The final weekend of September 2026 brings a high-profile wave of theatrical transitions and streaming exclusives to home screens. While major franchises like Toy Story 5 make their way to subscription services, the Video-on-Demand (VOD) market is being led by a mix of R-rated comedy and controversial horror.
Major Streaming Premieres: Netflix, Max, and Disney+
Headlining the subscription-based releases this weekend is Backrooms, which arrived on Max on September 25. Directed by Kane Parsons and produced by A24, the film transitioned to streaming following its theatrical run. The feature-length expansion of the viral internet horror phenomenon maintains the “found footage” aesthetic that defined its online origins.
On Netflix, the true-crime drama Unabomber premiered on September 25. The film features Jacob Tremblay in a transformative role as Ted Kaczynski, focusing on the early psychological development and the eventual radicalization of the domestic terrorist. This release marks a notable shift for Tremblay into more mature, darker biographical territory.
Disney+ subscribers also received a major addition this weekend with Toy Story 5 becoming available on the platform. After a summer theatrical window, the latest installment in the Pixar franchise is now available for home viewing as part of the standard subscription.
VOD Releases: Comedy and Horror Trends
For viewers looking beyond monthly subscriptions, two notable films recently moved to digital rental and purchase platforms. Spa Weekend, an R-rated comedy starring Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris, became available for VOD purchase on September 21. Directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the film follows a group of friends whose wellness retreat devolves into chaos.
The rapid move to digital for Spa Weekend follows a difficult theatrical run where it grossed approximately $12 million against a $20 million production budget. Its arrival on VOD is seen as an effort to find a wider audience in the home market where R-rated comedies often see a second life.
In the horror genre, Eli Roth’s Ice Cream Man was released on digital platforms on September 22. Despite sharing a title with the 1995 cult classic starring Clint Howard, Roth’s film is an original slasher story and not a remake. The film has generated discussion within the industry due to its confirmed use of generative AI for specific visual sequences, produced by the tech company Dark Half. This Eli Roth slasher is now available for digital rent and purchase.
Quick Guide to Weekend Releases
If you are planning your watchlist for September 25–27, here is where to find the newest titles:
- Backrooms: Now streaming on Max (Subscription).
- Unabomber: Now streaming on Netflix (Subscription).
- Toy Story 5: Now streaming on Disney+ (Subscription).
- Spa Weekend: Available for rent/purchase on VOD platforms (Amazon, Apple, Vudu).
- Ice Cream Man: Available for rent/purchase on VOD platforms.
The contrast in this weekend’s lineup highlights the ongoing trend of “theatrical-to-home” windows. While films like Backrooms are moving to streaming, underperformers like Spa Weekend are utilizing VOD as a necessary pivot to recoup production costs.
