New movies to watch this weekend
From superhero spectacle and science fiction to horror, documentary and comedy-drama, this weekend’s releases offer plenty of choice for Australian viewers. Several films are available to rent or buy on demand, while others are streaming through Netflix, Disney+, Shudder, Peacock or Apple TV.
Movie fans who enjoy arcade-style action can also explore RETROCADE’s arcade news and gaming coverage between films, or compare options in the arcade machine buying guide.
1. Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Available on: VOD
- Genre: Action
- Running time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
- Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the year’s highest-grossing film. Tom Holland’s Peter Parker faces young adulthood alone in New York while reconnecting with former school friends, confronting new enemies and helping establish the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Peter’s physical changes are less central than early trailers suggested, but they remain important. Natural webbing and heightened senses allow Holland to develop this version of the character, while the film draws on the Sam Raimi era through its treatment of new powers, touches of body horror and a carefully staged slow-motion action sequence.
2. Insidious: Out of the Further
- Available on: VOD
- Genre: Horror
- Running time: 1 hour 46 minutes
- Director: Jacob Chase
- Cast: Amelia Eve, Lin Shaye, Brandon Perea
This sixth Insidious film introduces a new family and another terrifying demon. Gemma, played by Amelia Eve, grew up with an absent mother and is determined to give her daughter a better childhood. After unsettling neighbours move in, nightmares return her to that painful past—and suggest the places she visits in sleep may be real.
The film’s standout scares include dental horror built around Gemma’s profession, demonic designs featuring drills and mouth blocks, and a pillow-fort sequence that develops into a claustrophobic labyrinth.
3. Disclosure Day
- Available on: Peacock
- Genre: Science fiction
- Running time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Cast: Josh O’Connor, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth
Steven Spielberg returns to alien science fiction with Disclosure Day. A whistleblower, played by Josh O’Connor, joins forces with a meteorologist, played by Emily Blunt, to expose a conspiracy and convince the world that extraterrestrial life exists.
The film combines a thriller plot with the idealism and sentiment associated with Spielberg’s more heartfelt science-fiction work, rather than relying solely on action.
4. Onslaught
- Available on: VOD
- Genre: Action horror
- Running time: 1 hour 32 minutes
- Director: Adam Wingard
- Cast: Adria Arjona, Alex Pereira, Drew Starkey
After working on the Godzilla v Kong films, Adam Wingard returns to the gory horror territory of You’re Next and The Guest. Onslaught follows an army veteran unexpectedly caring for her daughter when three supersoldiers attack her trailer-park neighbourhood. She must unite with her neighbours and draw on her military training to survive the night.
The film mixes horror, firearms and explosive violence with influences from John Carpenter’s science-fiction horror, the Terminator films and Kill Bill. Its opening image—Arjona shooting pumpkins with a sniper rifle in the desert—sets the tone immediately.
5. Colony
- Available on: VOD
- Genre: Horror
- Running time: 2 hours 2 minutes
- Director: Yeon Sang-ho
- Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hyun-been, Jun Ji-hyun
Yeon Sang-ho, director of Train to Busan, returns to zombie horror with Colony. During a biotechnology conference, a scientist injects himself with a fast-acting pathogen. The resulting outbreak spreads rapidly through the building, turning people violent and bloodthirsty while trapping a group of attendees inside.
6. Animals
- Available on: Netflix
- Genre: Thriller
- Running time: 1 hour 46 minutes
- Director: Ben Affleck
- Cast: Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson
Ben Affleck directs and stars in Animals as a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose family is thrown into crisis when his son is kidnapped. As he and his wife try to raise the ransom, hidden secrets threaten to destroy both their marriage and their public lives.
7. Matchbox: The Movie
- Available on: Apple TV
- Genre: Action
- Running time: 2 hours 6 minutes
- Director: Sam Hargrave
- Cast: John Cena, Jessica Biel, Arturo Castro
Inspired by the Matchbox toy-car brand, this action film follows CIA agent Sean Walker, played by John Cena. After a reunion with childhood friends ends with the group drugged and placed on a cargo jet, they are framed for stealing a nuclear bomb. Sean must lead his civilian friends across several countries, clear their names and find those responsible—with plenty of car chases along the way.
For readers who prefer vehicle-based entertainment at home, RETROCADE’s racing simulators bring driving-focused arcade play into the games room.
8. Don’t Look Back in Anger
- Available on: Disney+
- Genre: Documentary
- Running time: 2 hours 3 minutes
- Directors: Will Lovelace, Dylan Southern
- Featuring: Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher
Oasis’ reunion after 15 years is the focus of this documentary. The Gallagher brothers’ return to the stage and international tour provide the framework, while emotional moments between them and footage of devoted fans make the film a celebration of the band’s continuing place in family life.
9. Late Fame
- Available on: VOD
- Genre: Comedy-drama
- Running time: 1 hour 36 minutes
- Director: Kent Jones
- Cast: Willem Dafoe, Greta Lee, Edmund Donovan
Willem Dafoe plays a post-office worker who once published a book of poetry. His creative confidence returns after a group of young artists discovers the book and decides its author is an overlooked genius.
10. V/H/S Mixtape
- Available on: Shudder
- Genre: Horror
- Running time: 1 hour 38 minutes
- Directors: RZA, Flying Lotus, Tobias Forge
- Featuring: GWAR, Alex Hsu, Barbara Crampton
The found-footage anthology returns with a music-focused instalment. V/H/S Mixtape brings together several short films about the darker side of the music industry, with contributions from musicians and filmmakers including RZA, Flying Lotus and heavy-metal band GWAR.
For a hands-on horror experience after the credits, browse RETROCADE’s arcade light guns and retro shooter options. Compact setups are also available through the bartop arcade range.
Leave a Reply