Netflix top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now (Dec. 20-21)

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(Image credit: Netflix; Shutterstock)

'Tis the season for curling up on the couch and catching up on what the best streaming services have to offer. With so many choices, though, narrowing down what to watch next can quickly become a headache, especially with Netflix adding a whopping 43 new shows and movies to its catalogue this month.

To cut through the noise quickly, I keep an eye on Netflix's top 10 list of most-watched movies. Sure, they're not all guaranteed to be winners — there's bound to be some overhyped duds among the gems. That's why I'm here helping you separate the wheat from the chaff by shouting out the Netflix top 10 movies that are actually worth your time.

Not feeling any of these flicks? For even more streaming recommendations, be sure to check out our guide to everything new on Netflix this month. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the three must-watch movies in Netflix’s top 10.

Best movies in the Netflix top 10

'The Great Flood' (2025)

The Great Flood | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube The Great Flood | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube
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When was the last time we got a good disaster movie? Netflix has answered that call with "The Great Flood," which, as you might have already guessed from the title, imagines a world where cataclysmic flooding is set to wipe out all life on Earth. Trapped in a high-rise apartment building, AI researcher An‑na (Kim Da‑mi) and her young son Ja‑in (Kwon Eun‑seong) race up each floor as the waters surge.

"Squid Game's" Park Hae‑soo stars as a security officer sent to help them evacuate safely so she can carry out a crucial job, one that humanity's future depends on. That's no easy task, though, between hazards like exploding gas pipes, towering waves that threaten to bring the building down on top of them, and panicked residents who'll stop at nothing to keep their own heads above water.

Watch it now on Netflix

'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' (2025)

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube
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Daniel Craig's smooth-as-molasses detective Benoit Blanc is back to crack another Clue-like murder mystery. When a charismatic church leader (Josh Brolin) in upstate New York is killed in the middle of Easter service, Blanc's on the case, teaming up with the leader's colleague and toxic right-winger, Father Jud (Josh O'Connor), to get some answers.

As always, a motley crew of memorable suspects keeps them plenty busy, like Wicks's rigidly pious right-hand woman (Glenn Close), a failed politician turned aspiring conservative influencer (Daryl McCormack), or a once-bestselling novelist struggling to revive his career (Andrew Scott). Though the original "Knives Out" will always be my favorite, this one comes close, and it's honestly impressive how well writer/director Rian Johnson handles the series' signature dark comedy with ruminations on religion without ever feeling pejorative or mean-spirited.

Watch it now on Netflix

'K-Pop Demon Hunters' (2025)

KPop Demon Hunters | Official Trailer | Sony Animation - YouTube KPop Demon Hunters | Official Trailer | Sony Animation - YouTube
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Netflix's biggest streaming hit of all time, "K-Pop Demon Hunters," may have fallen from the #1 spot, but you an bet it's still hanging strong in the top 10 even now, months after its release. Even if you're not a huge K-pop fan (I'm really not either), this bubblegum-pop animated adventure from Sony Pictures Animation, the same team behind the "Spider-Verse" films, is a treat for the eyes and ears.

It follows three K-pop stars, Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo), who moonlight as demon hunters shielding the world from supernatural evils with their harmony. When a group of demons disguised as rival boy bands starts climbing the charts and stealing their fans' souls, the trio is forced to tackle both them and their own inner demons to save the day.

Watch it now on Netflix

Netflix top 10 movies right now

1. "The Great Flood" (2025)
2. "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" (2025)
3. "A Cowboy Christmas Romance" (2023)
4. "Paw Patrol: Mighty Movie" (2023)
5. "Murder in Monaco" (2025)
6. "A Line of Fire" (2025)
7. "K-Pop Demon Hunters" (2025)
8. "Christmas at the Chalet" (2023)
9. "Border Hunters" (2025)
10. "My Secret Santa" (2025)

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Alyse Stanley
News Editor

Alyse Stanley is a news editor at Tom’s Guide, overseeing weekend coverage and writing about the latest in tech, gaming, and entertainment. Before Tom’s Guide, Alyse worked as an editor for the Washington Post’s sunsetted video game section, Launcher. She previously led Gizmodo’s weekend news desk and has written game reviews and features for outlets like Polygon, Unwinnable, and Rock, Paper, Shotgun. She’s a big fan of horror movies, cartoons, and roller skating. She's also a puzzle fan and can often be found contributing to the NYT Connections coverage on Tom's Guide

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