Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
It’s the beginning of the month, which means a ton of new shows and movies have hit Netflix. Sometimes Netflix adds so many titles, it’s difficult to know what you should and shouldn’t spend your time binging. That’s where we come in.
Below are the 12 highest rated shows and movies that are coming to Netflix this month. We determined a show or movie’s merit by looking at its Rotten Tomato critical score. Of course there are dozens more streaming gems out there, just waiting for you to stumble across them. However, this list will help give you a good starting point when it comes to what you should put in your January queue. Happy streaming!
‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ (1982)
Rotten Tomato Critic Score: 98
Steven Spielberg’s iconic classic is coming back to Netflix this month. If Stranger Things left your craving ‘80s coming-of-age stories about boyhood, this sci-fi adventure about one alien’s quest to return home will satisfying that streaming need. E.T. is also available to download on Netflix for offline viewing.
‘It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia:’ Season 11
Rotten Tomato Critic Score: 97
Before your embrace the gang’s Season 12 adventures, catch up on It’s Always Sunny’s notable 11th season. Partially a rehash of beloved plots, partially a dive into new adventures, and completely ridiculous, this season saw the gang attempt Chardee MacDennis again, get trapped on a sinking ship, and go to the suburbs. What more could you ask for?
Stream It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia on Netflix January 3
‘It Follows’ (2014)
Rotten Tomato Critic Score: 97
You can’t escape evil in this indie horror movie, and that’s what makes it so terrifying. A supernatural entity starts stalking a young woman after a sexual encounter. It’s a movie that’s creepy, innovative, and will make you distrustful of everyone.
Stream ‘It Follows’ on Netflix January 13
‘Boogie Nights’ (1997)
Rotten Tomato Critic Score: 92
Dive into Paul Thomas Anderson’s exploration of the San Fernando Valley porn industry. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, and Julianne Moore, Boogie Nights follows one performer’s transformation into an adult film star sensation. Can ambition trump Eddie Adams’ (Wahlberg) ego and drug addiction?
‘Miss Sharon Jones!’ (2015)
Rotten Tomato Critic Score: 89
This music documentary follows the rhythm and blues singer Sharon Jones. Created by filmmaker Barbara Kopple, the doc follows Jones’ life as she tries to hold her band together while battling pancreatic cancer. It’s a passionate documentary about a passionate performer that deserves its title’s exclamation point.
Stream ‘Miss Sharon!’ Jones on Netflix January 7
‘Bates Motel:’ Season 4
Rotten Tomato Critic Score: 88
This past season, Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) finally showed us just how compelling he really is, breaking from his mother’s and Vera Farmiga’s powerful shadow. This dark series about the modern day origins of Alfred Hitchcock’s notorious creation is creepy in all the right ways.
‘The Shining’ (1980)
Rotten Tomato Critic Score: 88
Here’s Johnny! Stanley Kubrick‘s’ adaptation of one of the greatest Stephen King stories of all time is heading back to Netflix. Starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, this dark and unsettling horror movie shows how sinister winter, alcoholism, and a breaking psyche can be.
‘Best and Most Beautiful Things’ (2016)
Rotten Tomato Critic Score: 79
This recently released documentary follows the life of Michelle Smith, a young blind, autistic woman who rebels against the idea of being invisible. The doc follows Smith as she finds herself and her identity in one of the most unexpected places, a provocative fringe community.
Stream ‘Best and Most Beautiful Things’ on Netflix January 9
‘Braveheart’ (1995)
Rotten Tomato Critic Score: 78
Directed by and starring Mel Gibson, this epic war film about a 13th century Scottish warrior is heading to Netflix. Braveheart is a dramatic reimagining of the First War of Scottish Independence. Remember, they may take away our lives, but they’ll never take away our freedom … to stream Braveheart.
‘Caddyshack’ (1980)
Rotten Tomato Critic Score: 75
Long before Red Oaks was mocking country club life, this 1980s comedy was satirizing the world of golf. Starring Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and Rodney Dangerfield, this movie about a caddy learning life lesson from the golf pros that surround him is worth watching again.
‘Justin Bieber: Never Say Never’ (2011)
Rotten Tomato Critic Score: 64
Before he was the brooding sex symbol mocked by Kate McKinnon, the Biebs was a teen heartthrob. Travel back to that more innocent time by watching this documentary about Bieber’s 2010 performance in Madison Square Garden. We won’t tell anyone you secretly know all the words to pop star’s hyper catchy songs.
‘Ocean's Twelve’ (2004)
Rotten Tomato Critic Score: 56
They already robbed five casinos in one night, so it’s time to take it to the next level. Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and so many other big names, this action-packed caper movie follows the Ocean’s Eleven crew as they attempt an even bigger heist in Europe.
