Netflix and the streaming service era as a whole have thrived greatly when it comes to their original content, creating a wide variety of engaging and interesting cinematic experiences across the board. Part of the major benefit of the streaming service model is not only the comfort and simplicity of being able to watch things anywhere at any time at one’s own convenience, but also the ability to rewatch to one’s heart’s content. Netflix especially has made an effort to encourage this, creating a multitude of films that are built to be endlessly rewatchable.
There are a lot of different facets and aspects that can make a film rewatchable in nature, whether it be the inherent knowledge of what will happen changing the viewing experience as a whole, or aspects of the film never losing their impact on rewatch. Especially with so many Netflix original movies that have been released over the years,a select few have risen above the ranks to be the definitive best and most rewatchable films on the platform.
15’Red Notice' (2021)
Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber
One of the most successful and most watched movies that Netflix has ever released,Red Noticeis a classic modern-day action comedy that follows the antics of unexpected duoRyan ReynoldsandDwayne Johnson. The film sees Johnson as an Interpol agent and Reynolds as an infamous criminal, yet the duo are forced to work together to take down an even bigger criminal for a dangerous and chaotic heist.
Action comedies inherently have a lot of rewatchability baked into them,being able to enjoy and appreciate the jokes and action sequences no matter how many times an audience has seen them.Red Noticealso stands out as one of Netflix’s biggest and most prominent action releases, touting a massive blockbuster-style budget and not straying too far from what one would expect from a standard blockbuster action movie release. While critics weren’t particularly kind to the film, the massive audience reception and watch hours prove that the film has been a massive hit with audiences.
Red Notice
14’The Babysitter' (2017)
Directed by McG
The first in a duo of successful horror comedies for the platform,The Babysittercombined the wild, in-your-face style of directorMcG’s previous works with a distinct gory and bloody twist to the proceedings. The film follows the story of Cole, a child who was seemingly living his best life, with a friendship with his longtime babysitter, Bee (Samara Weaving), despite possibly being too old for a babysitter. However, this night suddenly takes a turn, as when Cole stays up past his bedtime, he ends up discovering that Bee and her friends have plans to use him as a key for a satanic summoning.
Horror comedy movies have only grownto be more popular and prominent in recent years following the release ofThe Babysitter, with Samara Weaving herself even being a major star in films likeReady or Not. Especially for horror comedy fans, there’s a lot to love aboutThe Babysitter, even on repeat viewings,from Weaving’s iconic performance to the multitude of extreme deaths and over-the-top side characters. It’s easy to see similar vibes and trends in this film that would eventually become commonplace in other horror comedies likeHappy Death Day,Freaky, and the latestScreamfilms.
The Babysitter
13’To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before' (2018)
Directed by Susan Johnson
The first in a complete trilogy of successful romantic comedies,To All the Boys I’ve Loved Beforeis one of many teen-centric romantic comedies that have been released by Netflix. The film follows the story of Lara Jean (Lana Condor), who has her simple high school life completely upended after all of the secret letters she’s written to every boy she’s fallen in love with are mailed out. Completely embarrassed by the situation, this accidental misunderstanding ends up actually blossoming an unexpected friendship with one Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo).
Of all the romantic comedies that Netflix has put out over the years, few are as in tune with the conventions and standards of a classic teenage romantic comedy asTo All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Especially before the series would go off the rails with the subsequent sequels,the original film is a simple and heartfelt trek through the classics of the archetype, complete with the endless rewatchability of the genre.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
One of manymasterful comedies from the Coen Brothers,The Ballad of Buster Scruggsis an anthology film that acts as a collection of various shorts and quirky characters and their stories in the harsh Wild West. Ranging from a sharpshooter with a heart of gold singing during his final hours to the struggles of a wannabe bank robber who ends up in way over his head, each short is filled to the brim with the classic Coens charm.
Buster Scruggs’s anthology format makes it fit perfectly for rewatches, as people can easily rewatch their favorite shorts from the collection or watch them in any order that they desire. Complete with the comedic style of the Coens, which has resulted in many other endlessly rewatchable comedies such asThe Big LebowskiandRaising Arizona, and the result is a hilarious western that never gets old. While it may not be as much of a smash hit with those who aren’t in tune with the Coens' style of humor,it’s a must-watch for those who are big fans of their other works.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
11’Nimona' (2023)
Directed by Troy Quane and Nick Bruno
One of many exceptional original animated movies that have been offered on Netflix over the years,Nimonawas legendarily saved from perceived cancelation and given a second life thanks to Netflix. The film follows the story of rambunctious and troublemaking shapeshifter Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), who has been terrorizing the futuristic medieval city for years. However, Nimona soon finds herself teaming up with the banished Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) in a quest to clear his name of the heinous crime that he’s been framed for.
There’s a lot to love aboutNimona, from its stunning stylized visual style to its effective and timely story with emphatic and dynamic themes of gender identity and the importance of perception.It has quickly risen to be one of the most acclaimed and beloved animated films that Netflix has ever released, slowly but assuredly amassing a dedicated fanbase of those who scream the film’s many strengths from the rooftops. Especially for those who have been soured by many of the other recent contemporary animated films,Nimonamay just be the breath of fresh air that you’ll rewatch again and again.
10’Don’t Look Up' (2021)
Directed by Adam McKay
From acclaimed and award-winning comedy directorAdam McKay,Don’t Look Upisa modern-day satirical comedythat follows two low-level astronomers who make the terrifying discovery of a meteor that will collide with the Earth in six months. They attempt to go on a media tour to spread the word and warn everybody about this impending danger, but seemingly everyone in the world either doesn’t believe them or, even worse, simply doesn’t care.
WhileMcKay’s comedy ventures have always been highly rewatchable experiences over the years, with comedic hijinks that live and thrive by their rewatchability, the plot progression placedDon’t Look Upa step further. Especially with the dire and hilariously dark ending of the film, it makes subsequent rewatches that much more effective, knowing exactly what the stakes and eventual ending of society and the earth will be for everyone involved.
Don’t Look Up
9’Leave the World Behind' (2023)
Directed by Sam Esmail
One of themost defining yet divisive filmsby Netflix in recent memory,Leave the World Behindfollows the story of a family’s getaway to a luxurious rental home. However, their time is suddenly interrupted by a strange and terrifying cyberattack that knocks out all of their devices and leaves them isolated from the rest of the world. To make things more complicated, a duo of strangers appear at their door, claiming to be the owners of the home that they are renting.
Much like the dramatic thrillers that defined it,Leave the World Behindis a film that is greatly defined by its wild and unexpected twist, one that recontextualizes and changes everything you know about the film. Rewatching the film with this twist in mind changes the entire viewing experience as a result,as viewers can pick up and better pay attention to the clues and pieces of the puzzle that the film is eventually leading towards.
Leave the World Behind
8’The Killer' (2023)
Directed by David Fincher
The latest crime thriller from masterful directorDavid Fincher,The Killerfollows the story of a highly meticulous and dangerous assassin, enacting his latest job in the busy city of Paris. However, after an unexpected fatal error, he is forced to face off against his employers in a battle that spans across multiple continents and will have him take down everyone in his path. As he takes down each subsequent person in his path, he keeps battling with himself internally as to whether this mission has crossed the line and become personal.
As with all of Fincher’s work,the film is riddled with a multitude of meanings, interpretations, and small details that help make each viewing their own standalone experience. It helps that the film is highly entertaining and engaging on its own front, with several different locales and sequences to keep audiences engaged, no matter how many times they’ve seen it. Thehigh intensity of Fincher’s filmsas a whole is something that doesn’t go away on subsequent viewings, and continues to make the film an engaging and sometimes comedic thrill ride.
The Killer
7’Extraction' (2020)
Directed by Sam Hargrave
One of the biggest and most successful action movies from Netflix,Extractionfollows the story of Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth), a highly capable mercenary working on the black market. He is hired with the dangerous and arduous task of rescuing the kidnapped son of a Mumbai crime lord, leading him into a dangerous chase where seemingly the entire city is against him. It’s the type of film where the plot is far from the main priority, as it acts more as a backend way to allow for a great number of highly engaging and exciting action sequences.
Action movies are a type of movie that rarely loses their flair and excitement upon rewatches, withExtractionbeing one of many key examples of such a phenomenon. Especially when the film offerstop-notch action sequencessuch as the legendary long take,it’s hard not to get amped up with the film, no matter how many times it has been rewatched. The same applies to the sequel,Extraction 2, which provides similar levels of high-octane action and masterful stunt choreography.
Extraction
6’Do Revenge' (2022)
Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
One of the very few modern teen films that have been able to capture the manic and chaotic energy of teen satires, likeMean Girls,Clueless, andHeathers,Do Revengeis a love letter to the teen movie genre. The film follows the story of Drea Torres, a former queen bee at her private high school who is dealing with the ramifications of being betrayed by her closest friends in the toxic adolescent climate. However, she soon hatches a plan with the unassuming new student to enact revenge upon their respective enemies, earning their spots back at the top in the process.
Teen movies have continuously been some of the most rewatchable genres of all time, with their mixture of quotable lines, simple and relatable characters, and effective comedy giving them endless rewatchability. Just like the films that inspired it,Do Revengeis filled with a multitude of memorable sequences and lines, rootable and entertaining characters, and a great deal of charm. On top of that, the film features a genuine twist that recontextualizes the entire film.
