36 best classic movies on Netflix right now

While it's easy to get caught up in all of the new movies available on Netflix, whether that be Netflix original or the latest releases coming from movie theaters, the Netflix library is also filled with classic movies. Whether it's an all-time favorite that you're eager to rewatch or a well-known title that you need to scratch off your must-watch list, Netflix has a bountiful slate of classic movies to look through. We're here to help with our own recommendations of the best classic movies on Netflix right now.

Now we should be clear about what we're talking about when we say classic movies. The best way to tell if a movie is truly a classic or not is time, so we made the call to only include movies that were 10 years or older (so nothing post-2015 made the cut). With that parameter, our list features award-winning movies, box office hits and both signature and early work of iconic stars and directors.

Find out what titles made our list of best classic movies on Netflix and why directly below.

13 Going on 30 (2004)

13 Going on 30 is more than 20 years old, but it is just getting better with age. The movie stars Jennifer Garner as a teen who suddenly finds herself as her future 30-year-old self (taking inspiration from another classic, Big). It has become one of Garner's most iconic roles, while the supporting cast of Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer and Andy Serkis help make for a great watch. Available: US only

About Time (2013)

One of the best romantic comedies that I can think of in then last 15 years, which should be little surprise since it comes from rom-com master Richard Curtis. Domhnall Gleeson stars as a lovelorn young man who finds out that the men in his family have the ability to travel through time, so he decides to use it to ensure he falls in love with the woman of his dreams, played by Rachel McAdams. Bill Nighy gives a fantastic supporting performance and it's also one of the first movies starring Margot Robbie. Available: US only

Apollo 13 (1995)

One of the most harrowing true stories from the NASA space program is brought to life in Apollo 13. The movie depicts the events of where the mission to the moon went wrong ("Houston, we've had a problem") and the incredible scramble to both on earth and on the space shuttle to ensure the astronauts returned home safely. Tom Hanks leads a great ensemble in this thrilling retelling of determination and ingenuity. Available: US only

Awakenings (1990)

Surprising that a movie starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro that was also nominated for Best Picture can be overlooked, but that is the case a bit with the 1990 drama Awakenings. It's worth a watch though as Williams plays a neurologist who finds a medication that can help patients who have been in catatonic states for years "wake up." Available: US only

Beginners (2011)

Helping to deliver Christopher Plummer a much deserved Oscar may always be Beginners’ primary calling card, but the indie movie from Mike Mills is much more than that. This story about a man (Ewan McGregor) who takes the lessons from his father’s late-in-life coming out and a budding relationship with a free-spirited woman (Melanie Laurent) to open his life to new possibilities is utterly endearing. Available: US only

Blade Runner: The Final Cut (1982)

One of the best sci-fi movies ever, in its most definitive cut (no awkward narration from Harrison Ford here). Not much to be said, except if you haven't seen Blade Runner you need to remedy that ASAP. Available: US only

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Telling the tale of two infamous bank robbers from the early 20th century, Bonnie and Clyde could have been a simple heist movie. But hoping to tell a story that was something closer to the French New Wave movies of the 1960s, Arthur Penn, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway created one of the most influential movies ever, one that helped shift the power from studios to filmmakers for much of the late 60s/70s. It’s also just a great movie. Available: US only

The Breakfast Club (1985)

The king of teen movies, John Hughes, made perhaps his most iconic movie in The Breakfast Club. This story of five teenagers bonding and learning about each other while they are stuck together in detention on a Saturday, The Breakfast Club works so well because it doesn’t treat its teen characters like children, it takes their problems seriously. Throw in some great 80s soundtracks, including the iconic “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” and you have an all-time classic. Available: US only

Carol (2015)

Cate Blanchett gave one of her finest performances in the Todd Haynes' movie Carol. In the 1950s set story, Blanchett stars as the titular housewife for begins an intimate relationship with a young store clerk, played by the equally magnificent Rooney Mara. But as their connection grows, so does the complications in keeping their relationship a secret. Carol is as well made as it is emotionally powerful. Available: US/UK

Closer (2004)

When you have movies like The Graduate, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Birdcage on your resume as Mike Nichols does, a movie like Closer can get a little lost among the shuffle. But that's an oversight as this romance drama starring Jude Law, Clive Owen, Natalie Portman and Julia Roberts is complex and steamy. The entire quartet is fantastic and Nichols added another great movie to his filmography that should not be overlooked. Available: US only

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

The McConaissance was a fun time. After seeing his star dim after a slew of less than acclaimed rom coms and box office flops, Matthew McConaughey went on a hot-streak like few other, with perhaps his crowning achievement being his Oscar-winning performance in Dallas Buyers Club. In the movie he plays a straight man diagnosed with AIDS in the early days of the disease who finds he can procure more effective medicine outside of the normal health care channels. Jared Leto also earned an Oscar for his supporting performance. Available: US only

*Leaving April 30

The Dark Knight (2008)

For all the success that Christopher Nolan has had, including Oppenheimer winning Best Picture, The Dark Knight may still be his most well known and beloved movie. It is widely seen as one of the best superhero movies ever made, featuring arguably the best performance ever in that genre with Heath Ledger’s unforgettable turn as the Joker. You can watch all three of Nolan’s Batman movies on Netflix right now, but The Dark Knight is definitely the big one. Available: US only

Do the Right Thing (1989)

Spike Lee's masterpiece, Do the Right Thing is a heightened slice of life in Brooklyn on the hottest day of the year and as racial tensions boil over. It's incredible how many major stars are in this movie, from a young Samuel L. Jackson, Giancarlo Esposito, John Turturro and Rosie Perez, to Hollywood stalwarts Danny Aiello, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis and Frankie Faison. Available: US only

Erin Brockovich (2000)

Julia Roberts has two of her best movies ever on Netflix right now. We'll get to the other in a bit, but the first is her Oscar-winning turn in Erin Brockovich. In this based on a true story movie, Roberts plays a secretary at a law firm who's tough demeanor and determination helps bring a big case against a chemical company that is contaminating the water outside a small town. Available: US only

*Leaving April 30

Goodfellas (1990)

The only gangster movie that may rival Goodfellas in the love fans have for it are the Godfather movies. Martin Scorsese’s decades-spanning crime drama about Henry Hill’s life in the mob is well-acted, well-directed and incredibly entertaining. Even with a resume filled with phenomenal movies, there’s a good chance that Goodfellas is the one that Scorsese is remembered for the most. Available: US only

The Guns of Navarone (1961)

An old school Hollywood epic action movie, The Guns of Navrone follows a group of Allied soldiers in World War Two that set about destroying a Nazi base where long-range guns are pinning down Allied forces. David Niven, Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn and Richard Harris help make up the ensemble of soldiers that take audiences on this thrilling mission. Available: US only

Heat (1995)

Without a doubt, the heist sequences in Heat are some of the best ever put to film, but perhaps the most thrilling scene in the movie is when Al Pacino’s Detective Hanna and De Niro’s criminal McCauley meet in the dinner and have a conversation where they size each other up before the climactic heist. It was amazingly the first time that Pacino and De Niro acted on screen with each other, and it’s as fantastic as you’d expect. Now is a great time as well to watch Heat to enjoy a performance from the late Val Kilmer. Available: US only

The Holiday (2006)

If you ever just need a pick-me-up, then The Holiday is always a good option; I’ll even forgive the fact that this is technically a Christmas movie (though the actual holiday is just a small fact of the movie) and ignore my usual stance that Christmas movies should be reserved for post-Thanksgiving. Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black are all great in this charming rom-com. Available: US/UK

King Kong (2005)

The original 1933 King Kong is still the best version of gargantuan ape that causes a panic in New York City, but Peter Jackson, fresh of Lord of the Rings, did an underrated job in remaking the Hollywood classic. Jackson's King Kong is entertaining, though perhaps overly long, but its heart is in a great performance by Naomi Watts and performance-capture work by Andy Serkis as Kong. Available: US only

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is a criminally underrated action movie from Guy Ritchie and starring Henry Cavill, Armie hammer and Alicia Vikander. An adaptation of an old TV series, this 1960s set spy drama is sauve, thrilling and overall damn entertaining. It's a real shame it didn't get the reception it deserved initially, but you can remedy that now on Netflix. Available: US only

Man on Wire (2008)

An Oscar-winning documentary, Man on Wire recounts the story of Philippe Petit, who in 1974 performed a high-wire act between the two towers of the World Trade Center... all without permission. Part thriller and circus performance, it is an exhiilrating documentary. Available: US only

Meet the Parents (2000)

We all know how awkward it is to go and meet your significant others' parents for the first time, but Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller made us all feel better about our own experiences with the comedy of errors that is Meet the Parents. Though it spawned a number of sequels (and potentially another soon), the original remains the best. Available: US only

*Leaving April 30

Melancholia (2011)

Many movies use a world ending threat as a narrative device, but Lars von Trier fully committed to the idea with his meditative look at depression, Melancholia. The real star of the movie though is the fantastic performance from Kirsten Dunst, which in hindsight seems baffling she didn't get nominated for an Oscar for it. Available: US only

Notting Hill (1999)

Another Julia Roberts classic to watch on Netflix, Notting Hill is one of her iconic rom-coms. This time she stars as a movie star who falls in love with the charming book store owner, played by Hugh Grant. Penned by Richard Curtis, it's little wonder that people fall in love with this movie. Available: US/UK

*Leaving April 30

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

I know that for many the BBC's Pride & Prejudice is the best adaptation of Jane Austen's classic, but lest we forget that Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen and Joe Wright's brilliant work in the 2005 big screen adaptation. From the goregeous visuals of the English countryside to a career best performance from Knightley, there's plenty to love about this Pride & Prejudice. Available: US only

Psycho (1960)

One of Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpieces, Psycho is a taut, expertly crafted horror/thriller. I know that to be true because no matter how many times you’ve seen the movie, or even if you haven’t but it’s place in popular culture has spoiled some of the movie’s biggest surprises, I dare you to not jump when the strings of the iconic Psycho score first play. Available: US only

Public Enemies (2009)

Michael Mann knows how to craft a riveting crime thriller, and he did so again with Public Enemies, a period piece that focuses on iconic criminal John Dillinger and the FBI's dogged pursuit of him. Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard lead the cast and are all great, but there are a number of familiar faces that pop up throughout that will be fun for viewers. Available: US only

Schindler's List (1993)

Steven Spielberg may best be known for his action-packed, fantastical blockbusters like Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, ET and Jurassic Park, but it is entirely fair to say that Schindler’s List is the director’s best work (all of those movies listed are on WTW’s 100 best movies of all time list). The director’s Best Picture-winning ode for those lost during the Holocaust and the great act of humanity by Oskar Schindler to help save the lives of a few thousand Jewish people is one of the most profound movies ever made. It’s not an easy watch, but it is an important and worthwhile one. Available: US only

*Leaving April 30

She's Gotta Have It (1986)

Spike Lee's breakout movie, She's Gotta Have It tells the story of a woman and the three men that she counts as her lovers (one of which is Lee, as he starred in many of his early movies). Many of the traits that would come to define Lee are present in this movie, so should be a must-watch for any fans of his or film history in general. The movie also inspired a Netflix original series that ran for two seasons. Available: US/UK

Sicario (2015)

Before he conquered the world of Dune, director Denis Villeneuve depicted a different kind of desert conflict, as Emily Blunt's federal agent attempts to stop drug trafficking across the US-Mexico border with the help of a dangerous but mysterious ally(?), played by Benicio Del Toro. A taut, brilliantly excellent thriller (written by a pre-Yellowstone Taylor Sheridan) is always worth a watch. Available: US only

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Burt Reynolds’ has all of his movie star charm in this classic road trip comedy where he plays The Bandit, a driver who is taking on the challenge of escorting a tractor-trailor full of beer across state lines (illegal at the time). Picking up a runaway bride (Sally Field) and having a local sheriff (Jackie Gleason) give chase along the way just adds to the fun in this one. Available: US only

The Thin Blue Line (1988)

If you love true crime, then you absolutely must watch The Thin Blue Line, one of the most influential documentaries ever made. Not only did Errol Morris' movie investigating a murder conviction in Dallas County, Texas, lead to helping the release of an innocent man, but it served as the blue print for all true crime documentaries (of which there are plenty on Netflix) to come. Available: US only

Wedding Crashers (2005)

One of the best comedies of the 2000s, Wedding Crashers gave us some classic lines ("you shut your mouth when you're talking to me" and "Ma, the meatloaf!" to name a couple) and perhaps one of the best cameos ever. Yet why this movie is a classic is because of the great relationships at its center. Available: US/UK

*Leaving April 30

When We Were Kings (1996)

I never got to see Muhammad Ali fight, so the closest thing to that is watching the documentary When We Were Kings. The good thing is that it's an incredible documentary, chronicling Ali's preparation for the 1974 world heavyweight bout against George Foreman, where Ali attempted to overcome his underdog status and reclaim the title he held for years. It's one of the most fascinating sports documentaries ever made. Available: US only

*Leaving April 28

Whiplash (2014)

Damien Chazelle's magnificent debut movie Whiplash is the story of an aspiring jazz drummer (Miles Teller) who is tormented by an abusive and demanding band leader (J.K. Simmons) is a frenetic and riveting watch, with one of the best endings that I have ever seen. Time to give it a watch if you haven't seen it in the last decade. Available: US only

*Leaving April 30

Y tu mamá también

Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma is one of the most acclaimed Netflix original movies to date, but now one of the Oscar-winning director’s early classics is also now streaming on the platform. Y tu mamá también (which translates to “and your mother too”) stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna as two teenage boys who learn about life and themselves when they head out on a road trip with an older woman. Available: US/UK