Smile 2, Netflix’s The Piano Lesson, and All the Latest Movies Now Streaming

Every week, over at Polygon, we’ve got your back with an exciting collection of new streaming and VOD movie releases, dissecting which films make for a perfect at-home viewing session.

Let’s dive into this week’s lineup. First up, we’ve got Smile 2. This supernatural horror sequel, once again directed by Parker Finn, is now available on VOD after its September theater debut. Not a fan of the supernatural? How about some sci-fi horror instead? Fede Álvarez takes us back into the Alien universe with Alien: Romulus, now ready to stream on Hulu. Also debuting this week is the comedy-drama The Good Half, starring Nick Jonas, and Alicia Vikander shines in the historical drama Firebrand.

If those aren’t quite your speed, don’t worry, there’s plenty more on deck! Apple TV Plus brings you the gripping historical survival story, Blitz, while Netflix invites you to experience The Piano Lesson featuring John David Washington. For fans of animated fun, Shrek director Vicky Jenson brings Spellbound. Meanwhile, MGM Plus offers up Blink Twice and a bunch more new releases.

Curious about what’s fresh for the weekend? Here’s the full rundown!

You can catch The Piano Lesson on Netflix. This moving drama runs for 2 hours and 5 minutes and is directed by Malcolm Washington, showcasing talents like Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, and Ray Fisher. It’s a cinematic take on August Wilson’s iconic play, narrating the conflicts of the Charles family over a precious piano ornamented with carvings by an enslaved ancestor — a symbol of legacy and strife.

Continuing with Netflix, we have Joy, a biographical drama spanning 1 hour and 55 minutes directed by Ben Taylor. The narrative unfolds the revolutionary story of in vitro fertilization, centered on nurse Jean Purdy and her colleagues as they strive for scientific breakthroughs against societal prejudices.

For a dose of magic and melody, look no further than Spellbound on Netflix. This 1 hour and 49-minute fantasy comedy, directed by Vicky Jenson, follows a princess on a mission to reverse a spell cast upon her realm and her parents. Rachel Zegler leads in this charming tale bolstered by the musical genius of Alan Menken.

If rom-com musicals are your thing, The Merry Gentlemen on Hulu blends Magic Mike’s charisma with holiday spirit. Over 1 hour and 27 minutes, director Peter Sullivan wields humor and romance as small-town dancers rally to save a beloved venue just in time for Christmas.

Switching gears to sci-fi horror, Alien: Romulus on Hulu transports us 20 years past the original Alien film’s timeline. Under Fede Álvarez’s direction, this 1 hour and 59-minute thriller delves into the terrifying discovery that young scavengers make aboard an abandoned space station. It’s a nail-biting mix of haunted-house eeriness and action-packed sequences that die-hard fans of the franchise will eagerly compare to its predecessors.

Then there’s The Good Half, a comedy drama streaming on Hulu. Lasting 1 hour and 36 minutes, it stars Nick Jonas as a somewhat aloof writer returning to his roots only to be tangled in familial complexities.

Next, Firebrand on Max offers a breathtaking historical drama. At 2 hours and 1 minute, Karim Aïnouz immerses us into the politically treacherous world surrounding King Henry VIII’s final marriage, with Alicia Vikander offering a powerful performance.

Watchmen: Chapter 1 arrives with an animated retelling of its superhero saga. Running for 1 hour and 23 minutes, Brandon Vietti develops a gripping narrative around the unsolved murder of a vigilante hero, Rorschach, back on Apple TV Plus.

Another Apple TV Plus exclusive is Blitz, a suspenseful drama lasting for 2 hours and directed by Steve McQueen, depicting a mother’s desperate search during wartime England.

Dive into Bread & Roses on MGM Plus — a poignant 1 hour and 30-minute documentary by Sahra Mani unveiling the resilience of Afghan women under Taliban rule.

Then, psychological thrill-seekers will find Gold in Blink Twice at 1 hour and 42 minutes on Mubi US. Zoë Kravitz directs this gripping tale of opulence and intrigue on a secluded island.

Finally, explore Witches on Metrograph — an insightful 1 hour and 30-minute documentary by Elizabeth Sankey that delves into the cultural depiction of witches and its broader implications for women’s identity.

Capping off the supernatural offerings is Smile 2, available on Paramount Pictures. Running 2 hours and 7 minutes, this horror treat re-introduces a chilling curse infecting a star recovering from trauma. The sequel doesn’t just revisit the original’s vibe but cranks the tension higher with some truly hair-raising scenes. Finn definitely hits a home run, crafting what could be the franchise’s ultimate entry and showcasing why he’s a name to watch in horror filmmaking.

So many fantastic films await, across genres and styles! Ensure you have these fresh finds added to your streaming list this weekend. Happy watching!