What To Watch
10 Can’t-Miss Classics on Netflix This September
These iconic selections will have you reminiscing about Friday night trips to your local video store.
By Ingrid Ostby
Sept. 4, 2026
10 Can’t-Miss Classics on Netflix This September - Netflix Tudum
The smell of plastic-wrapped cassette cases; popcorn in a bucket just like at the movies — except, lucky you, you get to pop it at home; Sour Patch Kids for those with a refined palette … The magic of going into a video store like Blockbuster and selecting a film of your choice was an adventure, a thrill, a thing that totally doesn’t exist anymore now that we’re in the future (cue robot noises). Except, wow! Look at these outstanding classic movies that just arrived on Netflix, here to remind you that the choice to take a hit of that nostalgia is right here at your fingertips. Get that popcorn popping and plop down on the sofa for a night of movie magic. Just make sure to read on to find out which film to watch first.
Scarface
Cuban refugee Tony Montana (Al Pacino) lands in Miami with nothing but ambition and claws his way from dishwasher to drug kingpin. Along the way, he falls for his boss's mistress, Elvira (Michelle Pfeiffer), and builds an empire with his loyal right hand, Manny (Steven Bauer), even as paranoia and excess start to unravel everything he’s built. Written by Oliver Stone (Platoon) and directed by Brian De Palma (Carrie), the film also stars Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Robert Loggia.
Sleepless in Seattle
Architect Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) is still grieving his late wife when his eight-year-old son, Jonah (Ross Malinger), calls into a national radio show and spills about his dad’s life. Sam needs a new wife so he’s less sad, Jonah says. A listener, Baltimore journalist Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), hears Jonah’s call and becomes convinced Sam — a total stranger — might be the man she’s meant to be with. From there, a love story takes shape. Written and directed by Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally...), the 1993 rom-com also stars Bill Pullman, Rosie O’Donnell, and Rita Wilson.
The Blues Brothers
In this musical action comedy based on a Saturday Night Live sketch, fresh-out-of-prison “Joliet” Jake Blues (John Belushi) gets his R&B band back together alongside his brother, Elwood (Dan Aykroyd), in order to save the orphanage that raised them. Whether they can save their former home from foreclosure depends on if they can outrun music rivals, neo-Nazis, the police, and more. The 1980 film was directed by John Landis (Animal House).
Uncle Buck
The Russells are in desperate need of a babysitter, so they call in a last resort: Buck Russell (John Candy), their kooky bachelor uncle. He moves in to watch the kids while his brother and sister-in-law are out of town, and quickly clashes with his rebellious teenage niece, Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly), who resents his rules — especially when it comes to her shady boyfriend, Bug (Jay Underwood). Tia’s younger sibs Miles (Macaulay Culkin) and Maizy (Gaby Hoffmann) take to Buck almost instantly, even as Tia tries to turn them against him. From writer-director John Hughes (Home Alone), the comedy also features Amy Madigan (Weapons).
Cruel Intentions
Twisted teen stepsiblings Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian (Ryan Phillippe) make a wager that Sebastian can take Annette’s (Reese Witherspoon) virginity before school starts. If he wins, Kathryn will finally sleep with him; if he fails, he hands over his prized vintage Jaguar. Based on the classic French novel Dangerous Liaisons, the film was directed by Roger Kumble and also stars Selma Blair (Legally Blonde) and Joshua Jackson (Dawson’s Creek).
The Deer Hunter
Three Russian-American steelworkers — Mike (Robert De Niro), Nick (Christopher Walken), and Steven (John Savage) — ship out from their Pennsylvania mill town to fight in Vietnam, only to be captured by enemy forces. The drama from Michael Cimino (Thunderbolt and Lightfoot) follows the psychological torture they endure while prisoners of war, and the devastation that haunts them long after they escape. The film — which won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Walken — also stars Meryl Streep and John Cazale.
Knocked Up
When a drunken one-night stand between slacker Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) and entertainment reporter Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) leads to an unplanned pregnancy, the two decide to give a real relationship a chance. But the pair’s nearest example of what long-term love looks like — a rocky marriage between Alison’s sister, Debbie (Leslie Mann), and her husband, Pete (Paul Rudd) — may sour them on the whole endeavor. Written and directed by Judd Apatow (The Bubble, The 40-Year-Old Virgin), the rom-com also stars Jonah Hill and Jason Segel.
Liar Liar
Fletcher Reede (Jim Carrey) is a hotshot lawyer — and a liar. A big one. But that all changes after his son, Max (Justin Cooper), makes a birthday wish that his father can tell no lies for a full 24 hours. The wish comes true just as Fletcher is mid-trial and trying to win back his ex-wife (Maura Tierney), and chaos — and painful truths — ensue. Directed by Tom Shadyac (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective), the comedy also stars Jennifer Tilly and Swoosie Kurtz.
The Flintstones
Based on the 1960s Hanna-Barbera cartoon of the same name, this prehistoric comedy follows Fred Flintstone (John Goodman) and best friend Barney Rubble (Rick Moranis) as they navigate the corporate world, family life, and the occasional dinosaur-powered appliance in the Stone Age town of Bedrock. When Barney helps Fred land a big promotion at their company, Slate & Co., it leads to discord between the two families — especially after the company’s corrupt executive, Cliff (Kyle MacLachlan), gets involved. Directed by Brian Levant (Jingle All the Way), the film also stars Elizabeth Perkins, Rosie O'Donnell, Halle Berry, and — yes — Elizabeth Taylor.
Big Daddy
Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler) is a full-on slacker who’s coasted through adulthood on money from a lawsuit settlement, and has absolutely zero responsibilities. That is, until 5-year-old Julian (Cole and Dylan Sprouse) shows up at the door looking for a place to stay. Julian is allegedly Sonny’s roommate Kevin’s (Jon Stewart) biological son, but Kevin’s in China for a lengthy work trip. Sonny agrees to watch the kid, but his motives aren’t entirely pure: He’s mostly doing this to prove to his girlfriend, Vanessa (Kristy Swanson), that he’s a mature man after all. Directed by Dennis Dugan (Happy Gilmore), the comedy also stars Joey Lauren Adams and Steve Buscemi.
What To Watch
These kids movies and shows are fun for the whole family.
The police procedural stars Mary McDonnell, G.W. Bailey, and Tony Denison.
“Not without danger,” of course.
If your heart’s still racing from Taapsee Pannu’s latest, check out these films.
A woman jumps into a life she doesn’t remember and faces a dangerous reality.
The racy series is based on K. Bromberg’s novels.
Join Milla Jovovich’s Alice in her fight against the wicked Umbrella Corp.
These series are hits with audiences worldwide.
Drama
Plus Crew Girl, Call My Agent! The Movie, DANG!, The Perfect Lie, and more.
Set in the world of The Secret of Secrets, the show stars Morgan Spector and Rebecca Hall.
Directed by Cord Jefferson, Meryl Streep will star in the enduring story of family dysfunction and American anxiety.
The acclaimed LGBTQ+ epic will arrive on Netflix later this year.
Eddie and Susie are taking their criminal enterprise to Italy in September.
The cast of Guy Ritchie’s series includes some experienced on-screen gangsters.
Popular Now
Your queue is just getting warmed up.
The filmmakers on Mica and JP’s marriage, his federal charges, and “Mica’s Law.”
Uncover the secrets of the new crime thriller based on Alex North’s novel.
