Netflix Instant: 100 Great Films Available to Stream Instantly - 2014

Netflix Instant, in my opinion, is the best online streaming service you could use, due to its easy accessibility and cheap, competitive price (UK- £5.99 per month= bargain). Certainly beats paying about £5 for an old DVD, or worse, £10 for an old Blu-ray film. Netflix Instant really is the best thing that has ever happened to film watching, as you get a great selection of films updated (usually) daily without any further charge above the standard monthly fee.

This is why I have decided to honour my love for “Netflix” and films in general, by forming a “top 100” list of the greatest films on Netflix Instant (UK only).

Only the UK…? Yes, only the UK, as I live and breathe in (old) England and only have access to the UK’s Netflix Instant library (of films and TV shows). Although it may be possible that the films listed here, are also available in the Country which you currently reside in, so take a look anyway because you never know.

Having done a fair few hubs on Netflix Instant recently, it makes sense that I do a “top 100” list of the greatest films available (2014), as I have recently done “top 10” lists of the best in each genre on Netflix Instant (UK). But, fear not, as with this list, I have taken a fresh approach to the ranking. By this I mean that I have not referred back to previous Netflix Instant “top 10” lists, as I want this list to be different entirely.

Although, still only filling in what I believe to be the greatest films available on Netflix Instant. Bare-in-mind, these are all based upon my own experiences watching these films, so it is likely that you may disagree with a few of the rankings, or perhaps question certain films entering into the list at all.

If this is the case, then please leave the films which you would have added to the list (baring-in-mind, they need to be available on Netflix Instant) and those you wouldn’t have added to the list, in the comments box at the bottom of the page.

Without further ado, I present to you the greatest Netflix Instant films available to stream instantly – 2014.

1) Skyfall

2) Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

3) Avengers Assemble

4) Toy Story 3

5) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

6) The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

7) Thor

8) Hunger Games: Catching Fire

9) Forrest Gump

10) Iron Man 2

11) Face/Off

12) The Rock

13) Captain America: The First Avenger

14) Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

15) Pulp Fiction

16) Shutter Island

17) Air Force One

18) Enemy of the State

19) Snatch

20) Die Hard: With a Vengeance

The Hollywood film production studios, as per usual, are always playing it safe with their investments, by producing sequels and prequels, as this is there way of sponging every penny out of the fans of the original. Usually repeating the cycle, releasing more after the sequel until they have squeezed the series (or franchise) dry and everyone can no longer bare to see another title to that of the series.

Certain series and franchise titles have been added to this list, however they are all in their own right; great films. Most are sequels, however some are originals. A lot of people, including yourself, probably believe that sequels are never as good as the original, a little like how most people believe that film remakes are never as good as the originals, however this is not always the case.

To name a few sequels from this list which are as good as the originals, if not better, includes The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (more action and plot thickens), Skyfall (best "Daniel Craig", "Bond" film yet) and Die Hard: With a Vengeance (not better than the first, however, just as good).

Subsequently, once a series has ran its course and box office numbers weaken, it will end. But, no worries, as these days, remakes are likely to be done, in good time, as film-makers seek to recreate the masterpieces that once captivated millions, in an attempt to re-spark the flame, starting the series once again.

Although, this is not always the case as we have seen, again and again, as film-makers struggle to grasp turning an old series or franchise (once loved by millions) into a modern remake which will again capture millions of people around the world, creating a modern masterpiece.

In theory, a remake could become a series if it is good enough to get a mass audiences attention, starting-off a new modern series, taking the original and turning it into something entirely new and different for audiences.

21) Good Will Hunting (1997

22) The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

23) Into the Wild (2007)

24) Jerry Maguire (1996)

25) The Insider (1999)

26) Top Gun (1986)

27) The Guardian (2006)

28) Tears of the Sun (2003)

29) 50/50 (2011)

30) Seven Pounds (2008)

31) Saving Private Ryan (1998)

32) Ronin (1998)

33) Jo Nesbo’s Headhunters (2011)

34) Sin City (2005)

35) Insomnia (2002)

36) Munich (2005)

37) The Sixth Sense (1999)

38) Identity (2003)

39) The Others (2001)

40) Seven Psychopaths (2012)

That typical movie argument, over whether it is better to make one solo film, or to turn it into a series of films?

Obvious answer, turn it into a series and make sure that each of them is as good, if not, better than the one previously done.

However, for the sakes of the argument, say that the film has limited possibilities in becoming a series and would be better off standing alone as a solo film. This has been done plenty of times, where film production companies are stretching films out into series, purely to make bigger profits out of the idea.

Personally, I find this to be an utter irritation, as of course the first was probably great, but at the back of my mind I know the film would have been better as a solo without the cliffhanger leaving me just as satisfied, if not, more so.

So, the simple point I am trying to make, is that if a films story is more than good enough to be stretched out, especially, if it would ruin the film being a solo, then by all means turn it into a series.

However, if the films story is better as a solo, then for the love of god, turn the film into a solo. Although, in saying all of this, the argument renders pointless as the simple fact of the matter is that film production companies want to squeeze every penny out of cinema theatre goers which is why if a film turns enough profit, likelihood is, there will be a sequel, and so on and so forth.

41) The Godfather (1972)

42) The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

43) Wall Street (1987)

44) Donnie Brasco (1997)

45) Escape from Alcatraz (1979)

46) Clear and Present Danger (1994)

47) Patriot Games (1992)

48) The Hunt for Red October (1990)

49) The Usual Suspects (1995)

50) Fargo (1996)

51) Primal Fear (1996)

52) The Rainmaker (1997)

53) The Firm (1993)

54) Along Came a Spider (2001)

55) O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

56) Crimson Tide (1995)

57) The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

58) The Aviator (2004)

59) Reservoir Dogs (1992)

60) Of Mice and Men (1992)

When it comes to films produced in the almighty Hollywood, film-goers seem drawn these days (including myself) to mediocre on-screen entertainment, like the production of Transformers (2007) which was in all-rights a great film but then there was a sequel which laid shame to the first. Luckily, the third Transformers brought back some of the former glory which audiences had seen in the first.

Transformers, being the perfect example of the "entertainment", now mass produced in Hollywood, referring of course to the modern day films we all call great since the special effects and advanced CGI took control of film-making.

Not that it's something worth complaining about since it is all due to today's special effects and CGI, that so much more is possible to do in film-making, that it is the mass produced "entertainment" that we have all succumb to crave so dearly from a film.

Whereas, on the other hand, the "quality" in film-making is from the films which need-not rely on special effects or CGI to create a great film, but rather merely the simplicity of good actors, good directors and a good story with an intriguing plot.

A perfect example of a "quality" film is The Godfather, which is chosen as it is a personal favourite film and one which many would put at the top of their all-time best films lists. It was a simply made film but touched many who have seen it, due to the flow of the storyline and classic gangster antics which many have an interest in.

To summarise, today's audiences love the "entertainment", pushing what I would call "quality" to the sidelines, although it is still present in the films produced today and on rare occasions is blended with all of the elements of "entertainment" - and what a treat that is.

61) Bad Boys

62) Transformers (2007)

63) Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

64) Angels & Demons (2009)

65) Olympus Has Fallen (2013)

66) Snitch (2013)

67) Faster (2010)

68) 2012 (2009)

69) Equilibrium (2002)

70) Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)

71) Shooter (2007)

72) Defiance (2008)

73) 3:10 to Yuma (2007)

74) The Strangers (2008)

75) Mission: Impossible (1996)

76) RoboCop (1987)

77) Sinister (2012)

78) The Crazies (2010)

79) Scream (1996)

80) Rango (2011)

81) Zombieland (2009)

82) Superbad (2007)

83) Get Shorty (1995)

84) Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

85) Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983)

86) The Proposal (2009)

87) Pretty Woman (1990)

88) Along Came Polly (2004)

89) Airplane! (1980)

90) Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

91) Zoolander (2001)

92) Meet the Fockers (2004)

93) Step Brothers (2008)

94) Grown Ups (2010)

95) The Other Guys (2010)

96) Welcome to the Jungle (aka The Rundown) (2003)

97) Coming to America (1988)

98) Father of the Bride: Part 2 (1995)

99) The Naked Gun (1988)

100) Three Amigos (1986)

Want more "top" films lists? ...If so, leave your answer in the comments box below.