Best Award-Winning Movies on Netflix to Watch Right Now (2022)

To make things easier for our readers, we have divided this article into several sections based on genre. Below are the quick links to each section. You can click on the table below to quickly move to the section you find interesting.

Best Netflix Award-Winning Romantic Comedy/Drama Movies

1. As Good As It Gets (1997)

IMDb: 7.7Rotten Tomatoes: 85%/86%Director: James L. BrooksWriter: Mark Andrus, James L. BrooksCast: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr.Runtime: 2 hours, 19 minutes

I would like to kickstart this roundup by putting “As Good As It Gets” right at the top as it’s undoubtedly one of the best comedy movies on Netflix. Oh yes, it also shows a great side of romance as Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt have performed exceedingly well and their chemistry looks fascinating.
In this flick, Nicholson has donned the role of a misanthropic novelist, while Hunt has played the role of a single mother of a chronically ill son. Thanks to the adorable acting, both Nicholson and Hunt have grabbed the Academy Award for Best Actor and Best Actress respectively. Watch Trailer here Check out As Good As It Gets on Netflix 

2. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

IMDb: 7.6Rotten Tomatoes: 85%/70%Director: Quentin TarantinoWriter: Quentin TarantinoCast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Emile Hirsch, Margaret QualleyRuntime: 2 hours, 41 minutes

Directed by Quentin Tarantino, who is known for making award winning movies, Once Upon a time in Hollywood is a comedy-drama taking place in 1969 in Hollywood. The film follows a fading actor and his stunt double as they navigate the rapidly changing film industry. It received 10 nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards and won Best Supporting Actor (Pitt) and Best Production Design. Brad Pitt’s acting is truly breathtaking and you will fall in love with his performance. Even being a lengthy movie with a slow-paced storytelling, the movie consists of a quirky plot and entertains viewers throughout the movie.
Watch Trailer here Check out Once Upon a Time in Hollywood on Netflix

3. Forrest Gump (1994)

IMDb: 8.8Rotten Tomatoes: 70%/95%Director: Robert ZemeckisWriter: Eric RothCast: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, Sally FieldRuntime: 2 hours, 22 minutes

You will love Tom hanks in and as Forrest Gump. If you haven’t yet watched this movie, I must say you were missing out on one of the brightest gems of Hollywood cinema. Forrest Gump is loosely based on the 1986 novel by the same name and revolves around a dim-witted and kindhearted man from Alabama. He witnesses and unwittingly influences several defining historical events in the 20th century United States. Forrest Gump won six Oscars namely Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Tom Hanks, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, and Best Film Editing in the 67th Academy Awards. Watch Trailer here Check out Forrest Gump on Netflix

4. Fargo (1996)

IMDb: 8.1Rotten Tomatoes: 94%/93%Director: Joel CoenWriter: Joel Coen, Ethan CoenCast: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Harve Presnell, Peter StormareRuntime: 1 hour, 38 minutes

Fargo is a vintage black comedy that has won plenty of awards and nominations. Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, the movie also has an interesting mix of thriller elements. The movie is about Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand), who is a pregnant Minnesota police chief. Gunderson is investigating roadside homicides.
The movie also stars William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Harve Presnell, and Peter Stormare. It received both critical and commercial success. Moreover, it received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. While McDormand won the Academy Award for Best Actress, Coens received the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Another story takes place in the same fictional universe in the series Fargo released in 2014 winning similar critical success.
Watch Trailer here Check out Fargo on Netflix 

5. Marriage Story (2019)

IMDb: 7.9Rotten Tomatoes: Not availableDirector: Noah BaumbachWriter: Noah BaumbachCast: Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Laura Dern, Alan AldaRuntime: 2 hours, 17 minutes

Another award winning movie you can watch on Netflix is Marriage Story. Consisting of powerful acting performances, Marriage Story shows the life of a married couple, an actress (Johansson) and a theater director (Driver), going through a coast-to-coast divorce. It received critical acclaim, particularly for Director Baumbach’s screenplay and direction and the performances of Johansson, Driver and Dern. Laura Dern won the 92nd Academy Award for Best Supporting Role. 
Watch Trailer here Check out Marriage Story on Netflix

6. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

IMDb: 7.8Rotten Tomatoes: 71%/80%Director: David FincherWriter: Eric Roth, Robin SwicordCast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Mahershala Ali, Taraji P. Henson, Julia OrmondRuntime: 2 hours, 46 minutes

Loosely based on the 1922 short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a curious movie that was nominated for multiple Oscars, and won quite a few as well. The award winning romantic drama movie follows a man who was born as an older person and grows young throughout the movie. The plot focuses more on his extraordinary life and love story rather than his intriguing condition.  The movie’s concept was ready in the early 1990s but was finally released in 2008 after the shooting commenced in 2005. The movie was nominated for 13 Academy Awards out of which it bagged the Oscar for  Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, and Best Visual Effects.
Watch Trailer here Check out The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on Netflix

Best Netflix Award-Winning Documentary Movies

7. My Octopus Teacher (2020)

IMDb: 8.1Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/91%Directors: Pippa Ehrlich, James ReedWriters: Pippa Ehrlich, James ReedCast: Craig Foster, Tom FosterRuntime: 1 hour, 25 minutes

Bagging the award for Best Documentary Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards, My Octopus Teacher documents the year spent by filmmaker Craig Foster as he forge a relationship with a wild common octopus.  The movie provides a great insight into the world of Octopus. How they live, sleep, hunt, and more. Besides, the emotional bond between Foster and the wild octopus seems natural and lovable. 
Watch the Trailer here Check out My Octopus Teacher on Netflix

8. Amy (2015)

IMDb: 7.8Rotten Tomatoes: 95%/87%Director: Asif KapadiaCast: Amy WinehouseRuntime:  2 hours, 8 minutes

“Amy” is one of the best documentary films I have ever watched. This documentary movie is about the life and death of British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. Directed by Asif Kapadia, the film shows Winehouse’s struggle and the unbearable abuse that she had to encounter both before and after her career peaked. It’s this traumatic abuse that eventually led to her shocking death.
Thanks to the superb direction and gripping story, this British documentary has won a whopping 30 film awards including Best European Documentary at the 28th European Film Awards and Best Documentary at the 69th British Academy Film Awards.
Watch Trailer here Check out Amy on Netflix

9. Icarus (2017)

IMDb: 7.9Rotten Tomatoes: 94%/94%Director: Bryan FogelWriter: Bryan Fogel, Mark MonroeCast: Bryan Fogel, Dave Zabriskie, Don CatlinRuntime: 2 hours

Bryan Fogel’s Icarus has impressed me to no end. And I guess I’m not alone to have been left speechless by this one of the top award-winning films on Netflix. It follows Fogel who is on a mission to learn about performance-boosting drugs. During his extensive research, he discovers a number of shocking things. Courtesy a thought-provoking story, Icarus has won the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award and the Academy Award for the Best Documentary Feature.
Watch Trailer here Check out Icarus on Netflix

10. 13th (2016)

IMDb: 8.3Rotten Tomatoes: 97%/91%Director: Ava DuVernayWriter: Ava DuVernay, Spencer AverickCast: Melina Abdullah, Michelle Alexander, Cory BookerRuntime: 1 hour, 40 minutes

13th is a heart-touching documentary movie. The film puts light on justice, the intersection of race, and mass incarceration in the United States. Directed by Ava DuVernay, it asserts that slavery has existed since the end of the American Civil War through criminalizing behavior. 13th was highly acclaimed and also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 89th Academy Awards. It won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary.
Watch Trailer here Check out 13th on Netflix

11. 20 Feet from Stardom (2013)

IMDb: 7.4Rotten Tomatoes: 99%/82%Director: Morgan NevilleCast: Darlene Love, Judith Hill, Merry Clayton, Lisa FischerRuntime: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Produced by Gil Friesen and directed by Morgan Neville, 20 Feet from Stardom is a classy documentary movie that would easily win you over. The movie covers the behind-the-scenes experiences of backup singers. It features Darlene Love, Judith Hill, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Táta Vega, and Jo Lawry.
20 Feet from Stardom received a lot of praise for its portrayal of the passion, talent, and the hard work of the backup singers. In addition, it also won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 86th Academy Awards. Watch Trailer here Check out 20 Feet from Stardom on Netflix

Netflix Award-Winning Biographical/Historical/Fantasy/Sports Drama Movies

12. The Aviator (2004)

IMDb: 7.5Rotten Tomatoes: 86%/79%Director: Martin ScorseseWriter: John LoganCast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec BaldwinRuntime: 2 hour, 50 minutes

If you adore an epic biographical drama, I would recommend you to watch “The Aviator”. The movie is based on the 1993 non-fiction book Howard Hughes: The Secret Life (by Charles Higham) and features Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes, Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn, and Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner.
It portraits the life of Howard Hughes who was the director of Hell’s Angels and also known as an aviation pioneer. The Aviator has got plenty of accolades and even won Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actress (Cate Blanchett), Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Film Editing.
Watch Trailer here Check out The Aviator on Netflix

13. Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

IMDb: 8Rotten Tomatoes: 92%/91%Director: Jean-Marc ValléeWriter: Craig Borten, Melisa WallackCast: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared LetoRuntime: 1 hour, 57 minutes

As someone who has a liking for a biographical drama film, I have really enjoyed watching “Dallas Buyers Club”. Set in the mid-1980s when HIV/AIDS treatments were still a subject of research, the movie revolves around Ron Woodroof (played by Matthew McConaughey), who is an AIDS patient.
At the time when the disease was not understood and used to be highly stigmatized, Woodroof smuggled pharmaceutical drugs to not only treat his symptoms but also help other AIDS patients. Due largely to the superb acting and intriguing story, the movie has won multiple Oscars including Best Actor (Matthew McConaughey), Best Supporting Actor (Jared Leto), and Best Makeup.
Watch Trailer here Check out Dallas Buyers Club on Netflix

14. The Imitation Game (2014)

IMDb: 8.0Rotten Tomatoes: 89%/91%Director: Morten TyldumWriter: Graham MooreCast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Rory KinnearRuntime: 1 hour, 54 minutes

Based on the 1983 biography Alan Turing: The Enigma, the Imitation Game takes place during the second world war when Alan Turing deciphered the Enigma by creating a machine. It played a major role in the US winning the war. Alan is considered as the father of artificial intelligence and answered an important question of the time, “Can machines think?” Words are not enough to say how much Turing has helped humanity on the technological path we are headed. It won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay which shows you will love the movie and it will leave you thinking about the beginning of the new age we are living in currently. 
Watch Trailer here Check out The Imitation Game on Netflix

15. The Power of The Dog (2021)

IMDb: 6.9Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/76%Director: Jane CampionWriter: Jane CampionCast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzieRuntime: 2 hours, 6 minutes

Based on Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel of the same title The Power of the Dog covers themes such as love, grief, resentment, jealousy, masculinity, and sexuality. The movie is acclaimed by critics and viewers for direction and screenplay, cinematography, score, and performance and won the 94th Academy Award for Best Director. The movie had a limited theatrical release in November 2021, and was released to stream worldwide on Netflix in December 2021.
Watch Trailer here Check out The Power of The Dog on Netflix

16. The Fighter (2010)

IMDb: 7.8Rotten Tomatoes: 91%/89%Director: David O. RussellWriter: Keith Dorrington, Paul Tamasy, Eric JohnsonCast: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa LeoRuntime: 1 hour, 56 minutes

Very few biographical sports drama films have been as successful as The Fighter (2010). This boxing film is about a real-life boxer called Micky Ward (played by Mark Wahlberg) who is trying to get out of the shadow of his older and more famous boxing brother “Dicky Eklund ” (Christian Bale) and achieve greater heights.
With an impressive story backed by the commendable acting of Wahlberg and Bale, the movie turns out to be a massive victor. Furthermore, The Fighter has also won the Academy Awards for both Best Supporting Actor (Christian Bale) and Best Supporting Actress (Melissa Leo).
Watch Trailer here Check out The Fighter on Netflix

17. Good Will Hunting (1997)

IMDb: 8.3Rotten Tomatoes: 97%/94%Director: Gus Van SantWriter: Ben Affleck, Matt DamonCast: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård, Minnie DriverRuntime: 2 hours, 6 minutes

“Good Will Hunting” is an excellent drama film in which you would love to catch up with your friends and loved ones. Written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, the movie is about a 20-year-old boy “Will Hunting” (played by Matt Damon) who studies with a Harvard professor and a famous therapist to fight out his demons and become a successful person in life.
Moreover, this drama film has won a couple of Academy Awards like Best Supporting Actor for Williams and Best Original Screenplay for Affleck and Damon.
Watch Trailer here Check out Good Will Hunting on Netflix

18. Howards End (1992)

IMDb: 7.5Rotten Tomatoes: 94%/82%Director: James IvoryWriter: Ruth Prawer JhabvalaCast: Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, Emma ThompsonRuntime: 2 hours, 22 minutes

Based on the novel of the same name (written by E. M. Forster and published in 1910), Howards End is a classy romantic drama film. Set in the early 20th century, the movie elegantly portraits the story of class relationships. Featuring noted actors including Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, and Helena Bonham Carter, the film was a massive hit at the box office. What’s more, it also succeeded in winning three Academy Awards for Best Actress (Emma Thompson), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Art Direction.
Watch Trailer here Check out Howards End on Netflix

19. The Social Network (2010)

IMDb: 7.8Rotten Tomatoes: 96%/87%Director: David FincherWriter: Aaron SorkinCast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie HammerRuntime: 2 hours

The Social Network is a 2010 American biographical drama film based on the book The Accidental Billionaires published in 2009. The story gives us insights about the founding of social networking website Facebook and the resulting lawsuits. None of the actual founders or staff from the tech company was involved in the film. However, Eduardo Saverin, one of the co-founders, provided significant details for the book. The movie won three Academy Awards out of the eight nominations in the categories Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Film Editing.
Watch Trailer here Check out The Social Network on Netflix

20. Lincoln (2012)

IMDb: 7.4Rotten Tomatoes: 89%/80%Director: Steven SpielbergWriter: Tony KushnerCast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-LevittRuntime: 2 hours, 30 minutes

As a historical drama, Lincoln is pure gold. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis as U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. The film focuses on the final four months of Lincoln’s life, including the grand endeavor to have the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution passed by the United States House of Representatives.
What’s more, the movie was highly praised and bagged the Academy Award for the Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Best Production Design.
Watch Trailer here Check out Lincoln on Netflix

21. The King’s Speech (2010)

IMDb: 8Rotten Tomatoes: 95%/92%Director: Tom HooperWriter: David SeidlerCast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy SpallRuntime: 1 hour, 59 minutes

When there is a debate on one of the most popular historical dramas, leaving out “The King’s Speech” would be a blunder. The movie has been directed by Tom Hooper and Colin Firth as the future King George VI. The king is faced with a big stammering problem which he wants to get rid of at all cost. The way he succeeds in overcoming the stammering problem is commendable. As for the awards, the film has got quite a few notable ones: Best Picture, Best Director (Tom Hooper), Best Actor (Colin Firth), and Best Original Score.
Watch Trailer here Check out The King’s Speech on Netflix

22. Milk (2008)

IMDb: 6.7Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/89%Director: Gus Van SantWriter: Dustin Lance BlackCast: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, James FrancoRuntime: 2 hours, 8 minutes

I wouldn’t hesitate in calling “Milk” one of the most loved biographical films of all time. Based on the life of activist and politician Harvey Milk, who happened to be the first gay to be elected for the public office in California, the film features Sean Penn in the leading role. The biggest highlight of this movie is Penn’s brilliant performance as Milk which won praise both from fans and critics. With impactful acting and emotional story to boot, Milk received Best Actor (Sean Penn) and Best Original Screenplay awards.
Watch Trailer here Check out Milk on Netflix

23. The Pianist (2002)

IMDb: 8.5Rotten Tomatoes: 95%/96%Director: Roman PolanskiWriter: Ronald HarwoodCast: Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Maureen Lipman, Emilia FoxRuntime: 2 hours, 30 minutes

When there is a desire to settle with nothing less than the very best, “The Pianist” should be a notable inclusion in the watchlist. This biographical drama has been directed by Roman Polanski and stars Adrien Brody as the protagonist.
The film is based on the autobiographical book “The Pianist” which is a very popular Holocaust memoir by the Polish-Jewish pianist and composer Władysław Szpilman. In terms of awards, this biographic flick has won three Oscars: Best Director (Roman Polanski), Best Actor (Adrien Brody), and Best Adapted Screenplay. Watch Trailer here Check out The Pianist on Netflix

24. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

IMDb: 8.2Rotten Tomatoes: 95%/91%Director: Guillermo del ToroWriter: Guillermo del ToroCast: Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Ivana Baquero, Doug JonesRuntime: 1 hour, 59 minutes

If you are a fan of a dark fantasy drama film, you shouldn’t miss out on Pan’s Labyrinth. Set in the summer of 1944 in Spain, the plot is centered around an abandoned labyrinth and a mysterious faun creature. Well, I have loved watching this flick intertwined with the mythical world.
And I bet it would succeed in winning your heart as well. A must for the movie-lovers who adore dark fantasy! Not to mention, Pan’s Labyrinth has also got three major awards: Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, and Best Makeup.
Watch Trailer here Check out Pan’s Labyrinth on Netflix

25. Roma (2018)

IMDb: 7.8Rotten Tomatoes: 96%/71%Director: Alfonso CuarónWriter: Alfonso CuarónCast: Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de TaviraRuntime: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Let’s put it straight, “Roma” is a once in a generation drama film that should automatically find a safe place in your wishlist of the top award-winning movies on Netflix. This movie is loosely based on the autobiography of Cuarón’s upbringing in the Colonia Roma neighborhood of Mexico City. The story is set around the life of a live-in housekeeper of a middle-class family and shows the enormous struggle that she has to encounter. Expectedly, this drama film has won quite a few Oscars: Best Director (Alfonso Cuarón), Best Foreign Language Film, and Best Cinematography.
Watch Trailer here Check out Roma on Netflix

26. Schindler’s List (1993)

IMDb: 8.9Rotten Tomatoes: 97%/97%Director: Steven SpielbergWriter: Steven ZaillianCast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline GoodallRuntime: 3 hours, 18 minutes

What a way to wrap up this awesome movie collection by adding Steven Spielberg’s masterclass – Schindler’s List! Yeah, this is the same movie that gave Spielberg his first Oscar.
Talking about the plot of this epic historical period drama, it revolves around Oskar Schindler, Sudeten German businessman, who saved more than a thousand lives by employing them in his factory during the turbulent time of World War II. Do I need to say that this movie has bagged a ton of awards: seven Academy Awards, seven BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, and many more.
Watch Trailer here Check out Schindler’s List on Netflix

Best Netflix Award-Winning Science-Fiction Movies

27. Arrival (2016)

IMDb: 7.9Rotten Tomatoes: 94%/82%Director: Denis VilleneuveWriter: Eric HeissererCast: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael StuhlbargRuntime: 1 hour, 56 minutes

When we think of Aliens, we either think of a global attack beginning in the US, or something like Star Wars. However, if you ever wondered if the aliens may have a culture, civilization, and if you have curious questions related to their anatomy, language, and more, Arrival will provide a satisfactory answer. The movie revolves around a linguist enlisted by the United States Army to discover how to communicate with extraterrestrial aliens who have arrived on Earth. Otherwise, the tension might lead to war. The movie is praised by critics and viewers for its concept involving the exploration of communication with extraterrestrial intelligence. Actress Amy Adams won numerous awards for her breathtaking role for the movie. Watch Trailer here Check out Arrival on Netflix

28. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

IMDb: 8.3Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/94%Director: Michel GondryWriter: Charlie Kaufman, Michel Gondry, Pierre BismuthCast: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark RuffaloRuntime: 1 hour, 48 minutes

Should you wish to give a shot at a fascinating romantic science-fiction comedy-drama film, I would suggest you kickstart “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” straight away.
Featuring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in the prominent roles, the movie is set around an estranged couple who have completely thrown each other from their respective lives and even memories. But their romance gets an all-new start when they re-met. Beyond the story, the movie has won the Academy Award for the Best Original Screenplay.
Watch Trailer here Check out Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on Netflix

29. Her (2013)

IMDb: 8Rotten Tomatoes: 94%/82%Director: Spike JonzeWriter: Spike JonzeCast: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Scarlett JohanssonRuntime: 2 hours, 6 minutes

What I have liked most in “Her” is a unique story. The entire movie is centered around Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) who gets emotionally attached to Samantha (Scarlett Johansson) – an artificially intelligent virtual assistant.
Watch this science-fiction romance film to find out different shades of love. Talking about the award the film has bagged, it has deservedly won the Academy Award for the Best Original Screenplay.
Watch Trailer here Check out Her on Netflix

30. Ex Machina (2014)

IMDb: 7.7Rotten Tomatoes: 92%/86%Director: Alex GarlandWriter: Alex GarlandCast: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar IsaacRuntime: 1 hour, 48 minutes

As a science-fiction psychological thriller film, Ex Machina excels in most aspects. The movie has been written and directed by Alex Garland. Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, and Oscar Isaac, it’s about a programmer who is given the responsibility to administer the Turing test to an intelligent humanoid robot.
Made on a budget of $15 million, Ex Machina amassed $36 million worldwide and was praised for Vikander’s performance, the screenplay, and editing. Furthermore, the science fiction movie won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects at the 88th Academy Awards.
Watch Trailer here Check out Ex Machina on Netflix

Best Netflix Award-Winning Crime/Thriller Movies

31. Joker (2019)

IMDb: 8.4Rotten Tomatoes: 68%/88%Director: Todd PhillipsWriter: Todd Phillips, Scott SilverCast: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances ConroyRuntime: 2 hours, 2 minutes

No list about the best award winning movies on Netflix would be complete without this one. Joker is a 2019 American psychological thriller based on the DC comics character of the same name. The movie is independently made by Todd Phillips and provides a possible origin story for the character. The plot follows Arthur Fleck, a failed clown and aspiring stand-up comedian who descends in nihilism and insanity raising a violent revolution in Gotham city. The movie was nominated for 11 Academy Awards winning Best Actor for Phoenix and Best Original Score for Hildur Guðnadóttir. Phoenix is highly praised for his performance by many film societies and audiences.  Watch Trailer here Check out Joker on Netflix

32. The Departed (2006)

IMDb: 8.5Rotten Tomatoes: 91%/94%Director: Martin ScorseseWriter: William MonahanCast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin SheenRuntime: 2 hours, 32 minutes

This one is a must-have for the movie buffs who never seem to get enough of crime films. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson in the prominent roles, the movie is a remake of the critically acclaimed Hong Kong film called Infernal Affairs. DiCaprio has looked convincing as an undercover state trooper ( William Billy) and if you are a fan of his acting, you shouldn’t give it a miss. Moreover, The Departed won four Oscars at the 79th Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
Watch Trailer here Check out The Departed on Netflix

33. Mystic River (2003)

IMDb: 7.9Rotten Tomatoes: 88%/89%Director: Clint EastwoodWriter: Brian HelgelandCast: Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay HardenRuntime: 2 hours, 18 minutes

Mystic River is a 2003 American neo-noir psychological mystery crime drama film based on the 2001 novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane. The movie follows the lives of three childhood friends who are shattered when one of them has a family tragedy. The movie won two Academy Awards in categories Best Actor for Sean Penn and Best Supporting Actor for Tim Robbins. 
Watch Trailer here Check out Mystic River on Netflix

34. The Hateful Eight (2015)

IMDb: 7.8Rotten Tomatoes: 74%/76%Director: Quentin TarantinoWriter: Quentin TarantinoCast: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián BichirRuntime: 2 hours, 48 minutes

Set in the American West just after the Civil War, “The Hateful Eight” is an American western thriller film. The plot is set around a group of eight strangers who desperately seek refuge from a blizzard. The film has a notable star cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. With plenty of intense scenes and thrilling moments, The Hateful Eight has got what it takes to liven up your showtime. Not to mention, it has also won an Academy Award for the Best Original Score.
Watch Trailer here Check out The Hateful Eight on Netflix

35. No Country for Old Men (2007)

IMDb: 8.1Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/86%Director: Joel Coen, Ethan CoenWriter: Joel Coen, Ethan CoenCast: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh BrolinRuntime: 2 hours, 2 minutes

A neo-western crime thriller film like “No Country for Old Men” can seamlessly find a top spot in your watchlist. The movie is based on Cormac McCarthy’s 2005 novel of the same name and stars Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin in the pivotal roles.
The plot revolves around a Texas welder in the desert landscape. With high-voltage thrilling scenes and engrossing storyline, the movie has got four prestigious Academy Awards like Best Picture, Best Director (Joel and Ethan Coen), Best Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem), and Best Adapted Screenplay. This is definitely one of the award winning movies on Netflix that you should check out. Watch Trailer here Check out No Country for Old Men on Netflix

Best Netflix Award-Winning Epic War Movies

36. The Hurt Locker (2008)

IMDb: 7.6Rotten Tomatoes: 97%/84%Director: Kathryn BigelowWriter: Mark BoalCast: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Evangeline Lilly, Ralph FiennesRuntime: 2 hours, 11 minutes

Are you on the hunt for an action-packed war epic film? If yes, give a chance to “The Hurt Locker” as it’s one of the most loved war-drama movies. It has an appreciable star cast led by Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, and Brian Geraghty. The story is centered around the Iraq War Explosive Ordnance Disposal team who is on the hit list of insurgents. Find out their bravery and how they tackle the huge challenges.
Watch Trailer here Check out The Hurt Locker  on Netflix

37. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

IMDb: 8.6Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/95%Director: Steven SpielbergWriter: Robert RodatCast: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom SizemoreRuntime: 2 hours, 49 minutes

The epic war movie that’s widely considered as the gold standard is Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan. Written by Robert Rodat, the movie is set during the Invasion of Normandy in World War II. The graphic portrayal of war and the intensity of its second scene of 23 minutes which is an amazing depiction of the Omaha Beach assault during the Normandy landings stand out.
The story is about the United States Army Rangers Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) and his squad. It was nominated for eleven Academy Awards at the 71st Academy Awards and was able to win five awards including the Best Director and Best Film Editing.
Watch Trailer here Check out Saving Private Ryan on Netflix

Best Netflix Award-Winning Action/Adventure Movies

38. Mad Max Fury Road (2015)

IMDb: 8.1Rotten Tomatoes: 97%/86%Director: George MillerWriter: George Miller, Brendan McCarthy, Nico LathourisCast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-ByrneRuntime: 2 hours

Mad Max: Fury Road is a 2015 Australian post-apocalyptic action film co-written and directed by George Miller. He came up with the idea for the fourth installment in the Mad max franchise in 1987. However, the movie was in development hell for almost two decades. The movie follows Max Rockatansky in the post-apocalyptic setting where water and petroleum is scarce. The movie bagged six Academy Awards for Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing in the  88th Academy Awards, making it the movie with most awards in the ceremony. Watch Trailer here Check out Mad Max Fury Road on Netflix

39. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003)

IMDb: 8.9Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/86%Director: Peter JacksonWriter: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter JacksonCast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean AstinRuntime: 3 hours, 21 minutes

Boasting a fascinating story, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King is an epic fantasy adventure movie. Directed by Peter Jackson, the award-winning Netflix film is based on the third volume of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. It’s the third installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and features an ensemble cast including Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, and Cate Blanchett.
The fantasy adventure received critical acclaim and grossed $1.142 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2003 and the second highest-grossing film of all time. Moreover, it won all the eleven Academy Awards for which it had been nominated including best film editing, best picture, and best director.
Watch Trailer here Check out Lord of the Rings: Return of the King on Netflix

40. The Dark Knight (2008)

IMDb: 9.1Rotten Tomatoes: 94%/94%Director: Christopher NolanWriter: Jonathan Nolan, Christopher NolanCast: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron EckhartRuntime: 2 hours, 32 minutes

One of Christopher Nolan’s best works so far, the Dark Knight is the second installment in the The Dark Knight Trilogy written and directed by Nolan. The movie is popular for the portrayal of the villain Joker by Heath Ledger. He died months before the release of the movie and was critically acclaimed for one of his best acting performances. 
The movie broke several records while screening and is considered one of the most influential movies of the decade. It won two Academy Awards for Best Sound Editing and Ledger was posthumously awarded Best Supporting Actor. The Dark Knight rises is preserved in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
Watch Trailer here Check out The Dark Knight on Netflix

Which Oscar-nominated Movies are on Netflix 2022?

There are quite a few Oscar-nominated movies on Netflix 2022. For instance, The Irishman is nominated for 10 Oscars including best picture, Marriage Story is nominated for 6 Oscars including best picture and best actress (Scarlett Johansson), The Two Popes for 3 Oscars, and more.

What Academy Award-winning Movies are on Netflix?

Netflix boasts a huge library of Academy Award-Winning movies such as Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Saving Private Ryan, No Country for Old Men, and more.

What’s a Good Movie on Netflix 2022?

When it comes to having a large collection of top-notch movies, Netflix is undoubtedly the best place. From Total Recall to The Hurt Locker to The Departed, it’s got you fully covered.

Set the Showtime on Fire with the Best Award Winning Movies on Netflix

Now is the time to set your showtime for a long video-streaming spree. So, bring on the popcorn and call the couch buddies for a fun-filled media watching. When you have a luxurious collection of the best Oscar winning Netflix movies at your disposal, even a long vacation seems to run out a bit faster, doesn’t it? Therefore, make it count to the fullest. By the way, let me know your favorite flicks and the things that make them stand out for you.