Netflix has become a dominant film studio when it comes to viewership. With KPop Demon Hunters breaking records in both the film and music industry, it is clear that the streaming service is far from struggling. They have had films in multiple genres and budgets perform extremely well on the platform. From big spectacle films to satires, Netflix has found success through many different types of films.
The reception of Netflix original movies varies among critics and audiences. Their most popular movies of all time range from overwhelmingly negative reviews to unanimous approval from critics and audiences. Despite their critics’ scores, these films made a significant impact on audiences upon release and have shaped Netflix into the brand they are known for today.
10
‘Back in Action’ (2025) – 30%
Back in Action was one of Netflix’s first major releases of 2025. Starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx as a married couple, the film follows the couple as former CIA spies whose identities are exposed, forcing them to go back to their espionage roots in order to save their kids from danger. The film’s title not only refers to the two agents coming back into the spy world, but the return of Cameron Diaz after an 11-year acting hiatus.
‘Back in Action’ Was Not the Film to Reignite Diaz’s Acting Career
Back in Action may have the ingredients of a great action comedy with Foxx and Diaz in the leads, but it wasn’t enough for critics to be satisfied. The film scored a measly 30% approval rating, with critics citing its repetitious screenplay as the film’s main flaw. Audiences were more attached to the film, however, earning a 60% with over 1,000 ratings, according to Rotten Tomatoes. Even though the film earned an overall negative critical reception, the film managed to become the seventh most popular Netflix film of all time within eight months of its release.
9
‘Red Notice’ (2021) – 37%
Red Notice became Netflix’s highest-budgeted film upon release, coming in at an estimated $200 million due to COVID-19 restrictions and production delays. The film follows John Hartley, played by Dwayne Johnson, an Interpol agent who attempts to track down “The Bishop,” the most wanted art thief in the world, played by Gal Godot. Hartley eventually finds help through another art thief, Nolan Booth, played by Ryan Reynolds. Throughout the film, the three go on an adventure filled with betrayals and double-crosses as nothing is as it seems.
An A-List Cast Doesn’t Always Equal Good Quality
Having Wonder Woman, Deadpool, and Black Adam in an action movie together sounds like a recipe for success, but critics seemed to disagree. Red Notice holds an underwhelming 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics finding the overall execution of the film to be muddled. However, audiences were extremely satisfied with the film, garnering a high 91%. Critics may not have found the film to offer much, but it immediately became Netflix’s most popular film of all time, and held that title until August 2025.
8
‘The Gray Man’ – 45%
Tying with Red Notice as one of Netflix’s biggest budgeted movies, The Gray Man sees the Russo brothers reteam with Chris Evans for another action film. It follows Six, played by Ryan Gosling, a skilled CIA agent who uncovers dark secrets about his agency, forcing him to go on the run. Evans plays Lloyd Hansen, a former colleague of Six who puts a bounty on his head.
‘The Gray Man’ Is a Part of the Russo Brothers’ Downfall
The Gray Man may be the ninth most popular Netflix movie of all time, but the critic reviews do not match its success. The film holds a 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics pointing out how the film borrows too much from other action films and how it does not have an identity of its own. The film also makes apparent the downfall of the Russo brothers’ directing outings, with their past three films failing to receive over 50% on Rotten Tomatoes. With their next projects being Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, people hope that they can come back to the greatness they brought to their previous projects.
7
‘Don’t Look Up’ – 56%
Don’t Look Up was the highly anticipated follow-up to Vice and The Big Short, which were two Oscar-winning films by Adam McKay. With a massive ensemble including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Meryl Streep, it follows two astronomers who struggle to warn the world of a massive asteroid that is bound to strike the planet. Despite the many facts that they present to everyone, the world ignores them entirely.
‘Don’t Look Up’ Is One of the Most Divisive Movies of 2021
With the film having as big of an ensemble as it does as well as Netflix backing it, Don’t Look Up was bound to receive a large amount of viewership. That being said, critics were overall divided on the film, holding a 56% on Rotten Tomatoes. Even though critics found the film to be overambitious, it still managed to receive numerous Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. Standing as the fourth most popular Netflix release, the film managed to make a huge cultural impact despite its mixed perception.
6
‘Damsel’ – 57%
Damsel stands as one of many Netflix films starring Millie Bobby Brown. The film follows Elodie, played by Brown, who agrees to marry a prince. After their marriage, she is soon recruited by the royal family to act as a sacrifice, getting thrown into a cave to be killed by a dragon in order to repay a debt. Throughout the film, she struggles to survive as well as cope with the idea of her new family’s betrayal.
‘Damsel’ Is One of Millie Bobby Brown’s Weaker Netflix Outings
Millie Bobby Brown has found lots of success on Netflix, with her role in Stranger Things pushing her to Hollywood stardom as well as the Enola Holmes movies showing she has movie-star charisma, but Damsel falls as one of her worst-received films. The film scored 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics pointing out the film’s lackluster use of visual effects and underwhelming story. Despite mixed reviews, the film still managed to become Netflix’s tenth most popular film of all time, with more Netflix/Millie Bobby Brown collaborations set in the near future.
5
‘Bird Box’ – 64%
Bird Box is one of the few Sandra Bullock films to be released in the past decade. Based on a novel of the same name, the film follows a group of people as they attempt to survive an invasion by an unseen presence that makes people die by suicide whenever they look at them. Bullock plays Malorie, a mother of two children who attempts to bring her family to safety.
‘Bird Box’ Was a Worldwide Phenomenon
Bird Box immediately became the most-talked-about movie on Netflix, becoming one of their most popular movies within months of its release. The film also brought the “Bird Box Challenge,” which became a viral trend that saw people attempt to do everyday tasks while blindfolded. While many viewers were hooked on the film and its premise, critics found themselves mixed to positive on the film, receiving a 64% on Rotten Tomatoes. Although they found the acting to be stellar across the board, critics believed that the film didn’t quite live up to its potential.
4
‘The Adam Project’ – 68%
The Adam Project is one of many collaborations between Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds. The film follows Adam, played by Reynolds, who is a time-traveling pilot who teams up with his younger self, played by Walker Scobell, in order to find their father and save the world. The film attempts to recreate the aesthetic and tone of films like Back to the Future and early Spielberg films with its themes of family and identity.
Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy Have Found Lots of Success With Each Other
The Adam Project received a 68% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, with reviews pointing out how entertaining and moving the film is despite having a derivative story. With projects like this, as well as Free Guy and Deadpool and Wolverine, Reynolds and Levy have shown that they work great with one another. Every collaboration with Reynolds has resulted in Levy’s highest rated films on Rotten Tomatoes, with his top three films all being Ryan Reynolds-led movies. With a Star Wars movie on the way, audiences hope he can keep up his successful run of films with Ryan Gosling.
3
‘Leave the World Behind’ – 73%
Based on a novel of the same name, Leave the World Behind is an apocalyptic thriller that took Netflix by storm in late 2023. The film follows Amanda and Clay, played by Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke, who rent a lavish home for a getaway weekend with their kids. On their vacation, they deal with a cyberattack that kills all of their devices, as well as two mysterious guests, played by Mahershala Ali and Myha’la, who appear at their doorstep.
‘Leave the World Behind’ Left Viewers Polarized
Leave the World Behind received solid reviews from critics, holding a 73% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences were not fans of the movie, as it scored a poor 36% on Rotten Tomatoes with over 10,000 ratings. While audiences found the film meandering with a disappointing finale, critics seemed to enjoy the film’s steady approach to storytelling. There have been many rating disparities between critics and audiences, but Leave the World Behind easily stands as one of the most controversial Netflix releases in recent years.
2
‘Carry-On’ – 88%
Carry-On stands as one of the surprise hits of 2024. The film follows a TSA worker, played by Taron Egerton, who is blackmailed by a terrorist, played by Jason Bateman, in order to get a package slip through security without being detected. With a Christmas setting, the film sees Bateman in one of his first villainous roles, as well as a supporting cast including Danielle Deadwyler, Sofia Carson, and Dean Norris.
‘Carry-On’ Was the Perfect Movie for the Holiday Season
Although the film had a heftier budget of $47 million, no one expected Carry-On to perform as well as it did. Not only is the film the third most popular Netflix movie of all time, but it scored a fantastic 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics found that the confident direction by Jaume Collet-Serra and the banter between Bateman and Egerton made for a relentlessly entertaining experience that feels like a movie from the past. With its simple premise and Christmas setting, it made for the perfect watch for the holiday season.
1
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ – 98%
When it comes to surprise hits for Netflix, perhaps none is as surprising as the success of KPop Demon Hunters. Made in partnership with Sony Pictures Animation, the film follows a K-pop trio who struggle to balance a life of music and hunting demons. With seven original songs, the film acts as a blend of genres, including musical, action, and comedy.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Is Netflix’s Biggest Film Ever
Although the film premiered in June 2025, the film has slowly become much more popular. Not only is it Netflix’s most popular movie ever, with over 236 million views, but it scored a rare 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of their highest-rated films of all time. The soundtrack is also breaking records in the music and film world, as the movie became the first film in 30 years to have four original songs stand in the Billboard Top 10.
The film broke records for movie theaters as well, becoming Netflix’s first #1 hit at the box office with an estimated $18 million grossed for its sing-along screenings. To find success in industries outside its streaming service shows just how popular the film is, and there likely won’t be another film to replicate its success for a long time.