Today : Jan 07, 2025
05 January 2025

Netflix Top Movies Of January 2025 Show Surprising Trends

New releases like Carry-On face stiff competition from classic films regaining popularity.

January 2025 has seen significant movement on Netflix’s Top 10 movie rankings, with several films capturing audience attention and shifting viewer preferences. Topping the list recently was the action-packed festive thriller Carry-On, featuring Taron Egerton, which has been celebrated as one of the best war dramas of recent years.

Carry-On, released initially in Norwegian theaters earlier this year and premiering on Netflix on January 1, quickly gained traction climbing to number two globally. The film narrates the compelling true story of Gunnar Sønsteby, portrayed as the bold apprentice from Rjukan who decides to resist Nazi Germany on the day of the invasion. He goes on to lead the Oslo Gang, engaging in daring acts of sabotage, which solidified his legacy as Norway's greatest war hero.

Upon its theatrical release, Carry-On was met with enthusiastic reception, boasting an impressive IMDb score of 8.1. Critics and audiences have dubbed it a “must-watch” film, lauding its poignant storytelling and the strong performances from its cast. The film's straightforward and compelling approach navigates the horrors of war without glorification, marking it as refreshing for the genre.

Robert Daniels from RogerEbert.com noted, "The director crafts a mostly patriotic picture of a man solely dedicated to duty. It’s an uncompromising approach..." Viewers have also chimed in positively; one review emphasized, "First movie of 2025. this was SO GOOD. They literally killed it with including exit music (for a film). IT WAS PERFECT," stated by Lin on Letterboxd.

After sustaining the top spot for three weeks, Carry-On was overtaken by the not-so-surprising comeback of Heart of the Sea. This 2015 film, which stars Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, and Tom Holland, explores the harrowing survival story of crewmen aboard the New England vessel Essex after they are attacked by a giant whale. Despite previously receiving mixed reviews, the film's popularity surged among Netflix viewers, likely boosted by its star power and the curiosity surrounding its historical backdrop.

The plot follows the crew's struggle against starvation and despair, leading to shocking choices for survival. With its notable cast and intriguing premise, the film has gained renewed interest, even if it holds only 42% on Rotten Tomatoes. The viewer's intrigue, it seems, was undeniable, especially considering the recent rise of the stars involved.

Next on the list is Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1, Kevin Costner’s passion project which, after disappointing box office earnings of $38 million, has found its footing on streaming platforms. Despite its lackluster reception when initially released, the film's epic narrative may yet find broader viewership on Netflix.

Following close behind is Furiosa, decried as one of the best sci-fi movies of 2024, praised for revitalizing the genre. Though it stands just behind Carry-On, the fervor for its storyline and character richness is undeniable.

Simultaneously, the iconic Interstellar, directed by Christopher Nolan, has re-entered the conversation as it trends alongside the Chalamet-led Dune: Part 2. Interstellar, celebrating its tenth anniversary with recent IMAX re-releases, has proven its lasting legacy within the sci-fi genre. The film, depicting humanity's quest for survival and interplanetary exploration, continues to resonate with viewers, years after its original release.

Touted as one of the director's greatest achievements, it adamantly marches alongside Chalamet's recent work, as both always yield significant viewer response. The intriguing synergy between Dune: Part 2 becoming Chalamet’s hallmark analysis piece, coupled with Interstellar growing acknowledgment, is manifesting nicely at this time. Chalamet's performance has proved instrumental, establishing him as one of Hollywood's most talented and unique stars.

The buzz surrounding Chalamet's burgeoning career and simultaneous streaming successes marks the beginning of 2025 as powerful for him. His recent portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown—which has grossed over $31 million at the box office after its Christmas Day release—further solidifies his prominent standing.

Netflix’s current movie rankings showcase how the dynamics of viewer preferences evolve over time. While new films like Carry-On have made immediate impacts, older films have reclaimed top positions, demonstrating the great versatility and breadth of choice available to viewers. Expect this fluidity of rankings to continue as other films gear up to follow their paths.