Image Credit: Netflix
From kpop demon hunter To carry onWe’re counting down the best Netflix movies of each year from 2016 to 2025.
A decade ago, in 2016, Netflix began to significantly increase its movie output with films like siege of jadotville And Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny. Fast forward to 2026, and the streamer will be releasing several dozen original movies. There is no definite figure, but it would be more than 50.
Looking back at the last 10 years, Netflix has released a number of award-winning movies – and in some cases, Oscar-winning films. What are the best Netflix Original movies from each of the last 10 years? Here’s our list, taking into account subjective opinions, critical reception, viewership, and awards recognition.
2025
kpop demon hunter
Netflix released some of its biggest and most awarded original movies throughout 2025. like starry pictures back in action And frankensteinCritically acclaimed plays such as steve And jay kelly. It’s hard to narrow it down to just one title, but overall, there is a film that (very impressive) crowd, and it is kpop demon hunter.
kpop demon hunter Brings together one of the world’s greatest pop genres with unprecedented animation. The film is based on K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey. When their stellar career begins to stall, and they fail to sell out stadiums or top the Billboard charts, they go undercover to protect their fans from supernatural threats. It is officially the most successful Netflix film of all time, achieving an unprecedented 20.5 billion viewing minutes, equivalent to over 200 million views.
success of kpop demon hunter It culminated at the 2026 Academy Awards, where it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. A sequel is already in development.
2024
carry on
When we think of action movies made during Christmas time, die Hard Always comes to mind. In 2024, Netflix attempts to channel a similar energy carry onA film based on a young airline security guard, Ethan Kopec (played by Taron Egerton), who is promoted to X-ray monitor. However, while working a busy holiday shift, he is given an earpiece by a stranger, and blackmailed into allowing an explosive to pass through security. The film blends incredible tension with great thrills and great action. It’s also refreshing to see a film like this set primarily in an airport rather than on a plane.
carry on Boasts of a stellar role. In addition to its protagonist played by Taron Egerton, it also stars Jason Bateman, Dean Norris, Sofia Carson and Daniel Rossi. The film was the most-watched picture of 2024 on Netflix with 118.2 million views, beating Millie Bobby Brown’s fantasy flick Damsel, which received 99.1 million views.
2023
extraction 2
Netflix had three major big screen hits in 2023: The Mother, Extraction 2, And murder mystery 2. All three of those movies could have taken the top spot, but Chris Hemsworth’s chaotic, high-octane sequel extraction 2 Takes the top spot. It’s not often that a sequel manages to live up to the hype of its predecessor, but extraction 2 Offers bigger and more ambitious action, notably a massive 21-minute one-take. In terms of ratings, the sequel’s Rotten Tomatoes rating is higher than the first film (80% compared to 67%).
after extraction 2 After debuting, it entered the streamer’s all-time top 10 with 29.3 million views, but has since fallen out.
extraction 3 It’s currently in development at Netflix, but it’s unlikely we’ll see it until around 2027.
2022
All Quiet on the Western Front
2022 will be remembered as one of the most respected years in Netflix history. The streamer has delivered a number of award-winning films, including some of the most iconic films of recent years, not least those from Guillermo del Toro. pinocchioreceived an award for Best Animated Feature At the 95th Oscars.
Of All the Top-Tier Netflix Projects for 2022, Nothing Reaches Extreme Heights All Quiet on the Western Front. Directed by Edward Berger, the film was nominated for nine Oscars, winning four: Best International Feature Film, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design.
The adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel is based on the story of an idealistic young German soldier on the front lines during World War I. As he deals with the intensity and crisis of war, his dreams and aspirations, and hopes for heroism dry up and fade. The film is stunningly shot and a wonderful piece of art that is a must-watch for any Netflix subscriber.
2021
power of dog
Benedict Cumberbatch shines as ruthless cattleman Phil Burbank in his first Western film The power of the dog. Directed by Jane Campion, the film received nominations for numerous awards, including Best Picture at the Oscars.
The film is based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage. It follows Phil Burbank, whose life is turned upside down when his brother George (Jesse Plemons) introduces him to his new wife Rose (Kirsten Dunst), as well as his son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee).
outside of power of dogOther great Netflix movies of 2021 include don’t look up (which was one of the streamer’s most successful films at the time), Tick, tick…boom!, And Is going through. It was a solid year for the West too the harder they fall Also garnering headlines.
2020
chicago trial 7
In 2020, at a time when most of us were stuck at home due to the lockdown, Netflix kept everyone sane with some top-tier movies. The streamer debuted excellent dramas, like chicago trial 7 And I’m thinking about ending thingsAnd also brought great action extraction and comic book adaptations old guard. Overall, the TV series stole the show, especially the limited series. queen’s stakeWhich remains one of the most popular shows on Netflix today.
For movies, it’s hard to see the past chicago trial 7 . Based on the infamous 1969 trial of anti-war protesters, the film stars Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Jeremy Strong and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. It’s tense, politically motivated, and based entirely on a true story. The film was extremely successful on Netflix and maintained a steady position in the streamer’s top 10 charts. It also received 6 nominations at the Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It won Best Motion Picture (Drama) at the Golden Globes.
2019
Irishman
There is a clear and obvious winner in 2019: Irishman. Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese assembled a god-level cast to bring his epic gangster film to life starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Stephen Graham. Clocking in at over three hours, Scorsese offers a glimpse at the scale of some of his greatest, most iconic genre works, such as goodfellas.
The film follows truck driver Frank Sheeran (De Niro), who finds himself entangled with Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and his Pennsylvania crime family. As the film progresses, he climbs the ranks and becomes a top hit man, putting a target on his back in the process.
At the 92nd Academy Awards, Irishman Received 10 nominations including Best Film, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor.
2018
Roma
When 2018 began, Netflix had fully established itself as a leading platform for original films. Netflix offered a huge number of standouts from a variety of genres. Some standout contenders include buster scruggs song And bird box. The latter was easily one of the most talked-about viral photos of the year, and it continues Bird Box: Barcelona In 2023.
You can’t ignore what was said RomaAn excellent film from director Alfonso Cuaron. From its excellent performance to its grandeurS Black-and-white imagery, and a touching story – it has it all. Set in Mexico in the early 1970s, Roma follows Cleo, an indigenous live-in maid who works for a middle-class family. She helps Antonio and Sofia take care of their children. However, then Antonio runs off with his mistress and Cleo finds herself pregnant, and complications arise.
It earned critical acclaim, being nominated for 10 Oscars and winning three awards, including Best Foreign Language Film.
2017
muddy
almost a decade later muddy Following its premiere, it has maintained a nearly 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Dee Rees’ directorial debut, muddy She made history by becoming the first black woman to be nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars. The film skillfully adapts Hillary Jordan’s novel of the same name, which tells the story of two World War II veterans who return to a changed rural Mississippi after the war. There, they grapple with memories of the war. muddy Stars Carey Mulligan, Jason Mitchell, Jason Clarke, and Mary L. Blige.
2017 movies in second place okjaA super-emotional film that follows a young girl named Mija (Seo-hyeon Ahn) who lives in rural Korea with her best friend, a giant imaginary animal who is a cross between a hippopotamus and an elephant. The film was directed by Bong Joon Ho, who went on to produce parasite.
2016
13th
In 2016, Netflix really revamped its film division. was probably the biggest and most awaited release Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, The long-awaited sequel to Ang Lee’s famous film. The streamer also laid an excellent foundation for movies in the years to come tallulah And siege of jadotville. But the most poignant release was actually a docu-film, 13thWhich set a gold standard and a precedent for an era of Netflix documentaries.
Directed by Ava DuVernay (when they see us), 13th is a documentary film exploring the history of racial inequality within the United States. Its impact was so profound and significant that Netflix made it available to stream for free on YouTube.
13th The awards ceremonies were a resounding success, bolstering Netflix’s growing profile of delivering top-tier content. It rocked awards ceremonies and took home both a BAFTA and an Emmy Best Documentaryand being nominated for Best Documentary At the Academy Awards.
What will be the best Netflix movie of 2026?
Notably, Netflix has already released some big-budget pictures so far in 2026 war machine, incisionAnd Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
There are also several other anticipated movies on the horizon, including some big IP adaptations. Look no further than Greta Gerwig narnia The film, which will start a brand new franchise.
What’s your favorite Netflix movie of the last decade? Let us know in the comments below!