As I punched in my credit card info for my fifth viewing ofRyan Coogler’sSinners, it got me thinking about all the other movies that are endlessly rewatchable. Whether it be forcomfort,nostalgia, or a story so rich you find something new every time, some films just keep drawing us back in time after time. Back in my day, we’d watch a VHS or DVD until it stopped working, but now you’re able to just go onstreamingand get them whirring up anytime you want without having to run to the store after your hundredth watch. So,take advantage of Netflix’s catalogand check out the most rewatchable movies on the platform.
For more recommendations, check out our ranked lists ofBest Netflix Original MoviesandBest Guilty Pleasure Shows on Netflix.
Disclaimer: These titles are available in the US.
‘Pride & Prejudice’ (2005)
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | IMDb: 7.8/10
Pride & Prejudice
Keira KnightleyandMatthew Macfadyenare an enchanting Lizzy and Mr. Darcy as they bring theJane Austenclassic to life. BeforeBridgertonwas steaming up the screen with Regency Era longing, directorJoe Wrightand screenwriterDeborah Moggachwere doing a box step around our hearts with this loose retelling ofAusten’s tale of five sisterslooking for love, a rich Lieutenant, and a life worth living from their Longbourn estate. In fact, this adaptation ofPride & Prejudiceis so good that they brought itback to theaters for the 20th anniversaryto celebrate this film’s impact on period cinema.
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‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)
The Breakfast Club
A timelessJohn Hughesclassic,The Breakfast Clubis abeloved coming-of-age filmthat never seems to get old. This film features frequent Hughes collaboratorsMolly RingwaldandAnthony Michael Hall, plusEmilio Estevez,Judd Nelson, andAlly Sheedyas a mixed bag of high school teens, each from different popularity and social groups, who have to spend the day together in Saturday detention. The representation of different school cliques makes it easy for anyone to find a character they identify with before Hughes subverts the typical archetypes to expose a universal truth — no matter your advantages, disadvantages, or how people see you, we’re all just people trying to survive in this crazy world.
‘Rudy’ (1993)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 7.5/10
Sometimes, you need agood inspirational sports filmthat will get the happy tears flowing, andRudyis at the top of that list. Don’t tellThe Lord of the RingsI said this, but this film isSean Astin’s best performance, hands down. Astin puts everything he has into bringingthe true story ofDaniel “Rudy” Ruettigerto life, and he doesn’t leave anything on the field. For anyone unfamiliar, it’s a story about a boy who always dreamed of playing football for the University of Notre Dame despite having zero athletic talent. It’s effectively the quintessential rags-to-riches story if “riches” were measured in hard work and determination. I also have to give a big shout-out toCharles S. Dutton, who is the beating heart of the film.
‘GoodFellas’ (1990)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 8.7/10
Goodfellas
Martin Scorseseknows how to make a gangster film, andGoodFellashas all the tenets of what makes his films great: humor, brutal violence, and complex characters. One of his earlier masterpieces, this film adapts thebiographical bookWiseguybyNicholas Pileggiabout the rise and fall of infamous mafiosoHenry Hill. Scorsese isn’t just a master of story arcs — he’s also an amazing world builder with an eye for detail that allows audiences to catch subtle bits of set design, shot lighting, and actor framing that complement the astounding performances. Not that the three main stars,Ray Liotta,Robert De Niro, andJoe Pesci, need much to blow us away, but it’s always nice to have a fully fleshed-out period piece.
‘Barbie’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.8/10
If someone had told me a movie about a toy that wasn’t in theToy Storyfranchise would make me cry, I would never have believed you, but directorGreta Gerwigand writerNoah Baumbachmanaged to pull it off.Barbieisn’t just a fun, star-studded party — it’s also a heartfelt view of womanhood and what it means to be true to oneself. Blond bombshellMargot Robbietakes on the role of the classic Mattel dress-up doll in a land filled with a diverse selection of Barbies and Kens…and Allan. The story focuses on the juxtaposition of the perfectly plastic world of Barbie’s playhouse with the imperfections of the real world that women live in while dealing with the impossible beauty standards that the doll has come to represent. It’s a delightfully camp and earnest story that is endlessly rewatchable forthe music numbers alone.
‘The Addams Family’ (1991)
Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 7.0/10
The Addams Family
There have been many renditions ofCharles Addams’ comic strip on television and in film, but none of them hit as hard as this movie, directed byBarry Sonnenfeld.The Addams Familybrings theloving yet macabre satire on the nuclear familyinto live-action with the late, greatRaul Juliaand award-winning actressAnjelica Hustonas the heads of the household,Gomez and Morticia Addams. Sonnenfeld manages to keep the larger-than-life aspects of the Addams while placing them in a more grounded world that lets their unorthodox nature shine even more. But one of the best parts of the film is the perfect casting that has yet to be matched to this day —Christopher Lloydas Uncle Fester andChristina Riccias Wednesday are particularly outstanding.
‘Matilda’ (1996)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.0/10
Despite the memes that came from Netflix’s recentMatilda the Musical, there is nothing like the original. Directed byDanny DeVito, who also stars in this adaptation ofRoald Dahl’schildren’s novel, there is a wholesomeness and sense of care that radiates from every frame ofMatilda. Plus,Mara Wilson’sportrayal of the titular psychic social outcast is endearing as she connects with the only person who truly understands her, a teacher played byEmbeth Davidtz. It may be nostalgia talking, but this film is a comfort movie that resonates with adults and children alike. Anyone dealing with abuse or tyranny can find inspiration in Matilda’s struggle to be seen and loved.
‘13 Going on 30’ (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes: 65% | IMDb: 6.3/10
13 Going on 30
They don’t makefantasy rom-coms like this anymore, but it’s great that we can stream them whenever we want. There wasa craze for a whilewhere we got an influx of either kids becoming adults like inBig, adults becoming kids like in17 Again, or adults meeting their younger selves like inDisney’s The Kid, but13 Going on 30does it the best.Jennifer Garnertakes on the role of a 13-year-old girl magically thrust into her future self to realize she grew into an awful person, forcing her to attempt to rebuild the burnt bridges she left behind over the 17 years she’s lost. But magical journey aside, the big draw is the charming slow-burn romance that develops between Garner andMark Ruffalo, who plays her estranged childhood friend. It’s a great time that has an even greater sense of humor.
