When it comes to streaming movies and picking a title to watch every single night, subscribers are certainly not lacking in options. However, trying to figure out what to watch on the platform can quickly become a chore unto itself. To help you navigate the endless catalog, we have broken down the top trends, specifically focusing on the “best movies on Netflix right now” and the “Netflix top movies right now.”
Whether you are looking for a laugh-out-loud comedy with a big heart, a pulse-pounding action movie featuring an Oscar-winning actress, a cozy murder mystery, or a bouquet of films curated specifically for Mother’s Day bonding, the streaming giant has something for everyone this week (May 8-10, and looking ahead through May 15, 2026). Below, we have extracted the finest recommendations currently dominating the charts and catching the eyes of critics across the entertainment landscape.
The New Pulse-Pounding Action Hit: Apex (2026)
If you are looking for the absolute top of the charts, everybody is watching Apex, so you might as well hop on the train. This Netflix original just released on the streaming service last month and continues to lead the rankings.
Apex stars Oscar-winner Charlize Theron as a highly skilled rock climber and kayaker. Her character’s outdoor excursion takes a terrifying turn when she finds herself being hunted throughout the treacherous Australian wilderness. Her pursuer? A literal cannibal, played with menacing intensity by Taron Egerton. The film is directed by Baltasar Kormákur, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the harrowing survival movie Everest and the intense “Idris Elba vs. lions” action-thriller Beast. Kormákur brings his signature epic adventure style to this movie, elevating it with a murderous, terrifying twist. Theron, who produced the film in addition to starring in it, has described this project as one of the most physically and emotionally challenging experiences of her entire career.
A Cozy, Star-Studded Mystery: The Thursday Murder Club (2025)
If a cozy murder mystery is more your speed, last year’s release of The Thursday Murder Club is a swell watch that initially flew somewhat under the radar but remains one of the best movies on Netflix right now.
Directed by Chris Columbus—the legendary filmmaker behind beloved classics like Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire, and the first two Harry Potter films—this adaptation of the massive bestseller is nothing short of delightful. The narrative takes place in a peaceful retirement village and follows the titular “Thursday Murder Club.” This unique club is made up of a group of senior individuals who gather together to solve old, cold-case crimes instead of engaging in traditional activities like doing crossword puzzles. However, the plot thickens when a very real, present-day murder takes place right in their small village, forcing the club to take it upon themselves to put their amateur sleuthing skills to the ultimate test. Featuring a powerhouse, veteran cast starring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley, this film is certainly an enjoyable experience—perfect to watch with a nice cup of tea and a big fluffy blanket.
An Absurd and Moving Comedy: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
At first glance, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga looks like it might simply be a silly, forgettable comedy. In reality, it is not just a standard laugh-fest; it is widely considered to be one of Will Ferrell’s best films to date, and one of Netflix’s best original comedies.
The film is a hilarious, absurd, and surprisingly moving story of two longtime Icelandic friends, played by Ferrell and a terrific Rachel McAdams. The duo is unexpectedly selected to participate in Iceland’s Eurovision preselection. In a stroke of massive, dark luck, they end up winning by default when all the other competing contestants tragically die in a fire. From there, these ultimate underdogs make their way to the massive global Eurovision competition, trudging through a series of hilarious obstacles along the way. David Dobkin, the filmmaker behind the smash-hit Wedding Crashers, directs the film from a highly original screenplay co-written by Ferrell and his longtime Saturday Night Live collaborative partner, Harper Steele.
Special Selections: Mother’s Day Bonding on Netflix
As we navigate the second week of May 2026, many viewers are looking for movies about parenthood. This week, the streaming service offers a compelling bouquet of movies ranging from heartwarming comedy to gripping sci-fi and horror, all exploring the concept of motherhood.
Dumplin’ (2018)
One of the hardest parts of parenting is coming to the realization that your kids are going to have entirely different priorities than you do. The 2018 comedy Dumplin’ leans deeply into that idea for big, resonant laughs. It stars Jennifer Aniston as a former beauty queen who is often too busy to adequately parent her teenage daughter, played brilliantly by Danielle Macdonald. When the aunt who had primarily been raising the teenager unexpectedly dies, the two must work to rebuild their fractured relationship and learn to understand each other before it is entirely too late. Directed by Anne Fletcher and featuring Odeya Rush, the film boasts a killer soundtrack courtesy of co-producer Dolly Parton. The PG-13 comedy (holding a solid 6.5/10 on IMDb) is both very funny and deeply heartwarming.
I Am Mother (2019)
In the future, moms don’t necessarily have to be human. I Am Mother is a highly compelling Australian cyberpunk movie packed with unexpected twists. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the story takes place inside a secluded bunker where an automated system grows a human embryo. This child is then birthed and raised entirely by a robot simply named “Mother.” Years later, the now-teenaged “Daughter” makes a fateful decision to let in a human woman from the outside world. This single action causes utter chaos in their controlled relationship and slowly reveals a series of very unpleasant secrets. Directed by Grant Sputore and starring Rose Byrne, Luke Hawker, and Maddie Lenton, this TV-14 rated film (6.4/10 on IMDb) is a very well-acted and highly intelligent sci-fi thriller that will force you to think about what motherhood truly means.
Bird Box (2018)
As one of Netflix’s earliest breakout global hit movies, Bird Box remains a rich, terrifying portrait of exactly how far mothers will go to keep their children safe. In this R-rated horror film, mysterious entities ravage the planet, possessing a terrifying power: they drive people who look directly at them completely insane. The only way to survive is to never open your eyes outside. Sandra Bullock stars as a mother of two desperately trying to find a safe sanctuary for her children, navigating a deadly river while blindfolded. The movie intercuts this harrowing journey with flashbacks to the very beginning of the apocalyptic event. Directed by Susanne Bier and co-starring Trevante Rhodes and John Malkovich, the film (6.6/10 on IMDb) is a spectacular, tense, and highly unique movie that deserves all the hype it originally received.
Con Mum (Documentary)
For those who prefer real-life narratives, Con Mum is a deeply strange, TV-MA rated documentary that offers a completely different take on the maternal bond. The film follows British chef Graham Hornigold, who is suddenly contacted by a globetrotting socialite claiming to be his long-lost mother. The pair quickly form a tight bond as the woman lavishes him with wildly expensive items and luxurious trips. However, the story takes a dark turn when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer; their roles switch as he begins caring for her. Eventually, it is revealed that she swindles him out of an astounding £300,000 using a complex variety of tricks. Directed by Nick Green, this documentary (6.6/10 on IMDb) features a massive third-act twist that will absolutely blow your mind.
More Top Recommendations From the Vault
If you are looking for something a little different from the aforementioned titles, the vast Netflix library also currently hosts several critically acclaimed masterpieces that are catching attention right now. Current buzz highlights a brilliantly zany 2025 thriller that successfully earned serious awards attention earlier this year. Viewers are also flocking to a 2023 French drama that easily remains one of the sharpest, smartest legal thrillers released in recent memory. Finally, if you are looking for a true classic, you can currently stream a mid-1990s drama from the legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese—the mastermind behind cinematic triumphs like Goodfellas and The Irishman. This specific Scorsese addition to the platform is just as epic and beautifully crafted as any of his other legendary movies.
Whether you are pressing play on a tense cannibal-led action feature, laughing along with Icelandic pop stars, or settling into a cozy mystery with Helen Mirren, the best movies on Netflix right now offer a world-class cinematic experience straight to your living room this weekend.