The best new streaming movies this week: Goyo, If, and more

We’re back with another list of movies you cannot miss out on this week, and we’ve got an interesting roundup this time. Two animated films, both centered on holding on to your youth and imagination, along with a love story with a twist strike us as the most intriguing finds this week.

The best new streaming movies this week

Feel free to click on the links to go to any movie you’d like to find out more about first. You’ll also find a longer list of movies at the bottom of this section, with more movies that have graced streaming platforms in the last few weeks.

• Release date: July 5, 2024
• Genre: Romance
• Rating: TV-MA
• Director: Marcos Carnevale
• Cast: Nicolás Furtado, Nancy Dupláa, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago, Diego Alonso, Cecilia Roth, Balthazar Murillo

In this endearing Argentinean love story, Nicolas Furtado plays Goyo, a museum guide whose world is turned upside down by the arrival of Eva. But Goyo has Asperger’s syndrome — one facet of a character that Furtado plays brilliantly.

In spite of their big age gap and his syndrome, Goyo quickly develops feelings for Eva, her open-mindedness and enthusiasm naturally appealing to him. This movie balances comedy, pathos, and a gentle depiction of neurodiversity to talk about love, connection, and being true to yourself.

• Release date: December 15, 2023
• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Drama
• Rating: PG
• Director: Yoshiyuki Momose
• Cast: Kokoro Terada, Rio Suzuki, Sakura Ando, Riisa Naka, Takayuki Yamada, Atsuko Takahata, Issey Ogata

In this visually stunning Japanese anime, a young girl finds solace in Rudger’s company, an imaginary friend she created after her father died. As their relationship strengthens, Mr. Bunting arrives, who devours the essence of such creatures to sustain his immortality. When he tears them apart, Rudger must travel through a parallel world to find Amanda and protect her against Bunting’s wicked intentions.

Yoshiyuki Momose, renowned for directing some Ghibli classics creates a touching story. Beautiful and artistic, which Ghibli is known for, this movie dives into human resilience and why it’s important to keep childhood magic alive.

• Release date: July 10, 2024
• Genre: Documentary
• Rating: TV-14
• Director: Jess Jacklin
• Cast: David Putrino

Jess Jacklin’s inspiring documentary follows the formation and journey of the world’s first all-quadriplegic esports team, the Quad Gods. United by their shared love of gaming and their determination to overcome physical limitations, the eight resilient teammates navigate the challenges of training, competing, and supporting one another in a world that often overlooks and underestimates them.

Through intimate interviews, honest moments, and exciting gameplay footage, we witness vivid pictures of each team member’s unique story, from the daily obstacles they face to the triumphs they achieve both on and off the screen. Quad Gods is a testament to the power of technology to level the playing field and a powerful reminder that greatness knows no physical bounds.

• Release date: April 11, 2024
• Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
• Rating: R
• Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson
• Cast: Marisa Abela, Jack O’Connell, Eddie Marsan, Lesley Manville, Juliet Cowan, Bronson Webb, Ansu Kabia

Named after her foot-tapping classic, Back to Black takes us through Amy Winehouse’s tumultuous life as one of Britain’s most talented but troubled soul singers. The films intertwine Amy’s rapid rise to stardom, her on-off boyfriend as well as drug addiction along with other demons that haunted the late artiste personally. Winehouse is presented by Abela as being fragile yet strong, who suffers deeply.

A seamless blend of live performances, private moments, and stylized visuals by Taylor-Johnson gives an insight into the price of genius — destruction caused by fame, and yearning for love and approval throughout one’s lifetime. Back To Black serves as an eery homage to the singular artist whose work still captivates audiences long after.

• Release date: May 17, 2024
• Genre: Animation, Comedy
• Rating: PG
• Director: John Krasinski
• Cast: Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Steve Carell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr.

In this enchanting blend of live-action and animation, 12-year-old Bea grapples with her father’s hospitalization and her own fading belief in the power of imagination. An encounter with the eccentric Cal introduces Bea to a secret world with forgotten childhood imaginary friends, like the lovable Blue and quick-witted Blossom.

Bea joins the agency’s quest to reunite these make-believe companions with their now-adult creators, helping stressed-out grown-ups rediscover their inner child. Along the way, Bea must also confront her own fears and doubts, ultimately learning that the magic of imagination knows no age limits. Krasinski’s heartwarming fantasy celebrates the power of creativity and the unbreakable bonds forged in childhood.

• Release date: July 11, 2024
• Genre: Drama, Thriller
• Rating: R
• Director: Tyler Perry
• Cast: Meagan Good, Debbi Morgan, Cory Hardrict, Richard Lawson, Joseph Lee Anderson, Taylor Polidore, Art Newkirk

This emotionally charged drama from Tyler Perry follows the life of Ava, a successful bank professional whose world falls apart when her husband unceremoniously walks away from a marriage that once seemed to hold so much potential. Ava fights for her relationship with him.

With painful secrets exposed, Ava now has to gather the personal strength needed to confront the past and start rebuilding a new life. Through his poignant script, Perry explores complex relationships, coming to terms with emotional scars and accepting opportunities for redemption.

What was new and worth watching over the last month

Here’s a quick roundup of our previous lists, if you missed them. Also, if you’re in the mood for something else this weekend, we have a list of streaming shows to cater to that.

• Release date: July 3, 2024
• Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
• Rating: R
• Director: Mark Molloy
• Cast: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kevin Bacon, Taylour Paige, Paul Reiser

Legendary detective Axel Foley is back on the beat and heading to Beverly Hills once more in this action-packed revival. When Axel gets word that his daughter, now a lawyer, may be in over her head defending a client framed by dirty cops, he wastes no time hopping a plane from Detroit.

He teams up with his wisecracking old friend Billy Rosewood, now a seasoned veteran on the force. Axel will have to use his signature blend of smarts, swagger, and unorthodox policing to take down the bad guys and keep his family safe. Expect edge-of-your-seat thrills, huge laughs, and some serious father-daughter bonding in this crowd-pleasing new chapter.

• Release date: June 28, 2024
• Genre: Comedy, Romance
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Richard LaGravenese
• Cast: Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Joey King, Kathy Bates, Liza Koshy, Sherry Cola

Brooke Harwood, a brilliant and beautiful writer, has built a life of glamorous independence since losing her husband. When she meets Chris Cole, a dashing but immature young movie star, their instant chemistry catches them both off guard. Despite the raised eyebrows of friends and the outright horror of Brooke’s daughter Zara, who happens to be Chris’s long-suffering assistant, the unlikely couple fall hard and fast.

But reality soon crashes the honeymoon phase as generational differences, Chris’s immaturity, and Zara’s resentment threaten to tear them apart. With both humor and heartbreak, this unconventional romance explores what happens when love strikes two people at very different stages of life.

• Release date: June 21, 2024
• Genre: Drama
• Rating: R
• Director: Erica Tremblay
• Cast: Lily Gladstone, Isabel Deroy-Olson, Ryan Begay, Shea Whigham, Audrey Wasilewski, Crystle Lightning, Tamara Podemski

Jax, a Native American woman hardened by life’s tough breaks, has always played by her own rules. But when her sister goes missing and the authorities place her teenage niece Roki in the custody of her white grandparents, Jax decides to take matters into her own hands. She sets off on an impromptu road trip with Roki to track down answers.

Jax must confront painful secrets from her past while forging an unexpectedly powerful connection with the strong-willed young girl. As aunt and niece navigate a system stacked against them, they draw strength from their ancestors and each other to face the unknown. Anchored by knockout performances from Lily Gladstone and newcomer Isabel Deroy-Olson, this drama celebrates resilience, family, and Native identity.

• Release date: July 4, 2024
• Genre: Comedy
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Liz W. Garcia
• Cast: Emma Roberts, Tom Hopper, Gabrielle Union, Yasha Jackson, Poppy Liu, Kuhoo Verma, Desi Lydic

Rex Wylder has been drifting through life pouring drinks at a dead-end Florida bar, her dreams of adventure seemingly far out of reach. But when an old friend submits an exaggerated application on her behalf, Rex shockingly finds herself accepted into NASA’s elite astronaut training program.

Determined to prove she’s more than just a mixologist with her head in the clouds, Rex dives into training, contending with brutal physical challenges, mind-bending coursework, and dismissive fellow candidates who write her off as a joke. As she begins to win over her staunchest critics and catches the eye of a charming engineer, a shocking revelation about the application threatens to bring Rex back down to Earth. A hilarious and heartwarming tale of shooting for the stars.

• Release date: March 29, 2024
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Adam Wingard
• Cast: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, Alex Ferns, Fala Chen, Rachel House

In a world where Godzilla rules the surface and Kong reigns in the Hollow Earth, a fragile truce keeps the titan kings in an uneasy balance. But when a new threat emerges from the depths to menace both realms, the iconic beasts must settle old scores and join forces against a common foe.

As scientists, soldiers, and conspiracy theorists race to unravel the mystery of this ancient evil, Godzilla and Kong ramp up for their most epic battle yet, with the fate of the planet hanging in the balance. Brace for an eye-popping, earth-shaking spectacle on a god-sized scale in this explosive new entry in the MonsterVerse saga.

• Release date: July 1, 2024
• Genre: Documentary
• Rating: TV-PG
• Director: Peter Gauvain
• Cast: Demetri Goritsas

As shark attacks in the Red Sea capture global headlines, this documentary hosts eye-opening interviews with attack survivors, leading marine biologists, and local experts. It pieces together the factors that have led to a rise in shark-human encounters in this renowned diving destination. If this is a topic of interest to you, go watch Under Paris. We recommended it a few weeks back, and it’s a fictional depiction of what can happen when things go really, really wrong.

From shifts in shark behavior driven by climate change to increases in coastal development and tourism, the documentary reveals how a perfect storm of ecological and human pressures now threatens the delicate balance between man and nature in the Red Sea. The film also explores innovative solutions, from cutting-edge shark deterrents to sustainable tourism models, it becomes clear that the fate of the Red Sea may hold powerful lessons for coastal communities worldwide.

• Release date: June 25, 2024 
• Genre: Documentary 
• Rating: N.A.
• Director: Elizabeth Fischer
• Cast: Ali Abulaban, Ana Abulaban, Taren Brast

This true crime doc delves into the disturbing case of Ali Abulaban, better known as TikTok star @jinnkid, whose quest for online fame ended in a shocking double homicide. Through a mix of Ali’s own recordings, social media clips, and interviews with journalists and psychologists, we witness his rise as a comedy skit creator and impersonator and his subsequent spiral into drug abuse and paranoia.

Viewers are subjected to harrowing audio recordings of Ali’s verbal tirades, painting a chilling picture of domestic abuse. We see Ana (his wife) caught between her love for Ali and the growing danger he poses, even as family members urge her to leave. The doc touches on themes of social media obsession and the dark side of instant fame, but at times it feels like it’s just scratching the surface of these complex issues.

• Release date: June 17, 2024
• Genre: Documentary, Biography, Music
• Rating: PG
• Director: Irene Taylor
• Cast: Céline Dion, René-Charles Angélil, Nelson Angélil, Eddy Angélil, René Angélil

This intimate portrait of music icon Celine Dion confronting a career-threatening diagnosis manages to be both raw and polished, much like its subject. We gain access to Dion’s private life as she battles stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder causing debilitating muscle spasms.

We’re treated to emotional moments in the recording studio as Dion struggles to hit her signature high notes. The doc doesn’t shy away from showing Dion at her lowest, including footage of a prolonged and painful seizure. Yet it also captures moments of levity, like Dion touring her personal warehouse of mementos, hilariously insisting she can will any shoe to fit.

It’s a must-watch for fans, offering a glimpse of the human behind the legendary voice and what happens to your identity when the thing you’re known for is threatened.

• Release date: June 27, 2024
• Genre: Drama, Romance
• Rating: N.A.
• Director: Takahiro Miki
• Cast: Ren Nagase, Natsuki Deguchi, Mayuu Yokota, Fumino Kimura, Nene Otsuka, Toru Nakamura, Yasuko Matsuyuki

This Japanese tearjerker might tread familiar ground in the terminally-ill romance genre. Ren Nagase brings nuance to Akihito, a young man who’s given up on life after receiving a terminal diagnosis. He starts to feel alive again through his relationship with the vibrant Haruna. The film showcases beautiful cinematography, using Japan’s landscapes to underscore the themes of life’s fragility and beauty.

As Akihito and Haruna’s relationship deepens, we see both characters grapple with the weight of mortality and the value of human connection. Drawing Closer doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it delivers the cathartic cry it promises. It’s a thoughtful exploration of finding meaning and intimacy in the face of death, elevated by strong performances and sensitive direction.

• Release date: June 21, 2024 
• Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
• Rating: TV-MA
• Director: Mouly Surya
• Cast: Jessica Alba, Anthony Michael Hall, Tone Bell, Mark Webber, Jake Weary, Gabriel Basso, Kaiwi Lyman

Jessica Alba takes the lead in this action-packed rural thriller as Parker, an elite special ops soldier who returns to her hometown following her father’s mysterious death. What starts as a personal investigation quickly spirals into a high-stakes confrontation with small-town corruption and a dangerous criminal enterprise.

After inheriting her father’s bar, Parker begins to uncover clues suggesting his death wasn’t the accident it appeared to be. Her probing leads her to cross paths with the influential Shaw family, including Senator Swan and his sons. While it may not reinvent the wheel, the film offers a solid entry in Netflix’s action-thriller catalog, with enough twists and turns to keep you engaged until its explosive conclusion.

• Release date: March 8, 2024
• Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
• Rating: PG
• Director: Mike Mitchell
• Cast: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane

The lovable, dumpling-scarfing Dragon Warrior Po is back. This time around, Po faces a contrived plot device, he must suddenly become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace and find a successor to take over his Dragon Warrior duties.

The main threat comes in the form of the Chameleon, a shape-shifting sorceress bent on stealing Po’s Staff of Wisdom to gather the abilities of all the villains in the Spirit Realm. Po reluctantly teams up with Zhen, a wise-cracking fox thief, in a buddy comedy dynamic. Their journey takes them to Juniper City, where there are more action sequences and lots of puns.