As the nation relaxes into a four-day Bank Holiday weekend, 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 psychological thriller, to animated comedy, some cult-classics parody and a few brand-new originals to take your pick from.
Here’s everything new you can check out this weekend.
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Netflix
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Concrete Cowboy
Starring – Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin and Jharrel Jerome
With an all-star cast of big and upcoming names, Netflix original Concrete Cowboy is based on the novel Ghetto Cowboy by Greg Neri – which is a fictionalisation of the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club and urban African-American horseriding culture in Philadelphia.
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The film tells the story of a 15-year-old boy from Detroit who is sent to live with his estranged father in and learns about the local urban cowboys.
Shrek
Starring – Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz
Fancy watching a modern cult-classic? With the first two films and a recording of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical already on the platform, there’ll be three more feature-length Shrek treats coming to Netflix this month.
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If you’re unfamiliar with the franchise, it follows an ogre called Shrek who finds his swamp overrun by fairy tale creatures who have been banished by the corrupt Lord Farquaad – who is aspiring to be king. With the help of Donkey, Shrek embarks on his quest to rescue Princess Fiona, but soon falls in love with the princess and finds she is hiding a secret that will change his life forever.
Run
Starring – Sarah Paulson
Another new Netflix original, Run tells the story of Chloe who was raised by her mother Diane in total isolated medical care. Her mother has been controlling her life since she was born – but now as a teenager, Chloe is starting to explore her mother’s sinister secrets.
Is her mother holding her back?
Sky High
Starring – Michael Angarano, Danielle Panabaker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kelly Preston and Kurt Russell.
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This 2005 American superhero comedy film is hitting Netflix this weekend, and tells the story of the son of two superheroes who is enrolled in an airborne high school for teenage superheroes where he discovers his true powers and learns about loyalty and friendship.
Just Say Yes
Starring – Yolanthe Sneijder-Cabau
This Netflix original Dutch romantic comedy is brand new to the streaming platform today, and tells the story of incurable romantic Lotte who finds her life upended when her plans for a picture-perfect wedding unravel.
This all happens just as her self-absorbed sister gets engaged.
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Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime Video
Unhinged
Starring – Russell Crowe and Caren Pistorious
This American action thriller film tells the story of single mother Rachel whose bad day gets even worse when she beeps her horn at a fellow driver during rush-hour traffic, but after an exchange of words, she soon realises that the mysterious man is following her and her young son in his truck.
The initial case of road rage quickly escalates into full-blown terror as Rachel discovers the psychopath’s sinister plan for revenge.
The Ghost Writer
Starring – Pierce Brosnan, Ewan McGregor, Kim Cattrall and Olivia Williams
Fresh to the platform this weekend, this 2010 political thriller film follows a successful ghostwriter who agrees to finish the memoirs of England’s former prime minister, Adam Lang, as his publisher assures him it’s the chance of a lifetime.
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Instead, he begins to uncover evidence that suggests his late predecessor knew a dark secret about Lang and may have been murdered to prevent it from coming to light.
Blaire Witch
Starring – James Allen McCune, Callie Hernandez, Brandon Scott and Valorie Curry
Also known as Blair Witch 3, this 2016 American ‘found footage’ supernatural horror film tells the story of a young man and his friends who venture into the Black Hills Forest in Maryland to uncover the mystery surrounding his missing sister.
Many believe her disappearance 17 years earlier is connected to the legend of the Blair Witch.
NowTV
Sky Group | NOW TV
The Hunger Games
Starring – Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth
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All four films in the cult-favourite Hunger Games franchise – based on the book series by Suzanne Collins – is set to hit NowTV this month, telling the story of Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, who volunteers to replace her sister in a tournament that ends only when one participant remains.
Pitted against contestants who have trained for this all their life, she has little to rely on.
SCOOB!
Starring – Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried, Mark Wahlberg, Gina Rodriguez and Will Forte
Boasting a truly all-star cast of major Hollywood names, this 2020 animated mystery comedy film follows Scooby and the gang facing their biggest and most challenging mystery ever, after hundreds of cases solved up their sleeves – a plot to unleash the ghost dog Cerberus upon the world.
As they race to stop this global dog-pocalypse, the gang discovers that Scooby has a secret legacy and an epic destiny greater than anyone could have imagined.
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Antebellum
Starring – Janelle Monáe, Eric Lange, Jena Malone, Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons and Gabourey Sidibe
Another 2020 flick to hit the streaming platform this weekend is horror thriller film Antebellum, which tells the story of successful author Veronica Henley, who is finishing a book tour before she returns home to her husband and daughter.
But a shocking turn of events is about to upend Veronica’s existence, plunging her into a horrifying reality that forces her to confront her past, present and future before it’s too late.
Featured Image – Netflix | DreamWorks Animation
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Kevin De Bruyne reveals he wasn’t offered a new contract by Manchester City
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he wasn’t offered a new contract by the club before making the decision to leave at the end of the season.
The 33-year-old is preparing to leave the Etihad after more than a decade, following the conclusion of the current 2024/25 campaign, announcing the decision earlier this month.
It goes without saying that the Belgian playmaker isn’t just a fan favourite and club legend but one of the most revered players in European football, let alone England, having been transformational both for the Blues and the Premier League.
Although his exit hasn’t come as a complete shock, given his age and increasing injury problems, De Bruyne himself has confessed that he was “a bit surprised” not to be offered a new contract by Man City whatsoever over the past year.
Kevin De Bruyne has revealed his shock at not being offered a new contract with Man City and has not ruled out joining another Premier League club 📝 pic.twitter.com/ymUDaI4CvJ
As per multiple outlets, KDB shared the revelation during his post-match media duties after the Everton game on Saturday, revealing: “I didn’t have any offer from them the whole year and City made a decision. Obviously, I was a bit surprised but have to accept it.”
Despite a firm belief that he “can still perform” at this level (one most would wholeheartedly agree with him on), he assured he understood the club’s thinking and even admitted that it was “more of a relief” knowing that he was the first to learn that news and could announce his departure on his own.
Insisting that he’ll still be giving everything to help the team win in their remaining games this season, he went on to detail that the decision has been made “because the whole team has struggled.”
“Maybe if the team didn’t struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal, then maybe they would take another decision”, he added, arguing that he’s playing with much more rhythm and confidence post-injury.
After all, he was the difference once again in the remarkable comeback against Crystal Palace.
De Bruyne has made it clear he’d be more than happy to stay in the Premier League.
Although he wouldn’t go into too much detail on the conversations, he reiterated, “I can’t really say what they think on the inside […] I have to accept the situation even though I feel like I can still do a good job, but that’s it.”
Despite many fans coming to terms with the difficult choice made by the club, many supporters still believe it is an oversight on CFG’s (City Football Group) part.
One social media user has nearly 5,000 likes and almost 400 comments on a post entitled: ‘A petition to make Manchester City apologise and offer Kevin De Bruyne a new contract’.
While not everyone is in agreement on the matter, there is clearly plenty of doubt, with the same account going on to add, “There’s no shame in admitting a mistake and offer[ing] Kevin De Bruyne a new 1-year contract. His influence in the dressing room, let alone on the pitch, remains of critical importance.”
It’s hard to gauge exactly what manager Pep Guardiola makes of all of it, either; apart from his farewell message included as part of the club statement confirming his contract expiry, this is pretty much all the Catalan coach has had to say on the matter thus far:
A brand-new immersive ‘walking theatre’ and XR experience has landed in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
We hear the word immersive thrown around a lot these days, but if the notion of walking through some of your favourite fantasy and sci-fi worlds in a state-of-the-art XR tour doesn’t fit the definition, we don’t know what does.
Get ready to pull on a headset and be dropped into a different universe, Mancs.
This is Immersia XR: an industry-leading immersive entertainment and XR (extended reality) experience has just been unveiled right here in Greater Manchester.
Anyone for a ride on a magic carpet?
Credit: The Manc GroupCredit: Immersia XR (supplied)
Immersia XR specialises in what they call ‘Walking XR Theatre – a new term for a new kind of experience’, and boasts big plaudits across the board, with an average Google rating of 4.8 from dozens of reviews already.
Having just made its Manchester debut to the public at Trafford Palazzo (located right next to 0161’s famous Trafford Centre) this summer, the new addition brings cutting-edge technology blended with iconic family-favourite tales in an “unforgettable walk-through format.”
A lucky few have been treated to our first time, including us here at The Manc, and you’ll have to take our word for it when we tell you it’s a truly incredible experience.
It’s the first of its kind in the UK and Europe, and although there are other similar VR and AR offerings around the region, you won’t find anything quite like ‘walking theatre’ and this free-roam experience.
Credit: Supplied
As you can see above, there are a number of experiences to be enjoyed right from the off, including two modes inspired by childhood classics, Alice in Wonderland and Tales of Aladdin.
Ever fancied trying your hand as an astronaut and walking on the surface of the moon as you look back at the Earth below? Course you have! No training involved in this one, either.
Take that, Katy Perry, you can keep your short-lived Blue Origin nonsense to yourself.
Immersia XR’s ambition doesn’t stop there, though, as they are also preparing to introduce the exciting new ‘Terracotta Army’ experience in the near future.
Here’s a glimpse at how it looks inside the goggles:
Already open to the public and running up until Sunday, 6 July 2025, Immersia XR is fun for all ages, with kid-friendly zones and accessible narratives built into the experience.
Best of all, there are actually very few bells and whistles; no screens, no controllers – it’s just you walking through the story of your choice.
Immersia XR’s founder, Ian Xiang, said: “We’re not just launching a new attraction—we’re pioneering the future of storytelling. Walking XR Theatre is where cinema, theatre, and technology converge to create magic. You don’t just watch the story—you walk through it.”
Tickets are on sale now, with adult prices starting from only £17, children (ages 3–15) from just £12, and family tickets (2 adults, 2 kids) from £54. Great value for money.
Concession tickets are also available for students and over-65s, priced from £16, and group bookings of 10 or more receive 10% off. You can even get 20% off all ticket types with the early bird code: PRESS20. You can grab yours HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd April 2021 
