We've all been there: staring at the screen as we try to decide among hundreds of movies to watch on Netflix, Prime Video, Paramount Plus, Peacock, Max or any of the other popular streaming services. It can be daunting, which is why it's always nice to have a little help from someone else. So allow me to humbly offer my services in suggesting movies to stream in November.
While there are plenty of new movies to watch in movie theaters this month, November's slate of streaming offerings includes both new and classic movies for viewers to enjoy.
Here are my personal recommendations for movies launching on streaming services this month that you should watch, in alphabetical order for ease of reference:
1. Beatles ‘64 (Disney Plus)
Disney Plus already had a hit with their Disney docuseries from Peter Jackson, The Beatles: Get Back, which chronicled the making of the legendary band’s final album. Now the streamer is adding another look at The Beatles from another iconic director, but this time looking at their start. Martin Scorsese produces, while David Tedeschi directs, Beatles ‘64, following The Beatles’ rise to stardom, using behind-the-scenes footage and archival interviews to tell the story.
Premieres on Disney Plus November 30.
2. Blitz (Apple TV Plus)
It’s been a while since Steve McQueen, Oscar-winner for 12 Years a Slave, has directed a narrative feature movie (2018’s Widows), but he returns with Blitz, a World War 2 story about a young boy’s attempt to get back to his mother during the London bombings, first showing in movie theaters before arriving on Apple TV Plus later in the month. Saoirse Ronan, Harris Dickinson, Stephen Graham, Benjamin Clementine and Elliott Heffernan star in the movie; our Blitz review particularly made note of the movie’s strong performances.
Premieres on Apple TV Plus on November 22.
3. The Dead Don’t Hurt (Paramount Plus)
If you were looking forward to a Western revival this summer but were disappointed with Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga, may I point you to Viggo Mortensen’s much more intimate but also more profound western The Dead Don’t Hurt. Mortensen directed and stars in the movie alongside Vicky Krieps as two immigrants, Holger and Vivienne, who fall in love and set out to make a life for themselves in the West. But when Holger enlists to fight in the Civil War, Vivienne must make do by herself. However, she makes a few enemies along the way. The “Certified Fresh” movie was not widely seen in theaters, so its arrival on Paramount Plus is going to give more people than ever the chance to watch it
Premieres on Paramount Plus on November 1 (US only).
4. Emilia Perez (Netflix)
One of the most anticipated movies remaining in 2024 is Emilia Perez, a story about a dangerous Mexican cartel boss who fakes their death in order to live their true authentic life. Oh, and by the way, it’s a musical. The movie stars Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez and Karla Sofía Gascón and comes from acclaimed French director Jacques Audiard (The Prophet). Emilia Perez is expected to be a major contender at this year’s Oscars, and you’ll have easy access to watch it on Netflix later this month (after a limited run in movie theaters).
Premieres on Netflix on November November 13.
5. Joyeux Noel (Paramount Plus)
I’m pretty set in my ways about not watching Christmas-related content until after I’ve had my turkey on Thanksgiving, and I expect that to remain the case this year. However, if you are someone who is ready to get into the festive spirit as soon as possible, my recommendation for a great Christmas movie that you might not have seen 500 times is Joyeux Noel. Based on a true story, the movie takes place on Christmas 1914, as forces from Britain, France and Germany decide to put a pause on fighting to celebrate the holiday together. It’s a fantastic movie perfect for the holidays and features a number of recognizable faces, including Daniel Bruhl, Diane Kruger and Guillaume Canet.
Premieres on Paramount Plus on November 1 (US only)
6. Music by John Williams (Disney Plus)
The man behind some of the most memorable scores in movie history — Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and countless others — John Williams is the subject of a new documentary that streams exclusively on Disney Plus this month. The movie sees Williams tell his story, as well as features a number of the iconic filmmakers he’s worked with over his career, sharing their insights on the prolific composer and conductor.
Premieres on Disney Plus November 1.
7. My Old Ass (Prime Video)
Though I find myself closer in age to Aubrey Plaza's Elliott, the subject of the title My Old Ass, I couldn't help but fall in love with this coming-of-age story about a high schooler getting ready to head off to college but encountering the future version of herself thanks to a mushroom trip. You can get all the reasons why in the My Old Ass review I wrote, but in summary, the movie's star Maisy Stella gives a breakout performance in a sweet and humorous story about recognizing what's in front of you but not being afraid to take risks in your life. It's well worth a watch no matter where you fall on the age spectrum.
Premieres on Prime Video on November 7.
8. The Piano Lesson (Netflix)
Over the last eight years or so, moviegoers have been treated to seeing the work of one of America’s greatest playwrights on screen as a number of August Wilson’s plays have been turned into movies (Fences, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom). Now we’re being treated to another one of Wilson’s plays with the adaptation of The Piano Lesson, with John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson and Danielle Deadwyler leading a strong cast in this story following generations of the Charles family.
Premieres on Netflix on November 22.
9. Robot Dreams (Hulu)
Robot Dreams is a movie that I’ve been hearing a lot about over the last year, so I’m finally excited to see the movie that was nominated for a Best Animation Feature Oscar last year and has a 98% “Certified Fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie actually is pretty much entirely without dialogue, but it tells the story of a dog and robot that become friends in New York City. Rolling Stone critic David Fear calls the movie “an absolutely extraordinary work of art.” Excited to finally watch it.
Premieres on Hulu on November 26 (US only).
10. Thelma (Hulu)
Another indie movie that earned some high marks this past summer was the action comedy Thelma, where June Squibb plays a grandmother who hijacks her friend’s scooter to track down a scammer who took money from her. It’s a true showcase for Squibb, who says she did her own stunts in the movie (although don’t think Tom Cruise Mission: Impossible-like stuff)> What makes Thelma entertaining is its thrilling action sequences are impressive for this nonagenarian.
Premieres on Hulu on November 15 (US only).
11. Twisters (Peacock)
Probably my favorite blockbuster movie of summer 2024 (read my Twisters review), I hope most of you got the chance to see the thrill ride that is Twisters in movie theaters. If you did and want another spin or if you didn’t and want to see what all the buzz was about, you’ll get your chance to stream Twisters in November. Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones star in this franchise reignition of the 1996 blockbuster Twister, as the pair star as rival storm chasers who end up teaming up with one another as they try to figure out if they can stop a tornado dead in its tracks. It’s pure entertainment.
Premieres on Peacock on November 15 (US only).
12. Whiplash (Netflix)
Fair to say that I’m a Damien Chazelle fan, as I passionately touted both of his last two movies, First Man and Babylon, even if the general perception is that they weren’t the height of La La Land. But the movie that started my appreciation for Chazelle, Whiplash, is coming to Netflix in November in time to celebrate the movie’s 10th anniversary. Miles Teller stars as a young drummer at a music conservatory who is pushed to the limits by an abusive teacher, an Oscar-winning performance by JK Simmons. It’s a brutal and brilliant movie that immediately made Chazelle one of my favorite filmmakers working today.
Premieres on Netflix November 1 (US; currently streaming on Netflix UK)
