The 10 Best New Movies On Netflix In November 2024

As someone who loves action movies and romantic comedies and horror movies and historical dramas and tender coming-of-age stories...well, basically, I like everything. And as someone who's into just about every kind of genre there is, Netflix is a gift, because each new month presents fresh movies for me to discover and old favorites to revisit. And that is certainly the case in November, which has already given us plenty of cinematic gems, from a revered 2023 drama that features a surprisingly fantastic Oscar-winning performance to an intimate documentary that reveals the sacrifices made in pursuit of perfection to one of the best and most underrated animated films of the past decade. Needless to say, you've got quite a few options to choose from.

So, let's get started. Below, I've segmented out the ten best movies I believe have been added to Netflix in November 2024. Then at the bottom of the , you can find a full breakdown of every single new movie hitting the streamer this month. Having this many films to choose from can be overwhelming, but it's also a great problem to have. Happy movie-watching!

The 10 Best New Movies On Netflix In November 2024 The Whale (2023)

Of all the actors I expected to earn an Oscar for Best Actor, I have to say: Brendan Fraser was at the bottom of my list. Then again, I didn't know he had a performance like Charlie from The Whale in him. Then again, again, he never had a director like Darren Aronofsky pushing him to these sorts of drastic lengths. The film follows the story of Charlie, a reclusive English teacher who lives in isolation, who hides his appearance from the world, going as far to conduct online classes with his webcam off. Burdened by a deep sense of guilt and grief after losing his partner, Charlie finds comfort in overeating—an indulgence enabled by his nurse, Liz (played by Hong Chau, who received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress). As he becomes morbidly obese and his health issues worsen, Charlie tries to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink), in an effort to mend their broken relationship before it's too late. Fraser's physical transformation is central to the film's impact, as his movements, breathing and struggle to perform basic tasks give such immense weight to the character's suffering and vulnerability.

Sixteen Candles (1984)

It seems wrong to ignore a classic like Sixteen Candles when it's become part of the Netflix lineup. Nobody created a more relatable and compassionate depiction of teenage life than John Hughes, who taps into the universal feeling of being overlooked and misunderstood of a girl whose milestone birthday has been forgotten. This coming-of-age comedy centers on Samantha "Sam" Baker (Molly Ringwald), whose 16th birthday goes completely unnoticed by a family enveloped by the chaos of her sister's upcoming wedding. Dealing with typical high school woes, Sam has a major crush on popular senior Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling), while awkward freshman Ted (Anthony Michael Hall) harbors a not-so-secret crush on her. Over the course of an entire day, Sam grapples with feelings of invisibility and unrequited love in her struggle to find a sense of self-worth. Through her journey, Sam comes to realize that she's more than her crush on Jake or her family's oversight as she embraces her individuality and gains some much-needed confidence.

Katie (2019)

Sometimes a documentary is almost too up close and personal, so revealing that you can't help but feel you've encroached too intimately upon someone else's life and all their issues. That is certainly the case with director Ross Whitaker's 2019 documentary Katie, which traces Irish boxer Katie Taylor's journey from amateur fighter to her standing atop the professional boxing world. By following her daily routines, training sessions and reflective moments, Whitaker allows the audience to feel as though they are right beside Katie in the ring and at home. The film captures Katie's life in a raw, visceral manner, exploring her struggles with the setbacks of fame and the pressures of being a trailblazer in a male-dominated sport. The film doesn't shy away from showing the personal cost of Katie's dedication to boxing, as while a fractured relationship with her father casts a shadow over her career. The documentary highlights the sacrifices she makes, from living away from family to enduring intense physical demands, which are all part of pursuiting her dream.

Whiplash (2014)

The hunt for perfection, for unbridled success, for absolute transcendence in your profession, in your greatest passion is nothing new to storytelling. Classic movies like Citizen Kane to There Will Be Blood have always been obsessed with such obsession—and many people believe we should throw Whiplash into that list of films as well. Directed by Damien Chazelle (who also gave us gems like La La Land and Babylon), this revered movie follows the intense and often brutal journey of Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), a driven drummer who dreams of standing alongside Charlie Parker as one of the great jazz musicians. Andrew is mentored at a prestigious music conservatory by Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), a notorious and highly demanding instructor whose teaching methods push his students to their limits. As Andrew strives to earn Fletcher's approval, he becomes consumed by a quest to become the best drummer ever, sacrificing relationships and enduring irreparably damaging psychological and physical tolls in his quest for greatness.

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)

Every once in a while, an animated movie comes along that doesn't look familiar, that embraces a different kind of humor and compassion from the standard Disney fare. That was certainly the case in 2014 with Mr. Peabody & Sherman, a film directed by Rob Minkoff (he helmed the Stuart Little movies) that follows the adventures of a brilliant, talking dog named Mr. Peabody (voiced by Ty Burrell) and his adopted human son, Sherman (Max Charles). Using his time-traveling WABAC machine, Mr. Peabody takes Sherman on adventures to learn about historical events. But when Sherman and his classmate Penny (Ariel Winter) accidentally use the WABAC machine on their own, they end up altering important moments in history. Now, Mr. Peabody and Sherman must race through time to fix the grand timeline and set things back in order. This film filled with clever, historically based humor is great for kids and adults (especially history buffs) alike, as Mr. Peabody and Sherman meet famous figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Marie Antoinette, and even stop by events like the Trojan War.

Oblivion (2013)

You would think a movie that made nearly $300 million at the box office would be more well known. But it seems that with each passing year, Oblivion fades into...well. Which is too bad, because the movie's striking futuristic aesthetic, its layered world-building, its epic, expansive cinematography are all ingredients for a great blockbuster. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, this sci-fi action film set in the year 2077 follows the aftermath of a devastating war between humans and an alien race known as the Scavs. Jack Harper (Tom Cruise), one of the few remaining humans stationed on a desolate Earth repairing its extraction machines, has been informed he will soon travel with his partner Vika (Andrea Riseborough) to join humanity's new colony on Titan. However, Jack's recurring dreams of a mysterious woman (Olga Kurylenko) and his growing curiosity about Earth's past lead him to question the true nature of his mission. One of my favorite parts of Oblivion is the French band M83's atmospheric, electronic score, which combines pulsating beats, ambient textures and soaring melodies that echo both the technological sophistication of Jack's world and the emotional weight of his discoveries.

Maid in Manhattan (2002)

As someone who loves rom-coms, it's hard to see those two names—Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes—and not be intrigued. Like, how could that not work? So if you're looking for a film that embraces the lighthearted, charming tone typical of early 2000s romantic comedy, you can't do much better than this one. Directed by Wayne Wang, Maid in Manhattan tells the story of Marisa Ventura (Lopez), a single mother and hotel maid working at a luxury Manhattan hotel. While cleaning a wealthy guest's suite, Marisa tries on a designer outfit, and which is right when high-profile Senate candidate Christopher Marshall (Fiennes) mistakes her for a wealthy socialite. Caught up in the moment, Marisa allows Christopher to believe she is a hotel guest, sparking a whirlwind romance that takes them both on a journey about class and self-worth. The movie is packed with classic rom-com character actors, including Stanley Tucci as Christopher's campaign manager and Natasha Richardson as the real socialite who owns the dress Marisa tries on.

Goosebumps (2015)

As a fan of the "Goosebumps" book series growing up, I have to admit: I groaned when I saw they were making a Goosebumps movie back in 2015. But after a few years of cooling down, I finally checked out the family-friendly film and, to my surprise, I found it to be a fantastic homage to R.L. Stein's creation. Directed by Rob Letterman, this meta horror-comedy follows Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette), a teenager who moves to a new town. He befriends his new neighbor, Hannah (Odeya Rush), and quickly discovers that her mysterious father is none other than the reclusive author R.L. Stine (Jack Black). When Zach accidentally unlocks one of Stine's original manuscripts, he unleashes a horde of monsters from the books—including Slappy the Dummy, the Abominable Snowman, a giant praying mantis, and other favorites from Stine's body of work. Zach and Hannah and her father then team up to capture the creatures and prevent them from wreaking havoc on the town. The film greatly respects its source material, honoring the quirky horror tone of the books while introducing new elements that expand the stories beyond the page.

Free State of Jones (2016)

Sometimes historical dramas are revered for the wrong reasons, appreciated for their big-budget spectacles as opposed to creating insight into a crucial moment in history. That's why I appreciate a film like Free State of Jones, which strives for historical authenticity, which recreates the era's social and political tensions, which incorporates real historical events and documents to give context to someone like Newton Knight's rebellion. Knight, a Mississippi farmer and Confederate deserter, led a rebellion against the Confederacy during the American Civil War. After witnessing the horrors of battle and the exploitation of poor soldiers, Knight becomes disillusioned with the war and returns home, where he forms an alliance with fellow deserters, runaway slaves and local farmers. Together, they establish a free, self-governed community called the Free State of Jones in the heart of Mississippi as they oppose Confederate forces and challenge the brutal institution of slavery. Directed by Gary Ross, Free State of Jones explores the difficulties faced by freed slaves as they fight for citizenship, land and dignity in a hostile environment.

Superbad (2007)

Do I really have to sit here and convince you to watch Superbad? Whether you've seen it or not? Because if you've seen it, then watching one of the most quotable and hilarious movies ever over and over again isn't a problem. And if you haven't seen it...well, what are you doing? Directed by the great Greg Mottola and written by comedy titans Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, is a coming-of-age story follows high school seniors Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) as they navigate one wild night before graduation. These socially awkward teens are eager to impress their crushes, Jules (Emma Stone) and Becca (Martha MacIsaac), by providing alcohol for Jules' big party. Enlisting their nerdy friend Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), aka "McLovin," they embark on a chaotic Odyssean journey filled with mishaps, run-ins with goofy cops (played by Rogen and Bill Hader) and personal revelations as they prepare for the next phase of their lives. If you've never seen it, be warned: it is very raunchy. In fantastic way.

Every New Movie on Netflix in November 2024