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Rising from humble beginnings, actor Woodrow Tracy Harrelson got his breakthrough on television in 1985, with the NBC sitcom ‘Cheers.’ While staying on the show, he made his movie debut in 1986 with ‘Wildcats,’ which also marked the first film of Wesley Snipes. Woody received critical acclaim for his work on both big and small screens, with movies like ‘The People vs. Larry Flynt,’ ‘The Messenger,’ and ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,’ and shows such as ‘True Detective.’ However, he has not shied away from commercial films such as ‘The Hunger Games‘ series and ‘War for the Planet of the Apes.’ If you are ready to dive into projects starring Woody Harrelson on Netflix, the following list is tailored for you.
9. The Electric State (2025)
‘The Electric State’ is adapted by sibling-director duo Anthony and Joe Russo from the 2018 novel of the same name by Simon Stålenhag. The story is set in an alternate, retro-futuristic 1990s where robots live in exile in the aftermath of a failed uprising. The life of Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), a young orphan, gets upended when she comes across Cosmo, a robot that is seemingly controlled by her brother, whom she long presumed dead. In a desperate attempt to find out the truth, she undertakes an epic journey with the robot across the American Southwest. Along the way, they are joined by low-rent smuggler Keats (Chris Pratt) and his quirky robot sidekick, Herman. Woody Harrelson lends his voice to Mr. Peanut, a robot who leads a group of other bots in exile and helps Michelle on her way. You can watch the science fiction movie here.
8. Friends With Benefits (2011)
The Will Gluck directorial ‘Friends With Benefits’ centers around Dylan Harper (Justin Timberlake) and Jamie Rellis (Mila Kunis), who are recently dumped by their respective partners. Jamie, a New York-based executive recruiter, comes across Dylan, an art director from Los Angeles, as she gets him a job at GQ magazine. The two become good friends and bond over their shared disdain for relationships. They introduce sex with no strings attached to the equation, at first with great success. However, things start getting complicated again as their feeling get inadvertently involved. Woody Harrelson stars in the film as Tommy Bollinger, Dylan’s friend and mentor, who guides him through the emotional turmoil. Watch the romantic comedy here.
7. Kate (2021)
Directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, ‘Kate’ follows the titular assassin (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), who is tasked with taking out a yakuza boss at the height of her game. However, right before she takes the shot, she realizes that she has been poisoned and uncharacteristically misses. Later in the hospital, she learns that she has only 24 hours to live, and decides to use it to exact revenge on her killers. As she races against time with her swiftly deteriorating physique, Kate forms an unlikely bond with the teenage daughter of one of her past victims. Woody Harrelson stars in the movie as Varrick, Kate’s trusted mentor and handler. You can view the action thriller here.
6. The Man From Toronto (2022)
Directed by Patrick Hughes, ‘The Man From Toronto’ follows Teddy (Kevin Hart), a struggling sales consultant who walks up to the wrong Airbnb while on vacation and is mistaken by a shady group of individuals as the brutal interrogator and assassin known as the titular Man from Toronto. Soon, the FBI raids the property and takes Teddy into custody. When they realize he is just a person who has been in the wrong place at the wrong time, they convince him to keep pretending to be the Man from Toronto to help the FBI with a mission. Soon, Teddy is confronted with dangers beyond his wildest imagination as the real Man from Toronto (Woody Harrelson) appears. View the action comedy here.
5. Triple 9 (2016)
John Hillcoat’s heist drama ‘Triple 9’ centers on a group of corrupt cops and criminals whose objective of clearing the charges put on a Jewish-Russian Mafia boss leads to a heist plan that involves a 999 scenario. 999 is a code for “officer down,” which will divert the cops away from the crew. However, things do not go as planned, thanks to an unstable crew member and police detective Jeffrey Allen, played by Harrelson. ‘Triple 9’ stuns as much with its visuals and performances as its story. Joining Harrelson in the cast are Casey Affleck, Anthony Mackie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Aaron Paul. You can watch it here.
4. LBJ (2016)
The assassination of John F. Kennedy and the sudden ascent of Lyndon B. Johnson are the primary themes of Rob Reiner’s political biopic ‘LBJ.’ The movie shows Johnson’s journey from a powerful Senate majority leader to a powerless vice president to the 36th President of the United States following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Harrelson takes the film to a completely heightened dimension with his portrayal of Lyndon B. Johnson, showcasing him not just as a political leader but also as a flawed, forceful, and yet impossibly irresistible force of nature. ‘LBJ’ also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Michael Stahl-David, Richard Jenkins, and Bill Pullman. You can stream it here.
3. Zombieland (2009)
Director Ruben Fleischer’s ‘Zombieland’ features four people, weird in their own ways, who must stay together to survive a zombie apocalypse caused by mutated cow disease. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) form a wacky bunch whose weirdness is only surpassed by that of the undead. As they head for an amusement park that is supposed to be zombie-free, we get a gory, wicked, and witty zombie comedy. Harrelson is exceptional as Tallahassee. He’s the most entertaining and committed survivor. His mission is simple: enjoy the ride with his Twinkies while the world burns. Although he is badass with his shotgun blasts during action scenes, beneath his swagger is a quiet loneliness that gives the character an emotional core. You can check out the movie here.
2. Triangle of Sadness (2022)
‘Triangle of Sadness,’ directed by Ruben Östlund, is a strong critique of the ultra-opulent society, taking the dark comedy route to do so. Harrelson plays the role of a drunk captain of a superyacht. Aboard are super-rich passengers like a Russian oligarch, a model, an influencer, and others. The film brilliantly jabs at capitalism by showing how rich people behave in out-of-control scenarios while also showcasing how weird and alien their narcissism and sense of privilege are. Can such a bunch of idiots survive a sinking ship? Twisted, funny, and dark, ‘Triangle of Sadness’ is a must-watch. It can be streamed here.
1. The Highwaymen (2019)
Set in the 1930s, ‘The Highwaymen’ tells the story of former Texas Rangers Frank Hamer (Kevin Costner) and Maney Gault (Woody Harrelson), who are brought out of retirement to track down Bonnie Parker (Emily Brobst) and Clyde Barrow (Edward Bossert). As the notorious criminals run wild across the country, they manage to stay one step ahead of the FBI and the latest technological developments that are being employed for their capture. As such, Frank and Maney hit the road the old way, relying on gut instincts and cumbersome detective work to get the job done. The period crime thriller helmed by John Lee Hancock is based on the untold true story. You can watch it on Netflix.
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