If you are stuck in an endless cycle of searching for new movies, yet end up watching your favourite sitcom, hope this list helps you discover newer movies and feed your needs to venture into different genres.

Occasionally, Netflix brings up new movies from big production houses, but often than not the smaller gems are more precious for a modestly sized screen.

1. BULBBUL

Set in late 19^th century Bengal, Bulbbul is an aesthetically pleasing and highly feminist movie. Using the supernatural- horror genre, Anvita Dutt’s striking debut unleashes the story of a wide-eyed child bride whose quest for a kindred soul and kindness pulls her deep into peril. Not only the movie unfolds the secrets behind the grand walls for havelis, but also re-introduces us to harsh reality where women have to suffer in silence. The horror quotient takes us back to our childhood stories of ‘chudail with ultey pair’ perfectly complimented by the red palette of the movie and Amit Trivedi’s music that lulls you. The movie is a perfect balance for all the horror lovers and for those who can’t bear jump scares!

2. TO ALL THE BOYS I HAVE LOVED BEFORE

Every generation has a high school romance movie, and this is the one for the Gen-Zs! Based on Jenny Han’s hit novel, the movie is based on Lara Jean and her (not so) secret love letters she wrote to all her crushes over the years, yet never posted. The secret soon comes out and in the fear of unveiling her love for her neighbour Josh, she makes a deal with the school’s heartthrob Peter Kavinsky to start a fake relationship. The movie gives us unrealistic expectations of steamy hot tub romance and putting each other’s picture as wallpaper. Yet, delivers a hope for all the gen-Zers that their crush too will save our scrunchie on their wrist. With its mean girls, preposterously lavish school trips, ludicrous teen parties, and weird American sports To All The Boys ends up being familiar in all the right way. Even if it’s not quite true love, it’s a real giddy crush. 

3. EAT PRAY LOVE

This list was incomplete without a classic! Eat pray love revolves around an independent woman tired of continually breaking up and bouncing back into relationships with men. In the spirit of reshaping her life, Liz decides to reshape her life by taking a year round trip to Italy, India and ending in Bali, filled with the zeal of globe- trotting and soul searching. The film manages to carry you through its cross-country journey, peppered with scenic locales and attention-grabbing characters, the credit for which goes to Julia Roberts. Each trip has its own special place in Liz’s extravagant itinerary. With falling in love with pasta in Italy, getting adorned in sarees and flowers in India, and lastly, doing some soul searching in Bali, Liz has a time of her life, giving the viewers a virtual trip and sending them on an emotional journey.

4. THE KNIGHT BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS

It can’t be Christmas for whole year, but we sure can immerse ourselves in the spirit of holidays by watching Christmas movies! Christmas classic are here to stay, but this Vanessa Hudgens starrer movie is here to stay. The story revolves around a girl accidently hurting a 14^th century knight who has time travelled his way to modernity. While everyone believes its memory loss, brooke (vanessa Hudgens) actually believes its magic and takes care of her. While the plot is unrealistic, the movie is a true blue modern fairy tale, where the 14^th century knight finally got his modern princess. Isn’t that the true spirit of chritmas? A perfect light hearted movie for the whole family to enjoy on Christmas eve!

5. MASAAN

 The film begins with a woman watching porn. Sex and death follow. The first 15 minutes are so startling and sad that you sit up and wonder, what’s coming next? Set up on the ghats of Varanasi, follows two heart-breaking tales; that of Devi whose life is condemned after she is caught in the act. And that of a lower-caste boy Deepak, who falls in love with an upper-caste girl. While devi is unabashedly shamed by the society and her own family, we see a blooming romance between the young couple. Masaan might be yet another movie showcasing the atrocities of women and caste system, but the acting and the depth is unmatched ny any other!