If you are bored of the regular American movies on OTTs, exploring foreign films might be the next best thing to keep you entertained. Netflix has bought a few great movies made in Russia that authentically depict their history, language and lifestyle. If you are already exposed to English films set in other places, these may be a great starting point for some new variety!
Below is a list of the top 15 Russian movies streaming on Netflix.
1. Hardcore Henry
blacknerdproblems.com
A recently resurrected cyborg, Henry, must save his wife, who is also his creator, from the grasps of a psychotic villain AKAN who has telekinetic skills. Fighting along with Henry is Jimmy, who is his only hope to survive the day. The movie takes place over only one day, in Moscow, Russia.
2. Dovlatov
Netflix
The movie spans the timeline of six days in the life of the cutting-edge writer who wrote beyond the narrow views and limits of Soviet Russia in the 1970s. Sergei Dovlatov struggled to maintain and display his ability alongside poet Joseph Brodsky.
3. Black Sea
can.newonnetflix.info
A well-experienced submarine captain loses his job. He decides to get together a crew of misfits to find a sunken treasure rumored to be forgotten deep in the Black Sea. When greed and frenzy take over their travel, the mission goes south and turns into a fight for survival.
4. The Watchman
reelgood.com
Vlad, a forty-year-old watchman in an old asylum that is soon to be demolished. One night, a couple, Vera and Stas, arrive at the sanatorium. On hearing their story of being on the run from their friends and family, Vlad is reminded of his past and how he runs from it. He decides to help them stay safe and, in the process, uncover things about himself and the couple.
5. Born to Be Free
Casting light on the abuse of sea mammals, this gut-wrenching documentary reflects the difficulty of 18 Beluga whales kept in captivity for years. They were all initially intended for U.S. aquariums but were not permitted due to a new law. This left the group of Belugas to live in small tanks in Russia, and eventually, after six years of captivity, one whale died while the others were severely ill.
6. Icarus
Netflix
Set to bring to light the truth about doping in athletics, the facts uncovered by a Russian scientist turn this movie into a geopolitical mystery. Between an unexplained death and Olympic gold medals lies the story that will expose one of the largest scandals in history.
7. Loveless
ohthatfilmblog.com
A couple in Russia goes through a terrible and ugly divorce, filled with fights, blames, and tempers. They both have new partners and cannot wait to leave each other until their 12-year-old son vanishes after listening to one of their arguments.
8. Mermaid
artmargins.com
A shy little girl grows up trusting that she has a superpower to make wishes come true. But as she becomes an adult, she must face reality when she travels to Moscow and faces struggles, emotions and life head first.
9. Two Days
flixwatch
Petr Drozdov, a senior administrator from Russia, Moscow, accepts the governor’s appeal to demolish a rural museum of Russian literature. Masha is a young student who works in the museum, and she decides to plead against this and demands that it be kept safe.
10. 8 First Dates
Netflix
A crazy comic tale where the protagonists wake up in the same bed every morning, regardless of where they fall asleep. They soon realize that they are stuck in a time loop and eventually get to know each other better.
11. Chagall-Malevich
flixwatch
To recreate the world of folklore ballad and myth originally made by Marc Chagall, this film serves as an ode to his work. What unfolds on the screen is a well-dramatized display of creativity, facts, and exaggeration inspired by his dreams and wild imagination.
12. Flight Crew
popkult.org
When a distress call for help is received from a volcanic island, a Russian airliner’s airliner set out on a rescue mission. This takes them further into danger than they ever thought they’d go and turns out to be a fight for the victims’ lives as well as their own.
13. Secret Magic Control Agency
Netflix
The main characters from a popular fairy-tale for children, Hansel and Gretel, are recruited as secret agents. They are forced to use their wit, quick thinking, teamwork, and magic to find and rescue a missing king on their latest mission.
14. Fatal Illusions
IMDb
The celebrated illusionists, the Romanov brothers, put up their last show before they end their partnership. But what ensues is a tragedy as one of their assistants disappears from the tank full of water. On their stage headphones, a mystery voice claims that he has the girl and will kill her if the show does not go on, despite having messed with their equipment.
15. Break
myanmarmoviestore.com
A troupe of 3 guys and two girls goes on a holiday to celebrate New Year’s at the top of a mountain. But this quickly turns into a tragic nightmare when their cable car halts when they are crossing an abyss. Fear and desperation take over, causing a fall out between the group.
This list of movies is subject to change with additions and deletions from the current Netflix directory and incorporates some of their current best Russian movies. These are all highly rated both by the critics and the audience and are worth a watch. So, go ahead, log in to your Netflix account and start the movie that interests you today!