The 42 Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now (February 2026)

Amazon Prime Video is the everything store for movies. It has exclusive originals like new romantic comedy Relationship Goalstheatrical releases from its associated studio like Blink Twicemovies from other studios like Sinners (Warner Bros.) and Wicked (Universal)and hard-to-find gems like To Live and Die in L.A. You'll find all those and more on our list of the best movies to watch on Prime Video right now. 

Just to let you know how we put this list together: In order to keep the list as relevant as possiblewe're putting the most importance on new releasesPrime Video originalsand critics' favorites. But we're also adding our own personal spin on the listwith underrated gems we're recommending to our friendsclassic favoritesand important selections that highlight diverse voices. We'll be updating the list regularly. (Note: This list only includes movies that are available with a Prime Video subscription or for free; shows that can be bought on Amazon for an additional fee are not included.)

Last updated on Feb. 13; the most recent additions are at the top.

Disclaimer: When you purchase through links on our sitewe may earn an affiliate commission.

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Relationship Goals (2026) 

For fans of: Musicians-turned-actorsromcoms

Director: Linda Mendoza
Stars: Kelly RowlandCliff "Method Man" SmithRobin ThedeAnnie GonzalezDennis HaysbertMatt Walsh
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 37

Kelly Rowland (Destiny's Child) and Cliff "Method Man" Smith (Wu-Tang Clan) — two charismatic talents who should be bigger than they are — star in this Valentine's Day romantic comedy based on the popular self-help book Relationship Goals: How to Win at DatingMarriageand Sex by Michael Todd. Rowland plays Leaha morning show producer whose plan to become the first female showrunner at her network gets thrown for a loop when her exJarrett (Smith)also gets considered for the job. Forced to work togetherLeah is confronted with the fact that Jarrett may have sincerely put his player ways behind him like he says he hasand maybe it's time to give him another chance. It's basically a feature-length ad for the bookbut Kelly and Meth have chemistry. -Liam Mathews [Trailer] 

Sinners (2025)

For fans of: Good moviesa very particular vulgar word you don't hear very often

Director: Ryan Coogler
Stars: Michael B. JordanWunmi MosakuHailee SteinfeldJack O'ConnellDelroy LindoMiles CatonLi Jun Li
Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 84

Ryan Coogler's Best Picture-nominated blockbuster has everything: Irish step-dancing vampires! Two Michael B. Jordans! Hailee Steinfeld delivering outrageously dirty dialogue! Hallucinatory appearances by B-boys and funksters from the future! You'll find all that and more in this ambitious and entertaining flick. Jordan plays Smoke and Stacktwin gangsters who open up a blues music venue in an old sawmill in 1932 Mississippi. They think their biggest adversary is going to be the local racists who don't want to see Black men succeeding — but then the vampires show up. It's a bloodyexciting survive-the-night action-horror flick peppered with thoughtful themes about Black ownership and American history. It's likely to be the movie that people remember from 2025. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) 

For fans of: Car chases'80s hidden gems

Director: William Friedkin
Stars: William PetersonWillem DafoeJohn PankowDebra FeuerJohn TurturroDarlanne FluegelDean Stockwell
Genre: Crime Thriller
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 81

To Live and Die in L.A. is a beloved movie among crime thriller aficionadosand its cult will grow now that it's available to streamwhich it wasn't for the longest time. It's a grittycynical neo-noir from legendary director William Friedkin that features a wildthrilling car chase to match his Academy Award-winning one from The French Connection. Pre-CSI William Peterson stars as a hotshot Secret Service agent who will stop at nothing to bring down the counterfeiter (Willem Dafoein one of his earliest film roles) who killed his partnereven if it means becoming just as bad as his enemy. If you've never seen itcheck it outand if it's been awhilerevisit it. It's probably even better than you remember. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

John Candy: I Like Me (2025)

Director: Colin Hanks
Genre: Documentary
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 69

John Candy died in 1994 when he was just 43 years oldbut he left behind a body of work that includes classic comedies like PlanesTrainsand Automobiles and Uncle Buck and a legacy of being loved by everyone who knew him. His famous friends and co-starsincluding Catherine O'HaraSteve Martinand Tom Hanks (whose son Colin directs the film) pay tribute to him in this warm-heartedbittersweet documentary. It features never-before-seen outtakes and home movies that show the actor as he really was. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

Hedda (2025)

For fans of: Fresh takes on old stories

Director: Nia DaCosta
Stars: Tessa ThompsonNina HossTom BatemanImogen PootsNicholas Pinnock
Genre: Drama
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 70

Tessa Thompson stars in this reimagining of legendary Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's 1891 play Hedda Gabler from writer-director Nia DaCosta (28 Years Later: The Bone Temple). Thompson is the title charactera rebellious woman trapped in an unhappy marriage to a rich man (Tom Bateman). When her ex-lover Eileen (Nina Hoss) shows up at a party at Hedda's houseHedda decides to blow everything up. Critics compared its opulentsatirical to Saltburn. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

The Phoenician Scheme (2025)

For fans of: Wes Anderson

Director: Wes Anderson
Stars: Benicio del ToroMia ThreapletonTom HanksScarlett JohanssonBenedict CumberbatchBill Murray
Genre: ComedyDrama
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 70

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Wes Anderson's latest living diorama follows Anatole "Zsa-Zsa" Korda (Benicio del Toro)an arms dealer and generally crooked businessman. Knowing that his bad way of living will inevitably catch up with him sooner rather than laterZsa-Zsa persuades his estranged daughterSister Liesl (Mia Threapleton)to leave her convent and take over his business. As they go on an adventure to try to salvage a business deal on the verge of collapsethey realize that family is what's important in life. Like all of Anderson's filmsit has an impressive ensemble cast; A-listers in this one include Tom HanksScarlett JohanssonBenedict Cumberbatchand Bill Murray. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

Drop (2025)

For fans of: Rising starsfun tension

Director: Christopher Landon
Stars: Meghann FahyBrandon SklenarViolett BeaneJacob Robinson
Genre: Thriller
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 65

Meghann Fahy (Sirens) stars in this fun thriller from Happy Death Day director Christopher Landon. She plays a widowed young mother named Violet who goes on a date for the first time since the death of her husband with Henry (1923's Brandon Sklenar)a photographer who seems very nice. Everything is going pretty well until she gets an Airdrop (they call it something else in the movie because the name is trademarked by Applebut that's what it is) from an unknown menace threatening to kill her son unless she kills Henry. So these two strangers have to work together to try to figure out who's behind this — and why. Fahy and Sklenar are likable actors with great chemistryand the script is a blast. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

Play Dirty (2025)

For fans of: Heists

Director: Shane Black
Stars: Mark WahlbergLaKeith Stanfield
Genre: ActionThriller
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 46

In Play Dirty, Mark Wahlberg shoots a lot of peopleseveral cars explodeand tough guys crack wise while doing illegal things. And that's just in the trailer! Play Dirtyfrom director Shane Blackis the latest straight-to-streaming action film to hit Prime Video. In ita thief (Wahlberg) teams up with a crook (Rosa Salazar) for a major heist that requires him to go against the moba South American dictatorand the world's wealthiest man. -Tim Surette [Trailer]

Novocaine (2025)

For fans of: High concept action movies

Director: Dan Berk and Robert Olsen
Stars: Jack QuaidAmber MidthunderRay NicholsonJacob BatalonBetty GabrielMatt Walsh
Genre: ActionThrillerComedy
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 58

The Boys' Jack Quaid stars in this action comedy as Nathan Cainea man who can't feel pain. He's a regular guy who works in a bankbut when his coworker and budding love interest Sherry (Amber Midthunder) is kidnapped by thieveshe uses his condition to help get her back. He may not be great at fightingbut he can take a beating and keep going. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

Black Bag (2025)

For fans of: Sophisticated thrillers for grown-ups

Director: Steven Soderbergh
Stars: Michael FassbenderCate BlanchettMarisa AbelaTom BurkeNaomie HarrisRegé-Jean Page
Genre: Spy ThrillerDrama
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 85

Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett star in this sexy and cerebral spy thriller from director Steven Soderbergh. Fassie plays Georgean MI6 agent tasked with rooting out a leaker in the agency's midst. One of the suspects is his wifeKathryn (Blanchett)who's also a spy. So he invites the other suspects over for a dinner partyand the psychological spy games get crackling. The cast also includes Marisa AbelaTom BurkeNaomie Harrisand Regé-Jean Page. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

Last Breath (2025)

For fans of: Claustrophobiathe ocean floor

Director: Alex Parkinson
Stars: Woody HarrelsonFinn ColeSimu LiuCliff Curtis
Genre: Thriller
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 65

If you're looking for a competent thriller with an admirably tight 90-minute runtimeclick play on Last Breath. Woody Harrelson stars as the leader of a three-man dive team sent to fix an oil pipe in the ice-coldpitch-black waters of the North Sea. The repair mission turns into a rescue mission when a member of the crew (Finn Cole) gets cut off from the rest of the team with no comms and a limited supply of oxygen. It's based on a true storyand Woody is having a great time. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

Wicked (2024)

For fans of: Holding spacedefying gravity

Director: John M. Chu
Stars: Cynthia ErivoAriana GrandeJonathan BaileyEthan SlaterBowen YangPeter DinklageMichelle YeohJeff Goldblum
Genre: MusicalFantasy
Rating: PG
Metacritic score: 73

Even musical theater skeptics end up loving Wickedan adaptation of an equally beloved Broadway musical that tells the origin story of The Wizard of Oz's Wicked Witch of the Westwho actually isn't evil at all. They love Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's performances as Elphaba and Glindarespectively; they love its immersive production design and elaborate costumesboth of which the film won Academy Awards for; and most of allthey love "Defying Gravity," the musical's signature song. While you hold space for part twoWicked: For Goodbefore it arrives in theaters this fallyou can sing along to part one over and over again. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

Heads of State (2025)

For fans of: Buddy comedyNATO

Director: Ilya Naishuller
Stars: Idris ElbaJohn CenaPriyanka Chopra JonasJack Quaid
Genre: Action Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 57

John Cena is the president of the United States. Idris Elba is the prime minister of the United Kingdom. They're rivals who bicker like an old married couple. When Air Force One gets shot downthey end up alone together and have to put aside their differences as they shoot and punch their way to safetywith the help of MI6 agent Priyanka Chopra Jonas. It's just funny! -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

Nosferatu (2024)

For fans of: Gothic horrorproduction design

Director: Robert Eggers
Stars: Lily-Rose DeppBill SkarsgårdNicholas HoultAaron Taylor-JohnsonEmma CorrinWillem Dafoe
Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 78

Visionary filmmaker Robert Eggers reimagines the 1922 silent film Nosferatu as a sumptuous gothic horror fantasy in this Oscar-nominated feature. Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Huttera young woman who invites a malevolent presence into her life: Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgårdwho is unrecognizable behind layers of prosthetic makeupa big mustacheand a booming Hungarian accent)a vampire who wants her for himself. Ellen's husband Thomas (Nicholas Hoult) tries to save herbut will his love be enough to overcome the vampire's sinisterly seductive power? This one's for fans of production design and cinematography. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

Deep Cover (2025)

For fans of: Unlikely copsimprov comedy

Director: Tom Kingsley
Stars: Bryce Dallas HowardOrlando BloomNick MohammedPaddy ConsidineIan McShaneSean Bean
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 67

Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloomand Nick Mohammed star in this high concept British crime comedy from Stath Lets Flats director Tom Kingsley. Howard plays a struggling comedian in London who teaches improv classes to make ends meet. One nighta police sergeant (Sean Bean) recruits her to work on an experimental program where the cops use improv performers as undercover agentsbecause their training makes them able to think on their feet and say "yesand" to whatever's happening. She and two of her students — an overly confident aspiring actor (Bloom) and a socially awkward IT worker (Ted Lasso's Mohammed) — infiltrate a criminal organization. It sounds very sillybut it got mostly positive reviews from critics who appreciate the actors' commitment to the bit. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

The Accountant 2 (2025)

For fans of: Buddy action flicksRain Man

Director: Gavin O'Connor
Stars: Ben AffleckJon BernthalCynthia Addai-RobinsonDaniella PinedaJ.K. Simmons
Genre: Thriller
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 58

The first Accountant movie came out back in 2016 and seemed like it was going to establish a new action franchise with Ben Affleck as Christian Wolffa man with autism who is an absolute genius with numbers — and pretty handy with a guntoo. He works as an accountant for criminal organizations while secretly passing information to the feds. It took awhilebut now The Accountant 2 is herewith Affleck joined by Jon Bernthal as BraxtonWolff's mercenary brotherwho had a small role in the first one but is the Tom Cruise to Affleck's Dustin Hoffman here. The Accountant 2 is funnier than the originalwhich was a smart choice. I would have called it The Accoun2ntbut they didn't ask me. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

Another Simple Favor (2025)

For fans of: FrenemiesItalian vacations

Director: Paul Feig
Stars: Anna KendrickBlake LivelyAllison Janney
Genre: Thriller
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 55

Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively return for the sequel to Paul Feig's fun 2018 thriller A Simple Favorwhich has developed into a low-key cult favorite in the years since it came out. In Another Simple FavorEmily (Lively) is out of prison and getting married in Italy. She invites Stephanie (Kendrick)who has become a successful author and true crime vloggerprofiting off her relationship with Emily the criminalto the wedding. Stephanie goesbecause she has to know what Emily is up to. The first movie wasn't a huge theatrical hitand the sequel is skipping theaters entirely in favor of a straight-to-streaming release. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

You're Cordially Invited (2025)

For fans of: R-rated comedyReese Witherspoon swearing

Director: Nicholas Stoller
Stars: Will FerrellReese WitherspoonGeraldine VisnawathanMeredith Hagner
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 51

Reese and Will team up for a raucous comedy that's a throwback to the heyday of Judd Apatow movies (though Apatow himself is not involvedthis one comes from Apatow acolyte Nicholas Stoller [Forgetting Sarah Marshall]). The comedy superstars play the father and sisterrespectivelyof brides who have double-booked a wedding venue. Chaosheartfelt momentsand celebrity cameos ensue. It's not as good as other films of this typebut films of this type are always fun. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

Blink Twice (2024)

For fans of: Glass Onion: A Knives Out MysteryChanning Tatum being weird

Director: Zoe Kravitz
Stars: Naomi AckieChanning TatumAlia ShawkatChristian SlaterAdria ArjonaHaley Joel OsmentGeena DavisKyle MacLachlan
Genre: Thriller
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 66

Zoe Kravitz makes her directorial debut with this psychological thriller that will have you questioning reality. Naomi Ackie (Master of None) stars as Fridaa woman who is invited to a shady billionaire's (Channing Tatum) private island for several days of partying with her friend Jess (Alia Shawkat). The vibes are off from the startand when Jess disappearsnone of the other guests remember herand Frida is having trouble remembering hertoo. In factFrida is having trouble remembering much at alland when she makes an effort to remembershe uncovers the sinister truth of the island. It's a dark and twisty thriller with a star-studded cast. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)

For fans of: Alien invasionssilencecats

Director: Michael Sarnoski
Stars: Lupita Nyong'oJoseph QuinnDjimon Hounsou
Genre: HorrorSci-FiDrama
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 68

Spinoff prequels fail more often than they succeedbut this expansion of theQuiet Place franchise does it right. Lupita Nyong'o stars as Sama terminally ill cancer patient in New York City. When the big-eared aliens comeshe decides she's not going out like that and fights to survivewith the help of her new friend Eric (Joseph Quinn) and her cat Frodo. It succeeds thanks to its bigger scale than the first two Quiet Place moviesstrong emotionsand wonderful cat performances from Nico and Schnitzel as Frodo. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

Hundreds of Beavers (2022) 

For fans of: Surrealismslapstickbeavers

Director: Mike Cheslik
Stars: Ryland Brickson Cole TewsOlivia GravesWes TankDoug MancheskiLuis Rico
Genre: Comedy
Rating: NR
Metacritic score: 82

If you like genuinely original and audacious indie comedyyou need to check out this film festival hit from writer-director Mike Cheslik and writer-actor Ryland Brickson Cole Tews. Tews plays a 19th century applejack manufacturer who goes to war with hundreds of beavers that are destroying his orchard. It's a tribute to slapstick animation of the 1920s and 1930s that somehow feels like it was trapped in a vault with Steamboat Willy for a hundred years and was just released. It cost $150,000 to makebut its looks like a million bucks (and hundreds of beavers). -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

My Old Ass (2024) 

For fans of: Thinking about the advice you'd give your younger selfAubrey Plaza's specific thing

Director: Megan Park
Stars: Maisy StellaAubrey PlazaPercy Hynes White
Genre: ComedyDrama
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 74

This coming-of-age dramedy is just silly enough to make its profundity sneak up on youso when it hitsit hits hard. Maisy Stella stars as Elliottan 18-year-old in the summer between high school and college whoduring a mushroom tripis visited by her 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza)who advises her to spend time with her family and to not fall in love with anyone named Chad. But when young Elliott meets Chad (Percy Hynes White)she can't resistand her life is changed as a result. It's a bittersweet and funny movie about lovelossand the way time speeds up the older you get. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

The Idea of You (2024)

For fans of: Swoony rom-coms with heartAnne Hathaway mothering

Director: Michael Showalter
Stars: Anne HathawayNicholas Galitzine
Genre: Romantic comedy
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 68

You may have first heard of The Idea of You because of its male lead Hayes Campbell's (Nicholas Galitzine) uncanny resemblance to Harry Styles. Hayes sings in a wildly popular boy bandjust like Styles didand he too has a penchant for dating older women. But the filmbased on Robinne Lee's book of the same namedeserves to be recognized apart from that comparison. To startthe chemistry between Galitzine's Hayes and Anne Hathaway's Solène Marchand is undeniable. Solène is a 40-year-old single mom who never imagined attending Coachella but finds herself in the VIP lounge for a meet-and-greet with August Moon — Hayes' group —thanks to her teenage daughter. And after she serendipitously walks into the 24-year-old lead singer's trailerthe two begin a whirlwind romance. The Idea of You is a weightier film than some others in the genre because of how it dives into issues like the age-gap double standard and the obstacles to women in their 30s and 40s finding happiness. But for the most partit feels like a lightbreezy walk on the beach. -Kat Moon [Trailer]

Road House (2024)

For fans of: Fist fightsJake Gyllenhaalhighly kinetic action sequences

Director: Doug Liman
Stars: Jake GyllenhaalDaniela MelchiorBilly MagnussonJoaquim de AlmeidaPost MaloneConor McGregor
Genre: Action
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 57

The original Road House (starring Patrick Swayze and also included with Prime Video) became a cult classic after circulating on cable for years — it did OK at the box office and not so OK with critics when it was released in theaters in 1989. So it's not really that big of a concern that the new Road Housestarring Jake Gyllenhaalonly got mixed reviews. Like that original film leaned on Swayze's charm to functionthe new Road House is a delightful little action flick that leans heavily on Gyllenhaal's immense charismaand ole Jakey G. is just as much fun as he always is. And while Conor McGregor isn't quite on Gyllenhaal's level in terms of his acting chopshe's got the exact right amount of screen presence and general menace to pretty much rule as a bad guy enforcer. This movie just workseven if we might wish they'd cooled it on the CGI a little bit. -Phil Owen [Trailer]

Air (2023)

For fans of: Sneakersbusiness dealsMichael Jordan's mom

Director: Ben Affleck
Stars: Matt DamonBen AffleckViola DavisJason BatemanChris TuckerChris Messina
Genre: Drama
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 73

Ben Affleck's film about Nike's seismic business decision to build a basketball shoe brand around some guy named Michael Jordan is a sharp look at the start of sports marketing and risky business endeavors that paid off. It's also kind of a Nike ad. But with a solid screenplaysome great acting by a tremendous castand Affleck's ability to blend comedy into corporate affairsit's a... slam dunk. -Tim Surette [Trailer]     

Judy Blume Forever (2023)

For fans of: Superfudgefree speech

Director: Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok
Stars: Judy Blume
Genre: Documentary
Rating: NR
Metacritic score: 79

Beloved author Judy Blume is the star and focus of this documentary about her life as one of the most popular young adult fiction writers ever. Speaking with fans like Molly RingwaldSamantha Beeand Lena DunhamJudy Blume Forever explores the impact she had on young women's lives and the closed-minded controversy surrounding her openness in writing about teenage sexuality. -Tim Surette [Trailer]     

Shotgun Wedding (2023)

For fans of: J-LoJ-DuJ-Cool

Director: Jason Moore
Stars: Jennifer JopezJosh DuhamelJennifer Coolidge
Genre: ActionComedyRomance
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 42

What makes a good movie anyway? Rave reviews from critics? Meaningful contributions to society? A talking dog? The Prime Video original movie Shotgun Wedding has none of thatbut it does have Jennifer Lopez and the newest fan-favorite Jenny from the blockJennifer Coolidge. And it has Jennifer Lopez fighting off pirates after they invade her weddingleading to double crosses and comical violence. This isn't a good moviebut it is a Jennifer Lopez movie that can't be found anywhere elseso it's on the list. -Tim Surette [Trailer]     

Wildcat (2022)

For fans of: Tough guys and cute kittensweeping

Director: Melissa Lesh and Trevor Frost
Stars: Harry TurnerSamantha Zwickeran ocelot
Genre: Documentary
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 71

I don't have a bunch of tattoosand I've never been to warbut I do love catswhich is enough for me to relate to this documentary about an Afghanistan War veteran whose PTSD drives him to the jungles of South America. Therehe meets a nature conservationist running a wildlife refugewhere he bonds with an ocelot kitten. The young purr box helps him heal as he finds himself teaching it how to huntprotecting it from humans threatening the environmentand finding something that doesn't judge him. This is for anyone who's ever had a furry friend. BRING A HANKIE! -Tim Surette [Trailer]     

Good Night Oppy (2022)

For fans of: Human accomplishmentshuman connectionsrobots

Director: Ryan White
Genre: Documentary
Rating: PG
Metacritic score: 65

The closest thing we have to a real-life Wall-E is the Mars rover Opportunitywhich landed on the Red Planet in 2004 for a 90-day mission but ended up operating for almost 15 years. This documentary film tells its story and the bond that the NASA operators formed with itand will leave you wondering why you're crying over a robot throughout its wondrous 105 minutes. It won the Critics Choice Documentary Award for best feature in 2023. -Tim Surette [Trailer]     

I Want You Back (2022)

For fans of: Jenny SlateCharlie Dayill-advised schemes

Director: Jason Orley
Stars: Charlie DayJenny SlateGina RodriguezManny JacintoScott Eastwood
Genre: ComedyRomance
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 dumpedthen team up to win back their exes by destroying their new relationships. It's a solid romantic comedy that actually feels freshand who doesn't love a messy scheme? -Kelly Connolly [Trailer]

A Hero (2021)

For fans of: International filmstwisty morality tales

Director: Asghar Farhadi
Stars: Amir JadidiMohsen TanabandehSahar Goldoost 
Genre: DramaThriller
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 82

This film from Iranian filmmaker and two-time Oscar-winner Asghar Farhadi is a tense morality tale that got rave reviews from critics. It follows a man (Amir Jadidi) whose debt has landed him in jailbut 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]

Everybody's Talking About Jamie (2021)

For fans of: Musicalssweet coming-of-age stories

Directors: Dan Gillespie SellsJonathan Butterelland Tom MacRae
Stars: Max HarwoodLauren PatelSarah LancashireRichard E. GrantRalph InesonSharon Horgan
Genre: BiographyDramaComedyMusical
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 Elliottand is exactly the feel-good salve you're desiring. -Tim Surette [Trailer]

The Big Sick (2017)

For fans of: Pre-Marvel Kumail Nanjianiheartfelt rom-coms

Director: Michael Showalter
Stars: Kumail NanjianiZoe KazanRay RomanoHolly Hunter
Genre: DramaComedyRomance
Rating: R 
Metacritic score: 86

This romantic comedy is based on the actual love story between Kumail Nanjiani and his wifeEmily V. Gordon. Nanjiani plays the fictionalized version of himself while Zoe Kazan plays the fictionalized version of Emilywhose 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 Hunterwho play Emily's parentsare the movie's grounding forces. You'll probably walk away from this mostly wishing they could adopt you. -Allison Picurro [Trailer]

Get Duked! (2019)

For fans of: Trainspottingpsychedelics

Director: Ninian Doff
Stars: Eddie IzzardKate DickieSamuel BottomleyViraj JunejaRian GordonLewis Gribben
Genre: ActionHorrorComedyMusic
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 69

This 2019 British black comedy film will easily remind you of Danny Boyle's bonkers classic Trainspottingand 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 Awarda survival challenge that turns boys into menbut 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 notit gets weirder from there. Hilariousridiculousand packed with social commentarythis would be regular viewing in weed smoke-filled dorm rooms of the late-'90s. -Tim Surette [Trailer]

The Handmaiden (2016)

For fans of: Deceptionbut in a sexy way

Director: Park Chan-wook 
Stars: Kim Min-heeKim Tae-riHa Jung-wooCho Jin-woong
Genre: DramaThrillerRomance
Rating: Not rated
Metacritic score: 84

The Handmaiden is one of those movies where every character is scamming another characterresulting in an excitingdramatic 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 confidanttasking her with encouraging marriage between the two. Things begin to get more dangerous as deeper relationships develop in the messyintertwined triowhich 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-wookwho gave us the brutalbloody Oldboyso you should expect some gruesome imagery. -Allison Picurro [Trailer]

One Child Nation (2019)

For fans of: Learning about history without opening a book

Directors: Nanfu WangZhang Lynn
Genre: HistoryDocumentary
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 85

This award-winning documentary will teach you all about a painful chapter in China's history via the one-child policywhich lasted from 1979 to 2015. Real people who lived through such a devastating period speak on their experiencesand the film delves into the damaging effects of government propaganda. Interestingly, One Child Nation is given a personal touch by co-director Nanfu Wangwho weaves stories of her own experience as a new mother in with the documentary's overall narrative. -Allison Picurro [Trailer]

Small Axe (2020)

For fans of: Social justice storiesperiod pieces

Director: Steve McQueen
Stars: John BoyegaLetitia WrightMichael WardAmarah-Jae St. AubynSheyi ColeKenyah Sandy
Genre: Drama
Rating: R
Metacritic scores: 90, 95, 8477, 87

Small Axe is peak prestige television in that it's not actually television at allbut 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 1982and each stars a great group of actors that includes John Boyega, Letitia Wright, Jack Lowdenand more. The stories don't overlapbut they all do a beautiful job of building out the worldand deal with issues and themes that impact the communitylike police brutalityeducationand what it means to be part of British society as a person of West Indian descent. On one handyesfive films is a lot to ask of viewersbut on the otherit 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 onegive "Lovers Rock," a romance centered around a reggae house partya spin. -Allison Picurro [Trailer]

Sound of Metal (2020)

For fans of: Heavy metal band t-shirtsbeing emotional

Director: Darius Marder
Stars: Riz AhmedOlivia CookePaul Raci
Genre: DramaMusic
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 Metaland he very correctly earned an Oscar nomination for it. As Rubenhe explores the emotional trauma of sudden deafness — literallyas it plays out in the filmone minute he can hear perfectlyand 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 orderrun by Joe (Paul Racialso rightfully Oscar-nominated for his work). The way the film utilizes sound design is nothing short of incredibleand most notablydirector Darius Marder cast many actual Deaf actors who help bring the story to life. -Allison Picurro [Trailer]

Suspiria (2018)

For fans of: Witchesdancerswitchy dancersTilda Swinton

Director: Luca Guadagnino
Stars: Dakota JohnsonTilda SwintonMia Goth
Genre: MysteryThrillerFantasyHorror
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 64

Luca Guadagnino directs this remake of the 1977 Dario Argento horror classic. Dakota Johnson stars as Susiea 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 unfoldsand as more students and teachers are found dead or go missing entirelyand it becomes increasingly clear that something very sinister and supernatural is going on underneath the surface. Also, Tilda Swinton plays three rolesand for one of them she gets to dress up as an old man. It's kookyit's campyand it's also veryvery scary. -Allison Picurro [Trailer]

Uncle Frank (2020)

For fans of: Road tripsPaul Bettany's American accent

Director: Alan Ball
Stars: Paul BettanySophia LillisPeter MacdissiJudy GreerSteve Zahn
Genre: DramaComedy
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 characterbut in a good way. Beth (Sophia Lillis) moves from her small North Carolina hometown to good ol' New York Cityand 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 yearswhile successfully keeping it a secret from the rest of their family. And because this is a moviethe secret is of course put in jeopardy when Frank's father dies and heBethand Wally embark on a road trip to attend the funeral. Uncle Frank balances its comedic and dramatic moments welland your heart will ache during the flashbacks to Frank's adolescencewhere he was first confronted with his family's homophobia. Plusan always perfect Judy Greer co-stars. -Allison Picurro [Trailer]

Val (2021)

For fans of: Intimate portraits of '80s icons

Directors: Leo ScottTing Poo
Genre: Documentary
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 73

The late Val Kilmer got the autobiographical treatment in this intimate documentary about his life and careerreleased a few years before his death in 2025. Kilmer lends his own home movies he's taken over the years to the film — which includes videos from the set of Batman Foreverand footage of younger versions of Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon just hanging out — and provides a look at his struggle with throat cancer. It's more revealing than the standard celebrity doc. -Allison Picurro [Trailer]

The Vast of Night (2019)

For fans of: That '80s and '90s sci-fi feelfirst-time directors making a huge splash

Director: Andrew Patterson
Stars: Sierra McCormickJake Horowitz
Genre: Sci-FiDramaMysteryThrillerFantasy
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 decadewith 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 soundsand it's an entrancing thriller from the opening shot to the closing seconds. -Tim Surette [Trailer]