33 best classic movies on Netflix right now

While it's easy to get caught up in all of the new movies available on Netflix, whether that be Netflix original or the latest releases coming from movie theaters, the Netflix library is also filled with classic movies. Whether it's an all-time favorite that you're eager to rewatch or a well-known title that you need to scratch off your must-watch list, Netflix has a bountiful slate of classic movies to look through. We're here to help with our own recommendations of the best classic movies on Netflix right now.

Now we should be clear about what we're talking about when we say classic movies. The best way to tell if a movie is truly a classic or not is time, so we made the call to only include movies that were 10 years or older (so nothing post-2015 made the cut). With that parameter, our list features award-winning movies, box office hits and both signature and early work of iconic stars and directors.

Find out what titles made our list of best classic movies on Netflix and why directly below.

13 Going on 30 (2004)

13 Going on 30 is more than 20 years old, but it is just getting better with age. The movie stars Jennifer Garner as a teen who suddenly finds herself as her future 30-year-old self (taking inspiration from another classic, Big). It has become one of Garner's most iconic roles, while the supporting cast of Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer and Andy Serkis help make for a great watch. Available: US only

50 First Dates (2004)

Adam Sandler has had a strong relationship with Netflix in recent years, making a number of movies with the streamer (and with more to come, most notably Happy Gilmore 2). But one of his pre-Netflix era movies is now streaming on the platform, 50 First Dates. In this movie, more of a fan favorite than a critical darling, Sandler must woe Drew Barrymore's character again and again, as she plays a woman suffering from short-term memory loss. That leads to plenty of humorous bits that make this an easy and enjoyable watch. Available: US only

The Age of Innocence (1993)

Fans of Martin Scorsese know the director is not afraid to show violence in his movies, but it may surprise people that the movie he considers to be his most violent is The Age of Innocence, a period drama love triangle set in 19th century New York's high society. The violence that Scorsese refers to is being done behind is "emotional and psychological violence" that is "refined," as Daniel Day-Lewis' Newland Archer who finds himself caught between his fiance (Winona Ryder) and her cousin (Michelle Pfeiffer). It may not be the first Scorsese movie you think of (that one is probably another Scorsese movie we have below), but The Age of Innocence is a well thought of entry from the master director by many. Available: US only

American Gangster (2007)

Even when Denzel Washington is bad he is so darn good. In American Gangster, the Oscar-winner plays drug kingpin Frank Lucas as he builds his empire in Harlem (another interpretation of Frank Lucas is currently playing out in Godfather of Harlem season 4). Paired with Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe as the dogged cop looking to take Lucas down and an ensemble of recognizable faces all on their game, American Gangster is a fantastic crime drama to watch at any time. Available: US only

American Graffiti (1973)

George Lucas' legacy will forever be hitched to Star Wars, but his career first took off with something about as far away from the sci-fi classic as you can imagine. American Graffiti tells the story of a group of high school friends cruising about town in the early 1960s before they set about the next phase of their lives. The movie earned five Oscar nominations (including Best Picture and Best Director for Lucas) and is on the American Film Institute's top 100 American movies of all time. Available: US only

Awakenings (1990)

Surprising that a movie starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro that was also nominated for Best Picture can be overlooked, but that is the case a bit with the 1990 drama Awakenings. It's worth a watch though as Williams plays a neurologist who finds a medication that can help patients who have been in catatonic states for years "wake up." Available: US only

Beginners (2011)

Helping to deliver Christopher Plummer a much deserved Oscar may always be Beginners’ primary calling card, but the indie movie from Mike Mills is much more than that. This story about a man (Ewan McGregor) who takes the lessons from his father’s late-in-life coming out and a budding relationship with a free-spirited woman (Melanie Laurent) to open his life to new possibilities is utterly endearing. Available: US only

The Breakfast Club (1985)

The king of teen movies, John Hughes, made perhaps his most iconic movie in The Breakfast Club. This story of five teenagers bonding and learning about each other while they are stuck together in detention on a Saturday, The Breakfast Club works so well because it doesn’t treat its teen characters like children, it takes their problems seriously. Throw in some great 80s soundtracks, including the iconic “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” and you have an all-time classic. Available: US only

Burn After Reading (2008)

Who knows if or when we are ever going to get another Coen Brothers' movie (they're currently working solo, with Ethan Coen's latest, Honey Don't! releasing in summer 2025), so you should take the opportunity to watch the filmmakers' work when you have the chance. Burn After Reading is one of their more comedic entries, as Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, George Clooney, John Malkovich and more star in this bumbling spy story. Available: US only

Carol (2015)

Cate Blanchett gave one of her finest performances in the Todd Haynes' movie Carol. In the 1950s set story, Blanchett stars as the titular housewife for begins an intimate relationship with a young store clerk, played by the equally magnificent Rooney Mara. But as their connection grows, so does the complications in keeping their relationship a secret. Carol is as well made as it is emotionally powerful. Available: US/UK

Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

When you have movies like The Graduate, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Birdcage on your resume as Mike Nichols does, movies like our next two picks can get lost in the shuffle. But both, from the 2000s, show Nichols remained an impeccable filmmaker. The first is Charlie Wilson's War, based on the true story of a low-key congressman who helps build up the defense of Afghanistan when the Soviet Union invades. Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman star in a movie that finds humor and tragedy in this moment in history that had incredible and unforeseen ripple effects. Available: US only

Closer (2004)

The other Mike Nichols movie that movie fans shouldn't for forget about is Closer, a romance drama starring Jude Law, Clive Owen, Natalie Portman and Julia Roberts is complex and steamy. The entire quartet is fantastic and Nichols added another great movie to his filmography that should not be overlooked. Available: US only

*Leaving May 31

The Dark Knight (2008)

For all the success that Christopher Nolan has had, including Oppenheimer winning Best Picture, The Dark Knight may still be his most well known and beloved movie. It is widely seen as one of the best superhero movies ever made, featuring arguably the best performance ever in that genre with Heath Ledger’s unforgettable turn as the Joker. You can watch all three of Nolan’s Batman movies on Netflix right now, but The Dark Knight is definitely the big one. Available: US only

*Leaving May 31

Do the Right Thing (1989)

Spike Lee's masterpiece, Do the Right Thing is a heightened slice of life in Brooklyn on the hottest day of the year and as racial tensions boil over. It's incredible how many major stars are in this movie, from a young Samuel L. Jackson, Giancarlo Esposito, John Turturro and Rosie Perez, to Hollywood stalwarts Danny Aiello, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis and Frankie Faison. Available: US only

Field of Dreams (1989)

John Mulaney memorably and jokingly summarized Field of Dreams at the 2024 Oscars, but all jokes aside, the Kevin Costner movie is a true classic and has become engrained in our cultural minds, from the image of the baseball field in the middle of a corn maze to James Earl Jones' classic monologue about baseball and the movie's emotionally cathartic moment. Mulaney was definitely onto something. Available: US only

Goodfellas (1990)

The only gangster movie that may rival Goodfellas in the love fans have for it are the Godfather movies. Martin Scorsese’s decades-spanning crime drama about Henry Hill’s life in the mob is well-acted, well-directed and incredibly entertaining. Even with a resume filled with phenomenal movies, there’s a good chance that Goodfellas is the one that Scorsese is remembered for the most. Available: US only

The Guns of Navarone (1961)

An old school Hollywood epic action movie, The Guns of Navrone follows a group of Allied soldiers in World War Two that set about destroying a Nazi base where long-range guns are pinning down Allied forces. David Niven, Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn and Richard Harris help make up the ensemble of soldiers that take audiences on this thrilling mission. Available: US only

Heat (1995)

Without a doubt, the heist sequences in Heat are some of the best ever put to film, but perhaps the most thrilling scene in the movie is when Al Pacino’s Detective Hanna and De Niro’s criminal McCauley meet in the dinner and have a conversation where they size each other up before the climactic heist. It was amazingly the first time that Pacino and De Niro acted on screen with each other, and it’s as fantastic as you’d expect. Now is a great time as well to watch Heat to enjoy a performance from the late Val Kilmer. Available: US only

The Holiday (2006)

If you ever just need a pick-me-up, then The Holiday is always a good option; I’ll even forgive the fact that this is technically a Christmas movie (though the actual holiday is just a small fact of the movie) and ignore my usual stance that Christmas movies should be reserved for post-Thanksgiving. Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black are all great in this charming rom-com. Available: US/UK

The Jerk (1979)

If you're a fan of Steve Martin and haven't seen The Jerk, you need to remedy that immediately. Martin, best known currently for Only Murders in the Building, made his big screen debut with this absolutely absurd tale of a simple country boy whose naivete both brings him luck and gets him into trouble. There numerous fantastic bits in the movie, which are best enjoyed by watching it rather than me try to explain them. Available: US only

The Lego Movie (2014)

Part of the fun of playing with Lego's is building whatever you want, and the filmmakers behind The Lego Movie clearly took that to heart in this hilarious and incredibly fun animated movie for all ages. An all-star voice cast (including Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Morgan Freeman, Will Arnett, Will Ferrell, Liam Neeson and more) and a story that goes deeper than you might expect for a movie about toy blocks made The Lego Movie both a box office and critical hit. It's always a good pick for to watch. Available: US only

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is a criminally underrated action movie from Guy Ritchie and starring Henry Cavill, Armie hammer and Alicia Vikander. An adaptation of an old TV series, this 1960s set spy drama is sauve, thrilling and overall damn entertaining. It's a real shame it didn't get the reception it deserved initially, but you can remedy that now on Netflix. Available: US only

Man on Wire (2008)

An Oscar-winning documentary, Man on Wire recounts the story of Philippe Petit, who in 1974 performed a high-wire act between the two towers of the World Trade Center... all without permission. Part thriller and circus performance, it is an exhiilrating documentary. Available: US only

Melancholia (2011)

Many movies use a world ending threat as a narrative device, but Lars von Trier fully committed to the idea with his meditative look at depression, Melancholia. The real star of the movie though is the fantastic performance from Kirsten Dunst, which in hindsight seems baffling she didn't get nominated for an Oscar for it. Available: US only

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

Who doesn't want to be a part of the Ocean's Eleven crew? George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Carl Reiner and more robbing a Las Vegas casino is pure joy to watch, and you can do it right now on Netflix. You can also watch the two sequels, Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen, but if you're only watching one, I recommend making it the original. Available: US only

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

I know that for many the BBC's Pride & Prejudice is the best adaptation of Jane Austen's classic, but lest we forget that Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen and Joe Wright's brilliant work in the 2005 big screen adaptation. From the goregeous visuals of the English countryside to a career best performance from Knightley, there's plenty to love about this Pride & Prejudice. Available: US only

*Leaving May 31

Psycho (1960)

One of Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpieces, Psycho is a taut, expertly crafted horror/thriller. I know that to be true because no matter how many times you’ve seen the movie, or even if you haven’t but it’s place in popular culture has spoiled some of the movie’s biggest surprises, I dare you to not jump when the strings of the iconic Psycho score first play. Available: US only

She's Gotta Have It (1986)

Spike Lee's breakout movie, She's Gotta Have It tells the story of a woman and the three men that she counts as her lovers (one of which is Lee, as he starred in many of his early movies). Many of the traits that would come to define Lee are present in this movie, so should be a must-watch for any fans of his or film history in general. The movie also inspired a Netflix original series that ran for two seasons. Available: US/UK

Sicario (2015)

Before he conquered the world of Dune, director Denis Villeneuve depicted a different kind of desert conflict, as Emily Blunt's federal agent attempts to stop drug trafficking across the US-Mexico border with the help of a dangerous but mysterious ally(?), played by Benicio Del Toro. A taut, brilliantly excellent thriller (written by a pre-Yellowstone Taylor Sheridan) is always worth a watch. Available: US only

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Burt Reynolds’ has all of his movie star charm in this classic road trip comedy where he plays The Bandit, a driver who is taking on the challenge of escorting a tractor-trailor full of beer across state lines (illegal at the time). Picking up a runaway bride (Sally Field) and having a local sheriff (Jackie Gleason) give chase along the way just adds to the fun in this one. Available: US only

The Sugarland Express (1974)

Steven Spielberg's first big-screen directing job came with The Sugarland Express. Often overshadowed by Jaws, released just a year later, The Sugarland Express is an intriguing first effort from the then 26-year-old who was destined to become the biggest director in Hollywood, with the movie starring Goldie Hawn and playing out mostly as a chase sequence based on a surprising true story. Available: US only

Trainwreck (2015)

I'm always surprised that Trainwreck didn't become a bigger hit, as I found the movie absolutely hilarious. Amy Schumer stars as a woman who doesn't believe in monogamy, only to have that challenged when she meets a sports medicine doctor (Bill Hader). Written by Schumer and directed by Apatow, the movie is stuffed with great jokes, including a surprisingly hilarious performance by LeBron James, but also an effective romance you want to root for. Available: US only

Y tu mamá también

Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma is one of the most acclaimed Netflix original movies to date, but now one of the Oscar-winning director’s early classics is also now streaming on the platform. Y tu mamá también (which translates to “and your mother too”) stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna as two teenage boys who learn about life and themselves when they head out on a road trip with an older woman. Available: US/UK