While there are plenty of new movies arriving on the best streaming services this week, Netflix leads the pack with four new films, including a highly anticipated award winner, a very different type of Christmas movie, and an animated adventure.

Netflix subscribers are treated to four new films with a little something for everyone. My pick is The Piano Lesson, a prestige drama based on August Wilson's play of the same name, but there is also The Merry Gentlemen, a holiday romance that takes clear inspiration from Magic Mike. Meanwhile, the war drama “Blitz” premieres on Apple TV Plus, and on Hulu, “Alien: Romulus” offers intense sci-fi for horror fans.

If you're looking to stream something new this week, you've come to the right place, as I've compiled my top picks in the major streaming services below. Plus, check out our sister guide that covers the best TV shows to stream this week, and be sure to check out Netflix's Top 10 Top 3 Shows Worth Watching.

While diminishing returns are a major problem with horror sequels, “Smile 2” deserves praise for finding a way to make a familiar concept feel fresh again. Its storyline is remarkably similar to its predecessor, but it builds to a shocking denouement that left those in my cinema gasping for breath.

Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) is a pop star trying to make a major comeback after a tragic incident derailed her promising career. On the eve of a world tour, she is traumatized when a friend commits a brutal suicide in front of her eyes. Immediately afterwards, Skye begins to experience nightmarish events and terrifying hallucinations. As the first day of the tour approaches, she knows something sinister is stalking her.

Buy or rent on Amazon starting November 19

If traditional Christmas movies don't get you in the Christmas mood, try “Merry Gentlemen. This new Netflix seasonal film has many of the characteristics of a winter warmer, but with the added spice of a male dancer. While “The Merry Gentlemen” is certainly not a Christmas movie for the whole family to watch, it should be entertaining enough for adult viewing. Furthermore, it is not solely composed of lewd scenes, but has the classic “will-they-won't-they” arc, which adds a touch of romance to the film.

Ashley (Britt Robertson) is a former big city dancer who returns to her quaint hometown for a vacation. Ashley will not allow her family business to close without a fight, so she puts on a Christmas-themed burlesque show to save the venue. One of the performers, a chiseled contractor named Luke (Chad Michael Murray), reluctantly agrees to help, but soon finds himself drawn to Ashley.

Watch it on Netflix starting November 20

I have written about and recommended “Alien: Romulus” countless times over the past few months. The “Alien” franchise is a personal favorite of mine, and after the mixed reception of 2017's “Alien: Covenant,” “Romulus” was almost everything I wanted from the series (for the record, I like “Covenant,” but overall the mixed reception Alien: Romulus, which opened in theaters in August and came to premium streaming platforms last month, is coming to Hulu. [Situated between “Alien” and “Aliens,” “Alien: Romulus” is something of a franchise reboot, returning to the series' roots and aiming to make the Xenomorphs terrifying once again. It succeeds on both these fronts. The fanservice moments are a bit too smug, even for a big “Alien” fan like myself, but the new protagonists are compelling (Cailee Spaeny and David Johnson are excellent leads), the scares are memorable, and there are some new ideas in the mix.

Watch on Hulu starting November 21

Once considered a frontrunner for Best Picture, “Blitz's” Oscar campaign has stumbled in recent weeks after its premiere at the London Film Festival in October to solid (if unspectacular) reviews from critics has stumbled somewhat. Nevertheless, it remains a worthwhile film to watch and focuses on a less familiar aspect of World War II. Away from the front lines, the film centers on the relentless bombing of what came to be known as “The Blitz,” the relentless bombing of Britain. [At the center of the destruction that envelops the British capital of London almost nightly are Rita (Saoirse Ronan) and her young son George (Elliot Heffernan). Fearing for her son's safety, Rita reluctantly agrees to evacuate him to the countryside, but the rebellious George runs away. Traveling to London to be reunited with his mother, George faces many challenges and witnesses the best (and worst) of the English in these difficult times. Directed by Steve McQueen, “The Blitz” is a well-crafted war film with strong performances.

Watch on Apple TV Plus starting November 22

“The Piano Lesson” is a film about family ties both in front of and behind the camera. Directed by Malcolm Washington, starring John David Washington, and produced by his father Denzel Washington, the drama is a true testament to the talent that runs in the Washington family. Based on August Wilson's play of the same name, “The Piano Lesson” is a fascinating film, and while it doesn't take full advantage of the film setting, its strong script and the excellent performances of the entire cast are more than enough reason to watch.

Set in 1930s Pittsburgh after the Great Depression, Boy Willie Charles (John David Washington) shows up unexpectedly at his uncle Dooker's (Samuel L. Jackson) house. But Boy Willie has not returned merely to say hello; he is trying to sell a gorgeous piano, a family heirloom inherited from his late father. His sister Lucille (Erykah Badu) refuses to give up ownership of the piano, and a family fight breaks out. All the while, whispers of ghostly apparitions haunt the house in the locality.

Watch on Netflix from November 22

“Joy” was generally well received at the London Film Festival, and the biographical drama currently holds an 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It is unlikely to feature (at all) in next year's awards race, but from the trailer (and from the positive reactions I have heard directly from colleagues who have seen previews), it looks to be a comforting little drama film that will provide some warmth in the cold winter months.

“Joy” tells the touching true story of the birth of Louise Joy Brown in 1978. What was so special about her birth? Joy was the world's first “test tube baby,” or the first baby conceived and born through in vitro fertilization (IVF) experimentation. Focusing on the trio of medical professionals (played by Bill Nye, Thomasin McKenzie, and James Norton) who pioneered this groundbreaking procedure, Joy celebrates their accomplishments and contributions to the medical field, but also the overwhelming challenges they faced and the opposition they had to overcome.

Watch it on Netflix starting November 22

From the level of promotion I've seen (both online and in person), Netflix seems to be betting big on “Spellbound” Netflix is betting big on this fantasy-musical Netflix seems to be trying to launch a new franchise with this fantasy-musical-animation. From the trailer, it looks to be a fun adventure that will appeal to fans of Disney films such as “Anna and the Snow Queen” and “Moana”.

Set in the world of Lumbria, young Princess Eliane (voiced by Rachel Zegler) must embark on a dangerous adventure after a dark spell destroys her kingdom and turns her parents into oversized monsters. Princess Elianne is in a race against time to undo this curse before it becomes permanent. With a voice cast that includes John Lithgow, Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman, “Spellbound” will be Netflix's big family film over the Christmas period.

Available on Netflix starting November 22