New Netflix movies: the biggest movies to stream in November 2024
After four new Netflix films arrived on the streaming giant last week (November 18 to 22), it’s back to earth with a bump with this week’s film offering. There’s only one new movie to watch on Netflix this Thanksgiving weekend (at least in the US) – and since it’s a Lindsay Lohan rom-com special, I’m guessing many of you will be looking for something instead different to look at.
Fear not, though, as there are plenty of other new movies in this guide that might pique your interest. If none of them do, our best Netflix movies are as stuffed as a Thanksgiving turkey with plenty more recommendations. So whether you’re an American reader looking for something to stream with dinner leftovers, or an international viewer looking for a new movie to watch on the world’s best streaming service, you won’t be disappointed become. Enjoy!
New Netflix Movies: November
Our little secret
Release date: November 27
Duration: 111 minutes
Age classification: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Form: Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Tim Meadows, Jon Rudnitsky, Henry Czerny, Judy Reyes, Chris Parnell and Kristin Chenoweth
Director: Stephen Herek
RT score: 44% (critics); TB (public)
The resurgence of Lindsay Lohan’s career continues on Netflix, but the actor’s latest rom-com film – a festive-themed film – has not been met with positive reviews from critics.
What turned them into a bunch of Scrooges? Well, the fact that it’s another average romantic comedy from Netflix. Our Little Secret stars Lohan Avery, who plans to spend the most wonderful time of the year with her newest boyfriend. Unfortunately, Avery’s new boyfriend has a sister who happens to be dating Avery’s former flame Logan (Harding). This will be a not so cheerful Christmas for these resentful exes.
Enchanted
Release date: November 22
Duration: 110 minutes
Age classification: PG (US) / PG (UK)
Form: Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Lane with Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman
Director: Vicky Jenson
RT score: 45% (critics); 64% (public)
The latest in a long line of animated fairy tale films, Enchanted Zegler plays Ellian, the precocious princess of a city called Lumbria, who embarks on a quest to save her parents. The catch? An evil spell has turned the pair into monsters and Ellian only has 24 hours (surprise, surprise) to turn the square or they will remain monsters forever.
That synopsis may not sound too enchanting, but there are plenty of reasons to watch this family-friendly film. Despite the A-list cast, Enchanted was assisted by the director of Shreki.e. one of the best animated films of all time. Further enhanced by the addition of iconic composer Alan Menken, plus a story full of heart and rich familial themes, this film may *ahem* leave you spellbound by the time the credits roll. Although critics weren’t crazy about it, our reviewer suggested that “its moving message will touch children and parents alike.”
Joy
Release date: November 22
Duration: 115 minutes
Age classification: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Form: Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy
Director: Ben Taylor
RT score: 90% (critics); 91% (public)
Based on the remarkable true story, Joy tells the story of the first human born using in vitro fertilization (IVF) – a groundbreaking scientific breakthrough in Britain in the 1970s that made it possible for anyone with fertility problems to have children. McKenzie plays Jean Purdy, a young nurse and embryologist who joins forces with geneticist Robert Edwards (Norton) and surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Nighy) to create the first “test-tube baby,” despite the obvious skepticism and obstacles that stood in their way.
A lifelike medical drama that shows the wonders of science and human perseverance despite setbacks. Joy is, well, a delight of a film.
The piano lesson
Release date: November 22
Duration: 127 minutes
Age classification: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Form: Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Jerrika Hinton, Gail Bean, with Danielle Deadwyler and Corey Hawkins
Director: Malcolm Washington
RT score: 90% (critics); 63% (public)
Set during the Great Depression, The piano lesson – a film adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel – is a moving drama that should be in the running for awards (or at least nominations) on the 2025 awards circuit.
Legendary actor Jackson plays Doaker, the uncle of warring siblings Boy (Washington) and Berniece (Deadwyler) who are locked in a standoff over what to do with their family heirloom: a prize piano. Boy wants to sell it to raise money for the family, Berniece is desperate to keep it, and Doaker is forced to play the role of chief mediator.
One of the new Netflix films of November that, according to critics, occasionally has a few negative points: The piano lesson nevertheless, it is a moving and tear-jerking story about sacrifice, racial discrimination and family legacy.
The cheerful gentlemen
Release date: November 20
Duration: 87 minutes
Age classification: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Form: Britt Robertson, Chad Michael Murray, Marla Sokoloff, Beth Broderick, Michael Gross, Maxwell Caulfield, Hector David Jr., Colt Prattes and Marc Anthony Samuel
Director: Peter Sullivan
RT score: 42% (critics); 23% (public)
In The Merry Gentlemen, the third festive film to be released by Netflix in 2024, Robertson plays Ashley, a former big-city dancer who puts on an all-male Christmas-themed show to raise money for her parents’ performances in a small city. Murray’s Luke is among those signing up to take the stage at the celebratory event Magic Mike-esque romantic drama.
It doesn’t have an official RT score from the general public or critics yet, but early reactions suggest this is just another haphazardly put together Netflix Original that should have had its lights turned off before going into service. Stay away.
Emilia Perez
Release date: November 13
Duration: 132 minutes
Age classification: R (US) / 15 (UK)
Form: Karla Sofia Gascon, Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz and Edgar Ramirez, among others
Director: Jacques Audiard
RT score: 78% (critics); 76% (public)
Billed as a musical thriller, this bold and ambitious Netflix film claims to redefine genres and audiences’ expectations of what similar films can be. Based on the positive RT ratings, Emilia Perez seems to have largely succeeded in that endeavor, and honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if it makes a belated run on the 2025 awards circuit, especially after it won two gongs at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
What is it about? The story follows four Mexican women as they pursue their own idea of what happiness is, but this isn’t an anthology film in the vein of 20th Century Fox’s Types of kindness. Instead, Gascon plays the terrifying cartel leader who enlists Rita (Saldana), an underrated lawyer, to help her fake her own death so she can live the life she’s always dreamed of. A daring and exciting film that unapologetically puts the spotlight on femininity and trans rights.
Hot icy
Release date: November 13
Duration: 92 minutes
Age classification: PG-13 (US) / PG (UK)
Form: Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Katy Mixon Greer, Lauren Holly, Chrishell Stause, Joe Lo Truglio and Craig Robinson
Director: Jerry Ciccoritti
RT score: 85% (critics); 55% (public)
A romantic drama that is undoubtedly, albeit loosely, inspired by Raymond Briggs’ The Snowmanthe festive Netflix film looks sweeter than most (but probably as forgettable as many of its peers) the streaming titan has released in recent years. But surprisingly, it was a bigger hit among critics and then among casual viewers.
Chabert plays Kathy, a widow whose life has never been the same since her husband died two years earlier. But after building a human-sized snowman (Milligan) that magically comes to life, Kathy finds her icy heart *ahem* melted by said creation. The only problem? At some point it will melt. Let the couple enjoy each other’s company – not to mention fall for each other – before the cold spell of the holidays is over.
Meet me next Christmas
Release date: November 6
Duration: 105 minutes
Age classification: PG-13 (US) / PG (UK)
Form: Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, Kofi Siriboe, Tymika Tafari, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, Matt Sallee, Kalen Allen, Nikki Duval and Wesley French
Director: Rusty Cundief
RT score: 69% (critics); 54% (public)
The first of Netflix’s festive 2024 film lineup to be released, Meet me next Christmas Millian plays Layla, a New Yorker desperate to get a ticket to Pentatonix’s Christmas Eve concert so she can meet the man of her dreams in Ellis’ Teddy.
A film that critics have described as having “little charm”, and being “really weird” and “absolute rubbish” (ouch!), Meet me next Christmas can help you pass the time when you are really bored. Otherwise I would recommend giving it a wider berth.
New Netflix movies: what’s coming in 2024?
Here’s a complete look at the last six new Netflix movies coming before December 31:
- That Christmas (December 4)
- Mary (6 December)
- Mary (December 11)
- Continue (December 13)
- The Six Triple Eight (20 December)
For more Netflix-based coverage, read our best Netflix shows and best Netflix documentary guides. Or find out how to sign up for Netflix or find out if it’s worth canceling your Netflix subscription.
