These Are The 10 Most Popular English Movies On Netflix Of All Time

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - August 20th 2025, 23:55 GMT+2

Cropped damsel 2014 — 10. Damsel (2024) – 138,000,000 views / 253,000,000 hours viewed

Fairy tales usually promise castles, gowns, and happily-ever-afters, but *Damsel* decides to yank the rug – and the tiara – right out from under you. Millie Bobby Brown’s Elodie isn’t just another royal ready to wave at crowds; she’s a bride sent as a human sacrifice to an ancient dragon, which is more than a little rude. What follows is less damsel-in-distress and more damsel-doing-push-ups-in-the-dark, as she claws her way through betrayal, fire, and some surprisingly stylish caves. The movie plays with every cliché in the storybook, but instead of winking at the audience, it just hands you a sword and says, “Good luck.” Even if the plot feels familiar, the spectacle and feisty energy keep it binge-worthy on a Friday night. And let’s be honest: who doesn’t love watching a character find out they’re stronger than the destiny cooked up for them? Sure, some critics rolled their eyes, but this is the kind of streaming candy that dares you not to hit “Next.” Dragons, treachery, and survival all add up to a film that proves princesses don’t need rescuing – sometimes they just need a bigger sword. | © Netflix

The gray man msn — 9. The Gray Man (2022) – 139,300,000 views / 299,500,000 hours viewed

Sometimes you don’t watch a spy thriller for the plot – you watch it for the chase scenes that make you want to duck behind your couch. *The Gray Man* delivers just that, with Ryan Gosling trying to stay stoic while Chris Evans gleefully chews the scenery as a villain with a mustache that could probably land its own spin-off. The film hops across countries, trains, and rooftops with the confidence of someone who knows explosions never go out of style. Directed by the Russo brothers, it’s all about big moves, fast cuts, and the kind of globe-trotting action that dares you to keep up. Is it groundbreaking? Absolutely not. Is it fun to imagine what it would be like to survive more bullets in one day than most armies see in a year? Definitely. Gosling’s cool charisma and Evans’s over-the-top villainy balance the thin script with sheer star power. The result is popcorn spectacle at its most unapologetic, proving that sometimes all you really need is a chase, a fight, and a smirk. | © Netflix

Cropped leave the world behind — 8. Leave the World Behind (2023) – 143,400,000 views / 339,300,000 hours viewed

What happens when Wi-Fi dies, cars stop, and your neighbor suddenly looks suspicious? *Leave the World Behind* wants you to stew in that exact unease. Directed by Sam Esmail, this apocalyptic drama turns everyday comforts into potential weapons of dread, all while A-list stars like Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, and Ethan Hawke exchange side-eye over collapsing society. Instead of bombastic action, the movie drips tension like a faucet you forgot to turn off. Every silence feels loaded, every headline ambiguous, and every neighborly smile just a little too forced. It’s less about explosions and more about the quiet horror of not knowing what’s happening beyond your front door. And that’s the genius – no monsters, no aliens, just the unraveling of trust and technology. Some viewers may find its pace slow, but for others, the simmering atmosphere makes the paranoia all the more real. It leaves you staring at your phone charger, wondering how long until it betrays you too. | © Netflix

Cropped back in action 2025 — 7. Back in Action (2024) – 147,200,000 views / 279,700,000 hours viewed

Reunions can be awkward, but when Cameron Diaz comes back from retirement to join Jamie Foxx in *Back in Action*, awkward becomes explosive fun. This action-comedy tosses family drama into the blender with spy gadgets, creating a smoothie of suburban chaos and high-stakes missions. The plot kicks into gear when their seemingly ordinary family is dragged back into the world of espionage, which feels like every PTA meeting nightmare but with more car chases. Diaz and Foxx have an easy chemistry that makes even the most over-the-top twists feel grounded in charm. Directed by Seth Gordon, the movie doesn’t shy away from campy jokes and exaggerated set pieces, which is exactly why it works as streaming entertainment. The dialogue often winks at its own absurdity, reminding you that it knows it’s here to make you laugh as much as gasp. Sure, it’s not trying to reinvent action-comedies, but it doesn’t need to – it just needs to be fun. And by the end, it proves that sometimes the best spy partner is the one who already knows where you left your socks. | © Netflix

Cropped bird box — 6. Bird Box (2018) – 157,400,000 views / 325,300,000 hours viewed

Few movies have ever made you fear looking out the window quite like *Bird Box*. Sandra Bullock anchors the survival thriller with raw determination, blindfold in place, as unseen creatures push humanity into chaos. The premise is chillingly simple: if you look, you die. That hook alone had people glued to their screens, and soon enough, the internet was full of blindfold challenges that probably made insurance companies cry. But beneath the viral hype, the film tapped into something deeper – the terror of parenthood, protection, and navigating the unknown with loved ones in tow. Every tense river scene and muffled scream piles on dread in ways that stick with you long after the credits roll. Some critics debated its execution, but viewers devoured it, making it one of Netflix’s most talked-about originals. It’s haunting, addictive, and unsettling in a way that sneaks up on you the moment you switch off the lights. | © Netflix

Cropped the adam project — 5. The Adam Project (2022) – 157,600,000 views / 281,000,000 hours viewed

What if you could fist-bump your younger self? *The Adam Project* runs with that idea, tossing Ryan Reynolds through time in a sleek, witty, and surprisingly heartfelt sci-fi adventure. The film manages to balance action-packed jet chases and laser fights with quiet, emotional beats about grief, family, and second chances. Walker Scobell does an impressive job holding his own as the younger version of Reynolds’s character, delivering snappy one-liners that feel like they came straight out of a Deadpool warm-up session. Director Shawn Levy crafts a story that isn’t just about saving the world – it’s about healing old wounds, which might be the hardest mission of all. The film doesn’t shy away from humor, but it also sneaks in enough heart to leave you misty-eyed. It’s the kind of Netflix original that feels both blockbuster-worthy and binge-friendly, making it an easy fan favorite. By the time the credits roll, you’ll be wishing for your own time jet – just maybe without the turbulence. | © Netflix

Cropped dont look up — 4. Don’t Look Up (2021) – 171,400,000 views / 408,600,000 hours viewed

Sometimes satire cuts deep, and sometimes it just cuts into your popcorn – *Don’t Look Up* somehow does both. With Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence playing scientists trying to warn humanity of an incoming comet, the film becomes a biting commentary on willful ignorance, media spin, and our modern obsession with memes. Directed by Adam McKay, it juggles absurd comedy with existential dread, making you laugh even as you squirm. The ensemble cast is stacked to the brim – Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Cate Blanchett, and more – each delivering caricatures that feel uncomfortably close to reality. The brilliance of the movie isn’t just in its star power but in the way it mirrors our own news cycles, leaving viewers both entertained and unsettled. Some critics found it heavy-handed, but for many, that was exactly the point – it’s a film that doesn’t just want you to watch, it wants you to think. And maybe, just maybe, it’ll make you check the sky a little more often. | © Netflix

Cropped carry on movie — 3. Carry-On (2023) – 172,100,000 views / 344,100,000 hours viewed

Holiday travel can be stressful, but *Carry-On* raises the stakes when a mysterious blackmailer slips a deadly ultimatum into one passenger’s luggage. Taron Egerton anchors the thriller with a performance that blends vulnerability and determination, proving once again he can handle both the heart and the grit of an action lead. The movie cleverly traps its tension in the confined chaos of an airport, turning terminals, TSA lines, and baggage claims into nerve-wracking battlegrounds. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, it thrives on tight pacing and smart set pieces that turn everyday travel nightmares into cinematic suspense. It’s not reinventing the thriller genre, but its slick execution keeps you strapped in from takeoff to landing. Netflix clearly knows its audience loves a “what would I do in that situation?” story, and *Carry-On* delivers exactly that. By the end, you may never look at your carry-on bag the same way again. And let’s be real – this is one layover you wouldn’t survive without snacks. | © Netflix

Cropped kpop demon hunters — 2. KPop Demon Hunters (2025) – 184,600,000 views / 307,600,000 hours viewed

Animated K-pop idols? Check. Demon-slaying? Double-check. *KPop Demon Hunters* stormed onto Netflix in 2025 and instantly redefined what an animated musical action film could be, earning its place as one of the platform’s most-watched titles. The story follows Huntr/x – a dazzling K-pop girl group doubling as demon hunters – who find themselves clashing with the rival boy band, the Saja Boys, in a battle that mixes music, mythology, and more than a little rivalry drama. The animation style blends sleek concert aesthetics with bold action sequences, creating a visual experience that feels part music video, part blockbuster showdown. Its soundtrack became a sensation in its own right, with songs like “Golden” topping global charts and fueling the fandom. Critics praised the movie for its vibrant energy, emotional heart, and sharp satire of pop culture tropes, all while delivering a story that’s genuinely fun. It quickly became Netflix’s most-watched original animated feature, and fans have turned it into a full cultural event with sing-along screenings around the world. By the end, you can’t help but wish every idol group had a secret side gig saving the universe. | © Netflix

Cropped red notice — 1. Red Notice (2021) – 230,900,000 views / 454,200,000 hours viewed

What do you get when you throw Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds into a globe-trotting heist comedy? Netflix’s record-smashing *Red Notice*, a film that’s equal parts swagger, spectacle, and sarcastic banter. From art heists to double-crosses to exotic backdrops, the movie never lets up, trading in logic for pure entertainment value. Johnson brings his signature stoic muscle, Gadot radiates elegance with a dangerous edge, and Reynolds… well, he Reynolds his way through every line, and somehow it works. The film leans into clichés knowingly, which makes the ride all the more fun. With twist after twist, it practically dares you to guess the ending while also laughing at your attempts. It’s the kind of blockbuster that critics may have side-eyed, but audiences devoured without hesitation. In the end, *Red Notice* isn’t trying to be high art – it’s trying to be high fun, and on that front, it absolutely delivers. And with talks of sequels, the con may just be getting started. | © Netflix

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Netflix has no shortage of blockbuster hits, but only a handful of films have truly broken through to become cultural juggernauts. From action-packed thrillers to emotional dramas and even the occasional fantasy epic, the streaming giant’s biggest successes prove just how wide audiences’ tastes really are. What makes these movies special isn’t just the sheer number of hours watched – it’s the way they spark global conversations, launch memes, and keep fans hitting that replay button.

Whether you’re looking for your next binge-worthy watch or just curious about what the rest of the world can’t get enough of, this list of the 10 most popular English movies on Netflix of all time has you covered. Some titles might surprise you, while others are exactly the smash hits you’d expect. Either way, it’s the perfect snapshot of what truly dominates the streaming era.