While it's easy to get caught up in all of the new movies available on Netflix, whether that be Netflix original or the latest releases coming from movie theaters, the Netflix library is also filled with classic movies. Whether it's an all-time favorite that you're eager to rewatch or a well-known title that you need to scratch off your must-watch list, Netflix has a bountiful slate of classic movies to look through. We're here to help with our own recommendations of the best classic movies on Netflix right now.
Now we should be clear about what we're talking about when we say classic movies. The best way to tell if a movie is truly a classic or not is time, so we made the call to only include movies that were 10 years or older (so nothing post-2014 made the cut). With that parameter, our list features award-winning movies, box office hits and both signature and early work of iconic stars and directors.
Find out what titles made our list of best classic movies on Netflix and why directly below.
Amadeus (1984)
Classical music turned into a classic movie as Amadeus chronicled the rivalry (though one that was heavily fictionalized) between legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce) and his contemporary Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham). The grand and operatic period piece would go on to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Even though it turns 40 in 2024, the movie's music and brilliant acting keeps it a brilliant watch today. Available: US only
American Graffiti (1973)
Before George Lucas took audiences to a galaxy far, far away, he took them out for a night on the town which was reminiscent of his formative teenage years in American Graffiti. This is the movie that put Lucas on the map, as it follows a group of high school graduates driving around their small town as they prepare for the next step of their lives in the early 1960s. A fantastic soundtrack, incredible looking cars and an appearance by a young Harrison Ford are among the highlights of this early Lucas work. Available: US only
Animal House (1978)
While there are a few elements of Animal House that don't date all that well, the movie paved the way for many of the broad comedies that we know and love today. Animal House is centered on a rambunctious frat house that is far more interested in partying than school, which puts them at odds with the dean. While the ensemble all get their laughs, John Belushi gives one of his defining performances in the movie and shows us why he was a comedy legend. Available: US only
Annie (1982)
Netflix has a few classic family movies too, perhaps none better than the original movie version of Annie. The classic story of the little red-headed orphan who wins the heart of Daddy Warbucks is utterly charming, with some all-time great musical numbers in "It's a Hard Knock Life" and "Tomorrow." And the cast is pitch-perfect, featuring Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Tim Curry, Bernadette Peters, Ann Reinking and Aileen Quinn as Annie. Available: US only
The Babadook (2014)
"Elevated horror" has become a buzz word for the genre, basically meaning horror movies that use their scares and monsters as a great metaphor as compared to the classic straight up slashers and jump scare fests of the past. Among the movies always cited as an example of elevated horror is The Babadook, Jennifer Kent's intensely creepy tale of a single mother and her child as they became taunted by the terrifying character from a children's book, the titular Babadook. The movie lives up to its reputation as an expertly crafted horror movie that is likely to get under your skin. Available: US only
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Eddie Murphy is responsible for some of the best comedies of the last 40-plus years, one of which is Beverly Hills Cop. As the wise-cracking, fish-out-of-water but brilliant Detective Axel Foley, Murphy crafted one of his most iconic characters (and one he is reprising in the upcoming Netflix original movie Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F) that is always good to make us laugh. If you're feeling like more Murphy after watching Beverly Hills Cop, his popular movie The Nutty Professor is also streaming on Netflix for US subscribers. Available: US/UK
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Oliver Stone's Platoon may have won Best Picture, but for our money, his Born on the Fourth of July is the better of his Vietnam movies (he won Best Director for both movies). Born on the Fourth of July tells the story of Ron Kovic, a real-life soldier who was paralyzed while serving in Vietnam and would go on to be an anti-war activist. It features one of the great Tom Cruise performances of all time and is a stirring portrait of the controversial war. Available: US only
Boyz n the Hood (1991)
John Singleton made history with Boyz n the Hood, his gripping drama of teens growing up in the Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles and having to deal with issues of race, violence and their prospects for the future. Not only did Singleton receive two Oscar nominations for his debut movie, but he became the first African-American and the youngest person ever (he was 24 at the time) to be nominated for Best Director. Available: US/UK
*Leaving May 31
Footloose (1984)
As Kevin Bacon says, let's dance! Footloose was a sensation in the 80s, ending the years as the sixth highest grossing movie and making a star our of Bacon. A lot of that has to do with its great soundtrack featuring two Oscar-nominated songs — the titular "Footloose" and "Let's Hear It for the Boy" — which still makes you want to get up and dance. There may not be any better examples of an 80s movie than Footloose. Available: US only
Frances Ha (2012)
Thanks to movies like Barbie, Little Women and Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig is now one of the most recognized directors working today. But before she stepped behind the camera of 2023's box office winner, she was a queen of the independent film world. Few movies are better examples of this than Frances Ha, which she co-wrote with director Noah Baumbach, where she plays a woman in her 20s who continues to pursue her dreams even as her life is changing around her. Available: US only
The Guns of Navarone (1961)
Gregory Peck leads a team to sabotage a key German weapons base during World War II in The Guns of Navarone. Hollywood legends Peck, Anthony Quinn, David Niven, Richard Harris and more set out on the mission, which is a great example of the old-school Hollywood epics of the 1950s and 1960s. Available: US only
Happy Gilmore (1996)
Arguably Adam Sandler's most popular comedy, Happy Gilmore sees the actor portray a hockey player desperate for money who takes up golf when he discovers he can drive the ball further than anyone, while bringing many of his hockey antics along for the ride. It's a defining role for one of the biggest comedy stars of the last 30 years, along with some memorable turns from Carl Weathers and Christopher McDonald. Available: US only
*Leaving May 31
The Holiday (2006)
Even though it is set during Christmas time, The Holiday is one of those movies that works year-round because Christmas takes a back seat to the budding relationships at the center of the story between Cameron Diaz and Jude Law and Kate Winslet and Jack Black. Utterly charming, The Holiday has become a beloved movie for many. Available: US/UK
The Impossible (2012)
Disaster movies have long been a genre in Hollywood, but you won't find many as truly emotional as The Impossible. Set during the devastating tsunami that hit Thailand in 2004, the movie follows a family, featuring Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor and a young Tom Holland, as they attempt to reunite. Available: US/UK
Inside Man (2006)
Spike Lee applied his impeccable directing skills to the heist movie with the excellent Inside Man. Featuring a cast that includes Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Willem Dafoe, Inside Man is a taut, exhilarating ride as a bank robbery is more than it seems. If you're curious in some earlier Spike Lee movies, his 1986 movie She's Gotta Have It is also streaming on Netflix. Available: US/UK
Jumanji (1995)
Before Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart took over the Jumanji franchise, Robin Williams started it all with this beloved 90s adventure movie. What made this fun was the craziness of having these jungle creatures and dangers wreak havoc on a small town. Sure, the CGI may be a little hokey today, but Williams, Bonnie Hunt and his young co-stars (including Kirsten Dunst) are the real draws, as we root for them to win the game and not get eaten by a lion. Available: US only
Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003)
Quentin Tarantino is no stranger to shoot 'em ups, but he swapped his guns for swords in Kill Bill Vol. 1 and didn't lose a step. The director's ode to martial arts movies has numerous brilliant action set pieces, though none better than the climactic battle at the House of Blue Leaves. That alone would is enough to make this list. Throw in Uma Thurman's fantastic turn as a woman on a warpath of revenge and Kill Bill Vol. 1 is an absolute thrill ride. Available: US only
Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004)
While there are still great fight scenes in Kill Bill Vol. 2, Tarantino switched things up and went with a different kind of approach to finish up his bloody affair. And though it may not have been what fans of the first were expecting, it really works as a concluding chapter for Thurman's Bride. While the third act may not be as exciting as Kill Bill Vol. 1, it will keep you just as hooked. Available: US only
Knocked Up (2007)
Knocked Up is the comedy that turned Seth Rogen into a star and is arguably the pinnacle of Judd Apatow's directing efforts. While it has plenty of the weed-centric and phallic humor that Apatow and Rogen have become widely associated with, we can't look past that this is a great story of two people that are forced together as a result of a pregnancy following a one-night stand, but who fall in love and bring out the best in each other, with plenty of laughs in between. Available: US only
LA Confidential (1997)
If you love a classic crime story, there may not be a better option on Netflix right now than LA Confidential. Told in the style of a 1950s noir, this star-studded mystery centers on a Hollywood murder that involves dirty cops and escorts who look like movie stars. Ask around and you'll probably find quite a few people who believe that LA Confidential should have won Best Picture in 1997 over Titanic. Available: US only
The Land Before Time (1988)
Just before Disney became the Disney we know today with their 90s renaissance, The Land Before Time managed to earn a spot in the hearts of viewers. Many millennials still hold a soft spot for the original movie (it spawned a number of sequels that we've honestly lost count of) and can now share in the adventures of Littlefoot and his friends with children of their own. Available: US only
Leon: The Professional (1994)
Leon: The Professional focuses on a professional hitman who takes in and forms a strong connection with a 12-year-old girl after her family is murdered. Jean Reno gives the best performance of his career alongside Natalie Portman and her first-ever role, with a trademark bonkers performance from Gary Oldman. The movie has a great mixture of heart with the relationship between Reno and Portman's characters, alongside some thrilling action sequences. Available: US only
Looper (2012)
Rian Johnson may be best known these days for the Knives Out franchise and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but his 2012 sci-fi movie Looper is a great ride as well. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as a hitman for the mob, charged with disposing of individuals that are sent back in time. However, when his next target is his future self (played by Bruce Willis), things get complicated. Available: US only
The Matrix (1999)
One of the most revolutionary movies ever made, it's jaw-dropping watching The Matrix for the first time, as Neo (Keanu Reeves) is recruited to fight back against artificial intelligence that has enslaved humanity through a computer program known as the Matrix. Its ground-breaking special effects and action sequences draw you in, but the story is what makes The Matrix a timeless classic. Available: US only
Moneyball (2011)
Baseball and the movies have gone hand in hand since Abbott and Costello asked, "Who's on first?" But when the game began to use more analytics in real life, the story of Billy Beane, who helped drive its adoption with how he built his successful Oakland Athletics teams, was brilliantly captured in Moneyball. A great script by Aaron Sorkin and Steve Zaillian, great directing by Bennett Miller and a career-best performance by Brad Pitt make a baseball movie that barely shows any plays on the diamond truly work. Available: US/UK
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Monty Python has made multiple movies that are among the funniest of all time, including Monty Python's Life of Brian, which is also available on Netflix right now. But for our money, none are better than Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the troupe's parody of King Arthur and medieval epics that uses coconut for horses, the Knights who say "Ni" and taunting Frenchmen to have us rolling on the floor. Available: US/UK
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
A loose inspiration for the hit TV series Mr. & Mrs. Smith with Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, 2005's Mr. & Mrs. Smith movie featured Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as a married couple that isn't aware each other is a spy. The chemistry between Pitt and Jolie is so strong that it's little wonder they began a real-life relationship after working together on the movie. Though while that has now come to an end, this fun and funny action movie remains a blast to watch. Available: US/UK
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Horror fans need look no further on this list than A Nightmare on Elm Street, which saw horror master Wes Craven introduce the movie world to the iconic villain Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund). Be warned, with Freddy attacking teens in their dreams, A Nightmare on Elm Street could very well cause a few sleepless nights. Available: US only
The Other Guys (2010)
Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg aren't your standard action movie heroes in this movie, they are just the other guys. But when they have the chance to tackle the biggest cases of their careers they seize the opportunity and try not to bungle it. Ferrell and Wahlberg are a great team here, with a strong blend of action and laughs that will leave everyone entertained, and is among the fan favorites for the two popular actors. The Other Guys is leaving at the end of the month, but don't worry, there's already a substitute on Netflix in Talladega Nights. Available: US/UK
*Leaving May 31
Paddington (2014)
Paddington 2 may be the movie that everyone cites as their favorite, but let's not forget the utter delight that the original Paddington movie is, as we are first introduced to the polite bear and the Brown family. Throw in a fun villain turn from Nicole Kidman and Paddington deserves to be loved the same way that its sequel is. Available: US/UK
Shrek (2001)
The movie that took DreamWorks Animation to a whole other level, Shrek is nearly as beloved by movie fans as the classic Disney movies. Mike Myers' disgruntled titular Ogre, Eddie Murphy's jabbering Donkey and Cameron Diaz's fierce Fiona have become engrained in our culture, and the humor and heart of Shrek will quickly remind you as to why that is. Available: US only
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Burt Reynolds is the definition of a movie star as he plays a fast-driving Bandit who takes the challenge of transporting a truck full of beer across state lines (illegal at the time), while having to deal with a fuming local sheriff (hilariously portrayed by Jackie Gleason) and picking up a runaway bride (Sally Field) along the way. It's just a fun, easy-to-watch movie. Available: US only
*Also, if you're a Sally Field fan, you might want to check out Place in the Heart on Netflix (US only)
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
Who says love is a young person's game? Not Nancy Meyers, who teamed with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson to tell a love story between two people in their 50s/60s. The trio was able to make a truly delightful rom-com that belongs right up there with some of the best of all time. Available: US only
The Thin Blue Line (1988)
If you love true crime, then you absolutely must watch The Thin Blue Line, one of the most influential documentaries ever made. Not only did Errol Morris' movie investigating a murder conviction in Dallas County, Texas, lead to helping the release of an innocent man, but it served as the blue print for all true crime documentaries (of which there are plenty on Netflix) to come. Available: US only
Traffic (2000)
While not necessarily one of the first movies people think about when it comes to Steven Soderbergh, Traffic is actually the movie that the prolific director won his Best Directing Oscar for. Watching it you can see why, as he effectively and distinctly tells various stories about different people involved in and impacted by America's war on drugs in the 90s. In total the movie won four Oscars, including for Benicio Del Toro's supporting performance. Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Don Cheadle, Luis Guzman and more also star. Available: US only
