If your idea of a perfect evening involves popcorn, a blanket, and a movie that has legitimately stood the test of time, Netflix has you covered. The streamer is known for buzzy originals and trending series, but it’s also quite stacked with cinematic gems from Hollywood’s past. Whether you’re in the mood for a zombie flick from the ‘70s or a nostalgic ‘80s teen classic, Netflix’s ever-evolving library offers a time machine for movie lovers.
With new titles added regularly, some of the most iconic and influential movies in history are just a click away. You will find movies that shaped an entire generation of filmmakers, introduced unforgettable characters, and sparked conversations that still feel relevant today. And while newer releases often hog the timeline, these older movies bring a kind of storytelling that’s raw, inventive, and unpolished in the best ways.
Here are 10 of the best old movies currently streaming on Netflix.
10
‘The Goonies’ (1985)
A rainy afternoon in Astoria, Oregon, sets the stage for one of the most endearing adventures of the 1980s. The Goonies follows a ragtag group of kids as they stumble upon a dusty attic map that leads to the legendary treasure of One-Eyed Willy. With their homes threatened by foreclosure, the gang has no choice but to set off on a subterranean quest filled with booby traps, skeletons, and a criminal family hot on their trail.
Directed by Richard Donner and produced by Spielberg, The Goonies is a true cinematic gem that has stood the test of time with its infectious energy, memorable characters, and its deft balance of danger and whimsy. It captures the messy, magical feeling of being young and believing anything is possible. Over time, its cult status has only grown, and its quotable lines (“Hey you guys!”) and the scrappy vibe, while brimming with nostalgia, still feel fresh.
9
‘The Karate Kid’ (1984)
In The Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso moves from New Jersey to California and quickly finds himself out of place and bullied by Cobra Kai karate students led by Johnny Lawrence. Enter Mr. Miyagi, the quiet and collected handyman with a mysterious past and a knack for bonsai trees and balance. Miyagi agrees to train Daniel, and as he learns discipline and patience, Daniel prepares to face Johnny and the Cobra Kai dojo in the All Valley Karate Tournament.
There’s a reason The Karate Kid is considered a quintessential coming-of-age story that’s been passed down generations. It has inspired viewers with its themes of perseverance, self-discovery, and finding strength in unexpected places. Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi is one of the most powerful characters, and he even won an Oscar nomination for a performance that’s both gentle and fierce. Moreover, the training montages, beach scenes, and the tournament finale are pure ‘80s gold.
8
‘Scarface’ (1983)
Tony Montana arrives in Miami from Cuba with nothing but big dreams and a chip on his shoulder. Within months, he has clawed his way into the drug trade, taking out rivals and building an empire of excess. Tony’s rise is meteoric, and his downfall is inevitable. And the movie charts his transformation from street-level hustler to kingpin.
Brian De Palma’s Scarface is loud, messy, and unforgettable. Al Pacino’s performance is volcanic because he turns Tony into a tragic antihero whose swagger masks deeper insecurities. And by the time he’s yelling “Say hello to my little friend,” the world he built is already crumbling. It’s incredible to watch. And while the movie was controversial on release, it’s become a captivating classic over time and is referenced in hip-hop, fashion, and parodies.
7
‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ (1982)
Written by Cameron Crow, Fast Times at Ridgemont High takes you to Ridgemont High, an establishment that’s less a school and more an ecosystem of teenage hormones, part-time jobs, and mall food. It doesn’t follow a single plotline. Instead, it weaves together the lives of several students. Like Stacy Hamilton and her first romance; her brother Brad, who flips burgers; Mark Ratner and his fast-talking friend Damone; and Jeff Spicoli, the stoned surfer.
A slice-of-life setup brimming with moments that are funny, cringe, and sweet, this one feels real because it refuses to glamorize adolescence. Crowe’s undercover reporting gave the script its authenticity, and Amy Heckerling’s direction keeps it breezy. Jennifer Jason Leigh is heartbreaking as Stacy and Sean Penn’s Spicoli became a pop culture archetype overnight. And the way it finds drama in small humiliations is what makes it so beloved.
In a quiet suburb, a lonely boy named Elliott stumbles upon a stranded alien hiding in his backyard shed. What begins as a curious discovery turns into a deep bond as Elliott, his siblings, and E.T. form a secret alliance to help the creature “phone home.” As government agents close in, the kids race against time to protect their new friend.
There’s something elemental about E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It taps into childhood loneliness, imagination, and the ache of saying goodbye, especially with the tearful final scene, when E.T.’s spaceship lifts off and Elliott whispers, “I’ll be right here.” Spielberg directs with a softness that never feels manipulative, and John Williams’ score is practically its own character. A box office success, this one’s legacy is built on how deeply audiences connect with it.
5
‘Dracula’ (1979)
Directed by John Badham, this 1797 adaptation of Bram Stoker’s immortal vampire lore finds Count Dracula arriving in England, suave and strangely seductive as ever. This version, starring Frank Langella, takes on a romantic horror angle and the titular character is a charismatic figure who bewitches Lucy Seward. As Van Helsing investigates the mysterious deaths and Lucy’s transformation, the movie builds toward a gothic showdown.
Langella’s Dracula is a departure from the snarling beast we know of. He is elegant, tragic, and oddly sympathetic. That shift gives the movie a haunting beauty, especially in scenes where Lucy willingly walks into his arms. Badham’s direction and Gil Taylor’s cinematography, paired with Laurence Olivier’s performance as Van Helsing, and the score by John Williams (yes, again), make Dracula an emotionally resonant movie.
4
‘Animal House’ (1978)
Set in 1962 at the fictional Faber College, Animal House follows the misfit Delta Tau Chi fraternity as they clash with the uptight Dean Wormer and the smug Omega house. The raucous, rule-breaking Deltas, led by Bluto, the charming Otter, and the perpetually anxious Flounder are an unbothered bunch who get into toga parties and food fights.
Animal House is college life turned up to eleven. Instead of following a traditional arc, the movie barrels through a series of escalating pranks and absurdities. John Belushi’s turn is very chaotic, especially in the cafeteria scene where he stuffs his face and declares, “I’m a zit!” The loose structure also works because it makes you feel like every moment you see could’ve happened at your cousin’s frat house. It’s juvenile, yes, but it’s also brilliant in its commitment to the bit.
3
‘Taxi Driver’ (1976)
In Taxi Driver, Travis Bickle drives his yellow cab through the neon-soaked streets of 1970s New York and narrates his own descent into isolation and rage. A Vietnam vet with insomnia and a growing disgust for the city’s decay, he becomes fixated on two women: Betsy, a campaign worker he awkwardly courts, and Iris, a 12-year-old sex worker he decides to “save.”
Martin Scorsese’s direction is claustrophobic and hypnotic, with Bernard Herrmann’s score pulsing beneath every scene. And the climax, in its bloody, surreal, and ambiguous glory, leaves you unsure whether Travis is a hero or a ticking time bomb. That’s the beauty of Taxi Driver. It’s a story of paranoia and loneliness wrapped in Robert De Niro’s haunting performance. Jodie Foster, only 12 at the time, also delivers an incredible turn. The movie was controversial, praised, and dissected endlessly, which earned it four Oscar nominations.
2
‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ (1974)
In the sweltering heat of the Texas summer, a group of unsuspecting young friends find themselves trapped in a waking nightmare when their van breaks down on a remote country road. They stumble upon an abandoned farmhouse, but soon encounter a cannibalistic family led by the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface. The movie quickly spirals into relentless terror, as the unfortunate visitors are subjected to the twisted games and grisly slaughter of the Sawyer clan.
Directed by the legendary Tobe Hooper, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a movie that left an indelible mark on the horror genre. Its popularity and influence can be seen in the countless sequels, remakes, and homages that have followed, but nothing quite captures the primal terror of the original. And it’s mainly because of the grainy, documentary-style visuals, the bone-chilling performance by Hansen, and the movie’s subversion of traditional slasher tropes.
1
‘Night of the Living Dead’ (1968)
A brother and a sister visit a cemetery, and within minutes, the dead begin to rise from their graves. Barbara escapes to a farmhouse where she joins a group of strangers trying to survive the night. As zombies circle outside, Ben, the calm and capable leader, clashes with the cowardly Harry Cooper.
George A. Romero’s debut is a landmark not just for horror, but for independent cinema. Casting Duane Jones, an African American actor, as the lead in 1968 was quietly revolutionary, and his performance single-handedly carries the film. Shot in black and white, with grainy realism and eerie silence, it is bleak and unforgettable. It was made on a shoestring budget, yet its influence is massive. Every zombie film owes it a debt, and Night of the Living Dead is still unsettling in ways you wouldn’t expect.
