Who doesn’t enjoy a good suspenseful spy thriller? Spy movies have always offered high entertainment value, but there has been a downfall in the amount of these movies. However, there are some of the best spy movies on Netflix.
Spy movies have the ability to glue you to the screen throughout their runtime. They can be either fast-paced or slow-burn. Nevertheless, these movies provide an excellent source of entertainment and excitement.
So in this list, we will take a look at the top 10 best spy movies on Netflix. We are not going to stay limited to the US version of Netflix, but this is a worldwide list. So make sure to take a look at our guide on how to change your Netflix location.
Spy Movies On Netflix
A spy movie usually has an exciting storyline, some absurd technology, or exotic locations. However, a good spy movie usually incorporates all three of these elements. We will be looking at such spy movies on Netflix.
Moreover, we won’t be looking at serious spy thrillers, but all the comedy movies that have elements of a spy movie will also be on this list.
Keep in mind these movies might not be Netflix exclusives but ones you can easily stream on Netflix. Moreover, they aren’t ranked in any particular order.
1. The Gray Man (2022)
We are starting off our list of the best spy movies on Netflix with The Gray Man. It is one of the most recent spy movies on Netflix. In this film, a top CIA operative uncovers the agency’s dark secrets. This prompts his colleague to put a bounty on his head.
The Gray Man is a fast-paced action thriller movie. Ryan Gosling perfectly slides into the role of the mysterious yet cunning CIA Agent. Though the film has some bland and unwanted elements, it doesn’t really ruin your experience.
While the movie isn’t a masterpiece, it is great for a one-time watch. You don’t have to think too much while watching it.
2. Red Notice (2021)
Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, and Dwayne Johnson sharing the same screen? That’s a recipe for the most entertaining movie right there. Red Notice is a comedic action thriller that plays on spy movie tropes. Red Notice” is a must-watch for fans of comedy spy movies on Netflix.
The story of this film revolves around an Interpol agent who wants to track down an art thief with the help of another art thief. However, things aren’t what they appear to be, as both sides constantly try to double-cross each other.
3. The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019)
The Red Diving Sea Diving Resort is a spy movie on Netflix which is based on a true story. The film takes place in 1979 and tells the story of Israel’s Mossad agents who try to retrieve Ethiopian Jewish refugees in Sudan.
The biggest highlight of the film is its huge cast. The film stars Chris Evans, Ben Kingsley, Haley Bennet, and many other talented actors. Overall, the story of this movie is emotional and quite impactful. If you’re planning to watch something serious, then this is the right choice.
4. Operation Mincemeat (2021)
Another movie based on a true story makes its way on our list of the best spy movies on Netflix. This movie revolves around two secret services officers who use a dead body and counterfeit documents to get ahead of German troops.
Operation Mincemeat’s plot is quite interesting. The film keeps you engaged from start to end, and there isn’t a dull moment. There are some unnecessary subplots throughout this movie, which can be a bit distracting. You can ignore these elements as they aren’t that important to the storyline.
So overall, Operation Mincemeat is a pretty decent movie if you’re craving a spy movie on Netflix.
5. Skyfall (2012)
We can’t talk about spy movies on Netflix without a James Bond movie. Skyfall revolves around an ex-MI6 agent who steals a hard drive with classified content in order to carry out a vengeance plan against Bond’s boss, M. Bond must confront his past in order to save M.
Directed by award-winning director Sam Mendes, Skyfall was meant for greatness. Skyfall perfectly celebrates 50 years of Bond’s legacy. It has action, adventure, and more than enough thrill to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Skyfall is certainly one of the best spy movies on Netflix currently available. It is worth changing your region for this gem if you’re outside the US.
6. A Call to Spy (2019)
A Call To Spy is the next entry on our list of the best spy movies on Netflix. This movie is set in WWII and tells the story of a Special Operations Executive’s (SOE) program to recruit women and send them as spies.
It is nice to explore a different side of WWII than what has already been portrayed many times. A Call to Spy is a thrilling, entertaining spy movie with a decent enough cast. Don’t expect it to be extremely historically accurate. However, it is indeed inspired by real events and people, which also makes it quite inspirational.
7. The Angel (2019)
The Angel is a true story about the Egyptian President’s son-in-law, Ashraf Marwan. As Egypt prepares for war, top Egyptian official Ashraf Marwan contacts Israel and becomes embroiled in a dark game of high-stakes espionage.
If you can overlook the historical inaccuracies and some filmmaking mistakes, then The Angel proves to be a very entertaining spy movie on Netflix. This movie follows all the conventional tropes of a spy film and succeeds at providing a suspenseful product.
8. Central Intelligence (2016)
Central Intelligence is a comedic action spy movie. It stars Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in lead roles. In this movie, an accountant gets involved with an international covert operation when he reconnects with his old friend through Facebook.
Seeing Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson together on screen is always a joy. The two have amazing chemistry and comedic chops. Apart from that, the film is genuinely funny, and some sequences will have you rolling with laughter.
9. The Coldest Game (2019)
The Coldest Game is a sports and spy movie combined in one. The film is set during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. A disturbed math prodigy is recruited to play in a US-Soviet chess match which is actually a deadly game of espionage.
The Coldest Game is by far one of the best spy movies on Netflix. It is so well-made. The acting and the storyline, coupled with the pacing, are simply remarkable. Moreover, the atmosphere of high tension is also pretty intense.
All in all, The Coldest Game proves to be an effective spy thriller that will never let you be bored throughout its runtime.
10. Munich: The Edge of War (2021)
The final entry on our list of the best spy movies on Netflix is Munich: The Edge of War. The story of this film puts two classmates against each other. One of them is a British diplomat, while the other is working with the Nazis.
Again, don’t watch this film thinking about how historically accurate it would be. You will enjoy the movie more if you watch it with an open mind. In fact, this movie presents more of a “what if” scenario rather than a history lesson.
Munich: The Edge of War should get more credit for its storyline and treatment of the subject. In addition, the film has very good cinematography and brilliant acting by all the talent involved.
Conclusion
So this was our list of the best spy movies on Netflix. This genre isn’t as popular as it used to be once. However, you can keep the genre alive by watching all these interesting spy movies on Netflix.