Top 5 Drama Films to Stream This September, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes Ratings
Nearly every major streaming service offers an extensive collection of drama films for viewers to savor.
However, if you’re seeking the finest dramatic works, subscribing to multiple platforms is often necessary.
This month, the Watch With Us team has curated a list of the top five dramas to stream from the leading services, ranked by their Rotten Tomatoes ratings.
The selection features a blend of contemporary films along with notable classics from the last four decades.
5. ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes rank: 79 percent
Jordan Belfort stands as one of America’s most notorious criminals, as his misdeeds didn’t involve violence and he largely evaded repercussions. This captivating tale is brought to life by director Martin Scorsese, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio in the role of Belfort.
The narrative captures Belfort’s meteoric rise and subsequent fall as a master manipulator in the stock market, alongside his associate Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill). This film also marked Margot Robbie‘s breakout role as Belfort’s wife, Naomi Lapaglia, showcasing her undeniable talent throughout.
The Wolf of Wall Street is available for streaming on Paramount+.
4. ‘Dead Poets Society’ (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes rank: 85 percent
Robin Williams‘ comedic legacy might overshadow his dramatic roles, yet one of his most memorable performances is in Dead Poets Society. Williams portrays John Keating, an unconventional English teacher at a 1959 all-boys school who inspires his students.
His vibrant teaching methods resonate with students like Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke), Richard Cameron (Dylan Kussman), and Knox Overstreet (Josh Charles). In tribute to Keating, the boys resurrect his former club, the Dead Poets Society, challenging authority with unforeseen consequences.
Dead Poets Society is streaming on Hulu.
3. ‘Rain Man’ (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes rank: 88 percent
Dustin Hoffman plays the elder brother that Tom Cruise‘s character never knew he had in Rain Man. For years, Charlie Babbitt (Cruise) thought he was an only child. Upon his estranged father’s death, he discovers his brother Raymond Babbitt (Hoffman), an autistic savant who spent much of his life in an institution.
Initially, Charlie seizes control of Raymond to claim their father’s estate. Yet, during their cross-country journey, Charlie learns to value his brother’s unique identity. It’s a pivotal adventure, and they might not have another chance to make things right.
Rain Man is streaming on Prime Video.
2. ‘Phantom Thread’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes rank: 91 percent
Daniel Day-Lewis collaborates once again with There Will Be Blood director Paul Thomas Anderson for the period piece Phantom Thread. Day-Lewis takes on the role of a fashion designer, Reynolds Woodcock, a brilliant but controlling creator who entrusts the operational aspects to his sister, Cyril Woodcock (Lesley Manville).
Eventually, Reynolds takes on a young muse, Alma Elson (Vicky Krieps
Phantom Thread is available on Netflix. Rotten Tomatoes rank: 94 percent We began this list with a Martin Scorsese film, so it’s fitting to conclude with another. Without Goodfellas, we wouldn’t see the likes of The Sopranos. Henry Hill remains an iconic antihero, portrayed by the late Ray Liotta with zero remorse for his choices.
While theaters are often filled with action-packed blockbusters and superhero tales, it’s the drama films that leave a lasting impression and receive the majority of prestigious accolades. The unfortunate reality is that standout dramas don’t always resonate with audiences at the box office. With few exceptions, they tend to attract a smaller crowd.
Throughout the ’60s and ’70s, Hill and his companions, James “Jimmy” Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), carve out their niche within the mafia scene—despite not being Italian. Yet Hill’s insatiable desire for more drives him to break mafia rules, risking friendships and ties to his criminal family. Goodfellas can be streamed on HBO Max.1. ‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
