Netflix kicked off November by adding more than 40 movies to its library, and while there are several picks in the mix that deserve a spot in your watchlist, one that really stands out to me is “Game Night.”
This 2018 action-comedy is a supremely enjoyable effort in the genre, and even though I’ve watched it more than once before, its arrival on Netflix has me itching to stream it all over again. “Game Night” boasts a strong comedic cast, including Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Lamorne Morris and Jesse Plemons, all working from a sharp script that combines excellent gags and a narrative that spins off the rails in the best way. It's an easy recommendation if you’re looking for something entertaining to watch on Netflix this week.
What is ‘Game Night’ about?
Married couple Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Rachel McAdams) are board game and trivia enthusiasts who host a weekly game night with their friends. However, when Max's egotistical older brother, Brook (Kyle Chandler), offers to host the next evening, things are kicked up a notch when he plans an elaborate murder mystery for the friend group to solve.
When masked thugs break into Brook’s home and kidnap him in the middle of game night, Max, Annie and their friends assume it’s all part of the role play, but what they don’t know is that Brook has been hiding some dark secrets, and his capture is real. As they attempt to solve the mystery, unaware of the dangers, they find themselves playing more than a game.
Stream ‘Game Night’ on Netflix this week
“Game Night” has plenty of strengths, but its twisting plot is something that I certainly didn’t expect from a comedy of this nature. The dramatic irony of its lead thinking they’re playing a fake murder mystery game while actually in the middle of a real-life criminal conspiracy is a fantastic setup for excitement, and to keep things spicy, there are several enjoyable reveals.
I believe that the best comedy movies should be quotable, and this is an area where “Game Night” certainly pulls a high score. There’s a reason that an early scene, where Jesse Plemons’ Gary, an aloof neighbor never invited to game night, is pondering how a three-for-one chip deal can be profitable for Frito-Lay, seems to go viral every other week. Plus, McAdam’s initial delight and then shock when a goon gets sucked into an airplane jet (“Oh no, he died!”) still makes me crack up even when I’m well aware it’s coming.
While “Game Night” puts its best foot forward as a comedy, there are a few neat action moments as well. A creatively staged scene where the characters throw around a valuable item like a football to avoid it falling into the hands of goons is a real highlight. It’s not the only example of creative filmmaking from directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, either. Establishing shots are often staged to mimic the look of a board game, which is a nice touch. “Game Night” certainly has confidence.
If you need further justification to give it a watch on Netflix, “Game Night” holds an 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The site’s Critics Consensus reads, “With a talented cast turned loose on a loaded premise — and a sharp script loaded with dark comedy and unexpected twists — 'Game Night' might be more fun than the real thing,” and I thoroughly agree.
If you’re looking for more new to Netflix recommendations, check out our full guide to everything new on the streaming service for November 2025. And if you’re in the mood for something brand new, we’ve also got a roundup of the top new movies arriving on streaming this week.
Watch "Game Night" on Netflix now
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