Another week on the books means another weekend is here, and the best streaming services are serving up plenty of must-watch treats. With so many new movies coming and going from the platform, it makes narrowing down what to watch next a chore. That's why, each week, you'll find me combing through the Netflix top 10, separating the over-hyped duds from the gems to shine a spotlight on which ones won't waste your precious streaming time.
This week, Netflix's ranking of the most-watched movies includes a campy horror remake, a heartwrenching documentary with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, and an earworm-filled animated adventure that's become Netflix's biggest hit to date.
Looking for something else to watch? 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.
This article is based on Netflix's top 10 movies list in the U.S. as of 11:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, October 18.
I'm all about movies and staying on top of Netflix’s latest originals, always looking out for something that surprises me. Sure, it means sitting through plenty of duds, but hey, someone’s got to take one for the team.
Best movies in the Netflix top 10
'The Perfect Neighbor' (2025)
When I first saw the trailer for "The Perfect Neighbor," I thought it was a found-footage horror movie. That's 100% by design, as director Geeta Gandbhir relies entirely on police bodycam, ringcam, and cell phone footage in this critically acclaimed documentary (which has already nabbed a jury prize at this year's Sundance, plus a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes score). It tells the tragic story of a neighborhood dispute in Florida that escalated until the racist white woman behind all the complaints, Susan Lorincz, shot and killed her Black neighbor, Ajike “AJ” Shantrell Owens, a mother of four.
The Karen-turned-convicted felon invoked Florida's stand-your-ground law, a controversial ordinance that's come under intense scrutiny in recent years and was used in one of the state's most infamous racist murder cases: that of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed teen, by George Zimmerman in 2013. In "The Perfect Neighbor," Gandbhir lets the facts of the case unfold with chilling clarity, ditching traditional documentary storytelling techniques entirely. Instead, it uses devices most associated with surveillance to piece together intimate peeks into a community that humanizes the devastating violence that follows.
Watch "The Perfect Neighbor" on Netflix now
'I Know What You Did Last Summer' (2025)
It's spooky season, so I'm legally obligated to include at least one horror movie on this list. Like many legacy sequels, "I Know What You Did Last Summer" rehashes much of the original's plot with a new cast of characters and a few returning fan favorites. You already know the routine: A bunch of meddling kids cover up a deadly accident, and one year later, their crimes come back to haunt them when a hook-wielding killer is on the loose.
While it didn't fare too well with critics, the remake's 68% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes suggests it's hooked fans of the franchise well enough. In our "I Know What You Did Last Summer" review, we called it a "mix of homage and parody" that ramps up the self-aware humor and takes its cues from the "Scream" revival. It's a perfectly watchable modern slasher movie that doesn't take itself too seriously, and I can't think of a more fitting way to capture the spirit of its predecessor.
Watch "I Know What You Did Last Summer" on Netflix now
'K-Pop Demon Hunters' (2025)
Netflix's biggest hit of the summer, "K-Pop Demon Hunters," is extending its reign until fall now that it's returning to theaters for Halloween weekend. I roped a bunch of friends into helping to seal the Honmoon over the summer when the sing-along version first hit theaters, and it was a heartwarming experience. Kids ran up to the front to dance, all of us were belting out "Idol" karaoke style, there were some "Rocky Horror" style call and responses — it was great.
This bubble-gum pop animated adventure follows chart-topping idols Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) — a hit K-pop trio who moonlight as demon hunters whose harmony shields the world from supernatural evils. Their biggest challenge yet comes when a rival boy band turns out to be demons in disguise. With the peace they've worked so hard for now on the line, the trio gears up to slay the day, but victory will mean conquering their own inner demons first.
Watch it now on Netflix
Netflix top 10 movies right now
1. "The Perfect Neighbor" (2025)
2. "The Woman in Cabin 10" (2025)
3. "K-Pop Demon Hunters" (2025)
4. "The A-Team" (2010)
5. "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (2025)
6. "Taken in Plain Sight" (2024)
7. "Vacation" (2015)
8. "Confessions of a Shopaholic" (2009)
9. "The Twits" (2025)
10. "Despicable Me 3" (2017)
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
More from Tom's Guide
- 5 best new movies to stream this weekend on Netflix, Prime Video, Peacock, and more (Oct. 18-19)
- Netflix has racked up 23 No. 1 movies in 2025 so far — here are the 5 worth watching
- 3 best Netflix shows and movies I'd watch this weekend (Oct 17–19, 2025)
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
