Netflix quickly became one of the most successful streaming services and continues to make a name for itself with the original content they create. They have evolved from acquiring rights to other movies to stream on their service to creating their own original content. Since they have gone into creating original content, Netflix has created movies that will stand the test of time.
Netflix has even been responsible for performances and content that have become Oscar-worthy. Movie consumers can’t get enough of these big-budget films, and it doesn’t look like Netflix is going to stop making them anytime soon. Netflix is a little tricky with their viewing numbers and data, but we’ve gathered all the available and up-to-date reporting on viewing hours from various sources such as Flix Patrol, What’s on Netflix‘s 28-day reports, and Netflix’s own “Most Popular” lists, to give viewers an idea of what everyone else is watching the most.
Here are the 33 most-watched Netflix movies of all time, ranked by hours racked up.
Netflix tracks both views and total hours viewed, and this list represents the hours racked up.
33
‘The Man From Toronto’ (2022)
171,000,000 Viewing Hours
The Man From Toronto overcame pandemic-related release delays to emerge as a Netflix hit. Starring Woody Harrelson and Kevin Hart, the movie follows Teddy, an unlucky individual fired from his job, who is mistaken for the notorious assassin, the man from Toronto. Teddy is recruited by the FBI to impersonate the assassin and capture a Venezuelan radical, but complications arise when the real man from Toronto appears.
Entertaining Chemistry and Action
This film faced numerous setbacks due to COVID-19 disruptions, with scheduled releases getting postponed multiple times. Eventually, Netflix took over the distribution, turning these challenges into triumphs. The movie’s entertaining blend of comedy and action, combined with the star power of Harrelson and Hart, made it a standout success.
32
‘The Tinder Swindler’ (2022)
172,000,000 Viewing Hours
The British true crime documentary The Tinder Swindler tells the real-life story of infamous Israeli con artist Simon Leviev, who used the online dating site to target and manipulate women into sending him money and finance his jet-setting lifestyle. Between 2017 and 2019, Leviev allegedly used a Ponzi scheme to swindle $10 million from his victims, under the guise that he needed to evade his many enemies.
A Fresh True Crime Story
Upon its release in 2022, The Tinder Swindler became the first documentary to top Netflix’s Weekly Film Chart, clocking in 45.8 million hours worldwide during its debut week. The engrossing flick was also well-received by critics, who deemed it a must-see for true crime fans, and it went on to earn five Primetime Emmy Award nominations. A dramatized movie based on the documentary is currently in the works at Netflix.
31
‘Troll’ (2022)
175,000,000 Viewing Hours
In 2022, Netflix acquired the Norwegian monster film Troll. The story written and directed by Roar Uthaug proved to be a wise investment. This niche cult classic quickly became one of Netflix’s most-watched films. The story revolves around an ancient troll awakening in a Norwegian mountain, prompting a group of individuals to unite and halt its destructive rampage.
An Epic Monster Actioner
Troll seamlessly blended astounding special effects and heart-pounding action sequences. The story is based on Norwegian folklore and offers viewers a large spectacle, as the colossal monster wreaks havoc on cities, coupled with fresh takes on traditional mythology. This winning combination earned Troll a high watch time on the streaming platform while satisfying audiences’ craving for kaiju action.
30
‘Lift’ (2024)
176,400,000 Viewing Hours
Comedian and actor extraordinaire Kevin Hart continued his lucrative partnership with Netflix when he starred in and produced the heist comedy Lift, centering on international master thief Cyrus, who, along with his Interpol agent former flame, assembles a highly-skilled team of colorful characters to carry out a dangerous heist and steal $500 million during a passenger flight.
Carried by Hart’s Screen Presence
Hart is joined by an eclectic cast of talented stars including Vincent D’Onofrio, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Sam Worthington, and with a massive budget of $100 million, the entertaining caper held nothing back when it came to electrifying action sequences and wild shenanigans. Though it failed to impress critics, Lift is nonetheless a fun and exciting popcorn flick that capitalizes on Hart’s charisma and overall appeal as a leading man.
29
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ (2022)
176,490,000 Viewing Hours
An adaptation of a German novel released in 1929, and also based on a true story, All Quiet on the Western Front is one of Netflix’s most acclaimed films. Nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, the film won four of them. Telling the tale of an idealistic young German soldier three years into WWI, the story bleeds into a harrowing look at the harsh realities of the war.
An Oscar-Winning War Epic
Watching a soldier learn over time that he has little hope of ever becoming the hero he dreamed of being is heartbreaking, especially when he realizes that his best bet is to simply try to survive. Featuring some exceptional cinematography and gritty performances, the film painted an incredibly dreary but realistic portrait of life for those on the front lines of that tumultuous period in history and earned every single nomination and award it got in the process.
28
‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’ (2022)
180,390,000 Viewing Hours
Continuing from the now iconic British series starring Idris Elba as the main character, Luther: The Fallen Sun became the first film that was released from the franchise. Reprising his role as John Luther, a police detective, whose slick portrayal often saw Idris Elba being linked to James Bond rumors, the film sees him taking on the complex case of a wealthy serial killer who keeps him on his toes through intricately planned crimes.
A Long Time Coming
The show has been a massively popular one, especially in the UK, and the movie followed suit as it quickly became one of Netflix’s most-watched English films of all time. With the feel of a soft reboot, the movie also made it likely for possible sequels to be made. If Elba doesn’t get cast as Bond, he’ll always have this great character to fall back on, and we certainly hope he stays with the role for a bit longer.
27
‘The Old Guard’ (2020)
185,710,000 Viewing Hours
Netflix has fared successfully in the superhero genre with The Old Guard. Image Comics originally published this indie comic book with the screenplay written by Greg Rucka, who also authored the graphic novel. The movie was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and stars Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, and Matthias Schoenaerts, among many others. The plot centers around a group of immortal mercenaries who have been operating for a long time when suddenly they find themselves facing a secret conclave that seeks their immortality.
Women-Centric Action
Charlize Theron has a spotless track record of being the ultimate female action hero. Her role as Andromache of Scythia, an immortal warrior who’s been killing people for more than 5000 years, puts her at odds with an unseen enemy who manages to identify a new immortal as her abilities begin to falter. The film is faithful to the source material while offering a powerful, compelling story ripe for exploring in multiple future entries.
26
‘The Sea Beast’ (2022)
190,150,000 Viewing Hours
In The Sea Beast, we follow a young stowaway named Maisie as she joins a crew of monster hunters in search of the legendary sea monster known as the Red Bluster. However, Maisie and Jacob, the adopted son of the ship’s first mate, are thrown from the boat when the Red Bluster is spotted. Both kids are led to safety by the monster. They soon learn that the so-called beast may have been a misunderstood creature all along. Featuring the voice talents of Karl Urban as Jacob, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and reportedly has a sequel planned.
A Delightful Animated Coming-of-Age Story
Family audiences have proven to be one of Netflix’s most important demographics, as their delightful animated film offerings prove with consistency. The Sea Beast has many of the classic tropes of the misunderstood monster, but it’s still a solid offering with great voice acting. Hearing Karl Urban play something that is the polar opposite of Billy the Butcher makes for a nice change of pace and proves the actor’s versatility.
25
‘Heart of Stone’ (2023)
193,100,000 Viewing Hours
Heart of Stone soared in popularity, largely owing to the magnetic presence of Gal Gadot as Rachel Stone. She is a fearless member of The Charter, an organization dedicated to shielding the world from covert threats. Although it didn’t quite match the success of Red Notice, where Gadot shared the screen with two other major stars, her portrayal resonated strongly with viewers.
Another of Netflix’s Great Action Catalogue
The film’s gripping Mission: Impossible-style plot and Gadot’s empowering depiction of a strong female lead made it a compelling choice for audiences. Apart from her immense popularity, the film’s high-octane storytelling contributed significantly to its exceptional viewership on Netflix. Heart of Stone became a standout hit, affirming Gadot’s status as a leading lady in the action genre and solidifying the film’s top choice among streaming viewers.
24
‘Hustle’ (2022)
198,310,000 Viewing Hours
Some sports movies prove the fact that you don’t need the knowledge of that specific sport to appreciate a film based on it, and Hustle perfectly fits the category. Stanley Sugerman (Adam Sandler) is lost in his life after getting fired as a scout from a professional basketball club, but somehow he’s excited for the first time in a long time. When he accidentally comes across an amateur basketball player named Bo Cruz on the streets of Spain, he believes that nurturing this young man could be their one-way ticket to the NBA.
A Must-Watch for Basketball Fans
The fact that the film was produced by the basketball legend LeBron James tells us how deeply it delves into the world of basketball, but the most noticeable aspect of it may be the cameos of several NBA celebrities. More than that, Hustle is another great film showcasing what a great actor Adam Sandler is when he’s not out for the paycheck doing subpar comedies.