Top 10 Best Drama Films on Netflix

Blue Eyes is a novel by Nguyễn Nhật Ánh, part of his series about teenage love, alongside 'The Little Devil' and 'The Girl From Yesterday.' This work is considered one of his finest, and was translated into Japanese by Kato Sakae under the title 'つぶらな瞳.' After director Victor Vũ adapted it into a film, it became the highest-grossing movie in Vietnam up until 2020.

'Blue Eyes' weaves a complex web of relationships between the characters. The story begins in the childhood of Ngạn (Trần Nghĩa) and Hà Lan (Trúc Anh). They grow up together, sharing both joys and sorrows until Hà Lan moves to the city. The once innocent girl with blue eyes falls into temptation through Dũng (Trần Phong), yet Ngạn remains by her side, silently protecting her. He ends up becoming an unintended father figure for her daughter, Trà Long (Khánh Vân).

Blue Eyes is a heartfelt and poignant film, evoking deep emotions as it explores the fates of Hà Lan, Ngạn, Trà Long, and teacher Hồng (Thảo Tâm). The film grossed 180 billion VND at the box office after its release.

The Victory Ship - Space Sweepers (2021) follows the exciting journey of astronauts aboard the Victory spaceship, tasked with collecting recyclable debris in space. The Victory ship is equipped with a powerful and versatile engine, making it one of the most advanced in the universe. However, everything changes when Dorothy, a robot, is introduced aboard the ship, altering its entire course.

'The Victory Ship' is set to be a blockbuster sci-fi film from South Korea, exploring the theme of space exploration, and is slated for release on February 5 on streaming platforms. With a runtime of 2 hours and 17 minutes, it promises to immerse viewers in a future where humans can freely explore the vastness of space with cutting-edge technology.

Set in the year 2092, the story follows Tae-ho, one of four characters attempting to escape Earth, which is being destroyed by environmental pollution. During their escape, they accidentally uncover a secret related to human-shaped robots created by the government for personal use.

The film is directed by Jo Sung-hee and stars famous Korean actors such as Song Joong Ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu, and Yoo Hae-jin.

12 Strong is a 2018 American war action film directed by Nicolai Fuglsig, written by Ted Tally and Peter Craig. The film is set just hours after the historic September 11 attacks, which claimed nearly a thousand lives. Once the U.S. identifies the enemy as terrorist forces in Afghanistan, a team of 12 elite soldiers is sent to the unfamiliar territory. They carry the weight of their country’s security on their shoulders as they embark on this dangerous mission.

To adapt to the desert battlefield and face immense challenges, these soldiers, who had never been trained to fight on horseback, learn to become true cavalrymen. They earn the trust of Afghan rebels and fight alongside local forces. Throughout the conflict, the 12 American soldiers and their Afghan allies are vastly outnumbered by the Taliban forces, but they vow to fight heroically to the end.

Amidst the chaos of bombs and bullets, the image of these brave soldiers riding horses, engaging in hand-to-hand combat with Taliban tanks and artillery, has left a lasting impression on audiences. Despite a modest budget of $35 million—small compared to typical Hollywood war films—the action sequences in '12 Strong' deliver a thrilling and visually stunning experience. For the real-life soldiers, seeing their heroic actions portrayed on screen brings them a sense of pride and fulfillment.

Night in Paradise (2020) is a South Korean thriller directed and written by Park Hoon-jung. The film stars Uhm Tae-goo, Jeon Yeo-be, and Cha Seung-won. It had its world premiere at the 77th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2020, before streaming on Netflix on April 9, 2021. Park, known for his expertise in crime dramas, returns with a gripping tale full of blood-spattered action scenes and an engaging storyline.

The film opens with a chilling scene featuring bodyguard Tae-gu (Uhm Tae-goo), as he watches helplessly over a group of tied-up prisoners, sensing that something terrible is about to happen. Tae-gu is the trusted right-hand man of Yang, a feared and powerful mob boss. After visiting his ill sister and young niece, Tae-gu unknowingly delivers a bomb disguised as a gift, resulting in a deadly explosion.

Though Tae-gu’s face shows little emotion, he’s deeply shaken by the events and suspects that Yang's rival, mob boss Doh, orchestrated the attack to lure him away. This leads to a deadly confrontation in a sauna, where Tae-gu’s distinctive dragon tattoo is revealed. After eliminating the Doh faction, Tae-gu becomes a target and is advised to flee to Vladivostok, with a stopover in Jeju Island, where he finds refuge with Kuto, a weapons dealer, and his sharp-tongued niece Jae-yeon (Jeon Yeo-be).

Despite her tough exterior, Jae-yeon is suffering from a terminal illness, often remarking that her life is short. Back in Seoul, Yang instigates a bloody gang war and loses control. In a tense meeting between gang leaders, a deal for peace is brokered, but Yang fears for his life, shifting the blame onto Tae-gu and setting a trap. As Tae-gu and Jae-yeon grow closer, their bond is tested when a group of mysterious hitmen targets him. The film culminates in a thrilling chase on a farm, where Tae-gu fights for his survival.

The film follows the tense and relentless journey of a single mother, Furiosa (Ngô Thanh Vân), as she faces off against a ruthless international crime syndicate involved in human trafficking and organ trade. Furiosa has just 14 hours to save her kidnapped daughter, Mai (Mai Cát Vy), from the clutches of this dangerous group. Along the way, she battles vicious criminals who are ready to kill anyone standing in their path. Every mistake she makes could cost her and her daughter their lives.

Born into a martial arts family, Furiosa’s father trained her from an early age, but she eventually left home and became a notorious figure in Saigon’s underworld. When she discovered she was pregnant, she retreated to a remote countryside to raise her daughter, Mai. Now 10 years old, Mai is kidnapped while playing near a river. Furiosa fights off several criminals and gives chase, but the kidnappers escape by boat while she is unable to keep up on her motorcycle.

Determined, Furiosa hitches a ride on a truck to Saigon, where she seeks help from her old friend, Hương, at a bar. Hương refuses and advises her to go to the police. At the police station, Furiosa uncovers that her daughter’s kidnappers are part of a larger syndicate involved in child abduction and organ harvesting. She steals sensitive documents and begins her own investigation. She confronts Trực, a member of the gang, and after a brutal fight, forces him to reveal their hideout.

Furiosa locates the criminals’ hideout and finds her daughter, along with other children, held captive. She defeats several thugs, but is no match for Thanh Sói, the gang’s deadly female leader. Before passing out, Furiosa hears the kidnappers’ plans to transport the children by train to Phan Thiết. The criminals try to kill her by dumping her in the river, but the police rescue her. After recovering in the hospital, she meets Lương, a police officer investigating the abductions. The police want to keep her out of the way, but Furiosa escapes with the help of a kind nurse.

She then seeks refuge at her brother’s house, but the two argue. She later joins Lương again to find the train carrying the children. Onboard, a fierce battle breaks out between Furiosa, Lương, and Thanh Sói’s henchmen. Furiosa faces Thanh Sói one more time and is brutally beaten. Just when it seems like all hope is lost, she recalls her father’s words about resilience and fights back fiercely. In a final showdown, Furiosa defeats Thanh Sói with a well-placed strike. The police arrive, and the remaining criminals are arrested, freeing the children. Furiosa is reunited with Mai, and the story ends with Mai asking her mother to teach her martial arts.

Fatherhood (2021) is a heartfelt comedy-drama directed by Paul Weitz, based on Matthew Logelin’s 2011 memoir, *Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love*. The film stars Kevin Hart, Alfre Woodard, and Frankie R. Faison.

The story begins in tragedy. Matt’s (Hart) wife, Liz, tragically dies after childbirth, leaving behind their newborn daughter, Maddie. Just one day after giving birth, Liz suddenly struggles to breathe, and doctors diagnose her with acute pulmonary embolism, causing her untimely death. The somber, lonely funeral scene reflects the immense hardships Matt is about to face. Liz’s parents (Woodard and Faison) offer for Matt to move in with them, but he decides to stay in Boston and raise Maddie alone. This decision leads to both the joys and challenges of single fatherhood as Matt juggles everything from changing diapers to feeding his baby girl.

Thankfully, Matt is not alone. His two quirky friends—Anthony Carrigan’s lovable, messy character and a charming but clumsy Don Juan—offer their help along the way. The film humorously explores the life of a bachelor dad who is awkwardly learning how to care for his daughter. From diapers strewn across the room to Maddie’s playful antics that keep Matt constantly on his toes, the comedy intensifies when he even has to bring her to the office. Maddie turns the workplace upside down and disrupts important presentations.

The film presents the humorous side of fatherhood and domestic life, highlighting the challenges and amusing moments of a man learning to be both a dad and a homemaker. It’s an entertaining and touching story that captures the real-life chaos and beauty of fatherhood, showcasing the clumsy but endearing journey of a father raising his daughter alone.

Enola Holmes is a thrilling 2020 film directed by Harry Bradbeer and written by Jack Thorne, based on the first book in the *Enola Holmes* series by Nancy Springer. Released on Netflix, the movie follows the adventures of Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown), the brilliant younger sister of the world-famous detective Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill).

The story focuses on the sharp-witted Enola, who often outshines her older brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, with her intelligence. On her 16th birthday, Enola’s mother mysteriously disappears, prompting Enola to seek help from her brothers. However, eager to solve the mystery on her own, she leaves London and embarks on a journey to find her mother. Along the way, she becomes inadvertently entangled in a political conspiracy that could change the course of history.

Gái Già Lắm Chiêu V - Royal Lives tells the story of three sisters: Lý Lệ Hà (NSND Lê Khanh), Lý Lệ Hồng (NSND Hồng Vân), and Lý Linh (Kaity Nguyễn). The Lý family resides in the extravagant Bạch Trà Villa, surrounded by priceless antiques, including a sacred artifact: the “Three-Tailed Phoenix Robe,” coveted by the elite. One day, the youngest sister, Lý Linh, unexpectedly returns home with her own plans, sparking a series of turbulent events and unveiling devastating secrets within the Lý family.

The plot revolves around these three sisters, living in a mysterious family known for their antique business, with the legendary phoenix robe and an ancient curse—only when the red flowers bloom in the Bạch Trà garden can the Lý sisters marry.

The drama unfolds when Lý Linh (Kaity Nguyễn) returns from Saigon to Huế to claim the Phoenix Robe, which is currently in the possession of her eldest sister. Fortunately, Lý Lệ Hà (NSND Lê Khanh) assigns Linh the task of purchasing the robe at an upcoming auction. However, disaster strikes when the robe goes missing during the auction at Bạch Trà Villa. To save the family's reputation, Lệ Hà pretends to fall down the stairs, sending the guests home, but refuses to let Lý Linh report the incident to the police, hiding something deep within her intentions.

Lý Linh uncovers the truth when she discovers Jonathan Vĩnh Thuỵ (Khương Lê) in the room where the robe was kept during the night of the robbery. She approaches him to retrieve the stolen item, only to realize that she is also a pawn in the game of Lâm Quách (Sĩ Nguyễn) and her boyfriend Quách Gia Huy (Anh Dũng). In her desperation, Linh confides in Vĩnh Thuỵ, and the two begin to realize their growing feelings for each other.

The truth eventually comes to light when Lý Lệ Hồng (NSND Hồng Vân) returns the robe to her sister, and long-buried stories are resurfaced. After a conversation with Thục Lan, secrets from decades ago are revealed, leaving all three sisters unsettled. Lý Linh, unable to accept the painful truth, decides to leave, unveiling the true nature of her identity.

After We Fell (2021) is a romantic drama directed by Castille Landon, based on the adult fiction novel by Anna Todd. Released in European countries on September 1, 2021, and in the United States on September 30, this film continues the journey of Tessa and Hardin. The movie explores Tessa’s life-changing decisions, which turn everything upside down. Revelations about her family, followed by shocking secrets about Hardin, throw all their prior beliefs into doubt, making their future together even more uncertain. As they face obstacles and unearth painful truths, their relationship becomes more fragile, testing their love and their ability to trust each other.

The Star Teacher follows the story of Hoàng (Huyme), a man who has dreamed of being a singer since childhood. However, with limited talent, he ends up as a music teacher. After getting into debt, Hoàng escapes to a remote island, far from the internet and his dreams of fame. The island is home to five mischievous kids, each with their quirks—one who’s always crying, another good at soccer but has bad breath, one who constantly misbehaves in class, and the last who’s always late and has an alcoholic father. There’s little on the island to hold Hoàng back, except for the enthusiastic village chief and his daughter, who’s a skilled craftswoman.

Opportunity knocks when Hoàng writes a catchy song and shoots a music video with the kids on the beautiful island. With the help of Sâm (Miu Lê), they believe the video will go viral. But once again, Hoàng faces the reality that he’s not cut out to be a singer. The film’s ending satisfies viewers, as each character finds what they truly wanted.

At first glance, the plot seems a bit far-fetched—who would be crazy enough to chase fame like Hoàng, or end up on a remote island to teach kids? Initially, the movie might not seem very promising, but the more you watch, the more it captivates and convinces you. It becomes more enjoyable as the story progresses.