December is approaching its end and the Christmas break is almost here. Thankfully, we got an early present in the form of a massive batch of new movies this week on Netflix, Hulu, Paramount Plus and other major streaming services.
There are some blockbuster arrivals this week, including the latest installment of The Hunger Games. This week marks the first time you'll get to watch the prequel movie digitally. For those who need a family-friendly blockbuster, Trolls Band Together also arrives on paid video-on-demand services.
There are also a few Golden Globe nominees on the list, headlined by Bradley Cooper's Maestro, which arrives on Netflix. Beau is Afraid starring Joaquin Phoenix also arrives on streaming via Paramount Plus with Showtime and both Anatomy of a Fall and Dream Scenario become available to buy or rent this week.
Some of these titles are newly available via digital release, so you can purchase them for a premium price, but for others, all you need is the right streaming subscription. Here are the top new movies streaming this week. Plus, check out the new TV shows to watch from streamers this week and the best of what's new on Netflix.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (PVOD)
Starring Tom Blyth as Coriolanus "Coryo" Snow, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes serves as a prequel to the existing The Hunger Games film series. It's also the origin story of future President Snow (played by Donald Sterling in the previous movies) and his eventual rise to power. While receiving middling reviews critically, audiences so far have liked the film as an adaption of the 2020 novel by Suzanne Collins. So feel free to volunteer as tribute to watch this movie.
Buy or rent on Amazon now
Trolls Band Together (PVOD)
Trolls Band Together is the follow-up to the relatively successful Trolls World Tour movie from 2020. It also serves as a backdoor NSYNC reunion — they perform their first original song in decades during the movie.
In Trolls Band Together, the Trolls Branch (Justin Timberlake) and Poppy (Anna Kendrick) must rescue Floyd (Troye Sivan), who had previously been in the boyband BroZone with Branch when they were both kids. If you need something your kids can watch, this is a great choice, but don't expect more than that.
Buy or rent on Amazon now
Four Daughters (PVOD)
Don't let this film being entirely in Arabic scare you off from watching it. This award-winning movie about Olfa Hamrouni and her daughters is a can't-miss story with a unique presentation. Part documentary, part fictionalized drama, Four Daughters tells the tale of how two of Olfa's daughters were radicalized, eventually joining the Islamic State in Libya against their mother's wishes. To tell their story, director Kaouther Ben Hania brings in two professional actresses to portray the missing daughters alongside the rest of the real family. I can guarantee you that you haven't seen anything like it.
Buy or rent on Apple TV now
The Creator (Hulu)
For better or worse, The Creator at least breathes some fresh life into the science fiction genre. Starring John David Washington as Sergeant Joshua Taylor, The Creator takes place in a world reeling from a nuclear attack from a rogue artificial intelligence. In the aftermath of this attack, Taylor must hunt down Nirmata, the creator of numerous advancements in the AI-friendly supernation of New Asia and the person the U.S. views as its greatest threat. While the Creator doesn't always stick the landing, it's at least a brilliant premise and beautifully shot. Give it a chance once it arrives on Hulu this week.
Stream on Hulu now
Golda (Paramount Plus with Showtime)
Based on the life of Golda Meir, Israel's fourth Prime Minister, Golda largely focuses on Meir's handling of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. In fact, the vast majority of the film takes place over the course of 12 days. While Golda received middling reviews from critics, audience reviews have been largely positive and even critics who are not high on the movie as a whole praise Helen Mirren's performance as Meir. If you're someone who loves a historical drama or a biopic, Golda should be on your radar this week.
Stream on Paramount Plus with Showtime now
Maestro (Netflix)
Maestro is Bradley Cooper's return to the director's chair (if he believed in such things) following the smash success that was A Star Is Born. In this biopic, Cooper also stars as the acclaimed American conductor/composer/multihyphenate Leonard Bernstein.
While the movie is certainly an examination of Bernstein's life, it's largely about Bernstein's relationship with his wife Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). Maestro has been nominated for four Golden Globe awards including nominations for Cooper and Mulligan's performances, so don't miss it now that it's free on Netflix.
Stream on Netflix now
Thanksgiving (PVOD)
Eli Roth is back with a new horror film and, not surprisingly, it's pretty good. In this slasher flick, a Black Friday disaster strikes the quiet city of Plymouth, Massachusetts, with a stampede causing the death of several residents. One year later, suddenly a man wearing a John Carver (Pilgrim) mask starts killing people connected to the tragedy. Will anyone survive? Watch Thanksgiving to find out for yourself.
Buy or rent on Amazon now
Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (Netflix)
The Synderverse is back! Or rather, Zack Snyder is back with a brand new universe. Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire kicks off a new epic science fiction franchise for both Netflix and Snyder. This first movie stars Sofia Boutella and Djimon Hounsou as Kora and Titus, former members of the oppressive Imperium who are fomenting rebellion and is part of a planned trilogy — the second movie drops April 19, 2024. It's not been received well critically, but audiences have been kinder. If you're a fan of Zach Snyder's work, chances are you'll like Rebel Moon.
Stream on Netflix now
Beau is Afraid (Paramount Plus with Showtime)
Maestro's Cooper and Mulligan are not alone in receiving Golden Globe nominations for their performances in movies streaming this week. A24's Beau is Afraid hits streaming this week, and Joaquin Phoenix has also received a nomination for his performance as the titular Beau. In this surreal horror movie, Beau is trying to attend his mother's funeral but runs into obstacle after obstacle along the way, including his own paranoia.
If you're not a horror fan, there's still something for you in Beau is Afraid. While it is terrifying and anxiety-inducing at times, it also has its fair share of comedy. So if you want to see one of the best performances of the year, don't miss this one.
Stream on Paramount Plus with Showtime now
Anatomy of a Fall (PVOD)
This Golden Globe-nominated movie is generating some serious Oscar buzz. Starring Sandra Hüller as Sandra Voyter, Anatomy of a Fall is a dark French courtroom drama (in English) about the accidental death of her husband Samuel. Of course, blame suddenly shifts from gravity to her, and what follows is a gripping thriller.
Given it won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, maybe we shouldn't be surprised that this movie is cleaning up during Award season. Buy or rent Anatomy of a Fall this week if you missed it in theaters or just need a second viewing.
Buy or rent on Amazon starting Dec. 22
Dream Scenario (PVOD)
Dream Scenario is one of the funniest movies I've seen all year, if not in the past few years. Another offering from A24 in this week's list, Dream Scenario stars Nicolas Cage as Paul Matthews, a college professor who is appearing in people's dreams all over the world — and he has no idea why.
As funny as this movie is, it also takes some dark, heartbreaking turns. But everything centers around Cage's virtuoso performance. It won't surprise you that he too has received a Golden Globe nomination for his role in Dream Scenario. Having seen it myself, I can say it's richly deserved.
Buy or rent on Amazon starting Dec. 22
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