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:
Monday, July 13th, 2026
MILE END KICKS – Netflix
Cast: Barbie Ferreira, Juliette Gariépy, Devon Bostick, Jay Baruchel, Stanley Simons, Emily Lê, Robert Naylor, Hasani Freeman, Magi Merlin
Synopsis: In 2011, Montreal’s indie music scene, Grace Pine, a 24-year-old music critic moves to the Canadian city to write a book on Alanis Morissette’s classic ‘Jagged Little Pill’ album. But her plans take an unexpected turn when she gets romantically involved with members of an indie band for whom she serves as their publicist.
What we like:
- Writer/Director Chandler Levack based the story in part on her experiences as a young music journalist before becoming a filmmaker.
- Best known for Euphoria, Barbie Ferreira gives a terrific performance as Levack’s avatar. She’s funny, vulnerable, selfish, and completely relatable as someone in their mid-20s making terrible choices. One of our favorite films of the year so far.
- We always complain about Canada acting as a stand-in for other locations, but here it gets to shine as itself. Great use of Montreal.
- We’re so happy this is hitting Netflix, which should significantly raise the film’s profile.
What we don’t like:
- Some audiences and critics felt the male band members in the film were depicted as one-dimensional “bad boy” cliches, but we disagree! Guys can be dicks!
Tuesday, July 14th, 2026
BACKROOMS – $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell
Synopsis: A strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom, leading to an endless network of interconnected rooms where time bends and the only thing scarier than getting lost is the sense that something is laying in wait.
What we like:
- The feature film debut of Kane Parsons, who first became famous as a teenager for his viral YouTube “Backrooms” videos, and now, at age 20, has became one of the youngest filmmakers ever to direct a studio-backed theatrical release.
- Rather than relying entirely on digital effects, the production reportedly built more than 30,000 square feet of physical Backrooms sets. According to reports, the maze-like construction was so extensive that people occasionally got lost on set.
- The movie became a major box-office phenomenon, earning over $330 million worldwide (on a $10M production budget) and became the highest-grossing film in A24’s history.
What we don’t like:
- Critics who disliked the film often felt that the characters were less compelling than the setting and didn’t receive enough development. While some viewers enjoyed the creature designs, others thought the entities were less frightening once they were fully revealed.
THE BREADWINNER – $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Cast: Nate Bargatze, Mandy Moore, Colin Jost, Zach Cherry, Martin Herlihy, Kate Berlant, with Kumail Nanjiani and Will Forte
Synopsis: Starring record-breaking comedian Nate Bargatze in his first feature film, The Breadwinner is a family comedy that follows the misadventures of Nate Wilcox, whose wife Katie (Mandy Moore) lands a once-in-a-lifetime deal on Shark Tank that takes her on a prolonged business trip – and now the lifelong breadwinner has to fend for his family as a first-time stay-at-home dad. With three young daughters and little experience handling their day-to-day needs, Nate finds out quickly that running the household is the toughest gig he’s ever had.
What we like:
- One of America’s biggest stand-up comedians, Nate Bargatze not only stars in the film but also co-wrote and co-produced it, marking his first leading role in a theatrical movie.
- The film was directed by Eric Appel, who previously directed the Emmy-winning parody film Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
- The film features a stellar cast of supporting comedic performers, including Colin Jost, Kumail Nanjiani, Will Forte, Zach Cherry, and Martin Herlihy.
What we don’t like:
- Critics and some audiences expressed frustration that the movie relies on outdated mid-century sitcom clichés, painting fathers as helpless at basic household duties like laundry and cooking.
- Despite Bergatze touting a ‘Nate Rate’, offering tickets at a reduced price, the film pretty much bombed in theaters. It grossed only $20M at the domestic box-office.
IS GOD IS – MGM+
Cast: Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, Mykelti Williamson, Josiah Cross, with Vivica A. Fox and Sterling K. Brown
Synopsis: In Is God Is, two sisters embark on an epic quest for revenge, confronting a charged family history that will push them to extraordinary lengths.
What we like:
- The film is based on playwright Aleshea Harris’s Obie Award-winning 2018 play of the same name. Harris also wrote the screenplay and made her feature directorial debut with the adaptation. But don’t worry, there’s not a thing about this film that feels stagey.
- Rather than being a straightforward thriller, the film combines elements of revenge cinema, psychological horror, Greek tragedy, Spaghetti Westerns, and dark comedy into a highly stylized story.
- The film’s cast is stacked with talented performers, including Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Janelle Monáe, Vivica A. Fox, and Sterling K. Brown. Keep a special eye out for Young, who’s already building an incredible resume. She’s a four-time Tony nominee and two-time winner, and is the first black performer to win acting Tony Awards consecutively.
What we don’t like:
- This incredibly entertaining film deserved to find a much bigger audience than it did in theaters. Despite a semi-wide release from Amazon MGM Studios, it failed to crack $5M at the US box-office. And it’ll have a tough time reaching more people on MGM+. Still, MGM titles often migrate to Prime Video after a few months, so we’ll let you know when that gets scheduled.
STOP! THAT! TRAIN! – $19.99 Sale / TBD Rental
Cast: Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Symone, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Marcia Marcia Marcia, RuPaul, Joel McHale, Chris Parnell, Natasha Leggero, & Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Synopsis: Two train stewardess BFFs switch from a dull railway to the luxurious Glamazonian Express. During a massive storm, they must work with snooty first-class crew and President Gagwell to prevent disaster in LA.
What we like:
- Best known for directing Hairspray and The Wedding Planner, Adam Shankman both directed and produced this comedy from RuPaul’s World of Wonder production company.
- RuPaul’s Drag Race alumnae Ginger Minj and Jujubee take the leads here, but the supporting cast includes the eclectic comedic stylings of Rachel Bloom, Joel McHale, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Chris Parnell, Lisa Rinna, Raven-Symoné, Natasha Leggero, Michelle Visage, and Charo.
- Shankman has cited comedies like Airplane! and the films of the Zucker brothers as major inspirations, aiming to revive the fast-paced, joke-filled parody genre for modern audiences. More (smart) filmmakers should do this!
What we don’t like:
- We’re fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race, but must admit we usually fast-forward through the show’s acting challenges, which feature very broad comedy that doesn’t really hit our funny bone. RuPaul’s character here is named President Judy Gagwell, which is the sort of obvious pun we’re worried this film is filled with. Still…reviews have been positive, so we’ll definitely give it a shot.
Also streaming Tuesday:
Wednesday, July 15th, 2026
COLD STORAGE – MGM+
Cast: Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, Sosie Bacon, with Vanessa Redgrave, Lesley Manville, and Liam Neeson
Synopsis: When a mutating, highly contagious fungus escapes a sealed facility, two young employees – joined by a grizzled bioterror operative – must survive the wildest night shift ever to save humanity from extinction.
What we like:
- The film is adapted from David Koepp’s 2019 novel Cold Storage. Koepp, best known for writing films such as Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible, and Spider-Man, also wrote the screenplay.
- The cast is an interesting mix of up-and-coming talent (Joe Keery, Sosie Bacon, Georgina Campbell) and heavyweight legends (Liam Neeson, Lesley Manville, Vanessa Redgrave).
- The film earned an 81% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising its gooey practical effects, energetic performances, and affectionate homage to classic B-movie creature features.
What we don’t like:
- This was distributor Samual Goldwyn Films’ biggest swing in quite some time, and despite a semi-wide roll-out in over 1k theaters, it didn’t really hit with audiences. The film earned only about $1.5M at the domestic box-office.
Thursday, July 16th, 2026
MARC BY SOFIA – HBO Max
Cast: Sofia Coppola, Marc Jacobs, Spide Jonze
Synopsis: An intimate, unconventional portrait of Marc Jacobs, crafted by Sofia Coppola to capture the genius and singular universe of the iconic American designer.
What we like:
- After building her career with acclaimed narrative films such as Lost in Translation and Priscilla, Sofia Coppola makes her nonfiction feature debut.
- Rather than being a traditional biography, the documentary offers an intimate portrait of legendary fashion designer Marc Jacobs, focusing on both his creative process and his personal life. Much of the documentary follows Jacobs during the 12 weeks leading up to his Spring 2024 fashion show, giving viewers behind-the-scenes access to everything from sketching designs to staging the final presentation.
- The film revisits milestones including his years at Parsons School of Design, his controversial “grunge” collection for Perry Ellis, and his influential work at Louis Vuitton.
What we don’t like:
- We’re disappointed Coppola didn’t go all the way to title her film in the style of this famous Marc Jacobs branding:
Friday, July 17th, 2026
EXIT 8 – Shudder
Cast: Kazunari Ninomiya, Yamato Kochi, Naru Asanuma, Kotone Hanase, and Nana Komatsu
Synopsis: The story follows a man trapped in an endless sterile subway passageway, who sets out to find Exit 8. The rules of his quest are simple: do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. If you discover an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you don’t, carry on. Then leave from Exit 8. But even a single oversight will send him back to the beginning.
What we like:
- The film is adapted from a 2023 indie game where you simply walk through a subway corridor and spot “anomalies.” There’s almost no story or dialogue in the game, so the filmmakers had to build a full narrative from a minimalist concept.
- Instead of jump scares, the film focuses on subtle changes. Posters are slightly different, objects are moving, people are behaving “off.” The tension comes from questioning your own perception, which mirrors the anxiety of the game.
- At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it world premiered, the film won an award for Best Poster Design.
What we don’t like:
- The Japanese film attracted some controversy in its home country over a scene that depicts a tsunami, as well as the production company’s delay in issuing an official warning about this potentially upsetting content, which came three days after the film’s release.
HEARTSTOPPER FOREVER – Netflix
Cast: Kit Conor, Joe Locke, Yasmin Finney, Will Gao, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Tobie Donovan, Rhea Norwood, Jenny Walser, Fisayo Akinade, Nima Taleghani, Leila Khan, Bradley Riches, Anna Maxwell Martin and Derek Jacobi
Synopsis: Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) are inseparable, but with Nick preparing to leave for university and Charlie finding new independence at school, the reality of a long-distance relationship begins to weigh on them. Doubts take hold, and their relationship faces its biggest challenge yet. Meanwhile, their friends are also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on. Can first loves really last forever?
What we like:
- Rather than producing a fourth season, Netflix chose to wrap up Nick and Charlie’s journey with a single feature film, bringing the beloved coming-of-age romance to its conclusion.
- Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman wrote the film herself, and she adapts material from the sixth and final Heartstopper graphic novel while also incorporating elements from her earlier novella about the couple’s future.
- Veteran indie filmmaker Wash Westmoreland directs. Westmoreland previously co-directed (with his late husband, Richard Glatzer) Julianne Moore to her Oscar for the 2015 film Still Alice.
What we don’t like:
- Olivia Colman was not able to return to portray Nick Nelson’s mother Sarah, which is a bummer. But! The filmmakers did get Anna Maxwell Martin to take over the role, so all is not lost.
MIROIRS NO. 3 – MUBI
Cast: Paula Beer, Barbara Auer, Matthias Brandt and Enno Trebs
Synopsis: On a weekend trip to the countryside, Laura miraculously survives a car crash. Physically unhurt but deeply shaken, she is taken in by a local woman who witnessed the accident and now cares for Laura with motherly devotion. When her husband and adult son also give up their initial resistance to Laura’s presence, the four of them slowly build up some family-like routine. But soon they can no longer ignore their past…
What we like:
- Written and directed by Christian Petzold, the film continues his tradition of intimate, psychologically layered dramas such as Phoenix, Transit, Undine, and Afire.
- Paula Beer stars as Laura, marking her fourth collaboration with Petzold. Their previous films together (Transit, Undine, and Afire) earned widespread critical acclaim.
- The film earned a 95% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers highlighting Petzold’s restrained direction, Paula Beer’s performance, and the film’s quiet emotional power.
What we don’t like:
- Despite the positive reviews from critics, distributor 1-2 Special had a hard time attracting much business at the US arthouses. The film earned only $219k at the US box-office.
OBSESSION – Peacock
Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter
Synopsis: After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.
What we like:
- The indie sensation of the year? The decade? The 21st century??? Not since 1999’s The Blair Witch Project has a low-budget horror film caused such a sensation. Okay…maybe the original Paranormal Activity had a similar arc… but this one feels bigger.
- Following its world premiere in the Midnight Madness section of Toronto International Film Festival, Focus Features acquired worldwide distribution rights (excluding a few territories) in a deal reportedly worth more than $15 million. A big gamble that paid off huge for the distributor. It currently sits at $350M worldwide, and it’s still going strong.
- The film is the feature-length debut of YouTube creator Curry Barker, who not only wrote and directed it but also edited the movie himself. The filmmaker has already signed a rich, eight-figure deal with Universal Film Group and Blumhouse Atomic Monster to write, direct, and produce a secret, original horror feature.
What we don’t like:
- The film’s Art Director, Sally Choi, publicly shared her difficult experience on set via Instagram, citing low daily pay ($300), long hours, uncompensated mileage, and being discouraged from unionizing the set. Choi’s grievances struck a nerve, prompting wider conversations regarding systemic worker exploitation and poor labor conditions within the independent film industry.
Also streaming Friday
Happy Streaming Everyone!
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