The Twilight movies, which used to be on Netflix, have officially moved over to Amazon Prime Video, and it just wouldn’t be a list of the best movies to watch on the platform right now without them. If teen vampire shlock isn’t your thing, we also recommend the indie dramedy Emergency, Chris Pine-Thandiwe Newton spy thriller All the Old Knives, and Regina Hall’s horror movie Master. Coming up later this month is the final Daniel Craig James Bond film, No Time to Die, which hits Prime Video on June 10.
An important note about how this list was made: In order to keep the list as relevant as possible, we’re stressing the best recent releases, Prime Video originals, and critics’ favorites. But we’re also putting our own personal spin on the list, with underrated gems we’re recommending to our friends, classic favorites, and important selections that highlight diverse voices. We’ll be updating the list regularly.
Last updated on June 4, 2022; the most recent additions are at the top
For fans of: The internet, vampires, CGI babies, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, Twilight
Lionsgate
Year: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Director: Catherine Hardwicke, Chris Weitz, David Slade, Bill Condon Stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner Genre: Drama, Thriller, Fantasy, Romance Rating: PG-13 Metacritic score:56, 44, 58, 45, 52
What is there to say about Twilight that hasn’t already been said? Stephanie Meyer’s teen vampire romance books were adapted into a five-movie franchise that defined the late 2000s/early 2010s, introducing us to the love story between human high school student Bella (Kristen Stewart) and her undead boyfriend Edward (Robert Pattinson), but most importantly, these are the films that inspired a thousandmemes. When people say “so bad it’s good,” they’re talking about Twilight. [Trailer]
Director: Carey Williams Stars: Sabrina Carpenter, Donald Elise Watkins, RJ Cyler Genre: Drama, Comedy Rating: R Metacritic score:75
This Amazon film will likely get lost in the noise of the high-profile releases, but do not let it slip by if you’re a fan of party comedies. The indie film follows a pair of young Black college seniors (RJ Cyler and Donald Elise Watkins) ready to let loose in a string of parties before spring break when they discover an unconscious white girl in their apartment, with no idea how she got there. Realizing the bad optics of the situation, they (and their Latino roommate) set out to return her to safety without their good intentions being misinterpreted. The movie got great reviews when it did the festival circuit earlier this year. –Tim Surette [Trailer]
Thandiwe Newton and Chris Pine, All the Old Knives
Stefania Rosini/Amazon Studios
Director: Janus Metz Pederson Stars: Thandiwe Newton, Chris Pine, Jonathan Pryce, Laurence Fishburne Genre: Drama, Thriller Rating: R Metacritic score:63
All the Old Knives sounds like a Knives Out sequel set in a nursing home (that’s a free idea for Rian Johnson), but it’s actually a thriller starring Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton as spies who are also ex-lovers. I have no complaints about that concept. Based on the novel of the same name by Olen Steinhauer, who wrote the film’s screenplay, the movie follows Pine’s Henry Pelham as his investigation into a CIA mole becomes entangled in his history with Newton’s Celia. Laurence Fishburne and Jonathan Pryce also star. Pine promoted this one in a series of to-die-for outfits. –Kelly Connolly [Trailer]
Director: Mariama Diallo Stars: Regina Hall, Amber Gray, Zoe Renee Genre: Drama/Horror Rating: R Metacritic score:67
The buzz out of Sundance and SXSW is that Regina Hall gives one of the best performances of her career in this horror movie about racism in the vein of Get Out. She plays a professor at a prestigious, predominately white New England university with a historical connection to the Salem Witch Trials and a legacy of racism that continues into the present. She, a Black first-year student (Zoe Renee), and another Black faculty member (Amber Gray) experience racism at the school as a literal haunting. It’s an assured debut film from writer-director Mariama Diallo (a Yale graduate) that’s adept at scares and social commentary. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]
Director: Amy Poehler (yes, that Amy Poehler) Stars: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz Genre: Documentary Rating: NR Metacritic score:75
Sure, Nicole Kidman played a great Lucille Ball in Aaron Sorkin‘s biopic Being the Ricardos (also on Amazon), but have you seen Lucille Ball play Lucille Ball? Amy Poehler directs this documentary looking at the lives of I Love Lucy‘s stars, both on set and at home. (Not to be confused with Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie, a 1993 documentary directed by Lucy and Desi’s daughter, Lucie Arnaz, that is also on Amazon.) –Tim Surette [Trailer]
Director: Martin Campbell Stars: Maggie Q, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime Rating: R Metacritic score:48
Look, if you tell me Maggie Q is starring in an action movie, I’m pretty much already on board. Here, she stars as a contract killer who vows to get brutal, bloody revenge on the people who killed her mentor (Samuel L. Jackson). Along the way, she becomes entangled in a game of cat and mouse with another ruthless criminal (Michael Keaton), and the two of them have such effortless chemistry it’ll make you forget about the movie’s shortcomings. The Protégé received middling reviews when it was released in theaters, but the fight scenes are well choreographed spectacles that make it the ideal watch when you want to turn your brain off. –Allison Picurro[Trailer]
Director: Analeine Cal y Mayor Stars: Sam Claflin, Verónica Echegui Genre: Comedy, Romance Metacritic score:44
In this silly, sweet romantic comedy, Sam Claflin plays the kind of character Hugh Grant would’ve played back in the ’90s: an uptight British romance author who learns that his latest (and not very good) novel has become a huge hit in Mexico, spurring him to travel there for a book tour. He only realizes after he arrives that the Spanish version of his book has actually been rewritten into a much spicier story that’s way more interesting than his original story, all thanks to Maria (Verónica Echegui), the woman who translated it. This is the kind of classic rom-com premise that I can’t help being utterly endeared by. [Trailer]
For fans of: Jenny Slate, Charlie Day, ill-advised schemes
Jenny Slate, Charlie Day, I Want You Back
Amazon Studios
Director: Jason Orley Stars: Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Gina Rodriguez, Manny Jacinto, Scott Eastwood Genre: Comedy, Romance Rating: R Metacritic score:62
It’s a Jenny Slate rom-com; it’s a Charlie Day rom-com; it’s a combination Jenny Slate-Charlie Day rom-com! And that means it’s actually funny. I Want You Back pairs up two of Hollywood’s most reliable chaos agents as a pair of strangers who bond over being recently dumped, then team up to win back their exes by destroying their new relationships. It’s a solid romantic comedy that actually feels fresh, and who doesn’t love a messy scheme? –Kelly Connolly[Trailer]
The latest movie from Iranian filmmaker and two-time Oscar-winner Asghar Farhadi is this tense morality tale that’s getting rave reviews from critics. It follows a man (Amir Jadidi) whose debt has landed him in jail, but a chance discovery of some gold coins while on furlough turns him into a national hero when he decides to return the bag of coins to its rightful owner. But beneath this seeming act of altruism lie questions of the man’s true intentions. -Tim Surette [Trailer]
Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos
Amazon Studios
Director: Aaron Sorkin Stars: Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, J.K. Simmons, Nina Arianda, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat Genre: Biography, Drama, History Rating: R Metacritic score:60
Ever want to see Aaron Sorkin stuff the mouths of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz with his wordy monologues? Sorkin wrote and directed Being the Ricardos, a biopic following I Love Lucy‘s Ball and Arnaz during a critical moment in their careers when Ball was accused of being a communist and the gossip rags wondered if their relationship was on the fritz. Early reviews are middling, but the draw here is watching Nicole Kidman as Ball and Javier Bardem as Arnaz, accompanied by J.K. Simmons, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development reunion!), and Nina Arianda. –Tim Surette [Trailer]
For fans of: Aliens, bugs, aliens that look like bugs
Lucian-River Chauhan, Riz Ahmed, and Aditya Geddada, Encounter
Amazon Studios
Director: Michael Pearce Stars: Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer, Rory Cochrane, Janina Gavankar Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Rating: R Metacritic score:57
Riz Ahmed follows up his Oscar-nominated turn in last year’s The Sound of Metal with this paranoid sci-fi thriller that looks like a mix of Take Shelter and War of the Worlds. Ahmed plays Malik Khan, a decorated Marine who takes his two sons and goes AWOL to protect them from an alien threat – and military operatives who are trying to make sure the secret of that threat doesn’t get out. It comes from writer-director Michael Pearce, who made the excellent 2017 psychological thriller Beast, so you can bet there will be some gut-punching twists and some meaty material for Ahmed to work with. The supporting cast includes Octavia Spencer, Janina Gavankar, and Rory Cochrane. -Liam Mathews[Trailer]
Benedict Cumberbatch and Toby Jones, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
Amazon Studios
Director: Will Sharpe Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Claire Foy, Andrea Riseborough, Toby Jones Genre: Biography, Drama, History Rating: PG-13 Metacritic score:63
Benedict Cumberbatch plays the eccentric late 19th and early 20th century artist Louis Wain, known for his cat portraits, who falls for his sisters’ governess (Claire Foy), in this fanciful biographical drama. Reviews for the film have been polite but rarely glowing — which is to be expected from a film created and directed by the dark and whimsical Will Sharpe (Flowers) — but it’s got Benedict Cumberbatch and cats, so there are a lot of very online people who will certainly love it. Plus, Olivia Colman narrates. –Kelly Connolly[Trailer]
For fans of: Musicals, sweet coming-of-age stories
Max Harwood, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Amazon Studios
Directors: Dan Gillespie Sells, Jonathan Butterell, and Tom MacRae Stars: Max Harwood, Lauren Patel, Sarah Lancashire, Richard E. Grant, Ralph Ineson, Sharon Horgan Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy, Musical Rating: PG-13 Metacritic score:62
This stage-to-screen musical film is destined to set your heart aflame — provided you aren’t a hateful malcontent — as it tells the story of a 16-year-old high schooler’s journey against bullying and toward realizing his dream to become a drag queen. It’s been reviewed positively with critics likening it to Billy Elliott, and is exactly the feel-good salve you’re desiring. –Tim Surette[Trailer]
For fans of: Pre-Marvel Kumail Nanjiani, heartfelt rom-coms
Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan, The Big Sick
Amazon Studios
Director: Michael Showalter Stars: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Ray Romano, Holly Hunter Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance Rating: R Metacritic score:86
This romantic comedy is based on the actual love story between Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily V. Gordon. Nanjiani plays the fictionalized version of himself while Zoe Kazan plays the fictionalized version of Emily, whose sudden diagnosis with adult-onset Still’s disease — and the coma she falls into — throws a major wrench into their burgeoning relationship. While Kumail and Emily’s story is undoubtedly the thing that drives The Big Sick, Ray Romano and Holly Hunter, who play Emily’s parents, are the movie’s grounding forces. You’ll probably walk away from this mostly wishing they could adopt you. [Trailer]
For fans of: Pop songs, using the phrase “so bad it’s good”
Nicholas Galitzine and Camila Cabello, Cinderella
Amazon Studios
Director: Kay Cannon Stars: Camila Cabello, Idina Menzel, Billy Porter, Minnie Driver, Nicholas Galitzine, Pierce Brosnan Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Family, Musical Rating: PG Metacritic score:41
Did we need another Cinderella re-telling? Probably not, but here’s this movie anyway. In this latest version, Camila Cabello plays the fairy tale heroine, now going by simply “Ella,” as an aspiring fashion designer with big dreams the traditional society she lives in just isn’t ready for. She gets help from her fairy godparent (Billy Porter), pushes back against her evil stepmother (Idina Menzel), and belts out a lot of classic pop tunes you already know, because this confounding movie is also a jukebox musical. If all of that doesn’t turn you off, you’re definitely ready for Cinderella, girlboss edition. It’s not “good,” per se, but the baffling choices will certainly make you laugh. This could be a new camp classic in the making. [Trailer]
For fans of: Adam Driver, creepy puppet babies, A Star Is Born
Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, Annette
Amazon Studios
Director: Leos Carax Stars: Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard, Simon Helberg, Devyn McDowell Genre: Drama, Romance, Musical Rating: R Metacritic score:67
If you care at all about film festivals, you’ve probably already heard of Annette, but if you haven’t, listen carefully: This is a musical where Adam Driver, speaking in an even lower register than usual, plays Henry, a stand-up comedian who falls in love with Marion Cotillard‘s Ann, an opera singer. Their relationship declines after the birth of their mysteriously prodigious daughter Annette (who is played, confoundingly, by a puppet), and from there it becomes A Star Is Born by way of Marriage Story, but with a touch of surrealism. It’s a fast-paced, hallucinatory rollercoaster that is certainly not for everyone, but will definitely have you walk away reeling. [Trailer]
For fans of: Sequels, the way Borat says “my wiiiiife”
Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Amazon Studios
Director: Jason Woliner Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova Genre: Comedy Rating: R Metacritic score:68
It’s hard not to be wary when a beloved character is resurrected for a second go-around years later, but Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (full title Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan) is the rare sequel that works. Sacha Baron Cohen returns as Kazakh journalist Borat, and the international fame he’s racked up since the first film has hurt more than helped his home country. In an attempt to redeem Kazakhstan, he returns back to America with the hopes of delivering a gift to former President Donald Trump (this movie was released right before the 2020 election, which does admittedly give some of the jokes a ten-second expiration date), but more compelling than all of that is Borat’s legitimately sweet relationship with his daughter, Tutar (Maria Bakalova, who absolutely earned the Oscar nomination she received for her performance), who accompanies him on his mission, much to his chagrin. Honestly, the Rudy Giuliani stuff is the least interesting thing about this movie. It’s good! Wa wa wee wa indeed. [Trailer]
Director: Ninian Doff Stars: Eddie Izzard, Kate Dickie, Samuel Bottomley, Viraj Juneja, Rian Gordon, Lewis Gribben Genre: Action, Horror, Comedy, Music Rating: R Metacritic score:69
This 2019 British black comedy film will easily remind you of Danny Boyle’s bonkers classic Trainspotting, and it should: three Scottish teens with a knack for partying and doing drugs get into trouble. In Get Duked!, they’re joined by a do-gooder and wander the Highlands to win the Duke of Edinborough Award, a survival challenge that turns boys into men, but they get stuck in the middle of a hunt-or-be-hunted situation with Eddie Izzard playing a psycho with a sniper rifle. Believe it or not, it gets weirder from there. Hilarious, ridiculous, and packed with social commentary, this would be regular viewing in weed smoke-filled dorm rooms of the late-’90s. –Tim Surette[Trailer]
Director: Chan-wook Park Stars: Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong Genre: Drama, Thriller, Romance Rating: Not rated Metacritic score:84
The Handmaiden is one of those movies where every character is scamming another character, resulting in an exciting, dramatic thriller. It starts out as a film about a Korean con man (Ha Jung-woo) who devises a pan to seduce a Japanese heiress (Kim Min-hee) out of her inheritance. He enlists the help of a pickpocket (Kim Tae-ri) to act as the heiress’ maid and confidant, tasking her with encouraging marriage between the two. Things begin to get more dangerous as deeper relationships develop in the messy, intertwined trio, which is all I want to say without actually spoiling the plot’s genius twists. What you should know going in is that this movie was directed by Park Chan-wook, who gave us the brutal, bloody Oldboy, so you should expect some gruesome imagery. [Trailer]
For fans of: Kate Beckinsale violently brutalizing goons
Kate Beckinsale, Jolt
Amazon Studios
Director: Tanya Wexler Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Bobby Cannavale, Laverne Cox, Stanley Tucci, Jai Courtney Genre: Action, Comedy Rating: R Metacritic score:48
Kate Beckinsale could have coasted in her career and played a lonely single mom who gets wooed by a hunk in various rom-coms, but thank god she’s decided to be a butt-kicking action hero instead. In Jolt, she plays a woman with a unique condition that you’ll only find in movies: If she doesn’t electroshock herself with a custom-made harness, she loses her temper and starts to beat the sh– out of everyone. Let’s just say she doesn’t always get the jolt she needs in time… a lot. There’s also a scene in which she throws babies, and there are many swift kicks to the groin. Dumb fun, good time. –Tim Surette[Trailer]
For fans of: Comedies about going to work, Emma Thompson wearing suits
Amazon Studios
Director: Nisha Ganatra Stars: Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, Max Casella, Hugh Dancy Genre: Comedy, Drama Rating: R Metacritic score:70
Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson star in this extremely sweet-hearted movie, written by Kaling, about a talk show host (played by Thompson) whose popularity is waning as she ages. To help freshen up her writers’ room and stop the network from replacing her, she hires a new, inexperienced writer (Kaling). Some of the jokes and job responsibilities admittedly delve a little too far into the inside baseball territory — a lot of importance is placed on Kaling’s character becoming co-monologue writer, for example — but overall, Late Night is a fun movie about the lengths women have to go to in order to be taken seriously in their careers. [Trailer]
This award-winning documentary will teach you all about a painful chapter in China’s history via the one-child policy, which lasted from 1979 to 2015. Real people who lived through such a devastating period speak on their experiences, and the film delves into the damaging effects of government propaganda. Interestingly, One Child Nation is given a personal touch by co-director Nanfu Wang, who weaves stories of her own experience as a new mother in with the documentary’s overall narrative. [Trailer]
Director: Regina King Stars: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr. Genre: Drama Rating: R Metacritic score:83
Directed by Regina King and based on a play by Kemp Powers, One Night in Miami… tells a dramatized account of a 1964 meeting between Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Muhammad Ali (Eli Goree), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.), and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge). They spend the night in a Miami hotel room together and end up arguing for a good portion of it, about X’s belief that Cooke has sold out by pandering to white audience with his music, and Ali’s, referred to in the film as Cassius Clay, decision to convert to Islam and change his name. It’s an interesting movie that succeeds in peeling back the curtain on four pretty untouchable cultural icons, revealing more about their anxieties, inner lives, and ambitions than the average biopic would. [Trailer]
Director: Michael Gracey Genre: Biography, Music, Documentary Rating: Not rated Metacritic score:60
What do you know about Pink? (Or, sorry, P!nk, as she apparently prefers to be addressed.) You’re probably aware she has the voice of an angel, and that she really, really loves singing while performing aerial tricks, but you might not know much beyond that. This documentary is a highly personal look into her life as a mother. Expect a lot of very sweet scenes of her carting her young children around on tour, some emotional behind the scenes interviews, and to be blown away by her sheer vocal range. It’s a fun watch for Pink devotees and new fans alike. [Trailer]
For fans of: Social justice stories, period pieces
Small Axe
Amazon Studios
Director: Steve McQueen Stars: John Boyega, Letitia Wright, Michael Ward, Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn, Sheyi Cole, Kenyah Sandy Genre: Drama Rating: R Metacritic scores:90, 95, 84, 77, 87
Small Axe is peak prestige television in that it’s not actually television at all, but instead it’s an anthology collection of five films directed by Steve McQueen. Every installment focuses on London’s West Indian community in the years between 1969 and 1982, and each stars a great group of actors that includes John Boyega, Letitia Wright, Jack Lowden, and more. The stories don’t overlap, but they all do a beautiful job of building out the world, and deal with issues and themes that impact the community, like police brutality, education, and what it means to be part of British society as a person of West Indian descent. On one hand, yes, five films is a lot to ask of viewers, but on the other, it just so happens that McQueen is an incredible director with a strong vision and every one is worth your time. If you only want to try one, give “Lovers Rock,” a romance centered around a reggae house party, a spin. [Trailer]
For fans of: Heavy metal band t-shirts, being emotional
Amazon
Director: Darius Marder Stars: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci Genre: Drama, Music Rating: R Metacritic score:82
I am of the opinion that Riz Ahmed gave the best performance of 2020 as a heavy metal drummer losing his hearing in Sound of Metal, and he very correctly earned an Oscar nomination for it. As Ruben, he explores the emotional trauma of sudden deafness — literally, as it plays out in the film, one minute he can hear perfectly, and the next everything is muffled — and the importance of finding community as he goes to live in a rural home for deaf recovering addicts in order, run by Joe (Paul Raci, also rightfully Oscar-nominated for his work). The way the film utilizes sound design is nothing short of incredible, and most notably, director Darius Marder cast many actual Deaf actors who help bring the story to life. [Trailer]
For fans of: Witches, dancers, witchy dancers, Tilda Swinton
Suspiria
Amazon Studios
Director: Luca Guadagnino Stars: Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy, Horror Rating: R Metacritic score:64
Luca Guadagnino directs this remake of the 1977 Dario Argento horror classic. Dakota Johnson stars as Susie, a seemingly fresh-faced dancer who travels from Ohio to Berlin to study at an elite dance academy and is quickly named head dancer. As Suspiria unfolds, and as more students and teachers are found dead or go missing entirely, and it becomes increasingly clear that something very sinister and supernatural is going on underneath the surface. Also, Tilda Swinton plays three roles, and for one of them she gets to dress up as an old man. It’s kooky, it’s campy, and it’s also very, very scary. [Trailer]
If sweeping romance is your thing, Sylvie’s Love should be your next watch. Set in New York City in 1962, Tessa Thompson stars as Sylvie, an aspiring TV producer who strikes up a summer romance with a saxophonist (Nnamdi Asomugha) who works at her father’s record store. Life eventually drags them apart, and they both go on without each other for a while, only to reunite years later to find that their connection remains just as strong. [Trailer]
For fans of:Independence Day, action broken up with passable humor
Chris Pratt, Keith Powers, and Sam Richardson, The Tomorrow War
Amazon Prime Video
Director: Chris McKay Stars: Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J. K. Simmons, Betty Gilpin, Sam Richardson Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller, War Rating: PG-13 Metacritic score:45
A muscly and brainy Chris Pratt stars as a scientist who, along with thousands of others, is zapped 30 years into the future to help future soldiers fight an alien invasion and save the human race. Yeah, if that insane logline doesn’t turn you off then you should enjoy this popcorn flick that doesn’t take itself too seriously — as evidenced by the many one-liners from comedians Sam Richardson, Mike Mitchell, and Mary Lynn Rajskub — but doesn’t skimp on hours of soldiers unloading clips into grotesque aliens. It’ll remind you of Starship Troopers without that sharp commentary. [Trailer]
For fans of: Road trips, Paul Bettany’s American accent
Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis, and Peter Macdissi, Uncle Frank
Amazon Studios
Director: Alan Ball Stars: Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis, Peter Macdissi, Judy Greer, Steve Zahn Genre: Drama, Comedy Rating: R Metacritic score:58
This movie is a little bit like if someone tried to update Little Miss Sunshine and focus primarily on Steve Carell’s character, but in a good way. Beth (Sophia Lillis) moves from her small North Carolina hometown to good ol’ New York City, and immediately crashes into her favorite uncle’s life. She finds out that Frank (Paul Bettany) is gay and has been living with his boyfriend Wally (Peter Macdissi) for years, while successfully keeping it a secret from the rest of their family. And because this is a movie, the secret is of course put in jeopardy when Frank’s father dies and he, Beth, and Wally embark on a road trip to attend the funeral. Uncle Frank balances its comedic and dramatic moments well, and your heart will ache during the flashbacks to Frank’s adolescence, where he was first confronted with his family’s homophobia. Plus, an always perfect Judy Greer co-stars. [Trailer]
Directors: Leo Scott, Ting Poo Genre: Documentary Rating: R Metacritic score:73
Val Kilmer gets the autobiographical treatment in this intimate documentary about his life and career. Kilmer lends his own home movies he’s taken over the years to the film — which includes videos from the set of Batman Forever, and footage of younger versions of Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon just hanging out — and provides a look at his struggle with throat cancer, from which he’s still recovering and has left him using a prosthesis in order to speak. It’s more revealing than the standard celebrity doc. [Trailer]
For fans of: That ’80s and ’90s sci-fi feel, first-time directors making a huge splash
Sierra McCormick, The Vast of Night
Amazon Studios
Director: Andrew Patterson Stars: Sierra McCormick, Jake Horowitz Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy Rating: PG-13 Metacritic score:84
This 2019 science-fiction film from director Andrew Patterson is one of the best directorial debuts of the last decade, with Patterson’s keen eye able to bring to life a small town experiencing strange phenomena from the sky. Featuring some truly incredible continuous shots featuring hundreds of extras and one of my favorite intimate cinematic scenes featuring just one person on screen, The Vast of Night is a film school student’s dream that follows a young switchboard operator and a disc jockey in 1950s New Mexico trying to find the source of unidentified sounds, and it’s an entrancing thriller from the opening shot to the closing seconds. –Tim Surette[Trailer]
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I don’t know what astrological sign Hulu is — with its mix of reliable broadcast favorites and artsy indie films, probably Cancer — but the stars have aligned for a stellar list of new movies and shows on Hulu in June. The first week alone brings us the return of Seth MacFarlane’s underrated sci-fi series The Orville, which makes its debut as a Hulu exclusive, and the premiere of the well-reviewed Hulu original film Fire Island, a rom-com that arrives just in time for Pride. Later in the month is the streaming premiere of the Norwegian dramedy The Worst Person in the World, a dark romantic comedy that made tons of Top 10 lists last year and Only Murders in the Building Season 2, starring the inimitable trio of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez.
June also marks the return to streaming of Glee, a pop culture sensation that helped propel the careers of many stars into the stratosphere, including its creator, Ryan Murphy. It moves to Hulu after leaving Netflix last year. There are also some high-profile next-day drops from other networks, like FX’s The Old Man and The Bear and Freeform’s final season of Motherland: Fort Salem.
We’ve put together our picks of what to watch on Hulu in June, plus lists of everything coming to and leaving Hulu in the month.
There aren’t too many shows as beloved and hated as Glee, Ryan Murphy’s high school glee club dramedy that ran for a few good seasons and then several bad seasons, but it’s been noticeably missing from streaming since it left Netflix last year. Following Disney’s purchase of pretty much everything, it moves into the Mouse House on Hulu, as well as Disney+. Now you can watch Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) sing “The Thong Song” to Emma (Jayma Mays) in her wedding dress anywhere you have wifi. [Trailer]
This documentary about the tourism industry and how it’s destroying the world will have you rethinking that trip to a third-world country where you were planning to justify your Instagram posts from on top of an elephant by contributing a few dollars to the local economy. The movie is a hit among critics, who laud The Last Tourist for its important message and beautiful shots of these international lands. And yes, those picturesque vistas will make you want to go there, but please don’t. [Trailer]
Another show that you forgot existed because the pandemic delayed it into near-oblivion, Seth MacFarlane’s underrated The Orville returns for Season 3 more than three years after it last aired, on a new network (it was previously on Fox), and with a new title. When it’s good, it’s a wonderful homage to Star Trek with self-contained stories that span a wide range of genres and themes about humanity and technology. When it’s not as good, it’s a show that can’t figure out what tone it’s going for. A move to Hulu could mean better special effects, which were already sometimes pretty good for a network sci-fi series. [Trailer]
Ten years ago a gay rom-com with Asian male leads would have been a pipe dream. Thank god for progress, because now we have the Hulu original Fire Island, a charming film about a trip to New York’s legendary party destination for gay men. Bowen Yang and Joel Kim Booster star as buddies who feel out of place on a week-long summer vacation and get into all sorts of shenanigans. Critics are loving it so far. [Trailer]
One of 2021’s best films finally hits streaming. This black comedy from Norway is all about love, mostly the confusing parts that make us act awfully. It follows a woman (Renate Reinsve) over several years of her life through various relationships, and was nominated for Best International Feature and Best Original Screenplay at this year’s Academy Awards. [Trailer]
Jeff Bridges stars as a former CIA operative (who also happens to be an old man) who goes on the run after an assassination attempt flushes him out from living off the grid. John Lithgow plays the old FBI agent who tries to track Bridges down. It’s old man vs. old man! Your dad is gonna love this. The series, based on Thomas Perry’s 2017 novel, premieres on FX on June 16 before hitting Hulu the next day. [Trailer]
The show that appeals to the microscopic center of the Venn diagram that covers fans of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez returns. This season, the true crime-loving nosey neighbors become implicated in a murder, compete with a rival podcast, and must roam their apartment building with accusatory eyes on them. Relatable! [Trailer]
More on Hulu:
New Hulu Movies and Shows (May 2022)
The Best TV Shows on Hulu Right Now
The Best Movies on Hulu Right Now
Hulu Review 2022: Plans, Pricing, How to Sign Up, and More
The Ultimate Guide to What’s on Amazon, Netflix, and More in June 2022
Everything New on Hulu in June
June 1 America’s Got Talent: Season 17 Premiere (NBC) Dancing With Myself: Series Premiere (NBC) Fantasy Island: Season 2 Premiere (Fox) Lego Masters: Season 3 Premiere (Fox) Glee: Complete Series (20th Television) The 6th Day (2000) 30 Minutes or Less (2011) 50 First Dates (2004) A Good Day to Die Hard (2013) Alien (1979) Aliens (1986) Alien 3 (1992) 930th Anniversary) Alien: Resurrection (1997) (25th Anniversary) Alien v. Predator (2004) Alien v. Predator: Requiem (2007) (15th Anniversary) The American (2010) An Education (2009) Bewitched (2005) Bridesmaids (2011) Burn After Reading (2008) Cabin Fever (2003) Compadres (2016) Country Strong (2010) The Devil Wears Prada (2006) Dick (1999) Die Hard (1988) Die Hard 2 (1990) Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995) The Dilemma (2011) Disturbing the Peace (2020) Don Jon (2013) The Fifth Element (1997) (25th Anniversary) Fred Claus (2007) (15th Anniversary) Freddy Got Fingered (2001) Get Low (2010) The Girl Next Door (2004) Go For It (2011) Gridiron Gang (2006) Happy Feet (2006) Happy Feet Two (2011) In the Line of Fire (1993) The Last Tourist (2021) Lemon (2017) Live Free or Die Hard (2007) (15th Anniversary) Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) Masterminds (2016) Muppets From Space (1999) Napoleon Dynamite (2004) New Year’s Eve (2011) The Nutty Professor (1996) Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000) Pineapple Express (2008) Predator (1987) (35th Anniversary) Predator II (1990) Predators (2010) The Professional (1994) Prometheus (2012) (10th Anniversary) Push (2009) Reign Over Me (2007) (15th Anniversary) Results (2015) Robots (2005) RV (2006) Slumdog Millionaire (2008) The Smurfs (2011) The Smurfs 2 (2013) There’s Something About Mary (1998) Tomcats (2001) Try Harder! (2021) Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns (2008) Untraceable (2008) Vacancy (2007) (15th Anniversary) The Wedding Planner (2001) Weekend at Bernie’s (1989) When a Stranger Calls (2006) White God (2014) Your Highness (2011)
June 2 The Croods: Family Tree: Complete Season 3 (Hulu Original) The Orville: New Horizons: Series Premiere (Hulu Original) The Duff (2015)
June 3 Fire Island (2022) (Hulu Original)
June 5 Intrigo: Dear Agnes (2019)
June 6 Hotel Hell: Complete Series (Fox)
June 7 American Ninja Warrior: Season 14 Premiere (NBC) Vida: Complete Seasons 1-2 (Starz) The Accursed (2021) Between Me and My Mind (2019) Queens of Pain (2020)
June 8 Killer Cases: Complete Season 2 (Cineflix)
June 9 The Dog Knight (2021) Indemnity (2021)
June 10 Undercover Boss: Complete Seasons 8, 9, 10 (CBS)
June 11 Here Before (2021) Warhunt (2022)
June 12 Intrigo: Samaria (2019)
June 13 The Free Fall (2021) The Worst Person in the World (2021)
June 15 Love, Victor: Complete Final Season (Hulu Original) Accused: Guilty or Innocent?: Complete Season 2 (AE) Alone: Complete Season 8 (The History Channel) American Pickers: Complete Season 1 (The History Channel) Ancient Aliens: Complete Season 17 (The History Channel) Assembly Required: Complete Season 1 (The History Channel) Backroad Truckers: Complete Season 1 (Nelvana International Limited) Crime Beat: Complete Season 1-3a (Nelvana International Limited) Dance Moms: Complete Season 3-4 (Lifetime) Dirty Rotten Cleaners: Complete Season 1 (AE) Duck Dynasty: Complete Season 1-2, 4 (AE) Hoarders: Complete Season 5-9, 13 (AE) Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole: Complete Season 2 (AE) Leave it to Geege: Complete Season 1 (Lifetime) Lost Car Rescue: Complete Season 1 (Nelvana International Limited) Married at First Sight: Complete Season 13 (Lifetime) Married at First Sight: Couples’ Cam: Complete Season 3 (Lifetime) Mountain Men: Complete Season 7-9 (The History Channel) Pawn Stars: Complete Season 18 (The History Channel) Roman to the Rescue: Season 1c (Disney XD) The Burning Plain (2008) Europa Report (2013) Frontera (2014) The Good Doctor (2011) I Melt With You (2011) Obsessed With the Babysitter (2021) (Lifetime) Scary Movie 5 (2013) Secrets of a Gold Digger Killer (2021) (Lifetime) The Wrecking Crew (2008) Two Lovers (2008) World’s Greatest Dad (2009)
June 16 Bonnaroo Music Arts Festival: Day 1 Livestream (Live Nation/C3 Presents)
June 17 Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022) (Hulu Original) Bonnaroo Music Arts Festival: Day 2 Livestream (Live Nation/C3 Presents) FX’s The Old Man: Series Premiere (FX)
June 18 Bonnaroo Music Arts Festival: Day 3 Livestream (Live Nation/C3 Presents) The Ledge (2022) Ted K (2021)
June 19 Bonnaroo Music Arts Festival: Day 4 Livestream (Live Nation/C3 Presents)
June 22 Motherland: Fort Salem: Final Season Premiere (Freeform)
June 23 FX’s The Bear: Complete Season 1 (FX Exclusive) The Burning Sea (2021)
June 25 Big Gold Brick (2022) Gasoline Alley (2022)
June 26 The Desperate Hour F.K.A. Lakewood (2022)
June 28 Only Murders in the Building: Season 2 Premiere (Hulu Original)
June 30 Flawless (2007) (15th Anniversary) Madagascar: A Little Wild: Complete Final Season (Hulu Original) Prince Avalanche (2013)
Everything Leaving Hulu in June
June 2 A Glitch in the Matrix (2020)
June 3 Miss Snake Charmer (2020)
June 5 The Secret Garden (2020)
June 10 Destiny in Space (1994) The Dream is Alive (1985) Fires of Kuwait (1992) Galapagos (2006) Hail Columbia! (1982) Into The Deep (1994) Journey to the South Pacific (2013) Space Station (2002) Survival Island (1996) T-rex: Back to the Cretaceous (1998)
June 14 Breakup at a Wedding (2013) The Cat in the Hat (2003) The Dustwalker (2020) Pan (2015) Vhyes (2019)
June 15 Notes on a Scandal (2006)
June 20 Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015)
June 23 For Akheem (2017) The Rape of Recy Taylor (2017)
June 24 I.T. (2016)
June 25 Wild Nights With Emily (2018)
June 28 Carrion (2020)
June 29 Killing Them Softly (2012) The Limehouse Golem (2016) Osiris Child: Sfv1 (2016) Pilgrimage (2017)
June 30 10 Year Plan (2014) 4th Man Out (2015) 50 First Dates (2004) 68 Kill (2017) 78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene (2017) 8mm (1999) A Good Day To Die Hard (2013) The Adjustment Bureau (2011) Alien (1979) Alien 3 (1992) Alien: Resurrection (1997) Aliens (1986) Almost Adults (2016) Almost Human (2014) American Gun (2005) An Acceptable Loss (2019) The Angel’s Share (2012) Antz (1998) Astro Boy (2009) Austenland (2013) Band Aid (2017) The Banger Sisters (2002) Battle Los Angeles (2011) Before Midnight (2013) Billy Madison (1995) Blue Streak (1999) Boys On The Side (1995) Bridesmaids (2011) Brigsby Bear (2017) Brothers (2009) Carnage Park (2016) Chuck (2017) Citizen Jane: Battle For The City (2017) Citizen Soldier (2016) Copycat (1995) Crash (2005) The Cured (2018) Danger Close (2019) Dazed and Confused (1993) Dealin’ With Idiots (2013) Dealt (2017) Death At A Funeral (2010) Definitely, Maybe (2008) Die Hard (1988) Die Hard 2 (1990) Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995) Donnybrook (2019) Drag Me to Hell (2009) Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me (2014) Eyes Wide Shut (1999) The Face Of Love (2014) Factotum (2006) Feel The Noise (2007) Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) Frank Serpico (2017) Free to Run (2016) Freedomland (2006) Fun With Dick and Jane (2005) Funny People (2009) G (2005) Get Him to the Greek (2010) Gimme the Loot (2013) Glee The 3D Concert Movie (2011) Graduation (2017) Green Zone (2010) Hellions (2015) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005) The Hollars (2016) Hornet’s Nest (2014) Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) The House That Jack Built (2018) I Daniel Blake (2017) I Know Who Killed Me (2007) I Remember You (2017) In the Army Now (1994) Intermission (2004) The International (2009) John Carpenter’s Vampires (1998) Just My Luck (2006) The Karate Kid (2010) Last Days Here (2012) The Legend of Zorro (2005) Let’s Be Evil (2016) Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Live Free or Die Hard (2007) Love Actually (2003) Made in America (1993) Manic (2013) Maudie (2017) Mo’ Money (1992) The Negotiator (1998) Ode to Joy (2019) Passage to Mars (2017) Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) Personal Shopper (2017) Planet 51 (2009) Postcards From the Edge (1990) The Power of One (1992) Rabid Dogs (2016) Radio (2003) The Raid 2 (2014) Ramona nd Beezus (2010) Rebel in the Rye (2017) Roxanne (1987) Runaway Jury (2003) Saving Face (2004) Sense and Sensibility (1995) Shelley (2016) The Siege (1998) Sightseers (2013) Sparkle (2012) St. Elmo’s Fire (1985) Stay (2005) Step (2017) Sweet Virginia (2017) Take Every Wave (2017) That’s My Boy (2012) Think Like a Man (2012) Three Fugitives (1989) The Three Stooges (2012) Transcendence (2014) The Unknown Girl (2017) Vertical Limit (2000) The Wedding Planner (2001) Wolves (2017) Women and Sometimes Men (2017) Zookeeper (2011)
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dvd Release Date: 05/10/2022 Overall Rating: 2.7 out of 4 stars Theatrical Release Date: 02/18/2022 Language: English Genre: Action/Adventure MPAA Rating: PG-13 Director: Ruben Fleischer Actors: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Tati Gabrielle, Antonio Banderas, Sophia Ali, Patricia Meeden Plot: Based on the best-selling video game series, stree-smart Nathan Drake finds himself in league with seasoned treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan on a quest to hunt down the fabled fortune of Ferdinand Magellan, lost over 500 years ago by the House of Moncada. If the duo can learn to work together and decipher the clues and puzzles that await them, a $5 billion fortune awaits – but they will have to beat the ruthless Santiago Moncada, who claims to be rightful heir to the fortune, to the punch.
A few weeks ago, I was reading the forthcoming thriller novel “Number One Fan” by Meg Elison. Elison is one of my favorite writers, and her voice is so captivating, I would follow her anywhere, including to the book’s rich setting of sci-fi conventions and fandom. I finished the book in record time. And I wish now I could go back there, back to the world of the book, which is not our world.
It’s a difficult time to write a list of movies to stream. It’s a difficult time to do anything, any of the tasks that daily living requires, including working our jobs, making and eating food, sending kids off to school.
To pretend that nothing has happened in the wake of yet another school shooting is disingenuous. Something happened. It’s awful. When I tried to comfort my child who loves to paint and draw, I told him that the world really needs art right now, maybe more than ever. And not only to reflect the world or make a statement about it, but sometimes to escape from it — and that’s OK.
RELATED: New movies to stream this week, from “The Valet” to “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers”
We read books for comfort. And we watch movies for that reason too, to be able to leave our lives for a little awhile, to dream about other lives, to get inspired and also, to be transported. It’s all right to be transported. It’s all right to take care of yourself by briefly zoning out. Check out so you can check back in later. Rest up so you can survive.
A bunch of new movies were released to streaming services last week and this weekend marks the return of beloved series “Stranger Things.” But after you’ve binged that, from a heart-warming documentary to mind-occupying thrillers to some major Lifetime, here are new movies streaming this long weekend to take your mind off the world: to distract, encourage or comfort.
Now streaming
1“Ambulance” (Peacock)
Director-producer Michael Bay brings you “Speed” but in an ambulance. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a man (and relative) whom veteran Will Sharp (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) knows he shouldn’t ask for money help, but does. To deal with insurmountable medical bills, the two attempt to pull off a heist that inevitably goes wrong, hijacking an ambulance with a patient and EMT aboard. Bay and his team go a little drone-happy through the streets of Los Angeles, so have your dramamine handy.
May 27
2“We Feed People” (Disney Plus)
From National Geographic Documentary Films, Ron Howard directs this portrait of chef José Andrés whose nonprofit World Central Kitchen is devoted to providing meals to those in need during emergencies. First started by Andrés in 2010, World Central Kitchen fed people in Haiti after the massive earthquake there, and has since been on the ground everywhere from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria to Kentucky in the wake of tornados. As Fred Rogers said: Look for the helpers. This documentary might be a place to look.
3“Emergency” (Amazon Prime)
If you’re in the mood for a sharp, dark comedy that skewers the campus setting, perhaps enroll in “Emergency,” a film directed by Carey Williams and written by KD Dávila, adapted from their short film of the same name, which won the Special Jury Prize at Sundance in 2018. When a white girl nobody knows is discovered unconscious due to alcohol poisoning, a group of college students of color work to keep her – and themselves – safe. A lot of misunderstandings, confusion and tensions ensue in this smart and timely piece.
4“Elizabeth: A Portraits in Part(s)” (Showtime)
Before he died in 2021, director Roger Mitchell filmed this documentary on Queen Elizabeth, the longest reigning British monarch and the longest serving female head of state in history. Though it doesn’t have the madcap romantic comedy of the film you may best know Mitchell from, “Notting Hill,” this documentary presents a behind the scenes look at Elizabeth, with tons of archival, often candid footage and interviews with Brits.
Saturday, May 28
5“Sister With a Secret” (Lifetime)
Lifetime has several movies premiering this holiday weekend. This kidnapping thriller is the first. A young woman mysteriously disappears, and in the investigation and the rush to find her, more secrets are uncovered than anyone could have bargained for.
Sunday, May 29
6“Lies My Sister Told Me” (Lifetime)
Continuing the sister theme, this unrelated film features everyone’s favorite trope: twins. Specifically, a woman, Tracy, institutionalized for mental health reasons who drugs her identical twin sister when the sister visits. Then Tracy assumes her identity in a kind of “The Parent Trap” gone wrong. But her sister’s life as a famous romance novelist isn’t as easy or drama-free as it seems. Neither is Tracy’s life. And she can only keep up the charade for so long.
The former “Saturday Night Live” comic died in September 2021 of leukemia. It shocked fans, as Macdonald had not been public with his illness, but he had been battling leukemia for 9 years. Before his death — and in the beginning of the pandemic, while at home — he recorded his own last comedy special. As his longtime producing partner said: “He left this gift for us all.” Expect to laugh and probably, because we need to, to cry.
8“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” (HBO Max)
The curse continues. After COVID production delays, a major recasting subbing Mads Mikkelsen in for Johnny Depp, and the ongoing adventures of scofflaw Ezra Miller, the movie’s debut buzz mainly focused on its scandals than the movie itself. That unfortunately played out at the box office. It’s the least successful of all the Wizarding World films, and is only the sixth high-grossing film of 2022. It’s perhaps telling that Warner Bros. slipped it onto its streaming platform with little fanfare on the last day of the long weekend.
Anyhow, that means now is the time to check out the film since it’s been delivered to you via streaming. In the film Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) and a bunch of other magical types to oppose Gellert Grinewald (Mikkelsen), who has not only killed a magical creature in order to take its powers but is scheming to attain the office of Supreme Mugwump. Magical politicking and even an assassination attempt ensue.
Supervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker, and a collection of nutty cons at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X as they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.
Director:
James Gunn |
Stars:
Margot Robbie,
Idris Elba,
John Cena,
Joel Kinnaman
dvd Release Date: 05/10/2022 Overall Rating: 2.7 out of 4 stars Theatrical Release Date: 02/18/2022 Language: English Genre: Action/Adventure MPAA Rating: PG-13 Director: Ruben Fleischer Actors: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Tati Gabrielle, Antonio Banderas, Sophia Ali, Patricia Meeden Plot: Based on the best-selling video game series, stree-smart Nathan Drake finds himself in league with seasoned treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan on a quest to hunt down the fabled fortune of Ferdinand Magellan, lost over 500 years ago by the House of Moncada. If the duo can learn to work together and decipher the clues and puzzles that await them, a $5 billion fortune awaits – but they will have to beat the ruthless Santiago Moncada, who claims to be rightful heir to the fortune, to the punch.
