Netflix's #2 movie is a subpar thriller from 2006 – here are 3 films with better Rotten Tomatoes scores than The Sentinel

Pete angrily grips onto David's suit jacket in The Sentinel.
(Image credit: Netflix)

The 2006 action flick The Sentinel has become a global Netflix hit by scoring the second spot on the streamer's Top 10 movie most-watched movies list, with close to 8 millions views worldwide in the past week.

The Sentinel stars Michael Douglas as a secret service agent who must clear his name when he's framed for an assassination attempt on the President. Much like Netflix's latest action flop Back in Action, The Sentinel doesn't make it onto our best Netflix movies list with its 34% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics.

If this "convoluted and unsatisfying drama" (as The Guardian describes it) wasn't an action-packed adventure for you, then here are three better action thrillers rated by critics with over 80% on Rotten Tomatoes to watch instead.

Rebel Ridge

Rebel Ridge | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube Rebel Ridge | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube
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  • RT score: 96%
  • Age rating: R
  • Length: 132 minutes
  • Director: Jeremy Saulnier
  • Where to watch: Netflix (globally)

In Rebel Ridge, ex-Marine Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) confronts a web of corruption when his attempt to post his cousin's bail spirals into violence with the town's local police chief. What comes next is explosive action that's reminiscent of a small-town Western along with gripping contemporary social drama.

Carry-On

Carry-On | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube Carry-On | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube
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  • RT score: 87%
  • Age rating: PG-13
  • Length: 120 minutes
  • Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
  • Where to watch: Netflix (globally)

Taron Egerton becomes a modern-day action hero in this festive thriller as he plays young TSA agent Ethan. While working the nightmare Christmas Eve shift, Ethan's day turns into a full-blown nightmare when a mysterious passenger (Jason Bateman) blackmails him into letting a dangerous package slip through the scanner and onto a busy flight. Carry-On brings some classic Die Hard action with car crashes and gun fights, but if you're craving more heart-pounding life-and-death situations, then here are three more action movies with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes to watch next.

Oldboy

OLDBOY - Official Trailer - YouTube OLDBOY - Official Trailer - YouTube
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  • RT score: 82%
  • Age rating: R
  • Length: 120 minutes
  • Director: Park Chan-wook
  • Where to watch: Netflix (US); Sky (UK); Shudder (AUS)

Loosely adapted from the Japanese manga of the same name, Oldboy follows Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik), who is kidnapped and held captive in a hotel room for 15 years. When he's finally released, he goes on a violent spree to seek revenge against his captor. TechRadar's Lucy Buglass writes that this skilful assassin movie is "a masterpiece that will haunt you long after the final credits roll."

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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. 

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