Anyone looking for an exciting three-movie binge on Netflix to start 2026 in style has come to the right place, as the streaming service offers a great selection heading into the weekend. There are many popular movies on Netflix right now, ranging from Netflix’s surprising original films to licensed content, the latter of which saw an uptick recently.
That is to be expected, as every start of a new year brings along the end of movies’ previous streaming deals, allowing for Netflix to unveil an influx of new content right from the start of January. All three movies I recommend watching on Netflix this weekend debuted on the streamer on January 1st, so I anticipate many first-time viewers are inbound.
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Dune (1984)
2026 brings back one of the best SCi-Fi franchises of all time, as Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and director Denis Villeneuve end their Dune trilogy with the theatrical release of Dune: Part Three. Given how the Dune movies have become popular over the last few years, I believe the timing is perfect to watch an older adaptation of the story.
After director David Lynch’s death in 2025, rewatching or watching his version of Dune, which was released in 1984, is timely. Kyle MacLachlan’s nuanced Paul Atreides makes the old take on Dune already worth watching, but Lynch’s surrealist visuals are definitely the flair that makes the movie compelling, given that its approach to the story is not as engaging as Villeneuve’s.
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Dawn of the Dead (2004)
I’m a major fan of zombie movies and TV shows, and Dawn of the Dead is a project that I’m convinced is one of the most entertaining entries in the genre. It has two huge DC Comics filmmakers behind the wheel, with Zack Snyder directing and current DC Studios creative chief James Gunn penning the script.
Dawn of the Dead is for horror fans who are into gory thrill rides, even if they lack a bit in terms of character. Still, with strong performances from most of the cast, impressive visual effects, and lots of blood, the zombie movie is endlessly entertaining for a weekend watch on Netflix.
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Priscilla (2023)
Finally, after a Sci-Fi epic and thrilling zombie flick, I’m convinced the perfect way to end the weekend on Netflix is to get quieter with a touching biopic that features one of the world’s biggest stars through a different lens. Priscilla stars Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla Presley, following her journey from a teenager to one of Elvis’s closest confidantes.
Priscilla is an emotional dissection of the man behind the myth, told through the eyes of someone who loved Elvis — with the singer perfectly portrayed by Jacob Elordi — and knew exactly what he was like behind the curtain. The movie does not shy away from the rock and roll legend’s many issues, making for a revealing affair on Netflix.