There are several must-see new movies on Netflix, Max, Hulu, and other major streaming services this week

First this one: "Mean Girls" The 2024 film adaptation of this 2017 musical adaptation of the 2004 hit is coming to paid video-on-demand streaming services this month Starring Angourie Rice and Rene Rapp, the film has been the second biggest hit of the year at the US box office so far and is still in theaters, so being able to stream it at home is a big deal

But these aren't the only big films coming to streaming services this week The Zone of Interest has been nominated for multiple 2024 Oscars and is considered one of the best films of 2023 Meanwhile, "All of Us Strangers," which will be available on Hulu on Thursday, is considered by many to be one of the biggest stumbling blocks at this year's Academy Awards, as Andrew Scott's performance was not nominated for an Academy Award

Some of these titles are available at premium prices because of their new digital releases, while for others, all you need is the right streaming subscription And while you're here, don't forget to check out the best of the new TV shows and new Netflix shows to watch from streamers this week

Here are the top new movies streaming this week

For some reason, "Mean Girls," the movie that no one asked for but has been highly anticipated, is an adaptation of an existing film, but not necessarily the one you think it is, because it's not an adaptation of a 2004 classic, but of a 2017 musical

Starring Angourie Rice as Cady Heron, a teenage girl who doesn't fit in, and Rene Rapp as Regina George, the leader of a mean popular group called the Plastics, your enjoyment of the film depends on two things One is whether you like musicals If not, this movie is not for you; second, can you accept a remake of a remake? If you can answer "yes" to both of these questions, then you will surely have a good time with this endearing teen comedy

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"Memory" Jessica Chastain stars as Sylvia, a social worker and single mother At a high school reunion, she recognizes Saul (Peter Sarsgaard), but is troubled by the way he treats her When she confronts him and his brother Isak (Josh Charles), she learns that Saul suffers from early dementia and has little ability to recall memories

A powerful examination of both Jessica's past trauma and Saul's ongoing trauma, "Memory" debuted at last year's Venice International Film Festival to critical acclaim Sarsgaard's performance was especially well-received, earning him the Volpi Cup, the festival's award for the best male performer

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The documentary became a festival darling last year It was nominated for five awards at the Berlin Film Festival, won Best Documentary, and was the only nonfiction film selected for all three festivals in Telluride, Toronto, and New York in 2023

Based on Virginia Woolf's novel Orlando: While Virginia Woolf's novel Orlando, My Political Biography features a protagonist who changes her gender identity, Orlando, My Political Biography features 26 trans and nonbinary parties appear in the book If you want an amazing exploration of the journey your gender follows, this documentary is the film to watch this week [This film is not funny It's not even fun It deals with dark and frightening subject matter But it is undeniably brilliant and deserves its five Academy Award nominations

"Zone of Interest" stars Christian Friedel as Rudolf Hess and Sandra Hueller as his wife Hedwig The film focuses on their attempts to build a perfect life while dealing with the demands of Rudolf's job running the Auschwitz concentration camp in Nazi Germany

To be clear, however, the film does not examine the horrors of Auschwitz The gunshots, the train carrying the prisoners, the infamous crematorium, and the human remains of Jewish prisoners are all depicted in the film, but as background noise, not foreground Instead, the film examines the horror of how mundane mass murder was for this German family and how it was simply a means to a better life [Liam Neeson action film You can't help but love it

In Retribution, Neeson plays Matt, a banker in Berlin One day, with the kids in the car, someone sets off a bomb It's a brilliant plan, except that Neeson's family has been messed with, and he has special skills If you need a mindless action movie this week, this is it

Streaming on Starz starting February 21

Don't be fooled by the Oscar snub Beloved by critics and audiences alike, "Strangers on a Train" begins with Adam (Andrew Scott), a lonely screenwriter leading a quiet life in London One day he meets his drunken neighbor Harry (Paul Mescall), a man who is a bit of a jerk

Adam initially rejects Harry, but the two soon become involved As their relationship grows, Adam decides to reevaluate his relationship with his parents (Jamie Bell and Claire Foy), who died in a car accident when Adam was 12 years old

The film was praised by many groups for its examination of love and grief, especially for Andrew Haigh's screenplay and Scott's performance In fact, the Academy may be the only critic who did not recognize the film's excellence

Available on Hulu beginning February 22

"Mea Culpa" is Tyler Perry's latest film, and there is no doubt that this thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat Starring Kelly Rowland as Mia Harper, a criminal defense attorney on the case of Ziah Malloy (Trevante Rhodes), who is accused of killing his girlfriend

As the case progresses, Mia gets closer and closer to Zaiah, who everyone else seems to think is guilty But can she stop the excesses before it is too late? The trailer certainly begs the question

Available on Netflix starting February 23

The second film on this list about the Nazi occupation of continental Europe and the Holocaust is The Occupied City, which focuses on the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam It not only explores that horrific chapter in the Dutch city's past, but also connects it to the present day

Based on Bianca Stigter's book, Atlas of an Occupied City, Amsterdam 1940-1945, this documentary by acclaimed director Steve McQueen reportedly has 36 hours of footage cut However, we must endure a theatrical cut of only 4 hours and 26 minutes

Buy or rent on Amazon starting February 23

Don't confuse this film with "Elvis": while the 2022 Baz Luhrmann biopic starring Austin Butler focused on the King, Sofia Coppola's film is about the Queen who sits next to him

"Priscilla," starring Kylie Spaeny as Priscilla Presley (née Wagner), tells her story Jacob Elordy gives a fine performance as the rock icon But the film is about Priscilla's relationship with Elvis and how it shaped her life, not the other way around Spaney, who played Priscilla, was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama

Available on Max from February 23

This epic historical drama is based on the life of Danish soldier Ludvig Carlen (Mats Mikkelsen) As a captain in the German army, he obtained permission from the Danish crown to build a settlement on the inhospitable prairie known as the Jutland Marsh There is one problem The local magistrate, Frederik de Schinkel (Simon Bennebjerg), was not going to give Kahlen access to the heath

From the cinematography to the direction by acclaimed Danish director Nicolai Arcel, to Mikkelsen's superb performance, "The Promised Land" is considered one of the best international films of the past year and is among the 15 nominees for this year's Academy Award for Best International Feature Film If subtitles are okay, this is a must-see

Buy or rent on Amazon starting February 23

This action thriller stars Orlando Bloom, whom I haven't had the confidence to see on film since his last film, The Hobbit Set in the hills of Kentucky, Bloom gets into trouble with Queenpin Big Cat (Andie MacDowell) and must save the day by making a successful family debut

It is not usually a good sign when a movie is released on PVOD the same day as its theatrical release, but given that it still has a theatrical release, one might be optimistic about this film Nevertheless, despite its performance, there seems to be plenty of violence to satisfy action genre fans

Buy or rent it on Amazon starting February 23