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.
Another note: We provide links to digital retail partners (when available) and do receive a very small commission for any purchases made from this website. If you’d like to support our work, and you’re looking to buy through any of our digital retail partners, we’d appreciate it if you’d click through.
Here are this week’s highlights:
Monday, August 10th, 2026
MICHAEL – Starz
Cast: Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, with Miles Teller and Colman Domingo
Synopsis: Singer Michael Jackson emerges from Gary, Indiana, as a prodigy in the Jackson 5, captivating audiences with his unmatched talent in the early 1970s. As a solo artist, he transforms pop music with groundbreaking albums like Off the Wall and Thriller, redefining performance, music videos, and global stardom. Behind the fame, Michael grapples with family expectations, management pressures, and the relentless pursuit of perfection that fuels his creativity. His visionary artistry and tireless dedication culminate in the record-breaking Bad World Tour, showcasing his evolution from a gifted child to an international icon. The film charts his rise, triumphs, and innovations, concluding at the electrifying finale of the Bad Tour in late 1980s. capturing the peak of his career.
What we like:
- The film stars Jaafar Jackson, who is the real-life nephew of Michael Jackson. This is Jaafar’s first feature-film role, and rather than relying entirely on Michael Jackson’s original recordings, Jaafar performed some vocals himself. Some scenes blend his live singing with Michael’s original tracks, while other moments feature Jaafar singing on his own.
- It has some quality talent behind the camera. The director is Antoine Fuqua, known for films like Training Day, while the screenplay was written by John Logan, who also wrote Gladiator and The Aviator.
- The film has been a massive hit at the box-office, both domestically and abroad. The film sits at $372M in the US and $649M internationally.
What we don’t like:
- A legal issue forced filmmakers to revise the third act and conduct extensive reshoots in 2025. Reports estimate the changes cost roughly $10–15 million and significantly altered the film’s ending.
- Janet Jackson is mentioned zero times in the film.
Tuesday, August 11th, 2026
GAIL DAUGHTRY AND THE CELEBRITY SEX PASS – $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Cast: Zoey Deutch, Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Ken Marino, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Ben Wang, Joe Lo Truglio, and Sabrina Impacciatore
Synopsis: A Midwestern bride-to-be, Gail Daughtry, has a celebrity hall pass agreement with her fiancé… who uses it. Their relationship in crisis, Gail sets out on an epic journey through Hollywood to even the scales.
What we like:
- The latest from director David Wain, who co-wrote the screenplay with Ken Marino. The creative duo have collaborated on several comedies, including Wet Hot American Summer (which is getting a theatrical re-release this month!).
- The film is a Mad Men reunion, with both Jon Hamm and John Slattery playing themselves in the film.
- Critics generally responded positively. The film earned a 76% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many reviewers praising its commitment to outrageous, anything-goes comedy even if some jokes didn’t quite hit the mark.
What we don’t like:
- We imagine Sony Pictures Classics was hoping for a summer word-of-mouth comedy hit, but A24’s The Invite sucked up all of the buzz. After opening on 1000 screens, the film failed to make even $1M during its first weekend. The second weekend plummeted 88%, and the film ultimately tapped out at $1.4M total domestic.
THE INVITE – $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Cast: Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton
Synopsis: Joe and Angela’s marriage is on thin ice. When they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbors for a dinner party, the night spirals into unexpected places. Have they reignited the spark or lit the match that burns it all down?
What we like:
- This hit comedy is an English-language remake of the acclaimed 2020 Spanish film The People Upstairs (Sentimental), written by Cesc Gay. The adaptation was penned by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, who previously co-wrote the 2010 romantic comedy Celeste and Jesse Forever.
- Olivia Wilde delivers her third film as director, following the 2019 triumph Booksmart and the 2022 non-triumph Don’t Worry Darling, and this one’s a winner. It funny, smart, and Wilde’s direction demonstrates she getting stronger and stronger as a filmmaker. We can’t wait to see what she does next.
- There’s Oscar buzz building for Wilde, McCormack and Jones’ screenplay, and especially Penélope Cruz’s performance. All the actors are great here, and it would be terrific if the film snagged some Oscar nominations. We need more comedies in the Oscar race!
- Before the end credits, the film displays the message “To Diane.” Olivia Wilde explained that the dedication honors Diane Keaton, whose performances and encouragement were a major inspiration for the film.
What we don’t like:
- We were hoping this might catch fire at the box-office as an alternative to The Odyssey and Spider-Man, but it was not meant to be. The film has reached about $23M domestically, which is not too shabby. But after winning a bidding war and paying $12M out of Sundance (where the film world premiered this year), A24 was likely hoping the numbers would be a bit more robust. Still…it should kill on PVOD.
JACKASS: BEST AND LAST – $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Wee Man, Preston Lacy, Dave England, Danger Ehren, Poopies, Zach Holmes, Jasper Dolphin, Rachel Wolfson, and Eric Manaka
Synopsis: Johnny Knoxville and the gang return for one final fling at the big screen. Featuring all-new stunts and stupidity along with the greatest hits and biggest laughs from the past, jackass: best and last is a joyously raucous celebration of all the mischievous camaraderie that you’ve come to love and expect from these idiots over the past 25 years. So, grab your dumb little buddies, raise your glasses, and come experience the cinematic event that promises to be the last time you’ll ever laugh this hard in a theatre.
What we like:
- The film was marketed as the final Jackass movie, serving as a send-off for Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and the original crew after more than 25 years of outrageous stunts and pranks.
- It’s directed by longtime collaborator Jeff Tremaine, who helmed every previous Jackass feature, with Spike Jonze and Johnny Knoxville again producing.
- Rather than consisting entirely of fresh stunts, the film combines newly filmed segments with previously unseen footage, behind-the-scenes moments, and fan-favorite material from the franchise’s archives. Many critics highlighted how surprisingly emotional it is, with its heartfelt reflections on friendship, aging, and the end of an era.
What we don’t like:
- There is a sequence where Steve-O and other cast members take heavy laxatives before playing a game of Twister, resulting in an overwhelming display of bodily chaos. The scene reportedly prompted some walk-outs in theaters (what were these people expecting???).
MINIONS & MONSTERS – $29.99 Sale / TBD Rental
Cast: Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg, Zoey Deutch, Bobby Moynihan, Phil LaMarr, with Trey Parker and Pierre Coffin
Synopsis: This is the rambunctious, ridiculous and totally true story of how the Minions conquered Hollywood, became movie stars, lost everything, unleashed monsters onto the world and then banded together to try and save the planet from the mayhem they had just created.
What we like:
- The story takes place in 1927 Hollywood, where our lovable scamps the Minions dream of becoming movie stars by making their own monster movie…only to unleash real monsters instead.
- Pierre Coffin, who co-directed the original Despicable Me films, once again directed the movie while providing the distinctive voices of all the Minions.
- It pays tribute to pioneers like the Lumière brothers and George Méliès, while spoofing silent comedy icons such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. Unsurprisingly…critics loved it! It earned an 89% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
What we don’t like:
- With this Minions movie bringing our beloved yellow fellas in to the early part of the 20th Century, online debate naturally turned to whether the Minions served Hitler. Let’s break it down:
- The Premise: Minions are hardwired to serve history’s most evil villains (such as Dracula and Napoleon).
- The Timeline Problem: Fans realized this logic implied the Minions should have worked for World War II dictators during the 1930s and 1940s.
- The In-Universe Fix: The 2015 Minions film placed the characters inside an isolated cave during that entire historical era.
- The New Tribes: Minions & Monsters introduced separate groups of Minions active during other eras like the 1920s.
- The Final Verdict: When questioned if these splinter groups broke the rule, Coffin admitted he tried to dodge the query, but explicitly stated canonically, the Minions never served Adolf Hitler. We believe him!
NIGHT NURSE – $14.99 Sale / TBD Rental
Cast: Cemre Paksoy, Bruce McKenzie, Eleonore Hendricks, Colleen Rose Trundy, and Mimi Rogers
Synopsis: As a series of perverse scam calls unsettles an idyllic retirement community, a starry-eyed nurse becomes entangled with her mysterious patient.
What we like:
- Not a remake of the classic 1931 Barbara Stanwyck film of the same name! This Night Nurse tells a completely new story centered on a home-care nurse who uncovers disturbing secrets while working overnight shifts.
- The screenplay was inspired by a real scam. Writer-director Georgia Bernstein said the idea originated after her grandmother nearly became the victim of a phone scam targeting seniors, which led Bernstein to explore manipulation and coercion via a thriller setting.
- Former Mrs. Tom Cruise Mimi Rogers has a supporting role in the film. We love her!
What we don’t like:
- Audience reactions were divided. Some viewers praised its unsettling atmosphere and unconventional story, while others found its slow-burn pacing and ambiguous tone challenging, making it one of the more polarizing thrillers of the season.
OUR HERO, BALTHAZAR – $14.99 Sale / TBD Rental
Cast: Jaeden Martell, Asa Butterfield, Chris Bauer, Jennifer Ehle, Anna Baryshnikov, Noah Centineo, Becky Ann Baker, Avan Jogia and Pippa Knowles
Synopsis: Eager to impress his activist crush, a wealthy New York teenager follows an online connection to Texas, where he’s convinced he can stop an act of extreme violence.
What we like:
- This is Oscar Boyson’s feature directorial debut. Boyson is a well known producer of acclaimed independent films such as Uncut Gems, Good Time, Frances Ha, and Mistress America.
- The film world premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival and received strong reviews. It currently sits at 93% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
- While its box-office earnings were modest, the film developed a strong reputation among independent film fans and younger moviegoers, with many predicting it will become a cult favorite.
What we don’t like:
- The film faced rejections from major festivals like Sundance and SXSW, difficulties securing financing, and censorship hurdles with the MPA over explicit internet meme imagery (a hard penis depicted in an edgy internet meme within the movie) before its theatrical release.
YOUNG WASHINGTON – #24.99 Sale / TBD Rental
Cast: William Franklyn-Miller, Mary-Louise Parker, Kelsey Grammer, Andy Serkis, and Ben Kingsley
Synopsis: Against the frontier of colonial America, the untold origin story of a 22-year-old George Washington unfolds—long before the Revolution, long before the Constitution—when a single mistake nearly cost him everything. After triggering the start of the French and Indian War, Washington must reckon with personal failure, devastating loss, and the weight of responsibility. What emerges from the ashes isn’t just a military leader—but a man forged by humility, courage, and conviction.
What we like:
- This stars Australian-British actor Franklyn-Miller as the young George Washington. Weird that they couldn’t find an American actor to portray the father of our country!
- Critics praised the performances and battle sequences while criticizing the conventional storytelling, resulting in a 60% Fresh Tomatometer score. Angel audiences, unsurprisingly, were much more enthusiastic, giving it a 92% Popcornmeter score.
- The film became one of Angel Studios’ biggest theatrical releases. Opening in more than 2,700 theaters, the film earned roughly $19 million during its opening weekend and went on to surpass $46 million domestically.
What we don’t like:
- According to reports, the filmmakers used AI-enhanced visual techniques for over 100 shots involving costumes, environments, and battle scenes. Blech.
Also Streaming Tuesday:
Friday, August 14th, 2026
DON’T SAY GOOD LUCK – Netflix
Cast: Sunny Sandler, Melanie Lynskey, Max Greenfield, Jack Champion, Stephanie Beatriz, Scarlett Estevez, Jon Lovitz, Emma McNulty, Elyse Bell, with Bebe Neuwirth and Steve Buscemi
Synopsis: In this coming-of-age dramedy, Sophie Birenbaum is ready for the spotlight as the lead in her high school musical — until suddenly she’s living with even more drama at home than on the stage.
What we like:
- The film was directed by Julia Hart, best known for character-driven films such as Miss Stevens, Fast Color, and I’m Your Woman. She also co-wrote the screenplay with novelist Laura Hankin and producer Jordan Horowitz. Does the name Jordan Horowitz ring a bell? He is immortal for this moment in Oscar history:
- Sunny Sandler has her first major leading role. After appearing in several of her father Adam Sandler’s films, Sunny headlines the movie as Sophie Birenbaum, who lands the lead role in her school musical just as her family is shaken by the return of her mother’s cancer.
- As usual, this Netflix film is packed with overqualified actors, including Melanie Lynskey, Max Greenfield, Stephanie Beatriz, Jack Champion, Steve Buscemi, Jon Lovitz, and Bebe Neuwirth.
What we don’t like:
- Like previous family-led projects from Happy Madison, the prominent casting of Adam Sandler’s daughter has occasionally sparked online debates scolding or questioning industry access for newcomer relatives of major stars. As is our custom, we defer to Fran Lebowitz on the subject:
GIRLS LIKE GIRLS – Peacock
Cast: Maya Da Costa, Myra Molloy, Levon Hawke, Zach Braff
Synopsis: Based on writer/director Hayley Kiyoko’s hit single and best-selling novel of the same name and featuring all-new music from Kiyoko, Girls Like Girls is a heartfelt coming-of-age story set over the course of one sun-drenched summer, where new-girl-in-town Coley falls in love for the first time while learning to accept herself along the way.
What we like:
- The film is based on the hit 2015 song and viral music video of the same name by Hayley Kiyoko. The music video became an important piece of LGBTQ+ pop culture and has accumulated hundreds of millions of views over the years.
- Kiyoko didn’t just inspire the film…she wrote, directed, and helped adapt it (with Stefanie Scott) from her own 2023 novel. The movie marks her feature-film directorial debut.
- Newcomers Maya da Costa and Myra Molloy lead the cast as Coley and Sonya. More than 4,000 performers reportedly auditioned during the casting process.
- The film received mostly positive reviews from critics. It currently holds a 70 score on Metacritic.
What we don’t like:
- Not much Pride Month business for this coming-of-age drama. Despite a wide-ish release from Focus Features, the film earned only $2.7M at the box-office. We hope it finds its audience now that it’s dropping on Peacock (or Netflix, where it will migrate to in its second window later this year).
HELLCAT – Shudder
Cast: Dakota Gorman, Todd Terry, James Austin Johnson
Synopsis: A woman wakes in the back of a moving camper trailer with a badly infected wound. A voice from the truck towing it tells her they must reach a doctor within the hour or she’ll suffer a horrific fate.
What we like:
- This Shudder acquisition is a minimalist, single-location horror thriller. Much of the film takes place inside a moving camper trailer, where Lena (Dakota Gorman) wakes with a mysterious, infected wound and only an hour to reach medical help…or so she’s told.
- It marks Brock Bodell’s feature directorial debut. Bodell not only directed the film but also wrote, edited, and co-produced it.
- After world premiering at the 2025 Fantasia Film Festival, critics praised its atmosphere, suspense, and willingness to subvert familiar horror conventions. It currently sits at 89% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
What we don’t like:
- The ending proved divisive. While many viewers admired the film’s bold final act and emotional ambition, others felt the concluding revelations were less satisfying than the suspenseful setup.
NORMAL – HBO Max
Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey, Ryan Allen, Billy MacLellan, Brendan Fletcher, Reena Jolly, Peter Shinkoda, Jess McLeod, Derek Barnes, David Lawrence Brown, Chad Bruce, Lauren Cochrane, Dan De Jaege, Takahiro Inoue, Brian Kawakami, John C. MacDonald, Alex MacMillan, Megan McArton, Aaron Merke, Carson Nattrass, Harry Nelken, Yosuke Nishi, Bradley Sawatzky
Synopsis: In the aftermath of a bank robbery, interim sheriff Ulysses uncovers a criminal conspiracy at the heart of his small-town Minnesota community.
What we like:
- It’s an original action-comedy from an acclaimed creative team. The film was directed by Ben Wheatley (whose 2011 film Kill List still haunts our dreams) from a screenplay by Derek Kolstad, the creator of the John Wick franchise, with Bob Odenkirk also contributing to the story and serving as a producer.
- After it world premiered at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival, critics praised its energetic style. Reviewers highlighted Ben Wheatley’s frenetic direction, Odenkirk’s charismatic performance, and the film’s mix of Coen Brothers-style dark comedy with over-the-top action. It currently sits at 77% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
- While not exactly a blockbuster for Magnolia Pictures, the film’s $5M domestic gross was the highest for the distributor since 2024’s Thelma.
What we don’t like:
- Marketed with a wide commercial push akin to a traditional action blockbuster, audiences and critics noted that the film’s first half actually plays as a slow-burn, quirky small-town indie mystery before erupting into violence, leading to a disconnect for some mainstream action-goers. The film received only a C+ Cinemascore.
THE WIZARD OF THE KREMLIN – Hulu
Cast: Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander, Tom Sturridge, Jeffrey Wright, and Jude Law
Synopsis: In the chaos of post-Soviet Russia, rising KGB officer Vladimir Putin (Jude Law) joins forces with master manipulator Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano) to reshape life behind the Iron Curtain, using violence and deception to change the world forever. Putin and Baranov’s reign of chaos begins with lies and corruption, and quickly escalates to assassinations, tyranny, and eventually all-out war.
What we like:
- The film adapts the 2022 bestselling novel by Giuliano da Empoli, a political satire inspired by the rise of modern Russia and the influence of Kremlin strategist Vladislav Surkov.
- The film had its world premiere at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Lion. Many critics praised Jude Law’s performance as Vladimir Putin, noting how effectively he captured his mannerisms and presence.
- Besides Law, the film is packed with talented actors, including Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander, Jeffrey Wright, Tom Sturridge, and Will Keen.
What we don’t like:
- It’s been a tough run for director Olivier Assayas. The revered French filmmaker hasn’t had an arthouse breakthrough in the US since 2016’s Personal Shopper. The Wizard of the Kremlin didn’t attract much of an audience, grossing only $650K at the domestic box-office. The mixed reviews likely didn’t help. It currently sits at 44% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Also Streaming Friday:
Sunday, August 16th, 2026
DEEP WATER – MGM+
Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, Molly Belle Wright
Synopsis: A flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai goes down in the middle of the Pacific. After surviving the crash, the survivors soon discover they’re not alone and they must survive the shark infested waters.
What we like:
- The movie combines two of our favorite disaster subgenres: The shark thriller and the plane crash thriller. Two of our greatest fears! Gotta work out those issues through cinema.
- The film marks director Renny Harlin’s return to shark-attack cinema roughly 27 years after his 1999 trashterpiece Deep Blue Sea.
- The movie earned generally positive reviews for a shark thriller, with critics praising its old-fashioned creature-feature thrills and Harlin’s handling of the action sequences.
What we don’t like:
- Welp, we gave this one a rental…and hoo boy. Not great. Can confirm that Harlin got nowhere near this all-time classic scene from his previous shark work:
Happy Streaming Everyone!
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