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Another streaming service means another vast library of titles to sift through to find what you want to watch. Max is the streaming service from WarnerMedia, hosting not just titles from the pay cable channel HBO, but a bevy of films from the Warner Bros. library and other studios. There’s a great selection of classics, fairly new releases, quirky indies, and yes, superhero movies. The studio behind The Dark Knight and Man of Steel has a solid number of DC films available to stream. But if you’re daunted by all the good movies on Max to choose from, we’ve got your back. Below, we’ve put together a curated list of the absolute best movies on Max. Films that will be well worth your time, with our writers making the case for why each film is special.
So check out our list of the best movies on Max streaming below. And for more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Max, best drama movies on Max, and best horror movies on Max.
Editor’s note: This article was updated July 2024 to include The Florida Project.
‘The Florida Project’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.6/10
The Florida Project
- Release Date
- October 6, 2017
- Director
- Sean Baker
- Cast
- Brooklynn Prince , Christopher Rivera , Aiden Malik , Josie Olivo , Valeria Cotto , Edward Pagan
- Runtime
- 111 mins
The Florida Project is brilliant and human and it will absolutely break your heart. The film follows a six-year-old girl named Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) who lives in a motel in Kissimmee, Florida, just around the corner from DisneyWorld. In Moonee’s eyes, her days are filled with adventure as she makes the best out of living week-to-week in a motel with her single mother. But through the eyes of Bobby (Willem Dafoe), the motel’s manager, we see the abject poverty surrounding its tenants and the loops they continue getting stuck in without any promise of upward mobility. Like Boyhood, this story feels at once individualistic and universal, and Sean Baker’s docudrama-like filmmaking makes the events feel all too real. This is an essential watch. – Adam Chitwood
‘The Other Guys’ (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 6.6/10
The Other Guys
- Release Date
- August 6, 2010
- Director
- Adam McKay
- Runtime
- 107 Minutes
Directed and co-written by Adam McKay, The Other Guys follows, initially, a pair of hyper-masculine policing heroes played by Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson, with no criminal too big for their death-defying action prowess… at least that’s what they think. After inexplicably jumping from a roof to their death, it’s up to desk dwellers Terry (Mark Wahlberg) and Allen (Will Ferrell) to pick up the mantle. Comedies of this ilk can often have mixed reviews, but that isn’t the treatment given to The Other Guys, with both the public and critics hailing it as a success. Wahlberg and Ferrell have brilliant chemistry, with Wahlberg’s incessant barrage of frustration at Ferrell’s sloppy mistakes simply hilarious — each joke funnier than the last. A by-the-books comedy ready to entertain, The Other Guys is a prime example of this genre done right. – Jake Hodges
‘Uncut Gems’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 7.1/10
Uncut Gems
- Release Date
- August 30, 2019
- Director
- Ben Safdie , Joshua Safdie
- Runtime
- 130
This critically acclaimed Safdie Brothers flick follows Adam Sandler’s Howard, a gems dealer whose professional success is overshadowed by his financial ruin through a gambling addiction. After finding an uncut Ethiopian Opal he thinks will put him on top again, his actions alert the attention of some less-than-savory people, with the consequences of his reckless actions starting to catch up on him. Uncomfortable, unsettling, and brilliantly so, Uncut Gems is a rare movie that relishes making its audience squirm. From an infectious score to the Safdies’ genius attention to tension, Uncut Gems can honestly be considered a masterpiece. Beyond its technical marvel, the film features a host of great performances, highlighted by a potential career-best turn for Sandler. – Jake Hodges
‘Am I OK?’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 6.6/10
Am I Ok?
A woman reaches a turning point in her life, grappling with questions about her sexuality and the future of her relationships. With her best friend by her side, she embarks on a path of self-exploration, encountering moments of doubt, clarity, and transformation.
- Release Date
- June 3, 2024
- Runtime
- 86 Minutes
Dakota Johnson stars as Lucy in the Sundance-picked Am I OK? After finding no luck in her quest for romance with men, the 32-year-old, portrayed with grace by Johnson, realizes that her dissatisfaction with love actually stems from her being a lesbian. This leads her and her best friend, Jane (Sonoya Mizuno), to navigate what it’s like to come out to both the world and herself. Slick and sensitive, Am I OK? is a tale that understands the sensitivity of its subject matter, with Johnson and Mizuno bringing both light and shade to their performances. It has its detractors, but the movie is certainly well worth a watch and is one of the most intriguing additions to Max in quite some time. – Jake Hodges
‘The Iron Claw’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.7/10
A movie widely cited as the most dismissed during the most recent Academy Awards, The Iron Claw, written and directed by Sean Durkin, tells the true story of wrestling’s Von Erich brothers. As some of the 1980s best-loved wrestlers, the brothers leave everything on the line to become legends of their sport, often resulting in grand tragedy. Featuring an excellent pair of performances from Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, The Iron Claw is much more than a movie for wrestling fans, reaching into the heart of any viewer with themes of legacy and family. A marvel of storytelling triumph, the movie is paced to perfection, with jumps in time feeling wholly necessary and the moments of true emotion well earned. This is certainly one of the best movies to have been released in the past year. – Jake Hodges
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Mad Max: Fury Road
- Release Date
- May 13, 2015
- Director
- George Miller
- Runtime
- 120
George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road is an epic post-apocalyptic action film that’s the fourth entry in Miller’s Mad Max franchise. The movie stars Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, and more. Set in a desert wasteland dominated by warring gangs, the film follows Hardy as Max Rockatansky, who allies himself with Imperator Furiosa (Theron) against the barbaric Immortan Joe (Keays-Byrne). Mad Max: Fury Road is both the highest-grossing film in the franchise and the most acclaimed. Praised by critics for its cinematography, direction, production value, and performances, the movie has won six Academy Awards and is widely considered one of the greatest action films of all time. A sequel three decades in the making, Fury Road has revitalized interest in the Mad Max franchise, bringing new fans to the classic 80s films and spawning follow-up projects. The first of those follow-ups is the prequel film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
‘Dune: Part 2’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.6/10
Dune: Part Two
- Release Date
- March 1, 2024
- Director
- Denis Villeneuve
- Runtime
- 166 minutes
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two is the second act of the filmmaker’s adaptation of the 1965 Frank Herbert novel Dune, an epic story of science fiction. The film boasts an ensemble cast led by Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, who unites with Arrakis’ Fremen people against House Harkonnen. Zendaya, Josh Brolin, and more reprise their roles from the first film, 2021’s Dune: Part One, with the movie also introducing Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, and Souheila Yacoub to its sprawling ensemble. Villeneuve directed and produced the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Spaihts. Dune: Part Two has received great praise from critics and fans — even more so than the first film — and is one of the highest-grossing films of 2024. A visual spectacle in every frame, the movie is a stunning piece of cinematic storytelling that’s everything a sci-fi fan could ask for. The film also improves on its predecessor in terms of character development and emotional depth, and with a sequel already in development, based on 1969’s Dune Messiah, this burgeoning franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.4/10
War for the Planet of the Apes
- Release Date
- July 14, 2017
- Director
- Matt Reeves
- Cast
- Judy Greer , Steve Zahn , Mercedes de la Zerda , Max Lloyd-Jones , Woody Harrelson , Alessandro Juliani , Amiah Miller , Terry Notary , Andy Serkis , Aleks Paunovic , Ty Olsson , Devyn Dalton , Gabriel Chavarria
- Runtime
- 140 Minutes
The third installment in the Planet of the Apes reboot franchise, War for the Planet of the Apes was directed by Matt Reeves, who also co-wrote the script alongside Mark Bomback. A sequel to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, the film presents the final act in the epic story of intelligent ape Caesar (played by the talented Andy Serkis), picking up two years after the events of the previous film with the war between apes and humans at its peak. War for the Planet of the Apes has garnered widespread critical acclaim, earning praise for its compelling narrative, outstanding performances, impressive visual effects, cinematography, and evocative music by Michael Giacchino. The film has achieved massive box office success and received numerous accolades, including Academy Award nominations for Best Visual Effects and Best Special Visual Effects. Exploring themes of grief, loss, and what truly makes us human through the unique lens of its interspecies conflict, War for the Planet of the Apes is a well-crafted, emotionally rich piece of cinematic storytelling.
‘Turtles All the Way Down’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 6.8/10
Adapted from the 2017 John Green novel of the same name, Turtles All the Way Down is a romantic drama that follows a teenager with obsessive-compulsive disorder who struggles with anxiety and intrusive thoughts while navigating romance and investigating the mysterious disappearance of a billionaire. Directed by Hannah Marks and written by Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker, the movie stars Isabela Merced in the lead role, appearing alongside Cree, Felix Mallard, Maliq Johnson, Poorna Jagannathan, and more. Turtles All the Way Down has received largely positive reviews from critics, with praise for Merced’s performance and the film’s depiction of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The source material is a very popular book with legions of fans, who have also been quite happy with the adaptation. While primarily targeted towards teen and tween audiences, Turtles All the Way Down is an engaging film with great performances and a well-written protagonist that’s sure to strike a chord with audiences of all ages.
‘Black Swan’ (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 8.0/10
Black Swan
- Release Date
- December 3, 2010
- Runtime
- 110
Directed by Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan is a psychological horror film starring Natalie Portman as a ballerina who finds herself spiraling into madness as she competes for the coveted lead in a production of Swan Lake. The film’s screenplay was written by Andres Heinz, Mark Heyman, and John McLaughlin. Besides Portman in the lead role, the movie also stars Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, and Winona Ryder. Black Swan premiered at the 2010 Venice International Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim for its direction and performances. Shortly after, the film arrived in theaters and became a major global success as well, bringing in over $300 million on a budget of just $13 million. Natalie Portman delivers an Oscar-winning performance as a troubled artist on the brink of insanity — arguably one of the best of her career. Aronofsky’s masterful direction blends reality and illusion into a heady, surreal mix, which further highlights Portman’s performance and takes the viewer on a troubling, enthralling journey to the darkest corners of the human mind.
‘The Zone of Interest’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 7.5/10
The Zone of Interest
- Release Date
- December 15, 2023
- Director
- Jonathan Glazer
- Cast
- Sandra Hüller , Christian Friedel , Freya Kreutzkam , Max Beck
- Runtime
- 105 minutes
Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest is a much-acclaimed historical drama that focuses on the family of an Auschwitz commandant who lives next to the concentration camp. While inspired by Martin Amis’s 2014 novel of the same name, the film actually looks at the real-life people who inspired the book instead of being a direct book-to-screen adaptation. The movie stars Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller and premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim, winning the Grand Prix and receiving praise for its direction, script, cinematography, sound design, and atmosphere. The movie won Oscars for Best International Feature and Best Sound and was nominated in three other categories. Hailed as one of the best films of 2023, The Zone of Interest presents a dispassionate look at the ordinary people who were part of extraordinary cruelty. With this brilliant movie, Glazer juxtaposes the mundane life of a family with the heinousness of the Holocaust, creating a film that is devastatingly real.
‘Priscilla’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% IMDb: 6.5/10
Priscilla
- Release Date
- November 3, 2023
- Runtime
- 113 minutes
Based on Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir Elvis and Me, Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla stars Cailee Spaeny in the title role alongside Jacob Elordi as Elvis Presley. Coppola wrote and directed the film, which presents the untold story of the Presleys’ marriage and relationship through the eyes of Priscilla. A critical success, Priscilla is an intimate film about female youth and the toxicity of fame. Rather than be just another Elvis story, the movie focuses instead on Priscilla’s life and her growth as a person over the course of their many years together. The heartfelt narrative is further elevated by stellar performances by the two leads, who capture a tenderness and humanity that audiences don’t generally associate with such larger-than-life celebrities. Spaeny’s performance, in particular, is fascinating and earned the actor a Best Actress nomination at the Golden Globe Awards. It’s not much of a crowd-pleaser, but Priscilla has an emotional depth that looks beyond the rock-and-roll glamor of stardom.
‘Dune’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 8.0/10
Dune
- Release Date
- October 22, 2021
- Director
- Denis Villeneuve
- Runtime
- 155 Minutes
Adapted from Frank Herbert‘s classic science fiction novel, Denis Villeneuve‘s Dune is a sci-fi adventure drama that focuses on the conflict between two influential families on an alien planet. The movie features an ensemble cast that features Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and Oscar Isaac. Highly successful at the box office and generally well-received by critics, Dune is an expansive work of worldbuilding, the likes of which are few and far between. It’s well-acted and well-written, but the visual spectacle of the film is what truly blows you away. The movie is truly cinematic in scale and ambition, presenting a beautiful and absorptive world that’s both strange and familiar. The film received a sequel in 2024, Dune: Part Two, which may be even better, but Dune remains a colossal work of science fiction cinema that should be required viewing for all lovers of cinema.
‘Barbie’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.8/10
Barbie
- Release Date
- July 21, 2023
- Runtime
- 114 minutes
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is a surprisingly existential adaptation of Mattel’s eponymous fashion doll line. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling star as Barbie and Ken, who leave Barbieland and journey to the real world on a quest for self-discovery. The movie also features a stacked supporting cast that includes America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, and Michael Cera. With her Barbie movie, Gerwig takes the ultra-commercial entity and gives it a deeply thoughtful indie-movie-esque adaptation. That incongruity is precisely what has made Barbie such a celebrated film. Credit is also due to the stellar cast that balances comedy and real emotion to create relatable, three-dimensional characters. Witty and insightful, this Barbie broke records and wormed her way into hearts around the world, and we could all stand to learn from what she has to say.
‘The Player’ (1992)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.5/10
The Player (1992)
- Release Date
- April 10, 1992
- Runtime
- 124 minutes
Written by Michael Tolkin and directed by Robert Altman, The Player is a hilarious satire about Hollywood. Starring incredible talents like Tim Robbins and Whoopi Goldberg, The Player also features a whopping 65 A-list cameos. That’s right — there are 65 celebrity cameos in this movie. A film about filmmaking, The Player cleverly pokes fun at the industry with an outlandish plot about a movie exec who receives death threats from a screenwriter whose script was overlooked. Highlighted by biting humor and self-deprecation, The Player charms dark comedy lovers, earning several Oscar nominations and, ironically, even winning Best Adapted Screenplay. – Yael Tygiel
‘The Umbrellas of Cherbourg’ (1964)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.8/10
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
- Release Date
- December 16, 1964
- Director
- Jacques Demy
- Cast
- Catherine Deneuve , Nino Castelnuovo , Anne Vernon , Marc Michel
- Runtime
- 91 minutes
Written and directed by Jacques Demy, TheUmbrellas of Cherbourg is a gorgeous musical romance where the entire film’s dialogue is sung. Even casual conversations are shared through music by Michel Legrand. Starring Catherine Deneuve, Anne Vernon, Nino Castelnuovo, and Marc Michel, Umbrellas of Cherbourg follows a young couple (Deneuve and Castelnuovo) attempting to find their way back to each other after being separated by circumstance.
Aside from award nominations and being an obvious influence on the 2016 musical La La Land and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, TheUmbrellas of Cherbourg itself is a stunning musical masterpiece expressed through a clever format and unforgettable French songs.
‘La Strada’ (1954)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.0/10
La Strada
- Release Date
- September 6, 1954
- Director
- Federico Fellini
- Cast
- Anthony Quinn , Richard Basehart
- Runtime
- 1 hr 48 min
La Strada stars the dazzling Giulietta Masina as a young woman sent to live with a brutish street performer (Anthony Quinn), joining his traveling act as a clown, as well as his wife. The often uncomfortable yet absolutely unforgettable parable from director Federico Fellini explores themes of identity, strength, and compassion through fantastic acting and harsh scenes, co-written by Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, and Ennio Flaiano.
La Strada’s initial release on the festival circuit garnered immense criticism and controversial reactions, setting a foundation for Fellini’s creative flair in his subsequent films. Highlighted by Quinn’s charisma and Masina’s wide-eyed naivety, La Strada devastatingly captures the audience’s attention. – Yael Tygiel
‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.4/10
Directed by Shaka King, Judas and the Black Messiah is a powerful film. Inspired by a true story, it shines a light on an important part of American history. This biographical crime drama co-stars Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, and LaKeith Stanfield as William O’Neal, a reluctant FBI informant tasked with infiltrating the party in late-1960s Chicago. Judas and the Black Messiah also features Jesse Plemons and Dominique Fishback.
Judas and the Black Messiah not only earned a handful of Oscar nominations for the film, but Kaluuya won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, competing against co-star Stanfield. While the acting, soundtrack, and production are truly stellar, the harsh realities of revolution exposed in the film are triumphant and moving. – Yael Tygiel
‘8 1/2’ (1963)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.0/10
8 1/2
- Release Date
- May 29, 1963
- Director
- Federico Fellini
- Cast
- Marcello Mastroianni , Claudia Cardinale , Anouk Aimee
- Runtime
- 2 hr 18 min
Directed by Federico Fellini, who co-wrote the film with Ennio Flaiano, Tullio Pinelli, and Brunello Rondi, 8 1/2 delightfully blends comedy, drama, and avant-garde surrealism. An Italian film about movie making, 8 1/2 focuses on a frustrated filmmaker attempting to direct his epic sci-fi movie. Starring Marcello Mastroianni as the harried director who finds himself withdrawing into his own mind, electing to live in memories and fantasies rather than reality, 8 1/2 imaginatively explores the creative mind in honest and dream-like ways.
A classic film that utilizes clever practical effects to explore dreamscapes, 8 1/2 gorgeously touches sensuality, the plight of artists, and both internal and external pressure when pursuing greatness. 8 1/2 has earned awards and critical praise, but the film’s respect from modern visionaries like Guillermo del Toro is an endorsement on its own. – Yael Tygiel
‘Bicycle Thieves’ (1948)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 8.3/10
Bicycle Thieves
- Release Date
- November 24, 1948
- Director
- Vittorio De Sica
- Runtime
- 89 minutes
Vittorio De Sica directs Bicycle Thieves, an Italian neorealist film starring Lamberto Maggiorani as a desperate father in post-World War II Rome. Bicycle Thieves co-stars Enzo Staiola as the man’s plucky son, who joins him on his journey to recover his stolen bicycle, a necessity for employment and to keep his family afloat. Writer Cesare Zavattini adapted Luigi Bartolini’s novel for the screen, allowing for grounded performances and torrid emotional turmoil to be showcased above all else.
With a depressing setting and heavy plot, Bicycle Thieves is, at its core, a powerful film about desperation and resilience, expressed through a heart-wrenching story. Although set in a particular time and place, it is devastatingly relatable regardless of history and location. – Yael Tygiel
‘The 400 Blows’ (1959)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 8.1/10
The 400 Blows
- Release Date
- May 4, 1959
- Cast
- Jean-Pierre Léaud , Albert Remy , Claire Maurier
- Runtime
- 1 hr 39 min
Serving as the directorial debut of François Truffaut, who co-wrote the film with Marcel Moussy, The 400 Blows is a French coming-of-age drama about a rebellious pre-teen boy in Paris who turns to petty crime and delinquency when neglected. Starring Jean-Pierre Léaud, Albert Rémy, and Claire Maurier, The 400 Blows is considered a defining film of French New Wave filmmaking.
While many films explore adolescence and coming-of-age stories are a dime a dozen, The 400 Blows beautifully and sympathetically offers a raw perspective at a transitional time period with an honest reflection on the sometimes heartbreaking realities of growing up. – Yael Tygiel
‘Stalker’ (1979)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Stalker
- Release Date
- May 25, 1979
- Director
- Andrei Tarkovsky
- Cast
- Alexander Kaidanovsky
- Runtime
- 162 minutes
A mesmerizing sci-fi masterpiece from director Andrei Tarkovsky, Stalker was written by Arkady Strugatsky and Boris Strugatsky and based on their trippy 1972 novel Roadside Picnic. The film stars Aleksandr Kajdanovsky as the illegal guide journeying across a postapocalyptic landscape where the laws of physics seem irrelevant, bringing a writer (Anatoliy Solonitsyn) and scientist (Nikolay Grinko) to a mythical place believed to grant wishes.
Stalker explores a variety of existential themes through haunting scenes and stunning shots, which slowly draw in audiences to dive into complex philosophical conundrums. With a unique approach to narrative, sound design, and humanity, Stalker’s influence expands beyond cinema by inspiring the evolution of the annual festival known as Burning Man. – Yael Tygiel
‘Wages of Fear’ (1953)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.2/10
Wages of Fear
- Release Date
- April 22, 1953
- Director
- Henri-Georges Clouzot
- Cast
- Yves Montand , Charles Vanel , Folco Lulli
- Runtime
- 153 minutes
Wages of Fear is an intense existential thriller from director Henri-Georges Clouzot. Adapted from Georges Arnaud’s 1950 novel and starring Yves Montand, Charles Vanel, Peter van Eyck, and Véra Clouzot, Wages of Fear follows four European men in a South American jungle who are hired by an American oil company to transport nitroglycerine. Through gritty shots and spine-tingling extended suspense sequences, Wages of Fear includes countless scenes that will leave viewers holding their breath.
Wages of Fear continues to captivate audiences, particularly with its balance of biting satire and heart-pumping intensity. It comes as no surprise that Netflix is currently in the process of remaking the French movie. – Yael Tygiel
‘Stagecoach’ (1939)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.8/10
Stagecoach
A group of people traveling on a stagecoach find their journey complicated by the threat of Geronimo and learn something about each other in the process.
- Release Date
- March 2, 1939
- Director
- John Ford
- Runtime
- 1 hr 36 min
Considered John Wayne’s legendary breakout role, Stagecoach is an exciting Western that follows a group of strangers traveling via stagecoach through Apache territory. Based on Ernest Haycox’s short story The Stage to Lordsburg, Stagecoach was directed by John Ford (The Grapes of Wrath) and features an ensemble cast alongside Wayne, including Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, and John Carradine (The Ten Commandments).
Earning two Academy Awards as well as a slew more nominations, Stagecoach has been adapted for radio, as well as remade quite a few times. Although a fun ride, the historical inaccuracies and blatant prejudices portrayed in the movie, particularly pertaining to indigenous cultures, are undeniable and should not be overlooked. – Yael Tygiel
‘Tokyo Story’ (1972)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Tokyo Story (1953)
- Release Date
- March 13, 1972
- Director
- Yasujirô Ozu
- Cast
- Chishû Ryû , Chieko Higashiyama , Sô Yamamura , Setsuko Hara
- Runtime
- 136 minutes
Yasujirō Ozu’s Tokyo Story is a gorgeous drama that follows a retired couple on their journey to visit their grown children in the Japanese capital. Starring Chishū Ryū and Chieko Higashiyama, Tokyo Story is a slow burn as it cleverly weaves a story through dialogue, with many key scenes not being shown on screen. Highlighted by a unique use of camera angles, Tokyo Story leans into the generational tale with a rich emotional complexity.
While the technical aspect of Tokyo Story is captivating, the true draw is the generational story, focusing on themes of Westernization. While this film is specifically about a traditional Japanese family as they recover from World War II, these types of shifts within societies are relatable to a multitude of cultures around globe. – Yael Tygiel
‘Battleship Potemkin’ (1925)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.9/10
Battleship Potemkin
- Release Date
- December 21, 1925
- Cast
- Aleksandr Antonov , Grigori Aleksandrov
- Runtime
- 1 hr 17 min
Battleship Potemkin is a truly unique film from writer-director Sergei Eisenstein. A silent film that unfolds over five separately titled acts, Battleship Potemkin focuses on the 1905 naval mutiny of an Imperial Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet’s battleship. Battleship Potemkin features a collection of non-actors, including Aleksandr Antonov,Vladimir Barksy, and Grigori Aleksandrov, as Eisenstein opted for specific looks and vibes over identifiable movie stars.
Bringing history to the screen, Battleship Potemkin cleverly shares the gruesome realities of revolution, resulting in just over an hour of cinematic brilliance. Over the years, Battleship Potemkin has been praised for its clever montage editing techniques, which earned the film a place within the top ranks of many “best films” lists. – Yael Tygiel
‘Room’ (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Room
- Release Date
- October 16, 2015
- Runtime
- 113 minutes
Based on Emma Donoghue‘s 2010 novel of the same name, Room is directed by Lenny Abrahamson and adapted for the screen by Donoghue. The movie follows Ma, played by Brie Larson, a young woman who has endured seven years of captivity, during which her five-year-old son (Jacob Tremblay) was born. Their escape finally grants the boy his first experience of the outside world.
Room presents both the highest and lowest facets of humanity within a captivating narrative that delves into the boundless resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of the most daunting challenges. In this examination of loneliness, identity, and the illusion of protection, Larson showcases her most vulnerable state and also displays the height of her talent. She was then awarded an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the portrayal. Jacob Tremblay’s performance is also exceptional, indicating his potential to become a prominent star in the future. Additionally, director Lenny Abrahamson and cinematographer Danny Cohen, in collaboration with Donoghue’s screenplay, present a distressing story through the lens of the most innocent perspective, resulting in a truly distinctive cinematic experience. Rather than avoiding the harsh realities, Room confronts them directly and unflinchingly. – Jessie Nguyen
‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (2006)
Rotten Tomatoes: 75% | IMDb: 6.9/10
The Devil Wears Prada
- Release Date
- June 30, 2006
- Runtime
- 109 minutes
Based on Lauren Weisberger‘s 2003 novel of the same name, The Devil Wears Prada follows Andy (Anne Hathaway), a recent college graduate with ambitious dreams. When she secures a job at the renowned Runway magazine, she becomes the assistant to the formidable editor, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Andy then embarks on a challenging journey, questioning her ability to endure her demanding role as Miranda’s assistant without getting burned.
It’s a rare film that not only matches but surpasses the quality of its source material. Viewers continue to ponder the movie’s valuable lessons long after the laughter has faded, as these lessons are well-founded, enduring, and skillfully conveyed by the talented actors who bring genuine depth to the material. The Devil Wears Prada continues to be a frontrunner in people’s minds when it comes to the most stylish films. However, it goes beyond that, offering a captivating and often comedic peek into the high-speed and alluring realm of high fashion. It also provides viewers with a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes operations of a prestigious fashion magazine. Furthermore, the characters, especially the formidable Miranda Priestly, have achieved icon status in popular culture, solidifying the film’s position as a classic. Streep’s performance also earned her another Oscar nomination, further recognizing her outstanding portrayal. – Jessie Nguyen
‘Seven Samurai’ (1956)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.6/10
Seven Samurai
A poor village under attack by bandits recruits seven unemployed samurai to help them defend themselves.
- Release Date
- April 26, 1954
- Director
- Akira Kurosawa
- Cast
- Toshiro Mifune , Takashi Shimura
- Runtime
- 207 minutes
Set in 1586 Japan, Seven Samurai focuses on farmers in a small mountain village who make a desperate plea to rogue samurai to help them defend themselves from a merciless gang of bandits that frequently terrorizes them. Unable to pay for protection, the farmers are aided by a veteran warrior who, along with just six other ronin, train the farmers to resist the bandits and fight alongside them.
At 207 minutes, the period epic is a defining masterpiece from legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa and is an iconic highlight of Japan’s samurai cinema. Its engrossing story works in its broad strokes as a heroic action adventure, but nestled within are insightful observations on cultural divides that thrive amid Kurosawa’s meticulous pacing. Also enhanced by some striking acting performances and stunning combat sequences, Seven Samurai remains one of the most influential films ever made and one of the most awe-inspiring movies of all time. – Ryan Heffernan
‘I, Tonya’ (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.5/10
I, Tonya
- Release Date
- January 19, 2018
- Runtime
- 119 minutes
Led by the incredible Margot Robbie in one of her best roles to date, I, Tonya is based on American figure skater Tonya Harding and, through potentially unreliable retellings of her life thanks to Harding and her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly’s interviews, depicts the infamous 1994 assault on her rival Nancy Kerrigan. Despite having been at the top of her game for most of her career, which included breaking records and competing at the Olympics, Tonya was always judged based on her “abnormal” figure skating look. As the plot unfolds, Tonya’s struggle in life is emphasized, leading to an outburst heard not just around the world of figure skating but the world entirely.
A simply stunning set of lead performances is matched by a nuanced script from Steven Rogers in a movie that rightfully won both public and critical acclaim. Pulling no punches in diving deep into the psyche of a deeply flawed but always ambitious woman, director Craig Gillespie neatly captures the subtle influences that may have led to the infamous incident. Despite being a film about a woman many of us may feel we cannot relate to, I, Tonya is deeply relatable with a story that excels by holding a contemplative mirror up to its audience. – Jake Hodges
‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 76% | IMDb: 7.6/10
A sequel to the box office smash hit from 2009, Avatar: The Way of Water picks up the story of Jake Scully (Sam Worthington) a few years on from the defeat of the RDA, with him and his new family now living happily on Pandora. However, happiness was never meant to last, as the villainous RDA has been plotting another attempt to claim Pandora. With an invasion afoot, Jake and others form a guerrilla group to try and fend off the pending attack and restore peace to their land.
As always, Avatar: The Way of Water is, above all, a visual masterpiece. One of the best at building awe-inspiring worlds within his films, James Cameron produces possibly his best aesthetic career work to date alongside cinematographer Russell Carpenter. With the original Avatar earning itself millions of fans (and dollars), Cameron made sure to use a similar formula that worked so well in the first film in The Way of Water, providing viewers with a reminder of just why this sequel’s predecessor was such a universal success. – Jake Hodges
‘Being Mary Tyler Moore’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.5/10
Being Mary Tyler Moore
- Cast
- Mary Tyler Moore
- Release Date
- March 13, 2023
- Runtime
- 1 hr 59 min
- Main Genre
- Documentary
Actress, producer, social advocate, and all-round performer Mary Tyler Moore is the subject of this documentary from director James Adolphus. Using footage of her professional work as well as interviews with loved ones, Being Mary Tyler Moore takes a deep dive into an enormously successful career of both entertainment and activism and looks at what may have been her biggest influences.
Throughout her 80 years of life, Mary Tyler Moore was an actress at the very top of her game, winning seven Primetime Emmys and three Golden Globe Awards. However, as this documentary discusses, it was her work within the progression of feminism that would solidify her legacy. Moving and powerful, Being Mary Tyler Moore really feels like a behind-the-curtain look at the life of a fascinating woman, with this award-winning film not simply documenting her life but also paying homage to it both generously and fairly. – Jake Hodges
‘Parasite’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 8.5/10
Parasite
- Cast
- Seo Joon Park , Kang-ho Song , Seon-gyun Lee , Yeo-Jeong Jo , Woo-sik Choi , Hye-jin Jang
- Release Date
- May 8, 2019
- Director
- Bong Joon-ho
- Runtime
- 132 minutes
The first foreign-language film to win a Best Picture Academy Award, Bong Joon Ho’s genre-bending Parasite follows the working-class Kim family as they slowly infiltrate the lives of the middle-class Park family as employees at their wealthy modern home. Split into two tonal halves sometimes playfully referred to as ‘pre and post-doorbell,’ just as the Kim family feels they have finally gotten away with their plan to steal this lavish lifestyle, a dark twist hidden deep in the house will turn the lives of both families upside down.
A moody, thrilling examination of a discriminatory class system oozes out of Parasite, with each scene layered with gorgeous and nuanced subtext. As the plot begins to develop, a brooding sense of unease lingers behind some genuinely hilarious moments of dark comedy, until suddenly everything changes within both the narrative and tone of the movie. In its second half, Parasite spirals into a twisted horror film with all the suspense and shock one might expect from the likes of Ari Aster. A devilishly cunning twist adds yet another thought-provoking layer to this winding analysis of modern society, all culminating in a final act that will keep you holding your breath for a dangerously long but cinematically unforgettable time. – Jake Hodges
‘All the Beauty and the Bloodshed’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.5/10
All The Beauty And The Bloodshed
- Release Date
- November 23, 2023
- Runtime
- 122 minutes
Only the second documentary to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed documents the life and work of photographer, artist, and activist Nan Goldin. Dedicating her life to activism, Goldin has made it her goal to take down the Sackler family and hold them accountable for their role in causing the opioid epidemic. Using tales of her past and footage of her powerful artistic messages, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed paints a detailed image of Goldin’s work and tries to piece together all the elements that created this most unique of individuals.
Directed by Laura Poitras, this documentary aims, like Nan Goldin’s work, to transcend its artistic form and become something of greater meaning and benefit. Providing a look back at Goldin’s long career, the film evokes a numbing sense of nostalgia, with just how much time Goldin has spent fighting for justice equally as powerful as it is heartbreaking. Both inspirational and, at times, melancholy, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed was nominated for an Academy Award, such is its success. – Jake Hodges
‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.2/10
The Suicide Squad
- Release Date
- July 28, 2021
- Runtime
- 132
The world’s most complicated anti-heroes are back in The Suicide Squad (not to be confused with the 2016 film of an almost identical name). After striking a deal to reduce their sentences, a brand-new team of meta-humans led by Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn take to the streets of Corto Maltese in search of an evil scientist known only as the Thinker. However, their mission is interrupted when it becomes clear that a new dastardly force is threatening to take over the world, with the career criminals parking their terrible intentions temporarily in favor of saving it.
Writer and director James Gunn’s penchant for non-stop action fun is out in full force in The Suicide Squad, with this rip-roaring movie taking no prisoners as it hurtles towards its climax. Unlike some other movies in this genre, The Suicide Squad tackles its story with much more adult intent, with plenty of blood and gore likely to put off the squeamish. From Margot Robbie to Idris Elba, the main cast feels perfect in their roles, neatly balancing the unhinged quirks and sadistic yet alluring personality of the perfect anti-hero. – Jake Hodges
‘Wonder Woman’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 7.4/10
Wonder Woman
- Release Date
- May 30, 2017
- Director
- Patty Jenkins
- Runtime
- 141
In the fourth installment of the DCEU (DC Extended Universe), Wonder Woman sees the iconic superhero portrayed by Gal Gadot in a prequel to Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. In the film, Wonder Woman, during her origin as Princess Diana of the Amazons, believes that World War I was started by an enemy of the Amazons after being fed information by spy Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) after he crash-lands on their island, Themyscira. Hungry for revenge, the unstoppable warrior will join one of the bloodiest fights in human history as fantasy superpowers meet historical bloodshed.
With many liberties often taken with superhero movies, director Patty Jenkins and the team of writers on Wonder Woman go to great lengths to make sure homage is paid to the true origins of the character, which has certainly pleased a large section of the fandom. Powerful and visually excellent, the movie is not simply a treat for the senses but also a nuanced look at the injustices faced by women during this time period. Among a sea of controversial and sometimes poorly received DC movies, Wonder Woman is a breath of fresh air. – Jake Hodges
‘The Batman’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.8/10
The Batman
In a dark city plagued by crime and corruption, a masked crusader investigates a puzzling string of crimes linked by cryptic messages. His journey into the depths of the city’s sinister underworld reveals connections among its most powerful citizens and forces him to confront his own complex relationship with justice.
- Release Date
- March 4, 2022
- Director
- Matt Reeves
- Runtime
- 176 minutes
This politically charged interpretation of the iconic DC hero sees Robert Pattinson in the titular role as his shadowy night-dwelling lifestyle comes under threat by a classic villain in the form of Paul Dano’s Riddler. When the evil trickster begins targetting local politicians and other political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced into action to try and restore the peace. However, Batman’s attempts to halt the Riddler in his tracks will eventually lead to him coming face-to-face with not just his foe but his own past.
Director Matt Reeves and his co-writers Peter Craig and Bob Kane do a wonderful job at providing a social commentary alongside their action-packed narrative, something that many other interpretations of this legendary character miss. Cinematographer Greig Fraser provides a typically gritty look at Gotham, with many describing this as the most eye-catching the city has ever looked. Dramatic, powerful, and full of tense moments, The Batman is certainly worthy of the heady heights its namesake franchise has previously achieved. – Jake Hodges
‘The Witch’ (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.0/10
The Witch
A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession.
- Release Date
- January 27, 2015
- Director
- Robert Eggers
- Runtime
- 92
In The Witch, master of the horror genre Robert Eggers brings a classic spooky folktale style to the screen, following Christian couple William (Ralph Ineson) and Katherine (Kate Dickie) in 1630s New England. Living on the edge of dense wilderness alongside their five children, the couple’s life couldn’t be more routined thanks to their devout religiousness. However, one fateful day, their youngest son disappears and, as their crops begin to fail, a strange depression falls over the family as they begin to fight. As they turn from prayer to sin, just how far will they spiral into evil?
The Witch thrives at bringing an unending sense of fear, not despite its low budget but thanks to it, with his ability with such confinements thrusting writer/director Robert Eggers into the spotlight. Using a lack of cheap tactics such as jumpscares, this movie instead creeps under your skin and buries its nightmarish visuals and brooding atmosphere into your soul. Beautifully accompanied by a chilling score from Mark Korven, The Witch is a perfect example of why the horror genre will never need an impressive budget to succeed. – Jake Hodges
‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (1952)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.3/10
Singin’ in the Rain
- Release Date
- April 10, 1952
- Director
- Stanley Donen , Gene Kelly
- Runtime
- 103 minutes
This classic cinematic masterpiece, directed by both Stanley Green and Gene Kelly, is set in the heights of Hollywood in 1927. Famous couple Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) and Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) are in a picture-perfect romance both on and off-screen if everything is to be believed; however, the truth behind the curtain is that the two are hanging by a thread. As the advent of talking pictures proves itself to be more than a flash in the pan, the pair realize that they must move with the times for fear of being left behind. As this difficult transition is underway, Don suddenly finds himself falling for chorus girl Kathy (Debbie Reynolds), but will the hidden romance succeed in such trying times?
From “Make Em Laugh” to “Singin’ in the Rain,” this musical movie thrives thanks to its iconic soundtrack perfectly performed by one of the musical genre’s all-time greatest ensembles. However, despite being known for its incredible music, Singin’ in the Rain is much more than that, with writers Betty Comden and Adolph Green creating a genuinely touching and heartfelt drama with a central couple that steals every scene. From its overall narrative to each rhythmic beat, Singin’ in the Rain encapsulates the word “timeless,” proving that no amount of evolution in cinematic technology can tarnish the combination of a wonderful story, visuals, and score. – Jake Hodges
‘Casablanca’ (1942)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 8.5/10
Casablanca
- Cast
- Humphrey Bogart , Ingrid Bergman , Paul Henreid , Claude Rains , Conrad Veidt , Sydney Greenstreet
- Release Date
- January 23, 1942
- Director
- Michael Curtiz
- Runtime
- 102 minutes
Selected in 1989 by the United States Library of Congress as one of the first for preservation in the National Film Registry, this Best Picture Academy Award-winner stars Humphrey Bogart as downbeat American expat Rick Blaine who runs a nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco during World War II. However, when Rick’s ex-lover Isla (Ingrid Bergman) and her husband Victor (Paul Henreid) show up, Blaine is forced to choose between acting on his burning love for the former or helping the latter escape the city.
Endlessly quotable, Casablanca is considered an all-time classic by many thanks to its timeless story of love, loss, and everything in between. Still visually stunning to this day, director Michael Curtiz paints a picture with each frame, using innovative cinematic techniques to tell the story. Thanks to its stellar cast, each line of dialogue is bursting with subtextual nuance, with both Bergman and Bogart putting in career-best performances. Always captivating, Casablanca is a rare example of a film that seems to age like a fine wine. – Jake Hodges
‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’ (1928)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.1/10
The Passion of Joan of Arc
- Release Date
- April 21, 1928
- Runtime
- 110 minutes
Highly regarded as one of the best and most groundbreaking movies of the 1920s, The Passion of Joan of Arc follows the titular French saint during her trial in the Inquisition court in 1431. After claiming to see holy visions, Jeanne d’Arc (Maria Falconetti) is put on trial as jurists attempt to force her to disavow her claims. Fighting strong, can Jeanne prove the truth and deny the allegations of heresy?
Directed and co-written by Carl Theodor Dreyer, The Passion of Joan of Arc was an innovative piece of cinema that would drastically change the course of filmmaking upon its release. With gorgeous cinematography emphasizing the detailed performance of lead Maria Falconetti that still stands the test of time, each frame is meticulously designed, with direction that champions the use of intense close-ups at a time when that sort of filmmaking was unheard of. Raw, beautiful, and dramatic, The Passion of Joan of Arc, despite being nearly 100 years old, still feels as fresh and captivating today as it always has been. – Jake Hodges
‘The Tale’ (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 7.2/10
The Tale
- Release Date
- January 20, 2018
- Runtime
- 114
Starring the Golden Globe Award-winning Laura Dern, The Tale tells the true story of Jennifer Fox, played by Dern, as a simple short story from her days in middle school turns her towards her past in a moment of pivotal reflection. Written, directed, and produced by the very woman the movie is about, Fox must finally face the truth about the sexual abuse she faced as a child, with the successful documentarian having to come to terms with just how far she has gone to shift memories and alter her past to hide from her trauma.
A gutwrenchingly powerful biopic that feels all too relevant, The Tale is the sort of film that, despite its specific subject matter, beautifully and accurately depicts the facing of trauma that the majority of adults will one day have to do in a universally relatable way. Given Jennifer Fox’s heavy involvement in the project, each scene feels desperately raw and unfiltered, with Laura Dern turning in a sensitive and captivating lead performance. Much more than a movie, The Tale has the power to change lives, with many already citing it as having done so. – Jake Hodges
‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.1/10
My Neighbor Totoro
This acclaimed animated tale by director Hayao Miyazaki follows schoolgirl Satsuke and her younger sister, Mei, as they settle into an old country house with their father and wait for their mother to recover from an illness in an area hospital. As the sisters explore their new home, they encounter and befriend playful spirits in their house and the nearby forest, most notably the massive cuddly creature known as Totoro.
- Cast
- Noriko Hidaka , Chika Sakamoto , Shigesato Itoi , Sumi Shimamoto , Tanie Kitabayashi , Hitoshi Takagi
- Release Date
- April 16, 1988
- Runtime
- 86 Minutes
One of Studio Ghibli’s most highly celebrated films, My Neighbor Totoro, set in the 1950s, follows inseparable sisters Satsuki (Noriko Hidaka) and Mei (Chika Satamoto) as they and their father move into their new house in the Japanese countryside. In doing so, the girls can reunite with their ill mother and help look after her, all whilst adventuring into the nearby forest and discovering all sorts of magical creatures and wild beasts. Escaping from life’s most difficult challenges, the girls stumble across a Totoro, voiced by Hitoshi Tagaki, with the titular creature becoming a companion to the pair.
Masterfully animated, as fans of Studio Ghibli will come to expect, My Neighbor Totoro is a heartwarming tale that can unfreeze even the coldest of attitudes. With a central premise of childhood wonder and escapism out of the dark, the movie ebbs and flows with seamless ease, never straying far from its central message but dazzling and delighting with its elements of fantasy. The legendary Hayao Miyazaki’s attention to fine detail is on display in all its glory in a movie that will breathe new life into your faith in humanity. – Jake Hodges
‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.1/10
The Wizard of Oz
- Cast
- Judy Garland , Frank Morgan , Ray Bolger , Bert Lahr , Jack Haley , Billie Burke
- Release Date
- August 15, 1939
- Director
- Victor Fleming , Mervyn LeRoy , Richard Thorpe , King Vidor
- Runtime
- 101
If you look the phrase ‘timeless classic’ up in the dictionary, there’s a good chance you’ll see a photo from The Wizard of Oz. Directed by Victor Fleming and King Vidor, this family adventure follows Dorothy (Judy Garland) and her dog Toto as they are whisked away from their black-and-white home in Kansas to the colorful world of Oz via a tornado. On their hunt to track down the mythical Wizard of Oz, they befriend a Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Lion who wants courage, and a Tin Man who wants a heart, with their wishes only the command of the great Wizard.
Possibly the greatest exponent of the eye-catching Technicolor era of filmmaking, The Wizard of Oz was groundbreaking when it was released in 1939, changing the way cinema would be viewed forever. Alongside an all-time iconic soundtrack, The Wizard of Oz excels thanks to the delightful performance of Judy Garland as Dorothy, perfectly encapsulating the wonder and awe felt by theater-goers at the time, with that same feeling still oozing out of every frame today. Well deserving of its untouchable status, The Wizard of Oz proves, quite simply, that a magical reward does exist somewhere over the rainbow. – Jake Hodges
‘Spirited Away’ (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 8.6/10
Spirited Away (2001)
- Cast
- Rumi Hîragi , Miyu Irino , Mari Natsuki , Takashi Naitô , Yasuko Sawaguchi , Tatsuya Gashûin
- Release Date
- July 20, 2001
- Runtime
- 125 minutes
Widely regarded as one of the best animated movies of all time, Spirited Away follows the average family life of 10-year-old Chihiro (Daveigh Chase/Rumi Hiiragi), who, on one unexpecting day, stumbles into a world of fantasy after entering through a hillside tunnel. In this unique magical world, Chihiro’s parents start to transform unexpectedly, leaving the girl on her own to fend for herself in this new realm. Surrounded by strange spirits, impossible creatures, and a sorceress trying to block her from returning to humanity, can Chihiro find her way home?
Written and directed by the great Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away, to its greatest credit, seems to have transcended the art form it represents, with many non-anime fans having cited this as the exception to their rule. A story full of wonder told beautifully through a delicate plot, Spirited Away transports the viewer head-first into adventure, with the audience getting swept away by the sheer awe this new world creates. Whether in its native language or one of the many dubbed versions, watching Spirited Away is simply a rite of passage for anyone who loves the art of storytelling. – Jake Hodges
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.3/10
2001: A Space Odyssey
- Cast
- Keir Dullea , Gary Lockwood , William Sylvester , Daniel Richter , Leonard Rossiter , Margaret Tyzack
- Release Date
- April 2, 1968
- Director
- Stanley Kubrick
- Runtime
- 141
Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey follows mankind’s voyage to space — the second great leap forward in evolution, with the first being the hominins’s invention of tools and weapons. In the year 2001, American spacecraft Discovery One begins its trip to Jupiter to try and discover the origin of a strange artifact discovered beneath the Lunar surface. Boarded by just two men, Dr. Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Dr. Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood), the majority of the mission is controlled by the ship’s artificial intelligence HAL, a computer with an eerily human personality. As they close in on their target, how will the two men survive when HAL in all his superior intelligence turns on them?
Co-written by author of the source material and sci-fi innovator Arthur C. Clarke, 2001 is widely praised not simply for its out-of-this-world visual effects (the sort that, even 55 years on, are still mindblowing), but its scientific accuracy, too. A masterclass in the genre it revolutionized, the movie is also a contemplative drama that philosophizes over some of humanity’s toughest questions, such as ‘What exactly does it mean to exist?’ A film that is still considered by many great filmmakers to be the crowning glory of the industry, 2001 was, and is, so far ahead of its time that we are still some way off truly understanding its genius. – Jake Hodges
‘Blood Simple’ (1985)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.6/10
Blood Simple
The owner of a seedy small-town Texas bar discovers that one of his employees is having an affair with his wife. A chaotic chain of misunderstandings, lies, and mischief ensues after he devises a plot to have them murdered.
- Release Date
- January 18, 1985
- Director
- Joel Coen , Ethan Coen
- Runtime
- 99 minutes
This thriller from the Coen Brothers, on their directorial debut, no less, follows a hired private detective (M. Emmet Walsh) on his mission to gain photographic evidence of an affair. Hired by slimy bar owner Julian Marty (Dan Hedaya), the suspected affair is between his wife and a bartender, and, upon evidence seemingly being realized, all hell breaks loose as Marty clumsily attempts to have them killed.
Full of the Coen Brothers’ typically witty, quirky attention to dark themes, Blood Simple is a thrilling movie amplified by a brilliant performance from a young Frances McDormand as wife Abby. Despite this being their debut, the famous brothers are inventive and exciting, with their typical style, which they would come to hone with precise detail, already on full display. Beautifully shot in an eye-catching Texas backdrop, Blood Simple may be short, but it never drops the ball with any of its many successful contributing assets and can certainly be considered one of the directing duo’s most underrated movies. – Jake Hodges
