Netflix's New Oscar-Worthy Drama Is A Must-Watch This Week

Every Oscars Fan Needs To Watch Netflix's New Drama With 95% RT Score This Week

Netflix logo over Train Dreams backdrop

By Cooper Hood Published 20 minutes ago Cooper Hood is the Associate Editor for all new movie releases, in theaters and on streaming. In addition to writing articles about these titles and upcoming releases, he also oversees content planning for each, ensuring that ScreenRant continues to cover major releases for months after their release. He has written various reviews for ScreenRant that appear on Rotten Tomatoes, coordinated Oscars and San Diego Comic-Con coverage, appeared on CNN to talk about Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, and done select interviews with talent over the years. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

A new movie streaming on Netflix has earned rave reviews, and it's expected to be another big Oscars contender for the streaming service.

Over the last few years, Netflix has established a reputation as one of the biggest players in awards season. This has continued in 2025, with the streamer backing star-studded films like A House of Dynamite and Frankenstein with hopes of achieving Oscar glory.

As the year winds down, the streamer is dishing out the last few of its hopeful awards contenders. In the case of A House of Dynamite and Frankenstein, the genre films have become strong performers on the charts.

Now, Netflix has finally released an acclaimed drama that has had rave reviews since January. The timing of its arrival is perfect as voting for the 98th Academy Awards approaches, with this movie among the predicted Oscars 2026 Best Picture nominees.

Train Dreams Is Now Streaming On Netflix As Awards Season Really Heats Up

Train Dreams is a new drama starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones that has now come to Netflix, releasing on November 21. It's directed by Clint Bentley, who co-wrote the script with Greg Kwedar. Train Dreams is based on a book of the same name, penned by Denis Johnson.

The movie follows railroad worker and family man Robert Grainier, played by Edgerton, who struggles with working away from his wife Gladys, played by Jones, and their young daughter.

Train Dreams is one of the year's best-reviewed movies, earning a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have praised the film for its emotional story, its stunning cinematography, and a powerful performance by Edgerton, which Mae Abdulbaki called "fantastic" and "captivating" in her Train Dreams review for Screen Rant after its Sundance Film Festival premiere.

With a runtime of only 1 hour and 42 minutes, Train Dreams' runtime is on the shorter side, allowing anyone to watch it at home in a timely manner. And if you want to stay up to date on probable Oscars 2026 nominees, this one should not be skipped over.

Train Dreams is viewed as a contender for nominations in Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. A Best Actor nomination could be difficult for Edgerton to achieve in a stacked year, while Jones is a long shot of being in the Best Supporting Actress category for a second-straight year.

The movie has some Oscars history on its side with Best Adapted Screenplay, too. Kwedar was nominated in the category last year for Sing Sing. While that prison drama didn't win, voters being familiar with his work and loving it previously bolsters Train Dreams' chances.

Train Dreams is in a good spot to earn some level of Oscars recognition next year. How many nominations it gets, and whether it wins any categories, remains to be seen. But watching it now on Netflix will keep all Oscars fans informed as the season shakes out.

6/10

Train Dreams

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed PG-13 Drama Western Release Date November 7, 2025 Runtime 102 minutes Director Clint Bentley Writers Greg Kwedar, Clint Bentley Producers Ashley Schlaifer, Marissa McMahon, Michael Heimler, Teddy Schwarzman, Will Janowitz

Cast

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Felicity Jones Gladys Grainer
Joel Edgerton Robert Grainier

Genres Drama, Western Powered by

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Netflix
Train Dreams

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