With theater chains closing throughout the world, including AMC Theaters and Regal Cinemas here in the US, movie studios are not only delaying the releases of their next big films they’re also shifting a slew of their latest and even some of their upcoming films to VOD services (video on demand) instead.
These digital platforms include Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, among others. For some of the titles that were recently released in theaters, like The Invisible Man and Pixar’s Onward, there is a premium-tier rental charge that can go as high as $19.99 USD.
While there are many titles coming early to VOD in the coming weeks, here are the 12 biggest titles coming to streaming platforms. Read on or click through the slideshow below to see which early-release films made our list:
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Onward: March 20
Pixar’s Onward will be released on VOD on March 20 for $19.99 USD, and on Disney+ on April 3. Starring Chris Pratt and Tom Holland, the film was originally opened on March 3. In our review, we say, “Filmmaker Dan Scanlon has crafted an adventure that gleefully flies high with its fantasy elements, yet never loses touch with its grounded family tale. In that regard, it feels like ’80s Amblin, but without being a stodgy homage. It’s got charm from its playful production design to its exuberant voice cast to some deeply silly visual gags.”
The Invisible Man: March 20
Universal Pictures will release The Invisible Man on VOD on March 20 for $19.99 USD. Elizabeth Moss stars in the phycological thriller, which was originally released on February 28. In our review, we say, “While this dark new take on the classic Universal Monster might not be for every audience, its inventive use of abuse and narcissism as a structural outline for horror means that this uniquely grim outing for The Invisible Man largely works. Leigh Whannell’s dedication to crafting terror from abuse without necessarily making a statement might rub some viewers the wrong way, but The Invisible Man’s stark settings, solid performances, and great production design.”
Emma: March 20
Focus Features will release Emma on VOD on March 20 for $19.99 USD. Emma is the latest movie adaption of the Jane Austen novel, this one starring Anya Taylor-Joy in the title role. The film was originally released on February 21. According to a synopsis from Focus, “Emma Woodhouse is a restless ‘queen bee’ without rivals in her sleepy little English town. In this glittering satire of social class, Emma must navigate her way through the challenges of growing up, misguided matches and romantic missteps to realize the love that has been there all along.”
The Hunt: March 20
Universal Pictures will release The Hunt on VOD on March 20 for $19.99 USD. The political thriller was originally released on March 13. In our review, we say, “Before anybody saw it, Universal and Blumhouse’s The Hunt was the subject of much controversy last year, but it turns out that the actual film and its hyper-violent social commentary is smarter than it was given credit for back then.”
Bloodshot: March 24
Sony and Columbia Pictures are releasing Bloodshot on VOD on March 24, for $19.99 USD. Starring Vin Diesel, Bloodshot was originally released in theaters on March 13. In our review, we say, “Bloodshot is unapologetically a popcorn movie of the switch-off-your-brain-and-kick-back variety. Diesel and company soldier through a wonky plot to deliver glowers, superhero poses, and loads of action. Director Wilson brings the heat with solid visual effects and a relentless pace.”
The Gentlemen: March 24
STXfilms will release The Gentlemen on VOD on March 24 for $19.99 USD. Directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Matthew McConaughey and Charlie Hunnam, the film was originally released on January 24 in the US. In our review, we say, “[Hugh Grant] and Hunnam have an easy chemistry and provide most of The Gentlemen’s genuine laughs. Grant’s transition from playing charming leading men to less savory characters has been fun to watch and it’s hard to resist the temptation of believing his Hollywood-obsessed Fletcher could be a relative of Paddington 2’s wacky actor antagonist, Phoenix Buchanan.”
Birds of Prey: March 24
Warner Bros. Pictures will release Birds of Prey on VOD on March 24 for $19.99 USD. The film was originally released on February 7, starring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as The Huntress, and Ewan McGregor as Black Mask. In our review, we say, “In terms of sheer fun, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) delivers in spades. Its zany energy, visceral fight sequences, and focus on one of DC’s most fascinating characters ensure that it continues Warner Bros.’ winning streak of big, bombastic comic book adaptations that are unafraid to embrace their inherent ridiculousness.”
The Way Back: March 24
Warner Bros. will release The Way Back on VOD on March 24 for $19.99. Directed by Gavin O’Connor and starring Ben Affleck, this film was originally released on March 6. In our review, we say, “The Way Back is a gratifying sports movie that is made better than the average by some sadness, some realism, and Ben Affleck’s performance. The Way Back might serve as an excellent double feature with Gavin O’Connor’s Warrior, another sports movie that spices up (o.k., one last food metaphor) a perhaps-known sports narrative with excellent performances and a central drama that leaves the story without a proper underdog.”
I Still Believe: March 27
Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company will release I Still Believe on VOD on March 27. Starring KJ Apa and Britt Robertson, the film originally opened on March 13. I Still Believe centers on “young couple’s remarkable journey that proves hope can survive great tragedy and that love tested is the only love worth sharing,” according to a synopsis from Lionsgate.
Sonic the Hedgehog: March 31
Paramount Pictures will release Sonic the Hedgehog on VOD on March 31. Originally released on February 14, the film stars Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic and Jim Carrey as the villainous Dr. Robotnik. In our review, we say, “While this family-friendly action-comedy suffers from a simplistic story and leans too heavily on tired visual cliches, Sonic the Hedgehog is nevertheless boosted by solid performances from Ben Schwartz as Sonic and Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik. Their ongoing cat-and-mouse game is entertaining, and passionate fans of the Sega franchise should appreciate all the nods to Sonic’s history. Make no mistake, this frantically-paced film is made first and foremost for Sonic fans.”
Trolls World Tour
After being originally slated for a wide theatrical release, Universal will release Trolls World Tour on April 10 for $19.99 USD. Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake return to star in the sequel to the 2016 musical hit, Trolls. The studio describes the film as “an adventure that will take them well beyond what they’ve known before, Poppy (Kendrick) and Branch (Timberlake) discover that they are but one of six different Troll tribes scattered over six different lands and devoted to six different kinds of music: Funk, Country, Techno, Classical, Pop, and Rock. Their world is about to get a lot bigger and a whole lot louder.”
Arkansas: May 1
Lionsgate will release Arkansas straight to VOD on May 1. The crime thriller features an impressive cast, including Liam Hemsworth, Michael Kenneth Williams, John Malkovich, and Vince Vaughn. Here’s how the studio describes the film: “Kyle (Hemsworth) and Swin (Duke) live by the orders of an Arkansas-based drug kingpin named Frog (Vaughn), whom they’ve never met. Posing as park rangers by day, they operate as low-level drug couriers by night under the watchful eye of Frog’s proxies (Malkovich, Vivica A. Fox). However, after one too many inept decisions, Kyle and Swin find themselves directly in Frog’s crosshairs, who mistakenly sees them as a threat to his empire.”
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David Griffin still watches DuckTales in his pajamas with a cereal bowl in hand. He’s also the TV Editor for IGN. Say hi on Twitter.
Source: IGN.com 12 New Movies Coming to On-Demand Early