Hollywood
New Movies to Watch This Weekend: Theaters, Streaming and VOD Picks
If your watchlist is looking empty, this weekend’s new movie releases have you covered. From an audacious zombie sequel hitting theaters to a star-powered Netflix action thriller, there’s something for every kind of viewer. Here’s a breakdown of the best new movies to watch right now.
In Theaters: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
The standout theatrical new movie release this weekend is 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the bold sequel to last year’s divisive 28 Years Later. Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, the film pushes the zombie genre into stranger, darker territory.
Ralph Fiennes returns as Dr. Ian Kelson, a man of science obsessed with reversing the zombie virus, while Jack O’Connell’s Jimmy Crystal emerges as a cult leader shaped by religious trauma. The film contrasts science and faith in a post-apocalyptic world that has completely lost its moral compass. Expect shocking violence, pitch-black humor and moments so bizarre they border on surreal.
Critics have responded even more positively than to the previous installment, praising the film’s audacity and dark humor. If you’re looking for a theatrical experience that feels unpredictable and conversation-starting, The Bone Temple is the weekend’s must-see.
Also in theaters: Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire, a gritty 1970s-style crime thriller starring Bill Skarsgård and Al Pacino, based on a chilling real-life hostage story.
Rent or Buy: Song Sung Blue
On the VOD front, the new movie release, Song Sung Blue, offers a heartfelt change of pace. Starring Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, the film tells the true story of two struggling performers who form a Neil Diamond tribute band. It’s a story about second chances, creative dreams and unexpected love.
While reactions have been mixed, Kate Hudson’s performance has earned widespread praise, and fans of music-driven dramas will appreciate the film’s celebration of working-class musicians rather than megastars. It’s an emotional, crowd-pleasing option for a cozy night in with Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.
Also available: Rental Family, a gentle, bittersweet drama starring Brendan Fraser as an actor hired to play family members for strangers in Japan.
Streaming on Netflix: The Rip
Netflix’s biggest new movie release this weekend is The Rip, an old-school cop thriller starring longtime collaborators Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Directed by Joe Carnahan, the film follows Miami cops whose discovery of millions in cash sparks paranoia, betrayal and escalating violence.
The Rip leans heavily into classic crime-movie tropes, but strong performances, a pulsing score and constant twists make it an entertaining ride. Critics have praised it as a smart, energetic entry in an overworked genre.
Whether you’re heading to the theater for one of the strangest zombie sequels ever made, renting a music-driven drama, or streaming a gritty Netflix action film, this weekend’s new movie releases offer plenty of reasons to press play.
View this post on Instagram
