Movies coming to Netflix this Week

Looking for a week’s worth of easy picks? Here are the first wave of films landing over the next few days, from twisty thrillers and romcom sendups to music biopics and award-winning favorites—each with a quick primer on what they’re about and who made them.

‘Sliding Doors’ (1998)

Written and directed by Peter Howitt, ‘Sliding Doors’ follows London publicist Helen Quilley as the film splits into two parallel timelines depending on whether she catches a train, exploring how small moments can radically alter a life. It stars Gwyneth Paltrow alongside John Hannah, John Lynch, and Jeanne Tripplehorn. Remi Adefarasin handled cinematography, with music by David Hirschfelder. It arrives on October 27 (Monday).

‘Babo – Die Haftbefehl-Story’ (2025)

‘Babo- Die Haftbefehl-Story’ is a feature documentary about German rapper Haftbefehl (Aykut Anhan), built from candid interviews with the artist, his family, and collaborators. Directed by Juan Moreno and Sinan Sevinç and produced by Elyas M’Barek and Pacco-Luca Nitsche, it charts his rise from Offenbach to national prominence while confronting personal struggles. Netflix’s description highlights an unflinching, intimate portrait of the icon’s life and impact on German hip-hop. It arrives on October 28 (Tuesday).

‘Ballad of a Small Player’ (2025)

Based on Lawrence Osborne’s novel, ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ is directed by Edward Berger and stars Colin Farrell as a gambler spiraling through Macau, with Tilda Swinton among the supporting cast. The story follows Lord Doyle as debts and ghosts from his past close in, intersecting with a mysterious casino worker and a dogged investigator. Berger reunites with collaborators from ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ including cinematographer James Friend and composer Volker Bertelmann. It arrives on October 29 (Wednesday).

‘The White House Effect’ (2024)

‘The White House Effect’ is an all-archival documentary tracing the political inflection points in the George H. W. Bush administration that shaped global climate policy trajectories. The film bills itself as the “origin story of the climate crisis,” reconstructing negotiations and internal battles that altered the course of action in the early 1990s. The official site confirms its historical focus and approach. It arrives on October 31 (Friday).

‘Don’t Worry Darling’ (2022)

Directed by Olivia Wilde and written by Katie Silberman from a story by Carey and Shane Van Dyke, ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ centers on a 1950s company town where a housewife begins to suspect disturbing secrets behind the community’s sheen. The ensemble includes Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, and Wilde. Matthew Libatique served as cinematographer, with music by John Powell. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Isn’t It Romantic’ (2019)

A meta-romcom directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson, ‘Isn’t It Romantic’ stars Rebel Wilson as an architect who wakes up inside a PG-13 romantic comedy after an accident, with Liam Hemsworth, Adam DeVine, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas co-starring. The screenplay is by Erin Cardillo, Dana Fox, and Katie Silberman. The film riffs on genre tropes while keeping the stakes personal and light. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Ocean’s Eight’ (2018)

A spinoff of the ‘Ocean’s’ franchise, ‘Ocean’s Eight’ is a heist caper directed by Gary Ross and co-written with Olivia Milch. Sandra Bullock leads an ensemble—Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Rihanna, and Helena Bonham Carter—as a team plotting a Met Gala jewelry job. Daniel Pemberton composed the score, with cinematography by Eigil Bryld. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘The Little Things’ (2021)

Written and directed by John Lee Hancock, ‘The Little Things’ is a 1990s-set crime thriller about two detectives tracking a serial killer in Los Angeles. Denzel Washington and Rami Malek play lawmen whose pursuit centers on a suspect portrayed by Jared Leto. John Schwartzman shot the film, with Thomas Newman composing. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Elvis’ (2022)

Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’ is an epic biographical drama about Elvis Presley’s life and career, framed through his relationship with manager Colonel Tom Parker. Austin Butler stars as Presley with Tom Hanks as Parker; the screenplay is by Luhrmann, Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, and Jeremy Doner. Mandy Walker handled cinematography, and the film received multiple Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Actor. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Wonka’ (2023)

‘Wonka’ is a musical fantasy directed by Paul King and co-written with Simon Farnaby, serving as a prequel to the classic Willy Wonka tale. Timothée Chalamet plays the young chocolatier opposite Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson, and others; Joby Talbot scored, with songs by Neil Hannon. The film chronicles Wonka’s first steps into confectionary greatness and clashes with a so-called Chocolate Cartel. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Dr. Dolittle 2’ (2001)

In ‘Dr. Dolittle 2’, Eddie Murphy returns as the doctor who talks to animals, enlisted to help protect a forest by pairing a tame bear with a wild female so the habitat gains legal protection. Directed by Steve Carr and written by Larry Levin, the sequel features voices and performances from Kristen Wilson, Jeffrey Jones, Kevin Pollak, and Lisa Kudrow (as Ava the bear). David Newman composed the score, with Daryn Okada as cinematographer. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Doctor Sleep’ (2019)

Written and directed by Mike Flanagan from Stephen King’s novel, ‘Doctor Sleep’ continues the story of Danny Torrance decades after ‘The Shining’ as he confronts a cult preying on children with psychic abilities. Ewan McGregor stars as Dan alongside Rebecca Ferguson and Kyliegh Curran, with Michael Fimognari as cinematographer and The Newton Brothers composing. The film exists as both a theatrical cut and a longer director’s cut. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Dear Santa’ (2024)

Directed by Bobby Farrelly and co-written with Peter Farrelly and Ricky Blitt, ‘Dear Santa’ follows a boy whose misspelled letter summons Satan instead of Santa, with Jack Black playing the devilish visitor. The cast includes Keegan-Michael Key, Brianne Howey, and appearances from Post Malone, among others. Production was mounted for Paramount, with filming in Georgia and a holiday season release. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Paddington 2’ (2017)

Paul King’s ‘Paddington 2’ sends the beloved bear on a quest to clear his name after a prized pop-up book is stolen, while the Brown family races to prove his innocence. Ben Whishaw voices Paddington, with Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, and Hugh Grant among the live-action cast; King co-wrote the script with Simon Farnaby. The film was produced by David Heyman and scored by Dario Marianelli. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Game Night’ (2018)

Co-directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein from Mark Perez’s script, ‘Game Night’ turns a suburban evening into a real kidnapping caper that forces friends to separate staged clues from actual crime. Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams lead a cast that includes Jesse Plemons, Kyle Chandler, Sharon Horgan, and Billy Magnussen. Barry Peterson shot the film, with music by Cliff Martinez. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Risen’ (2016)

Directed by Kevin Reynolds and written by Reynolds and Paul Aiello, ‘Risen’ is a biblical drama about a Roman tribune ordered to investigate rumors of Jesus’s resurrection in Jerusalem. Joseph Fiennes stars alongside Tom Felton, Peter Firth, and Cliff Curtis. The film is an American-Spanish co-production released by Sony’s faith-based label Affirm Films. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

Tell me you’re ready for the rest, and I’ll keep going—what are you most excited to watch from this batch?

‘Joy Ride’ (2023)

Directed by Adele Lim and written by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, ‘Joy Ride’ follows four friends whose business trip to Asia turns into a raucous, deeply personal search for identity and family. The ensemble features Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu, with Paul Yee as cinematographer and Nathan Matthew David composing. The film was produced by Point Grey Pictures with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg among the producers. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ (2018)

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ is directed by Jon M. Chu from a screenplay by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim, adapted from Kevin Kwan’s novel. The story follows New Yorker Rachel Chu as she travels to Singapore and discovers her boyfriend’s family is extraordinarily wealthy. Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, Lisa Lu, and Michelle Yeoh lead the cast. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Ready Player One’ (2018)

Steven Spielberg directs ‘Ready Player One’, a sci-fi adventure set in 2045 where players chase an Easter egg inside the virtual world OASIS for control of the tech empire. The screenplay is by Zak Penn and Ernest Cline, based on Cline’s novel, with Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Lena Waithe, T.J. Miller, Simon Pegg, and Mark Rylance starring. The film blends live action and extensive VFX while nodding to decades of pop culture. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Merry Liddle Christmas’ (2019)

Produced by and starring Kelly Rowland, ‘Merry Liddle Christmas’ centers on tech entrepreneur Jacquie Liddle whose carefully planned holiday unravels when her lively family descends on her new home. Directed by Bosede Williams and written by Andrea Stevens, the film co-stars Thomas Cadrot, Jaime M. Callica, Debbi Morgan, and Bresha Webb. The movie originally premiered on Lifetime and later launched two sequels. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘No Good Deed’ (2014)

Directed by Sam Miller and written by Aimée Lagos, ‘No Good Deed’ follows an escaped convict who terrorizes a woman and her children during a stormy night. Idris Elba and Taraji P. Henson headline the thriller, with Leslie Bibb and Kate del Castillo in supporting roles. The film was produced by Will Packer Productions and released by Screen Gems. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Grimsby’ (2016)

Also released as ‘Grimsby’ in some regions, ‘The Brothers Grimsby’ is a spy action-comedy directed by Louis Leterrier and written by Sacha Baron Cohen, Phil Johnston, and Peter Baynham. The story pairs a hapless football hooligan with his long-lost brother, a deadly MI6 agent, for a world-saving mission. The cast includes Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Strong, Rebel Wilson, Penélope Cruz, and Isla Fisher appears uncredited in a voice cameo on some versions. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Just Mercy’ (2019)

‘Just Mercy’ is a legal drama directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, adapted from attorney Bryan Stevenson’s memoir. Michael B. Jordan portrays Stevenson as he fights to overturn the wrongful conviction of Walter McMillian, played by Jamie Foxx; the cast also includes Brie Larson, Rob Morgan, and Tim Blake Nelson. The screenplay is by Cretton and Andrew Lanham. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Heaven Is for Real’ (2014)

Directed by Randall Wallace and co-written with Christopher Parker, ‘Heaven Is for Real’ adapts the best-selling book by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent about a boy who recounts near-death experiences. Greg Kinnear stars with Kelly Reilly, Connor Corum, Margo Martindale, and Thomas Haden Church. The film was released by TriStar Pictures and features music by Nick Glennie-Smith. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Doctor Dolittle’ (1998)

‘Doctor Dolittle’ is a modern take on Hugh Lofting’s character, directed by Betty Thomas and written by Larry Levin and Nat Mauldin. Eddie Murphy leads the cast as a physician who discovers he can talk to animals, with supporting roles from Ossie Davis and Oliver Platt and voice work including Norm Macdonald. The comedy was produced by Davis Entertainment and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Life of the Party’ (2018)

Directed by Ben Falcone and co-written with Melissa McCarthy, ‘Life of the Party’ follows a newly divorced mom who returns to college and ends up attending classes with her daughter. McCarthy stars alongside Molly Gordon, Gillian Jacobs, Maya Rudolph, and Julie Bowen. The film features a score by Fil Eisler and was released by Warner Bros. Pictures. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘The Nun II’ (2023)

‘The Nun II’ is the eighth entry in the ‘Conjuring’ Universe, directed by Michael Chaves from a screenplay by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and Akela Cooper. Taissa Farmiga returns as Sister Irene with Jonas Bloquet and Bonnie Aarons, joined by Storm Reid and Anna Popplewell, in a story that continues the battle against the demon Valak. The film builds on events introduced in ‘The Nun’ and ‘The Conjuring 2’. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Tenet’ (2020)

Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, ‘Tenet’ revolves around a covert operative drawn into a time-bending mission involving “inversion” to prevent global catastrophe. John David Washington leads the cast with Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, and Kenneth Branagh. The film features cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema and a score by Ludwig Göransson. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘The Way Back’ (2020)

Directed by Gavin O’Connor and written by Brad Ingelsby, ‘The Way Back’ centers on a former high-school basketball star battling alcoholism who becomes coach of his alma mater’s struggling team. Ben Affleck stars, with Al Madrigal, Michaela Watkins, and Janina Gavankar in supporting roles. The drama features music by Rob Simonsen and cinematography by Eduard Grau. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘Moonage Daydream’ (2022)

Brett Morgen’s ‘Moonage Daydream’ is an authorized, immersive documentary exploring David Bowie’s creative life through rare archival footage, concert material, and Bowie’s own art and narration. Morgen wrote, directed, produced, and edited the film, which was released theatrically including IMAX presentations. The title comes from the 1972 Bowie song. It arrives on November 1 (Saturday).

‘The Outfit’ (2022)

Written by Graham Moore and Johnathan McClain and directed by Moore, ‘The Outfit’ is a contained crime thriller about an English cutter in 1950s Chicago who becomes entangled with local gangsters. Mark Rylance stars with Zoey Deutch, Johnny Flynn, Dylan O’Brien, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Simon Russell Beale. The film features cinematography by Dick Pope and a score by Alexandre Desplat. It arrives on November 2 (Sunday).

Ready to compare favorites or build a watchlist from these picks—what should everyone queue up first?