What’s new on Netflix this week?
July is here, and Netflix isn’t exactly making it easy for U.S. subscribers to choose. The platform has dropped a solid lineup of movies for the month — including a fresh Enola Holmes sequel and a massive July 1st catalog dump stuffed with more classics than any reasonable person has evenings for.
If you spent the holiday weekend away from your screen, you might have missed that Enola Holmes 2 is now streaming. It’s the kind of breezy, clever mystery that makes for a perfect weeknight watch. But that’s just one of three titles worth your time this week.
Below, we’ve picked the three best new Netflix movies streaming between July 6 and July 12. No filler. No deep cuts that require a film degree. Just solid entertainment.
1. Enola Holmes 2 — The sequel that improves on the original
Millie Bobby Brown returns as the teenage detective in Enola Holmes 2, a follow-up that actually outdoes its predecessor. The first film was a charming introduction; this one tightens the mystery, sharpens the humor, and gives Brown more room to flex her comic timing.
The plot picks up with Enola opening her own detective agency — only to find that no one takes a young woman seriously. Her first case? A missing matchgirl from a factory. Naturally, it leads her into a conspiracy that connects to her famous brother, Sherlock (Henry Cavill), and the broader social unrest of Victorian London.
Director Harry Bradbeer keeps things moving at a clip, and the production design is lush without being fussy. It’s a family-friendly adventure that doesn’t talk down to its audience. If you liked the first one, you’ll love this. If you haven’t seen the first one, start there — it’s still on Netflix.
2. The Guilty — Jake Gyllenhaal’s one-room thriller
Sometimes all you need is one actor, one room, and one phone call. The Guilty (2021) is a remake of the Danish film Den skyldige, and it’s a masterclass in tension. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Joe Baylor, a demoted LAPD officer working the emergency dispatch desk on the night before his court hearing.
He gets a call from a woman who claims she’s been kidnapped. The catch? She can’t speak freely — her abductor is in the car with her. Over the next 90 minutes, Joe tries to save her while wrestling with his own demons. The entire film takes place in that call center, and it’s gripping.
Director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) knows how to wring suspense from a limited space, and Gyllenhaal delivers a performance that’s all voice and micro-expressions. It’s a lean, mean thriller — perfect for a quiet Tuesday night.
3. The Woman King — Epic historical action with Viola Davis
If you want something with more spectacle, The Woman King (2022) is the pick. Viola Davis leads as General Nanisca, the commander of the all-female Agojie warrior unit in the Kingdom of Dahomey (present-day Benin). The film dramatizes their resistance against the slave trade and European colonizers in the 1820s.
Yes, it’s a historical epic with battle sequences and political intrigue. But what makes it work is the emotional core: Nanisca’s mentorship of a young recruit, Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), and the cost of leadership in a violent world. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood balances action and character work with rare skill.
The fight choreography is brutal and balletic. Davis is, predictably, phenomenal. And the film doesn’t shy away from the moral complexities of Dahomey’s own involvement in the slave trade — it’s a smarter blockbuster than most.
How to choose what to watch
Three strong options, but they serve very different moods. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- Enola Holmes 2: Light, clever, family-friendly. Best for a weekend afternoon with kids or a low-stakes evening.
- The Guilty: Tight, tense, minimalist. Watch it alone or with someone who likes thrillers. No distractions.
- The Woman King: Epic, violent, emotionally rich. Save it for a night when you can give it your full attention.
All three are streaming now through July 12. If you’re looking for more options, Netflix’s July 1st dump added dozens of older titles — from 1990s comedies to classic action films. But these three are the standouts of the week.
For more streaming recommendations, check out our guide to the best new shows on Netflix this month or our roundup of underrated Netflix originals you might have missed.
