Netflix adds 70 films in October 2026 – here are the top 5 with the highest scores on Rotten Tomatoes (all worth 92% or higher)
Netflix has confirmed its lineup for October 2026 and the streaming service is expected to add 70 films to its library over the course of the month. That’s a lot of new options for your watchlist.
To help you know where to start, I turn to the review site Rotten Tomatoes every month and find the recently added Netflix movies with the highest review scores. While a high RT rating doesn’t guarantee that a movie will appeal to your specific tastes, it’s a useful indicator if you’re looking for a movie that’s widely considered high quality.
Before we dive into October’s top five, here are a few rules to know: Netflix originals that haven’t been released yet are excluded (they don’t have an RT score yet), and in the event of a tie, I used RT’s viewer rating to break the deadlock. Now that that’s clear, here are the 5 movies added to Netflix in October 2026 with the highest scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
Latest videos fromTom’s Guide
What’s New on Netflix Movies in October 2026, Ranked by RT Score
5. “Dallas Buyers Club” (2013)
In the 2000s, Matthew McConaughey was known for starring in mediocre romantic comedies. After a two-year hiatus, he returned focusing on more prestigious dramatic roles. This was dubbed the “McConaissance” and resulted in “Dallas Buyers Club,” an acclaimed biographical drama that saw McConaughey win an Oscar for his role as Ron Woodroof. The same evening, Jared Leto also won an Oscar for his supporting role.
Based on true events, Ron is a salt-of-the-earth Texan whose life changes in an instant when he is diagnosed with AIDS and given only 30 days to live. Ostracized by his friends and family due to the homophobic stigma surrounding AIDS at the time, he found himself in a dire situation. Refusing to give up, he begins smuggling unapproved drugs into the United States to treat his condition. He also begins to help his comrades with AIDS, whose lives are just as in danger.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Flow “Dallas Buyers Club” on Netflix NOW
4. “The Bourne Ultimatum” (2002)
Look on it
Netflix added the full Jason Bourne franchise in October, and although the most recent Bourne film, simply titled “Jason Bourne,” was a dud, the original trilogy, consisting of “The Bourne Identity,” “Supremacy” and “Ultimatum,” makes for perfect marathon material. 2002’s “Identity” should be your starting point if you’re new to the series, but to date, “The Bourne Ultimatum” trilogy has the highest score with critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
Following the events of “The Bourne Supremacy,” Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) continues his quest to unravel his past. His quest for answers takes him all over the world, with Bourne traveling to Europe, Russia, Africa and back to the United States. With shadowy government agencies on his tail, he must stay one step ahead of his enemies. This is an exciting trilogy that delivers adrenaline-pumping action and answers some big questions.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Flow “The Bourne Ultimatum” on Netflix NOW
3. “Call Me By Your Name” (2017)
“Call Me By Your Name” was the breakthrough role for a certain Timothée Chalamet. His role in Luca Guadagnino’s romantic drama forced the movie world to take notice and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Nearly a decade later, Chalamet has reached greater heights, but his performance here still ranks among his best, and the rest of the film is phenomenal as well, with strong direction from Guadagnino and a picturesque setting.
During a sunny season in 1980s Italy, 17-year-old Elio (Chalmaet) experiences a transformative summer when his father’s assistant, 24-year-old Oliver (Armie Hammer), comes to stay. The couple’s friendship quickly turns into a passionate affair, and although both know their romance cannot last beyond the summer, it has a profound impact on them. It’s a deeply intimate portrait of first love that unfolds with a tender heart and youthful optimism.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Flow “Call Me By Your Name” on Netflix NOW
2. “Psycho” (1960)
Look on it
“Psycho” is one of those films that really doesn’t need an introduction. Along with “Rear Window,” it’s Alfred Hitchcock’s most recognizable film, which says a lot because his work is full of classics. Now that Spooky Season is here, there’s no better time of year to turn off all the lights and (re)watch this intense horror that continues to influence the genre even today. Don’t ruin the twist before you do it.
Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) steals $40,000 from her employer and plans to run away with her lover Sam (John Gavin). En route, she stops at the Bates Motel and meets the seedy establishment’s meek owner, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), whose overbearing mother clearly runs the place. The next morning, Marion goes missing, so her sister Lily Crane (Vera Miles) goes to the motel to investigate.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Flow “Psycho” on Netflix NOW
1. “Moonlight” (2016)
Look on it
It’s no surprise to see “Moonlight” at the top of this list. Critics loved the film upon its release, and in the decade since, its reputation has not diminished. It’s regularly cited as one of the best films of the last decade, including by Your Own Report last fall. Winner of Best Picture at the 89th Academy Awards – yes, that was the year with the infamous “La La Land” snafu – it’s a powerful picture that seamlessly jumps between tragic and tender in no time.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Barry Jenkins, “Moonlight” follows the childhood, adolescence and early adulthood of Chiron, played by three actors over the film’s three chapters: Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders and Alex Hibbert. The drama covers his early life, his childhood in Miami, his relationship with a drug dealer/father figure, Juan (Mahershala Ali), and his attempts to understand his sexuality. It is a poignant masterpiece.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Flow “Moonlight” on Netflix NOW
Follow Tom’s Guide to Google News And add us as your favorite source to get our latest news, analysis and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom’s Guide on YouTube and follow Tom’s Guide Entertainment on TikTok And Instagram. Finally, you can visit our dedicated Tom’s Guide Savings Team Center to get expert help to get the best products at a lower cost.
Learn more about Tom’s Guide
Gn entert
