5 Best Movies and TV Shows Streaming on Netflix This Week (October 13-19)

There are so many streamers now that I always think of some version of this social media post every time I try to decide which one to try, but if you really think about it, Netflix is ​​the OG — without its presence kicking off our current era of streaming, we might not have, say, AMC+. Although it might be a good thing Or bad thing, depending on how you look at it, I’m trying to make lemonade out of lemons here… and the truth is that there are actually a lot of things worth watching on Netflix.

There are some brand new and relatively new projects populating the Netflix charts this week and, what’s more, just for funI’ve included an older nostalgia-based pick for you to try as we move into the fall season. From movies to TV shows new and old to that aforementioned fall favorite, here’s everything you should consider checking out on Netflix this week.

Netflix has several excellent coming-of-age shows in its library – “Never Have I Ever,” “Sex Education” and “Heartstopper” come to mind, to name a few – and if you like them, you love “Boots,” the streamer’s new series about a young man discovering who he is and what he wants in life. Based on Greg Cope White’s memoir “Pink Marine,” the series centers on Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer, known for the streamer series “13 Reasons Why” as well as the hit film “Love, Simon”), a young man desperate to leave his small town but unable to afford to go to college or move out on his own.

After his best friend Ray McAffey (Liam Oh), recently discharged from the Air Force Academy for vision problems, encourages him to join the Marines, Cameron teams up with Ray and the two enlist, but there’s a problem: It’s the 1990s, and with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” still in effect, Cameron can’t admit to anyone that he’s gay without risking his status as a Marine.

“Boots” is pretty real and raw about the boot camp experience, but it’s still incredibly moving and heartwarming to see Cameron, Ray and the other recruits not only adjust to their lives, but thrive. Plus, Vera Farmiga is in it! She plays Barbara, Cameron’s distraught but loving mother! You should always look at projects featuring Farmiga, in my opinion.

Directed by Debora Cahn and directed by TV veteran Keri Russell, “The Diplomat” is an intense, at times campy and deeply funny political thriller in which Russell plays Kate Wyler, the titular diplomat who ends up fulfilling her duties for the United States government overseas in the United Kingdom. Despite internal workplace conflicts regarding her marriage to fellow diplomat Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), Kate thrives in her job, especially when it comes to her work alongside Grace Penn (the always perfect Allison Janney), the U.S. vice president who ultimately ascends to the office of president. (Plus, “The West Wing” fans will be thrilled to see Bradley Whitford, Janney’s co-star on the political drama, playing her husband, Todd Penn, in Season 3.)

This third season releases in its entirety on Netflix on October 16, so if you’re a fan of “The Diplomat” — or if you’re bingeing the whole thing while getting ready for that full season arrival — you might want to try setting aside an entire day to catch up with Kate and her international exploits. Russell may have gained great fame and praise for playing a Russian spy on “The Americans,” but now she’s fighting for the local team. Plus, if you missed it, /Film ranked “The Diplomat” as one of the very best shows of 2024.

Based on Ruth Ware’s bestselling 2016 novel, “The Woman in Cabin 10” features Keira Knightley as Lauren “Lo” Blacklock, an investigative journalist who recently endured a traumatic event but still accepts an invitation to cover the maiden voyage of a luxury yacht. Aboard the Aurora, Lo meets the man behind the trip, Richard Bullmer (Guy Pearce), his seriously ill wife Anne (Lisa Loven Kongsli), and various other wealthy and privileged guests, such as Heidi, Grace, Adam, and, strangely, Lo’s ex-boyfriend Ben (played respectively by Hannah Waddingham, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings and David. Ajala).

After Lo hears alarming noises in the night, she is convinced that another passenger has gone overboard, and more specifically, she is certain that it is the strange woman named Carrie (Gitte Witt) that she met in the titular cabin 10… but after the ship’s security professionals investigate the noises, they tell Lo that there is was no passengers in cabin 10.

“The Woman in Cabin 10” makes some slightly confusing changes from its source material, but that’s the name of the game when it comes to adaptation, and this film is still extremely enjoyable, not least thanks to Knightley’s magnetic central performance. Solve the mystery with Lo, check out “The Woman in Cabin 10,” then consider trying Ware’s book (and its 2025 sequel “The Woman in Cabin 11”).

“Black Rabbit” was released fairly quietly on Netflix in mid-September 2025 – although Debopriyaa Dutta of /Film gave it a very solid review – and if you haven’t watched it yet, she’s right; it deserves your attention. Potentially based on the drama surrounding the very real New York restaurant The Spotted Pig, which was apparently the site of widespread sexual harassment and abuse under the “supervision” of owner Ken Friedman and investor Mario Batali (both of whom allegedly participated in the abuse), “Black Rabbit” stars Jude Law as restaurateur Jake Friedken, owner of the titular restaurant the Black Rabbit. Jake’s life is quickly turned upside down when his shady brother Vince, played by Jason Bateman, comes to town and threatens to destroy all of Jake’s success when his gambling debts are exposed.

“The Black Rabbit” isn’t always an easy watch, and Bateman is particularly upsetting as the show’s heel, but it’s a great binge watch on a rainy day or chilly night, so consider adding it to your Netflix queue. It’s a bit like “The Bear”, if “The Bear” had a lot more crime in it.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the National Rape, Abuse and Incest Network website or contact the RAINN National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Yes, I know this show ended in 2007, but bear with me. “Gilmore Girls,” the small-town series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and centered on a precocious teenager, Lorelai “Rory” Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) and her impossibly cool young mother, Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), is the Perfect show to observe the drop in temperatures and the fall of leaves from the trees. The show picks up as Rory learns she’s set to transfer to a prestigious Connecticut prep school, Chilton, but there’s a problem: Lorelai needs tuition money from her wealthy, estranged parents, Emily and Richard Gilmore (Kelly Bishop and the late Edward Hermann), bringing her critical but kind-hearted parents back into her life independent.

There is Seven the original seasons of “Gilmore Girls” – although any fan worth their salt will tell you that season 7, which saw Sherman-Palladino and her creative partner and husband Daniel leave the show, wasn’t really good – and four 90-minute episodes of the 2016 spin-off “A Year in the Life”, so don’t worry; There’s a ton of “Gilmore” content to help you celebrate the new season. Trust me. Make a cup of tea. Get a blanket. Press play on “Gilmore Girls.” Then let me know when you’ve accidentally gone through multiple seasons and tell me which of Rory’s boyfriends is the best. (The answer, by the way, is Matt Czuchry’s Logan Huntzberger, followed by Milo Ventimiglia’s Jess Mariano; Jared Padalecki’s Dean Forrester isn’t even worth considering.)

All of these are now streaming on Netflix.