Movies to watch over July 4th weekend, from 'The Forever Purge' to Netflix's 'Fear Street'

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Whether or not you're into actual fireworks, there are plenty of the cinematic kind on tap with a July Fourth weekend full of new films at home and in movie theaters.

The vast majority of cinemas are reopened, and the latest in the long-running "The Purge" dystopian horror franchise is on the big screen as well as an infamous Twitter thread brought to wild and absurd life. Alec Baldwin returns to voicing a Boss Baby in a new animated sequel in theaters and on the Peacock streaming service if you prefer an at-home viewing. Chris Pratt battles aliens in an Amazon Prime sci-fi thriller that riffs on "Independence Day," while Netflix kicks off a teen-slasher trilogy and also debuts an animated action comedy with Channing Tatum and Will Forte as a couple of famous and very jacked historical figures.

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In other words: You need a movie this long weekend? We got you, fam. Here's a guide to what's out there that'll satisfy every cinematic taste, whether you want to mask up for a trip to the nearest theater or if you're just fine hunkering down on the couch.

If you're a Chris Pratt super fan: 'The Tomorrow War'

The "Guardians of the Galaxy" star battles aliens on Earth for a change! Pratt plays a former soldier and schoolteacher drafted into service and flung 30 years into the future to fight a desperate battle for mankind against nasty extraterrestrial invaders. The alien designs are great, plus it's rousing enough and pretty touching for a "dad" movie, though the narrative leans ridiculous and the time-travel stuff will drive you cuckoo bananas.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

When the annual Purge ends, a group of masked outlaws decide to extend their murderous ways in "The Forever Purge."
When the annual Purge ends, a group of masked outlaws decide to extend their murderous ways in "The Forever Purge."

If you don't find the news depressing enough: 'The Forever Purge'

A Mexican couple (Ana de la Reguera and Tenoch Huerta), driven out by a cartel and living in Texas, deals with the dangerous consequences when hate groups continue the annual Purge – one night where all crime, including murder, is legal for 12 hours – long after they're supposed to stop. The fifth "Purge" installment has more action than usual while tackling real-world issues of white supremacy and immigration.

Where to watch: In theaters

"Summer of Soul" (July 2, theaters and Hulu): Questlove's directorial debut is a documentary featuring never-before-seen footage of artists (including The 5th Dimension) at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, an event that brought a divided community together by celebrating Black art.
"Summer of Soul" (July 2, theaters and Hulu): Questlove's directorial debut is a documentary featuring never-before-seen footage of artists (including The 5th Dimension) at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, an event that brought a divided community together by celebrating Black art.

If you're in a funk and need good tunes: 'Summer of Soul'

For his spectacular directorial debut, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson crafts an insightful documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival (aka "Black Woodstock"), examining its importance during the social and political period. Thompson also unearths a treasure trove of unseen performances, including The 5th Dimension, Sly and the Family Stone, and a teenage Stevie Wonder.

Where to watch: In theaters and on Hulu

Ted (voiced by Alec Baldwin, left) and his brother Tim (James Marsden) tussle with little ninjas in the animated sequel "The Boss Baby: Family Business."
Ted (voiced by Alec Baldwin, left) and his brother Tim (James Marsden) tussle with little ninjas in the animated sequel "The Boss Baby: Family Business."

If you miss Alec Baldwin as a talking infant: 'The Boss Baby: Family Business'

The animated sequel catches up with the OG Boss Baby, aka Ted (voiced by Alec Baldwin), and his estranged big brother Tim (James Marsden) as grown-ups who have to magically revert to their kid selves and go undercover at Tim's daughter's school to stop a baby revolution. It's all quite silly but somehow not completely terrible, mostly thanks to Jeff Goldblum stealing the show as the movie's eccentric antagonist.

Where to watch: In theaters and on Peacock

If you want to see the second coming of 'Scream': 'Fear Street Part 1: 1994'

Based on the R.L. Stine horror books, this clever R-rated teen slasher (and the first chapter of a movie trilogy streaming over three weeks) takes audiences back to the '90s and into Shadyside, infamous for being a serial killer capital. Rebellious teen Deena (Kiana Madeira) and her friends investigate the connections between all these bloody incidents in their hometown, while also trying not to die themselves.

Where to watch: Netflix

A spirited 12-year-old girl (Makenzie Moss) and her best friend (O’Neill Monahan) are on the case and look for clues when several teens suddenly disappear in their small town in "Let Us In."
A spirited 12-year-old girl (Makenzie Moss) and her best friend (O’Neill Monahan) are on the case and look for clues when several teens suddenly disappear in their small town in "Let Us In."

If your kids could use a family-friendly sci-fi horror flick: 'Let Us In'

Youngsters who aren't ready for "Fear Street" yet can dive into scary movies with this scrappy adventure. A super-smart 12-year-old girl (Makenzie Moss) and her best friend (O’Neill Monahan), working on a science project to communicate with aliens, are on the hunt for clues after a bunch of teens suddenly disappear in their small town at the same time a bunch of weird black-eyed kids in hoodies starts popping up.

Where to watch: Apple TV, Vudu, Fandango Now

Tyson Brown (right) plays a teen whose night out with his crush (Shelby Duclos) goes awry in the action comedy "First Date."
Tyson Brown (right) plays a teen whose night out with his crush (Shelby Duclos) goes awry in the action comedy "First Date."

If you think teen comedies don't have enough bloody chaos: 'First Date'

A shy high schooler (Tyson Brown) finally gets up the nerve to ask out his karate-kicking next-door-neighbor crush (Shelby Duclos), needs wheels for their date and buys a janky 1965 Chrysler. That's where the real insanity starts in this fun, Tarantino-esque indie crime caper where our hero has to deal with inept crooks and corrupt cops along with all the usual coming-of-age shenanigans.

Where to watch: Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango Now

Stefani (Riley Keough, left) involves her new friend Zola (Taylour Paige) in some seriously shady dealings in the comedic thriller "Zola."
Stefani (Riley Keough, left) involves her new friend Zola (Taylour Paige) in some seriously shady dealings in the comedic thriller "Zola."

If you live for nutty Twitter threads AND exotic dancing: 'Zola'

Director Janicza Bravo takes A'Ziah King's viral phenomenon and turns it into a wild and absurd comedic thriller with some creative storytelling beats. Taylour Paige stars as a Detroit waitress who's talked into a road trip to Florida for a weekend of stripping and partying by a new friend (Riley Keough), but the moneymaking venture turns sideways thanks to pimps, gangsters and dumb boyfriends.

Where to watch: In theaters

Review: 'Zola' successfully brings a crazy Twitter stripper saga to clever big-screen life

George Washington (voiced by Channing Tatum, left) hands out patriotic uniforms to his superteam - Thomas Edison (Olivia Munn), Geronimo (Raoul Max Trujillo), Samuel Adams (Jason Mantzoukas) and John Henry (Killer Mike) - in "America: The Motion Picture."
George Washington (voiced by Channing Tatum, left) hands out patriotic uniforms to his superteam - Thomas Edison (Olivia Munn), Geronimo (Raoul Max Trujillo), Samuel Adams (Jason Mantzoukas) and John Henry (Killer Mike) - in "America: The Motion Picture."

If you wish the Founding Fathers were more awesome: 'America: The Motion Picture'

Brandishing old "G.I. Joe" cartoons and "Star Wars" movies as inspiration, as well as a very loose grasp on American history, this is a lovably ludicrous, proudly crass July Fourth jam. After the death of best friend Abe Lincoln (voiced by Forte), chainsaw-wielding macho man George Washington (Tatum) teams with beer-loving frat bro Sam Adams (Jason Mantzoukas) and Chinese female scientist Thomas Edison (Olivia Munn) to take on British forces and traitorous werewolf Benedict Arnold (Andy Samberg).

Where to watch: Netflix

Benicio del Toro (left) and Don Cheadle star as criminals who go rogue after a plan goes awry in the Steven Soderbergh crime drama "No Sudden Move."
Benicio del Toro (left) and Don Cheadle star as criminals who go rogue after a plan goes awry in the Steven Soderbergh crime drama "No Sudden Move."

If you enjoy throwback all-star crime dramas: 'No Sudden Move'

Set in 1950s Detroit, Steven Soderbergh's nicely paced and enjoyably quirky film is a showcase for Don Cheadle and Benicio del Toro. Alongside the likes of David Harbour, Brendan Fraser and a surprise A-lister, the duo play a couple of criminals who, when a plan to nab an important document goes askew, decide to figure out the mystery man who hired (and double-crossed) them plus make some extra money along the way.

Where to watch: HBO Max

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: July 4th movies: What to see, from 'fear Street' to 'Forever Purge'