Every Movie Coming to Netflix This Week, Including Ridley Scott’s Controversial Sequel

Netflix expands its streaming catalog from Monday, October 19, to Sunday, October 25, with a slate of feature films spanning period dramas, historical epics, political thrillers, independent cinema, and biographical documentaries. Subscribers can look forward to mid-week releases that include ancient Rome sagas and literary character studies, followed by wine-country dramedies and intimate non-fiction portraits as the weekend approaches. Each scheduled arrival provides distinct storytelling for viewers planning their weekly viewing schedules.

‘Emily’ (2022)

‘Emily’ arrives on Netflix on Wednesday, October 21. Written and directed by Frances O’Connor in her feature directorial debut, the biographical drama stars Emma Mackey as 19th-century English author Emily Brontë. The story depicts Brontë’s life in Yorkshire, exploring her relationships with her sisters Charlotte and Anne, her bond with her troubled brother Branwell, and a fictionalized romance with curate William Weightman. These emotional conflicts and personal experiences serve as the catalyst for her writing the landmark 1847 novel ‘Wuthering Heights’. The supporting cast includes Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Fionn Whitehead, Alexandra Dowling, and Gemma Jones.

‘Gladiator II’ (2024)

Releasing on Netflix on Wednesday, October 21, ‘Gladiator II’ serves as director Ridley Scott’s continuation of the ancient Roman saga. The narrative centers on Lucius Verus, portrayed by Paul Mescal, who is taken captive and forced into slavery after Roman troops led by General Marcus Acacius conquer his North African home. Lucius enters the Colosseum as a gladiator under the patronage of power broker Macrinus, played by Denzel Washington, while seeking retribution against the imperial leadership of co-emperors Caracalla and Geta. Connie Nielsen returns to her role as Lucilla, appearing alongside co-stars Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn. The production continues the historical timeline established more than two decades earlier, focusing on political corruption and combat in the arena.

‘Gladiator’ (2000)

Also joining the streaming platform on Wednesday, October 21, ‘Gladiator’ is the Academy Award-winning historical drama directed by Ridley Scott. The film stars Russell Crowe as General Maximus Decimus Meridius, a decorated military commander betrayed by the ambitious Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix, following the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Stripped of his rank and sold to gladiatorial trainer Proximo, Maximus must battle through regional arenas to reach the Colosseum in Rome. His public victories in the arena grant him the opportunity to confront Commodus and fulfill a promise to restore the Roman Republic. The ensemble cast includes Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, and Richard Harris.

‘The Ides of March’ (2011)

The political drama ‘The Ides of March’ premieres on Netflix on Wednesday, October 21. Directed by George Clooney, the film stars Ryan Gosling as Stephen Meyers, an ambitious junior campaign manager working on the primary campaign of presidential candidate Governor Mike Morris, played by Clooney. Meyers becomes entangled in a web of political compromise after meeting with a rival campaign manager and discovering an illicit relationship between Morris and a young intern. Adapted from Beau Willimon’s stage play ‘Farragut North’, the screenplay received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. The supporting cast features Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, and Jeffrey Wright.

‘Bottle Shock’ (2008)

Scheduled to debut on Netflix on Thursday, October 22, ‘Bottle Shock’ dramatizes the real-life 1976 wine competition known as the Judgment of Paris. Directed by Randall Miller, the comedy-drama stars Alan Rickman as Steven Spurrier, a British wine merchant in Paris who organizes a blind tasting event between French wines and unheralded California vintages. The story follows Jim Barrett, played by Bill Pullman, and his son Bo, played by Chris Pine, as they fight financial difficulties to produce quality wine at Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley. Freddy Rodriguez and Rachael Taylor co-star as fellow winery workers who assist in refining the Chardonnay submitted to the competition. The historical event depicted in the narrative fundamentally changed global perceptions of American winemaking.

‘Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story’ (2026)

Concluding the week’s movie arrivals, ‘Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story’ debuts on Netflix on Friday, October 23. Co-directed by Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley, the biographical documentary explores the career and personal life of stand-up comedian Maria Bamford. The feature chronicles her childhood in Minnesota, her rise through the Los Angeles comedy scene, and her experiences managing bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It also highlights how her personal challenges shaped her stand-up material and her starring role in the Netflix series ‘Lady Dynamite’. The documentary incorporates archival performance clips alongside commentary from fellow performers, including Stephen Colbert, Patton Oswalt, and Tig Notaro.

Share which of these upcoming movie additions you plan to watch first and leave your thoughts on the weekly lineup in the comments.