Is there anything better than plopping down on the couch after a hard day’s work and putting on Netflix? (The answer is no, obviously.) But deciding what to watch in the vast sea of content can be intimidating. Luckily, we’re here to help. The next time you are searching Netflix for the perfect movie to […]
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Is there anything better than plopping down on the couch after a hard day’s work and putting on Netflix? (The answer is no, obviously.) But deciding what to watch in the vast sea of content can be intimidating. Luckily, we’re here to help.
The next time you are searching Netflix for the perfect movie to watch on a chill night at home, why not go undercover, take on a secret alias, and stream a classic spy movie?
The spy genre has undergone decades of evolution and transformation, delivering some of the most entertaining and suspenseful viewing experiences for cinephiles of all ages. And there’s no shortage of great spy flicks on Netflix — ones that offer viewers a wide range of sleuthful storytelling, ensuring there’s something for every espionage enthusiast.
Here are the 10 best spy movies currently streaming on Netflix.
Directed by Robert De Niro, The Good Shepherd follows the CIA’s inception and growth during the Cold War through the eyes of senior officer Robert Wilson (Matt Damon). In the aftermath of the infamous Bay of Pigs invasion, Wilson attempts to identify a suspected mole who may have leaked information to the Cuban government. While it received mixed reviews upon its release, The Good Shepherd is worth revisiting — it’s a thoughtful and compelling drama that boasts a stellar cast, including Damon, Angelina Jolie, Joe Pesci, and Robert De Niro, who also directed the film.
Watch The Good Shepherd on Netflix.
Adapted from Robert Harris’ novel, Munich is set in the days leading up to WWII, with Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Germany causing the rest of Europe to fear another war may be imminent. When German translator Paul von Hartmann discovers a document that reveals Hitler’s intent to conquer Europe rather than seek peace, he secretly reaches out to Hugh Legat (George MacKay), the personal secretary to British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain (Jeremy Irons). This 2020 historical drama relies on building tension through storytelling rather than cheap thrills, resulting in one of the smarter spy films made in the last decade.
Watch Munich: The Edge of War on Netflix.
In 1943, Britain was preparing to invade Sicily but several high-ranking officials worried that the Germans would be prepared for the attack. Lieutenant Commander Ewen Montagu (Colin Firth) and intelligence officer Charles Cholmondeley (Matthew Macfayden) come up with a bold plan to deceive the Nazis: plant fake documents on the corpse of an officer who washes ashore in Spain that suggest a British plan to invade Greece instead of Sicily. Meticulous attention to detail might not be the first thing that comes to mind in the spy genre, but with Operation Mincemeat, the suspense exists in the intricate planning — and the payoff is magnificent.
Watch Operation Mincemeat on Netflix.
In the 1990s, anti-Castro groups of Cuban exiles began to form in Miami, carrying out attacks on Cuba that included bombings and shootings. In response, the Cuban government formed a “Wasp Network,” a secret organization of Cuban spies sent to infiltrate the anti-Castro groups. While the film’s ambitious plot can become a bit convoluted at moments, Wasp Network is always entertaining thanks to its stacked cast. Penelope Cruz and Édgar Ramírez anchor the film effortlessly, with Gael García Bernal, Ana de Armas, and the rest of the supporting cast further elevating it with phenomenal performances.
Watch Wasp Network on Netflix.
On his 101st birthday, Allan (Robert Gustafsson) decides to ditch his retirement home to track down the secret formula to “Folksoda,” a drink he accidentally invented back in the ‘70s. While we follow Allan on his journey, we also see flashbacks to his time as a double agent for Sweden. The spy angle is mostly played for laughs, here, but given the overly serious nature of the genre, a bit of levity is welcomed in this case. The film also manages to blend its absurd humor with just the right amount of sincerity, delivering a heartwarming adventure without ever getting too corny.
Watch The 101-Year-Old Man Who Skipped Out on the Bill and Disappeared on Netflix.
The Angel centers on the unbelievable true story of Ashraf Marwan (Marwan Kenzari), the son-in-law of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser who worked as a double agent for both Egypt and Israel in the aftermath of the Six-Day War. After Marwan’s suggestion to seek peace with Israel is rejected by Nasser, he decides to attempt to broker a peaceful solution by secretly working with the Israeli government. As Marwan dives deeper undercover, he finds himself in danger of being discovered by both sides while working to find a long-term compromise.
Watch The Angel on Netflix.
Banker Rehamatullah Ali (John Abraham) is recruited by Indian Intelligence agency RAW to work as a spy and infiltrate the Pakistani army during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. Once in Pakistan, Ali takes on the identity of Akbar Malik. As he goes deeper undercover, he is forced to wrestle with his beliefs about patriotism and duty as the lines between friend and foe grow increasingly blurred. The movie delivers plenty of twists and turns but never spins out of control, thanks to Abraham’s grounded performance.
Watch Romeo Akbar Walter on Netflix.
Omar (Adam Bakri) is a Palestinian baker who has ambitions of becoming a freedom fighter against Israel with two of his friends. But after the trio kills an Israeli soldier, Omar is captured and is forced to become an informant against his friends to avoid a life sentence in prison. Omar offers no easy answers in its suspenseful storytelling, inviting the viewer to explore the deep and complex ideas presented by the film, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards.
Watch Omar on Netflix.
Juan (Luis Tosar) is the leader of a team of Spanish intelligence operatives who are tasked with tracking a newly-elected congressman to see if he is involved in any unethical or illegal activity. When the team doesn’t find anything, Juan is pressured by his boss to create a scandal involving the congressman, forcing Juan to discover what lines he is willing to cross and question if he’s doing as much good as he’d like to believe. Code Name: Emperor pulls no punches when it comes to exposing the seedy underbelly of the institutions many of us blindly put our faith in, resulting in a grimy, action-packed film.
Watch Code Name: Emperor on Netflix.
It’s easy to forget but, yes, Boss Baby is, at its core, a spy movie. After all, the titular talking Baby (voiced by Alec Baldwin) reveals to his older brother that he is on a mission from Baby Corp. to investigate the suspicious decline in love towards babies in favor of puppies. Boss Baby may not be the most thrilling or action-packed entry on this list but it is the one that your kids are most likely to enjoy, serving as a solidly silly introduction into the cinematic world of espionage.
Watch The Boss Baby on Netflix.
