Best British films on Netflix now – from an “unmissable drama with Daniel Mays to a ’00s classic

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Netflix currently has a lot of excellent British films available. You can find everything from family-friendly movies to gritty gangster films, including some modern classics you might have missed.

We’ve put together a list of some of the best shows and movies currently available on the streaming service, and you can find them below.

Gangster No. 1

Released in 2000, during a surge in popularity for British gangster films, Gangster No. 1 was generally well-received, earning a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Entertainment Weekly described it as a clever, though familiar, and extremely violent portrayal of a terrifyingly cruel London criminal.

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I’m really excited about this new film! It stars Paul Bettany as a guy who works his way up the ranks of the London mafia after being taken under the wing of a gangster. And the cast is amazing – Malcolm McDowell, who I loved in A Clockwork Orange, is in it, along with David Thewlis from Landscapers and Saffron Burrows, who you might know from You.

Paddington trilogy

If you’d like a heartwarming and fun movie for the whole family, all three Paddington films are now available on Netflix.

The Paddington movies are considered classics, particularly the second one, which critics overwhelmingly loved (it has a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes). The series follows the adventures of Paddington Bear and the Brown family, with the most recent film taking them on a journey to Peru.

The Outrun

Saoirse Ronan received widespread praise for her role in this 2024 film, a moving story about a woman who goes back to her family home on the Orkney Islands of Scotland, hoping to find peace and recover.

Inspired by Amy Liptrot’s book of the same name, The Outrun stars Paapa Essiedu (known from Black Mirror) and Saskia Reeves (Slow Horses). The Observer called it a captivating watch.

Philomena

The 2013 film follows Philomena Lee (Judi Dench), an Irish woman whose son was taken from her as a teenager. Years later, she joins forces with journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) to search for him in the United States.

The movie Philomena has been highly praised, earning a 91% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The review site described it as a deeply moving drama that appeals to a wide audience.

Vera Drake

Imelda Staunton, known for her role in The Crown, received a BAFTA award for her performance in this film by Mike Leigh. The movie tells the story of a woman in the 1950s who secretly provided abortions.

Praised as “unmissable and unforgettable” by Rolling Stone, the 2004 film has a remarkably high rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The cast includes Eddie Marsan (known for Back to Black), Daniel Mays (The Thursday Murder Club), and Phil Davis (Trying).

Darkest Hour

So, this movie from 2017 is all about Winston Churchill. It shows what it was like for him when he first became Prime Minister, right when World War II was starting. It’s a really interesting look at that tough time.

Gary Oldman received high praise, including an Academy Award, for his portrayal of the former Prime Minister, with News.com.au calling it a stunning performance. Kristin Scott Thomas (from Slow Horses) and Lily James (from The Iron Claw) also appear in supporting roles.

Ex Machina

The movie Ex Machina is a highly acclaimed science fiction film about a programmer who’s asked by his boss to evaluate a robot’s intelligence using the Turing test – a way to determine if a machine can think like a human.

Featuring Oscar Isaac (known for Frankenstein), Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander, and Domhnall Gleeson (The Paper), the film has a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. CNET described it as a “tense, thoughtful sci-fi” movie.

Bend It Like Beckham

Bend It Like Beckham, starring Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra, tells the story of a young Sikh woman who dreams of playing professional soccer, despite her parents’ objections. She finds support and friendship with a teammate along the way.

I first saw this movie back when it came out in 2003, and it’s become a real classic for me and a lot of other fans. Rotten Tomatoes actually called it a ‘lively, feel-good movie that’s genuinely charming,’ and I totally agree!

We Live in Time

Released last year, We Live in Time is a film that portrays the connection between two individuals over ten years, and how a major event dramatically alters their lives.

Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh star in a moving drama. The New Indian Express described it as a touching love story that’s both joyful and heartbreaking, offering a unique perspective on life and loss.

The Kitchen

Daniel Kaluuya, who won an Oscar, co-directed this 2023 science fiction film set in a future London of 2040, where affordable housing is no longer available. Digital Spy gave it four stars, calling it a moving story about a man re-evaluating what’s important and a child looking for connection in a difficult world.

Featuring Kane Robinson from Top Boy, the film The Kitchen received positive reviews, earning an 89% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In Their Own League praised it as “visually interesting, smartly written, and lifted up by two great central performances.”

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2025-11-14 19:50