Power, politics, and popcorn: Maharani 4 and Frankenstein lead November’s big screen & streaming line-up

As the festive dust settles and winter evenings begin to creep in, India’s streaming slate is heating up. This week, entertainment comes in many flavours — political power games, gothic horror, sci-fi satire, and family warmth. OTT giants are rolling out their biggest November premieres, while theatres, too, are back in full swing with prestige dramas and fantasy adventures.

OTT releases this week

SonyLIV headlines the digital lineup this week with the return of Maharani Season 4, streaming from November 7. Huma Qureshi’s Rani Bharti moves beyond Bihar’s corridors of power and into Delhi’s cutthroat national politics. Creator Subhash Kapoor expands the canvas this season, turning the small-town political saga into a reflection of India’s larger power machinery. With Amit Sial, Shweta Basu Prasad, and Vineet Kumar reprising their roles, the new season promises sharper alliances, deeper rivalries, and a protagonist who knows exactly what the stakes are.

On Netflix, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein makes its global debut on November 7, offering a lush and tragic reimagining of Mary Shelley’s gothic classic. Oscar Isaac stars as Victor Frankenstein, the brilliant scientist whose hubris gives birth to a lonely, misunderstood creature — played with aching intensity by Jacob Elordi. With Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz adding depth to the narrative, the film blends del Toro’s signature visual grandeur with a deeply human exploration of ambition and grief.

Netflix continues to dominate the week with Baramulla, which begins streaming on November 7. Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale of Article 370 fame, the supernatural thriller is set against the misty backdrop of Kashmir and follows DSP Ridwaan Sayyid, played by Manav Kaul, as he investigates a chilling series of child disappearances. What begins as a routine investigation quickly unravels into a confrontation with ancient folklore and otherworldly forces. Bhasha Sumbli joins the cast in a film that promises to be one of Netflix India’s most atmospheric thrillers yet.

For viewers seeking lighter fare, ZEE5 steps in with Thode Door Thode Paas, releasing on November 7. The heartwarming family drama stars Pankaj Kapur as a retired naval officer who challenges his gadget-addicted family to live six months without screens—promising ₹1 crore to each member who succeeds. Mona Singh and Kunaal Roy Kapur bring warmth and humour to this story of rediscovering connection in an age of distraction. It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes the toughest reboot is a personal one.

Over on Apple TV+, Vince Gilligan — the creator of Breaking Bad — makes a striking return with Pluribus, premiering on November 7. This cerebral sci-fi drama stars Rhea Seehorn as Carol Sturka, a historical romance author who becomes the only person immune to a mysterious virus that renders humanity perpetually happy. As the rest of the world drowns in blissful complacency, Carol grapples with loneliness, morality, and the burden of feeling too much. Smart, haunting, and layered, Pluribus cements Apple TV+ as a platform for boundary-pushing storytelling.

Marvel fans can rejoice as The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives on November 5 on JioHotstar, introducing the MCU’s First Family to the streaming world. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach lead the cast in this cosmic adventure set in a retro-futuristic universe. Tasked with defending Earth from Galactus and the Silver Surfer, the four heroes embark on a dazzling, action-packed journey that kicks off Marvel’s new cinematic phase with energy and elegance.

The regional circuit also brings something fresh. Bad Girl, which has been streaming on JioHotstar from November 4, marks the OTT debut of Varsha Bharath’s acclaimed Tamil coming-of-age drama. Backed by Anurag Kashyap and starring Anjali Sivaraman, the film follows Ramya, a spirited young woman wrestling with love, tradition, and her own sense of identity. After winning the NETPAC Award at the Rotterdam International Film Festival, Bad Girl finally reaches home audiences with its bold, heartfelt storytelling.

Amazon Prime Video keeps romance alive with Maxton Hall: The World Between Us – Season 2, streaming from November 7. Based on Mona Kasten’s bestselling novels, the German teen drama revisits Ruby and James as their elite-school love story faces grief, class conflicts, and emotional upheavals. With its blend of melodrama and modernity, Maxton Hall continues to charm global viewers — especially Gen Z audiences who see themselves in its restless search for belonging.

Lionsgate Play, meanwhile, offers a dose of real-world tension with The Hack, which premieres on November 7. Starring David Tennant, Rose Leslie, and Robert Carlyle, the seven-part British drama dives into the country’s notorious phone-hacking scandal, exposing the tangled web of power, media, and politics. A gripping blend of newsroom intrigue and moral reckoning, it’s one of the platform’s most high-profile releases this season.

In theatres this week

If you’re heading out this weekend, the theatrical lineup is no less exciting. Haq, releasing on November 7, brings Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi together in a powerful courtroom drama inspired by the real-life Shah Bano case. Directed by Suparn Varma, it examines faith, justice, and a woman’s fight for dignity against societal prejudice. 

On the same day, Predator: Badlands hits IMAX screens, with Elle Fanning leading the sci-fi franchise’s most ambitious outing yet as an exiled predator struggling for redemption on a distant planet. 

For fans of Indian cinema, Vrusshabha — releasing on November 6 — sees Mohanlal in a fantasy-action saga of reincarnation and revenge, while Jatadhara, opening on November 7, pairs Sonakshi Sinha and Sudheer Babu in a Telugu supernatural thriller rooted in ancient temple myths.

The November wave signals a high-stakes month for OTT platforms. With Maharani anchoring SonyLIV’s prestige drama slate, Frankenstein fortifying Netflix’s cinematic ambitions, and Pluribus positioning Apple TV+ as a serious creative contender, streamers are betting big on original IPs and auteur-led storytelling. 

So, dim the lights, silence the pings, and settle in. November begins not with a whisper but with a roar — a cinematic feast of monsters, ministers, and the messy, magnificent beauty of being human.