Netflix Fans Say This Movie Is the Best of the Decade

Since its release on Netflix in 2018, Alfonso Cuarón’s ‘Roma’ has steadily built a reputation among subscribers as one of the streaming platform’s most significant achievements of the decade. The Spanish-language, black-and-white drama has connected with viewers in a profound way, earning passionate praise across social media platforms and review sites. Beyond its initial awards season buzz, ‘Roma’ has maintained remarkable staying power in cultural conversations, with many Netflix fans arguing it represents the pinnacle of cinematic storytelling on the platform during the 2010s.

The Movie That Took Netflix by Storm

When ‘Roma’ first appeared in Netflix’s catalog in December 2018, it marked a significant shift in how streaming platforms approached prestige cinema. The film quickly generated substantial viewership despite being a foreign-language, black-and-white art film—categories traditionally considered challenging for mainstream audience engagement. Within weeks of its release, ‘Roma’ became a cultural touchpoint, with viewers across the globe sharing their emotional responses to Cuarón’s semi-autobiographical story centered on a domestic worker in 1970s Mexico City.

What distinguished ‘Roma’ from other Netflix releases was its deliberate artistic vision. Shot in stunning 65mm black-and-white by Cuarón himself (who served as his own cinematographer), the film’s meticulous visual composition and sound design created an immersive experience that many viewers found transformative. Netflix’s willingness to support such an uncompromising artistic vision signaled a new era for streaming content, demonstrating that challenging, director-driven projects could find substantial audiences on the platform.

Why Fans Are Calling It the Best of the Decade

The passionate response to ‘Roma’ stems largely from its emotional authenticity and technical mastery. Fans frequently cite the film’s ability to create profound emotional connections through seemingly ordinary moments—the rhythms of domestic life, the subtle dynamics between family members, and the quiet dignity of its protagonist Cleo (played by first-time actor Yalitza Aparicio, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance).

On platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and Letterboxd, viewers continue to share deeply personal responses to the film years after its release. Many describe being moved to tears by specific scenes, particularly the beach sequence that serves as the film’s emotional climax. Others point to how the film’s exploration of class, gender, and family dynamics has influenced their understanding of these social structures. The film’s ability to communicate universal human experiences while remaining firmly rooted in its specific cultural context has been frequently cited as evidence of its exceptional artistic achievement.

Critical Acclaim and Audience Reception

‘Roma’ represents a rare alignment between critical consensus and passionate audience response. The film holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 91 on Metacritic, placing it among the most acclaimed films of the decade by professional standards. Critics praised Cuarón’s direction, the naturalistic performances, the stunning black-and-white cinematography, and the film’s emotional resonance.

This critical acclaim translated into unprecedented awards recognition for a Netflix release. ‘Roma’ earned ten Academy Award nominations and won three Oscars, including Best Director and Best Foreign Language Film. It also claimed the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and numerous critics’ association awards. While it narrowly missed winning Best Picture (losing to ‘Green Book’ in a controversial decision), many film scholars and Netflix subscribers consider it the superior artistic achievement that has grown in stature since its release.

The Impact on Netflix and Streaming Culture

‘Roma’ fundamentally altered Netflix’s position within the film industry. Prior to its release, the streaming platform was primarily known for convenient access to existing content and original series. After ‘Roma,’ Netflix established itself as a legitimate producer of prestigious cinema capable of competing with traditional studios for top talent and awards recognition.

The film’s success directly influenced Netflix’s subsequent content strategy, leading to partnerships with acclaimed filmmakers like Martin Scorsese (‘The Irishman’), Noah Baumbach (‘Marriage Story’), and Jane Campion (‘The Power of the Dog’). Industry analysts have noted how ‘Roma’ helped legitimize streaming platforms as destinations for serious cinema rather than merely convenient alternatives to theatrical viewing. For many cinephiles, the film represented proof that the streaming era could produce works of lasting artistic significance comparable to classic cinema of previous generations.

Conclusion: A Decade-Defining Film

As we assess the cinematic landscape of the 2010s, ‘Roma’ stands as a watershed moment both for Netflix and for film culture more broadly. Its unique combination of artistic excellence, emotional depth, and cultural specificity earned it a dedicated following who continue to champion it as the decade’s finest achievement. While such designations inevitably involve subjective judgment, the film’s lasting impact on viewers and on the streaming industry provides objective evidence of its significance.

‘Roma’ demonstrated how streaming platforms could serve as homes for ambitious, personal filmmaking that might otherwise struggle to find wide distribution. Its success helped redefine expectations for what streaming content could achieve artistically while remaining accessible to global audiences. Whether or not it ultimately deserves the title of the decade’s best film, ‘Roma’ undeniably helped shape the evolving relationship between technology, art, and audience in ways that will continue influencing cinema for years to come.