The Netflix film library is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna get. That’s truer now than ever before, as the streaming giant continues to add new titles from every genre to its ever-expanding platform. Before you get too excited about that “Forrest Gump” quote, though, we should inform you that the 1994 Tom Hanks movie is not currently streaming on Netflix. But trust us when we say you still have tons of other classics to choose from.
To determine the best movies to watch on Netflix this April, 24/7 Tempo developed an index using average ratings on IMDb, an online movie database owned by Amazon, and a combination of audience scores and Tomatometer scores on Rotten Tomatoes, an online movie and TV review aggregator, as of April 2022, weighting all ratings equally. We considered only movies with at least 5,000 audience votes on either IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes, and ruled out documentaries. (Data on streaming availability, current as of this month, comes from the streaming guide Reelgood, and directorial credits are from IMDb.)
Looking for one of the most profitable and controversial horror flicks of all time? It goes by the name of “The Exorcist” and it once had audience members fainting in their seats. Catch it streaming on Netflix and you might be surprised to discover that it still packs quite the punch. Afterwards, you might want to come down with a beloved family comedy like “Shrek” or “How to Train Your Dragon,” both of which are available. (On Netflix and otherwise, these are the best comedy movies available to stream right now.)
Click here to see the best movies to stream on Netflix this month
Also streaming are two of the highest-rated films in IMDb history. One is “The Shawshank Redemption” and it sits atop the website’s list of the Top 250 Movies. Just two spots down is “The Dark Knight,” the game-changing superhero film from Christopher Nolan. You can watch both titles this month on Netflix along with other critical and commercial darlings like “Django Unchained,” “Stand By Me,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “Inception,” and “The Social Network.” It’s all just a few clicks away. (Netflix offers more than movies, of course. These are the 50 best Netflix original series.)
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
50. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
> IMDb user rating: 7.1/10 (96,804 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (4,835 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (70 reviews)
> Directed by: Susan Johnson
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Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
49. The Exorcist (1973)
> IMDb user rating: 8/10 (376,295 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87% (420,561 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 83% (83 reviews)
> Directed by: William Friedkin
Source: Courtesy of A24
48. Lady Bird (2017)
> IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (260,681 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 79% (22,988 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 99% (398 reviews)
> Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
47. Dunkirk (2017)
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (595,440 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 81% (69,228 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (461 reviews)
> Directed by: Christopher Nolan
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Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment
46. Snatch (2000)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10 (811,774 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (394,711 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 74% (142 reviews)
> Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
45. The Town (2010)
> IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (367,843 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (142,333 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (235 reviews)
> Directed by: Ben Affleck
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Source: Courtesy of A24
44. The Florida Project (2017)
> IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (103,567 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 80% (13,520 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (314 reviews)
> Directed by: Sean Baker
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
43. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
> IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (216,821 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84% (415,796 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (54 reviews)
> Directed by: Wes Craven
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
42. Midnight in Paris (2011)
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (402,967 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (82,703 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (224 reviews)
> Directed by: Woody Allen
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Source: Courtesy of Ascot Elite Entertainment Group
41. Wind River (2017)
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (223,961 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (29,613 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87% (253 reviews)
> Directed by: Taylor Sheridan
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing
40. Donnie Brasco (1997)
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (291,291 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (204,292 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (56 reviews)
> Directed by: Mike Newell
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Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
39. Into the Wild (2007)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (594,510 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (179,594 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 83% (200 reviews)
> Directed by: Sean Penn
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros./Seven Arts
38. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (108,146 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (56,616 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (64 reviews)
> Directed by: Arthur Penn
Source: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company
37. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (680,767 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86% (260,715 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (260 reviews)
> Directed by: David O. Russell
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Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
36. Awakenings (1990)
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (132,710 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (55,236 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (34 reviews)
> Directed by: Penny Marshall
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
35. True Grit (2010)
> IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (323,355 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (158,421 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (275 reviews)
> Directed by: Joel & Ethan Coen
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Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
34. Moneyball (2011)
> IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (391,423 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86% (92,018 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (267 reviews)
> Directed by: Bennett Miller
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
33. Léon: The Professional (1994)
> IMDb user rating: 8.5/10 (1,081,769 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 95% (274,510 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 74% (65 reviews)
> Directed by: Luc Besson
Source: Courtesy of GEM Entertainment
32. Her (2013)
> IMDb user rating: 8/10 (567,662 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 82% (101,810 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (283 reviews)
> Directed by: Spike Jonze
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Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
31. Warrior (2011)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (450,064 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (59,533 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 83% (192 reviews)
> Directed by: Gavin O’Connor
Source: Courtesy of Rocket Science
30. The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (158,141 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (2,455 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (331 reviews)
> Directed by: Aaron Sorkin
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Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution
29. Shrek (2001)
> IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (638,681 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (1,378,744 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (208 reviews)
> Directed by: Andrew Adamson & Vicky Jenson
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
28. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (316,987 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (188,724 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91% (188 reviews)
> Directed by: Dean DeBlois
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
27. Marriage Story (2019)
> IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (272,813 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (184 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (391 reviews)
> Directed by: Noah Baumbach
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Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
26. Rush (2013)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (452,579 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (79,330 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (235 reviews)
> Directed by: Ron Howard
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
25. The Social Network (2010)
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (654,350 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86% (204,423 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (329 reviews)
> Directed by: David Fincher
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Source: Courtesy of Netflix
24. The Irishman (2019)
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (351,546 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86% (1,057 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (453 reviews)
> Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
23. Hell or High Water (2016)
> IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (214,372 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (40,252 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (283 reviews)
> Directed by: David Mackenzie
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
22. Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
> IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (57,480 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (113 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97% (232 reviews)
> Directed by: Craig Brewer
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Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
21. The Green Mile (1999)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10 (1,204,006 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (814,054 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 78% (134 reviews)
> Directed by: Frank Darabont
Source: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company
20. The Imitation Game (2014)
> IMDb user rating: 8/10 (717,585 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (104,116 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (285 reviews)
> Directed by: Morten Tyldum
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Source: Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media
19. Beasts of No Nation (2015)
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (77,493 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (8,145 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (143 reviews)
> Directed by: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
18. Batman Begins (2005)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (1,360,431 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (1,115,836 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 84% (288 reviews)
> Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Source: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company
17. The Artist (2011)
> IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (235,905 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87% (58,691 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (320 reviews)
> Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius
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Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
16. Argo (2012)
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (590,474 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (208,987 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (359 reviews)
> Directed by: Ben Affleck
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
15. Blade Runner (1982)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (721,985 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (338,132 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 90% (121 reviews)
> Directed by: Ridley Scott
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Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
14. My Fair Lady (1964)
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (90,701 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (187,112 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (61 reviews)
> Directed by: George Cukor
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
13. Casino Royale (2006)
> IMDb user rating: 8/10 (601,654 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (703,961 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (259 reviews)
> Directed by: Martin Campbell
Source: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company
12. Django Unchained (2012)
> IMDb user rating: 8.4/10 (1,427,183 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (429,752 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87% (291 reviews)
> Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
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Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
11. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
> IMDb user rating: 8/10 (616,488 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (1,922,847 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (269 reviews)
> Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
10. Stand by Me (1986)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (380,190 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (270,467 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91% (57 reviews)
> Directed by: Rob Reiner
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Source: Courtesy of E Stars Films
9. Dangal (2016)
> IMDb user rating: 8.4/10 (171,447 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (2,333 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (17 reviews)
> Directed by: Nitesh Tiwari
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
8. Inception (2010)
> IMDb user rating: 8.8/10 (2,171,143 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (571,783 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87% (361 reviews)
> Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
7. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10 (701,608 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (324,778 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (83 reviews)
> Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
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Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
6. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (693,881 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (312,983 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 99% (212 reviews)
> Directed by: Dean DeBlois & Chris Sanders
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
5. Taxi Driver (1976)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (761,825 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (260,919 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (94 reviews)
> Directed by: Martin Scorsese
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Source: Courtesy of Netflix
4. Klaus (2019)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (119,752 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 96% (2,481 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (70 reviews)
> Directed by: Sergio Pablos
Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution
3. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10 (1,292,307 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 95% (993,591 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (143 reviews)
> Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
> IMDb user rating: 9/10 (2,419,864 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (1,831,566 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (345 reviews)
> Directed by: Christopher Nolan
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Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
> IMDb user rating: 9.3/10 (2,465,102 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 98% (887,061 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91% (77 reviews)
> Directed by: Frank Darabont
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