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The Top 10 Movies on Netflix to Watch Right This Second (Including a New Adam Sandler Film at #1)

Movie night, anyone?

netflix top movies leo
Courtesy of Netflix

​​There are countless streaming options available at our fingertips, but not all Netflix movies live up to our expectations. That’s why we often turn to the top 10 movies list on Netflix, which ranks titles based on who’s watching what. Not only does it include the most popular new releases (like Best. Christmas. Ever!), but it also features a few old favorites (like Minions). The best part? The top 10 movies on Netflix are updated on a daily basis, so there’s never a shortage of new options.

From Leo to Frybread Face and Me, keep scrolling for a list of the best movies on Netflix and our editor’s pick of the week.

Editor’s Pick of the Week Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

  • Cast: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac
  • Run Time: 140 minutes
  • Genre: Family-friendly sci-fi movie

Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) teams up with Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) for a journey through the multiverse, where they face off against an even bigger threat. Things get complicated when the heroes disagree on how to move forward, and it puts a strain on Miles’s relationship with the other Spiders.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Although there are some cross-movie references, you don’t have to watch the first film before diving into the sequel because it focuses on an entirely new adventure. However, the first movie does introduce the character dynamics, so perhaps a binge-watching marathon is in your best interest.

1. Leo (2023)

  • Cast: Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong
  • Run Time: 106 minutes
  • Genre: Animated comedy

Leo is a lizard who’s spent his entire life in a classroom. When he discovers that he only has one year left to live, he devises a plan to escape. Everything changes when a mean substitute teacher takes over the class, forcing Leo to help the students escape, too.

Adam Sandler voices the character of Leo and sings a few tracks for the film, including “Lizard’s Lament” and “Don't Cry.” Both of his daughters, Sadie and Sunny, are part of the cast as well, so consider it a family affair.

2. The Secret: Dare to Dream (2020)

  • Cast: Katie Holmes, Josh Lucas, Sarah Hoffmeister
  • Run Time: 147 minutes
  • Genre: Romantic drama

Katie Holmes stars as a widow who’s struggling to raise her three children on her own. Suddenly, she meets a charming man who offers a hand after a hurricane destroys part of her roof. Of course, there’s a catch. The mystery man is hiding a secret about their meet-cute, and it could backfire.

The film is inspired by Rhonda Byrne’s self-help book, The Secret. The best part about the movie is the on-screen chemistry between the two stars, Holmes and Josh Lucas.

3. Best. Christmas. Ever! (2023)

  • Cast: Heather Graham, Brandy, Jason Biggs, Matt Cedeño
  • Run Time: 81 minutes
  • Genre: Family comedy

This brand-new movie arrived just in time for the holidays. The story follows a couple who are preparing to have a modest celebration. Thanks to their mischievous children, they accidentally enter the wrong address into the GPS, and they wind up on the doorstep of a college friend who has a seemingly perfect life. When a winter storm hits, they must change their plans and spend Christmas there.

The film is directed by Mary Lambert (A Castle for Christmas) and written by Charles Shyer (The Parent Trap). Cast members include Heather Graham, Brandy, Jason Biggs and Matt Cedeño.

4. Lone Survivor (2013)

  • Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster
  • Run Time: 121 minutes
  • Genre: Biographical war film

The film takes place in 2005 in Afghanistan and follows a group of Navy SEALs who are tasked with locating Taliban leader Ahmad Shah. When one of the locals informs Taliban fighters about the mission, the SEALs are forced to fight for their survival in unfamiliar territory.

The war drama is based on the namesake book by Marcus Luttrell. Lone Survivor features an all-star cast, including Mark Wahlberg (Shooter), Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights), Emile Hirsch (The Girl Next Door) and Ben Foster (Hell or High Water).

5. Dampyr (2022)

  • Cast: Wade Briggs, Stuart Martin, Frida Gustavsson
  • Run Time: 109 minutes
  • Genre: Horror-fantasy film

If you love vampire movies, then you need to watch this thrilling Italian film. The story takes place in 1990 in the war-torn Balkans and focuses on a half-human, half-vampire who doesn’t know how powerful he truly is.

The horror film originally premiered in October 2022 in Italy. In August 2023, it was released in the United States by Sony Pictures. Then in November 2023, it gained popularity when it was added to Netflix.

6. Minions (2015)

  • Cast: Pierre Coffin, Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Allison Janney
  • Run Time: 90 minutes
  • Genre: Family-friendly comedy

Kids often have loads of questions. How did the Minions originate? Where did they come from? And how did they first cross paths with Gru? Well, this movie has answers about all things Minion.

Although Minions is part of the Despicable Me franchise, it serves as a prequel to the original 2010 film. (There are three Despicable Me movies in total, along with another coming in 2024.) After watching Minions, be sure to follow-up with the sequel, Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022).

7. Frybread Face and Me (2023)

  • Cast: Keir Tallman, Charley Hogan, Martin Sensmeier
  • Run Time: 82 minutes
  • Genre: Independent drama

Meet Benny, a Navajo boy who isn’t very familiar with his heritage because he was raised in San Diego. He gets the ultimate culture shock when he reluctantly stays with his relatives during summer break and explores life on the rez.

The coming-of-age film is filled with relatable life scenarios and heartwarming moments.

8. Last Call to Istanbul (2023)

  • Cast: Kivanç Tatlitug, Beren Saat
  • Run Time: 91 minutes
  • Genre: Romantic drama

The movie follows two strangers who meet at an airport while traveling to New York. When they arrive at their destination, they embark on a wild night of adventures in the city. Although the romantic chemistry is evident, there’s one small problem. They’re both married.

Last Call to Istanbul is a must-watch for anyone who loves romantic dramas with complicated stories. The film is directed by Gönenç Uyanık (Love 101, The Gift, The Protector).

9. Trolls (2016)

  • Cast: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel
  • Run Time: 92 minutes
  • Genre: Family-friendly musical

The Trolls are happy creatures who spend their days singing, dancing and hugging. Everything changes when the Bergens invade Troll Village and kidnap one of Branch’s siblings. So, he teams up with Poppy to reunite his family.

Once you’ve watched the family-friendly flick, you can continue the marathon with Trolls Holiday (2017), Trolls World Tour (2020), Trolls: Holiday in Harmony (2021) and Trolls Band Together (2023). Disclaimer: The catchy songs will get stuck in your head.

10. The Killer (2023)

  • Cast: Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton, Charles Parnell, Arliss Howard
  • Run Time: 119 minutes
  • Genre: Thriller movie

The film follows a stealthy assassin, dubbed “The Killer.” After a hit goes awry, he goes on the run and finds himself in an international manhunt.

The film is based on Alexis "Matz" Nolent’s French graphic novel series of the same name. It premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival before hitting theaters in October 2023. The film was added to Netflix's database on November 10.

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Greta Heggeness

Senior Editor

Greta Heggeness is a California-based editor at PureWow and has been writing about entertainment since 2015. She covers everything from awards shows to exclusive celebrity...
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Karelle McKay

Assistant Editor, News And Entertainment

Karelle McKay is the Assistant Editor of News and Entertainment at PureWow. Before she started writing about all things pop culture, she was a literal couch potato who loved...
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