If you’re ready to dive into the Halloween weekend but don’t want to spend hours scrolling through Netflix, this list has your back. Whether you’re looking for a spooky Halloween watch, a quick weekend watch after work, or a full-blown weekend binge watch, Netflix’s new lineup is stacked. The platform’s latest drop mixes everything from horror-tinted animations and true-crime documentaries to cult comedies and political thrillers. So if you’re planning to binge watch Netflix during the holiday season — maybe with candy, lights dimmed, and your favorite blanket — this week’s Netflix specials have something for every mood. You can go eerie, nostalgic, or completely over-the-top.
Here’s everything new and unmissable that you can stream right now.
The Diplomat: Season 3
Debora Cahn’s The Diplomat is back, and so is Keri Russell as Kate Wyler — the U.S. ambassador constantly juggling diplomatic disasters with her own personal chaos. Season 3 raises the stakes as Kate tries to balance her marriage and her global responsibilities, all while crises keep piling up. If you like high-stakes drama that feels ripped from real headlines, this one’s a smart weekend binge watch to start with. It’s not spooky in the Halloween sense, but the political tension fits the “pressure cooker” vibe.
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Starting 5
Need a break from the eerie? Starting 5 gives you that reset. This new sports docuseries follows NBA stars Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton, and James Harden through the 2024–25 season. You get both on-court moments and behind-the-scenes glimpses of their lives off the court. It’s inspiring, personal, and surprisingly emotional. If the Halloween watch list feels too heavy, this one’s your “chill before the thrill.”
The Perfect Neighbor
Now, back to the chills. The Perfect Neighbor, winner of Sundance’s Best Documentary award, is one of Netflix’s new true-crime standouts. Directed by Geeta Gandbhir, it reconstructs the 2023 killing of Ajike Owens using bodycam footage and firsthand accounts. It’s not horror in the traditional sense — but the real-world tension, quiet dread, and raw storytelling make it one of the most haunting watches this Halloween season.
Death Becomes Her
You can’t have a holiday season binge without throwing it back. Robert Zemeckis’s Death Becomes Her (1992) is a cult classic that still holds up. Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn play rivals who literally go to hell and back for eternal youth, while Isabella Rossellini plays the mysterious woman behind their transformation. It’s weird, funny, and perfectly suited for a nostalgic Halloween weekend watch.
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The Mask
Another gem from the ’90s vault, The Mask stars Jim Carrey as Stanley Ipkiss, a timid man who turns into a mischievous green-faced trickster after finding an ancient mask. It’s zany, chaotic, and still ridiculously fun to watch. For anyone looking to relive that over-the-top era of slapstick and special effects, this one’s a guaranteed good time.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
End your weekend binge watch with a dose of absurdity. Mike Myers’ Austin Powers is a spy spoof that parodies the ’60s spy thrillers while celebrating everything kitschy about the decade. If you want something light before jumping back into the week, this is it. It’s groovy, silly, and rounds off your Netflix lineup on a high note.
Empire Records (Leaving Soon)
Before you log off, squeeze in Empire Records. This 1995 indie cult favorite follows the employees of a small record store trying to save their beloved shop from a corporate takeover. Featuring early performances by Liv Tyler and Renée Zellweger, it’s a coming-of-age story with heart, music, and rebellion. But hurry — it’s leaving Netflix next week.
