Every month, dozens of movies arrive on Netflix, but it can be a hassle keeping track of all the great content that comes and goes. Don’t fret though, we’re going to break down the best new movies on Netflix each month to help you decide on what to watch. These are the best of what’s coming to Netflix in June, 2020.
Disaster Movie Parody
1. Airplane! (1980)
Cape Fear • Video Essay
Airplane! is one of the best 80’s movies and one of the best comedies of all time. Featuring Leslie Nielsen, Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Airplane! soars on the success of its unexpected all-star cast.
The film was written and directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker. The trio would go on to make several other films together, but none were better than Airplane!.
Good New Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
Airplane! parodies disaster movie tropes with riotous humor and surrealist action.
Understated Gangster Flick
2. Donnie Brasco (1997)
Donnie Brasco • Trailer
Al Pacino is well known for appearing in gangster movies like Scarface and The Godfather, but his performance as gangster-dreamer Lefty in Donnie Brasco is one of his best.
If Pacino wasn’t enough to get you excited, Johnny Depp also stars in the film. Depp steals the show as real-life FBI agent Joseph Pistone, who infiltrated the Mafia under the name Donnie Brasco.
Good New Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
For its unbelievable true story, Donnie Brasco remains one of the best gangster movies of all-time.
Classic Scorsese Drama
3. Mean Streets (1997)
Mean Streets • Clip
Widely regarded as one of Martin Scorsese’s best movies, Mean Streets put the young director from Elizabeth Street on the international map.
Mean Streets also marked the first collaboration between Scorsese and rising star Robert De Niro. It may not be a perfect film, but it proved that Scorsese was well on his way to becoming a master filmmaker.
Top New Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
Scorsese, Keitel, and De Niro have been making films together for nearly 50 years, but it all started with Mean Streets.
Coming of Age
4. Lady Bird (2018)
What’s So Good About Lady Bird?
Everybody knew Greta Gerwig was a great talent from her work in film and television, but with Lady Bird, she proved that she was one of the most exciting young filmmakers in the world.
Lady Bird is a near-perfect film that features great performances from Timothee Chalamet, Lucas Hedges, and of course, Saorsie Ronan.
[Top New Movies on Netflix]
Conclusion
Buy into the hype, Lady Bird is just as good as everybody says it is.
Ferrell and McAdams Comedy
5. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
Eurovision • Trailer
Before I say anything about Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, let me say this: Will Ferrell doesn’t get enough love from critics. For over twenty years, Ferrell has been one of the premiere talents working in comedy.
With that said, his latest feature Eurovision Song Contest, doesn’t quite live up to the quality of his best works. It’s not bad by any means, just not as funny or as sharp as other features he wrote, like Talladega Nights or Step Brothers.
New Movies to Watch on Netflix
Conclusion
Ferrell may be the draw for most viewers, but it’s Rachel McAdams who shines under the brightest stars.
World War II Masterpiece
6. Schindler’s List (1993)
Schindler’s List ‘Eye Trace • Subscribe on YouTube
Full disclosure, I think Schindler’s List is the greatest film ever made. No other film has made me as emotional, sobered, or horrified as Spielberg’s holocause masterpiece.
Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, and Sir Ben Kingsley all give the best performances of their careers in the film. Spielberg’s decision to shoot in black and white was bold but brilliant. Steven Zaillan’s script is sprawling yet always engaging. Not to mention that John Williams' score is maybe the greatest film score of all-time.
Best New Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
To watch Schindler’s List is to watch the darkest days of human history -- which is something we absolutely must do. As the saying goes, if we turn a blind eye to history, then it’s bound to repeat itself.
Eastwood’s Boxing Film
7. Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Million Dollar Baby • Trailer
Million Dollar Baby may very well be Clint Eastwood’s best directorial feature. That’s saying something too, Eastwood isn’t a one trick pony director. He’s been nominated twice for Best Director at the Academy Awards and won twice.
Hillary Swank stars in the film and does a great job in the leading role of boxer Maggie Fitzgeral. Both Swank and co-star Morgan Freeman won Oscars for their performances.
Latest Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
Eastwood delivered an absolute knockout with his 2004 Best Picture winner Million Dollar Baby.
Spike Lee Vietnam Joint
8. Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Delroy Lindo on Da 5 Bloods
Spike Lee’s latest joint Da 5 Bloods is already being hailed as one of his best. The film stars Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, and Isaiah Whitlock Jr. as four Vietnam vets who go back to the warzone to retrieve the body of their fallen comrade, along with some hidden gold.
Delroy Lindo gives a powerhouse performance in the film, which should absolutely receive award buzz come Oscar season.
Good New Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
If not for some immersion-breaking flashbacks and poor editing choices, I’d say Da 5 Bloods was near-perfect.
Boston Heist Movie
9. The Town (2010)
The Town • Trailer
Ben Affleck is a good filmmaker. There, I said it. And well I’m at it, I’ll say this too: Ben Affleck is a good actor. I know, I know, put down the pitchforks. I do watch movies and I don’t just like Affleck because we share a Boston connection.
Over the years, Affleck has been involved in some cinematic duds, but when he’s on, he’s on. His 2010 heist-thriller The Town is proof that he’s capable of more than what he often settles for.
Best New Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
Affleck directed and starred in The Town, and did excellent work behind the camera and in front of it.
Kung-Fu Classic
10. The Karate Kid (1984)
The Karate Kid • Comedy Essay
The Karate Kid is a quintessential piece of 80’s cinema. Even if you’ve never seen the film before, you’ve probably heard of Mr. Miyagi and his “wax on, wax off” training technique.
There’s a lot to love with The Karate Kid, even if it’s chock-full of cliches. Filmmakers often struggle with the most basic element of plot, which is building a character we root for. The Karate Kid does not.
Latest Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
It may not be an exaggeration to say that The Karate Kid is “the Citizen Kane” of teen kung-fu movies.
Make Your Own Movie
11. The Disaster Artist (2017)
Tommy Wiseau Breaks Down a Scene in • The Disaster Artist
Tommy Wiseau’s The Room is one of the most infamous movies ever made. Despite being universally panned by critics, it developed a cult-following and became a midnight cinema hit -- largely in part to the enigmatic qualities of its writer/director/star/producer/financier Tommy Wiseau.
The Disaster Artist brings us behind the scenes of the making-of The Room. James Franco portrays Wiseau and does an incredible job of nailing his one-in-a-million accent. There’s no doubt about it, The Disaster Artist is one of the best new movies out on Netflix.
Best New Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
“Haha, what a story Mark” -- you might be surprised just how entertaining and emotional The Disaster Artist is.
Historical Drama
12. Patriots Day (2017)
Patriots Day • Featurette
The Boston Marathon bombing was an act of terror. Three people were killed, seventeen lost their limbs, and countless others were injured in the attack. But in the face of absolute tragedy, the city of Boston rallied together.
Patriots Day recreates the bombing and the hunt for the Tsarnaev brothers with fervent detail.
New Movies Coming Out on Netflix
Conclusion
One could argue that Patriots Day sensationalizes the Boston Marathon bombing, but it’s not without a careful appreciation for all who suffered on that fateful day.
Horror Icon Film
13. Paranormal Activity (2007)
Paranormal Activity • Trailer
Paranormal Activity marked the renaissance of horror-thrillers in modern cinema. Not only was the film a hit with most critics, it was huge with moviegoers as well, grossing a whopping $193 million worldwide against a $15,000 budget!
In the years since its release, Paranormal Activity has seen countless others steal its formula to varying degrees of success.
Good New Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
Paranormal Activity is one of the most profitable films ever made.
Cracking the Ciphers
14. Zodiac (2011)
Cinematography Analysis • Zodiac
Zodiac is one of the greatest thrillers of the 21st century. It’s everything a thriller should be -- tense, taut, and totally unsettling. The video above does a great job of exploring framing decisions in its best scene. If you haven’t seen Zodiac before, check it out, then come back to watch the video later.
With a cast that features Jake Gyllenhal, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo, the acting in Zodiac is masterclass from start to finish.
Verhoeven Sci-Fi Flick
15. Total Recall (1990)
Total Recall • Explained
Just 13 years before he became Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in Paul Verhoeven’s Total Recall -- a sci-fi classic, based loosely on the story of the same name by Philip K. Dick.
Some filmmaking aspects of Total Recall haven’t aged as gracefully as other films of the time period, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a fun sci-fi flick.
Latest Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
Total Recall is mighty rough around the edges, but sci-fi fans should find plenty to enjoy in its near two-hour runtime.
Rom-Com Classic
16. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Sleepless in Seattle • Trailer
Sleepless in Seattle was released at the height of Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan mania. Both stars were well-regarded with critics and had huge draws at the box office.
As far as romantic-comedies go, Sleepless in Seattle is pretty good. The script is generally considered one of the best rom-com scripts and was even nominated for an Academy Award in 1994.
Latest Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
If you’re looking for some casual date-night viewing, you could certainly do worse than Sleepless in Seattle.
Mel Brooks Parody Film
17. Spaceballs (1987)
Spaceballs • Trailer
Mel Brooks classic parody-film Spaceballs is stupid with a capital S. But hey, what’s wrong with a little stupid cinema every now and then? Not every film has to be deadly serious!
Spaceballs mostly parodies the original Star Wars, but no sci-fi film is safe from its satirical ridicule.
Latest Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
Fans of Spaceballs swear by the fact that the film is one of Brooks’ best.
Award-Winning Drama
18. Spotlight (2015)
Spotlight • Behind the Scenes
Spotlight is one of many movies that may make you ask the question: wait, that won Best Picture? It’s certainly a great movie; one with a hugely important story and great performances, but it seems to have faded over the last few years in popularity.
Featuring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, and Stanley Tucci, Spotlight excels on the strength of its ensemble cast.
Good New Movies on Netflix
Conclusion
The Boston Globe spotlight team exposed thousands upon thousands of instances of abuse by higher-ups in the Catholic church.
UP NEXT
Best Movies on Netflix
Some great new movies are coming to Netflix in May, 2020, but perhaps you’re still looking for something else to watch. Don’t worry, check out our list of the best movies of all time that are on Netflix! We update this list as movies come and go from the service so make sure to check back each month,
Up Next: Best Movies on Netflix →
Showcase your vision with elegant shot lists and storyboards.
Create robust and customizable shot lists. Upload images to make storyboards and slideshows.
