Even if you're not the biggest planner, you can bet you'll spend a good portion of your December snuggling up and watching movies. Whether you're devoted to watching all your favourite Christmas movies [1] on repeat or you're open to any genre that will distract you from the chilly weather outside, Netflix has plenty of new movies coming out this December to choose from. In addition to a gay holiday rom-com [2], you can look forward to a Sandra Bullock-led crime drama, an indie flick starring Olivia Coleman, a Benedict Cumberbatch ranch drama, a darkly funny sci-fi flick with a wildly stacked cast, and so much more. Here are all the movies you need to add to your must-watch list throughout the month of December (aside from all the holiday flicks [3] you plan to watch, of course).
The Power of the Dog
Based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Savage, this drama (which stars the winning trio of Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst [5], and Jesse Plemons) is set in early 20th-century Montana and tells the story of a cruel ranch owner who takes a disliking to his brother's new bride.
When it's available: Dec. 1 [6]
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas
Get excited, Shaun the Sheep fans, because he's getting his own Christmas special, which follows the wooly character on a desperate search for Timmy, his troublemaking cousin, after Timmy mysteriously goes missing.
When it's available: Dec. 3
The Unforgivable
Based on the British miniseries Unforgiven, this Sandra Bullock-led drama follows a woman who — after serving a prison sentence for a violent crime — must reenter a society that's unwilling to give her a second chance.
When it's available: Dec. 10
The Hand of God
In this Italian dramedy, which is set in 1980s Naples, an awkward teen named Fabietto finds his life changed forever by the arrival of football legend Diego Maradona, who inadvertently saves Fabietto from a shocking accident.
When it's available: Dec. 15 [7]
Don't Look Up
Written, produced, and directed by Adam McKay, this dark comedy stars Leonardo DiCaprio [8] and Jennifer Lawrence [9] as two trainee astronomers tasked with alerting the world of an impending asteroid that may or may not destroy Earth. Other familiar faces in this one include Jonah Hill [10], Tyler Perry [11], Timothée Chalamet [12], Ariana Grande [13], Kid Cudi, Cate Blanchett [14], and Meryl Streep [15], so yeah, you could say it's pretty stacked.
When it's available: Dec. 24 [16]
The Lost Daughter
Based on the novel of the same name by Elena Ferrante, this drama centres on a woman (played by Olivia Colman) who, while away on holiday, finds herself obsessed with a mother-daughter pair, which triggers painful memories of her own daughter. Other cast members include Dakota Johnson [17], Peter Sarsgaard, and Paul Mescal [18], among others.
When it's available: Dec. 31 [19]
Back to the Outback
This comedy musical adventure follows a group of Australian creatures in captivity who — after deciding they're tired of being gawked at — plot their escape to the Outback.
When it's available: TBA [20]
Mixtape
Set on the eve of Y2K, an awkward tween raised by her grandmother (played by Julie Bowen) discovers a broken mixtape put together by her late parents, and desperate to know more about them, she decides to set out on a journey to find all the songs.
When it's available: TBA
Single All the Way
Michael Urie stars in this holiday rom-com, which centres on a perpetually-single man who convinced his friend to pretend to be his boyfriend for the holidays. The problem: His meddling mom already has plans to set him up on a blind date with someone else.
When it's available: TBA