If you'd rather watch the latest blockbusters from the comfort of your own home, have I got some good news for you. Two of the biggest movies of the year so far just landed on the best streaming services, and they're joined by a slew of top flicks that'll make your next movie night one to remember.
Leading the pack this week is “Dune: Part Two" on Max. Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic takes home the crown for the highest-grossing movie of 2024 to date, with the cultural imprint to prove it. Also fresh off its theatrical release, "The Fall Guy" starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt makes its video-on-demand debut this week. Meanwhile, Netflix has a Jennifer Lopez-led sci-fi thriller "Atlas" and a documentary on a beloved PBS children's show with "Butterfly in the Sky: The Story of Reading Rainbow." If you're in the mood for more nail-biting horror vibes, M. Night Shyamalan's "Knock at the Cabin" also sees its return to Peacock.
So without further ado, these are the best new movies to stream this week. If you're still on the hunt for more streaming recommendations, be sure to check out our guide to the best new TV shows to watch as well.
'Dune: Part Two' (Max)
If you missed “Dune: Part Two” during its theatrical debut earlier this year, you can now watch the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic from the comfort of your own couch on Max. Timothée Chalamet is back as Paul Atreides, a young noble thrust into a galactic war for the valuable but deadly desert planet of Arrakis.
Following on from its 2021 predecessor, this second chapter in a planned trilogy sees him on a quest for revenge against those who destroyed his family house. He and his pregnant mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) continue their journey with the Fremen, led by Stilgar (Javier Bardem), where he falls in love with Chani (Zendaya) and plots the downfall of the Harkonnens. But when Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) dispatches his ruthless nephew Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler) to seize control of Arrakis, Paul must decide whether to embrace the prophecy he has been avoiding.
Watch it now on Max
'The Fall Guy' (PVOD)
Inspired by the ‘80s TV show of the same name, “The Fall Guy” is a hilarious action-comedy from real-life stuntman and director David Leitch, the blockbuster director of "Bullet Train" and "Deadpool 2." It's led by a duo of Hollywood A-listers, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. After less than a month at the box office, "The Fall Guy" is making a surprise debut on video-on-demand services.
Ryan Gosling plays Colt Seavers, a stuntman still recovering from a workplace accident that nearly ended his career and ruined his budding romance with Jody Moreno (Blunt), a camerawoman with dreams of becoming a director. Months later, Jody finally gets her big break, but everything goes to hell when the movie's star, Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), goes missing. Colt is forced out of retirement to find the missing actor, unravel a conspiracy, and win back the love of his life.
Buy or rent now on Amazon
'Atlas' (Netflix)
The Jennifer Lopez-led sci-fi thriller "Atlas" premiered on Netflix this week, marking the streamer's latest attempt to build a high-profile sci-fi epic to call its own. Hopefully, audiences will warm to it more than they did with Zack Snyder’s two-part "Rebel Moon" series, which debuted to middling reviews.
Lopez stars as Atlas Shepherd, a brilliant but aloof data analyst who harbors a deep distrust of artificial intelligence. In a future where AI soldiers have become common, a rogue AI has determined the only way to end war is to end humanity. Shepherd signs up for a mission to the stars to capture the renegade robot, which is linked to her mysterious past. But when things go off the rails, she's forced to team up with what she fears most, partnering with an AI that calls itself "Smith," to complete her mission. Oh, and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, naturally.
Watch it now on Netflix
'Butterfly in the Sky: The Story of Reading Rainbow' (Netflix)
Take a look! Everything you ever wanted to know about the legendary PBS children's show that inspired generations of children to read can be found in "Butterfly in the Sky: The Story of Reading Rainbow." This documentary unfolds through interviews with host LeVar Burton, who hosted the Emmy-award-winning show for 23 seasons before finally signing off in November 2006.
It also features interviews with stars like Whoopi Goldberg who appeared on "Reading Rainbow," as well as the show's staff and filmmakers to take audiences behind the scenes. Interspersed throughout are clips from some of its most memorable episodes, creating a vivid picture of what made it such a beloved part of so many childhoods across the country. But don't take my word for it.
Watch it now on Netflix
'Knock at the Cabin' (Peacock)
M. Night Shyamalan's "Knock at the Cabin" was one of last year's most divisive movies. While it practically starts at that titular moment when the mammoth Leonard (Dave Bautista) comes knocking, the movie first offers a serene and misleading moment of peace as seven-year-old Wen (Kristen Cui) is on her own. However, once Wen realizes something is wrong and goes to warn her adoptive parents Eric (Jonathan Groff) and Andrew (Ben Aldridge), it's already too late.
Leonard and his three peers (Nikki Amuka-Bird, Abby Quinn, Rupert Grint) arrive and demand the couple make a terrible decision, or else the world will end. A tense and riveting movie that — in typical Shyamalan fashion — ends with a surprising third act, "Knock at the Cabin" is largely propelled by a fantastic and gripping performance from Bautista. It should be noted that while the film is based on Paul G. Tremblay's novel "The Cabin at the End of the World," this movie veers in a different direction.
Watch it now on Peacock
