35 best new Netflix movies and shows to watch in October 2020

29. Her

Release Year: 2013

Directed By: Spike Jonze

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Chris Pratt, Matt Letscher, Luka Jones, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Portia Doubleday, Brian Cox, Spike Jonze

Release Date: Thursday, Oct. 1

Her stars Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore Twombly, a sensitive man who spends his time writing personal letters for others and becomes heartbroken after the dissolution of his marriage. Theodore turns to a new technological operating system that has the ability to develop into its own form of a sentient being called Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), and as their relationship evolves, Theodore falls in love with the woman behind the voice.

The film comes from director Spike Jonze, who also directed such movies as Being John Malkovich, Adaptation and Where the Wild Things Are. Despite struggling at the box office, Her became one of the best-reviewed films of 2013 and holds a stellar 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film topped many year-end lists and landed five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture Best Original Score and Best Original Screenplay, which Jonze ultimately won.

28. The Prince & Me

Release Year: 2004

Directed By: Martha Coolidge

Starring: Julia Stiles, Luke Malby, Ben Miller, Miranda Richardson, James Fox, Alberta Watson, John Bourgeois, Zachary Knighton, Stephen O’Reilly

Release Date: Thursday, Oct. 1

Couldn’t we all use a trip back to 2004? No? Well, if you’re on board with hopping in a time machine and escaping into a blissfully cheesy romantic comedy, Netflix has just this ticket this month. Julia Stiles stars in the mid-aughts classic The Prince & Me as pre-med student Paige Morgan, who falls for Danish student Eddie (Luke Malby) to later find out he’s kind of a big deal… a prince. While the film wasn’t a box office hit or a critical darling, it’s managed to remain a fan favorite and spawn three direct-to-video sequels. Take a break from the royal pains of 2020 with The Prince & Me when the rom-com hits Netflix on the first of October.