Streaming Guide: 5 Must-Watch Movies to Cut Through the Clutter This Weekend
Navigating the vast landscape of streaming services can be overwhelming, even for dedicated cinephiles. With countless options at your fingertips, finding truly worthwhile content requires time and effort. Fortunately, we’ve curated a selection of the best new movies currently available, saving you the endless scrolling. Here are five films hitting streaming platforms this weekend that deserve your attention.
Beyond the Blockbusters: A Weekend of Diverse Streaming Options
The sheer volume of content available on streaming services is a double-edged sword. While choice is abundant, discovery can be a challenge. As one observer noted, “knowing what’s out there, and where to find it, can become overwhelming.” This guide aims to simplify that process, highlighting a range of films from compelling dramas to action-packed comedies.
1. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (HBO Max)
Rose Byrne delivers a performance that earned her an Oscar nomination in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, a film that somehow bypassed a wide theatrical release. The story centers on a struggling single mother whose life unravels as her home deteriorates and her daughter faces an unexplained medical condition. Conan O’Brien appears as her therapist, and ASAP Rocky, building on his role in Uncut Gems, adds another layer to this emotionally raw film. Some have described it as “Uncut Gems for mothers,” a description likely to resonate with parents.
Watch If I Had Legs I’d Kick You now on HBO Max
2. Peter Hujar’s Day (Criterion Channel)
Ira Sachs’ Peter Hujar’s Day isn’t a traditional biopic, but rather a captivating portrait of the underappreciated photographer Peter Hujar. The film unfolds as a feature-length interview, with Ben Whishaw embodying Hujar in a 1974 New York apartment conversation with writer Linda Rosenkrantz (Rebecca Hall). Based on an actual transcript from Hujar’s archives, the film delves into his insecurities, artistic choices, and involvement in the city’s vibrant arts scene. The film’s power lies in Whishaw’s compelling performance.
Watch Peter Hujar’s Day now on Criterion Channel
3. Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight (Netflix)
Director Embeth Davidtz tackles complex themes in her debut feature, Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight. Adapted from Alexandra Fuller’s memoir, the film is set during the Rhodesian civil war and told through the eyes of an eight-year-old nicknamed Bobo. The narrative explores generational racism and the protagonist’s evolving understanding of her parents’ worldview. Despite the weighty subject matter, the film is praised for its intelligence and Lexi Venter’s standout performance.
Watch Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight now on Netflix
4. The Wrecking Crew (Prime Video)
Finally, audiences get to see Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista share the screen as brothers in The Wrecking Crew. The film falls squarely into the action-comedy genre, reminiscent of Heads of State, and relies heavily on the chemistry between its leads. The plot revolves around estranged half-siblings who reluctantly team up to avenge their father’s murder. Expect plenty of one-liners and explosive action sequences.
Watch The Wrecking Crew now on Prime Video
5. Tin Soldier (Hulu)
Tin Soldier, starring Scott Eastwood, Jamie Foxx, and Robert De Niro, is a curious case. The action-thriller languished on the shelf for three years before a quiet release on Hulu, and received negative reviews. However, as one source pointed out, “there ain’t much out there” in early February, making it a potentially intriguing, if flawed, option for those seeking something to watch.
Watch Tin Soldier now on Hulu
With a diverse range of options available, from emotionally resonant dramas to lighthearted action comedies, this weekend’s streaming lineup offers something for every viewer.
