The 15 most anticipated films coming to Netflix this fall

Ready or not, Oscars season is upon us.

Heading into fall, Netflix has snatched up the rights to a number of buzzy festival standouts — as well as brought in heavy hitters like Meryl Streep, Timothée Chalamet, and Robert De Niro to lead a few of their in-house creations. The streaming service will also debut a new Stephen King adaptation, the first ever Breaking Bad movie, and (if we ever get a release date) Michael Bay’s next action adventure starring Ryan Reynolds all in the coming months.

Stoked? So are we. Here are 15 of the most anticipated films coming to Netflix before the end of 2019, listed in order of digital release. Titles confirmed for a theatrical run have been marked with an asterisk (*) and associated dates included.

1. In the Shadow of the Moon (Sept. 27) 

A psychological thriller from director Jim Mickle (We Are What We Are), In the Shadow of the Moon has held critical attention since its announcement early last year. 

Starring Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman, and Golden Globe winner Michael C. Hall, the film follows a Philadelphia police officer (Holbrook) as he tracks a serial killer who strikes every nine years. In the Shadow of the Moon isn’t likely to be one of Netflix’s big awards contenders — but with so little known about the film, anything could happen.

Image: SABRINA LANTOS / netflix

In the Shadow of the Moon will debut at Fantastic Fest a week before streaming on Netflix Sept. 27. 

2. In the Tall Grass (Oct. 4) 

Stephen King adaptations, like Gerald’s Game and 1922, have done well for Netflix in the past. Here’s hoping director Vincenzo Natali’s take on In the Tall Grass is just as satisfying. 

Patrick Wilson and Laysla De Oliveira star as siblings on a road trip who are lured into a foreboding field. Disoriented by the unrelenting pull of the surrounding foliage and cries of a young boy they can’t seem to find, the pair become trapped in something they don’t quite understand.

In the Tall Grass will debut at Fantastic Fest shortly before streaming on Netflix Oct. 4. 

3. The Laundromat (Oct. 18) * 

Director Steven Soderbergh takes on the slippery scheme behind the Panama Papers in this biographical comedy-drama starring Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, and Antonio Banderas. A glimpse at the corrupt underbelly of the world’s financial system, The Laundromat aims to be both eye-opening and entertaining.

After its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, the film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. That said, the project’s top-tier cast and high-profile subject matter are sure to make a big splash this autumn regardless.

The Laundromat hits theaters Sept. 27, before streaming on Netflix Oct. 18. 

4. El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (Oct. 11) 

Breaking Bad fans, rejoice! Jesse Pinkman is getting his own movie. 

Written and directed by Vince Gilligan, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie catches up with Jesse after his harrowing escape at the end of Breaking Bad Season 5. Aaron Paul reprises his role as Jesse, with support from Charles Baker who returns as Skinny Pete per the project’s cryptic trailer.

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie begins streaming on Netflix Oct. 11. 

5. Dolemite Is My Name (Oct. 25) * 

Eddie Murphy appears back in the running for an Oscar nearly 13 years after his Best Supporting Actor nomination for Dreamgirls. Directed by Craig Brewer (Empire), Dolemite Is My Name tells the true story of Rudy Ray Moore, a comedian and rap pioneer known for his persona “Dolemite.” 

Supporting performances include Keegan-Michael Key, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Wesley Snipes, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess, and more. Oh, and the costumes? Designed by none other than Academy Award winner Ruth E. Carter, responsible for the iconic looks of Wakanda in last year’s Black Panther.

Dolemite Is My Name heads to theaters Oct. 4 — before streaming on Netflix Oct. 25. 

6. The King (Nov. 1) * 

It wouldn’t be Oscars season without a gritty period drama featuring burdened royalty. 

Director David Michôd takes on Shakespeare’s historical plays in The King, a look at the transition of power from King Henry IV (Ben Mendelsohn) to his reluctant heir King Henry V (Timothée Chalamet) in 15th century England. Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris, Lily-Rose Depp, and Robert Pattinson round out the cast. 

According to Deadline, The King received an eight-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival — although critical reception has been somewhat mixed.    

7. Earthquake Bird (Nov. 15) *

From director Wash Westmoreland (Still Alice) and based on Susanna Jones’ novel of the same, Earthquake Bird is an upcoming psychological thriller starring Alicia Vikander, Naoki Kobayashi, and Riley Keough.

Set in 1990s Tokyo, the film chronicles a complex love triangle between an expat, a photographer, and a missing woman presumed dead. Earthquake Bird will premiere at the BFI London Film Festival in early October before making its way to theaters and (eventually) Netflix in November.

Earthquake Bird arrives in theaters Nov. 1, before streaming on Netflix Nov. 15. 

8. Klaus (Nov. 15) *

A rumored contender for Best Animated Feature, Klaus tells the origin story of Santa Claus through the eyes of Jesper, “the postal academy’s worst student.” 

Banished to deliver mail above the Arctic Circle, Jesper struggles to make friends amidst the frozen tundra — until he meets a mysterious toymaker who goes by the name of Klaus. Jason Schwartzman, Rashida Jones, J.K. Simmons, Joan Cusack, Will Sasso and Norm Macdonald voice the Christmas tale under the guidance of director Sergio Pablos (Despicable Me).

Klaus begins showing in theaters Nov. 8, and will start streaming on Netflix Nov. 15. 

9. The Irishman (Nov. 27) * 

Put director Martin Scorsese in a room with Academy Award winners Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci; walk out with anything other than the next mob classic and you know you’re doing something wrong. 

Premiering at the New York Film Festival this September, The Irishman takes on the world of post-WWII organized crime, focusing on the legendary disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. Details of the film remain largely under wraps, but Oscar predictions are already underway. 

The Irishman arrives in theaters Nov. 1 and will begin streaming on Netflix Nov. 27. 

10. I Lost My Body (Nov. 29) *

Jérémy Clapin’s I Lost My Body made history earlier this year as the first animated feature to win the Critics’ Week Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.

Based on the novel Happy Hand by Guillaume Laurant (Amélie), I Lost My Body — J’ai perdu mon corps in French — tells the story of a severed hand making its way across Paris to reunite with its owner. Praised as profound and poignant, the strange story was acquired by Netflix shortly after Cannes, and is already rumored to be a possible Oscar contender.

I Lost My Body will screen in theaters Nov. 15, and start streaming on Netflix Nov. 29.

11. Atlantics (Nov. 29) *

Grand Prix winner at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, Atlantics (or Atlantique in French) is the directorial debut of filmmaker Mati Diop — the first black woman to compete for the Palme d’Or. 

Praised for its atmosphere and social commentary, this “supernatural romance” stars newcomer Mama Sané as Ada, a 17-year-old bride-to-be. Promised to a man she does not love, Ada longs to be with a local construction worker named Souleiman (Ibrahima Traore). When Souleiman leaves town in search of a better life, Ada is devastated. But on the day of her wedding, Souleiman returns as a mysterious fever sweeps the Atlantic coast. 

Atlantics premieres in theaters Nov. 8, and starts streaming on Netflix Nov. 29. 

12. Marriage Story (Dec. 6) *

Director Noah Baumbach (Frances Ha) examines the rise and fall of romance and family in this “portrait of a marriage.” 

Marriage Story‘s dueling trailers — each told from the perspective of one member of a couple — gained attention online shortly before the film made its world premiere at the 2019 Venice Film Festival. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver star alongside supporting performances from Laura Dern, Alan Alda, and Ray Liotta. 

Marriage Story will debut in theaters Nov. 6, and begin streaming on Netflix Dec. 6. 

13. The Two Popes (Dec. 20) *

Anthony Hopkins (Westworld) and Jonathan Pryce (Game of Thrones) bring their talents back to the big screen in director Fernando Meirelles’ take on the exchange of power from Pope Benedict XVI to Pope Francis in 2013. 

Inspired by true events, The Two Popes is the result of screenwriter Anthony McCarten’s research into the mysterious relationship between two of the most powerful religious figures in recent history. After premiering at the 2019 Telluride Film Festival, The Two Popes has received mostly positive reviews — with praise focused on Hopkins and Pryce’s performances.

The Two Popes hits theaters Nov. 27, and strts streaming on Netflix Dec. 20. 

14. All the Bright Places (TBD) 

Based on Jennifer Niven’s YA novel of the same name, All The Bright Places has a following of vocal fans practically begging to see this movie already.

Elle Fanning and Justice Smith star as troubled teenagers who bond over their shared senses of grief and trauma before taking off an a life-changing road trip. At the time of posting, Netflix had yet to confirm a release date.

Image: all the bright places

All The Bright Places is expected to begin streaming on Netflix by the end of the year. 

15. 6 Underground (TBD) 

Big-budget titan Michael Bay (Transformers) struck a deal with Netflix to tell the tale of six billionaires faking their own deaths and becoming vigilantes. Of course, we want to see it. We just have no idea when we’ll actually get to. 

With an estimated budget well into the hundreds of millions of dollars, 6 Underground could be Netflix’s biggest play in the action genre to date. Ryan Reynolds is set to lead, with supporting performances by Ben Hardy, Dave Franco, Adria Arjona, Mélanie Laurent, Sebastian Roché, and Corey Hawkins. Unfortunately, few updates have been given regarding the project’s progress since Variety reported that principal photography had wrapped in late 2018.   

6 Underground is expected to begin streaming on Netflix by the end of the year.