Top 25 Netflix Movies Releases in 2025
SPORTENTERTAINMENT
Netflix has delivered an exceptional lineup of original films throughout 2025, ranging from blockbuster action comedies to critically acclaimed dramas and innovative animated features. From Guillermo del Toro's gothic masterpiece to Adam Sandler's long-awaited sequel, the streaming giant has offered something for every viewer. Here are the top 25 Netflix movie releases that defined 2025.
1. Frankenstein (November 2025)
Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic gothic horror novel stands as one of 2025's most anticipated releases. The Oscar-winning director brought his signature dark visual style to this faithful rendition, starring Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi delivering a haunting performance as the Creature. Split into two distinct chapters—one from Victor's perspective and another from the Creature's—the film explores themes of creation, abandonment, and humanity. With an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score and masterful production design, Frankenstein became an instant Netflix classic.
2. KPop Demon Hunters (2025)
Netflix's most-watched film of all time continues to dominate the charts. This animated sci-fi musical from the team behind the Spider-Verse films follows a trio of K-pop performers who double as demon slayers, using their voices to create magical barriers against supernatural threats. The infectious soundtrack has taken over Spotify charts, with the fictional group Huntr/x competing with Taylor Swift for weeks. Its vibrant animation style and catchy musical numbers have made it a cultural phenomenon that transcends the K-pop fanbase.
3. The Electric State (March 2025)
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, this ambitious sci-fi action-adventure premiered in March with a reported budget of over $300 million. Starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, the film presents an alternate 1990s America where humans and robots fought a devastating war. Brown plays Michelle, an orphaned teenager searching for her younger brother with the help of a mysterious robot and a smuggler (Pratt). Despite mixed critical reception, the film amassed 25.2 million views in its first three days, showcasing the Russo Brothers' signature spectacular visuals.
4. A House of Dynamite (October 2025)
Kathryn Bigelow's political thriller became one of the year's most intense viewing experiences. Starring Rebecca Ferguson, Idris Elba, and Jared Harris, this nail-biting drama chronicles the tense moments when an unidentified nuclear missile is launched at the United States. Presented in three chapters from different government departments, the film forces viewers to confront the harrowing decisions made during a crisis countdown. Critics praised it as "riveting" and "anxiety-fueled," cementing Bigelow's reputation for crafting unflinching political cinema.
5. Happy Gilmore 2 (July 2025)
Nearly three decades after the original, Adam Sandler returned as the hot-tempered golfer in this nostalgic sequel. Directed by Kyle Newacheck, the film follows Happy as he comes out of retirement to pay for his daughter's ballet school after his wife's tragic death. Christopher McDonald reprises his role as Shooter McGavin, alongside Julie Bowen and Ben Stiller, with newcomers Bad Bunny and Benny Safdie joining the cast. The film set a record for the strongest opening weekend in Netflix U.S. history with 46.7 million views in its first three days.
6. Carry-On (December 2024/2025)
Released in late December 2024 but dominating 2025 viewing charts, this action thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra became Netflix's fifth most-viewed English-language film of all time. Taron Egerton stars as a TSA agent blackmailed by a mysterious traveler (Jason Bateman) into allowing a nerve agent onto a Christmas Eve flight. The film's tense cat-and-mouse game at LAX earned comparisons to classic '90s action thrillers, with critics praising its propulsive pacing and Egerton's committed performance.
7. Back in Action (January 2025)
Cameron Diaz came out of retirement after nearly a decade to star opposite Jamie Foxx in this action comedy. Directed by Seth Gordon, the film follows two former CIA operatives pulled back into espionage when their cover is blown. The chemistry between Diaz and Foxx—reuniting after Annie—anchored the globe-trotting adventure that also featured Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, and Kyle Chandler. Despite mixed reviews about the predictable plot, audiences appreciated the star power and family-friendly action.
8. Emilia Pérez (November 2024/2025)
Jacques Audiard's audacious musical crime drama earned 13 Oscar nominations and made history with Karla Sofía Gascón becoming the first openly transgender actor nominated in an acting category. The film follows a Mexican cartel leader who fakes her death to undergo gender-affirming surgery, enlisting lawyer Rita (Zoe Saldaña) to help her transition. Selena Gomez co-stars in this genre-defying musical that won four Golden Globes, including Best Musical or Comedy Film. Its bold storytelling and powerful performances made it one of the year's most talked-about releases.
9. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (January 2025)
Aardman Animation's first full-length Wallace & Gromit feature in 19 years premiered on Netflix internationally on January 3, 2025. Directed by Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, the film sees Gromit battling sinister forces when Wallace's new invention—a "smart" gnome named Norbot—develops a mind of its own. The return of villain Feathers McGraw delighted fans, and the film became the BBC's most-watched scripted show since 2002 during its UK broadcast. The stop-motion craftsmanship and heartwarming story made it perfect family entertainment.
10. Train Dreams (November 2025)
Based on Denis Johnson's beloved novella, this moving drama from director Clint Bentley premiered at Sundance before its Netflix release. Joel Edgerton delivers an extraordinary performance as Robert Grainier, a logger and railroad worker leading a life of unexpected depth in early 20th-century America. Felicity Jones co-stars as his wife Gladys in this meditation on ordinary lives lived during extraordinary times. The film received critical acclaim for its beautiful cinematography and Edgerton's understated portrayal of a man witnessing America's transformation.
11. Nouvelle Vague (November 2025)
Richard Linklater's love letter to cinema reimagines the making of Jean-Luc Godard's revolutionary Breathless. Starring Guillaume Marbeck as Godard and Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg, the film premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival to enthusiastic acclaim. Shot primarily in French, this genre-bending comedy-drama explores the birth of the French New Wave and its lasting impact on filmmaking. Despite debates about streaming versus theatrical release, Linklater's playful and poignant homage resonated with cinephiles worldwide.
12. Plankton: The Movie (March 2025)
The second SpongeBob character spin-off for Netflix debuted with 14.3 million views, becoming the #1 title on the platform's English-language chart. Directed by Dave Needham, the film follows Plankton as he must save the world when his computer wife Karen develops a mind of her own and decides to conquer it without him. The animated musical comedy featured flashback scenes providing depth to Plankton's character while maintaining the franchise's signature humor. Critics praised its character development and catchy songs as superior to previous SpongeBob films.
13. Hit Man (June 2024/2025)
Though released in June 2024, Richard Linklater's crime comedy starring Glen Powell continued to attract viewers throughout 2025. Based on a true story, Powell plays a mild-mannered professor who moonlights as a fake hitman for police stings until he falls for a potential client played by Adria Arjona. Co-written by Linklater and Powell, the film showcased Powell's versatility as he adopted multiple personas, earning critical acclaim and award nominations. The chemistry between Powell and Arjona electrified this genre-bending noir-screwball comedy.
14. His Three Daughters (September 2024/2025)
Azazel Jacobs' intimate family drama starring Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen premiered at TIFF 2023 but found its audience on Netflix in late 2024 and throughout 2025. The film follows three estranged sisters reuniting in their father's New York apartment during his final days. The tense, touching, and funny portrait of family dynamics earned widespread critical acclaim, with the National Board of Review naming it one of the ten best independent films of 2024. The three actresses delivered exceptional performances, making the confined setting feel expansive.
15. Woman of the Hour (October 2024/2025)
Anna Kendrick's directorial debut tells the stranger-than-fiction story of aspiring actress Sheryl Bradshaw meeting serial killer Rodney Alcala on The Dating Game in 1978. Kendrick also stars alongside Daniel Zovatto in this biographical crime thriller that examines the role of cultural misogyny in enabling Alcala's crimes. The film won multiple awards, including Best First Feature at the Toronto Film Critics Association, and showcased Kendrick's confident vision behind the camera. Critics praised its subversion of the true crime genre and thoughtful examination of systemic issues.
16. Spaceman (March 2024/2025)
Adam Sandler's dramatic turn as Czech astronaut Jakub Procházka showcased his range beyond comedy. Directed by Johan Renck and based on Jaroslav Kalfař's novel, the sci-fi drama follows a lonely astronaut on a solo mission who encounters a mysterious spider-like creature named Hanuš (voiced by Paul Dano). Carey Mulligan co-stars as Jakub's wife Lenka in this contemplative exploration of isolation, marriage, and human connection. While divisive among critics, Sandler's restrained performance demonstrated his continued evolution as a dramatic actor.
17. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (July 2024/2025)
Eddie Murphy returned to his iconic role 30 years after Beverly Hills Cop III in this legacy sequel. Directed by Mark Molloy, the film reunites Murphy with Judge Reinhold and John Ashton while introducing Taylour Paige as Axel's daughter Jane and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as her ex-boyfriend Bobby Abbott. When Jane's life is threatened, Axel returns to Beverly Hills to uncover a conspiracy involving a corrupt police captain. The nostalgic action comedy satisfied longtime fans while introducing the franchise to a new generation.
18. Will & Harper (September 2024/2025)
This intimate documentary directed by Josh Greenbaum follows Will Ferrell and longtime friend Harper Steele on a 17-day cross-country road trip after Steele comes out as a trans woman. The film chronicles their journey from New York to Los Angeles as they navigate this new chapter in their friendship and reintroduce Harper to America as her true self. Featuring appearances from SNL alumni including Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey, and Seth Meyers, the documentary earned widespread acclaim and won a Peabody Award. Critics praised its honesty, vulnerability, and the brave decision by both friends to share their story.
19. The Old Guard 2 (July 2025)
Charlize Theron returned as Andy, the immortal warrior leading her team on a renewed mission to safeguard the world. This action sequel expanded the mythology established in the first film while introducing new characters and threats. Details remained closely guarded, but the film delivered the same blend of visceral combat and emotional depth that made the original a Netflix hit.
20. The Four Seasons (May 2025)
This Netflix original brought a fresh perspective to the ensemble drama genre. Released in early May, the film explored interconnected stories across different seasons, though specific plot details were limited in promotional materials. The seasonal structure allowed for character development and thematic depth as relationships evolved over time.
21. Fear Street: Prom Queen (May 2025)
The Fear Street franchise returned with this new horror entry set against the backdrop of a high school prom. Building on the mythology established in the successful 2021 trilogy, Prom Queen delivered teenage terror with style. The film continued Netflix's commitment to revitalizing R.L. Stine's horror universe for modern audiences.
22. The Leopard (March 2025)
This prestige drama made waves during its March premiere. Though details about the adaptation remained sparse, the film's placement in top streaming lists indicated strong viewer interest and critical reception. The title suggested a character study or thriller with dramatic heft.
23. Adolescence (March 2025)
This British one-take drama challenged viewers with its technical ambition and raw storytelling. The experimental approach of filming in one continuous shot heightened the emotional intensity as the narrative unfolded in real-time. The film demonstrated Netflix's willingness to support innovative independent cinema.
24. The Wild Robot (May 2025)
Based on the beloved children's book, this animated feature arrived on Netflix after a successful theatrical run. The heartwarming story of a robot learning to survive in the wilderness charmed audiences of all ages with its themes of adaptation, family, and belonging.
25. Last Samurai Standing (November 2025)
This Japanese period drama action title set during the Meiji period closed out Netflix's 2025 film slate. The historical setting provided a backdrop for exploring Japan's transformation from feudal society to modern nation, delivering both spectacular sword fights and cultural commentary.
Conclusion
Netflix's 2025 film lineup demonstrated the streaming platform's commitment to diverse storytelling, from big-budget blockbusters like The Electric State to intimate character studies like Train Dreams. The year saw established auteurs like Guillermo del Toro and Richard Linklater delivering some of their finest work, while newcomers like Anna Kendrick proved their directorial chops. Animation thrived with KPop Demon Hunters becoming a global phenomenon, and legacy sequels like Happy Gilmore 2 and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F successfully balanced nostalgia with fresh perspectives.
The platform's willingness to invest in both commercial crowd-pleasers and challenging artistic films created a robust catalog appealing to viewers worldwide. Whether you're seeking gothic horror, political thrillers, heartfelt documentaries, or family-friendly animation, Netflix's 2025 releases offered exceptional entertainment that kept audiences engaged throughout the year. These 25 films represent the best of what streaming cinema can achieve when creativity meets opportunity.