Here Are the Best Movies to Stream this Weekend on Peacock, Including a Popular Animated Franchise Installment

Peacock is expanding its library this weekend with a mix of high-stakes dystopian drama, family-friendly animation, and new action-comedy arrivals. Subscribers can access a variety of blockbuster franchises, including the complete original journey of Katniss Everdeen and the evolution of the ‘Despicable Me’ universe. Whether looking for recent 2024 theatrical releases or celebrated romantic comedies from the past two decades, the platform offers diverse viewing options for every demographic. The following titles represent the most prominent movies currently trending or arriving on the service.

‘Shark Tale’ (2004)

Oscar is a small fish with big aspirations who finds himself in trouble with a local crime family. After a misunderstanding leads the community to believe he killed a shark, he becomes an unlikely hero known as the Sharkslayer. He forms a secret alliance with a peaceful shark named Lenny to maintain his celebrity status while avoiding the wrath of a mob boss. This underwater comedy features a prominent voice cast and parodies popular mob cinema tropes.

‘Despicable Me 4’ (2024)

Gru and his expanding family face a new threat when his old rival, Maxime Le Mal, escapes from prison seeking vengeance. The family is forced into a witness protection program in the town of Mayflower, where Gru must navigate social hurdles while protecting his newborn son. Meanwhile, several Minions are transformed into “Mega Minions” through a special serum to help the Anti-Villain League. This fourth installment introduces new gadgets and explores Gru’s transition into suburban fatherhood.

‘Shrek Forever After’ (2010)

Feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of domestic life, Shrek makes a deal with the manipulative Rumpelstiltskin to feel like a “real ogre” for a single day. He is tricked into an alternate timeline where he was never born, leading to a world where Lord Farquaad still rules and ogres are hunted. Shrek must find Fiona and share a true love’s kiss before the day ends to restore his reality. This film concludes the original four-movie arc of the beloved DreamWorks franchise.

‘Ride On’ (2023)

Luo is a former stuntman living in poverty who relies on his stunt horse, Red Hare, for companionship and work. When a legal dispute threatens his ownership of the animal, he seeks help from his estranged daughter and her lawyer boyfriend. The duo gains unexpected fame when a video of them fighting debt collectors goes viral, leading to a potential career resurgence. This action-drama serves as a tribute to the history of stunt performers and stars Jackie Chan.

‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1’ (2014)

Katniss Everdeen finds herself in District 13 after the destruction of the games, struggling to adapt to her role as the face of the rebellion. Under the guidance of President Coin and Plutarch Heavensbee, she agrees to film propaganda messages to unite the districts against the Capitol. Her primary motivation remains the rescue of Peeta Mellark, who is being held and brainwashed by President Snow. The film explores the psychological toll of war and the power of media manipulation.

‘The Proposal’ (2009)

Margaret Tate is a demanding executive who faces deportation to Canada after neglecting to renew her work visa. To stay in New York, she convinces her assistant, Andrew Paxton, to marry her in exchange for a promotion. The pair travels to Andrew’s family home in Alaska to celebrate his grandmother’s birthday while being followed by a suspicious immigration official. This romantic comedy relies on the chemistry between the two leads as they navigate a fraudulent relationship that becomes increasingly personal.

‘The Hunger Games’ (2012)

In a post-apocalyptic nation called Panem, the government selects two children from each of the twelve districts to compete in a televised fight to the death. Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister’s place and is sent to the Capitol for training alongside Peeta Mellark. She must navigate complex alliances and survive the environmental hazards created by the Gamemakers. This adaptation of the best-selling novel focuses on themes of survival and societal inequality.

‘Despicable Me 2’ (2013)

Gru has retired from his life of crime to focus on raising his three daughters and managing a legitimate jelly-making business. His peace is interrupted when the Anti-Villain League recruits him to investigate the theft of a potent mutagen known as PX-41. He works alongside agent Lucy Wilde to identify a villain hidden among the shopkeepers at a local mall. The story balances Gru’s mission with his domestic struggles and the kidnapping of his Minions.

‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ (2013)

Katniss and Peeta return home as victors, but their act of defiance in the arena has sparked unrest throughout the districts of Panem. To suppress the rising rebellion, President Snow announces the 75th Hunger Games, which requires past victors to return to the arena. The tributes must survive a tropical environment filled with lethal traps while forming a clandestine alliance to take down the system. This sequel is often cited for its expanded world-building and increased political stakes.

‘Despicable Me’ (2010)

Gru is a villain who attempts to outdo his rival, Vector, by hatching a plan to steal the moon. He adopts three orphan girls named Margo, Edith, and Agnes as part of a scheme to infiltrate Vector’s fortress. As he spends time with the children, his cold exterior begins to thaw, and he finds himself torn between his villainous ambitions and his new role as a father. This film launched a multi-billion dollar franchise and introduced the globally recognized Minion characters.

Tell us which of these Peacock movies you are planning to stream first in the comments.