How are we already in September? The new month brings with it plenty of great new movies across the best streaming services to dive into, but if you're struggling to decide what to watch, we've got you covered.
Two crowd-pleasing blockbusters arrive on streaming this week: Disney's latest live-action remake, "Lilo & Stitch," just landed on Disney Plus, and Liam Neeson steps into the shoes of the legendary Leslie Nielsen's series in "The Naked Gun," now on premium video-on-demand services. If you're in the mood for even more laughs, Max has another comedy you shouldn't miss, A24's "Friendship," in which Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd are the comedy duo I never knew I needed.
Meanwhile, Apple TV plus has a new crime thriller from Spike Lee that's shaping up to be an Oscar frontrunner, "Highest 2 Lowest." And Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron's surprisingly charming romcom about finding love in a presidential race, "Long Shot," returns to Netflix.
So without further ado, let's dive into the best new movies on streaming to watch this weekend.
‘Lilo & Stitch’ (Disney Plus)
Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, Disney’s live-action remakes keep coming (and making beaucoop bucks at the box office). The latest, "Lilo & Stitch," struck me as just as hollow and unnecessary as the rest of Disney's live-action line-up, but I realize I'm in the minority here, given its 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The story stays mostly faithful to the 2002 animated original, though the ending diverges in a big way that I won't spoil here. A mischievous alien crash-lands in Hawaii while fleeing galactic authorities, and ends up bonding with a lonely young girl named Lilo (Maia Kealoha). She hopes Stitch can help her heal her broken family, but his antics only push her already overburdened sister and guardian, Nani (Sydney Agudong), to her limit. When intergalactic police arrive to haul Stitch away, it's up to Lilo to keep her family together.
Watch it now on Disney Plus
‘The Naked Gun’ (PVOD)
Speaking of remakes that nobody asked for, "The Naked Gun" is now streaming just one month after hitting theaters. Truth be told, it honestly did a lot better than I expected, earning an 88% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and just shy of $100 million at the box office. I hope this paves the way for more new comedies to premiere on the big screen instead of going straight to streaming.
The fourth film in “The Naked Gun” series is a legacy sequel to 1994’s “The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult” that stars Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Leslie Nielsen’s Frank Drebin. He's even more of a loose cannon than his old man, and it's up to him and femme fatale Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson) to save the world because reasons. Director Akiva Schaffer’s revival gleefully channels the spirit of the originals with rapid-fire wordplay, gags, and gloriously over-the-top set pieces made even funnier by Neeson's stone-faced delivery.
Buy or rent now on Amazon or Apple
‘Friendship’ (HBO Max)
A24’s "Friendship" is a hoot and a half, thanks in large part to "I Think You Should Leave" star Tim Robinson's signature deadpan delivery of lines so awkward they hurt. I know this dark comedy about the quiet agony of making friends as an adult won't be everyone's vibe, but if you can withstand some toe-curling cringe, it's one of the funniest movies I've seen in years.
Robinson shines as Craig Waterman, a socially clueless marketing exec with zero friends. At his wife Tami’s (Kate Mara) insistence, he tries to befriend his effortlessly magnetic new neighbor, Austin (Paul Rudd), a local weatherman, punk band frontman, and owner of a mustache worthy of its own fanbase.
It's not long before their neighborly hangouts take a turn for the worse. After one humiliating night out with Austin’s crew, Craig finds himself frozen out. Instead of backing off, he becomes obsessed with regaining Austin’s approval, driving his already self-destructive impulses into dangerous territory.
Watch it now on HBO Max
‘Highest 2 Lowest’ (Apple TV Plus)
Legendary filmmaker Spike Lee reunites with longtime collaborator Denzel Washington for "Highest 2 Lowest" in their first project together since 2006. An English-language remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic "High and Low," it premiered to strong reviews at the Cannes Film Festival and has already sparked early Oscar buzz.
Washington stars as David King, a powerhouse music mogul on the verge of reclaiming majority ownership of his record label in a career-defining deal. But his lavish life is thrown into chaos when his son, Trey (Aubrey Joseph), is kidnapped and held for ransom, forcing David into a life-or-death moral dilemma that could shatter everything he’s built.
With a supporting cast that includes Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, and A$AP Rocky, "Highest 2 Lowest" is shaping up to be a potential breakthrough hit for Apple’s often underrated streaming service.
Watch it now on Apple TV Plus
'Long Shot' (Netflix)
Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron may not seem like the most obvious romantic duo, but their chemistry is undeniable in "Long Shot," an offbeat rom-com set amid a high-pressure political campaign. Theron plays Charlotte Field, an ambitious presidential candidate who hires Fred Flarsky (Rogen), her former childhood neighbor turned schlubby journalist, to punch up her speeches. But it's not long before all those nights of collaboration gradually rekindle their connection and spark something deeper.
What makes "Long Shot" work is its balance, weaving in smart political satire without letting social commentary overshadow the romance. At its heart, it’s anchored by a couple you can't help but root for, two people who genuinely respect each other’s intelligence and passion, which makes their attraction all the more believable.
Watch it now on Netflix
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More from Tom's Guide
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