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Fall is finally here, and there's no better way to ring in the colder weather than by staying in and having a great movie night. As temperatures drop, the number of movies on the platform only gets higher, from romances like Set It Up to recent Oscar contenders like Rustin and Nyad. Whether you're looking for something deep and thought-provoking or light for the whole family, there are a plethora of incredible films on Netflix. With over 50 amazing movies on this list alone, it can be difficult to choose, but our carefully written recommendations will help you find just what you're looking for.
Rest assured, this list has been carefully considered and curated by seasoned Collider editors with decades of combined experience — not to mention a passion and enthusiasm for the medium. Only the crème de la crème has made the cut. Read on to discover the best movies to watch on Netflix right now.
For even more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Netflix, best comedies on Netflix, and best dramas on Netflix.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.
Editor's note: This article was updated December 2024 to include Maria.
‘Maria’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 74% | IMDb: 6.6/10
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Release Date November 27, 2024
Runtime 123 Minutes
Directed by Pablo Larraín, this biopic follows Angelina Jolie’s Maria Callas, a woman known in her time as the best opera singer in the world. With the days of her life numbered, she lives them out in Paris, attempting to come to terms with everything that came before her and the unknown that is yet to come. Jolie’s performance is the standout in this biopic, with many putting her forward for an Oscar nomination at the coming 2025 ceremony. A charming, pensive look at the final days of a fascinating life, this is a wonderful addition to Netflix’s current catalog. - Jake Hodges
‘Shiva Baby’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.1/10
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Shiva Baby
Release Date April 2, 2021
Director Emma Seligman
Runtime 77 Minutes
This whirlwind movie, written and directed by Emma Seligman, follows Rachel Sennott’s Danielle, a young woman who, unbeknownst to her family, earns money as a sugar baby for a man named Max (Danny Deferrari). However, when attending a Jewish funeral surrounded by sickeningly expectant family members, it’s the arrival of Max, his family, and her ex-girlfriend that throws the entire event into chaos. Get ready to grab the edge of your seat and never let go — Shiva Baby is the most unexpectedly heartstopping thrill ride you’re likely to see anytime soon. Featuring a stellar lead turn from one of Hollywood’s best young talents, this is a tumultuous trip through the realities of modern life in pandemonium, told over one day. - Jake Hodges
‘Carry-On’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 6.6/10
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Release Date December 13, 2024
Runtime 119 Minutes
Directed by Jaume Collet-Sera, Carry On follows Taron Egerton as young TSA officer Ethan Kopek who, on one unassuming day, is blackmailed by a peculiar traveler, played by Jason Bateman, into letting a mysterious package on a flight scheduled for Christmas Day. For every desperate plea to watch It’s A Wonderful Life again, there’s always someone who desires something fresh during the time of goodwill. Well, if that’s you, look no further than Carry On, as this movie takes the festive spirit and evolves it into a twisting action thriller that you simply won’t want to miss. - Jake Hodges
‘Spellbound’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 44% | IMDb: 5.8/10
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Spellbound
Release Date November 22, 2024
Director Vicky Jenson
Runtime 109 Minutes
The newest high-profile animation on Netflix, Spellbound follows Ellian (Rachel Zegler), a young princess whose parents are cruelly turned into monsters. Intent on changing the spell, Ellian heads on an adventure across land and sea to save not just her family but her entire kingdom. Featuring an eye-catching voice cast including the likes of Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, and more, Spellbound is a charming adventure with plenty of heart. By choosing to discuss darker themes than many would expect, Spellbound doesn’t shy away from a nuanced approach to its central story — something that many will appreciate. - Jake Hodges
‘Joy’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 7.1/10
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Release Date November 22, 2024
Director Ben Taylor
Runtime 115 Minutes
Depicting one of the most fascinating and uplifting tales in modern science, Joy follows a young nurse, a visionary scientist, and a groundbreaking surgeon who, over 10 years, from 1968 to 1978, fought to bring to the world the first-ever “test tube baby.” A heartwarming tale that intelligently puts women at the forefront of the story, Joy could not be more timely. Packed full of feel-good moments and a terrific set of central performances, Joy is one of the best British movies of the year. - Jake Hodges
‘The Piano Lesson’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 6.6/10
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The Piano Lesson
Release Date November 8, 2024
Director Malcolm Washington
Runtime 125 Minutes
Samuel L. Jackson’s latest venture is poetically based on the 1987 play of which he was an original ensemble member. However, this time, he plays the Charles family’s older statesman, Doaker. Together, the family must face their past as they decide what to do with their prized heirloom, the family piano. A touching directorial debut for Malcolm Washington, The Piano Lesson is an intriguing drama with plenty of heart. Featuring stellar performances from an eye-catching cast, this is one of the best new additions to Netflix in 2024. - Jake Hodges
‘The Infiltrator’ (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes: 72% | IMDb: 7.0/10
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The Infiltrator
Release Date July 13, 2016
Directed by Brad Furman, The Infiltrator follows Bryan Cranston’s U.S. Customs Service special agent Robert Mazur as he goes undercover in the world of drugs with the hopes of one day bringing down the biggest of the kingpins. A wonderfully crafted drama set in the 1980s, The Infiltrator is a film that has somehow gone under many people’s radar. Cranston delivers a typically nuanced and immersive lead performance as Mazur, who earnestly embodies the real-life figure the film is based upon. The Infiltrator is certainly well worth a watch. - Jake Hodges
‘Don’t Move’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 69% | IMDb: 5.8/10
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Release Date October 25, 2024
Director Brian Netto , Adam Schindler
Runtime 92 Minutes
Produced by Sam Raimi, Don’t Move is the newest psychological thriller on Netflix that follows the breathless attempt of a woman, injected with a paralytic agent, to beat the clock and escape to safety before her body shuts down. A chilling, unique addition to a genre flooded with options in 2024, Don’t Move brings plenty of suspense through a brilliant lead performance by Kelsey Asbille. However, unlike what its synopsis might suggest, Don’t Move takes time with its tale, slowly hitting pivotal beats for a story that intelligently juxtaposes the race at its heart with its pensive pacing. - Jake Hodges
‘Judy’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 6.8/10
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Judy
Release Date September 27, 2019
Director Rupert Goold
Runtime 118 minutes
Based on the life of beloved American entertainer Judy Garland, Judy is a biographical drama directed by Rupert Goold and adapted from Peter Quilter’s West End and Broadway play End of the Rainbow. The film is set during the final year of Garland’s life when she was living and working in England, exploring her past through flashbacks to her childhood. The movie stars Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland, with Jessie Buckley, Finn Wittrock, Rufus Sewell, and Michael Gambon in supporting roles.
Judy premiered at the 2019 Telluride Film Festival, where it received favorable reviews from critics. The film has received widespread acclaim from both critics and viewers, especially for Zellweger’s performance in the lead role. Zellweger went on to win numerous awards for her performance, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a SAG Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Critics’ Choice Movie Award. Overall, Judy is a beautiful and compassionate film that presents the bittersweet story of one of cinema’s greatest icons.
‘Woman of the Hour’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 6.8/10
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Release Date September 26, 2023
Runtime 94 Minutes
Written by Ian McDonald and directed by Anna Kendrick in her directorial debut, Woman of the Hour follows the Pitch Perfect star as Cheryl Bradshaw, the woman who appeared on The Dating Game and infamously won a date with serial killer Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto). So often, films about serial killers are infatuated with the perpetrator's story. In a refreshing turn of events, Woman of the Hour frames itself on another, with the choice to focus on Cheryl Bradshaw, making this much more palatable before it has even begun. Beautifully examining violence in misogyny, Woman of the Hour brings both a thoughtful eye and plenty of entertainment. - Jake Hodges
‘Will & Harper’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 7.5/10
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Release Date September 13, 2024
Runtime 114 Minutes
This touching new documentary follows the iconic Will Ferrell as he travels the country on a road trip with his long-time best friend, Harper Steele, as they explore a new chapter in their relationship following Harper’s transition. A heartwarming, life-affirming trip through some beautiful sights and an even more beautiful friendship, Will & Harper is sensitive in its delivery but unflinching in its honesty. As greater representation is given to trans communities, and as world-famous celebrities continue to add their name to the list of allies, the world will continue to help fight for equality and justice, with Will & Harper another string to the bow of this cause. - Jake Hodges
‘His Three Daughters’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.6/10
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His Three Daughters
Run Time 1 hr 41 min
Director Azazel Jacobs
Release Date November 1, 2024
Actors Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, Natasha Lyonne
Written and directed by Azazel Jacobs, His Three Daughters tells the bittersweet tale of three sisters who come together to be by the side of their aging father in his final days. As the death of their father looms, three days turn into a lifetime for the women as they argue, grieve, and connect better than ever before. This touching, human tale takes the frightening real fear many have of mortality and condenses it into three terrifying yet strangely life-affirming days. An astounding achievement in storytelling, His Three Daughters is one to keep an eye on as awards season rolls around. - Jake Hodges
‘Daughters’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.8/10
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Daughters
Release Date August 14, 2024
Director Angela Patton , Natalie Rae
Runtime 102 Minutes
Daughters is a 2024 American documentary film directed by Natalie Rae and Angela Patton. The film explores a program that organizes father-daughter dances for children whose fathers are in prison. The program was started by Camp Diva, a non-profit STEAM-focused summer immersion program for Black girls founded by Patton. The documentary follows four young girls as they prepare for their special Daddy-Daughter dance in a Washington, D.C., jail. Daughters had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it received near-universal critical acclaim and won the Audience Award: U.S. Documentary. Shortly after, the film was picked up for distribution by Netflix. It’s a deeply moving documentary that explores the impact of incarceration on families, particularly children separated from their parents. A tender film that exposes the inherent toxicity of the prison system, Daughters is an emotionally charged but necessary watch that also points a way forward.
‘Room’ (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.1/10
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Release Date October 16, 2015
Runtime 118minutes
This award-winning 2015 film tells the story of a mother (Brie Larson) and her five-year-old son, Jack (Jacob Tremblay). Tragically, the pair are trapped inside a claustrophobic space, the titular “room,” and have been so for Jack’s entire life. With the young boy becoming more inquisitive, his mother’s attempts to keep the truth of their reality hidden become harder, leading to an ambitious plan to escape. Heartbreaking and life-affirming in equal measure, Room is a tender ode to the beauty of longing. Despite the odds being completely stacked against them, the power of a mother’s love and the wide-eyed optimism of youth combine to bring hope to the most horrific of scenarios. Room, and in particular Larson, will win your heart just as she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. (The movie was also nominated for another three.) - Jake Hodges
‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.8/10
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Release Date February 15, 1985
Director John Hughes
Runtime 97 minutes
A certified classic of the Brat Pack era, The Breakfast Club follows a ragtag selection of students, each placed in detention on a Saturday. Each of the students is a representation of a stereotype, from the jock to the basket case; however, their time together soon breaks down these preconceived boundaries as they form an unlikely and beautifully hopeful bond. The Breakfast Club simply feels like required viewing for anyone at a certain point in their lives. John Hughes’ iconic tale of friendship despite differences offers hope and honesty, with a group of lead performances that have come to define an entire genre of film. Heartwarming and, at times, crushingly relatable, The Breakfast Club is one of the best of its kind. - Jake Hodges
'Matilda' (1996)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.0/10
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Release Date June 28, 1996
Director Danny DeVito
Runtime 98minutes
Based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel, Matilda is a 1996 fantasy comedy film directed by Danny DeVito and written by Nicholas Kazan and Robin Swicord. Mara Wilson stars as Matilda, a child prodigy who develops psychic powers and turns them on her neglectful parents and oppressive school principal. DeVito also co-produced the movie and played multiple roles, including that of the narrator. Other notable cast members of the film include Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, and Pam Ferris. Matilda received very positive reviews from critics but was a box office disappointment at its release. However, the movie found more success on home video and is now considered a classic of the ‘90s. Though the film has some departures from the book, DeVito’s Matilda is largely faithful to its source material, capturing both the darker and lighter sides of Roald Dahl’s beloved work. It’s a children’s movie, yes, but it’s a great watch for adults as well, with well-acted performances and an odd but charming narrative.
'Hit Man' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.1/10
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Hit Man
Release Date September 5, 2023
Director Richard Linklater
Runtime 113 Minutes
Legendary director Richard Linklater directs and co-writes Hit Man, the story of Glen Powell’s professor, Gary Johnson, who pretends to be a paid assassin. A master of disguise but not of love, Johnson falls head over heels for Adria Arjona’s Madison, with the catch being that she has hired his fake services. Will he keep up his tall tale, or will he admit the truth in the name of love? Enormous fun, Linklater deviates from his usual philosophical masterpieces to bring this bundle of joy to the screen. Powell and Arjona have undeniable chemistry as the lead duo, with Powell, in particular, proving once again that he’s one of the rom-com genre’s best-leaning men right now. Hit Man is a perfect popcorn flick for a Saturday night. - Jake Hodges
'Godzilla Minus One' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% IMDb: 7.9/10
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Editor's Choice
Release Date December 1, 2023
Cast Ryûnosuke Kamiki , Minami Hamabe , Yûki Yamada , Munetaka Aoki , Hidetaka Yoshioka , Sakura Andō , Kuranosuke Sasaki
Runtime 125 Minutes
One of the biggest surprise hits of 2023, Godzilla Minus One follows Kamikaze pilot Shikishima (Darren Barnet), who, after failing to distract the titular iconic monster, was accidentally at fault for the deaths of several warplane engineers. Intent to make up for his error, Shikishima joins a team whose sole purpose is to destroy the monster for good. One of cinema’s most legendary villains, there have been numerous versions of the Godzilla story, with this one widely considered one of the best of all time. Equal parts a gripping tale and dazzling cinematic experience, the movie even picked up a Visual Effects Oscar at the most recent Academy Awards — such is the extent of this film’s triumph. - Jake Hodges
'Society of the Snow' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.9/10
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Society of the Snow
Release Date December 15, 2023
Cast Matías Recalt , Agustin Pardella , Felipe González Otaño , Luciano Chatton , Valentino Alonso , Francisco Romero , Agustín Berruti , Andy Pruss
Runtime 144 Minutes
In 1972, a Uruguayan flight crashed while carrying a rugby team on their way to Chile, and the survivors of the wreck had to work together to survive in the treacherously cold weather of the Andes. This real-life event is the subject of J.A. Bayona's film Society of the Snow, which tackles the incredible story of the survivors and their attempts to survive for two months in the mountains. Director Bayona got the idea for the film upon discovering the book The Society of the Snow, which was written by Pablo Vierci, and used the same name for his film. The cast, largely composed of newcomers in the acting world, is completely composed of Uruguayan and Argentinian performers.
The film was nominated for two Oscars, including Best International Feature Film, a Golden Globe for Best Non-English Language Film, and a Critic's Choice Award for the same category. With a budget of 60 million euros, The Society of Snow is the most expensive Spanish film ever made. With music by Michael Giacchino, the film is acclaimed for its emotional undertone and important message. - Emily Cappello
English (US) ·