Top 3 Movies to Watch on Netflix This Week: ‘1917’, ‘Shoplifters’ and ‘The Outrun’

Netflix subscribers looking for their next movie night have several acclaimed titles to choose from this week. From an Oscar-nominated World War I epic to a Palme d’Or-winning Japanese drama and a powerful character-driven story starring Saoirse Ronan, these films have been highlighted among the platform’s standout offerings.

‘1917’ delivers an immersive World War I experience
Director Sam Mendes’ 1917 remains one of Netflix’s most acclaimed war dramas. Released in 2019, the film follows two young British soldiers tasked with delivering a critical message across enemy territory to prevent a disastrous military attack during World War I.
The film is widely recognized for its innovative filmmaking technique, creating the illusion of being shot in a single continuous take. Cinematographer Roger Deakins’ Oscar-winning visuals, combined with performances from George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman, helped establish the film as one of the decade’s most celebrated war movies.

‘Shoplifters’ offers a moving family drama
Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Shoplifters, which won the Palme d’Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, is another recommended title currently streaming on Netflix.
The drama follows an unconventional family living in poverty in contemporary Japan who survive through small-scale shoplifting while navigating complex emotional relationships. The film has received widespread critical acclaim for its sensitive storytelling and exploration of family, compassion and social inequality.

Saoirse Ronan shines in ‘The Outrun’
The Outrun, directed by Nora Fingscheidt and released in 2024, is based on Amy Liptrot’s bestselling memoir of the same name. The drama stars Saoirse Ronan as a young woman battling addiction who returns from London to Scotland’s Orkney Islands in an attempt to rebuild her life.
The film combines striking landscapes with an emotional story about recovery, self-discovery and healing. Ronan’s performance has been widely praised as one of the strongest of her career.
Three acclaimed films worth streaming
Each of the three films represents a different genre, ranging from historical war drama and international cinema to an intimate character study. Together, they offer Netflix viewers a diverse selection of critically acclaimed movies to explore this week.
Recommended Netflix Movies This Week
| Movie | Release Year | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| 1917 | 2019 | War Drama |
| Shoplifters | 2018 | Drama |
| The Outrun | 2024 | Drama |
Source: TheWrap