39 Of The Best Movies To Stream On Peacock In August
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1.Anthony (2020)
When Black teenager Anthony Walker was killed in an unprovoked racist attack by two white men in 2005, the world was sickened and mourned the loss of a life that had only just begun. In the wake of the 18-year-old's brutal murder, his mother, Gee Walker, approached her friend, screenwriter and producer Jimmy McGovern, and asked him to write about this horrifying loss. The result is a powerful look at what might have been, highlighting the positive impact Anthony made in his 18 years, and imagining what his life might have looked like had it not been tragically cut short. Toheeb Jimoh and Rakie Ayola give tremendous performances as Anthony and his mother, respectively, and the film's structure makes even the happiest scenes heartbreaking and evocative. This Peacock original is simply a must-watch. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
2.The Bad Guys (2022)
Mr. Wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell) has spent his whole life being bad, establishing himself as an infamous lawbreaker by leading a gang of dastardly criminal animals that includes a safe-cracking snake, hacker tarantula, and master-of-disguise shark. But after accidentally helping an old lady during a heist, Mr. Wolf starts to question his life of malfeasance and wonders if he would be happier if he committed his life to doing good instead of being the Big Bad Wolf. The Bad Guys is a fun, surprisingly heartfelt movie that parents will enjoy as much as their kids, as it is packed with jokes and a nice message about becoming the best version of yourself. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
3.Betty White: First Lady of Television (2018)
Peacock is offering the chance to spend a little more time with Betty White — who died in December, mere weeks before her 100th birthday — with the 2018 PBS documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television. In it, we get a joyful journey through her extraordinary life and career, reminding us why we love her so darn much. If your main exposure to White was as America’s lovable, raunchy, and intensely memorable grandmother, you’re missing out on just how talented she always was. She was one of the first women to produce and star in their own sitcom, and she excelled at playing a variety of different characters while bringing her trademark timing, delivery, and masterful ad-libbing to each and every one — something the doc shows through charming footage as well as gushing testimonials from friends and costars. There’s a warmth and lightness throughout Betty White: First Lady of Television that makes it feel more like a loving celebration than an in-depth biography, but as we work toward coming to terms with living in a world without White in it, maybe that's exactly what we need right now. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
4.The Big Lebowski (1998)
This highly quotable comedy is a Coen Brothers cult classic, stuffed to the brim with their characteristically witty dialogue, absurd plot twists, colorful characters, and trippy visuals. Jeff Bridges is magnetic as “the Dude,” a lovable stoner whose carefree lifestyle of bowling and vibing out to some Creedence is interrupted by a case of mistaken identity that leads to him getting caught up in a truly bizarre conspiracy full of millionaires, nihilists, porn directors, and other kooky characters around LA. John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tara Reid, and countless others take this brilliantly zany film to the next level, and — fair warning — you’ll probably wanna go bowling after you finish watching it. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
5.*Billy Madison (1995)
Billy Madison (Adam Sandler) is a lazy, spoiled man-child who spends his days getting drunk by the pool and imagining fights between his shampoo and conditioner. But when his dad announces his impending retirement, Billy is forced to repeat all 12 grades of school in order to inherit the family business. It's a delightfully dumb premise that is carried by Sandler's charm and a fantastic supporting cast that includes Chris Farley, Norm Macdonald, and Steve Buscemi. The movie was a mild success upon its release but developed a rabid fanbase that made Sandler one of the world's biggest comedy stars for the next 20-plus years. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
6.Black Boys (2020)
This documentary celebrates Black youths and explores Black male identity in America through sports, education, and criminal justice. Director Sonia Lowman, who has a background in activism and whose first film, 2017's Teach Us All, looked at segregation and racial inequities in American schools, came to this project with two main approaches: One was to explore how Black men are viewed by society, which included acknowledging and grappling with her own limited understanding and prejudices that often go unexamined as a white woman who considers herself to be liberal and progressive. But the main focus was telling the stories of Black men and women in America across multiple generations and presenting as full a picture of the Black male experience as possible, avoiding the two-dimensional version often shown in media. Highlighting the persistent racism and dehumanization that Black boys and men face, Black Boys provides an urgent conversation about opportunity, equity, and ultimately humanity. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
7.Blue Crush (2002)
Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth) lives to surf, but when she's not shredding the gnar, she is working as a maid at a hotel in order to help provide for her younger sister. While training for the Pipeline competition in hopes of becoming a pro surfer, she has to balance overcoming her fear of big waves caused by a previous accident and making sure her little sis doesn't get into any trouble. To make it all more complicated, she ends up in a love connection with Matt Tollman (Matthew Davis), an NFL quarterback who is vacationing on the North Shore. This light and breezy flick remains one of the better surf movies ever made, and every time you watch Anne Marie and her pals catching waves, you'll feel like you're sitting on top of the world. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
8.*The Breakfast Club (1985)
Five students from different cliques are forced to spend a Saturday in detention under the watchful eye of the school's authoritarian vice principal. As the day drags on, they slowly start to connect over a shared sense of disillusion and disappointment, and the group ends up forming an unbreakable bond of friendship. More than three decades after its release, The Breakfast Club remains the definitive coming-of-age story in American cinema, as writer and director John Hughes captured teen angst and isolation in a way that still rings true to viewers who were born long after this movie was made. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
9.Chicken Run (2000)
Chicken Run is the brainchild of four-time Oscar winner Nick Park and codirector Peter Lord, who are beloved for being the team behind Wallace and Gromit. They bring a palpable sense of joy and adventure to this Claymation film as we root for a charming group of chickens scheming to escape an evil farmer who intends to turn them into chicken pot pies. Viewers of all ages can easily find something to love in this high-spirited comedy, packed with hilarious gags, impressive stop-motion action sequences, and a tenderness that'll grip your heart. But the story doesn't end here! News of a Netflix-backed sequel on the horizon has delighted fans and will give you something to look forward to after the credits roll. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
10.*Do the Right Thing (1989)
Is there a movie that reflects modern American culture better than Do the Right Thing? I don't think there is. What starts as a normal day of Mookie (Spike Lee) delivering pizzas in Bed-Stuy, ends up escalating into one of the most painfully accurate examinations of race in the United States. There aren't impossibly great heroes or cartoonish villains (except for the police officers); instead, every character feels like a real person, packed with their own wants and contradictions. Things eventually reach a tragic climax that, even three decades later, feels all too relevant. Do the Right Thing isn't just potent in its messaging, it is also an emotionally resonant, genuinely hilarious, slice-of-life film that only gets better with time. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
11.Downton Abbey (2019)
Before you check out the new sequel, there's no better time to get up to speed on Downton Abbey. Fortunately, Peacock offers not only all six seasons of the original television series but also the 2019 movie. For fans of the popular British series, the two-hour movie feels like a comforting and welcome return of old friends, with much of the original cast appearing, including Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, and countless others. For those unfamiliar, the film may be a bit baffling, but it will encourage first-time viewers to go back to the beginning to discover what they've been missing out on all these years. In the movie, we find the Crawleys preparing for a visit from the King and Queen of England, and all of the scandal, romance, and intrigue that comes with it. The production values are grand, the acting is fantastic, the unmistakably British comedy is delightful as always, and the drama is, as ever, deliciously soapy. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
12.Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022)
The latest entry into the Downton Cinematic Universe is officially here and proves that Downton continues to be the most delicious and exquisite comfort food possible, as creator Julian Fellowes knows how to build a world as well as anyone. A New Era was a quiet hit when it hit theaters, earning $90 million at the worldwide box office and getting rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Whether you missed it on the big screen or simply want to spend some more time in England in the early 20th Century, now is your chance. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a premium membership.
13.Driveways (2019)
Kathy (Hong Chau) heads to her deceased sister's house to prepare it for sale but is surprised when her son Cody (Lucas Jaye) starts to bond with Del (Brian Dennehy), an elderly widower living next door. Only 83 minutes long, Driveways is a concise but powerful story about the importance of human connection as we see through Del the toll that isolation can take on a person. Driveways also turned out to be the final film of Dennehy's career, as he died a month before its release, and critics praised it as a fitting last performance for the renowned actor. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
14.Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
After discovering that his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has undergone a procedure to erase all of her memories of their relationship, Joel (Jim Carrey) decides to do the same. But once the process begins and he starts reliving his time with Clementine, Joel begins to question his decision and reexamine their relationship. Carrey and Winslet are both at the top of their game here, and watching the different moments of their relationship is equally heartbreaking and beautiful. This brilliant and inventive concept could only come from the mind of Charlie Kaufman, who managed to craft one of the most emotionally devastating romantic films of this century while also exploring the delicate and complex nature of connection. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
15.The Harry Potter Series (2001–11)
Harry Potter fans can rejoice because all seven films in the franchise are available here. And if you haven't seen them yet, what are you waiting for? The opportunity to rewatch everyone's favorite Hogwarts attendees grow from uncertain students of magic to full-on heroes is too good to miss, and you'll fall in love with the star-studded cast all over again. Seriously. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Helena Bonham Carter, and many, many more make this set of films feel like hanging out with old friends. And you might even see some famous faces you completely forgot were part of the wizarding world, like Emma Thompson, Robert Pattinson, Domhnall Gleeson, and Gary Oldman! From the early days of The Sorcerer's Stone to the Alfonso Cuarón–directed Prisoner of Azkaban, all the way through the two-part Deathly Hallows, this highly bingeable series of films makes for a cozy and comforting rewatch that we could all use right about now. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
16.I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story (2015)
If you've ever wondered who was behind the iconic Muppet characters of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, this heartwarming doc is here to delight you with the story of Caroll Spinney, who proved himself throughout to be as lovable as the characters he created and embodied. This magical film takes us behind the scenes with the one-of-a-kind pioneer, revealing the lives he continued to touch well into his 80s. Though the sentimental soundtrack can sometimes cause it to drift into saccharine territory, it does nothing to sour this affectionate portrait that's sure to leave you with a smile on your face when you need it the most. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
17.Izzy Gets the F*ck Across Town (2018)
This film is an exhilarating journey that hinges on Mackenzie Davis's (Happiest Season, Tully, Black Mirror) pitch-perfect performance as riot grrrl rocker Izzy, who wakes up to find out that her ex-boyfriend and ex–best friend are having their engagement party that night. Izzy becomes fixated on crashing the party, despite having no money, no mode of transportation, and barely enough time to make it from Santa Monica to where the party is in Los Feliz. That won't stop her from trying, though, and we tag along through her terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day as she frantically attempts to change the course of her life that didn't turn out the way she thought it would. Bolstered by a punk-filled soundtrack and a cast including Davis, Alia Shawkat, Haley Joel Osment, and Carrie Coon, this film will leave you both entertained and possibly a little exhausted. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
18.A Most Beautiful Thing (2020)
The inspiring documentary A Most Beautiful Thing tells the tale of the Manley High rowing team, a group of young Black men from the West Side of Chicago who, although many of them are from rival gangs, came together to row the same boat, altering their trajectories forever. Thoughtfully directed by filmmaker, attorney, and Olympic rower Mary Mazzio and narrated by Common, this doc keeps its focus on its subjects as they tell their own stories, which glisten with joy and optimism even in the face of heartbreaking trauma. At its core, A Most Beautiful Thing shows the healing potential of sports and offers a powerful message that is incredibly necessary during the times we're living in. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
19.*Midnight Run (1988)
Bounty hunter Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro) is offered an enormous reward for the simple task of getting accountant Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas (Charles Grodin) back to Los Angeles so he can face trial for embezzling. But the duo face one major obstacle in their journey: Jimmy Serrano (Dennis Farina), the Chicago mob boss who Mardukas embezzled $15 million from. De Niro is primarily known for his dramatic acting, but here he shows that he is equally equipped to deliver laughs, as he and Grodin are fantastic as reluctant road trip buddies. He even earned a Golden Globe nomination for the performance.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
20.*The Mummy (2001)
Adventurer Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) travels to Hamunaptra, the City of the Dead, along with siblings Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) and Jonathan (John Hannah), where the trio end up accidentally awakening an evil, supernatural spirit. The Mummy was a runaway hit, grossing over $400 million at the global box office and spawning two more Mummy movies. The sequels admittedly offered diminishing returns on quality, but the original Mummy holds up as the type of action-adventure thrill ride that rarely gets made anymore. At the very least, you'll find yourself wondering why Fraser didn't end up having a much bigger career, as he is a giant ball of charisma. Plus, Weisz confirms she is every bit as compelling in a blockbuster as she is in prestige, Oscar-winning films. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
21.Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Often regarded as the first modern zombie movie and one of the greatest and scariest movies of all time, 1968's Night of the Living Dead was initially met with controversy and scorn in response to its extreme violence and gore as well as the casting of Duane Jones, a Black man, in the leading role. Writer-director George Romero has said that choosing Jones had nothing to do with race and that he was simply the best actor who auditioned, but intentional or not, this choice added layers of social commentary to the plot. It also further cemented the film's legacy by directly influencing movies like Get Out and nodding back to zombies' roots in Black culture — while presenting a depiction of the undead that would go on to set the standard for how zombies have appeared in media ever since. Despite being flawed and dated at times, this groundbreaking horror movie is still remarkably effective. Its limited budget and presentation in stark black and white give it an almost documentary-like atmosphere, making the horrors that unfold all the more horrifying — and influencing not just countless zombie flicks but also filmmakers, across a variety of genres, with small budgets and big ideas. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
22.The Northman (2022)
With just two films under his belt, director Robert Eggers had already established himself as one of the most unique and talented filmmakers working today. And The Northman, his highly-anticipated third film, proved once again that he is going to be one of the most important figures in film for the foreseeable future. Easily Eggers' most epic film in terms of both scale and ambition, The Northman is a story of Viking vengeance set in turn-of-the-10th-century Iceland as Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård), a warrior prince, seeks to avenge his father after he is betrayed and murdered by his uncle. Sound a bit like the plot of the most famous play ever written? It's intentional — but while the story may be yet another cinematic re-telling of Hamlet, Eggers' directorial style is wholly original, as he masterfully delivers a visual feast that is as exhilarating as it is breath-taking. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a premium membership.
23.Olympic Pride, American Prejudice (2016)
The 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin were set against the background of white nationalism in Germany, with Hitler and the Nazi Party's rise to power causing the US to be conflicted about sending American Jewish and Black athletes to compete. This effective documentary focuses on the 18 Black athletes from the US who participated — using historical footage, interviews, and news coverage, as well as conversations with surviving family members, to paint a compelling picture of the experiences of some of the nation's greatest athletes during a time when their lives were affected by massive inequality both at home and overseas. The tale of how track-and-field star Jesse Owens's four gold medal wins dismantled Hitler's Aryan-supremacy delusion has long been mythologized, but Olympic Pride, American Prejudice delves deeper into the other 17 Black competitors' stories, highlighting their remarkable achievements despite racism from the American coaching staff, and following them through their return to the US, where they were greeted with scant job opportunities and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's reported refusal to shake their hands in fear of alienating Southern voters. As Black athletes continue to face astonishing inequality and racism in the current age — with reactions to political protests, anti-marijuana laws rooted in systemic racism, and the banning of swim caps designed for Black hair just a few of the ways Black people in sports are unfairly targeted — this documentary remains a vital look at the underbelly of racism that persists in the US and global sporting world today. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
24.Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)
Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique both received well-deserved Oscar noms (and a win for Mo'Nique) for their extraordinary performances in this powerful film based on the 1996 novel Push by Sapphire. This movie is a complex portrait of a young woman named Claireece "Precious" Jones (Sidibe) who deals with her devastating circumstances by escaping into daydreams of a much better life. We find her at age 16 living with her abusive mother in 1987 Harlem, unable to read or write, and pregnant for the second time by her rapist father. Because of this pregnancy, Precious is transferred to an alternative school, and her life is impacted by a sympathetic teacher (Paula Patton), a social worker (Mariah Carey), and a kind nursing assistant (Lenny Kravitz) — all of whom give her hope for a better future. Audiences and critics were divided on some of its messaging, but one thing most viewers agreed on was that the fearless performances at its center were an absolute triumph. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
25.Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Elizabeth Bennett (Keira Knightley) is one of five sisters and given that they are all growing up in Victorian England, their mother is fixated on one thing: ensuring they all marry wealthy men and rise above their station. Of the many Jane Austen film adaptations, Pride & Prejudice ranks among the best due to capturing Austen's legendary wit and social commentary while showcasing a fantastic leading performance from Knightley. And it is literally impossible to overstate the masterful range of Matthew Macfadyen, who you would never believe is the same guy that plays Tom in Succession. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock
26.Prince: Sign o' the Times (1987)
This collection of highlights from Prince's 1987 European concert tour is thankfully here to hold you over if you've been desperately missing live concerts this year. Written and directed by Prince himself, Sign o' the Times transports us to the Purple One's commercial peak, jam-packed with colossal hits (including the title track, "Little Red Corvette," "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man," and "U Got the Look"), colorful visuals, and electrifying performances that'll make you want to crank up the TV and get lost in some of the greatest music ever made. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
27.*Reality Bites (1996)
One of the quintessential Gen X movies, Reality Bites tells the story of a disenchanted group of Houston twentysomethings trying to find any semblance of meaning in life. Lelaina (Winona Ryder) finds herself drawn to two different guys: charming but aimless guitarist Troy Dyer (Ethan Hawke) and driven TV executive Michael Grates (Ben Stiller). The sweet but simple movie has become a generational classic, and its legacy continues to endure as it is set to get remade as a TV show on Peacock (let's just hope it ends up with a better fate than the High Fidelity remake on Hulu). —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
28.*Scarface (1983)
At this point, Scarface is better known as a go-to poster on dorm room walls than as an actual movie, which is a real shame because it is secretly a fantastically dark exploration of the American Dream through the rise and fall of Tony Montana (Al Pacino). The Cuban refugee comes to the land of opportunity only to find himself working menial labor for no money. The only way that Tony is able to rise up in society is by surrendering all of his values and embracing a life of crime. Anchored by a dangerous but controlled performance from Pacino, Scarface still holds up as so much more than a shoot-em-up drugfest. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
29.Shaolin (2011)
When a ruthless general (Andy Lau) is betrayed by his sworn brother (Nicholas Tse), he seeks salvation at a Shaolin temple, where he decides to become a monk to atone for his past misdeeds — but his dangerous past isn't as far behind him as he might think. This ambitious, epic Hong Kong drama is more about introspection than hand-to-hand combat, although there is enough of both — plus a comedic supporting performance from Jackie Chan — to keep viewers engaged. The action set pieces are impressive and elaborate, while the anti-violence sentiment and compassionate Buddhist philosophy set it apart from other action period pieces, offering a path to enlightenment for even the most brutal warlords. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
30.Shrek (2001)
I don't need to tell you what Shrek is about. Everyone knows what Shrek's about. Two decades later, this post-modern, irreverent takedown of fairy tales remains as culturally relevant as ever, with Shrek becoming a consistent source of meme-fodder and online discourse. But does the movie itself actually hold up? In a word, absolutely. The jokes are still hilarious, the soundtrack is still banger after banger, and the voice performances are among the best of this century. And even though the movie postures itself as the crude antithesis to Disney's saccharine sentimentality, Shrek secretly wears its heart on its sleeve, with a sweet message about self-acceptance hiding behind the fart jokes and pop culture references. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership
31.Shrek 2 (2004)
Despite Shrek' s enormous success by every conceivable metric, when a sequel was announced, it was hard not to wonder if it would prove to be a one-hit wonder. Thankfully, that was decidedly not the case, as Shrek 2 not only kept the magic of the original alive, it arguably surpassed it to become the best entry in the Shrek franchise. How did Dreamworks manage to pull this off? By understanding exactly what made the first Shrek work (lovable characters, dope soundtrack, pop culture galore), while also adding several fun, new elements that helped take the series to unprecedented heights. As a result, Shrek 2 was an all-out cultural juggernaut, becoming the highest grossing film of 2004 and holding the title of the highest-grossing animated film ever in the United States for over a decade. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership
32.Short Term 12 (2013)
Writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton based this moving film on his own experience as a staffer at a facility for at-risk teenagers. Brie Larson is among one of his stand-ins, superb in her portrayal of a woman facing her own demons (prompted by a deepening connection with a new resident, played by the excellent Kaitlyn Dever). The raw emotion is balanced deftly with warmth and humor. And the heavy subject matter never descends into melodrama but instead soars high on the incredible performances of its young actors, as well as the thoughtful writing and direction. Its cast now looks like a launchpad for actors whose stars would continue to shine brightly, featuring Larson, Dever (newly minted Oscar nominee), LaKeith Stanfield, Rami Malek, Stephanie Beatriz, and John Gallagher Jr. But even before their stratospheric fame, critics recognized the brilliance on display — and rightly so. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
33.The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts the Tonight Show (2020)
This doc unearths a largely forgotten but monumental 1968 week in late-night television, when Johnny Carson stepped aside to let legendary entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte temporarily take over The Tonight Show to address the social and political tumult the country was experiencing. His guest list included Martin Luther King Jr., Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, actor and activist Paul Newman, Native American folk singer Buffy Sainte-Marie, folk singer Leon Bibb, singer Petula Clark, and many of the top Black stars of the time, including Aretha Franklin, Lena Horne, Dionne Warwick, Freda Payne, Diahann Carroll, and Nipsey Russell. While much of the footage has sadly been lost, what remains is full of hope and inspiration, but also imparts frustration over how many of the issues of the time have yet to be resolved. Belafonte, now 95, is interviewed throughout, as are Warwick, Sainte-Marie, Clark, Whoopi Goldberg, Tamron Hall, Questlove, and New York Times critics Bill Carter and Wesley Morris, who add context and give modern-day reflections on an important week of television that remains just as relevant today. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
34.*They/Them (2022)
A group of queer campers arrive at an LGBTQ+ conversion camp where Owen Whistler (Kevin Bacon) promises to "help them find a new sense of freedom." Things take a psychologically dark turn quickly but get even darker when a serial killer starts picking off victims. John Logan, the three-time Oscar-nominated screenwriter responsible for Gladiator and The Aviator, wrote and directed this fresh take on the slasher film. They/Them has received mixed reviews from critics so far (although some loved it), but if there's one genre that critics have a history of being wrong about, it's horror, so give it a chance and make up your own mind. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
35.Time for Ilhan (2018)
If you've recently had that gnawing feeling that the US is overwhelmingly controlled by billionaires and corporations out of touch with the needs of…uh…nonbillionaires, this documentary is a beacon of light that'll remind you that you can still have faith in our democratic systems. Director Norah Shapiro presents an inspiring and engaging portrait of Ilhan Omar, a young, hijab-wearing mother of three who arrived in the US at age 12 as a refugee, on her journey from community activist to becoming the first Somali Muslim woman to be elected to state office in the United States. Thanks to intimate, behind-the-scenes footage of Omar’s first political campaign, we get a fly-on-the-wall glimpse into how she connects with voters, disrupts the system, and works tirelessly to fight for a better country for everyone. There’s no doubt that she’s become a controversial figure, but whether or not you consider yourself a supporter of hers, this documentary goes beyond the headlines to offer a more personal look at a political powerhouse whose story is far from over. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
36.Train to Busan (2016)
If you enjoyed Gong Yoo's appearance as "the Salesman" in Netflix's smash hit Squid Game, you can watch him in the leading role of this South Korean action-horror film, which has been called one of the best zombie movies of all time, and with good reason. Writer-director Yeon Sang-ho pulls no punches, offering up a smattering of well-developed characters, expertly staged action, and a healthy dose of social and political commentary in this thrilling movie about a man (Yoo), his estranged daughter (Kim Su-an), and other passengers trapped on a speeding train during a zombie apocalypse. Critics lauded the film's unique take on the genre, which makes excellent use of the train's cramped quarters, wringing out brilliantly choreographed action and heartfelt emotion at every turn. And while it certainly reuses the same tropes that have plagued the crowded zombie genre for some time now, it does so with so much energy and style that it makes every element feel fresh, terrifying, and unexpectedly moving. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
37.*Uncut Gems (2019)
The Safdie Brothers had spent years establishing themselves as exciting, up-and-coming directors, but they fully put themselves on the map with Uncut Gems. Watching Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) try to stay one step ahead while simultaneously digging himself into a deeper hole is an absolute masterclass in anxiety. If you needed any more proof that the Oscars are increasingly out of touch, just watch Sandler's performance here and try to figure out how the hell he did not even land a nomination. The rest of the cast is also fantastic, as even Kevin Garnett delivers one of the better athlete-playing-themselves performances in recent movie memory. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
38.*Waves (2019)
As a teenager, it's easy to feel invincible. It's all fun and games, right? But the reality is that actions you take at that age have consequences for yourself and the people around you. In Waves, that harsh truth is explored with brutal clarity through the Williams family. Tyler (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) is a popular high schooler, but his life takes a dramatic turn when his wrestling career ends because of an injury and his girlfriend Alexis (Alexa Demie) tells him she is pregnant. As he struggles to accept these realities, as well as his domineering father, Tyler is weighed down by substance abuse, unchecked anger issues, and toxic masculinity. Things quickly spin out of control, and the viewer gets a devastating reminder of how one bad decision can destroy so many lives. —B.H.
Watch it on Peacock with a Premium membership.
39.Winter’s Bone (2010)
This quietly gripping film, directed by Debra Granik, is set in the rural Ozarks of Missouri, where teenager Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) takes care of her poverty-stricken family in her criminal father's absence. When news comes from the local sheriff that Ree's father put their home up for bond and then fled, she embarks on a dangerous quest to find him and save their family home. Lawrence's grimly determined, Oscar-nominated performance is revelatory, capturing her character's fear and resolve often without words, while stunningly naturalistic direction from Granik makes it impossible to look away from this film's unflinching window into a part of America not often portrayed with such precision and authenticity. Winter’s Bone also earned Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, and Supporting Actor Oscar noms (John Hawkes for his powerful and compelling portrayal of Ree's meth-addicted uncle, Teardrop) while garnering critical acclaim for transporting viewers into its mountainous landscapes and leaving them with characters and memories they won't soon forget. —J.M.
Watch it on Peacock for free.
* Denotes title has been newly added to Peacock for August.
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