Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services in the world, with nearly 250 million subscribers. And just what do those people tend to watch? In particular, what is the most popular movie on Netflix? Each week, the streaming service releases a list of its 10 most-watched movies over the past seven days to keep subscribers in the loop regarding its most popular titles.
This past week saw the release of Spaceman, Johan Renck’s sci-fi drama starring Adam Sandler in a dramatic role. Spaceman debuted at No. 5 in the United States. The highest debut for a new film belonged to Code 8: Part II at No. 2. The sci-fi action film stars cousins Robbie and Stephen Amell as superhumans who battle corrupt police officers. Below, we’ve listed the top 10 movies in the U.S. from February 26 to March 3, along with general information about each film, such as genre, rating, cast, and synopsis.
Looking for something else? We’ve also rounded up the best shows on Netflix, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Amazon Prime, and the best movies on Disney+. For Netflix fans, check out the 10 most popular shows on Netflix right now.
10. Trolls (2016)
Based on the Good Luck Trolls dolls, the film adaptation Trolls depicts the lives of small, lovable creatures. However, this happy lifestyle is interrupted when the Bergens, led by the cruel Chef (Christine Baranski), invade Troll Village and kidnap multiple trolls.
Princess Poppy (Anna Kendrick), an extremely happy troll, sets out on a quest to rescue her friends. She enlists the help of Branch (Justin Timberlake), a cautious survival troll who is the complete opposite of Poppy. The two trolls must find a way to work together before they lose their friends forever.
9. The Abyss (2023)
Not to be confused with James Cameron’s 1989 film, The Abyss is a 2023 Swedish disaster film about a dangerous mine. In the town of Kiruna, Sweden, sits the world’s largest underground mine. Because of the shifting ground caused by the mind, seismic activity is prevalent in the area. The unpredictability of the mine becomes dangerous as the earthquakes intensify, causing the town to sink.
Frigga Vibenius (Tuva Novotny) does not think much of the quakes until part of the mine caves, leading to her son’s disappearance. With the town crumbling, Frigga heads underground to find the source of the disruption and stop it before she loses not only her son but the entire town of Kiruna.
8. Minions (2015)
The childlike yellow creatures get their own movie in Minions, the spinoff/prequel to Despicable Me. Three Minions – Kevin, Stuart, and Bob – struggle to find a master after failing to work for a T. rex, Count Dracula, and Napoleon. The Minions hitchhike to Orlando in the late 1960s and meet Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock) at a villain convention.
Scarlet, the world’s first female supervillain, and her husband, Herb (Jon Hamm), recruit the Minions to join them in London to steal Queen Elizabeth II’s crown. If the Minions succeed, they will receive a reward, but if they fail, Scarlet will eliminate the Minion race. Expect a lot of hijinks from these lovable creatures.
7. The Legend of Hercules (2014)
The origin story of the famous Greek god is the subject of The Legend of Hercules. As the son of Zeus and Queen Alcmene (Roxanne McKee), Hercules (Kellan Lutz) is blessed with super strength as a half-god, half-man. Hercules is supposed to be the man to destroy tyranny and unite the people as the new ruler. However, Hercules is exiled by his stepfather, King Amphitryon (Scott Adkins), and sold into slavery.
When he learns about his origins, Hercules must embrace his destiny and rise within the kingdom, first as a gladiator and then as an army leader. Along the way, Hercules falls in love with Princess Hebe of Crete (Gaia Weiss) and fights to win her back from his brother (Liam Garrigan).
6. Code 8 (2019)
Cousins Robbie and Stephen Amell lead the Canadian sci-fi film Code 8. In the early 21st century, humans with superhuman abilities are known as Powers. These superhumans must report their powers to the government. However, many of the Powers are oppressed by the government and live in poverty.
Conner Reed (Robbie Amell), who has electrokinetic powers, struggles to pay for his mother’s medical treatment. Desperate for money, Conner joins the criminal underworld by working for Garrett Kelton (Stephen Amell), a telekinetic who works for top crime boss Marcus Sutcliffe (Greg Bryk). With his mother’s condition worsening, Conner embarks on his most dangerous mission to date: stealing from the police.
5. Spaceman (2024)
In a rare dramatic role, Adam Sandler plays an astronaut looking to save his marriage in Spaceman. Six months into his mission to Jupiter, Jakub Procházka (Sandler), the Czech Republic’s first astronaut, regrets leaving his wife, Lenka (Carey Mulligan), and unborn daughter.
Lonely and depressed, Jakub finds an unlikely friend in Hanuš (voiced by Paul Dano), a spiderlike creature hiding on the ship. Hanuš wants to understand humans better, so he allows Jakub to vent about his marriage while offering advice. Spaceman is a fascinating movie about loneliness, a sci-fi drama that lets Sandler flex his dramatic muscles.
4. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Thanks to NBCUniversal’s deal with Netflix, one of the biggest titles of 2023 – The Super Mario Bros. Movie – is available to stream. Based on the hit characters from the Nintendo games, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is an origin story for Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day), two Italian-American brothers working as plumbers in Brooklyn, New York.
While fixing a water main leak, the two brothers are sent down the Warp Pipe into two kingdoms. Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom with Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), while Luigi appears in the Dark Lands ruled by Bowser (Jack Black). Featuring other notable characters like Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen), Mario sets out to find Luigi and save the world from Bowser’s reign.
3. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023)
Teenager Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) wants to fit in with the other humans at Oceanside High School despite secretly being from a family of giant sea monsters known as krakens. Ruby’s overprotective mother bans Ruby from visiting the beach and entering the water. However, Ruby defies her mother and breaks her rules, further straining their relationship.
One day, Ruby sneaks off to meet her grandmother, Grandmamah (Jane Fonda), the Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas. Much to her surprise, Ruby learns she is a princess and next in line for the throne after her grandmother. With great power comes great responsibility, as Ruby discovers that the Warrior Queen must protect the ocean from evil mermaids. If Ruby thought high school was hard, wait until she takes on these mermaids.
2. Code 8 Part II (2024)
Connor Reed (Robbie Amell) and Garrett Kelton (Heels’ Stephen Amell) are back for another battle against the corrupt police force in Code 8 Part II. Set five years after the events of Code 8, Connor is out of prison and working as a janitor at a community center. Garrett now runs an “ethical” drug empire in Lincoln City. Connor cut his ties to Garrett because of his desire to stay out of trouble.
However, that changes with the arrival of Pav (Sirena Gulamgaus), a young teenager who witnessed a murder at the hands of corrupt police officers and their robotic K9s. Desperate for help, Connor is forced to ask Garrett for help to protect Pav. Can the former allies put aside their differences and work together?
1. Mea Culpa (2024)
From the mind of writer and director Tyler Perry (Madea’s Halloween) comes the next seductive thriller, Mea Culpa. Lawyer Mea Harper (Kelly Rowland) takes on artist Zyair Malloy (Trevante Rhodes) as her client. Zyair is being accused of murdering his girlfriend. Mea sees this as a chance to advance in her career and become a partner.
Meanwhile, Mea’s personal life is far from perfect after catching her husband holding the hand of her childhood friend. As Mea tries to determine her client’s innocence, Zyair seduces Mea, something she doesn’t fight back against. As Mea dives deeper into the case, she uncovers a world of guilt from multiple parties, not just Zyair. Fans of steamy thrillers from the 1980s and 1990s should enjoy Mea Culpa.
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