Netflix has more great programming than anyone could possibly consume in their lifetime, and in these days of social distancing, we need it more than ever. So how do you find the best movies and TV shows on Netflix? Here’s TODAY’s list of Netflix 2021 recommendations for what to watch today — from new releases to classics to binge watch. So settle back in the sofa and start bingeing!
What to watch on Netflix in August 2021
All New
“Pray Away”
Survivors, former leaders and others who were subjected to “conversion therapy” talk about how it has devastated their lives. (Aug. 3)
“Top Secret UFO Projects: Declassified”
Get out your tinfoil hats! Claims of extraterrestrial encounters are on the rise, and they may actually be more real than delusion. (Aug. 3)
“Cooking With Paris”
The former “it” girl and socialite now offers tips on how anyone can learn to cook — even if you’re making edible glitter bombs. (Aug. 4)
“The Swarm”
Hungry locusts bred for protein, not angry bees, are the focus of this terrifying film, when their breeder learns she might get eaten herself! (Aug. 6)
“Untold”
A documentary series focusing on epic tales from the wild world of sports, starting with “Malice at the Palace,” in which the famous Pacers-Pistons brawl is told from those who were there. Later in the month, “Caitlyn Jenner” explores the former Olympian’s transition. (Aug. 10, Aug. 24)
“The Kissing Booth 3”
In the summer before Elle heads to college, she has to decide: Move across the country with Noah or attend college with her best friend Lee. (Aug. 11)
“The Chair”
The first woman of color to become chair at a major university has almost insurmountable challenges to face. (Aug. 20)
“The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf”
“The Witcher” ventures into 2D anime in a film that explores a new threat on the Continent. (Aug. 23)
“Clickbait”
“Rashomon” meets the web in this thriller series, in which eight different POVs try to get to the heart of a gruesome crime. (Aug. 25)
“He’s All That”
A re-imagining of the 1999 rom-com “She’s All That,” the story follows an influencer who takes on a challenge to turn a school loner into a prom king. (Aug. 25)
Also add to the Netflix queue:
Coming soon
“Comedy Premium League”
Aug. 11
“Bake Squad”
“Misha and the Wolves”
Aug. 13
“Beckett”
“Fast & Furious Spy Racers: South Pacific Season 5”
Aug. 20
“Sweet Girl”
“Everything Will Be Fine”
Aug. 25
“Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed”
Aug. 31
“Sparking Joy”
Certified Classics
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)
Every kid should have a skip day from high school turn out like this one. (Aug. 1)
“Magnolia” (1999)
A mosaic of interwoven stories among a stellar A-list cast, plus frogs fall from the sky. (Aug. 1)
“Space Cowboys” (2000)
Outer space needs more older heroes like these veterans — and fewer billionaires. (Aug. 1)
Also add to the Netflix queue:
Aug. 1
“My Girl” and “My Girl 2” (1991, 1994)
“Seabiscuit” (2003)
“The Machinist” (2004)
Aug. 11
“Like Crazy” (2011)
Aug. 25
“The November Man” (2014)
Going, Going … Gone!
Aug. 9
“Nightcrawler” (2014)
Aug. 12
“Safety Not Guaranteed” (2012)
Aug. 30
Aug. 31
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“Chinatown” (1974)
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“The Departed” (2006)
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“The Ring” (2002)
What to watch on Netflix in July 2021
All New
“We The People”
Take a fun refresher course on the basics of rights and citizenship with songs from artists like Janelle Monáe, H.E.R., Adam Lambert, Brandi Carlile and more. (July 4 )
“I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” (season two)
The absurdist sketch comedy series returns with creator/writers Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin bringing their observational humor to poke fun at bizarre and mundane situations. (July 6)
“Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness”
Years after the horror of Raccoon City, Leon and Claire are consumed by a dark conspiracy when a viral attack ravages the White House. Anime. (July 8)
“Atypical: Season 4”
The final season finds Casey and Sam about to leave the nest, but every member of the Gardners is facing big decisions about what comes next. (July 9)
“Gunpowder Milkshake”
Three generations of women stand up to the people trying to take everything from them. Netflix calls this the “mother of all action movies”! (July 14)
“Heist”
A documentary series chronicling three of the biggest heists in modern American history, told by those who actually made them happen. (July 14)
“Never Have I Ever: Season 2”
There’s a new classmate, a new love interest and fresh reasons to argue with her mom, so Devi is keeping busy and finding ways to be courageous. (July 15)
“The Movies That Made Us: Season 2”
A peek behind the scenes of the blockbusters that defined a generation, featuring actors, directors and insiders taking deep dives. (July 21)
“Sexy Beasts”
Real-life singles wear elaborate makeup and prosthetics to see if anyone can ever truly date blind (while also dating ridiculous at the same time). (July 21)
“Resort to Love”
Aspiring pop star Erica (Christina Milian) is the entertainment at her ex’s wedding while she’s in the middle of a career meltdown. So who will sing at Erica’s wedding? (July 29)
Also add to the Netflix queue:
Coming soon
“How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast): Season 3”
July 1
“Dynasty Warriors”
“Generation 56k”
“Young Royals”
July 5
“You Are My Spring”
July 7
“Dogs: Season 2”
“Cat People”
July 9
“The Cook of Castamar”
July 23
“Masters of the Universe: Revelation”
Certified Classics
“Boogie Nights” (1997)
The story of a young man, his impressive asset, the 1970s blue movie industry and a woman on roller skates. What’s not to love? (July 1)
“Midnight Run” (1988)
An accountant on the run is pursued by bounty hunters, the F.B.I. and the Mafia after he jumps bail. Charles Grodin and Robert De Niro make one of Hollywood’s greatest comedic pairings. (July 1)
“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991)
In which a robot primed for destruction sees the light, but another one ports in from the future to ruin everything. (July 1)
Also add to the Netflix queue:
July 1
“The Karate Kid” trilogy (1984, 1986, 1989)
“Stuart Little” (1999)
July 2
“Snowpiercer” (2013)
July 16
“The Twilight Saga” films: “Twilight” (2008), “New Moon” (2009), “Eclipse” (2010), “Breaking Dawn Part 1” (2011), “Breaking Dawn Part 2” (2012)
Going, Going … Gone!
July 5
“The Iron Lady” (2011)
July 15
“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
July 31
What to watch on Netflix in June 2021
All New
“Dancing Queens”
Dylan is a 23-year-old from Sweden with big dance aspirations. She’s hired at the club Queens, but … she’s a girl and this is a club where you dance in drag. But she’ll make it work. (June 3 )
“Sweet Tooth”
A sweet boy, who happens to be half-human and half-deer, travels across a post-apocalyptic world with a new protector. (June 4)
“Kitty Love: An Homage to Cats”
Curl up with your favorite fuzzball and enjoy this documentary that captures the daily lives, routines and adventures of a group of Dutch cats. (June 5)
“Awake”
A global event wipes out humanity’s ability to get some zzzs, which sends an ex-soldier out to save her family while everything else spirals into chaos. (June 9)
“Lupin: Part 2”
Now being chased by Hubert and his henchmen, Assane looks for Raoul and finds an unlikely ally. (June 11)
“THIS IS POP”
A new eight-part docuseries will examine pop history and the behind-the-scenes stories that explain why it’s been so impactful on the culture. (June 22)
“Fatherhood”
After the sudden death of his wife, a new dad played by Kevin Hart takes on single parenthood. (June 18)
“Unwind Your Mind”
This Netflix interactive experience is a mindfulness experience designed to be accessible anywhere, anytime. Guiding viewers through meditation, relaxation and sleep, viewers can create their own path in this “story.” (June 21)
“The Ice Road”
Big rig ice road driver (Liam Neeson) mounts an impossible rescue mission over a frozen ocean to save trapped diamond miners. (June 25)
“America: The Motion Picture”
Give George Washington a chain saw and his beer-loving bro Sam Adams as a sidekick, and they’re ready to take on the British in this tongue-in-cheek riff on the Revolutionary War. (June 30)
Also add to the Netflix queue:
June 4
“Xtreme”
June 9
“Fresh, Fried & Crispy”
June 11
“Skater Girl”
June 16
“Penguin Town”
June 17
“Katla”
Certified Classics
“The Big Lebowski” (1998)
The Dude is out to get revenge for his rug, which really tied the room together, in this absurdist Coen brothers classic. (June 1)
“Stand by Me” (1986)
Four boys travel to see a dead body, and discover a lot about life in the process, though they never do solve what Goofy is. A Stephen King story that’ll make you cry. (June 1)
“What Women Want” (2000)
A Chicago advertising executive learns how to read women’s minds after an accident, and the results are … mixed. (June 1)
Also add to the Netflix queue:
June 16
“Lowriders” (2017)
June 17
“Silver Linings Playbook” (2012)
Going, Going … Gone!
June 4
“Hannibal: Seasons 1-3”
June 26
“The Secret Life of Pets 2” (2019)
June 30
-
“Back to the Future” (1985, 1989, 1990)
-
“Fiddler on the Roof” (1971)
-
“Scarface” (1983)
-
“The Twilight Zone” (original series, seasons one-five)
What to watch on Netflix in May 2021
All New
“Master of None: Season 3”
After making some #MeToo-related headlines, show creator/star Aziz Ansari is back, but reportedly this season the show will focus on his character’s best pal, played by Lena Waithe. (Coming soon)
“Jupiter’s Legacy”
The first generation of superheroes are passing the torch to their children, but this may not be a smooth transition of power. (May 7)
“Oxygen”
Claustrophobics, watch out: A woman wakes up in a cryogenic unit with no memory, and starts running out of air. She has to remember who she is in order to survive. (May 12)
“The Upshaws”
A working-class Black family based in Indiana works hard for a better life and happy home while juggling everyday struggles. Featuring Mike Epps and Kim Fields. (May 12)
“Love, Death & Robots: Volume 2”
The Emmy-winning animated anthology series returns with new art and new tales. (May 14)
“Army of the Dead”
After zombies take over Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries stages the greatest heist ever in the quarantine zone. (May 21)
“The Kominsky Method: Season 3”
Dealing with a painful loss, Sandy (Michael Douglas) also faces financial obligations and a career boost. (May 28)
Also add to the Netflix queue:
Coming Soon
“Halston”
May 5
“The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness”
May 13
“Castlevania: Season 4”
May 26
“High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America”
May 31
“Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story
Certified Classics
“Back to the Future” (1985, 1989, 1990)
Time to go back in time, three times over with all three installments of the Michael J. Fox time-travel films. Isn’t it about time? Yes, it is. (May 1)
“Notting Hill ” (1999)
Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant are at their most charming as a regular guy falls for a super-duper Hollywood star. (April 1)
“Under Siege” (1992)
Ever wonder what “Die Hard” would be like if it took place on a Navy battleship? Wonder no more, as Steven Segal grumps his way through this underrated, highly entertaining flick. (May 1)
Also add to the Netflix queue:
May 13
“Layer Cake” (2004)
May 16
“Sleight” (2016)
May 20
“Spy Kids: All the Time in the World” (2011)
Going, Going … Gone!
May 3
“War Horse” (2011)
May 7
“House at the End of the Street” (2012)
May 18
“Trumbo” (2015)
May 30
What to watch on Netflix in April 2021
All New
“Searching for Sheela”
Remember “Wild Wild Country” and the Rajneesh commune? Well, love her or hate her, Ma Anand Sheela is returning to India after decades for an interview tour. (Coming soon)
“Prank Encounters: Season 2”
“Stranger Things” star Gaten Matarazzo is the puppet master behind elaborate pranks that involve haunted mansions and ancient burial grounds. Perfect for April Fools’ Day! (April 1)
“Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute”
American treasure Parton is the subject of a star-studded evening of music and memories as her community of iconic performers honor her as the MusiCares Person of the Year. (April 7)
“Thunder Force”
Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer bring the star power as two BFFs reunite as crime-fighting superheroes when one creates a formula that gives regular people super abilities. (April 9)
“Why Are You Like This”
Three best pals deal with work, fun, identity politics, hookups and wild nights out in this satire of Melbourne, Australia, millennial life. (April 16)
“Life In Color with David Attenborough”
A new three-part series that features the British naturalist traveling across the world to reveal how animals use color. (April 22)
“Shadow and Bone”
Dark forces conspire against an orphan mapmaker after she releases an extraordinary power that might change her war-torn world. (April 23)
“Things Heard & Seen”
A Manhattan couple’s new home in the Hudson Valley reveals a sinister darkness in their relationship that echoes the home’s history. (April 29)
“The Mitchells vs. the Machines”
This family action-comedy features an ordinary family who have to save the world from a robot apocalypse. (April 30)
Also add to the Netflix queue:
April 2
-
“Concrete Cowboy”
-
“Madame Claude”
April 7
April 11
“Diana: The Interview that Shook the World”
April 14
April 22
Certified Classics
“Legally Blonde” (2001)
Sorority queen Elle Woods gets dumped by her boyfriend, then decides to follow him to Harvard Law School, where she learns she’s got more going for her than her looks. (April 1)
“The Pianist ” (2002)
A harrowing look at a musician’s survival during the Holocaust; Adrien Brody won a best actor Academy Award for his portrayal. (April 1)
“Crimson Peak” (2015)
After a tragedy, an author is torn between love for a friend and a mysterious outsider. She’s brought to a house that seems alive where everything comes together in a gothic, romantic, terrifying way. (April 16)
Also add to the Netflix queue:
April 1
April 15
“The Master” (2012)
April 26
“Croupier” (1998)
Going, Going … Gone!
April 24
“Django Unchained” (2012)
April 26
“The Sapphires” (2012)
April 30
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