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7 Hidden Gems on Netflix You Need to Watch in 2024

Highlights

In 2024, Netflix is home to some underrated gems.
Our list of 7 Hidden Gems on Netflix includes some gripping dramas and mind-bending thrillers.

Netflix is a treasure trove of content. But sometimes the best movies remain hidden beneath the outrageous amount of content the streaming platform has. We often spend more time looking for a movie on Netflix than actually watching one. If you’re tired of scrolling through the titles and are looking for something fresh, we’ve got you covered.

In 2024, Netflix is home to some incredible yet underrated gems that deserve your attention. From gripping dramas to mind-bending thrillers, these hidden gems have everything to captivate you.

So, let’s dive into seven must-watch Netflix titles that you probably haven’t heard of but definitely should!

Budhia Singh: Born to Run

Rotten Tomatoes: 91%

IMDb: 7.5/10

Release Date: 5 August 2016

Director: Soumendra Padhi

Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Mayur Mahendra Patole, Shruti Marathe

Run Time: 1h 35m

Synopsis –

Five-year-old Budhia Singh, the world’s youngest marathon runner, attains glory and garners attention from all around the world. However, his coach soon faces backlash for unethical training.

Budhia’s story is an Indian tragedy. Debutant director Soumendra Padhi dramatises the facts but never shies away from showing what’s in our faces. Manoj Bajpayee imbues this difficult character with aplomb, but it’s child artist Mayur Mahendra Patole that you have to watch out for.

Barry

Rotten Tomatoes: 98%

IMDb: 6.0/10

Release Date – September 10, 2016

Director – Vikram Gandhi

Cast – Devon Terrell, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Mitchell, Ellar Coltrane, Jenna Elfman

Runtime – 104 Minutes

Synopsis –

Barry isn’t a standard biopic of the future President of the United States Barack Obama. It focuses on his early political career or his achievements as commander-in-chief.

This is a coming-of-age story that keeps its toes mostly in Barack’s college years. It tells a story of the place where he builds the skills and charisma that would later launch him to success. Devon Terrell gives a breakout performance.

Sillu Karuppatti

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

IMDb: 7.9/10

Release date – 27 December 2019

Director – Halitha Shameem

Cast – Samuthirakani, Sunainaa, Manikandan K, Nivedhithaa Sathish, Kravmaga Sreeram, Leela Samson, Sara Arjun, Rahul

Run time – 138 minutes

Synopsis –

Sillu Karuppatti is full of endearing performances, aesthetic visuals (though four cinematographers have worked on it.

The underrated gem does an amazing job in keeping the visual tone consistent) and emotive music (by Pradeep Kumar) that superbly complement the perceptive writing. Must watch.

Kodachrome

Rotten Tomatoes: 72%

IMDb: 6.8/10

Release Date – April 20, 2018

Director – Mark Raso

Cast – Ed Harris, Jason Sudeikis, Elizabeth Olsen, Bruce Greenwood, Wendy Crewson, Dennis Haysbert

Runtime – 1 hr 40 min

Synopsis –

Kodachrome is an emotional journey that explores these layered characters and their struggles with each other.

It tells us a story of how people have to live with the choices they’ve made in their lives. Supporting Sudeikis and Harris in Kodachrome is Elizabeth Olsen, playing Ben’s charming nurse.

Kodachrome is a wonderfully bittersweet film. It is perfect for a night in when you are looking for some catharsis.

The Guilty

Rotten Tomatoes: 74%

IMDb: 6.3/10

Release Date: September 24, 2021

Director: Antoine Fuqua

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Christina Vidal, Adrian Martinez, Riley Keough, Ethan Hawke

Run Time: 90 minutes

Synopsis –

Jake Gyllenhaal stars in the 2021 crime thriller The Guilty. The story follows Joe Baylor, a disgraced former police detective who has been demoted to a 911 operator after a troubling on-duty incident.

One night, he receives a call from a frantic woman who claims she’s been abducted. As Joe races against time to save her, he must also confront his own past mistakes, seeking redemption while navigating the tense and high-stakes situation.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Rotten Tomatoes: 89%

IMDb: 7.2/10

Genre – Western, Anthology

Release Date: November 9, 2018

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Cast: Tim Blake Nelson, Tom Waits, James Franco, Tyne Daly, Liam Neeson, Zoe Kazan

Runtime: 133 minutes

Synopsis –

If The Ballad of Buster Scruggs marks the final collaboration of the Coen brothers, it serves as a fitting end to one of cinema’s most remarkable partnerships.

This anthology of six stories, each reflecting on themes of death and finality, showcases the Coens’ signature blend of dark humour and storytelling.

While fans may debate which segment stands out the most, the titular opening story featuring Tim Blake Nelson is a standout that perfectly encapsulates the Coens’ unique style.

Private Life

Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

IMDb: 7.2/10

Genre – Comedy, Documentary

Release Date: October 5, 2018

Director: Tamara Jenkins

Cast: Kathryn Hahn, Paul Giamatti, John Carroll Lynch, Denis O’Hare, Emily Robinson, Molly Shannon

Runtime: 123 minutes

Synopsis –

This 2018 drama/comedy initially flew under the radar after its Sundance Film Festival premiere.

However, you have to watch this one for Kathryn Hahn’s acting range. It tells the story of a middle-aged couple desperately trying to have a child by any means, and the strain it puts on their marriage.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the film maintains a deeply human touch by finding humour in such a personal struggle.

Based on writer/director Tamara Jenkins’ own experiences, the film features outstanding performances by Hahn and Paul Giamatti as the central couple.

FAQs

Who is the lead cast of Budhia Singh: Born to Run?

The lead cast of Budhia Singh: Born to Run includes Manoj Bajpayee, Mayur Mahendra Patole, and Shruti Marathe.

How much does Netflix cost?

Netflix offers several plans, each with different pricing based on the number of devices you can watch simultaneously and the video quality (HD, FHD, UHD). The following are the plans in India –

Mobile 1 screen/ SD content – Rs 149
Basic 1 screen/ SD content – Rs 199
Standard 2 screens/ FHD content – Rs 499
Premium 4 screens/ UHD content – Rs 649

You can change your plan or cancel at any time through your account settings.

Which devices can I use to watch Netflix?

You can watch Netflix on a variety of internet-connected devices, including smart TVs, game consoles, streaming media players, cable boxes, smartphones, tablets, and computers. The Netflix app may come pre-loaded on some devices, or you may need to download it.

Is Netflix 199 a month?

Answer. Yes, the Netflix Basic Plan is for Rs 199 per month. The streaming quality is up to 720p resolution. It is compatible with mobile phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. The plan is limited to one active screen and one device for downloads.

What is the story of Budhia Singh ?

It is based on the life of Budhia Singh, the world’s youngest marathon runner, who ran 48 marathons, when he was only five years old.

Biranchi Das, a Judo Coach (played effortlessly by Manoj Bajpayee) rescues the boy. The boy is given medical attention.

Biranchi Das provides his own house as a shelter to the boy. During, an impromptu punishment exercise, Biranchi Das realizes that the boy has fantastic stamina for running and could be India’s answer to the world for marathon running.

The training starts and the young boy shows great talent . However, the State Child Welfare Committee terms these marathons as the act of exploitation of Budhia, committed by Biranchi Das in furtherance of his personal ambitions.

Budhia fails to complete the run to Bhuwaneshwar in one single stretch, the boy is tested and the reports of the Government suggest that the boy is anaemic and malnutritioned.
The Government of Orissa imposes a ban on the running of Budhia Singh.

The slum leader induces Budhia’s mother to file a false physical torture case against Biranchi Das. Biranchi Das is arrested.