Every night, millions of Netflix subscribers around the world ask the same question: “What do we want to watch?” The king of streaming services does not make that an easy answer. With well over six thousand titles available at any one time, and new titles being added daily, there’s always something for everyone. With multiple Netflix categories available to browse, the choices can be dizzying at times, and most viewers may miss some fantastic films and classic movies that are available on the service right now.
With Netflix’s shift to producing more original content, and competing studio-owned streaming services making their marquee titles exclusive to their platforms, many of the greatest films ever made are no longer available on Netflix. That doesn’t mean there aren’t fantastic films on the streamer to enjoy; on the contrary, there are plenty of classic films, Oscar winners, and crowd-leasing blockbusters available to watch right now. We’ve ranked a few of the best films currently available on Netflix below. We’ve included selections from most genres, as well as some hidden gems and Netflix Original films.
Updated on Jan. 24th, 2024, by Soniya Hinduja: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
38 Whiplash (2014)
A movie that’s perfect at blending drama and music — as well as building tension throughout — Whiplash follows Andrew (Miles Teller), a first-year jazz student who is determined to become a top drummer one day. When he enrolls in a music conservatory led by the ruthless Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), Andrew pushes himself emotionally and mentally toward perfection. Meanwhile, Fletcher uses aggressive and ferocious methods, which brings him into direct conflict with Andrew’s obsession.
A Triumph of Tension
The sheer amount of emotion, pressure, and explosive tension director Damien Chazelle manages to capture in the film’s 107-minute runtime is incredible. J.K. Simmons delivers a phenomenal performance as Fletcher and Miles Teller matches his intensity as Andrew, a young man willing to face any challenge and brutality. Whiplash is driven by a killer soundtrack, unbearable suspense, and the ambition to be perfect. The movie scored three Oscars for its sound mixing and brilliant editing, with Simmons taking one for Best Supporting Actor.
37 Good Time (2017)
After a botched bank robbery lands his developmentally disabled brother Nick in prison, Connie Nikas (Robert Pattinson) desperately attempts to bail him out. In a race against time shot in New York’s dark and seedy underbelly, the movie chronicles one chaotic night of Connie’s life as he evades the law and stops at nothing to accomplish his mission. As the night progresses, Connie dives further into danger, but the only way out for him is through.
Almost Unbearable Anxiety Levels
Good Time is directed by Josh and Benny Safdie, and it stars Safdie as Nick alongside Robert Pattinson, who plays the leading role of a determined yet unhinged Connie. The movie is nothing if not a relentless and unforgettable ride into the anti-hero’s psyche. The Safdie brothers use a gritty and grainy lens and blend it with hallucinatory sequences to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Perfectly paced and exhilarating from start to finish, it allows you to understand society, outcasts, and the meaning of power.
36 Insidious (2011)
In Insidious, we follow the Lambert family – Josh and Renai, their two sons, Dalton and Foster, and little Cali – moving into a new home, when their son mysteriously falls into a deep coma. Three months later, he still hasn’t recovered, so they bring him back home. Dalton experiences increasingly abnormal things and a strange entity begins showing up around the house. Director James Wan plays with the haunted house trope well, turning Insidious into an amazing thriller.
An All-Time Great Horror Flick
The Insidious franchise packs a lot of influence from foreign language horror movies to make the Americanized boogeyman villain more unsettling and terrifying than ever. The clever scares paired with emotional gravity help anchor its ingeniously creepy vibe. Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne give their best, while Lin Shaye brings comedic relief amid the atmosphere of dread. Critically praised for its ability to create suspense, Insidious is a movie you’d want to watch with the lights on.
35 Lucy (2014)
Lucy
- Release Date
- July 25, 2014
Scarlett Johansson gets to cut loose and showcase her brilliance as the titular character in Lucy, who is a college student tricked by her boyfriend into delivering a mysterious package. Now abducted by thugs, she becomes a drug mule for them. But Lucy’s life takes a wild turn when the drug releases into her system, unlocking her brain’s infinite potential. Her abilities like superhuman strength and telekinesis expand, and now she must seek the cure.
Perfect Spectacle Viewing
Directed by Luc Besson, the movie is a science fiction thriller that explores what it means to be human while also flexing its cool action and stylish cinematography. Johansson dazzles in her home environment, where she can be whip-smart, sexy, and darkly funny. The film squeezes some really fascinating themes about the conditions of the brain, its capacity for function, and more into the perfect popcorn entertainment, making Lucy a must-watch.
34 May December (2023)
Directed by Todd Haynes, who is known for dissecting the dysfunction in society through his meticulously crafted stories, May December takes you to 20 years after a tabloid romance that got people talking in the small town of Savannah, Georgia. Natalie Portman plays a well-known actress who wants to understand and research the life of Gracie Atherton-Yoo, a woman who was caught having sex with a 7th-grader, went to prison for it, and got out and started a family with him.
A Difficult But Powerful Watch
May December is a careful examination of one person’s stunted emotions, another’s obliviousness, and the third’s subtle manipulative personality. Portman embodies her character with elegance. While Haynes’ former collaborator Julianne Moore is absolutely stunning as Gracie, it is Charles Melton who takes our breath away with his raw and jarring portrayal of a man who never had the chance to be a boy.
33 It Follows (2014)
It Follows is arguably one of the scariest horror movies ever made. While the reasons for it are varied, let’s take a look at the plot first. Jay Height is a university student who has an innocent sexual encounter with her new boyfriend one night only to be haunted by a fear of being stalked by something only she can see soon after. Jay has become the victim of a curse that is passed on by sexual contact and cannot be escaped from or killed.
A Chilling and Targeted Story
Director David Robert Mitchell is a genius for crafting his creepy modern-horror classic. The way he adds a sense of dread and makes sure every surrounding atmosphere is hypnotic enough for the viewers to lose themselves in the film is incredible. The allegory is subtle, but the tension is relentless. Moreover, it also explores teen angst and sexuality with genuine scares.
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32 No Hard Feelings (2023)
Maddie is a young woman on the verge of losing the house she grew up in because of piling debts. Desperate to make some money, she agrees to the proposal of a wealthy couple, who want Maddie to date their 19-year-old socially awkward son and bring him out of his shell. In exchange, she’d win a Buick Regal. But things get out of hand when Percy, the son, begins to catch feelings for Maddie, and she has a change of heart herself.
An Oddly Effective Comedy
Jennifer Lawrence has this habit of making a comeback and showcasing her immense talent and charm in one unusual film after the other. No Hard Feelings allows her to shine as the messy beauty she is. Director Gene Stupnitsky fashions a narrative that is relevant, funny, and memorable. The humor hits home, and the use of certain cliches is well-thought-out, making the film a classic in the sex comedy genre.
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31 Dune (2021)
Dune
- Release Date
- October 22, 2021
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of an epic tale genuinely and wholly immerses us in the magnificent world of science fiction. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, the movie follows young nobleman Paul Atreides, who arrives at the scene following his father’s emotional death during the Siege of Arrakeen. He’s been told all his life that he’s destined to do great things, but it is when Paul gets embroiled in an intergalactic war over the planet’s precious spice, melange.
Dune Shows What Sci-Fi Blockbusters Should Be
One of the most visually astonishing films of the 21st century, Dune: Part One has finally made it to the small screen before the anticipation of the release of the second film. The ensemble cast is phenomenal, with Timothée Chalamet grounding the space alongside Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Zendaya, and Jason Mamoa. While holding subtle notes of coming-of-age, Dune is mainly all about world-building, spectacle, and complex storytelling.
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30 Don’t Worry Darling (2022)
Seemingly normal but hiding sinister secrets beneath its stylish visuals, Don’t Worry Darling is a movie that combines science fiction and romance. Florence Pugh excels as a 1950s homemaker living with her husband, played by Harry Styles. The men in their community are all working on a top-secret project and there are some unspoken rules followed by every other citizen – the wives, specifically – where they can’t trespass on a certain area or ask certain questions. When Pugh’s Alice starts asking those questions, some dark truths start to come out.
Feminist Sci-Fi Led by Florence Pugh
As new developments occur, we’re able to see just how seamlessly director Olivia Wilde is trying to showcase contemporary feminism using nostalgia and paranoia. It is truly enchanting to see an experienced and versatile actress like Pugh share the screen with Styles and hold the premise together with her performance. While Don’t Worry Darling‘s ending has divided viewers, for those who it works, it really works.
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29 You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023)
Chalking out the streak of below-average Netflix Originals, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is a coming-of-age comedy that features the entire Adam Sandler clan having infectious fun. The movie follows Stacy Sanders, who has a fallout with her BFF over a boy, ruining both of their bat mitzvahs. As events progress, Stacy’s conscience is put to the test.
A Painfully and Hilariously Accurate Portrait of Teenagehood
The fever dream of being in middle school, battling for social invites, embarrassing yourself, and making and losing friends in the process hasn’t been more precise and relatable before. Filled with a truckload of drama, a catchy soundtrack, and a fun ensemble, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah cushions some amusing messages that are sure to resonate.
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What’s New On Netflix This Week (Dec. 1 – 7)
Between domestic shows and international films, this is everything new coming to Netflix this week.
27 A Man Called Otto (2022)
This recent comedy drama adapts a best-selling novel and tells the story of a widower, Otto, who is so lonely and devastated by the loss of his wife that he decides to take some serious measures to change that. For better or worse, his plans are cut short when a new joyous and free-spirited family starts living next door to his Stockholm apartment. Finding friendship and a renewed purpose in Marisol, the pregnant woman, Otto slowly begins to let his guard down and allow the good things to melt his sorrow away.
Hanks at his Heart-Warming Best
Director Marc Forster has repeatedly showcased a vision for poignant storytelling with films like Finding Neverland and even expanded his range to action thrillers like Quantum of Solace and World War Z. A Man Called Otto is certainly a crowd-pleaser. With Tom Hanks playing the cranky old man, there’s a fine balance of empathy and humor to affirm that life is made of two aspects, and they’re both equally important.
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26 The Nice Guys (2016)
Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe play two bumbling rival private eyes in this hilarious action romp birthed from the mind of writer-director Shane Black. Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1970s Los Angeles, the movie follows a mysterious girl named Amelia who hires Jackson Healy to keep relentless detective Holland March off her scent. Their rivalry turns into a reluctant bromance, making this sharp and engaging neo-noir film more entertaining than you might expect
A Criminally Underrated Buddy Cop Movie
Usually, the buddy cop or mystery genre has a standard start and end, but The Nice Guys brings thrills and laughs to the same setting and makes it rich and unforgettable. Parried with the 70s nostalgia, the slick action, and the straightforward story, it is pretty hard for the flick to not be entertaining from start to finish. Moreover, as a clever thriller, the movie maintains its pacing and tone by never having a dull moment and making sure the leads are as likable as they are involved.
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25 Snowpiercer (2013)
Snowpiercer is a movie that throws you right into the icy wasteland that is Earth after a cataclysmic event. There isn’t much left except a few survivors stranded on a perpetually moving train. Much like society, the train divides mankind into upper and lower classes, with the former occupying front cars and the latter being stuck at the far end, with almost no resources. This leads to the poor starting a rebellion led by Curtis, who pushes to the front of the train.
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Bong Joon-ho Expertly Tackles Class Systems
There is something strangely satisfying and captivating about watching a film set in a post-apocalyptic world. If the same is placed under director Bong Joon-ho’s incredibly deft gaze, the result will be nothing short of a masterpiece. Despite being crafted as a thriller, director Bong uses the premise of Snowpiercer to smack us with a piercing allegory of class inequality and human nature.
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24 They Cloned Tyrone (2023)
Set in a flashy suburban neighborhood called the Glen, the movie follows John Boyega’s Fontaine, a drug dealer living with his isolated mother and grieving the death of his younger brother. Clashing with him is Jamie Foxx’s Slick Charles, who shows up to his door as a customer first, but soon becomes the very reason for Fontaine’s worst nightmares. Embroiled in a massive government cloning conspiracy, Fontaine, Slick, and Yo-Yo unpack the truth about how the Black community is becoming the subject of elaborate experiments in an underground lab.
A Fresh Twist on The Truman Show
John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Foxx star in this satirical masterpiece that takes loose inspiration from The Truman Show. Yet it emerges as a film that is truly distinguished and powerful. Writer-director Juel Taylor maintains interesting color grading throughout the movie to completely immerse you into the mystery, so props to the overall cinematography. With multidimensional characters and zippy back-and-forth dialogue, They Cloned Tyrone portrays Black culture in all its glory, keeping you guessing at every turn.
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23 The Imitation Game (2014)
Honoring a hero who changed the course of history when the world was witnessing the horrors of World War II, The Imitation Game tells the true story of Alan Turing, an introverted mathematics genius who manned the efforts to crack the Nazi Enigma code. Set in wartime England, the movie sees Turing teaming up with the cryptographers to build a machine that would decipher the code. Not only did they succeed in breaking the code, but in doing so, they also turned the tide of World War II.
Turing’s Story Is Inspiring Yet Devastating
Benedict Cumberbatch plays the brilliant but tormented mathematician with unimaginable grace, bringing together outsiders like himself to achieve the impossible. Morten Tyldum’s sublime direction and clear storytelling are truly phenomenal as he balances the touching and tense moments with perfection. Whether it is the fast-paced research that brings Turing his acclaim, or the events following the revelation, every scene holds power and grace like no other.
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22 Don’t Look Up (2021)
Don’t Look Up is an absurd and satirical movie directed by Adam McKay. It takes a biting look at modern media and politics through the eyes of its two protagonists, Kate Dibiasky and Dr. Randall Mindy, who are two low-level astronomers trying to warn the world about a massive comet. It is about to enter the Earth’s orbit and may have a high chance of colliding with the surface and destroying everything. However, even the world’s smartest people and the media refuse to take these two scientists seriously.
A Premise Both Absurd and Realistic
There’s never a more pressing time to address the climate crisis, so Don’t Look Up remains unfortunately relevant no matter how much time passes. The movie has a dry comedic tone, but it offers a fresh perspective on humanity and how we live in a society that does not care about self-destruction and is deaf to all warnings. Throughout the movie, you watch Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio’s characters screaming at the world to listen to them, and their reactions are a source of constant introspection.
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21 Dolemite Is My Name (2018)
An uplifting biographical drama starring the one and only Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name is set in the 1970s. It tells the story of Rudy Ray Moore, a struggling comedy singer who forges an outrageous character, a foul-mouthed man named Dolemite. Moore was a hustler working at a record store in Hollywood and, like every person trying to “make it,” his arsenal had nothing but unwavering will and an outlandish persona. He gathers a few others like him and decides to make an underground album, the success of which grants him Blaxploitation fame.
Stranger than Fiction and Larger than Life
Certain Eddie Murphy movies define his career, and then some movies become one with the actor himself. Dolemite Is My Name falls in the second category. The reason for this is that Murphy fills his character with both passion and insults and morphs into the titular character. As Dolemite, Murphy could topple mountains. The remaining cast members, Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Lady Reed and Wesley Snipes as D’Urville Martin also helped fill spirit and joy into the film.
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20 Prisoners (2013)
In his career as a director, Denis Villeneuve has delivered several masterpieces. Villeneuve is known for creating a subtle atmosphere of darkness, constant fear, and fast-paced intrigue. He does the same with Prisoners, which is a complex thriller about how far a father would go to save his missing child. Time is running out, and the police have a suspect in custody, but every person he approaches refuses to take any action. That’s when he decides to find the truth on his own; even at the cost of his morality.
Impeccable Direction and Performances Drive this Thriller
Hugh Jackman plays the father and Jake Gyllenhaal plays the one detective who is not scared of tangling himself in the case. What can only be defined as Gyllenhaal’s career-best performance, he brings nuance and grit to his character, who is simply driven by ambition. The direction is on point and the momentum is sharp. Overall, Prisoners is an intelligent thriller worth a watch.
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19 Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish follows the hilarious animated adventures of the titular hero who finds that his ridiculous escapades might be affecting his life as a cat because he’s spent eight of them, and he’s on his last one. With nothing to gain and a lot to lose, Puss is determined to find the mythical Last Wish and restore all of his lives with the help of an unlikely companion. But along the way, Puss will have to mend old relationships with Kitty Softpaws, save the world from the evil antics of Big Jack Horner, outwit Goldilocks and the Bears, as well as escape the claws of the devilish Wolf.
A Surprisingly Charming Romp
Who is your favorite fearless hero? Well, ours is Puss in Boots. This spin-off to an incredible Shrek movie may have come 11 years too late, but who are we to complain? The movie was delightful and still managed to stand out in a year filled with blockbusters because of its stunning animation, emotional character arcs, and of course, the swashbuckling action.
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