The Netflix movies hot list: From The Trial of the Chicago 7 to Rebecca - our pick of the best Original Films to watch now

There are plenty of TV shows on Netflix ready for you to binge-watch, but did you know that Netflix makes films, too?

The streamer ventured into the movie business only a few years ago, but it’s already built up a solid base of Netflix Original Films for you to get stuck into.

From The Irishman and Bird Box to Rebecca and The Trial of the Chicago 7, we've rounded up our pick of the best Netflix Original films to watch now.

Plus, don't miss our round-up of what to watch on Netflix this month.

The Trial of the Chicago 7

How can I watch it?

The Trial of the Chicago 7 is streaming on Netflix now.

What’s it about?

Written and directed by Oscar-winner Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, Molly's Game), The Trial of the Chicago 7 is based on events at the notorious 1968 Democratic National Convention and its subsequent trial.

What was intended to be a peaceful protest turned into a violent clash with police and the National Guard, and went down in history. 

Why watch it?

Have you seen who's in front of the camera? Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Mark Rylance all star.

Rebecca

How can I watch it?

Rebecca is streaming now on Netflix.

What’s it about?

Rebecca is a new film adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's gothic novel starring Armie Hammer, Lily James, Keeley Hawes and Kristin Scott Thomas. 

A young newlywed arrives at her husband’s imposing family estate on a windswept English coast and finds herself battling the shadow of his first wife Rebecca, whose legacy lives on in the house long after her death. 

Why watch it?

Kristin Scott Thomas' performace as Mrs Danvers has been praised by critics, with The Guardian's Wendy Ide calling her "flawless" and "cut-glass perfection".

Enola Holmes

How can I watch it?

Enola Holmes is streaming on Netflix now.

What’s it about?

Based on The Enola Holmes Mysteries young adult novels by Nancy Springer, Enola Holmes stars Millie Bobby Brown as the 16-year-old sister of Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin).

After her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) disappears, Enola suddenly finds herself in the care of her brothers, who are both set on sending her away to a finishing school for “proper” young ladies. 

Why watch it?

As well as being one of the stars of the film, 16-year-old Millie Bobby Brown is also an executive producer on Enola Holmes - the first producer credit for the teen star of Stranger Things.

The Devil All the Time

How can I watch it?

The Devil All the Time is streaming on Netflix now.

What’s it about?

Spanning the time between World War II and the Vietnam war, The Devil All the Time is a suspenseful psychological thriller film adapted from Donald Ray Pollock's novel.

In Knockemstiff, Ohio, an unholy preacher (Robert Pattinson), twisted couple (Jason Clarke and Riley Keough), and crooked sheriff (Sebastian Stan) converge around young Arvin Russell (Tom Holland) as he fights the evil forces that threaten him and his family.

Why watch it?

Pattinson and Holland's performances have been largely praised by critics, with The Chicago Tribune's Michael Phillips writing that the film is 'worth seeing for an intriguingly cast ensemble'. 

Marriage Story

How can I watch it?

Marriage Story is streaming on Netflix now.

What’s it about?

Adam Driver (The Report, Girls) and Scarlett Johansson (Avengers, Lost in Translation) star as a stage director and his actor wife who struggle through a gruelling, coast-to-coast divorce that pushes them to their personal and creative extremes.

The film is written, directed and produced by Noah Baumbach (Frances Ha, While We’re Young).

Why watch it?

Marriage Story received six Oscar 2020 nominations, including Best Picture, and Best Actress for Scarlett Johansson, and Best Actor for Adam Driver.

The Irishman

How can I watch it?

The Irishman is streaming on Netflix now.

What’s it about?

Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci star in Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, an epic saga of organised crime in post-war America told through the eyes of World War II veteran Frank Sheeran, a hustler and hitman who worked alongside some of the most notorious figures of the 20th century. 

Why watch it?

The Irishman earnt rave reviews, with critics calling it a "haunting masterpiece" and "Scorsese's finest film for 30 years".

Bird Box

How can I watch it?

Bird Box is streaming on Netflix now.

What’s it about?

When a mysterious force decimates the world’s population, only one thing is certain: if you see it, you take your life. Facing the unknown, Malorie (Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock) finds love, hope and a new beginning only for it to unravel. Now she must flee with her two children down a treacherous river to the one place left that may offer sanctuary. But to survive, they'll have to undertake the perilous two-day journey blindfolded. 

Why watch it?

Sandra Bullock is captivating in the lead role, giving an emotional and compelling performance throughout.

Triple Frontier

How can I watch it?

Triple Frontier is streaming on Netflix now.

What’s it about?

A group of former Special Forces operatives reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. For the first time in their prestigious careers, these unsung heroes undertake this dangerous mission for self instead of country. But when events take an unexpected turn and threaten to spiral out of control, their skills, their loyalties and their morals are pushed to a breaking point in an epic battle for survival.

Why watch it?

The film's A-list cast includes Oscar-winning Ben Affleck, Star Wars actor Oscar Isaac and talented Brit actor Charlie Hunnam.

Roma

How can I watch it?

Roma is streaming on Netflix now.

What’s it about?

Roma follows Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a young domestic worker for a family in the middle-class neighborhood of Roma in Mexico City. Delivering an artful love letter to the women who raised him, Cuarón draws on his own childhood to create a vivid and emotional portrait of domestic strife and social hierarchy amidst political turmoil of the 1970s. 

Why watch it?

It’s Oscar-winning director and writer Alfonso Cuarón’s first project since the groundbreaking Gravity in 2013 - and his most personal film to date.

Mudbound

How can I watch it?

Mudbound is streaming on Netflix now.

What’s it about?

Two men return home from World War II to work on a farm in rural Mississippi, where they struggle to deal with racism and adjusting to life after the war.

Why watch it?

The film was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress, for Mary J. Blige.

Beasts of No Nation

How can I watch it?

Beasts of No Nation is streaming on Netflix now.

What’s it about?

As civil war rages in Africa, a fierce warlord (Idris Elba) trains a young orphan named Agu (Abraham Attah) to join his group of guerrilla soldiers.

Why watch it?

Written, co-produced and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (Maniac, True Detective), the film won the prestigious Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice Film Festival.

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie

How can I watch it?

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie is streaming on Netflix now.

What’s it about?

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie reunites fans with Jesse Pinkman (Emmy-winner Aaron Paul). In the wake of his dramatic escape from captivity, Jesse must come to terms with his past in order to forge some kind of future.

Why watch it?

This gripping thriller is written and directed by Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad.