With the recent onslaught of made-for-streaming television shows and B-rated movies, many of the more “refined” film-buffs are quick to dismiss Netflix in their relentless quest for dinner party conversation topics. However, Netflix offers a large and varied collection of film — perfect for an initial introduction into the world of pretentious and unhappy cinephiles.

While not as robust in its selection as dedicated film streaming sites like FilmStruck (or Hulu before it dropped its Criterion selection), Netflix is still one of the perfect places to follow your dream and achieve true pretentiousness. Because many of these films deal with strong thematic material or content, be sure to look at the ratings and IMDb’s parental guidance before watching some of these.

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• “Nightcrawler” (2014, dir. Dan Gilroy)  →  Thriller

Few performances in recent memory are as memorable as Jake Gyllenhaal as the creepy Louis Bloom in “Nightcrawler”.  The acting, the atmosphere, and the cinematography complement each other so well to create everything that “Nightcrawler” is: dark, intense and engrossing.

• “Punch-Drunk Love” (2002, dir. Paul Thomas Anderson) →  Romance

Did I put an Adam Sandler movie on this list? Absolutely. This is the Adam Sandler movie – the movie that almost won him an Oscar for Best Actor. Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the best directors in recent memory and as an auteur, his works are all phenomenal. “Punch-Drunk Love” is certainly no exception.

• “Mr. Nobody” (2009, dir. Jaco Van Dormael) →  Science Fiction

An interesting science-fiction film that deals with choice and love, “Mr. Nobody” is an ambitious piece — maybe even too ambitious at times. Overall, its heart overcomes its faults. Its exploration of human nature is intricate and complex; the performances are heartfelt and genuine.

• “It Follows” (2014, dir. David Robert Mitchell) →  Horror

Between “The Witch” and “It Follows”, art horror has become a growing sub-genre. It works as a strong allegorical piece but its true merit is in its strong dedication to the medium. While the film isn’t as terrifying as some horror pieces, it’s gorgeous and unsettlingly eerie.

• “Y Tu Mamá También” (2001, dir. Alfonso Cuarón) →  Drama

“Y Tu Mamá También” is perhaps Cuarón’s best piece. A coming-of-age story to beat all others, the film is a masterpiece on all levels. The cinematography is so startlingly nostalgic and emotional due to the expertise of one of the best known cinematographers in Hollywood: Emmanuel Lubezki.

• “Atonement” (2007, dir. Joe Wright) →  Period Drama

From the director of “Pride and Prejudice”, “Atonement” will appeal to fans of mid-20th century dramas. Wright’s directorial strength shines strongly with this piece and the performances from both Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are astonishing in their depth.  

• “The Way He Looks” (2014, dir. Daniel Ribeiro) →  Romance

Definitely the lightest of the movies on the list, “The Way He Looks” is the full-feature adaptation of the short film entitled “Eu Não Quero Voltar Sozinho”, or “I Don’t Want to Go Home Alone”. This film is light and romantic and beautiful — the perfect relaxation movie.

• “Güeros” (2014, dir. Alonso Ruizpalacios) →  Drama

Ruizpalacios’ “Güeros” is understated: It’s not flashy, it doesn’t boast big name actors and it isn’t loud. It’s a road trip movie à la “Y Tu Mamá También” but its intent is political. While not very well known outside of the Spanish speaking audiences, “Güeros” is incredibly good.

• “Carol” (2015, dir. Todd Haynes) →  Romance

One of the films that remind you how beautiful the medium can be, “Carol” is beautiful and romantic and so deeply heartfelt. The performances of Blanchett and Mara carry the entire film so well that watching them interact in any manner is mesmerizing.

• “Requiem for a Dream” (2000, dir. Darren Aronofsky) →  Drama

Aronofsky is not known for easy films; as a director, his films most recently with his new movie “mother!” is one of the most controversial films of the year. “Requiem for a Dream” provides a valuable addition to the conversation on the effects of drug abuse on a community. Note, the heavy thematic elements make this a tough watch.

OTHER TOP PICKS: “Oldboy”, “Pulp Fiction”, “Zodiac”, “Moonrise Kingdom”, “Full Metal Jacket”, “Memento”, “We Need to Talk About Kevin”, “Amelie”, “Babel”, “Frank”, “Tangerine”, “Weekend”, “Frances Ha”, “Train to Busan”, “Sing Street”, “Closet Monster”, Pariah”, “Advantageous”, “Girlhood”, “Respire”