11 best movies new to Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max & Amazon (January 2021)

Welcome to 2021, which is no different than 2020, except that all streaming platforms have completely different movie lineups. Really, that’s the only difference. It’s early. Lets see what happens.

In January, Pete Davidson and Judd Apatow find the VOD comedy The King of Staten Island finally hit HBO, some decidedly un-Disney movies arrive Disney Plusand some really great adult dramas with outstanding talents like Mark Ruffalo, Robert Redford and Charlize Theron for those who really want to immerse themselves in a new movie.

Read on for 11 of the best movies new to streaming services this January. There is something for everybody.

All the President’s men

Pictured: Warner Bros. Pictures

At this heated moment in American politics, there may be no better movie than director Alan J. Pakula’s take on the Watergate scandal. Based on reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward’s own book, the conspiracy-thriller-like drama Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as Carl and Bob, who are looking for answers in the Nixon administration, nudge the beehive and meet their smoking gun contact Deep Throat a now infamous parking garage. Pakula mimics the essence of real life and increases the intensity of the pursuit of his subjects through open style choices, including Split diopter shots and the shadowy signature of cameraman Gordon Willis (The Godfather). This is a masterpiece that anyone who keeps up with the news needs to see.

All the President’s men will continue to be streamed HBO max.

Blue Valentine’s Day

The author-director Derek Cianfrance, one of the films to feel good in the 2010s, does not cause any problems in his portrait of explosive romance and breakdowns. Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling plunge into the tumultuous intimacy of Dean and Cindy’s relationship, which increases to the end. The grizzly bear, who provided the soundtrack, lets all emotions bubble to the surface.

Blue Valentine’s Day will continue to be streamed HBO max.

The King of Staten Island (HBO Max)

Photo: Universal Pictures

Pete Davidson and writer and director Judd Apatow’s look at the easy-going life of a New Yahwk twenties may sound like a comedy, but by taking up many of the star’s real-life troubles – from the untimely death of his firefighter father to suffering from Crohn’s disease – the movie feels more like a contemplative FX series packed into two and a half hours. But the extensive dramedy is extremely satisfying and, from Davidson’s memoir-like perspective, finds plenty of idiosyncrasies and space for great performances. In addition to Davidson as Scott, a would-be tattoo artist lost in a cloud of smoke, Marisa Tomei has his frustrated mother, Bill Burr as another firefighter who associates her with romance (much to Scott’s chagrin), and Bel Powley as the Staten Island girl with big dreams that Scott’s attraction cannot escape. It’s a touching film made by everyone, the guy who brought us It will be blood. The artistic contrast helps to absorb everything.

The King of Staten Island will continue to be streamed HBO max.

Isle of Dogs

Image: Fox Searchlight

Wes Anderson’s latest animated film provoked some reasonable controversy about its portrayal of Japanese characters and culture, but the craftsmanship makes this new Disney Plus addition worth a watch. Starring Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Bob Balaban, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, Kunichi Nomura, Tilda Swinton and Ken Watanabe, the film follows the cross-country mission of a pack of dogs who want to bring a lost boy back home. The film is rendered in exquisite stop-motion with Anderson’s usual attention to detail, not to mention a rousing score by Alexandre Desplat. It brings a more subdued, meditative energy than any animated feature in the past 10 years.

Isle of Dogs will continue to be streamed Disney Plus.

Justice League Dark: Apokolip’s War

Pictured: Warner Bros. Pictures

At the other end of the animation spectrum, a truly epic piece of work by the DC Animation group. Touted as the final installment in a DC Animated series that began in 2013 Justice League: The Flashpoint ParadoxThe film loosely adjusts the story of Geoff John’s Darkseid War and basically brings together every known character in the DCAU for a huge battle with the Big Bad Apokoliptian.

Justice League Dark: Apokolip’s War will continue to be streamed HBO max.

One night at Roxbury

Photo: Paramount Pictures

“So anyway, I was standing there waiting to use the payphone.”
“Yes, he was serious.”
“And this guy who was on the phone turns around and types his hat like this.”
“And who do you think this guy was?”
“Emilio Estevez.”
“The Mighty Duck man, I swear to god I was there.”
“Of course you were the one who yelled the name of the breakfast club.”
“I was like ‘Emilio!'”

I’ll leave it at that: Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan Saturday night live Film is underestimated.

One night at Roxbury will continue to be streamed Amazon and Hulu.

salt

Photo: Sony Pictures Entertainment

For some reason, in an age of rousing, modern Bond and Impossible mission Incarnations, a huge spy film starring Angelina Jolie as the master of disguise / butt-kicker, didn’t explode at the box office and spawned a five-film franchise. Jolie doesn’t go full John Wick as she runs, jumps and shoots her way through salt‘s intrigue, but she has the style to make it sing. Plus, the film features one of the best car chases of the 2010s. Bring Evelyn Salt back!

salt will continue to be streamed Amazon and Hulu.

spring breakers

Image: A24

If you long for Bacchanalia, turn to Harmony Korine’s indulgent but critical look at the sprrrrrring Breeeaaaak Party life. Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, and Rachel Korine star as four college students who dream of letting go in Florida but run out of money. So of course they sniff huge amounts of cocaine and rob a restaurant. The climax of breaking the law unleashes the young women’s worst instincts, and when they finally make it to the beach and meet up with Alien (James Franco), a rapper / arms dealer, dreamy, sun-drenched hell breaks loose. Swirled together with a Skrillex soundtrack, the movie stays perfect at home as a midnight movie experience.

spring breakers will continue to be streamed Netflix.

The wolverine

Image: 20th Century Fox

Before the X-Men scratched with Adamantium are pushed into the R-rated area LoganJames Mangold (Ford versus Ferrari) brought Chris Claremont and Frank Miller’s bloody Japan-based Wolverine adventure to life The wolverine. A slim, mean yakuza drama, the film – co-written by Queen’s Gambit Creator Scott Frank – finds a psychological advantage that the previous X blockbusters never found to explore while still packing on the show’s most sophisticated fights. Probably the most violent movie on Disney Plus.

The wolverine will continue to be streamed Disney Plus.

You can count on me

Picture: Paramount Pictures

Writer and director Kenneth Lonergan is basically cake boss when it comes to baking an authentic human story and slicing up a piece of life. You can count on meHis debut after years in the theater is a prime example of how film can capture universal moments that we all seem to be overlooking. Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo play a brother and sister who, years after the tragic death of their parents, continue to struggle to exist. Sammy (Linney) is a single mom who has been challenged by her past relationships. Terry (Ruffalo) is out and about, and when he finally comes home to help his sister, his surrogate parenting style becomes more of a burden than expected. The drama sparkles, wanders and surprises You can count on me, but it is obvious that Lonergan has a better grip on the insides of everyday people than any of his contemporaries.

You can count on me will continue to be streamed HBO max.

Young adult

Picture: Paramount Pictures

Of The Italian job to Mad Max: Anger Street to Æon Flux, Atomic blonde, The old guardCharlize Theron has worked as a synonym for female action for the past two decades. But she’s also one of the best character creators of a generation, as Diablo Cody’s prickly drama shows Young adult. Theron plays Mavis, an alcoholic, divorced YA novelist who, spurred on by a picture of her ex’s newborn baby, decides to start her own business My best friends Recovery wedding mission. she Got to be together. It’s not going well, but the descent to hometown hell is a breathtaking journey in Theron’s hands.

Young adult will continue to be streamed Hulu.

---

Vox Media maintains partner partnerships. These do not affect the editorial content, although Vox Media may earn commissions on products purchased through affiliate links. You can find more information in our Ethics policy.