Whether you are waiting for Spider-Man: Brand New Day tickets or planning a quiet weekend at home, this week’s streaming and video-on-demand arrivals cover superheroes, animation, anime, horror and dark comedy.
Among the highlights are The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on Peacock and Supergirl on video on demand. The Mario adaptation expands the successful film series with Rosalina at the centre of a cosmic rescue mission, while DC’s newest solo adventure follows Kara Zor-El beyond Metropolis.
For more entertainment and gaming coverage, browse the RETROCADE Arcade Blog. Here are 10 films to consider from 31 July to 2 August.
10. Supergirl
- Available on: VOD
- Genre: Sci-fi
- Run time: 1h 48m
- Director: Craig Gillispie
- Cast: Milly Alcock, Jason Momoa, Eva Ridley
After a short but memorable appearance in Superman, Kara Zor-El takes the lead in her own interstellar story. Her outlook differs sharply from her idealistic cousin’s, and the film broadens the DC universe beyond Metropolis as Kara, her dog Krypto and a new group of companions travel through space.
The film carries a recognisable James Gunn-style blend of irreverent humour, unruly aliens, energetic combat and genuine affection for its heroes. It is not an especially thrilling superhero film, but it is warm, entertaining and most effective when Milly Alcock is at the centre of the action.
9. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
- Available on: Peacock
- Genre: Sci-fi
- Run time: 1h 38m
- Directors: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic
- Cast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black
Drawing from the 2007 game Super Mario Galaxy, this animated adventure sends Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and their allies into an outer-space setting. Their mission is to rescue Rosalina from Bowser Jr.
Alongside Illumination’s familiar animation, the film experiments with several visual approaches. Bowser stages a convincing puppet show, an illustrated flashback features the Star Fox team, and 8-bit Super Mario games receive affectionate nods. It may also hint at future Nintendo spin-offs with distinct artistic styles.
Mario’s long-running arcade and console legacy makes this a natural companion for a dedicated arcade machine collection.
8. The Drama
- Available on: HBO Max
- Genre: Black comedy
- Run time: 1h 45m
- Director: Kristoffer Borgli
- Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zendaya
Charlie and Emma appear to be a happy engaged couple, but a disturbing discovery made just days before their wedding changes how they view their relationship. The less you know about the twist, the better; the film uses that revelation to make them question what they actually want from one another.
7. The Devil Wears Prada 2
- Available on: Hulu
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 1h 59m
- Director: David Frankel
- Cast: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci
Set and released 20 years after the first film, The Devil Wears Prada 2 brings its familiar characters together again. This time, they face a changing publishing industry that puts the future of Runway magazine under pressure.
6. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle
- Available on: Crunchyroll
- Genre: Anime
- Run time: 2h 35m
- Director: Haruo Sotozaki
- Cast: Zach Aguilar, Abby Trott
The latest Demon Slayer film continues the story of a teenager who dedicates himself to protecting his sister after demons slaughter the rest of their family. On its US release, it became the country’s highest-grossing international film.
The franchise’s strength is not radical reinvention. Like earlier action manga such as Naruto and Bleach, it pauses its enormous battles to explore the characters’ histories and motives. That emotional focus makes even its flesh-eating demons understandable.
5. Maddie’s Secret
- Available on: VOD
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 1h 38m
- Director: John Early
- Cast: John Early, Kate Berlant, Eric Rahill
John Early plays Maddie, a food influencer whose life changes when one of her videos unexpectedly goes viral. Her new popularity forces her to confront a difficult relationship with food.
Viewers who enjoy Early’s sharply specific comic style will find this an especially appealing choice.
4. The Death of Robin Hood
- Available on: VOD
- Genre: Action
- Run time: 2h 2m
- Director: Michael Sarnosky
- Cast: Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer
Hugh Jackman portrays an ageing, weather-beaten Robin Hood in a version of the legend that rejects the image of the spotless noble hero. Instead, the film considers Robin as a killer while examining death, legacy and the cost of a violent life.
It combines rugged landscapes, striking violence and weighty themes with strong performances, giving the familiar myth a darker and more reflective treatment.
3. Leviticus
- Available on: VOD
- Genre: Horror
- Run time: 1h 28m
- Director: Adrian Chiarella
- Cast: Stacy Clausen, Joe Bird
Two teenage boys in an Australian religious community develop feelings for one another and are subjected by their neighbours to a cleansing ceremony intended to remove their desires. Instead, the ritual awakens a supernatural entity that can change shape and haunt them at their most vulnerable.
2. Soulm8te
- Available on: VOD
- Genre: Sci-fi
- Run time: 1h 39m
- Director: Kate Dolan
- Cast: Lily Sullivan, David Rysdahl, Claudia Doumit
A spin-off from the Megan films, Soulm8te blends science fiction with the shape of an erotic thriller. After his wife dies, an engineer purchases an android for companionship, opening the door to a relationship with increasingly unsettling consequences.
1. Untitled Home Invasion Romance
- Available on: Hulu
- Genre: Black comedy
- Run time: 1h 25m
- Director: Jason Biggs
- Cast: Jason Biggs, Meaghan Rath, Anna Konkle
A man stages a burglary at his own home, hoping to rescue his marriage and appear heroic to his wife. The plan spirals when the fake break-in becomes genuinely dangerous and leads to a real murder investigation.
If you would rather spend the weekend with classic games, compare upright arcade cabinets, compact bartop arcades or explore the arcade machine buying guide before choosing your setup.
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