Netflix is adding 24 new shows and movies to the streaming service this week. But most people will be tuning into one show in particular: "The Diplomat." With all due respect to the other shows and movies coming to Netflix this week, the Keri Russell-led political drama is an Emmy contender year-in-and-year-out, and season 3 adds Bradley Whitford to an already loaded cast.
While "The Diplomat" is the main title to watch this week, there are other shows and movies to keep an eye on. Sports fans in particular are in for a fun week, with NBA basketball docuseries "Starting 5" returning for season 2. Then, there's the "Six Kings Slam 2025," a live sporting event that pits the best men's tennis players in the world against each other with $13.5 million on the line.
For more to watch, read on for all of my top picks, a full list of everything new on Netflix this week and the scoop on what's leaving Netflix this week. If you need more, check out our guide to everything new to Netflix in October, and check out this strange mystery thriller movie that just hit the service last week.
Malcolm has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. Every week, he hunts down the top shows and movies to watch on Netflix.
New on Netflix this week: Top picks
‘The Diplomat’ season 3
“The Diplomat” has transformed itself from a surprise hit into an annual Emmy contender for Netflix, and you won't want to miss season 3 of the hit political drama. It picks up in the aftermath of President Rayburn’s shocking death, a death possibly caused by Hal Wyler’s (Rufus Sewell) actions.
Now, Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) is in power, newly sworn in as President of the U.S. That leaves U.S. ambassador to the U.K. Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) forced to chart a course through quickly shifting political alliances, and contemplating a play for the newly vacated role of Vice President.
But as Kate contemplates her vice-presidential bid, she still faces challenges in her marriage to Hal and still has her current job to deal with. That gets complicated with the arrival of Todd Penn (Bradley Whitford), Grace's husband, who could seriously upset the delicate balance of power.
Watch on Netflix starting October 16
'Starting 5' season 2
There are a few things that Netflix does well, and one of those things is sports documentaries. Whether it's "Drive to Survive," "Quarterback" or one of several other sports docs, Netflix does a great job of putting together a look back at the previous season of any league in an entertaining package.
"Starting 5" is another such Netflix sports doc, and this week it's coming back for its second season. This show takes you inside the 2024-25 NBA season and features All-Star-caliber players Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton and James Harden. If you're a basketball diehard, you won't want to miss it.
Watch on Netflix starting Oct. 16
'Six Kings Slam 2025'
Between the NFL, WWE and boxing, Netflix has fully waded into the live sports arena. Last year, it went into the world of live tennis as well, with the inaugural Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Jannik Sinner, considered either the best or second-best player in the world, took home the top prize, and this year, he's back to defend his title.
Sinner will have to go through a murderer's row of tennis greats to repeat as champion. In the first round, he faces Stefanos Tsitsipas (2019 ATP Finals Champion). If he wins that round, he faces 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic, and in the final, he could face five-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, who just beat Sinner in the French and U.S. Open finals.
Watch it live on Netflix starting Oct. 15 at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT
'Splinter Cell: Deathwatch'
The Splinter Cell video game series is iconic, even if it's been over a decade since the last one was released. With video game adaptations having a moment, it's no surprise that Splinter Cell is getting the adaptation treatment, though it is interesting to see it come in the form of an animated series.
Just because it's animated, though, doesn't mean that there isn't some star power behind this show. "Splinter Cell: Deathwatch" stars Liev Schreiber as Sam Fisher, a legendary spy and a field commander in Fourth Echelon, a covert black-ops unit of the U.S. government. He's been pulled back into the world of espionage to train a new Fourth Echelon recruit (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) and save the world while he's at it.
Watch on Netflix starting Oct. 14
'The Perfect Neighbor'
"The Perfect Neighbor" is not for the faint of heart. But this documentary won the Sundance Film Festival’s Directing Award and currently has a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. So if you can make it through the 97 minutes, it'll most likely be a worthwhile experience.
On June 2, 2023, in Ocala, Florida, 58-year-old Susan Lorincz shot and killed her 35-year-old neighbor, Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens. Using extensive bodycam footage, this documentary paints the tale of a woman who was not, as she claimed to be, "The Perfect Neighbor." Instead, she was a ticking time bomb waiting to go off and tear this neighborhood apart.
Watch on Netflix starting Oct. 17
'Romantics Anonymous'
"Romantics Anonymous" stars Shun Oguri as Sosuke Fujiwara, director of the chocolate shop Le Sauveur. He's also the son of a major confectionery magnate (Koichi Sato), and that comes with immense pressure.
Luckily for Sosuke, he has Hana (Han Hyo-joo), a gifted chocolatier who can help take Le Sauveur to the next level. As they start to bond over their love of chocolate, they start to fall for each other too. There's just one problem: he is afraid to touch people and she struggles to look people in the eye.
If you love a heartwarming rom-com and aren't afraid of subtitles, "Romantics Anonymous" is definitely worth adding to your watchlist this week.
Watch on Netflix starting Oct. 16
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem'
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem" was one of my favorite movies from 2023. This animated revival of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” features a loaded voice cast that includes Ayo Edebiri, Ice Cube and Paul Rudd, and has a fun story that will keep you entertained from start to finish. Plus, it has an excellent soundtrack.
Is "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem" a cinematic masterpiece? Probably not, but this movie is supremely enjoyable to watch, whether you love animated movies and TMNT or if it's your first time with them heroes in a half-shell. If I can only recommend one movie to watch on Netflix this week, it's this one.
Watch on Netflix starting Oct. 17
Everything new on Netflix: Oct. 13-19
OCTOBER 14
"Everybody Loves Me When I'm Dead" (TH) (Netflix film)
Two bank employees steal a fortune from a dead client's account, and unwittingly provoke a group of ruthless criminals, who want the money back.
"Splinter Cell: Deathwatch" (Netflix series)
In the shadowy world of espionage, Sam Fisher is a rumor and a legend. Pulled back into action, he must help a new recruit unravel a global conspiracy.
OCTOBER 15
"Inside Furioza" (PL) (Netflix film)
In the wake of murder, new Furioza leader Golden claims the reins of his violent and formidable hooligan gang and takes on a new focus across borders.
"No One Saw Us Leave" (MX) (Netflix series)
Amid divorce, a mother faces stigma and a painful separation when her husband takes her kids in a conflict that shapes her life. Inspired by a true story.
"Six Kings Slam 2025" (Netflix live event)
The world's top-ranked players take the court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for a star-studded tennis showcase with ultimate bragging rights on the line.
- "Held Hostage in My House"
- "Taken in Plain Sight"
OCTOBER 16
"The Diplomat" season 3 (Netflix series)
Caught in a whirlwind of crisis diplomacy, Kate must navigate a fragile new administration and a deadly threat with world-shaping consequences.
"Romantics Anonymous" (JP) (Netflix series)
A brilliant chocolatier who's afraid of making eye contact meets an heir who can't touch others — but somehow, they're immune to each other.
"Starting 5" Season 2 (Netflix sport series)
This riveting series follows Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton and James Harden throughout the 2024-25 NBA season.
"The Time That Remains" (PH) (Netflix film)
Surrounded by a string of deaths, an older woman relives her romance with a mysterious, ageless lover as an inspector closes in on their dark secret.
- "The A Team"
- "Confessions of a Shopaholic"
OCTOBER 17
"27 Nights" (AR) (Netflix film)
When a woman is admitted by her daughters to a psychiatric clinic for her carefree ways, an expert must judge if she is ill or simply wants to enjoy life.
"Good News" (KR) (Netflix film)
When hijackers seize a Japanese flight and demand to fly to Pyongyang, a mysterious mastermind hatches a zany scheme to reroute the plane to Seoul.
"The Perfect Neighbor" (Netflix documentary)
Using bodycam footage from dozens of police visits, The Perfect Neighbor bears witness to a tight-knit community navigating one neighbor’s relentless harassment. But her hostility takes a sinister turn when it escalates into a fatal crime.
"She Walks in Darkness" (ES) (Netflix film)
A young agent leaves everything behind to pose as a member of ETA, risking her life to uncover the terrorists' hideouts in the south of France.
"Turn of the Tide" Season 2 (PT) (Netflix series)
Rabo de Peixe is no longer the same. As old friends and enemies return to find a shift in power, new contenders emerge for control of the drug trade.
"Turn of the Tide: The Surreal Story of Rabo de Peixe" (PT) (Netflix documentary)
In June 2001, hundreds of kilos of cocaine washed up in a Portuguese village. This gripping documentary reveals the long-lasting impact on the community.
"The Twits" (Netflix family)
When the meanest, nastiest villains pull a trick to take over their town, two brave children team up with a family of magical animals to bring them down.
- "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"
- "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2"
- "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem"
OCTOBER 18
- "Don't Say a Word"
Leaving Netflix This Week
Leaving 10/16/25
"Circle"
"Sinister"
"Sinister 2"
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
- Gary Oldman’s ‘Slow Horses’ season 5 monologue is the performance of the year — give him the Emmy!
- Forget Amazon Prime Day — get HBO Max and over 70 channels for free with this streaming deal
- Universal tipped to shelve 'Fast X: Part 2,' but Vin Diesel seems unbothered in his cryptic response
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.
