On Tuesday, PM Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in India to prevent the spread of coronavirus. So, we made a list of 21 award-winning movies on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hotstar that you can watch during this lockdown. All of these Bollywood and Hollywood films have earned high critical-acclaim and continue to be among the best films the entertainment industry has seen. Take each day to check out a must-watch Movie from this list. After all, it is the safest and most entertaining activity to do right now.
1. FORREST GUMP – NETFLIX
In this Oscar-winning film, the protagonist, Forrest Gump, is born with a curved spine and a below average IQ. However, this doesn’t deter his can-do attitude. His mother’s relentless support lets Gump live an incredibly eventful life. He goes on to become a national sports star, even winning a Medal of Honor as well as an investor in Apple Computers. But even achieving all this is not enough to win the heart of the only woman he has ever loved.
2. GULLY BOY – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
This blockbuster film literally won at least one nomination in almost every category of this year’s Filmfare awards. And if you still haven’t watched this masterpiece, you need to pick this one over all the movies to watch on Netflix. Gully Boy is a musical drama film that has single-handedly put rap on the top of India’s mainstream music scene. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, and written by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the film’s inspired by the lives of Indian rappers Divine and Naezy. The plot revolves around the life of Murad Ahmed (played by Ranveer Singh), who despite his financial shortcomings was able to fulfill his life-long dream of becoming a rapper, producing his own album and opening a concert for his idol, American rapper Nas.
3. PARASITE – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
Parasite made history by winning an award for the Best Picture at the Oscars earlier this month. This Bong Joon-Ho movie is the first non-American film to achieve this feat. The movie tells the story of how greed and class discrimination comes in the way of a relationship shared between a wealthy and an impoverished family. Parasite had even won the prestigious Palme d’Or honor at the Cannes Film Festival last year. It is also set to be available with Hindi dubbing and will release on March 27, 2020 on the platform.
4. MARRIAGE STORY – NETFLIX
After winning the Golden Globe for her supporting role in Marriage Story, Laura Dern repeated the glory at the Oscars this year by bagging the Best Supporting Actress Award. Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story on the outside gives the feel of a regular love story. However, it is anything but that. The film exhibits how the troubles of life become obstacles in the most beautiful relationships. It is a scoop of romance with sprinkles of reality.
5. ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
Along with winning at the Golden Globes, this movie bagged a couple of trophies at the Academy Awards this year too – Best Supporting Actor (Brad Pitt) and Best Production Design. The biggest reason to watch this film is because it brings together three Hollywood stalwarts, Quentin Tarantino, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt.
6. ARTICLE 15 – NETFLIX
Featuring Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead role, Article 15 is inspired by real-life events. It kicks off with a police officer (Khurrana) being transferred to a remote village. There, two girls are reported missing and as the case begins unraveling itself, he discovers that corruption has penetrated this case at every level. This hard-hitting film has received three trophies at the 65th Filmfare awards.
7. THE REVENANT – NETFLIX
Despite how great this film is, it will forever be known as the one that made Leonardo DiCaprio finally win an Oscar. And that is also the precise reason as to why you should check this film out. It tells the story of a legendary frontiersman, who is abandoned by his hunting crew and ends up being severely injured in a bear attack. He doesn’t give up, though, and uses all his knowledge and skills to survive and take revenge on his companions. Make sure it’s on your list of movies to watch on Netflix.
8. GRAVITY – NETFLIX
Back in 2014, Gravity took home seven Academy Awards including Best Cinematography and Best Director (Alfonso Cuarón). It features the evergreen pair – George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. The movie revolves around an engineer and an astronaut who are on a space mission. When their space ship is hit by high-speed space debris, they must find a way to return home. Even after so many years, Gravity is among the best movies to watch on Netflix.
9. PAAN SINGH TOMAR – NETFLIX
This Tigmanshu Dhulia-film won the National Award for the Best Feature Film back in 2012. Featuring Irrfan Khan in the lead, this movie is based on the real-life story of athlete-turned-dacoit Paan Singh Tomar. The protagonist had scored several gold medals for the country, but when his mother is murdered and the police don’t take any action against it, he becomes a dacoit. This is the kind of film that will have you on the edge of your seat at all times and is definitely among the most underrated movies to watch on Netflix.
10. BAAHUBALI: THE BEGINNING – NETFLIX
With Baahubali- The Beginning, director S. S. Rajamouli expanded the horizon of film making in India. Its action sequences, visual effects, cinematography and the sheer grandeur was something that no other film in the history of film making in our country had been able to achieve. Released in 2015, the first of the two Baahubali films went on to break many records and became one of the highest grossing Indian films ever. The films popularity crossed national boundaries with Prabhas and Rana Daggubati emerging as mega stars. This film also won a National Award for Best Feature Film and should be among your list of movies to watch on Netflix.
11. RAAZI – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
Raazi is based on a book called Calling Sehmat, written by Harinda Sikka, which is the true story of an Kashmiri Indian spy. Sehmat is married to a Pakistani army family and from there, she sends in key information to India, so they can be can be prepared for any outcome. This Alia Bhatt-starrer won the Filmfare as well as IIFA Awards for Best Film and Best Actress.
12. HINDI MEDIUM – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
Raj is a sari mogul in Delhi, who has a typical rags to riches story. Now, living in a South Delhi neighbourhood, his wife is trying hard to get her family to fit in to the high standards society. However, when their daughter Pia is denied admission due to her background, they go to extremes to get her into the school. This film is a comedy, but it is also a commentary on the superficial rich society. In 2018, it even took home the Filmfare award for the Best Film as well as Best Actor.
13. DANGAL – NETFLIX
Dangal is the most successful film to have ever been produced in Bollywood. It tells the real life story of National-level wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat and their father, Mahavir’s involvement in bringing his daughter to this stage. It won nominations and trophies at every award ceremony in the country, including the prestigious National Award. It continues to be India’s highest-grossing film ever even four years after its initial release.
14. 3 IDIOTS – NETFLIX
3 Idiots is a complete package that will encourage you to follow your dreams and make you laugh, both at the same time. It chronicles the life of three young individuals and gives us multiple, valuable life lessons along the way. So many, that if you pen them down you’d be surprised by how much it teaches us (not that we’re asking you to do so). Just sit back and enjoy the film and maybe take a lesson or two. It took home honours at the Filmfare, IIFA and National Awards. 3 Idiots is also among those movies to watch on Netflix that can be enjoyed with friends and family.
15. I AM KALAM – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
Harsh Mayar, the protagonist of this film, won a National Award for the Best Child Actor in 2011. This movie tells the story of a young boy who takes inspiration from the country’s former President Late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Not only does he change his name but also does everything he can to meet the visionary. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the greatness of our former President, this one is not to be missed.
16. MERA NAAM JOKER – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
Considering that your entire family is going to be home for the next 21-days as well, this is the kind of movie that everybody from your grandparents to your siblings will enjoy. Back in 1972, it won several Filmfare as well as National Awards and is a must-see for all Bollywood buffs. It’s the story of a man named Raju who works at a circus as a clown and continues making people laugh despite his own troubles.
17. COCO – HOTSTAR
As you may know, Hotstar recently upgraded itself to be Disney+ Hotstar, which means that all Disney titles and properties will now be available on their platform. This list also includes the adorable Spanish film Coco, which won an Oscar for the Best Animated Feature film in 2018. It tells the story of how a little boy transcends into the afterlife in search for his guitarist grandfather and comes back to realise the importance of family. This is the kind of film that will make you want to be closer to your family and lucky for you, the 21-day lockdown is perfect for that.
18. 12 YEARS A SLAVE – NETFLIX
Go back in time with this Oscar-winning film to understand what the world was like in the times of apartheid and slavery. The plot of this film revolves around a free African-American man called Solomon Northup, who is promised a job by Brown and Hamilton. However, when he arrives in Washington DC, he realises that he has been sold into slavery. Brad Pitt not only features in the film but is also among the co-producers. This film joins the roster of award-winning movies to watch on Netflix.
19. ZOOTOPIA – HOTSTAR
Once you see this movie, you will keep wondering whether animals really have civilisations like humans too and what that would be like. Zootopia had won an Oscar for the Best Animated Feature Film in 2017 and it was really well deserved. It revolves around the life of an ambitious bunny-cop and a conman fox. Right from the world they live in to the mystery storyline of the film, you will enjoy it all so much that you’re sure to forget about the 21-day lockdown.
20. INSIDE OUT – HOTSTAR
Another Oscar-winning Disney film that joins Hotstar is Inside Out. This film will have you questioning the way your brain works for a long time to come. It tells the story of a young girl called Rylie and personifies her emotions to make sense of everything that is changing in her life. Inside Out will have you questioning what your core memories are and let us tell you that this 21-day lockdown is certainly one you’re not forgetting anytime soon.
21. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
If you thought superhero films can never win any serious awards, this film will certainly change your mind. The story starts off like every other Spider-Man film where he gets bitten by a spider. But now, he must face all the alternate versions of himself and save the world from an epic battle. This movie won big at the awards circuit, including bagging an Oscar for the Best Animated Feature Film last year.
