Let’s be real: scrolling through the Netflix homepage is basically a full-time job. You sit down with your takeout, start browsing, and suddenly it's 45 minutes later and your pad thai is cold. We’ve all been there.
Right now, the "Top 10" list is looking a little wild. We’ve got a mix of high-stakes crime thrillers, breezy romance, and some truly unsettling true crime that’ll make you want to double-check your door locks. If you’re looking for popular Netflix movies right now, the algorithm is pushing a few specific titles hard, and honestly, some of them actually live up to the hype.
The Big Heavy Hitters: "The Rip" and "People We Meet on Vacation"
If you haven’t heard about The Rip yet, you probably haven't opened the app this week. It is currently dominating the global charts. It’s a Miami-based crime thriller that brings Matt Damon and Ben Affleck back together—this time as cops who stumble upon $24 million in an abandoned stash house.
It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s exactly what you’d expect from director Joe Carnahan.
What makes it interesting isn't just the shootout scenes; it’s the way the trust between the two leads completely disintegrates. People are calling it a "winter action staple," and for good reason. It’s gritty but has that classic chemistry that only those two can pull off.
Then there’s the total polar opposite: People We Meet on Vacation.
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Based on the Emily Henry bestseller, this movie is the definition of "comfort watch." Emily Bader and Tom Blyth play Poppy and Alex, two best friends who are basically opposites. She’s a travel-obsessed wild child; he’s a homebody who probably has a spreadsheet for his sock drawer.
They take one vacation together every year, and—shocker—feelings happen. It’s sunny, it’s cute, and it’s currently sitting at number two because everyone is trying to escape the January chill.
Why Everyone is Obsessed with "Evil Influencer"
Netflix has a formula for true crime, and they’ve perfected it with Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story.
This documentary is everywhere. If you follow any "true crime tea" accounts on TikTok, you know the deal. It covers the disturbing case of YouTube personality Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt.
Director Skye Borgman—who did Abducted in Plain Sight—is behind this one. She has a way of making you feel incredibly uncomfortable while also making it impossible to look away. It’s a dark look at how the "mental health influencer" space can be weaponized.
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It’s not an easy watch. Honestly, it’s pretty harrowing. But it’s currently one of the most discussed popular Netflix movies right now because it taps into that cultural fear of what’s happening behind the camera of those "perfect" families.
The International Wildcards
Don't sleep on the non-English titles. They’ve been carrying the platform lately.
The Great Flood, a Korean sci-fi disaster flick, has been hovering near the top for weeks. It’s about a massive flood hitting Earth, but the focus is on a group of people trapped in a flooded apartment building. The CGI is surprisingly decent, and the tension is high.
Then you have A Letter to My Youth from Indonesia. It’s a drama that dropped late in the month and is already climbing the ranks. It’s slow, emotional, and definitely a "bring your own tissues" kind of situation.
What's Actually Worth the Click?
It’s easy to see what’s popular, but "popular" doesn't always mean "good."
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If you want a thrill, go with The Rip. It’s fast-paced and the Damon/Affleck duo is reliable. If you want to cry or just feel something wholesome, People We Meet on Vacation is the safe bet.
For the documentary fans, Evil Influencer is the "must-see," even if it’s a one-and-done because of the heavy subject matter.
Quick Recommendations:
- Action/Crime: The Rip (Jan 2026)
- Romance: People We Meet on Vacation (Jan 2026)
- True Crime: Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story (2025/2026)
- Family/Animation: K-Pop Demon Hunters or The Bad Guys (which is somehow still trending)
Navigating the Netflix "Dump Month"
January used to be the month where studios dumped their garbage movies, but the streaming world changed that. Netflix is treating this month like a major release window.
The variety is the point. You can jump from a Sofia Coppola biopic like Priscilla (which just hit the platform and is doing great numbers) to a raunchy comedy or a deep-sea documentary.
The best way to stay ahead of the curve is to check the "New & Popular" tab, but also keep an eye on the "Coming Soon" section. We’ve got Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 coming at the very end of the month, which is going to absolutely shatter the current rankings.
Next Steps for Your Movie Night:
- Check your "My List"—if The Rip isn't there, add it for the Damon/Affleck chemistry alone.
- If you’re in a group, People We Meet on Vacation is the ultimate crowd-pleaser that nobody will complain about.
- For those who want to be part of the Monday morning watercooler talk, watch Evil Influencer so you can join the inevitable Reddit threads.