It’s the final month of the year, and one that is perfect for watching movies. No matter how you choose to watch—perhaps on your phone while commuting or on your TV in the evening—Netflix is a good streaming service thanks to its wide selection of old and new hits.
If you can’t decide what to watch, I’d like to present four movies that are all undoubtedly worth your time. They’re all certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, after all!
4
The Wolf of Wall Street
Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio are a winning combination, as 2013’s The Wolf on Wall Street proves. Based on former stockbroker Jordan Belfort’s memoir, the film tells the story of his rise to wealth and all the excess, crime, and corruption that occurred along the way. The man, played to great effect by DiCaprio, is by no means a role model, but his outrageous life makes for entertaining viewing at the hands of a masterful director.
This is the movie that made Margot Robbie a star and it’s clear to see why. She is magnetic, and easily holds her own against DiCaprio. The supporting cast is nothing short of amazing too, like Jonah Hill as Belfort’s business associate and Matthew McConaughey as his mentor. Overall, The Wolf on Wall Street is darkly funny, fast-paced, and shocking.
3
Kung Fu Panda
It’s the movie that spawned a franchise: Kung Fu Panda. Jack Black stars in this delightful animation as Po, a clumsy panda who is accidentally chosen to become a kung fu master and must train to protect his home from a looming threat. Considering Po spends his days working at his father’s noodle shop, it’s certainly a change of pace, but he tackles the challenge with admirable determination. Po is a delightful protagonist, and one whom Black voices with his usual charm.
The film itself is genuinely funny, with a decent script performed well by the starry cast, which includes Dustin Hoffman, Ian McShane, Angelina Jolie, and Jackie Chan. It’s also visually impressive, with cool action sequences and a strong sense of style; despite being released in 2008, it still holds up all these years later. Kung Fu Panda is one of DreamWorks’ finest productions and one that can be enjoyed by all ages.
Kung Fu Panda
- Release Date
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June 4, 2008
- Runtime
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95 minutes
- Director
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Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
2
Little Women (1994)
There have been many adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s coming-of-age novel, most recently by director Greta Gerwig, but one of the best is this 1994 production. Little Women is about the March sisters—Jo (Winona Ryder), Meg (Trini Alvarado), Beth (Claire Danes), and Amy (Samantha Mathis and Kirsten Dunst). The film charts their love and loss as they grow up in 1860s Massachusetts.
It should be obvious from the names, but the performances are top-notch, with strong chemistry that makes for believable sibling dynamics. Directed with care and warmth by Gillian Armstrong, this is a film that I never tire of watching, and it always moves me. With excellent period-appropriate sets and costumes, plus a fantastic score by Thomas Newman, it’s hard to find any flaws with Little Women.
Little Women
- Release Date
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December 21, 1994
- Runtime
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115 minutes
- Director
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Gillian Armstrong
1
Klaus
It’s officially December, which means you can watch Christmas movies on Netflix guilt-free. You may as well start with one of the best, which is the 2019 animation Klaus. Rather than the jolly Santa Claus we all know, here he’s a recluse living in a remote Norwegian cabin. A selfish postman named Jasper is sent to the town of Smeerensburg, and the two strike an unusual partnership as they discover the joy of giving.
There is much to love about Klaus, and it’s understandable that it was nominated for an Oscar. The story is more interesting than the usual festive flicks, and there is some great voice acting from the likes of J. K. Simmons and Jason Schwartzman. Best of all, though, is the dynamic, colorful, and enchanting visual style, which combines 2D and 3D techniques to outstanding effect. This is a film that is bound to end up on your annual watchlist.
Klaus
- Release Date
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November 8, 2019
- Runtime
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97 Minutes
- Director
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Sergio Pablos
Want to find more quality movies on Netflix? Rather than scrolling the homepage, consider using Netflix’s search. It’s more powerful than you may realize, since you can search by actor, genre, language, and more.
- Subscription with ads
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Yes, $8/month
- Simultaneous streams
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Two or four
Stream all of these great movies, along with plenty more original and licensed programming, with a Netflix subscription.
