Grab your takeout and your treats, it’s Netflix time!
Can you believe it is almost October? Spring’s here, but restrictions are still in place, and all we want to do is escape. And hey, nothing screams escapism more than putting on a top-notch flick. Here are 25 of the greatest Netflix movies that you can watch in New Zealand right now.
1. Afterlife Of The Party
This Netflix comedy follows Victoria Justice, as Cassie, a social butterfly and party animal, who dies in a freak accident on a mad night out. However, she wakes in between heaven and earth, to learn that she has been given five days to correct her wrongdoings on Earth, which includes reconnecting with her grieving father, and helping her best friend find love. Certainly, a powerful watch, full of comical moments that you’ll love.
2. Man On Fire
This 2004 blockbuster follows an ex-CIA officer, John Creasy (Denzel Washington), who accepts a job as a bodyguard for a 9-year-old girl in Mexico city, at a time, when kidnappings were at an all time high. When Lupita (Dakota Fanning) is kidnapped, Creasy goes on a vicious rampage to find her, uncovering an array of dirty cops, government corruption and linked criminals. Indeed, one of the best Netflix movies to watch this month.
3. Vivo
This 2021 Netflix Original animation flick is being absorbed by households around the globe right now. With fantastic all-new music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it tells the tale of a music-obsessed Kinkajou (voiced by Lin-Manuel Miranda), who embarks on an unforgettable, musical journey to deliver a love song to Marta, for his owner Andres. It’s the lighthearted family movie you need this weekend.
4. Sweet Girl
You’ll recognise Jason Momoa from the epic Game Of Thrones series, but this time, he plays a man devastated by the loss of his wife. Cooper vows to get justice for his wife’s death while protecting his only remaining family, his daughter, Rachel (Isabela Merced). This suspenseful thriller is arguably, one of the best movies on Netflix New Zealand, and comes with some shocking twists and turns.
5. Kate
Another action-packed thriller that follows a ruthless Tokyo assassin, Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), who is almost poisoned on her last job. With less than 24 hours to spare, she takes matters into her own hands, and goes on a mission to discover who ordered the hit on her, and take revenge. Certainly, the high-action movie you need to see on Netflix New Zealand this weekend.
6. Last Christmas
Want to get in the Christmas mood? Well, pop on this magical comedy romance flick. It follows self-destructive Londoner, Kate (Emilia Clarke), who works as an elf in a year-round Christmas store that she hates. Though, her life starts to take a turn for the better when she meets a handsome stranger, Tom (Henry Golding), who helps her get into the spirit of Christmas. Indeed, one of the most feel-good Netflix movies of the year, filled with plenty of laughter.
7. The Fear Street Trilogy
Horror fans will rejoice at this trilogy coming to Netflix so you can get in the Halloween mood now. You can enjoy Fear Street Part: 1994, Fear Street Part 2: 1978 and Fear Street Part 3: 1666 on Netflix. The first movie follows a teen and her friends decide to fight against evil forces after a series of brutal murders in their small town. Although, the trilogy jumps back in time for the finally two installations. All three movies were filmed at the same time so you can expect the same terrified faces, if they aren’t already dead.
8. The Kissing Booth 3
This is the final installment in the Kissing Booth trilogy. This time, you can watch as Elle (Joey King) faces tough decisions, in the summer, before heading to college. She must figure out who exactly she wants to be while also choosing to either move near to her boyfriend Noah or go to Berkeley University with Noah’s brother, her lifelong best friend, Lee. Watch all three movies on Netflix now.
9. Beckett
This action thriller has received great hype from households around the world. It showcases Beckett, an American tourist, on holiday in Greece. After a tragic car accident, he wakes up to find his girlfriend is missing, and he is now the target of a manhunt in the midst of a dangerous political conspiracy. With a talented cast, from Alicia Vikander, John David Washington, Boyd Holbrook, and more…you won’t be left dissatisfied.
10. Hustlers
Based on true events that took place during the 2008 global recession, this is a must-watch on Netflix. It follows a group of struggling New York City strippers, led by the club’s top money earner, Ramona (Jennifer Lopez), who team up to rob money from rich Wall Street clients. Also starring Keke Palmer, Cardi B, Lizzo, Riverdale’s Lili Reinhart, just to name a few.
11. Love & Monsters
Watch in suspense as Dylan O’Brien takes on the lead role of a young man trying to survive seven years into an apocalypse that sees monsters run the planet. He ventures up from the underground and risks his life to reunite with his lover. But, the path is extremely dangerous while he meets a friendly dog and some travelling companions along the way. This movie is from the producers of hit Netflix show Stranger Things, so you know it’s got to be good.
12. Stowaway
This gripping sci-fi drama movie needs to be on your watchlist. It follows the story of a three-person crew on a two-year mission to Mars, who are faced with an impossible choice, when support engineer Michael Adams, becomes an accidental stowaway on board a spaceship, after he falls unconscious. It is the ultimate survival movie starring Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson, and Toni Collette.
13. The Judge
This drama movie first hit screens in 2014, but Netflix users are absorbing it right now. It tells the story of hugely successful lawyer, Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.), who runs into trouble after returning to his hometown in Indiana for his mother’s funeral. There, his estranged father, Judge Joseph Palmer, is arrested for a hit-and-run murder. Despite tension with his dad, Hank takes on his father’s defense.
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14. Yes Day
This charming family movie stars Jennifer Garner as mother Allison, along with her husband Carlos, who agree to take part in a ”Yes Day” to please their children. Therefore, for 24 hours they must say yes to everything the kids want to do. This sets the chaotic scenes ahead. A flick filled with laughter, fun and warmth that everyone in the clan can enjoy.
15. The Last Letter From Your Lover
From the author of Me Before You, JoJo Moyes’ brings us another timeless classic. The story tells the tale of a present-day Journalist, Ellie Haworth (Felicity Jones), who discovers mysterious love letters from 1965. She soon learns that they belonged to Jennifer Stirling (Shailene Woodley), the wife of a wealthy industrialist, and her secret lover Anthony, a journalist covering a story on Jennifer’s husband. Ellie sets out to solve the affair.
16. How To Be Single
After splitting with her long-term boyfriend, Alice (Dakota Johnson) learns how to be single with her comical and wild co-worker Robin (Rebel Wilson). Robin loves a good party and a one-night stand and tries to get Alice to embrace this sort of lifestyle. This movie is hilarious and relatable, and the girly indulgence you need this weekend. Indeed, one of the greatest Netflix comedy movies to watch right now.
17. Audible
This coming-of-age documentary needs to be on your watch-list. At Maryland School For The Deaf, a high school athlete, Amaree McKenstry and his friends, try and come to terms with their friend’s suicide, while also coping with the struggles of family and relationships and battling to prove to the hearing world they are equal.
18. Set It Up
This heartwarming romantic American comedy stars Zoey Deutch and Glenn Powell. It follows the pair as overworked and underpaid assistants in New York, who team up to try and get their bosses to fall in love, and in turn, give them a little bit of a break and more freedom. Definitely, the laughter you need this weekend.
19. I Am All Girls
Based on a true story, This iconic flick follows a relentless crime investigator who finds common ground with a killer targeting the organisers of a powerful child-trafficking ring in South Africa. The real events will give you chills down your spine as it involved, amongst others, powerful politicians in the 1980s. Be sure to pop this on your must-see list!
20. The Woman In The Window
Watch as Amy Adams give a truly powerful performance in this psychological thriller. From the creators of The Girl On The Train, Adams plays Dr. Anna Fox who witnesses a disturbing act of violence while spying on her neighbours, the Russel family, through her window in New York. Be sure to give it a watch!
21. Safe House
Another iconic action thriller first released in 2012. Watch as a rookie CIA operative Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) joins forces with a criminal, under his protection in a safe house that becomes the subject of an attack. Weston and Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) fight to get to a secure location, and go on the run together while figuring out who is trying to kill them. Definitely, a must-watch movie for your Netflix list.
22. Things Heard & Seen
This horror movie is based on the novel by Elizabeth Brundage, All Things Cease To Appear. In a 1980s depicted world, Catherine (Amanda Seyfried) and her husband George (James Norton) excitingly move to an old house in the Hudson Valley. Soon after, supernatural events unfold and they realise that their home is harboring sinister secrets. If you’re a scary cat like myself, be sure to watch this horror flick with someone else.
23. Monster
This breathtaking movie starring Kelvin Harrison Jr follows the story of a 17-year old boy, Steve Harmon, from Harlem, who attends a prestigious film school. His life quickly changes when he is charged with a felony murder. Watch in suspense as he fights for his innocence against a criminal justice system already judging him.
24. Concrete Cowboy
Based on the novel Ghetto Cowboy, watch in awe as Idris Elba and Stranger Things’ Caleb McLaughlin star in this emotionally powerful coming-of-age drama. McLaughlin plays a rebellious teenager who discovers the world of urban horseback riding when he is sent to live with his estranged father in a Philadelphia community of Black cowboys. It is haunting and inspiring, and sheds a light on a part of Black culture that is largely unknown by white audiences.
25. Gemini Man
This absorbing 2019 flick follows Henry Brogan, a 51-year-old assassin, who is ready to retire after finishing his 72nd job. However, his plans go south, when he becomes the target of a cloned version of himself, that is both younger and faster, and wants to kill him. Can he make it out alive from his shadow self? Undoubtedly, this Netflix movie will blow your mind.