Best new streaming movies this week
Premiere Access
The post-corona model for studio film distribution is becoming more clear and it's giving more choice to movie lovers. Disney announced that two of their upcoming tentpoles - Black Widow and Cruella, will be released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ at a $30 premium through Premiere Access. This announcement signals that Premiere Access has been a success for Disney. And it makes sense. Not only do they get their typical cut from box office revenues, they also get $30 per household per film...reaching viewers directly without having to share revenues with a middleman. Beyond the initial release window, even if folks don't shell out cash to watch Black Widow or Cruella at the theater or via Premiere Access, they're incentivized to keep paying their monthly Disney+ dues or sign up for the service if they want to watch some time later. It's a model that covers a lot of bases and it’s a win-win for Disney and for consumers. The only losers in this model are theater chains with their loss of release window exclusivity but that's been a long time coming since Netflix’s disruption the motion picture industry with high profile feature film releases on it’s service.
The distribution models from other studios are less robust...likely because they don't have the massive negotiating leverage Disney has. Warner announced they won’t continue the Same Day Premiere initiative into 2022. Instead, it's been reported that they've inked a 45 day theatrical window deal with Cineworld, owner of Regal Cinemas. Similarly, Universal inked a deal for a 17 day theatrical window and Paramount inked a deal for a 45 day theatrical window. Godzilla vs. Kong (see below) is Warner's second real test of a tentpole blockbuster film with Same Day Premieres (the first was Wonder Woman 1984) and I’m sure they've got an army of analysts ready to crunch it's performance numbers. Like I wrote last week, theaters are now opening up again in the markets that matter so Godzilla vs. Kong will provide valuable insight into enthusiasm for the traditional theatrical experience as we are nearing some normalcy through the pandemic. Regardless of Godzilla vs. Kong's performance and Warner's deals with the theater chains, we'll see simultaneous releases again in the future for Warner (and the other studios too) but it'll be different from their current strategy and closer to the Disney model. Perhaps a new subscription tier that gives access to Same Day Premieres? Only time will tell.
Here is the best new movies available this week on streaming video.
Concrete Cowboy (2020)
Available Friday, April 2 on Netflix
A teenager discovers the world of urban horseback riding when he moves in with his estranged father in North Philadelphia.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Available Wednesday, March 31 on HBO Max
The epic next chapter in the cinematic Monsterverse pits two of the greatest icons in motion picture history against one another - the fearsome Godzilla and the mighty Kong - with humanity caught in the balance.
Best new international films to watch this week on streaming video
Coven of Sisters (2020)
Available Thursday, April 1 on Netflix
Basque Country, 1609. The men of the region are at sea and Amaia takes part for the first time in the nightly dances in the woods with the other villager girls. She is only 20. At dawn, they are all arrested.
Other movies available this week (happy first of the month)
Netflix
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013)
At Eternity's Gate (2018)
White Boy (2017)
Tersanjung the Movie (2021)
Seven Souls in the Skull Castle (2013)
2012 (2009)
Cop Out (2010)
Insidious (2010)
Friends with Benefits (2011)
Irul (2021)
Leprechaun (1993)
My Fair Lady (1964)
The Possession (2012)
The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)
Yes Man (2008)
Air Strike (2018)
Just Say Yes (2021)
Madame Claude (2020)
Sky High (2020)
Escape from Planet Earth (2012)
Hulu
Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)
A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994)
Ramona and Beezus (2010)
The Upside (2019)
Shreck 2 (2004)
New in Town (2009)
Star Trek: Generations (1994)
Bug (2006)
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)
Never Back Down (2008)
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
Warriors of the Virtue (1997)
Die Hard Series (1988 - 2007)
Friends with Benefits (2011)
Guess Who (2005)
Life of Crime (2013)
War (2007)
Rio (2011)
Dude, Where's My Car? (2000)
2012 (2009)
In The Mix (2005)
Step Up Revolution (2012)
Sex and the City Movie Series (2008 - 2010)
Scary Movie 4 (2006)
Before We Go (2014)
Sliver (1993)
The Sandlot (1993)
Where the Heart Is (2000)
Vanilla Sky (2001)
The Preacher's Wife (1996)
Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector (2006)
The Polar Express (2004)
Bulworth (1998)
Chappaquiddick (2018)
The Out-of-Towners (1999)
Changing Lanes (2002)
Virtuosity (1995)
Disney +
The Big Year (2011)
The Island at the Top of the World (1974)
Star Wars: Caravan of Courage, An Ewok Adventure (1984)
Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985)
Third Man on the Mountain (1959)
Amazon Prime Video
Renegades (2017)
The Ghost Writer (2010)
Open Range (2003)
The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959)
Madea Goes to Jail (2009)
Madea's Big Happy Family (2011)
The Skull (1965)
Evan Almighty (2007)
Waiting to Exhale (1995)
The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)
The Hunting Party (1971)
The Devil's Double (2011)
Valerie (1957)
Motel Hell (1980)
Johnny English (2003)
What About Bob (1991)
Bob Roberts (1992)
Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)
Hancock (2008)
Platoon (1986)
Shaft (2000)
Chato's Land (1972)
Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
Frankie and Alice (2010)
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
Lady in a Cage (1964)
A Hologram for the King (2016)
The Sum of All Fears
The Dead Zone (1983)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993)
The Replacement Killers (1998)
Gunfighters of Abilene (1960)
Girl with Pearl Earring (2003)
Larry Crowne (2011)
Untraceable (2008)
Lords of Dogtown (2005)
Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (1974)
The Happening (2008)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
That Thing You Do (1996)
Still Smokin (1983)
Cohen and Tate (1988)
The Program (1993)
Smiley Face Killers (2020)
The Gift (2000)
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Milk (2008)
Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009)
Head of State (2003)
Brüno (2009)
Shooter (2007)
Because I Said So (2007)
Anna Karenina (2012)
A Simple Plan (1998)
The Pawnbroker (1965)
Men of Honor (2000)
Art of Falling in Love (2019)
Unhinged (2020)
Blair Witch (2016)
Peacock
American Pie Series (1999 - 2003)
U-571 (2000)
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