A loose adaptation of the novel Oil by Upton Sinclair, There Will Be Blood is an epic drama that follows the life of Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis), a silver miner who becomes a self-made oil tycoon. After learning about a small town blessed with a gushing oil well, Daniel and his son head to the nondescript place to the West in the hope that they can strike gold. The masterpiece work  from Paul Thomas Anderson is considered the greatest movie ever made in the 21st century.  The epic film shows how corruption, conflicts and deception imperil the life of the villainous protagonist even as a well of oil resources increases their fortunes. The father-son bond also becomes an unlikely casualty as greed and deception take the better of them. Here we have put together a list of the must-see drama films, some of which you can stream on Netflix or Amazon Prime.

7. Road To Perdition (2002)

A beautifully constructed mobster movie, Sam Mendes’ Road to Perdition explores the deep bond between a father and his son who are out to punish the tormentors of their family.  Hitman Micheal O’Sullivan (Tom Hanks) and son are on the run after Connor (Daniel Craig), son of John Rooney (Paul Newman) kills his wife and youngest son who happened to witness a hit.  Tom produces a stately performance as he sets out for retribution for Connor’s brutal murders.  

6. The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

It is a fictionalized tale of the Boleyn family of 16th century England, that goes by theme of romance, betrayal and intrigue. Though not historically accurate, The Other Boleyn Girl is a sumptuous historic treat to eyes, depicting the rise and fall of the family caused by ever ambitious, power hungry men and women. It is set against the backdrop of 16th century Europe and is driven by the greedy family of the two beautiful sisters – Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson) who are out to win the love of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana).

5. Taxi Driver (1976)

An American psychological drama, Taxi Driver is a must on the watchlist of any movie buff. Taxi Driver has a hard-hitting story with Robert De Niro in the lead role as Travis Bickle, an insomniac and lonewolf cabbie in New York City. The masterpiece from Martin Scorsese is a tad slow but blessed with a brilliant narrative style. Haunted and disturbed night roamer Bickle remains completely detached from the world of reality and becomes obsessed with saving the world. 

4. Schindler’s List (1993)

Sombre and horrific, this epic historical drama directed by Steven Speilberg is adapted from Schindler’s Ark, a novel  by Thomas Keneally based on a true story. Schindler’s List exposes the sheer horror of the brutal Holocaust and gas chamber nightmare during German-occupied Poland during World War II, with elements of  typical humanisam from Steven Spielberg. Just as World War II starts, businessman Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) reaches Krakow to make a big fortune using the Jewish war prisoners. The horror of the Jewsish workers form the rest of the story.

3. Joker (2019)

Joker is an american psychological drama from Todd Philips, that follows Arthur Fleks (Joaquin Phoenix, a lonely failed comedian   suffering from a special condition that causes him to laugh uncontrollably. The movie is known for Phoenix’s feral performance as a failed joker who has to live with constant insults and bullying from others. Phoenix wins Oscar for the brilliant showing in this disturbing drama.

2. 12 Angry Men (1957)

Based on a teleplay of the same name, this American courtroom drama is a examination of the jury system that prevents a miscarriage of justice. It is a well-written one-room movie by Sidney Lumet that tells the story of a jury of 12 men who deliberate the trial of an 18-year-old on the basis of valid doubts. The movie exposes the power one holds to influence and change the outcome of justice. 12 Angry Men stars Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb and Martin Balsam.

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) 

Written and directed by Frank Darabont, The Shawshank Redemption is a well-constructed jail break film, adapted from 1982 Stephen King novella Rita and Shawshank Redemption. The movie is marked by performances from Morgan Freeman (Red) and Tim Robbins (Andu Dufresne), and is the most uplifting prison drama. Handed two life terms for murdering his wife and her lover, banker Andy was sent to the most hostile and toughest prison where he carried out a jailbreak alone.