While the myth of leaving the house might seem like a relic of a distant past now, one area where technology certainly hasn’t let us down is in the arena of streaming movies. With so many platforms at our fingertips, we’re virtually inundated with choices. So, how do you sift through the deluge to find the best streaming movies? Well, boy oh boy, have we got a treat for you!
Setting the Scene
Now, for the uninitiated, streaming movies is a late-night tradition as sweet and sacred as tossing popcorn and attempting to lip-synch perfectly to your favorite movie dialogue. This delightful practice picked up a swift trail during the rise of platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. These warriors of the streaming game kicked the old boys of Blockbuster to the curb faster than you can say “DVD late fees”. And since then, the trajectory has only gone upwards to the sky, much like a rocket off the desk of Elon Musk.
Queen of the Stream: Netflix
Netflix pretty much reigns supreme. It’s the godfather, the head honcho, the big kahuna. With a mind-bogging array of both reruns and original content, it’s clearly the go-to place. If it’s ** new movies on Netflix you’re after, well, they’ve gotcha covered. However, it is here where we also find some of the best movies streaming**, their original movies renowned for their high quality and prolific output.
A Crowned Jewel: Hulu
Nipping closely at Netflix’s heels is Hulu, a platform known for its quality content like “Only Murders in the Building”. This show, much like the Starship rocket designed by Elon Musk, took off swiftly, catching the eye of many viewers. While the best shows on Hulu might be a discussion for another day, if it’s the best movies on Hulu you’re after, they’ve certainly got some aces up their sleeves.
No Dilly-Dally: Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video, the kid brother of the streaming family hasn’t let that deter them. They’re here, they’re big, and they’re not going anywhere. If you’re leaning towards a Prime binge, you honestly wouldn’t be astray. They’ve got quite a robust collection themselves — including Prime originals that are like hidden gems in the haystack.
Online Theater: Disney+
Don’t be fooled by the iconic Disney castle intro, Disney+ has indeed grown to cater to a much larger audience. Their collection is not only stupendously large but also very well-curated, bringing together under the one banner the likes of Disney classics, Marvel Superheroes, the Star Wars Saga, and much more.
The Stats: What’s Catching Eyes?
An analysis by Park Associates suggests a 58% increase in streaming since the start of the pandemic. Amusingly, a recent trivia night question asked, “What’s been the most-watched movie during quarantine?”. The answer? Frozen 2. And yes, we know you’re questioning this data’s reliability right now. But, if you’ve got an ankle biter or two at home, you know this fact hits right in your weary, “Let It Go”-filled heart.
The Popcorn List: 25 Insane Picks
Now, what you’re all here for. The 25 best streaming movies, handpicked, checked, and curated just for you. Hold onto your La-Z-Boys as we dive right in.
- Avatar 2 – James Cameron’s long-awaited sequel to his 2009 epic.
- The Flash – Ezra Miller’s standalone film in the DC Extended Universe.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The third installment in the popular Marvel franchise.
- Indiana Jones 5 – Another adventure with the iconic archaeologist.
- Marriage Story (2019) – A deep dive into the intricacies of a couple going through a divorce.
- Dune (2021) – Denis Villeneuve’s ambitious adaptation of the sci-fi novel.
- The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) – A political drama penned by Aaron Sorkin.
- A Quiet Place Part II (2020) – The sequel to the hit horror-thriller.
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – A unique animated take on the Spider-Man lore.
- The Midnight Sky (2020) – A post-apocalyptic tale directed by and starring George Clooney.
- Jojo Rabbit (2019) – Taika Waititi’s dark comedy set during World War II.
- Knives Out (2019) – Rian Johnson’s witty modern-day whodunit.
- The Green Knight (2021) – A visually stunning Arthurian tale.
- Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020) – The controversial comedic sequel starring Sacha Baron Cohen.
- Promising Young Woman (2020) – A unique revenge thriller addressing societal issues.
- Nomadland (2020) – An intimate look into the life of modern-day American nomads.
- Mank (2020) – David Fincher’s black-and-white drama about the making of “Citizen Kane”.
- Extraction (2020) – An action-packed thriller starring Chris Hemsworth.
- Minari (2020) – A heartfelt story about a Korean family trying to make it in America.
- Tenet (2020) – Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending action thriller.
- The Platform (2019) – A Spanish sci-fi horror addressing social inequality.
- The King (2019) – A historical drama about King Henry V, available on Netflix.
- No Time To Die (2021) – The latest entry in the James Bond franchise.
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) – The third installment in the main Conjuring series.
- Last Night in Soho (2021) – Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller.
A Stream Down the Future
So where to from here, you ask? Neil deGrasse Tyson would probably include astrophysics into this discussion. But, rest assured we’ll stick to movies. The increase in streaming popularity has given rise to a question. Are we moving towards a future where physical cinemas will be as common as typewriters are now? Well, the consensus is still out on that.
The Curtain Call
Putting the remote control down, one can’t help but marvel at the plethora of cinematic content simply waiting at our fingertips. And while, yes, the paradox of choice can be paralyzing at times, hopefully, this curated list of best streaming movies will ease your searches. So, go on, kick your feet up, and lose yourself in the magical world of streaming content. Netflix, Amazon, Disney; the world, quite literally, is at your command.
