Another week has come and gone, meaning there’s a whole new batch of intriguing movies to watch on Netflix. On top of the impressive catalog, the world’s most popular streaming service added plenty of new films at the start of the month. Those combine to make for an outstanding collection of options for the coming week’s viewings.

This week, Netflix is the best place to check out everything from an intense film by great modern horror directors to a beloved adaptation of an iconic Broadway musical. There’s also a spectacular Netflix original animated film, a gripping drama from the early ’90s, and one of the best action movies to ever grace the big screen.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

With the recent rousing success at the end of last year that was Wicked, 2025 is as great a time as ever to go back and check out some fantastic musicals. Like Wicked, 2008’s Mamma Mia! is an adaptation of one of the most popular Broadway musicals ever.

This jukebox musical features the characters singing songs that were popularized by the iconic group ABBA. The story centers on a bride-to-be who invites three men to her wedding who all could be her father, hoping to find out the truth before the wedding.

With a cast featuring Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, and more, there’s a lot to love. Simply seeing Meryl Streep bust out a complete musical number is enough to make this a must-watch film.

Although critical reviews weren’t overly positive upon release, Mamma Mia! is one of those movies that has become more acclaimed as time has gone on. The film was a huge box office success and spawned a sequel a decade later. Anyone who appreciates a good musical is sure to have a great time watching Mamma Mia!

The Mitchells Vs. The Machines (2021)

2021 was a strong year for animated films. Disney’s Encanto took the world by storm, while Raya and the Last Dragon is one of their most underrated movies ever. There was also Pixar’s Luca, the highly anticipated Sing 2, the Oscar-nominated Flee, and the creative Belle.

However, Sony’s The Mitchells vs. The Machines has a case for being the best of them all. The movie won Best Animated Feature at the Annie Awards and found itself nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. Immediately, the animation style stands out, clearly inspired by the success of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Of course, to be as well-received as The Mitchells vs. The Machines is, the film needs a great story too. This one follows a dysfunctional family that comes together to save the world from an uprising of robots. That makes for some of the best sci-fi action of any release from 2021.

On top of the fun plot and impressive animation, The Mitchells vs. The Machines also has a ton of heart at the center. The relationship between the daughter and her father is something you want to root for and is part of the reason the film was lauded for its LGBTQ+ representation.

Boyz N The Hood (1991)

John Singleton was one of the most impressive filmmakers of his time and was behind some tremendous movies. From romance dramas like Poetic Justice to action flicks like 2 Fast 2 Furious to the intense Baby Boy, Singleton was a pioneer of Black cinema.

Singleton made his directorial debut with 1991’s Boyz n the Hood. For his efforts, he earned a Best Director Oscar nomination, making him the youngest nominee in that category and the first Black man nominated. It was well-earned, given how impressive and gripping the film is.

Boyz n the Hood tells the story of Tre Styles, a young man who moves in with his father in South Central Los Angeles, and reunites with childhood friends, some of whom are in gangs. The focus on gang culture and the way it impacts the lives of those involved is what makes this an emotional drama.

Along with introducing John Singleton as a filmmaker, Boyz n the Hood also boasts a tremendous cast. The film marked an early look at the likes of Ice Cube (his debut), Cuba Gooding Jr., Nia Long, Regina King, and more, who join veterans like Angela Bᴀssett and Laurence Fishburne.

Talk To Me (2022)

It seems like every few years, the horror genre goes through something of a revival. Classic franchises return to the forefront, often surrounded by some of the most creative and terrifying original ideas out there. The 2020s have seen just that happen with the return of series like Scream and original content like Talk to Me.

The directorial debut of Danny and Michael Philippou, Talk to Me focuses on a group of teenagers who learn they can contact spirits by connecting with a severed, embalmed hand. It starts as a party trick but soon gets incredibly harrowing and ᴅᴇᴀᴅly.

Talk to Me is filled with intense scenes, while the characters engaging with the spirits, including the protagonist’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅ mother, gives it that emotional punch. Sophie Wilde is remarkably great as the lead character, giving a performance worthy of major award praise.

Ultimately, Talk to Me was a much bigger hit than anyone expected. It holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and ended up as A24’s highest-grossing horror film of all time, leading to plans for both a prequel and a sequel.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

When Mad Max: Fury Road was announced, fans everywhere were skeptical. The action franchise, while iconic, hadn’t had a new entry in 30 years, and legacy sequels have, more often than not, been critical misfires. However, Mad Max: Fury Road bucked that trend in more ways than one.

Not only was Mad Max: Fury Road a great sequel, it’s also the best entry in the entire franchise. The action set pieces are phenomenal, the practical effects add a sense of realism, and the pace of the film never slows, making for an action-packed ride.

George Miller returned to direct and co-wrote Mad Max: Fury Road, delivering the best work of his career. The story centers on Max Rockatansky as he works with Imperator Furiosa to take down a vicious warlord in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Ultimately, Mad Max: Fury Road was a huge critical darling, landing a whopping 10 nominations at the Oscars, taking home six awards. Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron made for a fantastic leading duo and the film spawned a prequel centered on Theron’s Furiosa, which was also well-received.