Netflix Gems You’ll Wish You Knew About Sooner
With so much content readily available on Netflix's streaming service, it's difficult to stray from popular television series and movies. People don't realize that there are some hidden gems in the platform's catalog.
If you enjoy docu-series, try something a bit different with Cheer and The Toys that Made Us. Or, if you're in the mood for a good old-fashioned dark comedy, check out He Never Died. Keep scrolling; you're going to want to watch some of these Netflix gems.
Castlevania
The dark medieval fantasy Castlevania follows Trevor, the last surviving member of the disgraced Belmont clan. His goal throughout the series is simple, to rid Eastern Europe of Vlad Dracula Tepes before he's able to wipe out all of humanity.
Thankfully, Trevor is no longer alone, and with the help of his ragtag team of friends, he races against the clock to save humankind. This horror tale is interesting because it dives into how Dracula becomes the villain we all know.
Obvious Child
You've most likely skipped right over Obvious Child while searching for a film to watch on Netflix. Well, we're here to tell you that you need to rethink watching the comedy-drama piece. The movie follows a recently unemployed comic, Donna Stern, who quickly realizes adulting isn't all its chalked up to be.
Not only is she without a job, but Donna's boyfriend leaves her for one of her friends. And, to make matters worse, she winds up pregnant after a one night stand.
The Last Kingdom
The action-packed historical series The Last Kingdom is a hidden gem that you're going to want to start binge-watching. Uhtred's led a tough life, first witnessing the death of his father, and then, Ragnor, the warlord who raised him in a Danish camp.
Now, the camp's destroyed, and Uhtred wants to avenge both his home country and the people who raised him. But what will the cost be to birth a new nation out of the ashes?
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness
If you feel like jumping into an even crazier world than the one we live in right now, you're going to want to watch the limited series Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness. The series revolves around a wildcat collector named Joe Exotic. That right there should be enough for you to be on board!
Exotic is quite the character, running a zoo full of tigers, lions, bears, and other wild animals while telling anyone who will listen about his rival Carol Baskin. Then, plot twist, Exotic puts a hit out on the woman!
The Dragon Prince
The action series The Dragon Prince brings us to the magical world of Xadia and the human kingdoms surrounding the mystical land. In Xadia, magic comes from six sources: the sun, moon, ocean, stars, sky, and Earth. But when human mages develop dark magic and use Xadia's magical creatures as ingredients, war erupts.
Now, it's up to three kids from different sides of the conflict to bring to light an ancient secret that will hopefully end the war and bring peace to both sides.
Halt And Catch Fire
The drama series Halt and Catch Fire is one of those under-appreciated television shows that you can't help but wonder why you never watched it before. Revolving around a renegade trio of visionaries who want to build a computer that will change the future, the show is about as smart as they come.
The series has been praised for its strong female lead in Mackenzie Davis as well as the fantastic writing throughout all four of its seasons. Oh, and it's an AMC series, so it's bound to be great!
Cheer
With all of the docu-series being released on Netflix, it's understandable if you overlooked one dealing with competition cheerleading. That being said, Cheer is on a whole other level. The series follows the Navarro College's competitive squad as they tumble, dance, stunt, and cheer their way to the national championship.
Obviously, their goal is to win. But at what cost? Watch as squad members are injured, make great strides with their skills, and face other adversaries that come with being a collegiate athlete.
The Toast of London
If you enjoy British humor, then you're not going to want to miss watching the sitcom The Toast of London. The three seasons follow Steven Toast as he falls from grace as a successful British actor to a middle-aged man with a slew of issues.
Now, the has-been actor is forced to work on productions he once stuck his nose up to. Of course, it wouldn't be a gem of a show without the sporadic musical numbers illustrating Toast's loneliness and self-doubt.
Train to Busan
If you're in the mood to watch a good zombie apocalypse film, look no further than Train to Busan. The movie follows a father and daughter who board a train to the southern resort city of Busan in South Korea. Little do they know, but a zombie outbreak has just occurred.
Now, their hope is to make it to the city before the disease makes its way onto the high-speed train. This film is sure to have you on pins and needles the entire time.
The Toys That Made Us
The Toys That Made Us has a solid 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, so it's definitely worth taking the time to check out. The three-season documentary takes a look at some of America's most famous toy lines, showcasing the rise and fall of some of the billion-dollar companies.
Each episode is dedicated to a specific toy line, including Barbies as well as the Star Wars line of action figures, LEGO, G.I. Joe, Transformers, and more.
Blue Is The Warmest Color
Blue Is the Warmest Color rocked art house theaters in 2013, but it's not necessarily one of those films promoted on Netflix (even though it should be). The French film follows Adèle, a teenager looking for freedom who winds up meeting and developing an intense emotional connection to Emma, an art student with blue hair.
Viewers watch the ups and downs of the girls' relationship. And to say it's an emotional rollercoaster would be an understatement. This is one romance you're not going to want to miss.
Kung Fu Hustle
One of the hidden gems in the Netflix catalog is the action comedy film Kung Fu Hustle. The story follows petty crooks Sing and Bone as they infiltrate Pigsty Alley pretending to be members of the infamous Axe gang.
Unfortunately for the two men, the leader of the gang, Brother Sum, doesn't take kindly to imposters. To restore the fearsome reputation of the gang, Brother Sum goes to Pigsty Alley, not realizing that three retired kung fu masters live anonymously among the residents.
Fullmetal Alchemist
Of course, the live-action adaptation of Fullmetal Alchemist isn't nearly as good as the anime series, but it deserves your attention, nonetheless. This cheesy and over the top film follows Edward Elric, an alchemist who is desperately trying to restore his brother AI's body.
The only probably is mysterious monsters and the government are watching every move he makes, making the process a bit difficult. Even if you haven't seen the anime series, you'll still enjoy this action film.
The Fundamentals Of Caring
Coming in as one of Netflix's original movies is The Fundamentals of Caring. Starring Paul Rudd as Ben, a personal caregiver, the film follows him and Trevor, a disabled teen, as they embark on a road trip.
With the goal to tackle as many American roadside attractions as possible, the two take off, picking up a hitch-hiking Selena Gomez along the way. The movie is raw, emotional, and is bound to have you laughing and crying within minutes of each other.
The Invitation
If there were ever a dinner party that went wrong, it would be the one in The Invitation. Of course, we don't want to give too much away, so here's the gist of the film. While attending a dinner at his ex-wife and her new husband's home, Will begins to believe the guests are there for another reason other than eating.
What sinister plans do you think Michael and Eden are cooking up? Check out The Invitation and see for yourself.
The Trust
Nicolas Cage and Elijah Wood star in the crime thriller The Trust. Police Sergeant David Waters and Lieutenant Jim Stone are two tired officers who are working in the evidence room at their precinct.
They're bored, underpaid, and about to embark on an adventure that is bound to have a bad outcome. The two cops plan on robbing a vault full of drug money and valuables in the back of a convenience store. What could possibly go wrong?
The Vault
If you're interested in watching a horror flick on Netflix, think about streaming The Vault. Starring James Franco as the bank manager Ed, the film follows five criminals as they plan a robbery. Only, nothing is as it seems, and the criminals soon realize that they are way in over their heads with their "master plan."
Can you guess what evil forces are located in the vault in the basement of the bank? All you have to do is watch the film and find out!
Super Dark Times
Super Dark Times has all the makings of a coming-of-age film, with parties, teenage angst, best friends, and drama, but with a dark twist. Josh and Zach have been best friends their entire lives, but when tragedy strikes and they have to cover it up, the secret drives a wedge between the two.
The secret leaves the two teens spiraling down a rabbit hole of violence and paranoia. But that's enough of that. You're going to have to watch the film to find out what happens to the two friends.
He Never Died
Jack is a private man who enjoys the simple things in life, like playing bingo with the elderly, sleeping, and eating vegetables. No one would believe that some weird force is dragging him to take others' lives, or that he plucks bullets out of himself with tweezers.
The question is, what on Earth is Jack? Clearly he's not human. That is one of the many questions you'll be asking yourself while watching He Never Died, the dark supernatural comedy.
Into The Forest
Into The Forest is a different kind of apocalypse film. After an apocalyptic blackout leaves them without supplies, sisters Nell and Eva must leave their home in the Pacific Northwest wilderness to fend for themselves in the forest they grew up around.
The thing with this movie is that right when the viewer thinks everything is going to be okay; it gets darker. With so many twists, turns, and unlikely situations, Into the Forest will have you questioning ever going on a hike through the woods again.
