8 Netflix Originals to Inspire You in 2019
Whether you're one for making resolutions or not, the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to embrace the feeling of a fresh start. It's hard not to get swept up in the positivity and hopefulness that seems to be everywhere right now — including on Netflix. From fictional tales of personal perseverance, to real and practical self-help tools, to culinary adventures and more, these eight inspiring originals will carry us all into these first months of 2019 with a sense of renewal. (Photos via Netflix)
Tidying Up With Marie Kondo: Kondo, the author of the mega-successful book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, makes her way to Netflix to help families declutter their homes and lives. There are several stories in the eight-part series — of busy parents who can't keep things in order, a family forced to downsize their living space, a widow struggling to part with her deceased husband's many belongings — but the through line in all of them is a message about taking the time to refocus and relearn what it means to maintain a tidy and happy living space. You may find yourself pressing pause to start your own purge. (Photo via Denise Crew/Netflix)
Dumplin': Based on Julie Murphy's popular YA novel of the same name, Dumplin' is an emotional (and funny) coming-of-age story about a plus-size teen girl (Danielle Macdonald) who decides to enter the town's local beauty pageant to spite her mother (Jennifer Aniston) and honor her beloved deceased aunt. What starts as an act of boundary-pushing defiance quickly turns into a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. It's touching, uplifting, and a pleasant surprise in the oft-tired teen rom-com genre. (Photo via Bob Mahoney/Netflix)
Dogs: True to its title, this is a docuseries about dogs and all the joy they bring to our lives. If that in and of itself doesn't inspire you, the stories of human vulnerability, unconditional love, and sacrifice most certainly will. At the very least, it'll give you a good, healthy cry, which is the perfect way to get rid of unwanted toxins in 2019. (Photo via Netflix)
Roma: Alfonso Cuaron, the award-winning director of films including Gravity and Children of Men, released his latest, Roma, to much acclaim in late 2018. If you didn't get around to it over the holidays, make some time soon — it's an intense yet moving ode to the women who shaped his own upbringing in Mexico City. The film also explores the political upheaval and class struggles in 1970s Mexico, and is a must-see going into the height of awards season. (Photo via Carlos Somonte/Netflix)
Salt Fat Acid Heat: Chef and author Samin Nosrat should host every food show from now on. As the star of this particular series, which is based on her book of the same name, she lets her charming, empathetic, curious self shine as she explores and demystifies some of the finer points of top-notch cooking. This isn't just a show for chefs, though. Through conversations, demonstrations, and footage of her travels, Nosrat displays an equal love of food and people — the intersection of which is at the heart of everything she does. It'll feed your stomach and your soul. (Photo via Adam Rose/Netflix)
Lionheart: Nigerian actress, producer, and director Genevieve Nnaji stars in this feature-length dramedy about a daughter who works for her father's bus company, Lionheart Transport, and must overcome sexist standards to save the company when her father falls ill. It's an inspiring story not only about women breaking through boundaries in male-dominated workplaces, but also about the importance of family and perseverance. (Photo via Netflix)
Brainchild: For something a little lighter that will inspire you to keep your curiosity in tact and your mind sharp, check out the family-friendly, Pharrell-produced science show Brainchild, which aims to spark kids' interest in STEM fields. It's hosted by two women, which is something you rarely see on science shows, and it'll teach you things you might not have known about germs, memory, and the mind-blowing world of space exploration. (Photo via Netflix)
Seeing Allred: Netflix's original Gloria Allred documentary was released in early 2018, but if you missed it then, it's worth a watch. The feminist powerhouse lawyer has been fighting for women's rights for decades, and recently represented 33 accusers in the case that found Bill Cosby guilty on three counts on indecent assault. Think of it as the perfect companion piece to the Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic On the Basis of Sex. (Photo via Netflix)
