Best BBC shows: All the best dramas on BBC iPlayer
From all-time classics to the very best new drama series, discover what you've been missing on BBC iPlayer.
BBC's drama output for 2026 has got off to a great start – with the likes of Dennis Kelly's Waiting for the Out and the hotly anticipated fourth season of Industry both impressing both critics and audiences. Meanwhile, Pride and Prejudice is seen through a new lens in new period drama The Other Bennet Sister, as overlooked sibling Mary (Ella Bruccoleri) takes centre stage in a sharp adaptation of Janice Hadlow’s novel. The Night Manager recently returned for a second season 10 years after season 1 concluded, and long-running favourites Silent Witness, Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise are all ongoing – so it's really been a good start to the year for the broadcaster. Of course, these shows are all available to watch on BBC iPlayer along with a whole array of shows from the BBC's back catalogue. For example, now that the aforementioned The Night Manager is at an end, you might want to check out another John Le Carré adaptation such as 2018 miniseries The Little Drummer Girl. There is also Death in Paradise spin-off Return to Paradise, sitting alongside newer dramas such as King & Conqueror and The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Then there are offbeat comedy dramas like The Gold, Film Club and Am I Being Unreasonable?, while those looking for something more hard-hitting can turn to Blue Lights or a range of true story adaptations like The Bombing of Pan Am 103. Crime, murder mystery and detective series like Annika and Death Valley are part of iPlayer's stacked library, as well as American acquisitions like Tell Me Lies, so there really is something for everyone. However, with so much to binge-watch, we understand it can all be a bit overwhelming to have so much choice. So, we've put together a list of all the best available series right now, which should mean you can find something to suit you without all that endless scrolling. Read on and enjoy. Last updated: 16 March
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Top 10 Picks of the Day – Tuesday 17 March
Top 10 Picks of the Day – Monday 16 March
Top 10 Picks of the Day – Saturday 14 March
Best TV shows to watch on Amazon Prime Video UK (March 2026)
From original series to iconic acquired dramas, check out the best shows to watch on Amazon's streaming service.
If you're on the hunt for your next binge watch, Prime Video may just be the place to look, with its sprawling catalogue of titles from acclaimed long-running dramas to fan-favourite originals. Whether you're after a fresh new drama to dive into or a classic series you always find yourself rewatching, there is something for every kind of viewer. In heist thriller Steal, Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones, Joan) and Archie Madekwe (Saltburn, Gran Turismo) star as best friends Zara and Luke, whose day at a pension fund investment company starts out like any other. That is, until armed robbers enter the building and siphon off an astonishing amount of money – with Zara and Luke forced to carry out their demands. Meanwhile, Scarpetta, the series based on Patricia Cornwell's bestselling crime novels, has now been released. The drama stars Nicole Kidman as the title character Dr Kay Scarpetta, alongside Jamie Lee Curtis as her sister Dorothy Farinelli, Bobby Cannavale as Detective Pete Marino, Simon Baker as FBI profiler Benton Wesley and Ariana DeBose as Kay's tech-savvy niece Lucy Farinelli Watson. The streamer recently returned to the world of Alex Cross, with season 2 following Aldis Hodge's (Black Adam) Cross as he tried to track down a deadly vigilante, who has a vendetta against corrupt billionaires – including Matthew Lillard's (Scream 7) new character Lance Durand. Prime Video has also become the home of 15-season epic Supernatural, as well as other new originals, including Steal and The Assassin, the latter of which was just renewed for a second season. If you need any further inspiration, we're here to help, picking the best titles from Prime Video's vast library for your convenience. We update this list with new entries every week, meaning you can never miss the best shows. So, without further ado, here are the top titles on Amazon Prime Video for UK viewers. Sign up for a 30-day free trial of Prime Video and pay £8.99 a month after that.
Hidden gems at the 2026 Oscars: 10 nominated films you might not have seen
We all know about One Battle After Another, Hamnet and Sinners – but here are some Oscar-nominated films from this year that might have slipped under your radar.
The quality of this year's Oscar best picture race is of a very high standard – with frontrunners Sinners and One Battle After Another joined in the category by a number of other tremendous films including The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value and Marty Supreme. But as well as those big-hitters, there are several other movies in the running in various other categories that may have slipped under your radar. As ever, many of those can be found in the best international and best documentary feature categories – with the likes of Sirât and Mr Nobody Against Putin among those worth seeking out. Meanwhile, we've also selected a few films that have picked up a stray nomination in a below-the-line category but have otherwise been largely snubbed, such as make-up and hairstyling nominee The Ugly Stepsister. Check out our list of 10 hidden gems from the Oscar nominations list below – including our official Radio Times reviews and details on where to watch each film. 1. If I Had Legs I'd Kick You Nominated for: Best actress – Rose Byrne RT Review: Motherhood is a mountain to be exhaustingly climbed in this scathing, innovative comedy drama from American writer/director Mary Bronstein (who also pops up to play a patronising paediatrician). Rose Byrne is sensational as Linda, a woman whose life, and ceiling, is tumbling down around her. She's grappling with the demands of her daughter (a largely unseen Delaney Quinn) whom she feeds via a gastric tube, while trying to maintain her career as a psychotherapist. Her ship-captain husband Charles (voiced by Christian Slater) is away with work, and her own therapist (Conan O'Brien) seems to despise her. Things get really ugly when Linda is forced to move herself and her daughter into a motel (run by A$AP Rocky's James) and she starts behaving recklessly, while a client's crisis touches a nerve. Bronstein confronts the depth of Linda's depression and the judgements she faces in imaginative, interrogatory style, punctuating her film with sometimes wildly funny farce. A never-better Byrne, deservedly Oscar-nominated, thrives under the film's intense focus, juggling comedy and tragedy with aplomb. – Emma Simmonds Where to watch: In cinemas 2. The Voice of Hind Rajab Nominated for: Best international feature RT Review: A five-year-old Palestinian girl trapped in the crossfire of an Israeli attack in Gaza calls for help in this harrowing true-life docudrama produced by Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix. Set entirely in a Red Crescent emergency centre, the film uses real audio of Hind Rajab, alone in a stationary vehicle with her relatives all dead around her as bullets rain down. Volunteer Omar (Motaz Malhees) takes her call, desperate to get an ambulance to her, but clashes with his protocol-following colleague Mahdi (Amer Hlehel) making it an agonising process. Tunisian film-maker Kaouther Ben Hania (Four Daughters) pulls together an urgent and often difficult-to-watch piece, as the frightened child begs to be rescued. Ben Hania handles the material sensitively right to the end, even when footage of the real car is shown. Some may question the ethics of using a real distress call, but the result is a devastating anti-war work. – James Mottram Where to watch: Available to rent and buy 3. Mr Nobody Against Putin Nominated for: Best documentary feature RT Review: One man's mundane filmed reports become a diary of growing oppression and militarisation in this excellent documentary from Russia. Pavel "Pasha" Talankin is the events co-ordinator and videographer at the school in his small Ural hometown. Shortly after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin implements a "patriotic education policy" that mandates state propaganda in schools, and the ensuing indoctrination lessons and tub-thumping displays must be filmed as proof of compliance. Over the next two and a half years, doggedly filming his life in and around the school, Talankin does his best to combat disinformation and encroaching nationalism, but the risk of being labelled a dissenter starts to grow too real to ignore. Credited as co-director and cinematographer, Talankin shares direct and personal insights laced with lively wit and humanity. American film-maker David Borenstein marshals Talankin's extensive footage, crafting a compact and compelling story with a range of interesting participants. Various youngsters provide emotional resonance - several of Pasha's male ex-students face imminent mobilisation - but it's a quietly fanatical pro-Putin history teacher who is arguably the most memorable character. A deserved BAFTA winner and Oscar nominee, the film is both an invaluable document of an urgent situation and living proof of the deep-rooted link between large-scale politics and the seemingly provincial. – Calum Baker Where to watch: BBC iPlayer 4. The Perfect Neighbor Nominated for: Best documentary feature RT Review: On 2 June 2023, mother-of-four Ajike Owens was shot and killed by her neighbour, Susan Lorincz. This harrowing Oscar-nominated documentary follows the build-up to the incident and its aftermath, with footage comprised almost entirely of recordings from police officers' bodycams. What unfolds is the story of Lorincz, a 58-year-old white lady, terrorising the black residents of her street with complaints about children playing near her property. The police are called over and over again to deal with her 911 calls until Lorincz finally makes her horrifying decision. The incident was a test of Florida's controversial "stand your ground" laws, and this film dissects their inadequacy with a very sharp scalpel. With the permission of Owens' family, film-maker Geeta Gandbhir explores their shock and grief on the night of the shooting, and the community outrage that followed. It's a difficult watch, but a true feat of documentary film-making: a howl of escalating fury captured, with deceptive simplicity, by law-enforcement officers who sadly failed to connect the dots. – Jayne Nelson Where to watch: Netflix 5. Sirât Nominated for: Best international feature Taking its name from the Arabic word for a bridge between heaven and hell, this mercilessly tense thriller from Galician writer/director Oliver Laxe holds its audience in a vice-like grip. It follows Luis (Sergi López), a middle-aged Spanish man who takes his pre-teen son and dog to an illegal rave in the Moroccan desert, having heard that his missing daughter might be there. When it gets shut down, he continues his search by following a group of partygoers (many of whom played by non-professional actors) towards the Mauritanian border. A perilous road trip follows, and as Luis becomes a fish increasingly out of water, nods to Heart of Darkness or Mad Max give way to the four-wheeled hallucinatory kicks of William Friedkin thriller Sorcerer. There are breathtakingly cruel bumps in the road and a political backdrop that may feel inelegantly plotted, but such concerns give way to the overall sensory experience - and an existential edge to the survival story. As an electronic music score sends basslines throbbing and the ravers' subwoofers pulsing, this utterly exhilarating film becomes a parable for our relationship with fate and the sublime. – Max Copeman Where to watch: In cinemas 6. The Alabama Solution View Green Video on the source website Nominated for: Best documentary feature This harrowing documentary uses illicit cell phone footage filmed by Alabama prison inmates to reveal the appalling conditions they are forced to endure. Filmed over six years - after inmates reached out to a team who had been hired to film a sanitised social event - it's a brutal, stomach-churning, blood-soaked, rat-infested chronicle of abuse, slave labour and death. But even with the federal government demanding changes, Alabama officials double down on dealing with the problem in their own way. There must be an "Alabama Solution," says the state governor, seemingly unaware how close that sounds to "Final Solution". This is not an easy watch, but it's utterly compelling. Even if you attempt to watch it with a healthy dose of cynicism - is it one-sided? Does it romanticise the prisoners into plucky rebels? - in the end, the weight of horrific visual evidence means the inmates come out of this with far more humanity than their political leaders. And while the documentary doesn't claim this is a specifically black-and-white issue, you're left in little doubt that racism is the root of the problem. – Dave Golder Where to watch: NOW 7. The Smashing Machine Nominated for: Best make-up and hairstyling In a role not so far removed from his own experience as a one-time WWE wrestler, Dwayne Johnson gives a fine performance as real-life UFC competitor Mark Kerr in this sports-themed drama. Set between 1997 and 2000, Ultimate Fighting Championship – a bruising mixed martial arts combat sport – is taking off with the undefeated wrestler Kerr among its leading lights. But as his addiction to painkilling opioids takes hold and arguments flare with girlfriend Dawn (Emily Blunt), his world begins to fall apart. Winner of the best director award at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, Benny Safdie (co-director of Uncut Gems) strives for realism rather than triumphalism here. Authenticity is furthered by casting folk from the real UFC world, including the excellent Ryan Bader as Kerr's friend/trainer Mark Coleman. While a spray-tanned Blunt and a wig-wearing Johnson are great, the low-key narrative never quite hits the dramatic heights, perhaps because Kerr's own story isn't exactly filled with fist-pumping moments. Sometimes too on-the-nose, it's nevertheless a bold look at a misunderstood sport. – James Mottram Where to watch: Available to rent and buy 8. The Ugly Stepsister Nominated for: Best make-up and hairstyling Offering a fresh twist on the classic Cinderella fairy tale, this Norwegian horror focuses on a less traditionally attractive member of the family and the grotesque attempts to beautify her. Lea Myren stars as the wallflower sibling subjected to extreme medical procedures by a mother determined to turn her daughter into desirable marriage material. First-time director Emilie Blichfeldt satirises the gruesomeness and cruelty prevalent in numerous Brothers Grimm stories, although the main thrust of the narrative is a commentary on peer pressure, modern-day attitudes to body image and the perception of glamour. The minefield of dysfunctional familial relationships is addressed with dark humour, helping to undercut the scenes of primitive, barbaric surgery that more squeamish viewers may find discomforting. All told, the film presents an unsettling blend of folklore and feminism that, while well intentioned, ultimately asks more questions than it answers. Nonetheless, it's held together by a captivating, heartbreaking performance by former child star Myren as the supposedly unlovable ingenue. – Terry Staunton Where to watch: SHUDDER 9. All the Empty Rooms Nominated for: Best documentary short This short documentary follows American TV journalist Steve Hartman as he concludes a long-gestating project: documenting his country's proliferating school shootings via the now empty bedrooms of murdered children. It's far from easy viewing as Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp visit four sets of grieving parents across California, Texas and Tennessee, who have kept the rooms – bedding, stuffed toys, handmade art – largely preserved. Two of the adults mention the smell of their late kids, in just one of the film's many affecting nods to how memories can linger via physical spaces, objects and sensations. One victim, teenager Gracie Muehlberger, had her next couple of days' outfits planned; they still hang on her rail. Director Joshua Seftel structures his film around Hartman's four visits in 2025, allowing the parents to memorialise their children and providing the viewer a simple, stark sense of what is taken from the world in the wake of these violent events. Between each scene, the reporter shares his motivations for the project, which provides its own moving subplot - that of a journalist known for his cheery human-interest pieces choosing to take a stand against one of his society's more peculiar and disturbing regular phenomena. – Calum Baker Where to watch: Netflix 10. Little Amélie or the Character of Rain Nominated for: Best animated film This delightful animated tale paints a world seen through the eyes of a toddler. Our narrator is Amélie (voiced by Loïse Charpentier), who lives with her Belgian family in 1960s Japan. At two and a half, she assumes that she is the centre of the universe -perhaps even God! Annoyingly, she can't bend the world to her will. But she can bond with housekeeper Nishio-san (Victoria Grosbois), until lines blur and she is unsure whether she feels Belgian - most of the dialogue is in French -or Japanese. Deftly adapting from Amélie Nothomb's memoir The Character of Rain, directors Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han use delicate brushstrokes to tell Amélie's story up to the age of three. As she experiences more of life, they expertly contrast washed-out watercolours with more vibrant hues. Taking a leaf out of Studio Ghibli's book, they also focus on small moments to build mood: someone gently straightening a pair of shoes, for example. The result is elegant, sweet and, with its subtle themes of post-Second World War national tensions, surprisingly poignant. – Jayne Nelson Where to watch: In cinemas Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Which film should win Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars?
Sinners or One Battle After Another? And what about Hamnet? RT writers discuss the credentials of each Best Picture nominee at this year's Academy Awards…
What to watch on streaming: today's picks from Netflix, Prime Video and more
Looking for something to watch today on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV and more? Don't miss our experts' recommendations...
We can all feel a bit overwhelmed when looking for something to watch in the world of streaming, so if you're in need of some help, you've come to the right place. This week, Nicole Kidman takes on the esteemed role of Kay Scarpetta from Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling crime novels, a pathologist who solves mysteries with sophisticated forensic technology. Glossy new Prime Video series Scarpetta also boasts two more Oscar winners in the form of Jamie Lee Curtis and Ariana DeBose. Meanwhile, almost a year on from Louis Theroux's last documentary, he is now fronting his first feature-length film for Netflix, taking a closer look at the "Manosphere". Over 90 minutes, the journalist travels to Miami, New York and Marbella to meet influencers who have been reshaping young men's ideas about masculinity and fuelling a resurgence of the men's rights movement. For the film fans among you, if you haven't yet caught all the award-winning pictures from this awards seasons, here's your chance. Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle after Another and horror flick Sinners are the talk of the town following the Oscars, and you can stream them both now. Elsewhere, Jessie Buckley hoovered up the gongs for her sensational leading turn in director Chloé Zhao’s drama Hamnet about the domestic life of William and Agnes Shakespeare, and the unimaginable loss that may have inspired the Bard’s greatest play. In I Swear, Robert Aramayo won a Bafta last month for his portrayal of John Davidson, who, at 16, became a TV personality when he was the focus of a 1989 BBC doc. This feel-good, foul-mouthed biopic depicts Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, trying to make his way in the world. There's no shortage of streaming options, and so to give you a bit of a hand, Radio Times has collated some of the best new offerings: from Netflix and Disney Plus to Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and Apple TV, here are the latest highlights across the services. Whether it's a tense thriller like Run Away, a reality show like Squid Game: the Challenge or a music documentary such as Taylor Swift: the End of an Era, there's something here to suit everyone's taste. Take a look at the list below, which includes all the details about where you can watch any title – and what we think. Last updated: 13 March 2026
Doctor Who companion Arthur Darvill on Billie Piper twist and show's future
Add Doctor Who to your watchlist
Young Sherlock star reveals how his version of the iconic detective is different from any other
Hero Fiennes Tiffin spoke exclusively with Radio Times alongside his uncle and co-star Joseph Fiennes.
Add Young Sherlock to your watchlist
Young Sherlock creator on why series isn’t a prequel to Guy Ritchie’s films with Robert Downey Jr
Matthew Parkhill and Dónal Finn spoke exclusively with RT.
Top 10 Picks of the Day – Friday 13 March
Top 10 Picks of the Day – Thursday 12 March
Top 10 Picks of the Day – Wednesday 11 March
Top 10 Picks of the Day – Tuesday 10 March
Top 10 Picks of the Day – Monday 9 March
Top 10 Picks of the Day – Sunday 8 March
Top 10 Picks of the Day – Saturday 7 March
50 best movies to watch on Netflix right now
Some of the best movies on Netflix right now include Abigail, Priscilla and Train Dreams. Updated weekly.
There's only a couple of months to go until this year's summer blockbusters start to arrive, but if you're already craving some spectacular action then Netflix has you covered. The streamer has nabbed the rights to Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt's underrated 2024 gem The Fall Guy, which imagines a light-hearted conspiracy unfolding around the chaos of a typical Hollywood movie set. The charismatic leads prove to be well matched sparring partners, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson (28 Years Later), Winston Duke (Black Panther) and Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) among the wider cast. The Fall Guy got an enthusiastic thumbs up from critics upon release, but failed to attract crowds in cinemas, so if you missed it the first time around then now is the perfect time to correct that mistake. The streamer has plenty of other originals on its release calendar for the rest of the year too, including Peaky Blinders film The Immortal Man (only in cinemas now) and Greta Gerwig's reimagining of the Narnia universe (due in November). Read on for our latest picks of the best films on the streaming service right now – updated weekly – or head over to our guides to the best series on Netflix and best comedies on Netflix. Alternatively, check out our helpful list of Netflix secret codes, which can help you unlock hidden movies and TV shows. Updated: 6 March 2026 Best movies to watch on Netflix right now The Fall Guy (2024) <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2024/05/Ryan-Gosling-as-Colt-Seavers-and-Emily-Blunt-as-Jodie-Moreno-in-The-Fall-Guy-cbf5792.jpg" width="2414" height="1608" alt="Ryan Gosling as Colt Seavers and Emily Blunt as Jodie Moreno in The Fall Guy. They are sitting opposite each other at a table and she is playfully holding a knife to his chin" title="Ryan Gosling as Colt Seavers and Emily Blunt as Jodie Moreno in The Fall Guy" /> Mere months after charming the world as the Ken to Margot Robbie's Barbie, Ryan Gosling returned to the big screen for this offbeat action comedy, which loosely reimagines '80s TV drama of the same name. The Fall Guy follows retired stuntman Colt Seavers (Gosling), who is brought back into the wild world of moviemaking to locate the missing star he once doubled for. But what exactly could have caused narcissistic actor Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) to abandon his moment in the spotlight? That is the very question at the centre of this light-hearted conspiracy. Director David Leitch is a former stuntman himself and his respect for the craft is evident here, just as it was in earlier projects John Wick, Atomic Blonde and Bullet Train. The Fall Guy packs multiple ambitious sequences of its own as well as some painfully accurate showbiz satire, which should strike a chord with film buffs. Emily Blunt co-stars as director Jody Moreno, who also happens to be Colt's ex-girlfriend, with their contentious relationship being another volatile element at play. Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham, Black Panther's Winston Duke and Everything Everywhere All at Once breakout star Stephanie Hsu are other standouts in The Fall Guy cast. But it's Gosling who steals the show, of course, with The Fall Guy being another exciting vehicle to show off his leading man charisma and hysterical comic timing. If you're looking for a classic all-rounder popcorn flick – with thrills, jokes and romance – it will certainly fit the bill. Abigail (2024) If you're disappointed that Scream 5 and 6 star Melissa Barrera isn't featured in the seventh instalment, you might want to catch up with this underrated horror flick instead, which throws the actor into another blood-soaked nightmare. Abigail begins with the kidnapping of a wealthy businessman's young daughter, who is to be held by her captors until an enormous ransom can be paid. Joey (Barrera) is uncomfortable with the plan, having not been fully briefed on its lurid details beforehand, but ultimately finds herself knee-deep in the immoral scheme. The young Abigail (played by Matilda the Musical's Alisha Weir) initially reminds Joey of her own child, and she tries to put the girl at ease. Alas, it soon becomes clear that she isn't the helpless lamb she appears to be. From the creative team behind Barrera's two Scream films, plus Samara Weaving's cult favourite Ready or Not, it should come as no surprise that Abigail carries a similar darkly comic tone. It's more farce than frightening at times, and certainly isn't cerebral, but there's plenty of fun to be had in its heightened characters and extreme kills. The all-star cast also includes Dan Stevens (Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire), Kathryn Newton (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania), Kevin Durand (Locke & Key) and Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul), plus late Euphoria alum Angus Cloud. Man Up (2015) This charming little rom-com from 2015 stars Lake Bell as Nancy, a woman who, while travelling through London, finds herself being mistaken for a stranger's blind date.Failing to let him know the truth, the two go on a date throughout the city and find they have a lot in common. But will they be able to make it work when their entire meeting is based on a lie? This isn't the sort of movie that either breaks the mould or sticks with you as something exceptionally groundbreaking. Instead, what it does is uses the tropes of the rom-com genre exceptionally well, and is carried through by the excellent performances of Bell and Simon Pegg, as well as supporting actors such as Rory Kinnear, Harriet Walter and Sharon Horgan. The film also excellently utilises the streets and landmarks of London, and is a particularly British jaunt, has some real laugh-out-loud moments, and is the perfect length for a comedy of this variety, clocking at just under 90 minutes. The Life of Chuck (2025) It's rare these days that you come across a film which feels truly unique, unlike anything else you've seen before - The Life of Chuck fits that bill. Coming from director Mike Flanagan, who previously did a tremendous job on adapting Stephen King's Doctor Sleep, this adaptation of a King novella stars Tom Hiddleston, although don't expect too much screen time from him. The film plays out in three parts in reverse chronology, with act three coming first, followed by two and one. To go into plot details much more than that would be to spoil the surprises. What we can say is that this is a film that's tinged with darkness and sadness, yet still manages to be utterly life-affirming. It has a lot to say about the human condition, and does so in ways which are wholly unexpected. With a phenomenal cast which also includes the likes of Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mark Hamill, it's a stunningly put-together film, and one which has to be experienced to be fully understood. It might not be to everyone's taste, but no one will be able to say that it's conventional or safe. Fargo (1996) Leaving Netflix on 17 March While Joel and Ethan Coen have continued to make films as solo directors, it's now been eight years since the legendary brothers collaborated on a feature – 2018's Ballad of Buster Scruggs. There's still hope that the pair will eventually reunite for another movie, but while we wait, why not check out one of their very finest films, the 1996 classic Fargo. This tremendous Minnesota-set crime flick found them at the peak of their powers – mixing black comedy, a gripping plot and some extremely memorable characters, including police chief Marge Gunderson – played by an Oscar-winning Frances McDormand – and Steve Buscemi as "funny looking" kidnapper Carl Showalter. The film has since spawned a successful anthology TV show spin-off – which has run for five seasons – and although Noah Hawley's series is well worth watching it's not quite in the same league as the original snowy masterpiece. Train Dreams (2025) This Oscar-nominated drama is based on the novella of the same name by Denis Johnson, and stars Joel Edgerton as Robert Grainier, a man living in early 20th century America, who helps expand the nation's railroad empire among the forests of the Pacific Northwest. When his life takes an unexpected turn, Robert finds beauty, brutality and newfound meaning for the forests and trees he has felled. Also starring Felicity Jones, this is a beautiful film both visually and thematically. It features some top notch performances and a sweeping, meditative quality. It's not exactly fast-paced or a film for viewers looking for thrills, but if you're a fan of cinema and you're looking to be moved and challenged, then you can't go far wrong. The Rip (2025) This Netflix original action thriller comes from writer/director Joe Carnahan, and re-teams best friend and long time collaborators Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in front of the camera. It follows a team of Miami cops that begins to fray when it discovers millions in cash in a derelict stash house. As outside forces learn about the seizure, they each struggle to determine just who they can trust. It may not be the best collaboration we've seen from Affleck and Damon, but it still features some tense, thrilling sequences, and with terrific supporting actors including Teyana Taylor and Steven Yeun along for the ride, the film is made up of two hours that are far from the worst way to spend your time. Ex Machina (2014) View Green Video on the source website By the time this intimate sci-fi thriller was released in 2014, Alex Garland had already long marked himself out as a serious talent in screenwriting. This film made clear that he was just as adept in the director's chair. Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander and Oscar Isaac, Ex Machina follows a programmer who is invited to spend a week at the home of an enigmatic tech CEO, and put his latest creation, a humanoid artificial intelligence, through the Turing test, to determine its level of success. At times funny, at others creepy and at all times fascinating, this is a seriously compelling sci-fi tale which has only got more relevant as its aged. It also doesn't hurt that it features some phenomenal performances at its centre, with the game of wits between the central trio a beguiling thing to behold. Room (2015) This 2015 adaptation of Emma Donoghue's acclaimed novel was nominated for four Oscars upon its release, winning Best Actress for star Brie Larson - and it's not hard to see why. This is a small yet masterful film, which manages to not diminish the darkness of its subject matter, while also never becoming impossibly difficult to watch. A large part of the reason for this is that, like the book before it, the film filters its story, about a woman held captive and raising her son, born of her attacker, in one room, through the lens of the boy's innocence. Not only is Larson heartbreaking and utterly revelatory in her role, but Jacob Tremblay, then just seven years old, is unbelievably naturalistic and strong. It's a movie with real hope in amongst the darkness, and one any film fan shouldn't miss. Left-Handed Girl (2025) This tender family drama was perhaps one of the most under-rated films released in 2025, exploring the lives of a single mother and her two daughters as they face various upheavals after relocating to Taipei and opening a night market noodle stand. Directed by Taiwanese-American filmmaker Shih-Ching Tsou – from a script she co-wrote with Anora's Sean Baker – the film gently explores the highs and lows for each character as they adjust to their new lives. The title stems from a superstition which left-handed 5-year-old I-Jing (Nina-Ye) hears from her grandfather, who tells her that using her left hand rather than her right is the work of the devil – a detail with causes her no shortage of stress later down the line. Each of the characters are remarkably well drawn, feeling at all times like three-dimensional people with complex inner lives, meaning a dramatic revelation in the final act lands with genuine emotional heft. Meanwhile the vivid, lively atmosphere of Taipei is brought to life with real skill by Tsou's first-rate direction, making this a low-key triumph. Silence of the Lambs (1991) Leaving Netflix on 10 March One of the most acclaimed and influential horror – or at least horror adjacent – films of all time, Jonathan Demme's spectacular adaptation of Thomas Harris's novel remains truly iconic more than 30 years on from its release. The story will likely need no introduction to most film fans: Jodie Foster's Clarice Starling is a young FBI agent who is tasked with assisting in the hunt for serial killer Buffalo Bill and looks to incarcerated, sociopathic cannibal Dr Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) for advice, leading to some pretty chilling scenes as the two probe each other with some fascinating mind games. One of only three films in history to have won all of 'The Big Five' awards at the Oscars – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay – the performances of Foster and Hopkins are truly first-rate, while Demme's direction adds both a gloomy atmosphere and a generous helping of suspense. A classic for a reason. Catch Me If You Can (2002) Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks shine in this classic cat-and-mouse chase thriller from Steven Spielberg – a delightfully entertaining 60s-set period piece that reimagines the true story of prolific conman Frank Abagnale Jr (DiCaprio) and the tenacious FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Hanks) on his tail. Beginning when the 16-year-old Frank runs away to New York after his parents's divorce, it follows him over multiple years as he gets away with all manner of shady schemes while posing as various professions – including as an airline pilot – and cashes some pretty massive cheques, consistently managing to elude the attentions of Hanratty. Five years on from Titanic, DiCaprio had already well and truly established himself as a bonafide movie star, and this was a tremendous showcase for his magnetic charisma, with the character giving him all sorts of opportunities to impress. It's hard to think of many films from this century that give it a run for its money when it comes to good old fashioned entertainment value. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) View Green Video on the source website After he previously staged star-studded murder mysteries at a cosy mansion and a lavish private island, this third Knives Out film from Rian Johnson unfolds against the backdrop of a small Catholic parish in upstate New York. This time, Daniel Craig's Southern sleuth Benoit Blanc is tasked with solving the murder of an intimidating priest (Josh Brolin), whose increasingly warped fire and brimstone sermons have seen him brush up against Josh O'Connor's younger clergyman. What makes the mystery so enticing on this occasion is that it initially appears to be an impossible crime, with Johnson's script making several references to John Dickson Carr's classic "locked room" mystery novel The Hollow Man, while the church setting allows the director to make cinematic use of religious iconography and deliver a pointed satire about the way contemporary right-wing figures have weaponised faith to their own ends. Meanwhile, the film gets a little darker, more unsettling, and weirder than the previous instalments – embracing elements of gothic horror – and although there are times where the case threatens to get a little too convoluted, it eventually leads to a hugely satisfying denouement. Love Lies Bleeding (2024) This gritty feature whisks us away to the late '80s in New Mexico, where gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) meets bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O'Brian) – and the two of them quickly fall in love. So far so good. Alas, their fleeting peace comes under attack by dangerous elements, including Lou's abusive brother-in-law JJ (Dave Franco), an FBI investigation into her criminal father, and Jackie's growing dependency on steroids. What follows is a tale that is unashamedly grim and nasty; not in a gore sense (although there are some bloody scenes), but more so in tone and atmosphere, with every character seemingly capable of anything to survive another day. Love Lies Bleeding is directed by Rose Glass, who previously helmed acclaimed horror flick Saint Maud (starring The Rings of Power actor Morfydd Clark); she co-wrote the script too, alongside Baby Reindeer's Weronika Tofilska. The Holdovers (2023) In recent years, it's become common to ask when the last truly great new Christmas film was released – and now we have a definitive answer to that question. Although Alexander Payne's The Holdovers actually arrived in UK cinemas after Christmas, in January 2024, it's about as close to a festive classic as you could possibly get. Not only is it set over the festive period with a sprinkling of beloved carols on the soundtrack, but it also embraces all the themes we've come to associate with Christmas movies, including redemption, renewal and the power of generosity. Set in the 1970s, the film stars Paul Giamatti as a grumpy teacher at a New England boarding school who is charged with looking after the students who have nowhere to go over the holidays. Gradually, he forms an unexpected bond with troublemaking student Angus (Dominic Sessa) and the school's head cook (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) as the trio learn there is more to each other than they had initially thought. Randolph deservedly took home the Best Supporting Actress prize at that year's Oscars, while Giamatti was only stopped from winning the Best Actor gong by Cillian Murphy's generational turn in Oppenheimer. Little Women (2019) Approaching beloved, classic literary material for any new adaptation can be tricky, with some fans of the source always ready to be hyper-critical. It's therefore somewhat astonishing that Greta Gerwig managed to pull off what she did, which is an almost universally beloved take on Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. The film, which received a whole host of awards and nominations upon its release in 2019, was considered both faithful to the original text, yet still adding its own flourishes that made it an enjoyable watch for existing devotees and newcomers alike. The film is certainly helped by having an absolutely stellar cast, including Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep, Bob Odenkirk and James Norton – I could go on, but we'd be here all day. With gorgeous visuals, a ton of heart and an evocative sense of time and place, it's a truly impressive piece of work that's always worth revisiting. Eileen (2023) The script for this bleak but alluring noir thriller was adapted by author Ottessa Moshfegh (and her husband Luke Goebel) from her 2015 novel, and the feel of the book translates impeccably to the screen. Thomasin McKenzie stars as Eileen, a repressed young woman in 1960s Massachusetts who works as a secretary at a boy's prison. Her dull life is given an unexpected jolt by the arrival of new psychologist Rebecca (a superb Anne Hathaway), and Eileen finds herself immediately entranced. Director William Oldroyd (Lady Macbeth) uses period stylings and Richard Reed Parry's terrific score to craft a richly atmospheric mood, resulting in a film that becomes something of a twisted delight – especially when an ingenious third-act rug-pull nudges the film into far darker territory. That late twist may divide audiences, but those who stay with it will be deeply rewarded. Frankenstein (2025) Guillermo del Toro has long been considered among the finest genre filmmakers currently working, and for almost his entire life there's been one particular story he's been desperate to tell: his own version of Mary Shelley's iconic gothic novel, Frankenstein. After years in development, that dream has now come true – with the film having premiered to some rave reviews at the Venice Film Festival earlier in the year. This adaptation includes all the grandiose set design and sweeping narrative scope we've come to expect from the Mexican director, while the score from composer Alexandre Desplat – his third collaboration with del Toro – is also sublime. Oscar Isaac takes on the lead role of Victor Frankenstein, the eccentric scientist who tries to play God by fashioning a creature from the body parts of corpses and bringing it to life. Meanwhile, the Creature itself is played in an first-rate performance by Jacob Elordi, who provides plenty of heart and sensitivity to the apparently monstrous creation. As ever with this story, the film asks who the real monster is – before answering that question with tremendous visual panache. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) View Green Video on the source website If you were entranced by Oscar Isaac's performance in Frankenstein, you might want to check out – or revisit – arguably his finest big screen role in this 2013 Coen brothers gem. Isaac stars as the titular Llewyn Davis, a folk-singer trying to make a living in the Greenwich Village scene of the 1960 while also struggling with the recent loss of his former musical partner. Partly inspired by the autobiography of folk singer Dave Van Ronk, it's a melancholic tale that follows one week in the central character's life as he moves from apartment to apartment and encounters various acquaintances, including his former lover Jean (played by Carey Mulligan) and eccentric jazz musician Roland Turner (John Goodman). The Coen's expertly capture the look and feel of '60s New York, while the soundtrack – consisting mostly of existing folk songs and standards – is tremendous. And if all that wasn't reason enough to watch it, the film also includes one of cinema's finest cats. It's a wonderful film. Vera Drake (2004) In his decades-long career, Mike Leigh has well and truly earned his place in the pantheon of great British directors, and this 2004 effort is up there with his best. Imelda Staunton won a BAFTA for her performance as the title character – a working-class housewife and cleaning lady in the 1950s who has been performing illegal abortions for women with unwanted pregnancies. When this sideline is discovered, she is reproached by both the law and her own family, and her world begins to fall apart around her. Although Vera Drake is not a real historical figure, Leigh drew on the accounts of backdoor abortionists to create a film that explored a very true – and perhaps overlooked – aspect of British history. Although the tone of the piece is rather dour, Leigh's storytelling instinct is as empathetic and sensitive as always, and Staunton's central performance is strong enough on its own to warrant giving it a watch. A House of Dynamite (2025) Following a limited release in cinemas, this high-stakes political thriller is now streaming on Netflix, marking the welcome return of filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty) after an eight-year absence. Film buffs will know she became the first female winner of Best Director at the Academy Awards for her 2008 drama The Hurt Locker. The question now is: can Bigelow become the first woman to win it twice? That's certainly looking plausible right now, with A House of Dynamite earning rave reviews from critics and even ruffling some feathers in the Pentagon. The fictional thriller takes you deep inside the national security infrastructure of the United States, as a nuclear missile is fired at the country from an unknown source. It triggers a pulse-pounding race against time to identify the culprit of the launch and determine how exactly to respond, with Idris Elba's unnamed US President and Rebecca Ferguson's Captain Olivia Walker being key players in the unfolding crisis. Claustrophobic, intense and terrifying in an unnervingly grounded sense, A House of Dynamite is tipped to be a major contender at this year's awards season – check it out now to find out what all the fuss is about. Priscilla (2023) <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2024/01/httpscdn.sanity.ioimagesxq1bjtf4productiona1e7757dec904304ff641bf4819fa4b01dedcce6-8256x5504-5ec5216.jpg" width="8192" height="5461" alt="Cailee Spaney as Priscilla Presley and Jacob Elordi as Elvis Presley pose for wedding photos in Priscilla." title="https___cdn.sanity.io_images_xq1bjtf4_production_a1e7757dec904304ff641bf4819fa4b01dedcce6-8256x5504" /> Just a year after Baz Luhrmann's show-stopping Elvis biopic was released to much fanfare in the summer of 2022, Sofia Coppola explored the King of Rock'n'Roll from a very different angle in this excellent, understated drama. As the title suggests, the film unfolds entirely from the perspective of Elvis's wife Priscilla, beginning from their first meeting when she was just 14 years old. Although reckoning with some uncomfortable truths about the Elvis mythology, including his possessive nature and propensity for violent outbursts, Coppola handles the material with a typically delicate touch – exploring both the highs and lows of the pair's often-toxic relationship with great sensitivity. The film's production design is also a marvel, while the piece is anchored by a truly terrific performance from Cailee Spaeny, who won a well-deserved acting award at the Venice Film Festival for her portrayal. It's a fascinating counterpoint to the more theatrical thrills of the aforementioned Elvis, and the films make for an ideal double bill. Steve (2025) View Green Video on the source website Even before his Oscar-winning turn in Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy's presence alone helped to make a film must-see viewing, and that is certainly true here, with Steve proving to be a wonderful showcase for the actor's immense talents. However, it is also more than that. The film, which follows a day in the life of Murphy's Steve, the headteacher at a Reform School for troubled teenagers, is a powerful, propulsive, often chaotic watch, with a sense of realism that few other school-based dramas achieve – even if this is right at the edge of challenging establishments. Beyond this, it also has a real heart to it, not only put across by Murphy's central character, but also by Jay Lycurgo as Shy, a bright young student whose day goes from bad to worse. Lycurgo is just as captivating as Murphy here, a seriously impressive feat. In its stylistic choices and its intense disorder, Steve won't be for everyone, but for those who get on its wavelength, there's something seriously unique and impressive here. The Godfather (1972) In the history of cinema, few films have been lavished with as much praise as Francis Ford Coppola's first two Godfather films – and the entire trilogy of epic gangster movies has recently been added to the Netflix library. The first entry, based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name, introduced audiences to Marlon Brando's Vito Corleone and his son Michael (Al Pacino) – who's best intentions to not get involved with the family business were always doomed to fail. A landmark of 1970s cinemas and a major box office sensation, the film includes more iconic lines and moments than it's possible to count – from making offers that can't be refused to gruesome incidents involving a horse's head – and looks incredible throughout. Meanwhile the performances, from Brando, Pacino, Robert Duval, John Cazale, James Caan, Tallia Shire, Diane Keaton and more, are all superb. Hugely entertaining, emotionally involving, rivetingly told, visually stunning and thematically rich – there's a reason why this is regarded as one of the finest movies ever made. Knives Out (2019) Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the latest film in Rian Johnson's Benoit Blanc series, is now on Netflix, and the first movie in the franchise, Knives Out, is also available on the streamer. Glass Onion may have been a worthy follow-up, but this original film is still the strongest, with a phenomenal cast including Ana de Armas, Chris Evans and Toni Collette bringing their all to some meaty roles. It also features a fittingly twisty narrative with an unconventional beat in the middle, one that automatically made viewers realise they were in for something special. However, it's really Daniel Craig who was the key piece in the puzzle here, as Johnson clearly picked up given the future direction of the franchise. His Benoit Blanc, Southern accent and all, is so broad as to almost be preposterous – yet somehow, not only does it work, but it absolutely pulls the whole thing together. The Thursday Murder Club (2025) View Green Video on the source website This cosy whodunnit has arrived on Netflix with a huge amount of hype and anticipation. After all, not only does it feature a legendary cast, led by Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie, but it is also based on Richard Osman's mega-hit best-selling novel of the same name. The film follows the titular quartet, a group of retirees who spend their time solving cold case murders for fun. They soon find themselves wrapped up in a case which is very current indeed, however, as an unexplained death occurs on their own doorstep. The film doesn't quite reach the heights of the book's charm, and it might not be doing anything hugely innovative, but director Chris Columbus provides a steady hand, the cast are delightful together on-screen, and the whole thing makes for the perfect easy watch if you're looking for some light escapism. Talk to Me (2023) View Green Video on the source website You know you're always in for an interesting ride with an A24 horror film, but 2023's Talk To Me proved to be a real unexpected thrill ride. The supernatural horror comes from YouTubers turned directors Danny and Michael Philippou, and follows Mia, a young woman who gets involved with a group of friends who have found a mystical ceramic hand, which can grant spirits access to your body. It's an already chilling premise which is only heightened by extremely successful execution. Some of the sequences are so terror inducing and stressful that you'll need a long lie down afterwards, but for those looking for some properly thrilling horror then look no further. Sophie Wilde is hugely impressive in the central role, while the supporting cast all do stellar work. The film's thematic storytelling also hits home come the end, as it explores topics around grief and addiction more successfully than many a drama. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024) After first airing on BBC One on Christmas Day, the latest Wallace & Gromit adventure, a full-length film, is now available to watch on Netflix. The film, which for the first time stars Ben Whitehead as the voice of Wallace following the death of Peter Sallis, also features the return of fan-favourite villain Feathers McGraw, as he takes control of Wallace's latest invention, Norbot, an automated robot gnome. The jokes come just as thick and fast as usual, with the franchise keeping up its astounding hit rate. While this outing may not have quite the same impact or staying power as the absolute best (particularly The Wrong Trousers), it is still a phenomenally fun watch for the whole family, with a surprising dose of emotional moments baked in. Prisoners (2013) With fans highly anticipating Denis Villeneuve's third Dune film – and now also his take on the Bond franchise – now could be the perfect time to revisit the director's first English-language film, Prisoners. A dark, gritty and taut thriller, Prisoners stars Hugh Jackman as the father of an abducted girl who becomes convinced that Alex Jones, a man with diminished IQ played by Paul Dano, is behind it. Meanwhile, Jack Gyllenhaal plays Detective Loki, the officer heading up the police investigation. All three lead performers are on top form here, in a film which is at times hard to watch, but always rewarding. At a time where you might believe you have seen every formulation of a crime thriller, Prisoners takes a different approach, while also demonstrating the technical skill that Villeneuve and his frequent collaborator, cinematographer Roger Deakins, have now repeatedly shown. Blade Runner 2049 (2017) The idea of a sequel to Blade Runner always seemed like a risky one. The 1982 film hadn't been a smash hit upon its release, but it had gained a great deal of critical appreciation is subsequent years and amassed a cult following. Thankfully, Blade Runner 2049, released in 2017, didn't disappoint - in fact, it could actually be argued that it exceeded the original. Arguably one of director Denis Villeneuve's finest films, 2049 is a visually gorgeous sci-fi, with compelling themes, a slow yet purposeful and thoughtful pace and excellent world-building. It's all helped along by stellar performances from Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas and a returning Harrison Ford, as well as a clear dedication behind the scenes to tell a new story in this world, rather than simply rehashing the original - a trap far too many legacy sequels have fallen into. Barbarian (2022) Director Zach Cregger's new film Weapons will shortly be in cinemas, meaning now could be the perfect time to catch up with or rewatch his solo directorial debut, Barbarian. A truly original piece of work, Barbarian shakes off an expectations the audience may have time and time again, providing an experience which is wholly unpredictable. It stars Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård and Justin Long, and follows a woman who books an Air BnB, only to find there is another man already staying there. To reveal anymore would be to spoil the film's many surprises, but it's fair to say that it's an eerie, tense, often gnarly watch, with some phenomenal central performances and a real sense of style. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) View Green Video on the source website The comedy murder-mystery has been enjoying something of a moment in recent years – thanks to everything from British flick See How They Run to hit TV series Only Murders in the Building. But arguably no one has done it better than Rian Johnson, whose two star-studded Knives Out mysteries have both been huge hits, with a third confirmed to follow. The second film is streaming on Netflix and sees Daniel Craig’s heavily accented sleuth Benoit Blanc attempt to unravel another mysterious case – this time a puzzling death on a private island owned by tech billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton). Craig is on terrific form throughout, and the film is as humorous as it is exciting, packed with intriguing twists that keep the audience guessing until the end. Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) Guillermo Del Toro’s first foray into stop-motion animation – alongside co-director Mark Gustafson – is one of many new takes on the tale of the wooden boy to have been released in recent years. It also happens to be, by some margin, the best of the bunch, ingeniously transposing Carlo Collodi’s classic tale to Benito Mussolini’s Italy. Many of the story beats are, of course, familiar: Geppetto makes a puppet that comes to life, with the pair then getting tangled up in adventures alongside a talking cricket. But, this new version also laces its narrative with profound meditations on grief, death, religion, and authoritarianism, adding up to a truly beautiful and visually sumptuous piece of work. The Karate Kid (1984) Leaving Netflix on 14 March If you're a Cobra Kai fan itching to get your hands on the three-part final season, consider going back to where the martial arts saga began with this bona fide classic of the 1980s – now streaming on Netflix. A young Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, currently starring in the streaming revival, are the stars of the show, playing teen rivals Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence respectively. Meanwhile, Pat Morita earned an Academy Award nomination as the former's mentor, Mr Miyagi, a war veteran who teaches him karate to ward off bullies and compete in a high-profile tournament. The film remains popular decades on from its release, telling a classic underdog story in an earnest and heartwarming way. It's hardly unpredictable viewing – particularly if you've seen Cobra Kai – but there's still lots of fun to be had from this family flick. Y tu mamá también (2001) Long before he became known to the world as Cassian Andor, Diego Luna starred alongside his fellow Mexcian actor Gael García Bernal in this terrific coming-of-age road trip movie from director Alfonso Cuaron – who would go on to direct Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men and Gravity. Luna and Bernal star as best friends Julio and Tenoch, who have recently graduated high school and boast to the glamorous wife of the latter's older cousin that they intend to embark on a long trek to a fictional beach known as Heaven's Mouth. When she unexpectedly takes them up on their invite to accompany them, they are forced to hurriedly plan a route. What follows is a colourful, occasionally outrageous journey – by turns hedonistic and tender – which slowly morphs into something more profound as the best pals gain new perspectives on friendship, sex and life. It's beautifully performed and expertly directed, with numerous memorable scenes along the route. Okja (2017) View Green Video on the source website This South Korean/Hollywood co-production comes from acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho, and follows the story of a young South Korean girl who has raised and become best friends with a genetically modified super pig called Okja. When Okja is kidnapped and taken to be used by a meat industry corporation in the US, she tries to track her down and save her. Featuring a winning central performance from young actor Ahn Seo-hyun, along with some heightened turns from the likes of Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal, it's a consistently engaging film, even if it can be tonally bumpy at times. However, the best sequences come at the start of the movie, in the smaller-scale set-up, and the end, when the emotional heft of the film really hits home. It would be hard for anyone to watch the final sequences of Okja and not feel moved, as the series turns its attention to the mistreatment and slaughter of animals, as well as the meat industry, not in a particularly subtle way, but in a manner which is effective just the same. Pig (2021) Although the idea of Nicolas Cage going after the mystery assailants who stole his beloved truffle pig might sound like the basis of a crazed action flick or an absurdist comic romp, this film from 2021 is actually something a little different. Written and directed by Michael Sarnoski – who would go on to make A Quiet Place: Day One –Pig is a rather sombre piece of work that deals fairly profoundly with loss, grief and meaning. Cage's performance is far more still, considered and restrained than some of his iconic madcap turns, rarely indulging in the kind of showboating with which he’s often associated, and yet still delivering a very memorable performance. Meanwhile, the confrontation scenes that regularly punctuate the action rarely play out as you’d expect them, serving as chances for the characters to have discussions about topics deeper than just the location of the missing animal. It all adds up to a very touching, but undoubtedly rather gloomy film, that certainly makes for a very rewarding watch. His Three Daughters (2024) One of the best new films released as a Netflix original in 2024, this low-key drama originally premiered at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival before being acquired by the streamer. It stars a terrific trio of Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen and Natasha Lyonne, all of whom are in fine form as they play bickering sisters reunited in their family home in New York to care for their terminally ill father. It's a beautiful, painstakingly performed portrait of a family in crisis, as the three sisters struggle to process their grief and hold their tempers while questioning what their connection will be once their father is gone. Writer/director Azazel Jacobs has created something plausible and insightful, taking an approach to confrontation and confessions reminiscent of the work of John Cassavetes – before a late flight of fancy takes the film in a slightly different but no less rewarding direction. The Boy and the Heron (2023) For the last few years, Netflix has been home to the vast majority of the Studio Ghibli catalogue, and now the latest film from the hugely acclaimed and widely beloved Japanese animation studio has been added to the library. The Boy and the Heron saw the legendary Hayao Miyazaki come out of retirement, and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature after having praise heaped upon it by critics. The film opens in Tokyo during the Second World War, and follows a boy named Mahito (voiced by Soma Santoki) who loses his mother in a fire and subsequently moves with his father to the countryside. There, a creepy talking heron (Masaki Suda) lures the grieving boy into a surreal underworld where he embarks on a bizarre adventure and meets a variety of unusual creatures. Miyazaki's gorgeous hand-painted animation is present and correct, alongside the requisite fearless little girls and cute sprites, while there is also plenty of Princess Mononoke-style blood and guts, plus parakeet soldiers, murderous pelicans and musings on the nature of reality. It's not one to be missed! Rebel Ridge (2024) This crime thriller from Blue Ruin and Green Room writer/director Jeremy Saulnier is one of the best Netflix originals of the year – attracting both impressive viewership numbers and near universally positive reviews from critics. Starring Aaron Pierre as a former Marine who discovers a major cop corruption operation while attempting to post bail for his cousin, it delivers some excellent action choreography and a pointed commentary on policing. Slow-burning but rife with tension, it's a riveting watch that works in large part due to Pierre's excellent presence in the lead role, as his character Terry works firmly but calmly to retrieve his money – using both the skills and philosophy he learned as a close combat expert. There are plenty of impressive supporting turns, too, with Don Johnson excelling as a slimy police chief. It all adds up to an intriguing thriller that carefully builds up to a well-crafted, high-octane finale. Hit Man (2024) View Green Video on the source website The latest film from acclaimed director Richard Linklater, Hit Man is loosely based on the incredible true story of a man named Gary Johnson– a Houston-native who, over a 10 year spell, was hired to kill more than 60 people while posing as a hitman. Little did his prospective clients know, he was working undercover for the police, and their arrests were secured soon after they had handed over cash. A version of Johnson is played by Glen Powell – who also co-wrote the script with Linklater – with the film using the real tale as a jumping off point to tell a fictional love story that ponders what might have happened if he had become romantically involved with one of the clients. The result is a romcom that sees Gary continue to adopt the fake hitman guise he had used on his first encounter with love interest Maddy (Adria Arjona) – which, unsurprisingly, leads to a couple of issues later down the line. Equal parts farcical screwball comedy and philosophical musing on the nature of identity, the film asks fascinating questions about the capacity of a person to change while never being anything less than brilliantly entertaining. The chemistry between Powell and Arjona is palpable and there are some superbly executed set pieces, leading up to an enjoyably twisted conclusion. Godzilla Minus One (2023) If the increasingly silly tone of Hollywood's monster franchise isn't your cup of tea, then consider trying out this distinct and unrelated Japanese version, which earned acclaim upon release last year. Far from the Saturday morning cartoon-style fisticuffs of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, this feature is an altogether more sombre affair. Taking place after the end of the Second World War, when Japan was still in a state of shock and grief from the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the country is dealt another devastating blow when Godzilla emerges just off the coast. The story unfolds primarily from the perspective of deserter pilot Kōichi (Ryunosuke Kamiki), who is grappling with PTSD and a desperate desire for redemption. Not an easy, popcorn-munching watch by any means, but if you like your sci-fi with a philosophical and emotional edge, Godzilla Minus One is for you. The film also looks utterly dazzling, which is why it took home the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects at the 2024 ceremony. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023) View Green Video on the source website More than twenty years after the first film became an instant claymation classic, Ginger, Rocky and the rest of the flock return in this joyous sequel, where we find them on a utopian island paradise following their audacious escape from the evil Mrs Tweedy. But when Ginger (voiced by Thandiwe Newton) and Rocky (Zachary Levi) discover that their intrepid daughter Molly (Bella Ramsey) has set off on her own adventure, old enemies rear their heads and only an expertly orchestrated heist can avert a calamity. The increased scale compared to the original offers director Sam Fell plenty of opportunities to showcase a number of highly innovative and intricately designed set pieces. And, as ever with Aardman, there's also a terrific assortment of verbal and visual gags to delight audiences, while the film crucially retains the handcrafted, eccentric charm that has become synonymous with the studio. Nimona (2023) This animated adventure started its life at Blue Sky Studios only to be shelved following Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2021, eventually being picked up by Netflix for release in 2023. And it's a good job it was rescued: it's a rollicking, inventive, and amusing fairytale that deftly touches on LGBTQ+ themes, with some impressive voice performances from the likes of Chloë Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed. The film tells the story of Knight Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed) who has to turn to the titular shape-shifting teen (Moretz) for help when he is falsely accused of murdering the Queen. Nimona is the only person willing to help him prove his innocence, but things are somewhat confused by the fact she is also the monster he has sworn to kill. Cue an enjoyable adventure that features all sorts of havoc and makes for top-tier entertainment for the whole family. RRR (2022) The latest work from legendary Telegu filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli, RRR became a major international hit upon its release – enrapturing viewers all around the globe. It’s not difficult to see why it resonated so much – across its epic three-hour running time the film packs in all manner of superbly executed action scenes (sometimes involving CGI animals) and splendidly choreographed dance scenes, including one to Oscar-winning song Naatu Naatu. Set against the backdrop of the brutal British Raj, RRR is a thrilling tale of revenge. The film chronicles a charming fictional friendship between real-life revolutionaries Komaram Bheem (NT Rama Rao Jr) and Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) as they seek to rid the nation of British rule. Marriage Story (2019) Writer/director Noah Baumbach has teamed up with Adam Driver on a number of occasions, but this divorce drama is arguably the peak of their collaboration. The film earned six nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards – winning one – and proved every bit as popular with audiences as it did with critics. Based in part on Baumbach’s own divorce, Driver and Scarlett Johansson star as a director and actor couple whose marriage has reached its end, but things only get more bitter when lawyers are called in to begin divorce proceedings. By turns funny and tear-jerking, this film is a real winner – worth it for a scene that sees Driver singing Stephen Sondheim’s Being Alive alone. The Irishman (2019) View Green Video on the source website There was a time a few years ago when Netflix was gladly giving a number of acclaimed big-name auteurs big budgets and free rein to make their passion projects, and the greatest result of that era was Martin Scorsese’s superb gangster epic. Of course, the great director has famously dabbled in the gangster genre many times before, but what marks The Irishman out from the likes of Goodfellas and Casino is the more sombre, elegiac tone. The film follows Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran (Robert De Niro), as he recalls his involvement in the disappearance of his longtime friend Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), whilst also reflecting on a number of relationships, including that with his daughter, Peggy (Anna Paquin). 13th (2016) The title of Ava DuVernay’s searing documentary refers to the 13th Amendment in the US Constitution, which declares: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.” The film goes on to draw parallels between slavery and the major flaws in America’s modern-day criminal judgment system, examining the prison-industrial complex and the ways in which the system disproportionately affects Black Americans and other minority communities. The film won huge acclaim on release and secured Netflix its first BAFTA – while it found an audience again following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Uncut Gems (2020) Most of the Adam Sandler films you’ll find on Netflix are of rather dubious quality, but every so often the actor picks a project that shows just how good he can be – and there’s never been a better example of that than Uncut Gems. This unbearably tense, blackly comic offering from the Safdie Brothers was a huge critical hit when it debuted in 2020, with many feeling that Sandler was unfortunate not to nab an Oscar nomination. He stars as a New York City jeweller with a gambling problem, who must risk everything to banish his debts and escape the collectors after him – whilst also balancing his role as a father, a crumbling marriage with his soon-to-be-ex-wife (Idina Menzel) and an affair with an employee (Julia Fox). My Neighbour Totoro (1988) Pretty much the whole Studio Ghibli oeuvre is available to stream on Netflix, giving subscribers a huge range of wonderful animated flicks to enjoy including Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Whisper of the Heart. And there can be no doubt that this delightfully charming little film – just their third feature – is one of the greatest. It follows two girls who move with their father to the countryside while their mother is ill, where they find themselves having a number of magical encounters with the titular friendly monster and other surreal beings. The story itself is fairly minimalist, but the gorgeous animation and the way the film captures a youthful sense of wonderment make it a must-watch. Streaming services we think you might like... From the best TV like Westworld and Game of Thrones to the latest movies including Spider-Man: Far from Home and Yesterday Start your 7-day free NOW TV trial now Want the very best of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel and National Geographic - plus 30 seasons of The Simpsons all in one place? Try Disney Plus for £5.99 a month The Office USA, The Grand Tour, Outlander, The Man in the High Castle, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and much more... Try Amazon Prime Video Free for 30 days Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our best series on Netflix, best Netflix comedies and best Netflix horror movies. Want to see what's on the other streaming sites? Take a look at our best Disney Plus shows guide or best Disney Plus movies. Slow broadband letting you down? Up your streaming game with the best broadband deals. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Top 10 Picks of the Day – Friday 6 March
Best TV shows to watch on NOW (March 2026)
Sky's streaming service is jam-packed with the very best prestige shows, from The Chair Company to The Day of the Jackal and classics like The Wire and Game of Thrones.
If you're looking for inspiration for shows to watch on NOW, you've come to the right place In new series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Game of Thrones gets another spin-off, but with no dragons in sight. Instead, we’re following a minor knight and squire named Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), who want to win some money at a local tournament. In among the festive treats at the end of last year, Sky original series Amadeus may have got somewhat lost in the shuffle. The drama stars Will Sharpe as Mozart and Paul Bettany is Salieri, and provides a new take on their almost certainly fictional rivalry, as first presented in Peter Shaffer's play. All five episodes are available to stream on NOW in the UK, sitting alongside other recent acclaimed series such as It: Welcome to Derry and The Chair Company. NOW is also home to widely discussed dramas The Last of Us and The Day of the Jackal, plus highly decorated comedy Hacks, with gritty crime thriller Gangs of London among the British originals to choose from. All of this means it's the perfect place to head to if you're looking for an evening's entertainment. In fact, it's also where you can find real classics, such as HBO's The Wire and The Sopranos. Scroll on for Radio Times's top picks, spanning recent releases and all-time greats.