2020 likely saw most of us consuming movies and T.V. shows from the comfort of our own homes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Films we would traditionally go out to the theater to watch were widely made available on traditional streaming platforms. This ease of convenience also meant plenty of options available at the press of a button, however. Here are our diverse twenty picks we felt were worthy to stream for you, your family, or your date:
1. Bad Boys for Life (Action/Comedy)
This film was available on the big screen mere weeks before the pandemic-induced lockdowns. But if you weren’t able to catch it during its run, you were in luck due to its availability on streaming sites shortly after. This iteration of the classic action franchise follows a looong — don’t hold your breath — 17 years after the previous film, 2003’s Bad Boys 2, which itself came a looong 8 years after 1995’s Bad Boys.
2. Sonic the Hedgehog (Family/Comedy)
Based on the the iconic Sonic video game franchise by Sega, this action-packed film stays true to the character it is based on who faces off against the infamous villain Doctor Eggman (Jim Carey). The colorful design, action sequences, and special effects are sure to keep both parents and children entertained.
3. Birds of Prey (Action)
Suicide Squad’s riotous femme fatale Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) returns with her own headline antihero film after her breakup with the Joker, this time squaring off against Black Mask (Ewan McGregor), the latest of the DC rogue’s gallery to join the big screen. Joining in on the action are newcomer superheroines the Huntress and Black Canary in what creates a refreshing all-female dynamic not often seen in superhero films.
4. To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (Teen Comedy/Romance)
Those who were looking for something to do on Valentine’s Day before the pandemic probably ended up watching this chick-flick film. This sequel had an interesting twist however as one of the recipients of Lara Jean’s love letters in the first movie — John Ambrosse — wrote back to her. This love triangle makes you want to decide the right match for Lara Jean — the cheesy Peter Kavinsky or the charming John Ambrose.
5. The Invisible Man (Horror/Thriller)
This revisiting of the original Invisible Man comes with a feminist twist, and is just as entertaining solely as a horror thriller as it is a social commentary. Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale) plays Cecilia Kass who tries to escape from her brilliant engineer yet controlling boyfriend’s ‘phantom’ clutches.
6. Wonder Woman 1984 (Action/Adventure)
The era of big hair and big clothes makes a comeback with the much-awaited sequel to the 2017 blockbuster, Wonder Woman. Diana has been performing her heroic deeds incognito since her heartbreak from the loss of her beloved Steve Trevor in the first film, set during WW1. This film however, takes places around 70 years later and makes you wonder how Steve Trevor — who’s certainly not an immortal Amazon — could appear in both films without any aging. Find out how on HBO Max for a limited time (only available to stream a month from Christmas Day before it becomes available for ‘purchase’).
7. Onward (Adventure/Animation)
Pixar brings an adventure of two teenage elf brothers, as they seek to find a stone that can bring their late father back to life for a day. Heartwarming and hilarious, this Pixar film explores the fantastical while also remaining true to their grounded theme of family and all we do in the name of it.
8. Enola Holmes (Action/Adventure)
Enola Holmes – the little known unofficial sister of Sherlock Holmes – makes her debut on the big screen and she certain doesn’t disappoint. Millie Bobby Brown of Stranger Things fame brings this young and headstrong character to life as she navigates her mother’s disappearance and dangerous foes amidst the male-dominated world of Victorian-era England.
9. Queen’s Gambit (Historical/Drama)
A record-setting 62 million households chose to watch The Queen’s Gambit in its first 28 days. The single-season series made the Top 10 in 92 countries and ranked No. 1 in 63 countries, singlehandedly making the ‘old’ game of chess one of the most exciting and even sexiest board games today — and pushing Anya Taylor-Joy ever closer to the roster of A-list actors.
10. Tenet (Action/Sci-Fi)
This film can be described as a trippy, surrealist James Bond. It is the latest big-budget film from director Christopher Nolan of Batman and Inception fame. It saw a troubled release due to the pandemic but was recently made available to stream on multiple platforms, featuring rising stars Robert Pattinson and John David Washington.
11. Soul (Comedy/Animation)
Another Pixar film on the list just released this past Christmas, Pixar gets metaphysical in this funny and heartfelt film about souls of all kinds: lost, unborn, and those stuck in the “in-between” of life and death. The latter situation is the case for the main character of the film, Joe Gardner, an aspiring jazz musician who, on the verge of his big break, takes an accidental misstep and is transported to the world of souls.
12. Itaewon Class Season 1 (Korean Drama)
This popular Netflix K-Drama centers around a revenge plot within the restaurant business, as Saeroyi (portrayed by Park Seo-joon) vows to outcompete his enemies running his ocha (Korean lounge/bar) with his ragtag group of friends. This premise certainly sounds fascinating, and this 16-episode series is definitely worthy of bingeing.
13. Extraction (Action/Thriller)
Starring Thor actor himself Chris Hemsworth, this action-thriller became the most-viewed Netflix original in history. It follows Tyler Rake (Hemsworth), a black-market mercenary tasked with rescuing Ovi, the son of an imprisoned crime lord for a big payday. But as is expected, things obviously don’t go according to plan in the dangerous world of drug and weapons trafficking and Rake is faced with the seemingly impossible task of not just securing Ovi, but getting him out of the city alive.
14. I Am Not Okay With This (Teen Comedy/Drama)
From the creator of The End of the F***ing World comes another angsty and violent teen drama starring upcoming actress Sophia Lillis who plays the main character, Sydney Novak who is not only grappling with adolescence but the discovery of her own telekinetic powers.
15. The Mandalorian Season 2 (Sci-Fi/Adventure)
The adventures of Din Djarin (The Mandalorian) and ‘Baby Yoda’ continue in this epic second season that proves the idea of a sophomore slump completely wrong. The fantastical special effects, more contained plotline, and re-introduced beloved characters from the existing lore all combine to create one of the best seasons of television – let alone just Star Wars related – created.
16. The Crown Season 4 (Drama/History)
It’s a testament to the world’s enduring adulation of the late Princess Diana that the viewership of The Crown skyrocketed in 2020’s Season 4, where a 16-year-old Diana Spencer would meet heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles for the first time. The heartbreaking drama (especially knowing her story beforehand) involving the star-crossed lovers make for compelling viewing throughout the season.
17. Da 5 Bloods (War/Drama)
In one of Chadwick Boseman’s final roles, Da 5 Bloods film follows a group of four Vietnam War veterans who go back to the country in pursuit of the remains of their fallen comrade and squad leader (Boseman), as well as buried treasure they left behind during their time there. Spike Lee directs this war drama with typical cinematic flair and an uncompromising look at the harrowing and detrimental effects war has on those who are caught within it, especially people of color.
18. The Half Of It (Comedy/Drama)
A quirky and modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, this tender young-adult drama focuses on the awkwardness of high school crushes, further complicated when you are struggling with your own identity. Rarely do coming-of-age films explore LGBT issues along with the Asian-American immigrant experience in a natural and heartfelt way.
19. Peninsula (Korean Horror/Thriller)
Zombie film lovers will enjoy this sequel to the 2016 Korean smash hit Train to Busan. Peninsula tells the story of two marine soldiers sent on a mission to an island off the coast of Korea to retrieve cargo containing $20 million worth. However, this long abandoned island has now become infested with zombies, but also a rogue military force and a family.
20. The Wilds Season 1 (Adventure/Drama)
Telling the story of an airplane full of young girls on their way to a women’s retreat that crashes on a deserted island, this story may seem like it’s just a retelling of countless Lord of the Flies-inspired survival films. But it really is so much more, as the young and talented cast gives you reason to keep on going to the next episode as you dive into their complex and now interwoven lives.
