Ryan Gosling Movies on Netflix: 22 Must-Watch Performances

September 21, 2025
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Few contemporary performers manage range with such control as Ryan Gosling, and among the easiest ways to sample it is with Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix. From early indie risks to studio‑scale showcases, he repeatedly selects material that rewards attention to detail and character movement. Audiences respond to the precision—glances that carry subtext, pauses that shift momentum, and line readings that let scenes breathe. Whether he’s a bruised romantic, a soft‑spoken shark, or a deadpan chaos agent, the choices feel deliberate and rooted in craft. Across decades, that consistency has built trust: press play and the performance will meet you at your level.

Taken together, these films trace a career that keeps bending into new shapes without losing clarity. You’ll find nimble comedy, bruising drama, cool‑blooded thrillers, and big‑canvas sci‑fi that still values intimacy. Directors with distinct signatures—Chazelle, Villeneuve, Cianfrance, Refn—use him as a steady hinge for style. The spectrum makes programming simple: pair tones for double bills or let a single standout carry the night. Either way, this hand‑picked set highlights why his work continues to travel well on streaming.

Your Watchlist Starter: the most reliable Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix picks

Note: Oscar-nominated performance and streaming availability can vary by country and month; verify tiles in your app.

1. The Gray Man (2022)

  • Runtime: 122 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas
  • Director: Anthony & Joe Russo
  • Genre: Action, Thriller
  • IMDb Rating: 6.5

The Gray Man shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet Gosling filmography anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

2. La La Land (2016)

  • Runtime: 128 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend
  • Director: Damien Chazelle
  • Genre: Musical, Romance
  • IMDb Rating: 8.0

La La Land shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet Netflix action anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

3. Drive (2011)

  • Runtime: 100 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks
  • Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
  • Genre: Crime, neo‑noir thriller
  • IMDb Rating: 7.8

Drive shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet romantic drama anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

4. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

  • Runtime: 118 min
  • Starring: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone
  • Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
  • Genre: Romance, Comedy
  • IMDb Rating: 7.4

Crazy, Stupid, Love shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet neo-noir thriller anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

5. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

  • Runtime: 164 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas
  • Director: Denis Villeneuve
  • Genre: Sci‑Fi, Mystery
  • IMDb Rating: 8.0

Blade Runner 2049 shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet Oscar-nominated performance anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

6. Blue Valentine (2010)

  • Runtime: 112 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams
  • Director: Derek Cianfrance
  • Genre: Romantic drama
  • IMDb Rating: 7.3

Blue Valentine shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet streaming availability anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

7. The Nice Guys (2016)

  • Runtime: 116 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe
  • Director: Shane Black
  • Genre: Action, Comedy
  • IMDb Rating: 7.3

The Nice Guys shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet crime saga anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

8. The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

  • Runtime: 140 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes
  • Director: Derek Cianfrance
  • Genre: Crime saga, Drama
  • IMDb Rating: 7.3

The Place Beyond the Pines shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet cult favorite anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

Mid‑List Lift: Why Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix keep audiences scrolling

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9. Only God Forgives (2013)

  • Runtime: 90 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas
  • Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
  • Genre: Crime, neo‑noir thriller
  • IMDb Rating: 5.7

Only God Forgives shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet Gosling filmography anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

10. First Man (2018)

  • Runtime: 141 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy
  • Director: Damien Chazelle
  • Genre: Drama, Biography
  • IMDb Rating: 7.8

First Man shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet Netflix action anchor. Music cues land as story beats instead of wallpaper. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

11. The Big Short (2015)

  • Runtime: 130 min
  • Starring: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling
  • Director: Adam McKay
  • Genre: Drama, Comedy
  • IMDb Rating: 7.8

The Big Short shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet romantic drama anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

12. Gangster Squad (2013)

  • Runtime: 113 min
  • Starring: Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone
  • Director: Ruben Fleischer
  • Genre: Crime, Action
  • IMDb Rating: 6.7

Gangster Squad shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet neo-noir thriller anchor. Music cues land as story beats instead of wallpaper. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

13. Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

  • Runtime: 106 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer
  • Director: Craig Gillespie
  • Genre: Comedy, Drama
  • IMDb Rating: 7.3

Lars and the Real Girl shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet Oscar-nominated performance anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

14. All Good Things (2010)

  • Runtime: 101 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst
  • Director: Andrew Jarecki
  • Genre: Crime, Mystery
  • IMDb Rating: 6.3

All Good Things shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet streaming availability anchor. Music cues land as story beats instead of wallpaper. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

15. Fracture (2007)

  • Runtime: 113 min
  • Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling
  • Director: Gregory Hoblit
  • Genre: Thriller, Mystery
  • IMDb Rating: 7.2

Fracture shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet crime saga anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

16. Half Nelson (2006)

  • Runtime: 106 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps
  • Director: Ryan Fleck
  • Genre: Drama
  • IMDb Rating: 7.1

Half Nelson shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet cult favorite anchor. Music cues land as story beats instead of wallpaper. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

Final Stretch: What makes Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix easy to marathon

Square thumbnail for “Ryan Gosling Films on Netflix” featuring a different portrait of Ryan Gosling against a turquoise background. Four movie posters (Fracture, Drive, The Place Beyond the Pines, Crazy Stupid Love) are aligned below, with bold text “RYAN GOSLING FILMS ON NETFLIX” and the MAXMAG logo in red and blue.
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17. The Ides of March (2011)

  • Runtime: 101 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney
  • Director: George Clooney
  • Genre: Drama, Thriller
  • IMDb Rating: 7.1

The Ides of March shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet Gosling filmography anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

18. Song to Song (2017)

  • Runtime: 129 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, Michael Fassbender
  • Director: Terrence Malick
  • Genre: Drama, Romance
  • IMDb Rating: 5.7

Song to Song shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet Netflix action anchor. Music cues land as story beats instead of wallpaper. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

19. Stay (2005)

  • Runtime: 99 min
  • Starring: Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, Ryan Gosling
  • Director: Marc Forster
  • Genre: Psychological Thriller
  • IMDb Rating: 6.2

Stay shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet romantic drama anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

20. Murder by Numbers (2002)

  • Runtime: 120 min
  • Starring: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Gosling
  • Director: Barbet Schroeder
  • Genre: Crime, Thriller
  • IMDb Rating: 6.2

Murder by Numbers shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet neo-noir thriller anchor. Music cues land as story beats instead of wallpaper. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

21. The Believer (2001)

  • Runtime: 98 min
  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Summer Phoenix
  • Director: Henry Bean
  • Genre: Drama
  • IMDb Rating: 7.1

The Believer shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet Oscar-nominated performance anchor. As a standout pick within Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix, it earns its slot without padding. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

22. Remember the Titans (2000)

  • Runtime: 113 min
  • Starring: Denzel Washington, Ryan Hurst, Ryan Gosling
  • Director: Boaz Yakin
  • Genre: Sports, Drama
  • IMDb Rating: 7.8

Remember the Titans shows how Gosling can shift tone without losing control. The pacing favors clarity, then ramps to intensity when choices tighten. Camera placement tracks behavior, turning small gestures into plot. Production design supports character, a quiet streaming availability anchor. Music cues land as story beats instead of wallpaper. Dialogue stays lean, letting silence do precision work. Action or emotion always reads clean, even when the canvas gets big. It plays well in a weekend queue and rewards close viewing on a rewatch.

Conclusion: Picking the right title for your mood—Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix

Choosing the right Gosling film is all about mood. Want velocity and clean set‑piece storytelling? Queue *The Gray Man* or the tightly wound *Drive*. Craving romance: go melodic with *La La Land* or intimate with *Blue Valentine*. In a reflective headspace, *First Man* and *Blade Runner 2049* offer scale with quiet precision. If you want laughs that still carry punch, *The Nice Guys* or *Crazy, Stupid, Love* will land. For darker edges and moral tension, push into *Only God Forgives* or *Fracture*. Whatever the night needs, this lineup maps cleanly to your vibe and makes the next press of play effortless. For broader context and availability checks, see the Rotten Tomatoes Ryan Gosling hub and the always‑updated What’s on Netflix guide.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ryan Gosling movies on Netflix

Do these titles rotate often on Netflix?

Yes. Streaming availability changes by region and window, so always check the Netflix app before pressing play. We curated for rewatch value so replacements are easy when a title moves.

Where should newcomers start?

Begin with The Gray Man for momentum, then pair Drive for neo‑noir punch and La La Land for musical sweep. That trio samples action, style, and romance cleanly.

What secondary search phrases help discovery?

Try Gosling filmography, Netflix action, romantic drama, neo‑noir thriller, Oscar‑nominated performance, streaming availability, crime saga, and cult favorite to branch out.

Is picture and sound quality addressed?

Yes—notes highlight readable action, mix choices, and design clarity so your home setup still delivers the intended rhythm.

How do I build a themed double feature?

Pair Drive with Only God Forgives for mood, Crazy, Stupid, Love with Blue Valentine for contrasting romance, or Blade Runner 2049 with First Man for precise, reflective scale.

Helen O’Hara is a film and TV critic from Northern Ireland who has been writing about cinema for over 20 years. After studying Law at Oxford, she swapped the courtroom for the big screen and hasn’t looked back since. She’s written for Empire, The Guardian, The Telegraph, IGN and more, and is also the author of Women vs Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of Women in Film. At Maxmag, Helen brings her love of movies and television to life through thoughtful reviews and sharp commentary on everything from blockbuster hits to hidden gems. When she’s not writing, she’s often podcasting, hosting Q&As, or catching the latest release at the cinema.

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