Movies and series not to be missed this November Waiting for Del Toro's "Frankenstein" and the grand finale of "Stranger Things"

Wizards of crime, literary creatures, and extraterrestrial predators. There are many returns to cinemas and TV series this November, leading up to the event of the year at the end of the month: the first episodes of the fifth season of Stranger Things. Here’s what not to miss in the meantime, between theaters and streaming platforms.

A Simple Accident - from November 6 in theaters

Jafar Panahi wins the Palme d’Or at Cannes and arrives in Italian cinemas from November 6 with A Simple Accident, a new film that continues to communicate through a filmography that has always been anarchic and independent and, as in his previous works, takes a firm stand against the Iranian regime. This time, the story follows two characters who crossed paths in the past and find themselves again with reversed roles, all because of, precisely, a simple accident.

Predator: Badlands - from November 6 in theaters

Even Elle Fanning joins the world of Predator with Predator - Badlands, alongside fellow actor Dimitrius Koloamatangi. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, already behind 2022’s Prey and the CGI animated film Predator - Killer of Killers, the actors are thrown into a world where the inexperienced hunter Dek (Koloamatangi), a member of an advanced alien species, travels across the cosmos to face opponents in deadly combat. Unable to meet his clan’s expectations, he is exiled and crosses paths with the abandoned android Thia (Fanning), who remains conscious despite lacking her lower limbs. Together, Dek and Thia must confront a brutal and inhospitable world.

Frankenstein - from November 7 on Netflix

After a short theatrical release, also meant to qualify for the upcoming Oscars, Frankenstein by Guillermo Del Toro arrives on Netflix on November 7, presenting his version of Mary Shelley’s story, which has fascinated him since childhood. It’s the project the Mexican director and screenwriter has always wanted to make, reimagined to give more space to a fantastical love story and to bring audiences even closer to the Creature. The role is played by young sex symbol Jacob Elordi, joined by Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz. A grand, imaginative production, fully immersed in Del Toro’s fable-like vision and creativity.

Pluribus - from November 7 on AppleTV+

Perhaps one of the most anticipated shows of the month, Pluribus marks the return of Vince Gilligan to television, the mind behind cult classics Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. A sci-fi story, it follows the aftermath of a mysterious event that forever changes the fate of humanity. The lead role is played by Rhea Seehorn, who, under Gilligan’s direction, moves from Kim Wexler to the new protagonist Carol Sturka.

Maxton Hall: The World Between Us - from November 7 on Prime Video

Missing The Summer I Turned Pretty? Don’t worry, Prime Video’s got you covered. While waiting to see the triangle of Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah on the big screen, the platform will release the second season of Maxton Hall: The World Between Us on November 7, a show that captured audiences’ attention, and whose first season can be rewatched while waiting for the new episodes. In Maxton Hall: The World Between Us, things seem to be going perfectly for Ruby, played by Harriet Herbig-Matten. But everything changes when James, Damian Hardung, brings her back to reality, torn between wounds, passions, and a world that’s increasingly elitist.

Mrs. Playmen - from November 12 on Netflix

Carolina Crescentini stars in the new Netflix series Mrs. Playmen, which, after Supersex, once again brings the streamer’s Italian production into the world of eroticism. This time, the focus is on the universe of the famous adult magazine that gives the show its title, taken over and run with originality and initiative by Adelina Tattilo, an entrepreneur who revolutionized sexuality and culture in Italy. The cast also includes Francesco Colella, Filippo Nigro, Giuseppe Maggio, and Lidia Vitale.

The Maestro - from November 13 in theaters

Sports, mental health, and the 1980s. The Maestro stars Pierfrancesco Favino as an unusual mentor guiding the career of a young tennis prodigy. A film that blends road movie and drama, irony, and a touch of melancholy. A story that echoes the bittersweet comedies of Italian cinema, written (with Ludovica Rampoldi) and directed by Andrea Di Stefano.

The Beast in Me - from November 13 on Netflix

Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys star in Netflix’s original series The Beast in Me, created by Gabe Rotter and directed by Antonio Campos. The episodes follow writer Aggie Wiggs (Danes), who has withdrawn from public life following the death of her son. She spends her days in solitude until her neighbor Nile (Rhys), a real estate developer with a dark past and suspected of his wife’s disappearance, enters her life. A tale of intrigue, manipulation, and desire, this mystery explores the inner demons of its protagonists.

The Running Man - from November 13 in theaters

The Running Man is a remake of 1987’s The Running Man, this time starring Glen Powell in place of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the new film by director and screenwriter Edgar Wright. Also based on The Running Man by Stephen King, the film is set in a dystopian United States under a totalitarian regime on the brink of economic collapse. To pay for his daughter’s medical treatment, Ben (Powell) joins the deadly TV competition The Running Man, where contestants live as fugitives, and if they survive for thirty days without being caught or killed, they win a huge cash prize.

The Perfect Illusion - Now You See Me: Now You Don’t - from November 13 in theaters

With the long title The Perfect Illusion - Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, the franchise launched in 2013 with Now You See Me returns to theaters, once again starring the team led by Jesse Eisenberg, joined by young actors Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, and Ariana Greenblatt. The crew is back for another extraordinary heist: they must steal the precious diamonds of the notorious criminal Veronika Vanderberg, played by Rosamund Pike.

In Your Dreams - from November 14 on Netflix

Netflix returns to animation with In Your Dreams, featuring exceptional voice actors (in the original version) Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti, and Craig Robinson. The film is written and directed by Alex Woo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Erik Benson, and tells the story of a brother and sister and their strange wish: to have the perfect family.

Call My Agent 3 - from November 14 on Sky

A small case of Italian serial television. From November 14, Call My Agent - Italia returns on Sky, a remake of the French series Dix pour cent (Call My Agent!), which first aired in 2023. As usual, many well-known actors appear as guest stars throughout the episodes. For the third season, the cast includes Luca Argentero and Miriam Leone, the duo Ficarra & Picone, and members of the original cast from the series Romanzo Criminale. And, of course, Emanuela Fanelli and Corrado Guzzanti return, while the CMA agents once again try to save the company’s future.

Wicked Part Two - from November 19 in theaters

After the worldwide success of Part One, Wicked arrives in theaters with its final chapter, which promises to be even more epic, more emotional, and even more musical. After leaving Elphaba on her mission to expose the Wizard of Oz, the heroine is now ready to carry out her plan, even if it costs her everything. The lead roles are once again played by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

The Smashing Machine - from November 19 in theaters

After premiering at the Venice Film Festival and winning the Best Director Award, Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine hits theaters, bringing to the big screen the transformation of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson from a mainly comedic and action actor to a potential Oscar contender. The film tells the true story of American mixed martial artist Mark Kerr and his struggle with addiction.

40 Seconds - from November 19 in theaters

Successfully presented at the latest Rome Film Festival, 40 Seconds revisits the true crime story surrounding the death of young Willy Monteiro Duarte, building around it a narrative of the twenty-four hours leading up to the tragedy. A story inspired by real events that aims to awaken social awareness, written by Giuseppe Stasi and Vincenzo Alfieri, with the latter also directing the film.

Dreams - from November 20 in theaters

Michel Franco returns to provoke and challenge audiences. The Mexican director brings Dreams to theaters, which premiered at the latest Berlin Film Festival, once again directing Jessica Chastain, who previously worked with him on Memory. In this film, the actress plays Jennifer McCarthy, a philanthropist whose life is upended by the arrival of dancer Fernando, portrayed by Isaac Hernández.

Train Dreams - from November 21 on Netflix

Acclaimed at the Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered, Train Dreams by Clint Bentley arrives on Netflix from November 21. It is based on the novel by Denis Johnson and stars Joel Edgerton, alongside Felicity Jones, Clifton Collins Jr., and Kerry Condon. Set in the 20th century, the film follows Robert (Edgerton), a laborer working on the expansion of the railway network between Idaho and Washington. Everything seems to be going smoothly until, feeling that he is being followed both in the real world and in his dreams, he becomes convinced he has been touched by a curse.

All Her Fault - from November 23 on Sky

Sarah Snook returns to television after Succession with All Her Fault, based on the novel of the same name by Andrea Mara, co-starring Dakota Fanning and Sophia Lillis. The series follows Marissa (Snook), whose life is turned upside down when, one day, she goes to pick up her son after an afternoon at a friend’s house, only to discover he’s missing, and the woman who answers the door insists she has no idea what Marissa is talking about.

Zootropolis 2 - from November 26 in theaters

Among the most beloved recent Disney animated films, there is without a doubt Zootropolis. For this reason, the arrival of its sequel is highly anticipated, coming to theaters on November 26, almost ten years after the first chapter. Zootropolis 2, directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, once again follows the adventures of its protagonists, Judy the rabbit police officer and her friend Nick. This time, the duo must investigate a very difficult case involving the mysterious reptile Gary, who has arrived in the city with the intention of throwing it into chaos.

Wake Up Dead Man: Knives Out - from November 26 in theaters

The third chapter of Knives Out arrives in theaters on November 26 with Wake Up Dead Man, once again starring Daniel Craig as detective Benoit Blanc. This time, the investigator finds himself in a village that seems deeply pious at first glance, but is actually inhabited by a series of rather peculiar individuals whose true natures emerge after a sudden murder shakes their community.

Stranger Things 5 - from November 27 on Netflix

It is the event of the month, the one everyone has been waiting for, and it will accompany viewers all the way to the end of 2025, with the final episode scheduled for December 31. We’re talking about Stranger Things and its fifth season, which premieres with the first four episodes on Netflix starting November 27. We return once more to Hawkins, in the year 1987, where the protagonists are still searching for a way to destroy Vecna, who in the meantime appears to have vanished into thin air.

Die My Love - from November 27 in theaters

Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson bring to life the novel Die, My Love by Ariana Harwicz, which serves as the inspiration for Die My Love, directed by Lynne Ramsay and written in collaboration with Enda Walsh and Alice Birch. The film offers a visceral portrait of motherhood, exploring its most primal and animalistic instincts, centering on a protagonist consumed by both love and madness, her emotions burning like wildfire in a world that blurs the line between passion and destruction.