Netflix has racked up 17 No. 1 movies in 2026 (so far) — but only these 5 are worth watching

The Netflix top 10 most-watched list is a great way of getting a quick snapshot of the movies drawing attention on the streaming service.

In 2026 so far, 17 movies have climbed to the top of the charts and ruled as No. 1 (per Netflix's tracking data). However, here's the rub: as somebody who tracks what's popular on Netflix for a living, I can attest first-hand that just because a movie scores the coveted No. 1 doesn't mean it's high quality.

In fact, I'd say that it's not especially uncommon for a lackluster film to score a No. 1. That's why I've combed through all 17 movies that have earned the honor this year already, and picked out the five actually worthy of it.

Best Netflix No. 1 movies in 2025 (so far)

'People We Meet on Vacation'

My initially negative take on “People We Meet on Vacation” has softened somewhat after a rewatch, and with summer in full swing, now's a great time to watch this rom-com all about taking trips to exotic locations. Sure, its plot is so formulaic you can predict the ending just from the trailer, but as a slice of cinematic escapism, it’s passable, and my more lukewarm stance is counterbalanced by its solid 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Based on the novel by Emily Henry, Poppy (Emily Bader) is a free spirit who prefers going with the flow, while Alex (Tom Blyth) is highly strung and obsessed with planning. Nevertheless, these two opposite personalities become best friends and agree to take a summer vacation together every year. Set over multiple summers, their friendship becomes complicated when romantic feelings blossom and romantic rivals arrive on the scene.

Watch "People We Meet on Vacation" on Netflix now

'The Rip'

We’re more than halfway through the year, and Netflix still has yet to surpass the bar set by crime thriller “The Rip” in January. It's beaten every challenger to remain my favorite Netflix original of 2026 to date. The latest in a long line of collaborations between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, it’s a movie that keeps you engaged throughout, thanks to a ratcheting sense of tension and the inherent fun of trying to figure out who the mole is.

“The Rip” centers on a group of Miami cops who stumble upon a stash of ill-gotten cash in a derelict suburban house. This forces the squad into a tricky position as they attempt to figure out whose money they’ve just found, and more importantly, who can be trusted when there are eye-watering sums of money on the table. Damon and Affleck work as a pair, and the thriller is set over a single night, which adds drama and keeps the pacing tight.

Watch "The Rip" on Netflix now

'Apex'

“Apex” is a Netflix original thriller that dropped in April, and while it’s frustratingly welded to the tropes of the genre, that doesn’t make it bad, just very predictable. One of its smartest decisions is running a breezy 95 minutes, which ensures the credits roll before the lack of new ideas can become fatal. Plus. It packs a commendably committed performance from Taron Egerton, as a psychopathic hunter with Charlize Theron in his sights.

Theron plays a grieving widow, traveling to the Australian outback for a spot of adventurous risk-taking in the wake of personal tragedy. Deep in the wilderness, she stumbles upon Egerton’s unhinged hunter, who forces her into a cat-and-mouse game with life-or-death stakes. Now, a woman who thought she had nothing left to live for has to summon all her strength to survive this ordeal. I’ll give the movie an extra point for its excellent use of The Chemical Brothers’ track “Go,” which is probably the movie’s early highlight.

Watch "Apex" on Netflix now

'The Crash'

It’s no surprise to see a handful of true crime documentaries have climbed to No. 1 on Netflix this year. The subscribers clearly can’t get enough of flashy docs that explore real-world crimes, and at least, in my opinion, often go well over the line into sensationalizing genuine tragedy. Of the crop that ascended the most-watched list in 2026 (so far), “The Crash” seemed to make the most waves, with my social media feeds flooded with reactions.

The case at the heart of this feature-length documentary is that of Mackenzie Shirilla, a 17-year-old who lost control of her car while driving in Ohio, ultimately crashing into a brick wall, with the vehicle’s two passengers, Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan, losing their lives. However, in the wake of this horrific crash, investigators suspect that Mackenzie might have intentionally driven the car off the road, causing the crash on purpose.

Watch "The Crash" on Netflix now

'Voicemails for Isabelle'

For a successful romantic comedy, there is one key ingredient: chemistry. That’s exactly what makes “Voicemails for Isabelle” worth watching. The budding romance between its two leads — Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson — is highly believable. Sure, the movie has its flaws and runs too long at two hours, but you’ll be invested in the movie's meet-cute romance, and that is enough to hold your attention even when the flick drags on.

“Voicemails for Isabelle” sees Jill (Deutch) struggling to cope with the death of her sister (Ciara Bravo). To handle her grief, she leaves voicemails about her life in San Francisco to her sister’s old mobile number. However, when the number is reassigned, Wes (Robinson), a real estate agent in Austin, starts receiving these messages. This kickstarts a cross-country connection that might blossom into a relationship that helps both heal.

Watch "Voicemails for Isabelle" on Netflix now

Every Netflix No. 1 movie in 2025 (so far)

• "People We Meet on Vacation"
• "The Rip"
• "The Investigation of Lucy Letby"
• "Joe’s College Trip Road"
• "Jurassic World Rebirth"
• "War Machine"
• "Gaslit By My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story"
• "Anaconda"
• "Thrash"
• "Apex"
• “Swapped”
• “Goat”
• “The Crash”
• “Office Romance”
• “Maternal Instinct”
• “Voicemails for Isabelle”
• “Little Brother”

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