With 2019 firmly behind us, it’s time to look back on what the year gave us in the movie world. Netflix had a big year with some spectacular original content and a huge array of films premiering on streaming services for the first time.
Thanks to Netflix’s statistics, we have data on the most watched movies on the platform in 2019. We’ve taken those 10 films and ranked them from the worst to the best! Here are our thoughts on what the world has been watching in the last year.
6 Underground
The Ryan Reynolds action comedy film was actually the second most watched movie of the year. Despite its popularity it was also the most outlandish, bland and yet over the top movie on this list. Although its cast is clearly having a lot of fun, it’s both generic and bombastic.
Although it’s unfair to say it’s the worst film on Netflix, it certainly delivers on what you’d expect a Michael Bay film to give you. That being said, if you want to watch a film that’s harmless and one that you don’t have to think too much about, then this is for you.
Secret Obsession
The 10th film on this list in terms of viewership is starkly different to the previous entry. The project is far more psychological, although doesn’t boast the big stars that some of the other films do.
Nonetheless, the story of a woman who has woken up from an accident to discover she has no memory of her past life, is certainly intriguing. The added serial killer vibe and the mystery man claiming to be her husband has been done before, but this is handled in a fresh way.
The Highwaymen
Bonnie and Clyde are two of history’s most storied criminals. The tale is often told from their perspective however, so it’s interesting to see it told in a completely new way. The cast shines with Woody Harrelson in particular bringing some trademark charm and humor to the role.
Although the story is actually quite basic to follow, there’s a lot of fun to be had with this film. It was the 7th most watched movie of the year, which may be due to the cowboy vs. criminal vibe, or perhaps because of the star studded team behind the production.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile
This was a film that fit in perfectly to Netflix, which has become known for its in depth documentaries on serial killers and criminals. The Ted Bundy movie was one of the most anticipated of the year and the 6th most watched film on Netflix.
Zac Efron is completely playing against his normal type-casting, which speaks volumes for the risks this film takes. It certainly delivers on the real life story of the murderer and does so in a way that’s both informative and symbolic of the charming yet sadistic nature of Bundy.
Triple Frontier
This project boasted a massive cast that included Ben Affleck, Pedro Pascal and Oscar Isaac. The 5th most watched film on the streaming giant in 2019, is actually based on a true story of military men seeking some justice.
Undervalued and underpaid, they decide they are going to steal money from a drug cartel and keep it for themselves. This film has strong performances, is thrilling, full of compelling conflict and simply one of the better films on this list that was solely distributed by Netflix.
Murder Mystery
Netflix’s original content can be pretty hit and miss. However, the most watched movie of the year is actually critically underrated; although viewers clearly felt that this murder mystery comedy film was worth re-watching at the very least.
Starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler, the two bring their comedic talents to the screen in a surprisingly fun romp. It’s fast past, quick witted and actually quite charming. Netflix was on to a winner here and the statistics clearly showcase that.
The Incredibles 2
Any time a Pixar film is on a list it’s going to be one of the most watched movies and indeed one of the best. There’s plenty of superhero TV shows and movies on Netflix, but nothing quite compares to this incredible Disney family; who holds the number 3 spot in views.
The sequel to the 2004 hit animated film certainly didn’t disappoint after years of waiting for its release. Although these films will be distributed by Disney Plus in the future, audiences clearly appreciated having the family film available to them.
The Irishman
The highly anticipated Martin Scorsese project wasn’t actually the biggest movie on Netflix, but instead sits at number 4 on this list, despite the critical acclaim. This may perhaps be because some viewers were put off by the run time of the film.
Regardless, this is some of Scorsese’s best work, with state of the art technology working hand in hand with expert level storytelling. The performances are gripping and the narrative is gritty, but unfortunately it has been outperformed by two animated films.
Wreck-It Ralph 2
The 9th most watched film on the streaming platform is also one of the best despite its position. Much like the other Disney films on this list, this animated film won’t be featured on Netflix in the future, so its not a surprise it is within the top 10.
However, the quality of the film is also astounding. The narrative managed to take the brilliant characters of the the first film and push them further, creating conflict between Ralph and Vanellope before saying something powerful about friendship. Plus we love the meta Disney references.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
The best film on this list was the 8th most watched film on Netflix but was also one of the biggest surprises from various cinematic experiences. This spectacular, family friendly film, not only was innovative with its animation but also with its introduction of Miles Morales.
It’s absolutely gripping, completely over the top and outstandingly hilarious. It’s certainly not just for kids and audiences around the world have been lapping up this multiverse of Spider-heroes as they battle the dastardly Kingpin.
