If you’re looking for a list of the best Netflix movies, then you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a list of 25 fantastic films that are all – at the time of writing – available on the streamer.
As one of the biggest streaming services (and one of the oldest), Netflix has an incredible collection of films available at any one time. As well as its selection of Netflix Originals, it also includes films from all around the world. Needless to say, wading through them all can be a tricky task! Luckily, you don’t have to. Here are 25 movies split into five sub-genres, including the best action movies, plus animation, horror, fantasy, and sci-fi.
Not in the mood for a full film tonight? We also have a handy list of the best Netflix shows, as well as a weekly guide picking out some of the best shows and movies to watch across all the main streamers.
Pick of the week
Creep
Year: 2014
Director(s): Patrick Brice
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Patrick Brice’s low budget found footage thriller remains one of the best examples of the subgenre – a tense, funny, and deeply unsettling character study. Broke filmmaker Aaron (Patrick Brice) accepts an unusual gig: shooting a video diary for Josef (Mark Duplass) – a terminally ill man who initially says that he wants to leave a record of his life for his unborn son. Aaron starts to suspect that Josef may not be being entirely honest with him, but he doesn’t realise quite how dangerous his new “friend” really is…
In “Josef” – it’s never clear if that really is his name, or just another lie – Duplass embodies one of the great horror villains of recent years. It’s an incredible, unpredictable performance that oscillates between all-consuming loneliness, jovial good humor, and barely-controlled psychosis. The sequel, Creep 2, is also worth a look and available on Netflix.
Action
Rebel Ridge
Year: 2024
Director(s): Jeremy Saulnier
Available on: Netflix US/UK
When Terry (Aaron Pierre), a Marine Corps veteran, is harassed by the police and has the bail money he was saving for his cousin seized, he goes on a one-man mission to get justice. As the cops play dirty, Terry uses his very special skill set to exact his revenge and uncover corruption in small-town Louisiana.
Rebel Ridge wastes no time in creating a palpable tension, and writer-director Jeremy Saulnier ensures that the atmosphere is maintained for the full runtime. With a tight script, killer performance from Aaron Pierre, and scintillating set-pieces, this Netflix Original is not your typical action-thriller. In fact, it may also just be one of the best action movies ever made by a streaming service, so be sure to check it out.
1917
Year: 2019
Director(s): Sam Mendes
Available on: Netflix US/UK
You’ve never seen a First World War film quite like this… Director Sam Mendes keeps the focus squarely on two young British soldiers – George MacKay’s Will Schofield and Dean-Charles Chapman’s Tom Blake – as they are sent on a desperate mission that could save thousands of lives.
1917 initially plays like a claustrophobic thriller as the poor Lance Corporals creep through muddy trenches and dodge enemy traps. As the film goes on, however, it grows more expansive and exciting. A sequence featuring a downed fighter plane is a masterclass in tension, while a desperate scramble through a bombed out city feels like it’s been plucked from a post-apocalyptic sci-fi. Taking place in real-time and shot in several very long takes, it’s a stunning piece of work from Mendes and the great cinematographer Roger Deakins.
RRR
Year: 2022
Director(s): S. S. Rajamouli
Available on: Netflix US/UK
There’s a reason RRR has been called one of the greatest action movies of all time. First released in cinemas, RRR has found a new life on Netflix, with Western audiences discovering this Indian epic. Directed by S. S. Rajamouli, the Telugu-language movie takes place in the 1920s and centers on two revolutionaries, Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (N. T. Rama Rao Jr.), in their explosive challenge of the British Raj.
It’s lengthy at 182 minutes, but RRR doesn’t waste a second, cramming in everything from fiery bow and arrow battles and motorcycle chases to men fighting alongside bloodied tigers. If none of that tickles your fancy, firstly, what more do you want? Secondly, fear not, it also features a romantic subplot, a sweet bromance, and a couple of musical numbers, too. All of which culminates in making this one of the best Netflix movies you can watch right now.
Sicario
Year: 2015
Director(s): Denis Villeneuve
Available on: US
Dune director Denis Villeneuve is behind this dark drama that sees Emily Blunt’s FBI agent Kate Macer embark on a dangerous black-ops mission to take down a Mexican drugs cartel, only to find moral lines becoming increasingly blurred.
Accompanying Kate on this mission are Josh Brolin’s CIA officer Matt Graver and Benicio del Toro’s nervy ex-prosecutor Alejandro Gillick. With viscerally tough action sequences and some beautiful cinematography (as with 1917, the work of Director of Photography Roger Deakins) this is a gripping thriller that goes to some truly dark places. A Villeneuve-less sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado followed in 2018 and a third movie is currently in development. Still, nothing can beat this masterful original.
Here’s our full five star review of Sicario from 2015.
The Killer
Year: 2023
Director(s): David Fincher
Available on: Netflix US/UK
David Fincher returns with a hitman movie (based on a series of graphic novels) that feels like his most classically Fincher flick since The Social Network in 2010. Michael Fassbender – in his first screen role in four years, after a break in which he concentrated on car racing – plays a terrifying, The Smiths-loving assassin who embarks on a series of bloody misadventures when a meticulously-planned hit goes drastically wrong.
Fincher’s film is as ice cold as its protagonist, but there’s also a thick vein of pitch black humor here. Fassbender’s compelling performance gradually sees cracks forming in his emotionless facade as the nameless killer faces personal consequences for his actions. After a string of Fincher films that saw the director explore other genres, it’s great to have him back at his suspenseful best.
Animation
The Mitchells vs the Machines
Year: 2021
Director(s): Michael Rianda
Available on: Netflix US/UK
A family road trip goes terribly wrong when the titular family gets caught up in an AI uprising. Evil robots begin capturing humans with the intention of launching them into space as revenge for the treatment of the original PAL virtual assistant by tech entrepreneur Mark Bowman. But, in this disaster, the Mitchells learn to put aside their differences and realize just how much they care for one another, no matter how often they might argue.
The Mitchells vs the Machines is not only a vibrant and very funny animated movie; it’s got a surprisingly emotional core to the story that’ll make you want to hug your family straight after the credits roll. The voice cast does a phenomenal job of breathing life into the characters, and the animation style itself — the Lord and Miller involvement is clear to see — is delightfully playful.
Fancy more animation in your life? Jump into our The Mitchells vs the Machines review for more colorful fun.
Grave of the Fireflies
Year: 1988
Director(s): Isao Takahata
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Are you ready to experience some of the best anime on Netflix? Well, then, this entry will be right up your street. In Japan, devastated by World War 2, two orphaned siblings, Seita and his sister Setsuko, traverse the land looking for a means to survive. As supplies dwindle and their health deteriorates, the young pair can only find comfort in one another amid the spiritual journey they undertake.
Grave of the Fireflies is one of those rare but beautiful films that you might only watch once; such is the emotional toll it carries. As with all Studio Ghibli movies, this is a true work of art visually, with some of the most gorgeous yet heartbreaking frames you’re likely to find in animation. Just don’t go into this expecting the cute, playful side of Ghibli, because you will find yourself broken by the end of the story.
For more on the masterpiece, read our five-star Grave Of The Fireflies review.
Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Year: 2024
Director(s): Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham
Available on: Netflix US
The beloved animated Claymation duo are back. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is now available on US Netflix (and BBC iPlayer if you’re in the UK). This is their sixth film outing on screen and second feature-length film, and has already been lauded as one of their best.
The premise sees Feathers McGraw return from The Wrong Trousers with revenge on his mind. His approach? Using Wallace’s new robotic garden gnome invention against them. Reviews are really strong for the animated outing, which even landed Aardman an Oscar nomination as well.
Suzume
Year: 2022
Director(s): Makoto Shinkai
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Part-romantic time travel, part-fantasy disaster movie, Suzume follows the eponymous teenager as she explores a mystical multiverse via magical doors that act as portals to other sections of her timeline and beyond. She teams up with Souta, a mysterious man charged with closing these portals and preventing another supernatural catastrophe that would destroy Tokyo. What follows is a story that confronts loneliness, gives us romance, and takes us on an unforgettable adventure that may very well bring you to tears as well.
Suzume is, quite simply, one of the most astounding animated movies of the 2020s. Not only does it perfectly blend a multitude of different genres, it does it all while looking absolutely incredible. The story is so rich and full of heart, and the whole thing is epic in scale while retaining the essence of a human drama.
Check out our Suzume review for more on this anime movie.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Year: 2023
Director(s): Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson
Available on: Netflix US/UK
OK, let’s do this one more time. Across the Spider-Verse is the sequel to the original Miles Morales animated movie, and this time, we follow a more mature and skilled hero as he navigates the trials and tribulations of a double life. To make things more difficult, Miguel O’Hara decides Miles has messed up the multiverse, and he needs to make a big sacrifice to fix it.
The first Spider-Verse movie is a five-star triumph. The fact that this follow-up matches that level is almost unbelievable, and yet it’s true. The humor remains of the highest quality, the stakes are raised massively, and the animation style, somehow, gets even more expressive. Now, if Beyond the Spider-Verse could just hurry along, that would be great.
Read our Across the Spider-Verse review for an in-depth discussion of how amazing it is.
Fantasy
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Year: 2023
Director(s): John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein
Available on: Netflix US
Dungeons & Dragons may be a name synonymous with fantasy adventuring, but it’s never really made for a decent movie until this charming adventure came along. Honor Among Thieves takes the essentials of D&D – magical worlds, a group of diverse characters, and monsters – and handles them with wit and care. It’s an unexpectedly funny film, but never feels like it’s making fun of the source material or its fans.
Chris Pine plays the shifty bard Edgin Darvis, while Michelle Rodriguez is the barbarian Holga. The pair lead a typical D&D party (which also includes Justice Smith’s sorceror Simon, and Sophia Lillis as the tiefling druid Doric) on a quest to steal the treasure of Hugh Grant’s Lord Forge Fitzwilliam, who has illegally seized control of the city of Neverwinter. It’s a lighthearted movie, but there’s a nice core of emotion too, and it’s accessible to anyone, even if you’ve never rolled a D20 before.
Nimona
Year: 2023
Director(s): Troy Quane, Nick Bruno
Available on: Netflix US/UK
One of the newer entries on our list, Nimona, is a 2023 gem that people don’t put in the spotlight enough. Well, we’re here to change that; this Netflix movie is wholly worth your time and attention. Wrongfully accused of killing Queen Valerin, Ballister Boldheart becomes a fugitive and must gather evidence to prove his innocence, win back the trust of his boyfriend, Ambrosius Goldenloin, and unite the kingdom. And, like it or not, he’s going to have the help of the titular monster, who has mischievous yet rather powerful abilities.
It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what it is, but Nimona just feels different to most of the movies being produced lately, and that’s a very good thing. Vibrant animation, a smart and stirring story, and magnificent worldbuilding combine to make Nimona one of the most dynamic and intriguing fantasy movies on Netflix. It’s also a great pick to watch with the whole family, so if you are looking for the best Netflix movies for kids come your movie night, this one is for you.
Troll
Year: 2022
Director(s): Roar Uthaug
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Norwegian monster movie Troll became a surprise hit when it was first released in 2022, creeping up to become one of Netflix’s most-watched movies ever. Helmed by Tomb Raider director Roar Uthaug, it follows an unlikely group who are pulled together to stop an ancient troll who has awakened in a Norwegian mountain.
With a rich mythology behind it, as well as exciting action sequences and strong performances, Troll is well worth adding to your watchlist. And good news if you like it too, as a sequel is already in development.
The Old Guard
Year: 2020
Director(s): Gina Prince-Bythewood
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Based on the comic book of the same name, The Old Guard is a fresh take on the superhero subgenre, which sees a band of warriors with regenerative healing abilities working as mercenaries. While they take on jobs to help people, unfortunately, their latest mission will set them on a path to deception, experimentation, and great conflict.
The Old Guard is another hit from one of the most exciting action directors working today, Gina Prince-Bythewood. Once again, the set pieces in this film are out of this world, with jaw-dropping hand-to-hand combat that would make John Wick proud. Charlize Theron is always of great value, too, and she puts her heart and soul into making Andy an exceptionally cool, captivating lead character. It isn’t a perfect film by any means, but it is a wildly entertaining one to add to your Netflix watchlist.
Want to see Charlize Theron in action? Read our The Old Guard review.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Year: 2022
Director(s): Guillermo del Toro
Available on: Netflix US/UK
We all know the story of Pinocchio, the wooden toy who longed to be a real boy, but Guillermo del Toro’s take embraces the darker elements of the story (obviously). Set against the backdrop of fascist Italy, drawing on themes of depression and grief, and utilizing mind-boggling stop-motion animation techniques, this version of Pinocchio is far from the Disney classic.
But, that’s a good thing. Del Toro has never been afraid to share his passion for the power of animation, and this is the perfect showcase of just how diverse and potent the medium can be. Not only does GDT’s Pinocchio look fantastic, but it’s also incredibly mature and impactful, while retaining some of the more fun and fantastical elements of the original story. It’s hard to top one of the best Disney movies of all time. However, this Netflix fantasy manages to exceed our expectations with each watch-through.
Sci-fi
Leave the World Behind
Year: 2023
Director(s): Sam Esmail
Available on: Netflix US/UK
This apocalyptic thriller from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail (based on Rumaan Alam’s novel) shows the end of civilization happening in terrifying slow motion. Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke are Amanda and Clay, a wealthy couple who are disturbed when their holiday rental vacation is interrupted first by a crashing cargo ship, then by the arrival of Mahershala Ali’s GH and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la Herrold). Distrust grows between the families, but soon they are forced to reckon with much bigger problems…
Both a psychological thriller and a bleak piece of very near future sci-fi, Leave the World Behind is worryingly plausible in its depiction of how a chain of seemingly disparate events can lead to disaster. Fun fact: The film was executive produced by former U.S. President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, with the former giving Sam Esmail notes on the story while the film was in development.
Check out our full review of Leave the World Behind from 2023.
Okja
Year: 2017
Director(s): Bong Joon-ho
Available on: Netflix US/UK
When you go into a Bong Joon-ho picture, you know you’re probably going to get dark humor, bloody violence, and some mega twists and turns along the way. Okja is a little different, though. This is a story about Mija, who has a special bond with her pet super pig, Okja, an animal specially bred using genetic mutations with the intention of ending world hunger. The problem is, that Mija doesn’t want her beloved companion to become somebody’s next meal.
First of all, Okja is precious, and she should be protected at all costs (think sci-fi Moo Deng). But cute, super pig aside, this is by far Bong’s most tender tale to date, and if you don’t shed even a little tear watching this, you’re a monster. Come for the cute pig, stay for Jake Gyllenhaal’s wacky turn as the eccentric zoologist, Dr. Johnny Wilcox. Trust us, this is easily one of the best sci-fi movies on Netflix right now.
Godzilla Minus One
Year: 2023
Director(s): Takashi Yamazaki
Available on: Netflix US/UK
This fresh take on the Godzilla story (aka one of the best monster movies ever made) sends us to war-torn Japan as the country reels from the fallout of World War 2, but the people of Tokyo are about to face a new level of destruction in the form of the titular kaiju. It is up to pilot Kōichi Shikishima to lead the charge against the monster, while he grapples with survivor’s guilt and a difficult romantic arrangement.
Godzilla Minus One somehow manages to feel huge in scale, while managing to capture the most intricate, nuanced, and meaningful aspects of the human experience within a frenetic disaster movie. It looks phenomenal, especially the all-important design of the iconic monster; the musical score is off the Richter scale, and it’s paced with precision to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.
Take a bite out of our Godzilla Minus One review for more on this monster movie.
They Cloned Tyrone
Year: 2023
Director(s): Juel Taylor
Available on: Netflix US/UK
One night, Fontaine (John Boyega) is shot dead in a drug-related gang conflict. The next day, he’s seemingly back from the dead, with no memory of the previous night. Together with one of his customers, Slick, (Jamie Foxx), and Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris), a sex worker-client of Slick’s, Fontaine begins to uncover a conspiracy that will change his life forever.
They Cloned Tyrone brings out the best of all three of its lead actors, with Foxx delivering one of his funniest performances to date, Boyega going back to Attack the Block vibes, and Parris proving she is far more interesting in quirky genre movies than she is as a superhero. This Netflix Original feels like a modern tale from The Twilight Zone. It’s Lovecraftian, almost, but with far more humor. They Cloned Tyrone is one of the most creative pickings that Netflix has to offer at the moment, so it’s a must-watch!
Dive into our They Cloned Tyrone review for more details.
Spaceman
Year: 2024
Director(s): Johan Renck
Available on: Netflix US/UK
OK, fair warning before you even consider watching this entry: if you’re afraid of spiders (even if they are from space and voiced by Paul Dano), this isn’t a film for you. If you can stomach friendly arachnids, though, you’re in for a treat because Spaceman is one of the best Netflix originals to come out of 2024. Based on the novel Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfař, the movie gives us a sci-fi romp laced with highly relatable themes around loneliness and human relationships.
The plot follows the Czech cosmonaut Jakub Procházka (played by Adam Sandler), who is six months into a mission to investigate a mysterious cloud on Jupiter called Chopra. However, when he starts missing his family and his marriage becomes strained, his sci-fi tasks become tangled with his own internal issues. Spaceman’s plot isn’t perfect but it’s heartfelt and very much worthy of your time this month.
Check out our Spaceman review for more information.
Horror
The Ritual
Year: 2017
Director(s): David Bruckner
Available on: Netflix US
If you go down to the woods today… actually, maybe just don’t? The Ritual makes a pretty compelling case for just staying home.
David Bruckner’s film (which is based on an absolute terrifying novel by Adam Nevill) has a pretty straightforward premise: four best buds decide to take a hike in the forests of Sweden and find themselves in serious trouble from supernatural forces. But while the elements of this well-staged folk horror are familiar, there’s an added grit and sense of reality here. The four men, led by Rafe Spall’s Luke, are there to honor the memory of a fallen friend and a sense of loss hangs over the movie, even as the gang come under threat from a sinister cult… and something worse. Evocatively filmed and drenched in atmosphere, this is a terrific thriller that will have you thinking twice about taking that hike.
For more folk horror, read our list of the best witch movies of all time.
Under the Shadow
Year: 2016
Director(s): Babak Anvari
Available on: Netflix US/UK
If one parent-child traumatic horror movie wasn’t enough for you, we’ve got another recommendation here, and this time, it comes all the way from Iran, as acclaimed filmmaker Babak Anvari takes us back to ’80s war-torn Tehran. There, medical student Shideh and her daughter Dorsa are plagued by an unwelcome and unsettling presence in their home.
Combining the terrors of war in the Middle East with a supernatural possession story is harrowing but a masterful move by Anvari. The technical elements of this unsettling horror are of the highest order, but it is in the sound design that Under the Shadow flourishes. At less than 90 minutes, there’s no excuse not to give this one a go… unless you’re scared, that is?
Calibre
Year: 2018
Director(s): Matt Palmer
Available on: Netflix UK/US
Straddling the line between horror and psychological thriller, Calibre stars Slow Horse actor Jack Lowden as Vaughn. He joins his friend Marcus (Martin McCann) on a weekend hunting trip to the Scottish Highlands. However, the pair soon find themselves caught up in a traumatic event.
No spoilers here, but it’s a gut-wrenching premise. The movie is rated with a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes with many praising it for its tense atmosphere and impressive performances.
His House
Year: 2020
Director(s): Remi Weekes
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Horror movies are brilliant vehicles for tackling some of society’s biggest talking points, and His House wonderfully and creepily hones in on the experiences of refugees in Britain and the way they are treated by the communities they enter. Bol and Rial flee war-torn South Sudan to take asylum in a dingy London flat, but while this new home should be a safe haven, it becomes a terrifying symbol of everything they have left behind.
As far as directorial debuts go, His House is certainly one of the most assured and unique of the 2020s. Remi Weekes imbues his film with the promise of life and the threat of death at every turn, creating a surrealist atmosphere that really will get under your skin. Stars Wunmi Mosaku and Sope Dirisu are fascinating to watch and are frighteningly convincing, too.
For more streaming picks, you can read our lists of the best movies on Amazon Prime, the best movies on Disney Plus right now, and the very best HBO Max movies streaming.
