Netflix Shakes Up October with Critically Acclaimed Movies and Festival Buzz

Netflix’s October 2025: A Feast for Movie Lovers

Netflix has set the stage for a remarkable October, unveiling a lineup that has both critics and casual viewers buzzing. As the autumn air cools, the streaming giant is heating up screens with a selection of new and classic films, many boasting Rotten Tomatoes scores north of 90%. For anyone seeking quality cinema from the comfort of home, October 2025 might just be the platform’s finest hour yet.

Five Must-Watch Movies with Sky-High Ratings

Every month, Netflix refreshes its catalog, but this October stands out with several additions that have long been celebrated by critics. These aren’t just crowd-pleasers—they’re genre-defining, award-winning, and, in some cases, downright legendary.

• The Hurt Locker (2009): Kathryn Bigelow’s gripping war thriller, which captured the Best Picture Oscar, lands on Netflix just as the director’s latest film, “A House of Dynamite,” is set to premiere. The intensity of Jeremy Renner’s performance as a bomb disposal expert in Iraq remains undiminished with time (Tom’s Guide).
• The Martian (2015): Ridley Scott’s high-stakes survival epic starring Matt Damon returns, offering both suspense and humor as an astronaut’s struggle for survival on Mars captivates audiences yet again.
• Night of the Living Dead (1968): George A. Romero’s horror classic still sends chills down spines and continues to influence the zombie genre decades after its controversial debut. Its arrival on Netflix brings a foundational piece of horror history to a new generation.
• Ip Man 2 (2010): Donnie Yen’s portrayal of the legendary martial arts master continues to enthrall, with this critically acclaimed sequel earning the highest praise of the entire franchise.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023): A vibrant, animated reimagining of the iconic turtles, this film delivers nostalgia and innovation in equal measure, attracting both lifelong fans and new audiences.

All these films scored above 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, a rare feat even in the era of streaming abundance. For viewers, that means October is a month where the odds of stumbling onto something special are unusually high.

Netflix at the Heart of the Denver Film Festival

Netflix’s influence isn’t limited to home viewing. This year, the platform is making waves at the 48th Denver Film Festival, one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events. The festival, which runs from October 31 through November 9, will close with the world premiere of “Elway,” a Netflix documentary chronicling the life and career of legendary Broncos quarterback John Elway (Denver Gazette).

“Elway” promises to be more than just a sports documentary. With co-directors Ken Rodgers and Chris Weaver at the helm, the film retraces Elway’s journey from his collegiate days at Stanford to his triumphant NFL swan song—a story so cinematic, it almost writes itself. The festival’s closing night screening at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House will see Elway himself in attendance, alongside the filmmakers, providing fans with a rare early look at a documentary that has yet to receive an official Netflix release date.

Festival Highlights: From Hollywood to Hidden Gems

While Netflix’s involvement is a headline grabber, the Denver Film Festival’s 2025 edition is about more than one streaming giant. The festival lineup includes 136 films—down from previous years, but still packed with variety. This year’s reduced venues have led to a tighter, more competitive selection process, arguably raising the bar for what audiences can expect to see.

The festival opens with a red-carpet screening of “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” the latest installment in Rian Johnson’s hit detective series. Other anticipated entries include “Hamnet,” directed by Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao, and “The Testament of Ann Lee,” a speculative retelling of the founder of the Shakers. Notably, the festival is known for giving audiences sneak previews of films that often become Oscar contenders, making it a hotspot for cinephiles looking to get ahead of the awards season curve.

In addition to screenings, the festival will honor notable figures in cinema. Lucy Liu will receive the John Cassavetes Award, Gus Van Sant the Excellence in Directing Award, and Niecy Nash-Betts the CinemaQ LaBahn Ikon Award for her contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community. Delroy Lindo, a veteran of both stage and screen, returns to Denver to accept the Next50 Career Achievement Award, connecting the festival’s past to its present.

Streaming, Festivals, and the Future of Movie-Watching

The convergence of Netflix’s streaming power and its growing presence at major film festivals like Denver’s points to a shift in how movies are experienced and valued. No longer is the divide between streaming and theatrical exhibition so rigid. In 2025, a Netflix documentary can headline a prestigious festival, while classic and contemporary masterpieces find renewed life on the platform for millions to discover.

For viewers, this means unprecedented access and choice. The days of waiting months for acclaimed films to become available are fading. Now, a few clicks separate audiences from some of the most celebrated works of past and present. And as Netflix continues to both distribute and produce top-tier content, it’s clear the boundaries of cinema are being redrawn.

In assessing October 2025’s cinematic landscape, it’s evident that Netflix is not merely a distributor but a tastemaker, shaping what audiences watch and how they experience it. Whether through festival premieres or carefully curated streaming releases, the platform is redefining the movie night—and, in doing so, blurring the lines between the red carpet and the living room.