Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

If you want science fiction that respects its own premise, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio is available in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix right now. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. 3,376 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Ewan McGregor leads a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Netflix.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio earns its spot. What makes Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. During the rise of fascism in Mussolini's Italy, a wooden boy brought magically to life struggles to live up to his father's expectations. Ewan McGregor and David Bradley lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2022. The world-building is meticulous enough to sustain multiple rewatches, with details early on that only make sense later. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio fits the bill. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Watch for Ewan McGregor in particular — the performance elevates the material. Satisfying on multiple levels.