Netflix Is Adding 'Poor Things' to Its Platform in June 2026

Netflix is about to spice up your viewing experience with a truly inimitable film. Yorgos Lanthimos' 2023 darkly comedic fantasy movie Poor Things is joining the platform early this summer. The film was helmed by Lanthimos from a screenplay by Tony McNamara (who TV lovers might know as the mastermind behind The Great), which was based on the 1992 novel of the same name by Alasdair Gray. Following a successful run at film festivals, it took the theater circuit by storm on Dec. 22, 2023.

Here's a synopsis per Searchlight Pictures:

"From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman crafted by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter's protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella experiences sexual trials and a desire for equality."

In addition to Stone, Dafoe, and Ruffalo, the movie stars Ramy Youssef as Max McCandles, Christopher Abbott as Alfie Blessington, Jerrod Carmichael as Harry Astley, and Margaret Qualley as Felicity.

On Rotten Tomatoes, Poor Things sits at 92 percent on the Tomatometer, while the audience score is at 80 percent. The wildly weird steampunk flick was also nominated for 11 Oscars and took home four: Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Achievement in Production Design, Best Achievement in Costume Design, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Stone.

Despite mostly glowing reviews, Poor Things also experienced some scrutiny for its depiction of women's empowerment, sparking discussions on the topic. One critic called the film's version of it "a seriously misguided take," while another claimed it "defines a woman's autonomy as the ability to be exploited and not care." Regardless of one's stance, it's hard to deny that the movie stands out among its contemporaries.

Poor Things will be available to watch on Netflix on June 7, 2026.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 10:15 AM.