Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
Following a surprise dearth of highly anticipated movies in late May, our new Netflix movies hub bounces back with the addition of Hit Man, a Glen Powell-starring rom-com thriller, sci-fi survival flick Godzilla Minus One, and war drama 1917, which are the latest entries on this list. We've also removed Shrek and Unfrosted as we don't consider them to be new anymore, and updated our 'coming soon' section with the latest information available to us.
Welcome to TechRadar's new Netflix movies guide. In this article, you'll find the freshest new movies to land on the streaming giant over the past few weeks. No matter if you're looking for a good (or bad) film to stream on Netflix, then, you've come to the right place.
This list isn't all encompassing, mind you. We'd be here all day if we listed every single new Netflix film to arrive since mid-May, so we've handpicked the best and/or worst Netflix Originals and licensed films to include instead. If you're after a larger selection of flicks to choose from, our best Netflix movies guide is worth reading. Bookmark that page for later, though, and get the lowdown on the best new Netflix movies to watch on the world's best streaming service right now. Happy watching!
New Netflix movies: June
Hit Man
Release date: June 7
Runtime: 115 minutes
Age rating: 16-plus (US) / 15 (UK)
Cast: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta, Molly Bernard and Sanjay Rao
Director: Richard Linklater
Rotten Tomatoes (RT) score: 98% (critics); 95% (audience)
One of the best-rated new Netflix movies we've seen in a long time, this black comedy romantic thriller is a twisty, thrills-a-minute, and steamy flick that'll appeal to all kinds of genre fans. Powell plays Gary, an unassuming professor who discovers he has a hidden knack for portraying fake hit men. However, while his new lifestyle is full of perks, when he's hired by a mysterious client (Arjona) for a seemingly run of the mill assignment, things quickly take a turn for the silly and spectacular.
A flick inspired by true events, Hit Man is a, well, certified hit. Armed with potent on-screen chemistry from its two leads, and with mastermind director Richard Linklater behind the camera, we shouldn't have expected anything other than a terrific, captivating, and funny film that's done and dusted in less than two hours.
1917
Release date: June 1
Runtime: 118 minutes
Age rating: 16-plus (US) / 15 (UK)
Cast: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, and Benedict Cumberbatch
Director: Sam Mendes
RT score: 88% (critics); 88% (audience)
Another harrowing depiction of the horrors and futility of war, Sam Mendes' 1917 movie is an emotionally raw, suspense-driven film that's technically impressive in its design. MacKay stars as Lance Corporal Will Schofield, who's tasked with delivering an vital message to the UK forces' front line in a bid to stave off a doomed offensive. Chapman also features heavily as Schofield's fellow soldier Tom Blake.
You'll remember 1917 for its thrilling and spine-chilling 'oner' sequence in its final act, but there are so many other memorable (not to mention hard-hitting) scenes in arguably Mendes' best feature film yet. An emotionally charged, heart-pounding, and tension-riddled movie that'll leave you numb.
Godzilla Minus One
Release date: June 1
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Runtime: 125 minutes
Main cast: Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, and Yuki Yamada
Director: Takashi Yamazaki
RT score: 98% (critics); 98% (audience)
One of 2023's best movies, Godzilla Minus One took the legendary kaiju back to its post-war Japanese roots in an emotionally torturous drama that cements Godzilla's latest big-screen showing as one of the best in the titanic monster's illustrious history. Seen through the eyes of a traumatized kamikaze pilot (Kamiki), Minus One pits the merciless Godzilla in a battle against the Asian island nation as its population desperately grapples with and tries to survive a wave of attacks from the titular titan.
Releasing to mixed reviews in Japan, Godzilla Minus One was hailed as a masterclass in filmmaking upon its launch in western regions. Park everything you expect from a Godzilla film (including his recent MonsterVerse films) and settle in for a gut-punching drama that peppers its plot with destructive, high-stakes action, rich social commentary on the cost of war and survivor's guilt, and what an amazing sci-fi horror can look like on a shoestring budget.
Watch Godzilla Minus One on Netflix.
New Netflix movies: May
Atlas
Release date: May 24
Runtime: 120 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Simu Liu, Sterling K. Brown, and Mark Strong
Director: Brad Peyton
RT score: 19% (critics); 47% (audience)
After the mixed reception that her last Netflix film – 2023's The Mother – received, Jennifer Lopez would've been hoping for better with her latest flick Atlas.
Unfortunately, critics and general viewers haven't been impressed by her new sci-fi action thriller, either. The flick, which see J-Lo play a misanthropic data analyst who has to team up with an AI (in a giant, Titanfall-like mech, no less) to hunt down a rogue robot (played by Shang-Chi and Barbie's Liu) who wants to wipe out humanity, is all style and very little substance. Indeed, Atlas' official trailer made it look like another generic Terminator clone and that's what we've been gifted here.
Want a better J-Lo film to watch? Try one of these 6 great Jennifer Lopez-starring films, rather than force yourself to sit through two hours of subpar sci-fi.
Thelma The Unicorn
Release date: May 17
Runtime: 98 minutes
Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK)
Cast: Brittany Howard, Will Forte, Jemaine Clement, Edi Patterson, Maliaka Mitchell, Ally Dixon, Fred Armisen, Zach Galifianakis, and Jon Heder
Directors: Jared Hess and Lynn Wang
RT score: 67% (critics); 56% (audience)
Based on Aaron Blabey's novel of the same name, this family-friendly animated movie is the latest film to try and show kids how to dream big while never losing sight of who you are as an individual. Howard voices the titular Thelma, a small-time pony who wishes to become a global pop megastar. One fateful day, she's given the opportunity to fulfil her lifelong dream after a glitter-filled and horn-based accident – but Thelma's ambitious, dream-chasing side soon puts her at odds with best friends Otis the donkey (Forte) and Danny Stallion (Armisen).
A quirky, music-led comedy-drama that'll promote the virtues of being a good friend to children, Thelma The Unicorn has just enough to be the streamer's latest decent animated offering.
Watch Thelma The Unicorn on Netflix.
Mother of the Bride
Release date: May 10
Runtime: 90 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Brooke Shields, Miranda Cosgrove, Sean Teale, Chad Michael Murray, Rachael Harris and Benjamin Bratt
Director: Mark Waters
RT score: 14% (critics); 15% (audience)
Are you ready for another underwhelming, easy-to-watch Netflix rom-com? Mother of the Bride is aimed squarely at you if so. Cosgrave plays Emma, who reunites with her mom Lana (Shields) to drop some unexpected news: she's getting married. In Thailand. In exactly one month. To make matters worse, the person that Emma is to be wedded to is none other than Will (Bratt), who broke Lana's heart years earlier.
As its RT ratings suggest, critics and general viewers have not had a good time with Mother of the Bride. Prepare yourself for an onslaught of generic jokes, hackneyed slapstick-based set-pieces, and cliched-yet-sincere narrative. Another of this year's new Netflix movies to leave at the proverbial altar.
Watch Mother of the Bride on Netflix.
New Netflix movies: what's coming in 2024?
Want the lowdown on what else will be joining our new Netflix movies guide soon? Check out the below list:
- Ultraman: Rising (June 14)
- Trigger Warning (June 21)
- A Family Affair (June 28)
- Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (July 3)
- Blame the Game (July 12)
- Find Me Falling (July 19)
- Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (August 2)
- The Union (August 16)
- Incoming (August 23)
- His Three Daughters (November 1)
- Back in Action (November 15)
- Spellbound (November 22)
- Family Pack (Q3 2024)
- Carry-On (Q4 2024)
- The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep (Q4 2024)
- The Electric State (expected 2024)
- Joy (expected 2024)
- That Christmas (expected 2024)
- Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (expected 2024)
For more Netflix-based coverage, read our best Netflix shows and best Netflix documentaries guides. Alternatively, find out how to sign up to Netflix or get the lowdown on whether it's worth cancelling your Netflix subscription.
