Sick Of Checking Rotten Tomatoes? Here’s 17 Top-Rated Movies On Netflix To Stream Right Now

There’s something about kicking back and watching a movie, knowing it will be good, which is why we’ve done some digging and found the most popular and top-rated movies on Netflix. 

There is something for everyone in this list, from cinephiles looking for a critically acclaimed classic to musical theatre aficionados to casual viewers who just want something warm and fuzzy to enjoy over some snacks. Whatever you’re in the mood for, just know this list is packed with some serious goodies. 

Good Will Hunting

Raw, emotional, and ultimately uplifting, this Oscar-winning 1997 drama is a celebrated classic for a reason. If you haven’t seen it at least once already, the story follows a brilliant but troubled young man who works as a janitor at MIT. After a professor discovers that he’s a self-taught math genius, he’s given a rare opportunity to turn his life around, provided that he attends therapy (where he forms a life-changing bond with his psychologist). We won’t tell you anymore because we wouldn’t want to ruin your impressively long streak without spoilers. But, suffice it to say that it won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the superbly talented and gone-too-soon Robin Williams and a Best Screenplay one for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. It also has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, almost 30 years down the track.  Enough said. 

Forrest Gump

If you’ve never seen Forrest Gump, we’re either very jealous of you because you’re oh-so-young or pity you because you’ve gone too long in life without seeing Forrest Gump. Either way, you need to watch it pronto. This classic 1994 comedy-drama follows the remarkable life of a kind-hearted man with a low IQ who unwittingly influences many of the 20th century’s significant historical events. It’s both heart-warming and soul-crushing at times, and is well worth a watch. It won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for the impossibly talented and always-on-the-mark Tom Hanks. It’s also widely regarded as one of the most beloved and influential films of all time. So what are you waiting for?

 

The Fugitive

When it comes to iconic movies, you just can’t beat Harrison Ford. And, while this one might not be as blockbuster-elaborate as Indiana Jones or Star Wars, it certainly holds up nonetheless. If you haven’t already seen this one, it’s a classic action thriller about a prominent surgeon who is wrongly convicted of killing his wife. After receiving the death penalty, he escapes from prison and sets out on a mission to clear his name and find the real killer. But, with a relentless U.S Marshal (played by Tommy Lee Jones) hot on his heels every step of the way, he’s got his work cut out for him. Think action-packed fight and chase scenes, elaborate conspiracies, and plenty of blood and gore to boot.

The Hangover

Although Bradley Cooper (swoon) had been around for a while before this one hit the big screen, The Hangover was an undeniable game-changer for his career. And, while this ‘lads lads lads’ comedy isn’t exactly Oscar-fodder, it still holds up as a fun buddy movie you can watch again and again. On the off-chance that you haven’t seen it, it’s about a group of guys who wake up with the mother of all hangovers after a Las Vegas bachelor party goes horribly awry. With the groom missing in action and virtually no memories from the night before, an unlikely trio heads on a whirlwind mission to save their friend. Action-packed, raunchy, and laugh-out-loud ridiculous, it’s got a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for good reason. 

Paddington 2

If you scroll down this list, you’ll find our recommendation for Paddington. And, while it is still a much-loved family-friendly movie worth watching, we reckon Paddington 2 is even better. Wholesome, hilarious, and with a stand-out performance by Hugh Grant, it’s a warm hug of a movie you can watch time and time again. Over seven years after its original release, it still has a 99% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, which, quite frankly, says it all.

Chicago

In the mood for an award-winning musical stuffed with Hollywood A-listers like Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, and John C. Reilly? Chicago is a dark comedy about murder, corruption, and scandal during Chicago’s infamous Jazz Age in the 1920s. It’s packed with iconic musical theatre bangers like All That Jazz, When You’re Good to Mama, and Cell Block Tango. It won several Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones. And, 23 years after its original release, it still holds up an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Not bad, eh?

A Star is Born

You know a film is good when there’s a Wikipedia page just for the awards. And, if you were wondering… A Star Is Born bagged 111 awards, including an Oscar for best original song and a couple of Grammys (plus a casual 283 nominations). If you haven’t yet seen Bardley Cooper’s reimagination of the classic 1937, 1954, and 1976 movie, expect a moving yet depressing love story about the destructive side of fame and the desperation to achieve it. Be prepared to be impressed by Gaga and/or swoon over Cooper… especially when he sings.  

Baby Driver

Edgar Wright (known for films like Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) spent the better part of two decades developing this film… so you know it’s at least well-thought-out. The story is centred around a young and eccentric heist getaway driver who lives his life through a carefully curated playlist. He dreams of escaping his criminal life, but when he falls in love, things get complicated. Expect high-octane drama, car chases, and an absolutely cracking soundtrack. There’s talk of a sequel, so now would be a good time to watch the original to get up to speed (pun so very much intended).

The Gentlemen

If you liked the Netflix crime show of the same name, you’ll love this movie. Both are made by Guy Ritchie and both explore the criminal underworld via a cannabis empire. They’re a bit same same but different — and equally awesome. The movie is about a cannabis mogul who decides to sell his empire, setting off a crazy scramble among rival gangsters, blackmailers, backstabbers, and schemers who want to seize his fortune. Think dark, funny, crazy violent, and oh-so Guy Ritchie. There are some brilliant performances in here, too, from the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Hugh Grant, and Colin Farrell, to name just a few. Brace yourself and enjoy. 

The Truman Show

We can’t resist an oldie but goodie, and The Truman Show is exactly that. From bang slap in the middle of Jim Carrey’s golden age, this comedy-drama about a man who is blissfully unaware that he’s living his entire life on TV is an absolute classic. With a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a bunch of awards, and a cracking performance by Carrey that’s as emotional as it is endearing, this one will give you all the feels. 

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Almost 20 years after the first Wallace & Gromit film, the world was gifted Vengeance Most Fowl in 2024. The movie is an absolute delight for old and new fans of the quirky duo, with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In this adventure, Wallace invents a smart gnome that goes rogue, and it’s up to Gromit to save the day. If you love excellent animation, charming storylines and fun humour, this one’s for you.

Past Lives

Get ready to cry. This heartbreaking film tells the story of Nora and Hae Sung, childhood friends who are separated after Nora's family emigrates from South Korea. When they eventually reunite decades later they are forced to deal with questions that have no easy answers. The highly rated (95% on Rotten Tomatoes) film is a really moving story of immigration, belonging and destiny, and will get you right in the feels.

Parasite

This black comedy had the whole world googling banjiha and starting an obsession with South Korean cinema. If you’re into movies with slow burn storylines, cutting social commentary and incredible cinematography, this is the film for you. Parasite follows the Kim family who live in a sub-basement apartment (banjiha) and scheme their way to each work for a wealthy family. It explores class divisions and power, but the Kim family’s journeys are fascinating, and you’ll never guess what happens as the story unfolds.

Paddington

This is another top-rated movie that will get you right in the childhood. This absolute gem of a movie follows Paddington Bear who travels to London in search of a home (he is originally from Peru, if you didn’t know). He finds a place with a loving family and takes to city living, but he needs to stay away from the evil taxidermist, played by Nicole Kidman. Paddington is basically everything you want it to be and more – genuinely wholesome, funny, pure and endlessly creative. Put this on when you want to have a really good time.

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Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

This is the follow-up to the popular Glass Onion film, and while it doesn’t always happen with sequels, this one was actually even more popular than the first. I watched A Knives Out Mystery before the original, so it can be done, but I recommend watching them in order to truly appreciate the film in all its glory. This quirky whodunit sees Benoit Blanc return to investigate a murder which happens during a billionaire’s murder mystery party. The movie is seriously fun and the cast—including Daniel Craig as Benoit in what could be the complete opposite to James Bond—will give you so much joy to watch.

The Shawshank Redemption

If you didn’t study Shawshank Redemption in high school and have somehow managed to avoid watching it so far, well done? But seriously, jump onto Netflix and watch it right now! It’s a classic for a reason. Banker Andy Dufresne is jailed for the murder of his wife and her lover, but plot twist, he is innocent. The story chronicles his life in prison and relationships with prisoners and prison guards, in particular "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman). You might cry, you might laugh, and you will definitely see why this movie is always in the top-rated lists.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

Yes, this is a teen romantic comedy, but there’s a reason it has a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score. This 2018 film follows Lara Jean as her letters to past loves are sent out to their intended recipients, but not by her. The characters are well-thought out—strong, but flawed—while the romantic throughline gives the whole movie a really earnest and wholesome quality.

Inglourious Basterds

This is one of those movies that has a little bit of everything: history, comedy, violence and Brad Pitt. The 2009 film is a Quentin Tarantino classic that has a solid 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. Inglourious Basterds is set in the first year of Germany's occupation of France in WWII, and while the plot follows a number of characters, it centres on putting together a group of Jewish-American soldiers to fight the Third Reich. The cinematography is beyond excellent (it is Tarantino), it is violent, it is engaging, it is surprisingly funny for a WWII film, and it is definitely worth watching if you haven’t already.

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