Finding the best movies on Netflix is a pain in the ass.
With close to 4000 movies on the streaming platform, you may spend most of your Netflix screen time searching for movies than watching.
Not anymore. I have created a list of the 20 best movies on Netflix and categorised them into horror, action, romcom, war, sci-fi and foreign.
You may have never heard of some of the movies, but that’s the best part of this list.
Table of Contents
Best Horror Movies on Netflix
1. Apostle
Year: 2018
Duration: 2h 10m
Director: Gareth Evans
Main Actors: Dan Stevens, Lucy Boynton, Michael Sheen
If you enjoyed films like Midsommar and The Wicker Man, then Gareth Evans’ Apostle deserves to be on your list of best movies on Netflix.
When Thomas Richardson (Dan Steven) shows up on an isolated island off the coast of Wales to save his kidnapped sister, he discovers that something far more sinister is going on.
This film presented some of the most disturbing violence in an enchanting yet chaotic style.
2. Cam
Year: 2018
Duration: 1h 35m
Director: Daniel Goldhaber
Main Actors: Madeline Brewer, Patch Darragh, Melora Walters
Cam tells the horrifying story of a successful camgirl, Alice Lola_Lola Ackerman, who finds out that an evil doppelgänger has hacked her web account.
This movie is daring and a real masterpiece because it tackles the risks of internet pornography in a way that makes sense and will truly open your eyes.
Cam is incredibly eerie, masterfully shot, and has a narrative that will stick with you. This is one of the best Netflix movies every horror fan must see.
3. In the Tall Grass
Year: 2019
Duration: 1h 41m
Director: Vincenzo Natali
Main Actors: Patrick Wilson, Laysla De Oliveira, Avery Whitted
In the Tall Grass is another one of the best Netflix movies. It centers on a brother and her pregnant sister who venture into a large field with tall grass upon hearing a small boy cry for help. Eventually, It dawns on them that there may not be a way out.
There are many turns and twists in this film. It’s one of the best endings for a horror movie I’ve ever seen.
4. Fear Street Trilogy
Year: 2021
Duration: 1h 47m
Director: Leigh Janiak
Main Actors: Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr.
You should watch the Fear Street trilogy if the idea of a menacing lunatic carrying a knife would liven up your Friday night.
The series includes three stories set in distinct eras—1994, 1978, and 1666. It also has one of the best on-screen kills ever recorded.
The fun part is that you don’t have to wait years for sequels because all three are available to watch. For the horror enthusiasts among you, here’s one more thing: R.L. Stine’s renowned Fear Street novel series served as the inspiration for this trilogy.
Best Action Movies on Netflix (pick 4)
1. The Gray Man
Year: 2022
Duration: 2h 9m
Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Main Actors: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas
The mysterious CIA hitman, Sierra Six, finds out about long-standing corruption within the organization, which makes her the target of a psychotic, mustachioed assassin.
This film is complete with dazzling stunts, an A-list cast, and skilled directors who come together to create one epic fun ride.
There’s going to be a sequel, which is good news.
2. Da 5 Bloods
Year: 2020
Duration: 2h 35m
Director: Spike Lee
Main Actors: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters
This is another of the best movies on Netflix in the action category. Da 5 Bloods is a story about four war veterans returning to Vietnam in search of their fallen squad leader’s remains and the treasure they buried during the period of war.
This is an adventure story that skillfully combines discussions about current events with historical lessons. This movie is both timeless and relevant at the same time.
The film is incredibly captivating and doesn’t seem to last for more than 2.5 hours. In the first half, the length is noticeable. However, when they discover the treasure in the second half, the action quickly picks up, and that intensity and pace continue throughout the whole movie.
3. Outlaw Kings
Year: 2018
Duration: 2h 1m
Director: David Mackenzie
Main Actors: Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence Pugh
Outlaw King is among the best Netflix movies you’ll find on this list. This movie outshines other historical action movies.
14th-century Scotland is the setting for this film. It follows Robert the Bruce, the new king of Scotland, as he led a revolution against the English army to reclaim his homeland’s independence.
The movie has all the depth of a masterfully written historical epic, complete with gory, medieval battle scenes.
4. Triple Frontier
Year: 2019
Duration: 2h 6m
Director: J. C. Chandor
Main Actors: Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam
Another best Netflix movies in the action category is Triple Frontier. This film really packs a punch that will make any action fans fall in love.
This movie is in the middle of the action and heist genres. It centers on a small group of ex-Special Forces agents who band together to rob a powerful South American crime lord.
An unexpected turn complicates what should be a fairly simple job and leaves the men doubting themselves and each other. Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Pedro Pascal, Charlie Hunnam, and Garrett Hedlund are just a few of the A-list actors who give excellent performances in this cleverly crafted movie.
Go to the toilet early on and make sure your popcorn stock will last for 2 hours. Don’t miss it for even a minute.
Best Romcom Movies on Netflix
1. No Hard Feelings
Year: 2023
Duration: 1h 43m
Director: Gene Stupnitsky
Main Actors: Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti
This is the final summer that Percy Becker will spend at home before starting college, but he is too shy to leave the house.
He has no idea that his parents are seeking the help of Maddie Barker, a local hottie and bartender, to woo their socially awkward son.
Maddie has one summer to turn the lonesome teenage gamer into a man.
What I like about this movie is that it has some really funny moments. There were a couple of emotional scenes and a seductively funny Jennifer Lawrence. It should be on your best movies on Netflix list.
2. Love Hard
Year: 2021
Duration: 1h 46m
Director: Hernán Jiménez
Main Actors: Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang, Darren Barnet
Another one of the best movies on Netflix in the rom-com/comedy category is this film.
Although Natalie writes a dating column, romance isn’t her strong suit. She uses a dating app to find a partner and find Josh.
After she falls in love, she travels 3,000 miles to surprise him for the holidays.
Unfortunately, she has sadly fallen victim to catfishing. But Josh can introduce Natalie to Tag, the person whose pictures Josh has been using.
Instead of a typical feel-good Christmas rom-com, this movie has a great refreshing twist with a sprinkle of comedy. This is one of the best movies on Netflix for Christmas.
3. Love In The Villa
Year: 2022
Duration: 1h 55m
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Main Actors: Kat Graham, Tom Hopper, Laura Hopper
Julie and her boyfriend have been anticipating their trip to Verona, Italy. Suddenly, he dumps her out of nowhere.
Nevertheless, the recently single hopeless romantic still chooses to go on the trip. Sadly, her trip doesn’t go as planned.
It turns out her villa is double booked and now she has to share it with Charlie, a charming but cynical British man.
At first, the unexpected roommates immediately quarrelled. But their chemistry may surprise them as they get to know one another better.
Although this movie is somewhat predictable, the apartment villa mesmerised me. Also, I looked up certain of the movie’s claims on Google while I was watching because I was sceptical but they were correct.
Best War Movies
1. All Quiet On The Western Front
Year: 2022
Duration: 2h 28m
Director: Edward Berger
Main Actors: Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer
All Quiet on the Western Front is based on Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel of the same name. With nine Academy Award nominations, this poignant anti-war film is among the best Netflix movies ever.
In All Quiet on the Western Front, Felix Kammerer plays an idealistic German soldier named Paul Bäumer, whose hopes for valour and glory are soon destroyed by the trauma he encounters on the Western Front during World War I.
In my opinion, this movie ranks among the best movies on Netflix about war ever produced.
2. The Forgotten Battle
Year: 2021
Duration: 2h 7m
Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.
Main Actors: Gijs Blom, Jamie Flatters, Susan Radder
Among the many best Netflix movies about war, The Forgotten Battle should be on the list. The Forgotten Battle is a Dutch film that depicts the Battle of the Scheldt during WWII.
What’s interesting about this film is that it is told from three perspectives: a Dutch woman resisting the war named Teuntje Visser (Susan Radder), a British pilot named William Sinclair (Jamie Flatters), and a Dutch soldier named Marinus van Staveren (Gijs Blom).
In addition, the film features Dutch, German, British, and Canadian characters. All of them speak in their native language and that makes this movie more realistic and authentic.
Overall, this film is a gripping and provocative war film that is presented engagingly. Battle scenes are horrific and very well staged.
Best Sci-Fi Movies
1. They Cloned Tyrone
Year: 2022
Duration: 2h 2m
Director: Juel Taylor
Main Actors: John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, Teyonah Parris
Drug dealer Fontaine (John Boyega) tries to get pimp Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx) and prostitute Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris) to pay his money back. However, a rival dealer brutally ends Fontaine’s life.
When Fontaine returns the following day to the front door, Charles and Yo-Yo are shocked. This starts a wild journey through historical allegory, sci-fi clichés, police brutality, and conspiracy theories between the three of them to figure out why this is happening.
The first confrontation between the pimp, the prostitute, and the drug dealer seems like a setup for a joke. The mash-up of science-fiction mystery and satirical comedy is surprisingly funny.
This should be in your list of the best movies on Netflix.
2. Okja
Year: 2017
Duration: 2h 1m
Director: Bong Joon-ho
Main Actors: Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, An Seo-hyun
Parasite is not Bong Joon-Ho’s only good movie. Okja is another of the best Netflix movies by the director, and it deserves your attention.
This English-Korean film tells the heartwarming story of a young girl named Mija and her genetically engineered big pet, Okja. Young Mija has been his big friend’s caregiver and constant companion at her home in the South Korean mountains for ten years.
But one day, the company that made Okja eventually wants it back. Mija resists fiercely, demonstrating the amount of commitment a person can have for their beloved pets.
3. Spaceman
Year: 2024
Duration: 1h 48m
Director: Johan Renck
Main Actors: Adam Sandler, Carey Mulligan, Paul Dano
Spaceman is a sweet take on a romantic science fiction tale. Six months into his lonely space station mission while struggling with his marriage and a newborn on the way, Adam Sandler’s character Jakub Procházka unexpectedly bonds with a mysterious, wise creature on board.
This movie’s deeper narrative centers on a man who never truly sees the woman he married. He is focused on himself rather than the person in front of him, and his journey to overcome this self-centeredness is both beautiful and eye-opening.
Best Foreign Language Movies
1. A Silent Voice
Year: 2016
Duration: 2h 9m
Director: Naoko Yamada
Main Actors: Miyu Irino, Saori Hayami, Aoi Yuki
Sensitive viewers may find it difficult to like the main character, Shoya Ishida because of the terrible things he did as a child. You also may want to leap into your screen to protect the deaf student who just started school, Shouko Nishimiya.
The story, a masterfully made anime, depicts the regret and hopelessness of a high school bully as he attempts to make amends for his past bad actions. It shows that even the most ruthless people can experience feelings of guilt and regret.
The story is heartbreaking, but it also inspires hope because it demonstrates both how to give and receive forgiveness.
Every frame of A Silent Voice is a work of art in and of itself. Coupled with fantastic writing, animation, colors, and soundtracks, this anime is one of the best Netflix movies you must watch.
2. I Lost My Body
Year: 2019
Duration: 1h 21m
Director: Jérémy Clapin
Main Actors: Hakim Faris, Victoire Du Bois, Patrick d’Assumçao
This Parisian animated film debuted at Cannes and won the Nespresso Grand Prize is the first animated film (and Netflix film) to do so.
This film features two storylines: one about a Moroccan immigrant who delivers pizza and the other about his hand.
Aside from one or two brief scenes, the hand storyline is not gory. This movie is mostly about being alone and not knowing how to go home, narrated from the perspective of an immigrant who misses their upbringing and a hand that misses its body.
This animated film is about the losses many of us experience in life. And the unquestionable reason we still live is the desire to find that part we miss, like love.
These days, not many films have the power to move people’s hearts; this one does. Add this movie to your list of best movies on Netflix.
3. Fan Girl
Year: 2020
Duration: 1h 40m
Director: Antoinette Jadaone
Main Actors: Charlie Dizon, Paulo Avelino
The movie, starring Charlie Dizon and Paulo Avelino, is one of the best on Netflix. It centers on a teenage girl who gets to spend the night with her celebrity crush. But when she realizes the grim truth hiding behind the beloved star, her fantasy comes crashing down.
This movie reveals that idolising a celebrity means admiring a carefully constructed image, not the genuine person hidden beneath their public mask.
At the Metro Manila Film Festival 2020, Fan Girl won nine prizes, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Lead Actor, and Best Lead Actress.
4. Night In Paradise
Year: 2021
Duration: 2h 12m
Director: Park Hoon-jung
Main Actors: Um Tae-goo, Jeon Yeo-been, Cha Seung-won
The couple (Park Tae-goo and Kim Jae-yeon) in this film is the significant focus of a violent, action-packed tale of revenge.
The main character of this sinister drama is Tae-goo. He is a mobster whose whole family is murdered by a rival Bukseong gang after he turns down an invitation to join them.
After taking revenge and murdering the guilty men, Tae-goo escapes to the stunning island of Jeju.
There, he meets Jae-yeon, a woman with a terminal illness whose time on earth is limited.
Afterwards, the two establish a bond. Sadly, Tae-goo’s problems follow him to the island because the Bukseong gang is hunting him.
