Movie lovers are spoiled for choice this weekend, with plenty of fantastic streaming releases on Netflix. Whether you’re looking to check out an ambitious piece of coming-of-age cinema that was years in the making, a fantastic directorial debut from a familiar face, or a recent release that everybody’s talking about, Netflix has got you covered.
The best movies on Netflix represent the full spectrum of everything you could want out of a streaming service, as the sheer level of variety offers something to suit all tastes. While whittling down these choices can be daunting, these standout picks make choosing your weekend watch a whole lot easier.
Boyhood (2014)
While there’s been plenty of great coming-of-age movies over the years, nothing captured the experience of growing up quite like Richard Linklater’s Boyhood. As a massively ambitious project that took 12 years to make, Linklater waited for lead actor Ellar Coltrane to age as he told the story of Mason Evans Jr.’s childhood from six to 18.
Boyhood is truly a sight to behold, capturing the nuances and complexities of growing up in a way that feels both grand and deeply personal. With equally great performances from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke as Mason’s parents, Boyhood was an acting commitment that saw its entire cast locked in for more than a decade of filming.
Woman of the Hour (2024)
We all know Anna Kendrick from great movie roles like Pitch Perfect and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, but in 2024, she proved she’s equally capable behind the camera with her directorial debut, Woman of the Hour. Telling the true story of Rodney Alcala, this terrifying serial killer appeared on The Dating Game reality show before he was finally captured by police.
With Kendrick also playing the reality show contestant Sheryl Bradshaw, she imbued this thriller with a feminist spin as its themes echoed the power imbalances and everyday threats women confront in the real world. As a deeply relevant story, those looking to challenge themselves with a hugely underrated Netflix film should check out Woman of the Hour this weekend.
Frankenstein (2025)
Guillermo del Toro has been behind some of the most stylish films in living memory, with his most recent release being no different. As a fascinating take on Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Frankenstein featured an all-star cast, including Oscar Isaac as the titular scientist, Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the Creature, and Mia Goth as the object of Victor’s affections.
As a worthy update that brought out the humanity in Shelley’s original story, Frankenstein recalls previous del Toro favorites like the Gothic modern classic Crimson Peak. This stands out as one of the most acclaimed films of the year, so anyone looking to knock something great off their watchlist should do themselves a favor and check out Frankenstein.
