Forget Your Comfort Shows, Here Are 21 Hidden Gems You Probably Missed Out On
There is plenty of awesome content you can find only on Peacock, from new films like Knock at the Cabin and Renfield to classic series like The Office, 30 Rock, and Yellowstone.
Universal
But as tempting as it is to settle down with your comfort watch, there are plenty of other fantastic films and television shows flying under the radar on Peacock.
Oscilloscope Laboratories
As such, I've assembled 21 weird, wonderful, and wild hidden gems worth seeking out on Peacock ASAP.
NBC
1.13 Assassins (2010)
From one of the most prolific Japanese filmmakers of all time, Takashi Miike, 13 Assassins follows twelve samurai and an eccentric hunter who plot to assassinate the Lord of the atrocious Akashi Clan in 1844. A critically lauded action epic with plenty of crossover appeal, the film's incredible spectacle and fantastic character development should make it your next must-see foreign flick.
2.Stander (2003)
Fans of true crime stories should flock to check out Stander, based on the unbelievable yet real story of South African cop-turned-criminal Andre Stander, whose disillusionment with his government led him to pull off a string of bank robberies...using the resources of his own police department. Anchored by a stellar performance by the perpetually underrated Thomas Jane, Stander will keep you in its grip from start to finish, especially if you're unfamiliar with the wild twists and turns this particular true tale has to offer.
3.Applesauce (2015)
4.Body Bags (1993)
A horror anthology series that was initially developed as Showtime's answer to Tales from the Crypt, Body Bags showcases three scary stories presented by a peculiar mortician, including that of an easily-frightened college student working a night shift at a gas station, a self-conscious businessman who discovers a too-good-to-be-true hair transplant procedure, and a baseball player who receives experimental eye surgery that comes with shocking side effects. Directed by John Carpenter (Halloween) and Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre), this multifaceted horror offering is guaranteed to leave a wicked grin on your face by the time the credits roll.
5.Tammy and the T-Rex (1994)
One of the first films of stars Denise Richards and Paul Walker, Tammy and the T-Rex follows a teenage cheerleader (Richards) whose football star boyfriend (Walker) has his brain put into the body of a robotic tyrannosaurus rex by a mad scientist (Weekend at Bernie's Terry Kiser). Chaos ensues, as one might expect; this R-rated cult comedy simply has to be seen to be believed, especially if you're in the mood for some bonkers, so-bad-it's-good cinema.
6.The Act of Killing (2012)
A groundbreaking documentary that is not for the weak at heart, The Act of Killing turns its lens toward the perpetrators of the 1965–1966 Indonesian communist genocide, who have since become propped up by right-wing citizens and politicians as revered public figures. Instead of focusing on the horrific history with cold hard facts, filmmaker Joshua Oppenheimer instructs the perpetrators to tell their version of the events via stylized recreations, hoping that the process will force the men to finally reckon with the depth and depravity of their actions.
7.The Cooler (2003)
An underrated indie crime drama that led to costar Alec Baldwin's first Academy Award nomination, The Cooler follows a casino worker whose job is to share his bad luck with any gambler on a hot luck streak, but finds his luck changing after pursuing a passionate romance with a cocktail waitress. Driven by stellar performances from William H. Macy, Maria Bello, and Baldwin, The Cooler is a riveting love story that'll have even the toughest guy glued to the screen and reaching for the tissue box.
8.Out of Sight (1998)
A genuinely outstanding movie in almost every conceivable way, Out of Sight is Steven Soderbergh's brilliant Elmore Leonard adaptation that follows the intertwined paths of frustrated US Marshal Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez) and arrogant career criminal Jack Foley (George Clooney) following the latter's haphazard prison escape. With a legitimately outstanding ensemble cast including Don Cheadle (Iron Man II), Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction), Steve Zahn (8-Bit Christmas), Albert Brooks (Drive), and Viola Davis (The Woman King), and exceptionally confident direction from Steven Soderbergh, the film wasn't a box office smash when it hit theaters in 1998 but has slowly built a reputation as one of the best films of the decade.
9.Residue (2015)
Initially released as a three-episode Netflix series before being edited into a film for Peacock, Residue follows a journalist, a government spokesperson, and a troubled police officer who stumble upon paranormal phenomenon following an explosion at a nightclub that has since been deemed a quarantine zone. Written by former frequent George A. Romero collaborator John Harrison, this sci-fi/horror hybrid starring Game of Thrones' alumni Natalia Tena and Iwan Rheon is a visually captivating journey into darkness that's absolutely worth experiencing firsthand.
10.The Love Witch (2016)
Emulating the style of 1960s European horror cinema, The Love Witch is a funny, sexy, and shocking story of a young witch who attempts to start a new life and find new love in a witchcraft-friendly town after the suspicious death of her husband. Lauded by critics and fans alike, this terrific throwback's hypnotic visual style and fantastic original script will put a spell on you if you give it a chance.
11.Faults (2014)
12.Shrink (2017)
13.Zero Charisma (2013)
14.The Invitation (2015)
Not to be confused with the 2022 spin on Dracula starring Nathalie Emmanuel, The Invitation surrounds a grief-stricken man (Logan Marshall-Green) who suspects that something sinister is happening in the shadows of a dinner party hosted by his estranged ex-wife (Tammy Blanchard). Placing the audience in the uncomfortable and anxious shoes of the film's paranoid protagonist, The Invitation turns the screws on the viewer and raises the tension to a fever pitch; it's also a fantastic fright film for those who prefer suspense over gore in their horror offerings.
15.Taboo (2017)
A mysterious period drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, as well as star Tom Hardy and his father, novelist Chips Hardy, Taboo follows an abrasive and unrelenting businessman whose appearance after a lengthy sabbatical in Africa shakes up the corrupt financial, political, and criminal systems in 19th-century London. Also populated by a killer supporting cast including Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter), Oona Chaplin (Game of Thrones), Stephen Graham (The Irishman), and Jonathan Pryce (The Crown), Taboo sports a darker flavor than most period pieces but is nonetheless undeniably compelling.
16.Nemesis (1992)
Greenleaf Productions
An explosive cyberpunk action-thriller from the late, great Albert Pyun (Cyborg), Nemesis surrounds an android ex-special operative who is tasked with assassinating his former lover, who has become the leader of an anti-government separatist group. The film can be a little convoluted at times, but if you're looking for some old-school action goodness with loads of awesome practical effects and shoot-'em-up set pieces, turn off your brain and throw on this bad boy.
17.World’s Greatest Dad (2009)
In one of his final leading performances, Robin Williams plays a single father who seizes an unexpected opportunity following an unthinkable yet humiliating tragedy in World's Greatest Dad. Directed by Williams's longtime friend and collaborator, Bobcat Goldthwait, this critically-acclaimed satirical comedy plays like the warped, funhouse mirror version of Dear Evan Hansen, and allows Williams to tap into both his comedic and dramatic strengths.
18.The Endless (2017)
19.Detroit (2017)
From visionary director Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty), Detroit is an uncompromising and harrowing depiction of the Algiers Motel tragedy, which occurred in Detroit during the 12th Street Riot of 1967. Bolstered by an extraordinary cast that includes John Boyega, Will Poulter, Anthony Mackie, Algee Smith, Hannah Murray, and John Krasinski, Detroit is a heavy and intense watch, but ultimately one most should watch to understand a dark chapter in American history (that's not even that far away if we're being honest) that doesn't nearly get enough attention.
