Netflix is constantly adding new movies and shows to enjoy, and, of course, January's been no different. But this constant barrage of new content means that sometimes quality movies fall through the cracks.
With that in mind, I've crawled through every Netflix movie that has dropped on the streaming service this month and looked for the ones that are both underrated and good. That means looking for movies that cracked the global top 10 but all have been critically well-received, as well as highly-rated movies that just hit the streaming service. So trust me when I say there's a really good chance that these are five best Netflix movies in January you haven't watched yet
'Cunk on Life'
"Cunk on Earth" became an internet sensation when it hit Netflix in 2023. The dry, deadpan wit of "acclaimed documentarian" Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan) was instantly meme-able and, most importantly, incredibly funny. Viewers loved her brilliant, though often unintentional humor as she explored the answers to life's biggest questions.
Earlier this year, Morgan returned as Cunk for the character's feature-length debut. Titled "Cunk on Earth," the mockumentary special explored everything from Quantum Physics to Existentialism, Nihilism, Hedonism and more. It also included incredible lines like "Can I call you Brian or do you prefer Cox?" The movie lived up to expectations, scoring a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, so go check it out now if you haven't already.
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'Number 24'
"Number 24" is a Norwegian World War II drama based on the real-life story of Norwegian resistance soldier Gunnar Sønsteby. Starring Sjur Vatne Brean as the resistance fighter, the movie cuts back and forth between an older version of him (Erik Hivju) speaking to a group of students and his life as a spy codenamed "Number 24."
By all accounts, the movie is well-crafted and a moving examination of how war is juxtaposed with keeping to one's set of morals and beliefs. There aren't enough reviews of the movie (which should be watched in its original Norwegian rather than the unsatisfying English dub from the trailer) to give it a Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, but all seven critical reviews are positive and it has a 95% rating from audience reviews. Don't miss this gripping war biopic on Netflix.
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'Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever'
"Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever" revolves around tech millionaire Bryan Johnson. Founder of the neuroimaging Kernel, Johnson is probably most notable now as his own personal test subject in a controversial quest for immortality. To date, he's spent a small fortune on pills, procedures and more in an attempt to avoid aging at all costs.
This documentary is third on the list for a reason, as it's just a bit less well-received than its admittedly stellar counterparts. Still, the film is directed by acclaimed documentarian Chris Smith ("100 Foot Wave") and explores a 12-month journey following Johnson’s quest and has received mostly positive reviews. If you love a documentary or exploring ethical questions in your spare time, then "Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever" is an under-the-radar movie you want to watch.
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'Saturday Night'
"Saturday Night" stars Gabriel LaBelle as legendary "Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels. The movie recreates the iconic show's chaotic first night and features a deep ensemble cast of talented actors playing the first season's cast of actors, including Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase and Nicholas Braun in a dual role as both Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson. Willem Dafoe, J.K. Simmons and Matthew Rhys even sneak their way into the movie's literal cast of dozens.
While this movie initially had Oscars gold in its sights it fell short of that goal and was a box office flop despite positive reviews from critics and a nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Labelle) at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards. Now that it's just arrived on Netflix though, it's already making waves and climbing up the charts. There's a chance you haven't seen it yet because it's so new to the platform, but we probably won't be able to call it under the radar for much longer.
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'The Sand Castle'
![The Sand Castle - Official Trailer [English] | Netflix - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/XKK3H0Ztif0/maxresdefault.jpg)
"The Sand Castle" is almost certainly a movie you haven't watched on Netflix this month. This Lebanese psychological drama stars Riman Al Rafeea, as Jana, a young girl who has become stranded with her family on a deserted island in the Mediterranean Sea. Taking shelter in an abandoned lighthouse, things for them go from bad to worse, as they lose contact with the outside world and struggle to accept their fate.
While there currently aren't enough reviews for a Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the reviews have been largely positive and audiences seem to be mostly liking it as well. So check it out now, but remember to turn on the subtitles so you don't watch it in a bad English dub.
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If you already watched these movies, or are just looking for more to watch, make sure to check out our full breakdown of everything new to Netflix in January to see what else you might have missed this month. Or check out what's coming new on Netflix in February to see what you need to watch next.
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