Netflix continues to shuffle its library faster than most of us can keep up with. But amid the constant turnover, there are still plenty of standout movies and shows that make the subscription more than worth it. Whether you’re looking for something that’s won big at the Oscars, an adrenaline-pumping blockbuster, or a quiet documentary that sticks with you, Netflix has you covered in 2025.
Oscar-Winning Films That Elevate Netflix’s Catalog
Netflix may not always get credit from cinephiles for having the best theatrical releases, but its streaming slate is packed with award-winning films. And not just recent wins — we’re talking about a mix of modern hits and timeless classics.
Take All Quiet on the Western Front, for example. This German-language war epic grabbed four Oscars, including Best International Feature and Best Cinematography. It’s brutal, beautiful, and now a staple in Netflix’s prestige lineup. Then there’s Pinocchio, Guillermo del Toro’s melancholic stop-motion twist on the classic story. It won Best Animated Feature and stands as one of Netflix’s few forays into truly artistic animation.
Other must-watch Oscar winners on Netflix include Parasite, which shook the film world with its genre-bending social commentary, and Roma, Alfonso Cuarón’s intimate black-and-white masterpiece. Both won Best Picture and are streaming-ready for anyone looking to catch up on the best the last decade has offered.
Action and Thrills: Netflix’s Latest Blockbusters
If you’re not after awards but want your heart racing, Netflix has added some serious firepower to its catalog. One of the biggest recent additions is Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. Now available on Netflix UK and Ireland, the film brings Tom Cruise back in top form with insane stunts and globe-trotting chaos. It’s essential viewing before the next theatrical release, Final Reckoning, which promises to close out the franchise.
Netflix may not have the full Mission: Impossible series everywhere, but Dead Reckoning landing on the platform ahead of the final film is a smart move. It gives fans a chance to catch up or dive in mid-way through what's quickly becoming a two-part saga. And with the likes of Hayley Atwell, Angela Bassett, and Pom Klementieff joining the cast, the final chapter looks set to deliver more than just explosions.
Documentaries That Stick With You Long After Watching
One area where Netflix continues to dominate is documentaries. And some of the platform’s most emotionally powerful and critically acclaimed films have won Oscars in the process. My Octopus Teacher is perhaps the most famous — an underwater meditation on connection and nature that surprised everyone with its soulfulness.
But don’t sleep on American Factory, the first film from the Obamas’ production company. It captures the cultural and economic clash in a Chinese-run auto plant in Ohio with unflinching honesty. And Icarus turns what starts as a cycling experiment into a geopolitical bombshell, exposing Russia’s state-sponsored doping program.
Short Films That Prove Less Is More
If you’re tight on time but want something meaningful, Netflix’s Oscar-winning shorts are a goldmine. If Anything Happens I Love You uses simple animation to tell a heartbreaking story of grief in just 12 minutes. It’s the kind of film that lingers in your mind long after watching.
Then there’s The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar, Wes Anderson’s flamboyant take on a Roald Dahl story. With its star-studded cast and quirky style, it turns a short film into a cinematic event. These shorts don’t just fill time — they make every minute count.
Hidden Gems And What’s Coming Next
Beyond the big names and award winners, Netflix still has plenty of hidden gems. Films like The Trial of the Chicago 7 and series like Love, Death & Robots continue to push the platform’s creative boundaries. And with new releases like One Piece Season 2 on the horizon, Netflix is balancing prestige with pure entertainment.
For fans of superheroes, crime, or just well-told stories, now is the time to dive into what Netflix offers. Whether it’s rewatching Dead Reckoning before the final Mission: Impossible film, exploring the emotional depths of My Octopus Teacher, or simply enjoying the visual flair of Henry Sugar, there’s something here that won’t feel like a filler.
And that’s the key. In a world full of streaming options, Netflix still manages to deliver moments that matter. You just have to know where to look.