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Edition 2026-10-17

CULTURE

New Releases on Streaming Platforms This Weekend

A fresh adaptation of Dracula, a horror film inspired by a children's television character, and a legacy sequel to Practical Magic lead the slate of new releases arriving on str...

By polygon · 5d ago · Source: polygon

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A fresh adaptation of Dracula, a horror film inspired by a children's television character, and a legacy sequel to Practical Magic lead the slate of new releases arriving on streaming services this weekend.

The most prominent new title is Dracula, a reimagining of the classic vampire tale from director Luc Besson. The film stars Caleb Landry Jones as Vlad the Impaler, who is transformed into Dracula after the death of his beloved Elisabeta, played by Zoë Bleu. Christoph Waltz portrays a vampire-hunting priest who becomes obsessed with ending Dracula's reign. The movie reframes the legend as a love story rooted in historical inspiration, depicting Vlad as a warrior prince whose grief drives his supernatural transformation.

Also available is Buddy, a horror film that subverts the expectations of a children's television show. Directed by Casper Kelly, the film follows a group of children trapped in a surreal world hosted by an orange unicorn resembling a familiar purple dinosaur. The movie explores themes of control and obedience, with Keegan Michael Key voicing the unsettling host. It has earned over $11 million at the box office on a modest budget, signaling strong audience interest in its genre blend.

Another notable release is Hope, a South Korean science fiction film directed by Na Hong-jin. The movie centers on a police chief and a rookie officer investigating a mysterious incident on an animal farm that coincides with an alien arrival. The film has drawn attention for its narrative twist, which shifts the story's direction midway through. Critics have noted its genre evolution, particularly in relation to casting choices that emerge later in the plot.

Practical Magic 2, the sequel to the 1998 witchcraft film, returns to the Owens family with Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock reprising their roles as the sisters Sally and Gillian. Set 25 years after the original, the film follows the next generation as they confront a family curse that claims the lives of men who fall in love with Owens women. The story introduces new characters, including Kylie Owens, played by Joey King, who begins to explore her own emerging powers.

Additional titles include Runner, an action film starring Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson as a former Navy SEAL and an organ courier racing against time to deliver a life-saving transplant; The Death of Robin Hood, which portrays the legendary outlaw as a morally conflicted figure pursued by a vengeful adversary; and Masterplan, a heist thriller led by Stanley Tucci as a retired thief targeting one of the world's most famous paintings.

The lineup also features The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable, a documentary exploring the rise of a Moroccan rapper connected to RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan; Sacrifice, a black comedy about a fading movie star held captive by an eco-terrorist group on a remote island; and Love of Your Life, a romantic drama following an ER nurse navigating grief and self-discovery after her partner's death.

These releases reflect a diverse range of genres and storytelling approaches, offering viewers varied options for weekend viewing across multiple platforms.

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Published
10/17/2026, 1:11:56 PM
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10/17/2026, 1:11:56 PM
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