2024’s line-up of new Netflix movies has nearly run its course. With this year’s holiday season almost upon us, there aren’t many new movies left to enjoy on the streaming titan. In fact, after the arrival of three new Netflix originals this week, there’s only one more to come before 2025 arrives.
So, what new films can you catch on the world’s best streaming service this weekend (December 13-15)? There’s the Die Hard-inspired flick Carry-On, Netflix’s adaptation of the seemingly unfilmable novel One Hundred Years of Solitude, and a new Angelina Jolie-fronted biopic called Maria. If, after you’ve read about that trio below, you’re not fussed on any of them, our best Netflix movies guide is packed with other recommendations that I can certainly vouch for. Right now, though, read on to get the lowdown on all of the new Netflix movies that have been released since late November.
New Netflix movies: December
Carry-On
Release date: December 13
Runtime: 119 minutes
Age rating: TV-MA (US) / 15 (UK)
Cast: Taron Egerton, Sofia Carson, Danielle Deadwyler, Logan Marshall-Green, Dean Norris, Sinqua Walls, and Jason Bateman
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
RT score: 82% (critics); TBC (audience)
Die Hard is a Christmas movie. There, I said it. What do you mean you don’t agree with me? Well, if you need further proof that it is, Collet-Serra’s new thriller flick provides it.
Okay, Carry-On has no ties to the aforementioned Bruce Willis-starring action franchise, but this Egerton and Bateman-led movie is clearly inspired by its festive season sibling. In it, Egerton plays Ethan, a young TSA agent who tries to outwit a mysterious traveler who’s hell-bent on ensuring a dangerous package makes its way onto a Christmas Eve flight. A terrifically breathless, suspense-filled Netflix Original that you might not want to watch before boarding your flight home for the holidays.
Maria
Release date: December 11 (US only)
Runtime: 123 minutes
Age rating: TV-MA
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Valeria Golino, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Haluk Bilginer
Director: Pablo Larraín
RT score: 73% (critics); 73% (audience)
Not to be confused with Mary, the biblical epic that arrived on Netflix earlier in December, Maria sees Jolie portray world-famous American-Greek soprano Maria Callas, who retires from public view after living a tumultuous life in the spotlight to live out her days in 1970s Paris.
A biopic that’s been well received by fans and critics alike, Maria is only available on Netflix in the US. UK audiences will have to wait until January 10 to catch it in theaters, while Australian audiences can’t see it until January 30 at their local cinema.
Mary
Release date: December 6
Runtime: 112 minutes
Age rating: TV-MA (US) / 15 (UK)
Cast: Noa Cohen, Ido Tako, Stephanie Nur, Susan Brown, Ori Pfeffer, Eamon Farren, Hilla Vidor, Mili Avital, Gudmundur Thorvaldsson, Dudley O’Shaughnessy, Keren Tzur, Mehmet Kurtulus, Mila Harris and Anthony Hopkins
Director: DJ Caruso
RT score: 27% (critics); 43% (audience)
Yet another retelling of the birth of Jesus Christ, this biblical epic attempts to put a more realistic (if that’s the right word to describe a story based on a religious miracle) spin on the legendary tale. Cohen stars as Mary, who’s shunned by her community following the immaculate conception. However, when King Herod (Hopkins) initiates a murderous pursuit of Mary – with Joseph (Tako) in tow – goes on the run in a bit to keep her newborn safe.
Reviews of Mary confirm how polarizing Netflix’s take on Christ’s birth is. Some have called it “epic”, while others have slammed it as being “awful”, a “disgusting” take on one of Christianity’s most revered figures, and a “flawed” film that feels more like a survival thriller. Based on its RT scores, you’ll want to skip this one.
That Christmas
Release date: December 4
Runtime: 96 minutes
Age rating: PG (US and UK)
Cast: Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Katherine Parkinson, Billy Nighy, and Rhys Darby
Director: Simon Otto
RT score: 63% (critics); 75% (audience)
Based on the successful children’s books penned by Richard Curtis, That Christmas follows a series of intertwined stories set around the so-called most wonderful time of the year. Cox voices Santa Clause, while the rest of the cast portray numerous individuals who get caught up in all kinds of misadventures in the run-up to the big day.
That Christmas‘ critical reception errs on the slightly positive side at best, wit general viewers seeming to have enjoyed it more. One to stick on for the kids now or over the festive break to keep them entertained? You bet.
New Netflix movies: November
Our Little Secret
Release date: November 27
Runtime: 111 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Tim Meadows, Jon Rudnitsky, Henry Czerny, Judy Reyes, Chris Parnell and Kristin Chenoweth
Director: Stephen Herek
RT score: 38% (critics); 58% (audience)
Lindsay Lohan’s career revival continues apace on Netflix, but the actor’s latest rom-com movie – a festive-themed one at that – hasn’t been welcomed with glad tidings by critics (NB: general audiences seem to like it, though!).
What’s turned paid reviewers into a bunch of Scrooges? Well, the fact that it’s another bang average romantic comedy from Netflix. In Our Little Secret, Lohan plays Avery, who plans on spending the most wonderful time of the year with her latest beau. Unfortunately, Avery’s new squeeze has a sister who just happens to be dating Avery’s former flame Logan (Harding). A not-so-merry Christmas this’ll be, then, for these resentful exes.
Spellbound
Release date: November 22
Runtime: 110 minutes
Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK)
Cast: Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Lane with Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman
Director: Vicky Jenson
RT score: 45% (critics); 52% (audience)
The latest in a long line of animated fairy tale films, Spellbound stars Zegler as 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 reverse the hex or they’ll be monsters forever.
That synopsis may not sound too enchanting, but there are plenty of reasons to catch this family-friendly flick. Its A-list cast notwithstanding, Spellbound has been helmed by the director of Shrek, i.e. one of the best animated movies of all-time. Boosted further by the addition of iconic composer Alan Menken, plus a story full of heart and rich familial themes, this film may leave you *ahem* spellbound by the time its end credits roll. Indeed, while critics weren’t fond of it, our reviewer suggested “its touching message will hit kids and parents alike”. Based on its RT scores, though, most don’t agree.
Joy
Release date: November 22
Runtime: 115 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton, and Bill Nighy
Director: Ben Taylor
RT score: 90% (critics); 88% (audience)
Based on the remarkably true story, Joy tells the tale of the first human to be born using in vitro fertilization (IVF) – a ground-breaking 1970s scientific breakthrough in the UK 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 clear scepticism and obstacles that stood in their way.
A true-to-life medical drama that showcases the wonders of science and human perseverance in the face of adversity, Joy is, well, a joy of a movie.
The Piano Lesson
Release date: November 22
Runtime: 127 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: 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: 89% (critics); 67% (audience)
Set during the Great Depression, The Piano Lesson – a movie adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel – is a moving drama that should be in the running for prizes (or, at the very 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 stand-off over what to do with their family heirloom: a prize piano. Boy wants to sell it to raise funds for the family, Berniece is desperate to keep hold of it, and Doaker is forced to play mediator-in-chief.
One of November’s new Netflix movies that, per critics, occasionally hits a few bum notes, The Piano Lesson is nevertheless a harrowing and tear-jerking story of sacrifice, racial discrimination, and familial inheritance.
The Merry Gentlemen
Release date: November 20
Runtime: 87 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: 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: 44% (critics); 25% (audience)
The third festive film released by Netflix in 2024, The Merry Gentlemen sees Robertson portray Ashley, a former big-city dancer who stages an all-male, Christmas-themed show to raise funds for her parents’ small town performance venue. Murray’s Luke is among those who signs up to take the stage in this festive Magic Mike-esque romantic drama.
Based on its RT ratings, this is just another haphazardly assembled Netflix Original whose lights should’ve been turned off before it was commissioned. Steer clear.
New Netflix movies: what’s coming in 2024?
There’s only one more film that’ll join our new Netflix movies guide before December 31, 2024. Find out what it is below:
- The Six Triple Eight (December 20)
For more Netflix-based coverage, read our best Netflix shows and best Netflix documentaries guides. Alternatively, find out how to sign up to Netflix or get the lowdown on whether it’s worth cancelling your Netflix subscription.
