(Credits: Studio Ghibli)

In an age where streaming platforms are overflowing with content, deciding what to watch often comes down to one thing: the reviews. Rotten Tomatoes, with its simple yet influential percentage system, has become a trusted guide for many. A film that scores in the high 90s immediately earns curiosity. But there is a rare echelon reserved for titles that are practically untouchable in the eyes of critics. And on Netflix, only one film wears that crown with a perfect score.

Grave of the Fireflies, the quiet and devastating 1988 Japanese animated film, holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Fewer than 50 critic reviews make up that number, but every single one is glowing. This is not the kind of film that trends casually on top ten lists. It is not something people put on for background noise. It demands your attention, and when it gets it, it stays with you for years.

Directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli, the film tells the story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, during World War II in Japan. After their home is bombed and their mother is subsequently killed, the children are left to survive on their own in a world that offers them nothing. The plot is simple and heartbreaking, and there are no sweeping musical cues or triumphant moments of victory. It is a slow, aching portrayal of loss and survival. It does not rely on exaggerated emotions but instead draws power from restraint, sincerity, and the innocence of its young characters.

What makes Grave of the Fireflies so devastating is how it contrasts the beauty of animation with the horror of war. In most animated films, especially those involving children, the expectation is hope. But here, every tender moment is underscored by the creeping weight of tragedy. The food is running out. The shelter is temporary. The world has moved on from the children, and it is their fading laughter that leaves the most lasting impression. The beauty of nature, the fireflies in the night sky, the quiet rivers, and the warm summer air all serve as a backdrop to suffering. It is heartbreaking because it is honest.

Critics and audiences alike have pointed out how the film avoids sentimentality yet still delivers one of the most emotional viewing experiences imaginable. There are no villains in the traditional sense. War itself becomes the antagonist, a faceless force that punishes the innocent and rewards no one. Takahata’s direction is precise, unflinching, and deeply empathetic. Every scene, every frame, carries emotional weight. The film does not ask you to cry. It simply tells a story so real that you have no choice.

In today’s landscape of high-concept thrillers, fantasy epics, and quick-watch content, Grave of the Fireflies stands apart. It is not only the best-rated film on Netflix according to Rotten Tomatoes but also one of the most quietly powerful films ever made. Watching it is not easy, but neither is the devastation of war, and this film stands as an ominous and important reminder.

The streaming giant may offer countless titles with flashy visuals and fast-paced scripts, but this one sits quietly in its catalogue, waiting for someone to notice. If you have never watched it, now might be the time. And if you have, you probably still remember how it made you feel. That is the kind of cinema that earns a perfect score. That is what makes Grave of the Fireflies a rare and timeless masterpiece.