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

Netflix hasn't quite had a banner commencement to 2021. Competitors such as Disney Plus and HBO Max have dominated headlines with fresh original content offerings, and the news this calendar 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, but I'm not one of them. All y'all need to do is look at Netflix's list of upcoming movies to keep that hope alive for the large red streaming machine.

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The veteran service is weathering a bit of storm at the minute. With more streaming rivals popping upwards at a remarkable speed (Paramount Plus launched just last month), and its ain slate of original programming for 2021 generally underwhelming so far.

The last couple of months have probable got more than a few subscribers considering canceling their Netflix subscription. Notwithstanding, for my money, Netflix remains the best streaming platform for film fans, and content offer like the upcoming feature Havoc is proof.

A Raid of talent

In case 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 serial Gangs of London, and the horror motion-picture show Apostle, which also premiered on the streaming platform in 2018.

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

The acclaimed filmmaker is teaming upwardly with Tom Hardy for Havoc. Hardy volition play a "bruised detective who must fight his way through a criminal underworld to rescue a politician'south estranged son". While the core premises might sound a little ho-hum, it's the talent that has got me really excited.

Evans is one of the all-time working directors when information technology 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 lucifer made in heaven to me, and I cannot watch to see the breakneck action-thriller they produce next yr.

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

Of grade, you lot might be saying, well Havoc is just one film, why non cancel and resub when it releases in a year or and then? To me, the film's proclamation is indicative of a tendency that Netflix has continued over the terminal several years. Ane that is keeping me subscribed indefinitely.

Netflix's reputation for exclusive films

Netflix has chop-chop go the identify where directors go to make films that no other studio would always allow them to make.

Legendary directors similar Martin Scorsese and David Fincher have turned to Netflix and been granted not only a sizeable upkeep but besides the artistic liberty to bring their passion projects to life.

In return for the faith shown in them, Scorsese delivered The Irishman in 2019, and Fincher's ain Mank just debuted on the service final yr. Both received pretty much unanimous disquisitional praise.

The Irishman Netflix film — (Image credit: Netflix)

These are two fantabulous movies that likely wouldn't have made past any other studio as they would have been considered a risky proffer unlikely to turn a profit at the box function.

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

Prestige not simply profits

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

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

The investment that Netflix has made in films like The Irishman, which had an eye-watering estimated budget of $200m+, is unlikely to accept been particularly profitable in the long term. Still the bigwigs at the streaming behemothic proceed to throw money at these landmark pictures.

Don't get me incorrect, Netflix also produces plenty of movies that are awful and the service'south content slate is not immune to missteps, but it'south telling that during the 2021 award season several of the major players are housed exclusively at Netflix — and the same was true final year equally well.

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