Best things to watch on Netflix this October

Everyone’s favourite Merc with a Mouth makes his filthy streaming debut this October.

But while Deadpool reigns as the obvious king of new Netflix releases this month, there are many other gems that will satisfy your binge-watching urges. The highly-rated Black Mirror makes its Netflix debut, after the company successfully outbid UK’s Channel 4 on the rights to the show. But the onus is still clearly on originals, as Netflix continues its crusade to be both production house and distribution service, beholden only to its audience’s views and ratings.

Here’s our pick of the five best binge-watches debuting on Netflix this October.

Deadpool

Release Date: October 1
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein

Deadpool absolutely needs no introduction, and this will likely be at the top of your queue after the kids go to sleep. Whether you’re fondly rewatching for all of the gory bits, or you somehow missed the movie on the silver screen, Deadpool is one of those rare instances where hype perfectly matched up to the end result.

Black Mirror

Release Date: October 21

Black Mirror, created and written by Charlie Brooker, is a finely crafted series that taps into our collective unease about the modern world and new technology. The series is dark, thought-provoking, and remains one of the best things you can see on television. Netflix scooped Black Mirror from Channel 4 after two glorious seasons and a Christmas special, featuring Jon Hamm.  While the British public-service broadcaster is hardly happy about the loss, Netflix has given the show an increased budget and an expanded six episode run.

Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

Release Date: October 21
Cast: Kaoru Kobayashi, Joe Odagiri, Mansaku Fuwa

There are very few details about this Japanese-language series coming later in the month. The Netflix original seems to expand on 2014’s Midnight Diner (trailer above), about a busy midnight diner and the eclectic mix of clientele coming through its doors. Lead Kaoru Kobayashi not only reprises his Master proprietor character from the movie, but he also played in a 2009 Japanese TV series that had much the same premise.

Being George Clooney

Release Date: October 15
Cast: Gustavo Andriewiski, Arzu Balkan, Chiara Barzini

This quirky, off-beat documentary reminds us of what Netflix does best, bringing to light random topics that we wouldn’t have discovered on our own. Being George Clooney is about the world of international audio dubbing, which you didn’t know could be so fascinating and humorous all at once.

Russell Peters: Almost Famous

Release Date: October 7
Cast: Russell Peters

We’ve got to give the last nod to Canadian boy Russell Peters, who’s been busy educating audiences, both at home and abroad, about the complexities of family and race. Almost Famous, just like his other Netflix specials, features Peters in front of a live audience in Toronto, with new racially incorrect and startlingly truthful observations. (In the meantime, watch Russell Peters vs. The World, a four-part series that follows Peters behind-the-scenes on tour.)

Bonus: Marvel’s Luke Cage

Release Date: September 30
Cast: Mike Colter, Mahershala Ali, Alfre Woodard

While we already highlighted the Jessica Jones spin-off last month, anticipation is high for Luke Cage’s solo series debut. So much that we hardly need to remind you that Luke Cage drops on Netflix at the end of September. Marvel adaptations on the small screen have kept us more than busy between big movie blockbusters, and Luke Cage stands to gain similar acclaim as popular Netflix superhero hits like Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Guess we’re staying in this weekend.