“Whiplash” (Stream Now)

Damien Chazelle's 2014 breakthrough remains a thrilling look into abusive mentor-mentee relationships and the things we're willing to sacrifice in our pursuit of excellence. Miles Teller plays a jazz drummer struggling to stay afloat at an elite music institution while his teacher (JK Simmons) pushes him far beyond the bounds of decency. Suspenseful and relentless, it's a near-perfect thriller that showcases the endless potential Chazelle will unleash on the world in the coming decade. If you missed the chance to see the 10th anniversary re-release in theaters, we recommend you quickly (not sluggishly) stream it on Netflix.

“Sixteen Candles” (Stream Now)

If you're craving comforting nostalgia this holiday season, you could do a lot worse than revisiting John Hughes. The king of teen comedies made his directorial debut with the 1984 film “Sixteen Candles,” which established his signature formula for Chicago-set high school romances, often starring Molly Ringwald. But even if he'd never picked up a camera again, “Sixteen Candles” would still be a classic saga about a girl whose big birthday is overshadowed by her sister's unexpected wedding and who has to make some fun for herself while everyone ignore them.

“Superbad” (Stream Now)

If “John Hughes” is from before your formative years and you’re looking for a newer kind of high school nostalgia, “Superbad” might be more up your alley. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's screenwriting debut is perhaps the definitive studio comedy of the 2000s, combining uncompromising raunchiness with a borderline bizarre story about two high school outcasts just trying to have a little fun before heading off to college go. No matter how many times you re-watch the film, many of the jokes remain, ensuring its title as one of the funniest comedies of the 21st century remains undisputed.

“The Lost City” (streaming November 9th)

All that Hollywood talk about the death of original star-directed films is often justified. But every now and then a studio releases a piece of fluffy entertainment that makes you forget you've ever heard the phrase “cinematic universe.” Such was the case with “The Lost City,” Aaron and Adam Nee's light-hearted comedy about a successful romance novelist who teams up with her cover model after they both become the targets of an eccentric billionaire obsessed with her books. The film is largely an excuse to allow Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum to act ridiculous together – although they are backed up by a delightful villainous performance from Daniel Radcliffe and a great cameo from Brad Pitt. If you're looking for a little star power to brighten your day, streaming is a great choice.

Fast and Furious Collection (Streaming November 12)

There might come a day when you feel an urge that can only be satisfied by a ridiculous action movie. Something where the spectacle takes precedence over everything else and you can be sure that you can just sit back and enjoy the chases and explosions. If that's you this month, you might like the Fast and Furious movies. Netflix is ​​releasing the first six films in the never-ending franchise, ensuring there's no shortage of testosterone-rich racing games throughout the holiday season.

“Emilia Perez” (streaming November 13th)

When Jacques Audiard's Emilia Perez premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, the consensus was that it had to be seen to be believed. Audiard's film is a sprawling musical about a former cartel boss who attempts to undergo gender confirmation surgery and fake his own death to leave his life of crime behind. He takes every opportunity to make bold decisions that are bound to polarize audiences. With stars Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez well-positioned as Oscar contenders, Emilia Perez could be a film you'll be hearing about in the next six months. Love it or hate it, you'll probably never forget it.

“The Piano Lesson” (Streaming November 22nd)

With his 2016 opus “Fences,” Denzel Washington embarked on one of the most ambitious projects of his career: adapting all ten plays in August Wilson’s Century Cycle, which tells ten different stories about black families in Pittsburgh in 20th-century films. He moved into the role of producer for the second film in the series, 2020's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. And this month, viewers can experience the third adaptation, The Piano Lesson.

Malcolm Washington adapts one of Wilson's best-known plays, about a Pittsburgh family that doesn't know what to do with their prized piano, decorated by their enslaved ancestors. The source material is a nuanced story about the burdens and opportunities of legacy and should provide an ideal canvas for the film's star-studded cast, which includes Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler and John David Washington.