The 10 Best New Movies On Netflix In October 2024

My favorite time of year is upon us: Halloween season. Not only do I embrace the festivities involved with the year’s spookiest time, but I absolutely love watching nothing but horror movies for the entire month. But I do know horror movies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, which means this list I compile each month needs to pack lots of different options. Luckily, Netflix provided subscribers with an eclectic array of films in October 2024, including an outrageous multi-character body-swapping experience from the Sundance Film Festival, an Oscar-winning biopic about one of the our most accomplished thespians, and a sequel to one of Netflix’s most-watched movies of all time. No matter your movie taste, Netflix has something for you this month.

So which movies should you be watching? Below, I’ve compiled a list of ten films that should be on your radar in October. And at the end of the article, you can find a full list of every single movie coming to Netflix this month. Hopefully my notes on each movie can help you decide what to watch on your next movie night.

The 10 Best New Movies On Netflix In October 2024

Note: this list covers all releases leading up to Oct. 6, 2024.

The Platform 2 (2024)

Just when we thought we had escaped the grim and brutal world of “the pit,” the hellish prison outfit came back with a vengeance. A sequel to one of the most-watched films on Netflix, with its cult status secured thanks to its outrageous dystopian setting appealing to the confined audience of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Platform 2 continues the story of the "Vertical Self-Management Center," an underground prison that houses a cruel food distribution system in which a platform descends daily, filled with food for hundreds of floors of inmates. As the platform goes lower and lower, there’s less and less food available, creating for survival-of-the-fittest environment driven by our deepest primal instincts. This sequel finds its characters—specifically, Milena Smit as Perempuan and Hovik Keuchkerian as Zamiatin—driving a rebellion against the Pit’s oppressive system, confronting the rise of a totalitarian ruler who imposes strict rules on the inmates. Directed once again by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, The Platform 2 builds on the unsettling and dystopian atmosphere of its predecessor in grim-yet-absorbing fashion.

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It’s What’s Inside (2024)

Body-swapping movies are a dime a dozen in Hollywood, with their stories often feeling stale and uninspired, following the same beaten path over and over. But that’s exactly what makes It’s What’s Inside so intriguing: this Sundance Film Festival hit explored the formula in a new, irreverent ways that are both hilarious and thought-provoking. The film starts off with a seemingly normal pre-wedding party, but before long descends into pure chaos thanks to a mysterious suitcase that contains a “body-swapping game.” What starts as a casual experience quickly unravels into an existential nightmare as this “game” becomes a reality and characters are forced to navigate a psychological maze burdened by an atmosphere that first-time director Greg Jardin would describe as “anxiety chic.” The cast of It's What's Inside features Brittany O’Grady as Shelby, James Morosini as Cyrus, Alycia Debnam-Carey as Nikki and Devon Terrell as Reuben. It’s What’s Inside wants nothing more than to entertain you, and boy does it ever.

See for Me (2021)

There are a lot of great horror gems hidden throughout Netflix, and See for Me sits at the top of that list. This tense thriller follows our main character, Sophie (played by Skyler Davenport), a young blind woman who finds herself trapped inside a remote mansion during a home invasion. With her safety compromised, she relies on a phone app called "See for Me," through which a remote assistant named “Kelly” (voiced by Jessica Parker Kennedy) guides Sophie through the house using the phone's camera. Adopting a minimalist style that employes lots of tight framing, director Randall Okita and his cinematographers (Jordan Oram and Jackson Parrell) use the camera to mirror Sophie’s impairment, creating for a claustrophobic and disorienting aesthetic. And because our protagonist is blind, the film heavily relies on its intricate sound design to convey information and build tension, resulting in a full sensory experience that places you directly in Sophie’s shoes. The result is a film that keeps you feeling enveloped by its terror throughout.

Bridesmaids (2011)

I tried my best to choose movies that were less well known for this list, but it’s hard to pass up including Bridesmaids on any sort of “best of” list when it’s available. This classic ensemble comedy directed by Paul Feig and written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo revolves around the misadventures of Annie (played by Wiig), a single woman whose messy, directionless life further unravels as the stresses and absurdities of being the maid of honor for her best friend’s wedding mount. The biggest complication? The bride, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), has another good friend named Helen (Rose Byrne) who is possibly scheming to steal the maid of honor duties away. You’ll come for the incredible supporting cast, which includes Melissa McCarthy (in her first big breakout role), Endy McLendon-Covey, Ellie KEmper, Chris O’Dowd and Jon Hamm, enjoy the endlessly quotable quotes (“I'm glad he's single because I'm going to climb that like a tree”), and stay for the raunchy and outrageous humor that isn’t afraid to shy away from genuinely affecting heartfelt moments. This movie hasn’t aged one bit since its release.

Point Break (2015)

I might catch some heat for this one, but I’m not afraid: I love the Point Break remake. Don’t get me wrong, I love the original more, as touches the chemistry between Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. It’s one of the movie’s I’m most nostalgic for. But the 2015 version of Point Break is a completely different experience that can be enjoyed for trying something much different. In this update, directed by Ericson Core, FBI agent Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey) still infiltrates a crime-committing outfit ran by Bohdi (Édgar Ramírez). But instead of local bank robberies, Bohdi’s team of extreme sports enthusiasts commit incredibly high-stakes crimes that involve wingsuit flying, snowboarding and rock climbing, all in an effort to raise awareness about man’s relationship with Mother Earth. While the original Point Break adopted a more playful and rebellious spirit, using a central romance to drive the story, the remake takes on a much more serious, philosophical tone, capturing how one overcomes existential trauma and finds freedom spiritually. Plus, the movie performs some of the most impressive practical stunts you’ll see in modern filmmaking. It’s all part of its exhilarating aesthetic built around searching for one’s purpose.

Psycho (1960)

As the years have worn on, several horror movies have lost their touch, their pizazz, their ability to excite a modern audience that’s seen everything there is to see from the genre. But every time I watch Psycho, I can’t help but think, “Man, this movie’s still got it, and still feels refreshing and different.” This unmatched psychological horror film follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), who, after stealing money, encounters the enigmatic Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) at the eerie Bates Motel. What follows from there in this meticulously crafted black-and-white thriller is anything but an ordinary cinematic experience. Director Alfred Hitchcock creates this voyeuristic effect that aligns viewers with the characters’ perspectives, often making them complicit in the narrative's tension. The story seamlessly shifts between quiet, mundane moments of everyday conversation that reveal the psychology of the characters and explosive moments of stylistic flourish that capture the sheer potential madness of the human mind. These abrupt transitions create a rhythm of tension and release, constantly keeping you on the edge of your seat. In the end, the movie questions our relationship with psychosis—what it means to be “mad” and how we understand those that have lost touch with reality.

Being Julia (2004)

While a lot of the movies on this list, as would be expected from Netflix’s usual October lineup, contain horror and high-octane action, there are much more graceful, exquisite experiences to be found in wonderful movies like Being Julia. A drama-comedy set in 1930s London, the film focuses on life of celebrated stage actress Julia Lambert (Annette Bening). Currently in the midst of a mid-life crisis, Julia loses touch with her husband, Michael (Jeremy Irons), and embarks on a whirlwind love affair with a younger man named Tom (Shaun Evans), sparking a journey of self-discovery and reinvention. Director István Szabó crafts an elegant aesthetic that feels very reminiscent of 2000s period pieces, flush with fluid camera movements and long, sweeping shots that capture the opulent settings of London’s theaters, grand homes and lavish parties. The tone of the movie is both sophisticated and playful, delivered with a sense of self-awareness that echoes the high-spirited nature of theatrical comedies. This great mix of comedy and drama is bolstered by the all-star acting being performed by some of the movie industry’s best thespians of the time.

21 & 22 Jump Street (2012 & 2014)

My instinct was to just recommend the first 21 Jump Street, but if you haven’t seen this movie’s sequel as well, then you really should take this opportunity to watch one of the best comedic duologies ever. Because 22 Jump Street isn’t just a sequel—it’s a mega-meta dissertation of what we come to expect from sequels, with the characters themselves essentially realizing they’re in a movie that follows all the patterns expected from the Hollywood machine. These action-comedy films reinvigorate the buddy cop genre with a self-aware, irreverent style through its two bumbling police officers, Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum), who go undercover as students in both high school (21 Jump Street) and college (22 Jump Street) to bust drug rings. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller adopt a colorful, high-energy style that not only has fun with the formula, but is exhilarating to watch, balancing moments of impressive choreography with laugh-out-loud jokes. To boot, the story is genuinely affecting, as Schmidt and Jenko’s relationship builds and morphs into a bona fide life-affirming friendship. As a pair, these movies collectively result in one of the best comedic experiences Hollywood has offered in the 21st century.

As Above, So Below (2014)

I know there’s temptation to roll your eyes when the genres “found footage” and “horror” come together, especially since half of these types of movies are budget-constrained cash-grabs are filled with cheesy jump scares and bad acting. But As Above, So Below is one of those found footage movies that transcends, that feels as though it’s carrying the genre’s aesthetic to new immersive grounds. The story follows a group of explorers (played by actors Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge and François Civil) as they navigate the treacherous catacombs beneath Paris in search of the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. The Parisian catacombs are central to what makes the film transcend what’s typical from the genre, with the narrow, winding tunnels captured in tight, confined shots that evoke a heightened sense of claustrophobia that eclipses what found footage movies are typically capable of. The characters’ lack of lighting furthers this suffocating aesthetic, as many scenes are cloaked in darkness and deep shadows that restrict our field of vision, leaving much of what’s happening shrouded in mystery—a bizarre experience for a movie. The story beats might be typical of your average found footage flick, but the technical achievements are anything but. If you’re looking to be scared this Halloween season on Netflix, this is your chance.

Judy (2019)

There was no actress quite like Judy Garland—a mesmerizing vaudevillian who rose to international stardom for both her musical and dramatic talents, from her childhood prodigy days on the stage to her award-winning performances on screen in movies like Meet Me in St. Louis, A Star is Born and The Wizard of Oz. The biopic Judy centers on the final year of the legendary singer and actress’s life as she performs a series of concerts in 1969 London, all while detailing Garland's personal struggles with addiction, loneliness and the burden of fame as she showcases her enduring talent and charisma. The cast is outstanding in this one, with Garland played to perfection by Renée Zellweger, who won her second Academy Award for her performance (the first win was for Cold Mountain), as well as other great showings coming from Jessie Buckley, Finn Wittrock, Michael Gambon and Rufus Sewell. Interspersed with flashbacks to Garland's early years in Hollywood, this raw, nuanced examination of the legendary actress’s character is both celebratory and bittersweet, highlighting the contrast between Garland’s moments of triumph on stage and her personal battles behind the scenes.

Every New Movie on Netflix in October 2024

• October 1: 21 Jump Street (2012); 22 Jump Street (2014); 8 Mile (2002); As Above, So Below (2014); Being Julia (2004); Boyz n the Hood (1991); Bridesmaids (2011); Brüno (2009); Cinderella Man (2005); Couples Retreat (2009); Elysium (2013); Escape Plan (2013); First Daughter (2004); Get Him to the Greek (2010); Halloween (2018); Inu-Oh (2020); IT: Chapter Two (2019); Jarhead (2005); Judy (2019); Kung Fu Panda (2008); Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016); Legion(2010); Marnie (1964); Point Break (2015); Psycho (1960); Psycho II (1983); Red Dragon (2002); Robin Hood (2018); Salt (2010); Scarface (1983); The Birds (1963); The Girl Next Door (2004); The Karate Kid (1984); The Karate Kid Part II (1986); The Karate Kid Part III (1989); The Mechanic (2011); The Missing (2023); The Sentinel (2006); Tim Dillon: This Is Your Country (2024); Till Death (2021); Two Weeks Notice (2002); Unfriended (2014); You’re Next (2011); Win a Date With Tad Hamilton (2004)
• October 2: Saripodhaa Sanivaaram (2024)
• October 3: #OOTD: Outfit of the Designer (2024); The Mole Agent (2020); Trouble (2024)
• October 4: CTRL (2024); Harta Tahta Raisa (2024); The Platform 2 (2024); It’s What’s Inside (2024)
• October 6: See For Me (2021)
• October 8: Her Blue Sky (2019)
• October 10: Girl Haunts Boy (2024)
• October 11: In Her Place (2024); Lonely Planet (2024); Outside (2024); Pixels (2015); Scream (2022); Uprising(2024)
• October 12: A Quiet Place: Part II (2021); Clifford The Big Red Dog (2021)
• October 14: A Sacrifice (2024); Unhinged (2020)
• October 15: Abandoned (2022)
• October 16: Justice (2024); Selma (2014); Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021); Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare (2024); Untapped: Closing America’s Opportunity Gap (2024)
• October 17: Outside (2024); The Shadow Strays (2024)
• October 18: Join or Die (2023); The Man Who Loved UFOs (2024); The Turnaround (2024); Woman of the Hour (2024); Yintah (2024)
• October 20: The Estate (2022)
• October 21: Book Club (2018); Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024); Save the Children: A Concert for the Ages (2024)
• October 23: Family Pack (2024)
• October 25: Don’t Move (2024); Hijack ’93 (2024); The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024)
• October 30: Martha (2024); Time Cut (2024)