Time again to bolster those watchlists. Now that you’ve crossed A Complete Unknown, Sing Sing, The Brutalist and all of the other Oscar nominated films off your watchlist, it’s time to check out what’s available for your viewing pleasure on the various streaming services.
I took a peak through Netflix, Prime Video, Max, Hulu, and Peacock to drum up some of the best options available to watch now on each. Here they are:
Netflix: Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
I rarely add family movies to this list. Which is a shame because there are so many good ones out there, including Kubo and the Two Strings. I haven’t seen it in years but remember being particularly drawn to the creative animation style and excitement of the story. Even if you don’t have kids to watch this with, it’s a worthwhile cinematic experience. One that has frankly been a little underrated since its initial release.
FOR FANS OF: Coraline; Howl’s Moving Castle; How to Train Your Dragon
Prime Video: 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
John Goodman delivers an all time performance as a loony doomsday prepper holding a couple of unsuspecting house guests hostage “for their own protection” as he would say. Another criminally under appreciated movie from 2016, 10 Cloverfield Lane is an incredibly captivating thriller. The single location ramps up the claustrophobic unease. The pseudo family dynamic heightens the tension. It’s a shame this hasn’t received more love.
FOR FANS OF: A Quiet Place; Cloverfield; Prey
Max: Germany Year Zero (1947)
Sure, it’s an incredibly depressing film about a young boy in post-war Germany trying to grapple with the realities of his new world. But it’s an extremely ~powerful~ depressing movie about a young boy in post-war Germany. Like most good post-war movies, the drama focuses on the strain on the familial unit, while the severity of the war serves as the background. Germany Year Zero perfectly blends the two for one of the most heartbreaking yet significant films you’ll ever watch.
FOR FANS OF: Bicycle Thieves; Come and See; The Boy With the Striped Pyjamas
Hulu: Prometheus (2012)
Maybe you recently watched Alien: Romulus and it inspired you to check out the rest of the franchise. Prometheus sits in an odd place in relation to the rest of the movies. For one it doesn’t even have the word “Alien” anywhere in its title. Weird! Despite that, it’s still an interesting film tackling some big ideas about cycles of creation and destruction throughout space and time. Plus Michael Fassbender is really sending it in his performance as an android named David desperately searching for his own humanity.
FOR FANS OF: Alien; Ad Astra; High Life
Peacock: The Master (2012)
Paul Thomas Anderson and Philip Seymour Hoffman’s final collaboration might just be their best work together. The Master is an absolutely mesmerizing piece of filmmaking. The acting between Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix (and the supporting cast of Amy Adams, Jesse Plemons, and more) is next level. PTA’s writing and directing is as crisp as it’s ever been. If you haven’t seen it, I truly don’t know what you’re waiting for. Go fire up Peacock and experience the highest highs of cinema.
FOR FANS OF: Phantom Thread; Fight Club; Eyes Wide Shut
Make sure you check out all of these awesome options and let us know what you think. Also, be sure to let us know the best hidden gems you’ve streamed recently. Share in the comments and help us expand the list!
See you next month!
