7 New Top Movies to Watch on Netflix, Hulu, and More (July 30-August 5)

Halloween came early this week, as the most popular new movies to watch on the top streaming services are dominated by horror films, including the blockbuster prequel “A Quiet Place: Day One” and the slasher trilogy closer “Maxxxine.”

Netflix subscribers are the real winners this week, though, as the world’s most popular service delivers a slew of new movies. And the list is pretty diverse, from an inspirational documentary to a SpongeBob SquarePants spinoff that puts Sandy Cheeks in the spotlight. Plus, there are new offerings on premium streaming platforms, and Hulu’s “Planet of the Apes” collection is getting even bigger.

If you’re looking for a rundown of the best new movies to watch this week, you’ve come to the right place. Below, you’ll find a guide to all the latest movies you’ll want on your radar. And be sure to check out our guide to the best new TV shows this week, too.

‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ (PVOD)

A Quiet Place: Day One | Official Trailer (2024 Film) – Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn – YouTube

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“A Quiet Place: Day One” is the third installment in the horror franchise, but instead of picking up on the cliffhanger ending of “A Quiet Place Part II,” it takes viewers back to the beginning. Yes, this is a prequel, and a pretty good one at that. The “Day One” subtitle is a bit misleading, however, as the film quickly moves past the initial pandemonium caused by the franchise’s central alien invasion and instead descends into a fairly routine survival horror setup of empty streets and scattered survivors.

Still, it feels different from the previous two “A Quiet Place” films and is anchored by the phenomenal Lupita Nyong’o. The Oscar-winning actress plays Sam, a woman caught in a nightmare situation when ferocious alien creatures drawn to sound fall from the sky. Stranded in a now-overrun New York City, she teams up with other survivors to navigate the horrific situation. But her mission isn’t one of survival; instead, her motivation is something more personal: scoring that last slice of pizza at her favorite NYC eatery.

Buy or rent on Amazon from July 30

‘Mountain Queen: The Peaks of Lhakpa Sherpa’ (Netflix)

Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa | Official trailer | Netflix – YouTube

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To call Lhakpa Sherpa an inspirational figure is an understatement. Sherpa has faced trials and conquered mountains (both literally and figuratively) her entire life. Born in rural Nepal, she faced gender bias from a young age. She eventually moved to the United States in search of a better life, but faced even more hardships from an abusive relationship and struggling to provide for her two daughters, Sunny and Shiny.

All these hardships would have broken many people, but not Lhakpa Sherpa. She channeled all of these struggles into a fierce drive, becoming the first Nepalese woman to climb Mount Everest in 2000, before reaching the summit nine more times to set a record for the most Everest summits by a woman. “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa” sees director Lucy Walker capture all of these remarkable feats, but the documentary also shows how true heroism can be found in the most unlikely places, not just on the summit of Everest.

View on Netflix from July 31st

‘Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color’ (Netflix)

GODZILLA MINUS ONE/MINUS COLOR Official Trailer – YouTube

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“Godzilla Minus One” dropped on Netflix earlier this summer, but this week the streamer is offering a new way to experience the monster movie masterpiece. “Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color” is the same film, but with the color removed for a monochrome makeover. This has become something of a niche trend in blockbuster movies, with films like “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” also getting a “Black & Chrome Edition.” This isn’t some cheap gimmick, though; “Minus Color” is an homage to the very first “Godzilla” film, which came out in 1954.

It’s also important to note that the making of “Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color” was a very time-consuming process. The filmmakers didn’t just slap on a black and white filter and call it a day; instead, they hired professional colorists to go over the film frame-by-frame and bring it to life in a new way. There are no extra or extended scenes in this version, but the lack of color makes the film’s take on Godzilla feel all the more intimidating, and it’s perfect if you’re itching to rewatch it.

View on Netflix starting on August 1

‘Tarot’ (Netflix)

TAROT – Official Trailer (HD) – YouTube
TAROT - Official Trailer (HD) - YouTube

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I’m not going to sugarcoat this: “Tarot” is not a very good movie. In fact, while I thought it was pretty bad when I saw it in theaters, critics seemed to rate it even lower. The film currently has an abysmal 18% on Rotten tomatoes. So why is it on this list? Because I can imagine this trashy teen horror appealing to people looking for a disposable pick to watch with friends. And in that specific situation, it might be worth something.

Like many generic horror films, “Tarot” centers on a group of friends who get caught up in forces beyond their understanding and are then slowly killed off one by one. In this case, the grisly circumstances revolve around a cursed deck of tarot cards. Once the sinister presence within these dusty cards is unleashed, the friends must uncover the deck’s mysterious past in hopes of finding a way to break the curse. Again, “Tarot” is only worth watching if you have a high tolerance for dumb movies with plot holes that go viral. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…

View on Netflix starting on August 1

‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ (Hulu)

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes | Official Trailer – YouTube

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“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is the latest addition to the remarkably consistent Apes franchise. Set decades after 2017’s “War for the Planet of the Apes,” Earth has been reclaimed by nature, with only a few remnants of humanity’s former rule remaining and a few survivors hiding in plain sight. Apes rule this new planet, with the primates divided into clans. In this strange new world, our point of view protagonist is a young chimpanzee hunter named Noa (Owen Teague).

Billed as the beginning of a new trilogy, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” sees Noa embark on a quest to save his tribe after they are captured by a vicious band of savage raiders operating on behalf of the ruthless Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand). During this quest to find his people, Noa meets a young human girl, Mae (Freya Allan), and a complicated alliance is forged. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” boasts blockbuster thrills and stunning CGI, but most impressively, it does a fantastic job of picking up the torch from the previous Apes trilogy.

View on Hulu from August 2nd

‘Maxxine’ (PVOD)

MaXXXine | Official Trailer HD | A24 – YouTube

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Speaking of trilogies, “Maxxxine” is the concluding chapter in director Ti West’s “X” series and sees Mia Goth reprise her role as Maxine Minx from 2022’s “X.” Set in ’80s Hollywood and dripping with neon noir vibes, “Maxxxine” is a slasher that tips its hat to the genre while also attempting to break away from the clichés typically found in such films. It’s an ambitious project and, to be honest, doesn’t quite succeed in everything it tries to accomplish, but the established duo of West and Goth are so committed to the concept that the effort is inescapable.

Set several years after “X,” Maxine is on the verge of her long-awaited big Hollywood break after being cast as the lead in a highly anticipated (and wildly controversial) horror sequel. But it’s not just her lines that she has to learn, as a terrifying killer is stalking young starlets on the streets of Los Angeles. Adding to the drama is the fear that Maxine’s violent past could surface at any moment. Prepare for some pulpy fun and a not-quite-satisfying ending, and you might just find “Maxxxine” to be a bloody good time.

Buy or rent on Amazon from August 2nd

‘Saving the Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie’ (Netflix)

Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie | Official Trailer | Netflix – YouTube

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I’m far from a SpongeBob SquarePants superfan, but I am happy to see the oft-underused Sandy Cheeks finally get her own movie in the aptly titled “Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie.” The lovable rodent steps out from under the shadow of the yellow sponge (though Squarepants is still heavily involved) and is the only one who can save the day when the residents of Bikini Bottom are suddenly scooped straight out of the ocean.

To save their best friends, SpongeBob and Sandy must travel across the sea to the squirrel’s home state of Texas and stop an evil CEO’s (Wanda Sykes) plot. Ditching the 2D cartoon look of the ever-popular Nickelodeon show for a mix of live-action and 3D animation (similar to the recent SpongeBob movie “Sponge on the Run”), “Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie” looks like a colorful diversion for younger Netflix viewers and big kids alike.

View on Netflix from August 2nd