Club Benefits
Another weekend is here, and that means plenty of new movies to add to your watchlist. Luckily, Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and other top streaming services are offering some great options. Whether you’re craving an emotional biographical drama, a lighthearted family flick, or a chilling horror, there’s something for every taste to stream over the coming days.
This week’s lineup includes Dwayne Johnson’s sports movie “The Smashing Machine,” arriving on HBO Max. Over on Hulu, you can catch a biographical musical drama about Bruce Springsteen, starring Jeremy Allen White as the young musician. Shudder has added the witchy cult horror “Mother of Flies,” while Netflix offers something lighter with Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, “Eleanor the Great.”
‘The Smashing Machine’ (HBO Max)
Sometimes a movie seems to have all the ingredients for Oscar potential, including complex protagonists, ensemble casts with strong chemistry, and emotional arcs that give actors room to shine, especially when drawn from real events. “The Smashing Machine” appeared to have that secret sauce, yet its underwhelming box office and lack of conversation sadly kept it out of the awards conversation. Hopefully, its arrival on HBO Max will find it a new audience, because it’s actually a compelling drama.
“The Smashing Machine” is a biographical sports drama starring Dwayne Johnson as mixed martial artist Mark Kerr, directed and written by Benny Safdie. The movie follows Kerr’s rise from amateur wrestling into the early world of MMA and the UFC, portraying his success in the ring alongside the physical and personal costs of competition. As Kerr fights higher‑profile bouts, the story shows his struggles with drug use and the challenges in his relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn Staples (Emily Blunt).
Watch now on HBO Max
‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’ (Hulu)
Another 2025 biopic that struggled at the box office is “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.” The movie, focusing on Bruce Springsteen, initially seemed set for success, but the recent flood of musical biopics may have left audiences feeling fatigued. Still, with a tighter, more focused approach to storytelling than many of its peers, the movie manages to carve out its own space and deliver a distinctive take. Much like “The Smashing Machine,” this one could find it deserved success on Hulu.
“Deliver Me From Nowhere” follows a pivotal period in Bruce Springsteen’s life as he works on what would become his 1982 album Nebraska. After a hugely successful tour and a hit single, Springsteen retreats to a rented house in New Jersey, where he records raw, acoustic demos on a four‑track recorder in his bedroom. The movie stars Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen and shows his interactions with his manager, bandmates, and loved ones while he navigates creative decisions and personal challenges during this transformative chapter of his career.
Watch now on Hulu
‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ (PVOD)
Oh, what a full-circle moment it is to write about my favorite childhood show through its new movie, “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.” Anyone looking for a family-friendly flick to stream this weekend will want to dive into the silly sponge’s latest adventures, which might be one of his most enjoyable big-screen experiences yet. While the animation may feel a bit uncanny for nostalgic fans like me, it still delivers the fun and laughter we’ve come to love.
SpongeBob SquarePants and his pals from Bikini Bottom are on a high‑sea animated adventure in this new movie. After SpongeBob becomes determined to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs, he sets off with Patrick and other familiar faces to the ocean’s depths. Along the way, they encounter the ghostly pirate The Flying Dutchman and journey into mysterious undersea realms in pursuit of a swashbuckling goal few have reached before.
Buy/rent now on Apple TV or Amazon
‘Mother of Flies’ (Shudder)
The title alone makes it clear this is a horror. “”Mother of Flies” is very much a twisting, intense chiller, meaning it’s definitely not for the faint of heart but perfect for anyone looking for something a bit more daring this weekend. Even from the trailer it looks genuinely unsettling, with plenty of sleek production and a gritty nature that makes it feel disturbingly real. This folk horror entry also packs plenty of practical effects and weirdness that are sure to linger in your nightmares.
“Mother of Flies” centers on Mickey (Zelda Adams), a young woman facing a serious, life‑threatening illness who isn’t ready to give up. Determined to find another way, she and her father Jake (John Adams) travel deep into the woods to seek out a mysterious recluse named Solveig (Toby Poser), a woman said to wield strange, death‑linked powers. For three days, Mickey undergoes Solveig’s intense, ritualistic practices in hopes of a cure, but every ritual comes with a cost.
Watch now on Shudder
‘Eleanor the Great’ (Netflix)
Scarlett Johansson’s feature directorial debut, “Eleanor the Great,” had a minimal box office run back in September, but its arrival on Netflix could give this comedy-drama a chance to really take off. Audiences have clearly embraced this 2025 movie, giving it a strong 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, critics were a bit more mixed with a 67% score, but this charming flick still represents a successful debut for Johansson as a director, proving her talent extends beyond acting.
“Eleanor the Great” follows Eleanor Morgenstein (June Squibb), a 94‑year‑old woman who, after the death of her lifelong friend, leaves Florida and moves to New York City to live with her daughter and grandson. Struggling to find her place, Eleanor inadvertently walks into a meeting for Holocaust survivors and, instead of correcting others’ assumptions, begins sharing her friend’s experiences as her own. As her story spreads, she forms a connection with a young college student who becomes intrigued by Eleanor’s account.
Watch on Netflix starting Jan. 24
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