As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of films, I must say that the description of “Past Lives” truly piqued my interest. The tale of two individuals reconnecting after years apart, set against the backdrop of immigration and change, sounds like a poignant and thought-provoking story. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo are both talented actors, so I’m eager to see their chemistry on screen.
This article will undergo changes as movies get added or removed from the streaming platforms, denoted by an asterisk (*) next to newly added films.
Isn’t it fair for everyone to enjoy high-quality content? Unfortunately, the recommendation algorithms from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video frequently suggest a mix of mediocre content. It seems that many streaming platforms prioritize showcasing their latest acquisitions or trendy projects over offering genuine quality. However, we at Vulture don’t have any favorites in the streaming world: Our goal is to guide you by suggesting top-notch movies available on each platform at any given moment.
For your convenience, we’ve carefully selected the top-rated movies across various platforms, narrowing them down to just 30 titles for an enjoyable viewing experience. This list could potentially grow to include over 100 films, but we’ve kept it concise to make browsing easier. Check back each month to discover fresh recommendations! Dive in to your preferred streaming service and start watching one of the featured movies, including this week’s top pick by critics.
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This Week’s Critic’s Pick
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Year: 2004
Runtime: 1h 47m
Director: Michel Gondry
As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: Michel Gondry masterfully brought Charlie Kaufman’s script to life in one of the standout films of the 2000s – a tale that weaves romance and remorse. In Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet’s capable hands, we follow an estranged pair who choose to erase their shared past from their memories due to the unbearable pain it caused. Have you ever pondered if you’d wipe away a significant chapter of your life because the sorrow was unendurable? And would you live with regret if you did so? Eternal Sunshine delicately and humorously probes these very questions.
How We Pick Our Films
Daily, film critic Brian Tallerico explores and pens opinions about movies and TV shows. His role at Vulture involves meticulously sifting through various streaming platforms’ vast libraries to bring forth titles that are critically acclaimed, unexpectedly excellent, or otherwise noteworthy. He relies on his personal taste, honed over a lifetime of cinematic exploration, rather than relying on the suggestions generated by algorithms. To ensure accuracy, he verifies that the selected titles are still accessible before watching them and writing his recommendations. This compilation showcases picks from each streaming service, moving beyond mere Oscar winners or blockbusters. Instead, we focus on films that provoke thought, have left an indelible mark on cinema, and significantly influenced our culture.
Netflix
American Psycho
Year: 2000
Runtime: 1h 41m
Director: Mary Harron
Mary Harron’s movie adaptation based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel sparked immediate debate and enduring fame. Christian Bale took on the part of the notorious serial killer, a role that stirred literary controversy, and transformed our perception of psychopaths in cinema. Over the past two decades since this groundbreaking film was unveiled, his portrayal has been imitated numerous times.
May December
Year: 2023
Runtime: 1h 57m
Director: Todd Haynes
In the latest work from director Todd Haynes, known for “Carol” and “Far from Heaven”, Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman take the lead roles. This captivating character study revolves around an actress who finds it challenging to understand certain individuals. Portman portrays a renowned star aiming to comprehend Moore’s character, a woman exposed as a former teacher who raped a child and later married the victim when he grew up. Charles Melton delivers a standout performance as the adult victim, trapped in an eternal state of adolescence.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Year: 1975
Runtime: 1h 29m
Director: Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
Between seasons 3 and 4 of “Monty Python’s Family Circus,” the brilliant comedy troupe chose to etch their names into cinematic history. Sparked by the tale of King Arthur, they created “Holy Grail,” a timeless comedy that will undoubtedly continue to amuse audiences for centuries to come. Although they were already well-known, this film propelled them further, securing their legendary status in the world of movies.
Oldboy
Year: 2003
Runtime: 2h
Director: Park Chan-wook
Explaining how this movie spread through the film community prior to Film Twitter can be challenging. However, now restored for its 20th anniversary, “Oldboy” has returned on Netflix once more, retaining all its intense impact. It’s a story about a man who is abducted, and what makes it exceptional is that it’s not so much a whodunit as a whydunit, leaving both viewers and characters questioning a truly gruesome motive until the shocking climax.
Rebel Ridge
Year: 2024
Runtime: 2h 11m
Director: Jeremy Saulnier
In the newest release from the acclaimed director known for “Blue Ruin” and “Green Room,” rising talent Aaron Pierre delivers another stellar performance, reinforcing his reputation as a master of taut action cinema. Swiftly, the film “Rebel Ridge” begins with Pierre’s character being unjustly robbed by small-town police officers during an attempt to bring bail money to his cousin. As a former military expert, he doesn’t take this lightly. This Netflix original is one of the best we’ve seen in a while and will be available for streaming starting September 6.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Year: 2023
Runtime: 2h 20m
Director: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson
This movie masterfully continues the storyline from its predecessor, while also introducing new elements that promise an exceptional trilogy in the superhero genre. The intricate details and imaginative creativity make it a film worth re-watching multiple times.
Amazon Prime Video
Blow Out
Year: 1981
Runtime: 1h 47m
Director: Brian De Palma
In Brian De Palma’s standout movie, John Travolta portrays a sound engineer who is on a sound recording mission one evening, suspecting he hears something horrifying. De Palma’s work frequently echoes Hitchcock, and this film can be seen as his interpretation of “Rear Window,” using the theme of voyeurism from that movie and extending it into a complex exploration of violence, politics, and sexuality during the early 1980s – a time period characterized by skepticism yet brilliance.
The Holdovers
Year: 2023
Runtime: 2h 13m
Director: Alexander Payne
Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph garnered Golden Globe awards, with Randolph additionally receiving an Oscar, for their outstanding performances in this extraordinary holiday comedy, now streaming on Peacock. The 70s-era boarding school tale during the holiday season has a classic comedic feel, making it a movie that many will enjoy watching, particularly towards the end of the year, becoming a timeless favorite to be watched by generations in the future.
Interstellar
Year: 2014
Runtime: 2h 49m
Director: Christopher Nolan
The most underrated film from the director of The Dark Knight and Oppenheimer remains this 2014 sci-fi epic, a film that’s better if you approach it as an emotional journey instead of a physical one. Matthew McConaughey gives one of the best performances of his career as an astronaut searching for a new home for mankind, and realizing all that he left behind to do so. It’s a technical marvel with some of the most striking visuals and best sound design of Nolan’s career.
Oppenheimer
Year: 2023
Runtime: 2h 58m
Director: Christopher Nolan
2023 saw one of the standout and exceptional films win the Best Picture Oscar, and since then, it’s been making rounds on various streaming platforms. Notably, Christopher Nolan’s gripping portrayal of the atomic bomb’s creation was a spectacle to behold on Imax screens globally. To fully appreciate this film, watch it in its entirety (about 3 hours) on a big screen with great sound quality. Avoid watching it on your phone or splitting it up into parts; instead, immerse yourself in one of the most immersive and memorable cinematic experiences of the past decade.
Max
Barbie
Year: 2023
Runtime: 1h 55m
Director: Greta Gerwig
2023 saw one of its most significant films, Greta Gerwig’s audacious blockbuster, grace Max. This comedy serves as an inspiring reminder of the might of imagination and the struggle for equality. Critics who perceive it as anti-male are likely overlooking key points. The film’s message is that no character, not even Barbie or Ken, should be confined by stereotypical roles. It promotes the idea that everyone, regardless of their ‘role’, should have the freedom to express themselves as they wish. This thought-provoking movie promises to endure the test of time.
The Dune movies
Year: 2021, 2024
Runtime: 2h 36m, 2h 46m
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Currently, you have the opportunity to stream the entirety of the Dune series available exclusively on Max, the platform boasting the highest-grossing movie of 2024 thus far. The second installment of Villeneuve’s saga delivers on its promise, transforming the foundation laid by the 2021 film into a high-octane action narrative centered around a new messiah. Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya headline an ensemble cast in a film that masterfully balances grandeur with character development. Although it might not resonate quite as powerfully at home as it did in theaters, it’s still a captivating watch.
Lost in Translation
Year: 2003
Runtime: 1h 42m
Director: Sofia Coppola
Sofia Coppola made a big impact in the world of filmmaking with her second movie, titled “Lost in Translation,” which follows the story of a declining Hollywood star and an American girl who meet in Tokyo, and their lives are significantly altered as a result. Bill Murray gives a standout performance in this film (deserving of an Oscar), and he’s ably supported by Scarlett Johansson. However, it’s important to note that “Lost in Translation” truly belongs to Coppola, offering a poignant, insightful character study with a deeply personal touch.
The Lighthouse
Year: 2019
Runtime: 1h 50m
Director: Robert Eggers
Is this the top movie depicting COVID-19 isolation experiences? Although it was released a year prior, many viewers found themselves drawn to it during lockdown periods when they were confined with others. In Robert Eggers’ chilling black-and-white masterpiece, Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe deliver gripping performances as two New England lighthouse keepers who discover that solitude can be more terrifying than any supernatural threat. This haunting film is a true gem of cinematic art.
Parasite
Year: 2019
Runtime: 2h 12m
Director: Bong Joon-ho
Don’t forget about the not-so-distant past when a South Korean movie made history by being the first foreign film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture? It was indeed an unusual period. Initially, Hulu was the sole platform where you could watch Bong Joon-ho’s hilarious and gripping exploration of class struggle. However, this cherished thriller is now available on Max as well.
Spirited Away
Year: 2001
Runtime: 2h 4m
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Virtually all Studio Ghibli movies can be found on Max, making it their exclusive streaming platform. While we could pen countless essays about the influence of Hayao Miyazaki and his team (and we have: here’s a list ranking their entire catalog, recognized as the world’s leading contemporary animation studio), for now, we suggest beginning with “Spirited Away,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” and “Castle in the Sky.” You’re bound to be captivated.
Hulu
All of Us Strangers
Year: 2023
Runtime: 1h 45m Director: Andrew Haigh
One of the best films of 2023 is exclusively available on Hulu thanks to the relationship between the company and Fox Searchlight—both owned by Disney, essentially. Andrew Scott is stunning as a man who essentially travels in time to visit the parents (Jamie Bell and Claire Foy) who died when he was young, all while starting a relationship with one of his neighbors (Paul Mescal). Imagine getting to say what you never could to those you lost and allowing them a chance to see how you’ve changed too. It’s a beautiful, moving piece of work.
Anatomy of a Fall
Year: 2023
Runtime: 2h 31m
Director: Justine Triet
Currently, the most recent Oscar winner for Best Original Screenplay can be streamed exclusively on Hulu due to their association with Neon. The acclaimed actress Sandra Huller plays a woman whose husband meets an untimely death at home from a fall. Is it suicide or murder? This gripping film goes beyond your typical courtroom drama, offering a deeply intimate and unflinching portrayal of a marriage that’s both raw and authentic.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Year: 2019
Runtime: 2h 42m
Director: Quentin Tarantino
It’s surprising that five years have passed since Quentin Tarantino last released a movie, one of the standout films of the 2010s. Initially misperceived during production and even post-release, it offers much more than a mere retelling of the Sharon Tate murders; it’s an entertaining, suspenseful, intellectually stimulating reimagining of Hollywood history featuring some of Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, and Brad Pitt’s finest performances on screen.
Apple TV+
Killers of the Flower Moon
Year: 2023
Runtime: 3h 26m
Director: Martin Scorsese
Among the standout movies of the 2020s, a must-see masterpiece has made its exclusive debut on Apple TV+. Featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Robert De Niro, this gripping drama delves into the tumultuous origins of our nation. As the Osage people amassed wealth, making them the richest per capita in the country, local white power figures took every opportunity to seize their riches. This well-crafted production ranks among the best streaming originals ever made and not only outshines other content on Apple TV+, it rivals the finest films available across all streaming platforms.
Wolfwalkers
Year: 2020
Runtime: 1h 43m
Directors: Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart
In early 2021, it would have been fitting for the animated film Wolfwalkers to take home an Oscar. This enchanting swan song to Cartoon Saloon’s “Irish Folklore Trilogy” tells the tale of a girl named Robyn Goodfellowe, whose father is employed to eradicate wolves. During her journey, Robyn forges a bond with a shapeshifter, a girl who embodies both wolf and human essence, in a narrative that seamlessly blends contemporary storytelling with Irish folklore and stunning visual aesthetics.
Peacock
*Casino
Year: 1995
Runtime: 2h 58m
Director: Martin Scorsese
Frequently overshadowed by Scorsese’s ’90s crime epic, this Las Vegas origin story has grown in appreciation over time, showcasing some of the filmmaker’s most daring cinematic efforts. Robert De Niro portrays Ace Rothstein, a character who ascended to manage the Tangiers casino as the mob consolidated their power in the desert city. Sharon Stone delivers her finest performance in this movie, while Joe Pesci gives an outstanding portrayal as well.
Paramount+
Chinatown
Year: 1974
Runtime: 2h 10m
Director: Roman Polanski
Skip it, pal, it’s the Chinatown storyline. This 1970s masterpiece, nominated for Best Picture and winning Best Screenplay, follows detective Jake Gittes, brilliantly portrayed by Jack Nicholson, as he pursues an adultery case but uncovers a far darker secret beneath the facade of Los Angeles. It’s essential viewing, nearly on par with most films from its time.
The Godfather
Year: 1972
Runtime: 2h 55m
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
It’s only the film that made Al Pacino a star and kicked Francis Ford Coppola’s career into the stratosphere — maybe you’ve heard of it? In all seriousness, the entire Godfather trilogy is available on Paramount+, including the superior recent cut of the third film. You could then slide from some of the best filmmaking of all time into the streaming service’s original series The Offer, about the making of Coppola’s masterpiece. Or, pair this with Coppola’s latest (and final?) film Megalopolis, in theaters this weekend, and see how the director has evolved over his legendary career.
Past Lives
Year: 2023
Runtime: 1h 45m
Director: Celine Song
This remarkable nominee for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay isn’t available on any other streaming platforms. Featuring the outstanding performances of Greta Lee and Teo Yoo, it tells the tale of a pair who were once close-knit as children but reconnect years later after she moved to the United States. It’s equally about the things people leave behind when they drastically alter their lives as it is a classic exploration of unrequited love. It’s both stunning and indelible.
Disney+
The Lion King
Year: 1994
Runtime: 1h 33m
Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
This much-loved Disney animated feature is a significant part of what’s known as the Disney Renaissance. Beyond being just a film, it has spawned sequels, theme park attractions, and even a wildly successful Broadway adaptation. The tale of Simba continues to captivate audiences, with its legacy likely gaining new admirers daily across the globe.
The Criterion Channel
Ikiru
Year: 1952
Runtime: 2h 23m
Director: Akira Kurosawa
If Criterion’s collection contained only a few Kurosawa movies, deciding among titles like “The Seven Samurai,” “Rashomon,” and “Ran” would still be challenging. But what makes “Ikiru” stand out? It’s an exceptional masterpiece that tells the story of a man in his 40s diagnosed with stomach cancer, grappling with the impending end of his life. It’s remarkable to think that Kurosawa created such a profound work at this relatively young age.
In the Mood for Love
Year: 2000
Runtime: 1h 38m
Director: Wong Kar-wai
This movie is so captivating, it tells a tale of love and yearning, set in Hong Kong during 1962. Beautifully captured by cinematographers Christopher Doyle and Mark Lee Ping-bin, In the Mood for Love showcases remarkable performances from Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Maggie Cheung Man-yuk. They portray neighbors who grow fond of each other in a way that’s both intensely cinematic and authentically human.
Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Year: 1975
Runtime: 3h 21m
Director: Chantal Akerman
In the latest Sight & Sound critics survey, Chantal Akerman’s timeless masterpiece has been crowned as the greatest film ever made. You can now stream it on the Criterion Channel to discover what makes it so exceptional. This 1975 film delves into the slow deterioration of everyday routines, transforming mundane details into moments that are indelible and almost spiritual. Critics have admired this movie for many years, but its recent resurgence has been particularly noteworthy, occurring nearly six decades after its debut.
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2024-11-05 23:56