Netflix added 39 new movies at the start of August 2026, and is gearing up to release its latest original thriller, “The Last House,” this coming Friday (Aug. 7). With so many new options for subscribers to consider, it would be very easy for some great films to slip a little under the radar.
I’m fearful that such a fate will befall “Eighth Grade.” This excellent comedy-drama movie arrived on Netflix earlier this week (on Monday, Aug. 3 to be exact), and so far hasn’t made much of an impression. It looks primed to be something of a hidden gem within the Netflix library.
I’m never one to let a great movie go overlooked, so I’m here to tell you exactly why this incredibly relatable movie, which explores an awkward teen's middle school experience, is a critically acclaimed flick that needs to be at the very top of your Netflix watchlist this week.
What is ‘Eighth Grade’ about?
Directed by Bo Burnham, known for his popular YouTube channel, original songs and Netflix special “Inside,” “Eighth Grade” is a charming and authentic comedy-drama about a testing time in life: middle school.
Kayla Day (Elsie Fisher) is a 13-year-old girl in the final weeks of eighth grade at Miles Grove Middle School in suburban New York. As she navigates her adolescence, contending with popular cliques, teenage hormones, and social media overload, she attempts to fit in with her peers while dealing with plenty of growing pains.
She also runs a social media account publishing online videos offering insight into her middle school experience, hopes for the future, and some (ill-thought-out) teen wisdom.
‘Eighth Grade’ is a deeply relatable movie (even for grown-ups)
As a 31-year-old male who never even attended a “middle school” (I’m British; we don’t have those here), it’s perhaps surprising that “Eighth Grade” is one of the most relatable movies I’ve ever watched. After all, it’s a movie about the trials and tribulations of a 13-year-old American girl. At least on paper, it’s a film that I shouldn’t necessarily relate to so strongly.
However, what makes “Eighth Grade” so special is that, putting aside the nuts-and-bolts of its setup, it’s a movie that ruminates on universal themes like anxiety, angst, self-worth, struggling to fit in, and feeling awkward in your skin. These are subjects that I’d wager most people have experienced in their lives, and “Eighth Grade” explores them in a way that feels vulnerable, honest, and without any cynical edge. It transcends its plot.
Which isn’t to say there isn’t strength in its simple but sweet narrative, or its cast of well-written characters. Elsie Fisher absolutely shines as Kayla. The movie was filmed just a week after Fisher graduated eighth grade herself, and that authenticity shines through. I don’t say this to diminish Fisher’s work, but it doesn’t even feel like a performance. The movie is akin to getting a snapshot of a real person’s adolescence. It’s deeply powerful.
I’m far from its only fan. The movie was met with near-universal acclaim and very favorable comparisons to the works of John Hughes, whose classic movies like “The Breakfast Club” are often upheld as the gold standard for depicting realistic teenage characters on screen.
On the review site Rotten Tomatoes, “Eighth Grade” holds a near-perfect 99% score, and this isn’t a case of a small sample size inflating a movie’s score. That rating comes from more than 320 reviews. The site’s Critics Consensus reads, “‘Eighth Grade’ takes a look at its titular time period that offers a rare and resounding ring of truth while heralding breakthroughs for writer-director Bo Burnham and captivating star Elsie Fisher."
As per usual, Netflix added a lot of movies to its library to kick off the new month, but if you want my top recommendation, it’s easily “Eighth Grade.” Whatever age you are, I’m sure you’ll find something to relate to here. It’s a memorable experience, and dare I say, the best movie released to date by a YouTuber turned filmmaker. Bo Burnham nailed the assignment.
Watch "Eighth Grade" on Netflix now
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