4 Best Movies to Watch on Netflix This Week: Oct. 20-24), 2025

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Netflix is always changing and adding fresh content to its already huge collection, with new movies and shows arriving every month. While October is known for spooky films, Netflix has released a wide variety of genres this fall, including thrillers, romantic comedies, and documentaries. This dedication to offering something for everyone—no matter what you’re in the mood for—is why Netflix remains so popular, as there’s always something new to discover.

Netflix has a lot of content, but not everything is worth watching. With so many movies added regularly, it can be tough to find something good, and the recommendations aren’t always helpful. Here are some of the best movies released on Netflix in October – films that stand out for their acting, writing, and quality. This list includes both new Netflix originals and older, classic movies now available on the platform.

The Woman In Cabin 10

When The Woman In Cabin 10 was first announced, starring Keira Knightley, it generated a lot of excitement. However, critics weren’t as impressed as many had hoped. Despite the less-than-stellar reviews, the film remains a thoroughly enjoyable psychological thriller and worth watching for that reason alone. Based on Ruth Ware’s novel and directed by Simon Stone, the movie follows Laura “Lo” Blacklock, a journalist invited on an exclusive cruise through Norway aboard the luxury yacht Aurora Borealis, owned by wealthy couple Anne and Richard Bullmer. Anne is battling terminal cancer, and her plans for charitable giving after her death become central to Lo’s investigation. But the trip takes a dark turn when Lo hears a scream and sees a woman thrown overboard. When she raises the alarm, she’s told that all passengers are present and accounted for.

Clocking in at just over 90 minutes, *The Woman in Cabin 10* is a thrilling ride full of unexpected twists. Keira Knightley delivers a fantastic performance as a determined journalist who will stop at nothing to find the truth. The movie follows a familiar but popular formula—a woman witnesses a crime, then is made to doubt her own sanity, forcing her to investigate on her own. While it’s not a cinematic masterpiece, the film is consistently engaging thanks to its good pacing, beautiful visuals, and steadily building suspense. The mystery’s solution is a bit outlandish, but that’s what makes it a truly satisfying reveal, especially considering how impossible it seems at the beginning.

Taxi Driver

Movie lovers will be thrilled to hear that Martin Scorsese’s classic film, *Taxi Driver*, is now available on Netflix. Directed by Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader, it’s known as one of the most powerful and important films ever made, thanks to its intelligent story, beautiful imagery, and a memorable ending. The film follows Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro), a Vietnam War veteran struggling with insomnia who becomes a taxi driver in 1970s New York City. As he drives through the city at night, he witnesses the harsh realities of life, including crime and exploitation, which deeply affects his mental health and leaves him feeling increasingly disillusioned.

I’ve always been captivated by *Taxi Driver*. It’s a truly unsettling film, but one I keep returning to. We see this man, Travis Bickle, completely overwhelmed by the darkness he perceives in the city, and he decides to take matters into his own hands, becoming a vigilante. It’s not just about stopping crime – it feels like he’s trying to fill a void within himself. The city itself feels broken, mirroring his own mental state. What’s so disturbing is watching him spiral, blurring the lines between a misguided hero and someone completely losing control. It really makes you question his motives and whether what he’s doing is justified. The way Scorsese shot it, with that raw, almost documentary feel, is incredible, and Bernard Herrmann’s score is haunting – especially knowing it was one of his last works. It’s a film that hasn’t lost any of its power; if anything, it feels even more relevant today, reflecting the anxieties of our current world.

My Father, The BTK Killer

Netflix is well-known for its documentaries, and *My Father, The BTK Killer* offers a unique take on the true crime genre. The streaming service has often explored the lives of serial killers through both fictional stories and documentaries, trying to understand what motivated them. Shows like *Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes* and *You* are examples of this, but *My Father, The BTK Killer* is different. It focuses on the life of the serial killer Dennis Rader’s daughter. Rader, known as the BTK killer, committed ten murders between the 1970s and 1990s and was caught in 2005. He earned his nickname from the phrase “bind, torture, and kill,” which he used in letters he sent to the media. This documentary follows Kerri Rawson, Rader’s daughter, and examines the impact and trauma she experienced after learning about her father’s crimes.

Kerri Rawson’s documentary, *My Father, The BTK Killer*, is a deeply moving account of her life after discovering her father was a serial killer. For years, she kept her story private, avoiding public attention. The film reveals the hidden struggles she faced, including immense guilt, self-doubt, and even the fear that she herself might have been a victim. Although she only contacted her father, who is serving multiple life sentences, a few times, she ultimately chose to cut ties with him. Now, Kerri is committed to living a normal life despite online harassment, and she dedicates her time to helping law enforcement find any remaining victims of the BTK Killer. This documentary offers a heartbreaking yet insightful look at the impact of murder on the perpetrator’s family.

Dirty Dancing

I absolutely love *Dirty Dancing*! If you haven’t seen it, you’re in for a treat – it’s a really captivating story about a summer romance and growing up. It follows Baby, a young woman on vacation, and Johnny, a dance instructor at the resort. I remember being so drawn into their world when Baby stumbled upon one of the staff parties and started learning to dance with Johnny. It’s more than just the dancing though; when Johnny’s dance partner gets into a difficult situation, Baby bravely steps in to help, both on the dance floor and financially. Their connection is incredible, but her father doesn’t approve, which adds a lot of drama to their steamy dance sessions. It’s a truly unforgettable film!

What makes *Dirty Dancing* special isn’t just the romance; it’s a film that also offers a glimpse into the social and economic inequalities of the 1980s, a time when wealth was increasingly concentrated. The movie highlights this divide through Baby’s connection with the resort staff, showing her looking beyond money and social status to find love. It was also groundbreaking for its era to include a storyline about reproductive choice and to explore it thoughtfully. For Baby, a summer vacation becomes a journey of self-discovery, where she learns about class, gender, sexuality, and taking responsibility. And, of course, the incredible chemistry between Baby and Johnny helped make it one of the most memorable films of the decade.

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2025-10-20 13:07