Five Netflix Original movies from 2024 we will still be watching in 20 years

There used to be a time when Netflix was just a relatively cheap streaming service where we could watch non-original shows and movies. That changed some time ago, and we are the better for it. The streaming giant makes a lot of money, of course, but they also pour back in some of those dollars to make quality original programming.

Netflix might produce more shows than movies - films can be more costly, obviously - and while every flick is not the remaking of Citizen Kane, the majority of the streamer's originals are better than what we see at the cinemas. In other words, if you take a risk on Netflix one Thursday night, you might unexpectedly find a new favorite movie.

But what we the best of Netflix's original films this year? A couple of the below are not the usual feature film-type material. All of these are worth watching now and well into the future.

The five best Netflix Original films produced in 2024

Hit Man

What the world needs more of, as evidenced by this movie, is more Glen Powell and Richard Linklater collaborations. The premise is simple enough: A hit man goes a bit rogue trying to help a woman from her abusive husband, and he falls in love. This film goes well beyond that simple description, though, and is just pure fun.

The story gets better as the movie gets closer to its end, and Powell proves he can carry a film. Now, let's hope Netflix gives us many more films with Powell and Linklater.

The Greatest Night in Pop

A documentary about the making of the song "We Are the World" could have come off as extremely boring. We already knew everything there was to know about the song, right? As it turns out, we did not.

With rarely seen behind-the-scenes footage, viewers will not only watch as the remarkable night of music unfolds, but we will feel as if we are a part of the song as well. As for watching this doc in 20 years, why not? The song itself came out in 1985 and we are still interested nearly 40 years later.

Lift

There is nothing overly original about the film, in theory. The movie is a heist film with lots of suspensions of disbelief. What makes it work is the way the actors, especially Kevin Hart, chew each scene, clearly enjoying what they are doing and the humor. Sure, every film of this genre appears to have moments that are funny, but the dialogue in Life is rich.

What also helps is that director F. Gary Gray knows how to make a very good action-comedy. He does not try to fool the audience into making us laugh or tense up when we don't want to. He allows the film to work for itself.

Good Grief

If one only watches the trailer, they might avoid to film. That is because it might look like one is about to see two hours of pure sadness. Far from it. In the capable hands of director/writer/lead actor Dan Levy, the film does have its share of tearful scenes, but lots of humor and hope as well. Levy also dives deeply into the characters' interpersonal relationships in a brilliant and touching way.

The movie is worth multiple watches, so it should have a long shelf life. For those wanting more of Schitt's Creek, this is not it. Instead, we get a fully mature Levy who understands what makes us tick.

Matt Rife: Lucid - A Crowd Work Special

Part of the Netflix is a Joke series, Rife does some things people would not expect. He comes onto the stage, explains what will happen, follows through, and, along the way, has some surprising poignant moments with the audience. This show is fantastically funny, but with touches of real humanity as well.

Rife is in full control of the entire performance, however. He knows when to get snarky, and when to lay off a bit. Let's hope Netflix continues to deliver comedic shows like this.

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