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.

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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.

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Found footage has become a staple in the horror genre, with Paranormal Activity, Cloverfield, and countless others owing a debt of gratitude to The Blair Witch Project. It may not be the first found footage horror film, but Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez’s film undoubtedly popularized the format. The story is simple: Three aspiring filmmakers head into the woods of Maryland to create a documentary around a local legend known as the Blair Witch. As the trio ventures deeper into the woods, they begin to have strange experiences (hearing children’s laughter and noticing items have gone missing) that leave them wondering if the legend of the Blair Witch is real or if it’s all in their head. Despite being made on a shoestring budget of less than half a million dollars, the movie feels so realistic that at the time of its release, many viewers legitimately believed that they were watching a documentary. —B.H.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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To prove herself to her boss in hopes of earning a promotion, bank loan officer Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) denies an elderly woman’s request to extend her mortgage. This turns out to be a bad decision, as the woman puts a curse on Christine that will result in her being banished to hell for eternity in three days. As Christine tries to figure out how to break the curse and save herself from damnation, she is relentlessly tormented by a demon. Sam Raimi made a name for himself and his ability to blend comedy and horror with the Evil Dead franchise, and he proves here that no filmmaker is better at having a blast while making people go through the most horrific experiences imaginable. —B.H.

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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.

How can we not talk about family when family’s all that we got? Against all odds, The Fast & The Furious went from a fun Point Break remake with cars to one of the biggest film franchises of all time. And while you could argue the series might be reaching the point of diminishing returns, Furious 7 was undoubtedly when F & F was still at its peak, providing absolutely bonkers action while proudly wearing its massive heart on its sleeve. This is, of course, Paul Walker’s final appearance in the series, as the beloved actor died in a car accident during filming. Posthumous performances are tricky, as they are often either tasteless or feel incomplete. In this case, Furious 7 is the perfect send-off for Walker, as it’s nearly impossible not to cry when “See You Again” starts to play. —B.H.

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When Amy (Rosamund Pike) goes missing on her fifth wedding anniversary, the authorities quickly begin to think her husband Nick (Ben Affleck) may have something to hide. What sounds like a fairly straightforward whodunnit turns out to be so much more. For much of Gone Girl, you think you are watching one story only to discover that you are being told a different story altogether. The movie works almost entirely thanks to Pike giving one of the best acting performances of the last decade as Amy, a character who excels at keeping her true motivations close to her chest. Matching Pike is a tall order, yet Affleck, who has become better known for his directing, proves himself to be up to the task, playing Nick with just the right blend of scumbaggery, self-loathing, and sad-eyed charm. At its core, Gone Girl is a movie about the tenuous nature of connection and whether or not qualities like loyalty and trust are as powerful as mutually assured destruction. —B.H.

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Remember comedies? It can be hard to imagine now, but there was a time when funny movies were every bit as essential to the DNA of summer moviegoing as the latest entry in whatever franchise is popular at the time. And perhaps the last truly blockbuster comedy was The Hangover, a movie that managed to blow away expectations and become one of the highest-grossing R-rated films ever made. With its simple plot (guys wake up in Vegas to find their friend is missing but don’t remember how they lost him), fantastic chemistry between Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis (who rightly became a breakout star after this), and a few genuine surprises, The Hangover holds up as one of the most laugh-out-loud comedies of the century. Just do yourself a favor and skip the sequels, which mostly suck. —B.H.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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By the time Jurassic Park was coming to theaters, Steven Spielberg had already firmly established himself as the undisputed master of the blockbuster. With Jaws, E.T., Indiana Jones, and so many others, he proved that nobody understands the art of the spectacle quite like him. But if there were somehow any lingering doubts about Spielberg’s unparalleled ability to entertain audiences, they disappeared immediately here. Nearly 30 years later, Jurassic Park remains a nearly perfect viewing experience, as it manages to be funny, scary, exciting, and even touching all at the same time. It is also a tribute to the power of practical effects, as the dinosaurs stand as incredibly realistic to this day, and the movie looks better than about 99 percent of the CGI-heavy blockbusters currently being made. —B.H.

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In the third and final film of the second Jurassic trilogy, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) must once again save the day. Dinos and humans are trying to co-exist but obviously, a little chaos shakes that up. Thankfully, they’re not alone, as Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, and Laura Dern return to reprise their roles and, unsurprisingly, the OG Jurassic crew end up stealing the show. Could this be the end of the Jurassic cinematic universe? I have my doubts because much like life, this franchise finds a way. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that even without much love from critics, these movies simply will not stop making obscene amounts of money. Turns out people like dinosaurs. Who knew? —B.H.

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After an eight-year run on Saturday Night Live, where his offscreen antics arguably got more attention than what he actually did on the show, Pete Davidson officially left the sketch show. And the recently single comedian’s first post-SNL project is Meet Cute. Not much is known about the rom-com thus far, but the plot suggests a somewhat fantastical nature, as Sheila (Kaley Cuoco) uses a time machine to redo a first date she had with Gary (Pete Davidson) from the previous night. While Davidson has put together a solid film career so far, including delivering a hilarious supporting performance in Bodies Bodies Bodies this summer, it will be interesting to see how he does as a romantic lead. —B.H.

Watch it on Peacock on September 21.

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.

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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.

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In 1997, Julia Roberts was at the height of her rom-com powers, and she proved herself to be the genre’s GOAT with My Best Friend’s Wedding. What is really remarkable about this movie is that Jules (Roberts) is an objectively terrible person who decides to break up an engagement between two people who are happily in love because she decides out of nowhere that she’s in love with Michael (Dermot Mulroney), the groom-to-be. But even as you are watching Jules manipulate everyone around her and lie to get what she wants, you still love her because Roberts is just that damn charming. And for that reason, she deserves credit alongside James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), and Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) for delivering an all-time great antihero performance. —B.H.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 pided 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.

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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.

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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.

Alfred Hitchcock remains one of the most celebrated filmmakers in history, and a plethora of his movies are landing on Peacock this month. If you don’t know where to start, might I suggest keeping it simple and rolling with his most popular film, Psycho. Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) is on the run after embezzling $40,000 and ends up staying at Bates Motel, a quiet little spot located off the highway.  During her stay, however, she is murdered by a mysterious stranger. Over 60 years later, this is still one of the most perfectly-crafted thrillers ever made, from the iconic shower scene to the twist ending that will still give you chills. —B.H.

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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.

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Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a thirty-something slacker who spends his days hanging out with his even lazier and more directionless best pal, Ed (Nick Frost). Shortly after Shaun is dumped by his girlfriend, a zombie apocalypse begins, and he must do everything he can to survive and keep his loved ones alive. The film is not technically the directorial debut of Edgar Wright, but Shaun of the Dead is certainly what put him on the map as one of the great comedic filmmakers of the 21st Century. While the laughs never stop coming, what really sets Wright apart is how Shaun of the Dead is legitimately a great zombie movie in its own right. —B.H.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A group of researchers based in Antarctica come into contact with an alien life form that has the ability to perfectly imitate any other life form. As the crew tries to figure out how to stop this evil thing, they also have to figure out who can and can’t be trusted. Despite being a box office bomb that derailed John Carpenter’s rise up the ladder of success in Hollywood, The Thing has been the subject of massive cultural re-appreciation in the 40 years since its release. These days, it’s not just widely considered the best picture in Carpenter’s stacked filmography, it’s become a popular shortlist answer for the greatest movies ever made. And it’s tough to argue with that, as The Thing is a flawless film that continues to thrill and terrify each new generation of movie fans. —B.H.

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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.

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Boy meets girl. Boy reveals he’s actually a vampire and that she is his “exact brand of heroin.” It’s a tale as old as time. The entire Twilight franchise feels like a fascinating time capsule from the aughts, and while the movies have their (many) flaws, there is something charming and compelling about them, especially the first one. Watching a young Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart share the screen only becomes more delightful as they further establish themselves as two of our finest actors. Plus, the soundtrack is filled with absolute bangers, and the baseball scene alone justifies this movie’s existence. —B.H.

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Ben (B.J. Novak) is a journalist who heads to Texas to attend the funeral of a girl he hooked up with who died of a drug overdose. However, once he arrives, Ben is told that the girl was actually murdered and is asked to investigate her suspicious death. As he digs deeper, Ben starts to unravel an increasingly absurd thread that goes in several directions you wouldn’t expect. Novak’s distinctly dark comedic voice is on full display here, as he wrote and directed Vengeance along with starring in it. The movie also has a stellar supporting cast, including Issa Rae, Ashton Kutcher, and J. Smith-Cameron. —B.H.

Watch it on Peacock on September 16.

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.

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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.

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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.