New movies streaming this rainy weekend: 5 top picks
This rainy weekend’s top new movies streaming and TV drops include Pixar’s Toy Story 5 on Disney+, A24’s horror hit Backrooms on HBO Max, Netflix’s Great British Baking Show season 14, Saturday Night Live’s season 52 premiere on NBC and Peacock, and the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+. Autumn’s first official weekend is packed with fresh titles across major platforms, per weekend guides from The Boston Globe, Polygon, and Decider.
Key Takeaways
- Toy Story 5 is now streaming on Disney+, starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Greta Lee as Lilypad.
- Backrooms, A24’s highest-grossing film ever with over $400 million worldwide, arrives on HBO Max.
- SNL season 52 premieres Saturday at 11:30 p.m. on NBC and Peacock, hosted by Jalen Brunson.
- The Great British Baking Show season 14 lands Friday on Netflix with 12 new bakers.
- Snoop Dogg hosts the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+.
Which new movies streaming should you queue first?
If you want family animation, start with “Toy Story 5” on Disney+. Woody, Buzz, and the gang return as Greta Lee voices Lilypad, a tablet at odds with the old-school toys over playtime. Brookline native Conan O’Brien also appears as a potty-training toy. Polygon calls it a thoughtful, funny entry that improves on “Toy Story 4.”
For horror, cue “Backrooms” on HBO Max. Kane Parsons’ feature debut expands his viral YouTube series, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, where a furniture-store owner finds a supernatural doorway into creepy connected rooms. The Globe notes it became A24’s highest-grossing movie of all time.
What new TV is worth a binge this weekend?
Comfort-food TV fans get season 14 of “The Great British Baking Show” on Netflix Friday, with 12 amateur bakers competing for glory. For live comedy, “Saturday Night Live” season 52 kicks off Saturday at 11:30 p.m. on NBC, streaming live on Peacock and available the next day. New cast members Grace Reiter and Saidah Belo-Osagie join returning favorites, with NBA star Jalen Brunson hosting and Katseye as musical guest.
Decider also flags Netflix’s “UNABOMBER,” with Jacob Tremblay as young Ted Kaczynski and Russell Crowe as Professor Henry Murray, plus Hulu’s “American Horror Story: 13,” opening with three episodes and a stacked Ryan Murphy ensemble.
Where can you catch the VMAs and more alerts?
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards air Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in a live CBS and MTV simulcast, with live streaming for premium Paramount+ subscribers and next-day availability on Paramount+ and MTV. Snoop Dogg hosts; Madonna opens, and Taylor Swift receives the first-ever artist director honors.
For more weekend watchlists and platform alerts, browse our Streaming & TV Alerts hub. Whether you want liminal scares, Pixar nostalgia, or live awards night energy, this rainy stretch has a clear queue for every mood.