New movies this week: See 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,' stream 'Hellraiser,' skip 'Luckiest Girl Alive'
Welcome to October, where there are obviously horror movies aplenty – including a returning icon – all-star period pieces and, yes, a crooning crocodile.
This weekend, Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington lead David O. Russell's latest huge-cast extravaganza, Shawn Mendes is a singing reptile in a musical family comedy, Jamie Clayton plays the sadistic Pinhead in a Hulu revival of the 1980s "Hellraiser" franchise, and a Stephen King novella gets the Netflix treatment (with Donald Sutherland in tow).
Here's a guide to new movies that will satisfy every cinematic taste, plus some noteworthy theatrical films making their streaming and on-demand debuts:
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If you love the thought of a Christian Bale and Taylor Swift team-up: 'Amsterdam'
Messy yet entertaining, this quirky whodunit/war movie/conspiracy thriller plays like a Coen brothers movie and has a ton of familiar faces. Bale and Washington are World War I vets in the 1930s looking into the death of a general when they become wanted for murder and reunite with their long-lost pal (Robbie), a mercurial nurse.
Where to watch: In theaters
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If you dig Shawn Mendes and/or musical animals: 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile'
This story of a croc who communicates solely through song is for sure cheesy, but also impossibly charming. With catchy songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ("The Greatest Showman"), the comedy centers on Lyle and the positive effect he has on his adoptive family (including Constance Wu and Scoot McNairy) as well as a down-on-his-luck showman (Javier Bardem).
Where to watch: In theaters
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If you're a sucker for creepy '80s horror villains: 'Hellraiser'
More stylish than the 1987 original and just as gnarly, the new "Hellraiser" stars Odessa A'zion as a young recovering addict who comes into possession of an ancient box with a number of magical configurations. She unlocks it and unfortunately summons a bunch of frightening beings who literally bring the pain. If nothing else, come for Clayton's unnervingly cool take on a classic big bad.
Where to watch: Hulu
If you like scares with your superheroes: 'Werewolf by Night'
Marvel has been getting in touch with its horror side lately, and this spooky special acts as a nifty Halloween treat. Gael Garcia Bernal stars as one of several monster hunters invited to a memorial for one of their own – which turns into a bloody night of survival. Come for the black-and-white homage to Universal creature features, stay for a comic-book fan favorite's Marvel Cinematic Universe debut.
Where to watch: Disney+
If you enjoy ye olde coming-of-age film: 'Catherine Called Birdy'
Directed by Lena Dunham and based on the Karen Cushman book, the movie embraces a contemporary edge with its tale of a maturing girl rebelling against everyone and everything. Bella Ramsey ("Game of Thrones") plays the chippy daughter of an eccentric lord (Andrew Scott) who wants to marry her off to a rich guy. (Suffice it to say, she doesn't love that plan.)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
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If you're not a big fan of couples camping: 'Significant Other'
Maika Monroe and Jake Lacy star as a couple venturing into the Pacific Northwest for a great outdoors adventure, until their trip goes romantically awry and off course in sinister fashion. Those who appreciate the unpredictability of "Barbarian" will dig this clever flick, which starts as one kind of familiar horror movie before finding a totally wild new direction.
Where to watch: Paramount+
If you're a hardcore Stephen King aficionado: 'Mr. Harrigan's Phone'
The adaptation of the horror master's novella is faithful to the source material, though not exactly scary. That's OK, because the tale mines emotional depth exploring the relationship between a teenager (Jaeden Martell), the reclusive billionaire (Sutherland) he befriends, and the iPhone keeping them connected after the old man is 6 six feet under.
Where to watch: Netflix
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If you're a Mila Kunis completist: 'Luckiest Girl Alive'
Kunis stars in the angsty drama as a journalist with a big promotion and a wedding in her future, until her life is upended when a true-crime documentarian wants to chat about the violent school incident she's been running from for years. The reveals take way too long to unravel, and the main character's past (told in flashback) is far more interesting than her grown-up present.
Where to watch: Netflix
If you still heart the late Kobe Bryant: 'The Redeem Team'
Even non-hoopsters can get into this engaging documentary about the USA men's basketball team and their run for gold at the 2008 Olympics. The movie chronicles American dominance for decades, the need to win again after 2004's underwhelming squad, and how the Bryant was at a turning point in his life when he teamed with the likes of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
Where to watch: Netflix
Also on streaming
"The Silent Twins," a true-life British drama starring Letitia Wright ("Black Panther") and Tamara Lawrance as sisters who speak only to each other, is now available on Apple TV, Vudu and Amazon.
The survival thriller "Beast," featuring Idris Elba vs. a raging CGI lion, is streaming on Peacock beginning Friday (and out now on demand).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New films to see this week: Marvel's 'Werewolf by Night,' 'Hellraiser'