The movie libraries of the best streaming services are constantly evolving, with new titles coming and going, making it all the more difficult to narrow down what you want to watch.
That’s why here at Tom’s Guide, we highlight the best of the best, rounding up only films that have scored 90% or more on review website Rotten Tomatoes to recommend for your next movie night. Granted, a high critics’ rating doesn’t guarantee a hit (after all, everyone has different tastes), but it’s as good a starting point as any for figuring out what you want to watch next.
So if you’re looking for something new to watch on Netflix, here are the seven movies I think you should add to your watchlist. This list includes a poignant and claustrophobic drama starring Brie Larson, a psychological horror that will haunt you long after the credits roll, and one of the best Godzilla movies of all time.
“Pearl” (2022)
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The middle chapter of Ti West’s X-Trilogy, Pearl is a fantastic psychological horror film that stands on its own. Mia Goth delivers a career-defining performance as Pearl, a young woman who dreams of Hollywood stardom while in reality she is stuck on the family farm while her husband fights in World War I and feels smothered by her overprotective mother (Tandi Wright).
When Pearl’s wealthy sister-in-law mentions that a local troupe of dancers will be auditioning for a traveling show, Pearl is convinced that this is her chance to escape. But as things start to fall apart and her dreams of stardom slip away, she doesn’t take rejection well – at least all. This disturbing psychological horror film owes much of its impact to Goth’s exceptional lead performance, highlighted by a riveting and haunting monologue that really showcases her talent.
Genre: horror
With: Mia Goth, David Corenswet, Tandi Wright, Matthew Sunderland, Emma Jenkins-Purro and Alistair Sewell
Rating at Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Watch now on Netflix
“Space” (2015)
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If you haven’t seen the heartbreaking drama that earned Brie Larson her first Oscar, you won’t want to miss this film. In “Room,” she plays Joy, a woman who was kidnapped as a teenager and is now locked in a tiny shed with her five-year-old son Jack (Jacob Tremblay), who was raped by her kidnapper.
For Jack, the shed he calls the Room is his entire world. But if the duo are to escape, Joy must find a way to teach him about the outside world and, more importantly, how to flag down help to free them. Room is undoubtedly an emotional film (be sure to bring some tissues, because you’ll need them), but it also shows the resilience of the human spirit and the love between mother and son on screen is truly touching.
Genre: drama
With: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, Sean Bridgers, Tom McCamus and William H. Macy
Rating at Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Watch now on Netflix
“Godzilla Minus One” (2023)
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As someone who was completely blown away by Godzilla Minus One in theaters (I never thought a Godzilla movie would leave me crying), I’ve long sung the praises of this film. It showcases the genius of the original titan, wrapped up in a heartbreaking but deeply hopeful message about humanity that leaves a lasting impression.
Written and directed by acclaimed CG animator and VFX artist Takashi Yamazaki, Godzilla Minus One begins in the final days of World War II, after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Enter Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki), a kamikaze pilot torn between completing his mission and making a detour to Odo Island. Little does he know that Japan’s surrender is already underway. But after a fateful encounter with a reptilian monster that emerges from the sea and unleashes chaos and destruction, he must now face a new and terrifying reality… and decide what is worth dying for.
Genre: Science fiction, drama
With: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando and Kuranosuke Sasaki
Rating at Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Watch now on Netflix
“Hit Man” (2023)
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My colleague Rory called director Richard Linklater’s sexy, nihilistic comedy Hit Man one of the strongest Netflix original films in years, and I tend to agree. It’s got an impressive 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics are praising it as a genre-bending thriller that cements Glen Powell’s status as one of Hollywood’s biggest rising stars.
In Hit Man, a mix of light-hearted crime thriller and romantic comedy, Powell plays Gary Johnson, a stuffy professor who moonlights as a fake hitman for the police. Dressed in a variety of elaborate costumes, he convinces potential clients that he is a ruthless hitman, just before the police swoop in and arrest them To Catch a Predator-style. But when a femme fatale (Adria Arjona) hires him to eliminate her abusive husband, Gary breaks protocol. To hide his true identity from her, he embarks on a risky game of deception, setting off a chain of events that lead to increasingly dangerous consequences.
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Action
With: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta and Sanjay Rao
Rating at Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Watch now on Netflix
“Crazy Rich Asians” (2018)
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Who doesn’t enjoy a little glimpse into the lives of the super-rich every now and then? In “Crazy Rich Asians,” an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan, Constance Wu plays Rachel Chu, an NYU professor whose boyfriend Nick (Henry Goulding) turns out to be (you guessed it) insanely rich.
She doesn’t find out until the couple is already on their way to Singapore for Nick’s friend’s wedding. Meeting your partner’s family is nerve-wracking enough, but Rachel’s stress levels rise even further when everyone – including Nick’s mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh) – looks down on her. “Crazy Rich Asians” is both hilarious and beautiful, and one of the easiest films on this list to endure. The supporting cast is also great, especially Awkwafina as Rachel’s de facto high society teacher and Nico Santos as the self-proclaimed rainbow sheep of the family.
Genre: Romantic comedy
With: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong and Michelle Yeoh
Rating at Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Watch now on Netflix
“Nimona” (2023)
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Nimona is one of the best animated films of recent years, combining a heartfelt story about acceptance and building a family with the great visuals of the Spider-Verse series. As someone who grew up with ND Stevenson’s Nimona comics, which the film is based on, it’s one of my favorites on this list.
Set in a medieval futuristic kingdom, the film follows aspiring knight Ballister (Riz Ahmed), an outsider who is accused of murder in what he believes is his finest hour and is forced into hiding. While he tries to clear his name, he is not thrilled when he catches the attention of Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a shapeshifter who declares herself his mate. To save the day, Ballister must team up with the very monster he swore to destroy – while trying to keep her bloodlust under control.
Genre: Action, Kids & Family
With: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang and Frances Conroy
Rating at Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Watch now on Netflix
“His House” (2020)
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His House is my absolute recommendation for non-horror fans looking to get into the genre. The film is packed with psychologically terrifying moments that are sure to haunt you long after the credits roll, and it has the honor of being the only entry on this list to receive a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
His House follows Bol (Sope Dirisu) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku), a young refugee couple fleeing war-torn South Sudan and trying to find their feet in a small English town. Faced with hostility and racism in their new community, the couple struggle to adjust. But the biggest strain on their relationship is the mysterious malevolent force haunting their home, which seems to be connected to their traumatic past. Although Rial begs them to move away, Bol fears they could be deported if they make too much of a fuss, and so the two must weather the horror alone.
Genre: horror
With: Wunmi Mosaku, Sope Dirisu and Matt Smith
Rating at Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Watch now on Netflix
