Summary

• Dolby Atmos enhances the immersive experience of films, like The Irishman and The Two Popes, enveloping viewers in a world of dynamic sound.
• Higher-quality audio in Dolby Atmos enriches the storytelling of intense narratives, such as The Trial of the Chicago 7 and All Quiet on the Western Front.
• Films like Roma and Klaus benefit from Dolby Atmos, heightening emotional impact through rich audio, creating an unforgettable viewing experience.

A great film needs more than just a great story, performances, and visuals — it needs great audio, and that is why the best Dolby Atmos movies on Netflix offer so much more to viewers. Dolby Atmos takes digital surround sound to the next level, producing audio effects from multiple directions. This multi-directional audio output makes for a truly immersive viewing experience, virtually transporting audiences right into the action of a film. Netflix started a new tier as 2022 came to a close, as subscribers could pay a little more for this experience.

Dolby Atmos-enabled Netflix content is available as part of a Netflix premium subscription. Viewers who want 4K or Dolby Atmos movies on Netflix will have to pay a little more than the standard package, and the best movies on the platform to watch with Dolby Atmos sound demonstrates why so many subscribers are opting to do so. Many Netflix originals and licensed movies from other studios are available in Dolby Atmos, giving subscribers the best quality sound possible and enhancing the viewing experience like never before (especially when paired with 4K).

For more streaming recommendations, be sure to check out the best movies on Netflix and the best TV shows on Netflix.

50 6 Underground (2019)

Michael Bay's Explosions Deserve The Best Sound

In 2019, Michael Bay brought his sensibilities to Netflix for the movie 6 Underground. With Bay's penchant for loud explosions, bright colorful scenes, and loud music soundtracks, it made sense to go high definition on the streaming service. What resulted was one of the most expensive movies the streaming giant ever made. While that doesn't necessarily mean quality, with Bay's name attached, it is guaranteed the Dolby Atmos sound will be put to good use.

Ryan Reynolds starred as the head of a group of vigilantes who faked their own deaths and set out to hunt down and take out a ruthless dictator. While the movie was streamed for over 205 million hours, it received poor critical reviews and Netflix canceled its planned sequel. Still, those looking for chaotic action sequences and big bombastic fun will find it all in this wild ride.

49 The Gray Man (2022)

Dolby Atmos Adds To The Russo Brothers' Spy Adventure

Netflix has worked out a deal with several major filmmakers, and this includes the Russo Brothers. Coming off their success in the MCU with the Avengers movies, the brothers directed the espionage thriller The Gray Man as a Netflix exclusive. Ryan Gosling starred as a former assassin in the CIA who ends up with a target on his head by a fellow CIA assassin, played by Chris Evans.

Based on the novels by Mark Greaney, the movie picked up awards for its visual effects with big action sequences that make great use of the better sound quality provided by Dolby Atmos. Gosling fits well into the likable wise-cracking action hero role while it is fun to see Evans playing the villain. The movie is also backed by a talented supporting cast which includes both Gosling and Evans' frequent costar Ana de Armas.

48 Pale Blue Eye (2023)

Dolby Atmos Intensifies Christian Bale's Period Murder Mystery

Christian Bale and director Scott Cooper collaborated for the third time on the eerie mystery thriller Pale Blue Eye. Set in the early 1900s, Bale plays a detective who is brought in to investigate the murder of a cadet at the West Point military academy. While there, he meets a young man named Edgar Allan Poe who becomes involved in the investigation.

Bale elevates the story with his nuanced and grounded performance and Henry Melling continues to prove himself a talented rising star with his role as Poe. The moments these two characters share the screen are the best of the movie. The sound mixing for the movie helps to build the sense of dread that leads to the movie's impressive twist ending, and viewing this movie on Netflix in Dolby Atmos makes the creepiest scenes of the thriller resonate like never before.

47 Fatherhood (2021)

Kevin Hart Brings Laughs And Cries In Dolby Sound Quality

Kevin Hart is traditionally thought of as a comedic actor, but in 2021 he took on a more dramatic role for Netflix's original movie Fatherhood. The movie centers on Matthew (Hart), a young father who finds himself having to raise his newborn daughter alone after his wife dies a day after giving birth. The movie examines the difficulties of him being a single parent, and while there are moments of comedy showing his struggles, it also gives Hart a chance to show different aspects of his talents.

While it might not seem like a family drama would need a stellar sound mix, Dolby Atmos certainly amps up the drama. Plus, the movie was originally slated to be released in theaters, which is likely why it ended up as one of the best Dolby Atmos movies on Netflix in the end.

46 The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Hear Kurt Russell's Ho-Ho-Ho In Surround Sound

Netflix has started to carve out a space in the Christmas movie genre in recent years thanks to the success of its original holiday movies. While these festive outings are traditionally more on the rom-com side and feel similar to Hallmark titles, The Christmas Chronicles brought Netflix into the family holiday movie space. The movie centers on two siblings who plan to capture Santa Claus on Christmas Eve but are forced to team up with him when their plan goes wrong.

It's an action-packed movie full of Christmas music, sleigh bells, and crash landings, all of which become truly magical in Dolby Atmos. It also has Kurt Russell putting his own spin on the classic Santa Claus voice, making for one of the best versions of the Yuletide hero. Russell's fully committed performance in the role is a big reason The Christmas Chronicles works as well as it does.

45 Hold The Dark (2018)

Dolby Sound Brings Out The Eerie Silence Of The Alaska Wilderness

Hold the Dark is a Netflix Original thriller that focuses on Russell Core (Jeffrey Wright), who studies wolf behaviors, and is called into a remote Alaskan village to track a wolf that is suspected of killing three young children in the area. The Jeremy Saulnier-directed movie also focuses on a woman's husband (Alexander Skarsgård) who is overseas fighting in Iraq and is brought home after being wounded in action.

Core begins to unravel a dark conspiracy during his time in the Alaskan town and the movie's crisp sound design adds to the intensity of the war scenes and the brutality of nature. Saulnier continues to prove himself a terrific genre director, crafting incredibly intense sequences. Viewing Hold the Dark in Dolby Atmos with a Netflix premium subscription makes for a truly chilling experience, with the Alaskan wilderness feeling unsettlingly close.

44 Red Notice (2021)

A Globe-Trotting Heist Movie Brought To Life By Crisp Sound Quality

In 2021, three of the biggest movie stars in the world teamed up for a caper movie, Red Notice, exclusive to Netflix. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson starred as an FBI agent investigating the theft of an ancient Egyptian bejeweled egg and ends up arresting an international art thief played by Ryan Reynolds. Meanwhile, the real thief is another character played by Gal Gadot, and the three end up in a cat-and-mouse chase.

The streaming giant was banking on this becoming its next big action-packed franchise, especially after spending $200 million to make it. While reviews were poor, it ended up as one of the most-watched movies in Netflix history, with over 364 million hours viewed. The budget is reflected in the sound quality as well as the cast and intense action, something that can be truly enjoyed in Dolby Atmos. With Red Notice, Netflix wanted to show that they could rival the theatrical release of major studios, and Dolby Atmos quality sound definitely helps make a case for their success.

43 The Good Nurse (2022)

Dolby Sound Adds To The Tension In The True-Crime Story

In 2022, Netflix brought the movie The Good Nurse to its streaming service after some film festival success, even garnering a Golden Globes Award nomination for Eddie Redmayne for his performance. The movie starred Jessica Chastain as a single mother working as a nurse and trying to make ends meet. When she becomes friends with a fellow nurse, played by Redmayne, he shows her kindness. However, she soon realizes he might be responsible for several patients' deaths and the police force her to help bring him down.

This true-crime story on Netflix is riveting, while the tense silences add to the uneasy tone. Dolby Atmos makes the juxtaposition between the movie's quietest and loudest moments impossible to ignore, and it's one of the best movies on Netflix that demonstrates the premium-level quality isn't only impressive in blockbuster action sequences.

42 Spenser: Confidential (2020)

Dolby Elevates Wisecracks And Shootouts In Mark Wahlberg's Mystery Movie

Based on the Robert B. Parker mystery novel series, Spenser: Confidential brought Mark Wahlberg to the role of former Boston cop Spenser, who was jailed for beating up his captain after he believed that the man was responsible for the murder of a family friend. When he gets out, he gets some help from an old friend and picks up a new ally in his new roommate Hawk (Winston Duke).

They then realize there is widespread corruption in the Boston police department, and it includes framing a good cop with a deadly crime. The Netflix original received mostly negative reviews, but was extremely successful, with over 197 million hours streamed. Wahlberg once again fits nicely into the down-to-earth hero role. The shootout scenes take on an extra layer of intensity when viewed in Dolby Atmos, making the already engaging crime mystery even more captivating.

41 Blood & Gold (2023)

Violence And Revenge In This World War II Adventure Make Good Use Of Dolby Atmos

The German World War II action movie Blood & Gold offers a fun and bloody treasure hunt adventure with more than a few Western genre influences. The movie follows a German soldier who, when the war is over, goes in search of his daughter. However, he finds trouble in the form of runaway SS officers seeking out Jewish gold. What unfolds is a gripping adventure with some colorful characters, backstabbing, and exciting fight scenes.

The movie might be a smaller-scale project than most World War II films, given the fact that it takes place after the major battles have taken place. In some ways, it serves as a smaller Inglourious Basterds, going for a pulpier feel rather than an authentic war movie. However, it still puts the Dolby Atmos system to good use with its brutal and more intimate action sequences that deliver plenty of thrills.

40 Rebecca (2020)

Dolby Sound Is Put To Good Use In This Hitchcock Remake

Rebecca is best known as the gripping thriller from Alfred Hitchcock which was the only movie of his legendary filmography to win Best Picture. That makes it a daunting movie to redo yet the result is a gripping noir movie for Netflix users to seek out. From director Ben Wheatley, 2020's Rebecca seeks to be more of an adaptation of the original novel by Daphne du Maurier. It stars Lily James as a woman who begins to suspect the man she recently married might be hiding a dark secret.

The real-life scandal of Armie Hammer didn't do any favors to the movie with the actor playing the role of the secretive husband. However, it is still a tense and dark noir romance that deserves to be sought out by fans of the genre. The Dolby Atmos sound is particularly effective in bringing the atmospheric dread out in the tense story.

39 Wheelman (2017)

Frank Grillo's Crime Movie Excels With Dolby Atmos

Wheelman is a Netflix Original action-adventure movie that may not have been seen by a lot of people but is a worthy entry into the streaming platform's collection of original action movies. Frank Grillo stars as a getaway driver who, while on a job, gets a mysterious call informing him that he will be betrayed by the men he's driving around. With his own family's safety on the line, he must figure out who to trust and who is looking to kill him.

The action-filled movie includes expertly choreographed car chase scenes, fight scenes, and shootouts that are enhanced by the Dolby Atmos sound. The movie picked up mostly favorable reviews, especially for the performance of Frank Grillo in the lead role. It achieves a lot even though most of the movie takes place in and around the main character's car, making for a solid isolated thriller.

38 Mudbound (2017)

Dolby Atmos Immerses Viewers In The Period Racial Drama

Set in post-WWII Mississippi, Mudbound follows the story of two soldiers who return home from the war as comrades, only to arrive in a racially charged environment that threatens their worldview. The veterans have to overcome bigotry and violence while adjusting to regular life after the war. Meanwhile, the families around them face their own struggles and frustrations as they attempt to make a life for themselves.

This emotionally powerful film from director Dee Rees is hard to watch at times given the subject matter but is rewarding viewing. The engaging sound design of Mudbound allows the audience to feel the pain of these men, and as awkward a feeling it may be, it makes it a visceral viewing experience that won't be forgotten — all of which is made even more memorable in Dolby Atmos.

37 They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

Genre-Bending Fun With Jamie Foxx And John Boyega Is Better With Dolby Atmos

Bold genre-bending storytelling can always benefit from some great sound. That is the case with the wild and inventive movie They Cloned Tyrone, which meshes elements of sci-fi, comedy, crime, and mystery into a complex and entertaining project. John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris star as an eccentric trio of heroes who team up to uncover a secret government cloning operation.

The stylish movie is elevated by its great sense of humor as well as the fantastic performances from the main cast. It is a thrill watching this unlikely band of heroes coming together to explore a mystery that has some new reveal around every corner. Dolby Atmos enhances many elements of the movie, especially its eerie and atmospheric music. It feels like a throwback movie while also being a completely unique experience.

36 Bird Box (2018)

Sound Is Key In This Horror Movie About A Deadly Force That Kills When Looked At

Bird Box is a Netflix Original sci-fi horror movie that adopts an interesting premise that sets up a terrifying experience. The movie centers on a mother (Sandra Bullock) trying to save her children and survive when a mysterious force begins killing the population. The group of survivors learns that they need to blindfold themselves or not look at this entity, or they'll be killed.

There are several violent scenes showing the devastation and the characters need to close their eyes and depend on their hearing, and the horror of these moments increases immeasurably with higher sound quality. Bird Box is one of the best Dolby Atmos movies on Netflix for subscribers hoping that the premium tier will increase the fear factor of scary movies. The success of the original movie led to the spinoff Bird Box Barcelona.

35 Hillbilly Elegy (2020)

A Dysfunctional Family Deals With Each Other In Dolby Atmos Sound

While the movie was slightly controversial when released, Hillbilly Elegy was a hit when it hit streaming on Netflix. It has a nice pedigree with Oscar-winning director Ron Howard behind the camera, while Amy Adams and Glenn Close took on the lead roles. Based on the memoir by J.D. Vance, the movie tells the story of a single mother raising her kids while battling a crippling drug addiction. Amy Adams played his mother, and Gleen Close played his Grandmother in the movie.

Close picked up an Oscar nomination, but Hillbilly Elegy also received several Razzie nominations. Some felt the film was melodramatic while others saw it as a timely movie about a real issue in American society. Dolby Atmos makes the rural Ohio setting of this already tense and intimate drama feel painfully close, though this only enhances the viewing experience.

34 Murder Mystery (2019)

Adam Sandler And Jennifer Aniston Solve Crimes In Crisp Sound Quality

Adam Sandler's movies on Netflix have shown a lot of different sides of the actor, including his acclaimed dramatic action chops. However, Murder Mystery allows the actor to get back to his high-concept comedy world besides one of his best costars, Jennifer Aniston. In the movie, Sandler and Aniston play a husband and wife team who work as private detectives while on vacation.

The Dolby Atmos sound helps to bring to life the big-budget comedy feel of the movie with these two huge stars leading a globetrotting adventure. The mystery is fun and there are some fun moments of subverting the expectations of the genre. However, the real selling point is the chemistry between Sandler and Aniston as they play off each other so well. Not surprisingly, Murder Mystery was quickly followed by a sequel in 2023.

33 Extraction 2 (2023)

Chris Hemswirth's Tyler Rake Increasing His Body Count Backed By Dolby Atmos

Though Chris Hemsworth's time as Thor in the MCU may be coming to an end soon, he is already in the midst of a thrilling new action franchise as mercenary Tyler Rake. Following his relentless adventure in the first movie, Extraction 2 finds Rake alive and back in action, attempting to save a family from the violent criminal who is keeping them captive.

The sequel amplifies the thrills of the first movie, delivering an even bigger, more brutal, and more ambitious action movie. Dolby Atmos and high picture quality are a must for this Netflix Original, which is nearly non-stop action with some incredible one-shot sequences. It makes for a truly visceral action movie that could only be the beginning of many more movies to come. Extraction 2 leaves the door open for Rake to continue his bloody missions of mayhem into the future.

32 The Devil All the Time (2020)

Tom Holland Leads A Star-Studded 1960s Crime Saga That Comes To Life In Dolby Atmos

Released on Netflix in 2020, The Devil All the Time stars Tom Holland as a young man named Arvin whose mother died of cancer, shortly followed by his father's suicide, leaving him an orphan. His story is intercut between stories of a minister who went on the run after killing his wife, another younger charismatic minister who shows up in town but has otherworldly transgressions, and a girl Arvin grew up with whom he feels very protective.

Based on the novel by Donald Ray Pollock, the story is a grimy tale in 1960s Middle America, and while critics were lukewarm, its dark tone and great performances helped it rise in popularity on Netflix. Dolby Atmos makes the 1960s setting of The Devil All The Time truly come to life, and while the drama doesn't rely on any blockbuster action sequences like Tom Holland's MCU projects, it's still a far better viewing experience with the increased sound quality.

31 The Dig (2021)

Dolby Atmos Brings An Period Drama Closer

In 2021, Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes starred in the adaptation of John Preston's novel, The Dig. Mulligan plays a landowner who hires an archeologist-excavator to dig up the huge burial grounds on her property. As World War II breaks out and the country is thrown into chaos, this small band of heroes continues to excavate the land and uncover a long-lost part of history.

Taken from the incredible true story, The Dig is a celebration of discovery and history that is not always seen in movies. The movie received positive reviews from critics and picked up an impressive five nominations at the BAFTA Awards, including one for Outstanding British Film. While it didn't win any of the awards, it is a charming and quaint period drama with a unique setting and story, one which feels all the more intimate in Dolby Atmos.