In the modern era of streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, the movie-watching experience has undergone a significant transformation. With the convenience of watching movies anytime and anywhere, not to mention the affordable subscription fee, it’s no wonder that streaming movies have become a popular pastime for many. As the world stays indoors amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, streaming movies have become even more critical. In this article, we will explore the must-see movies that you can enjoy on the top streaming platforms of today.
Let’s start with Netflix, the world’s largest streaming platform. Netflix holds a vast library of movies that cater to a wide range of audiences from different countries, genres, and languages. On Netflix, you can narrow your choices with their user-friendly categories, such as Action, Comedy, Thriller, Romantic, and so on. As a result, it can be overwhelming to choose a good movie to watch on Netflix. Here are some of the top-rated titles that you shouldn’t miss:
1. Marriage Story (2019) – Directed by Noah Baumbach and starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, this Drama film is an emotional roller coaster that portrays the struggles of divorce. A heartrending and honest portrayal of what goes on when a marriage falls apart.
2. The Irishman (2019) – Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, this Crime epic film revolves around a hitman who has started to reveal secrets from his past to his daughter. The three-hour-long movie is a masterpiece of storytelling, acting, and directing.
3. Roma (2018) – Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, this Mexican drama is a semi-autobiographical story that follows the life of a young maid working for a middle-class family in Mexico City. The film received critical acclaim for its cinematography, storytelling, and nuanced portrayal of class and gender politics.
4. Okja (2017) – Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this South Korean-American film is a heartwarming story of a girl and her giant genetically modified pet pig. The film explores the themes of capitalism and animal rights, and it is a touching and beautiful metaphor for how we treat animals in our society.
5. First Reformed (2017) – Directed by Paul Schrader, this Drama film covers the story of a Reverend who is struggling with his faith and the relevance of his duties in the modern age. It’s a movie that explores the complexity of religious faith, environmental issues, and human emotions.
Let’s move on to Amazon Prime, the second most popular streaming platform. Amazon Prime’s movie library might not be as vast as Netflix’s, but they offer some great movies that you shouldn’t miss. Here are some of the top-rated movies on Amazon Prime:
1. Knives Out (2019) – Directed by Rian Johnson, this Mystery/Thriller movie is a modern-day Agatha Christie-style whodunit. The film offers a thrilling story led by an all-star cast, including Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, and Ana de Armas.
2. Manchester by the Sea (2016) – Directed by Kenneth Lonergan, this Drama movie is a powerful and moving story of a man who’s lost everything and is trying to rebuild his life. The film was critically acclaimed and won several prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards.
3. The Big Sick (2017) – Directed by Michael Showalter, this Comedy/Drama is a heartfelt story of love and family. The movie is based on the real-life love story of the movie’s co-writer Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily Gordon.
4. Sound of Metal (2019) – Directed by Darius Marder, this Drama film follows the story of a heavy metal drummer who starts to lose his hearing. The film received tremendous critical acclaim for its portrayal of the character’s visceral experience and its nuanced depiction of the deaf community.
5. Eighth Grade (2018) – Directed by Bo Burnham, this Comedy/Drama movie is a coming-of-age story that follows a teenager’s last week of eighth grade and her struggles with her insecurities, anxieties, and social media. The film highlights the omnipresence and weight of social media on the teenage psyche.
Lastly, Hulu is another popular streaming platform that has a good selection of movies. Here are some of the top-rated movies on Hulu that you can watch:
1. Parasite (2019) – Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this South Korean movie is a dark comedy thriller that follows the story of a poor family who infiltrate a wealthy family’s household. The movie won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, making it the first non-English language film to win this prestigious award.
2. The Art of Self-Defense (2019) – Directed by Riley Stearns, this Comedy/Crime movie is a satire that explores the world of toxic masculinity. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, the film revolves around a man who learns martial arts after he becomes a victim of a violent crime.
3. Little Woods (2018) – Directed by Nia DaCosta, this Crime/Drama movie is a must-watch for fans of Westerns. The film tells the story of two sisters who live in a North Dakota oil town and their struggles to make ends meet while taking care of their sick mother.
4. The Beach Bum (2019) – Directed by Harmony Korine, this Comedy movie is a colorful and fun-loving story of a man named Moondog, played by Mathew McConaughey, who lives a carefree and hedonistic lifestyle in Florida Keys.
5. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) – Directed by Barry Jenkins, this Romantic/Crime Drama is based on James Baldwin’s novel of the same name. The film explores the devastating impact of the African-American experience in America, particularly through the story of two lovers in 1970s Harlem who are torn apart by systemic racism.
FAQs:
Q1. How do I find the best movies on streaming platforms?
A1. Most streaming platforms have categories such as “Best movies,” “Popular movies,” or lists based on genres. You can also use external websites to find IMDB ratings of specific movies or get personalized recommendations based on your preferences.
Q2. Will I find all movies on every streaming platform?
A2. No, the licensing agreements for movies vary between the platforms. Some movies might be available on one platform and not on the other. Therefore, it’s worth checking which specific platform caters to your preferred movies before subscribing.
Q3. Are the top-rated movies always better than others?
A3. Not necessarily. The top-rated movies are based on critics’ reviews and audience ratings and might not cater to everyone’s preferences. It is recommended to read the plot summary, watch the trailer, and then decide whether the film fits your interests or not.
Best Practices, Tips, and Tricks:
1. Customize your search – Use filters and categories to narrow your choice based on your interests.
2. Read reviews – Before watching a movie, check out the reviews from both critics and the audience to get a better idea of what to expect.
3. Watch the trailers – Trailers give a glimpse of the film’s story, tone, and style, making it easier for you to decide whether to watch the movie or not.
4. Make use of watchlists – Watchlists help you save the movies that you are interested in and organize them based on category or priority.
5. Try something new – Don’t limit yourself to a particular movie genre; instead, embrace new and unique films, even if it’s out of your comfort zone.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, streaming platforms have revolutionized the movie-watching experience, providing us access to a vast library of movies. In this article, we have listed some of the must-watch movies that are available on the top streaming platforms today. With the help of our FAQs, Best practices, Tips, and Tricks, we hope you find your next favorite movie to stream. Happy watching!
