Five Netflix releases to keep an eye out for this week
How long does a repeatedly recommended classic sit on your watchlist? Months? Years, even? That’s usually how it goes with them. You hear about them, people recommend them, you nod along… and then end up watching something random instead. Then they pop up again, and you think, fine, let’s actually see what the fuss is about. And that’s what this week’s Netflix list contains.
And more often than not, they deliver, and not because of nostalgia or hype, but because they are built well. What makes a classic “classic” is its writing and performances, but above that comes the story that doesn’t feel dated even years later. And it can be anything. It can be a drama or a proper rom-com; they’ve earned their reputation. That’s why people keep coming back to them.
Netflix seems to have understood that well, and hence, alongside all the newer releases, they have been bringing back well-known films that people either want to revisit or finally tick off their list. It saves you from taking a gamble on something completely unknown, which is always a risk and might lead to a waste of time.
So keep a sharp eye on this week’s release list. As you’re aware, Netflix drops a load of films on the 1st of every month, and it’s doing the same for May, out of which we have handpicked five familiar titles, all worth a watch for different reasons, turning up at the same time. So if you’ve been putting a few of these off for ages, you might as well stop delaying it and actually give them a go.
Five Netflix releases to keep an eye out for this week
Schindler’s List
Schindler’s List isn’t called a classic for nothing. Directed by Spielberg, it tells the real story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Jewish lives during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. It’s shot mostly in black and white, which gives it a stark, documentary feel, but that’s the whole point. It makes everything feel a lot real without overdoing anything.
And you’ll notice a lot of restraint in the film, but that is exactly why it stands out. You won’t find any big dramatic moments in Schindler’s List. Instead, it builds its impact through small, human decisions, especially Schindler’s gradual change from opportunist to someone risking everything to help others. Liam Neeson’s performance is brilliant in the film. You have other big names like Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley in the movie. When it first came, it cleaned up at the Oscars, winning Best Picture and Best Director, and it’s still widely used in schools because of how clearly it presents history without softening it. Netflix made a good decision bringing it back.
The Breakfast Club
Now this one, who hasn’t watched this? It is one of those films you’ve probably heard people go on about for years, and you sort of wonder what the big deal is. On paper, it’s literally just five teenagers stuck in detention for a Saturday. Doesn’t exactly scream “classic”, does it? But give it half an hour, and you start to get why it’s such a pop culture icon.
Now talking about the teen mix, we have the clever one, the sporty one, the rebel, the popular girl, and the quiet one, and at first they are exactly what you’d expect. Bit awkward, bit defensive, everyone sticking to their own lane. Then they start talking properly, and that’s when the film becomes what it is. Watching those five people figure each other out is the most genuine thing ever. And yeah, that final walk with the fist in the air? You’ve definitely seen it somewhere, even if you didn’t realise where it was from.
Eat Pray Love
Eat Pray Love is yet another one of those films you’ve probably heard about loads but never quite got round to watching. It’s the kind of movie that, when someone mentions it, makes them say they want to book a flight somewhere, and you just nod along. The story follows a woman played by Julia Roberts who hits a breaking point in her life. She then decides to walk away from everything and travel instead of trying to fix things the usual way.
It’s split into three parts: Italy, India, and Bali, and each place brings something different. First it’s food and actually enjoying life again, then it shifts into spirituality, and at the end, relationships. It’s not packed with big twists, though; it’s more about watching her figure things out as she goes, which either works for you or doesn’t. Julia Roberts has looked proper stunning, and the film feels so real because they actually filmed on location. So even if you’re not fully sold on the story, you’ll probably still enjoy just being along for the ride.
Jumanji
Yes, we know you have watched Jumanji, but it is time for a rewatch. And in case you have never, allow us to walk you through the plot. The story starts with two kids finding the game and accidentally releasing Alan Parrish, who’s been trapped inside it for years. That’s where Robin Williams comes in, and he’s the reason the film works as well as it does.
But the board doesn’t just bring an old caveman; it also brings chaos with animals trashing the place, a full-on stampede through town… It’s absolute madness. Williams brings the humour, but there’s also a bit of emotion there, especially with everything his character’s been through. Jumanji has this proper sense of adventure running through it, and it keeps moving without dragging. It’s one of those films you can watch at any age and still enjoy, which is probably why people keep going back to it.
Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman is one of those films you’ve probably seen bits of without ever sitting down for the whole thing. Many of us, at least once in a week, come across the “Big mistake, huge” scene, and if you’ve watched the film, you know what we are talking about. It’s a very simple setup: a wealthy businessman hires an escort to spend time with him for a week but instead starts having feelings for her.
Julia Roberts is the main reason people still talk about it. This was the role that really made her a star, and you can see why. She’s confident and brings a lot more charm to the character than you’d expect from a film like this. Opposite her, Richard Gere plays things much more straight, which balances it out nicely. Pretty Woman is just a well-made romantic comedy that knows exactly what it’s doing. And that’s probably why it’s lasted so long, and now it’s finally on Netflix.