This is the part where I say, “it’s that time of month again,” referring to some vague trend I picked up while perusing the list myself. Only, this time, I’m a week late, so I don’t get to be cute. As usual, here are a few highlights for Netflix October 2015, and then the entire list, dated for your accommodation and my word count.

Batman Begins

More than just Christian Bale’s throat-challenged Bruce Wayne began in Christopher Nolan’s first bat film. Without this film, we wouldn’t have gotten the second. Let’s not talk about the third. Batman Begins is great on its own though, featuring badass Liam Neeson pre-Taken and a true origin to the Batman. The scarecrow also makes an appearance, owing the film some of the most Gothic imagery of the entire series.

Million Dollar Baby

When Clint Eastwood isn’t determined to make a point, his films often shine for their contemplative quality. As was such in Unforgiven, as is such in Million Dollar Baby, which introduced the world to Hillary Swank and a female boxing story outrageously superior to all the macho stuff hailed as revolutionary for the gruff, tough men. This one’s about attaining power, not proving it.

The Flash: Season 1

You might accuse the CW of sticking to a certain formula, but then there’s The Flash, which overturned Arrow‘s dire atmosphere for a more lighthearted hero in Grant Gustin’s Peter Parkerish speedster. It’s a shared universe with Arrow, raising both shows considerably in their crossover events and, of course, adding literal superpowers to their DC lineup. The first season of The Flash is surprisingly good, offering as many twists to the timeline as there are meta-humans running around Central City.

Beasts of No Nation

Cary Fukunaga, who blessed the first season of True Detective with a cinematic power unseen after (he notably wasn’t affiliated with season 2), directs the equally powerful Idris Elba in a story that might seem a bit overdone at this point. A boy becomes engulfed by the charisma of an African warlord, turned to a soldier for lack of anything else. That said, did I mention Elba and Fukunaga? That matters, as does the film’s 95 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film festivals loved it.

Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Film Collection

Disney hit quite a stride with its lead-in animated shorts in the past few years. This was inevitable, but Netflix might just be the perfect place to enjoy them all over again. Paperman, Get A Horse! and Feast, in particular, are near infallible examples of craft-meets-purpose efficiency. All three took a unique animation style and found a subject to bring it to life.

October 1

A Christmas Carol (1938)
About Alex (2014)
Alexander: Theatrical Cut (2004)
American Pie (1999)
Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics Collection: Collection 1
Batman Begins (2005)
Boogie Nights (1997)
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Curse of Chucky (2013)
Dark Was the Night (2014)
Design on a Dime Collection: Collection 1
El Tiempo Entre Costuras (2013)
Extreme Homes Collection: Collection 1
Fixer Upper: Season 1
Genevieve’s Renovation: Season 1
Glass Chin (2014)
House Hunters Renovation Collection: Collection 1
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Million Dollar Rooms Collection: Collection 1
Monkey Thieves: Seasons 1-3
On the Town (1949)
Pal Joey (1957)
Pepe (1960)
Pressure (2015)
Property Virgins Collection: Collection 1
Reasonable Doubt (2014)
Richard Pryor: Icon (2014)
Robin Williams Remembered – A Pioneers of Television Special (2014)
Some Came Running (1958)
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949)
The Devil at 4 O’Clock (1961)
The Great Food Truck Race Collection: Collection 1
The Navy SEALs: Their Untold Story (2014)
The Nightmare (2015)
Throwdown with Bobby Flay Collection: Collection 1
Uncle Grandpa: Season 1 (more episodes)
Vanilla Ice Project: Seasons 1-4
Wakfu: Season 1
White Rabbit (2013)
Wild Horses (2015)
Worst Cooks in America Collection: Collection 1

October 2

Anjelah Johnson: Not Fancy (2015) – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
La Leyenda de la Nahuala (2007)
Reign: Season 2
The Vampire Diaries: Season 6 

October 3

Alpha and Omega 5: Family Vacation (2015)

October 5

Team Hot Wheels: Build the Epic Race (2015)

October 6

American Horror Story: Freak Show (Season 4)
The Flash: Season 1
iZombie: Season 1
Last Man Standing: Season 4
The Originals: Season 2
Tremors 5: Bloodline (2015)

October 7

Arrow: Season 3
Flor Salvaje: Season 1
Legends: Season 1
Supernatural: Season 10

October 8

Strangerland (2015)
American Heist (2014) 

October 9

Mighty Med: Season 2
The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show: Season 1 – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Winter on Fire (2015) – NETFLIX ORIGINAL

October 10

Lalaloopsy: Band Together (2015)

October 11

Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me (2014)

October 12

Jane the Virgin: Season 1

October 14

The Lazarus Effect (2015)

October 15

Finding Jesus: Faith. Fact. Forgery: Season 1
Isabella Rossellini’s Green Porno Live! (2015)
The Five People You Meet in Heaven: Part 1 / Part 2 (2004)

October 16

All Hail King Julien: Season 2 – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Anthony Jeselnik: Thoughts and Prayers (2015)- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Beasts of No Nation (2015) – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Circle (2015) – NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE
Some Assembly Required: Season 2 – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
The Principal: Season 1

October 18

Ain’t Them Bodies Saints (2013)

October 20

Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered (2014)
Marvel’s Avengers Assemble: Season 2

October 22

Results (2015)

October 23

Hemlock Grove: Season 3 – NETFLIX ORIGINAL

October 24

Jack Strong (2014)

October 25

Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection (2015)

October 27

August: Osage County (2013)
Manson Family Vacation (2015) – NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE

October 28

Chasing Life: Season 2
The Gunman (2015)

October 29

Return to Sender (2015)

October 30

Popples: Season 1 – NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Every New TV Show and Movie on Netflix October 2015