The Best New Movies On Demand Right Now (2024)

If you're at all familiar with this website, surely you're aware of our "Right Now" series, in which our team of entertainment experts tells you the best movies to watch on Netflix or Amazon or Hulu or Disney+, or one of any number of streaming services. But today's list is a little bit different because you don't have to subscribe to any of those streaming services to access these titles, all of which are available on VOD/digital platforms to rent or buy for prices ranging from $19.99 for new-ish releases like the action vehicles Nobody, Wrath of Man and Godzilla vs. Kong to $6.99 for smaller films like the acclaimed indie Holler and the addiction drama Four Good Days starring Glenn Close and an unusually good Mila Kunis.

I haven't seen every single movie available on VOD, but I've seen enough to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff with a fair amount of confidence. I'll be updating this list periodically throughout the year, so we'll see if the Michelle Pfeiffer comedy French Exit or the indie movie North Hollywood makes the cut in the coming weeks. If something isn't on here, like, say, the misguided Voyagers or Dylan O'Brien's confusing thriller Flashback, it's because I'm not recommending those films -- or I just haven't seen them yet, such is the case with both Moffie and Gully.

So have a look below, and remember that your mileage may vary, seeing as my personal taste is a bit peculiar. Then again, how many articles have you read about Silo? You'll be thanking me for that recommendation, trust me. And even if you don't like it, it's just over an hour long, so the time investment is minimal. Picking the right movie to watch on any given night is a fine art, so good luck, stay safe, and God bless. Just remember, there are no refunds!

And for those of you who are paying for every streaming service under the sun and don't want to shell out extra money for VOD-only titles, you can find our curated streaming recommendations by checking out our lists of the Best Movies on Netflix Right Now and Best TV Shows on Netflix Right Now and Best Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now and Best Horror Movies on Netflix Right Now and Best Sci-Fi Movies on Netflix Right Now and Best TV Shows on Amazon Prime Right Now.

The Dry

Director: Robert Connolly

Writers: Harry Cripps, Robert Connolly, Samantha Strauss

Cast: Eric Bana, Genevieve O'Reilly, Keir O'Donnell, James Frecheville, Martin Dingle Wall

This Australian murder mystery finds Eric Bana playing a Federal Agent who returns to his hometown after 20 years to attend the funeral of a childhood friend who stands accused of murdering his whole family before taking his own life. The man's parents ask Bana to stay and investigate, and we learn how an incident from the boys' past may or may not have played a role in this latest tragedy. This is a solid drama anchored by a strong turn from Bana, even if it feels a bit flashback-heavy and there's a reliance on clever wordplay, a la another murder mystery, Knives Out. If Aussie crime films are your thing, The Dry is worth a look, just keep your expectations in check, because this is a 2.5-star movie in my book (out of four).

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Georgetown

Director: C. Waltz

Writer: David Auburn

Cast: Christoph Waltz, Vanessa Redgrave, Annette Bening, Corey Hawkins, Laura de Carteret

Two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz makes his directorial debut with this rather unusual crime drama, a high-minded murder mystery that's based on a wild true story. Waltz plays Ulrich Mott, an ambitious social climber who marries a wealthy widow (Vanessa Redgrave) in Washington D.C. in order to mix with powerful political players. When she winds up dead following a party, her daughter (Annette Bening) is suspicious of her mother's much younger husband. Waltz and Redgrave are both quite good here, and even though a more experienced director might've made this movie better, Waltz acquits himself well enough behind the camera -- certainly better than other actors-turned-directors did during their first time behind the camera.

Golden Arm

Director: Maureen Bharoocha

Writers: Ann Marie Allison, Jenny Milly

Cast: Mary Holland, Betsy Sodaro, Olivia Stambouliah, Eugene Cordero, Dot-Marie Jones, Dawn Luebbe, Ron Funches, Aparna Nancherla, Kate Flannery

This delightful sports comedy stars Mary Holland (Happiest Season) as a scrawny newcomer to the glorious sport of female arm wrestling. She's aided on her quest for greatness by her best friend, a tough lady trucker played by Betsy Sodaro, who comes off like the energetic spawn of John Belushi and Melissa McCarthy. Holland makes for a winning underdog, and director Maureen Bharoocha milks this golden premise for all its worth, ultimately delivering a fun, breezy comedy that flies by in less than 90 minutes. It's perfect for a Girls Night with your friends, though trust me, guys... you'll enjoy this one, too.

Initiation

Director: John Berardo

Writers: John Berardo, Lindsay LaVanchy, Brian Frager

Cast: Lindsay LaVanchy, Froy Gutierrez, Isabella Gomez, james Berardo, Gattlin Griffith, Jon Huertas, Yancy Butler, Lochlyn Munro

I've seen a lot of bad genre movies this year but Initiation was actually pretty decent, though it doesn't really have anything to do with an "initiation" of any kind. It's one of those college slasher movies where someone gets murdered and secrets get uncovered, blah, blah blah. But there are some gnarly kills and it manages to say something about the toxic influence of social media, plus it'll keep you guessing, as the reveal of the killer(s) comes as something of a surprise. This one is actually worth a rental, given the slim pickings out there for horror fans, and I look forward to seeing what director John Berardo does next.

In the Earth

Director/Writer: Ben Wheatley

Cast: Joel Fry, Reece Shearsmith, Hayley Squires, Ellora Torchia, John Hollingworth, Mark Monero

Writer-director Ben Wheatley is pretty hit-or-miss in my book, but I was effectively creeped out by his latest thriller, which follows a scientist and a park scout who encounter some trouble when they venture deep into the forest in the middle of a deadly pandemic that has everyone on edge. Joel Fry and Ellora Torchia are both likable, sympathetic protagonists and Reece Shearsmith makes for a delightful madman, though I won't say any more than that. Wheatley relies on strobe lights a bit too often during the film's third act but the trippy imagery is appropriate mind-melting and at the end of the day, it was just what I needed when I saw it this past Sundance in the middle of a dreary awards season.

The Marksman

Director: Robert Lorenz

Writer: Chris Charles, Danny Kravitz, Robert Lorenz

Cast: Liam Neeson, Katheryn Winnick, Teresa Ruiz, Jacob Perez, Juan Pablo Raba

What can I say, I'm a sucker for Liam Neeson movies even though they're pretty much all the same! To his credit, every few years, Neeson makes a really good movie like Taken or The Grey, and while The Marksman may not be on that level, it hits its, um, mark. Neeson plays a rancher living on the Arizona border who becomes the unlikely defender of a young Mexican boy who's desperately fleeing a pack of cartel assassins who have pursued him into the U.S. Neeson gets to show off a softer side here as he tries to bond with the boy, and even though this movie has some problems, it was never boring. I watch Liam Neeson movies to be entertained and this movie delivers exactly what you're probably expecting from it, with a little drizzle of emotion on top as an added bonus.

Profile

Director: Timur Bekmambetov

Writers: Brittany Poulton, Olga Kharina, Timur Bekmambetov

Cast: Valene Kane, Shazad Latif, Christine Adams, Morgan Watkins, Emma Cater, Amir Rahimzadeh

I wish this movie was a bit better than it ultimately was, but it still made interesting use of the Screenlife format, and the two stars were both quite engaging. Valene Kane plays an undercover British journalist who infiltrates the online propaganda channels of the so-called Islamic State, only to be sucked in by her recruiter, played by the charming Shazad Latif. Director Timur Bekmambetov is certainly onto something here with this provocative premise but the actual film never quite builds to a satisfying conclusion despite being 15 minutes too long. It thinks it's a little too clever than it really is, but I give the filmmakers credit for the big swing, and can certainly see the potential of Screenlife when it comes to stories like this one.

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Riders of Justice

Director: Anders Thomas Jensen

Writers: Anders Thomas Jensen, Nikolaj Arcel

Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Nicolas Bro, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Roland Moller, Lars Brygmann

I didn't love this movie, but it's interesting enough to merit my recommendation as a rental, especially with the great Mads Mikkelsen front and center. The Danish sensation plays a man who learns that the tragic train accident that killed his wife may not have been an accident at all, and sets out to take revenge with the help of some academically inclined buddies. It's a great setup for Mikkelsen, who is particularly intense here, but the tone is a bit all over the place, and to me, the comedic elements just didn't jibe with the rest of the film. That said, I was still glad that I watched Riders of Justice, even if an English-language remake may be more palatable to American audiences.

Silo

Director: Marshall Burnette

Writers: Jason Williamson, Marshall Burnette

Cast: Jeremy Holm, Jim Parrack, Chris Ellis, Jill Paice, Jack DiFalco, Danny Ramirez

This midwestern thriller, which is about 69 minutes long without credits, is one of the most unexpected gems of the year. I was on the edge of my seat watching this heart-pounding movie, which follows a young man who becomes the victim of a grain entrapment accident. Essentially, it's like stepping into a giant pool of quicksand that pulls you under and slowly suffocates you -- a horrific death by any measure. And so the rescuers have to figure out how to rescue this kid before he sinks under. Director Marshall Burnette should be on industry lists across town as a filmmaker to watch because this one greatly impressed me. He's got a little Jeff Nichols in him...

Together Together

Director/Writer: Nikole Beckwith

Cast: Ed Helms, Patti Harrison, Tig Notaro, Julio Torres, Fred Melamed, Nora Dunn, Sufe Bradshaw, Evan Jonigkeit, Timm Sharp, Rosalind Chao

I really liked this charming surrogacy comedy starring Ed Helms and Patti Harrison, the latter of whom delivers a breakout performance. Writer-director Nikole Beckwith delivers a sweet film that challenges perceptions of love, as Helms and Harrison have a strictly platonic relationship in the movie. Tig Notaro and Julio Torres deliver laughs in supporting roles but I loved Sufe Bradshaw's scene-stealing turn as a nurse, too. Of course, this movie comes down to its two leads, and not only is this role tailor-made for nice guy Helms, but Harrison's sharp-tongued sense of humor is perfect for the part, and she makes more out of the character than what's on the page. Some may roll their eyes at this movie but I happened to enjoy it quite a bit, and the ending moved me to tears.

KEEP READING: 'Together Together' Stars Ed Helms and Patti Harrison on Birthing a New Kind of Love Story