It’s amazing just how many critically acclaimed movies there are on Netflix that just seem to slip underneath the radar. Despite receiving Oscar nominations at the time of their release, over time, great films can fade from memory as they no longer show up at the top of the charts or as trending releases.

It’s not often a movie gains such universal acclaim that it boasts a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, this lavish praise doesn’t always translate into enduring cultural recognition. With that said, there’s one Netflix hidden gem that everyone should watch as a reminder that sometimes the best movies aren’t the most obvious or best-known picks.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Might Be Netflix’s Best Original Movie

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a powerful adaptation of August Wilson’s classic 1982 play, produced by Denzel Washington, who also brought Wilson’s work to the screen, directing Fences and later producing The Piano Lesson. As a challenging exploration of power, exploitation, race, and idenтιтy set in 1920s Chicago, Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman delivered exceptional performances.

As a tribute to the real blues singer Ma Rainey, this fiery adaptation maintained the power of Wilson’s impeccable dialogue and paired it with soulful music, period-accurate set designs, and powerhouse performances. With a focus on how white record executives profit from Black musicians and culture, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom demonstrates how the modern music industry was built on theft.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Was An Awards Darling

With an outstanding 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s not surprising that Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was a favorite during awards season and racked up an impressive five Academy Award nominations. These included Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Production Design.

While Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom ultimately took home awards for costume design and makeup, it was Boseman’s acting nomination that gained the most attention in the press. Sadly, this was Boseman’s final film role, as he died from colon cancer shortly before its release, and many felt an Oscar win would act as a touching tribute to his career.

Boseman privately battled his health issues, making his death a shocking loss. With the promise he had shown in Get On Up and Black Panther, many expected him to become an even bigger star in the years ahead. A posthumous recognition from the Academy would have cemented Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’s place in Hollywood history, but that’s not what happened.

Unfortunately, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Has Kind Of Been Forgotten Already

Despite having everything going for it, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom hasn’t had much enduring pop culture relevance, and it’s a film that’s rarely brought up in conversations around the best movies of the 2020s. As a challenging theater adaptation that tackles complex themes of race and power, it doesn’t make for easy viewing, which limits its mainstream appeal.

In an era when streaming hype fades fast, it’s a testament to the quality of prestige Netflix originals that a film as strong as Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom slips from our collective memory so quickly. Whether you admire challenging cinema, Chadwick Boseman’s legacy, or the history of the blues, this is a movie worth remembering.