By Kirsten Coachman
As we all gear up for another weekend of the great indoors during this period of social distancing, there’s a pretty good chance that we’ll be hanging out in the proximity of our TVs or computers to help make the time pass. With the influx of different streaming services available, there are plenty of options for audiences, which, at times, can feel overwhelming. However, Art U News is here to assist you in your movie-watching endeavors!
While chipping away at your various watchlists is always an option, we’ve put together a list of recent releases that we hope you will enjoy (and will help ease any boredom).
Netflix
“Spenser Confidential” (Come for the cast–Mark Wahlberg, Alan Arkin, Winston Duke & Iliza Schlesinger–and stay for the absurdity of it all.)
“To All The Boys P.S. I Love You” (Not quite as good as the first installment, but it will still leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.)
“The Irishman” (If you have a spare three hours, check out what all the hype was about.)
“Always Be My Maybe” (San Francisco’s recent high profile visitor, the one and only Keanu Reeves, plays himself in a way that only he can truly pull off.)
“Avengers: Infinity War” (Might as well get a viewing in before it eventually heads off to Disney+, but more on that later.)
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (It’s one of the most original animated films in recent memory, plus it’s just as enjoyable, if not more so, as the live-action “Spider-Man” films.)
“Marriage Story” (Have you ever wanted to watch Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson in their career-best performances argue and scream at one another? Well, you’re in luck!)
Hulu
“Big Time Adolescence” (With a cast led by “Saturday Night Live’s” Pete Davidson, this film is both full of laughs and heart, and dare we say one of the best surprises of 2020?)
“Booksmart” (Olivia Wilde’s overlooked directorial debut remains one of the most fun and quotable watches.)
“Fighting With My Family” (Also available on Amazon Prime, this is an unexpected gem starring breakout actress Florence Pugh.)
“Luce” (Featuring a star-making turn from Kelvin Harrison Jr., this film will stay with you long after you’ve watched it.)
“Missing Link” (The Golden Globe-winning film from LAIKA is a colorful and impressive feat, filled with adventure from start to finish.)
“Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins” (Directed by the School of Motion Pictures & Television’s own Janice Engel, there’s inspiration to be found in story of the straight-shooting award-winning columnist and political commentator.)
“Wild Rose” (Jessie. Buckley’s. Singing. Voice.)
“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (Newly added, watch the quiet romance that film critics have been glowing about.)
Amazon Prime
“Honey Boy” (Directed by Alma Har’el in her narrative feature debut, it features magnetic performances from Noah Jupe, Shia LaBeouf, also making his screenwriting debut, and Lucas Hedges. Cathartic filmmaking at its finest.)
“Midsommar” (For a goosebump-inducing Ari Aster mini-marathon, also add “Hereditary” to your watchlist for good measure if suspenseful horror movies are your thing.)
“The Aeronauts” (A reunited Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne hit the skies in this visual feast.)
“The Farewell” (You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll want to call your grandmother.)
“Brittany Runs a Marathon” (While it might make you miss being able to exercise regularly outdoors, it will leave you ready to tackle any challenge. And possibly teary-eyed.)
“For Sama” (While devastating to watch, the Oscar-nominated documentary is an absolute must-see.)
“Love, Antosha” (Family, friends, and peers share personal anecdotes about late actor Anton Yelchin, who passed away at the age of 27 following a tragic accident at his home in 2016.)
Disney+
“Avengers: Endgame” (If you also have Netflix, our recommendation is marathoning “Infinity War” and “Endgame” back-to-back for one epic finale.)
“Onward” (Arriving on April 3 is Pixar’s latest offering that is simply delightful and will pull on your heartstrings.)
“Toy Story 4” (Watch the latest installment and meet the new characters, like Forky, or revisit the entire series of films. Live your best life!)
“Star Wars” (These iconic films are there for the taking, whether you’re revisiting them or experiencing them for the first time.)
Tubi
Not subscribed to any of the above services? Check out Tubi! While there are brief commercial breaks, the movies are otherwise unedited. Browse by genre or toss your favorite actor or actress’s name in the search bar and see what gems come up.
2020 Releases
If you’re looking to watch a recent 2020 release, head to your favorite digital retailer and see what they have available. The following movies have been released to either rent or purchase: “Emma,” “The Invisible Man,” “The Way Back,” “I Still Believe,” “The Hunt,” “The Call of the Wild,” “Bloodshot,” “Onward,” “Birds Of Prey And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn,” “Dolittle,” “Bad Boys for Life,” and “The Gentlemen.”
Happy watching!