5 Top New Movies to Stream This Week on HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock and More (Oct. 20-26)

Discover the Best New Streaming Movies for the Week of October 20-26

While major platforms like Netflix and Prime Video are taking a brief hiatus this week, there is still an impressive lineup of cinematic releases hitting subscription streaming services. Whether you are looking for acclaimed dramatic features, family-friendly adventures, or spooky seasonal thrillers, platforms like HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock, and Shudder have you covered.

To help you cut through the clutter and maximize your movie-watching time, we have rounded up the most noteworthy new streaming releases for the week of October 20-26.

1. 'The Weight' (PVOD)

Premiering to a rapturous reception at the Sundance Film Festival, 'The Weight' holds a stellar 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Set in 1930s Oregon during the Great Depression, this gripping historical drama stars Ethan Hawke as Samuel Murphy, a battle-scarred World War I veteran struggling to provide for his family. After a run-in with the law lands him in a harsh work camp, the prison warden (played by Russell Crowe) offers him an early release on one condition: help smuggle a massive cache of gold bricks across 100 miles of unforgiving wilderness.

Where to watch: Apple TV (buy/rent) starting October 20.

2. 'Moana' (Disney+)

Disney’s live-action reimagining of its beloved animated hit makes its way to streaming this week. 'Moana' follows the courageous Polynesian heroine as she sets sail on a dangerous ocean voyage to save her island from an encroaching darkness. Featuring the return of all the classic, toe-tapping tunes and starring newcomer Catherine Laga'aia alongside Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui, this adaptation brings a fresh visual perspective to a familiar adventure.

Where to watch: Disney+ starting October 21.

3. 'Finding Emily' (Peacock)

If you are in the mood for a heartwarming, feel-good romantic comedy, look no further than 'Finding Emily'. This charming British rom-com pairs Spike Fearn and Angourie Rice with fantastic chemistry, elevated by a wonderful musical soul. The plot follows Owen, a university student bar worker who falls for a mysterious girl, only to realize he was given the wrong contact number. Teaming up with a psychology student also named Emily, he embarks on a delightful quest to find her.

Where to watch: Peacock starting October 23.

4. 'The Invite' (HBO Max)

Olivia Wilde’s 'The Invite' is an absolute tour de force and stands out as one of the sharpest comedy-dramas of the year. Starring Wilde alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton, the film takes place over the course of a chaotic San Francisco dinner party. When a married couple invites their upstairs neighbors over for the evening, hidden marital tensions and unconventional relationship dynamics erupt into a brilliant, unpredictable clash with genuine Oscar nomination potential.

Where to watch: HBO Max starting October 23.

5. 'The Cycle' (Shudder)

For horror and thriller enthusiasts prepping for the Halloween season, Shudder delivers 'The Cycle'. Launching with an impressive 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes from early critical reviews, this dark genre-bender follows the chilling discovery of a long-missing man's body at the scene of a horrific crime—36 years after his disappearance. It is up to his estranged daughter, played by Deborah Ann Woll, to unravel a dark web of secrets by confronting her father's haunting past.

Where to watch: Shudder starting October 23.