The Best Movies on Netflix: WIRED’s Top Picks for January 2026
Navigating the vast cinematic ocean of Netflix can often feel overwhelming, a treasure hunt where the map is constantly shifting. With an abundance of options, pinpointing that perfect film for your evening can be a daunting quest. Fear not, cinephiles; our expert journalists have meticulously sifted through the streaming giant’s ever-evolving library to bring you a definitive guide. From gripping dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies and pulse-pounding thrillers, here are our top picks for the 50 best movies currently available on Netflix, meticulously updated for January 2026.
For those craving episodic narratives, explore our curated list of the best TV series on Netflix, or dive deeper into specific genres with our guides to the best sci-fi movies, top films on Amazon Prime, and Disney+ essentials.
Good Night, and Good Luck: Live From Broadway
George Clooney makes a powerful Broadway debut in this live recording, reimagining his critically acclaimed 2005 film. This stage adaptation plunges audiences into the fraught 1950s, chronicling CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow’s courageous on-air confrontations with Senator Joseph McCarthy. Far from a mere re-creation, Clooney steps into Murrow’s iconic shoes, extending the original film’s incisive examination of media integrity and journalistic responsibility directly into the contemporary era. The result is a darkly resonant and profoundly powerful piece of theatre, drawing stark parallels between McCarthy’s spurious Communist witch hunts and the political landscape of today. Now, this compelling performance is accessible to all, sans the prohibitive cost of a Broadway ticket.
Okja
Before captivating the world with Parasite, visionary director Bong Joon-ho showcased his unique blend of social commentary and genre-bending storytelling in films like Okja. This 2017 masterpiece, arguably his pinnacle in the creature feature genre, delves into the ethical quagmire of genetic engineering and animal exploitation. We follow young Mija (Ahn Seo-hyun), who has lovingly raised an enhanced ‘super pig’ in rural South Korea. Her world is shattered when the powerful American corporation, Mirando, reclaims its creation. Driven by an unwavering bond, Mija embarks on a perilous journey to Mirando’s New York headquarters, joining forces with radical Animal Liberation Front activists in a desperate bid to rescue her extraordinary companion. Okja is a darkly satirical yet deeply moving narrative that explores complex themes of animal welfare and environmentalism with remarkable nuance, never succumbing to preachiness. A captivating dual performance from the ever-magnetic Tilda Swinton further elevates this unforgettable cinematic experience.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Rian Johnson’s acclaimed Knives Out series returns with its third thrilling installment, Wake Up Dead Man, once again featuring the inimitable master detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig). This time, Blanc is confronted with what appears to be a ‘perfectly impossible crime’: the mysterious death of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), a firebrand preacher whose controversial sermons have alienated much of his upstate New York parish. Suspicion immediately falls upon junior priest Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a ‘young, dumb, and full of Christ’ former boxer with a shadowy past. Yet, in true Johnson fashion, the truth is anything but straightforward. Wicks’ eclectic flock—a veritable murderer’s row of acting royalty including Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Glenn Close, and Thomas Haden Church—each harbor their own compelling motives. While Wake Up Dead Man
adopts a somewhat darker and more contemplative tone than its predecessors, it retains Johnson’s signature wry humor and intricate plotting, solidifying its place as a fantastic third outing for what may well become Daniel Craig’s definitive onscreen legacy, even surpassing his iconic turn as James Bond.
Klaus
First gracing Netflix in 2019, the BAFTA and Annie Award-winning Klaus has firmly established itself as the streaming giant’s most exquisite festive offering. This animated masterpiece defies conventional holiday saccharine. We meet Jesper Johansson, a spoiled heir tasked by his powerful Postmaster General father with the seemingly impossible mission of establishing a functional post office in the desolate, isolated town of Smeerensburg. The community, fractured into two perpetually warring clans, exchanges nothing but frosty glares. However, a chance encounter with Klaus, a reclusive, surly woodsman who dedicates his life to carving toys, sparks an unexpected idea in Jesper. What unfolds is a heartwarming yet subtly darker origin story of a beloved tradition. Eschewing schmaltzy sentimentality, Klaus evokes the unsettling charm of A Series of Unfortunate Events with its murky, decrepit setting and presents its jolly gift-giver as an initially imposing, even intimidating, figure. Yet, beneath its mature tone lies an abundance of heart, crafting an almost otherworldly tale that truly feels like a modern Christmas miracle.
Troll 2
Director Roar Uthaug, known for Tomb Raider, continues to carve out the improbable niche of ‘Norwegian kaiju’ with Troll 2, the thrilling sequel to his 2022 original. Years after confronting a rampaging titan from Norway’s ancient depths, paleontologist Nora Tidemann (Ine Marie Wilmann) has retreated into seclusion, dedicating her life to researching these mythical creatures. Her quiet studies are abruptly interrupted when the government urgently seeks her expertise regarding a hibernating ‘Megatroll’ they’ve secretly contained. Reunited with her steadfast allies, Andreas Isaksen (Kim Falck) and Major Kris Holm (Mads Sjøgård Pettersen), Nora is once again plunged into a desperate race against time to avert a catastrophic ‘trollpocalypse.’ This time, however, the stakes are even higher, and the threat more complex, promising an epic and unexpected continuation of this unique monster saga.
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