Netflix has confirmed its slate of new movies for October 2025, and there are plenty of fresh additions worth adding to your watchlist. Naturally, with Spooky Season in the air, there’s plenty of horror in the mix, but there are also options for those who don’t want to be scared senseless.
I’ve taken the time to comb through the complete list of new to Netflix movies for this month and have picked out the ones that scored at least 90% or higher on the review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes. This month’s critically acclaimed flicks include a Best Picture winner, an endlessly entertaining sci-fi movie, and a beloved action-thriller franchise.
I should note that just because a movie scores highly on Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t guarantee it’ll be to your personal liking, but these five movies all make a strong claim to be added to your Netflix watchlist this month.
‘The Hurt Locker’ (2009)
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Kathryn Bigelow’s new movie, “A House of Dynamite,” arrives on Netflix later this month (on October 24), which makes the arrival of 2009’s “The Hurt Locker” well-timed. This war thriller won Best Picture at the 82nd Academy Awards, and Bigelow also scooped the Best Director Oscar. Its impact hasn’t waned with age, and to this day, it’s a gripping and tense war movie starring Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Ralph Fiennes and Guy Pearce.
Set during the second year of the Iraq War, it follows a bomb disposal unit as they roam hostile territory, clearing a path for their fellow soldiers. It opens with a literal bang as the team’s well-respected leader is tragically killed in action. In steps Sergeant William James (Renner) to fill the void, but as their tour of duty reaches its end, the squad is tested as they face numerous hazards and must band together to return home to their loved ones.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%
Stream on Netflix now
‘The Martian’ (2015)
![The Martian | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ej3ioOneTy8/maxresdefault.jpg)
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I rank “The Martian” as one of the most entertaining movies of the 2010s, so I’m thrilled to see it land on Netflix this month, as I’m always eager for a rewatch. Based on the Andy Weir novel of the same name, and directed by Ridley Scott, it’s a more grounded sci-fi film, but with a few scientific liberties taken. It explores mankind’s drive to survive and just how adaptable and determined humans can be when the odds are stacked against them.
During a botched attempt to abort a manned mission to Mars, astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead and left behind on the planet’s red surface. Now stranded in a hostile environment, Watney must find a way to contact NASA so they can begin the daunting task of bringing him home. It’s a lengthy 140 minutes long, but it zips by in an instant. Plus, Damon is flanked by a strong supporting cast, adding further star power.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
Stream on Netflix now
‘Night of the Living Dead’ (1968)
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The precursor to the more widely known “Dawn of the Dead,” George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead,” was hugely controversial upon release for what was then deemed excessive violence. Still, it gained a cult following and is now (rightfully) considered one of the most influential horror movies of all time. This chiller set the zombie standard that has become the norm across the subgenre, and even in 2025 will send a shiver down your spine.
In rural Pennsylvania, a group of strangers takes refuge in an abandoned house when the dead begin walking among the living. The leader of the group is Ben (Duane Jones), and he has quite the task on his hands to keep the survivors level-headed. However, as zombies (known as “ghouls” here) begin to find a way inside, the group descends into panic. Fun fact: due to a copyright registration error, “Night of the Living Dead” actually entered the public domain immediately upon release. Even if you don’t have a Netflix subscription, you can watch the full movie on its Wikipedia page.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
Stream on Netflix now
‘Ip Man 2’ (2010)
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Netflix is adding the entire “Ip Man” quadrilogy this month, so if you want the full story, you’re going to need to plan a lengthy movie marathon. However, for the purposes of this list, it’s 2011’s “Ip Man 2” that holds the highest Rotten Tomatoes score. This marks “Ip Man” as a rare franchise where a sequel is actually considered the strongest entry in the series. I’ll admit to not being familiar with “Ip Man” myself, but I’m excited to watch the saga this month.
This sequel is a direct follow-up to the 2008 original, so you’ll definitely want to watch the original “Ip Man” first, and maybe avoid the trailer linked above if you’re also a newcomer to the franchise. In “Ip Man 2,” the eponymous martial arts master (Donnie Yen) moves to Hong Kong to start a school. He plans to teach his unique fighting techniques to a new generation, but faces resistance from rival teachers, which all leads to a showdown with a brutal British boxer known as the Twister (Darren Shahlavi).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Stream on Netflix from October 5
‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ (2023)
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were one of my childhood favorites (shout out to the 2003 animated series), and after the extremely lacklustre 2010s live-action efforts, I was thrilled to see this butt-kicking foursome make a grand comeback in 2023’s “Mutant Mayhem.” With an animated style clearly inspired by “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and a charming, very TMNT story that allows each turtle brother to shine, it’s a must-watch for longtime fans, but also makes for a great introduction for younger viewers unfamiliar with the series.
Skipping the well-told origin story, “Teenage Mutant Ninja: Mutant Mayhem” sees the turtles — Donatello (Micah Abbey), Michelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr.), Leonardo (Nicolas Canut) and Raphael (Brady Noon) — become heroes as they battle a mysterious crime boss known as Superfly, who’s unleashed an army of mutants on New York. Naturally, they’ve got backup from their friend April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri) and mentorship from Master Splinter (Jackie Chan).
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
Stream on Netflix from October 17
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