The 15 best classic movies on Netflix right now

The streamer has a large library of timeless treasures.

The best part about classic movies is that there are more and more of them with each passing year. That said, to ensure true timelessness, we only included selections made before 2004. Netflix has classic movies of all genres, for every taste group and age range. In addition to older features like American Graffiti (1973) and The Guns of Navarone (1961), there are also more modern heavyweights like Something's Gotta Give (2003) and Oldboy (2003).

Join EW as we highlight the 15 best classic movies on Netflix right now.

Amadeus (1984)

The world of classical music is much more entertaining than you could ever imagine, as this Best Picture winner proves. Milos Forman's epic music biopic chronicles the (fictional) rivalry between the composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. Based loosely on the real-life rumors that Salieri murdered Mozart, Amadeus takes creative license by composing a richly entertaining story of envy, sabotage, and wounded pride. In addition to its Best Picture win, Amadeus won seven other Oscars, including Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham for his virtuosic performance as Salieri. —Kevin Jacobsen

Where to watch Amadeus: Netflix

Director: Milos Forman

Cast: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Simon Callow, Roy Dotrice, Christine Ebersole, Jeffrey Jones, Charles Kay

Related content: The 25 greatest Best Actor winners in Oscar history

American Graffiti (1973)

George Lucas' nostalgic coming-of-age dramedy is an earnest ode to his formative years growing up in Modesto, Calif., in the early-1960s. Centering on a group of friends hanging out on the last day of summer vacation, American Graffiti is a slice-of-life film that follows their exploits over the course of the night. Some deal with relationship problems, while others are more concerned with celebrating their last night in their hometown before the rest of their lives begin. Told in a series of dreamy vignettes (aided by a killer soundtrack), the film transports the viewer back to a specific time and place, a snapshot of life before it got messy and complicated. —K.J.

Where to watch American Graffiti: Netflix

Director: George Lucas

Cast: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Cindy Williams, Wolfman Jack

Related content: Why nostalgia movies leave us dazed (but not confused)

Animal House (1978)

Like most gross-out comedies, Animal House received mixed reviews during its initial release, despite being hailed as a true comedy classic. The film follows college freshmen Larry and Kent as they find community in the form of the Delta Tau Chi fraternity. The frat frequently faces the threat of being dissolved by the college's dean, and numerous hijinks ensue. The film made a movie star of John Belushi and imprinted itself on the world of colleges and universities for decades. As EW's critic writes, "As obvious, grotesque, and sexist as much of its humor was, Animal House was stupidly funny." —K.J.

Where to watch Animal House: Netflix

EW grade: B– (read the review)

Director: John Landis

Cast: John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Tom Hulce, Donald Sutherland

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Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

Based on the real-life story of war veteran Ron Kovic, Born on the Fourth of July is a gripping story of a man losing faith. Tom Cruise plays Kovic, whose experience in the Vietnam War left him paralyzed and disillusioned with his country's leadership. He channeled his anger into protest, becoming a prominent figure in the anti-war movement. Cruise delivers one of his best performances as he tracks Kovic's growing cynicism upon realizing how little support is being given to him and his fellow veterans. The film earned eight Academy Award nominations, with Oliver Stone winning his second Oscar for Best Director. —K.J.

Where to watch Born on the Fourth of July: Netflix

EW grade: N/A (read the review)

Director: Oliver Stone

Cast: Tom Cruise, Kyra Sedgwick, Raymond J. Barry, Jerry Levine, Frank Whaley, Willem Dafoe

Related content: 10 best movies about veterans' experience

Boyz N the Hood (1991)

Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.), an aspiring college student, dreams big while trying to survive the streets of South Central L.A. in this absorbing coming-of-age drama. A war between rival gangs begins when Tre's childhood friend Doughboy (Ice Cube) is released from prison and now a member of the Crips. After the Bloods start conflict with Ricky (Morris Chestnut), the tension between the gangs reaches a breaking point. Writer-director John Singleton earned heaps of praise for the film including two Oscar nominations. EW's critic notes of Singleton's direction: "Through dialogue and atmosphere, he establishes how the cult of violence — of guns, and the neurotic masculine power they represent — has, in an era of hopelessness, become a face-saving religion for Black urban youth, one that’s working to devour all nonbelievers." —K.J.

Where to watch Boyz N the Hood: Netflix

EW grade: B– (read the review)

Director: John Singleton

Cast:  Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Morris Chestnut, Laurence Fishburne, Nia Long, Angela Bassett, Regina King

Related content: Boyz N the Hood director, stars look back on the groundbreaking drama

The Guns of Navarone (1961)

The oldest film currently available on Netflix, The Guns of Navarone is also one of the best war films on the streamer. Taking place during World War II, the film centers on a mission by Allied forces to destroy a Nazi fortress and the two large-caliber guns preventing British troops from being rescued. Featuring an all-star cast led by Gregory Peck, David Niven, and Anthony Quinn, The Guns of Navarone is a good old-fashioned muscular adventure that earned seven Oscar nominations, winning for its special effects. —K.J.

Where to watch The Guns of Navarone: Netflix

Director: J. Lee Thompson

Cast: Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn, Stanley Baker, Anthony Quayle, Irene Papas, Gia Scala, James Darren

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L.A. Confidential (1997)

Curtis Hanson's sprawling noir homage, based on James Ellroy’s wonderful novel, follows three cops (Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kevin Spacey) tasked with solving a murder in the heart of Los Angeles. The movie is both a throwback and a recreation of the time, steeped in the glamor and mystique of old Hollywood. —Declan Gallagher

Where to watch L.A. Confidential: Netflix

EW grade: A (read the review)

Director: Curtis Hanson

Cast: Kevin Spacey, Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito

Related content: L.A. Confidential: Inside its iconic noir style

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Netflix has a full Monty Python collection, but Holy Grail is, well, the holy grail of the comedy troupe's artistic output. This sendup of Arthurian legend finds King Arthur (Graham Chapman) traversing England in the hope of recruiting knights to his Round Table. After assembling his men, God commands him to find the Holy Grail, leading to a perilous adventure with plenty a memorable sequence (shout out to those pesky knights who say "Ni.") —K.J.

Where to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Directors: Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones

Cast: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin

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A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

One of the defining slasher movies of all time, A Nightmare on Elm Street expertly dwells in the hazy state between dreams and reality. This is where Robert Englund cemented his legacy as Freddy Krueger, an undead child-murdering entity who haunts the dreams of teenagers with the intent of killing them in the real world. His metal-claw glove and disfigured face remain burnt in the brains of generations of moviegoers, as do the gnarly deaths throughout the film, including a bloody dragging across the ceiling and a hanging by bedsheets. EW ranked it as the best film of the franchise, observing, "It cuts deep, tapping into our subconscious fears — and clawing long marks that will last forever." —K.J.

Where to watch A Nightmare on Elm Street: Netflix

Director: Wes Craven

Cast: Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Johnny Depp, Ronee Blakley, John Saxon, Amanda Wyss, Nick Corri

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Oldboy (2003)

Park Chan-wook's twisted masterwork follows a man (Choi Min-sik) who, after being released from a mysterious, extended imprisonment, vows to track down his kidnappers and his long-lost daughter (Kang Hye-jung). If you’ve seen the movie — a fantasia of blood and bad taste that would give John Waters occasion to blush — you’ll know he should’ve stayed well enough away. —D.G.

Where to watch Oldboy: Netflix

EW grade: N/A (read the review)

Director: Park Chan-wook

Cast: Choi Min-sik, Kang Hye-jung, Yoo Ji-tae, Kim Byeong-ok, Yoon Jin-seo

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A Passage to India (1984)

David Lean, one of the masters of grand-scale filmmaking, went out with this thought-provoking drama about heavy themes like imperialism and unconscious bias. The 1920s-set saga begins with a British woman, Adela (Judy Davis), traveling to India with the mother of the man she's set to marry. She eventually meets a friendly local, Dr. Aziz Ahmed (Victor Banerjee), who takes her to the Marabar Caves. After Adela leaves the caves distraught and running for her life, the incident becomes a scandal when Aziz is accused of raping her. Both sweeping and intimate in its storytelling, A Passage to India has a few elements that don't entirely hold up (namely, Alec Guinness in brownface) but it's a strong throwback to the kinds of human-focused epics that don't get made much anymore. —K.J.

Where to watch A Passage to India: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: David Lean

Cast: Peggy Ashcroft, Judy Davis, James Fox, Alec Guinness, Nigel Havers, Victor Banerjee

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She's Gotta Have It (1986)

Spike Lee established with this feature directorial debut that he was going to be one of his generation's signature voices. Shot in striking black and white, She's Gotta Have It centers on Nora Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns), a Brooklyn artist who has relationships with three men, each of whom wants her to commit exclusively to them. But Nora is a free spirit who enjoys her liberation; of course, problems arise when the three men meet and decide to be more proactive about the situation. The depiction of the messy complications of polyamorous love was refreshing at the time and remains so today. Lee also adapted the story into a TV series for Netflix in the late-2010s. —K.J.

Where to watch She's Gotta Have It: Netflix

EW grade: B– (read the review)

Director: Spike Lee

Cast: Tracy Camilla Johns, Spike Lee, Tommy Redmond Hicks, John Canada Terrell

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Something's Gotta Give (2003)

Nancy Meyers' rom-com stars Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton as septuagenarians who, against their initial expectations, begin to fall in love whilst he recuperates from a health crisis at her opulent beachside estate. (Oh, and did we mention he’s dating her much-younger daughter?) This is Meyers’ best film, a well-observed character comedy that combines all of her directorial trademarks (aspirational real estate, mouth-watering food tableaus, extended running time) to a rather perfect effect. There isn’t a wrong note in the entire picture. —D.G.

Where to watch Something’s Gotta Give: Netflix

EW grade: N/A (read the review)

Director: Nancy Meyers

Cast: Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Frances McDormand, Amanda Peet, Keanu Reeves

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Starman (1984)

An alien's spacecraft is shot down as it approaches Earth, resulting in the alien crash-landing. The glowing species finds a lock of a widow's deceased husband's hair and takes on his physical form (Jeff Bridges). Jenny (Karen Allen), the astonished widow, reacts poorly at first but soon teaches him the ways of the world as he hopes to find a way back to his home planet. What could have been a cheesy sci-fi B-movie is instead a profound examination of lost souls who find each other at just the right time. "Needless to say, none of this should work," EW's critic writes, "But somehow, it does." —K.J.

Where to watch Starman: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: John Carpenter

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel

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The Thin Blue Line (1988)

With just a few clicks, you're bound to land on a true-crime documentary while scrolling through Netflix. The streamer has specialized in the format through film and TV shows that recount fascinating, grisly criminal cases, and this acclaimed documentary by Errol Morris is lauded as one of the most influential in the subgenre. The Thin Blue Line revolves around the wrongful conviction of Randall Dale Adams in the 1976 shooting of Robert W. Wood. Through reenactments and interview testimony, Morris tells a gripping story about the miscarriage of justice. —K.J.

Where to watch The Thin Blue Line: Netflix

Director: Errol Morris

Cast: Randall Dale Adams, David Ray Harris

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Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.