10 Best Movies to Watch on Streaming Right Now (August 2024) (2024)

The best new movies to watch on streaming this week include some of the biggest blockbuster movies of the year, the latest originals from the top streamers, and some smaller movies audiences might have missed in theaters. With summer winding down, many of the biggest movies from the first half of 2024 are now available to stream on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Peaco*ck, and Paramount+ - including many that have only recently left theaters, like Kevin Costner's Western epic Horizon as well as some streaming exclusives like Netflix's Incoming.

There are some new additions from some beloved franchises, like the Ghostbusters, Mad Max, and Planet of the Apes series. There are also some great movies featuring some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, including the likes of Mark Wahlberg, Austin Butler, and Matt Damon. The streaming world is open with options, but these are the best new movies to check out right now.

10 Horizon: An American Saga (2024) - Max

Kevin Costner's Latest Western Epic

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1

R

Drama

Western

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 is a Western film directed by Kevin Costner, and sees him in the starring role. The film explores multiple generations surrounding the expansion of the American West before and after the Civil War. Horizon is the first in a series of four films, all of which were greenlit by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Director

Kevin Costner

Release Date

June 28, 2024

Cast

Kevin Costner , Sienna Miller , Sam Worthington , Luke Wilson , Giovanni Ribisi , Thomas Haden Church , Jena Malone , Abbey Lee , Michael Rooker , Danny Huston , Isabelle Fuhrman , Jeff Fahey , Will Patton , Tatanka Means , Ella Hunt , Jamie Campbell Bower

Runtime

181 Minutes

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 was one of the most talked-about movies of the year before it was even released. This was the film that Kevin Costner famously chose to make rather than return to his beloved role as John Dutton on Yellowstone. It is an epic passion project for Costner and his return to the director's chair as well as the Western genre following other acclaimed projects like Dances with Wolves and Open Range.

The movie is an expansive look at the 15 years of America before and after the Civil War. Costner stars in the film with a cast that also includes Sienna Miller, Luke Wilson, Sam Worthington, Michael Rooker, and others. Unfortunately, much of the talk has been about its poor box office performance and Costner's personal funding for the project. However, while people might not have shown up to the theaters, it is likely Horizon will find more of an audience on streaming, perhaps giving the upcoming Horizon Part 2 a better chance.

9 Ordinary Angels (2024) - Starz

A Touching Drama Based On A True Story

Ordinary Angels

PG

Drama

Based on a true story, Ordinary Angels is a drama starring Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson. Swank plays a character named Sharon, a Kentucky-based hairdresser who tries to help a widower (Ritchson) as he struggles to provide for his two daughters. When Sharon discovers one of his daughters needs a liver transplant, Sharon moves mountains to help.

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Director

Jon Gunn

Release Date

February 23, 2024

Cast

Hilary Swank , Alan Ritchson , Nancy Travis , Amy Acker , Skywalker Hughes , Tamala Jones , Drew Powell , Emily Mitchell

Runtime

118 Minutes

Those looking for a feel-good story to stream this week will be in luck with Ordinary Angels coming to Starz. Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank stars in the movie as a hairdresser aimlessly going through life when she seemingly finds her purpose when she comes across a story of a widowed father (Alan Ritchson) attempting to care for his sick daughter. Swank's unsuspecting hero not only gives what she can to the struggling family but begins rallying the entire community behind them.

The movie is based on a true story about events that took place in 1994, making it an even more heartwarming tale of the kindness of strangers and the strength of a community working together. It has been a while since Swank led a high-profile film like this and she shines as the charismatic hero of the story. While Ritchson has become popular for his larger-than-life role on Reacher, it is also nice to see him in a more grounded role here as well. The movie might not break any new ground, but Ordinary Angels is a touching drama.

8 Incoming (2024) - Netflix

An R-Rated Teen Comedy

Incoming

R

Comedy

Four freshmen navigate the chaos of adolescence at their first high school party. Facing social pressures and personal insecurities, they encounter hilarious and heartfelt moments that define their teenage years.

Director

Dave Chernin , John Chernin

Release Date

August 23, 2024

Writers

Dave Chernin , John Chernin

Cast

Raphael Alejandro , Bobby Cannavale , Kaitlin Olson , Mason Thames , Thomas Barbusca , Scott MacArthur , Gattlin Griffith , Isabella Ferreira

The new Netflix Original comedy Incoming is a perfect movie for the back-to-school time of year, albeit one that is geared towards an older audience. The film seeks to be the next big R-rated teen comedy in the vein of some other classics like Superbad and American Pie. Incoming follows a group of young teens entering their first year of high school. Eager to experience the new stage in life, they embark on their first house party, which devolves into a night of mayhem and hijinks.

While there has been a lot of talk of R-rated comedies going out of style in Hollywood as of late, there has also been a recent push to embrace the genre once again. Incoming perfectly capitalizes on that desire as it is a vulgar and outrageous comedy with a fun cast of up-and-comers. The movie is the debut of the writer-director duo of Dave and John Chernin. However, with the duo having already written for It's Always Sunny in Philadephia, there is a good sense of the type of boundary-pushing humor they like.

7 Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) - Max

Anya Taylor-Joy Is A Warrior In The Mad Max Prequel

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

R

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Action

A prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa is an action-adventure film that tells the origin story of the headstrong and fearless Furiosa. Set shortly after the beginning of the "end of the world," Furiosa is kidnapped and brought before a powerful warlord, now forced to work for him. To find her way back home, Furiosa will adapt to the new harsh and arid world as she grows into the Furiosa she becomes known to be.

Director

George Miller

Release Date

May 24, 2024

Cast

Anya Taylor-Joy , Chris Hemsworth , Tom Burke , Alyla Browne , Nathan Jones , Angus Sampson , Daniel Webber , Lachy Hulme

Runtime

148 Minutes

George Miller continues to prove himself one of the most visionary action directors of all time while also proving that his Mad Max franchise can still provide thrills decades after it started. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is the first spinoff entry in the Mad Max franchise, following the character of Furiosa, introduced in Mad Max: Fury Road as played by Charlize Theron. This prequel movie finds Anya Taylor-Joy in the lead role as the young girl who was taken from her home and raised as a child by a reckless and sad*stic warlord (Chris Hemsworth).

Mad Max: Fury Road is regarded by many as one of the best action movies of the 21st century and Furiosa does justice to those looking for the same kind of relentless, wild, and chaotic action sequences. Miller stages incredible sequences, such as the opening act, which feels like an extended chase scene, and the amazing convoy ambush. Taylor-Joy commands the screen in the warrior role while Hemsworth gives one of the best performances of his career, having a lot of fun with the villain role.

6 The Union (2024) - Netflix

Mark Wahlberg And Halle Berry Team For A Spy Adventure

The Union

PG-13

Action

Thriller

The Union is an upcoming film that explores the intersecting lives of multiple characters as they navigate complex relationships, personal struggles, and social issues.

Director

Julian Farino

Release Date

August 16, 2024

Cast

Mark Wahlberg , Halle Berry , J.K. Simmons , Jackie Earle Haley , Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Runtime

109 Minutes

Mark Wahlberg has built a solid relationship with Netflix over the past several years, with thrillers like Spenser Confidential and comedies like Me Time. His latest collaboration with the streamer comes with The Union, which has the added thrill of partnering Wahlberg with another A-lister, Halle Berry. In the movie, Wahlberg plays a mild-mannered guy who reconnects with his old high school sweetheart (Berry) only to discover that she is an international spy who needs his help to save the day.

With Wahlberg usually playing the confident action hero, it is fun to see him more as the man out of his element while also playing into his comedic skills which he has proven time and time again. Perhaps even more exciting is seeing Berry back in an action role, showing off the amazing star power that has been too absent from mainstream movies in recent years.

5 Jackpot (2024) - Prime Video

John Cena And Awkwafina Fight Off An Angry Mob

Jackpot!

R

Comedy

Action

In a near-future California, the state introduces a high-stakes "Grand Lottery" with a deadly twist: to claim the prize, the winner must survive until sundown without being killed by other participants. The action-comedy follows Katie, a recent Los Angeles transplant played by Awkwafina, who finds herself with a winning ticket.

Director

Paul Feig

Release Date

August 15, 2024

Cast

John Cena , Awkwafina , Simu Liu , Seann William Scott , Marian Green , David Conk , Josh Diogo , Rosanna Scotto

Runtime

104 Minutes

John Cena has proven himself as one of the best and most popular comedic actors working today. Jackpot! is the latest example of that which also combines his incredible action movie persona into one hugely entertaining package. From Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Spy), Jackpot! is set in the near future and stars Awkwafina as a woman who wins the lottery, instantly making her a target as the rules dictate that anyone who kills her before she claims the winnings can get the money instead. Cena plays the bodyguard who is out to save her.

The premise sets the movie up to be a comedic version of The Purge, with the city descending into chaos as the heroes go on the run from a band of colorful characters seeking to get rich quickly. This includes Simu Liu (Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) as the main villain. With Feig mixing the wild action with some terrific and silly comedy, Jackpot! is a fun bit of mindless entertainment.

4 The Bikeriders (2024) - Peaco*ck

Austin Butler And Tom Hardy Lead A '60s Biker Gang

The Bikeriders

R

Drama

Crime

The Bikeriders tells the story of a 1960s Midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals. Through the eyes of Kathy, played by Jodie Comer, the film explores the club's evolution from a group of local outsiders to a dangerous gang.

Director

Jeff Nichols

Release Date

June 21, 2024

Cast

Jodie Comer , Austin Butler , Tom Hardy , Michael Shannon , Mike Faist , Norman Reedus

Runtime

116 Minutes

Austin Butler is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after young stars in Hollywood thanks to his breakout roles in Elvis and Dune: Part 2. He also has a compelling and unique screen presence that is reminiscent of another popular star, Tom Hardy. Just one of the reasons The Bikeriders is such an exciting movie is that audiences get to see these two stars sharing the screen for the first time. From filmmaker Jeff Nichols, The Bikeriders is based on the book by Danny Lyon and is set in the 1960s, following a biker gang from that era.

Butler stars in the movie as Benny, a young member of the biker gang who falls for a local girl named Kathy (Jodie Comer). As their romance intensifies, Benny is faced with his club, at the hands of their leader Johnny (Hardy), going down a violent path. Along with Butler, Hardy, and Comer, Nicholas amassed an amazing ensemble that also includes Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, Boyd Holdbrook, and Norman Reedus. It is a gritty and thrilling look at the biker culture of the time, elevated by the strong cast and Nichols’ engrossing authentic feel.

3 The Instigators (2024) - Apple TV+

Matt Damon And Casey Affleck Play Criminals On The Run

The Instigators

R

Crime

Mystery

Action

The Instigators revolves around the complex dynamics of a group of individuals who find themselves entangled in a web of intrigue and deception. As alliances are formed and trust is broken, the true motives of each character are slowly revealed, leading to a crescendo of tension and suspense.

Director

Doug Liman

Release Date

August 2, 2024

Cast

Matt Damon , Casey Affleck , Hong Chau , Michael Stuhlbarg , Paul Walter Hauser

Matt Damon and Casey Affleck are known to be close friends in real life and have collaborated on screen a number of times. They have appeared in everything from the fun Ocean’s Eleven movies to the little-seen indie Gerry to the Best Picture winner Oppenheimer. Their latest movie together brings the two Bostonian actors back home for a fun and wild crime caper. The Instigators stars Damon as a down-on-his-luck war veteran who joins a reckless career criminal (Affleck) for a heist.

However, when the job goes wrong, the two men are forced to go on the run from cops and criminals who are on their trail. To add to the mayhem of the situation, Damon decides to take his psychiatrist (Oscar nominee Hong Chau) as their “hostage.” The film aims to be quite different from the slick and suave Ocean’s movies, going for a heist movie with inept criminals and one problem after another. Damon and Affleck have great chemistry as the bickering would-be outlaws and they are joined by a talented cast.

2 Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes (2024) - Hulu

A New Saga In The Long-Running Franchise Begins

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

PG-13

Action

Sci-Fi

Set several years after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the next installment in the Apes saga. Ape clans have taken up residence in the oasis that Caesar sought to colonize, but humans have reverted to their animalistic nature in their absence. Now battling between enslavement and freedom, outliers in the Ape clans will take sides in a newly burgeoning society.

Director

Wes Ball

Release Date

May 10, 2024

Cast

Kevin Durand , Freya Allan , Peter Macon , Owen Teague , Eka Darville , Sara Wiseman , Neil Sandilands

Runtime

145 Minutes

The Planet of the Apes franchise has been around since 1968 and 2024's Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes proves it is still an exciting and versatile story. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes continues the story created by the Planet of the Apes prequels, which focused on Caesar leading the apes to become the dominant species on the planet. However, this is the start of a new saga in that story, set generations after Caesar's time and taking a look at the world he helped create.

The movie focuses on a young ape named Noa who lives in a small community of apes who are attacked by a more powerful tribe, under the command of a ruthless ruler. Noa sets out on a journey to rescue his people while also encountering a human who reveals secrets about the existence of her people. The movie is an exciting summer blockbuster but also a thoughtful adventure movie that grows on the story of this franchise in interesting and exciting ways.

1 Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) - Netflix

New And Old Ghostbusters Take On A New Threat

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

PG-13

Action

Comedy

Supernatural

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

*Availability in US

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire continues the story of a new generation of ghost hunters composed of Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Podcast (Logan Kim), who received help from the original team in the previous movie. Paul Rudd returns as Gary Grooberson and franchise co-creator Ivan Reitman returns to write and produce.

Director

Gil Kenan

Release Date

March 22, 2024

Cast

Finn Wolfhard , Mckenna Grace , Logan Kim , Celeste O'Connor , Carrie Coon , Paul Rudd , Bill Murray , Dan Aykroyd , Ernie Hudson

Runtime

115 Minutes

The latest entry in one of the most beloved comedy franchises of all time is now available for streaming. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is the follow-up to Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the nostalgic legacy sequel that brought the franchise back to its roots as a direct sequel to the original movies. That movie introduced the family of the late Egon Spengler to form a new team of Ghostbusters with a new ensemble that includes Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, McKenna Grace, and Finn Wolfhard. However, the ending of the movie also brought back the original stars, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson.

Frozen Empire now sees the new and old cast teaming up back in the original setting of New York City to take on a new supernatural threat. When an ancient artifact unleashes a terrible evil back into the world, it is up to the Ghostbusters to prevent the second ice age from happening. There are some other familiar faces to join in on the adventure besides the original heroes. There are also fun cast additions, such as Patton Oswalt and Kumail Nanjiani, to add to the comedic energy of the movie.

The Ghostbusters franchise has been a favorite among fans for decades and there are many who are thrilled to see it still going while carrying the spirit of the original with it. However, while Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire does certainly lean into some of the nostalgia of the franchise, it is also attempting to establish its own path which makes for an exciting and funny paranormal adventure.