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These days, we live in a time when moviegoers are faced with two options: should they go out to the movie theater to see the latest flicks or do they stay in and see which new movie releases they can watch from the privacy of their own homes? The beauty of this dilemma is that we all have the advantage of being able to pick which option fits our preferences (sometimes for the same 2021 movies), but even that does not make the decision of what to watch much easier. Allow us to help by providing our own recommendations of what to watch this weekend - Friday, July 2 to Sunday, July 4 - starting with a few titles you can find right now on the big screen.
See It In Theaters
The Forever Purge
After making it through another Purge Night, survivors are horrified to discover that some people have decided to break the rules and continue their deadly, lawless rampage past the 12-hour period they are granted each year.
Why it is a good option to see in theaters: Since 2013, the Purge movies have been a thrilling, brutal, and increasingly thought-provoking staple of horror movies with social commentary and The Forever Purge, written by original creator James DeMonaco and directed by Everado Gout, is stronger and scarier than most fifth installments of a franchise tend to be. Read our The Forever Purge review to find out why.
The Boss Baby: Family Business
Years after growing up and growing apart, Tim Templeton (James Marsden) and his little brother Theo (Alec Baldwin) are magically turned back into their younger selves by a new infantile executive (Amy Sedaris) who enlists their help in a new business endeavor.
Why it is a good option to see in theaters: While you do have the option of streaming The Boss Baby: Family Business on Peacock, this sequel to the acclaimed, animated 2017 hit The Boss Baby - which also inspired a Netflix original series spin-off and interactive movie - is a perfect opportunity to bring the whole family to the movie theater, which is not as common as it used to be.
Zola
A stripper (Taylour Paige) and her friend (Riley Keough) suffer a major falling out after taking a road trip to Florida together that quickly evolves into something shady.
Why it is a good option to see in theaters: The craziest thing about Zola - a new, A24 produced dark comedy from director Janizca Bravo - is that it is all inspired by the true experiences of real-life exotic dancer A’Ziah “Zola” King, who posted the full story in a series of tweets that became a viral sensation in 2015.
F9: The Fast Saga
Seeking revenge on Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) for betraying her, Cipher (Charlize Theron) enlists the help of someone from his past to help her take down the former street racer and his close-knit crew: his estranged younger brother, Jakob (John Cena).
Why it is a good option to see in theaters: Director Justin Lin returns to the franchise he helped renovate into one of the most beloved and endurable movie series in the world with F9: The Fast Saga - an action flick made for the big screen that fans have been waiting an especially long time to see since it was delayed for more than a year. Read our review for F9: The Fast Saga.
Watch It On Streaming
The Tomorrow War (Amazon Prime)
A family man and war veteran (Chris Pratt), along with other civilians and experienced soldiers, enlists to be taken into the future to help defend the earth from a nefarious extraterrestrial enemy.
Why it is a good option to watch at home on streaming: You are usually promised a pretty fun and exciting popcorn flick with Chris Pratt attached (who also serves as executive producer) and with an all-star cast that also includes Yvonne Strahovski, Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons, and Veep cast alum Sam RIchardson, The Tomorrow War - streaming now on Amazon Prime - could be exactly the sci-fi action thriller you may be looking for. Check out our The Tomorrow War review to see if a watch is in your future.
Stream The Tomorrow War on Amazon Prime.
No Sudden Move (HBO Max)
Suspicious circumstances bring a pair of experienced criminals together, inciting an impromptu investigation to figure out the truth behind why their paths have crossed in 1954 Detroit.
Why it is a good option to watch at home on streaming: You are usually promised a good movie when director Steven Soderbergh is attached and with an all-star cast that includes Don Cheadle, Academy Award winner Benicio del Toro, and Uncut Gems’ Julia Fox, to name a few, No Sudden Move - streaming now on HBO Max - is exactly the suspenseful mystery thriller you may be looking for.
Stream No Sudden Move on HBO Max.
Fear Street Part One: 1994 (Netflix)
A group of modern day teenagers stumble upon an ancient evil that has been haunting their town for years and decide to delve deeper into the history of these strange encounters, starting with one that took place in the mid-1990s.
Why it is a good option to watch at home on streaming: You are usually promised something pretty fun and creepy with Goosebumps author R.L. Stine’s name attached, but as an R-rated adaptation of his other book series for more mature audiences, Fear Street Part One: 1994 - the first in a weekly trilogy event streaming now on Netflix - could be the terrifying horror thriller you may be looking for. Read our review of Fear Street Part One: 1994 to help ease you into the terror.
Stream Fear Street Part One: 1994 on Netflix.
Summer of Soul (Hulu)
A deep, historical account of 1969’s Harlem Cultural Festival in Marcus Garvey Park when it was still called Mount Morris Park - the most iconic musical event you may never have heard of.
Why it is a good option to watch at home on streaming: The full title for the directorial debut of Questlove (best known as the drummer for The Roots on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon) is Summer of Soul (... Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) - streaming now on Hulu - because the documentary is as much a concert film as it is an uncovering of why the footage of this rousing celebration of Black pride was kept hidden for so long.
Stream Summer of Soul on Hulu.
Past Releases Now On Streaming And VOD
Bill And Ted Face The Music (Hulu)
Grown up but without having truly “grown up,” Ted “Theodore” Logan (Alex Winter) and Bill S. Preston Esquire (Keanu Reeves), are forced to contemplate their purpose in life when the fate of the world once again rests in their hands.
Why it is another good, new option to watch at home: Even the most die-hard fans of the Bill and Ted movies would have never expected a third installment to live up to the first two after so many years, but Bill and Ted Face the Music - streaming now on Hulu - turned out to be exactly the kind of joyous, breezy good time that the world needed in the middle of 2020. Read our Bill and Ted Face the Music review to find out just how excellent it really is.
Stream Bill and Ted Face the Music on Hulu.
Those Who Wish Me Dead (VOD)
An expert survivalist (Angelina Jolie) struggles to protect a teenage murder witness (Finn Little) from a ruthless pair of assassins as a ferocious forest fire is set ablaze around them.
Why it is another good, new option to watch at home: Writer and director Taylor Sheridan (co-creator of the hit series Yellowstone) presents one of his hottest and most gripping thrillers yet with Those Who Wish Me Dead - now available to rent or purchase on VOD. Check out our review of Those Who Wish Me Dead to find out if this is a ride worth taking.
Rent or buy Those Who Wish Me Dead on Amazon.
Let Him Go (HBO Max)
An aging sheriff (Kevin Costner) and his wife (Diane Lane) set out to find their grandson following the tragic death of their own son.
Why it is another good, new option to watch at home: If not for the chance to see Man of Steel’s Kevin Costner and Diane Lane reunited on screen, Let Him Go is worth streaming on HBO Max when it drops on Saturday, July 3 as an engaging meditation on grief and the different ways people choose to deal with it. Reading our Let Him Go review should help you understand why.
Stream Let Him Go on HBO Max Saturday, July 3.
Whether you are in the mood to get back into the movie theater or spend quality time with family or friends from the comfort of your own home, at least you have plenty of great options to choose from no matter which method you prefer. That being said, is there a movie you are most excited to see?
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