While Wicked, Gladiator II, and Moana 2 dominate the box office, the streaming arena is about to get intense. This week, three highly anticipated 2024 movie releases are set to hit some of the top streaming services. Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans' holiday flick Red One, Blake Lively's controversial It Ends With Us, and Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga's musical Joker: Folie à Deux will all be available for streaming from the comfort of your homes. Each film has its own unique story and reception.

Dive into the Controversial Streaming Releases of 2024

Red One: A Holiday Flick with a Star-Studded Cast

The action holiday flick Red One was released just a month ago and is still playing in theaters near me. Despite its star-studded cast including Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, J.K. Simmons, and Lucy Liu, it struggled at the box office. Audiences gave it a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but critics were less impressed, calling it a "lump of coal" with a 30% rating. Now, with its debut on Prime Video this week, viewers can decide for themselves if this holiday flick deserves a place among the best Christmas movies. It presents an original idea that is rare in today's movie landscape, with the unexpected plot of Santa being kidnapped. While action movies aren't typically my preference, I'm open to giving Red One a chance.

It Ends With Us: A Book-to-Screen Adaptation with Controversy

Blake Lively's It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover's novel, finally made its debut on Netflix after its August theater release. With a large fanbase behind the book, the film performed well at the box office and with audiences. However, critics were divided in their opinions of Lily Bloom's story. Coupled with the controversial press tour and an alleged feud among co-stars that led to a rumored second cut of the film, its release was as messy as the story itself. This adds an extra layer of intrigue to the streaming experience.

Joker: Folie à Deux: A Musical Sequel with Mixed Reviews

Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga's musical Joker: Folie à Deux is the musical sequel to Phoenix's 2019 Joker. Unlike the first film, neither audiences nor critics took a liking to this movie, earning a 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Now that it's available on Max, more people can check it out, and it's likely that the audience score will suffer further. This film presents a unique take on the Joker story and showcases the musical talents of Phoenix and Gaga.So, when it comes to streaming this weekend, Red One stands out among the rest. With Christmas just around the corner, it's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy these controversial releases from the comfort of your home. Whether you're a fan of action, drama, or music, there's something for everyone in this week's streaming lineup.