, you can expect Da 5 Bloods to deliver a very distinct vision with top-notch performances by the entire cast, as well as social commentary. Da 5 Bloods is in post-production, but it doesn’t have a release date.

To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (February 12, 2020)

This Valentine’s Day, return to the world of Lara Jean (Lana Condor) in To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. Officially, Lara Jean and Peter (Noah Centineo) are dating, but it might not be smooth sailing for the young lovers when one of Lara Jean’s other former crushes and letter recipient John Ambrose (Jordan Fisher) returns to her life. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before became a huge favorite among teen romance movie fans: the sweet story of Lara Jean and Peter became the summer romance of 2018. Now fans can’t wait to see their favorite Netflix heartthrob Noah Centineo and Lana Condor continue Lara Jean and Peter’s love story.

Dancing With The Stars winner Jordan Fischer is a great addition to the cast, not only for his killer pipes, but because he might just make To All the Boys fans question if they’re team Peter or team John Ambrose. To All the Boys: P.S I Still Love You launches on Netflix on February 12.

Eurovision (TBD)

The European singing contest Eurovision is finally getting attention from Americans… but not in the way that many might expect. Wedding Crashers director David Dobkin reunites with Rachel McAdams for the comedy Eurovision. Rachel McAdams stars alongside Will Ferrell as they play aspiring musicians Lars and Sigrit who are selected to represent their country in Eurovision. Demi Lovato, Pierce Brosnan, and Dan Stevens also have supporting roles. Eurovision is definitely going to spoof the real life contest, which could either go really well or really wrong. Either way we’re on board to see how it all plays out. The real Eurovision runs from May 12 to May 16. Netflix hasn’t set a release date for their film version of Eurovision, but I believe that it would be a smart marketing decision to try to release it around the same time as the contest, because that’s when interest will be at its highest.

I’m Thinking Of Ending Things (TBD)

Based on Iain Reid’s novel of the same name, Charlie Kaufman wrote and directed I’m Thinking of Ending Things. The cast of this psychological horror thriller includes Jesse Plemons, Toni Collette, David Thewlis, and Jessie Buckley. The premise of I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a woman lets her boyfriend take her to meet his parents at their remote farm. However, as the title suggests, she’s thinking about ending things with him. The book, and we assume the movie, is a story where things aren’t what they seem, so viewers will have to pay close attention to figure out what’s exactly going on.

Because Charlie Kaufman is the king of writing and directing really thought provoking stories, like Anomalisa, Being John Malkovich, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, we're super excited to see his adaptation of I’m Thinking of Ending Things. Netflix is keeping fans in suspense on when to expect the film’s release.

All The Bright Places (February 28, 2020)

All the Bright Places is comparable to 13 Reasons Why and The Fault in Our Stars. It’s a teen romance surrounding the heavy topic of mental illness. Elle Fanning and Justice Smith star in All the Bright Places as Violet and Finch. Luke Wilson, Alexandra Shipp, and Keegan-Michael Key also have roles in this movie. If Netflix’s All the Bright Places stays true to the book source material, then make sure to grab a tissue as you watch this one. Jennifer NIven's novel received praise from critics and readers, and it won a 2015 Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fiction. It definitely has a dedicated audience who want to see how Elle Fanning and Justice Smith bring Violet and Finch to the small screen. Netflix closes the month with All the Bright Places’ February 28 release.

Hillbilly Elegy (TBD)

Ron Howard directs Hillbilly Elegy, a film based on the bestselling book of the same name. Hillbilly Elegy follows J.D. Vance and chronicles his family’s history, and it showcases his growth from poverty to a Yale Law graduate. Glenn Close, Amy Adams, and Gabriel Bassio star in this family saga. Hillbilly Elegy has two Academy Award nominated heavyweights in Amy Adams and Glenn Close. It also has Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, and it’s based on a very popular memoir, so it has all the tools to succeed. Hillbilly Elegy seems like it could be a real contender to take a 2021 Netflix award season recognition spot, following the likes of Marriage Story and The Irishman. If that's what Netflix has in mind, they might be holding Hillbilly Elegy for later in the year, especially with plans for a limited theatrical release.

The Prom (TBD)

Ryan Murphy directs an all-star cast in The Prom, an adaptation of a Broadway musical about former Broadway stars helping a lesbian teen take her girlfriend to the prom. The Prom’s all-star cast includes Nicole Kidman, James Corden, Meryl Streep, Andrew Rannells, and recent Golden Globe winner Awkwafina. The cast of The Prom is just too good for this movie to be anything less than amazing. Additionally, Ryan Murphy and musicals are often a winning combination. Netflix has yet to release The Prom’s official release date.

Crip Camp (TBD)

Michelle and Barack Obama executive produce the documentary Crip Camp. It follows a summer camp for disabled teens in the early 1970s. It showcases how life at the summer camp transformed their lives and influenced a disability rights movement. Crip Camp follows the campers’ journey in the '70s until present day. Crip Camp also highlights their quest for inclusion. Crip Camp sounds like the inspiring film that everyone needs to see this year. It premieres at Sundance this January, but Crip Camp isn’t expected to join Netflix’s movie lineup that month. It’s still unknown when Netflix plans to start streaming the documentary.

Spenser Confidential (March 6, 2020)

Mark Wahlberg stars in Spenser Confidential, a story about a former cop (Mark Wahlberg) and an aspiring MMA fighter (Winston Duke) who move in together. They’re at odds at first, but they eventually grow to trust each other, and work together to solve a homicide. Post Malone, Alan Arkin, Bokeem Woodbine, and real life MMA fighter Donald Cerrone have supporting roles in this Netflix Original. Spenser Confidential sounds like a buddy cop film that’s also a mystery and crime drama, aka one fun movie to binge over the weekend . On Twitter, Netflix revealed that it plans to release Spenser Confidential on March 6, 2020.

Get ready to give up your social life, because Netflix has a ton of great movies coming in 2020.