Another chapter in the Harry Potter universe, an award-winning Isabelle Huppert drama, and a great film starring Adam Sandler? Yes, this month brings wonders for those with Neon, Netflix, iTunes, Google Play or an extensive Blu-ray/DVD library.
New to Neon
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Author J. K. Rowling and director David Yates return to the Harry Potter universe with this spinoff story. Available from 13 October
“Fantastic Beasts defines itself so well that newbies can easily follow while nerd eyes will soak up all the new details.” -Liam Maguren, FLICKS
Moana
If you have never heard of this Disney blockbuster yet then welcome to 2017. Donald Trump is the American president. Seriously. Google it. Available now
“This gorgeous Polynesian family adventure is told with a grandness that is kind of expected from Disney at this point.” -Liam Maguren, FLICKS
Trolls
The ’90s hair-crazy toy sensation goes big screen in this DreamWorks animated family musical. Available now
“Beautiful storyline and genuine. Would so watch this again.” -Colttany, FLICKS USER
Doctor Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch is Dr. Stephen Strange in this blockbuster Disney Marvel movie. Available now
“Feels like a cross between Marvel and Inception.” -Mike Patterson, FLICKS USER
Sing
Singing animals sing in this singing animated family film from Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me). Available from 20 October
“Surprisingly good, better than I expected it to be. Fun and entertaining kids movie.” -Jack Wallace, FLICKS USER
Madam Secretary: Season 3
The political drama series continues with Téa Leoni as the US Secretary of State, going through a re-election campaign with President Conrad Dalton. Available now
Snowfall: Season 1
Set in early ’80s Los Angeles, this drama details the start of the crack cocaine epidemic. Available from 19 October
The Walking Dead: Season 6
Rick and the crew are still nowhere near peace in this new season of the undead misery drama. Available from 23 October
Good Behaviour
Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey) leads this crime series as a thief and con artist fresh out of prison, only to wind up intercepting a killer hired to take out another man’s wife. Available from 31 October
New to Netflix
The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)
Adam Sandler, Emma Thompson and Ben Stiller are estranged family members reunited in New York to celebrate their father’s artistic legacy in this Noah Baumbach (Frances Ha) comedy. Available from 13 October
“With no shtick to fall back on, Sandler is forced to act, and it’s a glorious thing to watch.” -VARIETY
Kidnap
Halle Berry goes full-throttle when someone takes her child in this highway chase thriller. Available now
“A tight, effective 100-yard-dash of a thriller that’s as single-minded as the title makes it sound.” -VARIETY
Spectre
The latest James Bond film featuring Daniel Craig as 007, Léa Seydoux (Blue is the Warmest Colour) and Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained). Available now
“It was just another forgettable action movie, which is not what a Bond film should be.” -Miss P, FLICKS USER
The Babysitter
The hot people are the killers for once in this comedy slasher that flips the script. Available from 13 October
1922
Adaptation of Stephen King’s novella in which a poor farmer murders his wife when he learns of her plan to sell the farm and leave him. Available from 20 October
Wheelman
Frank Grillo is a getaway driver who is forced to save himself when a bank robbery goes wrong. Available from 20 October
Harry Potter: Films 1 – 4
Q: When’s the best time for a Potter-thon? A: Anytime. Available from 15 October
New to Everything Else
Things to Come
Isabelle Huppert (Amour) is a philosophy teacher attempting to deal with a terrible trifecta of life issues: losing her job, the death of her mother, and dealing with her unfaithful husband. Available from 12 October
“A low-key, dignified and bittersweet film.” -FILMINK
The Salesman
Acclaimed filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, who won Best Foreign Language Film for A Separation, won the same Oscar this year for this relationship drama. Available from 12 October
“The cracks on the wall of the couple’s apartment provide the metaphor for what’s to come, and right to the last frame Farhadi holds the tension so tight you wonder if you might crack yourself.” -Paul Casserly, FLICKS
Wakefield
Bryan Cranston has a nervous breakdown that causes him to leave his wife and run away… in the attic. Available from 12 October
“It would have been asking a lot from any actor to carry this film, and Cranston has done the heavy lifting and more.” -HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Rosalie Blum
French comedy about a chance encounter, following a man who has to make sense of this déjà-vu he felt upon meeting a woman at a grocery store. Available from 12 October
“The kind of old-school screwball comedy that makes you do a weird half smile like a drunk person.” -Alex Casey, FLICKS
The Age of Shadows
South Korean thriller from the director of I Saw the Devil, set in the 1920s where Japanese officers retaliate against an explosive rebel plot. Available from 12 October
“Patriotism and self-interest clash powerfully in The Age of Shadows, a stylish and morally complex thriller…” -WASHINGTON POST
It Comes at Night
Southern horror about a father who must protect his family from an civilisation-ending contagion and human survivors. Available now
“If you are a horror fan expecting blood and gore you will not find it here.” -Cinemuse Film, FLICKS USER
Spider-Man: Homecoming
As part of The Avengers universe, a young Peter Parker begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging superhero. Available now
“A satisfying return to form of one of the most likeable heroes of the Marvel comic book universe.” -Newt, FLICKS USER
My Cousin Rachel
Rachel Weisz and Sam Claflin star in writer-director Roger Michell’s (Notting Hill) adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s classic novel. Available now
“A dark thriller that will haunt you for days.” -James Croot, STUFF
Churchill
Brian Cox stars in this ticking-clock thriller as Winston Churchill, 24 hours before D-Day. Available now
“Brian Cox gives good Churchill.” -Paul Casserly, FLICKS
One Thousand Ropes
A father reconnects with his estranged teenage daughter in this drama from Samoan New Zealand writer-director Tusi Tamasese (The Orator). Available from 18 October
“One of the most intelligent films to come out of New Zealand and Samoa.” -Liam Maguren, FLICKS
Baby Driver
A young getaway driver with tinnitus uses music to concentrate in this musical action comedy from Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead). Available from 18 October
“There’s no denying that Baby Driver is worth seeing.” -Faith A13, FLICKS USER
