Top 9 new movies available on Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV Plus and more (June 25-July 1)

Top 9 new movies available on Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV Plus and more (June 25-July 1)

So many new movies arrive on the best streaming services this week that it's hard to know where to start. I cover the latest streaming releases every week, and the next seven days are packed with must-see new movies on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and more.

It's really tough to pick a headline movie among the many films streaming this week, but the one-two punch of "The Boy and the Hare" and "Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga" is not to be missed. Other picks include the Zac Efron rom-com "A Family Affair" on Netflix and the critically-acclaimed "Fancy Dance" on Apple TV Plus.

If you're looking for something fresh to watch this week, you have plenty of options. So, to help you choose a gem, I've compiled a list of my top picks below. And don't forget to check out my list of the best new shows streaming this week.

It is becoming increasingly common for films to have a very short time between their theatrical release and their streaming debut, but "The Boy and the Heron" bucks this new trend. Viewers who wanted to watch the latest film by animation master Hayao Miyazaki in the comfort of their own homes were forced to endure a long wait. The Boy and the Hare, which opened in U.S. cinemas in December 2023, finally made its way to premium streaming platforms this week.

Set during the Pacific War, "The Boy and the Heron" follows a boy named Mahito (voiced by Luka Padovan in the English dub) who moves from his home in Tokyo to a country estate after his mother dies and his father remarries. Unable to adjust to his new home, he discovers an abandoned tower and is transported to a strange new world by a mysterious talking hare (Robert Pattinson). What follows is a series of fantastic adventures inspired by Miyazaki's childhood, and the story is brought to life by the flawless animation of the legendary Studio Ghibli.

Buy or rent on Amazon starting June 25

"Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga" has struggled at the global box office. It is currently stalling at just under $200 million worldwide, which may seem like a tremendous amount of money, but that is about what the film cost to make (and that is before marketing expenses). This is very disappointing considering that it is another "Mad Max" directed by George Miller.

Although the name Mad Max is carelessly added to the title, this post-apocalyptic action epic does not feature Mud and focuses on Furiosa; as a prequel set in the years leading up to 2015's "Mad Max: Death Road to Rage," the hero heroine has been recast, with Charlize Theron replaced by Anya Taylor-Joy (Alira Brown as Furiosa's childhood/teenage). Furiosa is caught in the middle of a battle for control of the wasteland between the sadistic ruler Immortan Joe (Lacey Hulme) and Dementas (Chris Hemsworth).

Buy or rent on Amazon starting June 25

Prime Video's new original documentary, which centers on the life and career of world-renowned singer Celine Dion, seems to really bring tears to the eyes. Directed by Eileen Taylor, the film chronicles the amazing career of Canadian performer Celine Dion, which spans more than 40 years. The film chronicles her humble beginnings growing up in a large family in Quebec, her rise to international fame after winning the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest, and her success in the U.S. in the 1990s. In addition, the scoop on the hit song "My Heart Will Go On" from "Titanic" will no doubt be featured at some point.

However, this biographical documentary will have a more somber side, as it chronicles Dion's 2022 diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome, a condition that causes chronic pain and impairs mobility. If you're a Celine superfan, you probably don't need me to sell you on this Prime Video film, but even if you don't know her discography outside of a few of her biggest hits, you should see it. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 100% rating.

Watch it on Prime Video starting June 25

Netflix's new original rom-com will be familiar to anyone who watched "Your Idea" on Prime Video earlier this year. This film, too, centers on a surprising relationship between a celebrity and an older woman. In this case, Zac Efron plays Chris Cole, an egotistical Hollywood star who romances Brooke (Nicole Kidman). But it is not just the age difference that complicates their relationship. Brooke's daughter and Chris' personal assistant, Zara (Joe King), is not too keen on this unlikely pairing and plots to break them up.

From the trailer, the chemistry between Efron and Kidman seems pretty good, and Joe King has plenty of experience leading popular Netflix originals (she starred in Netflix's "Kissing Booth" series). Personally, I'm skeptical of its quality, but I'll watch it with an open mind and hope for some pleasant surprises.

Watch it on Netflix starting June 28

Lily Gladstone follows up her flawless performance in "Killers of the Flower Moon" with a lead role in Erica Tremblay's directorial debut, "Fancy Dance." Gladstone's performance is highly acclaimed, and after missing out on an Oscar for Emma Stone, she may try again in this film.

In Fancy Dance, set on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma, Gladstone plays Jax, a woman who takes care of her niece Loki (Isabelle Deloy-Olson) after the mysterious disappearance of her sister. While helping Loki prepare for a powwow, Jax continues to search for her sister, but with Loki's biological father Frank (Shea Whigham) seeking custody, the two make a last-ditch effort to find Loki's mother before it is too late. More than just a mystery drama, "Fancy Dance" also addresses social themes such as the failures of the justice system and the struggles of indigenous peoples in a colonized world.

Available on Apple TV Plus on June 28

After an underwhelming double feature release in theaters and premium streaming in February, "The Red Right Hand" is set to debut on Hulu, which may be its last This may be its chance. However, based on the middling reviews, the film is likely to sink to the bottom of the service's content library without making waves.

In this action thriller, Orlando Bloom plays Cash, a man trying to make an honest living with his newly orphaned niece Savannah (Chapel Oaks) in a quiet Odim County town. But a crime boss named Big Cat (Andie MacDowell) forces Cash to work for her. Not wanting to do the mob boss's dirty work any longer, Cash fights back while protecting his family and the town.

Watch on Hulu starting June 28

The horror genre can sometimes lack original ideas, but In a Violent Nature tries to shake things up. In this unique take on the slasher subgenre, events unfold from the perspective of a masked killer, rather than a group of friends being stalked by a relentless killer. In a Violent Nature has generated a great deal of interest on social media and early reviews have been strong."

Like many horror films, "In a Violent Nature" begins with a group of carefree friends stumbling upon something they should have left alone. In this case, it is a rocket found in the remains of a collapsed fire lookout tower. When one of the group pockets the item, the vengeful spirit of a corpse named Johnny (Rae Barrett) is unleashed, and soon the resurrected corpse begins to stalk the woods, obsessed with retrieving the locket. Expect brutal carnage and a fresh perspective on the horror genre.

Buy or rent on Amazon beginning June 28

"Problemista" captured my attention from the moment I learned that Tilda Swinton and Glee Lee were teaming up, and the positive reception at South by Southwest piqued my interest further. Later, the surrealist comedy is now moving to the best streaming services, and Julio Torres' directorial debut is not to be missed.

Torres plays Alejandro, an immigrant and aspiring toy-maker living in New York City. Struggling to bring his strange and often impractical ideas to life, Alejandro's time to stay on a work visa is rapidly approaching. Accepting an assistant position with a demanding art critic (Swinton), Alejandro gets one last chance to stay in the country he loves and realize his dreams.

Watch it on Max starting June 28

After a shortened theatrical run earlier this month, "The Watchers" is switching to streaming fairly quickly. This is often a sign that a film has failed to garner significant attention at the box office, and such seems to be the case with this supernatural horror. The film is the directorial debut of Ishana Knight Shyamalan, daughter of M. Night Shyamalan, and (for better or worse) inherits many of the same characteristics as her father's films.

Built around a fairly predictable twist (which I won't spoil, just in case), "The Watchers" is set deep in the Irish countryside. But beyond the tall trees and lush animals, something more sinister lurks in these woods. Trapped in the forest, a young woman (Dakota Fanning) is forced to seek shelter and discovers a strange cabin inhabited by three strangers.

Buy or rent on Amazon starting June 28

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