(Credits: Netflix)

Why does Netflix in September feel like a group chat where nobody can agree on what to watch? One half of the audience is deep into Biblical drama, another is revisiting Shrek for the hundredth time. And don’t forget the horror fans as they line up for zombie outbreaks.

As a result, you get a top ten that is less about one trend and more about how fractured yet fascinating our collective viewing habits are.

KPop Demon Hunters stays planted at number one. It has been on the charts for weeks now, and the momentum isn’t slowing. At this point, it’s less about hype and more about staying power. The blend of fantasy and K-pop star power has turned it into a streaming juggernaut.

Faith-driven storytelling also makes a mark, with Ruth & Boaz sitting at number two. The Biblical epic might seem out of place next to blockbusters and kids’ favourites, but its quiet rise says something about how varied Netflix’s reach really is. Different audiences are finding their corners, and this one clearly has legs.

Then there is San Andreas at number three. Disaster movies have always been reliable comfort rewatches, and The Rock saving his family from earthquakes is a formula that doesn’t get old. Every few months, and sometimes weeks, Netflix revives one of these classics, and it always climbs back into the conversation.

The biggest fresh entry is 28 Years Later in fourth place. The continuation of Danny Boyle’s zombie saga has landed with a crazy amount of buzz you might have never expected. Horror fans are showing up for nostalgia, but there is also the curiosity of whether it can reinvent the genre again in 2025. Its jump into the chart this week shows people are still hungry for smart, high-stakes zombie stories.

The Wrong Paris in fifth place feels like the wildcard. Its satirical tone and word-of-mouth publicity are keeping it alive in a crowded week. Meanwhile, Ice Road: Vengeance at seven delivers Liam Neeson’s familiar icebound action, and while it isn’t reinventing anything, it satisfies exactly what its viewers expect.

Kids’ movies are running the biggest show. Shrek at number eight and Shrek 2 at number nine prove the franchise’s endless relevance, while Karate Kid: Legends at six brings family nostalgia into the mix. Add Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last week, and now Cobweb at number ten for older kids/teens, and the trend is clear. Netflix has become a babysitter again. Parents press play, and the charts light up.

By the end of the list, you can see the shape of September streaming: a mix of steady blockbusters, surprising niche wins, and the inevitable return of children’s favourites. In short, Netflix isn’t leaning one way but letting every audience carve out their own corner of the chart.

The most popular movies on Netflix US this week:

• KPop Demon Hunters
• Ruth & Boaz
• San Andreas
• 28 Years Later
• The Wrong Paris
• Karate Kid: Legends
• Ice Road: Vengeance
• Shrek
• Shrek 2
• Cobweb