December is the holiday season, a time when many families and friends gather to enjoy new Netflix movies. So, we are happy to report that in December 2023, Netflix offered up a slew of critically acclaimed films.

Netflix is focusing on superheroics this month, with films from the DC Cinematic Universe coming to the streaming service. While Batman vs. Superman is not on this list, you may be surprised to see some critically acclaimed films in this poorly received franchise. Viewers who aren't as interested in comics aren't left out in the cold, either. If you prefer films with less spandex, there are plenty of options.

Every new Netflix film on this list has scored at least 90% on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. This does not guarantee that you will enjoy the films, but it does indicate that they are worthy of being on your watch list. Be sure to check out our list of new movies and shows to watch this month, as well as the new Netflix + Max bundle offered for $10. Yes, there's a catch.

A sort of quasi-sequel to 2016's critically acclaimed "Suicide Squad," "Suicide Squad" is pretty much everything its predecessor was not. Written and directed by James Gunn, the man responsible for Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" trilogy, the film is a raucous comic book movie that brings together a diverse group of anti-heroes on a bloody mission to save the world. It's violent, badass, silly and fun.

This time, the titular group of prisoners are sent on a mission to locate a laboratory on the fictional South American island of Corto Malta and destroy all the sensitive information inside. If they succeed, their sentences will be commuted. If they fail, the consequences will be fatal. Margot Robbie reprises her role as Harley Quinn in the 2020 version of the film, which also features new friends such as Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Peacemaker (John Cena), and Polkadot Man (David Dastmalchian).

Genre Superhero Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90 Streaming on Netflix

Shazam. is a novel idea for a superhero film. A troubled foster child named Billy Batson (Asher Angel) is chosen as the new champion by a powerful wizard. Billy can transform into an adult superhero (Zachary Levi) by uttering the magic word "Shazam." Teaming up with his foster brother and best friend Freddie Freeman (Jack Dylan Glazer), Billy must stop the evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong), who plans to use the power of the seven deadly sins to rule the world.

After a string of very serious DC movies, Shazam. represented a much-anticipated change of pace in 2019. While the stakes are certainly high, Billy is on a comedic mission to save the world, and "Shazam" is not afraid to revel in the silliness inherent in superheroes. A sequel was released earlier this year, but was a critical and commercial dud.

Genre Superhero Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90 Streaming on Netflix

Directed by Todd Haynes, "The Lion of May" follows an actress (Natalie Portman) as she prepares for a controversial role when she meets a real-life woman (Julianne Moore) who is notorious for having an affair with a minor. Despite the scandalous start of their relationship, the two are still together 23 years later, but the arrival of the actress puts new pressures on them.

May December premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year and received rave reviews and a prestigious Palme d'Or nomination immediately after its screening. There has been a lot of awards buzz, with cast member Charles Melton winning the New York Film Critics Circle Award last month and being a leading contender for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. It also won the Best Screenplay Award at the same ceremony. This would explain why "May 12" is one of the strongest Netflix originals of the year.

Genre Drama Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92 Streaming on Netflix

Wonder Woman is one of the world's most iconic superheroes, and in 2017, she finally made it to the big screen with this truly amazing action epic. Diana Prince, played by Gal Gadot, is an immortal Amazon warrior and princess of Themyscira. Diana believes the war was started by her Amazonian nemesis, Ares. [She is accompanied by an American pilot named Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), and the two travel across desolate Europe to stop the fighting. Although the DCU failed to achieve the consistent heights of its fierce rival, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, during this era, "Wonder Woman" is arguably DC's best film on the silver screen to date. Director Patty Jenkins has crafted a hugely enjoyable superhero film that is both inspirational and a commentary on human nature. Simply brilliant.

Genre Superhero Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93 Streaming on Netflix

The highly overlooked film Love & Monsters was a victim of poor timing when it was released in 2020. For understandable reasons, given what was happening in the world at the time, many audiences were not expecting a post-apocalyptic film. But now, years later, "Love & Monsters" definitely deserves another look as a fun and engaging creature feature film.

Seven years after an apocalyptic event released bloodthirsty monsters into society, humanity has been driven underground. Joel Dawson (Dylan O'Brien) is fed up with living among the couple-like inhabitants of the subterranean colony. So he comes up with the only reasonable solution and sets out on an 80-mile adventure across the monster-infested land to reunite with his high school girlfriend, Amy (Jessica Henwick). Enjoyable from start to finish, this "Love & Monsters" is not to be missed a second time.

Genre Adventure Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94 Streaming on Netflix

A brilliant depiction of Los Angeles in the 1990s, "Boys & the Hood" follows Tre (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) as he moves in with his father (Laurence Fishburne) in South Central after his mother worries that he is falling behind his classmates. He is forced to move in with his father (Laurence Fishburne) in South Central. There he forms a band with his former childhood friend Darin (Ice Cube) and Darin's half-brother Ricky (Morris Chestnut). While his father tries to guide him, the trio is drawn into the neighborhood's booming gang culture, with increasingly tragic consequences.

Considered a breakout role for Ice Cube and Cuba Gooding Jr, Boyz n the Hood is not afraid to show the tough side of Los Angeles' seedy underworld, but also explores brotherhood and the effects of someone's environment. It is a powerful film with a stellar cast, including Angela Bassett and Regina King. Its cultural impact was so great that it was nominated for a string of Academy Awards and was preserved in the Library of Congress in 2002.

Genre Drama Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96 Streaming on Netflix

One of the most famous crime films of all time, L.A. Confidential was deemed culturally significant and selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in 2015. More than 20 years after its initial release, it is still a gripping epic about the intersection of police corruption and Hollywood celebrity. It's a tremendous elevator pitch.

The film focuses on three LAPD detectives (Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, and Guy Pearce) who are sent to investigate a serial murder case. While investigating these brutal crimes, they uncover evidence that points to corruption within the department and are determined to sniff out whatever the personal and professional cost may be. The film also stars Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, and James Cromwell; L.A. Confidential is the definition of a 90s classic.

Genre Crime Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99 Streaming on Netflix