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The 14 Films You'll Feel Embarrassed Not To Have Seen On Netflix

The 14 Films You'll Feel Embarrassed Not To Have Seen On Netflix

The 14 Films You'll Feel Embarrassed Not To Have Seen On Netflix
13 January 2015

You know that horrible feeling when someone asks you if you've seen a classic film and you have to either admits that you haven't or pretend that you loved "that bit when that guy did that thing"? Especially when you've seen all of the Transformers films. Twice.

To prevent this from happening so often, we've gone through the entire catalogue of Netflix UK to find 14 of the films that you really should have seen. Unless you've seen them all and you can just spend the next five minutes smugly smiling at your reflection in the mirror.

His Girl Friday

Year: 1940

You should see it because: It's quite possibly the greatest screwball comedy ever made with the pairing of Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell making for on-screen chemistry that most actors would kill their agent for.

Watch it here


Bicycle Thieves

Year: 1948

You should see it because: It's considered not only one of the greatest foreign films ever but also one of the greatest films ever period and won a special Oscar for Most Outstanding Foreign Film a full seven years before that category became official

Watch it here


The Godfather

Year: 1972

You should see it because: It's still an impeccable gangster film simmering with tension and iconic dialogue that influenced so many films that came after.

Watch it here


American Graffiti

Year: 1973

You should see it because: It's a sweetly nostalgic film that made a whopping $140 million from a $770,000 budget, making it one of the most profitable films ever made. 

Watch it here


Mean Streets

Year: 1973

You should see it because: It's early Scorsese that still plays with so much vibrancy and energy that it could have been made yesterday.

Watch it here


Network

Year: 1976

You should see it because: Its razor sharp satire of television and the appeal of outrage is still incredibly relevant today.

Watch it here


Airplane!

Year: 1980

You should see it because: Unlike the majority of parody films in its wake, this is still really really really painfully funny.

Watch it here


Wall Street

Year: 1987

You should see it because: No other film in the 80s sums up the decade quite so well, thanks to its indulgent aesthetic and materialistic focus.

Watch it here


Cinema Paradiso

Year: 1988

You should see it because: It's virtually impossible not to fall for the charms of this crowd-pleasing Oscar winner from Italy which will particularly appeal to, you gussed it, cineastes. 

Watch it here


Boyz N The Hood

Year: 1991

You should see it because: It's a troubling and compelling look at early 90s LA and remains one of the most impressive debuts ever, especially since director John Singleton was just 23 when it was released.

Watch it here


Reservoir Dogs

Year: 1992

You should see it because: It set a new benchmark for independent cinema by combining a magpie’s eye for pop culture with snappy dialogue and a suite of fully formed characters, 

Watch it here


The Shawshank Redemption

Year: 1994

You should see it because: While it might have become the go-to favourite film for people who don't really watch films, there's no denying the impeccable storytelling on display.

Watch it here


Fargo

Year: 1996

You should see it because: It's quite possibly the finest Coen brothers film with a range of perfectly cast actors and an unusual storyline that improves with every watch.

Watch it here


Good Will Hunting

Year: 1998

You should see it because: It's one of the few feel-good films where the emotions are genuinely earned and it's a fitting tribute to the late Robin Williams.

Watch it here