You might think that if a movie scores the No. 1 spot in Netflix’s top 10 most-watched list, it’s a sign of a worthwhile watch. But trust me, that’s far from the case. Popularity doesn’t always (or even particularly often) translate to guaranteed quality, and Netflix’s list of No. 1 movies in 2025 so far proves it.
To date, there have been 27 movies that have claimed the crown in the streaming service’s weekly updated list of its most popular movies (per Netflix’s own tracking). That list includes some truly awful flicks, including “The Electric State,” “iHostage,” “Ice Road: Vengeance,” and most recently, “The Woman in Cabin 10.” There are more duds than winners in the list.
Fortunately, amongst the numerous Netflix No. 1 hits that really deserved to be buried at the bottom of the streaming library barrel, a small handful of movies that earned the title this year actually deserved such an honor. That’s why I’m highlighting the best Netflix No. 1 movies down below.
Best Netflix No. 1 movies in 2025 (so far)
‘Havoc’
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My first pick is no doubt a controversial one, as I’m aware that a lot of Netflix subscribers detested this Tom Hardy-fronted action-thriller. “Havoc” holds a miserable 35% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, so there’s little doubt that many Netflix viewers felt it was unworthy of the No. 1 spot. However, the intense action sequences that only director Gareth Evans could craft won me over and were more than enough to make up for the bland plot in my eyes.
“Havoc” sees Hardy play a bruised detective in a city so riddled with criminal players, it makes Batman’s Gotham look utopian in comparison. In this grimy world, Hardy’s Walker must navigate the seedy underbelly of the city under the orders of a corrupt politician (Forest Whitaker). Also starring Timothy Olyphant as an even more corrupt police officer, “Havoc” packs some of my favorite action moments of the year, so I’m still very happy to champion it.
Watch “Havoc” on Netflix now
‘The Wild Robot’
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If you thought Pixar was the only animation studio capable of producing family movies that can reduce even adults into blubbering messes, think again. “The Wild Robot” sees DreamWorks in top form, delivering a wonderful adventure, packed with lovable characters, simple (but important) life lessons, and a truly stunning animation style. By the end, you’ll be rooting for its heroes and shedding more than a few (mostly happy) tears.
“The Wild Robot” opens with the eponymous machine washing up on the shores of a remote island. With no way of returning to home base or sending a signal to its creators, the robot (nicknamed Roz and voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) is forced to adapt to survive in its new surroundings. Soon after, the robot becomes the adopted mother to an orphaned gosling, and with some help from a sarcastic fox (Pedro Pascal), must protect the island’s inhabitants.
Watch on “The Wild Robot” on Netflix now
‘Plane’
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“Plane” is a very self-aware movie, and that’s what makes this bombastic action flick work. It’s far from award-worthy, but it’s a great Netflix pick when you want a movie full of outrageous stunts, huge explosives and corny dialogue. You could absolutely pick this movie apart if desired, but if you’re willing to embrace the carnage, it’s hard not to have a boatload of fun.
Gerard Butler is in fine action-hero form as Brodi Torrance (Butler), a pilot and former Royal Air Force officer who is forced into an emergency landing when his craft is struck by lightning. If that ordeal wasn’t enough, the plane has landed in the middle of a warzone, and the surviving passengers are soon taken hostage. To recuse them, Torrance teams up with Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter), an accused murderer, who was on the aeroplane in FBI custody.
Watch “Plane” on Netflix now
‘Happy Gilmore 2’
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There’s no doubt that “Happy Gilmore 2” isn’t going to leave the legacy that its 1996 predecessor has enjoyed for almost three decades, but as far as streaming follow-ups to classic comedies go, this sequel is a passable effort. Trust me, this isn’t another “Coming 2 America” situation. Sandler slips back into the role of the always-angry golfer with ease, and while the cameos from real sports pros are a little stilted, there are a few good gags here.
The movie opens with Gilmore (Sandler) having retired from professional golf after a tragic accident on the course resulted in the death of his wife. Now an alcoholic who has lost everything, Gilmore gets a shot at redemption when he decides to step back onto the green to earn enough money to pay for his daughter’s dream of attending ballet school in Paris. There’s nothing highbrow about “Happy Gilmore 2,” but it’s an easy weekend watch.
Watch “Happy Gilmore 2” on Netflix now
‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’
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Usually, at this point in the year, the number of Netflix No. 1 movies would be significantly higher, but the reason that 2025 hasn’t followed this observable trend is all down to one movie: “K-Pop Demon Hunters.” This juggernaut fantasy musical has held the No. 1 spot for a cumulative eight weeks since its release in June, and even when it’s been dethroned, it only vacates the throne for a brief period of time before returning to the top 10 summit.
It’s a certified Netflix sensation. Not just the most-watched Netflix movie of 2025, but the most-watched Netflix original movie in the platform’s history, taking the crown from long-reigning champion, 2021’s “Red Notice.” And it’s not even a close battle. “K-Pop” has scored over 325 million views (“Red Notice” has 230 million) in less than four months. You probably don’t need me to give you a rundown of this one, but it follows the fictional K-pop group Huntr/x as they sell out arenas by day and hunt sinister demons by night.
The animated movie holds a 95% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is impressive enough, but it’s the almost-perfect 99% viewers’ score that tells you how much Netflix subscribers love this one. If you haven’t watched it multiple times already, get “K-Pop Demon Hunters” in your watchlist now.
Watch “K-Pop Demon Hunters” on Netflix now
Every Netflix No. 1 movie in 2025 (so far)
- “Carry-On”
- “Despicable Me 2”
- “Back in Action”
- “Kinda Pregnant”
- “Aftermath”
- “To Catch a Killer”
- “Venom: The Last Dance”
- “Despicable Me 4”
- “The Electric State”
- “Den of Thieves 2 Pantera”
- “The Life List”
- “iHostage”
- “Havoc”
- “Exterritorial”
- “Nonnas”
- “Untold: The Fall of Favre”
- “The Wild Robot”
- “Tyler Perry’s Straw”
- “Plane”
- “Trainwreck Poop Cruise”
- “The Old Guard 2”
- “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Destination Wedding”
- “Happy Gilmore 2”
- “K-Pop Demon Hunters”
- “Unknown Number: The High School Catfish”
- “Ice Road: Vengeance”
- “The Woman in Cabin 10”
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