With the holiday season fast approaching, some of the best streaming services, including Netflix and Max, are offering new movies that make for perfect viewing over the festive period.

The biggest new release this week is Carry On. I've been eagerly awaiting this Christmas-themed thriller, which will bring excitement to Netflix's new film festival on Friday, December 13. Other not-to-be-missed premium video-on-demand debuts of “Heretic” and “Venom: The Last Dance” are also not to be missed.

If you're looking for new streaming releases this week, you've come to the right place. We've compiled a list of the top new movies you can watch this week below. Also, be sure to check out our companion guide to the best new TV shows to binge on right now.

Hugh Grant gave one of my favorite performances of the year in Heretic. The usually affable British actor plays against type as Mr. Reid, a reclusive man with a dark agenda behind his seemingly good-natured demeanor. In this psycho-horror thriller, two Mormon missionaries (played by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) knock on Mr. Reid's door and find themselves caught up in a deadly game.

While “Heretic” ultimately takes a thrill-packed and shocking turn, the film's more deliberate first act, in which Mr. Reed discusses and challenges theology with his two guests, is the real heart of the film. It is in these moments that Grant shines the brightest, but thanks to the unease creeping into the background, the wordy first act never drags. Divergent ranks as one of the most pleasant surprises of 2024.

Buy or rent on Amazon starting December 10

Billed as the final film in Sony's “Venom” franchise, “The Last Dance” is more of a messy CGI effects, a story that relies on a search for the MacGuffin, and the worst dialogue of any film this year than a satisfying trilogy conclusion. It's a picture-perfect superhero romp filled with some of the worst dialogue you'll see in a movie. But if you're a completionist and enjoyed the first two “Venom” films, you might want to close out your collection with “Venom: The Last Dance” and give it a chance. Just be sure to keep your expectations in check.

This third chapter sees the return of Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, the alien-morphed journalist known as Venom. This time the two are on the run from almost everyone. Not only are they being chased by an army of humans, but also by a powerful creature from Venom's homeland. The blockbuster also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, and Stephen Graham. The cast is so strong that it is hard to believe that it is a poor production.

Buy or rent on Amazon starting December 10

Director Pablo Larraín follows the biographical dramas “Jackie” (focusing on the life of Jackie Kennedy) and “Spencer” (about Princess Diana's mental health struggles) with “Maria” explores one of the most important female figures of the 20th century. The Maria in question is Maria Callas, considered by many to be the world's greatest opera singer.

Angelina Jolie plays the lead role, and the film focuses primarily on the last years of Callas' life in Paris in the 1970s. Described as “a tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story,” the reviews for “Maria” were positive, but not as strong as those for Lalaine's two previous biopics. The main criticism from many media outlets is the messiness of the screenplay. Jolie's performance, however, has received rave reviews and may be a dark horse for an Oscar nomination in the coming weeks. Fans of Pablo Larraín should not miss it.

Streaming on Netflix starting December 11

Netflix is looking to inject some adrenaline this holiday season with Carry On. Reminiscent of “Die Hard,” this new thriller looks like it will be a must for this year's Christmas watch list, judging by the trailer. With the pairing of Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman and a hooky premise that is sure to stand out among the streaming service's library, Netflix seems to have a winner on its hands.

Set in a crowded airport during the vacations, Ethan (Egerton) is a young TSA employee who must work the Christmas Eve shift. If the rude passengers are not enough of a pain, Ethan's day is about to take a turn for the worst. When a mysterious traveler (Bateman) threatens to bring a strange package onto his Christmas flight, Ethan is in a race against time to stop an evil plot.

Streaming on Netflix starting December 13

One of the most controversial sequels not only in 2024, but in the history of cinema, “The Joker: Folie à Deux” was a disaster, grossing nearly $900 million less than its predecessor at the worldwide box office. I had a big problem with “Folie à Deux,” but the sequel to 2019's surprise smash does not fully deserve its utterly damning reputation. There are some interesting ideas here, but the sequel swings too far off the mark to be anything other than a major disappointment.

After the events of the first film, Arthur Fleck (aka The Joker) is incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital. Awaiting trial for a heinous crime, he meets Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (Lady Gaga), who has the same problem, and the two develop an unconventional romance. A blend of genres - courtroom drama, psychological thriller, jukebox musical (yes, for better or worse, “The Joker 2” is part musical) - “The Joker: Folie à Deux” is worth seeing at least once, because of the backlash against the film. The reason for this would be nothing other than to understand the backlash against the film.

Streaming on Max starting December 13

“Conclave” is one of the truly outstanding films of the year, and after making its PVOD debut last month, it moves to Peacock this week. If you subscribe to a streaming service, this mystery thriller is a must-see. It features great character performances and one of the most gripping screenplays in the genre. Its ending is controversial, but its quality is undeniable.

The Conclave, about the election of a new pope, offers insight into one of the most secretive events in the world. As the Catholic Church's most respected leaders vie for their respective powerful seats, a conflicted man uncovers a dark secret that could shake the very foundations of the Church. Also starring Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow, Conclave is a gift from above.

Available on Peacock beginning December 13

Musical icon Elton John ended a touring career that earned him legendary status with his final concert in July 2023. Whereas Elton John broke the mold several times over the decades, this documentary by directors R. J. Cutler and David Furnish is less ambitious. Instead, it is a mostly innocuous biographical documentary consisting of footage from John's “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour, talking head interviews, and archival footage. Nevertheless, anyone with even a passing fondness for Elton John will not want to skip it.

Streaming on Disney Plus beginning December 13