The Best Drama Movies on Netflix to Stream Now

If you’re in the mood for drama, Netflix has you covered

Netflix has made a name for itself when it comes to drama movies.

Over the past few years, many of their original films have become critically acclaimed — and some have even earned Best Picture nominations at the Academy Awards. On top of that, the platform is also home to numerous excellent dramatic offerings from other studios around the world. From relationship dramas to biopics based on real people, there's never a shortage of films to fit your mood.

But with the number of options on the streaming service, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out exactly what to watch. That's why we've compiled some of the best drama flicks available to view on the platform right now. Between newer releases like Lonely Planet and His Three Daughters and award-winning films like Marriage Story and Roma, you'll find the perfect movie to stream in no time.

Ahead, the best drama movies on Netflix to watch now.

Judy

Directed by Rupert Goold, this 2019 biopic transports viewers to the final chapter of Judy Garland's life, just a year before she died at age 47 from an accidental drug overdose. Set during her sold-out 1968 winter tour, Garland struggles with growing exhaustion and frail health while dazzling audiences one last time. Renée Zellweger's transformative portrayal of the Wizard of Oz icon earned her a Best Actress Oscar and a Golden Globe for best performance by an actress in a motion picture — drama.

Watch Judy on Netflix

Lonely Planet

Reclusive novelist Katherine Loewe (Laura Dern) escapes to a Moroccan writer's retreat, hoping an unfamiliar environment will somehow cure her writer's block. Instead, she finds an unexpected, life-changing romance with a younger man  (Liam Hemsworth), who's there to reassess his own path.

Watch Lonely Planet on Netflix on Oct. 11

I Used to Be Funny

In this 2023 dramedy, Rachel Sennott takes the lead as Sam, an aspiring comedian living with PTSD. Once an au pair to moody teen Brooke (Olga Petsa), Sam is forced to confront her unresolved trauma when her ex-charge suddenly goes missing. Helmed by first-time director Ally Pankiw, I Used to Be Funny unfolds in two separate timelines: the present, where Sam tried to heal and get back her comedic voice; and the past, where Sam's time with Brooke makes it impossible to brush aside the teenager's disappearance.

Watch I Used to Be Funny on Netflix

His Three Daughters

Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne and Elizabeth Olsen star as the titular sisters in Azazel Jacobs' family drama, which premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. When news of their father's (Jay O. Sanders) imminent death brings them back together after years of estrangement, the siblings must confront their long-buried tensions while navigating their patriarch's final moments.

Watch His Three Daughters on Netflix

Room

Five-year-old Jack (Jacob Tremblay) has never known a life beyond a cramped 10-by-10 foot room, but his mother — played by Brie Larson, who won Best Actress for the role — has done everything in her power to keep him content and safe in their imprisonment. As Jack's curiosity about the outside world grows, the two of them lay out a plan to escape.

Watch Room on Netflix

First Man

Reuniting with La La Land director Damien Chazelle, Ryan Gosling takes on the role of pioneering astronaut Neil Armstrong in this 2018 historical drama. Winning the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, First Man chronicles Armstrong's life from his days as a NASA test pilot and his duties in the Gemini rocket program to his legendary Apollo 11 mission that made him the first person to set foot on the moon.

Watch First Man on Netflix

Aftersun

As a blissfully unaware 11-year-old, Sophie (Frankie Corio, with Celia Rowlson Hall playing the older version) makes core memories basking in the Turkish sun with her lively and kind father, Calum (Paul Mescal) — who represses his inner struggles from her. Two decades later, Sophie revisits their last holiday through her miniDV recordings and an adult perspective, finding the nuances she once overlooked in her youth.

Watch Aftersun on Netflix

Call Me by Your Name

Set against sun-soaked Italian landscapes, Luca Guadagnino's Call Me by Your Name envelops viewers in a heartrending love story between 17-year-old Elio (Timothée Chalamet) and 24-year-old graduate student Oliver (Armie Hammer) during a passion-filled summer spent together. Recognized with an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, this 2017 romantic drama carves a lasting impression on the heart and soul.

Watch Call Me by Your Name on Netflix

Ali

Michael Mann's 2001 sports biopic chronicles a decade in the life of boxing legend Muhammad Ali (Will Smith), capturing the multifaceted journey of one of the most influential athletes ever — who not only achieved heavyweight champion status but also boldly refused to serve in the Vietnam War. Nominated for two Oscars, Ali also stars Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles and more.

Watch Ali on Netflix

Carol

Set in 1950s Manhattan, this 2015 romantic drama centers on the sapphic relationship between a shy but ambitious twentysomething photographer (Rooney Mara) and an older woman (Cate Blanchett) amid a divorce from her husband (Kyle Chandler). This critically acclaimed film also stars Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy and Cory Michael Smith, among others.

Watch Carol on Netflix

Dark Waters

Based on Nathaniel Rich’s New York Times Magazine article “The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare,” this 2019 legal drama follows corporate defense attorney Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo) as he takes on the powerful chemical company DuPont de Nemours, Inc., in an environmental lawsuit after they unleashed unregulated chemicals upon a town. Directed by Todd Haynes, Dark Waters also stars Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Camp, Victor Garber, Mare Winningham and Bill Pullman.

Watch Dark Waters on Netflix

The Peanut Butter Falcon

Fleeing his assisted living facility to chase his wrestling dreams, a young man with Down syndrome named Zak (Zack Gottsagen) befriends Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) — an outlaw fisherman — and embarks on a road trip to the Salt Water Redneck's wrestling school in North Carolina. However, when Zak's caretaker (Dakota Johnson) catches up with them, she joins their adventure.

Watch The Peanut Butter Falcon on Netflix

May December

In Todd Haynes' 2023 drama, Julianne Moore takes on the role of a controversial woman, Gracie Atherton-Yoo, who's loosely based on the real-life Mary Kay Letourneau. Married with three children to the man (Charles Melton) she first met as a 13-year-old boy, Gracie's relationship — which led to her incarceration 20 years prior — faces new challenges when actress Elizabeth Berry (Natalie Portman) arrives to do research for a film about their past.

Watch May December on Netflix

Nyad

Athlete Diana Nyad (Annette Bening) once embarked on an epic 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida but had to surrender to the harsh winds. Now, 32 years later at age 60, Diana rekindles her dream of conquering this aquatic marathon, determined to face the open waters with the support of both her coach (Jodie Foster) and a team of sailors and without the protection of a shark cage.

Watch Nyad on Netflix

Harriet

Directed by Kasi Lemmons, this 2019 biographical drama chronicles the remarkable journey of a legendary American figure — abolitionist Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo) — from her escaping slavery to leading countless enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn and Janelle Monáe also star.

Watch Harriet on Netflix

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

In Wes Anderson's second Roald Dahl adaptation following Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) — with three additional short films also released in September 2023 — the wealthy and cunning Henry Sugar (Benedict Cumberbatch) acquires an eye-opening skill from a guru to master the art of seeing without using his eyes, all to gain an unfair advantage in gambling. This star-studded short features performances by Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley and Richard Ayoade

Watch The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar on Netflix

Boy Erased

In the 2018 adaptation of Garrard Conley's memoir, Boy Erased, we follow Jared Eamons (Lucas Hedges), whose revelation of his gay identity puts him at odds with his Baptist parents (Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe). Coerced into a conversion therapy program, Jared clashes with its hostile leader (Joel Edgerton), igniting a transformative journey of self-acceptance.

Watch Boy Erased on Netflix

Miss Juneteenth

Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, this critically acclaimed 2020 drama centers around Turquoise (Nicole Beharie), a single mother and former beauty queen. She dedicates herself to preparing her headstrong teenage daughter (Alexis Chikaeze) for the "Miss Juneteenth" pageant, hoping to shield her from the challenges in life that Turquoise faced herself.

Watch Miss Juneteenth on Netflix

Missing

From the minds that brought you screen-life thriller Searching (2018) comes the 2023 standalone sequel about a teen named June (Storm Reid), whose mother (Nia Long) goes missing on a trip to Colombia with her boyfriend. Putting her tech-savvy skills to use, June is determined to find her mom's location, but eventually uncovers some shocking truths about her family along the way.

Watch Missing on Netflix

A Man Called Otto

From A Christmas Carol to Pixar's Up, there are already a handful of beloved stories about a grumpy older man, but A Man Called Otto offers another take on the trope with a whole lot of heart. In this remake of the Swedish film A Man Called Ove — based on Swedish author Fredrik Backman's best-selling novel of the same name — Tom Hanks steps into the shoes of widower Otto Anderson, a grief-stricken man who has plans to end his life but forms a friendship with his new neighbors who reintroduce him to the world's many colors.

Watch A Man Called Otto on Netflix

RRR

With jaw-dropping action scenes and multiple musical sequences, the award-winning Tollywood adventure drama is one you don't want to miss. Dubbed in several languages — with Telegu being the original — RRR follows two Indian revolutionaries (Ram Charan and N. T. Rama Rao Jr.) who join forces to combat British colonial rule.

Watch RRR on Netflix

The Wonder

Set during the aftermath of the Great Famine, 2022's The Wonder stars Florence Pugh as English nurse Elizabeth "Lib" Wright, who's sent to a countryside village in Ireland to examine a young fasting girl (Kíla Lord Cassidy). Although the 11-year-old claims she has survived without food for months, Lib is determined to uncover the reason behind this marvel.

Watch The Wonder on Netflix

Luckiest Girl Alive

Adapted from Jessica Knoll's best-selling novel of the same name, this 2022 mystery thriller follows a N.Y.C. writer whose storybook life is upended when a true-crime documentarian forces her to rehash her dark past. This film features an ensemble cast, including Mila Kunis, Chiara Aurelia, Finn Wittrock, Connie Britton and more.

Watch Luckiest Girl Alive on Netflix

Passing

In her directorial debut, Rebecca Hall's critically acclaimed drama — filmed entirely in black-and-white — centers on two mixed-race childhood friends who reunite as adults during the 1920s; one who is "passing" as a White woman and the other who identifies as Black. Starring Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland and Alexander Skarsgård, Passing explores race, gender and sexuality in the early 20th century.

Watch Passing on Netflix

The Good Nurse

Based on a chilling true story, The Good Nurse chronicles overburdened ICU nurse Amy Loughren as she discovers that her colleague Charlie Cullen has a dark past. When a patient's unexpected death casts him in a suspicious light, she helps uncover that Charlie has been guilty of murdering dozens of patients. Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne star in the crime thriller.

Watch The Good Nurse on Netflix

Hustle

Stanley Sugerman finds himself in a tough spot after being fired as a professional basketball scout. But after discovering an incredible street ball player during a trip to Spain, he takes the opportunity to prove that they both have what it takes to make it to the NBA. Adam Sandler stars alongside Queen Latifah and Juancho Hernangómez.

Watch Hustle on Netflix

Emily the Criminal

Aubrey Plaza stars as Emily, a college grad drowning in student debt and unable to find a job thanks to a minor criminal record. When she's offered a position as a "dummy shopper," she signs on, even if it means she'll be shopping using stolen credit cards. It isn't long before she teams up with her middleman Youcef (Theo Rossi) to take things to the next level — but their risky move ends up having deadly consequences.

Watch Emily the Criminal on Netflix

All Quiet on the Western Front

Based on the 1929 novel by Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front picks up as war begins in Germany in 1914. The four-time Oscar-winning film follows 17-year-old Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer) and his classmates, who quickly enlist in the army, motivated by dreams of heroism and glory. But as Paul heads to the Western Front, his perception of war is drastically changed by the bleak reality of war.

Watch All Quiet on the Western Front on Netflix

The Power of the Dog

When intimidating rancher Phil Burbank and his brother George meet widowed proprietress Rose, their lives are changed forever. After George marries Rose and brings her back to the ranch with her teenage son, Phil begins to torment the new family. One day, Phil's mockery of the young boy unexpectedly turns into mentorship — but it's unclear if his kind gesture is part of a larger scheme. Benedict Cumberbatch stars alongside Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Watch The Power of the Dog on Netflix

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

In 1927 Chicago, groundbreaking blues singer Ma Rainey is in the middle of a high-stakes recording session with her band. When Ma Rainey shows up late with a list of demands, tensions rise between the singer, her trumpet player Levee and veteran musician Toledo. Based on August Wilson's 1982 play of the same name, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom stars Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman (in his last film performance before he died in August 2020) and Glynn Turman.

Watch Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on Netflix

Mank

Mank transports viewers back to Hollywood in the 1930s, following the trials and tribulations of acclaimed screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. The David Fincher-directed film tells the true story of how Mankiewicz developed the first draft of what would become Citizen Kane and the real-life inspiration behind its characters. Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins star.

Watch Mank on Netflix

Tick, Tick… Boom!

Based on playwright Jonathan Larson's autobiographical musical, Tick, Tick… Boom! is a coming-of-age story about an aspiring theater composer in N.Y.C. On the verge of his 30th birthday, Jonathan feels his time is running out to create something revolutionary. As he has second thoughts about his career, he must also navigate the complexities of both love and friendship. Andrew Garfield stars as Jonathan in Lin-Manuel Miranda's directorial debut alongside Alexandra Shipp and Vanessa Hudgens.

Watch Tick, Tick… Boom! on Netflix

Phantom Thread

In 1950s London, celebrated dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) is at the center of the fashion scene, dressing everyone from the royal family to movie stars. Despite having many women in his life, Woodcock can't commit — that is, until he meets Alma (Vicky Krieps), a headstrong young woman who becomes both his muse and his lover. Over time, their relationship becomes increasingly more intense — until unusual occurrences occur.

Watch Phantom Thread on Netflix

Marriage Story

Marriage Story takes an emotional look at divorce as a stage director and his actress wife navigate the bittersweet unraveling of their relationship. They are pushed to their emotional limits as they struggle through their exhausting split and subsequent hostile custody battle. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver star alongside Laura Dern.

Watch Marriage Story on Netflix

The Two Popes

Inspired by true events, The Two Popes looks behind the walls of the Vatican as Pope Benedict XVI and the future Pope Francis come face-to-face. The pair must work together to begin a new era for the Catholic Church. The film earned both Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins Oscar nominations in 2020.

Watch The Two Popes on Netflix

The Guilty

The Guilty, a remake of the 2018 Danish film Den Skyldige, follows a troubled police detective relegated to fielding 911 calls on the night shift. When a call comes through from a kidnapped woman, he must scramble to save her — and confront his troubled past. Jake Gyllenhaal, Ethan Hawke and Riley Keough star in the crime thriller.

Watch The Guilty on Netflix

The Irishman

The Irishman chronicles one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in American history — the disappearance of legendary union leader Jimmy Hoffa. Told from the perspective of a hustler and top hitman Frank Sheeran, the film spans his life as he rises from bodyguard to confidante. Featuring an all-star cast led by Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, it reveals the inner workings and hidden corridors of organized crime.

Watch The Irishman on Netflix

The Lost Daughter

Maggie Gyllenhaal's 2021 directorial debut stars Olivia Colman as Leda, a middle-aged divorcée who becomes an empty nester and decides to take a holiday by the sea. Ending up in a small coastal town in Greece, her initially peaceful trip takes a disconcerting turn when a young family staying at a nearby villa unearths painful memories. Looking back on the difficult choices she made as a mother and the consequences her family faced, she must confront her troubled past.

Watch The Lost Daughter on Netflix

The King

Prince Hal (Timothée Chalamet), the heir to the English throne, wants nothing to do with royal life and is living among commoners when his tyrannical father dies. He must return to the life he so desperately attempted to escape, where he is reluctantly crowned King Henry V. In his new role as king, he is left to deal with the chaos his father left behind.

Watch The King on Netflix

The Devil All the Time

Adapted from Donald Ray Pollock's novel, The Devil All the Time follows a cast of sinister characters intertwined in a complicated web. Taking place from the end of World War II until the 1960s, everything leads back to Arvin Eugene Russell. Following the death of both of his parents, Arvin finds himself devoted to doing whatever it takes to protect his loved ones. Tom Holland stars with Bill Skarsgård, Robert Pattinson and Riley Keough.

Watch The Devil All the Time on Netflix

Roma

Best Foreign Language Film winner Roma chronicles a year in the life of Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a domestic worker in Mexico City in the early-1970s. She is one of two employees of an upper-middle-class couple, Antonio (Fernando Grediaga) and Sofía (Marina de Tavira), hired to help raise their four children. Things get complicated when the problems in Antonio and Sofía's marriage become apparent, and a pregnant Cleo is abandoned by her boyfriend. Set amid the political turmoil of the time, Cleo must find a way to persevere through the complications of love.

Watch Roma on Netflix

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