Movies to watch this week: X-Men, Late Night, How To Train Your Dragon and more
Our weekly guide to what films to watch in the cinema and on streaming services, freeview and Blu-ray...
Hello, and welcome to our new weekly pick of movies that you can feast your eyes upon over the next week – both in the cinema and at home (via freeview channels, streaming and Blu-ray/digital downloads).
With so much movie goodness available across so many platforms – not to mention all the new TV shows on offer – it can be tough planning your viewing schedule. But worry not: below, you’ll find a variety of the latest big screen and home entertainment releases, as well as some of our favourite golden oldies and modern classics that can be found on streaming services and on the traditional telly channels.
So, here’s our round-up of the best movies available to watch between Friday 7 June and Thursday 13 June. And don’t forget to pop back next week for more recommendations.
At the cinema
X-Men: Dark Phoenix
Out now
The ‘First Class’ X-Men return for a second retelling of the Dark Phoenix saga, in a film that closes the door on the Fox-produced X-franchise (the Disney acquisition means that the rights are now back in the hands of Marvel). Sophie Turner’s Jean Grey takes centre stage, turning on her fellow mutants after being consumed by the cosmic Phoenix Force. This is a much more faithful adaptation of the classic comic arc than 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, but it doesn’t exactly surpass it.
Late Night
Out now
Beloved Brit thesp Emma Thompson is having a great 2019, starring in TV’s Years & Years and nabbing roles in the upcoming sci-fi sequel Men In Black International and Wham! musical Last Christmas. In this topical comedy, she plays a big-name late-night talk show host, who attempts to claw back falling ratings by hiring her first female staff writer. The script is written by the multi-talented Mindy Kaling, who also co-stars.
On streaming
I Am Mother
Netflix, from 7 June
Hilary Swank stars in this high-concept sci-fi thriller, which got people talking at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and was promptly snapped up by Netflix. The film follows a sheltered teen (Clara Rugaard) raised in a closed-off facility by the robotic Mother (voiced by Rose Byrne), whose reality is brought into question by the appearance of a stranger from the outside world (Swank). Weta Digital is on hand to provide the droid FX.
Crazy Rich Asians
Sky Cinema/Now TV, from 7 June
Jon M. Chu’s glitzy romcom is much more than just an excellent slice of cinematic representation. The film adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s mixes a delightful array of great performances (Constance Wu and Henry Golding both dazzle in their central roles) with a sweet-but-not-too-sentimental plot (Wu’s economic professor meets Golding’s character’s super-wealthy fam – hilarity, of course, ensues). There’s also a side portion of excellent music, featuring Chinese covers of classic pop tracks.
Rush
Netflix, from 10 June
Excited by the Le Mans ’66 (aka Ford V Ferrari) trailer that dropped this week? If you can’t wait until that film’s release in November, then why not revisit Ron Howard’s similarly themed two-hander racing drama, which mixes thumping on-track action with tense off-track drama as it dramatises the professional rivalry between legendary F1 drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl).
On the telly
ET the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
5*, Sat 8 June, 5:25pm
Steven Spielberg’s 1982 smash hit is a stone-cold sci-fi classic that introduced us to the heartwarming friendship between 10-year-old Elliot (Henry Thomas) and the loveable titular alien. This Oscar-winning, family friendly adventure might have missed out on the top prize, but it would have been a worthy recipient – it’s a near-perfect film that sees Spielberg operating at the peak of his powers. Don’t forget the tissues.
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
ITV1, Sun 9 June, 5pm
It seems like there’s not a week goes by where there isn’t a Harry Potter movie on the gogglebox, but it’s always nice to catch up with Alfonso Cuaron’s third franchise entry – the first of the films to move away from the childish fantasy of the Chris Columbus films and forge a darker path. The lead trio – Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson – all up their game, as Gary Oldman’s Sirius Black is introduced and the terrifying Dementors make their first appearance.
Mississippi Grind
BBC 2, Sun 9 June, 11:20pm
This Sundance-premiering indie is probably now most notable for being the film that directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck made before tackling Captain Marvel, but there’s much more to it than that. Down on his luck gambler Gerry (Ben Mendelsohn, aka future Skrull Talos) teams up with charismatic poker player Curtis (Ryan Reynolds) and sets off on a road trip in an attempt to change his fortunes.
Mortal Kombat
5Spike, Monday 10 June, 11:05pm
A rebooted adaptation of the ultraviolent videogame series is finally on the way (currently scheduled for March 2021), but we still have a little soft spot for Paul WS Anderson’s 1995 version. Yes, the effects haven’t aged very well and, yes, it’s still a bit rubbish – but the fights are just as thrilling and, as always, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa gives good villain as the smirking Shang Tsung. Go on, treat yourself.
On Blu-ray and digital download
How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Out 10 June
The final part of Dean DeBlois’ much-loved trilogy sees Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and Toothless on a quest to save the scaled inhabitants of Berk from sinister dragon hunter Grimmel the Grisly (F. Murray Abraham), by returning the creatures to their spiritual home – the ‘Hidden World��� of the title. Toothless is as loveable as ever, the animation is absolutely stunning and, fittingly for a series send-off, the story packs a real emotional punch.
Read our review
Green Book
Out 10 June
This year’s Best Picture Oscar winner hits home ents this week. Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali (who also won Best Supporting Actor) both pull a Driving Miss Daisy and combine their considerable acting prowess to tackle some serious social issues in the Deep South. It’s a comedy, of sorts, but it’s also a hard-hitting drama with a lot to say. Was it worth the top prize, though? If you didn’t catch it on the big screen, now’s your chance to find out for yourself.
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