As December draws to a close, the Christmas vacations are just around the corner. Thankfully, we have an early present this week, with a slew of new movies on major streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Paramount Plus.
Several blockbusters are coming this week, including the latest installment of The Hunger Games. This week, its prequel can be seen digitally for the first time. For those in need of a family-friendly blockbuster, "Trolls Band Together" will also be available on the pay-per-view video-on-demand service.
Several Golden Globe nominees are also on the list, led by Bradley Cooper's "Maestro," available on Netflix. Joaquin Phoenix's "Beau is Afraid" is also streaming via Showtime's Paramount Plus, while "Anatomy of a Fall" and "Dream Scenario" will be available for purchase or rental this week.
Some of these titles are available via new digital releases and can therefore be purchased at premium prices, while for others all that is needed is a proper streaming subscription. Here are the top new movies available for streaming this week. Plus, check out the best new shows streaming this week and the best new shows on Netflix.
"The Ballad of the Bird and the Serpent," in which Tom Blythe plays Coriolanus "Corrillo" Snow, is a prequel to the existing "Hunger Games" film series. It is also the origin story of future President Snow (played by Donald Sterling in the previous film) and his eventual rise to power. Despite the middling critical reception, audiences have so far loved the film as an adaptation of the 2020 novel by Suzanne Collins. So please feel free to volunteer to watch this film as a tribute.
Buy or Rent Now on Amazon
"Trolls Band Together" is the sequel to the relatively successful 2020 film "Trolls World Tour". The band performs its original songs for the first time in decades in the film.
In Trolls Band Together, Trolls Branch (Justin Timberlake) and Poppy (Anna Kendrick) must rescue Floyd (Troye Sivan), who Branch played in the boy band Brozone with as a child. If you need something for the kids to watch, this is a good choice, but don't expect more than that.
Buy or rent on Amazon now
Don't be afraid to watch it because it's all in Arabic. This award-winning film about Orfa Hamrouni and her daughters is a unique and unmissable story. Part documentary, part fictional drama, "Four Daughters" tells the story of how two of Orfa's daughters were radicalized and eventually joined the Islamic State in Libya against their mother's wishes. To tell their story, director Kauter Ben Hania recruited two professional actresses to play the missing daughters, along with other members of their real families. I can assure you that I have never seen anything like this film.
Buy or Rent Now on Apple TV
For better or worse, The Creator at least breathed new life into the science fiction genre. The Creator, in which John David Washington plays Sergeant Joshua Taylor, is set in a world rocked by a nuclear attack by a rogue artificial intelligence. In the aftermath of this attack, Taylor must hunt down Nirmata, the creator of numerous advances in the AI-friendly superstate of New Asia, which the U.S. considers its greatest threat. The Creator doesn't necessarily stick the landing, but at least its premise is brilliant and beautifully shot. I'll definitely give it a look when it comes out on Hulu this week.
Stream it on Hulu now
Based on the life of Golda Meir, Israel's fourth prime minister, "Golda" focuses largely on Meir's response to the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Indeed, the bulk of the film takes place over the course of 12 days, and while Golda received middling reviews from critics, audience reviews were generally positive, with even critics who did not appreciate the film as a whole praising Helen Mirren's performance as Meir. If you like historical dramas and biopics, "Golda" is the film to watch this week.
Available on Paramount Plus and Showtime
"Maestro" marks Bradley Cooper's return to the director's chair following the huge success of "A Star is Born." In this biopic, Cooper also stars as Leonard Bernstein, the acclaimed American conductor/composer/multi-expressionist.
While the film certainly examines Bernstein's life, it is largely about the relationship between Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). Maestro has been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, including performances by Cooper and Mulligan.
Stream it on Netflix now
Eli Roth is back with a new horror film. In this slasher flick, Black Friday hits the quiet town of Plymouth, Massachusetts. One year later, a man wearing the mask of John Carver (Pilgrim) suddenly starts killing people connected to the scourge. Will any of them survive? Watch "Thanksgiving" to find out.
Buy or Rent Now on Amazon
The Cinderverse is back. Or rather, Zack Snyder is back with a whole new universe. Rebel Moon/Part I: Child of Fire marks the beginning of a new epic sci-fi franchise for both Netflix and Snyder. This first film stars Sofia Boutella and Djimon Hounsou as Korra and Titus, former members of the oppressive Imperium, which is in revolt. The film has not been well received critically, but it is audience friendly. Fans of Zack Snyder's work are likely to like Rebel Moon.
Stream it on Netflix now
Maestros Cooper and Mulligan aren't the only Golden Globe nominees for their performances in films streaming this week, as A24's Beau is Afraid is streaming this week, and the film is also available on Netflix, Joaquin Phoenix was nominated for his role as the titular character, Beau. In this surreal horror film, Beau is trying to attend his mother's funeral, but hits a series of obstacles along the way, including his own paranoia.
If you're not a horror fan, "Beau is Afraid" has something for you. While at times frightening and unsettling, it also has elements of comedy. If you want to see some of the best acting of the year, don't miss this one.
Available on Paramount Plus and Showtime
The Golden Globe-nominated film is generating Oscar buzz. Anatomy of a Fall, starring Sandra Hüller (as Sandra Voiter), is a dark French courtroom drama (in English) about the accidental death of her husband Samuel. Of course, the blame suddenly shifts from gravity to her, and what follows is a gripping thriller.
Given that the film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that it's a big winner this awards season. If you missed it in theaters or want to see it again, buy or rent "Anatomy of a Fall" this week.
Buy or rent it on Amazon starting December 22
"Dream Scenario" is one of the funniest movies I've seen this year, if not in years. Starring Nicolas Cage as Paul Matthews, a college professor who appears in the dreams of people all over the world, "Dream Scenarios" is a film about a man who is in the middle of a dream.
The film is not only funny, but also dark and heartbreaking. At the heart of it all, however, is Cage's virtuosity. It should come as no surprise that he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in Dream Scenario. Having seen the film myself, I can say that it is well deserved.
Buy or rent it on Amazon starting December 22
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