Best Movies Streaming On Netflix Canada

Availability of content on streaming platforms often varies by region, with different companies having different rights to what they can bring to a specific country. This is also true of Netflix, and those outside of the USA will often be aware that when they look up “what to watch on Netflix,” they are likely talking about titles that may not be available to them. But those of us from the Great White North still want to know what is good on streaming!

Netflix Canada has an abundance of great titles, from horror and thrillers to romance and documentaries. We will highlight some of the best titles on Canadian Netflix for you to watch now.

12 Scream (1996)

Spawning a massive, growing franchise of movies and TV shows, Scream started it all and introduced horror movie fans to the Ghostface killer. Neve Campbell is Sidney Prescott, a high schooler dealing with the trauma of her mother’s murder who becomes tormented by a vicious masked killer.

A Deconstruction of the Slasher Genre

From the iconic opening scene with a cameo from Drew Barrymore to the many twists and turns, Scream was interestingly not as predictable as fans might have thought. An icon in the slasher film genre, those interested in watching the newest movie Scream VI will enjoy seeing how it all started, even if they already know what happens at the end.

11 Miss Americana (2020)

Currently conducting the biggest tour of all time, Taylor Swift is still at the top of her game. But she’s often misunderstood, judged, and scrutinized for everything she does. This documentary pulls back the curtain to let viewers see her life behind the scenes.

A Peek Behind the Curtain

Heavily emotional, candid, and even therapeutic for those who relate to Swift’s personal struggles, Miss Americana is the type of documentary that will make even non-fans appreciate how much work Swift puts into her music, her concerts, and being a good role model for her fans. The documentary looks at Swift during a transitional phase in her career but also in her personal life as she deals with things so many can relate to, from body dysmorphia to illness in the family and toxic Internet culture.

10 Get Out (2017)

A hugely impressive directorial debut for Jordan Peele, Get Out is a psychological horror, but it has a much deeper meaning behind it relating to class and race relations. It tells the story of a young Black man who visits his girlfriend’s parents only to discover a shocking secret about her and her family.

A Shocking Horror Movie with Plenty to Say

Get Out is not a typical horror movie: it’s culturally significant, topically relevant, and powerful in its messaging. It’s entertaining, well-acted, and will keep viewers scared, angered, and on the edge of their seats to find out what happens next.

9 Spy Kids (2001)

Perfect to watch with the kids, Spy Kids is a spy action comedy movie from Robert Rodriguez about two super spies who hide their identity, but get called back in to work when two agents go missing. After the parents are captured, it’s up to the kids to save the day. This is the first in the franchise, but there have been several more Sky Kids movies since as well as a TV show.

A Kids’ Classic

Spy Kids puts kids front and center as the heroes of the story. It features a talented cast that includes Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino, Alan Cumming, Tony Shalhoub, and Danny Trejo, among others. The story is fun, lighthearted, and exciting at the same time. It’s the kind of action movie that’s great for kids but that adults will enjoy, too.

8 Saw (2004)

Fans might have watched Saw X, but it’s the original Saw that started it all. It’s not just a standard horror movie with a vicious killer. Jigsaw is a masked killer with a purpose, targeting people he believes have committed various sins. He traps them in deadly games, forcing them to inflict pain upon themselves if they want to survive, though they rarely ever do.

Do You Want to Play a Game?

The opening scene in this movie sets up the entire theme and franchise, and it’s wonderfully acted as viewers feel the intensity and wonder what they might do if placed in the same seemingly impossible situation. The franchise has become massive with everything from movies to theme park rides, and it’s this movie that started it all.

7 Back to the Future (1985)

A classic movie, Back to the Future stars Michael J. Fox in his heyday. He’s a young high schooler who must travel back in time to make sure that his parents fall in love, and thus he exists in the future. He works alongside an eccentric scientist named Doc Brown to infiltrate the high school and remain undetected.

One of the Most Beloved Movies of the ’80s

From the unique story to the futuristic (at the time) concepts, the exciting pacing, and the wonderful acting, Back to the Future is arguably one of the best movies ever made. It made Fox a bona fide star and remains one of the most influential films in pop culture history.

6 Godzilla Minus One (2023)

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Former kamikaze pilot Koichi Shikishima suffers from survivor’s guilt and PTSD after abandoning a mission and failing to help fight against a small squadron of soldiers attacked by Godzilla. Upon returning to Japan shamed, he finds an unlikely family with another survivor and a young baby, and he begins to work to support them. However, when Godzilla returns, Koichi becomes determined to help fight the monster and redeem his past mistakes.

Action on a Big Scale

Godzilla Minus One became a titan at the box office, proving that you don’t need hundreds of millions of dollars to impress and draw in crowds. The movie was also loved by critics and fans alike; Stephen Spielberg even saw Godzilla Minus One three times! It is easy to see why it was so well received; the visual effects and action are impressive, but the heartfelt story at the center of it explores the more significant implications of World War II, making it a highly emotional experience.

5 Paddington (2024)

In the jungles of Peru, a British explorer discovers an intelligent species of bear with a love for marmalade. Decades after the discovery, the bear’s home is ruined by an earthquake, forcing them to leave. This includes the young bear from which the film is named, Paddington, who moves in with the Brown family. With their assistance, Paddington tries to find the explorer who visited his family home decades prior.

A Heartwarming Story for The Whole Family

While Paddington 2 is considered by many to be not just the best in the franchise but also one of the best movies ever made (Paddington 2 overtook Citizen Kane on Rotten Tomatoes), the first movie still packs a similar emotional punch. There is so much charm and warmth to the story of the adorable bear; the comedy is lighthearted, and the messaging is wholesome and free of pop-culture references, making it a timeless story. Despite being marketed as a children’s movie, this one goes beyond and is a treat for moviegoers of all ages.

4 Talk to Me (2023)

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A mysterious cast hand goes from one group of teens to another, used as a party trick to allow them to talk to the dead. When Mia learns of the hand, she becomes obsessed with taking the dive, especially after she believes she has communicated with her deceased mother. Yet, Mia spirals into a nightmarish world of malicious spirits when her brother becomes permanently possessed and the dead appear before her.

One of the Scariest Movies of 2023

From Australian YouTuber duo Danny and Michael Philippou, Talk To Me showed that an original concept and indie approach to filmmaking could compete with the big boys of the horror genre at the box office. The movie is chocked full of well-timed jump scares, but the brutality of some scenes is the real shocking moment that will resonate with viewers; the possession of Mia’s little brother is one of the most violent sequences committed to the screen. Messed up in the best sense, Talk To Me is a must-watch for horror fans.

3 My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

After moving to the countryside, two sisters, Satsuki and Mei Kusakabe, soon discover forest spirits that lead them to a large, friendly creature they name Totoro. The two then embark on a series of adventures with the friendly giant, Including a nighttime ritual to help make the tree in their yard grow to gigantic proportions.

A Great Entry Point for the Legendary Studio Ghibli

One advantage of Canadian Netflix over American Netflix is that we have all the Studio Ghibli films on the platform! While you can pick any movie from the legendary studio, My Neighbor Totoro is one of the best places to start for those new to Studio Ghibli. One of their most iconic outings, the movie melds coming-of-age, fantasy, and emotionally fused storytelling to perfection. If that is not enough, Totoro and Catbus are so darn adorable that they can’t help but make you smile.

2 Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

A troubled orphan with a long past of not fitting in, Ricky Baker finds an unlikely home in the remote wilderness with the kind-hearted Bella and her introverted husband, Hec (played by Sam Neill). When Bella passes, the two struggle through an awkward family dynamic, with Ricky eventually deciding to run away, feeling he is not wanted anymore. This leads Hec to track him down through the New Zealand wilderness. Meanwhile, the public believes that the socially awkward bushman has kidnapped the child.

An Awkward Pairing of Personalities

While Taika Waititi would become a big name in Hollywood, working on Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, his earlier films (What We Do In Shadows, Eagle Vs Shark, Boy) oozed indie comedic charm and garnered him a cult following. Hunt for the Wilderpeople is one of the best Taika Waititi films from the director’s early filmography. It is wonderfully witty and heartfelt, off the back of a peculiar yet endearing relationship between Sam Neill and Julian Dennison as Ricky Baker.

1 The Big Sick (2017)

After meeting Emily at one of his stand-up shows, Kumali falls madly in love with the woman. Eventually, the two begin to build a relationship, but Kumalie hides his family’s disapproval, which leads to an argument and separation. Missing Emily, the stand-up decides to challenge his family and win Emily back, but when he finds her again, she is in the hospital and may not survive.

Romance, Drama, Comedy, All Delivered Perfectly

Drawing inspiration from his real-life relationship with his wife Emily V. Gordon (who also co-wrote the film), Kumali Nanjijani was able to tap into some heavy emotional themes to craft a heartfelt and engaging romantic drama. At the same time, The Big Sick remains one of the best movies about stand-up comedy, with Nanijani bringing his signature dry wit and endearing awkwardness.