Forget HBO Max: Netflix is still the best streaming service for film fans

Netflix hasn't quite had a banner start to 2021. Competitors such every bit Disney Plus and HBO Max take dominated headlines with fresh original content offerings, and the news this week that the service lost 31% of its market share in 2020 surely stung.

In that location are lots of people who are contemplating cancelling Netflix, just I'm not one of them. All you need to do is look at Netflix'due south list of upcoming movies to keep that hope alive for the big red streaming automobile.

The all-time streaming services in 2021
65 best Netflix shows and Tv series to watch now (Apr 2021)
Plus: Netflix'south Havoc release date and latest news for Tom Hardy movie

The veteran service is weathering a fleck of storm at the minute. With more than streaming rivals popping upward at a remarkable speed (Paramount Plus launched merely concluding month), and its own slate of original programming for 2021 mostly underwhelming so far.

The concluding couple of months take likely got more than a few subscribers considering canceling their Netflix subscription. Notwithstanding, for my coin, Netflix remains the best streaming platform for film fans, and content offering like the upcoming characteristic Havoc is proof.

A Raid of talent

In example it passed you by, Havoc is an upcoming Netflix original movie written and directed by Gareth Evans. The Welshman's previous projects include both The Raid films, the television series Gangs of London, and the horror movie Campaigner, which also premiered on the streaming platform in 2018.

Gangs of London television show — (Prototype credit: Sky Studios)

The acclaimed filmmaker is teaming upward with Tom Hardy for Havoc. Hardy will play a "bruised detective who must fight his style through a criminal underworld to rescue a pol's estranged son". While the core premises might sound a little slow, information technology'south the talent that has got me really excited.

Evans is 1 of the best working directors when it comes to shooting intrinsically choreographed action, and Tom Hardy has proven why he'southward a perfect leading man for this kind of action! The pair seem like a match made in heaven to me, and I cannot watch to see the breakneck action-thriller they produce next year.

Netflix has too signed a "new creative partnership" with Evans, so Havoc won't be the only new film from him that the streaming platform gets to add to its library. Locking down a talent like Evans for multiple features is a serious boon for the service.

Of form, y'all might be saying, well Havoc is just one pic, why not cancel and resub when it releases in a year or and then? To me, the film's announcement is indicative of a tendency that Netflix has continued over the last several years. Ane that is keeping me subscribed indefinitely.

Netflix'south reputation for exclusive films

Netflix has quickly become the place where directors go to make films that no other studio would ever allow them to make.

Legendary directors like Martin Scorsese and David Fincher accept turned to Netflix and been granted non only a sizeable budget only also the creative freedom to bring their passion projects to life.

In return for the faith shown in them, Scorsese delivered The Irishman in 2019, and Fincher's own Mank just debuted on the service concluding year. Both received pretty much unanimous critical praise.

The Irishman Netflix film — (Image credit: Netflix)

These are two first-class movies that likely wouldn't have made by any other studio as they would accept been considered a risky proffer unlikely to plow a profit at the box office.

Netflix is earning itself a reputation as a place where visionary directors can work without the restrictions frequently placed on them by the traditional studios. I can't wait to see Rian Johnson being immune completely off the leash for the two Knives Out sequels that Netflix has reportedly paid $450 meg to acquire.

Prestige not just profits

While many of the biggest streaming services rely on blockbuster franchises and make recognition, Netflix's original movie slate is often focused more than on prestige features and awards recognition.

oscars 2021 stock image — (Paradigm credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / ShutterStock)

The investment that Netflix has made in films similar The Irishman, which had an centre-watering estimated upkeep of $200m+, is unlikely to have been particularly assisting in the long term. Yet the bigwigs at the streaming giant go on to throw money at these landmark pictures.

Don't get me wrong, Netflix as well produces enough of movies that are awful and the service's content slate is not immune to missteps, but it's telling that during the 2021 award season several of the major players are housed exclusively at Netflix — and the aforementioned was true concluding yr likewise.

This isn't to say that Netflix's streaming rivals don't accept plenty to shout about. Marvel projects like Loki are exclusively streaming on Disney Plus and big blockbusters like Godzilla vs Kong will be debuting on HBO Max throughout the year, but and then long as Netflix continues to requite talented directors an outlet to make the movies they otherwise wouldn't have been able to, the service will always get a monthly payment from me.