This week marks one of the most packed seven days for new movies across the best streaming services I’ve ever seen, and I track the new streaming release calendar every single week. There are so many new flicks to choose from this week across popular platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, Apple TV Plus and more, that you’ll most likely need to schedule multiple movie marathons if you want to enjoy them all.
Picking a single headline pick is very difficult with such a strong field, but I’m hoping that the premium streaming release of “Caught Stealing” will bring more attention to this riotously entertaining Darren Aronofsky crime thriller. Meanwhile, over on Netflix, subscribers won’t want to miss the new drama movie “Steve” with Cillian Murphy, and Prime Video offers viewers the latest feature-film adaptation of the best-selling Parker novels, and this time it’s Mark Wahlberg stepping into the role as a master criminal.
There’s so much ground to cover this week that I’m just going to dive into all the top new movies across streaming services without any further introduction. But one last thing, be sure to also check out our guide to the best new TV shows this week for even more worthwhile viewing options.
‘Caught Stealing’ (PVOD)
“Caught Stealing” is a criminally overlooked gem from director Darren Aronofsky. This wonderfully entertaining crime thriller stars Austin Butler as a former baseball prodigy turned bartender after a career-ending injury. Inadvertently wrapped up in the dealings of various New York criminal organizations after agreeing to cat-sit for his punk-rock neighbour (Matt Smith), Austin’s Hank is forced to go on the run to escape the city’s seedy underbelly. As the criminal circle closes in on him, Hank considers increasingly desperate measures to protect himself, and of course, the adorable feline that has been left in his care.
Also starring Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio and Benito Martínez Ocasio, “Caught Stealing” mixes high-stakes drama with a well-considered comedic touch, and above all, it’s just supremely entertaining from start to finish. As you might have guessed from its star-studded cast, it’s also packed with excellent performances. This one really deserved more attention when it hit theaters, so don’t skip it on streaming.
Buy or rent on Amazon from September 30
‘Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’ (PVOD)
I have never seen an episode of “Downton Abbey,” so I’m perhaps not the best person to comment on this new movie, which, as the subtitle suggests, has been billed as “The Grand Finale.” So for this one, I’ll defer to the critics. The third feature-length installment in the popular period drama series has pulled a very impressive 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes. And it appears that longtime viewers are also pleased with this send-off, scoring it 96%.
Set in the summer of 1930, it sees the Crawley family face a public scandal and financial hardship while also grappling with the changing times as the next generation prepares to lead Downton Abbey into a new era. It includes several longtime cast members from the original TV show, including Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Raquel Cassidy and Paul Copley. I suspect dedicated “Downton Abbey” fans caught this one in theaters, but now you can enjoy it again (and again) at home as it makes its bow on premium on-demand streaming.
Buy or rent on Amazon from September 30
‘The Naked Gun’ (Paramount Plus)
“The Naked Gun” is one of the year’s funniest movies. Hollywood reboots get a bad rap, deservedly so much of the time, but this is a rare franchise revival done very right. Liam Neeson steps into the lead role, playing the son of the previous star, Leslie Nielsen. While the latter was a near peerless comedic force, Neeson is no slouch in the role as Frank Drebin Jr., and best of all, 2025’s “The Naked Gun” stays faithful to the spirit of the original.
Following a car crash in suspicious circumstances, Drebin Jr. is assigned the case, and the stakes are raised with the fate of the old-school Police Squad unit resting on its outcome. Also mixed up in the proceedings is femme fatale Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson). “The Naked Gun” is one of those comedies that you’ll need to watch multiple times to catch every goofy gag. It’s truly bursting at the seams with ludicrous comedy that you’ll miss several jokes because you’re laughing at the previous ones. It’s gloriously silly.
Watch on Paramount Plus from September 30
‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’ (PVOD)
Speaking of modern revivals of classic ’80s comedies, this week also sees “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” arrive on PVOD, the long-in-development sequel to mockumentary titan “This is Spinal Tap.” Unfortunately, the results are significantly more mixed than “The Naked Gun,” with Spinal Tap’s spoof on glam rock feeling quite out of place in the 21st century. Still, it’s great to see the band back together with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer returning. Plus, Rob Reiner is back in the director’s chair and also reprises his on-screen role as in-universe documentarian Marty DiBergi.
Set decades after the first Spinal Tap movie, “The End Continues” chronicles the band’s reunion to play a final concert in New Orleans. In the years since we last saw them, the members of Spinal Tap have become estranged and launched new careers ranging from curating a glue museum to running a cheese and guitar shop. With cameo appearances from music icons Paul McCartney, Elton John, Lars Ulrich and more, “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” has its moments but lacks the iconic staying power of the first.
Buy or rent on Amazon from September 30
‘Play Dirty’ (Prime Video)
“Play Dirty” is the latest adaptation of the “Parker” book series by American author Donald E. Westlake. The fictional character has been portrayed by numerous actors in the past, including Robert Duvall, Mel Gibson and Jason Statham, and served as the protagonist in 24 books. There’s a lot of material for Prime Video to mine, and for this latest feature take on Parker, it’s Mark Wahlberg who is stepping into the leading role as the mastermind criminal.
Directed by Shane Black, who knows his way around a crime thriller, having helmed “The Nice Guys” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” this new Prime Video movie sees Parker (Wahlberg) team up with a skilled crew to steal a major score, but the audacious heist pits Park against a South American dictator, the New York mob and the world’s richest man. “Play Dirty” also stars LaKeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, Tony Shalhoub, Keegan-Michael Key and Nat Wolff.
Watch on Prime Video from October 1
‘Steve’ (Netflix)
Netflix’s new original movie “Steve” is a small-scale drama that’s rich in character. I really hope it’s able to make an impression on the streaming service’s subscriber base, even if it lacks the action-thrills that usually monopolize attention on the platform (I’m still salty about last year’s “His Three Daughters” landing with a thud). Based on the novel “Shy” by Max Porter, who adapts his own source material here, it’s heartfelt and emotionally devastating.
Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy gives a predictably mesmerizing performance as the eponymous Steve, the headteacher at a state-funded school for young boys with serious behavioral issues. These kids have been deemed lost causes by society, but Steve sees their true value and battles to give them a future. Set over a single day, “Steve” is plenty impactful, even if some of the cinematic craft is a tad lacking. Murphy has rightfully received acclaim for his work, but don’t overlook the performance of Jay Lcyurgo as one of the pupils.
Watch on Netflix from October 1
‘Bring Her Back’ (HBO Max)
This week marks the start of spooky season, and so the arrival of one of 2025’s best horrors on HBO Max could not be better timed. “Bring Her Back” comes from Australian directing duo, Danny and Michael Philippou, and marks their second feature following 2023’s seriously chilling “Talk to Me.” The good news for genre fans is that this sophomore effort is every bit as nerve-shredding, and it packs one of the best performances in a horror movie this side of Toni Collette in “Hereditary,” thanks to Sally Hawkins.
“Bring Her Back” sees step-siblings Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong) placed in the care of Laura (Hawkins), a seemingly kind foster mom who lives in a secluded home in the woods. As they get settled into their new environment and meet Laura’s other foster kid, the mute and disturbed Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), it quickly becomes clear that something sinister is afoot. Creepy in all the right ways, and building to a stomach-twisting finale, “Bring Her Back” is a must-watch movie for anybody looking to get in the Halloween mood.
Watch on HBO Max from October 3
‘The Lost Bus’ (Apple TV Plus)
Apple TV Plus is on a roll with excellent original movies. Last week, the platform offered up the tear-jerking romantic drama “All of You,” and now it’s set to premiere “The Lost Bus,” which has already received acclaim from critics and viewers alike following its limited theatrical release earlier in the month. Based on a true story, it looks to be a heart-pounding survival thriller that follows an everyday hero as he attempts to save a group of school kids.
Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey) is a bus driver called into action when a deadly wildfire bursts into life. He’s tasked with driving a bus containing 22 children and their teacher (America Ferrera) through the inferno and to safety. Directed by Paul Greengrass, the filmmaker behind the “Bourne” franchise and “Captain Philips,” it looks to have all the ingredients for a gripping survival thriller that will get your adrenaline levels spiking.
Watch on Apple TV Plus from October 3
‘V/H/S/Halloween’ (Shudder)
The long-running “V/H/S” anthology series returns for its eighth installment, and naturally, it’s dropped on Shudder in good time for Halloween. If you’re unfamiliar with the “V/H/S” movies, each packs a series of self-contained horror shorts usually presented in a found-footage style (naturally, playing into the whole VHS motif). The quality of these shorts can greatly differ, but there’s usually at least a few in each “V/H/S” movie worth watching.
In this Halloween-themed entry in the series, the short ranges from an exploration of the deadly side effects of a new diet soda to the sole survivor of a masscare helping the police piece together the horrific events. Plus, one dark tale sees a group of teenagers ignore the “one per person” warning on a bowl of Halloween candy with sinister consequences. Franchise fans will no doubt devour this latest “V/H/S” with glee, and newcomers should note that, because of the anthology nature, you can start with this one if you wish.
Watch on Shudder from October 3
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