Netflix Original Movies You May Have Missed

With the rising temperatures and the slowing pace the warmer months bring, we’re easing into September and looking for fresh content to enjoy. Netflix is meeting our demands with a lineup of new original films that span various categories, from action to drama to romcom. Whether you’re looking to relax with the family or experience an evening of laughter, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

1. Interceptor

The Netflix original, Interceptor (Released June 3) is an action-packed drama with a female lead that rocketed to the No. 1 spot on Netflix soon after its debut. According to reviewers, this movie has not lived up to the hype despite the rise in rankings. It may not be worth your time, but we’ll leave that to you to decide.

Interceptor: One Army captain must use her years of tactical training and military expertise when a simultaneous coordinated attack threatens the remote missile interceptor station she is in command of.

2. Hustle

If you prefer sports drama, check out Hustle, starring Adam Sandler (Released June 8). Sandler always shines in his sports-focused films. He has brought an element to sports that only he can deliver, whether golf or football. He’s done it again, playing the role of an NBA scout, striking the right balance between drama and humor.

Hustle: A washed-up basketball scout discovers a phenomenal street ball player while in Spain and sees the prospect as his opportunity to get back into the NBA.

3. Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness

If you spend time with the grandkids this summer, the animated film Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (Released June 10) could be just the family film you’re seeking. This animated adventure-comedy centers around a young explorer born half chicken half hare who relies on his two closest friends to help him save the world. Our Chickenhare is eager to fit in and be loved despite his differences, learning to accept the unique qualities that he tried so long to hide.

Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness: Follows a young hero born half chicken and half hare, eager to fit in and feel loved despite his differences; he is obsessed with adventuring despite his clumsiness.

4. Trees of Peace

If films inspired by actual events are your preference, watch Trees of Peace (Released June 10). In this profoundly emotional movie set in April of 1994, we follow four women from various upbringings who are fighting for survival, trapped and hiding during the genocide in Rwanda. This powerful film is sure to move you to tears.

Trees of Peace: In April of 1994, four women from different backgrounds and beliefs are trapped and hiding during the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Their fight for survival against all odds unites the women in an unbreakable sisterhood.  

5. Halftime

Jennifer Lopez has been a powerhouse for years, and now we get a peek behind the curtain in this intriguing documentary, Halftime (Released June 14), a nod to her age of 52 and what’s still to come. A good portion of the film focuses on her halftime performance at the Super Bowl in 2020 and having to share the stage with Shakira, something she wasn’t too pleased to do. Throughout the film, we witness Lopez upholding her values and finding her voice.

Halftime: A documentary about Jennifer Lopez’s illustrious past and how she plans to use the second half of her life.

6. Love & Gelato

Do you like easy beach reads that have been turned into movies? If you answered “yes,” then the 2017 bestselling romance novel by Jenna Evans Welch, Love & Gelato, is for you. The popular book has been adapted for film under the same name and will get its day in the sun this month (Released June 22). In this coming-of-age tale, Lina, a recent high school graduate, begrudgingly travels to Rome to fulfill her ailing mother’s wish to be reacquainted with her father before heading to college. Lina quickly falls for Italy in every way.

Love & Gelato: Lina makes her promise to her sick mother that she’ll spend the summer before college in Rome, where she falls for the city, the people – and the “gelato.” 

These are just a few of the films worth keeping an eye out for on Netflix this month. Other notable releases and their official descriptions include:

• Spiderhead, a sci-fi thriller (Released June 10):  In the near future, convicts can volunteer as medical subjects to shorten their sentences. One such subject who volunteers for a new drug capable of generating feelings of love begins questioning the reality of his emotions.
• Centauro, Spanish crime-drama (Released June 15): Rafa’s hooked on the pure, fiery feelings he gets from speed racing, but when his kid’s mom gets mixed up with drug dealers, he burns rubber to save her.
• Civil documentary (Released June 19): Considered a trailblazer in his field, CIVIL gives viewers an inside look at Crump’s mission to raise the value of Black life. As the civil lawyer for the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Black farmers, and banking Black victims, Crump challenges America to come to terms with what it owes its clients.
• The Man from Toronto, comedy (Released June 24): A case of mistaken identity forces a bumbling entrepreneur to team up with a notorious assassin known as The Man from Toronto in hopes of staying alive.
• Beauty, drama LGBTQ (Released June 29): A young singer on the brink of a promising career finds herself torn between a domineering family, industry pressures, and her love for her girlfriend.

Grab the popcorn and enjoy summer movie nights from the comfort of your home. Happy watching!