Netflix's streaming catalogue has been getting a little stale of late. Sure, they've got some amazing-sounding original content in the works (and you can already watch their first original series, Lilyhammer), but there's been something of a lull when it comes to new and exciting movie content being added. Thankfully, there is some good stuff coming down the pike in the next two months, including the acclaimed film Drive and last year's Thor. Here's the full breakdown of what's on the way from the latest press release.
Available 5/1Adaptation (2002)Nicholas Cage, Meryl Streep, Tilda SwintonIn this offbeat indie tale by director Spike Jonze, Hollywood screenwriter Charlie Kaufman battles immense feelings of insecurity and impotence as he struggles to adapt The Orchid Thief --- a book about a mercurial orchid poacher named John Laroche.Big Daddy (1999)Adam Sandler, John Stewart, Rob SchneiderDumped by his girlfriend because he refuses to accept responsibility, overgrown adolescent Sonny Koufax adopts a 5-year-old boy to prove that he's a grownup -- and to win back his ex.Another Happy Day (2011)Ellen Barkin, Ezra Miller, Ellen Burstyn, Demi Moore, Thomas Haden Church, Kate BosworthUpper-crust family dysfunction takes center stage in this drama, which stars Ellen Barkin as a divorcée attending the highbrow wedding of the son she barely knows and trying to hold her own against a family that couches judgment in every smileCharlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003)Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Demi MooreIn this reboot of the TV classic, the Angels are tasked with finding a pair of missing rings encoded with the personal information of people in witness protection. As informants are bumped off, the trio targets a rogue agent who may be responsible.Cruel Intentions (1999)Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Joshua JacksonQuenching a thirst for dangerous games, promiscuous Kathryn Merteuil challenges her stepbrother to deflower their headmaster's daughter before summer ends. If he succeeds, he gets to bed Kathryn. If he fails, she'll win his most prized possession.Not Another Teen Movie (2001)Chyler Leigh, Chris Evans, Jaime PresslyOn a bet, a gridiron hero at John Hughes High School sets out to turn a bespectacled plain Jane into a beautiful prom queen in this outrageous parody that ruthlessly lampoons popular teen movies of all stripes.Eight Crazy Nights (2002)Adam Sandler, Rob SchneiderAs the holidays descend on the town of Dukesberry, surly Davey Stone's drunken antics land him in trouble with the law. When he's given a chance to redeem himself as an assistant referee for a teen basketball league, will he get into the spirit?Open Season 3 (2010)Grizzly bear Boog is geared up for the annual guys' trip, but his buddies want to stay home to spend time with their families instead. So, Boog heads out on his own -- and lands smack-dab in the middle of a traveling circus.The Thirteenth Floor (1999)Craig Bierko, Gretchen MolTwo scientists have created a virtual reality 1930s Los Angeles so true-to-life that the occupants don't know they exist only in a computer chip -- until a homicide connects the parallel worlds of the simulated and the creators.Snatch (2000)Brad Pitt, Benicio del Toro, Jason StathamWhile transporting a pinched 84-karat sparkler to his stateside boss, a gangster stops off in London and inadvertently triggers a slew of fateful events that wends through the worlds of bookies, pawnshops, bare-knuckle boxing and swine. By Director Guy Ritchie.Stuart Little (1999)Geena Davis, Hugh LaurieMr. and Mrs. Little want to adopt a brother for their only child but get more than they bargained for when they take in the precocious Stuart -- a mouse with an attitude. But Stuart may not be around long if the family cat can make a meal of him!The Addams Family (1991)Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd, Christina RicciStepping out of the pages of Charles Addams' cartoons and the 1960s television series, this big-screen version of the beloved, macabre family centers on con artists out to swindle the Addamses by introducing a bogus Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd) into their home. Barry Sonnenfeld directs the tailor-made cast, which includes Anjelica Huston as Morticia, Raul Julia as Gomez and Christina Ricci as scene-stealing daughter Wednesday.Finding Forrester (2000)Sean ConneryAfter recognizing a high school basketball star's exceptional writing talent, award-winning novelist William Forrester decides to mentor the youngster, who harbors a passion not usually associated with jocks: He's obsessed with words.Hannibal (2001)Anthony Hopkins, Julianne MooreAnthony Hopkins returns as serial killer Hannibal Lecter -- one of the great villains in screen history -- in this riveting sequel that finds his only surviving victim trying to draw Lecter out of hiding by using FBI agent Clarice Starling as bait.Available 5/8Honey 2 (2011)Katerina Graham, Mario Lopez, Audrina PatridgeThis sequel centers on teen Maria Ramirez (played by Vampire Diaries’ Kat Graham), who's determined to prove herself as a street dancer after a scrape with the law. Fresh out of juvie, she heads to the Bronx rec center where she was introduced to the moves of her idol, Honey Daniels.Available 5/15Drive (2011)Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan CranstonA Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver is lured from his isolated life by a lovely neighbor and her young son. His newfound peace is shattered, however, when her violent husband is released from prison.London Boulevard (2010)Colin Farrell, Keira KnightleyColin Farrell stars as a paroled ex-con whose attempt at straight life includes taking a job as a handyman for a reclusive young starlet. This adaptation of Ken Bruen's novel marks the directorial debut of award-winning screenwriter William Monahan.Available 5/31Lost in Translation (2003)Bill Murray, Scarlett JohanssonTwo lost souls visiting Tokyo -- the young, neglected wife of a photographer and a washed-up movie star shooting a TV commercial -- find an odd solace and pensive freedom to be real in each other's company, away from their lives in America.Available 6/1Urban Cowboy (1980)John Travolta, Debra WingerJohn Travolta dons a cowboy hat in this turbulent love story about a working stud whose whirlwind marriage breaks up over jealousy and fears of infidelity. Their relationship turmoil plays out inside a huge honky-tonk hangout called Gilley's.Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)It's an Armageddon scenario with Greenpeace subtext when a brainiac scientist races against time to keep phantomlike alien invaders from destroying what's left of life on Earth in this computer-animated adventure based on the video game.Saving Silverman (2001)Jason Biggs, Steve Zahn, Jack Black, Amanda PeetIn this rollicking comedy, a pair of clueless losers conspires to prevent their hapless buddy from marrying a shrewish shrink by abducting her and setting him up with his long-lost love -- who's soon to be a nun.The PatriotMel Gibson, Heath LedgerWidower Benjamin Martin wants nothing more than to live in peace and farm his land, but when a cruel British officer brings the American Revolution to Martin's door and threatens what he cherishes most, the former war hero is forced to take action in this film by Roland Emmerich.Available 6/9Thor (2011)Chris Hemsworth, Natalie PortmanIn this Marvel Comics-inspired action flick, thunder god Thor finds himself banished by his father, Odin, and forced to live among humans on Earth to learn humility. Can Thor regain his powers and return home?
Thor and Drive are obviously the two high-profile additions, but it's also great to see flicks like Lost in Translation, Snatch, and The Addams Family being added to the line-up. However, it's still disappointingly spare when it comes to actual semi-recent releases. Both Drive and Thor have been out for months on DVD, and while that delay is likely studio-enforced, it seems to be emblematic of an overall lack of bigger-profile recent movie additions to Netflix's streaming catalogue. They are regularly adding older catalogue titles, but sorely lacking in newer stuff. A quick scan of recent additions reveals indie flicks such as Melancholia (added April 13th) and Sleeping Beauty (added April 12th), but not much more high-profile than that.
The lapsing of Netflix's deal with Starz is likely a big part of the problem. Netflix is still doing great when it comes to adding TV content, but not every customer is interested in or has the time to watch a lot of shows. Hopefully Netflix will be able to make new deals in the coming months to spruce up their streaming catalogue with fresher and more regular film content. In the mean time, you can watch The Human Centipede 2, so that's a relief.
Click here for the upcoming TV series headed to Watch Instantly.
