The best new streaming movies this week: My Old Ass and more

It’s time for our weekly movie roundup. We got an introspective Aubrey Plaza movie this week — do not miss out on that! We also have our first Christmas movie, so the familiar Hallmark-heavy time of the year is starting! December isn’t too far, but for now, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get on with our list.

The best new streaming movies this week

• My Old Ass
• Meet Me Next Christmas
• Janet Planet
• Music by John Williams
• Look Back
• Doc of Chucky

My Old Ass – November 7, Prime Video

• Release date: September 13, 2024
• Genre: Comedy
• Rating: R
• Director: Megan Park
• Cast: Maisy Stella, Aubrey Plaza, Percy Hynes White, Maddie Ziegler, Kerrice Brooks, Maria Dizzia, Alain Goulem

In a picturesque Ontario cranberry farming community, 18-year-old Elliott is counting down the days until she leaves for college in Toronto. During a mushroom-fueled camping trip with her best friends to celebrate her birthday, she has an extraordinary encounter with her 39-year-old self, a somewhat cynical PhD student.

While young Elliott navigates her final summer at home, including a crush on the local barista and complex family dynamics, her older self offers cryptic warnings about someone named Chad. When a suspiciously charming college student starts working at her family’s farm, Elliott must decide whether to follow her heart or heed her future self’s advice.

Meet Me Next Christmas – November 6, Netflix

• Release date: November 6, 2024
• Genre: Comedy, Romance
• Rating: TV-14
• Director: Rusty Cundieff
• Cast: Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, Kofi Siriboe, Kalen Allen, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado

When a snowstorm strands Layla in an airport lounge, she shares an enchanting connection with a handsome stranger. Before parting ways, they make a pact: if they’re both single next Christmas, they’ll meet at the annual Pentatonix holiday concert.

A year later, freshly heartbroken, Layla is determined to make it to the sold-out show. She enlists the help of a concierge service and is paired with a charming assistant. As they go on a frantic search across the city for tickets, Layla begins to wonder if the perfect Christmas romance might be right in front of her.

Janet Planet – November 1, Max

• Release date: June 28, 2024
• Genre: Drama
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Annie Baker
• Cast: Julianne Nicholson, Zoe Ziegler, Will Patton, Sophie Okonedo, Elias Koteas, Luke Bosco, June Walker Grossman

In the languid summer of 1991, 11-year-old Lacy and her acupuncturist mother Janet live in an idyllic woodland house in rural western Massachusetts. Their close-knit world is gradually disrupted by a series of visitors: Janet’s gruff boyfriend Wayne, an old friend Regina, and a self-styled New Age mystic named Avi.

Through Lacy’s eyes, we witness the subtle complexities of adult relationships while experiencing the droll, uneventful nature of childhood summers.

Music by John Williams – November 1, Disney Plus

• Release date: November 1, 2024
• Genre: Documentary, Biography, Music
• Rating: PG
• Director: Laurent Bouzereau
• Cast: John Williams, Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams, Emanuel Ax, Kate Capshaw, Chris Columbus, Gustavo Dudamel

This documentary follows the legendary 92-year-old composer John Williams as he sits at the same piano he’s used since the 1960s, breaking down the creation of cinema’s most memorable scores.

From his early days playing piano for “Peter Gunn” through his groundbreaking collaborations with Steven Spielberg, Williams shares insights into his creative process. Featuring commentary from filmmakers including J.J. Abrams and fellow composers, plus interviews with Spielberg himself, we see how Williams explored traditional orchestral methods.

Look Back – November 7, Prime Video

• Release date: June 28, 2024
• Genre: Animation, Drama
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Kiyotaka Oshiyama
• Cast: Yuumi Kawai, Mizuki Yoshida, Yoichiro Saito, Kota Oka, Kureha Maki, Takeshi Miyajima, Daisuke Takahashi

In this emotionally resonant anime, middle school student Amuyu Fujino takes pride in creating comics for the school newspaper, until she discovers the remarkable artwork of her reclusive classmate Kyomoto. As the two begin collaborating, their creative partnership evolves into a deep friendship.

The film follows their artistic journey together, exploring the challenges of creative collaboration and personal growth, before taking a dramatic turn that reframes their entire relationship.

Doc of Chucky – November 1, Shudder

• Release date: November 1, 2024
• Genre: Documentary
• Rating: N.A.
• Director: Thommy Hutson
• Cast: Autumn Ivy, Don Mancini, Brad Dourif, Jennifer Tilly, Alex Vincent, Christine Elise, Catherine Hicks

Originally conceived as a dark satire of 1980s toy commercialization, inspired by Cabbage Patch Kids riots and talking dolls like My Buddy, the story of how a possessed doll named Chucky became a horror icon unfolds through intimate interviews. Mind you, this goes on for five hours.

The documentary reveals fascinating behind-the-scenes details, from early casting what-ifs (Jessica Walter was considered for Chucky’s voice) to the intricate animatronics that brought the murderous doll to life.

What was new and worth watching over the last month

Here’s a quick roundup of our previous lists if you missed them. Also, if you’re in the mood for something else this weekend, we have a list of streaming shows to cater to that.

Trap – October 25, Max

• Release date: August 2, 2024 
• Genre: Crime, Horror, Mystery
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: M. Night Shyamalan
• Cast: Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka, Alison Pill, Hayley Mills, Jonathan Langdon, Mark Bacolcol

When suburban dad Cooper takes his teenage daughter to a pop concert, it seems like a typical father-daughter bonding moment. However, the venue is an elaborate police set up to catch a notorious serial killer believed to be in attendance.

As the police close in and surround the building, Cooper’s behavior becomes increasingly unstable, forcing him to navigate between two very different personas while trapped inside. The film is anchored by Hartnett’s intense performance as a man whose carefully constructed worlds begin to collide during one fateful night.

Don’t Move – October 25, Netflix

• Release date: October 25, 2024 
• Genre: Horror, Thriller
• Rating: R
• Director: Adam Schindler
• Cast: Kelsey Asbille, Finn Wittrock, Daniel Francis, Moray Treadwell, Dylan Beam, Kate Nichols, Skye Little Wing Dimova-Saw

After losing her child in a tragic accident, Iris visits the cliffside where her son died, intending to take her own life. A mysterious stranger appears and seems to talk her down, but his true nature is revealed when he injects her with a paralytic drug. With only 20 minutes before complete paralysis sets in, Iris must fight for survival as her body gradually loses function.

While the drug takes hold, she discovers she’s not the first victim targeted by this calculating predator, leading to a desperate game of survival against both time and her pursuer.

Azrael – October 25, Shudder

• Release date: September 27, 2024 
• Genre: Action, Horror
• Rating: R
• Director: E.L. Katz
• Cast: Samara Weaving, Vic Carmen Sonne, Katariina Unt, Peter Christoffersen, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Johhan Rosenberg, Eero Milonoff

In a post-apocalyptic world where the Rapture has occurred, those left behind view speech as a sin and have taken vows of silence. Azrael is captured by a devout female-led community that plans to sacrifice her to ancient creatures lurking in the wilderness.

After escaping imprisonment, she must fight for survival without making a sound, pursued by both religious zealots and pale, blood-drinking monsters. The film unfolds through visual storytelling and primitive communication as Azrael navigates this silent world alongside fellow survivor Kenan.

Daddio – October 26, Netflix

• Release date: September 1, 2023
• Genre: Drama
• Rating: R
• Director: Christy Hall
• Cast: Dakota Johnson, Sean Penn, Marcos A. Gonzalez, Zora Lloyd, Shannon Gannon

A cab ride from JFK airport to Manhattan becomes an intense psychological journey as a programmer and her chatty cab driver engage in an increasingly personal conversation. What begins as mundane small talk evolves into something more substantial when an accident ahead forces them to stop, leading to frank discussions about sex, gender, age, and deeply personal issues.

The two-character drama unfolds entirely within the confines of the taxi, exploring the unexpected connections that can form between strangers.

The Exorcism – October 20, Shudder

• Release date: June 21, 2024 
• Genre: Horror, Thriller
• Rating: R
• Director: Joshua John Miller
• Cast: Russell Crowe, Ryan Simpkins, Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg, Adrian Pasdar, David Hyde Pierce

Troubled actor Anthony takes on a role in a horror film about possession, seeing it as a chance for career redemption after battling past addictions. As filming progresses, his behavior becomes increasingly erratic, causing concern for his estranged daughter who can’t tell if he’s relapsing or if something supernatural is occurring.

The film explores the meta-commentary of making a possession movie while dealing with real-world demons, following Anthony’s deteriorating mental state through disturbing on-set incidents.

Despicable Me 4 – October 31, Peacock

• Release date: July 5, 2024 
• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
• Rating: PG
• Director: Chris Renaud
• Cast: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Sofía Vergara, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Madison Polan

Gru and Lucy face new challenges as Anti-Villain League agents while managing their growing family, including a new baby. Their lives become chaotic when Gru’s former villain school rival and his girlfriend break out of prison seeking revenge.

Meanwhile, the Minions discover superpowers, leading to chaos on the streets of what appears to be New York. This fourth installment blends family drama with superhero parody as the Minions attempt to master their newfound abilities.

MaXXXine – October 18, Max

• Release date: July 5, 2024 
• Genre: Crime, Horror
• Rating: R
• Director: Ti West
• Cast: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins

This movie follows Maxine Minx in 1980s Los Angeles as she pursues her Hollywood dreams. However, her past — particularly her connection to her evangelical preacher father — looms in the background. When her father comes into her life, Maxine must confront her religious upbringing and its consequences.

Maxine Minx is portrayed as selfish, ruthless, confident, sexually liberated, and defiantly independent—everything her father despises. While the film maintains the trilogy’s horror elements, it also works as a commentary on how religious fundamentalism has shaped American society. Scary, but insightful.

Woman of the Hour – October 18, Netflix

• Release date: October 11, 2024 
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
• Rating: R
• Director: Anna Kendrick
• Cast: Anna Kendrick, Daniel Zovatto, Tony Hale, Nicolette Robinson, Autumn Best, Pete Holmes, Kathryn Gallagher

Anna Kendrick makes her directorial debut with this chilling true-crime drama about one of the most disturbing moments in television history. Set in the 1970s, the film follows Cheryl Bradshaw, a contestant on The Dating Game who selects bachelor Rodney Alcala — unaware he is an active serial killer suspected of murdering up to 130 women.

The narrative unfolds non-linearly, interweaving Alcala’s appearance on the show with scenes of his previous murders and encounters with victims. A pivotal scene occurs during a post-show drink, where Alcala’s carefully maintained charm begins to slip. Watch how several women work to get Rodney behind bars.

Canary Black – October 24, Prime Video

• Release date: October 24, 2024 
• Genre: Action
• Rating: R
• Director: Pierre Morel
• Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Rupert Friend, Saffron Burrows, Ray Stevenson, Goran Kostić, Ben Miles, Jaz Hutchins

When terrorists kidnap her husband, Avery faces an impossible choice: betray her country by stealing classified intelligence or lose her spouse forever. Cut off from her agency and without backup, she must rely on her combat training and underworld connections to navigate a complex web of betrayal.

Soon it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems, and every decision she makes could trigger catastrophic global consequences. Watch intense action sequences merge with the emotional weight of Avery’s moral dilemma. Is she potentially betraying everything she’s sworn to protect?

MadS – October 18, Shudder

• Release date: October 18, 2024 
• Genre: Horror, Thriller
• Rating: TV-MA 
• Director: David Moreau
• Cast: Lucille Guillaume, Laurie Pavy, Milton Riche, Yovel Lewkowski, Sasha Rudakova, Vincent Pasdermadjian, Jeremiah Bourgeois

This innovative French horror film unfolds in one continuous shot, following Romain, whose night turns catastrophic after picking up a mysterious bandaged woman. While driving home from his dealer’s place, he meets the mutilated woman who plays an ominous recording suggesting she escaped from a nearby experimental facility. When she begins stabbing herself, contaminating Romain with her blood, it sets off a chain reaction of escalating horror.

The film shifts perspective halfway through to follow Lucille Guillaume’s character as an infection spreads through the city. The one-shot technique only enhances the confusion and terror but there’s none of the usual relief of cuts or perspective shifts. Not for the faint-hearted or ones in the mood for conventional horror.

Family Pack – October 23, Netflix

• Release date: October 23, 2024 
• Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
• Rating: TV-MA 
• Director: François Uzan
• Cast: Franck Dubosc, Jean Reno, Jonathan Lambert, Suzanne Clément, Grégory Fitoussi, Bruno Gouery, Lisa Do Couto Texeira

This French family adventure follows a modern family struggling to connect during what should be a simple game night at Grandpa Gilbert’s house. When Jérôme attempts to unite his wife Marie, influencer daughter Clara, stepson Théo, and young daughter Louise through a mysterious board game found in his father’s attic, they’re suddenly transported to medieval times. Each family member gains unique powers — Clara becomes invisible (reflecting her social media obsession), while her grandfather Gilbert becomes a powerful Hunter with renewed mental clarity.

To return home, they must work together to identify werewolves hiding among the village residents. While maintaining a light tone with fish-out-of-water humor, the film gives you a glimpse of time’s impact on relationships, particularly through Gilbert’s poignant storyline as he enjoys his temporary clarity. If you like Jumanji (who doesn’t?), you’ll love this one.