The Best New Movies on Streaming This Weekend

This weekend brings a bunch of great new movies you can watch from the comfort of your home! ScreenCrush has a guide to help you pick out the best ones to enjoy as you unwind.

Weekends are perfect for movie time! If you don’t feel like going to the cinema, you can easily enjoy a film at home with popcorn and cozy pajamas.

New Movies Streaming This Weekend

This week, Netflix has a new Korean disaster movie called The Great Flood, featuring an actor you might recognize from Squid Game. You can also enjoy the newest Now You See Me movie and a visually stunning anime film.

Want even more options? Check out last week’s new movie streaming releases here.

Here are five new movies you can enjoy at home this weekend – they’re available to rent, buy, or watch for free on streaming services.

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t

The latest Now You See Me movie brings back the original Four Horsemen illusionists, who join forces with a new group of young magicians. Together, they target a dishonest diamond heiress. Combining classic magic tricks with modern technology, the film is a thrilling blend of Robin Hood-style justice and spectacular showmanship.

The third movie in the Now You See Me series, directed by Ruben Fleischer and starring Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson, Lizzy Caplan, Morgan Freeman, and others, is now available to rent or buy on demand.

Where to watch Now You See Me: Now You Don’t: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home.

The Running Man

Set in a bleak future controlled by a powerful media company, The Running Man tells the story of a father trying to protect his daughter. He’s forced to participate in a dangerous reality show and outrun hired killers for a month in order to win her freedom. The film is based on a 1982 novel by Stephen King and is a reimagining of the 1987 movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Edgar Wright’s new film, The Running Man, featuring Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, and others, was released for digital rental and purchase on December 16th.

Where to watch The Running Man: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home.

Relay

The thriller Relay follows a New York City problem-solver who arranges deals between people with inside information and the companies trying to hide it. When a scientist comes forward with evidence of a dangerous biotechnology product, the two join forces. They’re then pursued by corporate security in a high-stakes effort to reveal the truth.

David Mackenzie directs Relay, a new corporate thriller starring Lily James, Riz Ahmed, Willa Fitzgerald, Sam Worthington, Victor Garber, and others. It will be available to stream on Netflix starting December 19th.

Where to watch Relay: Netflix.

Colorful Stage: The Movie! A Miku Who Can’t Sing

This vibrant anime film features Hatsune Miku, the popular virtual singer, on a journey to rediscover her passion for music and find meaningful connections with others. The story beautifully portrays her struggles with feeling alone, facing insecurities, and pursuing her dreams as she tries to sing again.

The Japanese anime musical, directed by Hiroyuki Hata and brought to the U.S. by GKIDS, was released for digital rental and purchase on December 16th.

You can now watch Colorful Stage: The Movie! A Miku Who Can’t Sing on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.

The Great Flood

This South Korean disaster movie follows a researcher and her child as they struggle to survive when their apartment building floods during a worldwide catastrophe. As a security guard tries to help, the three of them uncover disturbing truths about what’s happening as they fight for their lives.

Kim Byung-woo directs the new disaster movie, The Great Flood, featuring Park Hae-soo, known from Squid Game, and Kim Da-mi. It will be available to stream on Netflix starting December 19th.

Where to watch The Great Flood: Netflix.

The 40 Best Movies of the Last 40 Years (1985-2024)

40. The Fugitive (1993)

When compiling lists of great films, it’s easy to overlook genuinely enjoyable movies that you can watch repeatedly simply for the fun of it, especially if they don’t deal with deep or complex ideas. However, The Fugitive makes seemingly impossible large-scale chase films look effortless. In reality, it’s incredibly challenging to create a movie with such a gripping mystery, exciting action, and outstanding performances – particularly from Tommy Lee Jones as the relentless U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard. The reason this film remains so rewatchable is its exceptional skill and craftsmanship, qualities that are even more uncommon in filmmaking today than they were in 1993.

39. Holy Motors (2012)

Leos Carax’s Holy Motors feels like the most incredible dream you can experience while awake. It’s a wildly imaginative and strangely moving tribute to film, acting, and life itself – all of which the movie suggests are deeply connected. Denis Lavant delivers an amazing performance, playing 11 different characters as Oscar, a man who travels around Paris in a limousine, constantly transforming into someone new – from a performer in a motion-capture suit to a gangster and even a beggar. While we never fully understand what Oscar does, the film powerfully reminds us of the enduring magic and unrealized possibilities of cinema, especially at a time when the way we watch movies is rapidly changing.

38. Hard Boiled (1992)

John Woo’s Hard Boiled begins with a simple scene: a drink being made. Tequila and soda are poured into a glass, then the glass is slammed onto the bar, mixing them together. This seemingly small moment actually hints at the film’s core idea. The movie is about what happens when very different forces collide. Just like the ingredients in a drink, Chow Yun-Fat and Tony Leung are both great actors individually. But when they work together, the result is explosive and unforgettable – pure movie magic.

37. Matinee (1993)

Okay, so Matinee isn’t just a fun trip down memory lane for old movie fans. Director Joe Dante does something really clever – he uses those cheesy old films to actually explore the difference between real fear and the manufactured scares put out by a wonderfully over-the-top producer, Lawrence Woolsey (played brilliantly by John Goodman). It’s strange, but the film feels surprisingly insightful. What really struck me was how it balances that loving look at 1960s B-movies with a sense of underlying sadness – the world then, just like now, wasn’t always a happy place. We follow Gene, a teenager whose life is a bit unstable – his dad’s away on a Navy ship during the Cuban Missile Crisis, leaving him to basically raise his little brother while his mom struggles to cope. They move around a lot because of his dad’s job, making it hard for the boys to fit in at school. The movie theater? That’s their escape, their little slice of happiness amidst all the chaos.

36. Back to the Future (1985)

The movie Back to the Future starts with a question many teenagers ask: What were my parents like when they were my age? It uses this simple idea to create one of the most cleverly crafted stories ever put on film. Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, is a laid-back teen who accidentally travels back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean created by his eccentric scientist friend. Once there, he has to fix things to make sure his parents get together and, ultimately, that he’s even born! It’s a funny, quirky, visually impressive, and fast-paced film – a near-perfect example of 1980s blockbuster entertainment.

35. Jackie Brown (1997)

What I really appreciate about Jackie Brown is how relatable and flawed the characters are. Max Cherry isn’t a typical cool gangster; he’s just an ordinary guy losing his hair. And Jackie Brown isn’t a criminal mastermind – she even practices her gun draw beforehand! Even Louis Gara has a very human moment, forgetting where he parked during a robbery. They feel like real people, and I think some of Tarantino’s later films could benefit from that same level of authenticity. When Jackie Brown first came out, some viewers were disappointed it wasn’t as flashy or intricate as Pulp Fiction, but Tarantino’s more subtle choices are actually what make it so great. The opening credits, reminiscent of The Graduate, immediately give you a sense of Jackie’s life, and scenes like the one with Ordell and Beaumont are truly captivating. Plus, the film features one of the most memorable movie kisses ever – not because it’s overly passionate, but because it feels genuine and imperfect.

34. The Fabelmans (2022)

What makes The Fabelmans so special is Steven Spielberg’s enduring love for movies. Even decades after the events depicted in the film, his passion mirrors that of young Sammy Fabelman, who is captivated by The Greatest Show on Earth and begins recreating scenes at home. Spielberg has become a master filmmaker, learning to use visuals and sound to evoke a wide range of emotions. However, he’s never forgotten why he makes movies in the first place.

The Fabelmans is Spielberg’s personal story, exploring both the beauty and the challenges of filmmaking and life itself. Cinema helps Sammy navigate his fears and loneliness, though it can also set him apart. His growing passion for directing connects him with his creative mother (brilliantly portrayed by Michelle Williams), but also risks revealing a painful family secret. Now, Spielberg uses his experience to share this deeply personal and moving story, one that, like all great films, is full of life, love, joy, and sadness.

33. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)

Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, the team behind Bridesmaids, reunited for another hilarious comedy, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. They play two best friends who lose their jobs at a furniture store in Nebraska and decide to spend their severance packages on a Florida vacation. While there, they both fall for a handsome stranger (Jamie Dornan, playfully poking fun at his heartthrob image) who is secretly part of a ridiculous plan to unleash genetically-modified, killer mosquitoes on the town. Wiig and Mumolo are fantastic, delivering witty dialogue about everything from Tommy Bahama shirts to the name Trish, and the movie is filled with quotable lines. In a world that often feels dark, Barb and Star arrived as a bright, sparkly escape – a much-needed dose of joy and silliness.

32. Inside Out (2015)

Even before becoming Pixar’s creative leader, Pete Docter was known as a creative force at the studio. He contributed as a writer to beloved films like Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and WALL-E, and directed three of Pixar’s most acclaimed movies: Monsters, Inc., Up, and Inside Out. Inside Out is a remarkably imaginative story that explores the emotional world of an 11-year-old girl named Riley, whose life is turned upside down when her family moves from Minnesota to San Francisco. The film depicts Riley’s emotions as characters battling for control of her mind, and its visual design is consistently inventive and engaging. Beyond its creativity, Inside Out is a deeply insightful film about the essential role of sadness and grief in a healthy life.

31. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)

As a lifelong moviegoer, I’ve always felt that Donkey Kong perfectly captures the essence of life. It’s relentlessly hard, often unfair, and success feels more like luck than skill. You can be amazing, rack up the highest score ever… and still get crushed by a barrel thrown by a gorilla who’s stolen your girlfriend! There’s no real winning, only an inevitable end. And sometimes, you even have to contend with a scheming hot sauce entrepreneur sporting a mullet. That’s why The King of Kong isn’t just a documentary about two guys battling for the Donkey Kong high score; it’s a surprisingly profound reflection on life itself.

30. Memento (2000)

Don’t dismiss Memento as just a clever trick. While it’s true the film has a complex, non-linear structure – arguably one of the most intricate ever created – it’s much more than that. The way the timelines are interwoven and jump around isn’t just for show; it puts you inside the mind of Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), the protagonist, who suffers from a rare form of amnesia that prevents him from forming new memories.

Leonard is driven to find his wife’s killer, and the film begins by seemingly showing his success, then unravels backward to reveal the truth. Memento immediately established Christopher Nolan as a promising director, but the film’s power lies in Leonard himself – a deeply tragic character fueled by a fundamental human need: to feel that his life has meaning. Although Nolan continued to experiment with film structure and explore similar themes in his later work, he largely left behind the dark humor present in Memento, exemplified by scenes like the chase where Leonard is unsure if he’s the hunter or the hunted, and the ironic name of his hotel, the “Discount Inn” – a nod to how he constantly questions the truth behind another man’s story.

29. L.A. Confidential (1997)

As a film buff, I’ve been thinking about just how layered L.A. Confidential is when it comes to nostalgia. The movie takes place in the ’50s, but it feels so heavily influenced by ’70s neo-noir like Chinatown. And then you have the fact that it came out in the late ’90s, at a time when you could still get a really ambitious, big-budget crime film made without relying on a ton of huge stars – Kevin Spacey and Kim Basinger were pretty much the only established names in the leads. Like the James Ellroy novel it’s based on, L.A. Confidential really rips away the idealized image of 1950s Los Angeles. It shows you that the sunny, happy picture we’ve all been fed was a carefully constructed illusion, and the real story was kept hidden until Ellroy and Curtis Hanson brought it to light.

28. The Prestige (2006)

Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige is a masterful film where his signature style—complex timelines, unexpected twists, and recurring themes like flawed characters and loss—all come together brilliantly. Set in Victorian London, the movie follows two competing magicians, played by Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman, whose rivalry pushes them to both incredible feats and deadly actions. The Prestige is a story within a story, examining the sacrifices artists make for their work and the inherent duality of human nature. It remains incredibly rewarding to watch, even knowing the shocking twists, as each viewing reveals how carefully Nolan crafted the plot and subtly hinted at what was to come – if you pay close attention.

27. The Social Network (2010)

Whether David Fincher’s film and Aaron Sorkin’s script accurately depict the beginnings of Facebook is open to discussion. However, it’s undeniable how well they captured a particular kind of person, perfectly embodied by Jesse Eisenberg’s Mark Zuckerberg: incredibly intelligent, but also driven by anger, a sense of entitlement, and a deep need for acceptance. Many people questioned Fincher’s choice to make a movie about Facebook back in 2010, but it’s now clear it was a spiritual follow-up to Fight Club, another story about a frustrated, isolated man whose outburst of anger has unforeseen results. A crucial element of the film is Justin Timberlake’s casting as Sean Parker, the founder of Napster and an early Facebook executive, who functions as Zuckerberg’s alter ego. Timberlake and Eisenberg share a similar look—they could almost be brothers if one had all the luck and the other none. That’s the person Mark Zuckerberg aspires to be, and he’s tantalizingly close to achieving it.

26. Nickel Boys (2024)

As someone who watches a lot of films, you get used to good ones, and occasionally, a truly great one comes along. But it’s rare to see something genuinely new – a movie that feels like it’s breaking ground and changing what cinema can do. That’s exactly how I felt watching Nickel Boys. It’s strikingly original, incredibly brave, and offers a unique perspective – or, in this case, two perspectives.

Director RaMell Ross made a really bold choice: he shot almost the entire film from the point of view of the two main characters. It’s astonishing work by Ross and cinematographer Jomo Fray, and it completely immerses you in the experiences of these two young men struggling to survive a Florida reform school in the 1960s. Honestly, I’m baffled Jomo Fray wasn’t nominated for an Oscar! It’s a technique that could easily feel gimmicky if not done right, but in Ross’ hands, it genuinely feels like seeing the world with fresh eyes. It might even be a glimpse into the future of filmmaking.

25. Past Lives (2023)

As a total film buff, I was completely captivated by this gorgeous and deeply moving drama. It really makes you think about those unseen forces – maybe it’s fate, destiny, or whatever you want to call it – that connect us to people, but also pull us apart, almost like magnets. The story centers on Nora and Hae Sung, two people who just can’t seem to stay away from each other, yet circumstances always keep them apart. We see them meet at different points in their lives – as kids, in college, and as adults – and each time, everything around them has changed, but their connection remains. It gets complicated because by the time they meet again as adults, Nora is married to a man named Arthur. The film delicately explores this situation, and honestly, the way it all resolves is heartbreaking. It’s the kind of movie that stays with you long after the credits roll, making you think about the moments and decisions that have shaped your own life, especially the ones that only make sense looking back.

24. Boyhood (2014)

For twelve years, director Richard Linklater secretly filmed scenes with the same actors – a boy (Ellar Coltrane), his mother (Patricia Arquette), and his sister (Lorelei Linklater) – a few days each year. While some might see this as a self-indulgent project, the result is a fascinating look at American life in the early 2000s, and a deeply relatable portrayal of one family’s love, struggles, and sacrifices. All movies deal with time, but Boyhood has a truly special connection to it. Seeing the actors actually age on screen makes certain moments even more touching and meaningful. When Patricia Arquette reflects on her life at the film’s end, her words carry the weight of a dozen years of genuine happiness and hardship. As the late Roger Ebert famously said, movies are “windows” into our experience of time and space, and Boyhood feels like it throws those windows wide open.

23. Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Despite being a fun and entertaining film, Catch Me If You Can is also a surprisingly thoughtful look at loneliness and the importance of family. It features a fantastic cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio as the clever con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., Christopher Walken as his struggling father, Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams as his romantic interests, and Tom Hanks as the determined, serious FBI agent Carl Hanratty.

22. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

With its incredible action sequences, Mad Max: Fury Road is easily the best car chase movie of the 21st century. But beyond the thrills, it’s a surprisingly spiritual film, echoing the biblical story of Exodus. It’s a journey away from a corrupted land, seeking a new paradise, led by the strong and unforgettable Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron). A brooding Max (Tom Hardy) guides them through the desert, helping them find safety, though he can’t share in their ultimate destination. George Miller’s film proves that action movies can be both exciting and intelligent, and anyone who argues otherwise is simply trying to provoke a reaction.

21. Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

At over 80 years old, Martin Scorsese continues to challenge himself and his viewers with compelling stories and outstanding performances. He consistently revisits familiar themes – the dangerous allure of wealth and the tragic undercurrents of American history. His latest film, Killers of the Flower Moon, focuses on the horrific events of the 1920s, when members of the Osage Nation were targeted and murdered after discovering oil on their land in Oklahoma. White neighbors, including Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio), who is married to an Osage woman (Lily Gladstone), are implicated in the crimes. With each new film, it feels increasingly important to acknowledge Scorsese’s remarkable career, but this one feels especially significant: if Killers of the Flower Moon is his last, it’s a stunning and fitting conclusion.

20. Chungking Express (1994)

Beyond its famous qualities—like a fantastic pop soundtrack, vibrant neon visuals, and captivating, though often unfulfilled, love stories—Chungking Express brilliantly portrays the feeling of city life. It captures the loneliness you can experience even in a crowded place, the longing for open spaces, the fleeting nature of connections, the simple pleasure of a bar’s music, and the curious nature of people you meet in late-night diners.

19. Boogie Nights (1997)

Paul Thomas Anderson’s film is a funny, sad, and insightful look back at the golden age of the adult film industry in Southern California. It moves quickly through the era, introducing a memorable cast of characters – including a filmmaker reminiscent of Burt Reynolds and a troubled, maternal figure played by Julianne Moore. Beyond just telling their stories, the film explores the broader American experience of the late 1970s – its hopes, its anxieties, and its excesses.

18. Ran (1985)

Akira Kurosawa’s Ran is my favorite film of his. What makes it stand out is that it’s a color film, which is unusual for him, and came near the end of his career. I love it specifically because of how it uses color – especially the vibrant costumes – to powerfully emphasize each scene.

17. The Matrix (1999)

One of the few benefits of getting older is revisiting movies and seeing how well they stand the test of time. I remember seeing The Matrix when it first came out – I went in with no real expectations, and it was incredibly exciting. I can still picture the exact theater, auditorium, and even my seat! The trailers were promising, but the movie itself was truly captivating.

More than 20 years later, it still is. My only complaint about The Matrix? Don’t try to watch it while you’re working – you’ll end up getting completely absorbed and watching it all the way through for the sixty-fifth time.

16. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

2007 was a fantastic year for movies, but the one that really stuck with me was The Diving Bell & The Butterfly. It’s based on the true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, who suffered from locked-in syndrome, and director Julian Schnabel did an incredible job bringing his memoir to life. The film and Bauby’s message about appreciating life had a profound impact on me – I actually left the theater and immediately started planning to propose to my girlfriend! Fifteen years and two kids later, I’m still glad I did. I recently rewatched it, and it’s just as powerful and moving as I remembered.

15. Die Hard (1988)

Does anyone really need convincing that Die Hard is one of the greatest movies ever made? It’s pretty obvious! Think about Bruce Willis’s amazing performance as John McClane, the New York cop just trying to enjoy a vacation, or John McTiernan’s fantastic action sequences. Plus, it’s the perfect Christmas movie… with a lot of gunfire.

14. Close-Up (1990)

This groundbreaking Iranian film tells the true story of a man who pretended to be a famous filmmaker and conned a family in Tehran. Director Abbas Kiarostami uniquely cast the real people involved to play themselves, blending actual court footage with reenactments of events leading up to the case. Close-Up’s innovative mix of documentary and fiction, and its exploration of themes like fame and social class, continues to be remarkably original and impactful.

13. The Truman Show (1998)

It’s easy to wonder if our lives aren’t real, like something out of a simulation. If not, the movie The Truman Show eerily predicted our current world – a world obsessed with surveillance, filled with advertising, and plagued by constant worry, all wrapped up in a superficial, artificial package. But beyond being about a man unknowingly living in a reality TV show, the first half of the film is a surprisingly accurate portrayal of a mid-life crisis – that moment when you turn forty and suddenly question everything about your life.

12. Zodiac (2007)

David Fincher is known for directing films about serial killers, but Zodiac is more than just a crime thriller. It’s a journey through San Francisco’s history, seen through the perspectives of three men obsessed with solving the Zodiac Killer case. We follow a police inspector (Mark Ruffalo), rumored to be the inspiration for the film Bullitt, a newspaper reporter (Robert Downey Jr.) who became a target of the Zodiac himself, and an amateur detective named Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) who can’t shake the case, even when the killings stop. What makes Zodiac truly stand out is its portrayal of how all-consuming an obsession can be. Fincher expertly draws the audience into a complex maze of clues and false leads using innovative camera work and editing. By the end of the film—which circles back to its opening moments after a tense two and a half hours—viewers fully understand the relentless grip the case has on Robert Graysmith.

11. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

The films Joel and Ethan Coen created together often feel like collaborations between two forces. Their movie Inside Llewyn Davis specifically explores this idea of partnership. As I’ve discussed before, it’s a depiction of the folk music world in 1960s New York, but also a story about the small misfortunes that happen to a talented musician (Oscar Isaac, in a career-defining role) after his musical partner dies. It’s notable that Llewyn’s most beautiful song is about saying goodbye, and it loses something when performed solo.

10.Lady Bird (2017)

Greta Gerwig’s film, Lady Bird, is structured around pairs and contrasts. The main character, known as Lady Bird, has two first names and experiences two different romances and friendships throughout the story. The film covers two school semesters, each featuring its own play, along with two dances and two parties. She also navigates unique relationships with both of her parents and considers applications to two colleges while attending two different churches. This constant presentation of choices makes Lady Bird a deeply meaningful film about the weight of decision-making, especially during adolescence when every choice feels incredibly important—and, in many ways, truly is.

9. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

I can’t recall exactly when or where I first watched Eternal Sunshine, but it was around 20 years ago while I was living in New York City. The details of that initial viewing have faded with time, like so many memories do. Interestingly, that loss of memory makes me appreciate the film even more now. What’s so compelling about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is that it uses a science fiction idea – a couple erasing each other from their memories – to explore how we naturally forget things. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet make a truly memorable couple, and it’s their doomed relationship that makes them so great. Ultimately, all relationships end, and sometimes it feels like watching a beach house slowly fall into the ocean.

8. Pulp Fiction (1994)

As a movie fan, I always think about how Pulp Fiction wasn’t necessarily the most influential film of the ’90s – you don’t see a ton of movies trying to be exactly like it even now. But for a good stretch of time, everyone was trying to copy it, and honestly, most of those attempts were pretty awful. That really highlights just how special Quentin Tarantino’s talent is, both back then and today.

What’s amazing about Pulp Fiction is how it throws so many different things together – things that really shouldn’t work. It’s this huge, sprawling story about crime in Los Angeles, but it’s also deeply focused on the characters. It’s incredibly over-the-top – with things like mysterious briefcases and secret clubs – but then it’s also totally ordinary, with conversations about foot rubs and ordering burgers in Amsterdam. It’s grand and intimate, funny and sad, violent and silly. It’s just… Pulp Fiction.

7. Do the Right Thing (1989)

Spike Lee’s film explores racial tensions during a sweltering summer day in Brooklyn, and its themes unfortunately still resonate today. The story centers on a neighborhood in Bed-Stuy and a local Italian pizzeria that becomes the focal point of a riot after a Black man is killed by police. A central question the film poses is whether the character Mookie made the right decision when he threw a garbage can through the pizzeria window – and perhaps the very act of asking that question is more important than any definitive answer.

6. American Movie (1999)

As a lifelong movie fan, I find American Movie incredibly powerful. It’s a documentary that follows Mark Borchardt, an aspiring filmmaker, as he tries to finish a film he’s been working on forever. It’s surprisingly funny at times, but ultimately it’s a really moving and sad look at chasing your dreams and falling short. Mark beautifully articulates why he needs to create, but things just never quite come together for him. Beyond that, it’s a wonderful film about friendship, showing how Mark leans on his friend Mike to help with his low-budget projects. It really hits differently depending on your age – it was a blast when I first saw it in my twenties, but now, looking back, it’s genuinely heartbreaking. For me, it’s easily one of the best American films ever made.

5. Take Shelter (2011)

Having experienced panic attacks myself, I can confidently say that Take Shelter is a masterpiece in portraying the reality of living with anxiety. The film centers on Curtis LaForche (Michael Shannon), a family man plagued by terrifying nightmares of devastating storms and a constant sense of impending doom. Driven by an incredible performance from Shannon, and powerfully supported by Jessica Chastain as his wife, Take Shelter realistically depicts the vicious cycle of fear: Curtis fears a mental breakdown – a history exists in his family – and that fear itself only intensifies his anxiety. While many see the film’s ending as open to interpretation, I see it as the only logical outcome. The film understands that this kind of anxiety can’t be truly overcome or blocked out, even by trying to protect what’s most important. It can only be managed and lived with, especially with the help of supportive friends and family.

4. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

Actor Rick Dalton and his stuntman, Cliff Booth, have lunch with producer Marvin Schwarz at the Musso & Frank Grill. Marvin suggests Rick star in Italian Westerns, but Rick is unimpressed and feels discouraged, believing his career is over. He breaks down crying as soon as he leaves the restaurant. The camera focuses on the Musso & Frank Grill sign, emphasizing its history as “Oldest in Hollywood.”

Though Rick isn’t actually old news, he certainly feels that way in this moment. The film suggests he’s running out of time to remain relevant. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a brilliantly crafted movie, full of subtle details like this one. It’s a look back at a changing time in American history and a celebration of the movie industry itself, which was also facing an uncertain future.

3. Groundhog Day (1993)

Few comedies are as insightful as Groundhog Day. Bill Murray delivers one of his best performances as Phil Connors, a self-centered TV weatherman who initially acts like he has power over the weather itself. He gets stuck in a small town covering the Groundhog Day event, and the movie follows his journey from believing he’s a god to ultimately learning what it means to be human.

2. Goodfellas (1990)

As a huge movie fan, I still think Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas, even 30 years later, is one of the best and most influential films of the ’90s. It’s a real masterpiece, and if you’re up for a long night, pairing it with The Irishman is incredible. The movie charts the life of a guy, Ray Liotta, who dreams of being a gangster – one minute he’s enjoying a lavish Italian feast, the next he’s reduced to eating noodles with ketchup. Everything about it is perfect – the acting, the script, the editing, the way it’s filmed, and the music. It still bugs me out that Dances With Wolves won Best Picture over Goodfellas. Seriously, thinking about that still feels wrong.

1. Hoop Dreams (1994)

The documentary Hoop Dreams is about far more than just basketball. It follows its subjects through high school graduation, not just their final games, highlighting how much money influences the world of competitive sports – as director Spike Lee points out when he warns young players about the larger system at play. Ultimately, the film suggests there are two games happening: the one played on the court, and a separate, often unfair, game played by coaches and scouts. This leaves you wondering what options are available for young athletes like William and Arthur when their dreams face such obstacles.

2025-12-18 23:38