Pass the tissue box again: After already saying goodbye to Han Solo, we’re now doing the same for Harrison Ford’s other iconic character.
This weekend, Indiana Jones rocks the signature fedora one more time in a fifth and final Indy adventure, opposite Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“Fleabag”) as a roguish new character in the franchise and Mads Mikkelsen as a villainous Nazi scientist. But if animation is more your jam, Annie Murphy and Jane Fonda star in a coming-of-age comedy about a teenage kraken girl while Riz Ahmed and Chloë Grace Moretz headline a Netflix fantasy.
Here’s a guide to new movies that will satisfy every cinematic taste, plus some noteworthy theatrical films making their streaming and on-demand debuts:
If you live for Harrison Ford cracking a whip: ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’
Indy’s swan song isn’t one of his greatest adventures, but director James Mangold’s action-packed franchise installment does enough right to satisfy longtime fans. Set in 1969, Indy retires from academia and is pulled into another globe-trotting quest with his goddaughter (Waller-Bridge) to find the rest of the mysterious and powerful Archimedes Dial and keep an ex-Nazi scientist (Mikkelsen) from using it to change history. While the plot has pacing issues and the movie is reticent to veer from the proven “Jones” formula, it all leads to a bonkers finale and an emotionally satisfying sendoff for Ford’s Man in the Hat.
Where to watch: In theaters
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If you’re not a fan of mermaids: ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken’
In the kid-friendly fish tale, awkward 16-year-old Ruby (voiced by Lana Condor) is forbidden from going in the water by her protective mom (Toni Collette) but learns from her grandma (Fonda) that she’s the latest in a line of sea protectors who can transform into a giant kraken. Their duty is to keep the oceans safe from villainous mermaids, and if young adulthood wasn’t already stressful enough, the popular new girl at high school (Murphy) turns out to be one of these power-hungry baddies.
Where to watch: In theaters
If your kids are in need of an excellent adventure: ‘Nimona’
Based on the ND Stevenson graphic novel, this lively and refreshing family fantasy stars Ahmed as Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world who’s framed for murdering the queen. To prove his innocence, Ballister teams with mercurial Nimona (Moretz), a shape-shifting teen who might be the same creature the kingdom’s knights have been trained to destroy. It’s an inclusive and thoughtful piece about friendship and honor with engaging queer characters that’s also a heck of a lot of fun.
Where to watch: Netflix
If you’re a big fan of ‘Succession’ or ‘The Babadook’: ‘Run Rabbit Run’
In the creepy-kid psychological horror flick, Sarah Snook (“Succession”) stars as a divorced Australian mother forced to confront dark secrets and repressed trauma from her family’s past. She’s not overly pleased when her 7-year-old daughter (Lily LaTorre) takes in a stray bunny as a pet for her birthday, but the newest member of the household is just the inciting incident for a series of bizarre turns and revelatory truths as the youngster exhibits increasingly dangerous bad behavior.
Where to watch: Netflix
Ranked:The 10 best movies of 2023 (so far), from ‘Spider-Verse’ to ‘Air’
If you’re a lover of American music history: ‘Anthem’
“The Star-Spangled Banner” dates back to the 19th century and is set to an old British tune, so maybe it needs a modern refresh? That’s the premise of this inventive documentary, which features composer Kris Bowers and Grammy-winning producer DJ Dahi embarking upon a cross-country road trip to learn about the different genres of American music (from country to jazz to Latin) from the people who play them and then crafting a new national anthem that speaks to our complicated cultural landscape. It’s a project full of creativity and even conflict – and their song’s not half bad either.
Where to watch: Hulu
Also on streaming:
- Just in time for the Fourth of July, a new sing-along version of the musical “Hamilton,” starring creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr., premieres on Disney+ Friday.
- The family comedy “About My Father,” starring Robert De Niro as an Italian hairdresser dad and writer Sebastian Maniscalco as his son, is now available to buy/rent on Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon and Google Play.
- The psychological thriller “Sanctuary,” with Christopher Abbott as a hotelier and Margaret Qualley as his dominatrix, is available to buy/rent on Apple TV and other on-demand platforms.
- The comedy sequel “Book Club: The Next Chapter,” featuring Fonda, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen as besties on a trip to Italy, streams on Peacock beginning Friday.
‘Dial of Destiny’ review:Harrison Ford’s final ‘Indiana Jones’ plays it safe raiding past films
