Netflix has a slew of new content for the holiday season, including Christmas movies and special holiday-themed programming.

December 2024 doesn't have a lot of new movies, but the quality is certainly high. The highlight for me is “Mad Max: Death Road to Fury.” This 2015 action epic is one of the most remarkable films of the 21st century and will send your adrenaline soaring to dangerous levels; it's not the only new release worth adding to your Netflix watch list.

All of the films on this list have earned high scores on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, which is no guarantee that they will appeal to you, but it is a solid indicator of a film's quality. So here are the new Netflix movies for December 2024 that you should be streaming right now.

The modern action thriller masterpiece “Zero Dark Thirty” is gripping not only for its dramatic story, but also for its visceral depiction of contemporary conflict. The film is also notable for Jessica Chastain's leading role as Maya, a CIA intelligence analyst obsessed with tracking down terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, and the highly acclaimed directorial skills of Kathryn Bigelow, who also helmed 2008's “The Hurt Locker,” have earned “Zero Dark Thirty” a Zero Dark Thirty was nominated for numerous Academy Awards. [In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Maya (Chastain) struggles to locate those responsible, especially Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the tragic events. With a worldwide manhunt in place, the mission to locate bin Laden becomes all-consuming for Maya. Also starring Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Mark Strong, James Gandolfini, and Chris Pratt, “Zero Dark Thirty” is a well-made and compelling war epic.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91% Streaming on Netflix

“Mad Max: Death Road to Rage” is a film that I appreciate more with each rewatch; I thought it was a great film when it was released in 2015, but as time goes on, its merits more apparent, and I am now convinced that it is a full-fledged masterpiece and one of the best action films ever made. From the now iconic orange tones to the practically unrivaled use of practical effects, “Fury Road” is phenomenal across the board.

Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) is a lonely wanderer who has just been captured by the forces of Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne), the ruthless ruler of the Citadel. Max, however, gets caught up in a daring escape plan devised by Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) and wins his freedom. Stealing an armored war rig, Max, Furiosa, and the five captive wives of Immortan Joe attempt to outwit the warlord's army, resulting in a gas-fueled chase through the visually stunning desert.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97% Streaming on Netflix beginning December 30

“Compliance” is a hair-raising thriller that is even more disturbing when you know it is based on a true story. Dreama Walker plays Becky, a fast food restaurant worker who gets into serious trouble when a caller claiming to be a police officer accuses her of theft. At the caller's direction, Becky's boss Sandra (Ann Dowd) treats the young girl in an increasingly intrusive and inhuman manner.

This somber thriller has no dramatic twists or shocking moments of violence, but the plausibility of its premise is haunting. Several scenes in Compliance are particularly off-putting, but that's the point. Also interesting is the film's commentary on our willingness to comply when directed to do so by someone in a seemingly authoritative position. A thought-provoking thriller.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89% Streaming on Netflix [23]