There are a host of great movies that have been added to streaming services in the last few days, and we’re on hand to point you to the ones worth your time. After all, with endless choice, it can sometimes seem impossible to make up our minds over what to watch.
This week’s highlights include an “absorbing” drama that nabbed Gary Oldman an Oscar, as well as a powerful real-life disaster film that features a young Tom Holland.
Here’s our list of five of the best new additions to Netflix, BBC iPlayer and more, plus a few more flicks to add to your watchlists.
Robert Zuckerman/Outlaw/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
Best movie new to Netflix this week
Training Day: Denzel Washington has a pretty brilliant filmography, though this 2001 crime thriller still stands as one of his highlights.
The star won his second Academy Award for his dominating performance as Alonzo Harris, an LAPD detective who takes Ethan Hawke’s rookie Jake Hoyt on his first day with the force’s narcotics unit – though it becomes clear that Alonzo isn’t all he appears to be.
The BBC called Training Day a “brutal, fierce, and tense police thriller”, while Gone with the Twins said Washington was “unpredictable, reckless, macho, funny, and frightening”.
Also new to Netflix this week: The Nutty Professor (1996), Final Destination, The Color Purple (2023), The Hangover, The Man from UNCLE (2015)
Focus Features
Best movie new to Prime Video this week
Darkest Hour: Another Oscar-winning performance, this time from Gary Oldman as UK prime minister Winston Churchill.
Called “absorbing” by the San Francisco Chronicle, the 2017 movie follows the early days of World War II as Churchill becomes the British leader, and is forced to make crucial decisions that will affect the outcome of the war and world history.
Darkest Hour also features an impressive supporting cast, including Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily James and Ben Mendelsohn.
Also new to Prime Video this week: Bill, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Usual Suspects, Fargo, Women Talking, 28 Days Later
Summit Entertainment
Best movie new to BBC iPlayer this week
The Impossible: Before his web-slinging days, Tom Holland first broke out with a scene-stealing performance as a child actor in this tear-jerking 2012 movie.
The Impossible is based on the real-life story of María Belón during the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, as a family become separated and try to survive amid the unimaginable horror.
Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor also feature in the drama from director JA Bayona, which was called “a simple story quite brilliantly told” by the London Evening Standard.
Also new to BBC iPlayer this week: Superman: The Movie, Chuck Chuck Baby, Eye in the Sky, Shakespeare in Love, Sing Sing, Kill (2023)
20th Century Studios
Best movie new to ITVX this week
Rye Lane: Sitting at a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 98%, this 2023 rom-com is definitely one to catch if you get a chance.
Set in South London over the course of a day, the story follows two 20-something strangers who cross paths in the wake of respective break-ups, helping each other to deal with exes while potentially restoring faith in romance.
David Jonsson, who recently landed the role of the new Black Panther, stars alongside Vivian Oparah in this gem, described as “fun, hilarious and charming” by Loud and Clear Reviews.
Also new to ITVX this week: Joyride, The King’s Speech, John Wick, The Princess Bride, Casino Royale (2006), Miss Congeniality, Johnny English, Under Siege, RoboCop (1987)
20th Century Studios
Best movie new to Channel 4 this week
The Simpsons Movie: With a new Simpsons adventure on the way to the big screen, what better time to catch up with the original.
In the 2007 movie, Springfield is put under a giant dome thanks to Homer Simpson’s actions, leading to the locals turning on them and Homer setting out on a quest for redemption.
With many highlights (who can forget Spider-Pig?), Rotten Tomatoes said it “contains the hearty laughs, biting satire, and honest portrayal of an American family that makes the show so popular” and “hearkens back to the show’s glory days”.
Also new to Channel 4 this week: Sexy Beast, The Lost City, Robot Dreams, The Florida Project, Erin Brockovich, Twister, Under the Skin, Speed
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Ariana Grande, is here! Buy Ariana Grande in newsagents or online.
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.