Netflix has established itself as a serious contender during award seasons with some of the best R-rated movies available to stream on the platform. The massive streaming service also still keeps its competitors close by housing non-Netflix Original rated-R movies right beside its original content. Films often get slapped with R ratings for varying degrees of violence, language, sexual content, and more.

There are R-rated movies that get it right with well-produced and timed violence and language. Films like Netflix's latest attempt at The Texas Chainsaw Massacre throw so much violence at a wall, hoping it sticks, but it doesn't. The selection of R-rated movies on Netflix often changes, and this year brings with it some award-winning instant classics like All Quiet on the Western Front, action-packed crowd-pleasers like Bullet Train, and divisive thrillers like The Killer. Whether you're looking for looking raw, real dialogue or a horror movie with a tasteful level of violence, these films hit the mark with critics and audiences, elevating them to the top of the stream list.

10 'The Lovebirds' (2020)

Director: Michael Showalter

A Netflix original rom-com, The Lovebirds pairs Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani as a dissolving couple that accidentally steps into a murder mystery they must solve to clear their names. Hitting the middle of the road with critics and receiving a less favorable tone with streamers, this R-rated comedy is worth the stream for its star power.

With a quick one-hour and twenty-six-minute runtime, the Michael Showalter-directed film packs a lot of comedic conspiracy into its brief screentime. The realistic growth of Leilani (Rae) and Jibran (Nanjiani)'s relationship brings heart along with the humor. Audience members come for the leads and stay for their chemistry, making The Lovebirds a worthy watch next time you sit down with your partner.

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9 'Extraction' (2020)

Director: Sam Hargrave

In the high-octane action-thriller Extraction, Chris Hemsworth plays the skilled mercenary Tyler Rake, who is for hire in the seedy underground black market. His latest mission turns out to be his toughest one, as he’s tasked with rescuing the son of a powerful crime lord. As he rescues the young Ovi Mahajan (Rudhraksh Jaiswal), Tyler must use all of his talents to stay alive.

With striking visuals to go with its meticulously choreographed fight scenes, Extraction is a must-see for fans of the genre. There’s also some notable character development there, as Tyler's dark past and how it influences his mission is explored. While, unlike the best action movies, the film doesn’t do much to change the old formulas or elevate the genre, there’s no denying that it’s a fun one to see at least once.

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8 'The Killer' (2023)

Director: David Fincher

Michael Fassbender stars as the titular unnamed assassin in director David Fincher's latest thriller, The Killer. Based on the eponymous graphic novel series by Alexis "Matz" Nolent, the film follows the protagonist's quest for revenge after he misses the shot on an important assignment.

The Killer is an exercise in restraint, with Fassbender perfectly cast as the methodical, sociopathic protagonist who takes things one step at a time to reach his goal. While critics have praised the director's latest, it has been more divisive among fans precisely for its slow-burn approach and character-driven narrative. For fans of David Fincher's movies and directorial style, though, the 2023 film is a must-see.

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7 'Don't Look Up' (2021)

Director: Adam McKay

An incredibly divisive and debated film when it first premiered, director Adam McKay's Don't Look Up is a satirical disaster movie that follows the plight of two astronomers – Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) and Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) – who discover that a comet is heading straight towards the earth. As they try to convince the government and the media to take the appropriate measures, they find a surprising amount of resistance to the apocalyptic event.

Don't Look Up's biting satire about media, politics, and the power of the internet, fortunately (or unfortunately) coincided with the pandemic, which only highlighted its message. Some critics found it too heavy-handed, but fans think that its over-the-top story is what gives it its charm. Either way, the movie manages to touch on sensitive topics and poke fun at them with dry humor and amazing performances from its all-star cast.

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6 'Bullet Train' (2022)

Director: David Leitch

Directed by David Leitch based on the 2010 novel by Kōtarō Isaka, Bullet Train stars Brad Pitt in one of his funniest performances to date. The action-comedy flick takes place on the titular train in Japan, where an assassin (Pitt) is assigned to do a simple task: retrieve a briefcase. Soon, he discovers that he's not the only skilled killer on board, and chaos ensues when they all realize they're involved in a mysterious conspiracy.

Witty, humorous, and flawlessly choreographed, Bullet Train makes fun of action tropes while perfectly executing some of its own. Hilarious performances from Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, and the rest of the cast elevate every single scene, making the fan-favorite film worth watching at least once.

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5 'Bo Burnham: Inside' (2021)

Director: Bo Burnham

Bo Burnham: Inside is a must-see comedy special that perfectly captures the absurdity, horror, and comical experience of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recorded, created, and performed by Bo Burnham during the pandemic, the film is both hilarious and hard-hitting, as it highlights the universal struggle of coping with lockdowns and an uncertain world.

The special shows Burnham at his best, with biting social commentary delivered through unique, creative, and often musical performances all seamlessly weaved together to create an entertaining and profound viewing experience. It's a great choice for beginners to the genre, as it's bound to resonate with anyone who recognizes the anxiety, existential dread, and sadness that came with a generation-defining period.

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4 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' (2020)

Director: Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin's critically acclaimed second directorial feature falls in line with the classic Sorkin film founded on historical context. The Trial of the Chicago 7 is the story of seven individuals on trial for various charges surrounding the uprising outside the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

With a star-studded cast of Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and more, The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a Netflix original drama that delves into activism and free speech. The film would earn six nominations at the 93rd Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay for Sorkin, but would take none home. Nonetheless, this historic cinema film deserves a watch by any fan of Sorkin's work and those new to his writing.

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3 'Call Me by Your Name' (2017)

Director: Luca Guadagnino

The renowned coming-of-age romantic drama directed by Luca Guadagnino, Call Me by Your Name, is now a legendary stand-out in its genre. Set in a blistering summer in the 80s in Northern Italy, the film follows the unexpected love that blossoms between the 17-year-old Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet) and the 24-year-old graduate student staying with Elio's family as a research assistant for the season, Oliver (Armie Hammer).

Chronicling the heart-pounding highs and heartbreaking lows of their relationship, Call Me by Your Name explores the gut-wrenching, heart-fluttering, and exhilarating aspects of young love in a raw and honest way. Its R-rating likely comes from the controversy about the characters' 7-year age gap when it first premiered, which is a debate that has since died down. The romance film is remembered today as one of the greatest of the 2010s.

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2 'All Quiet on the Western Front' (2022)

Director: Edward Berger

Directed by Edward Berger and based on the eponymous 1929 novel by Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front is an award-winning German epic anti-war film set on the frontlines of World War I. It follows 17-year-old Paul Bäumer's (Felix Kammerer) heartbreaking journey after he excitedly enlists in the Imperial German Army alongside his friends, only to find that war isn't what the propagandists say it is.

With nine Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best International Feature and seven wins during the BAFTAs, it's safe to say that All Quiet on the Western Front has cemented itself as one of the best unflinching war films ever made. Its realistic and harrowing depiction of war, as well as its spectacular set pieces, help set it apart from others in its genre. It's a movie that will leave audiences feeling dread, fear, or even emptiness, and is disturbing and unsettling in an unforgettable way.

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1 'Prisoners' (2013)

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Two families, the Dovers and the Birches, face every parent's worst nightmare in Prisoners after their young daughters go missing. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film is centered on the investigation around their disappearance, led by Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal), who keeps running into dead ends. One of the missing girls' fathers, Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman), grows frustrated with the inaction around a clear lead that points to the suspicious man Alex Jones (Paul Dano), so he takes things into his own hands.

Dark and intense, Prisoners does a remarkable job of building dread through its bleak atmosphere, increasingly desperate characters, and unexpected turns. Its shocking twists soon escalate to a heart-wrenching moment, at which point viewers are likely holding their breath waiting to see if the families will choose justice or revenge.

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