New Films Hit On-Demand Platforms Including Mark Wahlberg's 'By Any Means' and 'The Weight'

Several new films have become available on Video On Demand this week, including the historical thriller "By Any Means" starring Mark Wahlberg and Ethan Hawke's drama "The Weight." Also premiering is "Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom," a new animated adventure from Aardman.

"By Any Means" is inspired by the true story of Gregory Scarpa, a mafia hitman who became an FBI informant. Wahlberg portrays Scarpa, who worked with Special FBI Agent Wayne Strider (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) to investigate the murders of civil rights activists in Mississippi in 1966. The film is available to rent or buy on digital platforms.

In "The Weight," Ethan Hawke plays Samuel Murphy, a widower in the Depression era who is wrongly imprisoned. To prevent his daughter from entering foster care, he makes a dangerous agreement with the prison warden. His task involves transporting a shipment of gold bricks through perilous territory, with potential consequences worse than his prison sentence. This film is also available for rent or purchase.

For families, "Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom" offers a new stop-motion animated story from Aardman, the studio behind "Wallace and Gromit."

Additionally, a selection of popular Hallmark holiday films from last year's "Countdown To Christmas" lineup are now available for digital purchase. Titles include "Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper!" and "Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story." These seasonal movies join other recent additions that can be bought or rented.

These films join a growing catalog of content accessible through services such as Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, YouTube, and various cable providers. The availability of these titles reflects the ongoing trend of major film releases and library content becoming accessible on demand shortly after theatrical runs or directly to digital platforms.