Our list of the best movies on Netflix is packed full of classics in a wide range of genres. From pulse-pounding action movies to thoughtful science fiction movies, there's something for every taste here.
Netflix is one of the best streaming services out there, but with so many films available it can be really hard to narrow down what to watch. That's why we've created this list. It pulls out 25 of the best movies that are currently available on the streamer, from exciting fantasy films like The Old Guard, to anime adventures like Suzume. We've also broken the list up into five genres: action, animation, fantasy, sci-fi, and horror for easy browsing, and added a pick of the week.
Action
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
Year: 2026
Director(s): Tom Harper
Available on: US/UK
The story of Cillian Murphy's Tommy Shelby appeared to have ended when the Peaky Blinders TV show wrapped up in 2022. Well, it's four years later and Shelby is back in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, a brand new feature film that sees Tommy return to Birmingham one final time. It's the 1940s and the city is in the middle of the Blitz. Amid all of this carnage, Shelby must face a deadly reckoning.
The Immortal Man looks like a treat for fans of the TV show, but creator Steven Knight has stated that it can be watched by new viewers too. And while Murphy has confirmed that the film will be the final time he plays the character – ominous! – this is not the end of Peaky Blinders as a whole. A new show, focusing on the Shelby family after the war, is currently in development.
Bullet Train Explosion
Year: 2025
Director(s): Shinji Higuchi
Available on: US/UK
This Japanese action thriller is a real nail-biter. It's a standalone sequel to director Junya Sato's 1975's classic The Bullet Train (sadly not currently available on Netflix), but don't worry if you've not seen that one, as Bullet Train Explosion has an irresistible premise that needs little explanation. Basically, an anonymous terrorist has planted a bomb on a high-speed train and if it drops beneath 100 km/h then it will explode.
Sounds a bit like Speed, huh? But as we say, The Bullet Train got there first. This new movie amps up the action, while maintaining the smarts. While an influencer on board complicates matters, the police and rail staff work together to try and find a way to get rid of the bomb before the train hits Tokyo Station. Gripping stuff.
Havoc
Year: 2025
Director(s): Gareth Evans
Available on: US/UK
The Raid director Gareth Evans returns with this long-in-development Netflix Originals action movie starring Tom Hardy, Forest Whitaker, and Timothy Olyphant. Havoc was originally filmed in 2021, but has lingered in various stages of development hell for the last few years due to scheduling issues, reshoots, and strikes. Well, the film is finally complete and available for our viewing pleasure on Netflix this Friday – and the good news is that the early reviews for the film have been overwhelmingly positive.
In Havoc, Hardy plays Walker – a tough detective who must battle the criminal underworld in order to rescue a politician's son. Cue a ton of bullets, bloodshed, and hyper-kinetic violence. You can always rely on Hardy to bring the charisma and action is Evans speciality. If the reviews are anything to go by, then fans of The Raid's inventive violence will be more than satisfied by this brutal, unflinching neo-noir thriller.
Rebel Ridge
Year: 2024
Director(s): Jeremy Saulnier
Available on: 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.
RRR
Year: 2022
Director(s): S. S. Rajamouli
Available on: 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.
Animation
The Mitchells vs the Machines
Year: 2021
Director(s): Michael Rianda
Available on: 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: 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: US/UK
The beloved animated Claymation duo are back. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is now available on Netflix. 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: 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.
Lost in Starlight
Year: 2025
Director(s): Han Ji-won
Available on: US/UK
Parasite director Bong Joon Ho described this movie as a "visual masterpiece", and it's easy to see why. A beautiful new anime movie that feels like the spiritual successor to Your Name, Lost in Starlight is one of those gems that too often goes unnoticed on Netflix, and it shouldn't.
This Korean sci-fi romance film, now available to stream on Netflix, is set in Seoul in 2050, and follows astronaut Nan-young (Kim Tae-ri) as she falls in love with a musician named Jay (Hong Kyung). As Nan-young's new space mission takes her to Mars, the lovebirds have to deal with their separation, while the perils of deep space become an obstacle for Nan-young's return to Earth.
Fantasy
Nimona
Year: 2023
Director(s): Troy Quane, Nick Bruno
Available on: 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: 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: 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.
My Neighbor Totoro
Year: 1988
Director(s): Hayao Miyazaki
Available on: UK
Earlier in this list we recommended Grave of the Fireflies – a fantastic film, but also an utterly heartrending one. My Neighbor Totoro also hails from anime legends Studio Ghibli, but has a very different tone. Directed by the great Hayao Miyazaki, the film follows Satsuki and Mei, two young girls living in post-war Japan who move into an old house filled with cute spirits. They lead Mei into an adventure with a friendly and loveable nature spirit she dubs "Totoro".
My Neighbor Totoro is a warm hug of a film, but that doesn't mean it's lacking in depth. Mei and Satsuki's mother, Yasuko, is slowly recovering from a long-term illness and the shadow of mortality hangs over the movie. Overall, though, this is a film about mythology and nature in all its weird and wild forms.
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Year: 2022
Director(s): Guillermo del Toro
Available on: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
Frankenstein
Year: 2025
Director(s): Guillermo Del Toro
Available on: US/UK
Guillermo Del Toro's long-awaited take on Frankenstein is finally here – and it's every bit as gothic and gorgeous as you probably imagined. Jacob Elordi gives a striking and sensitive performance as "the creature," the creation of Oscar Isaac's Baron Victor Frankenstein, in a film that makes some deviations from Mary Shelley's source novel, but always in interesting ways.
With his typically gorgeous production design and eye for detail, Del Toro has turned in a sumptuous and sinister masterpiece that nods to previous screen iterations of this iconic story. This has long been a dream project of the director and he brings his A-game in realizing it for the screen. It's Elordi who steals the show – and our hearts – though, with an anguished, unforgettable performance that stands as one of the great takes on the archetypal movie monster.
The Ritual
Year: 2017
Director(s): David Bruckner
Available on: US
If you go down to the woods today... actually, maybe just don't? The Ritual makes a pretty compelling case for 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.
Creep
Year: 2014
Director(s): Patrick Brice
Available on: 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.
Calibre
Year: 2018
Director(s): Matt Palmer
Available on: 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: 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.
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