The streamer has a large library of timeless treasures from decades past. The 12 best classic movies on Netflix right now

The streamer has a large library of timeless treasures from decades past.

The 12 best classic movies on Netflix right now

The streamer has a large library of timeless treasures from decades past.

By Kevin Jacobsen

and Declan Gallagher

on August 1, 2025 07:04AM EDT

Tracy Camilla Johns as Nora Darling in 'She's Gotta Have It'; Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Sattler in 'Jurassic Park'; Roy Scheider as Chief Martin Brody in 'Jaws'. Credit:

Island Pictures/Courtesy: Everett Collection; Murray Close/Sygma/Sygma via Getty; Universal Studios/Courtesy of Getty

The best part about classic movies is that there are more and more of them with each passing year. That said, to ensure true timelessness, we only included selections made before 2005. Netflix has classic movies of all genres, for every taste group and age range. In addition to older features like *The Guns of Navarone* (1961) and *Jaws* (1975), there are also slightly more modern favorites like *The Age of Innocence* (1993) and *Jurassic Park* (1993).

Join EW as we highlight the 12 best classic movies on Netflix right now.

The Age of Innocence (1993)

Winona Ryder as May Welland and Daniel Day-Lewis as Newland Archer in 'The Age of Innocence'.

Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Even Martin Scorsese's most violent gangster epics don't quite compare to the emotional devastation at the heart of this period drama. A departure from the legendary director's typical subject matter, *The Age of Innocence* nonetheless has many features of a Scorsese film, centered on an ecosystem with its own set of punishing rules and customs. Set in Gilded Age New York, the film stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Newland Archer, a lawyer in a love triangle with cousins May (Winona Ryder) and Ellen (Michelle Pfeiffer). EW's critic calls *The Age of Innocence* "a masterfully orchestrated tale of romantic yearning." —*Kevin Jacobsen***

Where to watch *The Age of Innocence*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B+ (read the review)

**Director:** Martin Scorsese

**Cast:** Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder

American Graffiti (1973)

Candy Clark as Debbie in 'American Graffiti'.

George Lucas' nostalgic coming-of-age dramedy is an earnest ode to his formative years growing up in Modesto, Calif., in the early-'60s. Centering on a group of friends hanging out on the last day of summer vacation, *American Graffiti* is a slice-of-life film that follows their exploits over the course of the evening. Some deal with relationship problems, while others are more concerned with celebrating their last night in their hometown before the rest of their lives begin. Told in a series of dreamy vignettes (aided by a killer soundtrack), the film transports the viewer back to a specific time and place, a snapshot of life before it got messy and complicated. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *American Graffiti*: Netflix

**Director:** George Lucas

**Cast:** Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Cindy Williams, Wolfman Jack, Harrison Ford

Dazed and Confused (1993)

Jeremy Fox as Hirschfelder, Esteban Powell as Carl Burnett, Wiley Wiggins as Mitch Kramer, and Mark Vandermeulen as Tommy Houston in 'Dazed and Confused'.

Gramercy Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Rated by EW as the third-best high school movie of all time, *Dazed and Confused* is a seminal film, not only for Generation X but for generations to come. Richard Linklater's Texas-set hangout comedy follows various soon-to-be seniors and first-year students on the last day of high school in 1976, from hazings to ragers, humiliations to revelations. It also gave rise to future A-lister Matthew McConaughey, solidifying his "All right, all right, all right" persona here as a guy who's probably a little too old to be hanging out with teenagers. The cult classic may be light on plot, but the vibes still have us livin', man. L-I-V-I-N. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Dazed and Confused*: Netflix

**EW grade:** N/A (read the review)

**Director:** Richard Linklater

**Cast:** Jason London, Joey Lauren Adams, Milla Jovovich, Rory Cochrane, Adam Goldberg, Cole Hauser, Parker Posey, Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck**

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Robert Romanus as Mike Damone and Sean Penn as Jeff Spicoli in 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High'. Universal/Everett

In a decade largely remembered for John Hughes' contributions to coming-of-age teen comedies, Amy Heckerling's *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* has proven just as indelible in the years since. The film, written by first-time screenwriter Cameron Crowe, chronicles the lives of teenagers attending high school in a San Fernando Valley town, bursting with hormones and ready to enter the real world. It's plenty raunchy, but there's also a refreshing honesty to its depiction of growing up and figuring out who you want to be. EW's rated it one of the best teen movies of all time, claiming *Fast Times* "presents the 'glory days' with unvarnished awkwardness and a truth-first approach, setting the template for every great teen comedy that followed." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Fast Times at Ridgemont High*: Netflix

**Director:** Amy Heckerling

**Cast:** Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, Brian Backer, Robert Romanus, Ray Walston

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Aunt (voice: Akemi Yamaguchi), Seita (voice: Tsutomu Tatsumi), and Setsuko (voice: Ayano Shiraishi) in 'Grave of the Fireflies'.

Studio Ghibli/Kobal/Shutterstock

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

Groundhog Day (1993)

Bill Murray as Phil Connors in 'Groundhog Day'. Columbia Pictures/Getty Images

After cynical reporter Phil (Bill Murray) gets stuck in a time loop, constantly waking up on Feb. 2, he decides to exploit his powers and tries to seduce his producer, Rita (Andie MacDowell). While she rejects him time and time again, Phil comes to find he has genuine feelings for her, and his cold, bitter heart gradually warms. "*Groundhog Day* — with its really high concept — unfolds with a goofy elegance that feels like a tonic," wrote EW's critic in 1993. Decades later, the fantasy comedy remains a favorite, one worth revisiting again and again. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Groundhog Day*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A (read the review)

**Director:** Harold Ramis

**Cast:** Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky, Brian Doyle-Murray**

The 24 best classic movies to watch on Amazon Prime Video right now

The 31 best drama movies on Netflix

The Guns of Navarone (1961)

(From left to right): Gia Scala as Anna, James Darren as Spyros Pappadimos, Anthony Quinn as Andrea Stavros, David Niven as John Anthony Miller, Stanley Baker as Casey 'Butcher' Brown, and Gregory Peck as Keith Mallory in 'The Guns of Navarone'. Everett Collection

One of the oldest films currently available on Netflix, *The Guns of Navarone* is also one of the best war films on the streamer. Taking place during World War II, the film centers on a mission by Allied forces to destroy a Nazi fortress and the two large-caliber guns preventing British troops from being rescued. Featuring an all-star cast led by Gregory Peck, David Niven, and Anthony Quinn, *The Guns of Navarone* is a good old-fashioned muscular adventure that earned seven Oscar nominations, winning for its special effects. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The Guns of Navarone*: Netflix

**Director:** J. Lee Thompson

**Cast:** Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn, Stanley Baker, Anthony Quayle, Irene Papas, Gia Scala, James Darren

Jaws (1975)

Robert Shaw as Quint, Roy Scheider as Chief Martin Brody, and Richard Dreyfuss as Matt Hooper in 'Jaws'. Everett Collection

The miracle of this granddaddy of all summer blockbusters is that it still holds up 50 years later. Steven Spielberg's iconic thriller about a great white shark terrorizing beachgoers and the trio of men who try to hunt it down is pure entertainment at its most biting. From the menacing Oscar-winning score by John Williams to the vividly drawn personalities of the three heroes to the near-constant state of dread, Spielberg's confidence in his vision is remarkable to witness, especially so early in his career. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Jaws*: Netflix

**Director:** Steven Spielberg

**Cast:** Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton

Jurassic Park (1993)

Sam Neill as Alan Grant, Joseph Mazzello as Tim Murphy, and Ariana Richards as Lex Murphy in 'Jurassic Park'.

Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

Steven Spielberg's quintessential blockbuster is arguably a trussed-up exploitation riff, but what a perfect riff it is. Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, and Laura Dern play scientists sent on a media weekend to the titular park, where things go horribly awry. Remarkably, the film remains a high watermark for digital effects, especially in light of the ropey-looking dinosaurs from the *Jurassic World* movies. —*Declan Gallagher*

Where to watch *Jurassic Park*: Netflix

**EW grade:** N/A (read the review)

**Director:** Steven Spielberg

**Cast:** Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, Richard Attenborough**

The Karate Kid (1984)

Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso in 'The Karate Kid'.

Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett

We could — pardon the pun — wax on about the virtues of this enduring coming-of-age classic for days. Ralph Macchio stars as Daniel LaRusso, a teenager who learns to stand up for himself thanks to the teachings of his apartment building's handyman, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita, in an Oscar-nominated performance). Mr. Miyagi instructs his young student on the art of karate and finding inner peace, allowing Daniel to stand up to his bullies and channel his emotions. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The Karate Kid*: Netflix

**Director:** John G. Avildsen

**Cast:** Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, William Zabka

Midnight Run (1988)

Robert De Niro as Jack Walsh and Yaphet Kotto as Special Agent Alonzo Mosely in 'Midnight Run'.

Universal/Everett

Before Martin Brest tanked his career with the atomic bomb *Gigli* (2003), he helmed this quintessential buddy comedy starring Charles Grodin and Robert De Niro as a mob accountant and a bounty hunter, respectively, who travel to L.A. for the former's court trial. Along the way, they must avoid thugs and cops alike, and darn it if they don't develop a grudging admiration for each other. —*D.G.*

Where to watch *Midnight Run*: Netflix

**Director:** Martin Brest

**Cast:** Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Dennis Farina, Joe Pantoliano, John Ashton

She's Gotta Have It (1986)

Tracy Camilla Johns as Nora Darling and Spike Lee as Mars Blackmon in 'She's Gotta Have It'. Everett Collection

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

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Movies"

Read More

---

Source: Astro Blog

Full Article on Source: Astro Blog

#LALifestyle #USCelebrities