Ready for a movie night filled with timeless classics? Netflix has you covered with a fantastic selection of old-school favorites that have charmed audiences for generations. Whether you’re a movie buff or just love a good story, these films offer something special for everyone. From thrilling adventures to heartwarming romances.
Here are 15 of the best classic movies you can stream right now on Netflix. So grab your snacks, find a comfy spot, and get ready to embark on a journey through cinematic history with the Best Classic Movies.
White Christmas (1954)
- IMDb Ranking: White Christmas (1954) has an IMDb rating of 7.6/10 based on 257 user reviews, along with 88 critic reviews and a Metascore of 56.
- Director: Michael Curtiz
- Cast: The cast of White Christmas (1954) includes Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, Dean Jagger, Mary Wickes, Johnny Grant, John Brascia, Anne Whitfield, Percy Helton, I. Stanford Jolley, Barrie Chase, George Chakiris, Sig Ruman, Grady Sutton, Herb Vigran, Leighton Noble (uncredited), and Dick Stabile (uncredited).
Plot Summary:
During WWII, Captain Bob Wallace and Private Phil Davis entertain troops. After the war, they become successful performers and producers. Mistakenly invited to see Betty and Judy’s act, Bob and Phil help the sisters when they face eviction. They head to Vermont, where they discover their former General’s struggling inn. Determined to assist, they organize a show to save the inn. Bob and Betty’s romance blossoms amidst preparations. Misunderstandings arise, but a televised gesture brings reconciliation. On Christmas Eve, the soldiers surprise their General with a performance, fostering unity. Bob and Betty, and Phil and Judy, become engaged, as snow finally falls on Vermont to the tune of White Christmas.
White Christmas (1954) Official Trailer:
The Professionals (1966)
- IMDb Ranking: The movie The Professionals (1966) has an IMDb rating of 7.3 out of 10, based on 123 user reviews, along with 62 critic reviews and a Metascore of 75
- Director: Richard Brooks
- Cast: The cast of The Professionals includes Burt Lancaster, Lee Marvin, Claudia Cardinale, Robert Ryan, Woody Strode, Jack Palance, Ralph Bellamy, Joe De Santis, Rafael Bertrand, and Maria Gomez.
Plot Summary:
In the last days of the Mexican Revolution, American rancher J.W. Grant hires four skilled men to rescue his kidnapped wife, Maria, from bandit leader Jesus Raza. Henry “Rico” Fardan, Bill Dolworth, Hans Ehrengard, and Jake Sharp embark on the mission. Despite their respect for Raza as a soldier, they’re prepared to kill him. They witness Raza’s brutal attack on a government train and later infiltrate his camp. However, they discover Maria willingly with Raza, revealing she’s his lover, not Grant’s wife. In a daring escape, they rescue Maria but are pursued by Raza’s men. Dolworth sacrifices himself to save the others. At the US border, Grant betrays Raza, but the professionals defend him and send him back to Mexico with Maria, symbolizing their disillusionment with Grant’s values.
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The Professionals (1966) Official Trailer:
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
- IMDb Ranking: The movie Bonnie and Clyde (1967) has an IMDb rating of 7.7/10, based on 537 user reviews, along with 103 critic reviews and an 86 Metascore.
- Director: Arthur Penn
- Cast: The cast of Bonnie and Clyde includes Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard, Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons, Denver Pyle, Dub Taylor, Evans Evans, and Gene Wilder.
Plot Summary:
During the Great Depression, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker met in Texas. Clyde’s attempt to steal Bonnie’s mother’s car sparks their adventurous partnership in crime. They start with small-time heists but soon escalate to robbing banks. Alongside a naive accomplice, C.W. Moss, their crimes become more violent. Joining forces with Clyde’s brother Buck and his wife Blanche, tensions mount within the group. A deadly encounter with police in Missouri results in casualties and captures, leaving Bonnie, Clyde, and C.W. barely escaping. Despite a visit to family, they face an ambush by law enforcement, leading to their tragic end in a police shootout.
Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Official Trailer:
The Dirty Dozen (1967)
- IMDb Ranking: The movie The Dirty Dozen (1967) has an IMDb rating of 7.7/10, based on 232 user reviews, along with 101 critic reviews and a Metascore of 73.
- Director: Robert Aldrich
- Cast: The cast of The Dirty Dozen (1967) includes Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, Donald Sutherland, Telly Savalas, John Cassavetes, Jim Brown, Richard Jaeckel, George Kennedy, Ralph Meeker, Robert Ryan, Clint Walker, and Robert Webber.
Plot Summary:
In March 1944, OSS officer Major John Reisman was tasked with Project Amnesty by Major General Sam Worden in Britain. The mission: train condemned U.S. Army convicts into commandos to disrupt German officers in France before D-Day. If they survive, they’ll be pardoned. Reisman meets the twelve convicts, including dangerous men like Maggott. Despite challenges, the Dozen bonded during training. With their skills honed, they parachute into France but face setbacks. Despite losses, they complete their mission, eliminating German officers. Only Reisman, Bowren, and Wladislaw survive. In the end, Worden exonerates the lone survivor, honoring the fallen as heroes.
The Dirty Dozen (1967) Official Trailer:
Dirty Harry (1971)
- IMDb Ranking: The movie Dirty Harry (1971) has an IMDb rating of 7.7/10, based on 445 user reviews, along with 124 critic reviews and an 87 Metascore.
- Director: Don Siegel, Clint Eastwood
- Cast: The cast of the film includes Clint Eastwood, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni, John Vernon, Andy Robinson, John Larch, John Mitchum, Mae Mercer, Lyn Edgington, Ruth Kobart, Woodrow Parfrey, Josef Sommer, William Paterson, James Nolan, Maurice S. Argent, Jo de Winter, and Craig Kelly.
Plot Summary:
In San Francisco, a dangerous sniper named Scorpio terrorizes the city, demanding a ransom to stop his killings. Inspector Harry Callahan takes on the case but faces challenges from the mayor’s decisions. As Scorpio’s threats escalate, Harry works with rookie partner Chico Gonzalez to track him down. Despite setbacks and legal constraints, Harry confronts Scorpio in a final showdown, ending his reign of terror. Frustrated with the system, Harry walks away from the badge, symbolizing his disillusionment.
Dirty Harry (1971) Official Trailer:
Taxi Driver (1976)
- IMDb Ranking: The IMDb rating for Taxi Driver (1976) is 8.2/10, based on 1.4K user reviews, 318 critic reviews, and a Metascore of 94.
- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Cast: The cast of the film includes Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, Albert Brooks, Leonard Harris, Peter Boyle, Steven Prince, Martin Scorsese, Harry Northup, Victor Argo, and Joe Spinell.
Plot Summary:
In Taxi Driver (1976), suffering from insomnia, Travis Bickle, played by Robert De Niro, takes on a job as a New York City taxi driver. Night after night, he cruises the streets, growing increasingly disconnected from reality as he fantasizes about cleansing the city of its filth. Travis becomes fixated on Betsy, a campaign worker, and later directs his attention toward rescuing Iris, a 12-year-old prostitute. The film portrays a mentally unstable veteran navigating the gritty streets of New York City, driven by a desire for violent action fueled by perceived decadence and sleaze.
Taxi Driver (1976) Official Trailer:
Blade Runner (1982)
- IMDb Ranking: The IMDb rating for Blade Runner (1982) is 8.1 out of 10, based on 1.8K user reviews, 313 critic reviews, and 84 Metascore.
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Cast: The cast includes Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos, M. Emmet Walsh, Daryl Hannah, William Sanderson, Brion James, Joe Turkel, Joanna Cassidy, James Hong, Morgan Paull, and Hy Pyke.
Plot Summary:
In 2019 Los Angeles, ex-police officer Rick Deckard was detained by Officer Gaff and brought to his former boss, Bryant. Bryant informs Deckard, a former blade runner, about four illegal replicants on Earth. Despite his initial reluctance, Deckard agrees to take on the job. He administers the Voight-Kampff test to Tyrell’s assistant, Rachael, and discovers she’s a replicant. Meanwhile, replicants Roy and Leon search for a genetic designer, J.F. Sebastian, to extend their short lifespan. Deckard eliminates Zhora and Leon, but Rachael saves him from an attack by Leon. After a confrontation with Roy, Deckard leaves with Rachael, pondering Gaff’s enigmatic message.
Blade Runner (1982) Official Trailer:
She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
- IMDb Ranking: The IMDb rating for She’s Gotta Have It (1986) is 6.8/10, with 56 user reviews, 50 critic reviews, and a Metascore of 79.
- Director: Spike Lee
- Cast: Tracy Camilla Johns, Tommy Redmond Hicks, John Canada Terrell, Spike Lee, Raye Dowell, Joie Lee, Dennis Karika, S. Epatha Merkerson, Bill Lee, Monty Ross, Tiziano Cortini (Lewis Jordan), Erik Dellums, Reginald Hudlin, Eric Payne, Marcus Turner, Gerard Brown, Ernest Dickerson, Eric Wilkins, Fab Five Freddy, Scott Sillers, Geoffrey Garfield
Plot Summary:
In She’s Gotta Have It (1986), the lovely Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns) faces a dilemma: she can’t choose just one man to date, so she opts for three simultaneously. First, there’s the wealthy and attractive Greer Childs (John Canada Terrell), followed by Jamie Overstreet (Tommy Redmond Hicks), a reliable and protective type. Lastly, there’s Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee), a shy geek with a kind heart. Despite their different qualities, Nola finds herself unable to pick just one suitor.
She’s Gotta Have It (1986) Official Trailer:
Casablanca
- IMDb Ranking: Casablanca has a rating of 8.5/10 on IMDb based on 1.5K user reviews, 206 critic reviews, and a Metascore of 100.
- Director: Michael Curtiz
- Cast: The cast of Casablanca includes Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Curt Bois, Leonid Kinskey, Madeleine Lebeau, Joy Page, John Qualen, S. Z. Sakall, Dooley Wilson, Marcel Dalio, Helmut Dantine, Gregory Gaye, Torben Meyer, Corinna Mura, Frank Puglia, Richard Ryen, Dan Seymour, Gerald Oliver Smith, and Norma Varden.
Plot Summary:
Set during World War II, “Casablanca” follows the story of Rick Blaine, a nightclub owner in Casablanca, Morocco. His world is turned upside down when his former lover, Ilsa Lund, re-enters his life with her husband, resistance leader Victor Laszlo. As Rick navigates the complexities of love and loyalty, he must make difficult decisions in a world torn apart by war.
Casablanca Official Trailer:
Gone with the Wind
- IMDb Ranking: The movie Gone with the Wind has received an IMDb rating of 8.2/10 based on 1,000 user reviews, 132 critic reviews, and a Metascore of 97.
- Director: Victor Fleming
- Cast: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard
Plot Summary:
Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, “Gone with the Wind” follows the life of Scarlett O’Hara, a headstrong Southern belle. As she navigates love, loss, and the changing social landscape, Scarlett’s resilience and determination shape her journey through one of the most tumultuous periods in American history.
Gone with the Wind Official Trailer:
The Godfather
- IMDb Ranking: The movie The Godfather has an impressive IMDb rating of 9.1 out of 10, based on 5,500 user reviews. Additionally, it has received 211 critic reviews and boasts a Metascore of 100.
- Director: Francis Ford Coppola
- Cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan
Plot Summary:
The Godfather tells the story of the Corleone crime family, led by patriarch Vito Corleone. As Vito’s youngest son, Michael becomes increasingly involved in the family’s criminal enterprises, he must navigate the complexities of loyalty, power, and betrayal in a world where violence and retribution reign supreme.
The Godfather Official Trailer:
The Shawshank Redemption
- IMDb Ranking: The film The Shawshank Redemption has an IMDb rating of 10.9K based on user reviews, along with 172 critic reviews and a Metascore of 9.3 out of 10.
- Director: Frank Darabont
- Cast: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton
Plot Summary:
Adapted from a Stephen King novella, The Shawshank Redemption follows the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker who is wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary. As Andy forms friendships and navigates the complexities of prison life, he maintains hope and resilience in the face of injustice.
The Shawshank Redemption Official Trailer:
The Wizard of Oz
- IMDb Ranking: The Wizard of Oz has received an IMDb rating of 8.1 out of 10.
- Director: Victor Fleming, King Vidor
- Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger
Plot Summary:
The Wizard of Oz follows the journey of Dorothy Gale, a young girl who is transported to the magical land of Oz after a tornado carries her away from her Kansas farm. With the help of her newfound friends—a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion—Dorothy embarks on a quest to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz and return home.
The Wizard of Oz Official Trailer:
Singin’ in the Rain
- IMDb Ranking: Singin’ in the Rain has received an IMDb rating of 8.3 out of 10.
- Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
- Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds
Plot Summary:
Set in the golden age of Hollywood, Singin’ in the Rain” follows the story of Don Lockwood, a silent film star grappling with the transition to talkies. With the help of his friend Cosmo and aspiring actress Kathy Selden, Don navigates the challenges of fame, love, and artistic integrity in a dazzling musical extravaganza.
Singin’ in the Rain Official Trailer:
Psycho
- IMDb Ranking: The movie Psycho has received an IMDb rating of 8.5 out of 10.
- Director: Alfred Hitchcock,
- Cast: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles
Plot Summary:
Psycho is a psychological thriller that follows Marion Crane, a secretary who embezzles money from her employer and goes on the run. Seeking refuge at the Bates Motel, Marion encounters the enigmatic Norman Bates, whose troubled past and unsettling behavior set the stage for a series of chilling events.
Psycho Official Trailer
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Netflix boasts a superb selection of the Best Classic Movies, spanning various genres and eras. From gripping dramas to side-splitting comedies, these timeless gems promise entertainment for all. So, kick back, relax, and indulge in the magic of cinema as you explore these beloved classics on Netflix.
