11 Best New Movies on Netflix: October 2020’s Freshest Films to Watch

One of the most iconic erotic thrillers in cinematic history is coming to Netflix this month. For the uninitiated, Basic Instinct stars Sharon Stone as Catherine Tramell, a crime novelist who becomes the prime suspect in a murder case investigated by detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas). Despite his best intentions, Curran and Catherine quickly embark upon a torrid affair that will forever be remembered as one of the sexiest, most dangerous liaisons of the 1990s.

Where to stream Basic Instinct

Another day, another Martin Scorsese-Robert De Niro collab. In 1991, Scorsese released Cape Fear, a remake of the 1962 film of the same name, starring De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, and Juliette Lewis. The psychological thriller centers on the story of Max Cady, a convicted rapist who sets out to enact revenge on his former defense lawyer (Nolte) after he’s released from prison. Cape Fear was a box office smash and went on to receive critical acclaim, so if you’re in the mood to stream an Oscar nominee, this here’s your best best.

Where to stream Cape Fear

If the Fargo Season 4 premiere has you feeling some type of way, check out the original film on Netflix. An inspiration to the FX series, Fargo tracks the interrelated stories of Minnesota police chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) and desperate car salesman Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy), who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife and hold her ransom as part of a money-making scheme. Sound confusing? If you thought Noah Hawley’s Fargo series was complicated, just wait until you see the OG.

Where to stream Fargo

Queen Dolly is taking her show to Netflix once again. On October 6, the streaming giant will be debuting Dolly Parton: Here I Am, a 2019 BBC documentary about the life and career of the legendary country star. Directed by BAFTA winner Francis Whately, Dolly Parton: Here I Am will pair perfectly with the singer’s other Netflix projects, Dumplin’ (starring Jennifer Aniston!) and anthology series Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings.

Where to stream Dolly Parton: Here I Am

October can only mean one thing: Halloween is upon us! One of the highest-profile (if you can call it that) releases in Netflix’s annual Netflix & Chills lineup is Hubie Halloween, Adam Sandler’s follow-up to Uncut Gems. Sure, Hubie Halloween may not be as critically acclaimed as Sandler’s last film, but it promises to be fun for the whole family, and it will certainly get you in the Spooky Szn mood.

Where to stream Hubie Halloween

Concerts may be a thing of the past (at least for now), but K-pop fans can still get their kicks in with BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky, a new documentary about the group’s meteoric rise. Directed by Caroline Suh, Netflix’s BLACKPINK tracks Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa as they transition from dance training to global fame and follows them as they record their aptly-titled new album, “The Album.” This doc is lookin’ good enough to eat!

Where to stream BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky

The Trial of the Chicago 7 is peak Aaron Sorkin, and that’s a good thing. Based on a true story, the drama follows a group of anti-Vietnam War protestors who are accused of planning a riot at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. The bulk of the action takes place in (where else? This is Sorkin, after all) the courtroom, where Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Jeremy Strong shine as they attempt to plead their case before a hostile judge.

Where to stream The Trial of the Chicago 7

Dame Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca has been adapted countless times, and now, Netflix is ready to throw its hat into the race. The streaming giant’s new Rebecca adaptation stars Lily James and Armie Hammer as a young couple who marry after a whirlwind marriage in Monte Carlo. But things quickly take a turn when they return to Manderley, his family estate, and she learns about his imposing first wife, Rebecca. Can Lily James’ character step out from Rebecca’s shadow, or will her haunting legacy drag them all down a dark path?

Where to stream Rebecca

Yes, God, Yes made waves when it arrived on Video on Demand this summer, so if you’ve been eager to check it out, now is the time. The coming-of-age comedy stars Natalia Dyer as Alice, a 16-year-old girl struggling to reconcile her burgeoning sexuality with her Catholic upbringing. What follows is a hilarious, much-needed take on female pleasure that calls into question everything we’ve come to know about teen comedies.

Where to stream Yes, God, Yes

Move over, Disney. Netflix is getting into the animated musical game with Over the Moon, a star-studded collaboration with Pearl Studio and Sony Pictures. The animated film tells the story of a young girl who embarks on a brave journey into space (family friendly: check) and features a slew of top voice talent, including Hamilton‘s Phillipa Soo, Sandra Oh, Ken Jeong, Margaret Cho, and more (adult friendly: check).

Where to stream Over the Moon

Netflix isn’t even waiting until November to debut their first holiday movie of the year, Holidate. The Christmas-set romantic comedy stars Emma Roberts (yay!) and Luke Bracey as Sloane and Jackson, two singles who agree to be each other’s “holidate” at Yuletide family functions. The two hit it off and agree to team up on other holidays, from New Year’s Eve to Easter and beyond. And then… they break up. Just kidding, it’s a Netflix holdiay rom-com!

Where to stream Holidate