Love indie movies, but not sure what to watch next? 

You all know about the Netflix genres, right? In its attempt to serve up the perfect content for each individual user, Netflix has developed a pretty thorough classification system for movies. You probably figured as much since your feed always seems to be full of content you want to watch. What you might not know is that a lot of those sub-categories are searchable via a browser. From “Dramas Based on Books” to “Classic Foreign Films” and everything in between, Netflix has a category for it. Simply visit netflix.com/browse/genre/#### and replace the #### with a 4 or 5-digit number to select a category at random, or check out a list of the categories.

I recently explored category 7077, which is where you will find “Independent Movies” to see what indie movies I might have missed. I was surprised to find a healthy mix of newer titles and some oldies, but goodies. Here is a list of some of the must-watch indie movies that are currently streaming on Netflix. Watch these indie movies before they are shuffled off–it does happen.

5 Indie Movies to Stream on Netflix

“There Will Be Blood” (2008)

Inspired by Upton Sinclair’s novel “Oil!,” this film tells the story of an ambitious prospector who turns a town into a boomtown and strikes a nerve with the town’s preacher. The acting is superb. Image via Miramax

“Tangerine” (2015)

Fresh out of jail, a transgender prostitute and her friend take on her fickle pimp and the streets of LA. This film is hilarious and compelling. Image via Magnolia Pictures.

“Band of Robbers” (2015)

A modern-day retelling of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” of a group of buddies looking for buried treasure. Image via Band of Robbers.

“Zack and Miri Make a Porno” (2008)

A movie about debt, making a porno, and friends falling in love. Stars Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogen and from director Kevin Smith. Image via Weinstein Company.

“Beginners” (2001)

A funny and poignant story of a son and his dying father who decides to reveal his truth before he dies–that he is gay. Starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer. Image via Focus Features.

Related on EcoSalon

6 Streaming Crime Drama TV Shows to Binge Watch this Week

6 Streaming Movies with Iconic Female Characters: From ‘Harold and Maude’ to ‘Kill Bill’

5 of the Best Original Online TV Series You Haven’t Seen Yet

Movies Streaming Image via Shutterstock

The post 5 Indie Movies to ‘Netflix and Chill’ or Actually Watch appeared first on EcoSalon.

Forget “Orange is the Black,” watch these original online TV series instead (or after you binge watch OITB).

While OITB’s upcoming fourth season might be getting all the recent attention, there are plenty of other original online TV series to stream. Cut the cable cord and whether you are hanging out by the pool this weekend, laying in bed on a Friday night, or in the bathroom at work, watch one (or all) of these best original online TV shows this summer.

1.”Happy Valley”

Netflix

Even though this online TV series could be more accurately called Unhappy Valley, that won’t keep you from binge watching it this weekend. While investigating crimes in a small British town, a female police Sergeant protagonist deals with personal tragedies that are somehow often intertwined with the crimes she is investigating. The acting is phenomenal in this series.

2. “Bloodline”

Netflix

While the second season of this riveting dramatic series isn’t as good as the first, this is still a must-watch series. Set in contemporary Key West, the series documents the secrets of the Rayburns, a local family who are well-regarded in the community. The series starts off with the eldest brother saying, “We’re not bad people, but we did a bad thing.” You can’t even imagine how bad things get. The acting is somewhat clunky; with the exception of that by Ben Mendelsohn, who plays Danny.

3. “Man in the High Castle”

Amazon Prime

An alternative history, loosely based on Philip K. Dick’s book by the same name, the series chronicles the world after World War II and documents what the world would be like if the Axis powers had won. While the plot is terrifying and riveting, the acting can be somewhat lacking. It is safe to say, though, that this sci-fi/fantasy series is worth the watch because it is so novel.

4. “Transparent”

Amazon Prime

Another Amazon original show, “Transparent” chronicles the highly-dysfunctional Pfefferman family as the patriarch shares that she is transgender. This show is one part comedy and one part drama and is superbly acted–Jeffrey Tambor as Mort and Maura is simply the best.

5. “11.22.63”

Hulu

This miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s “11.22.63″ is part sci-fi and part alternative history. The plot centers around the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and what if it was possible to stop it from happening. There are plenty of twists and turns in the series; it is based on a Stephen King story after all. It does feature the unlikely Jame Franco as the lead, but he does actually seem to pull it off.

Related on EcoSalon

5 of the Best Podcasts You Should be Listening To Now
The 7 Best TV Shows to Binge Watch
9 Hot Online TV Shows that Aren’t on Cable: Have You Cut the Cord Yet?

Girl With Tablet via Shutterstock

The post 5 of the Best Original Online TV Series You Haven’t Seen Yet appeared first on EcoSalon.