Picture Credit: eOne Films
If you’re browsing Netflix for a movie night this week, a couple of highly-rated new arrivals are well worth your attention, and we’re a little way away from our end-of-week roundup we publish every Saturday, so we wanted to spotlight them here. Netflix just added two very different films that both managed to win over critics and audiences alike upon their release, with both making their Netflix debuts. Whether you’re looking for a familiar Hollywood star or an award-winning international indie, these two new additions deserve a spot on your watchlist.
Here is a closer look at the two critically acclaimed movies you can stream on Netflix in the United States. As a reminder, you can find everything new on Netflix with tons of additional information you won’t find on Netflix itself via our What’s New on Netflix hub page.
Arthur the King (2024)
Director: Simon Cellan Jones
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu, Juliet Rylance, Nathalie Emmanuel
If you’re a sucker for an inspiring, tear-jerking animal story, Arthur the King is going to be right up your alley. Based on a true story, the film follows Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg), a pro adventure racer desperate for one last shot at victory. He convinces a sponsor to back his team for a grueling, 435-mile endurance World Championship race through the Dominican Republic.
As the team pushes themselves to their absolute physical and mental limits, they cross paths with a scrappy, wounded street dog. Michael feeds the dog some meatballs, and in return, the dog, named Arthur, loyally follows the racing team through treacherous jungles, rivers, and mountains.
While it might follow the standard sports-movie playbook, it’s a well-executed and heartwarming story. Wahlberg delivers a grounded, likable performance, the cinematography during the race sequences is thrilling, and the unbreakable bond with Arthur gives the film plenty of emotional weight. It is the ultimate family-friendly crowd-pleaser.
The Scores: The movie currently holds a solid “Fresh” 71% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, but it’s the viewers who really fell in love with it, awarding it a massive 97% Audience Score.
Woman at War (2018)
Director: Benedikt Erlingsson
Cast: Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir, Jóhann Sigurðarson, Jörundur Ragnarsson
Ready for something completely different? Woman at War (original Icelandic title: Kona fer í stríð) is a quirky, visually gorgeous, and unique eco-thriller/dark comedy that swept international film festivals a few years ago and has finally made its way to Netflix.
The movie follows Halla, a fifty-year-old independent woman who leads a quiet, respectable life as a local choir director. But behind the scenes, she is a passionate, bow-and-arrow-wielding eco-activist secretly waging a one-woman war against the local aluminum industry in the majestic Icelandic highlands. Just as she prepares for her boldest sabotage operation yet, she receives an unexpected letter: an old application to adopt an orphan from Ukraine has finally been approved. Now, Halla must choose between her crusade to save the planet and her dream of becoming a mother.
Released by Magnolia Pictures, this is a surprisingly tense and wildly entertaining film. Director Benedikt Erlingsson gives the film a light, almost fairy-tale touch, completely avoiding the heavy-handedness you might expect from a movie about climate activism. Plus, the sweeping shots of the Icelandic landscape are absolutely breathtaking.
The Scores: This one is a bona fide critical darling. Woman at War boasts an incredible 97% Critic Score on Rotten Tomatoes and is stamped with a Certified Fresh badge, backed up by a very strong 85% Audience Score.
Will you be checking out Arthur the King or Woman at War on Netflix this week?
