My weekend basically revolves around movies. The moment Friday night hits, I’m already queuing up something on Netflix (or whatever streaming service I’m glued to that week). And because nobody wants to waste half the night scrolling through an endless library, I’ve done the digging for you.
I pulled together five standout new arrivals on Netflix that deserve a spot in your weekend watchlist, so you can skip the searching and dive straight into the good stuff. That includes a new Christmas flick, one of 2025’s most overlooked thrillers and a DC superhero movie you may have missed.
‘Jingle Bell Heist’
My watchlists are overflowing with Christmas movies right now. Not that I’m complaining, since I’m in holiday mode the second November hits. Still, even a festive fanatic wants something that breaks the mold. Luckily, Netflix has delivered with its new original “Jingle Bell Heist.” Starring Olivia Holt from “Heart Eyes” and Connor Swindells of “Sex Education,” this rom-com actually tries something new, and it shows. It might be the standout Christmas movie of the year on streaming.
Sophia (Holt) is a hardworking retail employee barely making ends meet, as she’s trying to support her sick mother and keep up under mounting pressure. Nick (Swindells), a former security consultant turned repairman, is also down on his luck. When both realize they could pull off a big Christmas Eve robbery at one of London’s most luxurious department stores, they agree to team up. As they plan the heist together, an unlikely bond forms between them.
Watch "Jingle Bell Heist" on Netflix now
‘Left-Handed Girl’
“Jingle Bell Heist” might be grabbing all the attention on Netflix this week, but “Left-Handed Girl” is definitely one to watch as well. Written and produced by Shih-Ching Tsou, who also directs, along with Sean Baker of “Anora,” the movie has already been chosen as Taiwan’s entry for Best International Feature Film at next year’s Oscars. I’m really looking forward to seeing it this weekend.
In “Left‑Handed Girl,” a mother and her two daughters — teenage I‑Ann (Ma Shih-yuan) and young I‑Jing (Nina Ye)— move back to Taipei and open a small noodle stand in a bustling night market. Life is tight, and the mother struggles to keep the stall running while paying off past debts. When 5‑year‑old I‑Jing’s traditional grandfather forbids her from using her left hand (calling it the “devil’s hand”), the young girl begins shoplifting small trinkets from vendors, believing her left hand is acting on its own.
Watch "Left-Handed Girl" on Netflix now
‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’
Is “Aquaman” available on Netflix? Not exactly. The original 2018 movie isn’t on the platform, but the 2023 follow-up, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” is now streaming. If you saw the first movie but haven’t checked out the sequel yet, now’s the perfect time to dive back in and experience Jason Momoa’s latest adventure as the legendary superhero. Clearly, viewers have the same idea because it’s already No. 1 on Netflix.
Arthur Curry (Momoa), now King of Atlantis and a new father, finds his world shattered when Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) resurfaces with a powerful ancient weapon, the legendary Black Trident, unleashing a malevolent force that threatens both sea and surface. To confront this danger, Aquaman must set aside past betrayals and team up with his half‑brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), the former ruler of Atlantis. Together, they go on a dangerous quest across land and ocean to rescue Aquaman’s family and save their kingdom.
Watch "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" on Netflix now
‘Caught Stealing’
Director Darren Aronofsky keeps the momentum going after 2022’s Oscar-winning “The Whale” with “Caught Stealing,” a crime thriller that channels the energy of early 2000s cinema in all the right ways. The movie has plenty of suspense, sly humor, and a touch of chaos, with an irresistibly cute cat right in the middle of the action. It didn’t get the spotlight it deserved in theaters, so catching it on streaming is a must for anyone who loves sharp thrills with a quirky twist.
Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) used to be a hot‑shot baseball star, but now he’s tending bar in 1998 New York and dating Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz). One night, his punk‑rock neighbor, Russ (Matt Smith), convinces him to catsit while he’s away. A simple act soon escalates into a nightmare as Hank uncovers Russ’s connections to dangerous criminals who are convinced he knows where something important is. Suddenly, Hank is fighting for his life, doing everything he can to survive long enough to uncover what’s really going on.
Watch "Caught Stealing" on Netflix starting Nov. 29
‘The Assistant’
“The Assistant” immerses you in the life of a junior staffer at a major media company. It unfolds gradually, highlighting the small, often unnoticed pressures and unwritten rules that shape the workplace. As the story builds, it becomes clear how much influence can be misused when silence prevails. It’s one of those movies that will frustrate you, yet you can’t look away as the tension keeps mounting.
Jane (Julia Garner) is a recent college graduate stepping into her dream role as an assistant at a high-powered media company. At first, her days revolve around routine duties like booking meetings, answering calls, fetching coffee, and running errands for her exacting boss. But as she becomes more familiar with the office, Jane starts to notice disturbing patterns that suggest long-standing misconduct and the abuse of authority that has quietly persisted behind the scenes.
Watch "The Assistant" on Netflix starting Nov. 30
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