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Find Top-Rated Netflix Movies From The 2020s

Curious what the top rated movie on Netflix is right now, especially from this decade (the 2020s)?

The honest answer: it changes by country, week, and which rating source you trust—but with a simple method, you can pinpoint today’s frontrunner and discover a handful of can’t-miss contenders.

What “top rated” really means on Netflix in the 2020s

First, a quick reality check: Netflix’s catalog differs by region, and licenses shift regularly. A title that’s available and soaring in Canada might be missing in the U.S., and vice versa. On top of that, new releases and viral hits can reshuffle rankings overnight.

Second, “top rated” depends on the yardstick. Are we talking critics (Metacritic, Rotten Tomatoes), audiences (IMDb, Letterboxd), or Netflix’s own Top 10 by hours viewed? Those aren’t the same thing, and they often disagree.

Finally, Netflix’s weekly charts reflect popularity, not necessarily quality, while critic and audience ratings reflect perceived quality, not watch-time. The smartest approach is to triangulate a few trustworthy sources and look for overlap.

How to quickly find today’s top rated Netflix movie (and verify it)

Use this 5-minute workflow to identify a credible “best of the decade (2020s)” pick that’s actually streaming in your country right now.

  • Step 1: Check availability in your region. Go to a guide like JustWatch or Reelgood. Filter by your country, set the provider to Netflix, and limit the year range to 2020–present. This narrows your list to 2020s movies you can actually play.
  • Step 2: Sort by ratings. On the same guide, sort by IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes score. Alternatively, open IMDb and filter by Feature Film + Release Year 2020–2029, then use the “Where to Watch” or availability link-outs to verify it’s on Netflix.
  • Step 3: Cross-check critics vs. audiences. Open the movie’s Rotten Tomatoes page (critics’ Tomatometer + Audience Score) and the IMDb rating. When both are strong (say, 7.5+/10 on IMDb and fresh/90%+ critics), you’ve likely found a reliable top pick.
  • Step 4: Confirm Netflix presence now. Open Netflix and search the title directly, or use the official Netflix Top 10 site (top10.netflix.com) to see if it’s trending globally or in your country. Remember: trending is popularity, not quality—but it’s a useful signal.
  • Step 5: Decide your “winner.” If several titles cluster at the top, prioritize award recognition (Oscars, BAFTAs), consistent critical acclaim, and your genre preference. In 2–3 minutes you can lock in a personal, defensible “top rated” choice.

Standout, critically acclaimed 2020s movies you can stream on Netflix

While the crown changes, these films from the 2020s regularly appear near the top of critics’ lists and ratings aggregators—and they’re often available on Netflix in many regions. Availability varies, so verify in your app.

  • All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) — A harrowing anti-war epic that won multiple Academy Awards (including Best International Feature). Visually stunning, thematically potent, and frequently one of the highest-rated Netflix films of the decade.
  • Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022) — Stop-motion artistry at its finest and the Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature. Lauded by critics and audiences alike for its craft and emotional depth.
  • The Power of the Dog (2021) — Jane Campion’s slow-burn drama earned widespread acclaim and major awards attention (including an Oscar for Best Director). A frequent chart-topper in critical rankings.
  • The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021) — Energetic, inventive animation with broad appeal and strong ratings across the board. An easy recommendation if you want something family-friendly without sacrificing quality.
  • Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) — A sharp, crowd-pleasing whodunit with strong audience scores, proof that “top rated” can also be downright fun.
  • The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) — Aaron Sorkin’s ensemble courtroom drama scored awards nominations and maintains high ratings among both critics and viewers.
  • Nimona (2023) — Stylish, heartfelt animation with an inclusive message that resonated strongly with audiences and critics.

Tip: If you’re after a single, defensible pick to start with, All Quiet on the Western Front consistently checks the boxes: award-winning, critically acclaimed, and widely regarded among the highest-rated Netflix-accessible films of the 2020s.

Case study: Verify a “top rated” choice in under 3 minutes

Example: All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

  • 1) Availability: Search it on Netflix; if you don’t see it, use JustWatch to confirm regional availability.
  • 2) Audience rating: Check IMDb for the current user score and number of votes. High score + large vote count signals reliability.
  • 3) Critics’ consensus: Open Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic to confirm strong critic reviews and awards notes.
  • 4) Sanity check: Look at Netflix’s Top 10 site. Even if it’s not trending this week, awards hardware and enduring acclaim keep it a credible “top rated” candidate.

How “top rated” interacts with Netflix Top 10

Netflix Top 10 tracks watch-hours, not quality. A buzzy new thriller can dominate Top 10 charts yet sit in the mid–6/10 range with audiences, while a prestige drama may stay highly rated for years with fewer weekly hours viewed. Both signals matter, but they mean different things.

  • When you want crowd favorites: Start with Top 10 and pick what’s trending.
  • When you want excellence: Filter by ratings (IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes/Metacritic) and awards.
  • When you want a safe bet for movie night: Choose titles that score well with both critics and audiences.

Practical tips to keep your list fresh

  • Use Netflix’s “Remind Me.” Set alerts for acclaimed upcoming releases so you catch them while they’re hot.
  • Follow trusted curators. Outlets like Sight & Sound, IndieWire, or your favorite critics often publish updated lists of the best movies on Netflix each month.
  • Sort by genre. Among 2020s films, animation and international features on Netflix have been particularly strong—don’t overlook them.
  • Watch the awards calendar. Titles with Oscar, BAFTA, or festival buzz often arrive on Netflix; these tend to land near the top of ratings charts.
  • Cross-check two sources. If a title is top-tier on both IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, it’s a reliable pick regardless of this week’s Top 10.

Bottom line

There’s no single permanent answer to “the top rated movie on Netflix this decade,” because rankings shift and different metrics tell different stories. But by combining availability checks with critic and audience scores, you can quickly land on a current, defensible winner. Start with All Quiet on the Western Front, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, or The Power of the Dog—then use the 5-minute workflow above to confirm which one is the reigning champion in your region today.