{"id":560018,"date":"2026-07-21T02:37:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T02:37:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/560018\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T02:37:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T02:37:18","slug":"4-excellent-netflix-movies-to-watch-this-week-july-20-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/560018\/","title":{"rendered":"4 excellent Netflix movies to watch this week (July 20-26)"},"content":{"rendered":"

As we round the corner into the final straight of July, Netflix<\/a> still has a lot of life left in it when it comes to options that make for good weekday movie nights. Netflix U.S. viewers seem to still be flocking to the disaster doc, Shipwrecked: Nightmare at Sea, that we covered in our weekly roundup of documentaries<\/a>, as it still sits in the streamer’s Top 3, but if a doc isn’t what you’re looking for, read on.<\/p>\n

This week, my top pick is a beautifully dark Oscar magnet from Yorgos Lanthimos if you’re up for something truly unique. I’m also recommending a handful of other great films, including a claustrophobic and thrilling WWII submarine epic, a commuter thriller with a memory problem, and a superhero who’d rather be doing his homework.<\/p>\n

4 <\/p>\n

Spider-Man: Homecoming<\/p>\n

Catch Tom Holland at the beginning before you see Brand New Day<\/p>\n

With less than two weeks left to go before Tom Holland swings back into theaters in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, why not take advantage of Netflix’s licensing of where it all started for Holland in the solo movies with 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming<\/a>. Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, Peter Parker (Holland) is back to the grind of normal high school life in Queens, while still all kinds of self-conscious about being good enough to be an Avenger.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"How-ToQuiz<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t8 Questions \u00b7 Test Your Knowledge
\n\t\t\t\tName that Spider-Man
Trivia challenge<\/p>\n

Five web-slingers, one quiz \u2014 can you tell your Peter Parkers from your
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMiles Morales?<\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSpider-ManMarvelMoviesCharactersActors \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Begin<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man famously said ‘With great power comes great responsibility’ in a
\n\t\t\t\t\tvoice-over at the start of his first solo film?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tAAndrew GarfieldBNicolas CageCTobey MaguireDTom Holland \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

That’s right \u2014 Tobey Maguire! Sam Raimi’s 2002 Spider-Man opened with
\n\t\t\t\tMaguire’s Peter Parker delivering that iconic line as a voice-over, setting the moral tone for the
\n\t\t\t\tentire trilogy. It became one of the most quoted superhero movie lines ever.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Not quite \u2014 the answer is Tobey Maguire. Sam Raimi’s 2002 Spider-Man
\n\t\t\t\topened with Maguire’s narration of that iconic line, cementing it as the defining motto of the character
\n\t\t\t\tfor a generation of fans. It helped establish a morally grounded tone that the whole trilogy built on. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man is a teenager from Brooklyn who discovers he has spider-powers
\n\t\t\t\t\tafter being bitten, and whose story is told through a groundbreaking animated style?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tANicolas Cage as Spider-Man NoirBShameik Moore as Miles MoralesCTom Holland as Peter ParkerDAndrew Garfield as Peter Parker \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Exactly \u2014 Shameik Moore voices Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Into the
\n\t\t\t\tSpider-Verse! Miles is an Afro-Latino teen from Brooklyn who takes up the Spider-Man mantle after the
\n\t\t\t\tPeter Parker of his universe is killed. The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in
\n\t\t\t\t2019.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The correct answer is Shameik Moore as Miles Morales. Miles is an
\n\t\t\t\tAfro-Latino teen from Brooklyn at the center of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which won the Academy
\n\t\t\t\tAward for Best Animated Feature in 2019. The film’s revolutionary animation style blended comic book
\n\t\t\t\taesthetics with cutting-edge CGI.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man appeared in a black-and-white noir universe and was voiced by a
\n\t\t\t\t\tmajor Hollywood actor known for his eccentric roles?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tATobey MaguireBAndrew GarfieldCShameik MooreDNicolas Cage \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Correct \u2014 Nicolas Cage voiced Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the
\n\t\t\t\tSpider-Verse! This version of Spider-Man comes from a gritty 1930s black-and-white universe and speaks
\n\t\t\t\tin a hard-boiled detective style. Cage even reprised the role in the live-action series Spider-Man Noir
\n\t\t\t\ton MGM+.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The answer is Nicolas Cage! He voiced Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man:
\n\t\t\t\tInto the Spider-Verse, a version of the hero from a grim 1930s black-and-white universe who speaks like
\n\t\t\t\ta classic film noir detective. Cage later reprised the character in a live-action series on MGM+.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man actor was the first to portray the character as an active student
\n\t\t\t\t\tat the Midtown School of Science and Technology within the MCU?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tATobey MaguireBAndrew GarfieldCTom HollandDShameik Moore \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

That’s Tom Holland! His Peter Parker debuted in Captain America: Civil
\n\t\t\t\tWar in 2016 and was explicitly shown as a 15-year-old high schooler balancing classes, homework, and
\n\t\t\t\tsuperheroics. Holland’s youthful portrayal was widely praised for finally capturing the nerdy, awkward
\n\t\t\t\tenergy of the comic book Peter Parker.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The correct answer is Tom Holland. His MCU Peter Parker debuted in
\n\t\t\t\tCaptain America: Civil War as a 15-year-old attending the Midtown School of Science and Technology.
\n\t\t\t\tHolland’s portrayal was praised for leaning into the geeky, high school energy of the original comics
\n\t\t\t\tmore authentically than previous versions.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man famously used web-shooters that he built himself rather than
\n\t\t\t\t\torganic web-spinnerets that were a biological result of his spider bite?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tATobey MaguireBAndrew GarfieldCNicolas CageDShameik Moore \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Right \u2014 Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
\n\t\t\t\tused mechanical web-shooters he invented himself, just like in the original comics. Tobey Maguire’s
\n\t\t\t\tversion had organic webbing, which was a deliberate departure from the source material by director Sam
\n\t\t\t\tRaimi. Garfield’s use of tech-made shooters was seen as a more comics-accurate touch.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The answer is Andrew Garfield. His Amazing Spider-Man used mechanical
\n\t\t\t\tweb-shooters of his own design, staying true to the original comic books. Tobey Maguire’s version
\n\t\t\t\tfamously had organic webbing \u2014 a controversial change made by Sam Raimi that divided fans at the time. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man lifted a massive amount of debris off himself in a deeply emotional
\n\t\t\t\t\tscene that became one of the most celebrated moments in superhero movie history?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tATom HollandBShameik MooreCAndrew GarfieldDTobey Maguire \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

That’s Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man 2 (2004)! Trapped under collapsing
\n\t\t\t\tmachinery with no powers, Peter Parker digs deep and pushes the rubble off himself through sheer will,
\n\t\t\t\taccompanied by a stirring score. Many critics and fans consider it the defining heroic moment of the
\n\t\t\t\tRaimi trilogy.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The answer is Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man 2. Trapped under crushing
\n\t\t\t\tdebris with his powers failing him, Maguire’s Peter Parker pushes through by sheer determination in one
\n\t\t\t\tof the most emotionally stirring scenes in superhero cinema. The sequence is often cited as a high point
\n\t\t\t\tof Sam Raimi’s entire trilogy.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man’s love interest was Gwen Stacy, played by Emma Stone, whose fate in
\n\t\t\t\t\tthe sequel became one of the most talked-about moments of that era’s comic book movies?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tATobey MaguireBTom HollandCAndrew GarfieldDNicolas Cage \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Correct \u2014 Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man was romantically paired with Gwen
\n\t\t\t\tStacy, played by Emma Stone, in The Amazing Spider-Man series. In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Gwen dies in
\n\t\t\t\ta tragic fall, mirroring her iconic death in the comics. The scene was emotionally charged, and
\n\t\t\t\tGarfield’s real-life relationship with Stone added extra weight to their on-screen chemistry.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The answer is Andrew Garfield. His Spider-Man’s primary love interest
\n\t\t\t\twas Gwen Stacy, played by Emma Stone, across The Amazing Spider-Man films. Her death in the sequel
\n\t\t\t\tdirectly echoed one of the most famous storylines in Marvel Comics history, and Garfield and Stone’s
\n\t\t\t\treal-life romance gave their on-screen pairing an authentic emotional depth.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

Which Spider-Man tearfully told a dying Tony Stark ‘I don’t want to go’ after being
\n\t\t\t\t\tun-snapped in Avengers: Endgame and reuniting on the battlefield?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tAAndrew GarfieldBTobey MaguireCShameik MooreDTom Holland \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

That’s Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in Avengers: Endgame! After being
\n\t\t\t\trestored by Hulk’s snap, Peter rushes to a dying Tony Stark and tearfully says ‘We won, Mr. Stark’
\n\t\t\t\tbefore breaking down. Holland has spoken about how he improvised much of the emotion in that scene,
\n\t\t\t\tmaking it one of the MCU’s most gut-wrenching moments.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The correct answer is Tom Holland. His Peter Parker reunites with a
\n\t\t\t\tfatally wounded Tony Stark on the Endgame battlefield, delivering one of the MCU’s most heartbreaking
\n\t\t\t\tperformances. Holland has mentioned in interviews that he improvised parts of the emotion in that scene,
\n\t\t\t\twhich contributed to its raw, authentic impact.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

See My Score<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\tChallenge Complete
\n\t\t\t\tYour Score<\/p>\n

\/ 8<\/p>\n

Thanks for playing!<\/p>\n

Try Again \n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t <\/p>\n

With Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) taking Peter under his wing, the young webslinger wants nothing more than to impress his idol, so he goes against Stark’s instruction to lay low and instead decides to take on the deadly meched-out flying villain Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton), who’s been salvaging alien tech. Homecoming is worth it just for the incredible Staten Island ferry battle\/rescue scene in which one of the alien weapons lasers the ferry in half. Spider-Man: Homecoming has an excellent 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<\/p>\n

3 <\/p>\n

The Girl on the Train<\/p>\n

A spiraling woman obsessed over a supposed murder plot<\/p>\n

In one of Emily Blunt’s darker, more psychologically vulnerable roles, the Oscar-nominated actress stars in this twisted crime thriller as Rachel Watson, a woman coming apart after her divorce from Tom (Justin Theroux). A struggling alcoholic, to hide the fact that she’s lost her job, Rachel continues her daily train commute, where she obsesses over the seemingly perfect relationship of a couple, Megan and Scott, that she spies on each day from the train window.<\/p>\n

Things spiral out of control when Rachel wakes up in her apartment, covered in blood, with no memory of the night before, and then learns that Megan has gone missing. Oh, and Megan and Scott happen to live a few doors down from Tom and his new wife, Anna (Silo’s Rebecca Ferguson). The Girl on the Train<\/a> is a haunting whodunnit that will leave you wondering what’s real and what isn’t, as Rachel obsesses over the investigation and whether she had anything to do with it.<\/p>\n

2 <\/p>\n

U-571<\/p>\n

Matthew McConaughey and crew hijack a Nazi sub<\/p>\n

If you’ve got an excellent sound system on your home theater, then you are absolutely going to want to check out U-571<\/a>, an intense WWII submarine thriller from 2000 that won the Oscar for Best Sound Editing for its explosive underwater battle sequences and creaky submarine onboard action.<\/p>\n

Set in 1942, U-571 follows Lt. Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey), an executive officer who’s been passed over for his own command, who instead is chosen to join Lt. Cmdr. Mike Dahlgren (Bill Paxton) and salty Chief Klough (Harvey Keitel) on a secret mission: to take over a crippled German sub, take its crew hostage, and steal the Enigma code-breaking machine on board. But when the real German rescue submarine arrives, the jig is up, and the Americans find themselves on the run and dodging depth charges and torpedoes in a tin can they don’t really know how to operate.<\/p>\n

1 <\/p>\n

Poor Things<\/p>\n

Emma Stone is reborn in Yorgos Lanthimos’ wild Victorian fantasy<\/p>\n

Yorgos Lanthimos is one of the most unique and exciting filmmakers of the last 15 years, whose films, such as The Lobster, The Favourite, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and Bugonia, are cinematic works of art. Also among those titles is 2023’s Poor Things<\/a>, Lanthimos’ 11-time Oscar-nominated masterpiece that won its star Emma Stone her second Best Actress statue.<\/p>\n

Stone, who has starred in four Lanthimos films, is brilliant as Bella Baxter (Stone), a Victorian woman brought back from the dead by experimental surgeon Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), but who’s literally starting from scratch as she’s been given the brain of an infant. In Lanthimos’ vivid, pastel-colored steampunkinsh world, the impulsive Bella is racing to take in all the things on hyperdrive\u2014love, hate, sex, food, everything\u2014as she learns the highs and lows of being human. It’s hands-down the most fascinating and fantastical movie on this list, and it has a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.<\/p>\n

Four uniquely great movies<\/p>\n

You can’t go wrong with any of the films on this week’s list, but if you’re looking for more suggestions for Netflix, or any other streaming service for that matter, swing by How-To Geek’s streaming section<\/a> where we uncover all the best stuff so you don’t have to.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tSubscription with ads \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes, $8\/month<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tSimultaneous streams \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTwo or four<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tLive TV \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tPrice \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStarting at $8\/month<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As we round the corner into the final straight of July, Netflix still has a lot of life…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":560019,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[93,61,60,270],"class_list":["post-560018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-movies","tag-entertainment","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-movies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/560018","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=560018"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/560018\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/560019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=560018"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=560018"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=560018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}