With one full week left, many of the streamers are adding marquee movies before some have to depart. Our top selection this week marks the debut of a billion-dollar sci-fi franchise on Disney+. If you had any doubts about James Cameron, this movie still proves you should never bet against him.
Another movie that cracked our list this week hails from A24. It’s a horror movie that was a major box-office hit for the studio — $22 million on a $500,000 budget. Other movies featured this week include a Netflix buddy comedy, a heartfelt Christmas movie, and an ambitious biopic. All five movies will be available to stream in the U.S.
5
Little Brother
John Cena and Eric André form an unlikely team
On one side is John Cena, a 17-time WWE champion who has transitioned into an action star. On the other side is Eric André, an absurd comedian who loves to ruffle some feathers. Put them together, and you get Little Brother, a comedy that is both ridiculous and hilarious.
Rudd (Cena) is a successful real estate agent. Rudd’s life takes an unexpected turn when he receives a call from the hospital, saying his little brother was in an accident. It turns out that Marcus (André) is Rudd’s “little brother” from his high school’s mentorship program. Marcus immediately upends Rudd’s life, though it might be for the best. I’m expecting a lot of absurd hijinks to take place between André and Cena.
Little Brother premieres on Netflix on June 26.
Little Brother
- Release Date
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June 26, 2026
- Director
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Matt Spicer
- Writers
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Jarrad Paul, Andrew Mogel
4
Priscilla
The nation’s most famous wife
In 2022, Austin Butler played the King of Rock and Roll in Elvis, Baz Luhrman’s Oscar-nominated musical biopic of Elvis Presley. The film focuses on Elvis’ rise to superstardom. Along the way, Elvis meets his wife, Priscilla, though she’s a supporting role in the movie. The following year, Sofia Coppola made Priscilla Beaulieu the star in Priscilla.
At 14, Priscilla (Cailee Spaeny) meets the then 24-year-old Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi) while he’s serving in the army. A few years later, Priscilla and Elvis reunite and eventually enter a romantic relationship. The following years are complicated, as Priscilla tries to make their love work despite Elvis’ absence and drug problem. It’s a bold film from Coppola, who gives Priscilla the spotlight she deserves in this complicated story about the dissolution of a fairy tale.
Priscilla heads to Prime Video on June 23.
3
Undertone
The silence will frighten you
I was very impressed with Undertone, the feature film directorial debut by Ian Tuason. Tuason based the movie off of his experiences with his dying parents. In an exclusive interview with How-To Geek, Tuason said, “It was a personal film for me because I experienced it. I experienced caregiving with my parents. It was the darkest period of my life. I couldn’t express that story in any other genre.”
Evy (Nina Kiri) hosts a popular paranormal podcast with her friend, Justin (Adam DiMarco). When she’s not hosting the podcast, Evy cares for her dying mother (Michèle Duquet). As she investigates a new case, Evy begins experiencing supernatural occurrences in her house. The sound design in this movie is exquisite, and Tuason is firmly in control of the atmospheric elements. It’s easy to see why Paramount hired him to make a new Paranormal Activity.
Undertone premieres on HBO Max on June 26.
2
The Holdovers
Christmas at a boarding school
Technically, it’s only June. Therefore, it’s not Holdovers season, which is reserved for the winter, especially in the lead-up to Christmas. However, I’m willing to make an exception and watch a Christmas movie in June because this movie will one day become a classic.
In December 1970, Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa) is forced to spend his Christmas break at his boarding school. The teacher responsible for chaperoning these “holdover” students is the grumpy Paul Dunham (Paul Giamatti). Joined by grieving cafeteria worker Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), Angus and Paul sympathize with one another’s problems and gain mutual respect. I appreciate The Holdovers’ commitment to finding the beauty in the messiness of people’s lives.
The Holdovers arrives on Peacock on June 28.
1
Avatar: Fire and Ash
A third trip to Pandora
I’m very curious to see how Avatar: Fire and Ash plays at home. James Cameron’s epic franchise deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible. The visuals of Pandora are as breathtaking as ever, and Cameron remains the best filmmaker to incorporate 3D technology into his movies. While you can’t recreate the theatrical experience, the home viewing has only gotten better, so I have high hopes for Fire and Ash.
In the third Avatar movie, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and their family are still at odds with Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) and the RDA. For the first time, Jake faces opposition from another Na’vi tribe, the Mangkwan clan (“Ash People”), and their aggressive leader, Varang (Oona Chaplin). Spectacle aside, Cameron still understands that these are stories about families, leading to emotional climaxes that remain effective.
Avatar: Fire and Ash heads to Disney+ on June 24.
More movies to add to your watchlist
If you want some more movies, try some classics, including The Godfather Part II and Working Girl. If Netflix is your streaming service of choice, I suggest a few addictive movies you’ll keep coming back to, including Chef and The Breakfast Club.
