Delve into the timeless allure of black and white cinema with Netflix’s curated selection of the 10 best Black and White movies on Netflix. These monochromatic gems transport viewers to a bygone era where storytelling reigns supreme, and the absence of color heightens the power of narrative and cinematography. From universally acclaimed classics to lesser-known treasures, Netflix’s black-and-white movie collection offers a concise cinematic journey, capturing the essence of storytelling in its purest form.
List of 10 Best Black and White Movies on Netflix:
Schindler’s List
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Release Date: 1993
- IMDB Score: 8.9
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
- Starring: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes
- Platform: Netflix
- Filming Locations: Poland
- Plot: The film follows the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saves the lives of more than a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.
The Artist
- Director: Michel Hazanavicius
- Release Date: 2011
- IMDB Score: 7.9
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
- Starring: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo
- Platform: Netflix
- Filming Locations: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Plot: Set in Hollywood between the late 1920s and early 1930s, the film portrays the transition from silent films to “talkies” and the impact on the careers of two performers.
Raging Bull
- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Release Date: 1980
- IMDB Score: 8.2
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
- Starring: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty
- Platform: Netflix
- Filming Locations: New York, USA
- Plot: A biographical sports drama that chronicles the tumultuous life of boxer Jake LaMotta and his struggles both inside and outside the ring.
The Seventh Seal
- Director: Ingmar Bergman
- Release Date: 1957
- IMDB Score: 8.1
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
- Starring: Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot
- Platform: Netflix
- Filming Locations: Sweden
- Plot: Set during the Black Death, a medieval knight and his squire engage in a game of chess with Death as they reflect on life, faith, and mortality.
12 Angry Men
- Director: Sidney Lumet
- Release Date: 1957
- IMDB Score: 9.0
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
- Starring: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam
- Platform: Netflix
- Filming Locations: New York, USA
- Plot: A gripping courtroom drama that unfolds as a jury deliberates the guilt or innocence of a young man accused of murder.
The Maltese Falcon
- Director: John Huston
- Release Date: 1941
- IMDB Score: 8.0
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
- Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre
- Platform: Netflix
- Filming Locations: California, USA
- Plot: A classic film noir that follows private detective Sam Spade as he becomes entangled in a web of deceit and murder while searching for a valuable statuette.
Psycho
- Director: Alfred Hitchcock
- Release Date: 1960
- IMDB Score: 8.5
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
- Starring: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles
- Platform: Netflix
- Filming Locations: California, USA
- Plot: A suspenseful psychological thriller that revolves around Marion Crane, who embezzles money and finds herself at the eerie Bates Motel, owned by the mysterious Norman Bates.
Casablanca
- Director: Michael Curtiz
- Release Date: 1942
- IMDB Score: 8.5
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
- Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid
- Platform: Netflix
- Filming Locations: California, USA
- Plot: Set during World War II, the film follows Rick Blaine, a nightclub owner, as he navigates love and sacrifice in the exotic and politically charged city of Casablanca.
La La Land
- Director: Damien Chazelle
- Release Date: 2016
- IMDB Score: 8.0
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
- Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone
- Platform: Netflix
- Filming Locations: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Detailed Plot: A modern musical that tells the love story between a jazz musician and an aspiring actress in the bustling city of Los Angeles.
Clerks
- Director: Kevin Smith
- Release Date: 1994
- IMDB Score: 7.7
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
- Starring: Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti
- Platform: Netflix
- Filming Locations: New Jersey, USA
- Plot: A low-budget indie film that follows a day in the life of two store clerks, providing a humorous and authentic portrayal of the mundane challenges of working in retail.
Conclusion
Indulge in the nostalgia and artistic brilliance of the silver screen with Netflix’s handpicked collection of the 10 best black and white movies on Netflix. Each film is a testament to the power of storytelling, offering a glimpse into the golden age of cinema. So, dim the lights, immerse yourself in the rich monochrome visuals, and let these cinematic masterpieces transport you to a world where the magic of storytelling knows no bounds.
