Find Out What Movies to Watch on Netflix (2020 Edition)

By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 2, 2024

With the avalanche of content that hit Netflix in 2020, sifting through the mountain to find a gem could feel like a quest for the Holy Grail – but fear not! We've got the treasure map to the best flicks of the year, and we're more than excited to share the X marks the spot. From heart-wrenching dramas to gut-busting comedies, Netflix's 2020 lineup had enough to keep our sofas warm and our popcorn buckets perpetually full.

As seasoned cinematic connoisseurs of couch potato-ing, we've done our fair share of screen time, and look, we get it. Choosing the perfect movie for your mood can be overwhelming with so many delectable options. But hey, that's where we come in! We've binge-watched, we've laughed, we've cried, and now we're ready to divulge our top picks, helping you jump straight to the good stuff.

Now, tie up your comfy pants and prepare to embark on an adventure through the whimsical world of streaming cinema. Ready to find out which Netflix movies of 2020 will tickle your fancy? Let's dive in, and trust us, with our spot-on recommendations, you're in for a reel good time.

Streaming Spotlight: Netflix Hits of 2020

Before we dive into our cozy couch selections, let's set the scene for 2020 on Netflix—it was a year of cinematic gems that set the screen ablaze with breathtaking drama, riveting historical pieces, star-studded sagas, gut-busting comedies, and swoon-worthy rom-coms. So grab your popcorn, and let's reminisce over the flicks that had us glued to our screens.

Dramatic Flair and Historical Affairs

Last year, Netflix turned up the heat with dramatic flair, bringing history to life with gripping tales. David Fincher's Mank whisked us back to Hollywood's golden age with an arresting black-and-white portrayal of the Citizen Kane screenplay's turbulent creation. Gary Oldman's portrayal of Herman J. Mankiewicz was nothing short of a standing ovation-worthy performance. Need another dose of drama? Aaron Sorkin's thrilling The Trial of the Chicago 7 had us on the edge of our seat with a piercing story about politics and protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, starring a knockout ensemble cast including Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance, and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Roll the Credits: Netflix's Original Star-studded Films

Our queues were beaming with Netflix's original content, lit with star power. Charlize Theron had us cheering and swooning as an undying warrior in The Old Guard, heroics intertwined with a heart of gold. On the other side of the battleground, Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods delved into the grit of Vietnam with a treasure hunt twist, featuring a powerful swan song by Chadwick Boseman. Then there's the mind-bending I'm Thinking of Ending Things, directed by Charlie Kaufman, where Jessie Buckley takes us on a psychological journey that feels like a dance on the edge of reality.

Laugh Out Loud: Comedies and Rom-Coms

Oh, how we chuckled and chuckled! Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga had us laughing with—okay, and at—Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as an adorable Icelandic duo with dreams as big as their hair and tunes as catchy as... well, they're really catchy. Then came the raucous adventure of The Lovebirds, with Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae turning date night on its head—we're talking about a murder mystery you wouldn't believe if we hadn't seen it ourselves. And of course, we can't forget the quirky charm of The Half of It or the sweet high school crush chaos of The Kissing Booth 2—sequels and fresh tales that have us believing in love at first laugh.

Viewing During a Pandemic: How 2020 Changed Our Watch Habits

Our cozy home cinemas became the main stage as we navigated a world where slippers outshone stilettos. 2020 was the year our screens got smaller but our viewing options expanded like our snack choices during a midnight fridge raid.

From Big Screen to Living Room: Shifts in Movie Consumption

As COVID-19 slammed the doors shut on movie theaters, we found consolation in our living room lairs. Scores of movie fans flocked to Netflix for their film fix, trading the thunderous surround sound for the trusty TV speakers—and a pause button for snack breaks. There's no denying, the couch was the hottest ticket in town. Instead of big-screen epics, we had Millie Bobby Brown cracking cases in Enola Holmes right in our makeshift home theaters.

Eye Openers: Documentaries that Defined the Year

In 2020, we also turned to documentaries to quench our thirst for reality. Forget tiger kings, we craved truth. Two hard-hitting docs had us glued to our screens: The Social Dilemma had us side-eyeing our phones like they were about to sprout legs and scamper off; and Crip Camp, produced by none other than Barack and Michelle Obama, opened our eyes to the struggles and triumphs of the Disability Rights Movement. You just can't make this stuff up!

Connecting Through Film: Stories of Love and Struggle

While we were social-distancing from humanity, tales of love and struggle kept us feeling all the feels and realizing that we're not alone on this wild ride. His House brought a spine-chilling slice of horror to our screens, whisking us away from our quarantine blues to a haunting house in London. Meanwhile, the Sudanese refugee tale reminded us that reality is, more often than not, stranger than fiction. As for love? Who needs mistletoe when you've got Christmas rom-coms warming your hearts faster than a double dose of grandma's eggnog?