Grab the popcorn — this week’s Fresh Fandoms is hitting the big screen… from the comfort of your couch. From campy alien invasions and swoon-worthy romances to nail-biting thrillers and all-star ensemble chaos, these films are packed with enough buzz, star power, and fandom potential to fuel your next watch party. Here are the standout titles you can stream right now or queue up for the weeks ahead.

The Pickup

Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson bring sharp buddy-comedy banter to this high-energy heist flick. Murphy plays Russell, a seasoned armored truck driver on the verge of retirement, whose routine cash pickup turns chaotic when his slacker partner Travis (Davidson) gets lured into a dangerous robbery scheme by a cunning criminal (Keke Palmer). With a mix of action, laughs, and Murphy’s signature charm, The Pickup is a crowd-pleaser for fans of smart, fast-paced capers.

Release Date: August 6, 2025
How to Watch: Prime Video

War of the Worlds

If you love “so bad it’s good” cinema, this one’s for you. Ice Cube stars as a domestic terror analyst caught in the middle of an alien invasion in this “screenlife” remake of H.G. Wells’ classic sci-fi tale. Told entirely through apps, texts, emails, and video chats, the film leans into its absurdity with over-the-top product placement — including a world-saving online Amazon purchase. It’s campy, chaotic, and unapologetically ridiculous.

Release Date: July 30, 2025
How to Watch: Prime Video

My Oxford Year

Romance blooms across the pond in this adaptation of Julia Whelan’s beloved novel. Sofia Carson stars as Anna, a New Yorker living her lifelong dream of studying poetry at Oxford University. Her studies take a heart-fluttering detour when she falls for her charming TA, Jamie (Corey Mylchreest), whose allure is matched only by the complications he brings into her life. With its picturesque setting and bittersweet twists, My Oxford Year is a swoon-worthy addition to Netflix’s romance lineup.

Release Date: August 1, 2025
How to Watch: Netflix

Freaky Tales

Pedro Pascal leads an all-star ensemble in this wild anthology set in 1987 Oakland, California. Four intersecting stories bring together an NBA star, a corrupt cop, a female rap duo, teenage punks, neo-Nazis, and a debt collector on a chaotic collision course. The cast includes the late Angus Cloud in his final film, Ben Mendelsohn, and surprise cameos that add extra punch to the ride. Stylish, gritty, and packed with attitude, Freaky Tales is a genre mashup that feels like a fever dream you’ll want to rewatch.

Release Date: August 8, 2025
How to Watch: HBO Max

The Amateur

Rami Malek trades decoding ciphers for delivering bullets in this tense revenge thriller. He plays Charlie Heller, a mild-mannered CIA cryptographer whose life is shattered when his wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan) is killed during a botched arms deal. Determined to take out her four killers, Charlie must first learn the art of assassination — a skill he’s anything but qualified for. With guidance from hardened pros (Laurence Fishburne and Jon Bernthal), he dives into a world of grit, danger, and moral compromise. While it underwhelmed in theaters last spring, The Amateur finds new life on streaming, offering a sharp, small-screen action fix.

Release Date: July 17, 2025
How to Watch: Hulu (also available via Disney+ bundle)

Drop

Meghann Fahy delivers a gripping performance in this claustrophobic Peacock thriller. She plays Violet Gates, a single mom cautiously reentering the dating scene after the death of her abusive husband. A promising dinner with charming photographer Henry (Brandon Sklenar) turns into a nightmare when Violet receives anonymous “Digi-Drops” demanding she poison her date — or her young son will be killed. The tension simmers in this tight, small-screen setting, with Fahy anchoring the suspense as a mother torn between morality and survival. While the climax takes a wild turn, Drop still delivers a nerve-jangling ride and another standout role for Fahy.

Release Date: July 11, 2025
How to Watch: Peacock

Photo Credit: Amazon Press