October 16, 2026
Streaming audiences have two major new films to add to their watchlists as Amazon Prime Video releases the heist comedy Masterplan, starring Stanley Tucci, and Apple TV premieres Tenzing, a biographical drama about legendary mountaineer Tenzing Norgay and the historic ascent of Mount Everest. Both films arrive on October 16, giving viewers a choice between an elaborate art theft involving an unexpected family reunion and a story of courage, cultural identity, and achievement in the Himalayas.
The releases reflect the continuing variety of original films offered by major streaming platforms. While Masterplan combines crime, comedy, and family tensions around an audacious plan to steal the Mona Lisa, Tenzing revisits one of mountaineering’s most celebrated achievements through the perspective of a climber whose contribution has not always received equal attention in popular accounts. For viewers choosing what to watch this weekend, the films offer distinctly different experiences, each built around a compelling central character.
Masterplan Brings Stanley Tucci Into an Elaborate Mona Lisa Heist
Prime Video’s Masterplan follows a legendary thief, played by Stanley Tucci, who recruits two young strangers for an ambitious attempt to steal Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. What initially appears to be a carefully planned criminal operation takes an unexpected turn when the recruits discover that they are long lost siblings and that the experienced thief is their father.
The revelation changes the nature of the mission. Chiara, an Italian cybercrime expert, and Jay, a French explosives specialist, must work alongside a father they barely know while confronting the complications of an improvised family relationship. The result is a story that combines the mechanics of a high stakes heist with the awkwardness, distrust, and occasional absurdity of a family forced together under extraordinary circumstances.
The Mona Lisa provides an instantly recognisable centrepiece for the plot. Leonardo da Vinci’s painting is among the most famous artworks in the world, and its reputation gives the fictional theft a scale that audiences can immediately understand. The challenge for the characters is not simply to overcome security measures but to coordinate their abilities, manage conflicting personalities, and complete a plan that could unravel if their personal tensions get in the way.
Why Stanley Tucci’s role stands out
Tucci brings considerable experience in balancing comedy and drama to the role of Roger, the master thief at the centre of the story. His filmography includes The Devil Wears Prada and The Hunger Games, productions that demonstrate his ability to make distinctive supporting characters memorable. In Masterplan, the central premise gives him an opportunity to play a character whose professional confidence contrasts with the emotional complications of reconnecting with his children.
The supporting cast includes Simona Tabasco as Chiara and Victor Belmondo as Jay. Their characters bring different technical abilities and personalities to the operation, creating opportunities for disagreement as the family attempts to function as a team. The relationship between the three leads gives the film a personal dimension beyond the mechanics of planning a theft.
Director Thomas Vincent, who also worked on the screenplay with David Wolstencroft, guides the French and Italian production. The film was co produced by Gaumont and Amazon MGM Studios and was filmed across locations in France and Italy. Its international production background complements a story that combines European settings with a familiar crime comedy premise.
Viewers can find the official release information and trailer through Amazon’s Masterplan announcement. The film is available exclusively on Prime Video from October 16 in more than 240 countries and territories, although viewing arrangements may vary by market.
Tenzing Brings a Historic Everest Achievement Into Focus
While Masterplan is built around fictional crime and family conflict, Apple Original Films’ Tenzing turns to a real historical achievement. The biographical drama follows Tenzing Norgay, the Himalayan climber who reached the summit of Mount Everest alongside New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953.
Directed by Jennifer Peedom, the film places Norgay’s experience at the centre of the story. Genden Phuntsok portrays Tenzing, while Tom Hiddleston plays Hillary. Willem Dafoe appears as expedition leader Colonel John Hunt, and Caitríona Balfe plays expedition secretary Jill Henderson. Thinley Lhamo portrays Tenzing’s wife, Dawa, whose support forms an important part of the narrative.
The film explores more than the physical challenge of climbing the world’s highest mountain. It also examines questions of recognition, social hierarchy, cultural identity, and the different motivations that brought people together on the expedition. By placing Norgay’s perspective at the forefront, Tenzing invites viewers to reconsider a familiar story and the people whose skills and knowledge made the achievement possible.
A different perspective on the first Everest ascent
Accounts of the 1953 expedition frequently associate the achievement with both Hillary and Norgay, but public memory has not always given the two climbers equal attention. Tenzing seeks to address that imbalance by following Norgay’s ambitions, relationships, and spiritual connection to the mountain.
In the film, the mountain is known as Chomolungma, a name that reflects its deep cultural and spiritual significance. This perspective contrasts with the expedition’s practical objective of reaching the summit. For Norgay, the climb represents a personal aspiration and a relationship with a landscape that holds meaning beyond the measurements and records used to define mountaineering success.
The story also examines the social divisions surrounding the expedition. Norgay must establish that he belongs on the climbing team as a skilled mountaineer rather than being treated merely as a subordinate. These tensions give the ascent a wider historical dimension, connecting physical endurance with questions of dignity and respect.
Such themes make Tenzing relevant beyond audiences interested in adventure films. The drama asks who receives recognition for collective achievements, how historical narratives are shaped, and why the perspectives of people from marginalised communities deserve serious attention.
Filming the Mountains Required Extensive Preparation
The production of Tenzing involved substantial physical preparation and filming in mountainous environments. According to reporting on the film, the cast and crew spent months preparing for the demands of the setting, with filming taking place in Nepal and New Zealand. The production sought to capture the scale and physical difficulty of mountaineering without relying entirely on studio environments.
For actors portraying experienced climbers, the work required more than learning dialogue and character details. Moving safely across steep terrain, understanding climbing equipment, and responding convincingly to dangerous conditions all contribute to the credibility of a mountaineering drama. The landscape itself presents challenges for cinematography, sound, lighting, and the coordination of cast and crew.
Phuntsok’s portrayal is particularly significant because the role requires him to communicate Norgay’s determination, technical ability, and cultural connection to the Himalayas. Hiddleston’s performance as Hillary must also convey the combination of ambition, discipline, and mutual trust required for the expedition to succeed.
The film premiered in select theaters on October 9 before arriving globally on Apple TV on October 16. Its release gives international audiences an opportunity to revisit the Everest story through a production that places greater attention on Norgay’s life and contribution.
Two Films Reflect Different Directions in Streaming Entertainment
The simultaneous arrival of Masterplan and Tenzing illustrates the range of original storytelling competing for attention on subscription streaming services. One film uses an imaginative crime plot to explore family relationships, while the other draws on historical events to examine courage, cultural identity, and recognition.
For Prime Video, Masterplan offers a recognisable star, an accessible premise, and the familiar appeal of a heist story. Such films can attract viewers who want an entertaining weekend watch without committing to a long series. The family revelation adds another layer to the plot, giving the characters personal problems that complicate the practical demands of the robbery.
For Apple TV, Tenzing offers a more reflective historical drama. Its focus on a real mountaineer creates opportunities to combine adventure with questions about whose achievements are remembered and how cultural perspectives shape the telling of history. The film also gives viewers a chance to see the Everest expedition through a lens that differs from the conventional account centred primarily on Western explorers.
Neither approach is inherently more valuable than the other. Viewers often turn to streaming services for different reasons, whether they want suspense, laughter, emotional depth, historical context, or a compelling performance. A diverse release schedule allows platforms to serve these different interests while competing for subscribers and viewing time.
What Viewers Should Know Before Watching
Both films are available through their respective streaming services from October 16, 2026. Viewers should check their local platforms for availability, subscription requirements, language options, subtitles, and accessibility features.
- Masterplan: Available on Prime Video. The film stars Stanley Tucci as a master thief who recruits two strangers for a Mona Lisa heist before revealing their family connection.
- Tenzing: Available globally on Apple TV. The biographical drama stars Genden Phuntsok and Tom Hiddleston as Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary during the historic Everest expedition.
Availability does not necessarily mean that every subscription offers identical terms in every country. Before subscribing to a new service, viewers may wish to check local pricing and determine whether the film is included in their existing membership or requires an additional payment.
Why Tenzing’s Story Matters Beyond the Summit
The historical importance of Tenzing Norgay’s achievement extends beyond the moment he and Hillary reached Everest’s summit. Their success represented years of preparation, the accumulated knowledge of Himalayan climbing communities, and the work of many people involved in the expedition.
By focusing on Norgay’s experience, the film has an opportunity to broaden public understanding of mountaineering history. It can encourage viewers to recognise the expertise of Sherpa climbers and the importance of local knowledge in expeditions conducted in demanding environments. It also raises broader questions about how institutions, media, and popular culture assign credit for achievements involving many contributors.
These themes give the film a lasting relevance that extends beyond its dramatic climbing sequences. Recognition, partnership, and the ability to overcome social barriers remain meaningful subjects, whether they appear in a historical expedition or in contemporary professional life.
A Strong Streaming Weekend for Different Tastes
The October 16 releases give audiences two distinct reasons to open their streaming apps. Masterplan offers an elaborate fictional robbery, a celebrated painting, and a family reunion complicated by criminal ambition. Tenzing delivers a dramatic retelling of a historic mountaineering achievement, placing the determination and perspective of Tenzing Norgay at the centre of the narrative.
For viewers who prefer a fast moving story with comedy and suspense, Masterplan is the more natural choice. Those interested in history, mountaineering, and stories about recognition and cultural identity may find Tenzing more appealing. Both films also offer an opportunity to appreciate the different ways international productions can bring familiar themes to a global audience.
As streaming platforms continue to release original films across genres and markets, the strongest lineups are those that give viewers meaningful choices rather than repeating the same formula. This week’s pair of releases demonstrates that contrast, combining the playful chaos of a family heist with the enduring human story of a climber whose place in history deserves continued attention.
