10 Best Movies to Watch on Streaming Right Now (November 2024)

The best new movies to watch on streaming this week include some of the biggest blockbuster movies of the year, the latest originals from the top streamers, and some smaller movies audiences might have missed in theaters. Movies from all types of genres are available on streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Peacock, and Paramount+ — including many that have only recently left theaters. There are also some streaming releases gaining award-season buzz.

Though the Halloween season is over, there are still some intriguing horror titles to consider for the first week of November, including the highly acclaimed The Substance. There are also plenty of options for the whole family to enjoy together, including Despicable Me 4 and Harold and the Purple Crayon. Also, for those looking for the next addictive documentary, both Netflix and Disney+ have some new offerings.

10 Harold And The Purple Crayon (2024)

Available October 31 On Netflix

Zachary Levi’s journey as a Hollywood leading man has hit a few obstacles in recent years. His time in the DC movie universe as Shazam seems to have ended and he followed the disappointing sequel Shazam!: Fury of the Gods with the box office and critical bomb, Harold and the Purple Crayon. The movie follows Harold, a figure from the pages of a book who draws whatever he can imagine and brings it to life. When Harold grows up, he decides to explore the real world, taking his magic crayon with him.

The movie came and went without much attention and there were reports that Sony attempted to sell the movie off to Netflix before its theatrical release. Ironically, following the movie’s box office failure, Harold and the Purple Crayon is available on Netflix. Despite the negativity surrounding aspects of the film, it still makes for a solid bit of family-friendly entertainment for all ages to enjoy together.

9 The Exorcism (2024)

Available October 30 On AMC+, Shudder

A troubled actor, Anthony Miller, portrayed by Russell Crowe, begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His daughter, Lee, played by Ryan Simpkins, suspects his erratic behavior might be due to his past addictions or something far more sinister. As the film progresses, the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, leading to a tense and chilling climax.

Director

Joshua John Miller , M.A. Fortin

Runtime

93 Minutes

Oscar-winner Russell Crowe seems to have an affinity for exorcism movies as of late. Following the surprise success of The Pope’s Exorcist last year, Crowe returns to the horror genre with his new movie The Exorcism. Interestingly, this movie takes the subject to Hollywood with Crowe playing an actor who has overcome his addiction issues to land the leading role in a new horror production. However, as the production is plagued by strange occurrences, the leading man also begins to go down a dark path.

With legends of „cursed” horror movie productions from Hollywood’s past, like The Omen and The Exorcist, this is a fascinating approach to the possession horror movie story. The movie is not as fun as The Pope’s Exorcist as it plays things perhaps overly serious. However, it is a solid horror release that was unfairly dismissed upon its release. Crowe helps to elevate the material with a committed performance.

8 Ezra (2024)

Available October 28 On Paramount+

Ezra (2023)

Stand-up comic Max Bernal (Bobby Cannavale) and his 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (introducing William Fitzgerald) set off on a road trip in this vivid portrait of a family figuring out how to understand one another. Having recently blown up his career and his marriage, Max is living with his father Stan (Robert De Niro) and is profoundly at odds with his soon-to-be ex-wife Jenna (Rose Byrne) about how to address their son’s special needs. When Ezra is expelled from yet another school, Max makes a rash decision to pack up the car and take his son on a cross-country odyssey to LA, where he has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform on Jimmy Kimmel.

Director

Tony Goldwyn

Runtime

100 Minutes

A strong cast comes together in a charming comedy-drama Ezra. Bobby Cannavale stars in the movie as comedian Max, who along with his ex-wife, raises their autistic son Ezra (William Fitzgerald). When Max gets a big break to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he is forced to drive from New York City to Los Angeles with his son. As the father and son get to know each other more and struggle with their situation, Max has to come to terms with his own dreams and what he wants for his son.

Cannavale makes for a sweet but flawed protagonist and has terrific chemistry with young Fitzgerald, who is the heart of the movie. They are backed by an impressive supporting cast that also includes Rose Byrne, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robert De Niro. It is a light and emotional story about the struggles of parenthood and the power of love for a child no matter what.

7 Treasure (2024)

Available October 28 On Paramount+

Treasure, directed by Julia von Heinz, stars Lena Dunham as Ruth, an American music journalist, and Stephen Fry as her father Edek, a Holocaust survivor. Set in 1990, the film follows Ruth and Edek as they travel through Poland, visiting his childhood haunts.

Director

Julia von Heinz

Cast

Lena Dunham , Stephen Fry , Zbigniew Zamachowski , Wenanty Nosul , Petra Zieser

Runtime

112 Minutes

Treasure is another family-centric story about a trip that leads to some bonding between a parent and their child. However, unlike Ezra, Treasure deals with the very different dynamic of an adult child interacting with their older parent. Treasure stars Lena Dunham as Ruth, an American journalist who travels to Poland with her father, Edek (Stephen Fry), to learn more about his life. However, Edek’s traumatic memories from the Holocaust and his eccentricities keep derailing their plans.

Treasure is one of those rare movies that can be heartbreaking and funny all at once. There are some heavy subjects the characters deal with, from their grief to their broken relationship. However, there is a lot of comedy in the interactions between Ruth and Edek with the two stars sharing an easy and authentic comedic chemistry. It is a little-seen gem more people can finally check out.

6 The Dead Don’t Hurt (2024)

Available November 1 On Paramount+

The Dead Don’t Hurt is a story of star-crossed lovers on the western U.S. frontier in the 1860s. Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps) is a fiercely independent woman who embarks on a relationship with Danish immigrant Holger Olsen (Viggo Mortensen). After meeting Olsen in San Francisco, she agrees to travel with him to his home near the quiet town of Elk Flats, Nevada, where they start a life together. The outbreak of the civil war separates them when Olsen makes a fateful decision to fight for the Union. This leaves Vivienne to fend for herself in a place controlled by corrupt Mayor Rudolph Schiller (Danny Huston) and his unscrupulous business partner, powerful rancher Alfred Jeffries (Garret Dillahunt). Alfred’s violent, wayward son Weston (Solly McLeod) aggressively pursues Vivienne, who is determined to resist his unwanted advances. When Olsen returns from the war, he and Vivienne must confront and make peace with the person each has become. Both a tragic love story and a nuanced depiction of the conflict between revenge and forgiveness, The Dead Don’t Hurt is a portrait of a passionate woman determined to stand up for herself in an unforgiving world dominated by ruthless men.
 

Acclaimed actor Viggo Mortensen has starred in a number of Westerns in the past, but he steps behind the camera as well as in front of it for the quiet yet intense genre entry, The Dead Don’t Hurt. Mortensen stars alongside Vicky Krieps as two pioneers who form a bond and decide to start a life together as the American Civil War breaks out. When Mortensen goes off to fight, Krieps is left to survive on her own in the corrupt and unforgiving land.

While not the rollicking action-packed Western some fans of the genre are looking for, The Dead Don’t Hurt is a solid entry that brings a lot of interesting elements. It is a sweeping romance as well as a rumination on violence. Mortensen makes for a stoic and compelling protagonist, but he gives the real leading role to Krieps, who delivers a strong performance as a fiercely independent woman who still struggles with the brutality of the world.

5 Janet Planet (2024)

Available On November 1 On Max

Janet Planet follows 11-year-old Lacy during the summer of 1991 in rural Western Massachusetts. She spends her days immersed in her imagination and the attention of her mother, Janet. As the summer progresses, three visitors enter their lives, all enchanted by Janet’s charismatic presence.

Director

Annie Baker

Cast

Zoe Ziegler , Luke Philip Bosco , June Walker Grossman , Abby Harri , Julianne Nicholson , Will Patton , Edie Moon Kearns , Mary Shultz

Runtime

113 Minutes

Stories about parents and children seem to be a recurring theme among the new movies streaming this week as Janet Planet is the third film to fall into that category. The small indie project stars Julianne Nicholson as Janet, a melancholy and quirky woman who spends the summer with her young daughter Lacy, who has adopted many of Janet’s eccentricities and views of the world. As the mother and daughter spend their days together, various people come in and out of their lives.

The movie is a quiet and thoughtful story of motherhood that is quite different from the approach normally taken with these stories. Janet and Lacy talk to each other like peers, both somewhat lost in the world and unsure of what to make of it all. There is also a loneliness to them despite being each other’s ideal companions. It is not a movie for everyone, but those who can go along with the unique tone will find a lot to like.

4 Music By John Williams (2024)

Available November 1 On Disney+

John Williams’ career spans jazz, film scores, and concert music, earning him 54 Oscar nominations, five wins, and a significant cultural impact. This documentary explores the life of this prolific musical icon.

Director

Laurent Bouzereau

Cast

John Williams , Steven Spielberg , Kathleen Kennedy , Frank Marshall , Kate Capshaw , Gustavo Dudamel , J.J. Abrams , Chris Martin , Ron Howard , Chris Columbus , George Lucas , Itzhak Perlman , Lawrence Kasdan , Yo-Yo Ma , Ke Huy Quan , James Mangold , Alan Silvestri , David Newman , Thomas Newman , Seth MacFarlane , Anne-Sophie Mutter , Branford Marsalis

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There are a pair of intriguing documentaries available to stream this week, both dealing with very different icons of their fields. The first is Music by John Williams, a new Disney+ documentary examining and celebrating the life and work of legendary composer John Williams. As the man behind some of the most iconic movie scores of all time — from Jaws to Star Wars to Jurassic Park to Harry Potter — there are few people in the world who aren’t familiar with his work.

Like Disney+’s documentary Jim Henson: Idea Man, Music by John Williams is an in-depth look at how Williams’ journey began, the work he did, and the lasting impact of that work. However, unlike with Henson, the documentary can draw from the man himself for the insightful interviews. There are also interviews with some of Williams’ famous collaborators, like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, as well as some famous admirers.

3 Martha (2024)

Available October 30 On Netflix

Martha is a candid documentary exploring the life of lifestyle icon Martha Stewart. It chronicles her ascent, dramatic challenges, and triumphant return, providing insight into her personal and professional journey through her own narration.

Director

R.J. Cutler

Release Date

August 31, 2024

Cast

Martha Stewart

Runtime

113 minutes

​​​​A new Netflix documentary is already drawing a lot of attention for tackling one of the most fascinating pop culture figures around. Martha is an in-depth documentary about Martha Stewart, the world’s first female American billionaire. Stewart built a staggering empire with her home and the hospitality brand became a part of the mainstream over the years. From there, her career hit several roadblocks followed by a surprising change in her public persona which brought new success.

Martha touches on the criminal conviction, the past relationships, and the amazing way Stewart built this business on her own. Stewart is an entertaining personality with a blunt way of speaking leading to the documentary being funnier than expected. However, it is also a fascinating look at the perception of powerful women in the business world compared to men.

2 Despicable Me 4 (2024)

Available October 31 On Peacock

The infamous (and kind-hearted) not-super villain Gru returns in Despicable Me 4, the fourth entry in the long-running movie series from Illumination Entertainment. The fourth film also sees the return of Gru’s wife, Lucy, portrayed again by Kristin Wiig, and introduces their son.

One of the biggest movies of the summer is now available for streaming. The Despicable Me franchise continues with Despicable Me 4 bringing back Gru and all the beloved characters for a new adventure. Steve Carell once again voices the former dastardly villain who is now a caring family man but still entrenched in the wild world of espionage. As Gru balances the struggles of a new baby at home, he is also confronted by a new nemesis emerging to challenge him.

Part of the fun of the fourth movie in the family-friendly franchise is that Carell is joined by one of his most iconic costars as Will Ferrell steps in to voice the new character of Maxime Le Mal. This dynamic adds a fun spark to the movie while the Minions are always there to steal the show as well. It is the perfect streaming option for the family to enjoy together, and with the massive box office success, fans can be assured the franchise will continue.

1 The Substance (2024)

Available October 31 On MUBI

Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading celebrity, turns to a mysterious drug that promises to restore her youth by creating a younger, more beautiful version of herself. But splitting time between her original and new body leads to horrifying consequences as her alternate self, Sue, begins to unravel her life in a disturbing body-horror descent.

Director

Coralie Fargeat

Cast

Demi Moore , Margaret Qualley , Dennis Quaid , Gore Abrams , Hugo Diego Garcia , Olivier Raynal , Tiffany Hofstetter , Tom Morton , Jiselle Burkhalter , Axel Baille , Oscar Lesage , Matthew Géczy , Philip Schurer

Runtime

140 Minutes

One of the most acclaimed movies of the year is not available to stream at home. The Substance has been one of the most buzzed-about films of the fall, with it even earning some unexpected award-season buzz. The twisted thriller stars Demi Moore as a celebrity who becomes obsessed with the idea that her beauty and youth are fading. Desperate to hold onto it, she begins using a black-market drug that temporarily allows her to appear young once again. However, the side effects prove to be horrific.

The Substance is a clever and sharp commentary on youth-obsessed culture and the pressure that is put on women. However, there is so much more to the movie than that. It is also a hilarious dark comedy with some wild laugh-out-loud moments. Of course, some of the most talked-about elements are the body horror aspects of the movie that deliver gruesome gore that genre fans will love.