The streaming services produce so much content that finding genuinely good films is harder than ever. Here are 6 currently available on major platforms that are worth your evening. With the platform and the verdict.
1. Past Lives (A24 / Showtime)
Where: Showtime, Paramount+ with Showtime, rentable on most platforms.
What: Korean-American drama about childhood friends reconnecting as adults. Director Celine Song's debut.
Why watch: Quiet film that respects you. The 12-year story structure works. Performances are restrained and excellent. About 1h45 runtime.
Best for: Quiet weeknight, alone or with someone you actually want to talk to about the film afterwards.
2. The Worst Person in the World (MUBI / Hulu)
Where: MUBI, Hulu, rentable.
What: Norwegian drama about a woman in her late 20s navigating life, relationships, and identity.
Why watch: Renate Reinsve's lead performance is exceptional. Script is one of the best in years. Funny, sad, completely modern. About 2h7 runtime.
Best for: Anyone in their 20s or 30s who wants a film that takes their life seriously.
3. Aftersun (MUBI)
Where: MUBI primarily; sometimes Amazon Prime.
What: A father and daughter on holiday in Turkey, told through the daughter's memory years later.
Why watch: Charlotte Wells' debut film. Paul Mescal performance you will remember for years. Subtle, devastating ending. About 1h42.
Best for: When you can give it your full attention. Not a multitasking film.
4. Drive My Car (Criterion Channel / HBO Max)
Where: Criterion Channel, sometimes HBO Max, rentable.
What: Japanese drama about a theater director and his driver while staging Chekhov in Hiroshima. About grief and art.
Why watch: Won Best International Oscar plus Cannes Best Screenplay. Patient pacing that earns its 3-hour length. Genuinely cinematic.
Best for: A weekend afternoon with no other plans. Bring patience.
5. The Banshees of Inisherin (Hulu / Disney+)
Where: Hulu, Disney+ via Star.
What: A friendship breakup escalates into something darker on a remote Irish island. Set in 1923.
Why watch: McDonagh script (he did In Bruges). Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are extraordinary. Funny, brutal, sad. About 1h54.
Best for: Anyone who liked In Bruges. Anyone who thinks about male friendship.
6. Anatomy of a Fall (Hulu / Prime)
Where: Hulu, Amazon Prime, rentable.
What: French drama. A novelist is suspected of murdering her husband. Most of the film is the trial.
Why watch: Sandra Hüller's lead performance is extraordinary. Script raises real questions about truth and marriage. Won the Cannes Palme d'Or for 2023.
Best for: Anyone who likes legal/courtroom drama elevated to art. About 2h31.
How to find more
Some patterns for finding good streaming films:
MUBI: Curated international and arthouse. About $12/month. Always has 30+ excellent films available.
Criterion Channel: Classic and arthouse cinema with thoughtful curation. About $11/month. Massive library of films you should know.
Kanopy: Free with library card in many cities. Surprisingly deep selection of arthouse films.
Festival winners on Hulu/Amazon: The major festival winners typically end up here within 6-12 months of release.
The Film Stage / IndieWire weekly recommendations: They tell you what is newly available on streaming each week.
What to skip
Common streaming traps:
- Netflix originals chasing quantity over quality. Most Netflix-produced films are mediocre. Their licensed films are often better.
- Direct-to-streaming Hollywood films that bypassed theaters. Usually for a reason.
- Mid-budget action films with familiar stars. Almost always disappointing.
- Sequels and remakes you have not heard of. If they were any good, you would have heard.
The streaming strategy
To get more value from streaming subscriptions:
- Pick one general service (Netflix, Hulu, etc.) for breadth
- Add one curated service (MUBI, Criterion) for quality
- Skip the rest unless there is something specific you want
- Make a "watchlist" of films you actually want to watch and work through it
- Avoid "what should I watch tonight" decision-making in front of the TV — that always leads to mediocre choices
The takeaway
The 6 films above are all available right now and all worth your time. Pick one and watch it tonight or this weekend.
Stop scrolling Netflix endlessly looking for something to watch. Pick from a curated list. Commit to the choice. The quality of your viewing experience will improve immediately.
