Beloved favorites like “Goldfinger” and cult thrillers like “Wild Things” are available to stream.

The 10 best classic movies on Netflix, including the James Bond collection

Beloved favorites like "Goldfinger" and cult thrillers like "Wild Things" are available to stream.

By Kevin Jacobsen

and Declan Gallagher

April 5, 2026 10:00 a.m. ET

Sean Connery as James Bond in 'Goldfinger'; Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire in ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’; Duane Jones as Ben in 'Night of the Living Dead'. Credit:

Netflix is better known for its selection of newer titles than tried-and-true classics. That's why it's all the more striking when the popular streaming service adds old-school favorites to its roster.

Among its thousands of streaming options, Netflix has the entire James Bond collection (through April 20), dating back to 1962's *Dr. No*, alongside Oscar-nominated greats like *Field of Dreams* (1989) and *Erin Brockovich* (2000) and cult favorites like *Night of the Living Dead* (1968). Many of these titles still entertain and move audiences even decades after their release. Ahead, we're singling out 10 of the best classic movies on Netflix for when you're in the mood for a nostalgic watch.

Casino (1995)

Robert De Niro as Sam 'Ace' Rothstein and Sharon Stone as Ginger McKenna in 'Casino'.

Universal Pictures

Martin Scorsese is the master of the crime epic, and this wildly entertaining drama, loosely based on the real-life exploits of '70s-era Mob-owned casinos, is one of the prime examples of why.

The Chicago Mafia enlists gambling handicapper Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) to run the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas, where he doubles profits and allows the Mob to covertly skim cash off the top. Sam must deal with erratic Mob enforcer Nicky (Joe Pesci) and his own con artist wife, Ginger (Sharon Stone), who still has a personal relationship with her boyfriend/pimp. Scorsese does what he knows best here, delving into the inner workings of a corrupt organization full of egos and power-hungry antiheroes. —*Kevin Jacobsen*

Where to watch *Casino*: Netflix

**Director:** Martin Scorsese

**Cast:** Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, James Woods, Don Rickles

Erin Brockovich (2000)

Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich in 'Erin Brockovich'. Bob Marshak/Universal

What could have been your standard Julia Roberts vehicle is, in the hands of director Steven Soderbergh, one of the most compelling legal dramas of the modern era. Roberts stars as real-life activist Erin Brockovich, chronicling her journey from unemployed single mother to paralegal presenting evidence for a major class action lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric Company. Brockovich's force of personality makes her the perfect hero for those ordinary citizens affected by the gas company's contamination cover-up, and Roberts makes a meal of her character's take-no-prisoners attitude.

The actress deservedly won an Oscar for her work; as EW's critic writes, "Roberts, in her most forceful dramatic performance, allows us to take in every moment through fresh, impassioned eyes." *—K.J.*

Where to watch *Erin Brockovich*: Netflix

**Director:** Steven Soderbergh

**Cast:** Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart

Field of Dreams (1989)

Kevin Costner as Ray Kineslla, Amy Madigan as Annie Kinsella, and Gaby Hoffmann as Karin Kinsella in ‘Field of Dreams’.

This beloved sports drama unapologetically wears its heart on its sleeve, and we wouldn't have it any other way. In one of his most memorable roles, Kevin Costner stars as Ray Kinsella, a farmer who hears a mysterious voice urging him, "If you build it, he will come." Ray resolves to build a baseball field on his corn farm, where the ghosts of various players appear, helping him go down an unconventional path of resolving his relationship with his deceased, baseball-loving father. Be sure to have tissues handy. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Field of Dreams*: Netflix

**Director:** Phil Alden Robinson

**Cast:** Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, Burt Lancaster

Glory (1988)

Morgan Freeman as Sergeant Major John Rawlins and Denzel Washington as Private Trip in 'Glory'.

TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Edward Zwick’s Civil War-era drama stars Matthew Broderick as Col. Robert Gould Shaw, who takes command of the United States' first all-African-American regiment, which includes Denzel Washington’s escaped enslaved man, Trip, and Morgan Freeman’s gravedigger, John Rawlins.

Zwick's film is notable for diving headfirst into thorny issues rarely addressed in mainstream efforts, even while it suffers a bit for staging the action from Broderick’s perspective. (Roger Ebert asked in his review, “Why does the top billing in this movie go to a white actor?”) There are a great many things Zwick gets right, though, chief among them the deadly serious bond and camaraderie that comes in the face of battle, no matter one’s background. On a staging level, the film is immense. Sprawling, fearsome scenes of battle unfurl with a nightmarish, exhaustively detailed authenticity. —*Declan Gallagher*

Where to watch *Glory*: Netflix

**Director:** Edward Zwick

**Cast:** Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman**

Goldfinger (1964)

Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore and Sean Connery as James Bond in 'Goldfinger'.

The third entry in the long-running James Bond film series remains one of the franchise's best. *Goldfinger* finds Bond (Sean Connery) investigating the titular gold-smuggling business magnate and his scheme to break into the Bullion Depository at Fort Knox. Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe) proves to be a strong match for Bond, who tries to outwit the gold-loving mastermind even when all hope seems lost.

EW's critic ranks *Goldfinger* as the No. 1 James Bond film, raving, "*Goldfinger* is festooned with indelible flourishes: the bowler-hatted henchman Oddjob (Sakata), a shapely corpse covered in 24-karat paint, the first appearance of Bond's Aston Martin DB5 (with ejector seat), and, of course, a lethal lady called Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman)....What's not to love?" —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Goldfinger*: Netflix through April 20

**Director:** Guy Hamilton

**Cast:** Sean Connery, Honor Blackman, Gert Fröbe, Shirley Eaton, Tania Mallet

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Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Seita (voice: Tsutomu Tatsumi) and Setsuko Yokokawa (voice: Ayano Shiraishi) in 'Grave of the Fireflies'.

Far from your traditionally kid-friendly animated adventure, this sobering hand-drawn drama explores the horrors of war with bracing imagery. The film centers on a pair of young siblings, Seita and Setsuko, as they try to survive the chaos of the Pacific War in Kobe, Japan. EW's critic ranks *Grave of the Fireflies* as one of the best Studio Ghibli films of all time, calling it a "legendary tear-jerker" that depicts a world in which "the fires of war are still burning hot enough to consume life, love, and family." It's a tough watch, but devastatingly effective as an antiwar statement. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Grave of the Fireflies*: Netflix

**Director:** Isao Takahata

**Cast:** Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Akemi Yamaguchi

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire in 'Mrs. Doubtfire'.

20th Century Fox Film Corp.

*Mrs. Doubtfire* tells the story of a divorced man who would rather pretend to be an older female housekeeper to see his kids than go to therapy. All joking aside, this Chris Columbus classic excels as a vehicle for Robin Williams' one-of-a-kind comic timing and vocal dexterity as his Daniel Hillard attempts to reintegrate with his family by way of heavy makeup and a silly voice. But the high-concept premise gives way to an earnest examination of divorce and how it impacts the lives of all involved, for better and for worse. Plus, the film features one of Sally Field's top-tier line deliveries when her character Miranda realizes Daniel was, in fact, *Mrs. Doubtfire* "the whole time." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Mrs. Doubtfire*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Chris Columbus

**Cast:** Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein, Robert Prosky

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Karl Hardman as Harry Cooper and Duane Jones as Ben in 'Night of the Living Dead'.

Continental Distributing

We have *Night of the Living Dead* to thank for our modern idea of zombies and the many tropes attached to the subgenre. Legendary director George Romero was inspired by the 1954 novel *I Am Legend* for this independent horror classic, which centers the action on a farmhouse overrun by ravenous, undead "ghouls." The film's allusions to the Vietnam War, then a current event, just make it all the more resonant. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Night of the Living Dead*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A+

**Director:** George Romero

**Cast:** Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Judith Ridley

She’s Gotta Have It (1986)

John Canada Terrell as Greer Childs, Spike Lee as Mars Blackmon, and Tommy Redmond Hicks as Jamie Overstreet in 'She's Gotta Have It'.

Forty Acres nd A Mule Filmworks

Spike Lee established with this feature directorial debut that he was going to be one of his generation's signature voices. Shot in striking black and white, *She's Gotta Have It* centers on Nora Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns), a Brooklyn artist who has relationships with three men, each of whom wants her to commit exclusively to them. But Nora is a free spirit who enjoys her liberation; of course, problems arise when the three men meet and decide to be more proactive about the situation. The depiction of the messy complications of polyamorous love was refreshing at the time and remains so today. Lee also adapted the story into a TV series for Netflix in the late-2010s. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *She's Gotta Have It*: Netflix

**Director:** Spike Lee

**Cast:** Tracy Camilla Johns, Spike Lee, Tommy Redmond Hicks, John Canada Terrell

Wild Things (1999)

Neve Campbell as Suzie Toller and Denise Richards as Kelly Lanier Van Ryan in 'Wild Things'.

This wild crime thriller may start with a shocking allegation, but, as the film soon proves, nothing is quite as it seems. Denise Richards plays wealthy high schooler Kelly Van Ryan, who accuses her guidance counselor, Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon), of raping her; her case is then reinforced when outcast Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell) comes forward with her own allegation against Sam. Numerous twists and turns unfold from there, to the point that even the end credits contain revelations. While lurid and silly to some, there's an odd appeal to *Wild Things* that is simply irresistible. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Wild Things*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** John McNaughton

**Cast:** Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell, Theresa Russell, Denise Richards

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Source: “EW Movie”