Here Are the Best Movies to Stream this Weekend on Netflix, Including ‘Ballad of a Small Player’

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Looking for something new to watch this weekend? Here are ten recent additions to Netflix, including brand-new shows and movies, popular favorites, and award-winning titles. We’ve listed them with the newest releases first, and included details about the cast, creators, and release dates to help you decide what to watch first.

‘Ballad of a Small Player’ (2025)

‘Ballad of a Small Player,’ directed by Edward Berger, tells the story of Lord Doyle, a gambler in Macau who’s haunted by his debts and past. The film stars Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton, and reunites the creative team behind ‘All Quiet on the Western Front,’ including cinematographer James Friend and composer Volker Bertelmann. It will be released on Wednesday, October 29th and is available to watch for the weekend.

‘Babo – Die Haftbefehl-Story’ (2025)

“Babo – Die Haftbefehl-Story” is a new documentary on Netflix about the life and career of German rapper Haftbefehl (Aykut Anhan). The film features honest interviews with Haftbefehl himself, as well as his family and those who’ve worked with him. Directed by Juan Moreno and Sinan Sevinç, and produced by Elyas M’Barek and Pacco-Luca Nitsche, the documentary offers a personal look at the artist and his influence on German hip-hop. It will be available to stream starting October 28th.

‘The White House Effect’ (2024)

As a critic, I recently screened ‘The White House Effect,’ and it’s a fascinating documentary built entirely from archival footage. It really digs into the decisions made during the George H.W. Bush administration and how those choices fundamentally altered the course of global climate policy. What’s compelling is how it lays out the key negotiations and the internal conflicts within the administration – it feels like seeing the very beginnings of the climate debates we’re having today. It’s essentially an origin story for our current climate crisis, and it’s arriving on October 31st.

‘Dear Santa’ (2024)

The new holiday comedy ‘Dear Santa’ tells the story of a boy whose letter to Santa gets a mischievous mix-up, accidentally summoning Satan (played by Jack Black) instead. Directed by Bobby Farrelly and written with Peter Farrelly and Ricky Blitt, the film also stars Keegan-Michael Key, Brianne Howey, and Post Malone. Produced by Paramount and filmed in Georgia, ‘Dear Santa’ will be released on November 1st.

‘Wonka’ (2023)

“Wonka” is a whimsical musical telling the story of how the beloved chocolatier got his start. Timothée Chalamet plays Wonka, and Paul King directs. The film also features stars like Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, and Rowan Atkinson, with original songs by Neil Hannon and music by Joby Talbot. The movie follows Wonka as he creates his first chocolates and faces opposition from a group of powerful chocolate manufacturers. It will be released on Saturday, November 1.

‘Joy Ride’ (2023)

The movie ‘Joy Ride’ centers around four friends whose work trip to Asia unexpectedly turns into a journey of self-discovery and reconnection with their roots. Directed by Adele Lim and written by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, the film stars Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu. It was produced by Point Grey Pictures, with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg as producers, and will be released on Saturday, November 1.

‘The Nun II’ (2023)

‘The Nun II’ is the latest installment in ‘The Conjuring’ universe, picking up where ‘The Nun’ and ‘The Conjuring 2’ left off. Sister Irene is back to fight the demonic Valak, and Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, and Bonnie Aarons reprise their roles. Michael Chaves directs the film, written by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and Akela Cooper. It hits theaters on Saturday, November 1.

‘Elvis’ (2022)

“Elvis” is a biopic that tells the story of Elvis Presley’s life and career, focusing on his complicated relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Austin Butler stars as Elvis, and Tom Hanks plays Parker. The film is directed by Baz Luhrmann, who also co-wrote the screenplay. With stunning visuals by Mandy Walker, the movie received several Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor, and will be available starting November 1st.

‘Moonage Daydream’ (2022)

Moonage Daydream is a new documentary about David Bowie, created with full authorization and designed to be a deeply engaging experience. Director Brett Morgen compiled rare footage, concert performances, and Bowie’s own artwork and spoken words to tell the story of his artistic journey. The film, which was also shown in IMAX, takes its name from a 1972 Bowie song and traces his creative development. It will be available starting November 1st.

‘The Outfit’ (2022)

I just finished watching ‘The Outfit,’ and it’s a really tight, suspenseful crime thriller. It’s set in Chicago and centers around an English tailor who gets pulled into a very dangerous situation with the local mob. Graham Moore directed it, and he co-wrote the script with Johnathan McClain. Mark Rylance is fantastic, and he’s joined by a great cast including Zoey Deutch, Dylan O’Brien, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Simon Russell Beale. Visually, it’s stunning thanks to the cinematography by Dick Pope, and Alexandre Desplat’s score really adds to the tension. It came out on November 2nd, and I highly recommend checking it out if you like this kind of film.

Tell us what you’ll be watching first this weekend—and share your own picks in the comments!

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2025-10-31 18:19