{"id":5697580,"date":"2026-08-08T14:58:05","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T21:58:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/?p=5697580"},"modified":"2026-08-08T14:58:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T21:58:10","slug":"best-movies-on-netflix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/creative-content\/what-to-watch\/best-movies-on-netflix\/","title":{"rendered":"The 40 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for the best movies to watch on Netflix<\/a>, you\u2019ve come to the right place. Below, we\u2019ve put together an expertly curated selection of some of the most exciting, compelling, emotional and funny movies currently streaming right now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it can be daunting thumbing through the streamer’s catalog to find out what to watch, we\u2019ve taken the guesswork and mindless scrolling out of it. This post will be frequently updated with new recommendations, keeping you up to date with all the Netflix movies you should be prioritizing in your queue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So peruse our list of the best movies on Netflix right now below, and happy watching!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tThe Top 21 New Movies Streaming in August 2026<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Jurassic World Rebirth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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L to R: Scarlett Johansson as Zora Bennett and Jonathan Bailey as Dr. Henry Loomis in “Jurassic World Rebirth” (Credit: Courtesy of Universal Pictures)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The most recent “Jurassic World” movie is now on Netflix, and it’s pretty fun! Something of a reboot after the Chris Pratt\/Bryce Dallas Howard trilogy, “Jurassic World Rebirth” takes a back-to-basics approach, ditching overarching mythology in favor of a terrifying story of a group of individuals tasked with extracting DNA from three specific species on an island research facility. Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Mahershala Ali make for a fine trio, and David Koepp \u2014 who wrote the first two “Jurassic” movies \u2014 returns to write the script for “Rogue One” director Gareth Edwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Moon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Andrew Scott and Ethan Hawke in \u201cBlue Moon\u201d (Sony Pictures Classics)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another Oscar-nominated movie that’s newly been added to Netflix is Richard Linklater’s wonderful chamber drama “Blue Moon.” The film takes place almost entirely at a bar after the opening of the musical “Oklahoma!” where lyricist Lorenz Hart laments the success of his creative partner Richard Rodgers’ success with new partner Oscar Hammerstein II. Ethan Hawke plays Hart and puts on an acting masterclass, offering a portrait of a sad, lonely man suffering a creative crisis. Based on true events, the story takes place mere months before Hart’s death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A League of Their Own<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\""A
“A League of Their Own” (Columbia Pictures)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of baseball, one of the best baseball movies ever made is on Netflix this month: \u201cA League of Their Own.\u201d The film is a fictional account of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was started during World War II. Geena Davis anchors the cast as the leader of the team, while Tom Hanks plays the alcoholic tasked with managing the Rockford Peaches. Madonna, Rosie O\u2019Donnell, Lori Petty and Bill Pullman co-star in this stone-cold classic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voicemails for Isabelle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Zoey
Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson in “Voicemails for Isabelle” (Credit: Netflix)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s another Zoey Deutch Netflix rom-com, except this time it\u2019s also kinda sad! \u201cVoicemails for Isabelle\u201d stars the charming \u201cSet It Up\u201d actress as an aspiring chef whose sister and best friend suddenly dies. Trying to cope with the grief, she keeps calling her sister\u2019s number and leaving voicemails as if she\u2019s alive. But it turns out, that number has been transferred to a stranger played by Nick Robinson, who becomes charmed by Deutch\u2019s messages. The film is funny and charming, but sweetly puts the focus on Isabelle\u2019s relationship with her sister, offering something different than you usually see in these kinds of movies and giving Deutch the opportunity to stretch her dramatic muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Keanu Reeves in “Speed” (20th Century Studios)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of fast cars, there are few better \u201890s action movies than Jan de Bont\u2019s \u201cSpeed,\u201d which was released in 1994 and catapulted Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock into superstardom. If you\u2019ve never seen it, the story revolves around a public transportation bus in Los Angeles that\u2019s carrying a bomb. If it goes under 50 miles per hour, the bomb goes off. Bullock is the unlikely citizen on the bus who ends up being the driver, and Reeves is the LAPD office brave enough to jump onboard and try to solve the puzzle before time runs out. It\u2019s a classic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something’s Gotta Give<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson in “Something’s Gotta Give” (Sony Pictures\/Warner Bros.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re in the mood for a feel-good movie, you can\u2019t go wrong with a Nancy Meyers film. This 2003 rom-com stars Diane Keaton as a successful playwright who is forced to look after her daughter\u2019s (Amanda Peet) much older boyfriend, played by Jack Nicholson, after he suffers a heart attack at their summer home. It\u2019s an \u201copposites attract\u201d story as Nicholson plays on his reputation as a playboy, and Keaton delivers an all-timer performance full of emo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Josh O’Connor and Daniel Craig in ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ (Netflix)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The third and best installment in Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc mystery series, “Wake Up Dead Man” is a haunting, meaty whodunit set in the community of a local and sparsely attended church in upstate New York. The film shifts the protagonist POV to a young and earnest priest played by Josh O’Connor, who becomes the prime suspect when the fiery (and widely disliked) Monsignor played by Josh Brolin turns up dead. The film is hilarious and shocking, just like the past two films, but also has an introspective and compassionate bent that makes it a surprisingly emotional watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Sony Pictures<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the best “Spider-Man” movies ever made, if not the<\/em> best, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” simultaneously chronicles the coming-of-age story of Miles Morales and the “return-to-action” arc for a middle-aged Peter Parker, while throwing in Gwen Stacey for good measure. It’s a masterpiece, truly. Brilliantly animated, hilarious and thematically rich in equal measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ritual<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you wanna be scared, watch “The Ritual.” I’m not going to tell you much about it other than the fact that it follows a group of men who travel to Northern Sweden to honor their friend who recently died, and during their hiking trip they start to encounter… well. Just watch. If you liked “The Empty Man,” “Hereditary” or other moody horror dramas, you’ll enjoy this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Train Dreams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Joel
Joel Edgerton in “Train Dreams” (Netflix)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the absolute best movies 0f 2025 and an Oscar nominee for Best Picture, \u201cTrain Dreams\u201d<\/a> is best described as \u201cThe Assassination of Jesse James\u201d meets \u201cTree of Life.\u201d The film stars Joel Edgerton as a logger working in the 1910s, but it charts the course of essentially his entire life in a way that feels both epic and intimate, chronicling love, loss and everything in between. It\u2019s a movie made up of small moments that feel huge, with gorgeous filmmaking from director Clint Bentley and Edgerton\u2019s best performance of his career. Don\u2019t miss this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KPop Demon Hunters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You’ve heard the buzz, now see the movie. The most-watched film in Netflix history, “KPop Demon Hunters” is an absolute blast that will put a smile on your face from beginning to end. The original animated film concerns three pop stars who are secretly demon hunters, using their catchy tunes to keep a demonic presence at bay. But they meet their match when a group of demons form a boy band to steal their thunder. Every song is a banger and this thing, created by Sony Pictures Animation, looks great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

28 Years Later<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Sony<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the best sequels ever made and one of the best films of 2025, Danny Boyle’s horror sequel “28 Years Later”<\/a> is terrifying and devastating all at once. The film picks up 28 years after the events of the groundbreaking zombie pic “28 Days Later” and takes place on an island that has kept the zombies at bay by using the ocean tides to their advantage. But when a young boy takes his sick mother ashore to help get her better, chaos erupts. Danny Boyle’s stunning direction and Alex Garland’s surprising script steer this into a wildly emotional meditation on death, loss and grief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frances Ha<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\""Frances
“Frances Ha” (IFC Films)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before Greta Gerwig was the director of \u201cBarbie,\u201d she broke out in a huge way as the co-writer and star of Noah Baumbach\u2019s 2012 gem \u201cFrances Ha.\u201d This black-and-white indie follows a young girl named Frances living in New York who\u2019s going through a bit of a quarter-life crisis as she ponders her future as a ballet dancer. Adam Driver makes a memorable appearance as her friend Lev, which is not the only thing that connects this delightful feature to the HBO series \u201cGirls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frankenstein<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth in “Frankenstein” (Ken Woroner\/Netflix)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s alive! For years writer\/director Guillermo del Toro, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind \u201cThe Shape of Water,\u201d \u201cPinocchio\u201d and \u201cPan\u2019s Labyrinth,\u201d has dreamed of making a new version of Mary Shelley\u2019s immortal \u201cFrankenstein.\u201d<\/a> Now, he finally has. And it\u2019s a doozy. One of his best, most sumptuous films, \u201cFrankenstein\u201d is niftily split into two sections \u2013 in the first, we get the story of the doctor (Oscar Isaac), whose mother died while he was young and whose father (Charles Dance) was a demanding ghoul; the second tells the story of the creature (Jacob Elordi), a tortured amalgamation who becomes obsessed with confronting his creator. Both are extremely complicated, fraught narratives, full of colorful characters like Mia Goth\u2019s Lady Elizabeth, who is the doctor\u2019s brother\u2019s fianc\u00e9e, and Christoph Waltz as an arms dealer who literally supplies Doctor Frankenstein with arms (and legs and torsos).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will & Harper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Will
Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“Will & Harper” is tremendous. The documentary, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, follows Will Ferrell and his longtime friend and collaborator Harper Steele as they go on a road trip together. Steele was a writer on “SNL” and worked with Ferrell on his weirder films and projects (like that Lifetime movie with Kristen Wiig), and Steele transitioned during the pandemic. Ferrell proposed they take a road trip across the United States, during which Steele welcomes the opportunity for Ferrell to ask a number of questions about her transition. It’s sweet and emotional, but also feels truly important and potentially life-changing for many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebel Ridge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Rebel
Aaron Pierre in “Rebel Ridge” (Netflix)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“Rebel Ridge”<\/a> will have you on the edge of your seat from its first frame to its last. The original thriller from writer\/director Jeremy Saulnier stars Aaron Pierre as a man who’s urgently trying to bail his cousin out of prison for reasons that soon become clear. But when a pair of small-town cops seize the cash, he’s put on the backfoot with the clock ticking and mountains of corruption to sift through. What unfolds is a cross between “Jack Reacher,” “First Blood” and “The Pelican Brief” with crackling dialogue, a terrific Don Johnson performance and a star-making turn from Pierre.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t'Rebel Ridge' Writer\/Director Jeremy Saulnier Unpacks the Long Road to His Netflix Hit<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hit Man<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Glen Powell and Adria Arjona in “Hit Man” (Netflix)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This movie is an absolute blast. Inspired by a true story, “Hit Man” stars Glen Powell as a mild-mannered man who does contract work for the local police disguising himself as a hit man to catch people plotting murders on tape. But when he falls for one of his would-be criminals (a woman played by Adria Arjona), he finds himself caught between two identities — the “hit man” personality she fell in love with and the guy he really is. Richard Linklater, the award-winning filmmaker behind “School of Rock,” “Boyhood” and the “Before” series, directs with a keen eye for humanity in every character but packages the whole thing as a screwball comedy. Powell co-wrote the script and is dynamite<\/em> in the lead role, showing off tremendous chemistry with Arjona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1917<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"1917\"
Universal Pictures<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sam Mendes\u2019 one-shot World War I film earned a boatload of Oscars, and deservedly so. The film is presented as one long, unbroken take (for which cinematographer Roger Deakins won an Academy Award) as it follows a soldier played by George MacKay through one day on the battlefield in April, 1917. It\u2019s an astounding accomplishment and best watched with your full attention. Andrew Scott, Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden and Mark Strong all have memorable but small roles as MacKay\u2019s character makes his way through the muck<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Witch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Anya Taylor-Joy in “The Witch” (A24)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Robert Eggers is one of the few directors who had a perfectly distinct voice and style right out of the gate. The filmmaker behind \u201cNosferatu\u201d and the upcoming \u201cWerwulf\u201d first burst onto the scene with the Sundance indie \u201cThe Witch,\u201d an unnerving, terrifying film set in 1630s New England about a Puritan family who is besieged by witchcraft. The 2015 movie is Anya Taylor-Joy\u2019s breakout role, and Eggers\u2019 handle on the tone and aesthetics is so assured it\u2019ll scare your pants off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Killer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The
Michael Fassbender in “The Killer” (Netflix)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

David Fincher\u2019s \u201cThe Killer\u201d<\/a> is a delightfully unique twist on the hitman movie. Written by \u201cSeven\u201d writer Andrew Kevin Walker, the film is broken up into chapters and follows an assassin played by Michael Fassbender in the wake of a hit gone wrong. But whereas most films would go right, \u201cThe Killer\u201d goes left. There is precious little dialogue spoken out loud by Fassbender\u2019s character as our insight into this machine-like presence comes from lengthy voiceovers. Fincher delights in immersing us into this man\u2019s psyche as he world kinda sorta unravels.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\u2018The Killer\u2019 Writer Andrew Kevin Walker on Fincher, That Tilda Scene and Minimizing Dialogue<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Glass Onion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Daniel Craig and Janelle Monae in “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” (Netflix)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You simply must, must, must<\/em> watch \u201cGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery\u201d<\/a> if you enjoy things like “fun” and “comedy.” This \u201cKnives Out\u201d sequel (once again written and directed by Rian Johnson) is a brand new mystery, with Daniel Craig\u2019s Benoit Blanc as the only returning character from the original film. This time, he\u2019s invited to a secluded island by a tech billionaire (played by Edward Norton), who has gathered a group of his closest friends \u2013 played by Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr. and Janelle Monae \u2013 in Greece to play an elaborate murder mystery game. To say more would spoil the surprises, but suffice it to say this is just as thrilling, hilarious and surprising as the first \u201cKnives Out\u201d and you\u2019ll want to watch it again immediately once it\u2019s over.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tA \u2018Glass Onion\u2019 Spoiler Q&A With Rian Johnson<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Guillermo del Toro\u2019s Pinocchio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Guillermo del Toro\u2019s first stop-motion feature film is as emotional as you’d expect, and this is \u201cPinocchio\u201d like you\u2019ve never seen<\/a> the story before. Co-written and directed by del Toro, this adaptation features the voices of Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Burn Gorman, Cate Blanchett, Finn Wolfhard, Ron Perlman and Tilda Swinton and offers up a fantastical twist on the Carlo Collodi Italian classic. Emotional and awe-inspiring in equal measure, and set against the backdrop of fascist Italy, this is a gorgeous work of art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mudbound<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first film to ever earn a woman an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography, 2017\u2019s \u201cMudbound\u201d is a moving and compelling historical drama. Directed by Dee Rees<\/a> and shot by Rachel Morrison, the film follows two World War II veterans as they return home to Mississippi, one white and one Black. Carey Mulligan, Jason Mitchell, Garrett Hedlund and Mary J. Blige anchor the terrific ensemble cast as the film tackles race relations in the past with a direct line to our present, packed with rich and complex characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Power of the Dog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Writer\/director Jane Campion\u2019s 2021 drama \u201cThe Power of the Dog\u201d<\/a> is a powerful and surprising film about, among other things, family. Set in 1925 Montana, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons play a pair of brothers whose strained relationship is pushed to the limit when Plemons marries a widowed single mother (played by Kirsten Dunst) on a whim, and brings her son (played by Kodi Smit-McPhee) to live with them on their ranch. The performances are top-notch all around, as Campion crafts a complex and tension-filled character-centric drama that\u2019s certainly one of 2021\u2019s best films.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

tick, tick\u2026 BOOM!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHamilton\u201d creator Lin-Manuel Miranda makes his feature directorial debut<\/a> with the Netflix musical \u201ctick, tick\u2026 BOOM!,\u201d based on the autobiographical stage musical by \u201cRent\u201d creator Jonathan Larson. Andrew Garfield plays Larson, who is on the cusp of turning 30 and has yet to have a masterpiece staged on Broadway. As he puts the finishing touches on his sci-fi rock epic, he grapples with his own anxieties, his crumbling relationship with his girlfriend, and the impending AIDS epidemic that\u2019s taking his friends far too quickly. The songs are incredible and the direction is inspired, but Garfield\u2019s electric and soulful performance makes this a must-watch.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\u2018tick, tick\u2026Boom!\u2019 Film Review: Lin-Manuel Miranda Pays Homage to the Creative Process in Impressive Directorial Debut<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mank<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This one might come with a \u201cFor Cinephiles Only\u201d warning, but if that describes you there\u2019s much to love in David Fincher\u2019s 2020 film \u201cMank.\u201d Gary Oldman stars as Hollywood writer Herman J. Mankiewicz as the film chronicles his experience writing the screenplay for \u201cCitizen Kane,\u201d all while flashing back to events from his life that inspired certain characters and themes in what many consider to be the greatest film ever made. Fincher presents the film entirely in black-and-white (it won the Oscar for Best Cinematography), and Amanda Seyfried gives a terrific performance as Marion Davies while Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross compose a surprising original score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"private-life-kathryn-hahn-paul-giamatti-image\"
Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kathryn Hahn has made a career out of scene-stealing supporting performances, but she takes center stage in writer\/director Tamara Jenkins\u2019 2018 dramedy \u201cPrivate Life.\u201d Inspired by Jenkins\u2019 own experience, Hahn and Paul Giamatti sta<\/a>r as a middle-aged New York City couple struggling through infertility who decide to try and have a child through IVF. The film follows the ups and downs of infertility in heartbreaking detail, while also finding moments of humor throughout that ring true to life. Hahn and Giamatti are spectacular together, as they also chronicle how their journey strains their marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This Western anthology from the Coen Brothers is a delightful romp that builds to a shockingly emotional conclusion. \u201cThe Ballad of Buster Scruggs\u201d is made up of six different stories set in the Old West, each featuring different characters. Themes of mortality, morality and justice are prevalent throughout \u201cBuster Scruggs\u201d just as they are through the Coens\u2019 other films, but this time all against a wonderful, slightly exaggerated Western backdrop. The stellar cast includes Tim Blake Nelson, Stephen Root, Zoe Kazan, Bill Heck, Liam Neeson and Brendan Gleeson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marriage Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Writer\/director Noah Baumbach 2019\u2019s drama \u201cMarriage Story<\/a>\u201d is, ultimately, a divorce story, but it\u2019s so richly drawn and beautifully acted that you\u2019ll find your own heart breaking as you watch the conscious uncoupling of a pair played by Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver. This is far from a mean-spirited or even depressing film. Instead, while it does indeed chronicle the dissolution of a relationship (inspired by Baumbach\u2019s own life) and how the divorce impacts their young son, \u201cMarriage Story\u201d smartly always keeps an eye on one very important fact: while these two individuals may be splitting up, that doesn\u2019t mean the love they once had for each other wasn\u2019t real. Driver and Johansson are terrific, and Laura Dern is a scene-stealer in her Oscar-winning supporting turn.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Mitchells vs. the Machines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a movie the whole family can enjoy, the 2021 Netflix original \u201cThe Mitchells vs. the Machines\u201d is an emotional crowd-pleaser<\/a> that\u2019s as funny as it is inventive. Directed by Mike Rianda and produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the film follows a family going on a cross-country road trip to send their eldest daughter Katie (Abbi Jacobson) to college, where she hopes to learn how to become a filmmaker. The family isn\u2019t on the best terms when the road trip begins, which makes things even trickier when a robot uprising occurs, leaving the dysfunctional Mitchells as humanity\u2019s last hope. This is a hilarious, colorful and heartfelt story about the importance of communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13th<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix has a wide variety of documentaries to choose from, but Ava DuVernay\u2019s 2016 film \u201c13th\u201d is a must-watch. The doc delves into mass incarceration in the United States, and how race and injustice intersect with the issue, through the prism of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolishes slavery except as punishment for a crime. Through a number of interviews, DuVernay examines why a disproportionate number of Black people are incarcerated in the U.S., and how the current justice system perpetuates this injustice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enola Holmes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the great things about Netflix is how it has a little bit of something for everyone, and in that vein, the YA-skewing \u201cEnola Holmes\u201d is a delight for the teenaged crowd (and beyond). Based on the young adult series of the same name by author Nancy Springer, the film stars Millie Bobby Brown as the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill). When her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) goes missing, Enola leaves the safety of her home compound and ventures into London to try and solve this mystery. Along the way, however, Enola learns that her mother kept many secrets of her own. This is a rollicking mystery-adventure that\u2019s also a sweet and substantial coming-of-age story, all wrapped up in a gorgeous 19th century Victorian package.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Millie\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tRead Next<\/strong>
\n\t\t\t\u2018Enola Holmes\u2019 Sequel Set at Netflix With Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill Returning<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Set It Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re into romantic comedies, you simply must check out \u201cSet It Up.\u201d This Netflix original is a throwback in the best way, as Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell have that Meg Ryan\/Tom Hanks chemistry in a story about friends turning into lovers. They play overworked assistants to demanding bosses (played by Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs) and hatch a plan to set their bosses up in an effort to earn more free time themselves. But their scheming puts them in frequent close contact, during which sparks fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Netflix original comedy \u201cEurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga\u201d is not just an incredibly funny film, it\u2019s a surprisingly emotional one too. Based on an original idea by Will Ferrell, the \u201cElf\u201d actor stars as one half of an Icelandic duo alongside Rachel McAdams, both of whom are thrust into the spotlight when they\u2019re unexpectedly selected to compete in the international singing competition Eurovision. The film is packed with some genuinely great songs, and a sweet story about staying true to your roots in the face of immense growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fear Street Trilogy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Everyone loves a good scare, but the \u201cFear Street\u201d trilogy<\/a> gives you three times the thrills for the price of one overarching story. These three interconnected films trace the origins of a witch\u2019s curse on a small town, covering events in 1994 in the \u201cScream\u201d-inspired first film, then heading back to 1978 for the summer camp slasher sequel, before concluding in the year 1666 for the third and final feature that reveals the origin story of the Shadyside witch. Colorful, fun and genuinely scary, the \u201cFear Street\u201d trilogy tells a truly epic horror story.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Maya\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tRead Next<\/strong>
\n\t\t\tYes, \u2018Fear Street\u2019 Does Have Multiple Major Connections to \u2018Stranger Things\u2019<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Miss Americana<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Taylor Swift documentary \u201cMiss Americana\u201d is full of surprises. While the film begins by chronicling Swift\u2019s career, complete with the ups and downs it encompassed, it soon morphs into the origin story of a feminist as Swift begins to speak out on socio-political issues important to her. It\u2019s a fascinating window into the management of fame, as some around her caution against making any kinds of political statements for fear of alienating her fanbase. Swift is honest throughout \u2013 or as honest as a documentary like this can be \u2013 and the film doesn\u2019t shy away from tough moments like Kanye West infamously interrupting her at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Irishman<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Martin Scorsese\u2019s 3-hour-and-40-minute gangster epic \u201cThe Irishman\u201d is best viewed in one sitting \u2013 trust me. The brilliance of the film is in its construction, as Scorsese charts the career of a hitman for the mob from the 1950s up to the present day. But unlike the bombast of \u201cGoodfellas,\u201d this is a film where regret and grief hang over nearly every frame, subtly building until the mournful third act hits you like a ton of bricks. Robert De Niro\u2019s Frank Sheeran spends his entire life killing people, and what does it all add up to? Scorsese gets downright philosophical with questions of morality and mortality, crafting a self-reflexive film about what it means to come to the end of your life and look back on what you\u2019ve done, why you did it and whether it was all worth it in the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Da 5 Bloods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Da 5 Bloods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Spike Lee is not known for making bland films, and indeed his 2020 Vietnam veterans drama \u201cDa 5 Bloods\u201d is confrontational in the best way. The story revolves around four aging Vietnam War veterans who return to the Southeast Asian country to search for the remains of their fallen leader — and also a trove of buried treasure. Along the way they confront their own fears and differences, as Lee\u2019s film delves into how America left an entire generation of soldiers behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crip Camp<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Netflix is host to a ton of great documentaries, including \u201cCrip Camp.\u201d This Oscar-nominated 2020 film begins by showcasing archival footage from a camp in the 1970s that was created for teens with disabilities, before then following various individuals as they fought for disability rights. It\u2019s a moving portrait of activism that shows just how far we\u2019ve come as a country, and how far we have left to go.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"black-bag-michael-fassbender-cate-blanchett\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tRead Next<\/strong>
\n\t\t\tThe Best Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We’ve got your streaming plans sorted<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10066,"featured_media":8059462,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"byline":{"profiles":[{"type":"byline_id","atts":{"term_id":504655,"post_id":7303196}}]},"_links_to":"","_links_to_type":0,"nb_breaking_email_type":"","nb_breaking_template":"","nb_breaking_from_name":"","nb_breaking_subject":"","nb_breaking_preview":"","nb_breaking_list":[],"nb_breaking_header_img":0,"nb_breaking_should_send":false,"nb_breaking_content":"","nb_newsletter_sent_breaking_post_id":[],"apple_news_api_created_at":"2021-10-15T20:00:18Z","apple_news_api_id":"d87ccca4-9f8c-4231-9010-6e09226f4da0","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2026-08-08T21:58:23Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgg==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/A2HzMpJ-MQjGQEG4JIm9NoA","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"hide_featured_image":false,"the_wrap_post_enable_full_width_featured_image":false,"the_wrap_post_enable_featured_video":false,"the_wrap_post_featured_video":"","the_wrap_post_disable_read_more":false,"wp_curate_deduplication":false,"wp_curate_unique_pinned_posts":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,509832],"tags":[99,396743],"tw_data_partners":[],"columns":[],"byline":[504655],"class_list":["post-5697580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-movies","category-what-to-watch","tag-netflix","tag-what-to-watch"],"newsletter_builder_byline":"Adam Chitwood","is_pro_article":false,"apple_news_notices":[],"eyebrow":{"link":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/creative-content\/what-to-watch\/","text":"What to Watch"},"tw_schema_org_review":{"name":"","type":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5697580","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10066"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5697580"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5697580\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8059466,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5697580\/revisions\/8059466"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8059462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5697580"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5697580"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5697580"},{"taxonomy":"tw_data_partners","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tw_data_partners?post=5697580"},{"taxonomy":"tw_column","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/columns?post=5697580"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=5697580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}