While
the state of theatrical releases all over the world has been in flux for several years now after the worldwide pandemic, few Hollywood films did manage to bring audiences back to the theatres. Several of these were big franchise films from reliable names like Marvel, DC, and Warner Bros, but new originals such as F1, Sinners, and One Battle After Another did manage to break through as well. As the year now comes to a close, catch up with these exciting and exhilarating films that are now available on streaming platforms such as Netflix, JioHotstar, and Amazon Prime Video.
28 Years Later
Where to watch: Netflix
About the film: Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland return to the horror to
continue the franchise in a whole new direction. Stars Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, and Ralph Fiennes headline this story about a young man venturing out with his father in the unstable post-apocalyptic world to find medical help for his sick mother. It sets up the story for 2026's
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
F1
Where to watch: Apple TV
About the film: Directed by Joseph Kosinski,
the Formula One sports film led by Brad Pitt was one of the big theatrical surprises of 2026. Co-starring Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Javier Bardem, it features Pitt as a former driver who returns to the circuit after a three-decade absence.
Fantastic Four: First StepsWhere to watch: JioHotstar
About the film: This latest reboot of the Fantastic Four featured Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm. Directed by Matt Shakman, the retro-futuristic film set in the 1960s features the superhero team protecting the planet from a planet-devouring cosmic being named Galactus (Ralph Ineson).
Final Destination Bloodlines
Where to watch: JioHotstar
About the film: Co-directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, the sixth film in the horror franchise became its most profitable, with $315 million worldwide. Kaitlyn Santa Juana stars as college student Stefani Reyes, who receives an ominous premonition that death is coming for her family.
Frankenstein
Where to watch: Netflix
About the film: Guillermo del Toro's
big passion project was released for a limited time in theatres as well. Starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth, the Netflix film gives a he-said, he-said perspective of Mary Shelley's famous work as Victor Frankenstein and his Creature share their sides of the tale.
How to Train Your Dragon
Where to watch: JioHotstar
About the film: The live-action remake of the beloved 2010 animated film stars Mason Thames as Hiccup, a young Viking who finds a rare injured dragon and befriends it. Soon he and Toothless are challenging long-held beliefs in their village as Hiccup goes against his father, the chief Stoick the Vast, played by Gerard Butler.
Jurassic World Rebirth
Where to watch: JioHotstar
About the film: Directed by Gareth Edwards, the dinosaur franchise gets one more reboot as Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, and Rupert Friend head a new expedition to chase down de-extinct dinosaurs around the equator. The sequel earned $869 million worldwide against a budget of $180–$225 million.
Lilo & Stitch
Where to watch: JioHotstar
About the film: Disney's live-action remake of the 2002 classic features Maia Kealoha as the little girl who finds an alien creature. Surpassing 1 billion at the box office, a sequel is in the works with original director Chris Sanders returning as writer.
Materialists
Where to watch: Netflix
About the film: Celine Song's rom-com was a hit around the world as it crossed Rs 100 million at the box office. Starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, the New York City-set film features a love triangle between a determined matchmaker, her struggling actor ex-boyfriend, and a millionaire, who seems like the perfect match.
A Minecraft Movie
Where to watch: JioHotstar
About the film: Based on the Minecraft video game, the fantasy adventure film stars Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Emma Myers, and Danielle Brooks. Directed by Jared Hess, it grossed $958 million worldwide against a budget of $150 million A sequel to the global hit is set to release on July 23, 2027.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
About the film: Director Christopher McQuarrie and star Tom Cruise close out the iconic
Mission Impossible franchise in epic fashion. Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Henry Czerny, and Angela Bassett all return to the spy franchise to say goodbye to Cruise's legendary hero, Ethan Hunt.
One Battle After Another
Where to watch: Apple TV on rent
About the film: Paul Thomas Anderson's screwball adventure features Leonardo DiCaprio as an ex-revolutionary who is forced back into his former lifestyle. Breakout Chase Infiniti plays his daughter, while the rest of the cast stars Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor.
Sinners
Where to watch: JioHotstar
About the film: Ryan Coogler and Michael B Jordan's
Sinners took the film industry by storm with a vampire story about twin brothers. The original film, which grossed $368 million worldwide, also starred Hailee Steinfeld, newcomer Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, and Delroy Lindo.
Superman
Where to watch: JioHotstar
About the film: The first film in DC Studios' big reboot was a grand success as James Gunn introduced David Corenswet as the new caped crusader with Superman. The new superhero battles against Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor; Rachel Brosnahan, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced also star in the movie.
Weapons
Where to watch: JioHotstar
About the film: Zach Cregger's hit horror film
Weapons will make its digital debut on January 8. Starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Amy Madigan, the twisty horror follows the story of 17 schoolchildren from the same classroom who mysteriously vanish from their homes on the same night.