Netflix Movies About Gratitude

From Damien Chazelle, starring Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Whiplash is a 2014 American drama film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The film stars Miles Teller as Andrew Neiman, a promising young jazz drummer, and J. K. Simmons as Terence Fletcher, his dangerous and demanding teacher. The film follows Neiman's journey from ambitious student to accomplished drummer, as he strives to earn Fletcher's approval and respect. Along the way, Neiman must confront his own insecurities and fear of failure, as well as the harsh expectations and methods of Fletcher. The film received critical acclaim, winning the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, and was released to wide acclaim. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning three, including Best Supporting Actor for Simmons.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey
Rated R

The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 black comedy directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort. The film follows Belfort and his rise to power as a Wall Street stockbroker and his subsequent fall from grace after his involvement in securities fraud and corruption. The film follows Belfort as he and his colleagues indulge in a life of corruption and excess in the financial markets, while Belfort struggles to stay one step ahead of the FBI. Along the way, Belfort learns the hard way that money can't buy happiness. The Wolf of Wall Street is ultimately a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked greed and ambition.

From Wes Anderson, starring Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody
Rated R

The Grand Budapest Hotel tells the story of M. Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. While in control of the luxurious Grand Budapest, Gustave H makes sure that all of the guests have the best possible experience. When one of the hotel’s wealthiest regulars, Madame D, passes away, she leaves a priceless painting to Gustave H. This prompts her son to accuse Gustave of stealing the painting. Gustave is arrested and he and Zero must prove his innocence by searching for the real thief. The Grand Budapest Hotel is an adventure filled with mystery, humor, and memorable characters. As Gustave H and Zero Moustafa travel through a variety of locations and time periods, they discover the truth about the painting as well as the secrets of the Grand Budapest Hotel.

From David Fincher, starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry
Rated R

Gone Girl is a 2014 psychological thriller directed by David Fincher and based on the novel by Gillian Flynn. The film follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) as he is thrust into the media spotlight when his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) mysteriously disappears. As the police and public turn their suspicions toward Nick, he must contend with a growing pile of evidence suggesting his guilt. As the investigation progresses, secrets from the couple's past are revealed and the truth behind Amy's disappearance becomes increasingly complex and twisted. With the help of his sister Margo (Carrie Coon), Nick embarks on a desperate search for the truth, determined to clear his name and find his wife.

From Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt
Rated R

12 Years a Slave is a 2013 historical drama film directed by Steve McQueen, based on the 1853 autobiographical novel of the same name by Solomon Northup. The film follows the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from New York who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the pre-Civil War United States. The film is set in the mid-19th century and follows Northup's struggles as he is sold to various owners, including an abusive cotton planter and a kindly carpenter. Through the strength of his spirit and the loyalty of a few friends, Northup is eventually able to regain his freedom and return to his family. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo
Rated R

Prisoners is a 2013 American thriller film directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Aaron Guzikowski. The film stars Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo and Paul Dano. The story follows two families' desperate search for their abducted children, and the moral dilemma they face when a mysterious man is apprehended in connection with their disappearance. With time running out, the father of one of the missing children takes matters into his own hands, while the detective assigned to the case attempts to uncover the truth behind the kidnappings. As the story progresses, the investigation leads to a shocking revelation and an emotionally charged conclusion.

From Tom McCarthy, starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber
Rated R

Spotlight tells the true story of The Boston Globe’s Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative team’s uncovering of a massive child sex-abuse scandal and cover-up within the Catholic Church. Led by editor Marty Baron, the Spotlight team of reporters, including Walter Robinson, Michael Rezendes, and Sacha Pfeiffer, is tasked with uncovering a decades-long history of sexual abuse and cover-up within the archdioceses of Boston. As the team digs deeper into the story, they face resistance from the Catholic Church, the legal system, and the victims themselves. With persistence and dedication, the team is able to uncover the truth, bringing justice to the victims and sparking a nationwide conversation about the moral and legal implications of the scandal.

From Lenny Abrahamson, starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers, Wendy Crewson
Rated R

Room is a 2015 drama film directed by Lenny Abrahamson and written by Emma Donoghue, based on her novel of the same name. The film follows Ma (Brie Larson) and her five-year-old son Jack (Jacob Tremblay) as they live in a single room, locked away from the outside world. Ma was kidnapped as a teenager, and Jack was born in captivity. Ma attempts to keep Jack's life as normal as possible, but when Jack begins to explore outside of their room, the harsh reality of their situation begins to come to light. Throughout the film, Ma and Jack must find the strength to escape their captor and embrace the world that they have been denied. Room was met with widespread critical acclaim, and won the Academy Award for Best Actress (Larson) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Donoghue).

From George Miller, starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz
Rated R

Mad Max: Fury Road is an action-packed, post-apocalyptic adventure directed by George Miller. In this latest installment of the Mad Max franchise, Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) joins forces with Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) to escape a tyrannical ruler known as Immortan Joe. Together, they embark on a perilous journey across the desert wasteland to reach the mythical Green Place, with Joe and his army of War Boys in hot pursuit. Along the way, they encounter deadly storms, treacherous enemies, and unexpected allies. Along the way, Max and Furiosa must learn to trust each other as they fight for survival and freedom in an unforgiving world.

From Spike Jonze, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara
Rated R

Her is a 2013 romantic science-fiction drama film written, directed, and produced by Spike Jonze. Set in the near future, the story follows a lonely writer named Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) who develops a relationship with an intelligent computer operating system known as "Samantha" (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). As the two fall in love and learn more about each other, Theodore is forced to confront his own feelings of inadequacy and explore the complexity of relationships in a world where technology is becoming an increasingly integral part of our lives. Ultimately, Theodore discovers the power of love and companionship in a way that he never expected.

From Jean-Marc Vallée, starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Steve Zahn
Rated R

Dallas Buyers Club is a 2013 American biographical drama film directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and written by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack. It stars Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof, an electrician and rodeo bull rider diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and given only 30 days to live. Determined to survive and to help others with the same diagnosis, he establishes a "buyers club" to obtain and distribute the otherwise unavailable medications to those with HIV/AIDS. Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, and Steve Zahn also star. The film follows Woodroof as he struggles with his diagnosis and the medical establishment, while accessing treatments and medications not readily available in the U.S. at the time. The film ultimately explores the legal, political, and social issues related to AIDS, and the effects of the disease on Woodroof's life, choices, and friendships. The film was a critical and commercial success, and won numerous awards, including three Academy Awards for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

From Paul Greengrass, starring Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Catherine Keener
Rated PG-13

Captain Phillips is a 2013 biographical drama film directed by Paul Greengrass. The film is based on the true story of the 2009 hijacking of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates. Tom Hanks stars as Captain Richard Phillips, the captain of the ship, and Barkhad Abdi plays the leader of the Somali pirates, Abduwali Muse. The film follows the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama, which was the first US cargo ship to be hijacked in over 200 years. After the ship is boarded by a group of heavily armed Somali pirates, Phillips makes the decision to surrender himself and his crew in order to keep them safe. Despite their surrender, the pirates take Phillips hostage and force him onto an enclosed lifeboat in an attempt to escape with their ransom. The US Navy then arrives in response to the hijacking and a tense standoff ensues between the Navy and the pirates onboard the lifeboat. With time running out, Phillips is forced to take desperate action to protect himself and his crew. The film is a thrilling, action-packed account of the Maersk Alabama hijacking, with a nuanced and moving performance from Hanks in the lead role. It ultimately serves as

From Richard Curtis, starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Lydia Wilson
Rated R

About Time is a romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Richard Curtis and starring Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams. The film follows Tim Lake (Gleeson), a young man from Cornwall who discovers that he has the ability to travel back in time. Tim takes advantage of the power to get a girlfriend and to fix many of his past mistakes. However, he soon discovers that time travel has its own set of complications, including unexpected consequences. Ultimately, Tim must choose between his newfound ability and his long-term relationship with Mary (McAdams). With the help of his father (Bill Nighy) and other family members, he learns to accept the inevitable and make the most of the time he has.

From Adam McKay, starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt
Rated R

The Big Short is a 2015 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Adam McKay. It is an adaptation of the 2010 book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis about the financial crisis of 2007–2008 which was triggered by the United States housing bubble. The film focuses on the lives of several American Wall Street bankers who predicted the bubble collapse and profited from it by betting against the mortgage bonds. The film stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Melissa Leo, Hamish Linklater, John Magaro, Rafe Spall, Jeremy Strong, Finn Wittrock, and Marisa Tomei. The film follows the quixotic journeys of four outsiders in the world of high-finance who predict the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s, and decide to take on the big banks for their greed and lack of foresight. Through their daring actions they make a fortune while also causing the financial world to take a drastic turn.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins
Rated R

The Hateful Eight is an American Western mystery thriller film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film follows a bounty hunter, John "The Hangman" Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive, Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh) as they travel to Red Rock to collect Domergue’s reward. Along the way, John picks up two other passengers — Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson) and Chris Mannix (Walton Goggins) — and they all seek shelter from a blizzard at Minnie’s Haberdashery. Upon their arrival, they discover four other strangers already at the establishment: Bob, Joe Gage, Oswaldo Mobray, and General Sandy Smithers. As the eight strangers try to wait out the storm, their mysterious pasts begin to unravel, uncovering secrets and motives, leading to a bloody and suspenseful climax.

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough
Rated R

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a dark comedy-drama directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. The film follows Riggan Thomson, a washed-up actor who is known for playing the superhero Birdman in a successful film franchise. He hopes to gain respect from the public and his peers by producing, directing, and starring in a Broadway adaptation of Raymond Carver's short story What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. As Riggan struggles with his own vanity, ambition, and ego, he deals with a resentful daughter, a best friend and lawyer who wants to take control of the production, and a co-star who is a former lover. The film culminates in an explosive opening night performance of the play, revealing whether Riggan is able to reclaim his past glory or succumb to his own insecurities.

From Alex Garland, starring Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Sonoya Mizuno
Rated R

Ex Machina is a science fiction psychological thriller directed by Alex Garland and starring Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, and Oscar Isaac. The story follows a computer programmer named Caleb Smith (Gleeson) who wins a contest to spend a week at the isolated home of his reclusive employer, Nathan Bateman (Isaac). When Caleb arrives, he discovers that Nathan has created a revolutionary artificial intelligence (AI) called Ava (Vikander). Caleb is tasked with testing Ava's capabilities and determining if she can pass as a human. Over the course of the week, Nathan and Caleb engage in a series of conversations and tests that leads to a tense psychological battle between man and machine. As the story progresses, Caleb begins to question the true intentions of his employer and the ethical implications of creating an AI with human-like capabilities. In the end, Caleb must decide whether to trust his instincts or the promises made by a powerful and unpredictable machine.

From James Marsh, starring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior, Sophie Perry
Rated PG-13

The Theory of Everything is a 2014 biographical drama film directed by James Marsh and written by Anthony McCarten, based on the memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen by Jane Wilde Hawking. The film stars Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking, a brilliant physicist who is diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 21. With the help of his wife, Jane (Felicity Jones), Stephen embarks on a journey of love, courage and determination to revolutionize the understanding of the universe. The film follows Stephen’s life from his early days at Oxford, to his rise to fame and fortune as one of the world’s most renowned scientists, to the ups and downs of his marriage to Jane, and finally to his battle with his illness. It is an inspiring story of how one man overcame physical adversity to achieve great things.

From Abdellatif Kechiche, starring Léa Seydoux, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Salim Kechiouche, Aurélien Recoing
Rated NC-17

Blue Is the Warmest Colour is a 2013 French romantic drama film by director Abdellatif Kechiche. The movie tells the story of Adèle, a high school student, and her evolving relationship with a blue-haired aspiring artist, Emma. As Adèle begins to discover and explore her own sexuality, the two women form a passionate relationship that quickly evolves into a deep emotional connection. Through intricate and intimate scenes, we follow Adèle and Emma's journey as they experience the highs and lows of their relationship and explore their individual identities. The film, which received an NC-17 rating in the United States, won the Palme d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first LGBT-themed film to receive the award. It also earned critical acclaim for its sensitive and thoughtful exploration of gender identity and sexuality.

From Directors: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, starring Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Jonny Brugh
Rated R

What We Do in the Shadows is a 2014 New Zealand mockumentary comedy film directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. It follows a group of four vampires who live together in an apartment in Wellington, New Zealand. The vampires have been living together for hundreds of years and are stuck in their mundane, uneventful lives. As the film progresses, the vampires deal with the issues of adapting to modern society and its customs, as well as the complexities and frustrations of living with each other. They must also contend with the competing interests of other supernatural creatures in the city. The film is co-written by Clement and Waititi, who also star in the film as two of the four vampires. The film was a critical and commercial success, and has spawned a spinoff series of the same name.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, Amy Ryan
Rated PG-13

Bridge of Spies is a 2015 American historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Matt Charman, Ethan and Joel Coen. It stars Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, and Alan Alda. The film is set during the Cold War period and tells the story of lawyer James B. Donovan's mission to negotiate the release of Francis Gary Powers, a U.S. Air Force pilot who was shot down and captured by the Soviet Union after his plane was hit by a Soviet missile. The film follows Donovan as he faces opposition from both sides of the conflict and must ultimately stand up for his beliefs and American values in the face of intense pressure. The film was a critical and commercial success, and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Mark Rylance.

From Ryan Coogler, starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad
Rated PG-13

Creed is an American sports drama film directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone. The film follows the story of Adonis Johnson (Jordan), the son of Apollo Creed, a former undisputed world heavyweight champion. Adonis, who was born after his father died in a boxing match, moves to Philadelphia to find his mentor, former heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa (Stallone). With Rocky’s guidance, Adonis earns the chance to follow in his father’s footsteps and fight for the championship title. Along the way, Adonis finds out more about his father’s past, learns the value of hard work, and discovers the meaning of family.

From David Dobkin, starring Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton
Rated R

From Directors: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, starring Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, AnnaSophia Robb
Rated PG-13

From Clint Eastwood, starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner, Cole Konis
Rated R