Greatest Films Now on Netflix

For as many streaming services as there is currently are, Netflix remains possibly the premiere platform to watch movies and television shows. The first mainstream streaming service there was, it’s a platform that continues to boast some of the finest and most noteworthy movies you’ll find anywhere.

With a streaming catalog mixed between Netflix original movies and endless amounts of well-known movies like John Wick, Mystic River, and The Blues Brothers, there’s no shortage of potential viewing options when it comes to Netflix’s impressive lineup of movies.

Here are some of the movies you can currently find streaming on Netflix that we’d recommend checking out.

Updated: February 21.

Action: John Wick (2014)

After an arrogant New York gangster (Alfie Allen) kills his beloved beagle puppy, a notorious hitman (Keanu Reeves) comes out of retirement to hunt the gangster and his criminal associates down.

One of the biggest action films of the past decade, John Wick has become something of a pop culture phenomenon in the years since its release. Re-establishing Keanu Reeves as a leading star action after several years of little-known projects, each movie in the franchise is worth seeing in its own right.

As great as each of its sequels are, the initial entry in the John Wick series remains an exceptional action movie in and of itself. Scaling to the same heights as The Matrix, the film appears as a stylish neo-noir presentation of the world of organized crime.

Romance: Players (2024)

This week’s most-watched movie on Netflix is none other than the streaming service’s recent exclusive release, Players. A joyous romantic comedy meant to coincide with Valentine’s Day, Players also makes for a great romcom to watch at any point in the year.

After spending years of her life pursuing meaningless romantic flings, a New York City sportswriter (Gina Rodriguez) must decide whether to settle down with an alluring coworker who takes an interest in her (Tom Ellis).

Admittedly, Players doesn’t boast an entirely original premise, adhering to the same predictable nature as most other romcoms out there. However, that doesn’t make the movie’s kitschier melodrama or light-hearted humor any less enjoyable, establishing Players as the ideal date night movie for most couples.

Documentary: Lover, Stalker, Killer (2024)

The second most-watched movie on Netflix right now, Lover, Stalker, Killer offers a far darker alternative to the traditional Valentine Day’s viewing experience. Instead of harping on an emotional love story, Lover, Stalker, Killer focuses on a disturbing true crime case underscoring the dangers of romantic obsession.

Upon moving to Nebraska in 2012, ordinary mechanic Dave Kroupa started an online dating profile, quickly matching with a single woman in the area. In the weeks that followed, what began as a casual one-night fling turns into a living nightmare for Kroupa, leading to stalking, vandalism, and eventually murder.

A far cry from the campier humor of Players, Lover, Stalker, Killer chronicles an unsettling true story in the realm of online dating, displaying a cautionary tale of how unreciprocated love can soon spiral into something far more sinister.

Western: Seraphim Falls (2006)

Another film sitting on this week’s most-watched movies list on Netflix, Seraphim Falls also ranks among the best Western films currently cataloged on the streaming platform. Combining crisp cinematography with an exceptionally strong cast, it’s that rare Western that will appeal to most members of the audience.

In the late 1860s, a veteran of the Union Army (Pierce Brosnan) flees from a vengeful soldier (Liam Neeson) he wronged in the past, sending the two on a fateful flight across the American West.

Though Seraphim Falls borrows extensively from the dozens of similarly-veined revenge Westerns before it, the movie’s balanced narrative focus and moral ambiguity allows for a more thought-provoking interpretation of the genre.

Comedy: Blockers (2018)

Concerned that their teenage daughters are planning to sleep with their boyfriends on prom night, three overprotective parents (Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz, and John Cena) try to stop the girls from consummating their respective relationships.

As anyone who has children will attest, parenthood has an infinite number of joys attached to it–along with more than a few moments of extreme anxiety and worry. Just as it can be difficult adjusting to a newborn toddler, some parents might also have trouble contending with the idea of their children growing up–a topic heavily discussed in 2018’s Blockers.

In addition to being a sensational adult comedy with plenty of lewd and crude jokes throughout, Blockers also boasts a meaningful message about parents learning to view their children as people, rather than innocent kids who merit constant protection from the world.

Animated: Orion and the Dark (2024)

The latest and greatest project from DreamWorks Animation, Orion and the Dark also serves as a predictably action-packed and imaginative family film, adapting itself from Emma Yarlett’s wonderful children novel of the same name.

Having grown tired of listening to an anxious young boy (Jacob Tremblay) ceaselessly complain about him, the physical embodiment of the dark (Paul Walter Hauser) offers to help the boy conquer his fears.

More so than most other DreamWorks movies, Orion and the Dark tackles some weighty subject matter in its sparse hour and a half long runtime, handing out cathartic discussions about fear, anxiety, and our childhood abhorrence of the dark.

Thriller: Deep Fear (2023)

In 2023, the world received the deliberately over-the-top horror comedy, Cocaine Bear. Months later, yet another drug-fueled killer animal movie saw a release in the form of Deep Fear – a film that trades in a substance-abusing bear for a drug-abusing shark.

Rescuing a pair of castaways (Stany Coppet and Macarena Gómez) stranded in the Caribbean, an intrepid yachtswoman (Madalina Diana Ghenea) is forced to battle a massive great white shark that has ingested a large batch of cocaine.

If you go into Deep Fear expecting to see Jaws or Deep Blue Sea, you’ll be sorely disappointed. However, the unpretentious plot and kitschy action that makes up Deep Fear helps establish this overlooked 2023 thriller as a generally decent movie.

Limited Series: Griselda (2024)

Currently sitting at the top of this week’s most-watched TV series list is the latest Netflix exclusive series, Griselda. A fascinating biographical crime drama centered around one of Colombia’s most infamous figures, it’s also among the finest TV shows to air in 2024 yet.

Coming of power in 1980s Miami, powerful cartel leader Griselda Blanco (Sofia Vergara) climbs through the ranks of the criminal hierarchy, her meteoric rise coming at a tragic cost for her friends and family.

Abandoning the comedic pretext of her earlier performances (such as her breakout role on Modern Family), Vergara opts for a more grounded interpretation of her lead character in Griselda, terrifying audiences with her straightforward brutality and boundless ambition.

Faith-Based: Journey to Bethlehem (2023)

Debuting in theaters nationwide late last year, Journey to Bethlehem’s release coincided with the imminent arrival of 2023’s holiday season. A fresh and contemporary take on the Biblical origins of Christmas, it also provides viewers a new perspective on the birth of Jesus Christ.

In the ancient kingdom of Judea, young Mary (Fiona Palomo) and Joseph’s (Milo Manheim) marriage is tested when they learn of Mary’s impending delivery of the Christian savior, Jesus Christ.

While Journey to Bethlehem is obviously marketed as a religious movie, you don’t have to be an entirely religious person to enjoy the film. A vibrant, unpretentious, and approachable musical drama, it’s among the better films with a premise taken straight from the Bible.

Teen: My Life with the Walter Boys (2023)

The most-watched series on Netflix currently, My Life with the Walter Boys serves as a bold adaptation of Ali Novak’s self-published 2014 novel of the same name. Despite its less-than-enthusiastic reviews from critics, the series has managed to sustain most viewers through its generally affable representation of modern teenage woes.

In the wake of her parents’ death in a tragic car accident, a 15-year-old from New York (Nikki Rodriguez) moves into her new home in Colorado. As she bonds with her adoptive family, she also tries to rebuild her life in her new high school surroundings.

While its humor may be a little too niche for some, My Life with the Walter Boys tackles plenty of poignant themes–including trauma and the struggle to make new friends–that most teenage viewers can probably relate to.

Stand Up: Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer (2023)

For the past 30 years, Dave Chappelle has maintained a respected status in American comedy, earning a significant reputation for his influential stand-up, sketch series (The Chappelle Show), and his controversial sense of humor.

Now, the Emmy Award-winning comedian returns with his latest stand-up special, The Dreamer, currently ranked as the most-watched series on Netflix. Like each of his previous specials, The Dreamer touches upon many of Chappelle’s recurring points of interest as a comic, detailing his own view on unfolding societal trends.

More so than most comedians, Dave Chappelle has the ability to either aggravate or delight audiences with his distinct brand of comedy. For this reason, he may not be the most universally popular comic, but those who enjoy his work are bound to love The Dreamer.

Intense: Lift (2024)

Currently sitting on top of this week’s most-watched movies list is the recent Netflix exclusive arrival, Lift. An action heist comedy with an all-star cast, the movie makes for another momentous addition to comedian Kevin Hart’s rapidly expanding filmography.

Arranging a talented crew of professional criminals, veteran thief Cyrus (Hart) and his team plan an ambitious heist on a passenger flight ferrying $500 million worth of gold bullion from the United Kingdom to Switzerland.

While it’s true that Lift is not without its fair share of problems–its story and pacing, in particular, leave much to be desired–the movie’s massive ensemble make it all worthwhile, as seen with the performances of Hart, Mbatha-Raw, and Billy Magnussen.

Sci-Fi: Ready Player One (2018)

In a grim near future, gamers escape into the virtual reality of the OASIS–a massive online multiplayer game where people are free to pursue their greatest entertainment fantasies, from driving the Back to the Future DeLorean to battling Godzilla and King Kong.

Steven Spielberg has directed dozens of fantastic movies over the years, from early genre works like Jaws and Raiders of the Lost Ark to harrowing dramas like Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s List.

As fantastic as each of his movies are, 2018’s Ready Player One might just rank as the finest Spielberg movie in modern memory. A brilliant adaptation of Ernest Cline’s best-selling novel of the same name, it’s an imaginative homage to some of the most iconic movies, video games, and comic books in all of pop culture.

Nature: Life On Our Planet (2023)

Of course, if you end up watching Jurassic Park, it’s also not a bad idea to watch one of the more recent documentaries on Netflix, Life On Our Planet (fittingly produced by none other than Steven Spielberg himself).

In contrast to most other nature documentaries, Life On Our Planet details how the Earth has evolved over millions of years, including specific episodes centered around dinosaurs and early mammals as well as the gradual rise of humanity.

Harking back to Jurassic Park’s immortal message of how life always “finds a way,” Life On Our Planet demonstrates the wondrous nature of existence itself, as shown by Earth’s numerous inhabitants over the past several million years.

Survival: Society of the Snow (2023)

Currently ranking as the second most popular movie on Netflix behind The Single Moms Club is the 2023 survival thriller, Society of the Snow. Based on a startling true story, the film dramatizes the horrific events of a 1972 flight disaster that claimed the lives of 29 people.

Crash-landing in the Andes Mountains in the early 1970s, the survivors of a brutal plane crash soon resort to desperate measures, spending a total of two months in the mountains as they await rescue.

Like most survival films, Society of the Snow features a harrowing portrait of individuals enduring hostile environmental conditions in order to survive. A fantastic thriller, it’s also among the finest recent arrivals to Netflix.

Prison: Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017)

Yet another film ranking among the most-streamed movies on Netflix right now, Brawl in Cell Block 99 hammer home the oppressive, extraordinarily dangerous conditions that characterize many American prisons.

When his kidnapped family’s lives are threatened by a merciless crime lord (Dion Mucciacito), an inmate in a maximum security prison (Vince Vaughn) reluctantly agrees to assassinate a fellow prisoner.

A hard-boiled love letter to ‘70s exploitation films, Brawl in Cell Block 99 has all the rugged violence and engaging plot points as a Quentin Tarantino film, propelling itself forward based on Vaughn’s powerhouse performance.

Sports: The Hill (2023)

Currently sitting at the top of this week’s most-watched movies list on Netflix is the 2023 biographical sports drama, The Hill. A dramatized account of baseball player Rickey Hill’s life and career, it’s among the most feel-good movies on the streaming platform at the moment.

Wanting to pursue a career in baseball against his family’s wishes, a young man suffering from a degenerative spinal disease (Colin Ford) undergoes a vigorous training regimen in the hopes of impressing a visiting talent scout (Scott Glenn).

To be sure, The Hill has its fair share of weaknesses, drawing on a cut-and-paste plot line found in most other inspirational sports movies before it. However, the film’s talented cast makes it all worthwhile, with The Hill featuring otherwise fine performances from Ford, Randy Quaid, Joelle Carter, and Glenn.

Biopic: Dumb Money (2023)

Betting against the system, a group of amateur investors pour their savings into GameStop’s ailing stock, unknowingly triggering a rapid rise in the company that takes financial analysts completely by surprise.

In the early weeks of 2021, the economic landscape saw an unexpected new development. After a group of Reddit users began buying up seemingly worthless GameStop stock on the marketplace, the game supplier’s stock price suddenly soared.

All of this and more is covered in the 2023 biographical comedy, Dumb Money. Adhering to most of the facts surrounding the true-life story, Dumb Money focuses on how a group of financially struggling investors somehow found themselves making a fortune overnight on the market.

Award Nominee: Maestro (2023)

Meeting by chance at a party in 1946, up-and-coming composer Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper) becomes romantically involved with theatrical actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan)—a romance that spans the better part of their lives.

A stunning biographical film centered around one the most famous composers of the 20th century, Maestro has already garnered widespread acclaim from critics following its initial release in late November.

Nominated for four Golden Globe Awards (Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Motion Picture), it’s a humbling testament to director and star Bradley Cooper’s proficient abilities both behind the camera, and in front of it.

History: The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)

Another movie sitting on this week’s most-watched list, The Greatest Night in Pop documents the historic “We Are the World” concert in 1985–an event that saw some of the industry’s most famous figures appear on one massive stage.

In an effort to provide financial relief for starving families in Africa, calypso singer Harry Belafonte organized a massive concert recording in January, 1985, recruiting such stars as Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson.

Chronicling one of the most important moments in modern musical history, The Greatest Night in Pop also illustrates how some of the most iconic celebrities of the 1980s came together for a noble cause, setting aside personal time to collaborate on one massive project.

Horror: X (2022)

Even by A24’s impressive standards, X may be one of the company’s absolute best horror films. An intelligent and loving deconstruction of the slasher genre, it’s every bit as bizarre and terrifying as it is intellectually engaging.

In 1970s Texas, a group of amateur filmmakers attempt to make an adult movie on the property of an elderly couple (Mia Goth and Stephen Ure)–although the couple soon develop an unhealthy obsession with the movie’s leading lady (also Goth).

Pushing the basic premise of such iconic slashers as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre in exciting new directions, X offers the same seemingly meta-aware spoof of the slasher genre as Scream, albeit in a completely new and original way.

War: Fury (2014)

There have been many, many, many movies to depict the horrors of World War II, from famous dramas like Saving Private Ryan to more stylistic interpretations like Inglourious Basterds. As many WWII movies that have been released in the past, though, few focus on what combat was like for troops in the confines of a steel tank–something Fury does gloriously well.

In the final months of World War II, a young, inexperienced American soldier (Logan Lerman) joins the battle-hardened crew of a Sherman tank led by a world-weary staff sergeant (Brad Pitt).

With its A-list cast and compelling war sequences, Fury never shies away from portraying the grim reality of the Second World War, valuing story and character over gratuitous violence or mind-numbing action scenes.

Crime: Jackie Brown (1997)

As of 2024, Quentin Tarantino has yet to make an altogether bad film, with even his lesser-known movies worth watching in their own right. Such is the case with Tarantino’s underrated Jackie Brown – the director’s first (and so far only) adaptation of a pre-existing novel.

Landing in trouble with the law one too many times, a flight attendant who moonlights as a smuggler (Pam Grier) reluctantly agrees to turn against her unstable employer (Samuel L. Jackson).

Based on Elmore Leonard’s critically successful book Rum Punch, Jackie Brown acts as a meticulous homage to the blaxploitation films Tarantino adored as a boy, featuring loving homages to such films as Coffy and Foxy Brown, among others.

Music: The Blues Brothers (1980)

Quite possibly the most iconic movie of either John Belushi or Dan Aykroyd’s career, The Blues Brothers also serves as one of the finest films based around a pre-existing SNL sketch (in this case, Belushi and Aykroyd’s eponymous fedora-wearing jazz duo).

Hoping to pay off the mounting debt owed by their childhood orphanage through a charity concert, jazz enthusiasts Jake (Belushi) and Elwood (Aykroyd) Blues embark on a cross-country trip to reunite their old band.

Blending head-bopping jazz numbers with an irrevocable brand of comedy, The Blues Brothers has nothing but strong features, from its hilarious (and over-the-top) car chases to its endless supply of celebrity cameos (Carrie Fisher, John Candy, Aretha Franklin, and Cab Calloway).

Mystery: Mystic River (2003)

Not only is Clint Eastwood a world-renowned actor–he’s also a talented director who’s overseen production on numerous lauded movies over the years, including Gran Torino, Unforgiven, and 2003’s Mystic River.

Twenty-five years after a traumatic incident tore them apart, three childhood friends (Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, and Tim Robbins) are drawn back together in the wake of a small-town tragedy.

Led by a trio of phenomenal actors, Mystic River focuses on questions of justice and revenge, as well as the disconnect between childhood friends reaching middle-aged estrangement from one another.

Drama: California Split (1974)

Finding a shared enthusiasm for gambling, two card players (George Segal and Elliott Gould) begin to descend deeper and deeper into their mutual hobby, with their love of cards soon taking a toll on their personal and financial well-being.

A giant of American filmmaking, director Robert Altman delivered some of the biggest and best movies of the past century, from New Hollywood films like M*A*S*H* and Nashville to more contemporary movies like Gosford Park and A Prairie Home Companion.

Nestled among this vast thicket of movies is Altman’s 1974 comedy drama, California Split. An engrossing look at the allure and inherent dangers of gambling, California Split excels at showing two men’s gradual descent into gambling addiction and economic ruin.

Family: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)

In 1965, writer Bernard Waber released his critically acclaimed children’s book, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Fifty-seven years later, Sony Pictures debuted their own vivid take on Waber’s book with a feature-length adaptation.

Moving into a New York City apartment, an ordinary family soon befriends the fun-loving talking crocodile (Shawn Mendes) who lives upstairs in their attic.

Expanding upon Waber’s general premise in new and exciting ways, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile also effortlessly captures the whimsical spirit that made Waber’s book so beloved by children in the first place, melding spirited humor with an imaginative central story.

Underrated: Bank of Dave (2023)

A breathtaking, laugh-out-loud comedy biopic, Bank of Dave is also among the best British comedies currently listed on Netflix. Intelligent, dry-witted, and incredibly inspirational, it’s a crowd-pleasing comedy everyone should make an effort to see at least once.

Having made a fortune for himself through hard work and determination, a kind-natured millionaire (Rory Kinnear) tries to start his own independent bank in the United Kingdom, becoming the first business to gain a banking license in over 150 years.

Documenting Dave Wishwick’s real-life attempts to build an independent bank to support local businesses, Bank of Dave shows how one person can accomplish extraordinary things if they put their mind to it, overcoming adversity and constant challenges around every corner.