If you’re curious about the new movies on Netflix this month but only want the best of the best, you’ve come to the right place. October isn’tonlyabout Spooky Season and horror films, as Netflix has added a slew of critically acclaimed dramas, adventure movies, and even kids movies to enjoy this month.
As far as new releases go, October’s centerpiece is surelyTrial of the Chicago 7, the big Oscar movie from writer/directorAaron Sorkinwith a who’s who of A-listers in its cast (Eddie Redmayne!Sacha Baron Cohen!Joseph Gordon-Levitt!). If it’s older yet no less prestigious films you’re looking for, what better time than now to watch theCoen BrothersclassicFargo? Especially with a new season of the TV adaptation of the iconic dark comedy now airing. And for the kiddos, you really can’t go wrong withTaika Waititi’s joyousHunt for the Wilderpeopleor the stop-motion animatedParaNorman, which also makes for a great Halloween season watch.
So check out our picks for the best new movies on Netflix in October below, and if you’re more interested in what show you should binge-watch Netflix, don’t miss our list of the best shows currently streaming on Netflix.
Available:October 1st
Directors/Writers:Joel and Ethan Coen
Cast:Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, and John Carroll Lynch
Fargois one of the greatest American movies ever made, and it kind of came out of nowhere. FilmmakersThe Coen Brothershad just come off a big budget flop withThe Hudsucker Proxyand decided to next make a darkly comic thriller set against the backdrop of Minnesota and North Dakota. The juxtaposition of the “Minnesota nice” mentality of the characters with the grim nature of the murder and kidnapping plot shouldn’t work, but in the hands of the Coens it’s a downright masterpiece.Frances McDormandis flawless as the film’s smart and incredibly kind hero Marge Gunderson, a police chief who seems to be the only one able to crack the mystery at the center of the story. The film won Oscars for McDormand’s performance and the Coen brothers’ screenplay, and has since solidified its place in history as one of the best movies ever made.
Director/Writer:Spike Jonze
Cast:Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, and Chris Pratt
The 2013 filmHerreally and truly should not work, but it’s an absolute miracle of a film – although be forewarned it may break your heart into a million pieces. Set in the near future,Joaquin Phoenixplays a quiet, somewhat awkward man who unexpectedly falls in love with his new operating system, which has been built with the ability to personalize and evolve to better anticipate its user’s needs. This is a full-on love story in which one half of the couple is never seen, makingScarlett Johansson’s performance all the more impressive. But it’s also a deeply felt film about humanity and the power of human connection, whichmaybe a little heavy of a theme for the year 2020, but if you can hang with it I cannot recommend it enough. It’s also got a gorgeous soundtrack byArcade Fireand warm, tactile cinematography byChristopher Nolan’s DPHoyte van Hoytema.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Director/Writer:Taika Waititi
Cast:Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rhys Darby, Rima Te Wiata, and Rachel House
BeforeTaika Waititimade one of the best MCU movies to date, and before he won an Oscar forJojo Rabbit, he made a delightful New Zealand adventure movie in which a grumpySam Neillis forced to team up with a foul-mouthed child when the two are the target of a manhunt throughout the New Zealand bush. It’s based on an existing book, but in tone and executionHunt for the Wilderpeopleoftentimes feels like an adaptation of aRoald Dahlbook we never knew about. It’s delightful and whimsical and a little terrifying, with Waititi’s playful anarchy filling the whole thing out for good measure. This movie is guaranteed to put you in a good mood.
Available:October 14th
Director:Bennett Miller
Writers:Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin
Cast:Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Chris Pratt, and Robin Wright
Brad Pittgives one of the best performances of his career in the 2011 sports dramaMoneyball, which went through a fraught development period (Steven Soderberghwas fired from directing three days before shooting was supposed to begin) but came out pretty spectacular on the other end. Based on a true story, Pitt plays Bill Beane, a former baseball player and current general manager of the Oakland Athletics who takes a gamble on using statistics instead of scouts to build his team.Jonah Hillearned an Oscar nomination for his dramatic turn as sabermetrics guru Peter Brand, whilePhilip Seymour Hoffmanis unsurprisingly a scene-stealer as the team’s manager who opposes this abnormal method.Bennett Millerdirects the film with a quiet introspection as Beane looks back on his how own past has shaped his best and worst tendencies, and the film works well as a parallel to Pitt’s transition from “Hollywood hunk” to thoughtful performer. As a bonus, the screenplay gets a crackerjack boost fromAaron Sorkin, whose scenes stick out in the best way.
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Available:October 16th
Director/Writer:Aaron Sorkin
Cast:Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong, Mark Rylance, Frank Langella, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Keaton, and John Carroll Lynch
Aaron Sorkinfirst began working on the screenplay forTrial of the Chicago 7back in 2007, at which pointSteven Spielbergwas attached to direct. But the film – which dramatizes events that really happened in the wake of the 1968 Democratic National Convention – feels more relevant now than ever. Indeed, this is a story about the world we live in right now using an event from our recent past, in which Vietnam War protesters were put on trial and accused of inciting riots. The trial that unfolded is almost impossible to believe, as the judge (Frank Langella) makes his unbiased nature clear throughout proceedings in which the idea of a “fair and just trial” is thrown out the window. The film is at heart about the power of protest in its various forms, and it boasts stellar performances from its entire ensemble in addition to a rousing (and infuriating) screenplay by Sorkin.
ParaNorman
Available:October 18th
Directors:Sam Fell and Chris Butler
Writer:Chris Butler
Cast:Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin, Elaine Stritch, Tucker Albrizzi, and Austin Dickey
If you crossedThe GoonieswithHalloweenand added a dose ofSleepy Hollowto the mix, you’d get something close to LAIKA’s stop-motion animated masterpieceParaNorman. Released in 2012, the film takes place in a small Massachusets town and revolves around an 11-year-old boy who speaks to the dead, chatting with the various ghosts around his town. But when the yearly ritual to protect the town fails, it’s up to Norman to save the day all the while the town has gone on a literal witch hunt.ParaNormanis a surprisingly empathetic and emotional story about the effects of bullying and being “othered,” and in that way has a lot to say about compassion and care for others’ feelings. It’s also just a spook-filled blast and a really great Halloween movie.
Available:October 20th
Director:Todd Haynes
Writer:Phyllis Nagy
Cast:Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, and Kyle Chandler
If you’re in the mood for romance but also maybe want to start getting into the Christmas spirit, I highly recommendTodd Haynes’ 2015 romantic dramaCarol. Based on thePatricia HighsmithnovelThe Price of Salt, the film takes place in 1950s Manhattan and tells the story of a young department store worker and aspiring photographer named Therese (Rooney Mara) who strikes up a secret romance with a charismatic (and married) mother named Carol (Cate Blanchett). This being the 50s and all, this same-sex relationship has to be kept a secret, which complicates the lives of both women. But it’s also a story that doesn’t rope all lesbians into one basket, so to speak, as Carol and Therese have very different life experiences and very different wants and needs in terms of romantic relationships. It’s a gorgeous, somewhat haunting film and one of the most striking love stories in recent memory.
