The weekends are made for movie watching, and Netflix is certainly giving subscribers plenty of options to consider with its November 2025 slate now rolling out. The first of the month sees dozens of movies arrive on the streaming service, so you’re spoilt for movie marathon choices.
Being overwhelmed with streaming options is very much a thing, and time spent scrolling Netflix’s library is time that could be better spent enjoying some movies, so I’ve combed through the latest additions and picked out a trio for your consideration. These range from a spooky follow-up to one of the most acclaimed horrors ever (well, it is Halloween weekend), to a joyful fantasy musical starring Timothée Chalamet as a world-famous chocolatier.
There are picks to suit a range of movie-watching tastes below, and don’t forget to check out our guide to everything new on Netflix in November 2025 for a complete list of new additions. Now, let’s dive into the three new to Netflix movies I’ll be watching this weekend.
Best movies to watch on Netflix this weekend
‘Ballad of a Small Player’ (2025)
When Netflix confirmed it would be the home of “Conclave” director Edward Berger’s new psychological thriller, I got a whiff of Oscar potential. Unfortunately, “Ballad of a Small Player” hasn’t enjoyed the type of reception that suggests it's going to be a serious contender in the upcoming awards season. Still, if you’re looking for a new Netflix movie this weekend, it’s one of the streaming service’s most high-profile originals of the last month, so is still worth considering. Just be sure to keep your exceptions in check. “Conclave” quality this is not.
“Ballad of a Small Player” focuses on Lord Doyle (Farrell), a high-stakes gambler whose luck at the poker table ran out a long time ago. Attempting to escape his debts and past mistakes by hiding out in Macau, Doyle spends his days drinking and squandering what little money he has left. But when he meets a mysterious casino employee (Fala Chen), he’s offered an unlikely chance at redemption. However, a private investigator (Tilda Swinton) is on the scene and is determined to ensure that Doyle faces the consequences of his actions.
Watch "Ballad of a Small Player" on Netflix from November 1
‘Doctor Sleep’ (2019)
![STEPHEN KING'S DOCTOR SLEEP - Final Trailer [HD] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BOzFZxB-8cw/maxresdefault.jpg)
How do you follow up a horror movie titan like “The Shining”? Getting one of the modern masters of the genre, Mike Flanagan, on board is how. This supernatural chiller serves as both an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name and a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s 1980s classic (a movie King famously disliked for its changes to his work). That’s a difficult tightrope to walk, but Flanagan pulls it off expertly. If you’re looking for a spooky watch over the Halloween weekend, then “Doctor Sleep” is a clear frontrunner pick.
Set decades after Dan Torrance’s (Ewan McGregor) traumatizing experience in the Overlook Hotel, he’s now an adult struggling with alcoholism and working as a hospice orderly, using his ability to “shine” to comfort dying patients. But when he meets a teenager with the same supernatural gift, Abra (Kyliegh Curran), he’s forced into a battle against a sinister group known as the True Knot. Their leader (a deliciously sinister Rebecca Ferguson) is seeking to become immortal by consuming those who shine.
Watch "Doctor Sleep" on Netflix from November 1
‘Wonka’ (2023)
“Wonka” isn’t even a guilty pleasure. It’s just a straight-up shot of joy every time I rewatch it; there's no guilt whatsoever. This colorful musical from “Paddington” director Paul King takes the cozy charms of his brown bear starring franchise and gives it a sugary chocolate coating. While it’s not strictly a holiday movie, with its quaint setting and warm characters, it certainly fits the season, so its arrival on Netflix feels very well timed. If you’re looking to get into the spirit, it’s a great appealizter as we enter November. Plus, Timothée Chalamet gets to show his excellent comedic chops and his (mostly solid) singing voice in the lead role of Willy Wonka.
A prequel set decades before a boy named Charlie takes a trip to a chocolate factory, “Wonka” sees the eponymous character arrive in an unnamed (but very European) town with dreams of opening his own candy store. But a trio of corrupt business rivals and a very wicked laundrette owner (Olivia Colman) do everything in their power to stop Wonka achieving his life's goal. Full of heart and toe-tapping musical numbers, “Wonka” will have you smiling throughout and really wanting to eat some chocolate as well.
Watch "Wonka" on Netflix from November 1
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
More from Tom's Guide
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
