10 Netflix Movies With Zero Cultural Impact (That Were Actually Good)

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Netflix has been creating its own movies for ten years, and while some have been better than others, many have become part of the cultural conversation. For this discussion, we define ‘cultural impact‘ as a movie that either received recognition during awards season – even just nominations – or sparked a lot of discussion about how many people watched it, like the Oscar-nominated KPop Demon Hunters. A film also qualifies if it caused significant controversy, such as The Ridiculous 6. Whether the attention was good or bad, the important thing is that people were talking about it.

Some films started strong in theaters, but they didn’t have lasting success. Now, they’re largely forgotten and barely noticeable within Netflix’s vast library.

10) The Fundamentals of Caring

Rob Burnett’s The Fundamentals of Caring is one of Netflix’s first original films, and it’s a heartwarming drama that feels like movies such as The Way Way Back or The Perks of Being a Wallflower. While it shares some coming-of-age elements, the story also focuses on a man experiencing a midlife crisis who’s looking for a way to rediscover himself and find meaning in his life.

Despite featuring Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez, The Fundamentals of Caring hasn’t stuck with many viewers. However, if you’re looking for a heartwarming and funny drama that’s about an hour and a half long, it’s definitely worth checking out.

9) I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore

The film I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore is basically a comedy duo story, but instead of police partners, it follows a nurse’s aide who was recently robbed and her neighbor. The story is simple and focuses on ordinary people, and that’s what makes it so appealing.

What truly makes the film work is giving Juno Temple a strong leading role – something she doesn’t often get. Both this movie and director Macon Blair’s second film, The Toxic Avenger, are enjoyable and deserve more attention.

8) The Pale Blue Eye

Christian Bale delivers a strong performance in The Pale Blue Eye, a winding gothic murder mystery. While Bale’s name draws viewers, the film didn’t dominate the charts for long. It enjoyed a short period of popularity before getting lost among Netflix’s many other mystery and thriller options.

While The Pale Blue Eye isn’t perfect and occasionally feels slow, Christian Bale and Harry Melling deliver fantastic performances. Melling is especially well-suited to play Edgar Allan Poe. The film’s snowy, atmospheric winter setting significantly enhances the suspense, and the ending is both surprising and effectively reinforces the story’s themes.

7) 1922

In 2017, Netflix released two excellent movies based on the works of Stephen King. While both were well-received, Gerald’s Game generated more discussion, largely due to Carla Gugino’s strong performance and Mike Flanagan’s skillful direction. Many people believed the original story couldn’t be successfully adapted into a film.

However, the 2017 film 1922 is almost as impressive. It perfectly conveys the growing desperation found in the original novella and further proves Thomas Jane’s skill at creating excellent Stephen King adaptations.

6) Day Shift

It’s surprising we haven’t heard any news about a sequel to Day Shift. The movie created a really enjoyable and lively world – despite being about vampires and vampire hunters! The idea had a lot of potential for future stories.

This is one of the strongest Netflix films starring Jamie Foxx. While it doesn’t reach the same level of originality as They Cloned Tyrone, it’s a definite improvement over Project Power and Back in Action. The movie succeeds thanks to its cool style, fun writing, detailed world, and a lively performance from Dave Franco.

5) Steve

A recent film didn’t gain much attention on the streaming platform, even though it was well-received at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. This is somewhat unexpected, given that it stars Cillian Murphy, Tracey Ullman, and Emily Watson.

This film deeply connects you with the teacher at its heart. It realistically portrays the challenges of working with students who have behavioral problems, showing just how stressful it is for someone like Steve. While this can be difficult to watch at times, it also creates a strong sense of compassion for those dedicated to supporting people with mental health issues.

4) The Polka King

Jack Black has a knack for making even flawed or questionable characters endearing. A great example is his role in the movie Bernie, where he played a killer but still managed to win over the audience. He simply has a naturally charming and friendly personality.

Like Bernie, the film The Polka King approaches a serious topic – in this case, a Ponzi scheme – with a surprisingly light and comedic touch. The actor playing Jan Lewan, the convicted schemer, delivers a performance filled with charm and energy, making these two films feel like perfect companions.

3) The Dirt

If you’re not a fan of Mötley Crüe, or don’t enjoy stories about wild rock and roll lifestyles, then the movie The Dirt probably won’t appeal to you. However, for those who are familiar with the book The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band, the film successfully recreates the band’s over-the-top, dangerous energy from the 1980s.

This film follows a familiar biopic formula, but benefits from a talented team. It’s hard to picture a better director for this story than Jeff Tremaine, known for his work on Jackass. The casting is also surprisingly good, with Iwan Rheon as Mick Mars, Colson Baker (MGK) as Tommy Lee, and David Costabile from Breaking Bad playing the band’s manager. While it would have been better if the film had shown the negative impact of the band’s lifestyle on others, it should still please fans of glam metal.

2) Hold the Dark

While not quite as gripping as Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge, Hold the Dark is a worthwhile film that hasn’t gotten enough attention. It’s a treat to see Jeffrey Wright as the lead, and he delivers a strong performance as expected.

The real strength of Hold the Dark lies in how effectively it portrays the perils of the Alaskan wilderness, and even more powerfully, the darkness within people themselves. While some might find the pacing slow, it’s a deliberately slow build that ultimately rewards patient viewers.

1) The Stranger

Despite featuring strong actors like Sean Harris, known from the Mission: Impossible films, and Joel Edgerton from the Star Wars franchise, The Stranger didn’t seem to gain much attention. This is surprising, considering Netflix consistently delivers high-quality psychological thrillers, and this one is among their best.

If you appreciate powerful acting, this movie is worth watching. Just be prepared for a very dark and consistently suspenseful experience – it doesn’t offer much relief from the tension.

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2026-01-25 20:20