Most Watched Netflix Movies of All Time

Netflix has turned original movies into global events, pulling in huge audiences with star power, buzzy premises, and easy access. The platform shares viewership milestones from time to time, and certain titles consistently show up near the top, both in premiere weeks and over their full early release windows. These movies drew massive watch time and stayed in the conversation around the world.

Below is a roundup of the Netflix films that pulled in the biggest crowds. Each entry notes what the movie is about, who made it, and the factors that helped it reach giant audiences on the service. The list focuses on global appeal, headline casts, and how quickly these titles climbed the Top 10 rows across regions.

‘Red Notice’ (2021)

This heist caper teams Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds for a globe trotting chase built around art theft and shifting alliances. Rawson Marshall Thurber directs, and the movie leans into charismatic leads, big set pieces, and a glossy travel vibe that plays well on a Friday night.

It debuted as a Netflix original and quickly set records for hours viewed within its early window. Strong social chatter and repeat play from fans of the stars helped it hold top positions across multiple countries soon after release.

‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)

Adam McKay uses a darkly comic disaster setup to follow two astronomers who discover a world ending threat and struggle to get anyone to listen. The ensemble includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, and Jonah Hill, which gave the film a broad draw.

Its combination of satire and a timely premise made it an event on the platform. It drove high completion rates and heavy discussion online, keeping it prominent on the Netflix Top 10 for weeks.

‘Bird Box’ (2018)

Sandra Bullock anchors this survival thriller about a mother guiding children to safety while avoiding creatures that cause instant catastrophe upon sight. Susanne Bier directs, and the story moves between tense river travel and bleak flashbacks.

The simple hook and strong word of mouth made it one of the first Netflix movies to feel like a global cultural moment. It inspired challenges and memes, which kept it visible and boosted rewatch value.

‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ (2022)

Rian Johnson returns with Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, this time investigating a billionaire tech retreat that turns into a layered whodunit. The cast features Janelle Monáe, Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, and more.

The mystery structure encouraged conversation as viewers compared theories and clues. Its holiday timing on Netflix helped families and friend groups stream it together, driving big watch totals fast.

‘The Mother’ (2023)

Jennifer Lopez stars as a former assassin who comes out of hiding to protect her daughter from dangerous enemies. Niki Caro directs, and the film blends parental stakes with close quarters action scenes.

A clear premise and a well known lead fueled broad interest. It opened strong on Netflix worldwide and stayed in the Top 10 across many regions thanks to easy rewatch scenes and action focused pacing.

‘Extraction’ (2020)

Chris Hemsworth plays a black market mercenary hired to rescue a kidnapped teen from a criminal network. Sam Hargrave, a longtime stunt coordinator, brings a kinetic style with standout long take combat.

The clean rescue mission setup travels well across languages, and the action showcases drew repeat viewing. It surged on Netflix charts soon after release and remained a go to title for fans of stunt driven set pieces.

‘The Adam Project’ (2022)

Ryan Reynolds plays a pilot who teams up with his younger self to fix a threat to the future, with Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner in key roles. Shawn Levy directs, blending adventure, humor, and heart.

Its family friendly tone and time travel hook made it an easy pick for group streaming nights. Strong placement on the Netflix homepage and broad star appeal kept it near the top of the service charts.

‘The Gray Man’ (2022)

Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans face off in a spy thriller about a covert operative hunted by a ruthless fixer. Anthony and Joe Russo direct, with Ana de Armas and Regé Jean Page in support.

High budget action and marquee talent helped it draw a huge first wave of viewers. Its fast pace and stylish set pieces supported sustained interest across the platform after a strong debut.

‘We Can Be Heroes’ (2020)

Robert Rodriguez delivers a kid focused superhero adventure about children of famous heroes who must save their parents and the world. The ensemble format gives each child a distinct power and arc.

Its family friendly approach made it a popular school break choice on Netflix. The film benefited from repeat play among younger viewers, which pushed total hours viewed higher week after week.

‘The Kissing Booth 2’ (2020)

The sequel follows Elle navigating senior year while balancing a long distance relationship and new complications. Joey King, Joel Courtney, and Jacob Elordi return, building on the original’s fan base.

The teen romance audience showed up in force, and the sequel effect lifted engagement across the first movie as well. Strong social media communities around the cast kept it trending in the Netflix rows.

‘The Old Guard’ (2020)

Charlize Theron leads a team of immortal warriors trying to keep their existence hidden while facing a new threat. Gina Prince Bythewood directs with a focus on character and grounded action.

Comic book roots and franchise potential made it a clear click on Netflix. Word of mouth about the action design and ensemble chemistry helped it maintain a long tail of views.

‘Enola Holmes’ (2020)

Millie Bobby Brown stars as the younger sister of Sherlock, who sets off to solve a mystery that ties into her family. Henry Cavill and Helena Bonham Carter round out the cast.

The blend of mystery, period adventure, and a lively lead performance drew in both younger viewers and fans of detective stories. It stayed visible on the Netflix Top 10 across many markets after launch.

‘Extraction 2’ (2023)

Chris Hemsworth returns for another high risk mission, with Sam Hargrave raising the bar on complex sequences. The story expands the world and digs deeper into the lead’s past.

The sequel delivered on the promise of bigger action, which pulled in fans of the first movie and new viewers. It logged sizable hours quickly and maintained momentum through strong action chatter.

‘Leave the World Behind’ (2023)

Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, and Myha’la star in a tense story about two families dealing with a mysterious crisis. Sam Esmail directs with an emphasis on dread and intimate character beats.

A buzzy cast and a puzzling scenario encouraged immediate streaming and discussion. The ambiguity sparked conversation online, which helped keep it high in Netflix rows across regions.

‘Leo’ (2023)

Adam Sandler voices a classroom lizard who helps kids navigate growing up in this animated musical comedy. The project comes from Happy Madison with a warm, playful tone for families.

School friendly themes and catchy songs encouraged repeat viewings by younger audiences. That repeat play pattern helped it rack up watch time and sustain a long run on the platform.

‘Damsel’ (2024)

Millie Bobby Brown headlines a fantasy survival story about a young woman who must battle a dragon after a royal betrayal. The film combines creature spectacle with a resourceful hero narrative.

High interest around the star and a clear streaming friendly premise produced a strong opening. Its blend of adventure and empowerment kept it in the conversation and visible on Netflix home screens.

‘Lift’ (2024)

Kevin Hart leads a crew hired to steal gold from a plane mid flight, with action and heist twists driving the plot. F Gary Gray directs, bringing slick pacing and ensemble energy.

The heist setup and comedic edge made it a popular weekend watch. Global casting and an easy to grasp storyline helped it connect across regions and boost total hours quickly.

‘Army of the Dead’ (2021)

Zack Snyder sets a team of mercenaries loose in a quarantined Las Vegas to pull off a casino vault job amid a zombie outbreak. The movie mixes ensemble dynamics with genre spectacle.

The mash up of heist and horror brought in diverse audiences. Strong visuals and a timely genre hook fueled high initial viewing and ongoing interest on Netflix.

‘The Irishman’ (2019)

Martin Scorsese directs a crime epic that follows decades in the lives of mob figures, with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. The long form story uses digital effects to span multiple ages.

Prestige talent and awards buzz made it a must watch on Netflix. The platform release let viewers pause and return at their own pace, which supported sustained engagement.

‘6 Underground’ (2019)

Ryan Reynolds stars as the leader of a covert team that fakes their deaths to take down a tyrant. Michael Bay directs with a focus on large scale action and globe spanning locations.

The high energy style and star draw helped it dominate early Top 10 charts on Netflix. Action fans responded to the stunt work and set pieces, boosting rewatch value.

‘Purple Hearts’ (2022)

Sofia Carson and Nicholas Galitzine play a musician and a Marine who enter a marriage of convenience that turns complicated. The story balances romance and personal challenges.

Strong playlist placement and a devoted romance audience helped it surge in watch time. The soundtrack added an extra hook that encouraged repeat streams and kept it trending.

‘Spenser Confidential’ (2020)

Mark Wahlberg plays an ex cop who teams up with a no nonsense roommate to investigate a conspiracy. Peter Berg directs, reuniting with Wahlberg for a punchy crime comedy blend.

Familiar faces and a breezy tone supported quick discovery on Netflix. It performed well in multiple regions and stayed in the Top 10 lists during its early weeks.

‘Murder Mystery’ (2019)

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston star as a couple caught up in a whodunit while on a European trip. The plot moves from one chaotic situation to the next with a playful tone.

Two well known leads and an easy vacation premise boosted instant clicks. It quickly showed up in country specific Top 10 rows and maintained steady hours through word of mouth.

‘Nowhere’ (2023)

This Spanish survival thriller follows a pregnant woman adrift at sea who must fight to live and protect her child. The film relies on a single location and a gripping central performance.

The high tension premise works well for at home viewing and needs no prior knowledge. Strong performance in Spanish speaking regions helped it spread worldwide through Netflix recommendations.

‘The Platform’ (2019)

This Spanish sci fi horror film presents a vertical prison where food is delivered from the top down, creating a brutal social experiment. Minimalist design and escalating stakes drive the story.

Its provocative concept made it a conversation starter that crossed language barriers. Discovery through Netflix categories and strong word of mouth pushed it to significant totals over time.

Share which Netflix movie you think deserves a spot here in the comments.