Welcome to When To Stream’s Weekly Preview! Every week, we take a closer look at the major film streaming releases scheduled to launch in the next 7 days. As always, release dates are subject to change.
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Here are this week’s highlights:
Tuesday, March 31st, 2026
28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE – Netflix
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, Chi Lewis-Parry
Synopsis: Expanding upon the world created by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland in 28 Years Later but turning that world on its head – Nia DaCosta directs 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. In a continuation of the epic story, Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) finds himself in a shocking new relationship – with consequences that could change the world as they know it – and Spike’s (Alfie Williams) encounter with Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) becomes a nightmare he can’t escape. In the world of The Bone Temple, the infected are no longer the greatest threat to survival – the inhumanity of the survivors can be stranger and more terrifying.
What we like:
- This quick follow up to Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later was a hit with critics, currently sitting at 92% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences loved it too, giving it an A- Cinemascore.
- Director Nia DaCosta said she deliberately avoided imitating Danny Boyle’s visual style, explaining that her goal was to create a film that was “bonkers, idiosyncratic, and artistically personal”, while still fitting within the franchise’s tone.
- DaCosta gets her Alfred Hitchcock moment. During the train flashback scene, she can be seen seated on the left side of the train.
What we don’t like:
- Despite positive reviews and good word-of-mouth, there just wasn’t an appetite for another 28 Years Later film 7 months after the last one. The film is only at $25M domestically and about $57M worldwide. It’s unclear if the hoped-for last installment in the 28 Years trilogy will be made, which is a shame.
AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH – $19.99 Sale / TBD Rental
Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Giovanni Ribisi, Dileep Rao, Matt Gerald, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Edie Falco, Brendan Cowell, Jemaine Clement, Britain Dalton, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jack Champion, Bailey Bass, Filip Geljo, Duane Evans, Jr., David Thewlis and Oona Chaplin
Synopsis: In the wake of the devastating war against the RDA and the loss of their eldest son, Jake Sully and Neytiri face a new threat on Pandora: the Ash People, a violent and power-hungry Na’vi tribe led by the ruthless Varang. Jake’s family must fight for their survival and the future of Pandora in a conflict that pushes them to their emotional and physical limits.
What we like:
- Big Jim Cameron delivers another action spectacle, and while this one didn’t quite climb the box-office heights of the first two Avatar films, it’s still approaching $1.5B worldwide.
- Despite being Cameron’s first film since 1994’s True Lies not to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, the film did pick up a Best Visual Effects statue at this month’s ceremony.
- Oona Chaplin’s Verang became the breakout character for a certain subset of the internet, and her performance does give the film a needed dose of new blood.
What we don’t like:
- The film is dedicated to John Refoua, who was a co-editor on the film and passed in 2023, and Jon Landau, Cameron’s longtime producing partner, who passed in 2024. Shortly after his death in July 2024, Cameron stated that it was Landau who was in fact “the heart of the Avatar family” and “the center of gravity of our bubble universe.”
CLIKA – Netflix
Cast: Jay Dee, Cristian Gutierrez, Daniel Lopez, Laura Lopez, Nana Ponceleon, OhGeesy, Eric Roberts, Uziel Pantoja, Josh Benitez, Francine Sena, Percy Miller and Peter Greene.
Synopsis: In the debut film from trailblazing music producer Jimmy Humilde’s production company, aspiring small town musician Chito (JayDee) is determined to make it big. When a clip of him performing one of his songs goes viral, he seizes the opportunity and pushes to carve out a place for himself in the new wave of Mexican-American music…and ultimately gets caught in a game more dangerous than anticipated. In a story of ambition, tradition, and self-discovery, Chito is ultimately forced to confront the choices he’s made in his relentless pursuit to reach his dream.
What we like:
- This music drama centers on the Mexican-American regional music scene, which is a genre that rarely gets the feature film treatment.
- The film was produced by Jimmy Humilde, the founder and CEO of Rancho Humilde, a regional Mexican record label. Humilde and his label are credited with reshaping the genre for a global audience and developing styles like corridos tumbados, which blends traditional sounds with modern influences.
- Director Michael Greene took inspirations from Friday, 8 Mile, and Boyz in the Hood for the tone of the film.
What we don’t like:
- This is the last screen appearance for veteran character actor Peter Greene, who died unexpectedly at age 66 last December from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound. Greene was a memorable figure in such films as Pulp Fiction, The Usual Suspects, and The Mask.
DOLLY – $19.99 Sale / TBD Rental
Cast: Fabianne Therese, Seann William Scott, Ethan Suplee, Russ Tiller, Kate Cobb, Michalina Scorzelli, and Max the Impaler.
Synopsis: Macy fights for survival after being abducted by a deranged, monster-like figure who wants to raise her as their child.
What we like:
- The “villain” isn’t a doll… but acts like one. Even though the title suggests a toy, the antagonist is actually a human-like figure wearing a porcelain doll mask.
- This is not PG-13 M3GAN or Child’s Play. Director Rod Blackhurst was inspired by classic grindhouse horror and employs The Texas Chainsaw Massacre-type brutality, with a dash of New French Extremity. YES!
- The creepy “Dolly” figure is portrayed by Max the Impaler, a professional wrestler.
What we don’t like:
- We’re very excited to check this one out, but will it be able to out-creep the ultimate walking doll of the 21st century? We’re talking, of course, about the Alabama walking Chucky, which still haunts our dreams:
NATCHEZ – $14.99 Sale / TBD Rental
Synopsis: Filmmaker Suzannah Herbert takes a sharp look at the American South’s unreconciled history through a Mississippi town that mixes antebellum tourism with a community deeply divided over its past. With an unflinching lens, the film captures the debates, memories, and tensions that are building toward a reckoning.
What we like:
- This documentary from Suzannah Herbert had its world premiere at Tribeca Festival last June, where it won the filmmaker the Best Documentary Feature prize.
- Instead of narration, the film follows actual residents, including tour guides who present traditional (and often white-washed) Southern history, and activists who run tours focused on slavery and Black history.
- Even though it’s local, the film tackles bigger questions: Who gets to tell history? How does tourism shape memory? Can a place survive economically while telling uncomfortable truths? So it’s really about America as a whole, not just Natchez.
What we don’t like:
- Despite being named one of Top Five Documentaries of 2025 by The National Board of Review, the film didn’t get much awards traction deep in the season. It failed to make the 15-film Best Documentary Feature long list for the 98th Academy Awards.
PILLION – $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Harry Melling, Lesley Sharp, Douglas Hodge, Anthony Welsh, and Jake Shears
Synopsis: A timid man is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive.
What we like:
- Harry Lighton’s adaptation of the 2020 novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones is a sort of BDSM rom-com (dom-com?), with Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling giving unforgettable performances.
- The film world premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it won the section’s Best Screenplay prize. At the 28th British Independent Film Awards, the film earned ten nominations and won in four categories, including Best British Independent Film. It was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Outstanding British Film, and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer (for Lighton) at the 79th British Academy Film Awards. Lighton also won Best Adapted Screenplay at the 35th Gotham Independent Film Awards.
- Singer Jake Shears, from the band Scissor Sisters, makes his film acting debut.
What we don’t like:
- If you’re looking to rent or buy the theatrical cut of the film, make sure to check the rating. The MPA recently rated a new cut of the film, with the following explanation:
SCREAM 7 – $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, Joel McHale, Mckenna Grace, Michelle Randolph, Jimmy Tatro, Asa Germann, Celeste O’Connor, Sam Rechner, Ethan Embry, Tim Simons and Mark Consuelos
Synopsis: When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter (Isabel May) becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.
What we like:
- This is the first film in the series directed by Kevin Williamson, who wrote Scream (1996), Scream 2 (1997), and Scream 4 (2011).
- There’s still a lot of life in this IP. The film opened to $63.6 million, topping Scream VI as the largest for the franchise, though below Scream 2 and Scream 3 when adjusted for ticket price inflation.
- Neve Campbell was reportedly paid $7 million to return to her most famous role, the biggest salary of her career.
What we don’t like:
- In November 2023, Melissa Barrera was dropped from her lead role in Scream 7, which was a result of social media posts she had made which described Gaza as a “concentration camp” and the Israeli government’s actions in the Gaza war as “genocide and ethnic cleansing”. It sure seems like the actress, whose star was on the rise, has been sidelined for her candor. Her next project: A killer whale thriller with John Travolta.
THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE – Hulu
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Lewis Pullman, Christopher Abbott, Tim Blake Nelson, Thomasin McKenzie, Stacy Martin, Matthew Beard, Scott Handy, Jamie Bogyo, Viola Prettejohn, David Cale
Synopsis: An epic fable about religious leader Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shaker Movement, who was proclaimed by her followers as the female Christ and went on to build one of the largest utopian societies in American history. Lee — one of the rare female religious leaders at the time —and her followers worshipped through exuberant song and dance.
What we like:
- The partnership of Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet produces another winner with this musical drama. After last year’s The Brutalist (which Corbet directed), the pair have proven themselves as a filmmaking team with vision and huge ambition. Bravo.
- Lead Amanda Seyfried gives a towering performance that’s incredibly physical and emotionally moving. She’s backed by a talented supporting cast, including Lewis Pullman, Christopher Abbott, Tim Blake Nelson, and Thomasin McKenzie.
- Despite being a sweeping period piece, the film was reportedly shot in just 34 days on a modest budget of about $10 million. Hats off to the below-the-line crew for making it look great on a low budget.
What we don’t like:
- Seyfried picked up a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, but then pretty much disappeared from the awards race. In fact, the whole film was blanked at the Oscars, which is a shame. It’s certainly not for everyone, and we’re not surprised it tanked at the box-office. But we’re convinced the film, and Seyfried’s performance, will have a very long shelf life.
“WUTHERING HEIGHTS” – $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Cast: Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, and Ewan Mitchell
Synopsis: A passionate and tumultuous love story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, exploring the intense and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.
What we like:
- Director Emerald Fennell follows up her buzzy eat-the-rich confection Saltburn with this literary adaptation. And while Saltburn struggled at the box-office, this was a big fat hit for Warner Bros.
- Although based on the classic novel by Emily Brontë, Fennell made it clear she considers it “a version,” not the adaptation. Her goal was to recreate the feeling of reading it as a teenager, not strictly follow the book.
- Co-lead Margot Robbie is also a producer of the film under her label LuckyChap Entertainment.
What we don’t like:
- The decision to cast Jacob Elordi, a white actor, as the racially ambiguous Heathcliff, described in the novel as a “dark-skinned gipsy” or “Lascar”, sparked controversy. Fennell defended her decision, stating that he “looked exactly like the illustration of Heathcliff on the first book that I read.”
Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
CRIME 101 – Prime Video
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh with Nick Nolte and Halle Berry
Synopsis: Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, CRIME 101 weaves the tale of an elusive thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose high-stakes heists unfolding along the iconic 101 freeway have mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime with hopes of this being his final job, his path collides with a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads, forcing the two to collaborate. Determined to crack the case, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) closes in on the operation, raising the stakes even higher. As the multimillion-dollar heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are forced to confront the cost of their choices–and the realization that there’s no turning back.
What we like:
- We love a crime thriller stacked with talented actors, and this one definitely fits the bill: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, and Halle Berry!
- Director Bart Layton is best known for his well-reviewed 2018 indie American Animals, which also featured a young Barry Keoghan.
- The film is an adaptation of Don Winslow’s 2020 novella of the same name.
What we don’t like:
- Across the board, reaction to the film was good, not great. It has a 68 Metacritic score (good, not great). It received a ‘B’ CinemaScore from audiences (good, not great). To-date, it’s earned $67M worldwide on a reported $90M production budget (okay…not good, not great). But it’s really all small potatoes for Amazon, who are currently basking in the glow of Project Hail Mary‘s success.
THE HOUSEMAID – Starz
Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, Elizabeth Perkins
Synopsis: Millie is a struggling woman who is relieved to get a fresh start as a housemaid to Nina and Andrew, an upscale, wealthy couple. She soon learns that the family’s secrets are far more dangerous than her own.
What we like:
- A big, fat hit over the holiday season. It earned over $127M domestically and is approaching $400M worldwide. We’re not sure who needed this more…Lionsgate (who hasn’t had a $100M grosser since the last Hunger Games movie in 2023), or Sydney Sweeney, who also hasn’t had a hit since her 2023 romcom Anyone But You.
- Paul Feig, best known for comedies like Bridesmaids and Spy, directed this much darker psychological thriller. It’s nice to see him get another theatrical success as well.
- We’re big fans of Elizabeth Perkins, who has a supporting role in the film.
What we don’t like:
- We can’t forget that this is also a huge win for Amanda Seyfried. But it’s bittersweet, because the supremely talented actress just put in career-best work in The Testament of Ann Lee, and it was ignored by Oscar voters. It also flopped in theaters. If only 10% of the audience who went to The Housemaid gave Ann Lee a shot…well…it’s just not happening. Booooo!
Friday, April 3rd, 2026
DEATHSTALKER – Shudder
Cast: Daniel Bernhardt, Christina Orjalo, Paul Lazenby, Nicholas Rice, Patton Oswalt
Synopsis: The warrior Deathstalker is tasked by an old witch lady to obtain and unite the three powers of creation – a chalice, an amulet, and a sword – lest the evil magician Munkar get them and use them for nefarious purposes. After obtaining the sword, Deathstalker joins with other travelers going to the Big Tournament to determine the strongest warrior. The false king holds the true princess in captivity, and plots to have Deathstalker killed, and Deathstalker must fight to free the princess.
What we like:
- A reboot of 1983’s Deathstalker, a famously low-budget sword-and-sorcery actioner that gained a cult following over the years.
- Slash from Guns N Roses is an executive producer on the film, and he composed the theme song for the film with Bear McCreary and Chuck Cirino.
- Instead of modern CGI spectacle, director Steven Kostanski leans into puppetry, prosthetics and practical creature effects, which gives it a very 1980s fantasy vibe.
What we don’t like:
- We’re actually a little surprised the sword-and-sorcery genre hasn’t made much of a comeback since the 1980s. We suppose The Lord of Rings films and Game of Thrones series scratch much of the same itch, but they don’t quite offer the same fantasy grindhouse experience. We salute this Deathstalker reboot for conjuring memories of those 80s VHS classics, and it’s great that the film will be on Shudder. But let’s get a big studio to take a chance on this genre!
FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S 2 – Peacock
Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich, Wayne Knight, Mckenna Grace, and Teo Briones
Synopsis: One year since the supernatural nightmare at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, the stories about what transpired there have been twisted into a campy local legend, inspiring the town’s first ever Fazfest. With the truth about what transpired kept from her, Abby sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, setting into motion a terrifying series of events that will reveal dark secrets about the true origin of Freddy’s, and unleash a long-forgotten horror hidden away for decades.
What we like:
- The sequel to 2023’s surprise smash hit Five Nights at Freddy’s, again directed by Emma Tammi (who also directed the first), with the screenplay by franchise and game creator Scott Cawthon. No Peacock day-and-date launch this time.
- The animatronics are once again top-notch. Fans and critics alike have noted how much craftsmanship went into them, especially with practical effects from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
- It’s a Scream Reunion Baby! Skeet Ulrich joins original cast member Matthew Lillard for the sequel.
What we don’t like:
- Critics were very unimpressed with this sequel. The film currently sits at 16% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which is pretty brutal. But these films are popular and profitable, so we’ll probably get at least 3 or 4 more.
MY UNDESIRABLE FRIENDS: PART 1 – LAST AIR IN MOSCOW – MUBI
Synopsis: American filmmaker Julia Loktev, born in the Soviet Union, returned to Moscow in 2021 to make a documentary on the persistence of independent media journalism in Putin’s Russia—just months, as it turned out, before the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Structured in five chapters, Loktev’s film is an extraordinary vérité document of a moment of immense change and anxiety.
What we like:
- This epic documentary comes from Russian-American filmmaker Julia Loktev, who previously helmed the acclaimed narrative features Day Night Day Night and The Loneliest Planet.
- Loktev filmed the movie herself using an iPhone as a one-person crew, and she tracks young Russian reporters (many of them women) working for independent outlets like TV Rain as they’re labeled “foreign agents.”
- At the 2025 Gotham Independent Film Awards, it won Best Documentary Feature. It was also shortlisted for Best Documentary Feature at the 98th Academy Awards, but was not nominated.
What we don’t like:
- You’ll have to settle in for this one. The film runs about 324 minutes (over 5 hours), making it one of the longest major documentaries in recent years. It is divided into five chapters, almost like episodes, each focusing on different stages of the journalists’ lives and the growing political tension. So it shouldn’t be a problem if you can’t make it through 5 hours in one sitting.
PIZZA MOVIE – Hulu
Cast: Gaten Matarazzo, Sean Giambrone, Lulu Wilson, Jack Martin, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Marcus Scribner, Caleb Hearon, Sarah Sherman, Justin Cooley, Kevin Matthew Reyes, Adam Herschman, and Lucas Zelnick
Synopsis: A shy college student and his reckless roommate set out on a simple mission to grab pizza, but after a strange dose of a mind-bending experimental drug, they’re thrust into a chaotic night of absurd encounters, wild hallucinations, and unexpected revelations that could change their lives forever.
What we like:
- The feature directorial debut of the creative duo known as BriTANick (Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher), this comedy recently premiered at the SXSW Festival and drew comparisons to Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and Hot Tub Time Machine.
- Gaten Matarazzo (the kid from Stranger Things) and Sean Giambrone (the kid from The Goldbergs) are the leads, but we’re more intrigued by Daniel Radcliffe playing ‘The Voice of a Butterfly.’
- We’re always excited for a well-reviewed comedy. This one currently sits at 83% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
What we don’t like:
- So this Instagram video is an amusing take-off of the Chalamet video, and the two young actors are pretty funny. But can we officially retire the Chalamet/Opera/Ballet digs?
Saturday, April 4th, 2026
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG – Netflix
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, Krystal Joy Brown, Katie Rose Clarke and Reg Rogers
Synopsis: Spanning three decades, Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along charts the turbulent relationship between composer Franklin Shepard and his two lifelong friends — writer Mary and lyricist & playwright Charley. Originally produced on Broadway in 1981, then becoming an inventive cult-classic ahead of its time, Merrily We Roll Along features some of Stephen Sondheim’s most celebrated and personal songs.
What we like:
- This proshot movie captures the acclaimed 2023–24 Broadway revival directed by Maria Friedman starring Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe (who both won Tony Awards for their performances), plus Lindsay Mendez (who was Tony nominated).
- RadicalMedia, the same company that filmed the original cast of Hamilton for Disney+ and Come from Away for Apple TV+, shot this revival. They know what they’re doing.
What we don’t like:
- Fans of the musical will have to re-watch this staged version for the next 15 years or so. Richard Linklater’s film adaptation began filming in 2019, and won’t be hitting theaters until 2040 or 2041.
PRIMITIVE WAR – Hulu
Cast: Ryan Kwanten, Tricia Helfer, Nick Wechsler and Jeremy Piven
Synopsis: During the Vietnam War, a recon unit ventures to an isolated jungle valley to uncover the fate of a missing platoon. They soon find themselves in a fight for their lives against an unexpected enemy — prehistoric dinosaurs.
What we like:
- This US-soldiers-fighting-dinosaurs-in-Vietnam movie adapts a 2017 novel by Ethan Pettus, who also co-wrote the screenplay.
- It’s an award-winning film. The 2026 Film Threat Award This! Awards handed it Best Picture, Best Director (Luke Sparke), and Best Indie Film.
- Critics didn’t hate it either. The film currently sits at 63% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Not too shabby!
- Before its theatrical release, Primitive War headlined a panel at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2025, marking the first time an Australian film was a panel headliner at the convention.
What we don’t like:
- On a reported $7M budget, the film grossed only about $1.2M worldwide. HOWEVER! It must have cleaned up on VOD and other platforms, as the filmmaker’s have announced plans for a Primitive War 2.
Happy Streaming Everyone!
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