3 new to Netflix movies you need to watch this weekend — including a mystery thriller with Jodie Foster’s best performance in years (July 31-Aug. 2)

(Image credit: Netflix; Shutterstock) The weekend is here, and now is a great time to check out some of the recent movie arrivals on Netflix. The streaming service is always adding new flicks to its library, but it’s capped off this month with some particularly strong additions.My top picks to watch on Netflix this weekend are all anchored by strong female talent, with some of the best in the business like Jodie Foster, Cate Blanchett, and Neve Campbell headlining this excellent trio of movies. These Netflix movies really deserve your attention.So, save yourself the time scrolling through the latest movies added to Netflix, take my advice, and get these great movies on your watchlist, and start streaming them ASAP.‘A Private Life’ (2025) A PRIVATE LIFE | Official Trailer (2026) - YouTube Watch On Jodie Foster is even more talented than I thought, because not only does she headline this twisting mystery thriller, but she also delivers her performance in fluent French. My colleague, Malcolm McMillan, notes it’s “worth watching for Jodie Foster’s performance alone,” and that’s an endorsement I can’t ignore. Foster became the first American to be nominated for a Lumière Award for Best Actress for “A Private Life.”Dr. Lilian Steiner (Foster) is an American psychiatrist working and living in the French capital. She’s devastated to learn that a client has taken her own life. But after a visit from the client's widow, Simon (Mathieu Amalric), and daughter, Valérie (Luàna Bajrami), alongside the discovery that some of her files have been stolen, Lilian suspects foul play. Launching an investigation of her own, she becomes convinced this is a murder case.Watch "A Private Life" on Netflix now‘Scream’ (1996) Scream | Official Trailer (HD) - Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Drew Barrymore | Miramax - YouTube Watch On Netflix recently added the original “Scream” trilogy, so if you’re looking for some slasher fun this weekend, why not marathon all three? While “Scream 2” is a worthy successor, the original remains the best of the bunch. What’s so special about “Scream” is that it’s a slasher movie with a strong meta aspect, pointing out the tropes of the genre, and then finding clever ways to subvert expectations. Plus. the opening is downright iconic.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.Set in the small town of Woodsboro, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is a high schooler still reeling from the death of her mother a year prior. As the anniversary of this tragic event approaches, Sidney and her friends are stalked by a killer in a Ghostface mask. Also starring Courtney Cox, David Arquette and Matthew Lillard, “Scream” is part spooky horror and part intriguing whodunit mystery. This year also marks its 20th anniversary.Watch "Scream" on Netflix now‘Tár’ (2022) TÁR - Official Trailer [HD] - In Select Theaters October 7 - YouTube Watch On In “Tár," Cate Blanchett delivers one of the best performances of the 21st century. This psychological drama rests entirely on her shoulders, and she carries that weight and then some. This intense character study from director Todd Field is mesmerizing. It’s a movie about hubris, power dynamics, and a spectacular fall from grace. Its lengthy 158-minute runtime might put some off, but commit to it, and you’re well rewarded.Lydia Tár (Blanchett) is just days away from cementing her legacy as a titan of the classical music world. The chief conductor of a Berlin orchestra and masterclass teacher at Juilliard, she has the respect of her peers. But when a series of allegations are made against her character, her carefully crafted reputation starts to crumble, and Lydia spirals to dark places.Watch "Tár" on Netflix now Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow Tom's Guide Entertainment on TikTok and Instagram. Finally, you can visit our dedicated Tom's Guide Savings Squad hub for expert help on getting the best products for less. More from Tom's GuideNew on Netflix in August 2026I let the Netflix algorithm pick everything I watched for a weekThe best streaming services to subscribe to right now Rory is a Senior Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team.