As movie theaters stay shuttered across the country, people are taking in all of their entertainment at home. The coronavirus pandemic has seriously disrupted the industry, shortening TV seasons and delaying film releases. Many studios recalibrated their plans, making recent or even canceled theatrical releases available digitally ahead of schedule. Instead of popping in your favorite comfort film tonight, you can check out one of these new movies that you can stream early on your own TV or laptop. And for more recommendations, check out The 17 Best Movie Marathons You Can Stream Right Now.
1 Frozen II
The long-awaited sequel to the blockbuster animated Disney musical came to theaters last November, and in response to the pandemic, the company made it available to Disney+ subscribers ahead of schedule. This adventure follows Queen Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) as she follows a mysterious voice that's calling her to a place she's never been. Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell), Olaf (voiced by Josh Gad), and Kristoff (voiced by Jonathan Groff) chase after her, and they all learn the hidden history of their happy kingdom. And for more from this service, These Are the Best Movies to Stream on Disney+.
Stream on Disney+; Rent/buy on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango Now
2 Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn
This spinoff of 2016's Suicide Squad centers on Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), who's processing her breakup with the Joker and ends up in the center of an unruly girl gang looking to unseat a sadistic baddie. One of the last big movies to premiere in theaters before the pandemic hit, Birds of Prey was made available digitally just a few weeks afterwards.
Rent/buy on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango Now, Microsoft, and Vudu
3 Onward
Another weeper from Pixar, Onward is set in a world of trolls, fairies, and dragons and revolves around two brothers who embark on a dangerous, magical journey in the hopes of spending one more day with their deceased father. (We told you it's a weeper!) Featuring the voices of Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Onward saw its theatrical release cut short due to COVID-19. Fortunately, you can already watch it at home. And for more movies that will lift your spirits, check out 15 Uplifting Movies You Can Watch on Netflix Right Now.
Stream on Disney+; Rent/buy on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango Now, Vudu, Microsoft, and DirecTV
4 The Way Back
Ben Affleck plays a former high school basketball hero with alcohol use disorder in this redemption story. If you were heartbroken that the NBA season was canceled, then you may want to emotionally prepare for The Way Back, in which his character returns to his alma mater to coach his former team.
Rent/buy on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango Now, Vudu, and Microsoft
5 Trolls World Tour
Parents with small children already know this (you can't imagine how much they know this), but Trolls World Tour was released digitally in lieu of its planned theatrical release. The incredible amount of money it made even stoked a feud between theater owners and the film studio. If your kids have miraculously not discovered this music-themed sequel yet, throw it on tonight and enjoy that time they're glued to the TV.
Rent on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango Now, Vudu, Microsoft, and DirecTV
6 The Invisible Man
Elisabeth Moss plays a woman subjected to emotional and physical abuse by her tech genius husband in a timely update of the classic Universal monster story. When her husband fakes his own death and begins stalking her using the invisibility suit he invented, Moss's character has to go to incredible lengths to convince the people around her that she hasn't lost her mind. And for more flicks that will freak you out, check out The 18 Best Horror Movies on Netflix Right Now.
Rent/buy on YouTube and Google Play; Buy on Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango Now, Vudu, Microsoft, Vudu, and DirecTV
7 Emma
This frothy and sensual adaptation of Jane Austen's novel about a young, wealthy woman who thinks she knows everything stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn. As the eponymous heroine learns how her social machinations have hurt the people she loves, she also realizes that her most critical friend may actually be much more than that.
Rent/buy on Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango Now, Vudu, Microsoft, and DirecTV; Buy on Google Play
8 Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
The final film in the Skywalker Saga ruled the box office in December, and was released ahead of schedule, first to digitally rent or purchase, then to stream on Disney+. The Rise of Skywalker features rising Jedi Rey's (Daisy Ridley) final showdown with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), the return of an original trilogy villain, and—let's be honest—lots of plot threads that don't really go anywhere. But hey, it's still a fun ride. And if you love this galaxy far, far away, check out Every Star Wars Movie—Ranked.
Stream on Disney+; Rent/buy on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango, Vudu, and Microsoft
9 Wendy
A reimagining of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan from the director of Beasts of the Southern Wild, Wendy updates the story of a young girl who revels in fantasy and follows a perpetually youthful boy into the unknown. This adaptation—which involves trains, diners, and a life-sustaining volcano—probably won't do for purists. But if you loved the dreamy look of filmmaker Benh Zeitlin's Oscar-nominated 2012 movie, you should give it a shot.
Rent/buy on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango Now, Microsoft, and Vudu
10 The Photograph
When her mother, Christina, passes away, Mae (Issa Rae) attempts to reconstruct the life of the woman she didn't know very well, starting with an intriguing photograph. The film flashes back to the late Christina's (Chanté Adams) life, as Mae, in the present, begins to fall for a journalist who's writing a piece about her mom. Released in theaters in February and already on digital, The Photograph is the perfect choice for your next quarantine date night.
Stream on Fandor; Rent/buy on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango Now, Vudu, Microsoft, and DirecTV; Rent on Flix Fling
Sage Young Sage Young is the Deputy Entertainment Editor at Best Life, expanding and honing our coverage in this vertical by managing a team of industry-obsessed writers.Read moreFiled UnderEntertainmentRead This NextThe Best CBS All Access Shows Streaming Now
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