If you like films, Now TV and Sky are must-haves. They get the latest films before most other services and have a healthy back catalogue of classic films as well. Here are some of our favourites. Be sure to read our guide to the best box sets on Sky and Now TV as well while you're at it.
Tenet
Christopher Nolan's time twisting spy thriller defied the odds to squeak out a cinematic release just after the height of the COVID pandemic, and while its visual bombast and ambitious action sequences deserved the big screen treatment, the timing still meant most viewers missed out. Still, John David Washington's performance as the nameless Protagonist is no less magnetic on the living room TV, nor is the wild plot of crossing back and forth along timelines to foil a plot to destroy Earth by inverting its entropy any less mind-bending. A masterclass in spy-fi.
Mad Max: Fury Road
A relentless, pounding headache of a film – Fury Road will sink it's claws into you and leave a definite impression. It's loosely based on the Mad Max series of films, but you don't need to have seen them: just know that Max (now played by Tom Hardy instead of Mel Gibson) has been taken prisoner by the post-apocalyptic warlord Immortan Joe. In truth, the real star of the film is Charlize Theron's Furiosa, who tries to lead a group of women on a daring escape in what essentially amounts to a two-hour car chase through the desert. It's light on dialogue, and heavy on electric guitar/flamethrower hybrids festooned with human skulls.
Inception
If one level of 2021's reality isn’t enough for you then what better way to escape than through Christopher Nolan’s multi-levelled, action-packed dreamscape? Remarkable visual effects are combined with an equally remarkable intellectual feast for one of the most original action films of the last decade. It’s a bit like playing a board game you don’t understand. And it’s got Leonardo DiCaprio in it. What more could you ask for?
The Social Network
Look on helplessly as Mark Zuckerberg unleashes The Facebook on an unsuspecting world. Jesse Eisenberg gives an uncanny portrayal – both physically and behaviourally – of Zuck, the flawed entrepreneur. Written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher, The Social Network is all quick dialogue and lingering, artful frames. And, as the horror unfolds, you realise that Facebook's unstoppable rise was pretty much all your fault. Is it totally accurate portrayal of events? Certainly not. But it's hard to look away.
Knives Out
When the suspicious suicide of acclaimed crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plumber) brings renowned Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to the ‘ancestral home’ of Harlan’s dysfunctional family, everyone is a suspect. A modern whodunnit written and directed by Rian Johnson (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Looper), Knives Out is an incredibly fun and enthralling watch. The all star cast is on absolutely top form, and when we say all star, we mean it; Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Chris Evans, Michael Shannon and Toni Collette all shine as despicable members of the Thrombey family. So, if you’re looking for serious fun, an Agatha Christie-esque plot and a satisfyingly modern crime caper, Knives Out is the one for you.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Ferris decides he doesn’t want to go to school one day so tricks his parents into believing he’s sick. He convinces his friend Cameron to borrow his dad’s Ferrari and hatches a plan to drag his girlfriend out of school. They head to Chicago for a fun day out, but the school principal is hot on their scent. Ferris’ classmates all believe that he has come down with a life-threatening illness, when in reality he is singing ‘Twist and Shout’ in a parade. Ferris Bueller is an 80s classic with pure feel-good energy, starring Matthew Broderick as Ferris and Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing) as his sister.
Saving Private Ryan
Although it was first released two decades ago, Saving Private Ryan hasn't aged badly. The reason? The movie's underlying story remains as powerful as ever. The story follows the mission of one military unit to bring home solider Private Ryan. The soldier has been ordered to return from the front lines of World War Two after three of his brothers died in combat. The Oscar winning title will move you whether its the first time you've seen it or the tenth.
The Revenant
Based on a novel of the same name, The Revenant is a story of revenge. Hugh Glass (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is guiding a band of trappers through 1820s America. However things turn nasty when the group are attacked by an Arikara war party. After the attack Glass's son, Hawk, is brutally murdered. From here on, Glass sets out on a gripping adventure to avenge his child. Its Oscar record speaks for itself. The film was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and came away with three wins, including the Best Actor gong for DiCaprio.
Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids pretty much redefined the chick flick when it was released in 2011, plunging buddy comedy-style humour into a thoroughly feminine setting. Think The Hangover, but with a lot more pink taffeta. Kristen Wiig plays Annie Walker, a down-on-her-luck single woman who is appointed maid of honour by her best friend Lilian (Maya Rudolph). It falls to Annie to organise dress fittings, hen dos and bridal showers, all the while attempting to corral Lilian’s motley crew of bridesmaids to great comic effect.
Le Mans '66
Based on a true story, Le Mans '66 follows the battle for race track dominance between Ford and Ferrari in the 1960s. Matt Damon plays legendary automotive designer Carroll Shelby, teaming up with Christian Bale as strong-willed British driver Ken Miles. The pair are tasked with designing and building a revolutionary track car for Ford in a bid to take the 24 Hours of Le Mans crown away from Ferrari. Directed by James Mangold, it’s a fast paced, beautifully shot film with solid performances throughout. Even if you're not a petrol head it's hard not to be captivated by this entertaining take on a sports biography.
Jumanji (both the sequels)
The original 1995 Jumanji is a classic and before the first of the, now two, sequels was released in 2017 it would have been fair to be sceptical about any remakes. But Sony has been successful with both the new titles, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level (which was released in 2019). The remakes keep the spirit of the deadly boardgame alive but reimagine it through the lens of a video-game that transports players to different worlds and introduces an element of Freaky Friday. The cast is well suited to the job: the sequels are enjoyable, funny, and hold up the quality of the original Robin Williams title.
The Wolf of Wall Street
Directed by Martin Scorcese, The Wolf of Wall Street follows Jordan Belfort (Leonardo Dicaprio), who starts as a stockbroker on the Wall Street trading floor in the late 80s. As he makes more money and his lifestyle races to catch up, he sets up a firm, Stratton Oakmont in the early 1990s and starts to swindle wealthy financiers out of their fortunes, even as the authorities close in. It's all the more compelling because the film is based on the memoirs of the real-life Jordan Belfort, who is now a motivational speaker. With an all-star cast featuring DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, and Margot Robbie, The Wolf of Wall Street is ridiculous and exhilarating.
About Time
Richard Curtis is known for his cute British rom-coms and About Time is no exception. On his 21st birthday, Tim, played by Domhnall Gleeson, discovers he has the ability to time travel, and immediately uses it to omit embarrassing moments and get himself a girlfriend. He meets the girl of his dreams, played by Rachel McAdams and pops through time to woo her. It’s less about the sci fi than you would think, and more about the life and loves of the characters, with a father-son relationship that will have you in tears between Tim and his dad, played by Bill Nighy.
I Am Legend
There are very few films where the lead actor can hold the attention of viewers without any support: I Am Legend is one of them. Will Smith plays scientist Robert Neville who is one of a few survivors who are immune to a man-made plague that turns humans into hideous mutants. While searching for other survivors, Smith is also trying to invent a cure that will subdue the bloodthirsty nature of those who have turned. But Smith is running out of time: he's fed-up of being alone and his patience for continually failing experiments may crack.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK