Netflix told analysts in recent days that just under a million subscribers canceled their subscriptions to the service in the second quarter of this year. The good news, however, is that Netflix is predicting a return to growth for the current quarter ending in September. This will, of course, be due to the service’s extensive content library, with a constant supply of new Netflix series and movies to keep subscribers hooked enough to stick around.
The problem, however, is that some worthy gems can unfortunately be overshadowed a bit by all the big titles expected to hit the streamer later this year – Blonde, Knives Out 2 and the like. Below, we want to identify eight Netflix series and movies (five shows and three movies) that represent some of the great hidden gems available for streaming on the platform.
The list of addresses below is, of course, entirely subjective. One must see, the other is difficult. But one thing we can say about the Netflix series and movies included here is that they’ve garnered critical love. Plus the appreciation of die-hard fans, who sang many of their hymns to drum up more interest.
From crime dramas to thrilling documentaries and more, there’s something for everyone below.
READ MORE: 5 New Netflix Releases Everyone Will Be Streaming This Week
Suburra: Blood on Rome
Speaking of the mafia, HBO’s Gomorrah will always be the gold standard for me as far as dramas of this type go. But this three-season Netflix series, the streamer’s first original Italian-language show, is more than capable on its own, offering viewers a rough look at the Roman underworld. It has a narrative that encompasses family tensions, gun battles and power struggles between politicians, the church and organized crime – all inspired by Giancarlo De Cataldo and Carlo Bonini’s novel of the same name.
Icarus
This documentary by director Bryan Fogle about how far Russia will go to cheat – at the Olympics, but really anything – is all the more relevant today. The focus of the documentary is the cooperation of a Russian scientist who blows the lid off the Russian doping affair. To see also : Chloe is coming to Prime Video tonight. And who, unsurprisingly, becomes Putin’s most wanted whistleblower.
More underappreciated Netflix series and films to stream
We have two additional Netflix series and two movies to balance out our list of hidden gem recommendations. Read also : 7 Reasons to Binge Watch “The Terminal List” on Prime Video, starring Chris Pratt. And they include everything from a teen adventure comedy to a Jason Sudeikis drama that flew under the radar upon release.
The Billion Dollar Code
Did you like Halt and Catch Fire? Then you basically have to stop what you’re doing and watch The Billion Dollar Code. Read also : How Netflix creates its interactive programming (and what comes next). The atmosphere, story, and overall quality of this German-language Netflix series will be a great match for that AMC gem about the early days of Silicon Valley.
Netflix synopsis for The Billion Dollar Code: “In 1990s Berlin, an artist and a hacker invent a new way of seeing the world. Years later, they reunite to sue Google for patent infringement.”
Teenage Bounty Hunters
More than any other on this list, this Netflix series about two twin sisters who balance normal high school life with a side hustle as a bounty hunter is unapologetically entertaining. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, it’s full of humor and adventure, and it’s built around two young women who are a joy to watch. Both actresses have a bright future ahead of them.
Kodachrome
Last year, I wrote that this drama—built around a son’s complicated reunion with his dying, cold-blooded jerk father—was a must-see. And I stand by that statement. Ted Lasso’s Jason Sudeikis plays the son here. And Ed Harris and the luminous Elizabeth Olsen add two more reasons why Kodachrome deserves a place on your watch list. If you need extra bait like I wrote before, how about this:
By the end, Sudeikis “will work you with the same warm blanket, feel-good energy you get from Sudeikis’ Apple TV series.”
Lords of Scam
If you enjoyed movies like American Deception and The Wolf of Wall Street? This 2021 Netflix documentary shouldn’t hook you right from the start. Here is the streamer’s official description. “This documentary follows the rise and fall of fraudsters who defrauded the EU’s carbon quota system and pocketed millions before turning on each other.” (Sorry, the trailer below is not in English. But it should give you an idea of the atmosphere of the film – which has English subtitles).
More on Netflix: For more Netflix news, check out the latest new Netflix movies and series to watch.
