The original streaming giant Netflix has hundreds upon thousands of programs available to stream from the comfort of the couch, and the Netflix most watched movies of all time shows just how popular some of these тιтles are.

While the Top Ten feature on Netflix gives users some idea of what is popular, it only chronicles what’s being watched that week, and is not necessarily the most-watched of all time. The streaming service has always kept how it measures viewership close to the chest, forgoing the familiar network TV Nielsen Rating system.

How Netflix measures its viewership is an entirely unique system because its main source of revenue is subscription-based rather than ad-based. Netflix separates its subscriber base into “starters,” “watchers,” and “completers,” to determine how to best move forward.

This is how certain movies that may be critically mixed but beloved by audiences can end up in a “most-watched” category, as “watchers,” are categorized as people who only watch one full episode of a series or 70% of a film. The Netflix most-watched movies are an example of what audiences love, or perhaps what was best promoted.

Murder Mystery 2 (2023)

Adam Sandler’s deal with Netflix has turned out to be a lucrative endeavor, as Murder Mystery 2 is one of the Netflix most watched movies despite being far from Adam Sandler’s best movie. The sequel kept its two original stars and sent them to a private island.

Now full-time private detectives, Nick and Audrey must solve a murder and kidnapping as their friend Vik is abducted at his wedding by a mysterious ᴀssailant. Sandler’s sequel made it to the Netflix Top Ten in over 90 countries and the duo of Sandler and Jennifer Aniston proved to be a hit with nearly 156 million hours watched.

It’s unsurprising since Murder Mystery originally saw the biggest opening weekend for a film in the company’s history.

Enola Holmes 2 (2022)

Another strong note for Netflix original content is that Enola Holmes 2 found its way into their most-viewed movies in under a year. Netflix darling Millie Bobby Brown reprised her role as Sherlock Holmes’ sister Enola, and to a resounding success of over 158 million hours viewed.

Enola Holmes 2 decided not to base their story around Nancy Springer’s book series this time, finding inspiration in the real-life 1888 matchgirls’ strike. Enola is recruited by match factory worker Bessie to find her missing sister Sarah.

Enola Holmes 2 takes a deeper look into the sibling rivalry between Sherlock and Enola, and is noted for its outstanding design, feminist themes, stellar cast, and intriguing story. The film debuted at number one and stayed in that spot for two weeks, receiving highly positive reviews.

Rebel Moon Part One: A Child Of Fire (2023)

Despite landing on Netflix’s most-wated list, it is hard not to see Rebel Moon of something of a disappointment for the streaming service. The movie was the most expensive movie for Netflix to date with Zack Snyder hyping it as his own Star Wars story that would launch a large extended universe which Netflix quickly started to develop.

However, the movie, which is an intergalactic take on Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, earned negative reviews and a tepid reaction from fans. Still, over 165 million hours viewed on Netflix have shown there is interest in the story which is set to continue with Rebel Moon Part 2.

While not the smashing success many were hoping for, it could be the early seeds planted for a bigger hit down the line. It also shows the strength of Snyder’s fanbase, bringing their pᴀssion over to his Netflix productions.

Senior Year (2022)

Rebel Wilson is usually a supporting character, but Senior Year proved that Wilson has the talent to carry a feature film as it’s one of Netflix’s most-watched movies.

The feel-good comedy sees 17-year-old cheerleader and popular girl Stephanie fall into a coma after a cheer stunt gone wrong and wake up 20 years later. Refusing to accept life as an adult, Stephanie returns to high school for her senior year, and a lot has changed since 2002.

With over 167 million viewing hours logged, Senior Year sees Wilson flexing her talent as a comedian, and the film is packed to the brim with millennial nostalgia mixed with a heartwarming message.

The Man From Toronto (2022)

The Man from Toronto‘s pandemic-related release delays may have worked to its benefit, as it managed to become one of the most-watched movies on Netflix. Starring Woody Harrelson and Kevin Hart, the film sees the recently-fired schmo Teddy walk in on an interrogation and is mistaken for the ᴀssᴀssin known as “the man from Toronto.”

The FBI decides to recruit Teddy to pretend to be the ᴀssᴀssin to capture a Venezuelan radical — until the real “man from Toronto” shows up. The film faced setbacks in release due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Netflix decided to distribute the film instead and to great success with over 170 million hours viewed.

The Tinder Swindler (2022)

The public’s online dating fears are put to the screen with the ultimate true-crime documentary The Tinder Swindler. As a British documentary, The Tinder Swindler stands out among the most-viewed Netflix movies.

It relays the true story of conman Simon Leviev, who used the famous dating app Tinder to emotionally manipulate women into funding his extravagant lifestyle, then prove his wealthy status to other women using said money.

Due to the topical nature of the subject and the lengths to which Leviev went, The Tinder Swindler logs over 172 million hours viewed and is more than just entertaining viewing, as the documentary may help others from being swindled by online predators in the future.

Troll (2022)

In 2022, Netflix acquired the Norwegian monster movie Troll, and it paid off, as this niche cult monster-movie classic quickly became one of the Netflix most watched movies. In this film, an ancient troll woke up in a Norwegian mountain and a group of people gathered together to stop it before it destroyed everything in its path.

With astounding special effects and nailbiting action sequences, Roar Uthaug (Tomb Raider) directed the movie based on Norwegian folklore and gave Netflix audiences what they wanted when it comes to a giant monster destroying cities and a fresh mythology that helped it earn over 175 million hours of watch time on the streaming giant.

Lift (2024)

Lift is another collaboration between Netflix and Kevin Hart that continues to prove it is a successful partnership with the popular comedian. It is another example of how poor reviews do not necessarily mean a movie will not be a hit on Netflix.

Lift feels like Netflix’s attempt at a Fast & Furious movie with Hart playing the leader of a team of international thieves. Their latest heist is one of their most daring as they are recruited by a government agency to rob a crime lord’s plane while it is in the sky.

These flash heist movies with big stars and an appealing cast seem to be the sure-fire winners. Lift has gotten over 176 million hours viewed since its debut in early 2024. Lift does not do anything new or exciting with the genre, but it provides the kind of mindless popcorn fun some audiences crave with these types of movies.

All Quiet On The Western Front (2022)

Based on the 1929 German novel by Erich Maria Remarque and a true story, All Quiet on the Western Front was not only one of the most watched movies on Netflix, at over 176 million hours, but also one of the most critically acclaimed.

The movie tells the story of German soldiers on the front lines during World War I and the toll it took on them mentally and psychologically. The movie ended up earning 14 nominations at the BAFTA Awards, winning seven including Best Film, and nine at the Oscars, where it won four, including one for Best International Feature Film.

Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023)

The famed British series Luther continued in a feature film with Idris Elba reprising his iconic role. Luther: The Fallen Sun turned out to be one of the Netflix most watched movies, proving that time since the previous installment hadn’t impacted audience demand for more Luther.

The film sees DCI Luther fired, prosecuted, and imprisoned after wealthy serial killer David Robey digs up dirt to stop Luther from interfering with his plans with Callum Aldrich.

Luther manages to break out of prison, leading to a winding game of cat-and-mouse. The film had a limited theatrical release but found success on Netflix with over 180 million hours logged. It doesn’t hurt that the series Luther is internationally acclaimed, giving the movie a pre-sold audience.