As the nation relaxes into another weekend of lockdown and the weather forecasts show rain and gloomy skies, many of us will be reaching for the remote.
But what new films are set to hit screens over the next few days?
If you’re looking for something to tune into, then leading streaming platforms Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and NowTV have got you covered and will each be releasing a collection of new flicks to their platforms, with everything from romance, drama and horror, to dark surrealist comedy, parody and even some brand new originals to take your pick from.
Here’s everything new you can check out this weekend.
___
ADVERTISEMENT
Netflix
Unsplash
The Princess Switch: Switched Again
Starring – Vanessa Hudgens
Brand new to the streaming service this today, The Princess Switch: Switched Again is the much-anticipated sequel to the 2018 Christmas romantic comedy film The Princess Switch, which followed the well-known concept of two people running into one another who look identical and switching places.
ADVERTISEMENT
In this latest instalment though, when Margaret’s Christmas coronation complicates her love life, her double Stacy steps in to save the day, but will a third look-alike ruin their plan?
Holmes & Watson
Starring – Will Ferrell & John C. Reilly
This 2018 mystery comedy film is a parody of the famed detective duo – with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as the title characters – which sees them they set out to find the culprit behind a threat at Buckingham Palace, and features performances from Rebecca Hall, Rob Brydon, Steve Coogan, and Ralph Fiennes in supporting roles.
ADVERTISEMENT
A film branded “so bad, it’s good” by some critics, you may as well give it a watch just once.
Life of the Party
Starring – Melissa McCarthy
Another comedy film to first hit the big screen back in 2018 – starring Melissa McCarthy, and written and directed by her husband Ben Falcone – Life of the Party sees a middle-aged mother return to college in order to complete her degree and ends up bonding with her daughter’s friends after her husband abruptly asks for a divorce.
Another Netflix original, Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square is a Christmas musical film directed and choreographed by acclaimed choreographer Debbie Allen, which follows follows a wealthy and pretentious woman named Regina Fuller, who after the death of her father, returns to her hometown before Christmas to evict the residents and sell the land to a mall developer.
Catch it on Netflix this Sunday 22nd November.
___
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime Video
Seven Stages To Achieve Eternal Bliss
Starring – Kate Micucci, Sam Huntington & Taika Waititi
Often going by an abridged version of the full title Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss By Passing Through the Gateway Chosen By the Holy Storsh, this dark comedy film sees a small-town young couple learn their new apartment is being used for a deranged cult’s ritualistic suicides.
ADVERTISEMENT
With Academy Award-winning writer, director and actor Taika Waititi playing the cult leader, you know you’re in for a wild ride.
Body Cam
Starring – Mary J. Blige and Nat Wolff
In this 2020 police procedural horror film, Mary J. Blige stars as a cop with the Louisiana Police Department who, when a routine traffic stop results in the unexplained, grisly death of her colleague, realises footage of the incident will play for her eyes only.
Officers are haunted by a spirit after the death of a black youth and the subsequent cover-up.
Uncle Frank
Starring – Paul Bettany & Sophia Lillis.
ADVERTISEMENT
Set in 1973, Uncle Frank is a roadtrip movie about a gay man who confronts his past.
When Frank Bledsoe and his 18-year-old niece Beth take a road trip from Manhattan to Creekville, South Carolina for the family patriarch’s funeral, they’re unexpectedly joined by Frank’s lover Walid.
___
NowTV
(with a Sky Cinema pass)
Sky Group / NOW TV
The Photograph
Starring – Issa Rae & LaKeith Stanfield
ADVERTISEMENT
This 2020 romantic drama film, famed photographer Christina Eames unexpectedly dies and leaves her estranged daughter Mae Morton hurt and full of questions, but when a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box is found, Mae finds herself on a journey delving into her mother’s early life and ignites a powerful, unexpected romance with a rising-star journalist, Michael Block.
One that’s worth the watch.
Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island
Starring – Maggie Q, Michael Pena, Lucy Hale & Michael Rooker
In this 2020 supernatural horror film, five people take a trip to the eponymous magical island – adapted from the popular 1970s TV show – only to discover that their dream fantasies brought to life begin to turn into horrific living nightmares that they must try to survive.
Reckon you can hack it?
Trending
Stretford’s free neighourhood festival returns this weekend
Danny Jones
Stretford’s still fledgling and completely free all-day festival is BACK for 2026 and is happening this coming weekend.
So, if you didn’t have plans this Saturday, you do now.
Simply named StretFest, this is the third edition of the now annual celebration in one of Manchester’s fastest growing neighbourhoods – and an increasingly up-and-coming one at that.
Kicking off in the morning and running right into the wee small hours thanks to a healthy dose of varied daytime activities, evening events and de facto afterparties, there’s plenty on the cards.
🎉 It's the big one on Saturday! Stretfest is back & we're thrilled to have a fab selection of LIVE Music on from 3pm – 8pm for it!
We can't wait to greet loads of faces, old and new. #Stretford will be buzzing with activity so come on down & make a day of it ! 🍻 pic.twitter.com/16Rnn5w1qj
StretFest only started back in July 2024, but it has quickly grown into a cult favourite not only among locals living in and around the Trafford town, but also among plenty of people from all over Greater Manchester, with last year seeing more visitors than ever.
Based not just over at Stretford Mall but the surrounding parks, Public Hall, across the bridge and an area they dub ‘The Beach’, there are several distinct but equally vibrant hubs, all offering something different.
For instance, venues like Longford Tap, Head Bar and Stretford Canteen are all involved, as are the likes of the Library and Martin Luther Church, but also recently opened cafes like Swig and Cuppello’s, as well as many, many more.
To be honest, we’ll probably be popping over for all the food and drink alone.
And, of course, there’s going to be plenty of live music, DJ sets, other bits of entertainment, and all-around fun to be enjoyed; there’s even going to be everything from arts, crafts and workshops, to pirates and boat rides.
Getting underway from as early 9am – thanks to the likes of the regular Stretford parkrun crew teaming up with the festival, and Mr & Mrs hosting a coffee morning for their first birthday – there really is going to be something for everyone from start to finish.
You can see the full StretFest schedule or build your own personal day-into-night programme HERE.
As for what else is on the cards for the final few days of March (give or take a couple), you can find out what else is on in and around the ten boroughs down below.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures/Adrian Michael (supplied)/The Manc Group
Trending
Stockport County defender Brad Hills ruled out for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
In a big blow to their promotion push, Stockport County have been hit with a major injury and loss to their first-team squad, as defender Brad Hills has been ruled out for what looks to be the remainder of the season and then some.
Not what Hatters will want to hear with crunch-time in and around the playoffs now well underway.
Having emerged as even more of a starring centre-back this year, following his initial loan spell with the club during the previous campaign, Brad Hills has arguably been one of Stockport’s best and most reliable players in 2025/26 thus far – but not County will have to do without him.
Although the exact severity is yet to be fully revealed, the former Norwich City youth academy graduate is said to have hurt his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Confirming the news on social media, the Greater Manchester side stated: “We regret to inform supporters that Brad Hills sustained an ACL injury in Saturday’s draw at Luton Town that will rule him out for the foreseeable future.
“Our full focus is on supporting Brad throughout his recovery – we know he’ll come back stronger”
For anyone unaware, ACL tears/ruptures are among some of the worst injuries in football, and depending on the extent of the damage, it can take anywhere between six months and a full year to bounce back.
Safe to say, therefore, that supporters have been left gutted by the update, with one commenting, “Awful, awful news”; another simply wrote, “FFS”.
After typing a very long expletive following the show news, fan podcast The Scarf Bergara Wore wrote: “Wishing Bradley Hills a speedy recovery – come back stronger!
Since becoming a permanent signing back in August, he’s earned multiple man-of-the-match awards in blue and white, not to mention contributed to a decent number of clean sheets. He’ll be a big miss in their backline.
While it’s no doubt a big setback as the League One team looks to get promoted into the Championship, the absence could see manager Dave Challinor reshuffle the pack and perhaps even the formation for the remaining fixtures.
One option is Louie Barry, who – depending on the setup – could finally be set for a return to the pitch after he was signed on a third loan deal this past January, but is still continuing his own rehab following a knee operation.
Put it this way, with not many games left, lots of County fans are probably wishing that the pending and potential further changes in the EFL could have come sooner…
Emily Sergeant -
20th November 2020 
