Amidst a depressing period for the film industry, a number of excellent films made their streaming debut this year (after their theatrical releases were cancelled due to the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns). Here’s our pick of FIVE critically-acclaimed films to catch on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video this Christmas:

Film: Da 5 Bloods
Release Date: 12 June 2020
Platform: Netflix

Directed by Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing, BlacKkKlansman), “Da 5 Bloods” follows a group of four ageing US Army soldiers who return to Vietnam in search of the remains of their fallen squad leader, as well as the treasure they had buried while serving in the Vietnam War.

The film stars Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Jonathan Majors and the late Chadwick Boseman.

Delroy Lindo’s performance was unanimously hailed by critics and is likely to fetch the 68-year-old a nomination in the “Best Supporting Actor” category at the 93rd Academy Awards.

Watch “Da 5 Bloods” trailer below:

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Film: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Release 23 October 2020
Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Directed by Jason Woliner (The Last Man on Earth), this sequel to 2006’s Borat follows Kazakh journalist Borat (Sacha Baron Cohen) travelling to the USA to “gift” his 15-year-old daughter (Maria Bakalova) to Vice President Mike Pence in an attempt to forge closer ties between the US and Kazakhstan.

Amazon bought the worldwide distribution rights in September and dropped the mockumentary on its streaming platform on 23 October. Upon its release, the film drew praise from critics for performances of Sacha Baron Cohen and Maria Bakalova and for its portrayal of American culture. At the same time, the sequel was also criticised for its stereotypical portrayal of people from Kazakhstan and for playing a prank on US President Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani.

Watch Borat 2 trailer below:

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Film: Mank
Release 04 December 2020
Platform: Netflix

The critically-acclaimed David Fincher-directorial follows American screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and his battles with legendary director Orson Welles over screenplay credit for Citizen Kane (1941), regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.

Gary Oldman plays the titular role, supported by Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, Tom Pelphrey, Arliss Howard, Sam Troughton, Tuppence Middleton and Charles Dance.

Critics unanimously praised Oldman’s performance as well as that of the supporting cast, Fincher’s directorial style, Erik Messerschmidt’s cinematography, Donald Graham Burt’s production design and Trish Summerville’s costumes.

“Mank” is Fincher’s 11th feature film and his first since 2014’s Gone Girl.

Watch Mank trailer below:

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Film: Soorarai Pottru
Release 12 November 2020
Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Tamil-language film “Soorarai Pottru”, which translates to “Praise the brave”, follows the story of a rebellious Indian villager (Suriya) with entrepreneurial dreams who takes on an aviation industry bigwig and corrupt bureaucracy who come in his way of starting a new airline and making air travel affordable for the poor.

The aviation drama, directed by Sudha Kongara, released to rave reviews from critics upon its release on Amazon Prime Video in November. The film is currently competing for a “Best Foreign Language Film” nomination at Golden Globes 2021.

Watch “Soorarai Pottru” trailer below:

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Film: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Release 18 December 2020
Platform: Netflix

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” focusses on a fateful recording session of African-American professional blues singer Ma Rainey in 1920s Chicago.

The acclaimed drama, directed by George Costello Wolfe (Nights in Rodanthe), stars Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder), Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) in his final film appearance, Glynn Turman (The Wire), Colman Domingo (Fear the Walking Dead), Michael Potts (The Wire) and Taylour Paige (Hit the Floor).

Viola Davis is expected to bag a “Best Actress” nomination for her portrayal of Ma Rainey and the late Chadwick Boseman is likely to get a posthumous “Best Actor” nod at 2021 Oscars.

Watch “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” trailer below: