It’s a Friday (or Tuesday) night in and all you’re looking for is a decent movie to stream while you sip a bottle glass of wine. But that’s the issue: Aside from a list of new releases, most streaming services make it kind of tricky to seek out those new-to-you big-screen gems. That’s why we polled our smart and savvy editors to ask them to share the best thing they’ve rented on iTunes, Netflix, Hulu, HBO or Amazon Prime in the last four weeks.
12 Editors on the Best Movie They’ve Streamed This Month
Published Aug 13, 2019
•1:04pm
Producers Distribution Agency
Brooklyn Castle (2012)
Stream It: Amazon Prime
“I recently rented Brooklyn Castle (2012) on Amazon Prime. It's about IS 318, a public middle school in Brooklyn that has won more national chess titles than any other middle school in the country—and was the first junior high school to win a national high school championship. When the school is hit with major budget cuts (it was filmed in 2009), the students—70 percent of whom live below the poverty line—have to fight for their beloved chess program. It's incredibly inspiring, and amazing to Google what all of the students are up to now.” — Sarah, Editor
MGM
Fighting With My Family (2019)
Rent It: iTunes
“This indie movie based on a true story about WWE champion Paige was surprisingly sweet and not cheesy at all, which is what I expected based on the premise. Stephen Merchant—who co-wrote the UK version of The Office—is behind it, which explains why the dialog is so whip-smart and funny. The Rock also makes a cameo and plays himself, but in the most delightful and self-deprecating way that made me genuinely laugh out loud.” — Rachel, Director of Special Projects
A24
Under The Silver Lake (2018)
Stream It: Amazon Prime
“It’s a neo-noir-ish mystery comedy thriller and I picked it because Andrew Garfield (duh), but was surprised at how strange it turned out to be. There was a lot going on—in a good way. Oh, and Andrew Garfield was great, as expected.” — Katherine, Associate Food Editor
Gramercy Pictures
Fargo (1996)
Stream It: Hulu
“I started watching the show on Hulu recently and wanted to watch the original movie, and now I'm like, 'Ooooh, I get that reference!' The original Coen brothers flick is hysterical, dark and thought-provoking—it makes the series resonate even more.” — Roberta, News Editor
Focus Features
Mr. Right (2015)
Stream It: HBO
“As someone who hates action movies (the violence really upsets me, LOL), I loved how this was more of a rom-com than anything else.” — Dena, Fashion Editor
Netflix
Roma (2018)
Stream It: Netflix
“Film buffs and amateur movie lovers alike seemed to get behind this incredible film by Alfonso Cuarón released on Netflix last year. This one is ideal for one of those nights that you don't feel like leaving the house to see a great film, but you want to watch one anyways. Because the movie is such an ode to the filmmaking and film-going experience itself, I would definitely 1. watch it on the biggest screen you have 2. watch it without interruption 3. make some popcorn.” — Dara, Senior Editor
Netflix
Secret Obsession (2019)
Stream It: Netflix
“If you—like me—are a sucker for cheesy thrillers, look no further than this Netflix gem starring Brenda Song and Mike Vogel.” — Greta, Associate Editor, Entertainment and News
Netflix
Set It Up (2018)
Stream It: Netflix
“This is a classic Netflix rom-com that's perfect for a lazy Friday binge-watching sesh. Taye Diggs is hilarious and Lucy Liu reminded me of all my crazy bosses in my early 20s. Lots of laughs and a sweet ending.” — Lex, Entertainment and News Editor
Universal Pictures
The Secret Life Of Pets (2016)
Rent It: Amazon Prime
“I was about to take my kids to see the second installment in the theater, so we had to catch up. As far as kid movies go, it was really cute. Also, my kids get easily scared by things and there weren’t any scary parts, but it also wasn’t inane.” — Jillian, SVP of Content
Warner Bros.
The Hangover (2009)
Stream It: Netflix
“Yes, this is an old one, but I hadn’t seen the unedited version, so I pressed play on Netflix. I forgot how funny it was, and I was sitting in my apartment hysterically laughing to myself.” — Rachel, Associate Managing Editor
Universal Pictures
Apollo 13 (1995)
Stream It: Hulu
“I was visiting my boyfriend’s family over the Fourth of July and they kept quoting this film. When I didn’t recognize, ‘Are you boys in the space program, too?’ they were appalled and forced us to rent it that night. But they were right: It’s so good!” — Catrina, Associate Managing Editor
RLJE Films
Plus One (2019)
Stream It: Hulu
“My friend recommended this rom-com about two single friends who have to go to a million weddings together, which already would be up my alley. But it stars Maya Erskine aka Maya Ishii-Peters of PEN15 (also on Hulu), so obviously I had to watch immediately. (And she's a riot even without the bowl cut, FWIW.)” — Carolyn, Senior Editor
