3 Movies and 3 Series Streaming in November You Won’t Want to Miss

And just like that, we’re approaching the second-to-last month of the year. But as we prepare to enter November — and all the holiday season hubbub right around the corner — don’t let the fresh films and series releasing this month pass you by.

We’ve determined six new titles — evenly split between movies and shows — premiering in November that you won’t want to miss, along with the noteworthy performances to anticipate in each.

Movies

Quiz Lady

A comedy starring Awkwafina and Sandra Oh as two sisters who couldn’t be more different — need we say more?

Let’s start with the fresh premise of the upcoming feature. If you’re bored of what feels like the same old thing on streamers, we promise Quiz Lady is going to be something new.

The movie centers on a brilliant, tightly-wound and gameshow-obsessed young woman named Anne (Awkwafina) and her estranged sister Jenny (Oh), who’s something of a train wreck. The two have to find a way to work together in order to cover their mother’s gambling debts and get back Anne’s beloved dog who was kidnapped because of them. In order to do so, the sisters embark on a wild, cross-country trip to get Anne onto the game show that’ll give them a chance at winning the cash they need.

Besides such an interesting set-up and dynamic lead duo, we’d also like to offer you the other names on the stacked Quiz Lady cast that make this pick a no-brainer for your November watchlist. We’re talking Jason Schwartzman, Holland Taylor, Tony Hale and the king of comedy, himself, Will Ferrell.

You can catch all these performances and more when Quiz Lady premieres on Hulu come November 3.

Fingernails

Greek filmmaker Christos Nikou makes his English-language debut with the upcoming sci-fi romance Fingernails.

The film takes place in an alternate reality void of technological devices, with the exception of a cutting-edge machine that determines whether or not two people are soulmates. The main bio data needed for said true-love test requires the removal of fingernails, adding a bit of body horror to what otherwise appears to be a tender romance.

The trailer for the aptly-titled film teases the felt connection between Anna (Jessie Buckley) and Amir (Riz Ahmed), who work together at the love testing institute. The only catch? Anna has already undergone the procedure with her partner Ryan (Jeremy Allen White) and their test results came back positive for true love. Anna’s not so sure the data’s accurate, though, especially with her newfound feelings for Amir.

In an interview with Variety, Nikou revealed why he wanted to cast Buckley and Ahmed as the film’s star-crossed leads. “Jessie always surprises me in whatever she’s doing,” he noted. “Riz is completely a chameleon, but I’ve never seen both of them in something romantic.”

You can take in their starring work alongside White, as well as performances from Luke Wilson and Annie Murphy when Fingernails makes its global premiere on Apple TV+ come November 3.

Leo

Check out this animated feature’s logline: “An elderly class pet wants a new lease on life — unfortunately, he’s stuck with a bunch of fifth graders.” It’s pretty catchy, especially when said pet is a 74-year-old talking lizard who inadvertently becomes a sort of therapist to the peculiar students in his classroom. Throw in the fact that Adam Sandler co-wrote and stars in the film, you’ve got a movie that’s good for the whole family.

In other words, Leo isn’t an obligatory watch for the kids. Adult viewers can enjoy taking in Sandler’s voice performance as the titular reptile and can also keep an ear out for Bill Burr as Leo’s tankmate Squirtle the turtle.

Let’s not forget about the star-studded supporting cast members who bring some of the film’s other animated characters to life. When Leo releases on Netflix come November 21, you can also listen for the vocal talent of names like Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, Stephanie Hsu and Jo Koy. Plus, the family-friendly film just so happens to be a family affair. We’re talking about some additional voice actors — including the writer/star’s wife, Jackie Sandler, as well as their daughters Sunny and Sadie — who round out the supporting cast of Leo.

Series

All the Light We Cannot See

Looking for a hope-filled World War II drama from the likes of Shawn Levy? Thanks to All the Light We Cannot See, your search is over.

Based on Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel of the same name, the upcoming limited series centers on Marie-Laure Leblanc (Aria Mia Loberti), a blind French girl who flees German-occupied Paris with her father (Mark Ruffalo) to stay with her uncle (Hugh Laurie) on the northwestern coast of France. The series also follows Werner (Louis Hofmann), a teenage boy who’s enlisted in Hitler’s regime because of his expertise in radio repair. Against the harrowing backdrop of WWII, he manages to hold onto hope and resilience through Marie-Laure’s secret broadcasts.

Loberti makes her onscreen debut in the limited series with this starring role in All the Light We Cannot See. She was a Ph.D. student with no acting experience prior to landing the series, but according to Levy, the self tape she submitted for the role of Marie-Laure unequivocally stood out. “From the moment you guys sent me the link to Aria’s audition, I was blown away,” Levy shared during an interview with Doerr.

The rising star shared on social media what landing the role meant to her. “I am sensitive to the extent of this responsibility and what this character means for blind and disabled people, blind girls in particular,” she noted. “A blind lead portrayed by a blind actor. This is a significant leap forward for disability inclusion, rights, and representation on screen and beyond. I will never not feel the weight of that, and I will bear it proudly and use it as a catalyst for positive change, equity, and breaking down barriers.”

You can look forward to seeing her star opposite Hofmann — as well as anticipate performances from Ruffalo and Laurie — when All the Light We Cannot See premieres on Netflix come November 2.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves

Interested in catching the latest collaboration between executive producer Taylor Sheridan and casting director John Papsidera? Look no further than the upcoming, standalone anthology series Lawmen: Bass Reeves. From creator Chad Feehan comes the untold story of the titular hero of the Old West.

David Oyelowo stars as Reeves, and the limited series follows its main character’s rise from enslavement to law enforcement as he becomes the first Black U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi. The show’s trailer teases plenty of action, but its official summary also promises a dose of family drama as Reeves struggles with the weight of his office and how it affects his loved ones.

Besides taking in a lead performance from Oyelowo — who also executive produces with his wife Jessica Oyelowo under their Yoruba Saxon banner — you can anticipate a stacked list of starring cast members that include Donald Sutherland, Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton, Forrest Goodluck, Barry Pepper and Dennis Quaid. Plus, be on the lookout for guest star appearances by Garrett Hedlund and Shea Whigham.

You can catch all these performances and more starting on November 5 when Lawmen: Bass Reeves premieres on Paramount+.

The Buccaneers

If a music-driven period piece — from an all-female creative team — is your thing, this one’s for you. The Buccaneers is inspired by author Edith Wharton’s unfinished final novel of the same name and blends 1870s English aristocracy with a modern, female-forward soundtrack.

The series centers on its titular group of fun-loving, young American women — these “buccaneers” are the daughters of America’s new money class. Despite the best efforts of England’s finest governesses, they’re taking London by storm while on the mission that’s expected of them. That is, to find a low-in-funds but high-in-class aristocrat that’ll be their perfect match.

You’ll have to watch the series to see if everything goes as planned, but its trailer hints towards no while previewing what looks to be a satisfyingly juicy love triangle. The Buccaneers’ ensemble starring cast includes names like Kristine Frøseth, Alisha Boe, Josie Totah, Aubri Ibrag, Imogen Waterhouse, Christina Hendricks and Mia Threapleton.

You can see them in action — along with a strong supporting cast — when the series debuts on Apple TV+ come November 8.

Whether you’re looking for a fresh sister comedy, a Sandler-family animated feature, a hope-filled WWII series or an 1870s Anglo-American culture clash of a show, you can enter into the new month with a varied watchlist of new films and series premiering in November that are full of notable performances to take in.

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