Mashable

It's been a long year, but it's almost over.

And since January, a lot has happened in the tech world. It's a fickle, fast-paced industry, and some major products and services haven't survived 2025.

Some of the entries on our in memorium list lived long, fruitful lives and contributed lasting legacies to the ever-evolving technology space. (RIP, Skype.) Others were flash-in-the-pan features or straight-up flops (we're looking at you, Humane AI Pin), destined to meet an early death. Regardless, they're all worthy of remembering for the way they impacted our lives — even if that impact was just as a punchline.

Join us as we look back at the year so far and say goodbye (or good riddance) to the tech that died along the way.

TiVo boxes

Yes, TiVo was still making boxes and yes, the company did kill them off this year. It may feel hard to believe, but TiVO DVRs survived all the way into 2025, long past the product's heyday.

The company quietly removed the DVRs from its website in October. The company is not dead, however. It has pivoted to being a software company that is mostly used by TVs sold in Europe.

Microsoft passwords

Microsoft really didn't want you using passwords in 2025. It killed off its password manager in stages, instead migrating its users to passkeys.

A passkey, for the uninitiated, is essentially a more secure way of logging in that combines a password and two-factor authentication into a single step. Often, that involves something like a thumbprint or secure PIN.

"It's the difference between using a codeword to open a door and using a physical key that only you have," Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth explained. "Passkeys are only stored on your devices, not a Microsoft server, and they also eliminate the kind of user errors that result in weak passwords. Plus, password managers are becoming a really popular target for hackers, so Microsoft is definitely onto something."

Humane AI Pin 

Oh, AI Pin, we hardly knew ye. After less than a year, Humane's attempt to replace the smartphone with a screenless, AI-powered wearable pin came to an untimely end. In theory, the concept of an AI assistant that projected a screen on your hand or a surface sounded pretty intriguing. But Humane's execution of the AI pin was all wrong. From the beginning, reviewers panned the $700 device for myriad reasons, including its faulty projector, finicky response to hand gestures, inaccurate AI responses, and overheating issues. Returns of the AI Pin soon flooded in, and Humane shut down support in February 2025.

Humane may have failed to develop a useful AI wearable, but OpenAI is taking a crack at it. Sam Altman was an investor in Humane, and under his direction, OpenAI announced a partnership with Jony Ive, the iconic designer of the iPhone, in May to create an AI device. That project, however, has reportedly hit delays already — producing a product at scale has proven difficult — and we might not see it until 2027.

Skype

Ubiquitous video calling apps like Zoom and FaceTime owe a debt of gratitude to Skype. Twenty-two years ago, the only way to call someone was through an (often) expensive phone plan. Long-distance calls were an extravagance, only made for special occasions or emergencies.

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Then, along came Skype in 2003, offering free calls between users over the internet. Not only did it disrupt the telecom industry, it made video calling a thing when it added video support in 2006. Eventually, Skype was acquired by Microsoft in 2011, and it lived an increasingly irrelevant existence as other video calling apps from Apple, Google, and the aforementioned Zoom came on the scene. In February, Microsoft announced that it would retire Skype by May and migrate users to its other video platform, Teams.

Forced retirement is a bittersweet ending. But Skype lived a good, long life, and we'll always have its legacy.

Pocket 

The OG bookmarking app said goodbye this year. Mozilla, which has owned Pocket since 2017, shut down the read-later platform in July.

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Pocket launched in 2007 as Read It Later and grew to 30 million users, according to Mozilla. As Mashable's Matt Binder wrote, the app quickly became a popular service "just as social news and social bookmarking began to take off." But according to Mozilla, "the way people use the web has evolved, so we’re channeling our resources into projects that better match their browsing habits and online needs."

Change is hard, but if you want to keep your bookmarking habits, Binder recommended a bunch of great Pocket alternatives. Just think of Pocket every time you hit "save."

Zelle (kind of)

The Venmo alternative shut down its mobile app in April, but it lives on through your bank. Announced in October 2024, Zelle said it would phase out the standalone app since it only facilitates around two percent of transactions. Instead, it will focus on its money exchange service through the many financial institutions it has partnered with.

"Today, the vast majority of people using Zelle to send money use it through their financial institution’s mobile app or online banking experience, and we believe this is the best place for Zelle transactions to occur," according to the 2024 press release. And now, this plan has gone into effect.

Meta fact-checking program 

At the start of President Donald Trump's second non-consecutive term in office, Mark Zuckerberg launched his MAGA makeover. This began with ending Meta's fact-checking program for being "too politically biased," according to a video announcement on Facebook. President Trump has accused social media sites of censoring right-wing content, and Zuckerberg seemingly endorsed this viewpoint in killing the program. "What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it’s gone too far," said Zuckerberg in the video.

Instead, Meta has implemented a crowd-sourced community notes approach, like Elon Musk's X. Meta began implementing community notes across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads in March.

TikTok Creator Marketplace (kind of)

This is another entry that's not so much a true death but a reincarnation, if you will. TikTok shut down its Creator Marketplace, a valuable tool for creators to connect with brands for ad campaigns. Instead, it folded the marketplace into TikTok One, a new platform geared towards advertisers with a whole bunch of generative AI tools.

One of those tools is an AI avatar feature, which lets brands create AI-generated people showing off their products. How that impacts creators looking for partnerships remains to be seen. But creators have also proven to be resilient through the looming ban and trade wars.

Mr. Deepfakes

Ding dong, Mr. Deepfakes is dead. We'll gladly celebrate the shutdown of the notorious site known for hosting nonconsensual deepfake porn. As first spotted by 404 Media, the Mr. Deepfakes URL redirected to a "Shutdown Notice" in early May.

According to the message, the shutdown was forced by a service provider that "has terminated service permanently." It also said Mr. Deepfakes "will not be relaunching" and "this domain will eventually expire and we are not responsible for future use."

Just a week before, Congress passed the Take It Down Act, which made posting nonconsensual intimate imagery (NCII) a federal crime and gives stronger recourse for victims of such content. It's unclear if the shutdown was related, but regardless, regulators are paying attention to the widespread issue.

Google Assistant

We didn't quite say goodbye to Google Assistant in 2025, but we did learn the approximate day of its demise. An official Android Auto support forum revealed it'll be dropped in March 2026. This is just part of a much wider push from Google — and, to be fair, most tech giants — to integrate AI tools into products. So with that comes no more Google Assistant and, in its place, Gemini, the company's AI-powered tool.

The ChatGPT-powered teddy bear

Maybe having ChatGPT power a children's toy was never a good idea, considering chatbots' propensity to hallucinate, give questionable advice, and delve into subject matter that's inappropriate for kids.

Toymaker FoloToy pulled its AI-powered teddy bear called Kumma from shelves in November. The decision followed a troubling report from the consumer watchdog organization Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). That report from PIRG found that the toy gave detailed instructions for lighting a match, talked about sexual kinks, and gave tips for "being a good kisser."

It feels like an obvious decision not to sell that product to children.

Twitter dot com

Obviously, Twitter was killed off a long time ago, replaced by Elon Musk's X. But X moved to cancel the Twitter domain this year, so much so that folks who used a security key had to migrate to X.com instead of remaining tied to Twitter.com. In short: It was a move to kill off the last vestiges of what was once Twitter. You can still access the social media site by typing, "Twitter.com" but, for all intents and purposes, that website is fully Elon Musk's X.

We've said goodbye to Twitter a thousand times at this point, but it is well and truly dead at the end of 2025.

Google Dark Web reports

Google is famous for experimenting with new products and unceremoniously sunsetting them. There's even a website dedicated to the Google Graveyard called Killed by Google, which includes classic Google fails like Google Glass as well as new casualties.

Most recently, Google decided to shut down its Dark Web Report, which gave Google users a heads-up if any of their personal information ever surfaced on the dark web. This service just launched in 2024, and it could have been a useful, common-sense cybersecurity tool.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

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Netflix has a vast library of movies to choose from, including comedies, action movies, true crime documentaries, and thrillers. But so many choices can be overwhelming. What if all you know is you want to see something good and new? Well, we've got you covered.

Mashable's Entertainment team has dedicatedly watched the best (and worst) Netflix has to offer. From this, we've curated the ten best Netflix original movies of 2025. Whether you want mind-bending sci-fi, nerve-rattling suspense, heart-warming comedy, mind-blowing animated adventures, toe-tapping musicals, or soul-shivering horror, you'll find something worth watching (and even rewatching) below.

Here are the best Netflix movies of 2025.

20. The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep

The Witcher fans were gifted another animated film this year, helping ease the wait between seasons of the live-action Netflix series. Directed by The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf's Kang Hei Chul and animated by South Korea's Studio MIR, The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep sent us on a deep seaside quest into a looming war between humans and merpeople, based on The Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski's short story "A Little Sacrifice."

SEE ALSO: How 'The Witcher' Season 4 hard launches Liam Hemsworth as Geralt

Unexpectedly for The Witcher universe, Sirens of the Deep mirrors Disney's version of Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairy tale The Little Mermaid, but with incredibly violent and thrilling animated action. Sadly, the romance scenes are deeply awkward. However, in a treat for fans that makes it worthwhile, the film sees Doug Cockle, who voiced Geralt of Rivia in the games, returning to the role, alongside Joey Batey and Anya Chalotra, who played bard Jaskier and sorcerer Yennefer in the TV show. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Doug Cockle, Joey Batey, Anya Chalotra, and Christina Wren

How to watch: The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep is now streaming on Netflix.

19. Back in Action

Aptly titled, Back in Action not only refers to the plotline of this charming espionage comedy but also the return of its stars to the spotlight.

Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz co-star as a couple of spies who fake their deaths to flee their dangerous jobs once they learn they've got a baby on the way. Cut to 15 years later, when they're middle-aged with a cozy suburban life that's interrupted by an unexpected visit from some former colleagues. To keep their kids safe, they'll need to go on one more mission. And things get pretty zany — and yeah, corny too. But there's an undeniable pleasure in watching Diaz and Foxx bounce off each other's energy.

In my review for Mashable, I wrote, "Don't overthink it. Turn on Back in Action, and allow the star power and nostalgia for the heyday of '90s rom-coms, the peak of Cameron Diaz fame, and the fun of all that wash over you." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz. Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, Kyle Chandler, and Glenn Close

How to watch: Back in Action is now streaming on Netflix.

18. Delicious

If you loved Parasite or Knives Out, you'll appreciate the dark humor at play in Delicious, an eat-the-rich movie out of Germany.

Written and directed by Nele Mueller-Stöfen, Delicious follows a German family of four on their annual retreat to their luxurious French villa. Arriving in the midst of a protest, these tourists shrug off the political unrest, lounging about and leaving out their dirty dishes because their usual maid is away. Lucky, then, that they run into experienced maid Teodora (Carla Díaz) — not so lucky it's with their car.

Despite this rocky start, Teodora gets close to each family member, tapping into their deepest desires and fears. Pretty early on, you may figure out what she and her rebellious friends in service are up to. But that doesn't take away from this movie's biting climax. — K.P.

Starring: Valerie Pachner, Fahri Yardım, Carla Díaz, and Naila Schuberth

How to watch: Delicious is now streaming on Netflix.

17. Nonnas

Speaking of delicious, this comedy written by Liz Maccie and directed by her husband Stephen Chbosky will have you craving a home-cooked Italian meal.

SEE ALSO: Vince Vaughn shows us the healing power of family recipes in 'Nonnas'

Inspired by a true story of the restaurant Enoteca Maria, Nonnas stars Vince Vaughn as an average Joe who channels his grief over losing his mother and grandmother into a tantalizing new venture. He uses his inheritance to build a restaurant in Staten Island, and hires Italian grandmothers (aka nonnas) to become the chefs using their family recipes. Personalities clash, but ultimately these strong-willed women come together to create something stupendous.

It's a feel-good comedy full of love, joy, and laughs. — K.P.

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Linda Cardellini, and Susan Sarandon

How to watch: Nonnas is now streaming on Netflix.

16. Plankton: The Movie

Can't get enough of SpongeBob SquarePants? Well, Netflix is dedicated to bringing fresh fun to the pineapple under the sea. In 2024, the streaming service premiered Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, and this year brings the debut of Plankton: The Movie.

Mr. Krabs' pint-sized nemesis has long been dedicated to wicked schemes and Krabby Patty recipe heists. But it turns out that all that focusing on his wicked mission has left his robot wife Karen feeling unfulfilled! So, how does she get back at her spouse for his out-of-whack work-life balance? She boots him and aims to take over the world herself. As she runs amok, he must team up with SpongeBob to repair his marriage — and save Bikini Bottom from her wrath while they're at it.

This daffy animated comedy directed by Dave Needham is an absolute hoot for SpongeBob fans of all ages. Cue it up for a family movie night! — K.P.

Starring: Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley, Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Clancy Brown, and Rodger Bumpass

How to watch: Plankton: The Movie is now streaming on Netflix.

15. USS Callister: Into Infinity

Okay, technically Black Mirror's USS Callister: Into Infinity is a TV episode, not a movie. But since it's feature-length, and since it's way better than much of Netflix's other 2025 film fare (looking at you, Electric State!), it more than deserves this spot.

SEE ALSO: 'Black Mirror's Jimmi Simpson on his favorite episodes, the big 'USS Callister: Into Infinity' reveal, and more

Black Mirror's first official sequel episode, Into Infinity picks up in the wake of Season 4's USS Callister. Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti) and the rest of the spaceship's crew are now fighting for their lives within the video game Infinity. And their in-game actions are drawing the suspicion of Infinity's real-world players. Nanette will have to reconnect with her outside self and Infinity head James Walton (Jimmi Simpson), sparking uneasy alliances and game-changing reveals about the nature of Infinity itself.

The result isn't as strong as the original USS Callister, but watching Black Mirror channel both Star Wars and Fortnite is oodles of fun — not to mention a delightful palate cleanser after Black Mirror Season 7's bleaker offerings. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Billy Magnussen, Milanka Brooks, Osy Ikhile, Paul G. Raymond, and Jesse Plemons

How to watch: USS Callister: Into Infinity is now streaming on Netflix.

14. The Quilters

Jenifer McShane's The Quilters is a hidden treasure on Netflix. This award-winning documentary short film takes viewers behind the walls of a maximum-security prison in Missouri, where incarcerated men are finding a road to redemption one quilt at a time.

In a small room, buzzing with the sound of sewing machines and the cutting of fabric, they gather to create incredible crafts for a good cause. Each quilt they make is donated to a foster kid in the surrounding counties. Each quilt is a chance for these people — many convicted of violent crimes — to discover their creative side and to give something back. Their story is marvelously heart-warming, and incredibly feels thorough even with a 33-minute runtime! — K.P.

How to watch: The Quilters is now streaming on Netflix.

13. Fixed

Animation legend Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack) delivers an outrageous comedy with his extremely NSFW new film, Fixed. The movie centers on a dog named Bull (voiced by Adam DeVine), who learns he's about to be neutered. With that awful news hanging over his head, he embarks on one last night of debauchery with his doggie friends — and his balls.

Those balls are on full display throughout the film, which leaves little about dog genitalia (or dogs' sex lives) to the imagination. (If you've ever clamored for the Cats "butthole cut," then Fixed is for you.) The movie only ups the crassness from there, but it also sprinkles in some surprisingly touching discoveries about friendship and self-esteem.

As I wrote in my review, Fixed features "an earnest, sweet message in a purposefully crude package, and one that leaves room for more character development and self-discovery than Fixed's initial premise may have you think."* — B.E.

Starring: Adam DeVine, Idris Elba, Kathryn Hahn, Fred Armisen, Beck Bennett, Bobby Moynihan, Michelle Buteau, River Gallo, Grey DeLisle, and Aaron LaPlante

How to watch: Fixed is now streaming on Netflix.

12. A House of Dynamite

What if you had 19 minutes before nuclear war kicked off? What could you possibly do to stop it? Or, failing that, what unfinished business would you want to tackle? This is the nauseating question at the center of A House of Dynamite. Academy Award–winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) teams with Zero Day writer Noah Oppenheim — and an all-star cast — to show what it might look like if one of the United States' enemies launched a missile at one of our nation's major cities.

Boasting a star-studded cast, this ensemble drama pitches audiences from politicians to military leaders to intelligence officers and the president (Idris Elba) all trying to make the most of those 19 minutes. Told in three chapters, the 19 minutes replay again and again from different perspectives, illuminating for civilians what an American response to such nuclear aggression could look like. But be warned, this movie will give you anything but a happy ending.* — K.P.

Starring: Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos, Moses Ingram, Jonah Hauer-King, Greta Lee, and Jason Clarke

How to watch: House of Dynamite is now streaming on Netflix.

11. The Thursday Murder Club

Based on the popular mystery novel by Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club focuses on a quartet of pensioners who use their diverse set of skills to solve cold cases over tea and cake.

This cozy crime comedy stars Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie as the eponymous club, which sets out to solve a decades-old murder but finds fresh blood. In a resplendent retirement community in England, this dynamic foursome crack jokes as they crack into the case with the help of local police and some unsavory suspects.

If you loved the book, you'll relish director Chris Columbus' earnest adaptation. If you haven't read the books, use this as your launchpad to get into a series that of novels that is downright addictive!* — K.P.

Starring: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Richard E. Grant, Tom Ellis, Geoff Bell, Paul Freeman, Sarah Niles, and Ingrid Oliver

How to watch: The Thursday Murder Club is now streaming on Netflix.

10. Steve

Max Porter's novella Shy is adapted into a movie ensemble drama with Steve. Cillian Murphy stars as the eponymous teacher who's on a first-name basis with his students, rowdy teen boys who are seeking a second chance at a remote reform school in rural England.

As I wrote in my review out of TIFF, "Steve offers complicated portraits of the troubled youth in a reform school, and the grown-ups assigned to their care. The resulting film is an emotional roller coaster and a call to action, demanding its audience rethink their views of such schools and those within them."

It's a feel-good film overall. But for potential trigger warnings on sensitive topics, please check out our full review.* — K.P.

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Tracey Ullman, Jay Lycurgo, Simbi Ajikawo (Little Simz), and Emily Watson

How to watch: Steve is now streaming on Netflix.

9. Train Dreams

Denis Johnson’s 2011 novella comes to life in Train Dreams, Netflix's moving historical drama from Sing Sing collaborators Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley. Running from 1917 to 1968, the film follows railroad worker Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton) through life in 20th-century America, weaving history through Robert's personal triumphs and tragedies.

As I wrote in my review, "It's a slow-going, sombre film at times, a historical essay at others, and it won't be everyone's cup of sarsaparilla. However, the true heart of this moving film is a subtle, sensitive performance by Joel Edgerton, one immersed in Bryce Dessner's meticulous score and Adolpho Veloso's lush cinematography, and concluded with the unmistakable spirit of Nick Cave."* — S.C.

Starring: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Clifton Collins Jr., Kerry Condon, and William H. Macy

How to watch: Train Dreams is now streaming on Netflix.

8. Nouvelle Vague

Richard Linklater goes full French New Wave in Nouvelle Vague, an homage to director Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless. The film chronicles the making of Breathless, from Godard's (Guillaume Marbeck) first pleas to direct a film to the casting of Jean Seberg (Zoey Deutch) and Jean-Paul Belmondo (Aubry Dullin). It also taps into the chaos of the shoot, much of which was improvised over a 20-day period.

SEE ALSO: 'Nouvelle Vague' review: Richard Linklater's tribute to Jean-Luc Godard and 'Breathless' is good vibes only

Nouvelle Vague is as loving a tribute to Breathless as can be, with Linklater shooting in black and white and a 4:3 aspect ratio to emphasize the French New Wave feel. Occasionally, Linklater's reverence can get in Nouvelle Vague's own way, as it feels like he's checking off film history boxes. Where Nouvelle Vague really excels is the downtime between shooting, which is thankfully most of the movie.

As I wrote in my review, "Nouvelle Vague proves a sweet tribute to an influential film movement, one that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you're a French New Wave fan, come for the Breathless tributes, but stay for the hangout vibes."* — B.E.

Starring: Guillaume Marbeck, Zoey Deutch, and Aubry Dullin

How to watch: Nouvelle Vague is now streaming on Netflix.

7. In Your Dreams

Netflix goes to dreamland in In Your Dreams, a charming animated adventure directed by Pixar alum Alex Woo. The film introduces siblings Stevie (voiced by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and Elliot (voiced by Elias Janssen), who go on a quest through their dreams to find the Sandman (voiced by Omid Djalili). Legend has it that he can grant a wish, and Stevie and Elliot's is that he can fix their parents' (voiced by Simu Liu and Cristin Milioti) strained marriage, so they can be a happy family again.

In Your Dreams is chock-full of playful creations, from the delectable landscape of Breakfast Town to Elliot's riotous stuffed animal companion Baloney Tony (voiced by Craig Robinson). But it's the focus on parental conflict — and Stevie and Elliot's reaction to it — that truly makes In Your Dreams special.

As I wrote in my review, "None of In Your Dreams' dreamland chaos would mean anything if it wasn't rooted in Stevie and Elliot's anxieties about their parents' marriage, which the film portrays with unflinching honesty... It's a thoughtful, mature portrayal of how parents can grow distant yet still love each other."* — B.E.

Starring: Craig Robinson, Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Elias Janssen, Gia Carides, Omid Djalili, and SungWon Cho

How to watch: In Your Dreams is now streaming on Netflix.

6. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Cheese-loving inventor Wallace (voiced by Ben Whitehead) and his trusty beagle Gromit make a triumphant return in Aardman and Netflix's Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, which received a 2025 Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. Vengeance Most Fowl sees Wallace and Gromit face off with a foe from their past, The Wrong Trousers villain Feathers McGraw. Now behind bars, this dastardly penguin's got a scheme to take down Wallace and Gromit once and for all — one that involves an army of evil smart gnomes and a zoo prison break.

SEE ALSO: 'Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl' review: A delightful romp with an anti-AI streak

What follows is classic Wallace & Gromit. Incredible Claymation set pieces and Rube Goldberg-esque inventions abound, all held together by the sweet yet comedic interplay between the oblivious Wallace and the hyper-competent Gromit. But it's the film's stand against AI — represented here by smart gnome Norbot (voiced by Reece Shearsmith) — that lends it an especially fresh edge, one that emphasizes the loving craft that goes into every Wallace & Gromit film. As I wrote in my review, "When you're watching Vengeance Most Fowl, or any stop-motion animated movie, you're keenly aware that you're watching the culmination of years' worth of effort... That appreciation of effort and process is something no speedy Norbot or other AI could give you, and Vengeance Most Fowl rightfully wants you to know that." — B.E.

Starring: Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, and Reece Shearsmith

How to watch: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Left-Handed Girl

Netflix has such flashy, star-studded fare that Left-Handed Girl might be easy to overlook. But don't miss out, because this coming-of-age story is uniquely tender, funny, and tense. Additionally, a prestigious indie filmmaker had a hand in its creation, and it has some Oscar potential of its own. This is the solo directorial debut of Taiwanese American filmmaker Shih-Ching Tsou, who is a longtime collaborator with Oscar–winning writer/director Sean Baker (Anora). Tsou and Baker co-wrote the screenplay, and Baker also edited and produced the film. Left-Handed Girl, which has been selected as the Taiwanese entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, feels like a sister film to Baker's The Florida Project, which followed a young girl and her single mom who find joy while living in poverty. 

Left-Handed Girl follows a family of three — a mom and her two daughters — as they move to Taipei for a new life. Working at a noodle shop stall in the night market, they swiftly become part of the community. But temptations for cheap thrills and sticky-fingered fun are everywhere, and could irrevocably harm the girls' reputations. While there's dramatic and tragic turns in this drama, its ending is ultimately uplifting, reflecting the earnest humanity that Baker's known for. Don't overlook it.* — K.P.

Starring: Janel Tsai, Shih-Yuan Ma, Nina Ye, Brando Huang, Akio Chen, and Xin-Yan Chao

How to watch: Left-Handed Girl is now streaming on Netflix.

4. Wake Up Dead Man

Writer/director Rian Johnson returns with his third installment of the Knives Out franchise. And this time, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is going gothic.

Set in a decaying church, Wake Up Dead Man follows the impossible case of a Monsignor (Josh Brolin) murdered in an empty room. His most loyal parishioners are all suspects, as is the new priest (Josh O'Connor), who's been seen publicly quarreling with the late Monsignor. Beyond unearthing motives and secrets, Blanc and an unlikely ally will also have to mine the local lore and religious superstitions to uncover the killer.

As I cheered in my review out of TIFF, "Ultimately, like the Benoit Blanc mysteries that came before it, Wake Up Dead Man is sharply written, passionately brought to life, and thoughtfully built, with allusions galore in its costumes, characters, novels, lore, and more."

Starring: Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church

How to watch: Wake Up Dead Man comes to Netflix on Dec. 12.

3. KPop Demon Hunters

Officially the most popular Netflix original movie of all time, KPop Demon Hunters delivers a little bit of everything: romance, action, comedy, and a totally addictive soundtrack that's gone platinum.

Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans begin their enthralling musical with K-pop trio HUNTR/X, who, when they aren't making bops like "Golden," are battling demons to protect the very souls of their fans. But just as the girl group thinks they're on the verge of building an impenetrable barrier with their songs, the demons fight back with a boy band of their own.

The Saja Boys are comically hot, delivering smooth moves, devious plans, and plenty of slapstick. Plus, they've got a tiger who is cute, creepy, and silly to boot! Whether it's the martial arts action sequences, the swoon-worthy song-and-dance numbers, or the cheeky sense of humor that's grabbed fans of all ages, KPop Demon Hunters is sure to thrill. And hey, there's a sing-along version too. What more could we ask for? How about a sequel?* — K.P.

Starring: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Lee Byung-hun

How to watch: KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.

2. Jay Kelly

"George Clooney delivers one of the best comedic performances of his career in Jay Kelly," I wrote in my NYFF review of Noah Baumbach's latest.

In a bit of masterful casting, Baumbach has Clooney play a world-famous movie star who is unflappably charming and a bit of a buffoon. Thus, when Jay Kelly (Clooney) is faced with a mid-life crisis, he orders his entourage to follow him on an impromptu European tour, where he hopes to find solace in his cinematic legacy while reconnecting with his daughters. This makes for an ensemble comedy that's as hilarious and smart as it is star-stuffed. As I concluded in my review, "In the end, Jay Kelly is a clever crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to amuse and make you think."

Starring: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, Eve Hewson, and Greta Gerwig

How to watch: Jay Kelly is now streaming on Netflix.

1. Frankenstein

Oscar Isaac stars as the titular doctor, a mad scientist determined to overcome his childhood trauma of losing his mother (Mia Goth) by resurrecting an exquisite corpse (Jacob Elordi). However, this creature proves more than a science project or a pet. He yearns to grow, to learn, and to love. But in a world that cannot understand him, his quest will be violent and heartbreaking.

In my review out of TIFF, I proclaimed, "As a whole, [Guillermo] del Toro's Frankenstein is a marvel. His vision is clear and mesmerizing. His ensemble is electrifying. His adaptation is unique, soulful, and unforgettable. The man who loves monsters has just made his masterpiece: It's rich, rapturous, and ruthlessly interrogates what it means to be human, with all of our glory and our flaws." — K.P.

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz

How to watch: Frankenstein is now streaming on Netflix.

* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list.