This week’s list of the top new movies to watch online might be more about the movies you haven’t heard of than the ones you have.
The marquee film of them all is 65: a sci-fi adventure from the writers of A Quiet Place that puts Adam Driver in a tight spot — while dinosaurs watch him. And it’s more of a family film than you might expect based on its advertising campaign.
On Netflix, we have two very different movies. The first, a documentary about singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi may be the key to his increasingly global reach, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how the rising star deals with his mental health as his popularity grows. Then there’s Chupa, a family film about an adorable mythical creature found in Mexico.
Also, Hulu has a complicated action movie where medieval politics dictates kidnappings, while Prime Video offers a movie based on a true story of a civilian who landed a plane he never intended to fly.
Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now (Netflix)
Lewis Capaldi wasn’t a breakout sensation at first, but the Scottish singer-songwriter’s “Someone You Loved” was a watershed moment, making him the first Scot to score a solo No.1 song on the Hot 100 here since Sheena. Easton in 1981. And he talked about all his fame and success for Netflix. And his documentary How I’m Feeling Now will give new and familiar audiences the intimate insight into how he dealt with his anxiety.
Watch Netflix (opens in new tab) from tomorrow (Tuesday 5 April)
80 For Brady (MGM Plus)
Yes, those who’ve been waiting for 80 For Brady — letting it pass theaters and digital — can now watch it with an MGM Plus subscription. Not familiar with MGM Plus? Well, it’s the revamped version of Epix and has a 7-day free trial available if you sign up directly or through Amazon Prime video channels. There is also one Free 30-day trial via Sling TV (opens in new tab).
This road trip comedy is based on a real-life group of 80-something friends who bonded over their love of Tom Brady and the then-New England Patriots. But unlike those friends, the women in 80 For Brady — played by Sally Field, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Lily Tomlin — follow the Patriots to the Super Bowl.
Beloved by some, 80 For Brady is more for the audience than the critics — as it is Rotten Tomatoes scores (opens in new tab) (59% for critics, 89% for audiences) show. The cast is clearly having fun filming it.
Watch right now MGM Plus (opens in new tab) (also available via Prime Video Channels (opens in new tab), Sling TV (opens in new tab))
65 (Digital)
65 million years ago — Mills (Adam Driver) went on a great mission into space to help his family. But unfortunately, he ended up crashing on a planet inhabited by dangerous dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes, including small ones that can crawl into small places.
Personally, I thought 65 was the kind of movie that would have done a lot better if it was released better and not released so close to HBO’s The Last of Us (as it has a slightly similar plot). That said, a colleague’s criticism that it was a little too predictable – and needed another twist or twist – is hard to argue with.
Shop digitally Amazon (opens in new tab) and more from Friday (April 7)
Chupa (Netflix)
Alex (Evan Whitten) is a teenager on vacation with family he mostly doesn’t know, and he discovers the most unlikely of pets when he visits San Javier, Mexico: a tiny … chupacabra. His father (Demián Bichir) doesn’t believe in such mythical creatures, but when Dad steps into the new discovery, even he has to admit that they are real.
They name it Chupa and agree to keep it a secret, in a very ET: The Extra-Terrestrial way. The comparisons to ET continue when, of course, a scientist (Christian Slater) shows up — as he’s about to kidnap and use Chupa for his own benefit. Familiar, yet unique, Chupa looks like a solid choice for our list of the best family movies on Netflix.
Watch Netflix (opens in new tab) from Friday (April 7)
Medieval (Hulu)
Ben Foster and Michael Caine star in this 2022 release that’s finally coming to Hulu. Foster stars as Czech folk hero Jan, a warrior hired by a lord (Kane) for a kidnapping that will help shift the balance of power in the Holy Roman Empire. Jan’s skills are necessary because he is a well-known and skilled knight available for mercenary endeavors such as eliminating Katherine (Sophie Lowe) so that her fiancee (Til Schweiger) can keep his word.
As you might expect, Medieval has a Byzantine history, and this is confirmed by the critics. Those who praise it note that Medieval is better appreciated for its action than its plot – as the major events are its most noteworthy parts.
Watch Hulu (opens in new tab) from Friday (April 7)
On A Wing and a Prayer (First Video)
Is there anything scarier than the idea of being on a plane where the real captain has died mid-flight? Well, that’s exactly the situation that On a Wing and a Prayer is based on, as Doug White (played here by Dennis Quaid) had to take over — even though his flying experience was incredibly short, with only 150 hours of single-engine flying . With the help of support on the ground and the support of his own faith, Doug (spoiler) manages to accomplish the amazingly difficult task before him.
Prime Video is smartly releasing this faith-based film, co-starring Heather Grarham, over the Easter weekend. No reviews have been published at the time of publication.
Watch Amazon Prime Video (opens in new tab) from Friday (April 7)
Holy Spider (Netflix)
A dangerous man named Saeed (Mehdi Bajestani) is on the loose in this critically acclaimed Iranian thriller inspired by true events. Said targets street prostitutes he considers immoral and the job of trying to figure out what’s going on falls to journalist Arezoo Rahimi (Zahra Amir Ebrahimi) who goes undercover to lure him in.
Critics are comparing the film to David Fincher’s Zodiac, while admitting that the film will be incredibly divisive among audiences. Forgoing subtlety in exchange for a disturbing and compelling film, director Ali Abbasi was hailed for putting Iranian social history into a serial killer film.
Watch Netflix (opens in new tab) from Friday (April 7)
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