{"id":748821,"date":"2026-08-25T03:06:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T03:06:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/748821\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T03:06:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T03:06:15","slug":"3-top-rated-netflix-movies-im-watching-this-week-august-24-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/748821\/","title":{"rendered":"3 top-rated Netflix movies I’m watching this week (August 24-30)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even as we barrel down to the last days of what has been an exciting August for movies (The Last House, Don’t Say Good Luck, Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy among the highlights), Netflix<\/a>‘s Top 10 has still been filling up with some solid choices for U.S. subscribers to the service\u2014not to mention The Whisper Man still to come.<\/p>\n

The Top 10 is where I’ve been digging lately, and the last several days have yielded some excellent movies, including the stunning animated superhero movie that reshaped a franchise; a remarkable true story about a stray dog and a grueling adventure race; and my top pick this week, another true story: an intense Mexican crime thriller <\/a>built around a pair of patrol officers and the traffic stop of a lifetime. <\/p>\n

3 <\/p>\n

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse<\/p>\n

The Oscar-winning animated reboot is always a pleasure to watch<\/p>\n

Peter Parker’s spider-bite origin story has been done so many times that it’s ingrained in our collective psyches at this point. But one of its best and most creative tellings of the last decade is, without a doubt, Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse<\/a>\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b, which won Best Animated Feature at the 2019 Oscars and, at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, is the highest-rated of all Spider-Man films, period.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"How-ToQuiz<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t8 Questions \u00b7 Test Your Knowledge
\n\t\t\t\tName that Spider-Man
Trivia challenge<\/p>\n

Five web-slingers, one quiz \u2014 can you tell your Peter Parkers from your
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMiles Morales?<\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSpider-ManMarvelMoviesCharactersActors \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Begin<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man famously said ‘With great power comes great responsibility’ in a
\n\t\t\t\t\tvoice-over at the start of his first solo film?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tAAndrew GarfieldBNicolas CageCTobey MaguireDTom Holland \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

That’s right \u2014 Tobey Maguire! Sam Raimi’s 2002 Spider-Man opened with
\n\t\t\t\tMaguire’s Peter Parker delivering that iconic line as a voice-over, setting the moral tone for the
\n\t\t\t\tentire trilogy. It became one of the most quoted superhero movie lines ever.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Not quite \u2014 the answer is Tobey Maguire. Sam Raimi’s 2002 Spider-Man
\n\t\t\t\topened with Maguire’s narration of that iconic line, cementing it as the defining motto of the character
\n\t\t\t\tfor a generation of fans. It helped establish a morally grounded tone that the whole trilogy built on. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man is a teenager from Brooklyn who discovers he has spider-powers
\n\t\t\t\t\tafter being bitten, and whose story is told through a groundbreaking animated style?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tANicolas Cage as Spider-Man NoirBShameik Moore as Miles MoralesCTom Holland as Peter ParkerDAndrew Garfield as Peter Parker \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Exactly \u2014 Shameik Moore voices Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Into the
\n\t\t\t\tSpider-Verse! Miles is an Afro-Latino teen from Brooklyn who takes up the Spider-Man mantle after the
\n\t\t\t\tPeter Parker of his universe is killed. The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in
\n\t\t\t\t2019.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The correct answer is Shameik Moore as Miles Morales. Miles is an
\n\t\t\t\tAfro-Latino teen from Brooklyn at the center of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which won the Academy
\n\t\t\t\tAward for Best Animated Feature in 2019. The film’s revolutionary animation style blended comic book
\n\t\t\t\taesthetics with cutting-edge CGI.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man appeared in a black-and-white noir universe and was voiced by a
\n\t\t\t\t\tmajor Hollywood actor known for his eccentric roles?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tATobey MaguireBAndrew GarfieldCShameik MooreDNicolas Cage \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Correct \u2014 Nicolas Cage voiced Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the
\n\t\t\t\tSpider-Verse! This version of Spider-Man comes from a gritty 1930s black-and-white universe and speaks
\n\t\t\t\tin a hard-boiled detective style. Cage even reprised the role in the live-action series Spider-Man Noir
\n\t\t\t\ton MGM+.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The answer is Nicolas Cage! He voiced Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man:
\n\t\t\t\tInto the Spider-Verse, a version of the hero from a grim 1930s black-and-white universe who speaks like
\n\t\t\t\ta classic film noir detective. Cage later reprised the character in a live-action series on MGM+.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man actor was the first to portray the character as an active student
\n\t\t\t\t\tat the Midtown School of Science and Technology within the MCU?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tATobey MaguireBAndrew GarfieldCTom HollandDShameik Moore \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

That’s Tom Holland! His Peter Parker debuted in Captain America: Civil
\n\t\t\t\tWar in 2016 and was explicitly shown as a 15-year-old high schooler balancing classes, homework, and
\n\t\t\t\tsuperheroics. Holland’s youthful portrayal was widely praised for finally capturing the nerdy, awkward
\n\t\t\t\tenergy of the comic book Peter Parker.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The correct answer is Tom Holland. His MCU Peter Parker debuted in
\n\t\t\t\tCaptain America: Civil War as a 15-year-old attending the Midtown School of Science and Technology.
\n\t\t\t\tHolland’s portrayal was praised for leaning into the geeky, high school energy of the original comics
\n\t\t\t\tmore authentically than previous versions.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man famously used web-shooters that he built himself rather than
\n\t\t\t\t\torganic web-spinnerets that were a biological result of his spider bite?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tATobey MaguireBAndrew GarfieldCNicolas CageDShameik Moore \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Right \u2014 Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
\n\t\t\t\tused mechanical web-shooters he invented himself, just like in the original comics. Tobey Maguire’s
\n\t\t\t\tversion had organic webbing, which was a deliberate departure from the source material by director Sam
\n\t\t\t\tRaimi. Garfield’s use of tech-made shooters was seen as a more comics-accurate touch.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The answer is Andrew Garfield. His Amazing Spider-Man used mechanical
\n\t\t\t\tweb-shooters of his own design, staying true to the original comic books. Tobey Maguire’s version
\n\t\t\t\tfamously had organic webbing \u2014 a controversial change made by Sam Raimi that divided fans at the time. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man lifted a massive amount of debris off himself in a deeply emotional
\n\t\t\t\t\tscene that became one of the most celebrated moments in superhero movie history?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tATom HollandBShameik MooreCAndrew GarfieldDTobey Maguire \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

That’s Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man 2 (2004)! Trapped under collapsing
\n\t\t\t\tmachinery with no powers, Peter Parker digs deep and pushes the rubble off himself through sheer will,
\n\t\t\t\taccompanied by a stirring score. Many critics and fans consider it the defining heroic moment of the
\n\t\t\t\tRaimi trilogy.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The answer is Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man 2. Trapped under crushing
\n\t\t\t\tdebris with his powers failing him, Maguire’s Peter Parker pushes through by sheer determination in one
\n\t\t\t\tof the most emotionally stirring scenes in superhero cinema. The sequence is often cited as a high point
\n\t\t\t\tof Sam Raimi’s entire trilogy.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man’s love interest was Gwen Stacy, played by Emma Stone, whose fate in
\n\t\t\t\t\tthe sequel became one of the most talked-about moments of that era’s comic book movies?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tATobey MaguireBTom HollandCAndrew GarfieldDNicolas Cage \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Correct \u2014 Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man was romantically paired with Gwen
\n\t\t\t\tStacy, played by Emma Stone, in The Amazing Spider-Man series. In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Gwen dies in
\n\t\t\t\ta tragic fall, mirroring her iconic death in the comics. The scene was emotionally charged, and
\n\t\t\t\tGarfield’s real-life relationship with Stone added extra weight to their on-screen chemistry.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The answer is Andrew Garfield. His Spider-Man’s primary love interest
\n\t\t\t\twas Gwen Stacy, played by Emma Stone, across The Amazing Spider-Man films. Her death in the sequel
\n\t\t\t\tdirectly echoed one of the most famous storylines in Marvel Comics history, and Garfield and Stone’s
\n\t\t\t\treal-life romance gave their on-screen pairing an authentic emotional depth.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man tearfully told a dying Tony Stark ‘I don’t want to go’ after being
\n\t\t\t\t\tun-snapped in Avengers: Endgame and reuniting on the battlefield?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tAAndrew GarfieldBTobey MaguireCShameik MooreDTom Holland \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

That’s Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in Avengers: Endgame! After being
\n\t\t\t\trestored by Hulk’s snap, Peter rushes to a dying Tony Stark and tearfully says ‘We won, Mr. Stark’
\n\t\t\t\tbefore breaking down. Holland has spoken about how he improvised much of the emotion in that scene,
\n\t\t\t\tmaking it one of the MCU’s most gut-wrenching moments.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The correct answer is Tom Holland. His Peter Parker reunites with a
\n\t\t\t\tfatally wounded Tony Stark on the Endgame battlefield, delivering one of the MCU’s most heartbreaking
\n\t\t\t\tperformances. Holland has mentioned in interviews that he improvised parts of the emotion in that scene,
\n\t\t\t\twhich contributed to its raw, authentic impact.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

See My Score<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\tChallenge Complete
\n\t\t\t\tYour Score<\/p>\n

\/ 8<\/p>\n

Thanks for playing!<\/p>\n

Try Again \n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Into the Spider-Verse also has the distinction of bringing us a gaggle of Spider characters making their big-screen debuts; chief among them\u2014and at the center of the franchise\u2014is Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), a Brooklyn teenager bitten by a radioactive spider and, well, you know what happens. There’s already a Spider-Man in Miles’ world (Chris Pine), but after watching him die at the hands of Kingpin (Liev Schreiber), he feels it’s his duty to take up the wall-crawler’s mantle. And then things get incredibly interesting. <\/p>\n

Kingpin’s been building a particle collider to reach into other universes (I won’t spoil why), and in the process, the rip pulls in five other Spiders\u2014Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), a talking pig named Spider-Ham (John Mulaney), Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn), who pilots a mech-suit Spider character, and the brooding black-and-white Spider-Man Noir<\/a> (Nicolas Cage). They all work together to mentor young Miles while also taking on Kingpin to get themselves home.<\/p>\n

2 <\/p>\n

Arthur the King<\/p>\n

Mark Wahlberg, 435 miles, and a very determined stray dog<\/p>\n

If you like good doggos as much as I do, and even better, true stories about them and some of the incredible things they can do, then this extreme-sport adventure movie that’s been floating around the Netflix U.S. Top 10 charts recently is for you. Arthur the King<\/a> brings Swedish adventure racer Mikael Lindnord’s memoir, Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home, to life.<\/p>\n

The heartwarming and heartbreaking true story stars Mark Wahlberg as Michael Light, an American extreme adventure racer (a grueling endurance race where teams trek, mountain bike, and paddle unmarked wilderness) who’s past his prime, but gets one last shot at the Adventure Racing World Championship in the Dominican Republic. In the midst of the race with his team, which includes Leo (Simu Liu), Olivia (Nathalie Emmanuel), and Chik (Ali Suliman), Light feeds a battered stray dog a meatball and unknowingly sparks a friendship for the ages. <\/p>\n

The dog, which the team nicknames Arthur the King, miraculously follows the adventurers across 435 miles\u2014swimming alongside their kayaks, running and riding along trails\u2014and finishes the race with them, prompting Light to adopt the good boy and bring him home. Make sure to have tissues handy for this one. <\/p>\n

1 <\/p>\n

Facing El Chapo<\/p>\n

The traffic stop that caught the world’s most-wanted man<\/p>\n

My top pick this week is another story based on true events, but there are no heroic dogs, and it couldn’t be further from heartwarming. Netflix has a successful track record of compelling content about Mexican and South American drug cartels, including Narcos, Narcos: Mexico, and the Emmy-nominated darling Griselda. Well, we can safely add Facing El Chapo<\/a> to that list, as it’s a 91-minute Mexican thrill ride that, instead of focusing on the life of the notorious drug lord, hands the story to the men who caught him. <\/p>\n

The Spanish-language film stars Ozark and Sense8’s Alfonso Herrera, who plays Arturo Carmona, a federal police officer in Los Mochis, Mexico. While on routine patrol with his partner H\u00e9ctor Rosales (No\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez), they pull over a vehicle that had been reported stolen, but get the shock of a lifetime when they discover the world’s most-wanted criminal, Joaqu\u00edn “El Chapo” Guzm\u00e1n (H\u00e9ctor Kotsifakis), inside.<\/p>\n

With backup nowhere nearby and Guzm\u00e1n’s thugs closing in, the officers are forced to stash their prisoner at a roadside motel to wait for help. What follows is a long, sweaty wait, as Guzm\u00e1n tries to bribe his way out of the situation while also threatening the officers’ lives and the lives of their families. <\/p>\n

There’s still a lot more to come for August<\/p>\n

It ain’t over till it’s over, and August is definitely not over yet. There are still a handful of new movies coming to the service in the next week, including Adam Scott and Robert De Niro’s thriller The Whisper Man on the 28th. In the meantime, the picks above have been holding court on the Netflix charts and are worth your time. For all our coverage, check out How-To Geek’s streaming section<\/a>. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tSubscription with ads \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes, $8\/month<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tSimultaneous streams \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTwo or four<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tLive TV \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tPrice \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStarting at $8\/month<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Even as we barrel down to the last days of what has been an exciting August for movies…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":748822,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[96,2839,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-748821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-movies","tag-entertainment","tag-movies","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/748821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=748821"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/748821\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/748822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=748821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=748821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=748821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}