Few mediums of art can evoke emotion so powerfully as a film. As storytellers by nature, we seem drawn to these visual/auditory representations of phenomena. Perhaps it’s because they recall some lost or very present aspect of our lives, or perhaps because it gives us an escape from those very trappings.

Whatever your film attraction may be, the 21^st century has helped spread quality film across the globe even without blockbuster status. If you have a Netflix account and the patience to dig with trial and error, you’re likely to uncover some hidden gems. To get you started, though, here are some obscure films that you can watch on Netflix anytime… or so long as they remain on the streaming site. This is, of course, just a start and nothing near an extensive list, and it is in no particular order.

1. Beasts of No Nation

Starring perhaps the most underrated actor of our time in Idris Elba, this Netflix Original Film is a very powerful fictional depiction of life for child soldiers in an unnamed African nation. Elba gives a sadistic turn as the commander of the force of youth, and Abraham Attah does excellent work as the child who joins the forces early in the movie. This movie isn’t for the feint of heart – it is disturbing and tragic, and it doesn’t often stop bludgeoning you with the ugly realities of child warfare. But knowing as we do that such a thing exists on the earth, I think this movie is very important as an eye-opener, and it’s worth a watch.

2. Don’t Think Twice

A comedy/drama starring Keegan Michael-Key of Key & Peele, this charming film follows the successes and failures of an improv troupe. If you’re a college student considering taking an improv theatre class, I recommend watching this film (and then taking the class). I also would recommend watching this one if you have ever been a part of a team with some level of dysfunction – it does a great job showing how individual personalities are bound to come out in any group.

3. Fruitvale Station

Another tragedy, this Ryan Coogler (Creed, Black Panther)-directed true story stars Michael B. Jordan (Friday Night Lights) before the two reached their creative heights. Jordan stars as Oscar Grant, the young black father who was shot by police in San Francisco in 2009. Rather than just sensationalize the shooting itself, Coogler smartly spends nearly all of the 85-minute film showing us the good and bad of Grant’s life. By the time the tragic shots are fired, you will likely find yourself in tears – not just of sadness, but also anger.

4. The House of Small Cubes

The first of two films on this list to clock in at less than 20 minutes, House of Small Cubes has no words in its 12-minute runtime. Instead, it lures you in with simplistic imagery. The premise – a world in people build their homes continually skyward to escape rising waters – is only a metaphor, but it is a powerful one. You’ll follow the journey of the title character and be surprised to find there’s water in your eyes as well as on the screen.

5. Moonrise Kingdom

A movie with Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, and Bill Murray is not often what one would call obscure. Those stars, however, are more side players in this drama about childhood, being an outcast, and love. It’s quirky, but that’s a strength here. The young actors steal the show with their nuanced performances, and there is plenty of humor and beautiful imagery to be found as well. In the end, it is a film that is enchanting above all else.

6. World of Tomorrow

Easily the weirdest movie on this list, World of Tomorrow might be the most worth watching of the pack as well. It’s not for everyone, but at 16 minutes, it’s worth a shot. A very avant garde production, it follows the exploits of a four year old girl (voiced by an actual four year old girl – you’ll wonder if times if they just let her honestly react to the script and didn’t actually write her part at all) and her third generation clone. It is as confusing as it sounds, and very deep, but the humor keeps a steady if strange balance. Stick with it until the end, and you might just find yourself in as deep of thought as you’ve ever been after watching movie. If nothing else, you’ll have a few laughs at the absurdity and some very quotable lines stuck in your head.