Netflix viewers are rediscovering this brilliant 1999 thriller, with some watching it more than 10 times

A 1999 psychological thriller is once again attracting attention on Netflix, and viewers who have rediscovered it are struggling to find enough superlatives to describe it.

One fan claims to have watched the film 10 times and still finds it brilliant. Another says they would happily erase their memory just to experience its ending for the first time again.

The film in question is M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense, the acclaimed psychological horror starring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment.

Despite being almost 27 years old, the movie continues to find new audiences. It has also recently been championed by TikTok film creator Luke Ecclestone, better known online as Eccy Reviews, who urged Netflix subscribers to stop scrolling and give the classic a watch.

A 90s classic is back in the spotlight

With Netflix offering thousands of films across genres including comedy, action, horror, drama and thrillers, deciding what to watch can be surprisingly difficult.

That abundance of choice has helped turn social media into a major source of recommendations. Film and television creators regularly share their favourite discoveries with audiences who are looking for something worth watching.

Luke Ecclestone is one of those creators. With around 480,000 TikTok followers, he recently used his platform to recommend The Sixth Sense, describing it as “one of the best and most shocking films you will ever see in your entire life”.

The film, written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, was released in cinemas on August 6, 1999. It went on to become one of the defining psychological thrillers of its era.

Rather than revealing the film’s famous twist, Luke encouraged viewers to experience it for themselves.

Text displayed over his video read: “Stop wasting your Netflix and watch this film.”

Speaking directly to his audience, he said: “If you’re looking for a gripping film to go and watch on Netflix tonight, stop and look no further because I have the perfect film for you. It is one of the best and most shocking films you will ever see in your entire life.”

What is The Sixth Sense about?

At the centre of the story is Cole Sear, a troubled young boy played by then-10-year-old Haley Joel Osment.

Cole has a terrifying secret: he can see and communicate with dead people.

The experiences leave him frightened and isolated. The spirits he encounters are often troubled themselves, creating a situation that Cole is too young to understand or control.

His mother struggles to make sense of what is happening to her son, while Cole’s situation eventually brings him into contact with child psychologist Dr Malcolm Crowe, played by Bruce Willis.

Crowe attempts to understand Cole and help him overcome his fear. At the same time, the psychologist is dealing with emotional scars of his own following a brutal confrontation with a former patient.

Bruce Willis’ performance was notably different from the action roles that had made him famous. Instead of the wisecracking, physically imposing John McClane from the Die Hard films, Willis plays Crowe as quiet, compassionate and restrained.

That contrast became an important part of the film’s appeal.

Osment, meanwhile, gives Cole a performance built around fear, vulnerability and uncertainty. As the story progresses, the character begins to find the courage and determination to help the spirits who come to him.

The result is a film that combines supernatural horror with an emotional story about a frightened child and the adult trying to help him.

Luke Ecclestone says the film deserves a new audience

Luke acknowledged that many viewers may assume everyone has already seen The Sixth Sense. But he argued that plenty of people have somehow missed it.

“Now, this is already trending on Netflix, and if you’re someone who’s seen it, you’ll be like, ‘everyone has seen this’ but I genuinely know people who haven’t – and this film is genuinely incredible,” he said.

For viewers who have never seen the movie, he strongly recommended going in without spoilers.

According to Luke, the film manages to balance frightening moments with an emotional story that keeps the audience invested until the final moments.

“This film is absolutely horrifying in parts. It is very emotional, but the story is so gripping you’ll be on the edge of your seat from start to finish,” he said.

He also warned that the experience does not necessarily end when the credits begin.

“Once this film ends and you see the credits, you generally will never, ever forget about this film ever again.”

Luke finished by asking viewers who had already watched the movie, or those who decided to watch it after seeing his recommendation, to share their thoughts while avoiding spoilers for newcomers.

That request was particularly important for a film whose impact depends heavily on the audience discovering its story for themselves.

Fans say they keep coming back to it

The recommendation quickly prompted enthusiastic responses from other TikTok users, many of whom already considered The Sixth Sense a classic.

One viewer called it one of the “Top 10 films of all time without a doubt.”

Another simply wrote: “What a classic.”

For some viewers, the film’s emotional impact has remained just as strong after multiple rewatches.

“I’ve watched this film 10 times, it’s brilliant and I still cry,” one person commented.

Another revealed that they immediately watched it again after their first viewing, writing: “I had to watch it a second time straight away the first time I saw it. Great film.”

The ending, unsurprisingly, was a major talking point.

“Best ending to a film I’ve ever seen,” one viewer declared.

Another expressed the feeling shared by many fans who wish they could experience the movie without knowing what is coming:

“If only I could wipe my memory and watch it with fresh eyes!”

Why The Sixth Sense still resonates

More than two decades after its release, The Sixth Sense continues to stand out because it does more than build its story around a shocking revelation.

The film combines supernatural suspense with character-driven drama, using Cole’s fear and Crowe’s determination to create an emotional connection with the audience.

The performances are central to that effect. Haley Joel Osment’s portrayal of Cole became one of the most memorable child performances of the period, while Bruce Willis demonstrated a quieter side of his acting range.

The film remains highly regarded by critics as well. Rotten Tomatoes currently lists an 86% Tomatometer score, with the site’s consensus describing it as a twist-filled ghost story that combines classic Hollywood style with modern horror.

The movie was also a major turning point for M. Night Shyamalan, establishing the filmmaker as a major name in Hollywood and helping define the twist-driven style that would become closely associated with his work.

For anyone who somehow missed The Sixth Sense when it first arrived in 1999, its latest Netflix resurgence offers another opportunity to discover why so many viewers still remember it so vividly.

And for those who have already seen it several times, the reactions from fans suggest that the film has lost remarkably little of its power.

Just be careful with spoilers.

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