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10 Highly-Rated Movies On Netflix You May Have Missed

Netflix hosts thousands of films, but some true masterpieces slip through the cracks while blockbusters grab all the attention.

Critics and audiences have praised these hidden treasures, yet many viewers scroll right past them without a second glance.

Whether you love heartfelt dramas, thrilling adventures, or thought-provoking stories, this list brings you ten exceptional movies that deserve a spot on your watchlist.

1. Roma (2018)

Roma (2018)
Image by the author: FLC001, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Alfonso Cuarón’s masterpiece captures 1970s Mexico City through the eyes of Cleo, a devoted housekeeper working for a middle-class family. Shot entirely in stunning black-and-white, every frame feels like a photograph you could hang on your wall.

The story unfolds slowly, revealing deep emotions and social realities without rushing. Though dialogue takes a backseat, the visuals speak volumes about love, loss, and resilience in everyday life.

2. The Sea Beast (2022)

The Sea Beast (2022)
Image by the author: Sramio, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Imagine a world where legendary sea hunters battle colossal monsters across dangerous oceans. Young Maisie sneaks aboard the ship of famous hunter Jacob Holland, sparking an adventure that challenges everything they thought they knew.

This animated gem combines breathtaking action with surprising heart. The animation rivals anything from major studios, and the story asks whether monsters are truly the villains everyone believes them to be.

3. The White Tiger (2021)

The White Tiger (2021)
Image by the author: FLC001, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Balram grew up in poverty but refused to accept his fate as a servant forever. His darkly comedic journey from village tea shop to successful entrepreneur reveals uncomfortable truths about class, corruption, and ambition in modern India.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas and newcomer Adarsh Gourav deliver powerhouse performances that make you question morality itself. However uncomfortable, Balram’s story grips you from start to finish with its brutal honesty.

4. The Lost Daughter (2021)

The Lost Daughter (2021)
Image by the author: Searchlight Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Leda’s quiet beach vacation takes a psychological turn when she becomes fixated on a young mother and her daughter. Olivia Colman brilliantly portrays a woman haunted by memories of her own complicated past as a parent.

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut explores motherhood without sugar-coating the messy, conflicting emotions many women feel but rarely discuss. The film moves between past and present, slowly revealing secrets that change everything you thought you understood.

5. The Power Of The Dog (2021)

The Power Of The Dog (2021)
Image by the author: FLC001, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Benedict Cumberbatch transforms into Phil Burbank, a cruel Montana rancher whose toxic masculinity poisons everyone around him in 1920s America. When his brother brings home a new wife and her sensitive son, Phil’s bullying reaches disturbing new heights.

Jane Campion directs this slow-burning western with patience and precision. The stunning landscapes contrast sharply with the dark psychology unfolding, building toward a shocking conclusion nobody sees coming.

6. I Lost My Body (2019)

I Lost My Body (2019)
Image by the author: FLC001, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A severed hand escapes from a laboratory and journeys across Paris to reunite with its body. Sounds bizarre, right? Yet this French animated film tells a surprisingly touching story about a young man named Naoufel searching for connection and purpose.

The animation style feels refreshingly different from typical cartoons, matching the melancholic yet hopeful tone perfectly. Flashbacks reveal how Naoufel lost everything, making the hand’s determined quest deeply symbolic and emotional.

7. Okja (2017)

Okja (2017)
Image by the author: Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mija’s best friend happens to be a massive, genetically modified super-pig named Okja who lives with her in the Korean mountains. When a powerful corporation tries to take Okja away, Mija embarks on a daring rescue mission spanning continents.

Director Bong Joon-ho blends heartwarming friendship with sharp criticism of corporate greed and factory farming. The CGI bringing Okja to life feels incredibly real, making you genuinely care about this gentle giant’s fate.

8. Beasts Of No Nation (2015)

Beasts Of No Nation (2015)
Image by the author: Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

War shatters young Agu’s peaceful childhood when soldiers force him to become a child fighter in an unnamed African country. Idris Elba delivers a haunting performance as the charismatic yet terrifying commandant who controls these children.

Cary Joji Fukunaga’s unflinching direction doesn’t shy away from brutal realities, though it never feels exploitative. Newcomer Abraham Attah’s portrayal of Agu’s lost innocence will break your heart while opening your eyes to global tragedies.

9. The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind (2019)

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind (2019)
Image by the author: Joshdboz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Facing devastating famine in Malawi, thirteen-year-old William Kamkwamba refused to watch his family starve. Using scraps and a library book, he built a windmill to pump water and save his village, despite everyone doubting him.

Chiwetel Ejiofor directs and stars in this incredible true story that celebrates curiosity, determination, and education’s transformative power. William’s triumph proves that one creative kid with courage can literally change the world around them.

10. The Platform (2019)

The Platform (2019)
Image by the author: https://www.flickr.com/photos/donostiakultura/, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Picture a vertical prison where a platform loaded with food descends through hundreds of levels daily. Those at the top feast while those below starve, creating a disturbing allegory for social inequality and human nature.

This Spanish sci-fi thriller grows increasingly intense as protagonist Goreng realizes the horrifying rules governing survival. The film’s brutal imagery and dark philosophy will haunt you long after the credits roll, sparking conversations about fairness and greed.

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