The 25 best movies on Netflix to watch right now
Oct. 15, 2024From Jaws to The Irishman, here are the best Netflix movies to watch right now
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Looking for the best Netflix movies to watch in December? WithChristmasaround the corner, you are going to need plenty of recommendations to add to your watchlist, as well as movie ideas to enjoy with your family and a delicious cup of hot chocolate.
As the most popular and biggest streaming service around, Netflix’s catalogue can be overwhelming at times, and sometimes it’s difficult to keep track of all the new film releases being added every month. That’s where we’re going to help you — here are the best movies on Netflix to watch right now.
From the most recentnew Netflix additionslike Rebel Ridge to classic titles like American Psycho, in this guide we recommend movies for all kinds of viewers. We’ve listed the 25 best movies now streaming on Netflix in the US, and we’ve even broken down our recommendations by genre to make navigating this page easier.
Additionally, every month we choose one movie to put in the spotlight, so you don’t miss any gems that are quietly added to the streaming platform.
If you’ve already checked out our guide for thebest Netflix shows, it’s time to give into the best Netflix movies, which includes some of thebest Netflix action movies, the streamer’s top animation, thebest Netflix fantasy movies, sci-fi films, and thebest Netflix horror movies. Take your pick!
Kneecap
Netflix subscribers in the US can enjoy now of one the most rebellious movies of the year, an Irish gem that should be in everyone’s watchlists. Kneecap is unlike anything you’re seen before, and that’s what makes it so special.
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The story follows the real-life Irish hip-hop trio as they perform gigs in pubs, call for change, and quickly become the unexpected leaders of a Civil Rights movement to save their mother tongue. It’s not always easy, though, as they have to face the police and other authorities that try to silence them.
The three members of Kneecap (Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap y DJ Próvaí) play themselves in the film, while the supporting cast includes stars like Michael Fassbender. A deliciously original and irreverent biopic that blends fiction and reality, Kneecap is a fiercely unique and often hilarious film that shouldn’t get buried under Netflix’s massive catalog.
For more information, check out ourreview of Kneecap.
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.
After witnessing the murder of his mother and father as a child at the hands of Rufus Buck, young Nat Love grows up with a fire in his belly and revenge on his mind. As bank robberies go wrong, and shootouts ensue, the stories of Nat, Rufus, and the Crimson Hood gang collide, with incredibly violent consequences.
Jeymes Samuel directs the hell out of this neo-Western, and he also puts together a thumping soundtrack to elevate the action and complete the brilliant performances on display here. The Harder They Fall is a Tarantino-esque tale of deceit and destiny, with extra added style and an ensemble cast firing on all cylinders. Truly, it’s a love letter to action fans who also love the wild wild west and glorious shoot-outs.
Read ourThe Harder They Fall reviewif you want a Western to add to your Netflix action movie night.
Legendary director Martin Scorsese assembled an all-star cast, including Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino, for a sprawling epic of a crime story. From a nursing home, an elderly Frank Sheeran (De Niro) recounts his life as a hitman for the mafia; from delivery driver, to contract killer, to political enforcer. The Irishman is a masterclass in storytelling and feels like Goodfellas' more refined and older brother in the best possible way.
It also shows that only Scorsese could make a direct-to-Netflix, three-and-a-half-hour action-drama about violent old men and produce one of the most riveting and nuanced gangster stories of the modern era. Admittedly, it’s not technically an action movie in the traditional sense, but if you can’t sneak a Scorsese movie full of guns, blood, and death into this kind of list, then why are we even here?
This Netflix movie is a must-watch, and you can read more about it in our five-starThe Irishman review.
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.
Meet the little sister of Sherlock and Mycroft; charming, witty, and in a whole lot of trouble. Join the rambunctious Enola Holmes as she journeys across London in an attempt to solve, not one, but two mysteries. Stranger Things actor Millie Bobby Brown is delightful as the eponymous heroine, and the fourth-wall-breaking movie is the perfect light-hearted escape for anyone stuck at home.
The movie also unites Brown with another Netflix star, The Witcher’s Henry Cavill, who offers a new take on Sherlock that rivals Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch’s versions, even though his screen time is minimal. It’s all surprisingly charming – and well worth a watch on Netflix.
Oh, and remember there is a sequel, Enola Holmes 2, which is also worth a watch.
For more information, check out ourreview of Enola Holmes.
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 ourThe Mitchells vs the Machines reviewfor more colorful fun.
Year:1988Director:Isao TakahataAvailable on:Netflix US/UK
Are you ready to experience some of thebest 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-starGrave Of The Fireflies review.
The severed hand of a Moroccan orphan named Naoufel escapes a laboratory refrigerator and makes its way across Paris in search of the body it originated from. Interspersed with this fantastical journey are the memories of the freak accident that led to the separation, and the romantic pursuit of a local girl that Naoufel yearns for.
This French film is highly creative and original in its premise, and though it leans on science-fiction elements, there is a powerful, sentimental tinge to the story. The animation style is sharp and striking, the brilliant musical score – a combination of techno and mellow beats – gives the whole thing fantastic energy and atmosphere, and at just over 80 minutes long, I Lost My Body is the perfect short and sweet movie to fill a gap in your evening.
If you need more convincing on adding this gen to your Netflix watch list, head over to ourI Lost My Body review.
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.
Check out ourSuzume reviewfor more on this anime movie.
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, ifBeyond the Spider-Versecould just hurry along, that would be great.
Read ourAcross the Spider-Verse reviewfor an in-depth discussion of how amazing it is.
It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what it is, but Nimona just feelsdifferentto 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 thebest Netflix movies for kidscome your movie night, this one is for you.
When an asteroid headed for Earth is destroyed, the debris infects the planet’s cold-blooded animals with a unique mutation that turns them into giant monsters. Sounds fun, right? Well, not really, as these monsters enjoy hunting humans. In the weird wasteland left behind by the incident, Joel (Dylan O’Brien) journeys to find other colonies in search of love and hope.
Love & Monsters is just great fun. It’s not afraid to lean into the cheesiness, and it’s in this that it truly thrives as a light-hearted fantasy flick. Dylan O’Brien is an endearing lead who’s easy to root for, the monsters are inventive and rather impressively crafted on-screen, and it’s always a treat to find a movie that’s comfortably under two hours long, too.
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 ourThe Old Guard review.
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 theDisneyclassic.
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 thebest Disney moviesof all time. However, this Netflix fantasy manages to exceed our expectations with each watch-through.
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 thebest sci-fi movies on Netflixright now.
This fresh take on the Godzilla story (aka one of thebest monster moviesever 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 ourGodzilla Minus One reviewfor more on this monster movie.
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 ourThey Cloned Tyrone reviewfor more details.
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 ourSpaceman reviewfor more information.
Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood is the latest collaborative effort from the Oscar-nominated director Richard Linklater and actor Jack Black. The pair have worked together on numerous occasions, perhaps most famously on School of Rock, and their new movie is an equally joyful release, telling the story of a fourth-grader, Stanley, who’s sent to space after a pair of NASA scientists – played by Zachary Levi and Glen Powell – realize that they have accidentally built modules that are too small for an adult.
Though about a youngster, Apollo 10½ is very much set in the past, the fictional events taking place in 1969, the year the very real Apollo 11 first took humans to the moon. Plus, the non-fantastical elements are deeply rooted in Linklater’s own past, with the film acting as partly autobiographical. Meanwhile, Black plays an older version of Stanley. The story’s not the only notable thing about Apollo 10½ – while the movie was shot in live-action, the whole thing is animated, the actors rotoscoped over, leading to some fantastically inventive sequences.
Amelia’s husband was killed in a car crash while driving to the hospital during her labor. Now, six years later, she is an exhausted, grief-stricken, and struggling single mother to Samuel. The child’s behavior is erratic and destructive, which creates an unhappy and very tense atmosphere between mother and son. It is in this dark pit of despair that the Babadook comes to visit.
The Babadook is a horrible experience, which is a compliment of the highest order for any psychological horror movie. It’s an expertly-crafted, claustrophobic, and chaotic affair where the audience feels just as trapped and helpless as Amelia, and the titular demon is truly nightmare-inducing once he’s introduced. It’s no surprise Jennifer Kent has gone on to great things since.
Read our five-starThe Babadook reviewif you want to find out more about one of thebest horror moviesever made.
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?
Year:2000Director:Mary HarronAvailable on:Netflix US/UK
When we talk about horror figures, of course, serial killers are in the conversation. Patrick Bateman is a different sort of murderer though: a New York City investment banker who leads a double life as a psychopathic killer when he’s not eating at expensive restaurants, following a meticulous self-care routine, or returning videotapes.
Adapted from Bret Easton Ellis' 1991 novel of the same name, Mary Harron’s American Psycho is a pitch-black satire with some truly horrifying moments as Christian Bale’s Bateman loses any grip he had on his sanity, and brutally kills his way through colleagues, sex workers, and homeless people. Willem Dafoe, Reese Witherspoon, and Chloe Sevigny star alongside Bale (in perhaps his most iconic role to date) in this violent and bloody satire of 1980s yuppie culture.
For more details, read ourAmerican Psycho review.
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.
Year:1975Director:Steven SpielbergAvailable on:Netflix US/UK
Come on, you know what Jaws is about. OK, we’ll explain it anyway… Down on Amity Island, the new police chief, Martin Brody, causes a stir when he cries shark, but the townsfolk really should listen to him before it’s too late. When it becomes clear that a monster is lurking in the waters, Brody teams up with Hooper and Quint to hunt it down and make the beach safe once more.
Steven Spielberg unleashed an absolute powerhouse of a picture in 1975, and the world of cinema has truly never been the same again. Jaws was the first real blockbuster, becoming a global phenomenon upon its release, and has cemented its status as a staple of any film lover’s diet since. From its riveting screenplay and stellar performances to the awe-inspiring cinematography and, of course, the unbearable yet tantalizing suspense that runs throughout, Jaws is one of the very best movies of all time, period.
Want to know more about this classic horror? Read our five-starJaws review.
For more streaming picks, you can read our lists of thebest movies on Amazon Prime, thebest movies on Disney Plusright now, and the verybest HBO Max moviesstreaming.
Jakob is a freelance journalist with a decade’s worth of experience in the entertainment sector. He founded the award-winning independent outlet JumpCut Online, before joining the staff at The Digital Fix, and later, Dexerto. He has also written for PCGamesN, GiveMeSport, and The Spurs Web. When it comes to films, Jakob loves Star Wars, superheroes, and dark, psychological thrillers.
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