11 Best New Movies on Netflix: December 2022’s Freshest Films to Watch

The sequel to Rian Johnson’s breakout 2018 mystery comedy Knives Out, Glass Onion is another thrilling murder mystery with Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) on the case. Benoit travels to Greece to pull back the layers (because, you know, onion) of a perplexing case involving tech billionaire Mile Bron (Edward Norton) and his colorful assortment of friends, who find their picturesque vacation souring from a dream to nightmare when someone ends up dead.

Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudon, Dave Bautista, Ethan Hawke, Dallas Roberts, and Jackie Hoffman join Craig and Norton in this incredible cast of characters, so be sure to catch them all in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery as soon as it premieres this month, just in time for Christmas.

Stream Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery on Netflix

Adapted from Don DeLillo’s 1985 novel of the same name, White Noise is a Netflix Original film that delves into the absurd, surreal, terrifying, humorous, and ordinary aspects of human life (especially during an event that feels like the end of the world, something we all have had some experience with in recent years).

Written and directed by Noah Baumbach, this apocalyptic black comedy follows Professor Jack Gladney (Adam Driver) his wife, Babette (Greta Gerwig), and their children as they attempt to balance the mundane, everyday challenges of life with a “Airborne Toxic Event” that threatens to completely change their lives and perception of “normal” forever while also forcing them to think about death, love, and happiness in a whole new way. Get ready to feel all the feelings by streaming White Noise on Netflix at the end of December.

Stream White Noise on Netflix

This Mexican epic dark dramedy film stars Daniel Giménez Cacho as Silverio Gama, an acclaimed Mexican journalist who now lives with his wife and teenage son in Los Angeles working as a documentary filmmaker. As his work grows increasingly personal and subjective, Silverio embarks on a dreamlike introspective journey that will force him to confront and reconcile with his Mexican identity, family history, and personal traumas.

Stream Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths on Netflix

Before it was a 2011 stage musical, Matilda was a whimsical and fascinating children’s book by Roald Dahl. Now, it has been reimagined once more to become the musical fantasy comedy film called Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical that Netflix will be gifting us on Christmas Day. The film tells the story of the titular Matilda Wormwood (Alisha Weir ), who utilizes her incredible gift and vivid imagination to take control of her own story and fate, with miraculous, awe-inspiring results. Enjoy the magic, music, and heart of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical as soon as it drops on Netflix later this month.

Stream Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical on Netflix

Sure, you may think you know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and A Christmas Carol, but you’ve never seen the classic Charles Dickens story told quite like this. A beloved holiday tale is reborn in this Netflix Original animated adventure comedy film, as selfish miser Ebenezer Scrooge (Luke Evans) has just one night left to reckon with his past and change the course of his depressing, lonely future before time runs out on Christmas Eve.

In addition to Evans, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol also features the vocal talents of Olivia Coleman, Johnny Flynn, Jonathan Pryce, and Trevor Dion Nicholas.

Stream Scrooge: A Christmas Carol on Netflix

Fans of comedy murder-mystery series Murderville rejoice, because your show is coming back with a ho-ho-whole new look in the form of this holly jolly special. Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery brings back Will Arnett as Senior Detective Terry Seattle to solve the shocking mystery of who killed Santa Claus. Celebrity guest stars Jason Bateman and Maya Rudolph join Terry to crack the case, though only the latter has a script, forcing Jason and Maya to improvise and sleuth their way to the bottom of this hilarious holiday horror.

Stream Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery on Netflix

Based on D. H. Lawrence’s 1928 novel of the same name, Lady Chatterley’s Lover is a heart-wrenching, sensual, and thought-provoking romantic drama about the torrid affair that unhappily married aristocrat Lady Chatterley (Emma Corrin) starts up an affair with Oliver Mellors (Jack O’Connell), who works as the gamekeeper at her husband’s country estate.

Lady Chatterley’s love for husband fades after her husband becomes paralyzed in World War I, making it impossible for them to be intimate. But in finding that physical intimacy with Oliver, their emotional connection also grows, sparking an illicit love story that culminates in this absolute must-watch Netflix Original film.

Stream Lady Chatterley's Lover on Netflix

The gifted, imaginative, and award-winning Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro Gómez is at it again, this time in the form of a stop-motion animated musical fantasy reimagining of Carlo Collodi’s 1883 Italian novel The Adventures of Pinocchio. Taking place in 1930s Fascist Italy, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio explores the familiar tale of a wooden puppet brought to life, all while delving into the themes of love, family, identity, and the true meaning of life. Enjoy this early Christmas present by checking the film out when it premieres in a few weeks on Netflix.

Stream Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio on Netflix

What’s better for getting in the holiday spirit than enjoying a cheesy Christmas rom-com? If that’s what you’re looking for, then I Believe In Santa is here to deliver a sleigh-full of fluffy, festive fun led by real-life married couple John Ducey and Christina Moore.  After five merry months of dating Tom (Ducey), Lisa (Moore) is horrified to learn that he is utterly obsessed with her least favorite holiday (Christmas, of course). Is this her cue to kick Tom and their budding love to the curb, or is it finally time to give Christmas another chance?

Stream I Believe In Santa on Netflix

For something a bit more educational and grounded in real life this month, be sure to stream this Netflix Original documentary. “Sr.” follows internationally renowned actor Robert Downey Jr. as he pays tribute to his late father, Robert Downey Sr. The film paints a robust and engaging portrait of the life and eclectic career of the pioneering filmmaker, all while sharing the personal feelings and recollections of those who worked with and knew him.

Delivery By Christmas is a Polish romantic-comedy about a 30-year-old courier who has to race to save Christmas after a spiteful coworker sabotages her deliveries. Joined by a helpful customer, our surrogate Santa must get all the presents to their intended recipients before time runs out on Christmas Day. It just really goes to show you that not all heroes have sleighs (but our heroine hopefully will at least slay)!

Stream Delivery By Christmas on Netflix