Netflix has revealed its slate of everything new in December 2025, and that means plenty of movies have just been added to the streaming service, and more are on their way. But not all of these movies are created equal, and a select few rise above the rest and are must-adds to your watchlist.
But to know what movies are the must-watch films, you need to scour the entire list. Lucky for you, I've already done the work. I've gone through the movies coming this month and turned to Rotten Tomatoes to see which clear the high mark of a 90% fresh rating or higher from critics. Of course, a high score on the review aggregate site is not a guarantee that a movie will appeal to your personal tastes, but it tends to guarantee you're at least watching a quality film.
So without further ado, let’s dive into the five new to Netflix movies in December 2025 that are 90% fresh or higher on Rotten Tomatoes. For more recommendations, check out my review of this Oscar contender Netflix added over the Thanksgiving break.
'Little Women' (2019)
"Little Women" stars Saoirse Ronan as Josephine "Jo" March, Emma Watson as Margaret "Meg" March, Florence Pugh as Amy March and Eliza Scanlen as Elizabeth "Beth" March. This coming-of-age period drama follows the March sisters through the 1860s, hopping from one storyline in the past to another in the "present" of 1868.
This story is beloved by many, whether in this form or the original novel by Louisa May Alcott. It runs the gamut emotionally, love, loss, anger and joy. At the core, though, are the performances of the March sisters, all played by phenomenal actors. Don't sleep on the supporting cast; Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep and Tracy Letts are all worthy of your attention as well.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
Stream it on Netflix
'Pulp Fiction' (1994)
"Pulp Fiction" is a crime movie classic set in Los Angeles. It stars Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta as Jules Winnfield and Vincent Vega, a pair of hitmen who work for local gangster Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). Their mission? To retrieve a briefcase for their boss, even if it means killing anyone in their way. Told in a non-linear fashion, we also see when Vincent's path crosses with the prizefighter Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis), and an iconic scene where Vincent takes out Wallace's wife, Mia (Uma Thurman).
This movie set the standard for Tarantino's filmmaking style, combining sharp writing with an incredible cast of actors and plenty of violence. If you only had one movie to see what Tarantino is all about, this is the one to pick. Don't just take my word for it, either: "Pulp Fiction" won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and was nominated for seven awards at the 67th Academy Awards, winning Best Original Screenplay.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Stream it on Netflix
'The Northman' (2022)
"The Northman" finally answers the question: "What if we made 'Hamlet' more violent?" It stars Alexander Skarsgård as Prince Amleth, a Viking prince who would later become the direct inspiration for Shakespeare's iconic Prince of Denmark.
Amleth is set to ascend the throne of his father, King Aurvandill "War-Raven" (Ethan Hawke). But before he can, his uncle Fjölnir (Claes Bang) stages a coup, taking the throne, killing Aurvandill and taking his dead brother's wife, Gudrún (Nicole Kidman), for his own. Amleth manages to escape, but swears one day to return for vengeance.
And return he does. After fighting for years as a berserker, he meets the seeress Olga of the Birch Forest (Anya Taylor-Joy), who reminds him of his oath of revenge. So Amleth returns to settle this family feud once and for all. If you like director Robert Eggers' penchant for gorgeous, dark, twisted storytelling, then "The Northman" is for you.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Stream it on Netflix
'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' (2025)
In "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery," Rian John's fictional detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is back for another seemingly unsolvable mystery. This time, he's been called to a small church in upstate New York, where the Msgr. Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin) has just died in seemingly impossible circumstances.
The prime suspect? Rev. Jud Duplenticy (Josh O'Connor). He's another priest at the church who was the last to be with the late priest. To solve the case, Blanc will need to work with local police chief Geraldine Scott to discover who is really behind this murder most foul.
If you haven't watched the previous two Knives Out movies, you should. You don't need to, as they tell separate stories, but it'll give you an appreciation for these whodunits with incredible casts. "Wake Up Dead Man" is no exception on that front, by the way. It features a deep ensemble cast that also includes Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott, Jeffrey Wright and more.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Stream it on Netflix
'Zero Dark Thirty' (2012)
"Zero Dark Thirty" stars Jessica Chastain as Maya, a CIA intelligence analyst tasked with hunting down al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. It's a movie based on real people and real events. While a composite character not entirely based on historical fact, she's partially inspired by Alfreda Frances Bikowsky, who allegedly ran Alec Station, a CIA unit tasked with hunting down the notorious terrorist. In this hybrid war movie/action thriller, we follow Maya as she moves from the U.S. embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, in 2003, all the way up until the 2011 raid that resulted in the death of bin Laden.
But Maya isn't the only character to watch in "Zero Dark Thirty." Sure, it's literally an Oscar-nominated performance from Chastain, but she is just one cog in several factions involved in the hunt for al-Qaeda's leader. There's a large ensemble cast loaded with acting talent that includes Mark Strong, Kyle Chandler, James Gandolfini, Mark Duplass and Jeremy Strong as CIA personnel, as well as Joel Edgerton and Chris Pratt as members of SEAL Team 6. Trust me, this movie is one you won't want to miss.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
Stream it on Netflix
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