Sick Of Checking Rotten Tomatoes? Here’s 52 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. 

Sleepless in Seattle

Fight Club

The Mitchells vs. the Machines

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Jurassic Park (1993)

Sure, there have been a bunch of technically impressive additions to this franchise in recent-ish years, but you can’t quite beat the nostalgia and the oh-so-vintage-Spielberg lighting and tension-building of the first Jurassic Park. If you’ve never heard of this one (how?!), it’s set on a fictional island where a wealthy businessman and a team of genetic scientists have created a wildlife park to bring dinosaurs back from extinction. What could possibly go wrong? A lot, we promise… The movie was a blockbuster success, won a bunch of awards when it came out, and still has a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes to this day.

Kill Bill: Volume 1

This iconic Tarantino movie follows an elite assassin as she goes on a relentless vengeance quest after a four-year coma. Its bold and visceral style, blending samurai cinema, spaghetti westerns, and anime, was unique at the time but spawned many, many homages in its wake. If you want to tick a cult classic that inspired a generation of filmmakers off your list, this movie is a good shout. But if you only liked Volume 1 because of its pace and style, you have our full permission to give Volume 2 a swerve (unless you want a more dialogue-heavy, emotional character study — in which case, go for gold).  

The Grand Budapest Hotel

There’s no shortage of weird wonderfulness in Wes Anderson’s catalogue, but in our humble opinion, this one’s the most enjoyable of the lot. Set against the backdrop of Eastern Europe between the two World Wars, it follows the misadventures of a quirky and charming concierge and his protégé at a lavish hotel. It has a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and a hanful of Oscars to boot. Oh, and Ralph Fiennes is nothing short of fabulous in the lead role.

Prometheus

This science-fiction thriller was directed by Ridley Scott and offers a blend of sci-fi visuals, horror vibes, and philosophical contemplation. The story follows a team of scientists as they attempt to uncover the origins of humanity by visiting a distant moon. But, as they encounter aliens along with details of some horrifying experiments conducted by an ancient race, things get uncomfortable to say the least. Though critical reception was mixed, Prometheus got two Oscar nominations for Best Visual Effects and Best Production Design. So if you like movies that were technically and visually impressive to make at the time, it’s worth checking this one out. 

The Big Short

This Adam McKay comedy-drama explores the 2007–2008 global financial crisis triggered by the collapse of the US housing bubble. You’ll need all your brain cells for this one because it’s all about super complicated financial stuff. But it’s told with dark humour, and it’s got a ridiculously impressive cast (Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie… the list goes on), which should keep you entertained. IT won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and received nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Film Editing. And, if you prefer to trust your peers over academy voters, it also has an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Pursuit of Happyness 

This biographical drama stars Will Smith alongside his real-life son, Jaden. The story follows a man’s struggles with homelessness, financial hardship, and single parenthood while trying to get a super competitive stockbroker internship in 1980s San Francisco. It’s inspirational, heartfelt, and emotionally powerful. Will Smith got an Oscar nom for Best Actor (years before he was banned for that slap…) and the movie still holds an 87% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes 20 years down the line.

KPop Demon Hunters

This one’s worth seeing purely because it’s the most-watched Netflix original movie of all time, with a whopping 500 million views after just 6 months. The plot of this animated musical fantasy film is a bit bizarre, so stay with us… A super successful K-pop girl group use their music and combat skills to secretly battle demons who are threatening the world. And that includes a rival boy band who are actually supernatural enemies in disguise. Told you it was bizarre… but then again, so was Everything Everywhere All At Once, and that got 7 Oscars and a spot on several ‘best movies of all time’ lists, so clearly the world loves a rogue idea once in a while.

Inception

Speaking of bizarre plots, Inception’s always a good shout if you’re in the mood for a quality movie by some serious Hollywood heavyweights. If you’ve never seen it (how?), it’s a sci‑fi thriller about a skilled thief who steals information by infiltrating people’s subconscious while they dream. Said thief is then offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to wipe his criminal record clean and return to his children, but only if he can perform an ‘inception’ and plant an idea in someone’s subconscious. You definitely need to focus, and you’ll probably be confused several times about what’s real and what’s not… but it’s oh so good. 

The Power of the Dog 

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog is a psychological Western set in 1920s Montana. The story follows the complex family dynamics between a cruel yet charismatic rancher and his brother, who marries a widow with a sensitive son. As all of these characters share a household, hidden vulnerabilities and complex emotions emerge, revealing all sorts of issues around masculinity and repression. Widely regarded as one of the best films of 2021, it was nominated for a buuuuuuunch of Oscars and won Best Director for Jane Campion. And, if you need more than the Academy Awards to sway your opinion, it also has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Hit Man

This 2023 romantic comedy crime thriller follows a philosophy professor (played by Glenn Powell) who assists local police by posing as a contract killer during stings. But, as he falls for one of his marks, things get a bit complicated. Sound far-fetched? It’s actually loosely based on a college professor who worked in a similar role for the Houston police in the late 1980s and 1990s. Random eh? Anyway, it has a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was generally praised by audiences for its sharp script and on-screen chemistry between the actors. What’s not to love?

Matilda (1996)

In the mood for a childhood classic? Although there have been musicals and movie musical remakes, this '90s-tastic version of Roald Dahl’s Matilda still holds a very special place in our hearts. In a nutshell, the story is about a kind-hearted and neglected young girl who uses her newly-discovered telekinetic powers to stand up for herself, her classmates, and her oh-so-sweet teachers, Miss Honey. Starring Danny DeVito and Mara Wilson, it’s a familiar favourite with a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. And, whether you want to get nostalgic about your childhood or share this gem with the next generation, you’ll be pleased to know that Matilda is available on Netflix Australia from 25 November 2025.

Moneyball

If you like films based on inspiring real-life events, you’ll love Moneyball. The story follows a baseball team’s manager who revolutionised baseball scouting by embracing a data-driven, sabermetric approach. Building a competitive team on a tiny budget, he assembled undervalued players and overcame conflict and league-wide scepticism to reshape modern baseball and lead his team on an unprecedented winning streak. It’s got subtle, feel-good tones to it, but it’s also emotional, smart, and grounded. And, if Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in the lead roles isn’t enough for you, it also has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes almost fifteen years after it was first released.

Bad Boys

Bad Boys may have received a lukewarm reception from critics, but it has earned cult status among fans. And, several decades and multiple sequels later, it’s maintained that status, too. If you haven’t already seen it, it’s an action-comedy (although TBH it’s probably more action than comedy) starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as rough-around-the-edges narcotics detectives in 1990s Miami. After $100 million in confiscated heroin is stolen from police custody, the two are thrown into a whirlwind of shootouts, kidnappings, and identity swaps, all while bickering with each other every step of the way. If you like gritty action movies with aaaaaaall the 90s fashion, you’ll probably enjoy this one. 

Will & Harper

If you’re expecting a laugh-a-minute road trip movie, you’re in for a surprise. In a nutshell, this heartfelt documentary follows Ferrell with his long-time friend, Harper, on a cross-country road trip after Harper comes out as a trans woman. Filled with candid conversations about their decades-long friendship along with Harper’s experiences before and after coming out, it’s deeply touching. It’s also funny at times and difficult to watch at others. If you want lighthearted viewing, you should save this one for another day. But, if you want a quality, moving documentary, this one has a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is well worth your time.

The Wolf of Wall Street

When it comes to actor-director combos, you probably don’t get more top-tier A-list vibes than DiCaprio and Scorsese. If you haven’t already seen this 2013 smash hit, it’s based on the 2007 memoir of former stockbroker and notorious financial criminal Jordan Belfort. From his aggressive sales tactics and fraudulent antics to his hedonistic lifestyle stuffed to the brim with drugs, sex, and ridiculously lavish parties, The Wolf of Wall Street chronicles his rise and fall on Wall Street, blending dark humour with scathing social commentary along the way. Heads up — it gets a bit raunchy and depraved at times, so maybe don’t watch it with your grandparents. 

The Green Mile

Based on Stephen King’s novel, The Green Mile is a super sad fantasy-drama about a compassionate corrections officer and a gentle giant death-row inmate with miraculous healing abilities. As the officer (played by the always on-point Tom Hanks) gets to know the inmate, he learns that he is not only innocent, but is also cursed with extraordinary sensitivity to human suffering. It’s a brilliantly performed and emotional movie that’ll make you think about the best and worst of humanity. Full disclosure, this one may just break you a little bit, so have your tissues at the ready and don’t watch it on a day when you’re feeling a bit emosh or vulnerable.

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.

Main image credit: IMDB | Website

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