4 best Netflix movies of 2026 so far

There's nothing better than kicking back with a new movie on a Saturday or Sunday! Although Netflix movies are more popular than ever and Netflix is the world's biggest streaming service, there are still quite a few original movies that slip through the cracks.

To make sure you've seen all of the best Netflix movies of 2026 so far before a bunch of new movies are released in the next few months, I shared a list of the four best Netflix movies of the year so far.

As always, I tried to pick a variety of genres to make sure there's something on the list for everyone. This list skews a little more romantic than I'd prefer, but it's been one of those years for Netflix. Let's get the list started with People We Meet on Vacation.

People We Meet on Vacation

People We Meet on Vacation was one of the first big Netflix movies released in 2026, and it's merely a coincidence the romantic comedy is one of the best. The film is based on Emily Henry's book of the same name. It premiered on Jan. 9, 2026.

The film tells the story of Poppy and Alex. It explores their awkward, interconnected history as they get together at a wedding of Poppy's close friend, David, who happens to be Alex's brother. Are these two meant for each other after all this time? You'll have to watch to find out.

Emily Bader and Tom Blyth star as Poppy and Alex, respectively, and they are incredible together in this movie. For me, I wasn't in love with the story of the film, but Bader and Blyth's chemistry makes this movie the success that it is.

If you're looking for a new romantic comedy to watch on Netflix, People We Meet on Vacation is one of two great romantic comedies that premiered this year.

The Rip

Some might say I made this list to write about The Rip again, and while I deny the allegations, I will admit I'm not exactly mad about it. The Rip is one of my favorite movies of the year, and it's definitely one of the best Netflix movies of the year so far.

The Rip premiered on Netflix on Jan. 16, just one week after People We Meet on Vacation. Netflix really kicked this year off with a bang! For those who don't know, The Rip stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne, the leaders of a Tactical Narcotics Team in Miami. When a normal cash grab turns out to be a massive cash haul, Dumars and Byrne try to figure out what to do with all the money and make it out of the neighborhood alive.

The Rip has an awesome cast that includes Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and more.

If you like epic action movies, The Rip is the one for you!

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Remarkably Bright Creatures is the best Netflix movie of the year so far. It's not my favorite, as I just mentioned, but it is the best movie on this list. You simply have to watch it right now.

The film premiered on Netflix on May 8, 2026. It's based on the book of the same name by Shelby Van Pelt. Remarkably Bright Creatures tells the story of Tova, played by Sally Field, who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Cameron, played by Lewis Pullman, a young man trying to find his way. Oh, and there's an octopus!

Remarkably Bright Creatures just won two Primetime Emmys, including wins for Outstanding Movie. Field won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

Voicemails for Isabelle

Voicemails for Isabelle stars Zoey Deutch as Jill, an aspiring chef living away from her family in San Francisco. When great personal tragedy strikes, Jill continues a tradition of leaving voicemails for her sister. The kicker is that her sister's phone number is reassigned to another person. When Wes (Nick Robinson) listens to the message, he travels to tell Jill about this in person, and well, things get interesting!

Initially, I was thrown completely off by this premise because it's actually very creepy. With that said, this is a fantastic movie. Every romantic comedy with Deutch is always a banger. Pro tip: Set It Up is another great Netflix movie! Deutch and Robinson are so good in this movie, and they have a great chemistry.

Voicemails for Isabelle is right up there with People We Meet on Vacation as the best Netflix romantic movie of the year so far. I think I prefer this one. It's really, really good!

Those are the four best Netflix movies of the year so far! If you still need another great Netflix movie to watch, I would highly recommend War Machine, Enola Holmes 3, Apex, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, The Whisper Man, and Office Romance. They aren't quite good enough to make this list, but they're still really good.

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