5 new movies to watch this week across Netflix, HBO Max, and more (July 13-19) — here is a clear breakdown of what happened and why it matters right now.
The details below put the news in context: the key points first, the background after.
Last week’s list of new streaming movies included a tearful Oscar winner, a Stephen King adaptation, and a twisted crime thriller. As for this week, my top selection is one of the most-talked-about movies of 2026, which finally makes its streaming debut. I have a feeling this horror movie could set viewership records for Peacock.
Netflix has two entries this week. One is the final chapter for a beloved coming-of-age show. The other is a prequel to a famous dystopian franchise starring Jennifer Lawrence. Plus, a new documentary about a fashion icon premieres on HBO Max, while an intriguing thriller heads to Shudder. All five movies will be available to stream in the U.S.
I’m a novice when it comes to fashion history. I’m familiar with Marc Jacobs, the eclectic fashion designer behind the eponymous brand. However, I don’t know much about the man himself. Now, I’m extremely familiar with the work of Sofia Coppola, and for her latest movie, she puts the spotlight on Jacobs in Marc by Sofia.
Coppola and Jacobs have been friends since the early 1990s, and at times, the documentary feels like friends catching up about their lives. It also dives into Jacobs’ personal and professional life, from the death of his father and rocky relationship with his stepfather to his iconic grunge collection and his ascent to the top of the fashion world.
It’s been an incredible year for horror (more on that later), especially adaptations of video games. Exit 8 is a Japanese psychological horror movie based on a video game. A man known as the Lost Man (Kazunari Ninomiya) becomes trapped in an endless corridor while trying to leave a Tokyo subway station. He receives a call from his ex-girlfriend, saying she’s pregnant with his child. He loses connection while trying to leave.
The Lost Man then reads the instructions on the wall: If you find an anomaly, turn back. If you don’t see anything wrong, don’t turn back. Once you hit Exit 8, leave. It sounds simple, but this subway station becomes a purgatory of paranoia and regret as the man explores his failures and misgivings. It excels at atmospheric horror. If you’re from the U.S., open your mind to foreign films and give this 95-minute adaptation a chance.
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I was skeptical about The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes when I first heard about the adaptation. As a book, I trusted author Suzanne Collins to craft another riveting story, which she did. As a movie, I was nervous. How can you have a Hunger Games movie without Katniss? Color me shocked, because The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the best movie in the franchise since Catching Fire.
Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) is selected to mentor a tribute at the 10th Hunger Games. A win will restore his family’s legacy in Panem. Coriolanus is assigned to District 12’s Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a rebellious singer. I found this Hunger Games movie more brutal than the previous four because the tributes are killed in increasingly violent fashion. Even knowing who Snow will become, I still found myself rooting for him in the movie. That’s when you know it’s an effective prequel.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes streams on Netflix on July 14.
Heartstopper is a warm and comforting show that has touched so many lives. It explores important coming-of-age messages about inclusion, sexuality, mental health, and adolescence. At the center of the series is the relationship between Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) and Charlie Spring (Joe Locke).
After three seasons, the beloved program will wrap up its story in a feature film titled Heartstopper Forever. Nick and Charlie are in the final year of high school. With an impending long-distance relationship on the table, Nick and Charlie will navigate new challenges while preparing for their future. It’s a fitting conclusion to a successful adaptation.
Obsession is by far the biggest movie story of the first six months of the year. I don’t even think it’s close. Curry Barker’s horror movie, which cost roughly $750,000 to make, recently crossed $400 million at the box office. That’s more than blockbusters like The Mandalorian and Grogu. I saw Obsession in a packed theater two weeks after it came out, and it was my most memorable in-person viewing of 2026.
Bear Bailey (Michael Johnston) is in love with his friend and co-worker, Nikki Freeman (Inde Navarrette). Unable to admit how he truly feels, Bear breaks his “One Wish Willow,” a toy that grants a wish, and requests that Nikki love him more than anyone in the world. Much to his surprise, the wish works, and Nikki showers Bear with love and affection. Be careful what you wish for, as the One Wish Willow’s dark side comes to the surface, forcing Bear to confront an ugly truth.
With the number of streaming services, it feels like there are countless things to watch. If you’re on HBO Max, check out shows like Rooster and True Detective: Night Country, the ideal shows to watch on your next flight. Elsewhere, the list of new shows includes The Five Star Weekend on Peacock and Little House on the Prairie on Netflix.
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