Check out our picks for the best movies streaming on Starz below or browse out list of the best movies onNetflixandHulu.
‘Marry Me’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 61% | IMDb: 6.1/10
A contemporary take on the age-old opposites-attract love story,Marry Meis a rom-com starringJennifer LopezandOwen Wilson. Directed byKat Coirofrom a screenplay byJohn Rogers,Tami Sagher, andHarper Dill, the film is adapted fromBobby Crosby’s eponymous graphic novel. The film follows a popstar (Lopez), who is about to marry her fellow popstar fiance during a concert. That is until she finds out that he cheated on her. On an impulse, she picks out an audience member to marry instead, who just so happens to be a mild-mannered math teacher (Wilson). A silly rom-com that makes for a light, enjoyable watch,Marry Mereceived mixed reviews but was highly successful with audiences. The movie has enjoyed great viewership on streaming, becoming Peacock’s most-streamed day-and-date film when it was first released. There’s nothing particularly ground-breaking aboutMarry Me, but like its protagonists, it’s easy to fall in love with this funny romp. Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson make for a surprisingly sweet on-screen couple, and their interactions are a delight to watch even when the film’s plot gets somewhat shaky.
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‘Joy Ride’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 6.4/10
Joy Ridefollows a group of friends on a mad-cap road trip across China, withAshley Park,Sherry Cola,Stephanie Hsu, andSabrina Wuplaying the central characters. The movie was directed byAdele Limin her feature directorial debut, written byCherry ChevapravatdumrongandTeresa Hsiao, and is based on a story co-developed by all three of them.Joy Ridepremiered at the 2023 SXSW Festival to positive reviews from critics, with great praise for its performances. With an absurd and raunchy sense of humor,Joy Rideis a comedy that’s extremely entertaining and undeniably funny. But it’s not just another silly slapstick film;Joy Ridehas a lot of heart, and its highly relatable emotional elements elevate the comedy without losing any of its sense of fun. While its premise may be as old as dirt,Joy Rideis as fresh as comedies can be, and that’s largely thanks to the great writing and performances.
‘Lady Macbeth’ (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.8/10
Lady Macbeth
Despite the name,William Oldroyd’sLady Macbethis not a Shakespeare adaptation. Rather, it’s actually adapted fromNikolai Leskov’s 1865 novellaLady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District. The period drama film follows a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage to a man twice her age. Written byAlice Birch, the film starsFlorence Pugh,Cosmo Jarvis,Paul Hilton,Naomi Ackie, andChristopher Fairbank. A critically acclaimed film,Lady Macbethhad its world premiere at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. The movie received praise for its surprising complexity and the revelatory performances of its main cast.Florence Pugh, in particular, was lauded for her portrayal of a woman on the brink. If you’re a fan of Pugh’s later work and you’d like to see an early example of the talented actor’s abilities, thenLady Macbethshould be at the top of your watchlist. It’s not a happy film, but it is one that will engage you from start to finish.
‘John Wick 4’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.7/10
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
The fourth film in the hit global franchise,John Wick: Chapter 4is directed and co-produced byChad Stahelskiand written byShay HattenandMichael Finch. The film starsKeanu Reevesas the iconic title character, appearing alongside an ensemble supporting cast that includesDonnie Yen,Bill Skarsgård,Lance Reddick, and many more. A direct sequel toJohn Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the film sees John Wick take on the criminal overlords known as the High Table. The film was critically acclaimed and a massive box office success, becoming the ninth-highest-grossing film of 2023 in the United States. From the action sequences and choreography to the acting and visual style, there isn’t a single thing aboutJohn Wick: Chapter 4that isn’t composed to perfection. For anyone who may have doubted the endurance of the Wickiverse,John Wick: Chapter 4shows that there’s always more to be seen and done in this thrilling world. The movie has already spawned a spinoff,John Wick Presents: Ballerina, and a fifth film is in the pipeline as well.
‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ (2012)
Rotten Tomatoes: 49% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Snow White and the Huntsman
A darker take on the Brothers Grimm fairytale,Snow White and the Huntsmanis a fantasy film directed byRupert Sandersand written byEvan Daugherty,John Lee Hancock, andHossein Amini. The film starsKristen Stewartas Snow White,Charlize Theronas Snow White’s stepmother, Queen Ravenna, andChris Hemsworthas the Huntsman. It also featuresBob Hoskinsin his final film performance. Despite mixed reviews from critics,Snow White and the Huntsmanwas a box office success. The movie’s shaky screenplay and lack of chemistry between the leads have led to some criticism, but the visual effects and performances are spectacular. Charlize Theron is electric as a villainous sorceress who becomes more than just a storybook villain in the film. Hemsworth is another highlight, taking a minor character from the fairytale and elevating him to action-hero standards. The film received two Oscar nominations and led to a sequel,The Huntsman: Winter’s War.
‘Black Phone’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 6.9/10
The Black Phone
Adapted fromJoe Hill’s 2004 short story of the same name,The Black Phoneis a supernatural horror film directed byScott Derrickson, who also co-wrote the script withC. Robert Cargill. The movie starsMason Thames,Madeleine McGraw,Jeremy Davies,James Ransone, andEthan Hawke. After being abducted by a serial killer (Ethan Hawke), a teenager (Mason Thames) discovers a black rotary dial phone that lets him talk to his would-be killer’s past victims. A critical and commercial hit,The Black Phonepremiered at the 2021 Fantastic Fest to widespread critical acclaim. A faithful adaptation of the source material, the movie is scary good and thoroughly entertaining. With a tense narrative and great performances, the only real criticism of the movie’s horror work is that there should have been more of it. Ethan Hawke is absolutely terrifying as The Grabber, a worthy addition to the pantheon of horror’s greatest villains. A sequel, set for release in 2025, is currently in development.
‘There’s Something About Mary’ (1998)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 7.1/10
There’s Something About Mary
There’s Something About MarystarsCameron Diazas the titular character and explores the competing courtships of four men who are all madly in love with her. This 1998 rom-com was directed byPeter FarrellyandBobby Farrelly, who also co-wrote the film withEd DecterandJohn J. Strauss. Besides Diaz in the title role, the movie also starsBen Stiller,Matt Dillon,Lee Evans, andChris Elliott.There’s Something About Marywas both critically praised and quite successful at the box office, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 1998. In the years since, the movie has continued to amuse newer audiences with its charming characters and story. It’s a surprisingly endearing, heartfelt film that’s still raucously funny. The lead cast delivers hilarious and likable performances, with Diaz, in particular, receiving great praise and winning a number of awards.There’s Something About Maryis a delightful, effortlessly funny movie that checks all the boxes for a commercial entertainer while maintaining a solid, well-written narrative.
‘50 First Dates’ (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes: 45% | IMDb: 6.8/10
50 First Dates
StarringAdam SandlerandDrew Barrymore,50 First Datesis a rom-com about a man who falls for a woman with a rare case of amnesia and resolves to win her heart over and over each new day. Directed byPeter Segaland written byGeorge Wing, the movie also featuresRob Schneider,Sean Astin,Lusia Strus,Blake Clark, andDan Aykroydin supporting roles. Although critical responses to the film were quite mixed,50 First Dateswas a success at the box office, and its popularity has also led to a number of international remakes. Drew Barrymore is wonderful in the movie, portraying her unfortunate character with heart and charm, and she shares great chemistry with Adam Sandler. Audiences today may be familiar with Sandler’s more serious work, but in its time, his warm performance was quite a surprise to viewers, though that’s not to say the film doesn’t have plenty of the cheesy-yet-lovable humor of Sandler’s other films. It’s a complete entertainer that’s as fun today as it was when it came out in 2004.
‘Beyond the Lights’ (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 6.8/10
Beyond the Lights
Written and directed byGina Prince-Bythewood,Beyond the Lightsis a romantic drama that starsGugu Mbatha-Raw,Nate Parker,Minnie Driver,Machine Gun Kelly, andDanny Glover. The film follows superstar singer Noni (Mbatha-Raw), who, after a failed suicide attempt, is rescued by police officer Kaz (Parker). A masterly depiction of the pressures of fame and the ways in which that pressure can wear away at a person,Beyond the Lightshas received widespread critical acclaim. Gugu Mbatha-Raw delivers a scintillating performance in the lead role. The writing and direction are both near-perfect, makingBeyond the Lightsa prime example of Gina Prince-Bythewood’s creative genius. Additionally, the film’s song “Grateful” byRita Orawas nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
‘8 Mile’ (2002)
Rotten Tomatoes: 75% | IMDb: 7.2/10
The film debut of rap legendEminem,8 Mileis a music drama film partly based on its star’s life and experiences as a young musician coming up in the Detroit scene. Written byScott Silverand directed byCurtis Hanson, the movie also featuresMekhi Phifer,Brittany Murphy,Michael Shannon, andKim Basinger, withAnthony Mackiein his film debut as rival rapper Papa Doc. A critical and commercial success,8 Mileearned rave reviews and numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Lose Yourself.” Full of great performances and even greater music,8 Mileis largely credited with cementing Eminem’s status as an international superstar. You can see the influence of8 Mileon practically every music drama made since, and the credit for that goes to its talented stars, powerful soundtrack, and well-balanced direction. Now regarded as one of the best films of the 2000s,8 Mileis a movie that outperformed all expectations, proving that a great movie, like a great rapper, can really come from anywhere.
