As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, cinemas nationwide are shut for the time being (check out our Celebrate Our Cinemas campaign to see how you can help them in the meantime). As a result, some recent film releases are being launched early online as VOD rentals and more – while streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ are continuing to release new original movie content to their platforms. Looking for something brand spanking new to watch while in self-isolation? Look no further.
The Invisible Man
Rating: 15
Leigh Whannell’s reimagining of the Universal classic monster is a smart and spooky treat. You can get it as a higher-price rental (priced around the equivalent of a cinema ticket or two) from the likes of Apple, Amazon Video, and Google Play.
Emma.
Rating: U
This new take on the classic Jane Austen novel comes from director Autumn de Wilde, with Anya Taylor-Joy in the titular role. It has also been given an early premium rental release – available from Apple, Amazon Video, and Google Play.
The Hunt
Rating: 15
Craig Zobel’s controversial humans-hunting-humans Blumhouse thriller, written by Nick Cuse and Damon Lindelof, came out just before cinemas started closing. It’s available for a higher-priced rental on Apple, Amazon Video and Google Play.
Bloodshot
Rating: 15
The Valiant comic gets the big screen treatment in an adaptation starring Vin Diesel. It was released mere days before cinemas shut shop – so it’s getting an early release to own and keep digitally from 27 March.
Lady And The Tramp
Rating: U
Disney’s latest live-action remake of an animated classic is a launch exclusive on its new Disney+ streaming service. Featuring the voices of Tessa Thompson, Justin Theroux as the titular loved-up pups.
The Banker
Rating: 12
Apple’s first original movie is a ‘60s-set drama about two African-American businessmen who hire a white man to pose as the face of their operations in order to get ahead. It’s a starry affair, featuring Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson and Nicholas Hoult in major roles – and you can watch it now via Apple TV+.
Portrait Of A Lady On Fire
Rating: 15
Céline Sciamma’s rave-reviewed story of love, possession and painting is available to rent on Curzon Home Cinema, and comes to MUBI in late April.
Military Wives
Rating: 12
The Full Monty director Peter Catteneo has a talent for bringing feelgood British stories to the big screen – his latest, Military Wives, is based on the story of the military wives choir who went on to have chart-topping success, starring Sharon Horgan and Kristin Scott Thomas. It’s getting an early paid-for streaming release from Friday 27 March.
The Truth
Rating: PG
Hirokazu Kore-eda’s follow-up to Shoplifters stars Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche and Ethan Hawke, and it’s available to rent now on Curzon Home Cinema.
Dogs Don’t Wear Pants
Rating: 18
Looking for a bit of extreme world cinema? J-P Valkeapää’s acclaimed story of grief, connection and BDSM is streaming as a rental on Curzon Home Cinema. (NB: Not a dog film – try Togo or Lady And The Tramp instead for that.)
And Then We Danced
Rating: 15
With electrifying dance sequences and a beautiful love story at its core, this Georgian drama has plenty to recommend. Rent it on Vimeo, or on Curzon Home Cinema.
Stargirl
Rating: PG
Directed by Julia Hart, Disney’s teen drama about a boy who befriends a one-of-a-kind girl at his school is available to stream now on Disney+.
Togo
Rating: PG
Willem Dafoe teams up with an adorable husky in this telling of a treacherous race across 700 miles Alaska to deliver life-saving diphtheria medicine. Stream it on Disney+.
The Platform
Rating: 18
This Spanish sci-fi inflected horror story has everyone talking right now. Get caught up and join the conversation after you’ve watched it on Netflix.
Lost Girls
Rating: 15
The search for a missing daughter uncovers a whole web of other crimes in Liz Garbus’ mystery drama, starring Amy Ryan and Thomasin McKenzie. Following its Sundance debut, it’s now streaming on Netflix.
Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made
Rating: PG
Tom McCarthy, director of Spotlight, moves into very different territory – the story of a boy who imagines his life as a noir-esque gumshoe detective, working alongside a massive polar bear. It’s streaming now on Disney+.