9 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, Hulu and more (Dec. 5-Dec. 12)
December is in full swing now and a whole batch of new movies are here this week on Netflix, Hulu, Paramount Plus and other major streaming services.
But most importantly, this week we get Killers of the Flower Moon, the Martin Scorsese epic about a series of murders in the Osage Nation, Oklahoma in the early 20th century. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, this is one of the biggest movies of the year, so it's a big deal that it's finally available to watch digitally.
Aside from that there are a couple of other major releases. A24's Showing Up is coming to Paramount Plus with Showtime, and it may be the last A24 movie coming to the streaming service after the production company's deal with Max. Psychological thriller Leave the World Behind and its star-studded cast are also arriving on Netflix this week.
Some of these titles are newly available via digital release, so you can purchase them for a premium price, but for others, all you need is the right streaming subscription. Here are the top new movies streaming this week. Plus, check out the new TV shows to watch from streamers this week and the best of what's new on Netflix.
Killers of the Flower Moon (PVOD)
Killers of the Flower Moon is supposed to land on Apple TV Plus — and it will eventually. But first, it's getting a stint as a paid video-on-demand offering.
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon is based on the true story of mysterious murders in the Osage Nation during the 1920s. Both actors are great in this movie, but the true star is Lily Gladstone, who plays Mollie Kyle, a member of the Osage Nation and Ernest Burkhart's (DiCaprio) wife. She puts in a star-making performance that shouldn't be missed.
Buy or rent on Amazon starting today (Dec. 5)
The Persian Version (PVOD)
The Persian Version is an absurd comedic drama about a large Iranian-American family with some very unique family members. The film largely focuses on Leila, played by Layla Mohammadi, who is constantly at odds with her mother. Oh, and she's a lesbian but gets pregnant after hooking up with a male actor.
As the family gathers together for the father's recovery from heart surgery, secrets come out, forcing an exploration of the family's past. There's a reason this comedy was praised at Sundance and you won't want to miss it.
Buy or rent on Amazon starting today (Dec. 5)
Subject (PVOD)
Subject explores the subjects of documentaries, including The Staircase, Hoop Dreams and The Wolfpack. It's tough to get more meta than a documentary about the subjects of other documentaries, but Subject is more than just performance art or mere commentary. At its core, it's an insightful look into how documentaries impact their subjects and the ethical responsibility of documentary filmmakers.
Buy or rent on Amazon starting today (Dec. 5)
Showing Up (Paramount Plus with Showtime)
Showing Up may be an older movie but its appearance on streaming services was delayed because, well, so was the movie. Despite debuting at Cannes in 2022, this A24 movie starring Michelle Williams as a sculptor and arts administrator only got its theatrical release this year. But that hasn't stopped it from receiving praise for both Williams and director Kelly Reichardt. If you have the premium version of Paramount Plus that includes Showtime, Showing Up is worth watching.
Stream on Paramount Plus with Showtime starting Dec. 7
Leave the World Behind (Netflix)
Leave the World Behind is a star-studded thriller. The movie features Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke as the Sandfords who are on vacation in Long Island. However, their vacation is quickly interrupted by the Scotts, played by Mahershala Ali and Myha'la, who inform the Sandfords that the place they are staying is actually their house.
But this thriller takes another turn when suddenly, a crisis strikes throwing not only the Sandford's vacation in jeopardy, but the entire world. Also starring Kevin Bacon, this Sam Esmail-directed thriller is a great option if you need a movie to watch this week.
Stream on Netflix starting Dec. 8
Merry Little Batman (Prime Video)
At this point, should we even be surprised a DC movie isn't coming to Max? This animated Batman adventure was originally supposed to arrive on Max, but will debut on Prime Video instead.
Starring Yonas Kibreab as Damian Wayne (a.k.a Little Batman), David Hornsby as the Joker and Luke Wilson as the Dark Knight himself, this holiday special probably won't get talked about the way we talk about The Dark Knight or even Mask of the Phantasm. But it should give you a fun, family-friendly superhero movie with some laughs for parents and kids alike.
Stream on Prime Video starting Dec. 8
The Mission (Hulu)
The Mission explores the death of John Chau, an American missionary who went to North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean. John was killed because North Sentinel Island is home to the Sentinelese one of the uncontacted tribes remaining in the world.
Their isolation is protected by law — the Indian government prohibits even photography of North Sentinel Island. But that didn't stop Chau from attempting to make contact. The Mission explores his plan and whether or not it was right to attempt it in the first place.
Stream on Hulu starting Dec. 8
The Sacrifice Game (Shudder/AMC Plus)
Did you enjoy The Holdovers? Well, what if it was a horror movie instead? The Sacrifice Game stars Mena Massoud, Olivia Scott Welch, and Gus Kenworthy and tells the horrific tale of a gang of killers invading a boarding school in 1971.
Will the students Samantha and Clara survive? You'll have to watch to find out. Spoiler alert: initial reviews have been pretty good, with the film currently getting a 100% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Stream on Shudder or AMC Plus starting Dec. 8
Jules (Paramount Plus with Showtime)
Starring Ben Kingsley as Milton, Jules is the story of what happens when a UFO crashes in your backyard. It's largely heartwarming and funny, with excellent performances from the cast that includes Jane Curtin, Harriet Sansom Harris, Zoë Winters, Jade Quon (as Jules, the alien) and Andy Daly in addition to Kingsley. If you want a movie that will leave you feeling good, Jules is a great choice.
Stream on Paramount Plus with Showtime starting Dec. 11
