What’s New to Stream on Netflix for January 2018

Here’s what’s coming to Netflix this month!

Some people spend their days arguing over the merits of Netflix and how it’s “killing cinema” as we know it, but the rest of us know better. It’s just one more way to re-watch the movies we already love and find new ones to cherish. This month sees plenty of both hitting the service.

The complete list of movies and shows hitting Netflix this month — January 2018 — is below, but first I’m going to highlight a few that stand apart from the bunch.

The Underdogs

Sometimes great Sundance premieres go on to become the year’s best film, and other times they get unfairly lost in the shuffle of a full release calendar. Bad Day for the Cut (shoots its way onto Netflix starting 1/18) was one of my favorites at last year’s Park City film fest (my full review), and this month it finally comes available to a wider audience. It’s a terrific little revenge tale in the vein of Blue Ruin in that its hero is in no way prepared for the journey he sets himself upon after the murder of his mother. Quick bursts of action, fun characters, and smart plot turns make it a sharp and satisfying thriller well worth your time. Another small gem new to Netflix this month is Super Dark Times. It’s title is no lie, and what starts as a coming of age tale familiar to anyone who’s ever gone through puberty without the benefit of popularity shifts into one hell of an intense thriller. It’s brilliant.

Netflix Originals

Some Netflix Originals are made directly for the streaming service while others are picked up at festivals. Sometimes, though, they lay claim to a movie that’s otherwise been left in the cold. Mike Flanagan’s 2016 release, Before I Wake (1/5), is one such “original” after finding itself trapped in limbo for the past couple years. Like the other Originals below I haven’t seen this one yet, but coming in the middle of Flanagan’s terrific genre run — Hush, Ouija: Origin of Evil, and Gerald’s Game — it’s one I’m excited to watch. The Polka King (1/12) was picked up after premiering at Sundance last year, and while reviews were mixed a cast that includes Jack Black, Jenny Slate, Jason Schwartzman, and others means it’s at least deserving of a watch. David Wain’s A Futile and Stupid Gesture (1/26) is premiering at Sundance later this month and hits Netflix almost immediately after. Wain’s track record is pretty good, and he’s stacked his look at the early days of the National Lampoon with an equally reliable cast of comedy greats including Will Forte, Joe Lo Truglio, Martin Mull, and more.

Franchise Fans

What’s better than one film about mismatched cop partners, cheerleaders, and a billionaire dressed as a bat? Four or five, obviously. This month sees the arrival of all four Lethal Weapon films (just prepare yourself for the quality decline after part two), the first four Bring It On movies (that’s right, there’s more than four), and five of DC’s live-action Batman films (two from Tim Burton, two from Joel Schumacher, and one from Christopher Nolan).

Modern Comforts

Some movies are just generally accepted as modern classics, and while they’re not always award winners they are movies it’s just impossible to turn off once begun. Peter Weir’s The Truman Show is one of my favorites and remains every bit as funny, original, and inspiring on every re-watch. Jim Carrey’s never been better, and if you’re not cheering along at the end then you’re probably a beret-wearing robot. It’s become “cool” to hate on The Shawshank Redemption over the years, but screw those people. Frank Darabont’s first (feature-length) Stephen King adaptation is still a gem of character, plotting, and third act perfection. Caddyshack doesn’t quite have the cache of these other two, but good gravy is it still a ridiculously good time with the likes of Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield, and Ted Knight.

Keep reading for a look at all of this month’s new arrivals: