It’s always a treat to see box office hits finally make their way to streamers, and this week we see the brawling monster raking in the cash. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire debut on Max.
Elsewhere, Eddie Murphy reprises his duties in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F on Netflix, while Space Cadet is starting to air on Prime Video. It’s also Shark Week 2024, so there are plenty of shark documentaries to check out on Hulu and Disney Plus too, if you’ve already exhausted our recommendations for shark-inspired monster movies.
Below, we’ve rounded up the biggest new movies and TV shows to stream on Netflix, Prime Video, Max and more this weekend.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (Max)
To watch
Sometimes a movie is so ridiculous that it works. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire – which is now streaming on Max – is one of these films.
This sequel to the equally absurd Godzilla vs Kong In this film, the title monsters team up to defeat a colossal threat hidden deep within the Earth. Rebecca Hall, Kaylee Hottle and Brian Tyree Henry all reprise their roles from the previous film, as do, of course!, Godzilla and Kong.
Don’t expect Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire to rewrite the rules of action cinema, but if you’re looking for something to help you unwind this weekend, then this is arguably one of Max’s best films. UK viewers, however, will have to wait a little longer before it hits streamers.
Now available to stream on Max in the US.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (Netflix)
To watch
30 years after he last donned his blue badge and carried his pistol, Eddie Murphy reprises his role as famed Beverly Hills cop Axel Foley in the aptly titled film Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F on Netflix.
In this sequel and reboot, Foley returns to the fray when the lives of his daughter, Jane (Taylour Paige), and her former partner, Billy (Judge Reinhold), are threatened. So Foley works with Jane and her ex-boyfriend, Detective Bobby Abbott (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), to uncover a dangerous conspiracy (surprise!).
Critics have described Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F as “stereotypical” but “still funny,” so while it might not be one of the best Netflix movies, it seems like a worthwhile film for fans of the current franchise.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
Space Cadet (Prime Video)
To watch
Continuing this week’s theme of thoughtful, slow-moving (not…) independent films, Space Cadet on Prime Video.
This made-for-streaming film stars Emma Roberts as a Florida party girl whose fabricated resume lands her a spot in NASA’s astronaut training program (think Revenge of a Blonde meets First man). Naturally, she does as well as one could hope.
Tom Hopper, Poppy Liu and Gabrielle Union also star Space Cadetwhich critics have described as a “lazy streaming game” (ouch!). Still, it might be a good thing to watch in the background.
Now available to stream on Prime Video.
The Imaginary (Netflix)
To watch
Studio Ghibli fans, listen up: Taken away as if by magic animator Yoshiyuki Momose’s latest feature film, The Imaginaryis now available to stream on Netflix.
Based on the popular children’s novel of the same name by A.F. Harrold, this new Netflix film centers on Rudger (Kokoro Terada), an imaginary boy who learns he will disappear if his creator, a young girl named Amanda (Rio Suzuki), forgets him.
Critics have described The Imaginary As a “moving and charming testament to the pleasures of dreams,” it could therefore be among the best Netflix films of the year.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
The Real Brothers of Simi Valley: High School Reunion (The Roku Channel)
To watch
A rare recommendation for Roku streaming stick owners here: The Real Brothers of Simi Valley: High School Reunion is now available on the Roku Channel.
This feature-length sequel to Jimmy Tatro’s Facebook Watch comedy series – which itself was a parody of The Real Housewives And Jersey Shore – reunites the original cast members of the series for their high school reunion after 10 years of high school. Tony Hawk, Tyler Posey, Zoey Deutch and Shaun White are among the new faces.
Now available to stream on the Roku Channel.
The Man with a Thousand Children (Netflix)
To watch
The first of two documentaries selected for this week’s list is The Man with 1000 Children on Netflix.
This three-part docuseries tells the harrowing story of Jonathan Jacob Meijer, a Dutch sperm donor accused of fathering hundreds of children and defrauding vulnerable families around the world.
Critics have described The Man with 1000 Children as “gripping” and “scary,” so it might be one of the best Netflix documentaries of the year so far.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
Sprint: The World’s Fastest Humans (Netflix)
To watch
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a champion sprinter? Netflix’s new documentary series, Sprinting: The World’s Fastest Humanswill show you.
This 10-episode series, produced by the producers of Formula 1: Drive to survive And At his best – follows athletes from around the world, including Sha’Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, as they attempt to take Usain Bolt’s crown as the fastest person on the planet.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
For more streaming coverage, check out our guides to the best Disney Plus movies, best Netflix movies, new Prime Video movies, and new Max movies.