It's not often that a major streamer reveals the release dates for its entire movie roster ahead of time, but that's exactly what Netflix has done with its impressive selection of original features heading to the service at the end of 2021.
It's some list, too. Whether you're excited to see the star-studded Don't Look Up, led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, or Maggie Gyllenhaal's hotly-anticipated directorial debut, The Lost Daughter, Netflix has commissioned a grand variety of big-budget original movies for your viewing pleasure.
Below, we’ve rounded up a selection of the biggest impending arrivals. For each entry, we’ve listed the title, release date and brief synopsis as given by Netflix, as well as any trailers or set images released thus far.
For the complete list of original films – which includes a few new horror movies, too – check out the tweet posted to Netflix's official film account below.
Mark your calendars for the Netflix Films coming through the end of the year (thread)August 23, 2021
Bruised (November 24)
In Halle Berry’s directorial debut, a disgraced MMA fighter (Berry) finds redemption in the cage and the courage to face her demons when the son she gave up as an infant unexpectedly re-enters her life.
Robin Robin (November 24)
When her egg rolls into a rubbish dump, Robin is raised by a family of mice, but as she grows up, her differences become clear. Celebrated animation studio Aardman is behind this animated musical, which sees the titular Robin set off to prove that she can be a really good mouse – even though she, erm, isn't one?
A Boy Called Christmas (November 24)
A young boy named Nikolas sets out into the snowy north to find his missing father, accompanied by a headstrong reindeer and pet mouse. Nikolas soon meets his destiny in this magical origin story of Father Christmas based on the book by Matt Haig.
A Boy Called Christmas is only hitting Netflix in the US, but it'll be available for UK viewers on Sky.
The Power of the Dog (December 1)
When his brother (Jesse Plemons) brings home a new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and son (Kodi Smit-McPhee), a fearsome rancher (Benedict Cumberbatch) torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love. Thomasin McKenzie also stars in The Power of the Dog, which is written and directed by Jane Campion.
Cumberbatch has received major Oscar buzz for this one, so expect him to be front-runner for the best actor trophy come 2022.
The Unforgivable (December 10)
Released from prison after serving a sentence for a violent crime, Ruth (Sandra Bullock) re-enters a society that refuses to forgive her past, and her only hope for redemption is finding the estranged younger sister she was forced to leave behind. We haven't seen the acclaimed lead actress on screen for a while, so we're intrigued by this one, to say the least.
The Hand of God (December 15)
A young teenager's eccentric family and vibrant life in 1980s Naples is suddenly upended by the electrifying arrival of a soccer legend – and a shocking accident – in Paolo Sorrentino's personal story of fate, family, sports and cinema.
We're getting shades of Cinema Paradiso from this one, which can only be a good thing.
Don’t Look Up (December 24)
Written and directed by Adam McKay, two low-level astronomers (Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence) must go on a giant global media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth.
Beyond DiCaprio and Lawrence, though, the cast on this one also includes the likes of Timothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep, Ariana Grande and Chris Evans.
Yeah, we're excited.
The Lost Daughter (December 31)
In Maggie Gyllenhaal's feature directorial debut, a woman’s beach vacation takes a dark turn when her obsession with a young mother at her seaside resort forces her to confront the secrets of her past.
Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, Peter Sarsgaard and Jessie Buckley all star in this one, with the former the subject of early Oscar buzz yet again.
