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The best new movies to watch on streaming this week include one of the frontrunners for the upcoming awards season, one of the summer’s most unexpected hits, and a couple of holiday titles for some last-minute festive fun. Movies from all types of genres are available on streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Peacock, and Paramount+, with titles that will appeal to audiences of all ages and all tastes.
While there have been plenty of Christmas movies coming this year, this week adds a little more thrills to the holiday movie watchlist with the adventure movie Red One with Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans as well as the new thriller Carry On with Taron Egerton. Blake Lively’s box office hit, It Ends With Us, is also available along with the buzzed-about thriller, Conclave. That and more are ready to be streamed this week from the comfort of home.
10 The Fabulous Four (2024)
Available December 9 On Paramount+
The Fabulous Four, directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, follows three lifelong friends as they journey to Key West, Florida, to be bridesmaids at their college friend's surprise wedding. Amidst rekindled sisterhoods and a backdrop of romance and nostalgia, their reunion alters the course of their lives.
Release Date July 26, 2024
Runtime 98 Minutes
Cast Susan Sarandon , Bette Midler , Megan Mullally , Sheryl Lee Ralph , Sophie von Haselberg , Deja Dee , Michael Bolton , Brandee Evans
Director Jocelyn Moorhouse
In the vein of Book Club and 80 for Brady, The Fabulous Four is a new comedy that brings together some iconic female actors to share the screen together. The movie stars Susan Sarandon, Megan Mulally, and Sheryl Lee Ralph as three lifelong friends who reunite for the wedding of their other friend (Bette Midler). As the women embrace the fun of their youth and try to escape the problems of their lives, some of the old issues that tore them apart resurface.
As is usually the case with movies like this, the ensemble is the big selling point, which The Fabulous Four recognizes, and leans into the fun of these characters. It is a comedy that never takes itself too seriously, allowing itself to be a silly and lighthearted romp with some genuinely good performances.
9 Dahomey (2024)
Available December 13 On MUBI
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Dahomey
Set against the backdrop of a postcolonial world, the series traces the journey of 26 royal treasures looted from the Kingdom of Dahomey by French colonial forces. As the artifacts are returned to modern-day Benin, filmmaker Mati Diop explores the deep cultural and political implications through multiple perspectives, including that of the treasures themselves. Combining documentary realism with magical elements, the series raises profound questions about restitution and identity.
Release Date October 25, 2024
Runtime 68 Minutes
Cast Gildas Adannou , Habib Ahandessi , Joséa Guedje , Imelda Batamoussi
Director Mati Diop
Now is the time of year when critics and movie lovers begin sharing their “best of the year” lists, which is a great way to learn about some of the lesser-known titles of the year. One such movie that is being featured on a lot of these lists is the documentary Dahomey. The movie is a dramatized account of the real event in which dozens of treasures taken from the Kingdom of Dahomey in the Republic of Benin and held in a French museum were eventually returned to their native country.
The movie has been named as one of the National Board of Review’s best documentaries of 2024. While there are not a lot of mainstream audiences that seek out documentaries like this, the world of streaming provides the opportunity to experience these stories that might otherwise be overlooked.
8 Sugarcane (2024)
Available December 10 On Hulu & Disney+
Sugarcane explores an investigation into the abuse and disappearance of children at an Indian residential school, sparking a profound reckoning on the neighboring Sugarcane Reserve.
Release Date August 9, 2024
Runtime 107 Minutes
Cast Julian Brave NoiseCat
Director Julian Brave NoiseCat , Emily Kassie
This week also offers another powerful and impactful documentary for audiences to check out. Sugarcane explores the dark history of the Canadian Indian residential school system and specifically touches on the investigation into the history of abuse and crimes that were committed against the young Indigenous children who were forced to attend. The documentary takes a look at the revelations behind the investigations and how they led to a reckoning among the survivors.
The subject material explored in Sugarcane is certainly harrowing, and it may be too intense for some audiences to sit through. However, it explores an important story that has been ignored for too long, and more importantly, takes a look at the reaction from the people it directly affected. It is a story about the healing that was done as well as the healing that still needs to be done.
7 Maria (2024)
Available December 11 On Netflix
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6/10
Maria
Maria (2024) is a biographical drama about opera singer Maria Callas, directed by Pablo Larraín, starring Angelina Jolie. It concludes Larraín's trilogy on iconic women.
Release Date November 27, 2024
Runtime 123 Minutes
Director Pablo Larrain
Angelina Jolie returns to movies for the first time since her supporting role in Eternals, earning some of the best reviews of her career. Maria is a biographical drama that stars Jolie as Maria Callas, one of the most celebrated opera singers of all time. Talking place in Paris in the 1970s, the movie explores the final days of her life as she comes to terms with the legacy she has left behind and the choices she has made.
Jolie is surrounded by some strong talent behind the scenes, with the movie directed by Pablo Larraín (Jackie) and written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). However, it is Jolie’s performance that is standing out, earning her awards season buzz. It is an intimate story that uses this complex character to make for a fascinating portrayal and a wonderful showcase of Jolie’s talents.
6 Elton John: Never Too Late (2024)
Available December 13 On Disney+
Elton John: Never Too Late offers a look at Elton John's journey through never-before-seen concert footage spanning 50 years, complemented by hand-written journals and present-day scenes featuring him and his family.
Release Date November 15, 2024
Runtime 102 minutes
Cast Elton John
Director R.J. Cutler
From the Beatles to the Beach Boys, there have been a number of fascinating music documentaries in 2024 and yet another one arrives as the end of the year approaches. Elton John: Never Too Late is an energetic and fascinating look at the career of the famed singer and songwriter who is responsible for some of the biggest hits of the last 50 years. However, the documentary looks at the dark, unseen moments of Elton John’s incredible career when he battled depression and substance abuse issues.
The documentary uses a mixture of some incredible never-before-seen documentary footage of John’s concerts and songwriting process as well as interviews with the man himself. It makes for an eye-opening exploration of this music icon while also highlighting his amazing comeback and ultimate discovery of happiness amid all the success.
5 Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
Available December 13 On Max
Joker: Folie à Deux is the sequel to Todd Phillips' critically acclaimed comic book thriller Joker. Reprising his Academy Award-winning performance as the failed comedian Arthur Fleck, Joaquin Phoenix revisits the iconic DC character alongside Lady Gaga, who makes her debut as Joker's lover Harley Quinn in this standalone continuity of the DC Universe.
Release Date October 4, 2024
Runtime 138 Minutes
Director Todd Phillips
Following the massive success of Joker, both at the box office and the awards season, it is hard to deny that Joker: Folie à Deux was a disappointment in many ways. The sequel continues the story of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), now imprisoned and with his highly publicized trial about to begin. As he struggles with his legacy in the city of Gotham, he meets Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga) and falls in love.
Much has been made of the movie’s shocking and bold decision to become a musical following the grim and gritty character study of the original. While there are many who feel the movie’s ambition was misplaced, there are also those who feel the sequel is misunderstood and its reputation will only improve over time. There is also the intriguing idea that the reaction to Joker 2 is exactly what the movie was going for, playing a joke on the audience.
4 Red One (2024)
Available December 12 On Prime Video
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Red One
After Santa Claus is kidnapped, the North Pole’s Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with a notorious bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a thrilling, globe-spanning mission to save Christmas. This action-packed holiday adventure mixes comedy and festive magic, with an ensemble cast that includes Lucy Liu and J.K. Simmons.
Release Date November 15, 2024
Runtime 123 Minutes
Director Jake Kasdan
One of the most expensive Christmas movies of all time can be enjoyed at home just in time for the holidays. Red One is an action-adventure that stars Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift, the disillusioned head of Santa Claus’ security team, who finds his planned retirement at risk when Santa is captured. Callum then seeks out Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), a bounty hunter on the naughty list, to help him find Santa and save Christmas.
The movie is a big-budget action ride with some good laughs to be had along the way, which Johnson has become known for at this point in his career. While the movie has been criticized for its overblown production, it is still a bit of holiday fun that the whole family can enjoy together. Chris Evans, in particular, helps to maintain the playful tone of the movie with his winning performance.
3 It Ends With Us (2024)
Available December 9 On Netflix
Based on Colleen Hoover's 2016 novel, It Ends With Us is a drama-romance film directed by Justin Baldoni. The film follows a recent college graduate named Lily, who meets a man named Ryle and falls in love with him. However, a traumatic incident compounded with her former high-school sweetheart re-entering her life complicates her plans.
Release Date August 9, 2024
Runtime 130 Minutes
Director Justin Baldoni
One of the most unexpected box office hits of the summer is now available to stream at home. It Ends With Us is based on the novel by Colleen Hoover and stars Blake Lively as Lily Bloom, a young woman who has been in an abusive relationship with her partner Ryle for some time, only for her past love to return and lead her to question everything. She then embarks on a journey of self-discovery to determine what path in life is right for her.
The movie has garnered plenty of controversy along with some mixed reviews, but that did not stop it from becoming a massive hit at the box office this summer. Lively steps into the complex leading role with confidence and carries the movie. It is certainly a film that is aimed at a certain demographic but could become more of a crossover hit now that it has landed on streaming.
2 Conclave (2024)
Available December 13 On Peacock
Cardinal Lawrence leads the secretive papal election at the Vatican, where he uncovers a conspiracy and a secret that could destabilize the Church's foundation as leaders gather from around the world.
Release Date October 25, 2024
Runtime 120 Minutes
Director Edward Berger
Though maybe not on a lot of people’s radar yet, Conclave looks poised to become one of the major contenders in the upcoming awards season. The movie comes from All Quiet on the Western Front director Edward Berger, and he once again shows himself to be an exceptional modern filmmaker. Ralph Fiennes plays a cardinal who is put in charge of the selection of the new pope following the death of the previous one. However, he soon finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy that threatens the entire church.
The movie is a propulsive and incredibly gripping thriller within a fascinating world. Conclave’s depiction of the new pope selection is as engrossing to watch as the unfolding mystery. Fiennes makes for a reserved but compelling lead while there are great supporting turns from Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini.
1 Carry-On (2024)
Available December 13 On Netflix
Carry On is a film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, focusing on a young TSA agent who is coerced by a mysterious traveler into allowing a dangerous package onto a Christmas Eve flight. As events unfold, he must use his wits to resolve the perilous situation.
Release Date December 13, 2024
Runtime 119 Minutes
Director Jaume Collet-Serra
Netflix has delivered several Christmas movies this holiday season, but Carry-On has unexpectedly arrived as one of the best. In the tradition of Die Hard, Carry-On mixes thrills and action with a Christmas setting in what proves to be a genuinely fun thriller. Taking place over the busy Christmas Day travels, Taron Egerton plays Ethan, a young TSA agent who receives a message from an unknown person, telling him to allow a certain bag to go through the security unchecked or else someone Ethan loves will be killed.
While the movie is clearly attempting to be a new version of Die Hard, it also exists as its own wonderful thriller with a Christmas element that works very well. Egerton makes for a fantastic everyman hero, but the real treat is Jason Bateman in a chilling and effective villain role.
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