These trending Netflix movies deserve a spot on your watchlist

(Image credit: Nicole Rivelli / Netflix)

It’s Easter weekend, and there are plenty of great new movies to add to your basket. But with so much to watch across the best streaming services, figuring out which movies are actually worth the hype can quickly become a headache.

You could check out Netflix’s top 10 list of most-watched movies, but inevitably, there’s bound to be a few duds among the ones everyone’s buzzing about. Take “Lucy” in the #8 spot, for instance, a cheesy Scarlett Johansson-led thriller that I saw in theaters way back when and marveled at how anyone managed to make sci-fi that boring.

With that in mind, we regularly comb through the streamer’s top 10 list to highlight the three best movies that deserve a spot on your watchlist. Leading the pack this week is a heartfelt romantic drama, an overlooked Angelina Jolie-led romcom, and one of the best buddy comedies in years.

None of these picks jumping out at you? You can find even more streaming recommendations in our guide to everything new on Netflix this month. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the three must-watch movies in Netflix’s top 10.

This article is based on Netflix’s top 10 movies list in the U.S. as of 12:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 19. 

I went into Netflix’s new romantic drama “The Life List” with low expectations, but it’s easily one of my favorites from the streamer so far this year. If your’e a sucker for a good tearjerker, this is definitely one to add to your watchlist.

Adapted from the best-selling novel by Lori Nelson Spielman, “The Life List” stars “Carry On” and “Purple Hearts” actress Sofia Carson as Alex Rose, a once-aspiring teacher now stuck in a serious rut. Between an unfulfilling job at her mother’s (Connie Britton) marketing company and a long-term relationship that’s going nowhere, she’s clearly not happy with the life she’s settled for.

‘Life or Something Like It’ (2002)

(Image credit: Alamy)
“Life or Something Like It” surprised everyone this week by shooting to the top of Netflix’s top-10 list, and it’s currently in the #2 spot. This romcom led by Angelina Jolie seems to be finally finding its audience on streaming 23 years after flopping at the box office.

Jolie stars as Lanie Kerrigan, a Seattle-based reporter whose world is turned upside down when a street prophet (Tony Shalhoub) delivers a chilling prediction: not only is she squandering her life, but she has just seven days left to live.

She initially brushes it off as crazy talk, but when his other predictions start coming true, she begins to worry that these really could be her final days.

Determined to reevaluate her priorities and live more meaningfully, she starts reconsidering her career, her romance with star baseball player Cal Cooper (Christian Kane), and the life she’s built chasing success. But when a dream job offer in New York threatens to pull her back into her old ways, she’ll have to choose between chasing ambition and embracing her new authentic life.

Watch it now on Netflix

‘One of Them Days” (2025)

ONE OF THEM DAYS – Official Trailer (HD) – YouTube

Watch On
Keke Palmer and SZA’s buddy comedy “One of Them Days” is staying strong in Netflix’s top 10 since arriving on the streamer at the beginning of the month. And it’s clear to see why: The duo play off each other with an infectious comedic energy, and as wild as their money-grubbing escapades get, the bond between them feels genuine, making for a surprisingly heartfelt watch.

We all have messy friends, and “One of Them Days” follows two of the messiest: down-on-their-luck pals Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) as they scramble to get their rent money back after Alyssa’s boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua Neal) blows it all.

Their landlord gives them an ultimatum: Fork over the $1,500 they owe him by 6 p.m. or they’re out on the streets. Chaos ensues as they struggle to get a payday loan (despite hilarious warnings from Katt Williams’ Lucky), accidentally piss off a gang leader, and stop at nothing to turn their fortunes around.

It’s rare to see an R-rated comedy blow up among critics, but “One of Them Days” holds a 94% critics rating along with a 90% score on the Popcornmeter, indicating that most viewers found it worth watching for a good laugh.

Watch it now on Netflix