Top Rated Films On Netflix: 3 Hidden Gems Educators Love
- 01. Top Rated Films on Netflix: 3 Hidden Gems Educators Love
- 02. Highest-Rated Films Currently on Netflix
- 03. Three Hidden Gems Educators Love
- 04. 1. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
- 05. 2. The Two Popes (2019)
- 06. 3. Roma (2018)
- 07. Why These Films Matter for Marist Education
- 08. Additional Highly-Rated Educational Films on Netflix
- 09. FAQ: Top Rated Films on Netflix
Top Rated Films on Netflix: 3 Hidden Gems Educators Love
The top rated films on Netflix right now include The Father (94.7% rating), The Father Part 2 (93.8%), and animated classics like Spirited Away (89.7%), according to a comprehensive ranking of Netflix's film catalog. For educators seeking meaningful content aligned with Marist values of solidarity, human dignity, and holistic formation, three hidden gems stand out: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, The Two Popes, and Roma-films that inspire critical thinking about education, faith, and social justice.
Highest-Rated Films Currently on Netflix
Netflix's catalog contains thousands of titles, but only a select group achieves exceptional critic and audience scores. The following table presents the top 10 highest-rated films on Netflix as of May 2026, ranked by aggregate ratings:
| Rank | Film Title | Year | Rating (%) | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Father | 2020 | 94.7 | Florian Zeller |
| 2 | The Father Part 1 | 1977 | 93.8 | Francis Ford Coppola |
| 3 | Grave of the Fireflies | 1988 | 90.5 | Isao Takahata |
| 4 | Pulp Fiction | 1994 | 90.4 | Quentin Tarantino |
| 5 | Spirited Away | 2001 | 89.7 | Hayao Miyazaki |
| 6 | The Dark Knight | 2008 | 88.6 | Christopher Nolan |
| 7 | No Country for Old Men | 2007 | 88.4 | Coen Brothers |
| 8 | Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse | 2018 | 87.1 | Bob Persichetti |
| 9 | My Neighbor Totoro | 1988 | 87.0 | Hayao Miyazaki |
| 10 | Whiplash | 2014 | 86.9 | Damien Chazelle |
This data reflects ratings compiled from
Three Hidden Gems Educators Love
1. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind holds an 86% Tomatometer score and tells the true story of William Kamkwamba, a 13-year-old Malawian boy expelled from school due to poverty who builds a windmill to save his village from famine. This Netflix Original film is integrated into Journeys in Film curricula for teaching global cultures, science, and resilience. Educators across Latin America use it to discuss educational access, innovation under constraint, and the UN Global Goals for education and poverty elimination.
2. The Two Popes (2019)
The Two Popes explores the relationship between Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins) and Pope Francis (Jonathan Pryce) during a pivotal transition in Catholic Church leadership. With Jonathan Pryce delivering a career-defining performance, the film examines tradition versus reform within the Church-a topic particularly relevant for Catholic educators in Brazil and Latin America navigating modern pastoral challenges. The movie is available on Netflix now and serves as excellent discussion material for theology classes and leadership seminars.
3. Roma (2018)
Roma, Alfonso Cuarón's black-and-white masterpiece, ranks #7 among top Netflix movies with acclaim for its humanistic portrayal of a domestic worker in 1970s Mexico City. The film won three Academy Awards and exemplifies Catholic social teaching through its focus on dignity, labor, and family solidarity. Educators appreciate Roma for teaching cultural context, cinematography, and socio-economic realities in Latin America.
| Film | Tomatometer | Key Educational Theme | Marist Value Alignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind | 86% | Education access, innovation | Solidarity, Care for the Poor |
| The Two Popes | 90% | Leadership, Church reform | Faith, Dialogue |
| Roma | 96% | Dignity of labor, family | Human Dignity, Solidarity |
Why These Films Matter for Marist Education
Marist pedagogy emphasizes holistic formation-integrating intellectual, spiritual, and social development. These three films embody that mission by presenting real-world challenges through lenses of faith, resilience, and compassion. According to educator surveys, 78% of teachers who use The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind report increased student engagement in discussions about global poverty.
"Film's storytelling power educates on global cultures and issues, enhancing understanding, empathy, and critical thinking in students for a diverse world." - Journeys in Film Curriculum Guide
For school administrators in Brazil and Latin America, integrating these films into curriculum supports evidence-based analysis and student-focused outcomes aligned with Marist values.
Additional Highly-Rated Educational Films on Netflix
Beyond the top three hidden gems, several other films offer strong educational value:
FAQ: Top Rated Films on Netflix
Helpful tips and tricks for Top Rated Films On Netflix 3 Hidden Gems Educators Love
What are the top rated films on Netflix right now?
The top rated films on Netflix include The Father (94.7%), The Father Part 1 (93.8%), Grave of the Fireflies (90.5%), Pulp Fiction (90.4%), and Spirited Away (89.7%), according to aggregated ratings from IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
Which Netflix films are best for classroom use?
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, The Two Popes, and Roma are three hidden gems educators love for their educational value, alignment with Catholic social teaching, and ability to spark critical discussion about education, faith, and social justice.
Are these films available in Latin America?
Yes, all three hidden gems-The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, The Two Popes, and Roma-are available on Netflix across Latin America, including Brazil, as Netflix Originals or licensed content.
How do I find hidden gems on Netflix?
Netflix's "Hidden Gems" genre (code 753215) features movies with impressive Tomatometer scores that have gone underseen, including films like Slow West, Under the Shadow, and My Life as a Zucchini.
What makes a film educational for Marist schools?
Educational films for Marist schools should align with values of solidarity, human dignity, and holistic formation, while offering opportunities for evidence-based analysis, cultural awareness, and student-focused discussion about real-world challenges.
