So, you’re looking to watch Knives Out 2—which, let's be real, everyone actually calls Glass Onion—and you’re probably wondering why it isn't just popping up on your usual cable rotation or every random streaming site. It’s weird. Usually, big sequels hit theaters, stay there for months, and then slowly trickle down to everywhere else. Rian Johnson’s follow-up to the 2019 smash hit played by a completely different set of rules, and honestly, it changed how we think about big-budget sequels.
If you’re hunting for Benoit Blanc’s second outing, you basically have one main destination. Netflix. They dropped roughly $450 million for the rights to two sequels, which is a staggering amount of money for a "whodunnit" franchise. Because of that massive check, they keep a tight grip on where you can actually stream it.
The Weird History of Where to Watch Knives Out 2
Remember the 2022 holiday season? That’s when this movie actually landed. It had this super brief, one-week "sneak preview" theatrical run in November before hitting the streaming platform in December. It was an experiment. Netflix wanted to see if they could have their cake and eat it too—get the prestige of a theatrical release and the subscription numbers of a digital premiere.
It worked. Sorta.
People loved it, but the limited window meant if you missed it in theaters, you were stuck waiting for the app release. Unlike the first Knives Out, which was distributed by Lionsgate and eventually hopped around from Prime Video to basic cable, Glass Onion is a "Netflix Original" in the truest sense of the word. This matters because it dictates availability. You won't find it on Hulu. You won't find it on Disney+. It’s locked in the vault.
Daniel Craig is back as Blanc, and he’s the only connective tissue. You don’t even really need to see the first one to understand this one, though you should because it’s great. This time, he’s on a private Greek island owned by a tech billionaire named Miles Bron, played by Edward Norton. The vibes are totally different. The first movie was all "New England brown sweaters and rainy windows," and this one is "linen shirts and blinding Mediterranean sun."
Physical Media and the Digital Divide
Here is where it gets frustrating for the collectors. If you want to watch Knives Out 2 on 4K Blu-ray or DVD to put next to your copy of the first movie, you’re mostly out of luck in the traditional sense. Netflix rarely does physical releases. They did it for Roma and The Irishman through the Criterion Collection, and they finally did it for Glass Onion as well.
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But it’s not like you can just walk into a random big-box store and find a stack of them for five bucks. You have to seek out that specific Criterion release if you want the high-bitrate video and those juicy director commentaries. For most people, the play is just hitting "Play" on the app.
Is it Actually Better Than the First One?
That’s the debate that never ends. Personally? I think the first one has a tighter script, but Glass Onion is a much bigger "spectacle." It’s louder. It’s more colorful. It’s got Dave Bautista carrying a massive gun and Kate Hudson playing a clueless fashionista.
Rian Johnson uses a "box-within-a-box" structure here. He’s obsessed with the mechanics of the mystery. He actually told The Atlantic that he views these movies more like the Agatha Christie Poirot novels, where the setting and the tone shift completely between stories.
- The First Movie: A classic "Old Dark House" vibe.
- The Second Movie: A satirical take on "Disruptor" culture and tech bros.
Some people find the satire a bit on the nose. Miles Bron is clearly a caricature of several real-world tech billionaires, and the movie doesn’t try to be subtle about it. But that’s the point. It’s a comedy as much as it is a mystery. If you’re going in expecting a gritty noir, you’re going to be disappointed. Go in expecting a colorful, chaotic romp.
Why the Keyword Search is Often Confusing
People search for "Watch Knives Out 2" instead of "Glass Onion" because the branding was a bit of a mess early on. Netflix insisted on putting "A Knives Out Mystery" in the subtitle so people would know it was a sequel. Johnson famously hated that. He wanted it to just be Glass Onion.
The algorithm won, though. Now, most sites list it with both names just so people can actually find the thing.
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Decoding the Plot Without Spoiling Everything
If you haven't seen it yet, here’s the setup. Bron invites his "disruptor" friends to his private island for a murder mystery party. He’s even hired a professional writer to script the weekend. Then, Benoit Blanc shows up. The catch? Bron didn’t actually invite him.
The first hour is a lot of setup. It’s slow. It introduces the "Shit-heads," which is what the group calls themselves. There’s a politician, a scientist, a former model, and a Twitch streamer. They all owe their success to Bron. They all have a reason to want him gone.
Then, the movie literally resets itself.
About halfway through, Johnson pulls the rug out from under you. He shows you the same events from a completely different perspective. It’s a bold move that some people find exhausting, but it’s what makes the movie stand out from your standard police procedural. It’s not just about "who did it," but "how they’re doing it right in front of your face."
Technical Details for the Nerds
If you’re watching on a high-end setup, Glass Onion looks incredible. It was shot on the Arri Alexa 35, and the HDR on Netflix is actually quite good for once. The colors in the Greece sequences pop—lots of bright yellows and deep blues.
The sound design is also worth noting. Nathan Johnson, Rian’s cousin, did the score. It’s much more orchestral and "grand" than the first movie's more staccato, nervous strings. It fits the island setting perfectly.
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Common Misconceptions About Streaming Knives Out 2
- "It’s leaving Netflix soon." Unlikely. Netflix owns this. It’s one of their crown jewels. They aren't going to let it go to a competitor unless the company itself collapses.
- "You need to pay extra for it." Nope. If you have a standard Netflix sub, it’s included. No "Premier Access" nonsense like Disney used to do.
- "There’s a secret ending." There isn't. But there are a ton of cameos. Keep your eyes peeled for Janelle Monáe’s performance specifically—she’s the heart of the movie and arguably outshines Daniel Craig in several scenes.
What’s Next for Benoit Blanc?
Since you’re looking to watch Knives Out 2, you should probably know that Knives Out 3 is already in the works. It’s titled Wake Up Dead Man.
Filming took place in 2024, and the cast is just as stacked as the first two. We’re talking Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, and even Glenn Close. It’s supposed to be the "most dangerous" case yet, whatever that means in the world of Benoit Blanc.
Expect it to follow the same release pattern: a tiny theatrical window followed by a massive Netflix push.
Practical Steps for the Best Viewing Experience
If you’re sitting down to watch this tonight, do yourself a favor and don't look at your phone. Seriously. This isn't a "background noise" movie. There are clues hidden in the background of frames within the first ten minutes that don't pay off until the very end.
- Check your settings: Make sure your TV isn't in "Vivid" mode. It ruins the Greek sun. Put it in "Filmmaker Mode" or "Cinema."
- Subtitles on? Maybe. Daniel Craig’s Southern drawl is even thicker in this one. It’s hilarious, but sometimes he swallows his words for comedic effect.
- Rewatch potential: This movie is actually better the second time. Once you know the twist, you see how much Edward Norton’s character is telegraphing his insecurities.
To get the most out of your session, start by verifying your Netflix plan supports 4K if you have a compatible TV, as the cinematography in the Greek islands is a major part of the appeal. If you're using a home theater setup, ensure your Dolby Atmos is engaged, as the spatial audio during the "Glass Onion" reveal sequences is top-tier. Finally, if you enjoy the experience, look for the Criterion Collection physical release for the exclusive "Making Of" documentaries that explain how they built that massive glass structure in real life.