New Year, New Releases: Dive into the Hottest Netflix Movies of January 2025
As we kick off 2025, the world of cinema is buzzing with excitement, and Netflix is leading the charge with a fresh slate of thrilling new releases. With the cold winter months settling in, what better way to cozy up than with a great movie? From heart-pumping action flicks to emotional dramas, the streaming giant has got you covered. We’ve scoured the depths of Netflix to bring you the top 10 must-watch movies that hit the platform in January 2025. Get ready to discover your new favorite film and experience the magic of the silver screen from the comfort of your own home. Let’s dive into the best new movies on Netflix in January 2025 – as ranked by Forbes.
Epic Adventures
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024)
Kevin Costner makes his grand directorial return to the Western genre with the first chapter of Horizon: An American Saga—his epic, ten-plus hour exploration of frontier life in the 19th century. The story unfolds across 15 years, following disparate characters whose lives intersect as they navigate the unforgiving conditions of the American West. Much like the sprawling plot, the cast is quite large, and includes key performances from: Costner himself as Hayes Ellison, a surveyor whose vision for a settlement named Horizon sparks both hope and conflict; Sienna Miller as Frances Kittredge, a mother forced to rebuild her life after a devastating raid; and Owen Crow Shoe as Pionsenay, a leader of the Apache tribe who is central to the film’s exploration of Indigenous resilience and resistance. The cast also features Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Rooker and Jena Malone (and that only scratches the surface), who all play critical roles in this interrogation of the mythologized American West.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Needless to say: if you haven’t seen Dune: Part One, then you should before watching Dune: Part Two. But make no mistake: the sequel is the truly better film, as it marks director Denis Villeneuve’s career-defining stamp on sci-fi cinema. The second part picks up immediately after the events of the first, following Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he dives deeper into his messianic journey. As Paul becomes one with the Fremen people, many of whom view him as the Lisan al Gaib (a prophesied savior), he must also grapple with his hate-filled thirst for revenge against those who attacked his family. Villeneuve’s mastery of scale and spectacle is on full display in Dune: Part Two–from the sprawling sand dunes of Arrakis to the awe-inspiring sandworms that inhabit its depths, the most-talked-about movie of 2024 juxtaposes its feverish, intimate moments with grand, sweeping landscapes in an awe-inspiring mythological manner. Along with Chalamet (who gives the most powerful performance of his career), you can find great showings from actors like (the greatly underrated) Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Stellan Skarsgård, Austin Butler—and many, many more. Be prepared to be swept away.
Revisiting Classic Favorites
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Why not start with one of my all-time favorite movies: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I have cherished this movie ever since seeing it in theaters twenty years ago, and I still get those warm nostalgic fuzzies every time I rewatch it. The story follows Joel Barish (Jim Carrey, in his best performance ever) after he discovers his girlfriend Clementine Kruczynski (Oscar winner Kate Winslet, who matches Carrey’s every step) underwent a procedure to erase all memories of their relationship after a big fight. Heartbroken, Joel also decides to take the same path. But as he relives the highs and lows of their relationship during the operation, Joel suddenly has a change of heart. The film then takes viewers on a surreal journey through Joel’s subconscious, revisiting memories both new and old as he holds onto fragments of Clementine before they vanish forever. Director Michel Gondry’s dreamlike aesthetic—his practical effects, his in-camera tricks, his minimal CGI to create a surreal environment—makes this movie feel as though it hasn’t aged a single day. If you haven’t seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, then do yourself a favor before it’s gone from Netflix.
Take Shelter (2011)
The descent into paranoia is both deeply unsettling…and frighteningly familiar. Sometimes we believe something we’ve been told couldn’t possibly be true, that defies all logic and reasoning—but for whatever reason, it persists. Few movies have allegorically captured that mental struggle better than Take Shelter. This critically acclaimed film from director Jeff Nichols centers on Curtis LaForche (Michael Shannon), a small-town blue-collar worker who suddenly experiences a wave of apocalyptic visions. Fearful these visions could be premonitions, Curtis obsessively builds a storm shelter in his backyard to protect his family—his wife Samantha (Oscar winner Jessica Chastain) and their young, hearing-impaired daughter Hannah (Tova Stewart). As his behavior increasingly grows erratic, Curtis struggles with whether his warnings of an impending disaster are genuine or the onset of mental illness. The slow-burn approach from Nichols, the deliberate pacing, the quiet, domestic moments juxtaposed against Curtis’s growing fears, it all creates a palpable sense of dread that permeates the entire film. This movie will shock you throughout—and that includes its final, awe-inspiring frame.
New Releases To Look Out For
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2025)
Long-time fans of Wallace and Gromit will welcome the return of everyone’s favorite eccentric inventor and his loyal dog in this brand-new stop-motion adventure. And if you’ve never seen one of their delightful movies? Well, based on the trailer, it seems like a great entry point. In Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, Wallace creates his latest greatest invention, Norbot, a “smart-gnome” designed to handle gardening chores. But things quickly spiral out of control when Norbot seemingly takes on a mind of its own, and Wallace and Gromit discover that none other than Feathers McGraw (the villainous jewel thief from a previous film in the series, The Wrong Trousers) is back with a devious plan for revenge. Directed by Aardman Animations legends Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham (who were also involved in the Shaun the Sheep and Chicken Run movies), the latest Wallace and Gromit adventure appears to retain the franchise’s signature charm, combining slapstick comedy, visual gags and heartwarming charm for a time-tested, widely adored formula unmatched by other animation studios.
Back in Action (2025)
After ten years away from the Hollywood machine, which included a retirement announcement back in 2018, Cameron Diaz makes her return to the screen with the fittingly titled Back in Action. Reunited with Jamie Foxx (they starred in both Any Given Sunday and Annie together), this action-comedy stars the duo as Emily and Matt, former CIA spies who have traded in their covert missions for the quiet life of raising a family. But when their cover is unexpectedly blown, the couple is thrust back into the dangerous world of espionage. With enemies closing in and their past catching up to them, Emily and Matt must rely on their old skills (and each other) to survive a globe-trotting adventure. Directed by Seth Gordon (who also gave us Horrible Bosses and Baywatch), this spy thriller aims to deliver family-friendly comedy, as well as clever banter from Diaz and Foxx as they channel their undeniable chemistry. The supporting cast includes Kyle Chandler, Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, McKenna Roberts and Rylan Jackson.
Documentaries And Biopics
Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever (2024)
Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever offers a fascinating look at the life and mission of tech millionaire Bryan Johnson, who has turned his pursuit of eternal youth into a full-time endeavor. Directed by documentary connoisseur Chris Smith (Tiger King and Fyre), who brings his signature blend of curiosity and incisive storytelling to such a fantastical-yet-very-real tale, this deep dive captures Johnson’s extreme anti-aging regimen, which includes a multimillion-dollar annual investment in medical procedures, cutting-edge technology and rigorous daily routines.
Leaving Netflix
As the year closes out, Netflix will initiate its biggest movie exodus of 2024. Between now and January 1, 2025, dozens upon dozens of films will exit the streaming platform, meaning you have less than two weeks to squeeze in some of your favorites—or perhaps discover a great new movie. And I’ve got ten great recommendations for you. From a romance about a couple whose memory of one another is slowly fading away, to an epic buddy cop epic that features some of the best on-screen chemistry ever, to a psychological thriller about a man convinced of an apocalyptic event, this grouping of movies has something for everyone, no matter what genre or kind of story they’re looking for. So what movies should be on your radar? Below, I’ve put together ten great options, some of which are amongst my favorite movies ever. Then, at the bottom of the article, you’ll find a massive compilation of every single film leaving Netflix before the end of December 2024.
Conclusion
As we conclude our exploration of the 10 best new movies on Netflix in January 2025, it’s clear that the streaming giant has once again raised the bar for cinematic excellence. From gripping thrillers to heartwarming rom-coms, this month’s offerings have something for every taste and preference. Whether you’re a fan of Oscar-winning directors or up-and-coming talent, there’s no shortage of exceptional storytelling and captivating performances to get lost in.
The significance of these new releases lies not only in their individual merits but also in the broader trends they reflect. As Netflix continues to evolve and adapt to changing viewer habits, it’s clear that the platform is committed to providing a diverse range of content that resonates with audiences worldwide. This commitment to quality and diversity has far-reaching implications, not only for the film industry as a whole but also for the way we consume and engage with media in the digital age.