Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
After a few weeks without updating this guide, we’re giving our new Netflix movies hub a spring clean. We’ve added Pain Hustlers and Old Dads to our list, removed some older entries from early September, and included new information on flicks that will debut on the service between now and the end of 2023.
Welcome to TechRadar’s new Netflix movies guide. In this article, you’ll learn all about the biggest (but not necessarily best) new movies to land on the platform since mid-September.
Netflix, which is considered to be the world’s best streaming service, has a stacked film library that Netflix Originals and licensed flicks. It’s a back catalog that’s updated with alarming regularity, too, so it can be difficult to stay on top of what’s new and worth watching on any day of the week. With our help, though, you’ll learn if these new Netflix films are worth your time.
Want a more comprehensive rundown of the greatest movies available to stream? Our best Netflix movies guide is packed with the cream of the crop, so head there if you’re only searching for the best films on the streaming giant. If you’re looking for the newest movies to hit the service, though, read on.
New Netflix movies: October 2023
Pain Hustlers
Release date: October 27
In our minds, Pain Hustlers looks like a medical Wolf of Wall Street. Previously, we said if it’s half as good as that movie was, we’re in for a real treat. Based on its god-awful 22% critical Rotten Tomatoes score, though, we wish to retract our statement.
Anyway, for those interested: Pain Hustlers stars Emily Blunt as Liza Drake, a blue-collar mom who loses her job and winds up being hired by a pharmaceutical firm. However, Drake soon finds herself grappling with the company’s ethical ambiguity and dangerous rackateering scheme, as well as dealing with her fellow explosive and chauvinistic employees, including Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) and unhinged CEO Jack Neel (Andy Garcia).
It wasn’t heralded as a superb film by critics but, with the draw of its A-list cast, we still expect Pain Hustlers to pull in millions of viewers.
Old Dads
Release date: October 20
A flick that’s got comedian Bill Burr’s fingerprints all over it – he’s written, directed, and stars in this film – Old Dads is another Netflix comedy film that might appeal to you, depending on your sense of humor.
Also starring Ant-Man‘s Bobby Cannavale and the Halo TV show‘s Bokeem Woodbine, Old Dads tells the tale of “three best friends [who] become fathers later in life and find themselves battling preschool principals, millennial CEOs, and anything created after 1987”.
With a terrible 26% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this is one film we would ordinarily suggest you avoid. But, with a far more positive 88% audience score, Old Dads may be worth a watch if you’re looking for a film you can stick on and completely switch off to.
Fair Play
Release date: October 6
This erotic thriller from Chloe Domont could be one of 2023’s unexpectedly great Netflix movies. You don’t need us to hype it up, either – its 86% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes suggest it’ll enthrall and surprise you in equal measure. Well, if you don’t look at its less impressive 52% audience rating, anyway.
Fair Play stars Alden Ehrenreich and Phoebe Dynevor as Luke and Emily, a newly engaged couple whose relationship is pushed to the brink by Phoebe’s unexpected promotion. With critics labeling it “sexy”, “intelligent,” “wicked sharp”, and “an expertly calibrated urban thriller”, you might want to stick this one on your watchlist ASAP.
Dune
Release date: October 1 (US only)
Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 sci-fi epic has surprisingly made its debut on Netflix (in the US, anyway). Dune, which tells the first half of the legendary story set in Frank Herbert’s seminal novel of the same name, landed on the streamer in early October (it’s also available on Max). And, but for one issue, Dune‘s Netflix arrival would’ve been perfect.
It’s hard to distil Dune‘s expansive story down into a couple of sentences, so we’d advise you read our Dune review to find out more about it. Oh, and it has one of the best ensemble casts we’ve seen in a long time, which includes (but isn’t limited to) Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, and Javier Bardem. Catch it before a) it leave the service and b) Dune Part 2, one of 2024’s new movies, arrives next March.
(NB: UK viewers can catch Dune on Prime Video, while Australian audiences need to tune into Foxtel.)
New Netflix movies: September 2023
Reptile
Release date: September 29
This crime thriller looked like it would get under our skin when its official trailer arrived in late August. Here’s Reptile‘s plot synopsis, too, if you’re after a bit more information: “Following the brutal murder of a young real estate agent, a hardened detective attempts to uncover the truth in a case where nothing is as it seems, and by doing so dismantles the illusions in his own life.”
Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Silverstone, Domenick Lombardozzi, and Eric Bogosian are among its talented cast, but Reptile has failed to meet critics’ expectations. Indeed, Reptile has been largely slammed by journalists for its lackluster plot, with some calling it the “worst big budget detective thriller” for some time. In short: skip Reptile in favor of this highly-rated Netflix crime thriller starring Tom Cruise instead.
Spy Kids: Armageddon
Release date: September 22
A reboot of the beloved early 21st century spy-comedy film series, Spy Kids: Armageddon sees a new generation of young heroes step up to become the saviors of the world.
To be fair, it’s their fault that the globe finds itself in a mess anyway. When the children of the world’s greatest spies (Shazam!: Fury of the Gods‘ Zachary Levi and Jane the Virgin‘s Gina Rodriguez) unknowingly help a powerful game developer to unleash a virus that grants him access to every technological device, they’re forced to assume the spy mantle themselves and save the day. No pressure, gang.
We didn’t think Spy Kids: Armageddon would be a great watch, but its reviews suggest it isn’t absolutely terrible. Spy Kids: Armageddon, then, should have enough about it to keep your own kids quiet for a couple of hours.
New Netflix movies: what’s coming in 2023?
Want more information on the most anticipated new Netflix movies that’ll arrive before December 31? See what’s coming as part of Netflix’s ‘Fall 2023’ movie schedule, including four films you won’t want to miss below:
NYAD
Release date: November 3
Based on an incredible true story, NYAD tells the tale of journalist Diana (Annette Bening) who, at 60 years of age, attempts to complete an epic 110-mile open ocean swim from Cuba to Florida. It’s a water-based trek she’s been obsessed with since she gave up marathon swimming 30 years prior. With the aid and support of long-time friend and coach Bonnie (Jodie Foster), Diana sets off on a four-year journey to tackle her biggest regret.
Early reviews of this thrilling drama have called it “mesmerizing”, “fearless”, and “powerful”. We’ll see if those words ring true pre-Thanksgiving.
The Killer
Release date: November 10
David Fincher’s back with a brand-new thriller to, well, thrill us with. The Killer, which stars Michael Fassbender, looks like it’ll be another unmissable Fincher offering, too.
Based on Alexis Nolent and Luc Jacamon’s graphic novel series of the same name, The Killer sees Fassbender play an unnamed assassin. After a near-fatal miss, goes to war against his employers during an international manhunt that Fassbender’s nameless protagonist insists isn’t personal. Tilda Swinton and Charles Parnell are among the starry supporting cast of one of 2023’s new Netflix movies.
Best. Christmas. Ever!
Release date: November 16
Christmas movies seem to be debuting earlier on streaming services with each passing year, and Netflix’s latest festive offering isn’t an exception to that rule.
Heather Graham (Twin Peaks, The Hangover) and Brandy Norwood (The Game) star in this feel-good holiday flick as Charlotte and Jackie respectively. Each year, the latter sends a boastful holiday newsletter to her friends, including Charlotte, who is always left feeling insignificant despite her own stable family life. When a twist of fate lands Charlotte and her family and Jackie’s door one Christmas, though, Charlotte sets out to prove her former college friend’s life isn’t as great as she makes out.
Best. Christmas. Ever!‘s first trailer doesn’t look all that enticing. Nonetheless, we imagine it’ll warm the cockles of your heart and get you in the festive spirit.
Rustin
Release date: November 17
Colman Domingo promises to deliver a powerful performance in Rustin, a film based on the architect of 1963’s momentous March on Washington, which culminated with Martin Luther King giving his legendary and impactful ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.
Domingo portrays the titular Bayard Rustin, a political and social activist, and one of the civil rights movement’s most influential men. Never one to apologize for who he was or what he believed in, the inspirational Black and gay leader helped to make history – so why has his iconic story never been told before? Netflix aims to finally shine a light on Rustin in this powerful tale of resolve, faith, and standing up for what’s right.
Leo
Release date: November 21
2023 feels like the year of Adam Sandler on Netflix. Not content with starring in Murder Mystery 2, The Out-Laws, and You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, he’s also voicing the titular character in family-friendly musical-comedy Leo, which arrives in time for Thanksgiving.
Sandler stars as jaded school pet lizard Leo, who’s been stuck in the same Florida classroom alongside his turtle friend (voiced by Bill Burr) for decades. But, when Leo learns he only has a year left to live, he plans to escape from his glass-wall confinement and live life to the full for once. Here’s hoping it’ll keep the kids entertained once you’ve consumed your bodyweight in turkey during the aforementioned US holiday…
May December
Release date: December 1 (US and Canada only)
Billed as an unsettling romantic drama, May December brings two titans of the acting game – Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore – together in a flick that could be unexpectedly great.
Portman plays Elizabeth Berry, an actress who’s set to portray a fictionalized version of Moore’s Gracie Atherton-Yoo on the big screen. Berry visits Atherton-Yoo and the latter’s toy boy Joe Yoo, whose romantic dalliance-turned-marriage was front page news two decades earlier, to learn more about the woman she’s set to play. However, Berry’s arrival and intrusion upsets the couple’s private life, which threatens their until-now stable relationship.
NB: UK viewers will be able to catch this on Sky Cinema in early December.
Leave the World Behind
Release date: December 8
This Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Mahershala Ali-starring apocalyptic sci-fi thriller might be an enticing alternative to the swathe of Christmas movies we’ll get later this year.
Leave the World Behind, which is based on Rumaan Alam’s book of the same name, tells the story of married couple Amanda (Roberts) and Clay (Hawke), whose vacation is interrupted by the mysterious G.H. (Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la). The two visitors bring news of an impending cyberattack and seek refuge in the home, which Amanda and Clay have rented for the weekend, G.H. and Ruth claim is theirs. As the disaster unfolds, the two families become trapped in a terrifying and escalating situation.
Award-winning writer and director Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot) leads production on the film, so we’re confident it’ll be an electrifyingly dramatic watch in December. Check out the trailer above, which we described as horribly hair-raising.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
Release date: December 15
Having pulled off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger has finally found her dream – a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock, far from the dangers of the human world in Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.
When she and Rocky hatch a little girl called Molly, Ginger’s happy ending seems complete. However, back on the mainland, the whole of chicken-kind faces a new and terrible threat. This time around, instead of breaking out, they’re breaking in. That’s right, get ready for everyone’s favorite anthropomorphic chickens (and rats!) to ruffle some feathers by performing their own egg-cellent heist.
Maestro
Release date: December 20 (in select theaters from November 24)
Produced by Todd Phillips, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and leading man Bradley Cooper (who also directs and stars in the film), Maestro centers on the life and legacy of West Side Story composer Leonard Bernstein.
Judging by the prosthetics used to transform Cooper into the much older Bernstein, we expect this entry in our new Netflix movies list to be a shoo-in for next year’s Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar. Early reactions to Maestro have called it Michelle Williams’ best performance in years, too, so expect her to be in the running for multiple Best Actress awards early next year.
For those interested, here’s Maestro‘s story synopsis: “Maestro is a towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A love letter to life and art, Maestro at its core is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love.”
Rebel Moon Part 1: A Child of Fire
Release date: December 22
Director Zack Snyder returns to Netflix with Rebel Moon, an epic space opera reportedly inspired by Star Wars, The Dirty Dozen, and Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam, Ray Fisher, Djimon Hounsou, Jena Malone, Corey Stoll, Ed Skrein, and Anthony Hopkins are among its stacked ensemble cast.
Here’s the plot synopsis: “When a peaceful colony on the edge of a galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious stranger living among the villagers, becomes their best hope for survival.
“Tasked with finding trained fighters who will unite with her in making an impossible stand against the Mother World, Kora assembles a small band of warriors – outsiders, insurgents, peasants and orphans of war from different worlds who share a common need for redemption and revenge. As the shadow of an entire Realm bears down on the unlikeliest of moons, a battle over the fate of a galaxy is waged, and in the process, a new army of heroes is formed.”
Rebel Moon Part 1: A Child of Fire releases this December, with Part 2: The Scargiver slated for April 2024. Its first trailer, which you can view above, looks like Netflix’s pretty good answer to Star Wars. Given Snyder is helming this one, a director’s cut is on the way as well, and it’ll test your movie runtime limits.
For more Netflix-based coverage, read our best Netflix shows and best Netflix documentaries guides. Alternatively, find out how to sign up to Netflix or get the lowdown on whether it’s worth cancelling your Netflix subscription.