The 12 Best R-Rated Films on Netflix Right Now (July 2024) (2024)

"Netflix and chill" has been a thing for a while, but that’s not the only “adult thing” the service has to offer. In fact, there are a myriad of great movies that capture the spirit of adulthood – the dreams we have, the roles we have to play, and the betrayals we face – but there’s also the blood, sex, and violence that the MPA says that only we cool mature grownups can truly appreciate.

So, it’s time to put the kids to bed, grab a beverage and snack, and then dive into some of the best films with kick-ass action, mind-bending themes, and sophisticated emotions that Netflix has to offer. Disclaimer: Kids not required. If you are reading this and happen to be a kid, don’t tell your parents we put you onto the good stuff.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best movies and shows on Netflix across all ratings.

‘No Hard Feelings’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 70% | IMDb: 6.4/10

No Hard Feelings

Comedy

Release Date

June 23, 2023

Director

Gene Stupnitsky

Cast

Jennifer Lawrence , Laura Benanti , Natalie Morales , Ebon Moss-Bachrach

Runtime

103 minutes

No Hard Feelings is a 2023 sex comedy directed by The Office writer-producer Gene Stupnitsky from a screenplay he co-wrote with John Phillips and Jennifer Lawrence, who also co-produced and stars. The film follows Maddie Barker, a 32-year-old financially struggling Uber driver who gets hired by a wealthy couple to romance their awkward and sexually inexperienced 19-year-old son before he goes off to college. Besides Lawrence in the lead role, the movie also stars Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales, and Matthew Broderick. A hit summer movie of 2023, No Hard Feelings fared well at the box office but had mixed reviews from critics. The film does reiterate a lot of popular raunchy tropes from the 2000s and 2010s but ultimately delivers exactly what a cringe comedy is supposed to, which is a lot of laughs. The movie went on to earn Lawrence a People’s Choice Award and a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance.

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‘Roma’ (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.7/10

Roma

Drama

Release Date

August 25, 2018

Director

Alfonso Cuarón

Cast

Yalitza Aparicio , Marina de Tavira , Diego Cortina Autrey , Carlos Peralta , Marco Graf , Daniela Demesa

Runtime

134

Roma is a Spanish- and Mixtec-language period drama film written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind movies like Gravity and Children of Men. Set in 1970 and 1971 in the Colonia Roma neighborhood of Mexico City, the film follows the life of Cleodegaria "Cleo" Gutiérrez, a Mixteco live-in housekeeper working for an affluent Mexican family. When the family patriarch runs off with his mistress, the mother takes the family and Cleo on a vacation, where they begin to form a bond. Yalitza Aparicio stars as Cleo, leading a cast that includes Marina de Tavira, Fernando Grediaga, and Jorge Antonio Guerrero. Roma is a semi-autobiographical take on the director’s early life experiences and is more of an emotional portrait of ordinary life featuring intimate and deep moments. A critical darling, the movie received ten nominations and three wins at the Academy Awards, becoming the first Mexican entry to win Best Foreign Language Film. Additionally, debut actress Aparicio earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, making her the first Indigenous American woman to be nominated in the category.

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‘The Power of the Dog’ (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 6.8/10

The Power of the Dog

Drama

Western

Psychological

Release Date

November 17, 2021

Director

Jane Campion

Cast

Benedict Cumberbatch , Kirsten Dunst , Jesse Plemons , Kodi Smit-McPhee , Thomasin McKenzie , Keith Carradine

Runtime

125 minutes

Based on Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel of the same name, The Power of the Dog was written and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jane Campion. A Western psychological drama set in Montana, the film follows the story of wealthy ranch owners and brothers Phil and George Burbank. When George brings home a new wife and her son, Phil’s volatile and aggressive behavior brings turmoil to the family until life takes an unexpected turn. The Power of the Dog stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons as brothers Phil and George, respectively, with Kirsten Dunst, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzie, and Frances Conroy. Upon its release in 2021, the movie was widely acclaimed, with praise for its direction, story, cinematography, and performances. The film went on to earn several BAFTA and Golden Globe Awards, as well as 12 nominations at the Academy Awards, with Campion winning Best Director. The Power of the Dog is generally regarded as one of the best films of 2021 and the 2020s.

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‘The Lost Daughter’ (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 6.7/10

The Lost Daughter

Release Date

December 31, 2021

Director

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Cast

Olivia Colman , Jessie Buckley , Dakota Johnson

Runtime

2 hours 1 minute

The Lost Daughter marks actor-producer Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial and writing debut with a script she co-wrote with Charlie Dorfman, Osnat Handelsman-Keren, and Talia Kleinhendler. Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson lead the film’s ensemble cast as Leda and Nina, respectively, with Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Dagmara Domińczyk, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Peter Sarsgaard, and Ed Harris in significant roles. A psychological drama, the movie follows Leda Caruso (Colman), a middle-aged professor holidaying in Greece, who becomes obsessed with a young mother named Nina (Johnson) and her daughter while haunted by the memories of her own unpleasant past. Based on the 2006 Italian novel La figlia oscura by Elena Ferrante, The Lost Daughter explores the complex dynamics of motherhood and mother-daughter relationships. The Lost Daughter premiered at the 2021 Venice International Film Festival, where Gyllenhaal received the Golden Osella for Best Screenplay, earning praise for her writing-directing debut. Colman’s performance as a troubled and distressed mother earned her several accolades, including nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe.

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‘Hit Man’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 6.9/10

Hit Man

Action

Crime

Release Date

June 7, 2024

Director

Richard Linklater

Cast

Glen Powell , Adria Arjona , Austin Amelio , Retta , Molly Bernard , Mike Markoff

Runtime

113 minutes

Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) has recently been taking off as a leading man in film, and now he shows off his wide breadth of character work in this dark romantic comedy that he co-wrote with eclectic director Richard Linklater (Boyhood). Hit Man is loosely based on the true story of a college professor who posed as a hit man in sting operations with the police. Powell has a lot of fun as he gets to don a variety of looks and personas as his unassuming character crafts unique personas for each and every sting in order to sell the fantasy to the clients. But it’s not just Powell who gets to show off his skills — Adria Arjona (Andor) is a blast as the femme fatale who turns the whole operation upside down.

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‘Private Life’ (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.2/10

Private Life

Comedy

Documentary

Release Date

October 5, 2018

Director

Tamara Jenkins

Cast

Kathryn Hahn , Paul Giamatti , John Carroll Lynch , Denis O'Hare , Emily Robinson , Molly Shannon

Runtime

123

Written and directed by Tamara Jenkins (The Savages), Private Life is a down-to-earth slice-of-life drama about the struggles of starting a family later in life. The film follows Kathryn Hahn (Tiny Beautiful Things) and Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers) as a middle-aged New York married couple who are trying everything to have a child despite numerous obstacles and failures. Jenkins digs into the heart of the story by introducing a young aspiring writer into their lives, played by Kayli Carter (Let Him Go), and expertly crafts a parallel between the constant problems and disappointments that come with fertility procedures and the pursuit of a career in the arts. The film doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities and emotional toll that comes with trying to fulfill a desire that feels insurmountable.

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‘Fair Play’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 6.4/10

Fair Play

Drama

Mystery

Thriller

Release Date

October 6, 2023

Director

Chloe Domont

Cast

Phoebe Dynevor , Alden Ehrenreich , Eddie Marsan , Rich Sommer , Sebastian de Souza

Runtime

113 minutes

You know what they say — “Men would rather blow up their whole relationship because of a perceived power imbalance after their girlfriend beats them out for a promotion than get therapy”...or something like that. Well, Fair Play, written and directed by Chloe Domont (Ballers) in her feature film debut, is all that and more. Domont weaves a tale about two financial analysts, Emily and Luke, having a scandalous tryst while competing for the same position at a ruthless hedge fund. Unfortunately for Emily (Phoebe Dynevor), winning the promotion over Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) transforms his passion into deep resentment and rage, leading to a rollercoaster of backstabbing, sex, and violence. This psychological thriller has some steamy scenes, but consider this your trigger warning that the toxic aspects of masculinity are on full display, and some sequences could be very uncomfortable for some audiences.

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‘May December’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 6.8/10

May December

Drama

Comedy

Release Date

December 1, 2023

Director

Todd Haynes

Cast

Julianne Moore , Natalie Portman , Andrea Frankle , Charles Melton

Runtime

117 minutes

Inspired by the true story of the controversial seduction of a 13-year-old boy by a woman in her 30s, May December adds a level of camp and intrigue to the story by adding themes surrounding perception and method acting. Julianne Moore (Still Alice) gives a richly complex performance as she takes on the role of the older woman who is now married to the young man she pursued as a teen, portrayed by Charles Melton (Riverdale), who is the perfect mix of sympathetic and introspective. Two decades after their relationship was the talk of the town, their life goes back under the microscope when an ambitious actress, played by Natalie Portman (Black Swan), arrives to research their story and digs a little too deep into their lives. An interestingly dark mix of vibes that could be described as Single White Female blended with I, Tonya, the film earns all the accolades and award nominations.

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‘Society of the Snow’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.8/10

Society of the Snow

Adventure

Drama

Biography

History

Thriller

Release Date

December 23, 2023

Director

J.A. Bayona

Cast

Enzo Vogrincic , Esteban Bigliardi , Simon Hempe , Matías Recalt

Runtime

144 minutes

Society of the Snow isn’t just inspired by real events — it’s also a survival flick that will leave you inspired! Director J. A. Bayona (The Impossible) takes his years of research on the 1972 plane crash that left a Uruguayan rugby team stranded in the Andes mountains and synthesizes it into a harrowing journey of perseverance and teamwork. Most survival horror tends to argue that dire straits bring out the worst in humanity, but this retelling of the accounts of actual disaster survivors is a reminder that the only way to get through the darkest times is to work together as a community and look out for one another. This Spanish-language drama features a mostly Uruguayan cast of relatively unknowns in their industry, which really adds to the authenticity of the film, disregarding the hierarchy of stardom in place of a cast of equals working together to deliver a great story.

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‘A Simple Favor’ (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 6.8/10

A Simple Favor

Mystery

Crime

Thriller

Release Date

August 29, 2018

Director

Paul Feig

Cast

Anna Kendrick , Ian Ho , Joshua Satine , Glenda Braganza , Andy Rannells , Kelly McCormack

Runtime

119

Comedy writer and director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) dives head-first into the thriller genre as he teams up with screenwriter Jessica Sharzer (American Horror Story) to adapt Darcey Bell’s hit debut novel. A Simple Favor has big Gone Girl vibes, but it cranks the twists up to eleven as a mommy vlogger, played by Anna Kendrick (Alice, Darling), digs into the disappearance of her mysterious new friend. Blake Lively (Gossip Girl) lends her ethereal beauty and a nonchalant mystique to the role that perfectly balances with Kendrick’s awkward single-mom performance. Their scenes together immediately sell the dynamic and get the audience just as invested in unpacking each and every secret the plot dangles in front of them.

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‘1917’ (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 8.2/10

1917

Drama

Biography

Release Date

December 25, 2019

Director

Sam Mendes

Cast

Andrew Scott , Richard Madden , Benedict Cumberbatch , Mark Strong , Colin Firth , Teresa Mahoney

Runtime

110

Director Sam Mendes (Skyfall) breathes life into a story that is a mix of personal recollections of his grandfather and a historical event from World War I. 1917 is a passion project for Mendes that showcases the best of his abilities with stunningly chaotic and claustrophobic cinematography that depicts the horrors of war from the perspective of two young soldiers in real-time as they drudge through enemy territory to deliver a message that will save hundreds of their comrades. With events unfolding through a series of long takes, the movie puts the audience right into the thick of it with little time to breathe. It's not just an effective way to build a connection with the main characters, played superbly by Dean-Charles Chapman (Game of Thrones) and George MacKay (Captain Fantastic) — it’s also an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime feat of production.

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‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.8/10

The Breakfast Club

Teen

Coming-of-Age

Comedy

Drama

Release Date

February 15, 1985

Director

John Hughes

Cast

Emilio Estevez , Judd Nelson , Molly Ringwald , Ally Sheedy , Paul Gleason , Anthony Michael Hall

Runtime

97 minutes

This John Hughes (Ferris Bueller's Day Off) classic has inspired countless imitations and homages over the last 30 years and continues to thrive after all these years as a microcosm of the experience of growing up. The Breakfast Club takes the typical high school archetypes — Molly Ringwald (Sixteen Candles) as the preppy popular girl, Emilio Estevez (The Mighty Ducks) as the jock, Judd Nelson (St. Elmo's Fire) as the troubled loner, Anthony Michael Hall (Weird Science) as the nerd, and Ally Sheedy (Short Circuit) as the goth — locks them in a room, and forces them to reflect on the idea that, no matter how different they feel or how popular they are, in the end they are all just trying to find their way. The cast is a blast, bouncing off of one another, digging into the meat of their characters, and delivering incredibly genuine arcs for each of them.

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