Netflix movie of the day: Paddington is a charming animation with 97% on Rotten Tomatoes

A still from the movie showing Paddington on a London Underground escalator wearing his classic blue coat and red hat.
(Image credit: Paddington Movie)
Netflix movie of the day

Every day, we cut through the bottomless list of streaming options and recommend something to watch. See all our Netflix movie of the day picks, or our Prime Video movie of the day choices.

The world's favorite marmalade-loving Paddington Bear is as adorable as ever in the critically acclaimed 2014 film adaptation, Paddington. When Paddington's (Ben Whishaw) home in Peru is destroyed by an earthquake, the duffel-coat wearing bear heads to London and is picked up by the Brown family. Amongst his innocent mischief and chaotic escapades, a touching friendship is born while vengeful taxidermist Millicent (Nicole Kidman) is hellbent on stealing and stuffing Paddington.

The pressure was on for director Paul King when he decided to take on the challenge of creating a CGI reboot of one of the most iconic children's book characters, a task that is often met with trepidation by the public. But King certainly captures the timeless charm of the beloved literary bear in this perfect family-friendly flick, which you should watch on Netflix if you haven't already.

Paddington is one of the best adaptations of a much-loved childhood character, and is considered one of the best family movies and best Netflix movies with its 97% Rotten Tomatoes score (the sequel, Paddington 2, is rated even higher at 99%). The laugh-out-loud jokes and slapstick comedy make it a standout masterpiece on the best streaming service, thanks to the stellar British cast, which consists of Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Hugh Grant (Wonka), Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water) and Imelda Staunton (The Crown), who all complete the delightful marmalade sandwich that is Paddington.

Paddington TRAILER 1 (2014) - Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville Movie HD - YouTube Paddington TRAILER 1 (2014) - Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville Movie HD - YouTube
Watch On

Paddington takes care of the bear

Remakes and reboots are often controversial, especially when it comes to nostalgic and legendary characters. However, Paddington persevered in the face of adversity and became a worldwide success, with Mark Kermode writing for The Guardian: "Now, perhaps most shockingly, comes the revelation that a 21st-century computer-generated big-screen bear can be every bit as endearingly entertaining as his 70s TV stop-motion counterpart. Paddington’s creator, Michael Bond, says he 'slept soundly' after seeing the new movie, and those in search of a family-friendly festive film treat will doubtless do the same."

RobertEbert.com appreciated how Paddington stayed loyal to its subject matter, revealing: "Paddington, a live-action/CGI-animated take on the tales of the beloved stuffed bear, pulls off a pretty tricky balancing act. It manages to be both old-fashioned and high-tech. It remains faithful to the character’s roots while also placing him firmly within a contemporary setting. It’s charmingly funny and shamelessly punny."

Variety also agreed as they mentioned in their review: "Fifty-six years after first appearing in print, the accident-prone Peruvian furball is brought to high-tech but thoroughly endearing life in this bright, breezy and oh-so-British family romp from writer-director Paul King and super-producer David Heyman."

But don't just take all their words for it, I'm sure you'll thoroughly enjoy sinking your teeth into the delicious and vibrant treat that is Paddington on Netflix this weekend.

You might also like

Grace Morris
Entertainment Writer

After graduating with a degree in Writing and Film Studies, Grace dived into the world of entertainment where she started writing all about the must-watch shows and movies at What To Watch. Now Grace is on her next writing adventure at TechRadar, where she uses her expertise to help readers keep up to date on the biggest TV shows and movies in the ever-changing world of streaming. If she’s not writing about her passion for entertainment, you’ll find her watching reality shows while feasting on chocolate. 

Read more
Gromit (left) and Wallace (right) load up their van with wacky inventions in Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Best Netflix movies: the 41 best films worth watching in March 2025
Benedict Cumberbatch staring into the frame in Wes Anderson's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Wes Anderson’s next movie is being released in June – here’s where you can stream 5 of his best films while you wait
Wallace looking worried and Gromit peers from behind him in Vengeance Most Fowl
Oscar-nominated animation Flow is streaming on Max – here are 5 similar movies on Netflix, Hulu and more with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes
A collage image with Iain Glen holding a gun in the left, Wallace and Gromit between a gnome and Brandy Norwood at a dinner table on the right
7 new movies and TV shows to stream on Netflix, Prime Video, Max, and more this weekend (January 3)
A still from the movie Captain Phillips
4 new Prime Video movies with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes that I recommend watching
Netflix Ads
Netflix has 8 new movies and shows with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes so far in 2025 – here they are
Latest in Netflix
A still from Netflix's new miniseries Adolescence starring Stephen Graham
Adolescence is the best show on Netflix right now, and you can watch it in one evening
Sakata in Demon City holds a large cleaver-like weapon
Demon City on Netflix is Japan's answer to John Wick with a dash of Oldboy, and it rocks
Cristin Milioti in Black Mirror season 7
Netflix launches trailer for Black Mirror season 7, giving us a look at its first-ever sequel episode and an unexpected returning character
A woman holds a phone and looks concerned in Caught
Netflix drops an eerie trailer for a new Harlan Coben show – I just hope Caught is better than the author's previous TV adaptations
Nicole Kidman wears a blue blouse with her arms crossed.
Netflix might be renewing The Perfect Couple and Beauty in Black for season 2, but I don’t get why when it’s canceled shows with poorer ratings
Susan holding her baby in Toxic Town.
Netflix's #3 show has a flawless 100% on Rotten Tomatoes – here are 3 more powerful dramas to watch after Toxic Town
Latest in Features
An iPhone showing the ChatGPT logo on its screen
5 better prompts to use with ChatGPT
This is Spinal Tap
5 great free movies to stream on Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex and more this week (March 17)
A screenshot from the movie Sea Fever on Prime Video
5 Irish horror movies and shows I recommend streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu and more this St Patrick's Day
The Righteous Gemstones
Max's #4 most-watched show is The Righteous Gemstones – here are 3 more great comedies with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes
Beast Games
More YouTubers are getting their own TV shows – here are 3 with over 75% on Rotten Tomatoes
Dan Burn holds up the Carabao Cup trophy at the 2025 final
I'm rewatching We Are Newcastle United on Prime Video after my club's exhilarating Carabao Cup win