5 top new movies to watch on Netflix, Prime Video, Max and more (July 2-8)

02/07/2024

It’s set to be another busy week of new movies arriving across the best streaming services as over the next few days just about every major platform has something fresh to offer subscribers including Netflix, Prime Video, Max, Peacock and Hulu.

The biggest new movie this week is a toss-up between “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” on Netflix and “Space Cadet” on Prime Video. Both should interest viewers looking for an enjoyable comedy to cure the mid-week blues. Meanwhile, we’re also set to see the streaming service debut of two theatrical releases as “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” and “Back to Black” head over to Max and Peacock respectively.

If you’re wondering what new movies you can stream this week, then you’ve come to the right place. Below you’ll find a full round-up of the biggest new offers across the most popular platforms. Plus, check out our sister article covering all the best new TV shows that you can watch this week.

'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' (Netflix)

It’s taken the best part of 30 years to get the next installment in the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise off the ground (development on this third sequel to the 1984 original started in the ‘90s). But finally, after many delays, false starts and production hiccups, Axel Foley is returning to his old beat, and this time his latest adventure is skipping theaters in favor of a direct-to-streaming release on Netflix.

Of course, recasting the iconic Axel Foley would have been practically unthinkable, so Eddie Murphy is back in the lead role for another spin as one of his most beloved comedic characters. This fourth installment jumps the action forward to the modern day and sees the wise-cracking detective return to his old stomping ground to investigate a threat to his daughter’s life. Teaming up with her ex-boyfriend (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), the two find themselves on the trail of a major conspiracy and need to recruit some old pals to help.

Watch on Netflix from July 3

'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire' (Max)

2023’s “Godzilla: Minus One” taught viewers that movies about skyscraper-sized monsters don’t have to be mindless popcorn flicks but can instead be driven by strong characters, an emotional narrative and thoughtful themes. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” puts that lesson to one side, and says “Look at this giant lizard and oversized ape smashing stuff, isn’t that cool?” And to the movie’s credit, it makes a pretty convincing argument on that basis.

While “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” puts far more stock in brawn than brains, and packs some of the most bland human characters in the franchise's history (quite an achievement considering 2019’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” exists), it’s a mostly enjoyable blockbuster.

I was disappointed that the two eponymous monsters share very little screentime — they are wrecking shop in separate locations for the majority of the film’s two-hour runtime — but I can’t deny the simple pleasure of seeing a behemoth flatten a city.

Watch on Max from July 4

'Space Cadet' (Prime Video)

Rex (Emma Roberts) is pretty much the last person you’d expect to find in NASA’s uber-selective space program, but after doctoring her application the party girl and proud slacker finds herself in training alongside candidates who are far more qualified on paper. However, while she’s anything but your typical astronaut, Rex might have the street smarts and moxie that NASA needs at this moment in time.

I’ll just come right out and say what we’re all thinking — the premise for “Space Cadet” is very stupid. In reality, a forged application would be detected in seconds, and Rex would be thrown out of training within moments of arrival. But, this Prime Video original isn’t attempting to spin a realistic yarn. Instead, it looks like a light and breezy comedy that has fun with its outlandish plot. Although, I’m concerned by the lack of laughs in the trailer.

Watch on Prime Video from July 4

'Back to Black' (Peacock)

Director Sam Taylor-Johnson brings the troubled life of British soul singer Amy Whitehouse to life in this musical biopic that explores her trailblazing career, struggles with addiction and tumultuous relationships with ex-husband Blake (Jack O’Connell) and father Mitch (Eddie Marsan). The recording of her 2006 album, from which the movie takes its name, is also covered in detail, as well as Amy’s many less-than-positive experiences with the paparazzi.

“Back to Black” received a bit of a roasting from critics. It has a very poor 33% score on Rotten Tomatoes, but its audience rating is significantly higher at 86%. I have my own issues with the movie, largely agreeing with the common criticism that the film glosses over the truly dark parts of Amy’s difficult life, but there is one reason I still recommend watching and that’s the committed performance of Marisa Abela in the leading role. Just be sure to watch the truly fantastic A24 documentary “Amy” afterward for a much deeper insight into Amy's tragically short life.

Watch on Peacock from July 5

'The Monk and the Gun' (Hulu)

On the surface, “The Monk and the Gun” might seem like a farcical action-comedy in the vein of 2011’s “Hobo with a Shotgun, but that assessment would be wide of the mark. This Bhutanese movie from director Pawo Choyning Dorji is not a gore-fest about a religious man on a rampage with a firearm, but instead, a thoughtful comedy-drama that was shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 2024 Oscars (though it missed the final nomination list).

In “The Monk and the Gun”, an American (Harry Einhorn) arrives in Bhutan under instruction to acquire a valuable rifle for a weapons collector. The firearm in question has fallen into the hands of a young monk, wandering the mountains on a spiritual mission of atonement. This sets the two on a collision course, and this is all happening against the backdrop of the South Asian nation preparing to hold its first-ever democratic elections.

Watch on Hulu from July 5