Netflix is known for its parade of original series and films, but don’t forget that
you can watch some of the all-time best classic movies there too.
The current lineup includes notable titles from Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee and Martin
Scorsese (perhaps you’ve heard of them), and we’ve got romance, musicals, sci-fi,
westerns and more on our top 12 list.
Is there a better Stephen Spielberg movie than Raiders of the Lost Ark?
Indiana Jones movies can be hit-or-miss, but few hold a candle to Raiders, the benchmark
for modern action/adventure cinema.
Grab your fedora, and let the binging begin.
She’s Gotta Have It, directed by Spike Lee, is the story of a woman choosing between three
men on totally different ends of the personality spectrum.
One is a total narcissist, another a controlling alpha male, and the third a shy geek who seems
the most genuine.
Her process of trial and error is laughable, but leads her to some deep self-discovery.
British comedy nerds will tell you Monty Python and the Holy Grail is the funniest movie ever
made, and they’re probably not wrong.
The movie’s absurdism is second to none, and set the tone for cinematic comedies for
decades to come.
If you haven’t seen it, we just have one question for you:
“What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?”
Calling Silence of the Lambs a horror film may be tough, but how many suspense films
feature crucifixion, cannibalism, and skin suits?
The misconception that this isn’t a horror film is part of what helps make it so terrifying—viewers
come in with basic expectations and end up surrounded by unspeakable evils.
Much has been written about Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of Hannibal Lecter.
But the real joy of the film is Ted Levine’s Buffalo Bill.
Each of his scenes helps build a sense of dread that will stick with you long after
you’ve run out of Chianti.
Schindler’s List is the kind of movie that is so famously wrenching, it’s increasingly
harder to find anybody who has actually seen it.
Hopefully its presence on Netflix fixes that, because Steven Spielberg's 1993 epic may still
be the defining film about the Holocaust.
It cemented Spielberg’s place as not only the populist favorite among his generation
of directors, but a true master of the art form.
There are plenty of films about families moving into evil homes, but where Poltergeist shines
is its execution.
Horror films rarely feature a family this believable or tightly knit.
Their problems are relatable, so when hell breaks loose, you’re invested far beyond
the standard group of hot teens.
Poltergeist also delivers a funhouse of horrific set pieces and brilliant practical effects.
The iconic musical West Side Story is a romantic drama loosely inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo
and Juliet.
Set in 1950s New York City, it explores the tension between two rival gangs of white and
Puerto Rican teens, complicated by a star-crossed love affair between a girl and boy on opposite
sides of the feud.
Clint Eastwood stars in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, one of the best-known Western
epics of all time.
The title refers to three gunslingers competing for a cache of Confederate gold, in a thrilling
drama famed for its gorgeous cinematography and beloved score.
Still a high point in Martin Scorsese's celebrated career, Taxi Driver stars Robert De Niro as
a troubled Vietnam vet who roams New York, gradually losing his grip on reality.
Critically praised, but controversial due to its violent content, Taxi Driver won numerous
awards, and set the tone for urban crime thrillers to this day.
Bursting with punchlines and slapstick humor, Airplane! is a beloved comedy starring Robert
Hays, Julie Hagerty and Leslie Nielsen.
Nominally it's a parody of disaster movies, but it's best known for employing every possible
trick to make you laugh until your ribs ache for the full 87-minute runtime.
The Wicker Man features Christopher Lee as a mysterious cult leader, it popularized the
folk-horror genre, and regularly appears on lists of the "best horror movies ever" alongside
classics like The Exorcist and The Shining.
When a police officer travels to a remote island to look for a missing girl, he soon
realizes things are far weirder than anyone expected.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a beloved Spielberg movie that remains a family favorite to this
day.
It’s the tale of suburban kids who befriend a sweet, naive young alien.
A critical and commercial hit at the time, E.T. is a truly iconic film, and finally streamable
on Netflix.
Those are our picks for the best classics on Netflix right now, but if you’re enjoying
some excellent cinema there, please share your favorites in the comments below.
And be sure to like this video and subscribe to the Daily Dot so you never miss our streaming
guides in the future.
Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you in the next one.