Welcome to Technovatica’s list of the finest Netflix movies. We’ve prepared a list of 41 of the best films to watch on the top streaming service, including a wide range of genres. So, no matter what kind of film you want to see, we’ve got you covered.
Netflix’s past catalog is jam-packed with both fantastic and mediocre movies, making it difficult to decide which ones are worth viewing. You no longer need to worry about choice paralysis, dear reader, because our entertainment specialists have worked tirelessly to compile a definitive list of the greatest Netflix movie available. Of course, we can’t include every film on our list, so you’ll have to make do with what’s available, but we routinely update this article with new additions, so check back in monthly for new releases.
If you’re looking for some newer genre fare, our new Netflix movies guide has plenty of interesting options for you. But, for now, read on for the best Netflix movies as we say farewell to 2023. Merry Christmas!
NETFLIX’S BEST ACTION MOVIES
Army of the Dead
Army of the Dead was Zack Snyder’s first feature after his increasingly acrimonious split with Warner Bros, and it’s everything his DC Extended Universe (DCEU) superhero movies weren’t: bright, colorful, action-packed, funny, and topical, even if its 45-minute intro is a little self-indulgent.
Dave Bautista leads a solid cast as Scott Ward, a former zombie-stomping combat hero who is approached by casino owner Bly Tanaka (Hiroyuki Sanada) with an intriguing idea. What is the task? Enter a zombie-infested Las Vegas, break into Tanaka’s casino vault, and escape with his $200 million assets, and Ward and his squad will receive $50 million to share.
Yes, the film is as chaotic as the plot suggests. Army of the Dead is a must-see for aficionados of gratuitous blood and gore, with a sequel film and TV spin-off on the way.
Extraction 1 and 2
Chris Hemsworth plays Tyler Rake, a black ops mercenary with a complicated history. Rake is hired in each film to save someone (or a group of people) from a seemingly insurmountable scenario. After obtaining the box, he attempts to bring them to safety while various thugs, gang members, and other people seek to kill Rake and those he has liberated.
Extraction 1 was a decent film, but its sequel is even better in our opinion, because to its 21-minute-long, heart-pounding, beautifully crafted, and deadly one-shot scenario. Check out our Extraction 2 review for more on why it’s one of the best Netflix movies around, and then read our exclusive interviews with director Sam Hargrave to see why the film’s one shot is so effective.The sequence took four hard months to film, and he credits Marvel for the unexpected cameo.
NETFLIX’S BEST ANIMATED MOVIES
Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood
If you’re looking for something different to watch on Netflix, go no further than Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood. Richard Linklater, the filmmaker of Boyhood, returns to filmmaking with an animated picture that portrays the narrative of the 1969 moon landing from various perspectives.
The film boasts the vocal talents of The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s Jack Black, Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ Zachary Levi, and Top Gun: Maverick actor Glen Powell, and matches the visual flair of Linklater’s last animation, 2006’s A Scanner Darkly. Despite its overly long title, Apollo 10 1/2 is a really innovative take on one of history’s most memorable moments, and serves as more evidence of Netflix’s commitment to invest in cutting-edge storytelling.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Who thinks Netflix has lost its appetite for novelty? Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio reimagines Carlo Collodi’s popular 1883 fairytale about a wooden puppet that wishes to become a real kid.
Del Toro’s darker rendition is set in 1930s Italy during Mussolini’s fascist rule and has a star-studded voice cast that includes Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Tilda Swinton, Christoph Waltz, and Cate Blanchett. It was shot entirely in stop-motion (similar to Netflix series The House). Easily one of the best Netflix movies in recent years.
NETFLIX’S BEST COMEDY MOVIES
Hustle
If you enjoyed 2019’s Uncut Gems, pay attention: Hustle, an unexpectedly engaging basketball drama, is full of Adam Sandler-sized surprises.
After uncovering a once-in-a-lifetime player with a tumultuous past abroad, Stanley Sugerman (Sandler), a down-on-his-luck Philadelphia 76ers scout, takes it upon himself to bring the young phenom to the United States without his team’s permission. Despite the odds, the pair must work hard to establish that they both deserve to play in the NBA.
The Nice Guys
The Nice Guys is one of the best buddy comedy ever made. Shane Black’s unappreciated action comedy stars Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe as a private eye and a brutal enforcer who work together to find a missing girl (Margaret Qualley) in 1970s Los Angeles.
The film is fast-paced, properly adult, and a wonderful example of how to evoke chemistry between two big-time actors, similar to Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights in both location and black humor. Gosling, in particular, is amusing.
NETFLIX’S BEST CRIME MOVIES
The Irishman
The enormous effects work utilized to de-age its old stars drew attention to this threateningly long Scorsese film, and it’s a creative move that can be annoying at times. But there’s no doubting the allure of watching Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino in the same film for what will most likely be the final time, and this life-spanning, somewhat satisfying criminal epic is a fitting monument to their collective abilities.
Frank Sheeran (De Niro) recalls his long affiliation with the Bufalino mafia family and infamous union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino) in The Irishman. It’s a slow film, and it’s no Goodfellas, but it’s one of the best Netflix films the streaming giant has produced to yet.
