Netflix has just unveiled its lineup for October 2025 — and I have to say, I might just cancel everything on my schedule for that month, even my wedding.
I’m only joking, but if I were set to walk down the aisle in October, I’d definitely consider postponing it to catch all of Netflix’s exciting new offerings.
Who could blame me? With upcoming films such as Steve (a compelling drama featuring Cillian Murphy) and a pair of thrilling star-studded flicks like The Woman in Cabin 10 with Keira Knightley and The Ballad of a Small Player featuring Colin Farrell, the competition for attention is steep.
So, barricade your doors, dim the lights, and maybe avoid your family; it’s time to binge-watch these three Netflix movies I’m eagerly anticipating this October.
‘Steve’ (2025) – Now Streaming
After the phenomenal success of Oppenheimer in 2023, Cillian Murphy has been a bit under the radar. Apart from his standout role in indie film Small Things Like These last year, the Irish actor hasn’t been in the limelight as much as his co-stars Emily Blunt and Robert Downey Jr.
That’s set to change this October with Steve, a new Netflix drama inspired by the novel Shy by Max Porter. Murphy plays the lead role of Steve, a dedicated yet underappreciated teacher at an English school for troubled youth. While Steve aims to help his students improve their lives, most resist his sincere efforts. The exception is Shy (Jay Lycurgo), who is intrigued by Steve’s kindness. What makes someone like Steve invested in people like Shy? And is he as composed as he projects?
On the surface, Steve might seem like your typical inspirational teacher tale, but its dynamic visual style sets it apart from films like Dangerous Minds. With Tracey Ullman and Emily Watson also in the cast, the standout reason to tune in is Murphy’s extraordinary performance.
‘The Woman in Cabin 10’ (2025) – October 10
On a stormy night aboard a luxury cruise liner, journalist Laura Blacklock witnesses a shocking event — a woman being thrown overboard. She quickly alerts the authorities, only to be told that no one is missing. Was it a figment of her imagination?
Doubtful, Laura takes it upon herself to investigate. Who was the woman she supposedly saw being murdered, and why is there a concerted effort to cover it up?
This gripping premise drives The Woman in Cabin 10, a Netflix mystery starring Pride & Prejudice actress Keira Knightley. Adapted from a bestselling novel by Ruth Ware, the film evokes memories of hits like The Girl on the Train, which similarly featured a female lead embroiled in a murder mystery. The Woman in Cabin 10 is sure to be one of Netflix’s must-watch films this fall, not to mention that Knightley is bound to captivate audiences.
‘Ballad of a Small Player’ (2025) – October 29
Colin Farrell excels in portraying charmingly dubious characters, and Lord Doyle is no exception. A compulsive gambler desperate for one last big win in the Macau casinos, Doyle finds himself deep in debt to some unsavory characters and evading a relentless private investigator, Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton), who is after him for answers. With his life and freedom at stake, the heat is on as Cynthia draws closer.
Directed by Conclave‘s Edward Berger, Ballad of a Small Player cleverly blends drama with elements of a low-key thriller. Doyle finds himself perpetually fleeing from various threats — be it Cynthia, angry casino sharks, or his own guilt — and the film effectively captures his growing desperation. It also offers a gripping character study of a man acutely aware that his luck is waning.
