10 most watched Netflix movies of 2025 revealed — with one hitting 518,000,000 views

David BenjaminJanuary 26, 2026

THE LIFE LIST. (L to R) Marianne Rend??n as Zoe, Sebastian De Souza as Garrett, Sofia Carson as Alex, Dario Ladani Sanchez as Lucas, Shannon Barnes as Nell and Chelsea Frei as Megan in The Life List. Cr. Nicole Rivelli/Netflix ?? 2025. — The results are officially in, people. The global top 10 most watched Netflix movies of 2025 have been revealed in the streaming platform’s annual reports. From the sequel to an iconic movie (released almost 30 years after the original) to a film that marked the comeback of one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars, there are also action thrillers, rom-coms and family-friendly titles that all made quite the impression last year. Keen to find out if your favourite film of 2025 made the list? Let’s find out. (Picture: Nicole Rivelli/Netflix)

10. Despicable Me 3 — 98,400,000 views

Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock (8881068aa) Dru and Gru (Steve Carell) "Despicable Me 3" Film - 2017 — Despicable Me 3 is a 2017 animated comedy movie, and the third film in the Despicable Me franchise. In this instalment, Gru is reunited with his long-lost twin brother Dru after getting fired from the Anti-Villain League. However, their wholesome reconciliation soon turns into drama when the siblings have to take down the elusive Balthazar Bratt, a former 1980s child star who is seeking revenge against the world. (Picture: Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock)

9. The Secret Life of Pets — 101,400,000 views

Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Universal/Everett/Shutterstock (5738386a) Max (voice: Louis C.K.), Duke (voice: Eric Stonestreet), Katie (voice: Ellie Kemper) The Secret Life of Pets - 2016 — Throwing it back to 2016 now with The Secret Life of Pets. Another animated comedy, it follows Max, a pet Jack Russell, who becomes jealous when his owner brings home another dog, a Newfoundland named Duke. When they learn that their master is in danger, the two dogs put their differences aside and team up to save her before it’s too late. (Picture: Universal/Everett/Shutterstock)

8. Exterritorial — 105,600,000 views

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In this Netflix original German action thriller, a soldier’s son vanishes at a US consulate in Frankfurt. Desperate to save him — and suspicious that darker forces are at play — she illegally stays on the premises to search for him. Soon, she finds herself wrapped up in a dangerous conspiracy. (Picture: Sasha Ostrov)

7. Despicable Me 4 — 107,100,000 views

For Editorial Use Only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Illumination Universal Pictures/Shutterstock (15202879w) (from left) Maxime (Will Ferrell) and Valentina (Sof?a Vergara) in "Despicable Me 4" (2024), directed by Chris Renaud. Photo credit: Illumination & Universal Pictures "Despicable Me 4" (2024) — The fourth Despicable Me film was also one of the most popular movies of 2025. In this edition, Gru welcomes a new member to the family, Gru Jr. Sadly, the family’s happy set-up is interrupted when Maxime Le Mal, a criminal mastermind, escapes from prison and vows revenge against Gru. (Picture: Universal Pictures/Shutterstock)

6. Havoc — 112,400,000 views

This image released by Netflix shows Tom Hardy in a scene from "Havoc." (Netflix via AP) — Havoc stars Tom Hardy as Patrick Walker, a homicide detective, who must fight his way through the criminal underworld when a drug deal gone wrong causes a politician’s estranged son to go missing. While investigating the case, Patrick discovers a web of corruption and conspiracy with deep roots in his city. (Picture: AP)

5. The Life List — 118,000,000 views

THE LIFE LIST. Sofia Carson as Alex in The Life List. Cr. Nicole Rivelli/Netflix ? 2025. — If rom-coms are more your bag, The Life List, starring Sofia Carson, should be on your watchlist. The actor plays Alex, a young woman whose mother, Elizabeth, is dying from cancer. Before departing this mortal coil, Elizabeth sets her daughter a list of tasks (otherwise known as a ‘life list’) to help her move on and rediscover who she is as a person. It’s heartwarming stuff, really. (Picture: Nicole Rivelli/Netflix)

4. STRAW — 122,300,000 views

Straw. Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah Wiltkinson in Straw. Cr. Chip Bergmann/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy Netflix — Straw is a 2025 American psychological crime drama written, produced and directed by Tyler Perry. It follows Janiyah Wiltkinson, a single mother living in a dilapidated flat with her frequently ill daughter, Aria. Straw explores poverty and systemic injustice, and has a huge twist that Perry admitted was just as surprising to him as it was to the cast. (Picture: Chip Bergmann/Perry Well Films 2)

3. Happy Gilmore 2 — 135,100,000 views

No Merchandising. Editorial Use Only. No Book Cover Usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Netflix/Everett/Shutterstock (15437393h) HAPPY GILMORE 2, from left: Sadie Sandler, Adam Sandler, 2025. ph: Scott Yamano / ? Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection Happy Gilmore 2 - 2025 — Happy Gilmore fans were over the moon when the sequel dropped almost three decades after the original movie. Adam Sandler reprises his iconic role of Happy Gilmore, a now-retired golf pro, who returns to the sport to finance his daughter’s ballet lessons. A lot has happened to Happy since the 90s (when he was at the top of his game), which is explored in depth throughout the movie. (Picture: Netflix/Everett/Shutterstock)

2. Back in Action — 190,300,000 views

Netflix original movies that cost a fortune but bombed with the critics — After a 10-year acting hiatus, Cameron Diaz returned to the spotlight in Back in Action. The action-comedy film follows former CIA operatives and husband and wife duo (Jamie Foxx stars alongside Diaz), who are pulled back into the world of espionage after 15 years when their identities are exposed. (Picture: John Wilson/Netflix)

1. KPop Demon Hunters — 518,300,000 views

KPOP DEMON HUNTERS - (L-R) Mira (voice by MAY HONG), Rumi (voice by ARDEN CHO) and Zoey (voice by JI-YOUNG YOO). ??2025 Netflix — Did you expect anything else to be number one? And it’s out in front by a long, long way. Since its release in October last year, KPop Demon Hunters became an instant hit, landing in the Netflix top 10 charts literally every week. Seriously, it’s currently in its 31st week — at number four. It’s the most watched film in the platform’s history. As for the premise, the film centres around a K-pop band called Huntr/x, who by day, sell out stadiums and by night, fight demons. (Picture: Netflix)

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