Best new movies and TV series on Netflix Australia: February 2023

Each month, loads of new films and TV shows are added to Netflix Australia‘s library. Critic Claire White presents her picks for titles worth watching. For the full list of everything arriving on the platform, scroll down. Also, check out Craig Mathieson’s top 50 movies on Netflix list.

Top Picks: TV

Freeridge: Season 1 (February 2)

On My Block, the dramedy series about a group of best friends growing up in South Central Los Angeles was one of the best coming-of-age series in recent years. Balancing humour and depth, the show represented a teen-dom rarely seen on screen. After ending its four-season run, the world of On My Block is back with new spin-off series Freeridge.

Returning to the neighbourhood of Freeridge, the show brings us an all-new foursome: siblings Gloria and Ines, and their friends Demi and Cameron, who somehow bought a cursed box, which brings misfortune to their lives. The mention of Roller World and a glimpse of On My Block‘s Jamal in the trailer should definitely keep fans happy, while also delving into all-new mystery, drama, and friendship hijinks.

You: Season 4 Part 1 (February 9)

You know what? Let’s go! The people behind You are shaking things up this new season, first of all by transplanting stalker-murderer Joe across the Atlantic to London. Now a university professor, he is trying to run away from his violent past and start fresh, however with a history (and sadistic mind) like that, it’s not so easy. Falling in with a group of rich snobs, the taunt-er becomes the taunt-ee as a series of murders begin to crop up amongst this elite inner circle.

Penn Badgley, as always, is reason enough to watch the show but this new twist on the series is intriguing. Will Joe finally get what’s coming to him? Part One (episodes 1—5) airs February 9 with Part Two (episodes 6—10) airing a month later on March 9.

Red Rose: Season 1 (February 15)

Still mourning the loss of The Bastard Son and the Devil Himself, which was cancelled late last year? Here’s hoping that Red Rose, a new BBC Three teen drama series being added this month can fill the British sci-fi YA hole in our lives.

You won’t be able to look at your phone the same again, as an app that threatens dangerous consequences if its demands are not met terrorises a group of school leavers in the summer after their final year of secondary school. A kind of Black Mirror meets Bodies Bodies Bodies, the horror series boasts an exploration of the relationship between teenagers and their online selves.

Top Picks: Movies + Specials

Your Place or Mine (February 10)

Romantic comedies used to have Ashton Kutcher in them. Send tweet. There has been a recent “return” to the “Golden Age of Romantic Comedies” lately with all the usual suspects from the mid 90s to late 2000s returning to fall in love all over again. This film unites Reese Witherspoon (remember Just Like Heaven?) and Ashton Kutcher (remember What Happens in Vegas?) as two bi-coastal best friends who swap houses in an attempt to force Witherspoon’s harried single mom into taking a break (and maybe getting a date!)

Their The Holiday-esque, 20 years of friendship is tested when Kutcher’s character realises he’s probably been in love with Witherspoon all along! With a supportive ensemble of friends encouraging our protagonists to go after their heart (hello Tig Notaro!) maybe I will spend V-day watching this friends-to-lovers romance.

Ellie and Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt) (February 17)

February is Pride Month, and a great way to celebrate is with Ellie and Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt). As Ellie (Sophie Hawkshaw) stumbles through coming out to her mum and struggles to ask her crush Abbie (Zoe Terakes) to the school formal, this Australian indie queer coming-of-age film is sweet and awkward like so many (straight) teen films.

Ellie is not alone, however, as she receives advice along the way from her very much alive Aunt Patty (the excellent Rachel House) and the sudden appearance of her very-much-not-alive Aunt Tara. As Tara’s ghost not-quite-hunts Ellie’s life, the film also explores history of LGBT rights activism in Australia in the 1980s.

We Have a Ghost (February 24)

David Harbour. Golden Globe winner Jennifer Coolidge. Anthony Mackie. Tig Notaro (again!) What else do I need to say? JK, I’ll tell you more. In this fun kids’ horror flick, Harbour stars as a kind of frumpy ghost called Ernest who haunts a mysterious house Anthony Mackie’s family has just moved into. After filming their encounters with the ghost, the family go viral and reap their social media fame.

However, as the youngest son Kevin (Jahi Winston) get closer to solving the mystery of Ernest’s life and death, the CIA gets involved? What were you up to, Ernest? Hijinks, high-speed chases and action ensue. If you aren’t sold yet, Jennifer Coolidge plays a TV medium, which is all I need in my life.

All titles arriving on Netflix Australia in February

February 1

Gunther’s Millions
Detective Conan: The Culprit Hanzawa

February 2

Freeridge: Season 1
MAKE MY DAY

February 3

Class
True Spirit
Stromboli (2022)
Vikingulven
Infiesto

February 8

The Exchange
Bill Russell: Legend

February 9

You: Season 4 Part 1
The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem
Dear David
My Dad the Bounty Hunter

February 10

Love is Blind: After the Alter Season 3
Love to Hate You
10 Days of a Good Man
Your Place or Mine

February 13

Squared
The Love Punch

February 14

In Love All Over Again
All the Places
A Sunday Affair
Re/Member
Jim Jefferies: High n’ Dry

February 15

Eva Lasting
#NoFilter
The Law According to Lidia Poët
Red Rose
African Queens: Njinga
Full Swing
Girl Like You
Between a Frock and a Hard Place
Love & Other Drugs

February 16

The Upshaws: Part 3
Aggretsuko: Season 5
Pitch Perfect
Jurassic World
The Unusual Suspects: Season 1

February 17

Ganglands: Season 2
Community Squad
A Girl and an Astronaut
Unlocked
Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie’s Dead Aunt)

February 19

Whindersson Nunes: Preaching to the Choir

February 22

Triptych
The Strays
Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal

February 23

Outer Banks: Season 3
Call Me Chihiro
That Girl Lay Lay: Season 2

February 24

Who Were We Running From?
We Have a Ghost
Formula 1: Drive to Survive: Season 5
Oddballs: Season 2