With so many streaming services and so much content to consume, finding a movie to watch can be more difficult than ever. Gone are the days of heading to the video store on a Friday night and choosing from the movies that were available to rent on the day. It’s a double-edged sword — we no longer have to race to get that last copy of the hot new release, but with so many platforms all competing for our attention, it can be hard to find the best new movies to stream. That’s where we come in.
We’ve curated a selection of great films that are just waiting to be discovered from the comfort of your own screen. From gripping dramas to heartwarming comedies and pulse-pounding thrillers, our choices below have something for everyone. Whether you’re seeking an immersive escape, a thought-provoking journey, or just want something you can put on while you scroll through Instagram (because that’s valid, too!), we’ve got a film for you.
The Best New Movies to Stream
All of Us Strangers
Directed by: Andrew Haigh
Written by: Andrew Haigh, based on the novel by Taichi Yamada
Starring: Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Carter John Grout
Synopsis: A screenwriter drawn back to his childhood home enters into a fledgling relationship with a mysterious neighbour as he then discovers his parents appear to be living just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before.
Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+
Adapted from Taichi Yamada’s Strangers, All of Us Strangers is a striking, haunting, and deeply moving film about love, grief, loneliness, and the nature of the human condition. Make sure you’ve got tissues handy — when I caught this at the Adelaide Film Festival in October last year, the whole cinema was audibly sniffling.
Asteroid City
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Written by: Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola
Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks
Synopsis: Following a writer on his world famous fictional play about a grieving father who travels with his tech-obsessed family to small rural Asteroid City to compete in a junior stargazing event, only to have his world view disrupted forever.
Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix
Whether you respond well to Asteroid City or not will be largely dependent on your tolerance for Wes Anderson films in general, but if you’re a fan, then it will deliver. Asteroid City has all the eccentricities, style and of course, star-studded performances that we’ve come to expect from Anderson, and critics have been calling it his best film since Moonrise Kingdom.
Related: Ecological Grief and Uncontrollable Reality in Wes Anderson’s ‘Asteroid City’
Bottoms
Directed by: Emma Seligman
Written by: Emma Seligman and Rachel Sennott
Starring: Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Ruby Cruz
Synopsis: Two unpopular queer high-school students start a fight club to have sex before graduation.
Where to watch: Streaming on Prime Video
A coming of age comedy that will have you laughing out loud from start to finish, Bottoms is destined to become a cult classic for Gen Z teens everywhere.
It’s the kind of film you can see being endlessly quoted in the same way that millennials had Superbad and Superstar back in the day, and it’s an incredibly worthy addition to the teen classics collection.
Cat Person
Directed by: Susanna Fogel
Written by: Michelle Ashford, based on the short story by Kristen Roupenian
Starring: Emilia Jones, Nicholas Braun, Geraldine Viswanathan
Synopsis: When Margot, a college sophomore, goes on a date with the older Robert, she finds that he doesn’t live up to the Robert she has been flirting with over texts. A razor-sharp exploration of the horrors of dating.
Where to watch: Streaming on BINGE
Based on the viral New Yorker short story of the same name, the film adaptation of Cat Person was met with mixed reviews, particularly for the elements of the film that stray from the original story.
With that being said, Emilia Jones and Nicholas Braun deliver great performances, and the film still offers some genuinely tense moments. It may not work completely, but the film’s themes will linger in your mind after the credits have rolled.
Dicks: The Musical
Directed by: Larry Charles
Written by: Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp, based on the musical stage play F**king Identical Twins: The Musical
Starring: Josh Sharp, Aaron Jackson, Nathan Lane
Synopsis: A pair of business rivals discover that they’re identical twins and decide to swap places in an attempt to trick their divorced parents to get back together.
Where to watch: Streaming on Paramount+
This film is diabolical and unhinged on a whole new level, and whether that’s a compliment or a criticism will vary from viewer to viewer. It certainly won’t be for everyone, but its the kind of film that’s destined to become a cult classic, rough edges and all.
Fast X
Directed by: Louis Leterrier
Written by: Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin, Zach Dean
Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Statham
Synopsis: Dom Toretto and his family are targeted by the vengeful son of drug kingpin Hernan Reyes.
Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix
Is Fast X one of the BEST movies you’ll ever see? Look, probably not. But it made me scream with delight several times, usually in response to Jason Momoa’s camp, scenery-chewing performance as Dante. It may not be “the best”, but it’s a fun watch, especially with friends.
Related: ‘Fast X’ Is the Perfect Reminder That It’s Time for a Best Stunts Oscar
Ferrari
Directed by: Michael Mann
Written by: Troy Kennedy Martin, based on the book Enzo Ferrari: The Man, the Cars, the Races, the Machine by Brock Yates
Starring: Adam Driver, Shailene Woodley, Giuseppe Festinese
Synopsis: Set in the summer of 1957, with Enzo Ferrari’s auto empire in crisis, the ex-racer turned entrepreneur pushes himself and his drivers to the edge as they launch into the Mille Miglia, a treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy.
Where to watch: Streaming on Paramount+
Michael Mann is an acclaimed director, and for good reason. Now, he’s back with Ferrari, an exploration of the man behind one of the most iconic car manufacturers of all time. Anchored by excellent performances from Adam Driver and Shailene Woodley, Ferrari is able to switch lanes with ease, as it explores elements of sports, business and family dramas.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Directed by: James Mangold
Written by: Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, David Koepp
Starring: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas
Synopsis: Archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary artefact that can change the course of history.
Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+
For fans of the Indiana Jones franchise, Dial of Destiny delivers everything one could ask for. Harrison Ford works his indisputable star power on the big screen with ease, and the film delivers a classic, old-school feeling action blockbuster with. It’s escapist fun dialled up to a 10, and who doesn’t enjoy that?
Infinity Pool
Directed by: Brandon Cronenberg
Written by: Brandon Cronenberg
Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Mia Goth, Cleopatra Coleman
Synopsis: James and Em Foster are enjoying an all-inclusive beach vacation in the fictional island of La Tolqa, when a fatal accident exposes the resort’s perverse subculture of hedonistic tourism, reckless violence and surreal horrors.
Where to watch: Streaming on BINGE
There’s no denying that Mia Goth has become a horror movie It Girl in the last few years, and Infinity Pool is the latest example of that. She and Skarsgård deliver compelling performances in this surreal, gripping, violent and unrelenting horror film that tackles greed, hedonism, privilege and power.
John Wick Chapter 4
Directed by: Chad Stahelski
Written by: Shay Hatten, Michael Finch, Derek Kolstad
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, George Georgiou
Synopsis: John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
Where to watch: Streaming on BINGE
If you’re looking for action, look no further than John Wick: Chapter 4. Not only is it an entertaining, satisfying addition to the franchise, its perfectly structured set pieces and breathtaking action sequences will make sure that the John Wick franchise is remembered as one one of the greats of the franchise, along with Die Hard, the Terminator franchise, and the Mission: Impossible films.
The Killer
Directed by: David Fincher
Written by: Andrew Kevin Walker, based on the graphic novel series The Killer by Alexis Nolent and illustrated by Luc Jacamon
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton, Charles Parnell
Synopsis: After a fateful near-miss, an assassin battles his employers and himself, on an international manhunt he insists isn’t personal.
Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix
David Fincher is back with The Killer, a stripped down, meticulously crafted revenge thriller. With killer (pun intended) performances from Michael Fassbender and Tilda Swinton, you’ll be on the edge of your seat throughout.
Leave the World Behind
Directed by: Sam Esmail
Written by: Sam Esmail, based on the novel by Rumaan Alam
Starring: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke
Synopsis: A family’s getaway to a luxurious rental home takes an ominous turn when a cyberattack knocks out their devices, and two strangers appear at their door.
Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix
An apocalyptic thriller that will keep you guessing, Leave the World Behind is the kind of film you’ll be left pondering for days.
Magic Mike’s Last Dance
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Written by: Reid Carolin
Starring: Channing Tatum, Salma Hayek, Ayub Khan-Din
Synopsis: Mike takes to the stage again, following a business deal that went bust, leaving him broke and taking bartender gigs in Florida. Mike heads to London with a wealthy socialite who lures him with an offer he can’t refuse.
Where to watch: Streaming on Prime Video
Admittedly, Magic Mike’s Last Dance may not quite reach the electrifying heights of the first two films, but it’s still worth a watch. If you’re after a film you watch with friends while drinking wine and picking at a cheese board, this is the one.
Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One
Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Written by: Bruce Geller, Erik Jendresen, Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames
Synopsis: Ethan Hunt and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands.
Where to watch: Streaming on Prime Video
Following the massive success of Top Gun: Maverick last year, Tom Cruise proved once again that he’s the king of the action box office with Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One this year. The film delivers everything you expect from Cruise and his longtime director, Christopher McQuarrie — meticulously planned action sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat for far longer than you’d expect, punctuated with jaw-dropping stunts that will make you gasp.
Related: How Hayley Atwell Developed Her ‘Mission: Impossible’ Character As They Went
Related: ‘Mission: Impossible’: Simon Pegg and Pom Klementieff on What Sets ‘Dead Reckoning’ Apart
Monolith
Directed by: Matt Vesely
Written by: Lucy Campbell
Starring: Lily Sullivan, Ling Cooper Tang, Ansuya Nathan
Synopsis: A headstrong journalist whose investigative podcast uncovers a strange artifact, an alien conspiracy, and the lies at the heart of her own story.
Where to watch: Streaming on BINGE
Monolith premiered at the 2022 Adelaide Film Festival, and after a theatrical run in 2023, is now available to stream. A gripping, unnerving and tense debut feature from director Matt Vesely, Monolith is another worthy addition to the list of great movies filmed in South Australia.
No Hard Feelings
Directed by: Gene Stupnitsky
Written by: Gene Stupnitsky and John Phillips
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti
Synopsis: On the brink of losing her home, Maddie finds an intriguing job listing: helicopter parents looking for someone to bring their introverted 19-year-old son out of his shell before college. She has one summer to make him a man or die trying.
Where to watch: Streaming on BINGE
Part teen sex comedy, part scammer story, and part heartfelt coming-of-age tale, No Hard Feelings is a great time. Jennifer Lawrence delivers a laugh-out-loud comedic performance in a film that’s perfect for your next casual night in.
Oppenheimer
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by: Christopher Nolan, Kai Bird, Martin Sherwin
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon
Synopsis: The story of American scientist, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix
Part two of the Barbenheimer bonanza, Oppenheimer picked up a whopping seven Oscars at the 2024 Academy Awards, and for good reason. The three-hour Best Picture winner is a technically stunning, gripping drama with Cillian Murphy’s haunted performance as its centrepiece. It’s Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy at their best, and the Academy awarded them both for their efforts in the Best Director and Best Actor categories, respectively.
Past Lives
Directed by: Celine Song
Written by: Celine Song
Starring: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro
Synopsis: Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Two decades later, they are reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life, in this heartrending modern romance.
Where to watch: Streaming on Prime Video
A minimalistic, slow burn romance that’s simultaneously gorgeous and stunning, Past Lives is a stellar debut from writer/director Celine Song. After getting rave reviews out of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, momentum for this meticulously curated romantic drama remained steady over the year, and in the end, Past Lives picked up Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.
Related: ‘Past Lives’: Inyeon Is a Korean Philosophy of How Relationships Form Over Many Lifetimes
Poor Things
Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos
Written by: Tony McNamara, Alasdair Gray
Starring: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe
Synopsis: The incredible tale about the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter.
Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+
A dazzling mix of laugh-loud-loud moments, gasp-inducing body horror, and poignant drama, Poor Things truly has it all. When you add the impeccable costumes and otherworldly production design into the mix, it’s an unmissable masterpiece that deserves to be seen.
Reality
Directed by: Tina Satter
Written by: Tina Satter
Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Josh Hamilton, Marchánt Davis
Synopsis: A former American intelligence specialist was given the longest sentence for the unauthorised release of government information to the media about Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections via an email operation.
Where to watch: Streaming on BINGE
Reality is a tense, uncomfortable, claustrophobic film driven by Sydney Sweeney’s powerhouse performance. At just 83 minutes, the film hooks you with its mix of mundane, everyday normalcies with blood-curdling, anxiety-inducing danger, and it doesn’t let you off until the end.
The Royal Hotel
Directed by: Kitty Green
Written by: Kitty Green, Oscar Redding
Starring: Julia Garner, Jessica Henwick, Herbert Nordrum
Synopsis: US backpackers Hanna and Liv take a job in a remote Australian pub for some extra cash and are confronted with a bunch of unruly locals and a situation that grows rapidly out of their control.
Where to watch: Streaming on BINGE
Based on the 2016 documentary Hotel Coolgardie, The Royal Hotel is a visceral, slow burn thriller that will have a knot forming in your stomach as you wait for the inevitable to unfold. Unnerving, tense, and endlessly claustrophobic, Kitty Green’s skillful direction and Julia Garner’s magnetic performance make The Royal Hotel a haunting, unmissable experience.
Related: Julia Garner-Fronted Aussie Thriller ‘The Royal Hotel’ Will Screen at SXSW Sydney
Shayda
Directed by: Noora Niasari
Written by: Noora Niasari
Starring: Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Leah Purcell, Lucinda Armstrong Hall
Synopsis: A young Iranian mother and her six-year-old daughter find refuge in an Australian women’s shelter during the two weeks of the Iranian New Year (Nowruz).
Where to watch: Streaming on Stan
Based on writer/director Noora Nisari’s own childhood experiences growing up in an Australian women’s shelter in the ’90s, Shayda is a delicate balancing act of fear and hope, anxiety and joy.
Related: Strength, Hope, and Freedom: ‘Shayda’ Is a Love Letter to Mothers and Daughters
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Directed by: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson
Written by: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Dave Callaham
Starring: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry
Synopsis: Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero.
Where to watch: Streaming on Prime Video
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse isn’t just visually dazzling, it’s also one of the rare sequels that truly lives up to its predecessor. With a script that’s grounded in genuine emotion and enough laughs to balance it out, you can expect to see Across the Spider-Verse reach beyond the Best Animated Feature category at the 2024 Academy Awards.
Suzume
Directed by: Makoto Shinkai
Written by: Makoto Shinkai
Starring: Nanoka Hara, Hokuto Matsumura, Eri Fukatsu
Synopsis: A modern action adventure road story where a 17-year-old girl named Suzume helps a mysterious young man close doors from the other side that are releasing disasters all over in Japan.
Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix
Another wonderfully complex and layered animated film, Suzume is a coming-of-age story that tackles themes of grief and trauma with a delicate, expert touch from writer/director Makota Shinkai. The animation is rich, the voice acting pitch perfect, and it’s sure to leave viewers delighted.
Talk to Me
Directed by: Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou
Written by: Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman, Daley Pearson
Starring: Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird, Miranda Otto
Synopsis: When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.
Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix
The debut feature from Adelaide-born twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou — aka YouTube’s RackaRacka — Talk to Me was met with instant buzz after its January premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, and things haven’t slowed down since then.
The film was picked up by indie distributor A24, and soon dethroned Hereditary as A24’s top grossing horror film at the North American box office. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the sequel is already in the works.
Related: “We Can Text Ari Aster!”: Danny and Michael Philippou on ‘Talk to Me’ Success
Related: “Never Stop Making Stuff”: Danny and Michael Philippou’s Advice for Young Creatives
Theater Camp
Directed by: Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman
Written by: Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman
Starring: Ben Platt, Molly Gordon, Noah Galvin
Synopsis: The eccentric staff of a rundown theatre camp in upstate New York must band together with the beloved founder’s bro-y son to keep the camp afloat.
Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+
A self-aware, self-deprecating comedy that delivers laughs throughout, Theater Camp manages to walk the line of satire without crossing into nastiness. There’s humour, heart, and although it’s sure to become a favourite for those who’ve lived in the world, it’s a film that anyone can enjoy.
You Hurt My Feelings
Directed by: Nicole Holofcener
Written by: Nicole Holofcener
Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins
Synopsis: A novelist’s longstanding marriage is suddenly upended when she overhears her husband giving his honest reaction to her latest book.
Where to watch: Streaming on Prime Video
Smart, entertaining, and acerbic, You Hurt My Feelings is an honest and relatable look at the well-intentioned white lies we all tell to make life easier. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ performance is outstanding and will effortlessly hold your attention from start to finish.
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