.png){kind=logo}
Dalton is a freelance writer, novelist, and filmmaker from Orlando Florida. He currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and pursues writing full-time. He is an avid reader, film buff, and amateur historian who also publishes novels on the side. Dalton graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BFA in Film and he often applies his industry-specific knowledge when writing about film and television. Along with his blog, Dalton's critical essays on film have been published in various places online.
A wintry week in early January is the perfect time to cozy up and watch movies, and there's plenty to see in Netflix's extensive catalog. Netflix needs no introduction, and the brand has been blazing the trail for streaming for years. Not only does Netflix host classic content, but they produce a myriad of original shows and movies too.
As such, there are movies on Netflix for nearly every taste, and they change month after month. However, the size and scope of the catalog can sometimes be daunting, and picking the right movies isn't always easy. Thankfully, the streamer has everything from spectacular action films to classic creepy monster movies, and everything in between.
3 Man On Fire (2004)
Despite getting abysmal reviews initially, Man on Fire is now considered one of Denzel Washington's best movies. In the film, he plays an ex-CIA agent who takes a job as the bodyguard of a young girl. When she's kidnapped, his training kicks in to rescue her. Melding thrills and drama, Man on Fire proved Washington could be an action star.
The simplicity of the movie's plot is supplemented by Washington's performance and the direction of Tony Scott. Each moment has a heightened sense of reality, and it injects new ideas into the often bloated action genre. Decades later, Man on Fire has become a streaming staple, shooting up the charts on Netflix and passing modern action flicks in the process.
2 Caught Stealing (2025)
Sneaking past viewers during its theatrical run, Darren Aronofsky's Caught Stealing is finally getting attention on Netflix. In the 1990s, a former baseball prospect finds himself entangled in New York City's criminal underworld while cat-sitting for a friend. With its bombastic characters and larger-than-life scenarios, it's unlike anything Aronofsky has made before.
There's no denying that Caught Stealing is flawed, but it's an ambitious project from a filmmaker known for his creativity. Austin Butler turns in a strong turn, and it's a breezy comedy thriller that works well on streaming. Though it died a quiet death in theaters, it still has the chance to become a long-running bona fide hit on Netflix.
1 Anaconda (1997)
With the movie's unusual reboot in theaters, there's no better time to watch the 1990s B-movie gem, Anaconda. When traveling through the Amazon, a documentary crew are held hostage by a hunter who forces them to search for an elusive giant snake. A classic animal attack movie, Anaconda hearkens back to the cheesy hits of Hollywood's Golden Era.
With its adventurous setting and silly premise, Anaconda is a quintessential popcorn movie that never takes itself too seriously. Nevertheless, it's a thrilling ride from start to finish, and has only gotten more endearing nearly 30 years later. Netflix offers a wide variety of horror films, but Anaconda is a unique crowd-pleaser because of its deft blending of genres.
founded January 16, 2007
founders Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph
English (US) ·