Some of November’s streaming additions are far from flawless. But the films and shows in this selection have ideas, moments or a distinctive style that make them worth a look, even when they fall short of their potential.
Dream Scenario arrives on Tubi on November 1. Nicolas Cage plays a mild-mannered professor who becomes famous after people around the world begin dreaming about him. The premise offers room to explore sudden celebrity and its effects, but the film does not fully capitalize on the idea. Its willingness to take chances, however, gives it an enduring charm.
David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation of Dune lands on HBO Max on November 1. Its plot changes, compressed story and unusual choices have long drawn criticism, and Lynch himself acknowledged that the film was a mess. Still, its bold, unconventional approach may appeal to viewers who enjoy ambitious, offbeat science fiction.
Also arriving November 1, on Paramount+, is Queen of the Damned, a very 2000s take on vampire Lestat that leans into nu metal, excess and absurdity. On Prime Video, Tank Girl brings together Lori Petty, Ice-T, a post-apocalyptic setting and a comic-book-inspired style. Its anything-goes approach may not work for everyone, but it gives the film plenty of personality.
Prime Video also adds all five seasons of iZombie on November 1. The series follows a zombie mortician who solves crimes by eating victims’ brains, taking on aspects of their personalities and memories. Its early episodes balance self-contained cases with longer storylines, although the show’s appeal may weaken as it goes on.
Hulu’s November 8 addition, Heart Eyes, attempts to combine a romantic comedy with a slasher story. A couple’s accidental meet-cute unfolds as they are pursued by a killer and become suspects in the murders. The film struggles to settle on a genre, but its flashes of potential make the attempt worthwhile.
Paddington in Peru comes to Hulu on November 15. Though it does not reach the heights of its predecessors, the film offers an entertaining adventure, with larger set pieces and a pace that recalls classic adventure movies.
You Won’t Be Alone arrives on Peacock on November 16. It follows a young woman adopted and later abandoned by a witch as she tries to understand life as an outsider. Its folk-horror approach explores curiosity and the pleasures and pains of being alive, and its unusual style may stay with viewers after watching.
The Magic Faraway Tree arrives on HBO Max on November 27. Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy lead a family through fantastical lands, though the film sometimes tries too hard to create a sense of wonder. Its adventure and charm nevertheless make it a natural fit for a streaming watch.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim joins Prime Video on November 28. Its anime-inspired approach may not match the standards set by Peter Jackson’s films, and it does not fully establish its own direction. Even so, it offers a modestly appealing new take on a story set in Middle-earth.
Sources: Reactor.