Russell Crowe's little known psychological thriller quietly becomes a Netflix sensation

Sometimes when we browse the hundreds and hundreds of options Netflix has to offer, it's overwhelming decided which title to pick for movie night. Do you go for the latest original movie that everyone's talking about? Do you watch that nostalgic classic you have seen a million times? Do you finally check out that recent hit that's finally made its way to streaming?

Recently, it's clear what most Netflix fans have decided when it comes to choosing a title for movie night. All four of the Jurassic World movies, even including the most recent sequel Jurassic World Rebirth, are ranking in the Top 10, as is Mark Wahlberg's action-thriller War Machine and recently released crime drama Trap House. But another recent title has quietly proven a big hit.

Nuremberg hits Top 10 most popular Netflix movies

Following its addition to Netflix on March 7, psychological thriller Nuremberg skyrocketed straight to the upper half of the Top 10 most popular movies ranking. The historical drama hit theaters in November 2025 but didn't manage to make a splash among the more focus-pulling awards season titles dropped last fall that are now competing for Academy Awards this spring.

From writer and director James Vanderbilt, Nuremberg is based on the book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist by Jack El-Hai and stars Academy Award winner Rami Malek as U.S. Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley as he looks into the current state of Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe). Kelley's inquest into Göring and other Nazis precedes the Nuremberg trias in 1945.

Beyond Crowe and Malek, Nuremberg also features performances Netflix's Vladimir star Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Mark O'Brien, Colin Hanks, Wrenn Schmidt, Lydia Peckham, Richard E. Grant, and Michael Shannon. It's a rather star-studded cast with talented stars from other critically acclaimed movies and shows, but for some reason, the film didn't connect with audiences until now.

In spite of its tepid performance at the box office, which brought in only $56.9 million worldwide (still not bad considering its $7-10 million budget), the film received critical acclaim. Holding a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Nuremberg earned positive reception, in particularly for Crowe's starring role, though that's not much of a surprise since he's already an Oscar winner.

The movie didn't earn any major award nominations, like a Golden Globe or Academy Awards, but that doesn't mean it's not a movie worth checking out on Netflix. Clearly, it's finding the people who appreciate historical dramas that deal with heavy themes. The only downside that could come into play for prospective viewers is its rather lengthy running time.

Nuremberg is the kind of movie you have to settle in for, as its 2 hours and 28 minutes long. Perhaps that's what kept some moviegoers from buying tickets, but when you're watching from home on Netflix, you can create your own intermission. If you're looking for an underrated movie to add to your watch list and love a bit of history, check out the new movie you definitely missed!