With fall in full swing, it’s the perfect time to curl up on the couch and stream some great movies. From heart-wrenching dramas to pulse-pounding thrillers, with some lighter fare along the way, Netflix has an expansive lineup of new releases and classics that are worth watching this October. (The platform produces its own films as well as curating others. Here’s a list of the 25 best original Netflix movies.)
To determine the best movies to stream on Netflix this October, 24/7 Tempo developed an index using average ratings on IMDb, an online movie database owned by Amazon, and a combination of audience scores and Tomatometer scores on Rotten Tomatoes, an online movie and TV review aggregator, as of early October 2023, weighting all ratings equally. We considered only movies with at least 5,000 audience votes on either IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes, and ruled out documentaries. Data on streaming availability, also current as of early October, comes from the streaming guide Reelgood. Directorial credits are from IMDb.
Leading the pack of must-see films is Christopher Nolan’s critical and commercial success “The Dark Night.” This action thriller, which is the second installment of Nolan’s Batman trilogy, features stunning visuals and a star-studded cast including Christian Bale and Heath Ledger.
Those looking for a gripping drama should check out “Missing” about a young woman using online tools to find her missing mother. For a fun family watch, on the other hand, tune into the animated adventure “Paddington,” named for a lovable bear that goes to London searching for a home.
The list continues with cinematic brilliance like “The Big Short,” Adam McKay’s eye-opening exposé of the 2008 financial crisis, and Denis Villeneuve’s mind-bending sci-fi drama “Arrival.” Luc Besson’s iconic hitman story, “Léon: The Professional,” offers a thrilling and emotionally charged experience.
Aaron Sorkin’s courtroom drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and its Oscar-worthy performances brilliantly captures a pivotal moment in American history. And for fans of romance, Luca Guadagnino’s “Call Me by Your Name” delicately unfolds a tale of love and self-discovery. (For love stories of a lighter kind, check out our list of the 50 best rom-coms of the past 50 years.)
Source: Courtesy of Ascot Elite Entertainment Group
25. Wind River (2017)
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (223,961 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (29,613 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87% (253 reviews)
> Directed by: Taylor Sheridan
Source: Courtesy of Film & TV House
24. Mudbound (2017)
> IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (46,035 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84% (5,906 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97% (200 reviews)
> Directed by: Dee Rees
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
23. I Lost My Body (2019)
> IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (29,388 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (633 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (83 reviews)
> Directed by: Jérémy Clapin
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
22. The Big Short (2015)
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (436,070 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (69,316 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (330 reviews)
> Directed by: Adam McKay
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
21. Arrival (2016)
> IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (633,887 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 82% (83,786 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (434 reviews)
> Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
20. Léon: The Professional (1994)
> IMDb user rating: 8.5/10 (1,081,769 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 95% (274,510 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 74% (65 reviews)
> Directed by: Luc Besson
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
19. The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (179,508 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (2,455 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (331 reviews)
> Directed by: Aaron Sorkin
Source: Courtesy of Focus Features
18. Lost in Translation (2003)
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (432,805 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (337,639 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (232 reviews)
> Directed by: Sofia Coppola
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
17. Marriage Story (2019)
> IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (272,813 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (184 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (391 reviews)
> Directed by: Noah Baumbach
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
16. Rush (2013)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (482,996 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (79,330 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (235 reviews)
> Directed by: Ron Howard
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
15. Call Me by Your Name (2017)
> IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (236,339 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86% (16,258 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (363 reviews)
> Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
Source: Victor Fraile / Getty Images
14. Swades (2004)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (94,368 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (8,946 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 86% (7 reviews)
> Directed by: Ashutosh Gowariker
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
13. Captain Phillips (2013)
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (465,186 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (152,646 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (279 reviews)
> Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Source: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company
12. The Imitation Game (2014)
> IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (774,531 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (104,116 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (285 reviews)
> Directed by: Morten Tyldum
Source: Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media
11. Beasts of No Nation (2015)
> IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (77,493 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (8,145 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (143 reviews)
> Directed by: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
10. Batman Begins (2005)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (1,360,431 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (1,115,836 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 84% (288 reviews)
> Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
9. Heat (1995)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (606,225 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (222,169 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87% (84 reviews)
> Directed by: Michael Mann
Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution
8. American Beauty (1999)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10 (1,104,561 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (660,797 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87% (190 reviews)
> Directed by: Sam Mendes
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
7. Groundhog Day (1993)
> IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (595,765 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (416,991 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (84 reviews)
> Directed by: Harold Ramis
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
6. Stand by Me (1986)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (380,190 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (270,467 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91% (57 reviews)
> Directed by: Rob Reiner
Source: Courtesy of Phars Film
5. RRR (2022)
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (154,757 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (909 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (100 reviews)
> Directed by: S.S. Rajamouli
Source: Courtesy of Miramax
4. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10 (958,136 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (446,711 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (71 reviews)
> Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
3. Klaus (2019)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (119,752 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 96% (2,481 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (70 reviews)
> Directed by: Sergio Pablos
Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution
2. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10 (1,292,307 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 95% (993,591 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (143 reviews)
> Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
1. The Dark Knight (2008)
> IMDb user rating: 9.0/10 (2,419,864 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (1,831,566 reviews)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (345 reviews)
> Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)
Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.
Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.
Click here now to get started.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
