See our list of the best new movies streaming in July 2024 below.

“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F”

Netflix – July 3

Axel Foley, once again played by Eddie Murphy, is back. The last entry in the franchise, “Beverly Hills Cop III,” was released 30 years ago. That installment, while fun, was also the weakest of the three, with a clearly disinterested Murphy and a meandering storyline. Thankfully, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” is just as good as the first or second movie, with franchise regulars Judge Reinhold, John Ahston, Paul Reiser and Bronson Pinchot joined by welcome newcomers Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige and Kevin Bacon. This time, Murphy’s Axel Foley is involved in a mystery involving Rosewood (Reinhold) and some supposed impropriety within the force, which is also endangering his estranged daughter (Paige). It’s fun, fast-paced and still pokes fun at Beverly Hills in the best possible way. What’s incredible is that Australian filmmaker Mark Molloy, making his directorial debut, nails the tone and vibe of the first two movies perfectly. He is aided in this pursuit by composer Lorne Balfe, who brings the Harold Faltermeyer feeling from the first two movies, with just enough added sheen. Honestly, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” feels like a miracle. It’s one of the best summer movies this year. And it’s debuting inside your home. How great is that? – Drew Taylor

“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire”

Max – July 4

When “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” was released earlier this year, it was a surprise juggernaut, cresting more than $80 million on its opening weekend on the way to becoming the most successful movie in Legendary’s Monsterverse series of films. In this film, a direct follow-up to 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong,” a new threat emerges from Hollow Earth – a lanky red ape who, unlike Kong, wants to conquer the surface world. (He also keeps an adorable, ancient kaiju named Shimo under his spell; she has the arctic power to trigger a new ice age.) This forces Kong and Godzilla to form an uneasy alliance in order to take down the Skar King and free Shimo. Rebecca Hall and Brian Tyree Henry return from the earlier film, now joined by Dan Stevens as a affable kaiju veterinarian named Trapper. (Stevens’ charming performance is almost as big as any of the monsters.) This leads to some of the biggest and most outrageous monster battles in the entire franchise, and serves as a colorful dessert after the more somber, full meal of the more somber “Godzilla Minus One.” You know. Like some raspberry sorbet after a steak dinner. What makes the current pop culture landscape so fun is that allows for all of these disparate iterations of Godzilla, which speaks to the elasticity of the character and the creativity that these different filmmakers bring to the franchise. Long live the King of the Monsters. – Drew Taylor

“Space Cadet”

Prime Video – July 4

Remember that movie “SpaceCamp?” Well, cross it with a little bit of “Legally Blonde” and a dash of “Spring Breakers” and you’ve got “Space Cadet.” Emma Roberts plays a woman who has always wanted to be an astronaut and who gets admitted to the training program under false pretexts. Will she end up proving people wrong? Could she fall in love with one of her fellow potential astronauts? Will we be treated to a vaguely hopeful message that will prop up the movie up where its technical merits and storytelling prowess let us down? We’re guessing the answer to all of the above is a resounding yes. – Drew Taylor

“Back to Black”

Peacock – July 5

The Amy Winehouse biopic “Back to Black” hits streaming this month, offering a chance to check out director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s film that chronicles the “Rehab” singer’s rise to fame. Marisa Abela plays Winehouse in the film opposite a cast that includes Jack O’Connell as boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil and Eddie Marsan as her father Mitch. – Adam Chitwood

“The Imaginary”

Netflix – July 5

This is a very special film indeed. Studio Ponoc, a Japanese animation studio that arose when it seemed like Studio Ghibli, home of Hayao Miyazaki, was shuttering operations, has returned with a beautiful new movie. It’s their first since 2017’s excellent “Mary and the Witch’s Flower,” and was postponed, in part, because so many of its animators had to work on Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning “The Boy and the Heron.” But now they are back and operating at full capacity. An adaptation of the 2014 book of the same name, written by A.F. Harrold and illustrated by Emily Gravett, “The Imaginary” follows a young girl (voiced in the American version by Evie Kiszel) and her imaginary friend Rudger (Louie Rudge-Buchanan). Together they get into adventures and uncover an island where forgotten Imaginaries live, hiding out from nefarious forces. Gorgeously animated and deeply felt, “The Imaginary” is, somewhat inconceivably, the third movie released this year to deal with imaginary friends (after Blumhouse’s “Imaginary” and John Krasinski’s “IF”). It’s easily the best. This is an all-ages film that will delight each demographic. It could also be a dark horse contender for the Best Animated Feature Oscar nomination. Be ahead of the game. Watch “The Imaginary.” – Drew Taylor

“If”

Paramount+ – July 9

John Krasinski, as both star and director, decided to follow up his two “Quiet Place” films with an altogether sunnier project about the power of imagination and the awkwardness of growing up. “IF,” described by Krasinski in marketing materials as a “live-action Pixar film,” very much bears the hallmarks of the films produced by that animation giant – there’s a whimsical, high concept core, about a young girl (Cailey Fleming) who, together with an eccentric neighbor (Ryan Reynolds), discovers a rest home for forgotten imaginary films; a small army of animated creatures voiced by starry talent (Steve Carell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Emily Blunt, George Clooney, Matt Damon and more); some heart-tugging emotionality, mostly due to the girl’s sick father (Krasinski) and her connection to an elderly imaginary friend (Louis Gossett Jr.); and a soaring Michael Giacchino score, which somehow makes everything even sadder and more moving. Not all of the ideas in “IF” work, but it’s nice to see a healthily budgeted family movie based on a (mostly) original concept. – Drew Taylor

“Tyler Perry’s Divorce in the Black”

Prime Video – July 11

Part of Tyler Perry’s four-movie pact with Amazon, “Divorce in the Black” is a new thriller that follows “a young bank professional who is devastated when her husband Dallas abandons a marriage she is determined to fight for. However, fate intervenes, revealing Dallas’ wicked deeds that have trashed their marriage, and once upon a time sabotaged Ava’s destiny to be loved by her true soulmate” (according to the official synopsis). If that doesn’t sound like a great, juicy Tyler Perry joint, we don’t know what does. For those keeping score, this is Perry’s second movie of the year following the Kelly Rowland-led erotic thriller “Mea Culpa” that hit Netflix in February. Only two movies in the first half of 2024? Talk about an overachiever! – Drew Taylor

“Arcadian”

Shudder, AMC+ – July 12

Nicolas Cage makes so many movies, with most of them being delivered straight-to-streaming, that it’s hard to figure out which are worth checking out and which you should skip. (This is especially hard since so many of them have such similar titles.) “Arcadian” is definitely worth your 92 minutes. Directed by Benjamin Brewer, who worked on another ace Cage sleeper called “The Trust,” the movie is set in a post-apocalyptic future, after a virus has wiped out most of the population. Cage and his sons live in a rundown farmhouse, wary of the creatures that stalk the countryside at night. Of course, wouldn’t you know it, they do have to venture out and face down some of these monsters head-on. “Arcadian” isn’t exactly revolutionary, either in storytelling or execution, but it is anchored by a committed performance from Cage and some of the weirdest creature design you’ll ever see in any movie. (Seriously, it’s too odd do give away here. And you might not even believe me.) If you’re in the mood for a cozy little thriller, “Arcadian” will do the job. Isn’t a Nicolas Cage movie kind of like pizza? Even when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good. – Drew Taylor

“Trolls Band Together”

Netflix – July 15

“Trolls” is DreamWorks Animation’s most relentlessly cheery franchise. It’s also, arguably, the studio’s most enjoyable. And “Trolls Band Together,” the third film in the series, is a total hoot. It follows Branch (Justin Timberlake) and Poppy (Anna Kendrick) as they search for the missing members of Branch’s old boy band – who also happen to be his long-lost siblings (voiced by Eric André, Daveed Diggs, Kid Cudi and Troye Sivan). The trolls have been captured by Velvet and Veneer (Amy Schumer and Andrew Rannells), two talentless automatons who want to capture the trolls’ musical spirit. (This is the kind of free association dream logic plotting that the “Trolls” movies follow and we support wholeheartedly.) Of course they travel to truly exceptional locations – our personal favorite is Vaycay Island, which looks like a postage stamp and whose musical identity is indebted to Yacht Rock, the 1970s a.m. playground of Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald. If you are a fan of the franchise or curious about what a “Trolls”-ized version of NSync looks like, this is the movie for you. – Drew Taylor

“Land of Bad”

Netflix – July 18

“Land of Bad” is, lowkey, one of the very best films of 2024. And it will explode on streaming. Liam Hemsworth plays a young JTAC – a joint terminal attack controller – basically a drone pilot on the ground in high-risk operations, who accompanies an army detail in southeast Asia working on a covert rescue operation. (Luke Hemsworth and Milo Ventimiglia are also in his unit.) Once they get there, well, all hell breaks loose; the group is captured or killed, leaving Liam as the lone survivor. Russell Crowe plays a supporting role as a drone operator working out of a base in Nevada. It’s honestly a perfect late-stage Crowe performance, deeply felt, rarely showy and delicately calibrated. (There is a scene, late in the movie, of Crowe in a grocery store, that is just as riveting as any of the white knuckle action.) Crowe attempts to lead him out of hostile territory, but he can only do so much. It’s an oddly moving film, full of muscular set pieces and quiet character moments, with William Eubank, the underrated young director behind “Underwater” and “Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin,” delivering career-best work. To watch “Land of Bad” is to love “Land of Bad.” – Drew Taylor

“The Commandant’s Shadow”

Max – July 18

“Zone of Interest” made waves at this year’s Oscars, but the new documentary “The Commandant’s Shadow” tells the true story of Jurgen Höss, the son of Auschwitz concentration camp director Rudolf Höss whose family is the central focus of the Oscar-winning film. What’s striking about this doc is not only how it tells their life story, but also brings Jurgen face to face with an Auschwitz survivor in an emotional confrontation. – Adam Chitwood

“Young Woman and the Sea”

Disney+ – July 19

The latest based-on-a-true-story sports movie from Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney, in the tradition of “Remember the Titans” and “Glory Road,” recounts the journey of Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle (played, fabulously, by Daisy Ridley), who, in 1926, became the first woman to swim the grueling 21 miles across the English Channel. Based on a note-perfect script by Jeff Nathanson and energetically directed by Norwegian filmmaker (and Bruckheimer protégé) Joachim Rønning, “Young Woman and the Sea” is the kind of handsomely made, old-fashioned, feel-good movie that people say they don’t make anymore. (They do, but sometimes you have to look on streaming.) Just remember to have the tissues handy when you queue up “Young Woman and the Sea” – it’s almost guaranteed to make you sniffle a little. – Drew Taylor

“Abigail”

Peacock – July 19

One of the best horror movies of the year, “Abigail” hails from Radio Silence, the filmmaking team of directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett and producer Chad Villella, who were behind the two most recent “Scream” sequels and the terrific “Ready or Not.” The plot is ingenious – a group of skuzzy thieves (including Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Will Catlett, Kathryn Newton and Angus Cloud in one of his last roles) kidnap a mobster’s daughter (Alisha Weir). As it turns out, the little girl is an ageless vampire and her dad is most likely Dracula (it’s never explicitly stated but come on). The Radio Silence piles on the scares, with copious amounts of gore and blood and just as many solid laughs. Throw in Giancarlo Esposito, chewing scenery in a small role as the thieves’ handler, and you’ve got yourself a horror comedy that is both scary and funny – a rare feat indeed. – Drew Taylor

“Love Lies Bleeding”

Max – July 19

Rose Glass’ follow-up to her outstanding “Saint Maud” fully cements her as one of the most exciting young filmmakers working today. “Love Lies Bleeding,” which takes place in a slightly fantastical American Southwest in the late 1980s, follows the budding romance between a gym manager named Lou (Kristen Stewart) and the musclebound drifter named Jackie (Katy O’Brian) who shows up like a bolt out of the blue. It’s a whirlwind romance that becomes quite dangerous, since Jackie is working for Lou’s father, a local thug and gunrunner (a devilish Ed Harris). Bodies start to pile up, the FBI gets involved and all hell breaks loose. It’s wonderful. Glass creates at atmosphere of unchecked chaos, nestled inside an affecting love story between two wonderful actresses. (When the movie premiered at Sundance earlier this year, the audience went bonkers.) This is a fun one. – Drew Taylor

“Skywalkers: A Love Story”

Netflix – July 19

Another breakout from this year’s Sundance Film Festival (the wide-eyed way viewers said the movie was “wild”), “Skywalkers: A Love Story” isn’t set in a galaxy far, far away, but is instead a romance between Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau. Beerkus and Nikolau are the titular “skywalkers” – daredevils who take part in a phenomenon known as “roof-topping,” where they climb rooftops, scaffolding, cranes and other tall structures, usually in pursuit of truly amazing photographs. It’s incredibly dangerous and has led to many deaths. In 2017 it became a popular craze in Russia and apparently it’s how Beerkus and Nikolau (both Russian) fell for one another. “Skywalkers” was directed by five-time Emmy winner Jeff Zimbalist and co-directed by co-directed by Maria Bukhonina. It’s the kind of documentary that will probably give you vertigo. – Drew Taylor

“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire”

Netflix – July 22

Who ya gonna call? “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” follows the events of 2021’s charming “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” with the Spengler family (led by Carrie Coon) and their ex-science teacher (Paul Rudd) relocating to New York City and living inside the iconic Ghostbusters firehouse. That’s where they come face-to-face with an ancient evil, intent on throwing the world into the next ice age. What’s nice about the sequel is that it maintains the emotional intimacy of the original film and the modest scale, but brings bigger, more complicated set-pieces and expands the world admirably (including introducing a group of Ghostbusters engineers who work out of an abandoned aquarium in Long Island). It’s also nice to see the new generation, including Mckenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard, spending more time with the seasoned Ghostbusters (Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts). Plus, the new villain is very cool and scary and it’s good to see Slimer again. We’re hoping to see the Spengler family again, with maybe a little bit bigger scope. Remember when the first “Ghostbusters” ended with a giant marshmallow mascot stomping through the streets of New York and an interdimensional rift? Us too. – Drew Taylor

“Knox Goes Away”

Max – July 26

Michael Keaton directed and starred in this hitman thriller, about an assassin (Keaton) who starts losing his mind to dementia, with deadly consequences. “Knox Goes Away,” which premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, has a terrific cast (that includes James Marsden, Al Pacino, Marcia Gay Harden and Ray McKinnon) and was warmly reviewed when it first premiered. And you know what? After “The Killer” and “Hit Man,” we need another assassin movie to round out the trifecta. And who better to deliver than Michael Keaton? – Drew Taylor

“Challengers”

MGM+ – July 29

If anything will get people to subscribe to MGM+, which we assure you is a very real streaming service that costs actual American dollars, then it’s Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers.” One of the year’s very best movies, “Challengers” is a drama set in the world of professional tennis – Zendaya plays Tashi Duncan, a young phenom who could have changed the game, except for a career-ending injury suffered in her youth; she has instead married and coached Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), a talented technical player whose heart isn’t in it anymore. And then there’s Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor), Tashi’s ex, Art’s ex-BFF and his current rival in a low stakes challengers match in upstate New York. The movie’s script, by Justin Kuritzkes, lobs back and forth in time like a runaway tennis ball, charting the three’s relationship at various periods, all fulcruming around the challengers match. It’s beautifully designed and directed, with Guadagnino staging the tennis sequences (and everything else, really) with energy and grace. And the movie’s score, by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, is absolutely unreal – it gives a pounding rhythm to both the tennis sequences and the domestic drama, in a way that elevates every moment. What a movie. – Drew Taylor

“Heisei-Era Godzilla – The Return of Godzilla” (1984), “Godzilla vs. Biollante” (1989), “Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah” (1991), “Godzilla vs. Mothra” (1992)

Criterion Channel – July 1

You thought “Godzilla x Kong” was the only spot the King of the Monsters would hold on our list? Think again! The Criterion Channel has four of the Heisei Era Godzilla films, which is very exciting because a) these are some of the best films in the entire franchise and b) they have been increasingly hard to find. (Hopefully this means we’re getting another Godzilla box set from Criterion; their box set of the initial Toho films is a treasure.) “The Return of Godzilla” (released in America as “Godzilla 1985,” complete with new Raymond Burr scenes) reintroduced the King of the Monsters for the first time in almost a decade, reestablishing him as a terrifying god king, with Koji Hashimoto, an assistant director on earlier entries, taking over from genuine giant monster auteur Ishirō Honda. This will be fun to watch again. The crown jewel of the collection (which also includes the very enjoyable “Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah” and “Godzilla vs. Mothra”) is “Godzilla vs. Biollante.” Not only is Biollante one of the greatest, strangest Godzilla foes in the entire franchise, a genetic mutation that includes genetic material from a rose and the cells from a scientist’s lost daughter and cells from Godzilla himself (yes seriously), but the central conceit of corporations fighting over Godzilla’s biological material is fresh, scary and incredibly modern. Incredibly, the story came from a contest where everyday citizens could submit their idea for a Godzilla movie. In the years since the movie was released, it has become one of the most beloved entries in the franchise. Now let’s get that box set! – Drew Taylor

“Back to the Future” Trilogy

Netflix – July 1

“Back to the Future” is not only one of the best film trilogies of all time, it’s also one of the most bingeable. The original 1985 film is a bona fide classic with Michael J. Fox playing Marty McFly, a high schooler who accidentally travels back in time and interacts with his parents as high schoolers (played by Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover). 1989’s “Back to the Future Part II” and 1990’s “Back to the Future Part III” were shot back-to-back but are wildly different films – “Part II” travels to the future and offers a decidedly ‘80s twist on dystopia while “Part III” is a full-blown Western. Taken together, director Robert Zemeckis’ trilogy is a wildly entertaining sci-fi jaunt. – Adam Chitwood

“Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2”

Netflix – July 1

The “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” sequel is an animated delight, and while the follow-up doesn’t quite reach the heights of Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s goofy original, it’s full of fun ideas. Bill Hader’s Flint Lockwood is hired to return to his food-covered island by a tech guru voiced by Will Forte. In a very “The Lost World: Jurassic Park”-esque plot the group encounters terrors and delights on the island while Forte’s character is not-so-secretly up to no good. – Adam Chitwood

“Bad Boys” 1 and 2

Netflix – July 1

If “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” got you ready to revisit the franchise from its humble beginnings, “Bad Boys” and the bombastic “Bad Boys II” both hit Netflix on July 8. The original film put director Michael Bay on the map and helped launch the film career of Will Smith alongside Martin Lawrence, and it’s a decidedly lowkey affair compared to the sequels that followed. “Bad Boys II,” released in 2003 after Bay had made a career out of crafting expensive mayhem onscreen, is one of the most over-the-top action movies ever made in the best way possible. Both films are well worth revisiting or watching for the first time. – Adam Chitwood

“Call Me by Your Name”

Netflix – July 1

The film that really put Timothee Chalamet on the map, “Call Me by Your Name” is one of the most deeply felt love stories ever put to screen. Filmmaker Luca Guadagnino transports the viewer to a time and place, yes, but also exudes the feeling of lust, love and possibility throughout. Chalamet plays a 17-year-old vacationing with his family in Italy in 1983 who strikes up a romantic relationship with a 24-year-old grad student (played by Armie Hammer). The soundtrack features two original songs by Sufjan Stevens, and the supporting performance by Michael Stuhlbarg is outstanding. If you dug “Challengers,” also by Guadagnino, check out the director’s more quietly romantic spin on a love story. – Adam Chitwood

“Chinatown”

Max – July 1

There’s never a bad time to revisit the masterpiece that is “Chinatown,” but in the wake of screenwriter Robert Towne’s death it seems fitting to throw this one on. Roman Planski’s 1974 noir is hailed as one of the greatest films ever made as it tells the story of a private investigator (played by Jack Nicholson) who is hired by a woman to tail her husband. But what begins as a benign assignment soon plunges Nicholson’s Jake Gittes into a world of conspiracy that involves Los Angeles’ water supply. Faye Dunaway is unforgettable, John Huston is terrifyingly charming and that ending is simply the best. – Adam Chitwood

“Lady Bird”

Max – July 1

Coming-of-age movies are a dime a dozen, but “Lady Bird” stands among the best of the best. Writer-director Greta Gerwig’s 2017 film is a triumph of storytelling as it chronicles the journey of a smart high school senior (played by Saoirse Ronan) who struggles through various strained relationships as she prepares to go to college. Set in Sacramento, the film draws from Gerwig’s youth as it captures a wickedly relatable teen story that traverses the love, heartbreak, and loss that come with growing up. The movie scored five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Ronan, and announced Gerwig as one of our most exciting writer-directors — something she’d prove again with “Little Women” and “Barbie.” – Adam Chitwood

“Twister”

Max – July 1

Before “Twisters” hits theaters later this month, why not revisit one of the biggest blockbusters from the 90s: “Twister?” The film spawned an entire generation of meteorologists as its stars Bill Paxton as a former storm chaser turned weatherman who books it to Oklahoma to get his wife (a tried-and-true storm chaser played by Helen Hunt) to sign divorce papers, only to be wrapped up in a 24-hour storm chase involving increasingly volatile and destructive tornadoes across Oklahoma. A spectacular ensemble cast (Philip Seymour Hoffman! Todd Field!) anchors a truly unique twist on the blockbuster formula, with what at the time were cutting-edge visual effects. – Adam Chitwood

“Gladiator”

Prime Video – July 1

Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” holds up and then some. And with “Gladiator II” hitting theaters later this year, now’s the perfect time to revisit this Best Picture-winning epic. Russell Crowe stars as a Roman general who is arrested and whose family is murdered when a new king (played by Joaquin Phoenix) takes over. Crowe’s character escapes, finds himself rescued by slave traders and ends up becoming a gladiator, which brings him back to Rome and face-to-face with the man who ruined his life. Epic battles, an epic Hans Zimmer score and delicious performances make this one of Scott’s best. – Adam Chitwood

“Love & Mercy”

Prime Video – July 1

If the new Beach Boys documentary on Disney+ made you interested in learning more about this legendary group, Bill Pohlad’s 2014 drama “Love & Mercy” is a must watch. Paul Dano and John Cusack play Brian Wilson at two stages in his life – Dano as a young Wilson who is experiencing the beginning stages of schizophrenia as he records “Pet Sounds” and Cusack as Wilson in the 1980s, where he was being taken advantage of by his doctor. The film is warm and lovely and Dano and Cusack are terrific. – Adam Chitwood

“The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”

Netflix – July 27

Now here’s a hidden gem that deserves to be brought to the forefront. Director Guy Ritchie’s “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” is a stylish, sexy and flirty spy romp set during the 1960s that is outlandishly enjoyable. Based on the TV series of the same name the story follows a pair of secret agents on opposite sides of the Cold War – Henry Cavill is CIA agent Napoleon Solo while Armie Hammer is KGB Agent Illya Kuryakin – who are forced to work together to stop a maniacal villain played by Elizabeth Debicki. Alicia Vikander is the woman caught in the middle, the daughter of a nuclear scientist. A flirtatious triangle of insults, loaded glances and terrific fashion ensues. This one’s a blast and a half and it arrives on July 27. – Adam Chitwood

The post The 25 Best New Movies Streaming in July 2024 appeared first on TheWrap.

Below, we’ve assembled a list of the best movies available to stream on Max right now, from comedies to blockbusters to rom-coms to Oscar-winning dramas and beyond. Since first launching in 2020, HBO Max quickly solidified itself as lowkey one of the best streaming services around, with a robust library of some genuinely great movies past and present to choose from. It now has a different name, but it’s a true bounty of choice with plenty of older films alongside bona fide new releases.

Take a look at our curated list of the best movies on Max below. This list will be updated weekly with new titles, so be sure to check back often.

Twister

Prepare for this summer’s “Twisters” by revisiting one of the best blockbusters of the ’90s, “Twister.” Bill Paxton is a big city weatherman who tracks down his soon-to-be-ex-wife (played by Helen Hunt) in Oklahoma to convince her to sign divorce papers. But the reunion is cut short when an outbreak of tornadoes hits and Hunt’s character — a storm chaster — is determined to test out potentially life-saving technology on these tornadoes. The incredible ensemble cast includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Cary Elwes, Alan Ruck and “Tar” filmmaker Todd Field.

Lady Bird

Coming-of-age movies are a dime a dozen, but “Lady Bird” stands among the best of the best. Writer-director Greta Gerwig’s 2017 film is a triumph of storytelling as it chronicles the journey of a smart high school senior (played by Saoirse Ronan) who struggles through various strained relationships as she prepares to go to college. Set in Sacramento, the film draws from Gerwig’s youth as it captures a wickedly relatable teen story that traverses the love, heartbreak, and loss that come with growing up. The movie scored five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Ronan.

The Devil Wears Prada

A feel-good movie if there ever was one, “The Devil Wears Prada” also boasts one of Meryl Streep’s most delicious performances. Set in the world of high fashion, Anne Hathaway stars as a young woman who lands a coveted job as an assistant to Miranda Priestly (Streep), a powerful fashion magazine editor with a knack for tearing people down. Emily Blunt co-stars as Hathaway’s jealous co-worker in what would be a breakout role for the actress, and like so many feel-good movies it’s hard to quantify exactly why this film is so rewatchable, but it is.

Dune: Part Two

One of the best sci-fi sequels ever made, “Dune: Part Two” adapts the second half of Frank Herbert’s novel with the same creative team (and cast) back from the first “Dune.” That includes visionary director Denis Villeneuve who steers the story of an anti-hero’s rise as Timothee Chalamet’s Paul Atreides is painted as a complex figure whose quest for revenge and power takes him down a dangerous path. Austin Butler and Florence Bugh are brilliant additions to the ensemble, Zendaya gets a chance to really shine and Rebecca Ferguson is perfectly witchy as Chalamet’s mother who aims to spread the gospel that her son is a true messiah. It’s also thrilling as heck, with truly stunning sci-fi action throughout.

The Other Guys

Before Adam McKay started directing more serious fare like “The Big Short” and “Don’t Look Up,” he perfected a specific kind of comedy movie, largely with Will Ferrell. The 2010 film “The Other Guys” feels like a bridge between McKay’s sillier work and his more socially conscious films, as it follows a pair of cops working in the background (played by Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg) who begin to uncover an embezzlement conspiracy involving the CEO of a major company. There’s plenty of material taking aim at corporate America, but there’s also Will Ferrell singing a song called “Pimps Don’t Cry.”

Zola

“Zola” is a wildly entertaining, provocative and thrilling based on a viral Twitter thread. The film stars Taylour Paige as a waitress and part-time stripper in Detroit who gets talked into traveling with a woman she just met (played by Riley Keough) on a road trip to Tampa, Florida to make a lot of money. The trip and true intentions of the woman are the focus of the film, which vacillates between hilarious, shocking and surprisingly emotional. Bonus points to Nicholas Hoult as a wonderful himbo.

The Harry Potter Franchise

All eight films in the “Harry Potter” franchise are currently streaming on HBO Max, making for a fulfilling binge-viewing if you so desire. The eight-part series still stands as one of the best and most complete film franchises of all time, as it charts the adventures of a boy wizard from his very beginnings to his final showdown with the evil Lord Voldemort. What makes “Harry Potter” so brilliant is the films evolve and mature along with the characters, so while the first few films are bright and cheery – just like their young protagonists – the latter films are dark and complex, reflecting the characters being forced into adulthood.

The Social Network

Quite simply one of the best films of the 21st century, David Fincher’s “The Social Network” feels more relevant each and every day. The film chronicles the origins of Facebook through the eyes of Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) and his college friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), covering the ups and downs of those early years and the Machiavellian maneuvering that saw Eduardo shoved out of the company he helped create. This is a tremendously entertaining and biting film that never fails to get old, boasting an Oscar-winning screenplay by Aaron Sorkin and an Oscar-winning score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

The Green Knight

A wonderfully weird and wild fantasy tale, you’ll be amazed “The Green Knight” got made once the credits roll – until you see the A24 logo, that is. Of course A24 let “Pete’s Dragon” and “The Old Man and the Gun” filmmaker David Lowery go nuts with an adaptation of a 14th century poem. And of course the result is terrifying, mystifying and sexy all at once. Dev Patel plays Gawain, a man who sets out on a quest to face the Green Knight owing to a challenge set to him one year before. This film has mermaids, tree men and Sean Harris as King Arthur. Get thee to “The Green Knight!”

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

If you’re in the mood for a romantic comedy with a bit of an R-rated edge, check out “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Jason Segel wrote and stars in the film as a man who’s just been dumped by his TV star girlfriend (played by Kristen Bell) and decides to go to Hawaii to get away… only to run into her and her new rock star boyfriend (played by Russell Brand) staying at the same hotel. Produced by Judd Apatow, the film is a swell mix of raunchy humor and genuine heart, and also stars Mila Kunis and Jonah Hill.

Parasite

Winner of four Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, 2019’s “Parasite” is a masterful portrait of class in the packaging of a white-knuckle thriller. Written and directed by Bong Joon-ho, the film follows a poor family in Seoul who do what they need to get by. When their eldest son gets a job tutoring the daughter of a wealthy family, they begin to infiltrate the rich folks – inside their opulent estate – one by one under the guise of a chauffer, housekeeper and “art therapist.” It’s a rich, darkly funny and tragic chronicle of the myth of class mobility.

A Ghost Story

If existential dread is your bag, “A Ghost Story” is one of the more unique entries in the “ghost movie” genre in the last decade. This original indie from writer/director David Lowery stars Casey Affleck as a man who dies and becomes a ghost, destined to haunt the small Texas home he shared with his wife for all time. It’s a decidedly lo-fi affair — Affleck and other ghost characters appear wearing sheets with their eye holes cut out, and Lowery presents the film in 1:3 aspect ratio. But it’s also a tremendously moving piece of work that builds to a climax that packs an emotional wallop.

Barbie

The biggest film of the year is now streaming on Max. “Barbie” is an impossibly good blockbuster. It has the care, wit and charm you’d expect from a Greta Gerwig joint, but the scale only possible with the kind of budget provided to certain IP. Margot Robbie is impeccable as she traces a journey of awareness for the titular doll, especially as it relates to Barbie’s place in the world as a woman. And Ryan Gosling once again proves he’s quietly the best comedic actor working today with his turn as himbo Ken. This movie is a dream.

Midsommar

Ring in the impending spring with “Midsommar,” one of the brightest and most colorful horror movies ever made. Ari Aster’s 2019 film that became an A24 favorite stars Florence Pugh as a young woman grieving the death of her sister and parents who invites herself on a trip to a midsummer festival at a commune with her boyfriend and his friends. But what starts as a curious and lovely trip into a tight-knit community soon turns into a nightmare as the rituals planned for this particular festival aren’t all fun and games. Pugh is incredible and Aster proves to be a master at tone as he keeps a visually restrained approach that makes the horrors all the more horrifying.

Mad Max: Fury Road

Prepare for the prequel “Furiosa” by catching “Mad Max: Fury Road.” You don’t have to be familiar with the “Mad Max” franchise in order to appreciate the pulse-pounding at the story of this film, which finds captive Max (played by Tom Hardy) hopping aboard an oil tanker driven by Furiosa (Charlize Theron) who is absconding from Immortan Joe’s Citadel with his “wives” in tow. A chase ensues, and indeed the entirety of “Mad Max: Fury Road” is one car chase from start to finish, but captured in jaw-dropping form by Miller, who takes a meticulous approach to the action. But on top of the theatrics, the film is also a meaty feminist diatribe that leaves you with much to chew on after you’ve finished your popcorn.

The Informant!

Whether it’s “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Magic Mike” or “Logan Lucky,” filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has a very specific, very hilarious, very dry sense of humor that’s like a breath of fresh air. This is certainly true of Soderbergh’s 2009 film The Informant!, one of his absolute best. The film stars a beefed-up Matt Damon as Mark Whitacre, a rising star at a food processing corporation in the 1990s who decided to turn whistleblower — except he’s very, very bad at it. “The Informant!” is based on true events, but Mark is played as such a buffoon and his increasingly strange behavior is chronicled in hilarious fashion by Soderbergh. Damon gives one of his most exciting performances, and the film also offers up one of the best examples of narration ever.

The Skeleton Twins

Bill Hader has said that it was this Sundance hit that sparked HBO to want to work with the “SNL” alum on what would become his hit series “Barry.” In “The Skeleton Twins,” Hader plays a man who, after attempting suicide, is reunited with his twin sister (played by Kristen Wiig) in their hometown. The somewhat estranged siblings discover their lives have more in common than they thought, and Hader and Wiig both deliver tremendous performances that balance comedy with drama.

Avatar: The Way of Water

Over a decade in the making, James Cameron’s “Avatar” sequel was well worth the wait. The three-hour “Avatar: The Way of Water” is a truly immersive follow-up to Cameron’s Oscar-winning 2009 film that pushes the groundbreaking technology even further, all in service of storytelling. Cameron is the king of big emotions and that’s true here, as “Avatar 2” resembles his gargantuan “Titanic” in more ways than one — including a rip-roaring third act that never lets up.

Fargo

One of the best movies ever made, “Fargo” holds up tremendously well. The 1996 Oscar winner is written and directed by The Coen Brothers and stars Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief in Minnesota who’s investigation into a dead body threatens to unravel a conspiracy and kidnapping. Supporting turns by William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare are all-timers, and the score by Carter Burwell is one of the best ever.

Good Will Hunting

The film that launched Matt Damon and Ben Affleck onto the world’s stage – and the Oscars stage – remains a moving, artful drama over two decades later. In “Good Will Hunting,” Damon stars as a janitor at MIT who solves an unsolvable problem on a chalkboard, which puts him on the radar of a professor (played by Stellan Skarsgard) who subsequently takes him under his wing. But after a fight puts Will in front of a judge, he’s ordered to therapy sessions with a mild-mannered therapist who happens to be an old friend of the professor’s. Robin Williams gives an Oscar-winning turn as the therapist, while the ensemble is rounded out by Minnie Driver, Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck and Cole Hauser.

Southside With You

This little-seen indie is a remarkable take on the biopic, as it pulls back the curtain on the lives of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama by imagining a single day in their lives in 1989, when a meeting to discuss community organizing turns into a date. Parker Sawyers plays the former president while Tika Sumpter plays the former first lady, and Richard Tanne writes and directs this engaging drama that takes inspiration from Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy.

All That Breathes

You can watch one of the documentaries up for this year’s Best Documentary Feature Oscar on HBO Max this month, and it’s a great one. “All That Breathes” follows two brothers living in New Delhi who capture and treat birds that are dropping from the sky due to the increasing pollution. What really makes this doc soar, though, is director Shaunauk Sen’s cinematic approach to the film. Long takes, slow pans and evocative cinematography capture life in New Delhi in a transfixing way, making the emotional twists and turns all the more impactful.

Ex Machina

A heady sci-fi two-hander with an iconic dance break from Oscar Isaac, 2014’s “Ex Machina” contains multitudes. The film hails from writer/director Alex Garland, whose knack for telling smart (and thought-provoking) sci-fi stories ranges from “Annihilation” to “Devs.” In “Ex Machina,” Isaac plays an enigmatic billionaire who summons a programmer (played by Domhnall Gleeson) to his remote compound to assess whether his A.I. creation (played by Alicia Vikander). Philosophical conversations are interspersed with feelings of dread and horror, as Garland masterfully weaves a tale about what it means to be human.

Batman Returns

Tim Burton’s 1992 sequel remains one of the boldest, most interesting and sexiest Batman movies ever made – and it holds up tremendously well. “Batman Returns” is the superior follow-up to Burton’s 1989 hit, with Michael Keaton reprising his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Michelle Pfeiffer is phenomenal as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, with the character serving as a tempting mirror of Bruce Wayne’s own dichotomy — a more violent path towards vigilantism and revenge. There’s also Danny DeVito’s snarling Penguin, and perhaps most terrifying of all Christopher Walken’s soulless businessman Max Schreck. With a Christmas setting and Burton pushing the Gothic aesthetics to the extreme, this is one of the best Batman movies ever made.

Under the Skin

If you’re an adventurous sci-fi fan, “Under the Skin” is a must-see. This singular, unnerving film from director Jonathan Glazer stars Scarlett Johansson as an alien woman who preys on men in Scotland. But instead of high-flying theatrics, CGI or predictable plot structure, “Under the Skin” surprises at every turn. Johansson’s performance is predatory and elegant all at once, and the way Glazer captures her character’s kills will keep you up at night. Add in a transfixing score by composer Mica Levi, and this one will have you under its spell.

The Batman

Putting a new spin on a character like Batman is incredibly difficult, but director Matt Reeves and star Robert Pattinson accomplish this and much more in the 2022 reboot “The Batman.” The film picks up in Bruce Wayne’s second year of prowling the streets as the caped crusader, and finds him roped into an investigation into a series of killings committed by The Riddler (Paul Dano). Reeves draws from films like “Zodiac” and “All the President’s Men” to result in a process-driven (and wildly compelling) crime thriller that packs some of the most striking cinematography in the character’s history thanks to Oscar-winner Greig Fraser. And that score by Michael Giacchino is a new classic. At three hours in length this one’s quite long, but it’s the detective-driven Batman story fans have long been waiting for.

Dune

Director Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” is the kind of prestige, epic sci-fi adaptation that studios rarely make, and for that alone it’s worth seeking out. Based on the Frank Herbert novel of the same name, the film stars Timothee Chalamet as the young Paul Atreides, a man who accompanies his family House Atreides as they’re tasked with overseeing the mining of a valuable resource on the planet Arrakis. But once they arrive, they struggle against the planet’s native population and the nefarious House Harkonnen who wants its position back at all costs. This film, gorgeously crafted, is the first half of the “Dune” story with the second half adapted in the sequel “Dune: Part Two.”

Malignant

You must be on the right wavelength to enjoy “Malignant,” but if you’re down for a horror movie that plays out with a knowing wink, this might become a new favorite. From “Aquaman” and “The Conjuring” director James Wan, the film stars Annabelle Wallis as a woman who begins to have visions of people being murdered, and when she starts digging into her past she discovers disturbing secrets – all while a killer is on the loose. This thing goes from creepy horror film to murder mystery to campy monster movie and never misses a beat, and the third act is a total blast.

Singin’ in the Rain

Quite simply one of the most joyous films ever made, there’s no way that “Singin’ in the Rain” will leave you in a bad mood. Released in 1952, the film is set against the backdrop of the transition from silent films to “talkies” and revolves around three Hollywood performers: Gene Kelly is Don Lockwood, Debbie Reynolds is Kathy Selden and Donald O’Connor is Cosmo Brown. In addition to telling a compelling Hollywood-set story, the film boasts some of the most mesmerizing musical numbers ever put to film, from the acrobatics of “Make ‘Em Laugh” to Kelly’s iconic “Singin’ in the Rain.” This is a perfect feel-good movie.

The Suicide Squad

While filmmaker James Gunn brought a lighter sensibility to his “Guardians of the Galaxy” films for Marvel Studios, his DC film “The Suicide Squad” harkens back to the darkness of his earlier work. Not quite a sequel and not quite a reboot, the 2021 film largely stands alone as it follows the anti-hero team of Task Force X – which includes Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Idris Elba’s Bloodsport – as they’re assigned to sneak into a foreign country on a top secret mission. R-rating antics abound, but there’s a surprising humanity at the center of this gloriously weird and wild superhero movie.

Spielberg

If you’re a fan of the work of Steven Spielberg, then the documentary “Spielberg” is a must-watch. The film is anchored by an interview with Spielberg himself (and his family members) as it runs through his storied career, with the filmmaker offering candid insight along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how Spielberg took the blow of “1941” or why “Catch Me If You Can” was rooted in a family secret, those answers and more are found within.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League

At four hours in length, “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” is really for interested parties only, but for those with even a passing familiarity with “Man of Steel,” “Batman v. Superman” and “Wonder Woman,” this HBO Max exclusive marks a fascinating, rich and wildly different take on “Justice League” than the one that was released in theaters in 2017. Presented in six chapters with an epilogue, everyone gets more story this time around, and it’s for the better. Cyborg (Ray Fisher) provides some emotional heft; Superman (Henry Cavill) actually gets some depth; and Ben Affleck’s Batman gets more to do than half-heartedly pull together a Justice League. This film is director Zack Snyder’s unfiltered vision for better and for worse, and that includes some major teases for sequels that never came to fruition, plenty of violence and lots of slow motion. And honestly? It’s good.

No Sudden Move

Steven Soderbergh’s HBO Max original film “No Sudden Move” is a heck of a crime thriller. Set in 1954 Detroit, it stars Don Cheadle as a gangster short on cash who wants to leave town, and who reluctantly agrees to do a job that immediately goes sideways. He’s then on the run with a fellow gangster played by Benicio Del Toro, trying to figure out who he can trust and discovering who’s behind it all. The script by Ed Solomon brilliantly weaves a twist-filled story with thematic resonance, as the film uses historical context to add to the complexity of its plot and characters.

2001: A Space Odyssey

If you’re looking to watch a sci-fi classic that may or may not make your head hurt a little bit, try Stanley Kubrick’s masterful 1968 film “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The epic adventure takes place in the year 2001 (then the future) and follows a crew that’s sent to Jupiter after a mysterious monolith is discovered on Earth. Aboard the ship is a computer named HAL that wreaks havoc on the mission. This is one of the most visually stunning and perplexing films of all-time – a true work of art that’s open to various forms of interpretation by the time you reach the end of the journey.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

With the holiday season comes plenty of vacation time, and if you’re in for a really long binge-watch, “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy will do the trick. Peter Jackson’s epic trio of J.R.R. Tolkein adaptations remain some of the most accomplished achievements in the history of moviemaking, as this fantastical tale of a young hobbit who sets out to save the world as he knows it is crafted with ingenuity and passion to spare. Whether it’s your first or fifth time to Middle-earth, it’s a journey well worth taking. As a bonus, HBO Max offers both the theatrical versions and the richer extended versions available to stream.

The post The 41 Best Movies on Max Right Now appeared first on TheWrap.

Check out our list of the best movies on Amazon Prime video below. The list will be updated weekly with new titles.

The Idea of You

Based on the Robinne Lee bestseller of the same name that was famously partially inspired by Harry Styles fanfiction, “The Idea of You” is more romantic drama than romantic comedy, but one thing’s for sure: it’s certainly romantic. Anne Hathaway stars as a mother who strikes up a relationship with the lead singer of her daughter’s favorite band, played by rising star Nicholas Galitzine. Complications ensue as tends to happen when you date a pop star, but director Michael Showalter brings a tender touch to this story of loneliness and the desire to be loved. – Adam Chitwood

The Silence of the Lambs

Still the only horror film to win Best Picture, “The Silence of the Lambs” is a classic for a reason. Director Jonathan Demme’s adaptation stars Jodie Foster as a young FBI trainee who is tasked with enlisting imprisoned serial killer/cannibal Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) for help in tracking down a serial killer of women who goes by the name Buffalo Bill. Demme’s direction is the secret weapon here, preventing the film from becoming gross or exploitative and submerging the viewer into the point of view of Foster’s character. The film won Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Adapted Screenplay. – Adam Chitwood

Gladiator

Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” holds up and then some. And with “Gladiator II” hitting theaters later this year, now’s the perfect time to revisit this Best Picture-winning epic. Russell Crowe stars as a Roman general who is arrested and whose family is murdered when a new king (played by Joaquin Phoenix) takes over. Crowe’s character escapes, finds himself rescued by slave traders and ends up becoming a gladiator, which brings him back to Rome and face-to-face with the man who ruined his life. Epic battles, an epic Hans Zimmer score and delicious performances make this one of Scott’s best. – Adam Chitwood

A.I.

As A.I. is all the rage, it’s a great time to revisit Steven Spielberg’s underrated 2001 film “A.I. Artificial Intelligence.” This is a unique collaboration between Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick – Kubrick developed the project for years but never made it, as he was waiting for visual effects to advance enough for the film to be possible. Spielberg took the spirit of Kubrick’s take on the Philip K. Dick source material and wrote the screenplay himself, resulting in something of a dark and twisted “Pinocchio” story about a lifelike A.I. boy (Haley Joel Osment) who dreams of becoming human so his adoptive mother will finally love him. It’s tragic and terrifying. – Adam Chitwood

Brigsby Bear

Talk about underrated gems. “Brigsby Bear” is an absolute delight, and the less you know about it going in the better. The basic setup is that Kyle Mooney plays a young man named James who has been forced to live his life in an underground bunker with his parents, kept company only by a lo-fi children’s show called Brigsby Bear. “SNL” director Dave McNary directs from a screenplay by Mooney and Kevin Costello, and the film features a terrific performance by Mark Hamill. This one is sweet, funny and wh0lly unique. – Adam Chitwood

Everybody Wants Some!!!

Glen Powell is (deservedly) everywhere these days, but if you missed his breakout role in Richard Linklater’s incredible 2016 hangout film “Everybody Wants Some!!” now’s the perfect chance. Described as a spiritual sequel to Linklater’s seminal “Dazed and Confused,” this film takes place in the 1980s and revolves around a group of college students (in contrast to the ‘70s high school setting of “Dazed”). It is a pure hangout movie in the sense that the plot is light but the characters are rich, and we follow a number of Texas college kids – most of whom are on the baseball team – over the course of a couple of days. Blake Jenner, Zoey Deutch, Wyatt Russell and Tyler Hoechlin costar. – Adam Chitwood

Psycho (1960)

A trio of Alfred Hitchcock classics are on Prime Video this month, and are all must-watches for very different reasons. First up is “Psycho,” a classic horror film about a woman (Janet Leigh) on the run who winds up at a nearly abandoned motel called the Bates Motel, where she crosses paths with its mild mannered owner Norman (Anthony Perkis). Then things get very bad. 60 years later, this one still terrifies. – Adam Chitwood

Rear Window

Next up we have “Rear Window,” one of the most purely entertaining films ever made. Jimmy Stewart plays a professional photographer recuperating from a broken leg who’s confined to a wheelchair. To pass the time in his New York City apartment, he spies on the open windows in the building next door. One night, he thinks he witnesses a murder, and things spiral out of control there. The production design alone makes this a classic, but ever the master of suspense, Hitchcock grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. – Adam Chitwood

Vertigo

And finally there’s “Vertigo.” Somewhat ignored upon release, this one is now hailed as one of the greatest films ever made. Jimmy Stewart plays a retired detective suffering agoraphobia who’s asked to tail a friend’s wife. She’s been acting strange, you see, and he wants to get to the bottom of what’s going on. Is she possessed? Is she crazy? Is he crazy? Everything’s on the table as one of Hitchcock’s most personal films unfolds, laying bare his prurient obsessions. – Adam Chitwood

Batman Returns

One of the best Batman movies ever made, Tim Burton’s 1992 sequel “Batman Returns” is wild. Following his 1989 smash hit, Burton leaned hard into the weird for this follow-up, which finds Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne squaring off against a trio of villains: Michelle Pfeiffer’s vengeful Catwoman, Danny DeVito’s snarling Penguin and Christopher Walken’s pure evil Max Schreck. Pfeiffer is phenomenal as Selina Kyle, playing a foil to Wayne as the film touches on what motivates revenge and what is just. The movie also just looks incredible, with Gotham City bathed in snow and Burton relishing how far he can push the violence on a PG-13 rating. – Adam Chitwood

Good Will Hunting

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s breakout 1998 drama “Good Will Hunting” remains a stellar and poignant film all these years later. Damon and Affleck won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for their story of a genius janitor who struggles to reach his full potential. The Boston-set film also finds Robin Williams turning in one of his finest (and Oscar-winning) performances, with lovely direction from Gus Van Sant. – Adam Chitwood

Mission: Impossible 1-5

The first five “Mission: Impossible” movies are now streaming on Netflix, and they are a great hang. This is one of the best franchises still running, as Tom Cruise offers death-defying stunts and an entirely new vibe for each movie owing to a change in directors. Brian De Palma’s first entry is a sexy thriller, John Woo’s “Mission: Impossible 2” is a balletic actioner, J.J. Abrams’ “Mission: Impossible III” is nearly a rom-com and Brad Bird’s “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” brings the ensemble to the forefront for a full team movie. These films are spectacular, and you can also stream “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” and “Dead Reckoning” with a Paramount+ trial. – Adam Chitwood

Asteroid City

Wes Anderson’s latest film “Asteroid City” is now streaming on Prime Video, and it’s one of his best. Released just this year, the story continues the Russian nesting doll structure that Anderson enacted so well in “The Grand Budapest Hotel” as it follows a troupe of actors who are performing a play about a bunch of people who end up quarantined in a 1950s desert after they’re visited by an alien. The film packs an emotional punch as Anderson was clearly inspired by the pandemic with this one, and it boasts yet another incredible cast that includes Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Edward Norton, Bryan Cranston and Steve Carell.

The Firm

Who doesn’t love a good legal thriller? They truly don’t make movies like “The Firm” anymore – a character-driven, two-and-a-half-hour mid-budget human drama. Based on the John Grisham book of the same name, the 1993 release stars Tom Cruise as a Harvard Law School graduate who lands a high-profile gig at a top law firm in Memphis, But as he gets deeper into the job, he starts to uncover secrets and conspiracies within. The late, great Sydney Pollack directs and the cast includes Jeanne Tripplehorn, Ed Harris, Holly Hunter and Hal Holbrook.

Bones and All

The 2022 horror drama from “Call Me by Your Name” and “Suspiria” director Luca Guadagnino stars Timothee Chalamet and Taylor Russell as two young cannibals living in 1980s America, struggling to contain their impulses as they strike up a tenuous relationship. Based on the book of the same name by Camille DeAngelis, it’s a chilling, moving and sometimes sweet film that will rattle you to your bones with a stirring performance by Mark Rylance.

The Truman Show

If you’re itching for more meta fun after “Barbie,” check out “The Truman Show,” a film director Greta Gerwig says she looked towards for inspiration for her take on “Barbie.” Directed by Peter Weird, the 1998 film stars Jim Carrey as a man who has no idea that his entire life is being filmed for a reality TV show, and that his small town is actually an enormous soundstage in which every moment of his life is loosely scripted. It’s wholly unique and inventive, and came at a time when “reality TV” was first starting to take hold of audiences all over the world. In a testament to its quality, it holds up tremendously well today. – Adam Chitwood

Air

Have you ever wondered how Nike secured the rights to Michael Jordan’s likeness and created the unstoppable Air Jordan brand? Well, even if you haven’t, here’s a movie that explains it anyway. Matt Damon stars as Sonny Vaccaro, a plucky employee of upstart Nike (which was on the verge of shutting down its basketball division), who comes across a Freshman player that he thinks has what it takes – Michael Jordan (who is never fully seen, just glimpsed in archival footage and from the neck down). He’s got to convince his boss, Phil Knight (Ben Affleck), his fellow Nike colleagues (including Chris Tucker and Jason Bateman) and, most crucially, Jordan’s parents (played by real-life couple Viola Davis and Julius Tennon). Oddly charming and uplifting for a movie nakedly about the triumph of capitalism, it is smartly directed by Affleck and features a ton of winning performances. Even if you don’t care about the Air Jordan brand and how it was secured by Nike, you’ll still be utterly riveted. – Drew Taylor

Jackass Forever

If you’re looking to laugh your face off, go with “Jackass Forever.” The fourth film in the “Jackass” franchise finds the same old crew tackling brand new stunts, except this time they’re all in middle-age (which, honestly, makes the stunts ever funnier). There is a pure adrenaline rush that comes with watching this movie, but what makes it special is the camaraderie and love these guys have for one another — all while putting each other in terrible situations. — Adam Chitwood

Almost Famous

One of the best films ever made about music, Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous” is a timeless classic. Inspired by Crowe’s earlier career as a music journalist, the film follows a teen named William (played by Patrick Fugit) who scores an assignment from Rolling Stone to write a story on an up-and-coming band named Stillwater. Embedded with the band on the road, William learns about life, love and friendship – although through Crowe’s unabashedly earnest prism, it never comes off as trite or rote. Crowe won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, and Kate Hudson was rightfully nominated for Best Supporting Actress. The impeccable ensemble also includes Frances McDormand, Billy Crudup, Jason Lee, Fairuza Balk, Anna Paquin and Philip Seymour Hoffman. – Adam Chitwood

I Want You Back

A clever rom-com with a heck of a charming duo, Amazon’s “I Want You Back” stars Charlie Day and Jenny Slate as two strangers who bond after being dumped by their respective partners at the same time. Determined to get them back, they conspire together to sabotage their ex’s new relationships, building a complicated web of friendships, feelings and — of course — accidentally falling for each other. Day and Slate make for a fantastic pair of lovable wrecks at their worst, sparking believable chemistry while delivering the laughs. – Haleigh Foutch

Hong Kong action legend John Woo delivered one of his best American studio films with the 1997 favorite “Face/Off.” Starring John Travolta as family man FBI agent Sean Archer and Nicolas Cage as his criminal, identity-thieving arch-enemy Castor Troy, who takes over Archer’s life with the help of a plastic surgeon and a revolutionary face-swapping procedure. It’s a completely bonkers blast of a film, with two old-school movie star performances from Travolta and Cage, both of whom fully embrace Woo’s wild over-the-top vision of a cat-and-mouse crime thriller that never stops escalating the action. – Haleigh Foutch

The Outfit

A contained spy thriller with a heck of a lead performance, “The Outfit” hails from Oscar-winning “The Imitation Game” writer Graham Moore who serves as writer and director on the story of an English tailor (played by Mark Rylance) who gets caught up in a mob war one night while working late in his shop on Saints Row. Zoey Deutch, Dylan O’Brien and Johnny Flynn co-star in the film which largely takes place in the same location, but is dripping with tension and packed with reveals. – Adam Chitwood

The Lost City of Z

A Tom Holland adventure movie of a very different sort, “The Lost City of Z” is based on the David Grann book of the same name and follows a British explorer in the early 1900s who is sent to Brazil to search for a supposed lost city in the Amazon. Charlie Hunnam plays the explorer Percy Fawcett, Robert Pattinson plays fellow explorer Henry Costin and Tom Holland plays Percy’s son Jack. As directed and written by James Gray, “The Lost City of Z” is an enthralling story about colonialism and the relationship between a father and a son. – Adam Chitwood

Lucy and Desi

If you’ve already seen Aaron Sorkin’s fictional account of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in “Being the Ricardos,” check out the Amy Poehler-directed documentary “Lucy and Desi.” The film explores the partnership between the “I Love Lucy” stars, offering an insightful and candid look at the relationship between the two buoyed by interviews with Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, Norman Lear, Desi Arnaz Jr, Carol Burnett and Bette Midler. – Adam Chitwood

The Courier

“The Courier” is a great “dad movie,” and that’s pejorative. This Cold War thriller is based on a true story and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Greville Wynne, a British businessman who was recruited by the Secret Intelligence Service to serve as a messenger between a Russian spy source and the British government in the 1960s. What begins as an exciting romp turns deadly serious, and Cumberbatch commands the screen in the lead role (flanked by Rachel Brosnahan as his wife and Jessie Buckley as his handler). This one’s taut, compelling and surprisingly emotional. – Adam Chitwood

Brittany Runs a Marathon

The 2019 comedy “Brittany Runs a Marathon” manages to be both hilarious and inspiring at the same time, as Jillian Bell stars as a twentysomething woman living in New York City named Brittany who decides to try and get her life together – and to start, she’s going to train to run the New York Marathon. But as Brittany gets deeper and deeper into running, making new friends along the way, she discovers that a change on the inside may be what’s most prudent to pointing her life in the right direction. Bell is fantastic in the lead role, and writer/director Paul Downs Colaizzo’s script is pleasantly surprising in where it takes Brittany’s story. – Adam Chitwood

Suspiria

After he made the Oscar-winning romance “Call Me by Your Name,” filmmaker Luca Guadagnino took on a horror classic with 2018’s “Suspiria.” Set in 1988 Berlin, the film stars Dakota Johnson as a young woman leaving her Mennonite family in Ohio to audition for and train as a dancer at an esteemed academy. But as her training continues, it becomes clear that perhaps this dance troupe has something more sinister, more witchy going on. The brilliance of Guadagnino’s take on the story is how it uses the supernatural horror to tell a real-life horror story about fascism, and the festering wound of evil. Tilda Swinton is mesmerizing pulling double duty here as the dance troupe’s leader and a male doctor curious about the goings-on at the school. – Adam Chitwood

The Report

If a real-life investigative thriller in the vein of “All the President’s Men” is more your speed, check out “The Report.” Released in 2019, the true-story drama stars Adam Driver as Daniel Jones, a staffer for Senator Dianne Feinstein (played by Annette Bening) who is tasked with investigating the CIA’s use of torture following the 9/11 attacks. Writer/director Scott Z. Burns crafts a film that is taught with tension, but also powerful in its pursuit of the truth. The ensemble includes Jon Hamm, Michael C. Hall, Corey Stoll, Ted Levine and Maura Tierney. – Adam Chitwood

Late Night

Screenwriter Mindy Kaling pulled from the world of late night television for her 2019 comedy “Late Night,” which stars Emma Thompson as a veteran late night TV personality who is in danger of being pushed out by the network, and enlists the help of a new (and inexperienced) writer (played by Kaling) to bring some diversity to her all-male writing staff. The comedy has shades of a mismatched buddy film, behind-the-scenes Hollywood tale and middle-aged drama, and it’s anchored by a terrific performance from Thompson as a woman struggling to keep up with the times. – Adam Chitwood

It’s a Wonderful Life

If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, you can’t go wrong with Frank Capra’s 1946 classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man extremely down on his luck who, after attempting to take his own life, is shown what life in his small town would look like had he never existed. While the film is ultimately uplifting, it’s far darker than many remember, and is a brilliant tale about life and the relationships we make (and take for granted) along the way. – Adam Chitwood

Cold War

If you’re into period dramas, the 2018 film “Cold War” is a must-see. Directed and co-written by Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish-language drama takes place in Poland and France and begins in the 1940s before ending in the 1960s as it follows the relationship between a musical director and a young singer he discovers. Against the backdrop of their love affair, the war rages on. – Adam Chitwood

The Big Sick

A romantic comedy straight from the heart, the based-on-a-true-story “The Big Sick” is delightful and emotional all at once. Written by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, the film is based on the origins of their relationship as Gordon slipped into a coma soon after they started dating, and Nanjiani was forced to confront his own fears and contend with Gordon’s parents all with the uncertainty of her condition looming large. Zoe Kazan portrays Gordon in the film with a hearty dose of moxie, and Nanjiani delivers a complex performance that clearly pulls from the depths of his personal life – not just his relationship with Kazan’s character, but his own relationship to his family. – Adam Chitwood

The Handmaiden

“Oldboy” filmmaker Park Chan-wook’s 2016 epic erotic drama “The Handmaiden” is absolutely one of his best films, and is a blast from start to finish. The psychological thriller plays out in three parts chock full of twists and turns, but begins as the story of a con man who conspires with a pickpocket to hatch a plan that would involve marrying a Japanese heiress and committing her to an asylum, thus stealing her wealth. But the film takes a number of turns as various romantic and sexual entanglements ensue. This one’s for adults only. – Adam Chitwood

Manchester by the Sea

“Manchester by the Sea” is a brilliant film, but fair warning it’s also a significant bummer. This 2016 film won Oscars for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay and stars Casey Affleck as a janitor living in Massachusetts who is suddenly tasked with caring for his nephew following his brother’s abrupt death. The event triggers substantial trauma that Affleck’s character has yet to process, and what follows is a somber, sometimes darkly funny and ultimately touching meditation on grief and guilt. – Adam Chitwood

One Night in Miami

Regina King’s 2020 drama “One Night in Miami” is an excellent snapshot of a moment in time, and how four of the most famous African-Americans in history each approached the changing societal landscape of the 1960s. Set over the course of one night in 1964, the story follows four friends – Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) – as a night of celebrating soon turns into a night of lively conversation about their roles and responsibilities to the African-American community. The film is cleverly drawn and tremendously compelling, and provides much food for thought as it connects the struggles of the 1960s to today. – Adam Chitwood

The Vast of Night

If you like hidden gems, 2020’s “The Vast of Night” is one of the most exciting indies of the last few years. Set in 1950s New Mexico, the story takes place over the course of one evening where a young switchboard operator and a radio DJ pick up a mysterious audio frequency that may or may not be inhuman in nature. This small-scale sci-fi mystery is light on effects but heavy on evocative filmmaking, intrigue and dimensional characters. It’s so good, a scene with a man talking about his experience with aliens over the radio will have you on the edge of your seat. – Adam Chitwood

Sound of Metal

2019’s “Sound of Metal” is an indie with a heart of gold – and an Oscar-winning one at that. The film stars Riz Ahmed as a metal drummer named Ruben who begins to lose his hearing. He leaves his bandmate to go to a facility for Deaf recovering addicts, where he begins to learn how to live his life differently but also struggles with his own demons. Ahmed gives a powerhouse performance, and the film’s sound design puts you right in Ruben’s headspace. – Adam Chitwood

Love and Friendship

If it’s a lovely costume dramedy you’re in the mood for, 2016’s “Love and Friendship” is an absolute delight. Based on the Jane Austen novel “Lady Susan,” the film is written and directed by Whit Stillman and stars Kate Beckinsale as a recently widowed woman who sets out to secure wealthy husbands for herself and her daughter. A comedy of errors ensues, with Beckinsale and Chloe Sevigny sharply leading an ensemble that also includes Stephen Fry, Tom Bennett and Xavier Samuel. – Adam Chitwood

The post The 40 Best Movies on Amazon Prime (July 2024) appeared first on TheWrap.

While it can be daunting thumbing through the streamer’s catalog to find out what to watch, we’ve taken the guesswork and mindless scrolling out of it. This post will be frequently updated with new recommendations, keeping you up to date with all the Netflix movies you should be prioritizing in your queue.

So peruse our list of the best movies on Netflix right now below, and happy watching!

Hit Man

This movie is an absolute blast. Inspired by a true story, “Hit Man” stars Glen Powell as a mild-mannered man who does contract work for the local police disguising himself as a hit man to catch people plotting murders on tape. But when he falls for one of his would-be criminals (a woman played by Adria Arjona), he finds himself caught between two identities — the “hit man” personality she fell in love with and the guy he really is. Richard Linklater, the award-winning filmmaker behind “School of Rock,” “Boyhood” and the “Before” series, directs with a keen eye for humanity in every character but packages the whole thing as a screwball comedy. Powell co-wrote the script and is dynamite in the lead role, showing off tremendous chemistry with Arjona.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

One of the wildest Best Picture Oscar-winners in recent memory, A24’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is a multiverse family drama starring Michelle Yeoh as a woman who runs a laundromat with her husband. When she’s being audited by the IRS, she gets a peek into her life in various different realities, which range from the exciting to the action-heavy to the incredibly weird. Through it all, writers/directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert maintain a deep, beating heart to ultimately tell a story about family, mothers and daughters and the little things in life that can mean everything. It won seven Oscars including Best Actress for Yeoh, Best Supporting Actor for Ke Huy Quan and Best Director.

Looper

Before Rian Johnson made “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” or the “Knives Out” movies, he wrote and directed this unique sci-fi thriller with a brilliant twist. “Looper” takes place in a world in which time travel has not been invented yet but will be, and in the future criminals send targets back in time to be murdered in the past, thus disposing of the body. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of these assassins, but he’s thrown one day when the target that appears before him is his older self (played by Bruce Willis). He hesitates and his future self gets free, and the two set about on a journey fraught with tension. Emily Blunt co-stars and this wonderfully original film builds to a shocking climax.

Back to the Future Trilogy

“Back to the Future” is not only one of the best film trilogies of all time, it’s also one of the most bingeable. The original 1985 film is a bona fide classic with Michael J. Fox playing Marty McFly, a high schooler who accidentally travels back in time and interacts with his parents as high schoolers (played by Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover). 1989’s “Back to the Future Part II” and 1990’s “Back to the Future Part III” were shot back-to-back but are wildly different films – “Part II” travels to the future and offers a decidedly ‘80s twist on dystopia while “Part III” is a full-blown Western. Taken together, director Robert Zemeckis’ trilogy is a wildly entertaining sci-fi jaunt.

Call Me by Your Name

The film that really put Timothee Chalamet on the map, “Call Me by Your Name” is one of the most deeply felt love stories ever put to screen. Filmmaker Luca Guadagnino transports the viewer to a time and place, yes, but also exudes the feeling of lust, love and possibility throughout. Chalamet plays a 17-year-old vacationing with his family in Italy in 1983 who strikes up a romantic relationship with a 24-year-old grad student (played by Armie Hammer). The soundtrack features two original songs by Sufjan Stevens, and the supporting performance by Michael Stuhlbarg is outstanding. If you dug “Challengers,” also by Guadagnino, check out the director’s more quietly romantic spin on a love story.

Easy A

A delightful romantic comedy with a teen twist, “Easy A” is also a terrific showcase for the charms and talent of Emma Stone. The eventual Oscar winner stars in this 2010 film as a high school student named Olive who, in a bid to help her friend who’s being bullied for being gay, offers to pretend to have sex with him. Olive soon gets a bit of a reputation, all the while boys from her school start paying her in gifts in return for telling people they hooked up. “The Scarlet Letter” serves as a backdrop for this bitingly funny and sharp teen tale, and the swell ensemble cast includes Penn Badgley, Thomas Hayden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson.

1917

Sam Mendes’ one-shot World War I film earned a boatload of Oscars, and deservedly so. The film is presented as one long, unbroken take (for which cinematographer Roger Deakins won an Academy Award) as it follows a soldier played by George MacKay through one day on the battlefield in April, 1917. It’s an astounding accomplishment and best watched with your full attention. Andrew Scott, Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden and Mark Strong all have memorable but small roles as MacKay’s character makes his way through the muck.

The Breakfast Club

With “Brats” hitting Hulu this month, now’s the perfect time to revisit John Hughes’ perfect “The Breakfast Club.” The 1985 film chronicles a single day of Saturday detention for five high school students, all from different backgrounds/cliques, and finds them bonding in surprising ways. The level at which this film gets the teenage struggle remains a stunning feat, and there’s something magical about the chemistry of Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Anthony Michael Hall altogether.

Tangerine

Before “The Florida Project” or “Red Rocket,” filmmaker Sean Baker burst onto the scene with his 2015 comedy “Tangerine” – shot entirely on an iPhone. Kitana Kiki Rodriguez stars as a trans sex worker living in Los Angeles who finds out that her boyfriend and pimp has been cheating on her. While it looks like an indie and tackles some heavy material at times, the film has the tone and pacing of a raucous comedy, and is all the better for it. Even better to brush up on Baker’s breakout film ahead of the release of his new film “Anora,” which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year.

Baby Driver

“Shaun of the Dead” and “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” filmmaker Edgar Wright combined his love of music and action filmmaking in 2017’s “Baby Driver,” which is packed wall-to-wall with music. Ansel Elgort is a getaway driver with tinnitus who constantly listens to music to drown out the ringing in his ears, but Wright times the action beats of the story to the songs that are playing, resulting in something of an action musical. Lily James is the object of Baby’s affection, and the ensemble cast also includes Jamie Foxx, Jon Hamm, Eiza Gonzalez and, uh, Kevin Spacey.

Anyone but You

This romcom took the world by storm after it hit Netflix, but it was first released in theaters by Sony in December. Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney play a pair of strangers who meet, hook up and then immediately part ways after a misunderstanding. They’re forced to play nice when a mutual friend invites them to a wedding in Australia, but wouldn’t you know it, they kinda start to like each other. Powell proves his leading man muster and this one’s a fun throwback.

Inside Man

Spike Lee’s 2006 thriller “Inside Man” is one of the director’s best and most entertaining films. The story opens in the aftermath of a bank heist, with those taken hostage giving their interviews to police about what happened. The film then flashes back to portray the events as they unfold, with Denzel Washington playing the detective trying to talk down the robber and kidnapper (played by Clive Owen) who seems to be harboring some kind of secret. Mind games ensue, and this one keeps you guessing all the way up through the end.

Moneyball

Brad Pitt gives one of his best performances in the 2011 drama “Moneyball,” an artful crowdpleaser in the best way. Directed by Bennett Miller and written by Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian, “Moneyball” charts former MLB flameout Billy Beane (Pitt) who’s now general manager of the Oakland Athletics and recruits a statistician with zero baseball experience (played by Jonah Hill in an Oscar-nominated performance) to help him shake up the team. The film is based on a true and controversial story, and while the sports angle is interesting, Pitt’s turn as a man filled with regret and shame hits you right in the gut.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Impossibly, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” might be even better than “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” which itself is nearly a masterpiece. The sequel — once again produced and written by Phil Lord and Chris Miller — finds Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) contending with the multiverse of Spider-People by going to various other universes, and squaring off against a unique antagonist known as The Spot (Jason Schwartzman) who keeps slipping through various universes. It builds to a climax worthy of comparisons to “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” no small feat.

The Killer

David Fincher’s “The Killer” is a delightfully unique twist on the hitman movie. Written by “Seven” writer Andrew Kevin Walker, the film is broken up into chapters and follows an assassin played by Michael Fassbender in the wake of a hit gone wrong. But whereas most films would go right, “The Killer” goes left. There is precious little dialogue spoken out loud by Fassbender’s character as our insight into this machine-like presence comes from lengthy voiceovers. Fincher delights in immersing us into this man’s psyche as he world kinda sorta unravels.

Glass Onion

You simply must, must, must watch “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” if you enjoy things like “fun” and “comedy.” This “Knives Out” sequel (once again written and directed by Rian Johnson) is a brand new mystery, with Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc as the only returning character from the original film. This time, he’s invited to a secluded island by a tech billionaire (played by Edward Norton), who has gathered a group of his closest friends – played by Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr. and Janelle Monae – in Greece to play an elaborate murder mystery game. To say more would spoil the surprises, but suffice it to say this is just as thrilling, hilarious and surprising as the first “Knives Out” and you’ll want to watch it again immediately once it’s over.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Guillermo del Toro’s first stop-motion feature film is as emotional as you’d expect, and this is “Pinocchio” like you’ve never seen the story before. Co-written and directed by del Toro, this adaptation features the voices of Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Burn Gorman, Cate Blanchett, Finn Wolfhard, Ron Perlman and Tilda Swinton and offers up a fantastical twist on the Carlo Collodi Italian classic. Emotional and awe-inspiring in equal measure, and set against the backdrop of fascist Italy, this is a gorgeous work of art.

Mudbound

The first film to ever earn a woman an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography, 2017’s “Mudbound” is a moving and compelling historical drama. Directed by Dee Rees and shot by Rachel Morrison, the film follows two World War II veterans as they return home to Mississippi, one white and one Black. Carey Mulligan, Jason Mitchell, Garrett Hedlund and Mary J. Blige anchor the terrific ensemble cast as the film tackles race relations in the past with a direct line to our present, packed with rich and complex characters.

Phantom Thread

While “The Master” may be filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson at his most serious, “Phantom Thread” is him at his most playful. The acerbic romance stars Daniel Day-Lewis in his final onscreen role before his retirement and is set in 1954 London. Day-Lewis stars as a famous fashion designer who takes his meticulous process seriously. But when he strikes up a relationship with a waitress, his routine starts to get shaken up, and he must consider the impact said relationship will have on his work. This is Paul Thomas Anderson’s version of a twisted romantic drama, and the film is surprisingly funny.

The Power of the Dog

Writer/director Jane Campion’s 2021 drama “The Power of the Dog” is a powerful and surprising film about, among other things, family. Set in 1925 Montana, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons play a pair of brothers whose strained relationship is pushed to the limit when Plemons marries a widowed single mother (played by Kirsten Dunst) on a whim, and brings her son (played by Kodi Smit-McPhee) to live with them on their ranch. The performances are top-notch all around, as Campion crafts a complex and tension-filled character-centric drama that’s certainly one of 2021’s best films.

tick, tick… BOOM!

“Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda makes his feature directorial debut with the Netflix musical “tick, tick… BOOM!,” based on the autobiographical stage musical by “Rent” creator Jonathan Larson. Andrew Garfield plays Larson, who is on the cusp of turning 30 and has yet to have a masterpiece staged on Broadway. As he puts the finishing touches on his sci-fi rock epic, he grapples with his own anxieties, his crumbling relationship with his girlfriend, and the impending AIDS epidemic that’s taking his friends far too quickly. The songs are incredible and the direction is inspired, but Garfield’s electric and soulful performance makes this a must-watch.

Mank

This one might come with a “For Cinephiles Only” warning, but if that describes you there’s much to love in David Fincher’s 2020 film “Mank.” Gary Oldman stars as Hollywood writer Herman J. Mankiewicz as the film chronicles his experience writing the screenplay for “Citizen Kane,” all while flashing back to events from his life that inspired certain characters and themes in what many consider to be the greatest film ever made. Fincher presents the film entirely in black-and-white (it won the Oscar for Best Cinematography), and Amanda Seyfried gives a terrific performance as Marion Davies while Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross compose a surprising original score.

Private Life

Kathryn Hahn has made a career out of scene-stealing supporting performances, but she takes center stage in writer/director Tamara Jenkins’ 2018 dramedy “Private Life.” Inspired by Jenkins’ own experience, Hahn and Paul Giamatti star as a middle-aged New York City couple struggling through infertility who decide to try and have a child through IVF. The film follows the ups and downs of infertility in heartbreaking detail, while also finding moments of humor throughout that ring true to life. Hahn and Giamatti are spectacular together, as they also chronicle how their journey strains their marriage.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

This Western anthology from the Coen Brothers is a delightful romp that builds to a shockingly emotional conclusion. “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” is made up of six different stories set in the Old West, each featuring different characters. Themes of mortality, morality and justice are prevalent throughout “Buster Scruggs” just as they are through the Coens’ other films, but this time all against a wonderful, slightly exaggerated Western backdrop. The stellar cast includes Tim Blake Nelson, Stephen Root, Zoe Kazan, Bill Heck, Liam Neeson and Brendan Gleeson.

Marriage Story

Writer/director Noah Baumbach 2019’s drama “Marriage Story” is, ultimately, a divorce story, but it’s so richly drawn and beautifully acted that you’ll find your own heart breaking as you watch the conscious uncoupling of a pair played by Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver. This is far from a mean-spirited or even depressing film. Instead, while it does indeed chronicle the dissolution of a relationship (inspired by Baumbach’s own life) and how the divorce impacts their young son, “Marriage Story” smartly always keeps an eye on one very important fact: while these two individuals may be splitting up, that doesn’t mean the love they once had for each other wasn’t real. Driver and Johansson are terrific, and Laura Dern is a scene-stealer in her Oscar-winning supporting turn.

The Mitchells vs. the Machines

If you’re looking for a movie the whole family can enjoy, the 2021 Netflix original “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” is an emotional crowd-pleaser that’s as funny as it is inventive. Directed by Mike Rianda and produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the film follows a family going on a cross-country road trip to send their eldest daughter Katie (Abbi Jacobson) to college, where she hopes to learn how to become a filmmaker. The family isn’t on the best terms when the road trip begins, which makes things even trickier when a robot uprising occurs, leaving the dysfunctional Mitchells as humanity’s last hope. This is a hilarious, colorful and heartfelt story about the importance of communication.

13th

Netflix has a wide variety of documentaries to choose from, but Ava DuVernay’s 2016 film “13th” is a must-watch. The doc delves into mass incarceration in the United States, and how race and injustice intersect with the issue, through the prism of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolishes slavery except as punishment for a crime. Through a number of interviews, DuVernay examines why a disproportionate number of Black people are incarcerated in the U.S., and how the current justice system perpetuates this injustice.

Enola Holmes

One of the great things about Netflix is how it has a little bit of something for everyone, and in that vein, the YA-skewing “Enola Holmes” is a delight for the teenaged crowd (and beyond). Based on the young adult series of the same name by author Nancy Springer, the film stars Millie Bobby Brown as the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill). When her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) goes missing, Enola leaves the safety of her home compound and ventures into London to try and solve this mystery. Along the way, however, Enola learns that her mother kept many secrets of her own. This is a rollicking mystery-adventure that’s also a sweet and substantial coming-of-age story, all wrapped up in a gorgeous 19th century Victorian package.

Set It Up

If you’re into romantic comedies, you simply must check out “Set It Up.” This Netflix original is a throwback in the best way, as Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell have that Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks chemistry in a story about friends turning into lovers. They play overworked assistants to demanding bosses (played by Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs) and hatch a plan to set their bosses up in an effort to earn more free time themselves. But their scheming puts them in frequent close contact, during which sparks fly.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Before Taika Waititi took audiences by storm with “Thor: Ragnarok” and won an Oscar with “Jojo Rabbit,” he crafted a wonderfully whimsical comedy called “Hunt for the Wilderpeople.” The film stars Julian Dennison as a troubled youth who goes on the run with a cantankerous man (played by Sam Neill) when both are being hunted through a remote part of Australia. The film is packed with Waititi’s signature sense of humor and unique style, and Dennison and Neill make for one heck of a dynamic duo.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

The Netflix original comedy “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga” is not just an incredibly funny film, it’s a surprisingly emotional one too. Based on an original idea by Will Ferrell, the “Elf” actor stars as one half of an Icelandic duo alongside Rachel McAdams, both of whom are thrust into the spotlight when they’re unexpectedly selected to compete in the international singing competition Eurovision. The film is packed with some genuinely great songs, and a sweet story about staying true to your roots in the face of immense growth.

The Fear Street Trilogy

Everyone loves a good scare, but the “Fear Street” trilogy gives you three times the thrills for the price of one overarching story. These three interconnected films trace the origins of a witch’s curse on a small town, covering events in 1994 in the “Scream”-inspired first film, then heading back to 1978 for the summer camp slasher sequel, before concluding in the year 1666 for the third and final feature that reveals the origin story of the Shadyside witch. Colorful, fun and genuinely scary, the “Fear Street” trilogy tells a truly epic horror story.

Miss Americana

The Taylor Swift documentary “Miss Americana” is full of surprises. While the film begins by chronicling Swift’s career, complete with the ups and downs it encompassed, it soon morphs into the origin story of a feminist as Swift begins to speak out on socio-political issues important to her. It’s a fascinating window into the management of fame, as some around her caution against making any kinds of political statements for fear of alienating her fanbase. Swift is honest throughout – or as honest as a documentary like this can be – and the film doesn’t shy away from tough moments like Kanye West infamously interrupting her at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.

The Irishman

Martin Scorsese’s 3-hour-and-40-minute gangster epic “The Irishman” is best viewed in one sitting – trust me. The brilliance of the film is in its construction, as Scorsese charts the career of a hitman for the mob from the 1950s up to the present day. But unlike the bombast of “Goodfellas,” this is a film where regret and grief hang over nearly every frame, subtly building until the mournful third act hits you like a ton of bricks. Robert De Niro’s Frank Sheeran spends his entire life killing people, and what does it all add up to? Scorsese gets downright philosophical with questions of morality and mortality, crafting a self-reflexive film about what it means to come to the end of your life and look back on what you’ve done, why you did it and whether it was all worth it in the end.

Da 5 Bloods

Spike Lee is not known for making bland films, and indeed his 2020 Vietnam veterans drama “Da 5 Bloods” is confrontational in the best way. The story revolves around four aging Vietnam War veterans who return to the Southeast Asian country to search for the remains of their fallen leader — and also a trove of buried treasure. Along the way they confront their own fears and differences, as Lee’s film delves into how America left an entire generation of soldiers behind.

Crip Camp

Netflix is host to a ton of great documentaries, including “Crip Camp.” This Oscar-nominated 2020 film begins by showcasing archival footage from a camp in the 1970s that was created for teens with disabilities, before then following various individuals as they fought for disability rights. It’s a moving portrait of activism that shows just how far we’ve come as a country, and how far we have left to go.

The post The 40 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now appeared first on TheWrap.

Boasting an incredibly stacked voice cast, including Maya Rudolph, Emily Blunt, Blake Lively, Jon Stewart, George Clooney and a ton more, “IF” is led by Ryan Reynolds and young star Cailey Fleming. In addition to writing and directing the movie, Krasinski also lends his voice to one of the IFs, aka Imaginary Friends, and puppeteered a few others.

Here’s everything you need to know to see “IF.”

When did “IF” come out?

“IF” first hit theaters on Friday, May 17, 2024.

Is “IF” streaming?

Yes, as of July 9 the film is now streaming on Paramount+. It is also available to rent or purchase from digital retailers.

Who stars in “IF”?

Ryan Reynolds and Cailey Fleming lead the cast, but there are a bunch of famous faces and voices you’ll also recognize. That includes Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Steve Carrell, Emily Blunt, Blake Lively, Bobby Moynihan, Maya Rudolph and more.

What is “IF” about?

“IF” centers on Bea (Cailey Fleming), a young girl who can see all the imaginary friends — or IFs — of the world. She’s on a mission to find them new kids, after their own have grown up and forgotten about them. With some help from Cal (Ryan Reynolds), she enters an entirely imaginary world, and finds the realest parts of herself as she does.

Watch the trailer

The post How to Watch ‘IF’: Where Is the Ryan Reynolds Movie Streaming? appeared first on TheWrap.

The Emmy Award-winning restaurant-set dramedy follows Carmy, an elite-level chef after he moves back home to take over his late brother’s failing restaurant. In the latest season, flashbacks allow fan-favorite guest stars from Season 2 to make reappearances. Creator Christopher Storer said he envisions the third and fourth seasons as one continuous story, so audiences are on the edge of their seats for the upcoming season, which is already in the can.

The first episode of the Jeremy Allen White-led show’s third installment amassed 5.4 million views globally in its first four days streaming, according to data provided by Disney, and four days after its debut, “The Bear” is the No. 1 most-watched FX on Hulu season premiere ever.

While “The Bear” has already been renewed for Season 4, we’re in for another long wait until we see how that cliffhanger resolves. In the meantime, we’ve rounded up nine kitchen classics and high-stress shows to watch after “The Bear” Season 3.

“Hell’s Kitchen”

Craving more kitchen chaos after binge watching “The Bear”? Well, “Hell’s Kitchen” with Gordon Ramsay may be what you need to itch that scratch. Ramsay’s berating of the contestants is not too unlike Carmy’s training at his prestigious culinary school and the passion that he brings along to The Beef restaurant. – Tess Patton

Where to stream: Hulu

“Fleabag”

Grappling with similar themes of grief and chaos, Phoebe Waller Bridge’s “Fleabag” is the perfect supplement to “The Bear.” Though not set in a culinary environment, both shows represent the grieving process. The relationship between Fleabag and her uptight sister Claire is not unlike that of Carmy and his sister “Sugar.” Their differences are extreme, leading to explosive bickering ending in a hug. In both shows, pent-up feelings lead to untimely emotional outbursts. The dark comedies have similar tones and episode lengths – binge-worthy content if you can emotionally handle it. – TP

Where to stream: Prime Video

“Atlanta”

While this critically acclaimed FX series differs from “The Bear” in many ways, its tenets as a gripping drama following a man back to his birthplace attempting to make it big mirror that of Carmy. “Atlanta,” created by and starring Donald Glover, dips in and out of reality, diving into surrealistic elements at times. These vignettes of life before are reminiscent of Carmy’s flashbacks to his culinary training days. Both of the character-driven series keep you invested and wanting to come back. Explore “Atlanta” after you’ve moved on from Chicago and The Original Beef. – TP

Where to stream: Hulu

“Succession”

“Succession” follows a fictional mega-media corporation successors’ attempt to show founder and CEO Logan Roy who is most deserving to take over the company while trying to fend off employees with similar goals. Similarly to “The Bear,” the HBO series handles serious subject matter through a snarky, comedic lens. Both shows follow strong characters who drive the show and keep you watching. While it might not be the restaurant rush, the flurry of the fast-paced, big-money business world rivals it. – TP

Where to stream: Max

“Hacks”

If it’s a dysfunctional working relationship that you’re looking for in your next watch, “Hacks” will serve up a delicious scenario for you. When Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) needs to freshen up her stand-up, newcomer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) comes in and shakes things up to Deborah’s chagrin, much like Carmy shifting routines in Season 1. Like the rest of the staff of The Beef, Deborah slowly but hesitantly takes note of Ava’s suggestions, opening the doors for Deborah’s second — and even third — act. Deborah and Ava are pretty rough around the edges, meaning that their arguments cut just as deep as Carmy and Richie’s biggest fights. While “Hacks” has its dark moments here and there, the women grow a love and respect for one another that gives an uplifting tone to the show, which might give some much needed relief after binging “The Bear” Season 3. — Loree Seitz

Where to stream: Max

“The Flight Attendant”

The same kinda of stressful, kind of satisfying payoff as “The Bear” can be found in Kaley Cuoco’s “The Flight Attendant.” Centering on an alcoholic flight attendant who finds herself at the center of a murder mystery, Cassandra (Cuoco) is forced to put together the pieces of a brutal assassination, despite her drinking causing her to be a pretty unreliable narrator. Yes, it sounds dark, but the Max series weaves in moments of levity in the same way as “The Bear.” The dark comedy also stars Zosia Mamet, Griffin Matthews, T. R. Knight, Rosie Perez and Michiel Huisman. — LS

Where to stream: Max

“Top Chef”

Watch the real-world kitchen lingo in action on “Top Chef.” The 20-season reality competition show has stuck around for a reason. Aspiring chefs compete at the highest level for the title of Top Chef. The “Restaurant Wars” episodes in particular give you a taste of “The Bear,” as the chefs are challenged to create their own menu for a three-course restaurant. Also, a few of the top chefs that Carmy works for in the show, including Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller,  make guest appearances on the reality program. – TP

Where to stream: Netflix

“Kitchen Confidential”

A young Bradley Cooper plays a spoof of renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain in “Kitchen Confidential.” Chef Jack Bourdain in the 2005 Fox series was a culinary genius from a young age, much like Carmy. His success led to a life of lots of drugs, lots of ladies and lots of booze. After hitting rock bottom, he gets stuck at a job at a tacky chain restaurant but is given the opportunity to work his way back to the top. If you want a cheesy knock-off of “The Bear” (the series was canceled after its first season), this one is for you. – TP

Where to stream: Hulu, Disney+

“Shameless”

Were you wondering where you’d seen Jeremy Allen White before? It may be time for a “Shameless” rewatch. The star got his start on the dramedy series, also about a dysfunctional family, at 21. Also set in Chicago, “Shameless” follows the relationships between six kids and their alcoholic father. His character in the long-running Showtime series was also prone to explosive tempers and high intelligence. This bingeable hit is a great follow-up to the explosive series. – TP

Where to stream: Netflix

The post 9 Shows Like ‘The Bear’ to Watch While You Wait for Season 4 appeared first on TheWrap.

And it’s always a great time to rewatch — or discover — “West Side Story,” “Bonnie and Clyde” and, our favorite talking pig movie ever, “Babe.”

Here are the seven best newly added movies to Max this month:

Twister (1996)

Before you see “Twisters” with Glen Powell on July 19, catch up with Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, who chase tornados in this ’90s disaster favorite that co-stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Cary Elwes and Jamie Gertz… and let’s not forget about the flying cow.

Babe (1995)

It’s always a good time to revisit this heartwarming tale of a little pig who becomes a star sheep herder, thanks to the vision of his kindly human (James Cromwell), who received an Oscar nomination for his performance, which includes a lively “cheering up the pig” dance.

West Side Story (1961)

Ariana DeBose is fantastic in the recent Steven Spielberg remake, but if you’ve never seen Rita Moreno in her Oscar-winning performance as Anita in the original musical, here’s your chance to remedy that oversight. She’s magnificent in her supporting role, as is George Chakiris as Bernardo (who also won an Oscar for his role.) Choreographer Jerome Robbins co-directed with “Sound of Music” helmer Robert Wise and that opening number, well, all of them, actually, still gives us chills.

Chinatown (1974)

Famed screenwriter Robert Towne, who sadly died this week, won an Oscar for his crackling script in this essential neonoir about corruption and murder in 1930s Los Angeles. The movie was nominated for 11 Oscars, including leads Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway and for its iconic score by Jerry Goldsmith.

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

This ’60s classic about the real-life Depression Era bank robbers stunned moviegoers of the time with its violence. It was another movie that benefited from the great Robert Towne‘s writing, although he isn’t officially credited. Other reasons to watch: Peak performances from Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, who were both Oscar-nominated, as was then-newcomer Gene Hackman and director Arthur Penn. So was Theadora Van Runkle for her stylish 1930s costumes, which greatly inspired ’60s fashions. Estelle Parsons won Best Supporting Actress and the film also won Best Cinematography.

Three Amigos! (1986)

In this John Landis comedy, “Only Murders in the Building” costars Steve Martin and Martin Short (along with Chevy Chase) play down-on-their-luck silent film cowboy stars who don’t realize the gig they’ve just been hired for involves real villains and real guns. Oops!

Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

TheWrap critic Matthew Creith raved that this A24 indie features “a bombastic twist on the crime drama genre with 1980s flourishes and an ominous score from composer Clint Mansell,” as well as a “powerhouse” performance from Kristen Stewart opposite Katy O’Brian as a seductive drifter. The film is from Rose Glass, who previously gave us the mind-bending “Saint Maud,” and starts streaming on Max on July 19.

The post The 7 Best New Movies on Max in July 2024 appeared first on TheWrap.

Behold the best patriotic movies to watch on the 4th of July and where to stream each one.

Saving Private Ryan

Steven Spielberg’s 1998 film is hailed by many as one of the best World War II movies ever made, and it stands as a tribute to those who served. Set in 1944 Normandy, the story follows a group of soldiers whose mission is to find a private (played by Matt Damon) whose brothers have all died in the war. The travelogue nature allows Spielberg to show many different facets of WWII combat, from the opening Normandy invasion (one of the most striking sequences ever put to film) to the toll the war took on the Allied soldiers and civilians. With a stacked cast led by Tom Hanks, “Saving Private Ryan” won five Oscars including Best Director for Spielberg, but famously lost Best Picture to “Shakespeare in Love” in a shocking upset.

Where to stream: Prime Video, Paramount+

1776

If you like your patriotism in musical form, “1776” is the film for you. The 1972 film is based on the Broadway musical of the same name and captures the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. William Daniels is John Adams and Ken Howard is Thomas Jefferson, and over the course of two and a half hours they recount history while occasionally breaking out into catchy songs from musician and lyricist Sherman Edwards. This movie’s a delight.

Where to stream: Tubi

Glory

1989’s “Glory” tells the true story of one of the Union army’s earliest all-Black regiments in the Civil War, offering the kind of American story that’s too-little told in U.S. history. Denzel Washington won his first Oscar for his supporting performance as Private Silas Trip, but the entire ensemble is remarkable — Morgan Freeman, Andre Braugher, Matthew Broderick and Cary Elwes all star in director Edward Zwick’s epic yet intimate war drama.

Where to stream: Philo

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Filmmaker Frank Capra’s superpower was capturing the human spirit onscreen in a way that didn’t feel saccharine or false, and his 1939 film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is one of his best films. Jimmy Stewart stars as a naive U.S. Senator who arrives in D.C. fresh-faced and ends up fighting against government corruption, culminating in a filibuster that stands as one of cinema’s most iconic moments. Cynics will see the film as naive, but it’s aspirational in the best way.

Where to stream: Prime Video

The Patriot

2000’s “The Patriot” isn’t winning any awards for historical accuracy, but the American Revolution drama came at a time when Hollywood was spending inordinate amounts of money on glossy epics, and in that regard it’s compelling to see this story told on such a grand scale. “Saving Private Ryan” screenwriter Robert Rodat wrote this tale of a widower with seven children who goes toe-to-toe with the Brits after suffering devastating loss at the hands of one particularly evil British colonel played by Jason Isaacs. The cast here is spectacular with Heath Ledger giving a terrific performance as Gibson’s eldest son, while Chris Cooper, Tom Wilkinson, Joely Richardson and Logan Lerman all appear.

Where to stream: Prime Video, Philo

Top Gun & Top Gun: Maverick

When it comes to quintessentially American movies, “Top Gun” is at the top. But the magnificent 2022 sequel “Top Gun: Maverick” is right there with it, making this a perfect double feature on the Fourth of July. Director Tony Scott’s original “Top Gun” catapulted Tom Cruise to movie stardom in the story of pilots chosen to train as part of an elite program. “Top Gun: Maverick,” steered by director Joseph Kosinski, impossibly captures the magic of the original while upping the emotion as Miles Teller stars as the son of Goose, played by Anthony Edwards in the first film. These movies are dynamite.

Where to stream “Top Gun”: Paramount+ and Pluto

Where to stream “Top Gun: Maverick”: Paramount+ and Prime Video

Independence Day

It’s literally called “Independence Day” — what could be more patriotic? Roland Emmerich’s 1996 film turned Will Smith into a movie star, but it’s also just a super fun watch. The blockbuster imagines an alien invasion all across the globe and the resistance — led by Bill Pullman’s President of the United States — that’s put together to fight back. Smith is a Marine pilot who has a close encounter with one of the creatures, and his back-and-forth with Jeff Goldblum’s satellite engineer is unforgettable. But what really seals the deal on this patriotic pick is Pullman’s iconic “We will not go quietly into the night” speech. That’s the stuff movies are made of.

Where to stream: Hulu

Lincoln

If “Saving Private Ryan” was Steven Spielberg’s ode to American military veterans, his 2012 film “Lincoln” was his love letter to U.S. lawmakers. The filmmaker’s long-in-the-works film about Abraham Lincoln finally clicked when he and screenwriter Tony Kushner decided to focus on the January 1865 effort to abolish slavery, told from Lincoln’s point of view (played in an astounding, Oscar-winning performance by Daniel Day-Lewis). But the film dives deep into American legislative process — the messy, passionate and complicated path that Lincoln and his cohorts paved to get the 13th Amendment passed. “Lincoln” doesn’t paint the past with rose-colored glasses either, as the film puts forth a conflicted man at a breaking point for our country. This movie is also, it must be said, funny as hell.

Where to stream: Prime Video

Born on the Fourth of July

Patriotism has many colors, and Oliver Stone’s “Born on the Fourth of July” is a searing take on the Vietnam War through the eyes of a wounded veteran. In an Oscar-nominated performance, Tom Cruise plays Ron Kovic, a man who became an anti-war activist after being wounded in Vietnam and returning home to find his country was leaving him behind.

Where to stream: Netflix

The post  The 10 Best Patriotic Movies to Watch on the 4th of July appeared first on TheWrap.

See our list of the best new movies on Netflix in July below.

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Eddie Murphy reprises his legendary character of Axel Foley in the Netflix original sequel “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” which arrives on July 3 just in time for the long Fourth of July weekend. The long-in-the-works fourth film in the series finds Axel returning to Beverly Hills when his daughter (played by Taylour Paige) is in danger, reuniting with old friends (Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser and Bronson Pinchot are all back) and clashing with new faces (Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Kevin Bacon are new to the franchise). Early word is this is a delightful return to form for the series after the disappointing “Beverly Hills Cop III” effectively hit pause on Axel’s exploits after its release in 1994.

Back to the Future Trilogy

“Back to the Future” is not only one of the best film trilogies of all time, it’s also one of the most bingeable. The original 1985 film is a bona fide classic with Michael J. Fox playing Marty McFly, a high schooler who accidentally travels back in time and interacts with his parents as high schoolers (played by Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover). 1989’s “Back to the Future Part II” and 1990’s “Back to the Future Part III” were shot back-to-back but are wildly different films – “Part II” travels to the future and offers a decidedly ‘80s twist on dystopia while “Part III” is a full-blown Western. Taken together, director Robert Zemeckis’ trilogy is a wildly entertaining sci-fi jaunt.

Call Me by Your Name

The film that really put Timothee Chalamet on the map, “Call Me by Your Name” is one of the most deeply felt love stories ever put to screen. Filmmaker Luca Guadagnino transports the viewer to a time and place, yes, but also exudes the feeling of lust, love and possibility throughout. Chalamet plays a 17-year-old vacationing with his family in Italy in 1983 who strikes up a romantic relationship with a 24-year-old grad student (played by Armie Hammer). The soundtrack features two original songs by Sufjan Stevens, and the supporting performance by Michael Stuhlbarg is outstanding. If you dug “Challengers,” also by Guadagnino, check out the director’s more quietly romantic spin on a love story.

Easy A

A delightful romantic comedy with a teen twist, “Easy A” is also a terrific showcase for the charms and talent of Emma Stone. The eventual Oscar winner stars in this 2010 film as a high school student named Olive who, in a bid to help her friend who’s being bullied for being gay, offers to pretend to have sex with him. Olive soon gets a bit of a reputation, all the while boys from her school start paying her in gifts in return for telling people they hooked up. “The Scarlet Letter” serves as a backdrop for this bitingly funny and sharp teen tale, and the swell ensemble cast includes Penn Badgley, Thomas Hayden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson.

The Imaginary

The Japanese animated film “The Imaginary,” from Studio Ponoc and released as a Netflix original on July 5, should hearten fans of anime and the work of Studio Ghibli. The film takes place in a world where imaginations are real and follows Rudger, an imaginary boy who tries to race against his fate as those imaginary beings who are forgotten are destined to be dissolved.

Bad Boys 1 and 2

If “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” got you ready to revisit the franchise from its humble beginnings, “Bad Boys” and the bombastic “Bad Boys II” both hit Netflix on July 8. The original film put director Michael Bay on the map and helped launch the film career of Will Smith alongside Martin Lawrence, and it’s a decidedly lowkey affair compared to the sequels that followed. “Bad Boys II,” released in 2003 after Bay had made a career out of crafting expensive mayhem onscreen, is one of the most over-the-top action movies ever made in the best way possible. Both films are well worth revisiting or watching for the first time.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Now here’s a hidden gem that deserves to be brought to the forefront. Director Guy Ritchie’s “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” is a stylish, sexy and flirty spy romp set during the 1960s that is outlandishly enjoyable. Based on the TV series of the same name the story follows a pair of secret agents on opposite sides of the Cold War – Henry Cavill is CIA agent Napoleon Solo while Armie Hammer is KGB Agent Illya Kuryakin – who are forced to work together to stop a maniacal villain played by Elizabeth Debicki. Alicia Vikander is the woman caught in the middle, the daughter of a nuclear scientist. A flirtatious triangle of insults, loaded glances and terrific fashion ensues. This one’s a blast and a half and it arrives on July 27.

The post The 7 Best New Movies on Netflix in July 2024 appeared first on TheWrap.

Check out our picks for the best new movies streaming in June 2024 below.

“Godzilla Minus One”

Netflix – June 1

Yes. “Godzilla Minus One” is finally streaming. Our long national nightmare is finally over. The movie, which is set before the original 1954 film (hence the “Minus One” in the title), was meant to be in theaters for a limited engagement last December. But it was such a hit that it played for ages. And what’s more – it was the first “Godzilla” entry that was nominated (and then won) an Academy Award, at this year’s ceremony, for visual effects. If you haven’t seen “Godzilla Minus One,” it’s absolutely astounding. Set in the immediate aftermath of World War II, it follows a failed kamikaze pilot Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki) as he searches for meaning in the bombed-out rubble of post-war Japan. Soon, that meaning confronts him, literally, as Godzilla, who Shikishima confronted earlier in the war, makes landfall. Considering that, for the past few years, the only Godzilla we’ve seen is the version in the increasingly silly western series of movies, it’s nice to see the iconic monster returned to his elemental power – scary, fearsome and full of metaphoric dread. This is one of the best Godzilla movies in his seventy-year history and one of the greatest movies of last year. If you missed it the first time around, now is your chance to experience the horror and wonder of “Godzilla Minus One.” And if you’ve already seen it, you’re likely to watch again. And again. – Drew Taylor

“Under Paris”

Netflix – June 5

From Xavier Gens, the French genre filmmaker behind “Frontier(s)” and, more recently, “Mayhem!,” comes a new movie that answers the question we’ve all thought about: what if there was a giant shark swimming around underneath Paris? (Admit it – you’ve wondered.) Bérénice Bejo stars as a scientist attempting to keep the River Seine from running red … with blood. Honestly, what more do you want from the movies? Looks like a total blast. – Drew Taylor

“Am I OK?”

Max – June 6

This romantic drama, directed by Tig Notaro and her wife Stephanie Allynne, first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival way back in 2022. Now it’s finally premiering as a Max Original. Dakota Johnson plays a woman unlucky in love, who comes to the conclusion that she might be looking for the wrong gender. Sonoya Mizuno, recently seen in “Civil War,” plays her BFF who helps awaken her queerness. The cast also includes Molly Gordon, Kiersey Clemons and Sean Hayes. – Drew Taylor

“Hit Man”

Netflix – June 7

One of the best movies of the year, “Hit Man” debuted at the fall festivals last year, where it won critical acclaim and declarations that co-writer and star Glen Powell’s big movie star moment had arrived. (A couple of months later, this would be cemented by the release of his sleeper hit “Anyone but You.”) “Hit Man,” co-written and directed by Richard Linklater and based on a Texas Monthly article by Skip Hollandsworth (who also wrote an article that Linklater’s earlier, underrated “Bernie” was based on), follows Gary Johnson (Powell), a mild-mannered college professor who moonlights as a fake assassin for the New Orleans Police Department. His life gets markedly more complicated when he falls in love with Madison (Adria Arjona), a woman who tries to hire him to kill her abusive husband. As amusing and soulful as any Linklater project, with a ratatat romantic comedy/thriller vibe that is utterly infectious and will make you swoon while also being perched at the edge of your seat. There’s a reason that, when the movie played as part of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, the crowd erupted into spontaneous applause before the movie even ended. This is a crowd pleaser of the highest order, so invite some friends over, order a pizza and try to reproduce the sensation of seeing this in the biggest auditorium possible. – Drew Taylor

“Origin”

Hulu – June 10

“Selma” filmmaker Ava DuVernay’s 2023 film “Origin” is an ambitious adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent.” It’s a narrative film but almost feels like a documentary in places as it follows Isabel (played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) as she travels to India, Germany and the United States to study the influence of caste systems. It culminates in a powerful look at the origins of racism. – Adam Chitwood

“Remembering Gene Wilder”

Netflix – June 13

This documentary offers an intimate look at Gene Wilder, including the battle with Alzheimer’s disease that ultimately ended his life. Using home videos and interviews with Mel Brooks, Alan Alda, Carol Kane, Dick Cavett and Wilder’s wife, “Remembering Gene Wilder” promises a close chronicle of the life of a screen legend. – Adam Chitwood

“Brats”

Hulu – June 13

This feature-length documentary from Andrew McCarthy investigates the Brat Pack phenomena, which McCarthy was very much a part of. For those who are unaware, the Brat Pack was a group of young actors in the 1980s, who were given that moniker by a 1985 New York Magazine cover story. McCarthy investigates an essential question: “What did it mean to be part of the Brat Pack?” How does he get to the bottom of this? By talking to his fellow Brat Packers (and Brat Pack-adjacent actors), including Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, Jon Cryer, Lea Thompson and Timothy Hutton. (It’s unclear why Molly Ringwald wasn’t involved; maybe the documentary will explain her omission.) Judging by the trailer, this looks like a fun, entertaining, breezy examination of a very specific time in pop culture. And there will probably be some pretty good juice, considering that McCarthy hasn’t seen some of these people in decades. Do old grudges die hard? Maybe. But maybe being a part of the Brat Pack is a bond that transcends time and hurt feelings. Cannot wait. – Drew Taylor

“Ultraman: Rising”

Netflix – June 14

Ultraman, a character introduced on Japanese television back in 1966, is a hugely recognizable pop culture icon. And now he’s finally coming to America in an exciting animated feature. “Ultraman: Rising” is built around an ingenious premise – what if Ultraman (voiced by Christopher Sean), a towering superhero, was forced to raise the orphaned child of one of his more fearsome enemies. (He battles Godzilla-style kaiju, of course.) Co-written and directed by Shannon Tindle, the filmmaker behind Netflix’s Emmy-winning limited series “Lost Ollie,” “Ultraman: Rising” is as exciting as it is moving. This is a movie full of giant superheroes and equally oversized monsters, but it’s really about the bonds of family and the importance of understanding. Featuring animation by Industrial Light & Magic, the visual effects house George Lucas started for “Star Wars,” and embracing a brilliant art style that combines the look of Japanese comic books, tokusatsu cinema and anime and a story that will make you cry one minute and cheer the next, “Ultraman: Rising” is fun for the entire family. Even if you’ve never heard of Ultraman, you’ll still have a blast. It’s never too late to love Ultraman. Also, stick around during the credits … there’s something special hidden within. – Drew Taylor

“Monkey Man”

Peacock – June 14

The directorial debut of Dev Patel, who also co-wrote, produced and stars, “Monkey Man” is an old fashioned revenge story, but updated with modern political concerns and some post-“John Wick” flair. Patel’s Kid had his life upended when his mother was killed and his home was destroyed. Years later, he sets out on an elaborate (and quite violent) quest for vengeance. (He hones his toughness via underground boxing matches, where he adapts the Monkey Man moniker, based on a folktale his mother used to read to him.) It’s easy to see why “Monkey Man,” which was initially picked up by Netflix only to be dropped later, appealed to producer Jordan Peele, who worked with Patel to make it the best (and most brutal) it could be. You can feel the flavor of several of the filmmakers Patel has collaborated with in the past – there are Dickensian overtones straight out of Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire” and the more mythic scope of his “Green Night” director David Lowery. With “Monkey Man,” Patel made a visceral and visually arresting debut. We can’t wait for movie #2. – Drew Taylor

“Trigger Warning”

Netflix – June 21

Everybody needs their own “John Wick.” Including Jessica Alba. In “Trigger Warning,” Alba plays an ex-Special Forces commando who, following her father’s death, takes over his small-town bar. Wouldn’t you know it, though, she’s soon forced to square off a violent local gang who is terrorizing the town. Anthony Michael Hall stars as a politican who we are guessing does not have our new bar owner’s interests in mind. Listen, this all works for us. The film comes from Indonesian filmmaker Mouly Surya, from a script that was worked on by the writers of “A History of Violence” and “The Game.” Plus it was produced by Thunder Road, the folks behind the “John Wick” movies. They know a thing or two about blood-drenched revenge sagas. – Drew Taylor

“Kung Fu Panda 4”

Peacock – June 21

One of the year’s biggest movies, “Kung Fu Panda 4” has grossed more than $500 million since opening earlier this spring. And you know what? It deserves it. “Kung Fu Panda 4” is a ton of fun. It gently expands the mythology of the original films, maintaining Jack Black as Po and the series’ colorful world of martial arts-obsessed animals and introducinga fair amount of new elements – chiefly, Viola Davis’ villainous Chameleon and Awkwafina’s untrustworthy fox thief. This time around, Po is trying to stop the Chameleon from bringing back previous villains from the spirit realm. Director Mike Mitchell, a DreamWorks legend thanks to his work on “Trolls” and “Shrek Forever After,” stages inventive action sequences and nuanced character beats with a similar sense of fun. And Black doesn’t miss a beat with his return to the franchise, settling into the character like a comfortable pair of sweatpants. (He first essayed the character back in 2008.) Not only does “Kung Fu Panda 4” remind you what’s so special about this franchise but it also makes you hungry for additional installments. Judging by that box office, there will be more. Sooner rather than later, we’d guess. – Drew Taylor

“Aftersun”

Netflix – June 24

Paul Mescal is all the rage, and if you didn’t know him from the brilliant Hulu series “Normal People” you definitely came to know him from his 2022 film “Aftersun.” The drama comes to Netflix this month, but have tissues handy. Set in the late 1990s, the film follows an 11-year-old Scottish girl who visits Turkey with her young father (played by Mescal). It’s a quiet drama without much traditional plot, but it digs at deep and uncomfortable themes as it traces this difficult father-daughter relationship. Mescal earned an Oscar nomination for his performance. – Adam Chitwood

“Out of Darkness”

Paramount+ – June 24

Who doesn’t love a good prehistoric thriller? “Out of Darkness,” originally titled “The Origin,” was described by its director Andrew Cumming as “”a paleolithic horror film,” which is as good a description as any. The film follows a group of neolithic humans, who start to get picked off one by one, stalked by an unseen enemy as they attempt to advance their lives. Of course, there’s a big twist involving this unseen force that we won’t give away here, but once the twist comes, the movie takes on an even more contemplative, philosophical vibe. This movie probably would have made more of a splash if it didn’t feel like Dan Trachtenberg’s “Prey” had already eaten its lunch. Well maybe not eaten it completely. But at least taken out a very big chunk. Still, adventurous genre fans unafraid of a more deliberate pace will be richly rewarded for checking out “Out of Darkness.” – Drew Taylor

“I Am: Celine Dion”

Prime Video – June 25

Much has been made in recent years about the health battles plaguing Celine Dion, and the documentary “I Am: Celine Dion” offers the songstress a chance to tell her story in her own words. The film celebrates Dion’s life while also chronicling her battle with a rare disorder called stiff-person syndrome, which threatens to take her off the stage. If the trailer is any indication, this one’s gonna be a tearjerker. – Adam Chitwood

“A Family Affair”

Netflix – June 28

If “The Idea of You” was your bag, you’re gonna want to check out “A Family Affair.” The film tells the story of a movie star (played by Zac Efron) who falls in love with the mother (Nicole Kidman) of his assistant (Joey King). Is the next in a recent trend of May December romcoms, but this one has some heft behind it — the movie hails from “Bridges of Madison County,” “The Horse Whipserer” and “Beautiful Creatures” writer Richard Lagravenese, who also directs. – Adam Chitwood

“Fancy Dance”

Apple TV+ – June 28

As Lily Gladstone was making the awards rounds for her astounding performance in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” another film of hers was struggling to find distribution. Now, finally, “Fancy Dance” sees the light of day. Cowritten and directed by Erica Tremblay, the film follows a woman who devotes her free time to searching for her missing sister while caring for her niece on the Seneca-Cayuga Nation Reservation. – Adam Chitwood

“Problemista”

Max – June 28

Another one of the very best films of 2024, A24’s low wattage charmer “Problemista” has a spirit all of its own. It stars Julio Torres, who also wrote, produced and directed the film, as Alejandro, whose work visa is revoked after a screw-up at the cryogenics factory where he works. (He dreams of becoming a toy designer for Hasbro; it doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen.) In order to keep his citizenship and avoid being deported to El Salvador, he begins working for an eccentric rich weirdo played by Tilda Swinton (because of course). But what seems like it could go in a very one-dimensional direction, with Swinton in the Cruella de Vil/Miranda Priestly mode, and Torres forced to suffer her abuse, it’s actually much stranger and much more moving. Torres is a truly one-of-a-kind talent, offering a New York City inhabited by strange, beguiling, sometimes broken spirits longing for connection. “Problemista” is fun to watch and often hilarious, but it’s also one of the year’s more overwhelmingly emotional movies. There’s a sweetness to it that is indescribable and essential. This movie will soothe your worried soul. – Drew Taylor

“1917”

Netflix – June 1

Sam Mendes’ one-shot World War I film earned a boatload of Oscars, and deservedly so. The film is presented as one long, unbroken take (for which cinematographer Roger Deakins won an Academy Award) as it follows a soldier played by George MacKay through one day on the battlefield in April, 1917. It’s an astounding accomplishment and best watched with your full attention. Andrew Scott, Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden and Mark Strong all have memorable but small roles as MacKay’s character makes his way through the muck. – Adam Chitwood

“The Breakfast Club”

Netflix – June 1

With “Brats” hitting Hulu this month, now’s the perfect time to revisit John Hughes’ perfect “The Breakfast Club.” The 1985 film chronicles a single day of Saturday detention for five high school students, all from different backgrounds/cliques, and finds them bonding in surprising ways. The level at which this film gets the teenage struggle remains a stunning feat, and there’s something magical about the chemistry of Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Anthony Michael Hall altogether. – Adam Chitwood

“Tangerine”

Netflix – June 1

Before “The Florida Project” or “Red Rocket,” filmmaker Sean Baker burst onto the scene with his 2015 comedy “Tangerine” – shot entirely on an iPhone. Kitana Kiki Rodriguez stars as a trans sex worker living in Los Angeles who finds out that her boyfriend and pimp has been cheating on her. While it looks like an indie and tackles some heavy material at times, the film has the tone and pacing of a raucous comedy, and is all the better for it. Even better to brush up on Baker’s breakout film ahead of the release of his new film “Anora,” which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year. – Adam Chitwood

“La La Land”

Netflix – June 1

“La La Land” is great. Damien Chazelle’s 2016 film may go down in history as the movie that accidentally won Best Picture at the Oscars, but it deserves to be remembered as one of the greatest musicals ever made. This is a heart-on-sleeve love story between two dreamers trying to make it in Los Angeles, played by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. But what makes Chazelle’s take stand out (beyond the incredible songs and gorgeous cinematography by Linus Sandgren) is that he’s unafraid to get sad. This is a story about those paths in life not taken, those woulda-coulda-shouldas and what we leave behind. – Adam Chitwood

The “Bourne” Trilogy

Peacock – June 1

Oh my God it’s Jason Bourne. The good ones! The original “Bourne” trilogy is one of the best series of action films ever made, and director Doug Liman’s 2002 original established an entirely new mode of action cinema that would be copied for decades to come. Matt Damon is terrific as an assassin who’s lost his memory, and while “Identity” sets things off, director Paul Greengrass’ “The Bourne Supremacy” and “The Bourne Ultimatum” are even better, deepening the intrigue and spycraft while ramping up the in-your-face stunts to new levels. Jason Bourne beats a guy with a rolled up magazine. – Adam Chitwood

“Galaxy Quest”

Paramount+ – June 1

Widely regarded by “Star Trek” fans as one of the best “Trek” movies ever made – despite the fact that it is not actually a “Star Trek” movie – “Galaxy Quest” is a hilarious riff on the iconic sci-fi franchise. Tim Allen stars as the washed-up star of a popular sci-fi TV show who now makes appearances at conventions (begrudgingly) with his former co-stars. But when the crew gets whisked away by actual aliens who have mistaken their TV series for “historical documents,” these selfish actors get in way over their heads. – Adam Chitwood

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