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A spot in Netflix’s top 10 doesn’t guarantee a film’s merit. With Jack Black and Paul Rudd teaming up against a giant anaconda, curiosity is natural, because a premise like this doesn’t come around often. “Anaconda” recently landed on the platform this past week and quickly claimed the No. 1 spot, but sadly this adventure-comedy is more regurgitated than riveting, and offers a concept with bite that somehow forgot to deliver the teeth.
Welcome to Watch This, Not That, a column where we dig into the latest streaming top 10 picks, call out the one lackluster title you should skip, and highlight the better alternative you absolutely should watch instead.
The film follows a group of childhood friends who head into the Amazon to film their own remake of “Anaconda,” only to have their shoot hijacked when a real giant anaconda stalks them through the jungle.
While this comedy did generate over $130m at the box office in 2025, critics weren’t so on board, giving it a 48% score on Rotten Tomatoes with the consensus being: “this meta reboot of Anaconda can't detach its jaws wide enough to swallow so many conflicting tones.”
Article continues belowBut I’ve got you covered. I check the charts every week, pick a movie you can skip, and suggest a better alternative. Right now, a far more gripping survival thriller featuring a relentless predatory animal is on Paramount+, and that’s “Crawl.”
‘Crawl’ is one of the most intense survival thrillers I’ve seen
One survival movie I have to recommend you watch instead is “Crawl.” This is one of those thrillers that really resonates with me, because beneath the ferocious alligator attacks and unrelenting storm, the story centers on a father-daughter bond, a connection that mirrors the one in my own life. Of course, the central premise of alligators hunting people might sound as ridiculous as “Anaconda,” but “Crawl” is way more intense than you’d think.
During a Category 5 hurricane, Haley (Kaya Scodelario) goes back to her Florida childhood home and finds her father, Dave (Barry Pepper), injured and trapped in the crawl space. With rising floodwaters and aggressive alligators closing in, the confined space becomes a deadly trap, forcing Haley to rely on her swimming skills to survive.
The alligators are a constant threat, hidden beneath the floodwaters, but the real fear comes from never knowing when they’ll attack. Beyond Haley’s close encounters, “Crawl” stands out from other survival flicks thanks to the heart driving its story. She battles to survive while also trying to save her father and their devoted dog, despite the relentless danger all around.
Of course, “Crawl” is by no means a perfect movie. Some scenes, particularly the fast-paced action with CGI alligators, aren’t the best (understandably, since real ones couldn’t be used). Still, you’ll be on edge from the very moment the action kicks into gear, as this survival thriller delivers a relentless, nail-biting thrill. Plus, a sequel is in development, with early concepts suggesting alligator chaos in a storm‑ravaged New York City.
While “Anaconda” might be holding strong at No. 1 on Netflix right now, its confusing tone and inability to balance satire, homage, and genuine creature movie thrills make it a skip. It’s even more disappointing when Jack Black and Paul Rudd deliver the comedy, only to be let down by everything else. “Crawl” on Paramount+ is the far better alternative, sticking to its survival thriller format with well-timed scares and a strong emotional core. Skip the snake, stick with the gator.
Stream "Crawl" on Paramount+ now
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