This month, Netflix recorded a multitude of new releases, shaking up the rankings of the most watched films. However, choosing a movie to watch can be complicated with so many options available on the best streaming platforms.
However, it is true that not every film in the ranking is necessarily worth your time. This is why we have selected for you the three must-see films from the list of the 10 best on Netflix. There you’ll find a harrowing maritime adventure starring Chris Hemsworth, a supernatural horror film packed with twists and turns, and a breathtaking French action thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Let’s dive straight into our favorite picks of the best Netflix videos. For even more streaming recommendations, be sure to check out the latest on Netflix in January.
This article is based on the Netflix top 10 movie rankings as of 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, January 19, 2025.
Best movies in Netflix top 10
“In the heart of the sea”
In the Heart of the Sea – Final Trailer [HD] – YouTube
Look on
An often underrated item, “In the Heart of the Sea” has managed to stay in Netflix’s top 10 since its release on the platform earlier this month, even though it no longer holds the top spot. Don’t let its 42% score on Rotten Tomatoes discourage you; while not a masterpiece, it features dazzling cinematography and a gripping narrative that will keep you glued to your screen.
“In the Heart of the Sea” chronicles the harrowing voyage of a Massachusetts whaling ship sunk by a gigantic whale in 1820, an experience that later inspired Herman Melville’s famous novel, “Moby-Dick.” Led by Captain George Pollard Jr. (Benjamin Walker) and his first officer Owen Chase (Chris Hemsworth), the crew sets out from Nantucket on a routine expedition that turns into disaster when a massive killer whale targets their ship. Left thousands of miles from land, the crew must deal with starvation, dehydration and psychological torture, forcing them to make drastic decisions to survive.
Watch it on Netflix
“The Observers”
Look on
Although not technically an M. Night Shyamalan film, fans may recognize many of his features in his daughter Ishana Night Shyamalan’s film “The Watchers,” which marks her debut as director. Dakota Fanning plays Mina, an American immigrant who finds herself trapped in a dense, unmapped forest in Galway, Ireland.
She ends up meeting an old woman who takes her to a shelter, where she discovers, horrified, that she is locked up with three strangers while mysterious creatures, called Watchers, prowl in the woods. Each evening, the Watchers monitor their captives through a mirrored window in the shelter, and anyone not inside before nightfall becomes their next hunt. As the months pass, the group begins to turn against each other, but they will have to join forces to escape and discover the true nature of these strange beings who have begun to imitate their captives.
Watch it on Netflix
“For Life”
Look on
This French action thriller is already on track to becoming one of the biggest hits of the year on Netflix. Directed by Rodolphe Lauga, “Ad Vitam” features Franck Lazarev (Guillaume Canet), a disgraced member of the French elite Intervention Squadron (GIGN) with a troubled past.
After escaping a murder attempt at work, Franck returns home to check on his pregnant wife, Léo (Stéphane Caillard), where the couple is attacked by a mysterious group of armed men. Léo is kidnapped, and Franck is forced to carry out tasks for the group if he hopes to see her again one day. Although the film suffers from a certain lack of predictability and a first half loaded with flashback sequences, “Ad Vitam” is rich in tension, personal stakes and thrilling action scenes that will keep you captivated.
Watch it on Netflix
Top 10 movies on Netflix right now
1. “Despicable Me 2” (2013)
2. “Despicable Me” (2010)
3. “The Red Circle” (1970)
4. “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” (2024)
5. “Due Date” (2010)
6. “In the Heart of the Sea” (2015)
7. “For Life” (2025)
8. “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (2024)
9. “The Observers” (2024)
10. “Rush Hour 2” (2001)
This month, Netflix is offering diverse films, ranging from epic maritime adventures to psychological thrillers caught in the traps of an unpredictable nature. This raises an interesting question: what are you really looking for when choosing a film? Is it escape, thrill or a reflection on the human condition?
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