The 10 Best New Movies on Netflix in 2025 (So Far)

As we approach the midway point of 2025, let’s countdown the 10 best new original movies that have released so far this year. 

Netflix subscribers have a lot to look forward to later on in 2025, not least Guillermo Del Toro’s hugely anticipated adaptation of Frankenstein. Now that we’re halfway through the year, the streamer has already released a number of impressive movies, ranging from big-budget ensemble flicks to fantastic foreign movies. 

In this list, we take you through a plethora of different genres and styles, hopefully revealing some hidden gems. Let’s dive in! 

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10

The Electric State

The Electric State had a lot going for it. Based on the novel by Simon Stålenhag, the movie was adapted by Anthony and Joe Russo, of the Avengers: Endgame success. It also boasted a stellar cast, including Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, and Anthony Mackie. 

The movie follows a Michelle, an orphaned teen, who embarks on a quest across a dystopian sci-fi America to locate her long-lost brother. On her journey, she’s joined by a couple of misfits, such as her enigmatic robot, a smuggler, and his witty sidekick. 

Given the enormous amount of expectation, The Electric State was a pretty big flop at Netflix. Reviews were middling, to say the least— look no further than its 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. So why are we including it? Well, regardless of its reviews, it’s a whole lot of family fun with some gorgeous cinematography. It’s far from Netflix’s most esteemed project, but if you just want to turn your mind off and watch some fun, witty, family sci-fi, this is a great choice. 

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9

The Life List

If you’re seeking a heartfelt romance with a dash of comedy, Netflix has you covered with The Life List. Based on Lori Nelson Spielman’s best-selling novel, the movie follows Alex Rose (Sofia Carson), who begins the story grieving the death of her mother Elizabeth (Connie Britton). Soon, Alex realizes that her mother has set up a quest to complete a teenage bucket list. Through relationships and hobbies that would go previously unexplored (such as learning piano, and performing stand-up comedy), Alex finds romance and, ultimately, rediscovers herself.

The Life List premiered in March 2025, receiving average reviews. Critics praised its themes of self-rediscovery, love, and grief.

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8

A Widow’s Game

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Spanish movie A Widow’s Game, also known as La viuda negra, is based on a true story, known as the “Black Widow of Patraix,”. Taking place in Valencia, it covers the death of engineer Antonio Navarro Cerdán in 2017, who was killed by his wife María Jesús “Maje” Moreno Cantó alongside her co-worker and secret lover Salvador Rodrigo Lapiedra. The murderers killed their victim by ambushing his garage and inflicting multiple stab wounds. 

The film is a gripping, psychological study of real-life events. It covers themes of manipulation — especially through the lens of a woman living a double life. 

A Widow’s Game released in May 2025. Dark and psychologically intriguing, it instantly captivated viewers.  

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7

Exterritorial

Netflix has released a lot of impressive foreign films over the years, and Exterritorial certainly stands out. The German movie is a gritty, action-packed thriller, following Sara (Jeanne Goursaud), a soldier with an ardent mission after her son mysteriously vanishes. As she sticks around to investigate his peculiar disappearance, she soon finds herself entangled in a vast — and inherently dangerous — conspiracy. 

Exterritorial was both directed and written by Christian Zübert, marking his debut Netflix project. It’s a great film, and definitely one to check out if you enjoy international, and action movies.

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6

Nonnas

Based on fact, Nonnas tells a very different story. The movie follows iconic Italian-American restaurateur Joe Scaravella (played on-screen by Vince Vaughn). Upon losing his mother and grandmother, Scaravella embarks on a business foray, opening up Enoteca Maria. However, what’s unique about this restaurant comes from its staff, which is made up entirely of Italian grandmothers. 

Directed by Stephen Chbosky, the movie boasts a fantastic cast. Aside from Vince Vaughn, it also stars Susan Sarandon (of Thelma & Louise fame), Lorraine Bracco (The Sopranos), and Linda Cardellini (Dead to Me).

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5

K.O.

A chart-topping movie on Netflix, French action movie K.O. proved an instant hit on the streamer when it dropped in June 2025. 

Set in Marseille, the movie follows a retired fighter, played by Ciryl Gane, who seeks out the missing son of an opponent he killed, accidentally, many years prior. While on his search, he sinks deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld.

The movie was initially criticised for not wrapping up its story, leaving loose ends. Viewers are already calling for a sequel!

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4

Fear Street: Prom Queen

Netflix’s Fear Street was a 3-movie event back in Summer 2021. Adapting the novels of beloved horror author R. L. Stine, the slasher movies were hugely successful. No further instalments were released until this year, which saw the release of Prom Queen — a movie chronicling Shadyside High’s 1988 prom queen election… which gets very deadly, very fast. 

When the big night arrives, candidates begin to go missing one-by-one. Before long, it’s a fight for survival when a masked killer with an axe appears to put candidates on the chopping block. The movie is a fun, worthy instalment in the franchise — but quite easily falls short when compared to the main trilogy. You can check out our review here. 

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3

Straw

Dark and suspenseful, Tyler Perry’s Straw follows hard working single mother Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson), who after a series of unfortunate events, such as job loss and eviction, is pushed to the brink.

The movie explores continues failure and mental breakdowns. A powerful, highly psychological thriller, Straw chronicles what happens when Wiltkinson reaches… quite literally… the final straw.

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2

Back in Action

Back in Action marked Cameron Diaz’s return to the big screen for the first time in over a decade, and what a brilliant comeback it was. Starring alongside Jamie Foxx, Back in Action follows the duo, long retired from working in espionage; now living an idyllic life with their children. However, they are thrust back into the field when the past catches up to them… and now they’ve got their children to protect as well as themselves.

Back in Action has all the hallmarks of a quintessential action movie — it can feel predictable and formulaic at times. That said, from the fantastic cast (especially the electric chemistry between Diaz and Foxx) to the themes of family and identity, Back in Action is a thrilling, satisfying ride.  

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1

Havoc

Tom Hardy brings his best for Havoc, a gritty, action-packed movie helmed by genre legend Gareth Evans.  The movie is intense, incredibly fast-paced, and just about as bloody and brutal as it gets. 

When a drug deal goes awry, a detective (played by Hardy) brutally fights his way through an underground criminal empire, all in a bid to save a politician’s son. His uncompromising attitude soon opens him up to a deeper understanding of the level of corruption and conspiracy that goes on in the criminal world. If you want some raw, high-adrenaline action, this needs to be the first Netflix movie you should watch. 

Back when Havoc released, we had the pleasure of interviewing star Jill Winternitz about her small, but key role in the movie.

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Honorable mentions

Here’s some other movies released so far this year that you should also check out:

• Our Times
• Kinda Pregnant
• iHostage
• Ad Vitam
• Demon City
• Delicious
• Bad Influence

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Which Netflix movies have you enjoyed the most so far in 2025? Tell us in the comments down below!