Films added to streaming this week:
10 great films added to streaming this week
Maoโs Last Dancer (2009) โ Stan, OzFlix, Apple TV
- Director: Bruce Beresford
- Cast: Chi Cao, Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan, Joan Chen
- Genre: Biopic
- Runtime: 117 minutes
Synopsis: Based on the autobiography of Chinese ballet dancer Li Cunxin, this film tells the story of a boy plucked from poverty during Maoโs Cultural Revolution, who grows into an internationally celebrated performer. It traces his journey from rural China to the Houston Ballet, where he must balance loyalty to his homeland with a new life in the West.
Why you should watch: Directed by Australian filmmaker Bruce Beresford, this is both a moving story of artistic dedication and a fascinating look at the cultural politics of the late 20th century. Itโs one of Australiaโs most internationally successful dramas. Watch the trailer.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984) โ Apple TV
- Director: Rob Reiner
- Cast: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner
- Genre: Mockumentary, comedy
- Runtime: 82 minutes
Synopsis: This mockumentary follows fictional British rock band Spinal Tap as they embark on a disastrous US tour. With interviews, performances and behind-the-scenes chaos, the film satirises the excesses and absurdities of the rock music industry.
Why to watch: Widely considered one of the funniest films ever made, This Is Spinal Tap set the standard for mockumentary comedy. Its deadpan delivery and endlessly quotable lines have influenced everything from The Office to Parks and Recreation. Essential.
Phantom Thread (2017) โ Netflix, Binge, SBS On Demand
- Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
- Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps, Lesley Manville
- Genre: Drama, romance
- Runtime: 130 minutes
Synopsis: Set in 1950s London, this film follows renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock, whose carefully controlled world is disrupted by a young woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover. Their relationship evolves into a tense battle of power, desire, and obsession.
Why to watch: Daniel Day-Lewisโs performance is masterful. With Andersonโs meticulous direction and Jonny Greenwoodโs score, Phantom Thread is both unsettling and beautiful โ a film about art, control, and loveโs darker edges. Watch the trailer.
Bram Stokerโs Dracula (1992) โ Netflix, Fetch, Apple TV
- Director: Francis Ford Coppola
- Cast: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves
- Genre: Horror, romance
- Runtime: 128 minutes
Synopsis: Coppolaโs adaptation of the classic novel follows Count Dracula as he travels to England in search of Mina, who resembles his lost love. The film blends gothic horror with sweeping romance, using elaborate costumes and practical effects to bring the 19th-century tale to life.
Why to watch: Gary Oldmanโs Dracula remains one of the most iconic screen interpretations of the character. Lavish visuals, operatic style, and an unforgettable score make this a standout among vampire films.
The Lovers on the Bridge (1991) โ MUBI, Prime Video
- Director: Leos Carax
- Cast: Juliette Binoche, Denis Lavant, Klaus-Michael Grรผber
- Genre: Romantic drama
- Runtime: 125 minutes
Synopsis: On Parisโs oldest bridge, a homeless man and a painter losing her sight fall into a turbulent relationship. Their passion and despair play out against a backdrop of fireworks, city lights, and urban decay.
Why to watch: Known for its extravagant production and poetic visuals, Caraxโs film is a cult masterpiece of French cinema. Juliette Binoche and Denis Lavant give raw, unforgettable performances.
Carnival of Souls (1962) โ Cultpix, Plex, Apple TV
- Director: Herk Harvey
- Cast: Candace Hilligoss, Frances Feist, Sidney Berger
- Genre: Horror
- Runtime: 78 minutes
Synopsis: After surviving a car crash, a young woman relocates to a new town, only to be haunted by strange visions and drawn to a mysterious abandoned pavilion.
Why to watch: Though overlooked on release, Carnival of Souls has become a cult classic for its eerie imagery and dreamlike atmosphere. Its influence can be seen in filmmakers like David Lynch and George Romero.
Ginger Snaps (2001) โ 7Plus, Fetch, Prime Video
- Director: John Fawcett
- Cast: Emily Perkins, Katharine Isabelle, Kris Lemche
- Genre: Horror
- Runtime: 108 minutes
Synopsis: Two goth sisters obsessed with death are confronted with the reality of it when one is bitten by a werewolf. As her transformation begins, their bond is tested against the backdrop of suburban adolescence.
Why to watch: This Canadian cult hit reinvents the werewolf myth as a feminist allegory about puberty, identity, and sisterhood. Its mix of horror and dark humour has kept it beloved for over two decades.
Thelma & Louise (1991) โ Stan, Prime Video, Apple TV
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Cast: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel, Brad Pitt
- Genre: Drama
- Runtime: 130 minutes
Synopsis: A weekend getaway spirals into a cross-country escape when two women are forced onto the run after a violent incident. Along the way, they defy societal expectations and redefine freedom on their own terms.
Why to watch: One of the most iconic feminist films of the 1990s, Thelma & Louise remains powerful and relevant. Sarandon and Davis deliver career-best performances, and its ending is still one of cinemaโs most unforgettable. Talk about a cliffhanger. Watch the trailer.
Barton Fink (1991) โ SBS On Demand, Fetch, Apple TV, MUBI
- Director: Joel Coen
- Cast: John Turturro, John Goodman, Judy Davis
- Genre: Drama, black comedy
- Runtime: 116 minutes
Synopsis: Set in 1940s Hollywood, the film follows playwright Barton Fink, who relocates to Los Angeles to write for the movies, only to fall into paranoia and surreal horrors while living in a decrepit hotel.
Why to watch: Winner of the Palme dโOr at Cannes, Barton Fink is a darkly comic exploration of writerโs block, the studio system, and artistic compromise. Itโs one of the Coen Brothersโ strangest and most acclaimed works.
Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (2008) โ 10Play, Prime Video
- Director: Mamoru Oshii
- Cast: Atsuko Tanaka, Akio ลtsuka, Iemasa Kayumi (voice cast)
- Genre: Sci-fi, anime
- Runtime: 85 minutes
Synopsis: A remastered version of the 1995 anime classic, Ghost in the Shell 2.0 combines new digital animation with the original story of Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg detective investigating a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master.
Why to watch: As one of the most influential anime films ever, Ghost in the Shell paved the way for works like The Matrix. This updated version allows new audiences to experience its cyberpunk vision with refreshed visuals. Watch the trailer.
