A spot in Netflix’s top 10 doesn’t guarantee a film’s merit. With Jack Black and Paul Rudd teaming up against a giant anaconda, curiosity is natural, because a premise like this doesn’t come around often. “Anaconda” recently landed on the platform this past week and quickly claimed the No. 1 spot, but sadly this adventure-comedy is more regurgitated than riveting, and offers a concept with bite that somehow forgot to deliver the teeth.
Welcome to Watch This, Not That, a column where we dig into the latest streaming top 10 picks, call out the one lackluster title you should skip, and highlight the better alternative you absolutely should watch instead.
The film follows a group of childhood friends who head into the Amazon to film their own remake of “Anaconda,” only to have their shoot hijacked when a real giant anaconda stalks them through the jungle.
While this comedy did generate over $130m at the box office in 2025, critics weren’t so on board, giving it a 48% score on Rotten Tomatoes with the consensus being: “this meta reboot of Anaconda can't detach its jaws wide enough to swallow so many conflicting tones.”
But I’ve got you covered. I check the charts every week, pick a movie you can skip, and suggest a better alternative. Right now, a far more gripping survival thriller featuring a relentless predatory animal is on Paramount+, and that’s “Crawl.”
‘Crawl’ is one of the most intense survival thrillers I’ve seen
One survival movie I have to recommend you watch instead is “Crawl.” This is one of those thrillers that really resonates with me, because beneath the ferocious alligator attacks and unrelenting storm, the story centers on a father-daughter bond, a connection that mirrors the one in my own life. Of course, the central premise of alligators hunting people might sound as ridiculous as “Anaconda,” but “Crawl” is way more intense than you’d think.
During a Category 5 hurricane, Haley (Kaya Scodelario) goes back to her Florida childhood home and finds her father, Dave (Barry Pepper), injured and trapped in the crawl space. With rising floodwaters and aggressive alligators closing in, the confined space becomes a deadly trap, forcing Haley to rely on her swimming skills to survive.
The alligators are a constant threat, hidden beneath the floodwaters, but the real fear comes from never knowing when they’ll attack. Beyond Haley’s close encounters, “Crawl” stands out from other survival flicks thanks to the heart driving its story. She battles to survive while also trying to save her father and their devoted dog, despite the relentless danger all around.
Of course, “Crawl” is by no means a perfect movie. Some scenes, particularly the fast-paced action with CGI alligators, aren’t the best (understandably, since real ones couldn’t be used). Still, you’ll be on edge from the very moment the action kicks into gear, as this survival thriller delivers a relentless, nail-biting thrill. Plus, a sequel is in development, with early concepts suggesting alligator chaos in a storm‑ravaged New York City.
While “Anaconda” might be holding strong at No. 1 on Netflix right now, its confusing tone and inability to balance satire, homage, and genuine creature movie thrills make it a skip. It’s even more disappointing when Jack Black and Paul Rudd deliver the comedy, only to be let down by everything else. “Crawl” on Paramount+ is the far better alternative, sticking to its survival thriller format with well-timed scares and a strong emotional core. Skip the snake, stick with the gator.
Stream "Crawl" on Paramount+ now
More from Tom's Guide
- 5 best psychological thriller movies on Netflix right now
- 5 best miniseries on Prime Video to binge-watch
- 3 new to Netflix shows you should binge-watch this weekend
Being in Prime Video’s top 10 doesn’t automatically make a movie worth watching. With a star like Liam Neeson fronting the story and an explosive poster to match, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype. “Blacklight” landed on the streaming service at the start of the year and has only now appeared in the charts. But this action-thriller never manages to be interesting or entertaining, a fact already evident from its lackluster theatrical run back in 2022.
Welcome to Watch This, Not That, a column where we dig into the latest streaming top 10 picks, call out the one lackluster title you should skip, and highlight the better alternative you absolutely should watch instead.
“Blacklight” stars Liam Neeson as Travis Block, a shadowy government fixer who uncovers a secret FBI program targeting innocent citizens. Teaming with journalist Mira Jones, he must expose the deadly conspiracy while protecting his family from those who want the truth buried, forcing him to confront corruption and fight to survive. The movie was widely derided, earning a dismal 12% on the Rotten Tomatoes, with the site’s critics consensus even reading “turn it off.”
But let me spare you the headache. I dig through the top charts, flag the disappointments, and steer you toward the picks that are actually worth your time. Right now, a sharper, more entertaining action-thriller is streaming on Netflix: “Cold Pursuit.”
‘Cold Pursuit’ is an unexpected twist on a classic revenge story
A smarter pick to stream instead is “Cold Pursuit.” This 2019 action-thriller follows Liam Neeson in another round of revenge, this time in snowy Colorado, and it’s every bit as entertaining as that premise promises. Neeson’s status as an action star is firmly established. Ever since 2008’s “Taken,” he’s appeared in more thrillers than can easily be counted. Yet when he’s paired with a tight, well-executed project, the outcome is usually highly compelling.
“Cold Pursuit” is actually a remake of the Norwegian film “In Order of Disappearance,” and in a rare move, original director Hans Petter Moland returned to helm the English-language version. That continuity gives the movie a level of authenticity missing from many Hollywood remakes. The story doesn’t exactly stretch Neeson since he’s played vengeful parents before, and the good-guy-turned-avenger trope fits neatly within his wheelhouse. But Neeson’s commanding on-screen presence makes it satisfying to watch him systematically take down very bad men.
“Cold Pursuit” follows Nels Coxman (Neeson), a quiet snowplow driver in a Colorado ski town who loses his son under suspicious circumstances and sets out to find those responsible. Believing a ruthless drug lord and his crew are to blame, he methodically hunts them down one by one. As his vendetta grows, so does the violence, plunging him deeper into a treacherous criminal world.
While “Blacklight” might be climbing Prime Video’s top 10, its poorly written plot and lack of meaningful thrills make it a frustrating watch for action-thriller fans. Not to mention it’s one of Neeson’s weakest outings. “Cold Pursuit” on Netflix, however, delivers a tight, darkly comic revenge story with brutal action and a clever twist on the classic underworld showdown. If you want a smarter, more entertaining thriller featuring the seasoned actor, this is the one to stream instead on Netflix.
Stream "Cold Pursuit" on Netflix now
