I track the most popular movies on the best streaming services every single day (it’s literally my job after all!), and if I’ve learned one thing in my time poring over platform top 10 most-watched lists, it’s that being ranked as the No. 1 movie is not a guarantee of quality. Quite the opposite, in fact.
It’s far from uncommon for a subpar flick to rise to the No. 1 spot and hold the coveted position for several days, or even a couple of weeks. That’s why I’ve collected together the current No. 1 movie across the biggest streaming services, including Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max and more, and I’m determining whether they’re worth streaming or skipping.
From a new Netflix original mystery thriller that’s gone straight to the top ranking, to an Oscar-nominated horror that is enjoying a fresh wave of attention now that Spooky Season has arrived, these are the current No. 1 movies on all the most popular streaming platforms (per FlixPatrol), and most importantly, whether you should stream or skip them this week.
‘The Woman in Cabin 10’ (Netflix)
Netflix’s latest “Original” movie feels almost engineered in a laboratory to claim the No. 1 spot. It’s a mystery thriller based on a best-selling novel starring Keira Knightley and Guy Pearce. It ticks all the boxes that typically appeal to the platform’s subscriber base.
However, it stumbles in bringing all these elements together into a worthwhile whole, because while “The Woman in Cabin 10” sounds compelling on paper, in reality, it’s a drab thriller. Its core mystery is wrapped up too quickly, and the movie completely sinks in the second half.
Knightley plays Laura, a journalist recovering from a traumatic assignment, who steps aboard the maiden voyage of a luxury yacht. Rubbing shoulders with the elite, including owner Richard Rullmer (Pearce), this cruise takes a dark turn when Laura sees somebody thrown overboard in the dead of night.
But when she alerts the crew, she’s told that every passenger is present and accounted for. Convinced that what she saw was real, she begins investigating, which puts her own life in danger. This one is an easy skip.
Verdict: Skip it
"The Woman in Cabin 10" is streaming on Netflix
‘John Candy: I Like Me’ (Prime Video)
Prime Video’s current No. 1 movie is a new documentary feature from Colin Hanks, son of Hollywood legend Tom Hanks. The subject matter is, as you could probably guess, comedy titan John Candy.
The American actor died of a heart attack in 1994, leaving behind a near peerless body of work including classic flicks such as “Spaceballs,” “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “Uncle Buck,” “Cool Runnings” and, my personal favorite, “Brewster’s Millions.”
“John Candy: I Like Me” incorporates the usual documentary material, including archival footage, home videos and interviews, to give viewers a deeper insight into the man behind so many iconic comedic roles.
It also offers reflections from his family, as well as collaborators including Dan Aykroyd, Mel Brooks, Steve Martin, Bill Murray and Catherine O’Hara. If you’ve a fondness for ‘80s comedies, then you’ll no doubt have a soft spot for John Candy, making this Prime Video documentary a heart-warming must-watch.
Verdict: Stream it
Watch "John Candy: I Like Me" on Prime Video
‘The Substance’ (HBO Max)
“Superman” had the HBO Max No. 1 spot on lockdown ever since it flew onto the streaming service in mid-September, but over the weekend, a challenger dethroned the Man of Steel, and curiously, it’s not a new movie. Instead, it’s a body horror shocker from last year, “The Substance.”
Clearly, with Spooky Season underway, HBO Max subscribers are looking to get into the spirit of Halloween, and I can’t blame them. It also helps that “The Substance” is a critically acclaimed horror that even managed to nab a Best Picture nomination at this year’s Oscars, which is quite a feat as the Academy is notorious for overlooking horror movies.
From writer/director Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance” is a wonderfully warped fable that lays bare the cut-throat nature of the Hollywood machine. Demi Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, an aging star who is unceremoniously fired from her long-running TV show, with producers preferring a younger model.
However, when Elisabeth is given access to a mysterious substance that transforms her into a younger version of herself (Margaret Qualley), she gets to relive her glory days. However, this "miracle" substance comes with a string of unforeseen consequences.
Verdict: Stream it
Watch "The Substance" on HBO Max
‘The Naked Gun’ (Paramount Plus)
It’s easy to be cynical when a reboot of a classic franchise is announced. Let’s be honest, most legacy sequels are pretty terrible. However, “The Naked Gun” is a rare revival that bucks the trend, delivering a new spin on the spoof series that is respectful to the original trilogy while also offering fresh comedy.
Liam Neeson plays the son of original series star Leslie Nielsen and delivers a wonderfully deadpan performance. Best of all, “The Naked Gun” is one of those comedy movies that you’ll need to watch multiple times just to catch all the quips, puns, references and sight gags. It’s overflowing with zingers.
Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr. (Neeson) must step up to the plate when he’s assigned a case that could decide the fate of his beloved Police Squad department. With femme fatale Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson) in the mix, Drebin Jr. uncovers a web of criminal conspiracy, while also finding himself in the middle of some ludicrously silly situations. Much like the originals, this 2025 version of “The Naked Gun” is extremely slapstick, but it’s consistently funny, and the already iconic snowman scene might be the most I’ve laughed all year.
Verdict: Stream it
Watch "The Naked Gun" on Paramount Plus
‘The Lost Bus’ (Apple TV Plus)
Director Paul Greengrass is an expert in crafting tense survival thrillers. The filmmaker behind the original Bourne trilogy (and the so-so fifth entry, “Jason Bourne”) as well as “Captain Phillips,” he returns with another heart-pounding drama that explores a desperate situation and the everyday heroes who thrive under pressure.
Inspired by true events, “The Lost Bus” stars Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera and has been warmly embraced by Apple TV Plus subscribers. Not only is the current No. 1 movie on the platform, but it holds an impressive 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
McConaughey plays Kevin McKay, a bus driver who answers a desperate call for help when a bus carrying 22 schoolchildren (and their teacher) is stranded during the 2018 Camp Fire, which was the deadliest fire in California history at the time. McKay leaps into action without hesitation and attempts to guide the bus through a blazing inferno. Described as a “White-knuckle thrill-ride,” “The Lost Bus” seems more than worthy of its No. 1 ranking.
Verdict: Stream it
Watch "The Lost Bus" on Apple TV Plus
‘Twilight’ (Hulu)
2000s nostalgia is in full swing over on Hulu, with 2008’s vampire romance “Twilight” enjoying a return to the spotlight. This franchise was the internet’s punching bag back in the day, but I’m here to say that the first “Twilight” movie is far from a disaster.
Yes, the latter sequels are complete garbage (aside from the occasional spot of unintended comedy), but the original is significantly more watchable. Granted, that’s hardly strong praise, but when you consider the online bashing that “Twilight” still receives to this day, it’s almost a ringing endorsement. Nevertheless, I suspect its rise to No. 1 has been fueled by viewers who were superfans back in the day and are looking for a dose of misty-eyed nostalgia in 2025.
If you somehow missed the “Twilight” craze of the mid-2000s, this fantasy romance drama centers on the relationship between human Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and sparkly vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). Naturally, their relationship is fraught with dangers, not least of which is the fact that Edward is sorely tempted to drink Bella’s blood. I’ll give the original an unenthusiastic recommendation, but be sure to steer clear of the sequels.
Verdict: Stream it
Watch "Twilight" on Hulu
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (Peacock)
There’s nothing exactly wrong with 2025’s “How to Train Your Dragon.” It’s a serviceable live-action reimaging of the 2010 animated original. The longer runtime feels unnecessary (existing scenes are extended in favour of new material being added), but it retains the heart that made the first adventure of cowardly Viking Hiccup and his dragon pal Toothless such a crowd-pleaser.
The problem is that it never particularly justifies its own existence and doesn’t manage to surpass its predecessor in any way. Unless you have some bizarre refusal to watch anything animated, there’s little reason not to merely stick with the “How to Train Your Dragon” movie that released 15 years ago.
Set in a whimsical fantasy universe, “How to Train Your Dragon” opens with the Vikings of Berk at war with dragons, but when the timid son of the village’s chieftain, Hiccup (Mason Thames), stumbles on a wounded Night Fury, he discovers that these winged monsters might not be so scary after all.
Nursing the dragon, whom he names Toothless, back to health, the two team up to fight a new threat that could endanger both dragons and Vikings. And in the process, Hiccup might just prove that dragons can be friends, not foes.
Verdict: Skip it
"How to Train Your Dragon" is streaming on Peacock
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