Sometimes movies take some time to ease viewers into the show, while others set the tone immediately. The movies on this list are the latter. Whether it's a comedy like Dazed and Confused or an action movies like Raiders Of The Lost Ark, these movies don't waste any time at the beginning.

Dazed And Confused

From the opening notes of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" to the '70s muscle car cruising the parking lot, you know exactly when Dazed And Confused is set. There is no mistaking the era even before you see the characters and their costumes. While it was made in the 90s, the movie is pure 1970s.

2001: A Space Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the most important movies ever made and by opening what everyone expected to be a sci-fi movie with a bunch of monkeys learning how to use tools (and more), it sets a very different kind of tone than any other sci-fi movie before it. It was unlike anything anyone had ever seen before it. Of course, it also has one of the wildest endings of all time, too.

The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight is one of the greatest movie villains of all time and while audiences don't immediately know (or maybe they do) that the opening scene is Clown Prince of Crime from the back, by the end of the opening scene, we know exactly what we are getting into. One of the best comic book movies of all time opens with one of the best scenes of all time for a villain who completely steals the show.

Star Wars

From the opening blast of the classic John Williams score to the now-iconic scroll, and finally, the two massive spaceships firing lasers at each other, Star Wars easily has one of the most memorable opening scenes of any movie, ever. Audiences in 1977 were simply blown away from the moment the movie started and it immediately became the classic it is and how it has endured for decades.

Pulp Fiction

Quentin Tarantino's second film, Pulp Fiction, was one of the most anticipated movies of 1994 and the director immediately let audiences know he was on point with the opening scene between Tim Roth and Amanda Plummer in the diner. It's classic Tarantino with great dialog and finally, a burst of near-violence that sucks moviegoers in at once.

Jaws

Jaws is thought of these days as one of the best movies Hollywood has ever produced. Director Steven Spielberg did an absolutely masterful job of scaring the audience by not showing the shark very much and that starts with the creepy, foreboding scene when a lone swimmer becomes the shark's first victim.

Citizen Kane

"Rosebud" is one of the most mysterious opening lines to any movie, ever. The snow globe falling out of a dying man's hand and breaking on the floor only adds to the mystery. That's how Citizen Kane opens and audiences then and now are captivated from that moment until the end, when they learn what "Rosebud" means in the movie's final scene.

Apocalypse Now

Some movies just need to have some incredible music and one iconic shot to lock you in. Apocalypse Now is one of those movies. From the foreboding sounds of The Doors' song "The End" to the fireball or napalm that rushes across the jungle in the opening scene, director Francis Ford Coppola immediately let everyone know this was going to be a different kind of war movie.

Purple Rain

If you're one of the most iconic musicians of your day and you decide to make a movie about a fictionalized version of yourself, you'd better open the show with a banger. That's exactly what Prince did when he opened Purple Rain with "Let's Go Crazy." It's simply a performance (and guitar solo) for the ages and sets the tone for the movie perfectly.

The Godfather

While it may not start with a bang like some of the other movies on this list, the opening scene of The Godfather sets the tone for the movie in a way nothing else could. Within minutes audiences knew exactly what kind of man Vito Corleone was and what was important to him.

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the best adventure films of all time and as such, it opens with one of the most exciting sequences in Hollywood history as our hero Indiana Jones dodges traps and a giant boulder to escape with his treasure. Though he loses it right away, of course. It's a very worthy opening to the Indiana Jones franchise.

Boogie Nights

Director Paul Thomas Anderson knocks it out of the park with the first scene in Boogie Nights that lets you know exactly where and when the movie is happening. The long tracking shot introduced almost every character movie right away and audiences are already getting to know them by the time the shot changes. It's brilliant.

Saving Private Ryan

In many ways, Saving Private Ryan changed how war movies are made and what audiences expect from them. The opening scene, when Tom Hanks and his platoon hit the beaches of Normandy on D-Day is one of, if not the, most intense action scenes ever put on film. It's praised for its depiction of the battle and the visceral feel of it all is simply incredible.

Spectre

The James Bond franchise is famous for its opening, pre-credits scenes, so we had to include one on this list. There are any number of great ones you could go with, but for our money, the opening to Spectre with the tracking shot all across Mexico City and into a hotel, and out to the ledge, is pure magic. And pure Bond.

Scream

In an homage to the great Alfred Hitchcock movie Psycho, the opening scene of Scream features one of the biggest stars in the movie, Drew Barrymore, getting killed just minutes into the story. For audiences at the time, it was a completely brilliant and shocking moment as Barrymore had been marketed heavily so no one expected her to meet her demise so soon. It was something Barrymore insisted on.

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

When it comes to the Mission: Impossible franchise, fans can always count on an amazing opening sequence. On the one hand, it's hard to pick one as the best, but on the other hand, c'mon, it's the one where Tom Cruise hangs from a freaking plane! That opening to Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation is one of the most incredible stunts Cruise has done on a long, long list of stunts he's done for those movies.

Trainspotting

Danny Boyle's Trainspotting walks a tightrope between really cool and fun, and desperately tragic. This is all summed up in the first few seconds of the movie when audiences see a very rough-looking Renton (Ewan McGregor) running from the police and almost getting hit by a car as Iggy Pop's "Lust For Life" accompanies the scene. It's not only the perfect opening scene for the movie, it's a brilliant musical moment as well.

There Will Be Blood

Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood is one of the examples on this list of movies that set a tone immediately, but do so not with action and pizazz but with a gentle slow build. There is virtually no dialog other than some grunts from the protagonist (Daniel Day-Lewis) as he struggles to get his oil well going. Like the rest of the movie, it's intense, but quietly so. It's really perfect.

The Matrix

While we don't meet Neo right away in The Matrix, we do get a great example of how the world in the movie is going to work as we watch Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) barely escape a group of Agents in the Matrix.

Inglourious Basterds

If you want some quiet intensity, there may be no better opening scene than Inglourious Basterds. Christoph Waltz's character sitting and drinking milk while hunting for hidden Jews is seriously intense without anything more than some brilliant dialog by Quentin Tarantino and a glass of milk. It's the least over-the-top moment in te movie, and yet sets the tone perfectly.

Top Gun

The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is an exciting and dangerous place to be. For Top Gun, director Tony Scott didn't need to use any of the stars of the movie, or even any actors at all. Instead, he used actual Navy members doing their actual jobs as jet fighters took off and landed all to the soaring notes of Harold Faltermeyer's guitar-based soundtrack. Talk about pulling you right into a movie!

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 1

Director James Gunn has become famous for his brilliant use of music in the Guardians Of The Galaxy movies. Star-Lord's mixtape quickly became one of the main characters of the movies, almost. That started at the very beginning of the first movie when we all first meet Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) as he dances his way through the opening scene to "Come and Get Your Love" by Redbone.

Full Metal Jacket

The very beginning of Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket features young men getting their heads shaved as they join the Marines. The next few minutes are just R. Lee Emery yelling at the new inductees. It's one of the most iconic opening scenes of any movie, much less any war movie and it's a big part of what makes it among the best war movies ever made.

Deadpool

By now we all know just what kind of "superhero" Deadpool is. In fact, even if you weren't familiar with the anti-hero from the comic books, it only takes about the first ten minutes of the first Deadpool movie to know exactly who he is. There really is no better introduction to a superhero movie, and that's really saying something.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

The two main characters in Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels are, in some ways, very competent criminals. In other ways, they are complete disasters. The opening moments show both sides of them perfectly as they pull off their scam selling stolen jewelry for a time before they lose all their merchandise getting chased by the cops.

Jurassic Park

There was no bigger movie in the early '90s than Jurassic Park and there was no bigger opening moment than when audiences were thrown right into the action as the game wardens and staff tried to wrangle a velociraptor into its cage. It did more than just help the movie become iconic for millions of people.

No Country For Old Men

The opening scene to No Country For Old Men immediately draws the audience into the movie and its dark, foreboding nature. After a voiceover by Tommy Lee Jones, we see an unknown character getting arrested for an unknown reason. We soon learn that the character is Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) and just how ruthless he is.

Gladiator

Ridley Scott may not care much for historical accuracy, but that doesn't matter when you recreate an ancient battle as he does at the opening of Gladiator. It's an amazing scene reminiscent of the great battle scenes in movies before CGI when it was all about practical effects and a huge number of extras.

Once Upon a Time In The West

To make a great western, you have to set a mood. Once Upon a Time In The West does this as well or better than any other Western. Viewers can feel the heat of the day and the crackling tension well before any action happens. You know it's coming, you just don't how or when.

Baby Driver

Take a great soundtrack, a cool moment of people wearing matching suits and sunglasses, throw in a fantastic car chase and you're guaranteed to suck audiences in immediately. Just like they do in Baby Driver. The movie takes off at full speed right from the jump.

Reservoir Dogs

Quentin Tarantino told the whole world just who he was in the first few minutes of his first movie, Reservoir Dogs. The intense, fast-paced dialog he's known for is present right at the very beginning as his character Mr. Orange explains the real meaning behind his favorite Madonna song. And it's not what you think.

A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange's opening scene definitely has audiences asking more questions than it's ever answering, but that's exactly what draws you in so quickly. You have to know what these guys in the funny outfits are up to and why in the world they are seemingly drinking milk in a weird bar. Later, you might regret getting those answers...

There are not many other movies like Pulp Fiction (which is currently one of the best movies on Amazon Prime)... or at least there were not until after it was released in 1994. Soon after, every filmmaker and their mother wanted to replicate the style of the dementedly funny, highly quotable ensemble crime thriller that is now regarded as Quentin Tarantino's best movie by many.

However, we cannot deny that some of these tonally similar films (and even straight-up copycats) are as cherishable as whatever was in Marcellus' briefcase. So, in honor of the 30th anniversary of one of the best movies of the 1990s, here are some classics and even underrated favorites that remind us of Pulp Fiction.

Four Rooms (1995)

Ted (Tim Roth) gets far more than he bargained for on his first day as a hotel bellhop interacting with some very peculiar characters on one eventful New Year's Eve.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you are a fan of Pulp Fiction: A year after Pulp Fiction, Tarantino wrote, directed, and starred in one segment from Four Rooms —another quirky, star-studded, anthology-style dramedy with interweaving plotlines and characters which also connects to the Tarantinoverse with a Big Kahuna Burger sighting.

Rent or buy Four Rooms on Amazon.
Buy Four Rooms on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Snatch (2000)

Innocent civilians and ruthless veteran criminals alike race against each other to get their hands on a precious stolen diamond gone missing in England.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you are a fan of Pulp Fiction: One of the best Guy Ritchie movies, Snatch, earned comparisons to Pulp Fiction as another crime drama with a comedic edge involving various interweaving storylines held together by a talented ensemble cast.

Stream Snatch on Hulu.
Rent or buy Snatch on Amazon.
Buy Snatch on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Four close-knit Londoners (played by Nick Moran, Jason Statham, Dexter Fletcher, and Jason Flemyng) stumble onto a potentially dangerous solution to their recent debt.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you are a fan of Pulp Fiction: Ritchie earned comparisons to Tarantino for his feature debut, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, which offers its own cheekily subversive take on the crime genre.

Rent or buy Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels on Amazon.
Buy Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Layer Cake (2004)

An unnamed, successful drug pusher (played by Daniel Craig) is forced to put his early retirement on hold when his boss enlists him to search for a powerful crime lord's missing daughter.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you are a fan of Pulp Fiction: One of Ritchie's earliest frequent collaborators was Matthew Vaughn, who made his feature directorial debut with Layer Cake — another stylish thriller with witty dialogue and a likable protagonist looking to get out of the criminal lifestyle, much like Samuel L. Jackson's Jules.

Rent or buy Layer Cake on Amazon.
Buy Layer Cake on Blu-ray on Amazon.

In Bruges (2008)

After a job goes wrong, two Irish hitmen (played by Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson) are instructed by their boss to wait out in an idyllic Belgian town.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you are a fan of Pulp Fiction: Pulp Fiction's third segment, "The Bonnie Situation," essentially tells the story of two hitmen (Jules and John Travolta's Vincent) and how they deal with a deadly mistake, which is also the plot of writer and director Martin McDonough's In Bruges, which is yet another darkly comic crime thriller.

Rent or buy In Bruges on Amazon.
Buy In Bruges on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Baby Driver (2017)

Ansel Elgot plays a young, skilled getaway driver whose longing to pay his debt and live a normal life intensifies when he meets the girl of his dreams (played by Lily James).

Why it is a great movie to watch if you are a fan of Pulp Fiction: Pulp Fiction's second segment, "The Gold Watch," is a thrilling criminal on-the-run story, which is also a good way to describe Baby Driver — writer and director Edgar Wright's witty, star-studded crime thriller that, also like Pulp, has a killer soundtrack.

Stream Baby Driver on Netflix.
Rent or buy Baby Driver on Amazon.
Buy Baby Driver on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

After he is mistaken for his friend, a young man (played by Josh Hartnett in one of his best movies) is put in the middle of a bitter, dangerous rivalry between two notorious New York gangsters.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you are a fan of Pulp Fiction: Pulp Fiction cast member Bruce Willis also stars in Lucky Number Slevin — another crime thriller with a witty and subversive take on the criminal underworld with some fun surprises.

Stream Lucky Number Slevin on Tubi.
Stream Lucky Number Slevin on Pluto TV.
Rent or buy Lucky Number Slevin on Amazon.
Buy Lucky Number Slevin on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Amores Perros (2000)

A tragic car accident has a profound effect on multiple, disparate people in Mexico City.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you are a fan of Pulp Fiction: If you are looking for a much darker anthology-style drama with interweaving storylines, you cannot go wrong with director Alejandro González Iñárritu's brutal Spanish-language masterpiece, Amores Perros.

Stream Amores Perros on Amazon Prime.
Stream Amores Perros on Paramount+.
Buy Amores Perros on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Tampopo (1985)

The story of a ramen cook (Nobuko Miyamoto) and her fledging business is complemented with additional short stories about appreciating food.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you are a fan of Pulp Fiction: While not a crime thriller (despite featuring a few criminal characters), the delicious food movie Tampopo is an anthology-style comedy in which its most important moments take place at restaurants.

Stream Tampopo on Max.
Buy Tampopo on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Clerks (1994)

A disillusioned convenience store employee (played by Brian O'Halloran) spends what was supposed to be his day off dealing with unruly customers, loiterers, and more irritating circumstances.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you are a fan of Pulp Fiction: While Clerks is also not a crime thriller or an anthology, Kevin Smith's best movie is, like Pulp, one of the most important films of that era's indie movement for many of the same reasons, including its unique characters and razor-sharp dialogue that is predominantly based in pop culture references, sex, existentialism, etc.

Stream Clerks on Netflix.
Stream Clerks on Pluto TV.
Rent or buy Clerks on Amazon.
Buy Clerks on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Trainspotting (1996) MGM+

Young Scotsman Renton (Ewan McGregor) and his friends struggle to let go of their drug habit.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you are a fan of Pulp Fiction: Also not a crime thriller (unless you count the characters' illicit substance use) nor an anthology, director Danny Boyle's Trainspotting is a tonally resonant, quirky dramedy exploring the life of a heroin abuser, which Vincent Vega is.

Stream Trainspotting on Amazon Prime.
Stream Trainspotting on MGM+.
Buy Trainspotting on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Enjoy these movies like Pulp Fiction!

There are tons of great movies about the history and culture of the American South. They aren't all positive, because all histories and cultures are messy and the South is certainly no exception. Some of the movies are heartwarming in a way that only Southerners can be and some are heartbreaking for many reasons. Either way, they are important, powerful, and fun stories about everyone living below the Mason-Dixon line. 

Fried Green Tomatoes

There is nothing more quintessentially southern than the dish fried green tomatoes. Like the dish, the movie of the same name just oozes Southern culture. Kathy Bates stars alongside Jessica Tandy and listens as Tandy's character tells her life story, which is a microcosm of life in the South in the 20th Century, including all the highs and lows. 

My Cousin Vinny

Everyone loves a good fish out of water story and having Joe Pesci play a lawyer - or someone pretending to be a lawyer - in the South is just perfect for that. My Cousin Vinny doesn't really punch down at anyone, while still maintaining a humoristic look at both the South, and the North, and how the two cultures may clash at times, but ultimately are still the same people, under it all. 

Selma

The Civil Rights movement is one of the most consequential periods in United States history, and while the story has been told many times in movies, in many different ways, Selma is one of the best, and broadest, telling of the story. David Oyelowo's performance as Dr. Martin Luther King is mesmerizing. 

No Country For Old Men

In many ways, Texas is a culture apart from the rest of the Deep South, but it still does overlap quite a bit. There are a lot of movies set in Texas, but No Country For Old Men finds a way to really nail a lot of the culture, while still maintaining the fanciful nature of the plot. Not bad for a couple of directors like the Coen Brothers who hail from Minnesota. 

To Kill A Mockingbird

The book and movie To Kill A Mockingbird is without a doubt one of the most important stories told in the 20th Century. It captures small-town life in the South in the Depression era perfectly. It's also obviously not afraid to dig into the more disturbing parts of life in Alabama at the time, the terrible racism that hung over everything. 

The Outsiders

The Outsiders became a cultural phenomenon when the book was first published in the late '60s. Telling the story of working-class kids fighting with the rich kids in Tulsa in 1965. It took a decade-and-a-half for Francis Ford Coppola to put together the now-legendary cast of The Outsiders and make the movie, but it was worth the wait. 

O Brother Where Are Thou?

For a couple of guys from Minnesota, The Coen Brothers really know how to capture the essence of the American South. They set a few of their movies there, but O Brother Where Are Thou? really stands out as a great example of how to tell a wild story that is sarcastic, fantastical, and over-the-top, but grounded in realism. 

Smokey And The Bandit

When a guy needs a bunch of beer you can only buy west of the Mississippi for a party in Georgia, there's only one person to hire to smuggle the load. The Bandit (Burt Reynolds). The movie basically covers all of what we call the Deep South from Texarkana to Atlanta. Jackie Gleason's Texas sheriff, Buford T. Justice, is the icing on the cake. 

12 Years A Slave

Sometimes filmmakers need to tell stories we don't want to hear but need to hear. 12 Years A Slave is a movie you can only watch once, but one that everyone needs to see at least once. It's a powerful story about the ugliest part of American history that everyone has a difficult time confronting, but a time we all need to remember for exactly what it was. 

A Street Car Named Desire

Playwright Tennessee Williams did as much to define Southern culture as anyone else in the arts with his plays like The Glass Menagerie and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The most successful adaptation of one of his plays, A Streetcar Named Desire, is no exception, bringing the era of mid-20th Century New Orleans to life with a classic cast that included Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, and Karl Malden. 

Dazed And Confused

Being a teenager in Austin, TX in 1976 sure looks like a lot of fun in Dazed And Confused. The cult classic comedy by director Richard Linklater is loved all over the country, not only for its witty script, but for the monster cast of then-up-and-comers like Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, and Matthew McConaughey. 

A Time To Kill

Matthew McConaughey is a proud son of Texas, but he's not afraid to call out the troubled history in the Southern U.S. A Time To Kill is a perfect example, of confronting racism in rural Mississippi in the 1990s. It's also one of Samuel L. Jackson's most powerful performances as the accused Carl Lee Hailey. 

Baby Driver

Let's be honest, Baby Driver could have happened in any city, but it happens in Atlanta. Atlanta, as anyone who has driven there will tell you, is actually kind of the perfect city for a movie about car chases. Wide highways, big streets, elevation changes... it all makes for great car chases, and Baby Driver has some of the best car chases ever. 

Glory

The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was one of the very first Black units in the Union Army during the Civil War and while it may have Massachusetts in the name, and the movie Glory is based on the true story of the regiment, it takes place almost entirely in the South during the war. It's one of the best war movies ever made and one of the most powerful stories about the South ever told. 

Friday Night Lights

No matter where you are in the South, from Virginia to Texas, if it's Friday night in the fall, there is serious high school football being played. Friday Night Lights, which is based on a book of the same name telling the true story of a small Texas town's team is one of the best representations of that culture ever put on film. The story is so good, that they later fictionalized it on TV as well. 

The Color Purple

Steven Spielberg managed to surprise everyone when he directed The Color Purple. It was a big departure from the kind of summer blockbusters audiences were used to from the director. It's no surprise that his deft hand helped tell an amazing story about all the hardships of life for a Black woman in the South in the early 20th Century. 

Steel Magnolias

If you want a real slice of Southern life on the big screen, there is no better example than Steel Magnolias. It's not always pleasant, but it's real. The highs and lows of life burst off the screen, all while celebrating all that is great about small-town life in the South. 

Gone With The Wind

It may be the most famous movie set in the South, ever. While Gone With The Wind is not without some deserved controversy, it's still one of the greatest cinematic achievements in history. Of course, it tells the story of the hardships even the very rich faced in the South during the Civil War 

Hustle & Flow

Hip-hop may have developed in the streets of New York, but it didn't take long for the South to start putting its own unique spin on the genre. Hustle & Flow is a great way to experience the development of rap in Memphis. Memphis plays an important role in the history of all American music and it's great to see where hip-hop fits in. 

Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil

High society in the South is perfectly represented in Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil. Kevin Spacey, as problematic as he is, puts in his typically great performance here, as a member of Savannah, Georgia's elite. It's just a darn good crime story. 

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Magical realism, Louisana-style is what Beasts of the Southern Wild is. The fantasy elements tell the tale, but the harsh realities of living in the Bayou with rising sea levels set the backdrop for this incredible movie. A movie made on a tiny budget that made a fortune. 

Deliverance

There are a whole lot of negative stereotypes in Deliverance that have to be acknowledged off the top here. The portrayals of locals as inbred, violent hicks are offensive to many, but that doesn't mean the movie isn't really scary and exciting. It's legendary for a reason. 

Driving Miss Daisy

Sometimes people forget just was a massive hit Driving Miss Daisy was. It's easy to see why it's argued by some that it's not a great representation of the South, but it is pretty accurate in a lot of ways. This is especially true of Miss Daisy (Jessica Tandy) and her attitude towards her driver (Morgan Freeman) in the beginning. 

Norma Rae

Sally Field stars as Norma Rae Webster in Norma Rae, who is based on the real-life North Carolinian labor organizer Crystal Lee Sutton. While the struggles of African-American communities across the South have often (and deservedly) been highlighted, the struggle of poor, white Southerners is less represented. That's part of what makes Norma Rae important when telling the story of the South in the 20th Century. 

Nashville

Director Robert Altman's 1975 masterpiece Nashville is one of the best representations of the power of music, specifically country music, carries in the South. Rock and Roll, Blues, Jazz, and of course, Country music all have their roots somewhere in the South, so spreading the gospel (another genre of music born in the South) of music tells us much of what we want to know. 

The Green Mile

Frank Darabont might have directed the best movie of the 1990s with The Shawshank Redemption, but it's another prison movie by the director that lands on this list. The Green Mile, which like Shawshank, was based on a Steven King story tells a very different kind of story, in a very different kind of prison. Of all the places in the world you wouldn't want to get locked up in, Louisiana in the 1930s would have to be close to the top of the list. 

The Iron Claw

Professional wrestling really came into its own in the South in the 50s and 60s. Sure, it's always been popular everywhere in America, but the South is its home. The South, specifically Texas, was also home to the legendary Von Erich family. The Iron Claw wonderfully tells the family's tragic story, all with the backdrop of 1970s and 1980s Southern culture. 

Green Book

2018's Green Book is an uncompromising look at the Jim Crow South. It's raw and honest about what it was like to be a Black man, specifically a musician, traveling in the South in the early 1960s. Mahershala Ali plays Don Shirley, who was one of the greatest jazz pianists of his day, but still found little respect in many parts of the South because of the color of his skin. 

Cape Fear

Martin Scorsese's 1991 remake of Cape Fear could have been set anywhere, but it's set in North Carolina and there really wasn't a better choice. The unique Carolina coast is the perfect setting and watching Robert De Niro's excellent performance with a Southern accent makes it all the better. 

Moonlight

There's a common saying saying in Florida that the further south you travel, the further north you get. That's because northern Florida has far more in common with the deep south than Miami. Still, Miami is as far south as you can get on the mainland of the United States, so a movie like Moonlight fits in, despite being more about the gritty streets of Miami than say, high school football. 

Coal Miner's Daughter

Kentucky isn't often represented in movies, and when it is, it's usually a pretty depressing take on the state. Coal Miner's Daughter isn't all sunshine and lollipops, either, but it is a very fair representation of life in a coal town for a young girl named Loretta Lynn. Yep, that Loretta Lynn, who came up in a tough situation but found her way to huge fame as a country singer. 

The Princess And The Frog

We couldn't have this list without a little Disney flavor. While the company has smartly buried Song of the South deep in their vault, or maybe even under the vault, The Princess And The Frog is another story completely. There are few better representations of New Orleans in film. The culture, the food, and especially the music.

If you are looking for some of the best music movies of all time, Netflix has you covered. From masterful adaptations of Broadway musicals to concert films about some of the finest musicians working today to hilarious comedies about music, the streamer has a little bit of everything. All you need is a Netflix subscription to access it all.

Tick, Tick...Boom!

Tick, Tick…Boom! is single-handedly one of Andrew Garfield’s best movies, and that’s because of his masterful performance that allowed Jonathan Larson’s story and legacy to leap off the screen. The film tracks Larson’s life as he struggles to make it as an artist, which leads him to write the musical Tick, Tick…Boom!

This autobiographical musical, which features Garfield singing beautifully, is a love letter to musical theater and the man behind Rent, and it’s because of its star’s gorgeous performance and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s loving direction. 

Stream Tick, Tick…Boom! On Netflix

Matilda The Musical

Matilda The Musical is an underrated masterpiece; yeah you heard me. Of course, the 1996 version is an ultimate classic. However, there’s also no question that the adaptation of the stage musical that came out in 2022 is brilliant in its own right.

Alisha Weir shines as our leading lady, and she’s supported by an expert cast that includes Emma Thompson as the evil Miss Trunchbull and Lashana Lynch as the loving Miss Honey. Plus, all the kiddos in this movie shine as they help Matilda take down the evil principal, and they absolutely rock the house when they perform the banger that is “Revolting Children.”

Stream Matilda The Musical On Netflix

Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé

The standout moments from Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé are countless. The concert film shows not only the musician's historic 2018 Coachella set but also how she developed it. It’s an immaculate representation of both the show she put it on and all the work that went into making it happen. Immaculately shot and brilliantly choreographed, this film is a masterclass that proves, once again, why Beyoncé is one of the greatest performers of all time. 

Stream Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé On Netflix

Eurovision: The Story Of Fire Saga

What happens when you take Will Ferrell’s wacky and brilliant sense of humor and mix it with the wild and genius viral reality competition Eurovision? You get the crazy comedy Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga. Also starring Rachel McAdams and Dan Stevens, this movie follows Icelandic musicians Lars (Ferrell) and Sigrit (McAdams) – a.k.a. Fire Saga – as they compete in Eurovision, and it’s bonkers in the best way.

Stream Eurovision: The Story Of Fire Saga On Netflix

Work It

If you want a sweet lil rom-com that centers around music and dance, look no further than Work It. The Netflix movie follows Quinn as she works to create a dance crew who can help her win a big competition that could help her get into her dream college. 

What truly makes this film worth your time is its stars. Quinn is played by Sabrina Carpenter, who has recently risen as a major voice in pop music through songs like “Nonsense” and “Espresso,” and her love interest, Jake, is played by Broadway’s Jordan Fisher. So, when it comes to the music and dancing in this movie, you are in great hands, because these two are fantastic performers.

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Baby Driver

While no one sings and there are no dance numbers, make no mistake, Baby Driver is a musical. The music Baby constantly has playing in his ears while he works as a getaway car driver is also always with the audience, and his relationship to music drives the story forward.

Not to mention, the musical direction from Edgar Wright is incredible. Also, the way he was able to time high-stakes action with incredible throwbacks – like “Neat Neat Neat,” “Brighton Rock” and “Bellbottoms”– makes Baby Driver a one-of-a-kind action film.

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Trolls 

The movie Trolls follows Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) as they work to save their home from Bergens. This story, of course, is also a jukebox musical, and seeing the rainbow-colored trolls singing songs like “September” and “Move Your Feet” is fun for the whole family. Plus, the movie is also what brought us the banger, “Can’t Stop The Feeling.” 

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Springsteen On Broadway

Springsteen on Broadway is a mind-blowing concert film of Bruce Springsteen’s Broadway residency he had in 2017 and 2018. The one-man show featured The Boss playing his music on guitar and piano, and he told very personal life stories from his autobiography, Born to Run. The 15 songs he performed took audiences on a journey through his legendary career, and you, too, can be whisked on this journey with the "Born to Run" singer by checking out this film on Netflix. 

Stream Springsteen on Broadway On Netflix

The Greatest Night In Pop 

Throwing it back to 1985, The Greatest Night in Pop is a Netflix documentary about the recording of “We Are The World.” It documents the night “the greatest artists of a generation came together to save some lives,” and it features interviews from some of said singers, musicians producers and more who were part of this incredible recording. With new interviews from Bruce Springsteen, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick and more, the film showcases an incredible number of talents through archival footage and present-day discussions while also taking viewers on the rollercoaster that was creating this song. 

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Miss Americana: Taylor Swift  

Miss Americana is possibly the most candid look we’ve ever gotten into Taylor Swift’s life. The documentary specifically follows Swift through the end of her Reputation era and the start of the Lover chapter. In it, she speaks about her struggles with fame, the fear of speaking out politically and the aftermath of one of the toughest points in her career that led to the creation of Rep. Now, Swift’s list of upcoming projects shows just how far she’s come since then, while this documentary gives us a detailed and raw look into a pivotal moment in the pop star’s life. 

Stream Miss Americana: Taylor Swift On Netflix

La La Land

Following Emma Stone’s aspiring actress Mia and Ryan Gosling’s starving jazz musician Sebastian over the course of a year, Damien Chazelle’s La La Land is a love letter to Los Angeles, music and artists everywhere. The Oscar-winning musical is set in modern-day LA, however, it’s also an ode to Old Hollywood with its sweeping score and classic musical numbers. All around, this film is a celebration of art, music and love, and it’s sure to become a classic, much like the musical films that inspired it.

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Sing Street

After you watch Sing Street, I can almost guarantee you’ll be humming tunes like “Drive It Like You Stole It” for days on end. For some context, this movie takes place in the ‘80s as a boy decides to form a band simply to impress a girl. They end up being very good, and the coming-of-age story is equally impressive as it shows our crew falling in love with music. Overall, it’s a lovely film that will have you singing along and smiling from ear to ear by the end. 

Stream Sing Street On Netflix

 All around, Netflix offers a diverse and acclaimed collection of musicals and music movies. So, if you are looking for a film to sweep you into a musical world, one of the best streaming services is the place to go.  

Ever since putting herself on the map through her performance in Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver, Mexican actor Eiza González has been wowing audiences with her talents on screen. I’m definitely counted among those fans, and not just because she happens to be a part of some pictures I’m fond of. 

After wowing audiences with the 2024 movie The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, it’s a fantastic time to talk about Eiza’s career highlights so far. We'll also be keeping a careful eye on some intriguing projects in her future, as there's plenty of room to add to this list of current favorites. 

Baby Driver

There’s no better place to start than at the beginning, as Baby Driver’s Monica represents what some could call Eiza González’s breakout movie role. Palling around as an associate of Baby (Ansel Elgort), and the girlfriend of the equally heinous “Buddy” (Jon Hamm), Eiza’s antagonist is adept with weapons both verbal and handheld. 

At the same time, the woman known as “Darling” doesn’t have a problem sticking up for Baby in the earlier acts of Edgar Wright’s musical-adjacent heist comedy/thriller. It’s easy to be cold-blooded, but Ms. González manages to balance that nature so perfectly with a concern that makes her total heel turn more tragic than it would have been.  

Alita: Battle Angel

Another absurdly strong roster that González can call herself a part of is the Alita: Battle Angel cast. And, that’s made even more special by the fact that this manga adaptation was helmed by none other than director Robert Rodriguez. Since the man really knows how to blur the line between the bonkers and the believable, we’re treated to Eiza playing the CGI-enhanced character of Nyssiana. 

Cool and harsh when luring in her prey, this killer cyborg makes a limited, but memorable appearance. That’s especially true in Eiza González nailing the tone of her threatening hiss, a moment that is so deceptively hard that it could threaten to take viewers out of the scene. 

Godzilla Vs. Kong

Yes, I know Maia Simmons is an antagonist in Godzilla vs. Kong. Technically, I shouldn’t like this character, as she’s helping humanity try to weaken Titans like our good friends Godzilla and Kong. However, González brings a swagger to her villainous figure that makes it hard not to love every moment she’s on screen. 

Which is a testament to her pride in contributing to diversity in the MonsterVerse. Let’s hope that the twists from Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ Season 1 ending have opened the door for Maia’s eventual return.

The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare

In a project that could be debated as one of the best Guy Ritchie movies, or at least one of his most fun, González’s role in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is unquestionably brilliant. Playing real life spy Marjorie Stewart, Ms. González proves why she’s got two more films lined up with Ritchie after the fact. 

If there’s anything more impressive than her skills as a spy, it’s her ability to sing “Mack the Knife” in German as a strategic distraction. That's a skill that may come in handy in another film of hers, as thievery is going to play part in the near future of her career.

In The Grey

Looking ahead to the EIza González movies I’m really looking forward to seeing, the first of her two Guy Ritchie reunions sees her teamed with two more of my favorite charismatic leads. The upcoming heist movie In The Grey sees González not only reteaming with her Ministry co-star Henry Cavill, but also her I Care a Lot partner in crime, Rosamund Pike.

Presented at Lionsgate’s 2024 CinemaCon presentation, we should expect In The Grey in theaters on January 17, 2025. While there are not many details about the plot, her presence on a team that operates at the crossroads of legal and illegal activities is all I need to know so I’m ready to buy a ticket.

Ash

The story to the upcoming sci-fi movie, Ash, is one that sounds primed to showcase Eiza González’s skills to an extensive degree. According reporting from Deadline, which announced her casting alongside Westworld and Breaking Bad vet Aaron Paul, this film is about a woman who’s stranded on another planet, and in need of rescue. 

However, two key turns to make this Flying Lotus-directed thriller one to watch out for. The first is that Eiza’s heroin has lost her entire crew on a space station she’s no longer present on. The second is that Aaron Paul’s supposed effort to rescue her may or may not be on the up and up. Further fleshing out her sci-fi credentials, González is going to have a lot of room to impress, as this sounds to be an isolated nightmare of paranoia in an unfamiliar landscape. 

Fountain Of Youth

Closing off this round-up of exciting prospects is, you guessed it, the second of her Guy Ritchie reunion films. In the case of Fountain of Youth, there’s more of an action/adventure angle at play, thanks to the John Krasinski and Natalie Portman-led cast being involved in a treasure hunt for the titular mythical location. 

Naturally, it’s uncertain if González will be on the side of good or evil for this thrill ride, as details are still under wraps. With experiences all over the moral compass of cinema, there’s no one that she can’t tackle. Also, having González in a Ritchie adventure is already a proven formula for delight, which makes it even easier to root for our final entry. 

The films you see represented above are quite a varied resume for a performer as young as Eiza González. And, as you can tell, she continues to pick challenging and invigorating roles that will keep her on the top of her game for some time. For anyone who wants to see her latest efforts in cinema, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is still showing in theaters. Meanwhile, Baby Driver can be found by those with an active Netflix subscription. 

Music is an integral part of cinema – be it film scores, original songs and curated soundtracks – but there are some movies that take its importance to the next level. History is full of incredible features about the power of music, including stories about artists and fans alike, and we’ve put this list together to highlight the best of the best.

From biopics about both fake and real musicians to stories about teachers, record store owners and life after death, the field of movies about music is wide, but they provide us with amazing insight and powerful messages about one of the great artforms.

30. Hustle & Flow

Winning an Oscar for its song, “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” which was written by underground legends Three 6 Mafia, and starring Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard before Empire, Hustle & Flow, as its title implies, is all about the hustle. Howard plays a pimp-cum-rapper who wants to leave his life of crime behind and get on the mic, while Henson plays one of his prostitutes who just so happens to kill it on hooks. They make beautiful music together, and everything seems to be going their way until drama just stomps right over all of their plans. Come for the story, stay for the amazing soundtrack.

29. A Mighty Wind

Christopher Guest may be one of the best mockumentary filmmakers to ever do it, but he’s proven himself to be pretty good at music, too. A Mighty Wind tells the story of several folk musicians coming together to honor the memory of a famed music producer after his children organize a first-of-its-kind concert. This 2003 movie works even if you’ve never given folk music a second thought. In fact, it may be better that way, as it pairs Guest’s signature witty one-liners, a familiar cast of eccentric characters and a truly charming soundtrack of songs like “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow” (which was Oscar-nominated) and “A Mighty Wind” (which won a Grammy).

28. I'm Not There

Bob Dylan’s story cannot be summed up into one traditional dramatization — something director Todd Haynes and co-writer Oren Moverman understood. Thus, they took inspiration from the many personas the folk singer adopted at various stages of his career and went in their own direction. The result is an anthology of bold, bizarre tales each led by a different member of the star-studded cast, including Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Ben Whishaw, and Heath Ledger. Walking into I’m Not There with only a basic knowledge of Dylan’s legacy might leave one bewildered, but even in that regard, the film triumphs as a beautiful and audacious tribute to one of music’s most beautiful and audacious innovators.

27. Ray

Overcoming adversity for the color of his skin and his inability to see, Ray Charles became a pioneer of soul, inspiring millions of musicians and a feature film about his life that is, admittedly, not much different than most music biopics. However, director Taylor Hackford’s Ray is still a standout for the genre, in particular for the breathtaking, Academy Award-winning lead performance by Jamie Foxx, whose own real musical talents certainly came in handy when portraying the singer and pianist. Charles passed before he could see this dramatization of his life in its completion, but few doubt that it would have made him proud.

26. Sid And Nancy

Much like the doomed couple on which it is based, Alex Cox’s Sid and Nancy is an explosive, abrasive, drug-fueled exploration of one of punk rock’s earliest icons and the woman to which he will be forever tied. Starring Gary Oldman as Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and Chloe Webb as his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, this 1986 cult classic accomplishes a lot in a short amount of time. From diving into the unprecedented success of the Sex Pistols and the band’s disastrous and infamous American tour that was plagued by violence, to the tumultuous relationship that played out in the final year of Sid and Nancy’s lives, the movie does an excellent job of appealing for both fans of the legendary band and the uninitiated.

25. Inside Llewyn Davis

Oscar Isaac is an immensely talented performer, and Joel and Ethan Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis is a movie that capitalizes on all of his gifts: his pain and grief is palpable, his comedic timing is impeccable, and it even turns out that he is a skilled singer and guitar player. The film is a wonderful and weird character study that has the 1960s New York folk music scene as its backdrop, and Llewyn is a fascinating protagonist – full of incredible passion for his art but forever struggling against the ever-crushing forces of the world. Thanks to the looping structure of its story, this is also a particularly fun feature to watch over and over again.

24. Baby Driver

In the very first sequence in Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver, everything, and I mean everything, is timed to the song “Bellbottoms” by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and the the audience is immediately swept into Baby’s world. It's a world that’s driven by music, and Wright’s ability to make us feel like we’re literally wearing the protagonist’s headphones through the bumping soundtrack and immaculately timed action is masterful. While this film is not technically a musical, music is its driving force speeding us through Baby’s journey that delivers heart-pounding car chases, lovely romantic moments and a stunning shootout timed to the song “Tequila.”

23. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Starring the incomparable Chadwick Boseman in his final role as well as the magnificent Viola Davis as the titular character, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a landmark film and another phenomenal entry in August Wilson’s famous Pittsburgh Cycle. The story concerns a powerful jazz singer (Davis) who is recording an album, only for members of her band to constantly get in the way of each other, mostly because of their egos. It also deals with how Black music was often reappropriated and fed into the mainstream. Besides the simmering tension, this movie also features some of the best jazz music of the roaring ‘20s. It's a must-see if you love period pieces, jazz music, and the wonderful Chadwick Boseman.

22. Rocketman

Rocketman is a gorgeous, fantastical musical all about the life of Sir Elton John, the man gorgeously portrayed by Taron Egerton. He not only belts his heart out with legendary songs like “I’m Still Standing” and “Crocodile Rock” as the life of the musical sensation is illustrated through song, but he also beautifully portrays the challenges John faced through his life and career.

One of the reasons why this movie is so magical is in how it applies John’s story. We learn all about his wonderful friendship with songwriter Bernie Taupin, his horrendous relationship with the toxic John Reid, and his turbulent childhood mixed in with heightened by fantastical musical numbers. The film is a marvel and it tells Elton John’s story in the most extra, fabulous, and lovely way.

21. Mr. Holland's Opus

In one of Richard Dreyfuss’ best movies, 1995’s Mr. Holland’s Opus takes moviegoers on a journey through the 30-year career of composer-turned-high school music teacher Glenn Holland. Right along with the characters, we experience the highs — like using rock ‘n’ roll to connect with his teenage students — and lows — Mr. Holland’s struggle to communicate with his deaf son — of the teacher’s life. That’s not to mention an issue every teacher can relate to: the fight for funding. We challenge you to get through that final scene, where he gets to conduct an orchestra of his former students in the premiere performance of his own symphony, without shedding a tear.

20. Frank

Many talented musicians happen to boast enigmatic personalities, and the ultimate cinematic reflection of this — in both hilarious and heartbreaking ways — is Michael Fassbender’s titular role from Frank. The character is actually inspired by real-life papier-mâché head-wearing artist Frank Sidebottom, whose former band member, Jon Ronson, co-wrote the film.

His experiences were funneled into the real protagonist, Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), whose ambition outweighs his actual talent but earns him a spot on Frank’s band. Unfortunately, his inclusion proves to be the beginning of the end for the experimental indie rock outfit in this thought-provoking story exploring the complexities of art and the consequences of chasing your dreams with a lead foot.

19. Once

More than a decade-and-a-half after its release, people are still finding out about Once and falling in love with its majestic and incredibly nuanced story filled with romance, music, and new beginnings. John Carney’s low-budget box office success follows two strangers (played by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova) who become quick friends and perhaps something more after deciding to write music together.

For 86 minutes, the pair learn a great deal about each other, redemption, love, and the power of music as they craft one of the best songs of the 21st century, “Falling Slowly.” The lo-fi look and stripped-down nature of the film adds a rawness and realness that creates a beautiful and enchanting experience that still resonates all these years later.

18. Coco

When ranking Pixar movies, Coco certainly lands somewhere near the top. For one thing, the story is amazing, as the twists and turns are some of the best that Pixar has to offer. It’s also a really beautiful movie, despite the subject matter essentially being all about death. What really makes Coco shine, however, is its reverence for Mexican culture – particularly its music. “Remember Me” is one of the best songs to ever come out of Hollywood, and pretty much every moment in this movie is another chance to fall in love with its melodies.

Coco is an amazing fukn since it seems like it’s all about a boy who loves music – and it is! – but it’s also about how nobody really dies as long as somebody remembers them. And, how could you not love a message like that?

17. The Music Man

One of the most essential movies about music follows a man whose expertise in the craft is all a fabrication. In reality, Professor Harold Hill (Robert Preston, reprising the Tony-winning role he originated in the original 1957 stage production of The Music Man) is an expert con artist looking to profit off a quaint community in 1910 Iowa by posing as a young boys’ band leader.

The titular Music Man may know nothing about music, but the music in the film is anything but a trick — featuring Broadway favorites by Meredith Wilson like “Ya Got Trouble,” “Shipoopi,” and the rousing centerpiece track, “Seventy-Six Trombones.” If you do not like musicals, this toe-tapping, romantic, and inspirational experience might be the one that makes you into a fan.

16. That Thing You Do!

In the wake of the British Invasion, every aspiring, American pop band wanted to be the country’s answer to The Beatles. That Thing You Do!, Tom Hanks’ feature-length debut as a writer and director, is a fictional tale about four musicians who nearly obtained that destiny with the pressures of fame and challenging constraints of the industry threatening to tear them apart.

Hanks also stars in the underrated ‘90s movie as the manager to The Wonders (formerly known as the more confusing “One-Ders” — played by Tom Everett Scott, Steve Zahn, Jonathan Schaech, and Ethan Embry), who cut a catchy hit tune that launches them into stardom beyond their wildest dreams. Also starring Liv Tyler and Charlize Theron, That Thing You Do! is a funny, infectious, and sometimes heartbreaking film set during pop music’s prime, anchored by the late Adam Schlesinger’s Oscar-nominated, titular banger.

15. Love & Mercy

We’ve all seen cookie cutter music biopics… but director Bill Pohlad’s Love & Mercy is a tremendous escape from the typical. The film is an examination of Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson during two separate eras of his life, and both are tremendous in their own special ways. Played by Paul Dano in his younger years, Wilson is depicted as a wonderful and creative force (witnessing the in-studio orchestration of the album Pet Sounds is awe-inspiring), but things take a dark turn as he falls victim to a controlling negative influence of his therapist, and John Cusack delivers one of the best dramatic performance of his career as the older Wilson opposite terrific work from Paul Giamatti and Elizabeth Banks. While evoking a particular era, the music of the Beach Boys is timeless, and this film is a must-watch for any fan.

14. Purple Rain

For many, Purple Rain is the musical film. And, while we’re reluctant to call it the greatest rock movie of all time, we definitely understand the sentiment. The story of a young musician named The Kid (played by Prince himself), Purple Rain is part drama, part rock opera, and quite possibly the crowning achievement in Prince’s fantastic career.

What truly makes this movie is its titular soundtrack, which just may be the greatest album of the 1980s (And yes, we’re aware that Michael Jackson’s Thriller also came out in the ‘80s. We said what we said!). And look, the soundtrack must be phenomenal since the plot itself is a little uneven. Yes, the story of a troubled musician with a rocky home life is fertile ground for cinema, but the music (and Prince!) is the true star of Purple Rain.

13. Almost Famous

Cameron Crowe’s 2000 coming-of-age drama Almost Famous not only features one of the best movie soundtracks of all time, but it also introduces one of the greatest fictional bands in the history of cinema with Stillwater. Described as a “mid-level band struggling with their own limitations in the harsh face of stardom,” the group at the center of this Academy Award-winning film (Best Original Screenplay) serves as the perfect representation of a ‘70s rock band on the verge of true success.

At the same time, the story of William Miller (Patrick Fugit) going from a young and naive reporter lying his way into a Rolling Stone article is one of the best explorations of what happens when you meet and befriend your heroes. Basically, everything about this movie works and it works well, creating an unforgettable and unparalleled experience.

12. School Of Rock

If you want to watch movies that rock, Richard Linklater's School of Rock is a must. While Jack Black’s Dewey Finn is by no means a good substitute teacher in the conventional sense, his love for music is infectious, and he teaches his class of kids about its awesomeness. Featuring an absolutely incredible cast of young actors, its hilarious, heartfelt and packed with energy. Watching Dewey teach them how to play their instruments, adopt a rock persona and “stick it to the man” is a joyful experience, and it capitalizes on everything we love about Black as a star.

Ahen mix of Black’s musical talents and physical comedy skills, Mike White’s wicked smart script and Richard Linklater’s stellar direction delivers a banging musical movie.

11. Sound Of Metal

In 2020, The Place Beyond the Pines writer Darius Marder unleashed upon the world one of the best and most impactful directorial debuts with Sound of Metal. This loud, powerful, and raw drama film centers on Ruben Stone (Riz Ahmed), the drummer of the avant-garde metal band Blackgammon as he begins to lose his hearing, which has a detrimental effect not only his profession but also his life in general.

Winner of two Academy Awards – Best Film Editing and Best Sound – and nominated for several more including Best Picture and Best Actor, Sound of Metal does an incredible job capturing the heart and soul of underground music, as seen in the various performance sequences and collection of great band shirts. But more than that, it perfectly captures human resiliance, as seen in Ruben’s difficult journey upon going deaf and the father-son relationship he develops with Joe (Paul Raci), a recovering alcoholic who runs a deaf support group.

10. The Sound Of Music

It’s no secret why The Sound of Music won five Academy Awards and two Golden Globes following its 1965 release. One doesn’t even need to have seen the based-on-a-true-story musical to be familiar with the von Trapp family singers and their greatest hits, from “My Favorite Things” to “Do-Re-Mi” and “Edelweiss.” Julie Andrews, in one of her best roles, stars as Maria, the young nun in training who is assigned to serve as the governess of the seven children of Capt. Georg von Trapp (Christopher Plummer).

In the film, which was adapted from a stage production of the same name, Maria teaches the children to sing, which serves to warm the hard heart of the widowed captain not only to his children but to their governess as well. The Sound of Music is all at once a spirited sing-along, a romantic comedy (the lead actors’ chemistry is off the charts), a drama depicting Austria on the cusp of World War II, and a family favorite worthy of infinite rewatches.

9. The Blues Brothers

Several Saturday Night Live sketches have inspired movies, to varying degrees of success, and not only is 1980’s The Blues Brothers one of the best, but more than 40 years later, it stands as one of the Top 10 music movies of all time. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as the sunglasses-wearing Jake and Elwood Blues, who are on a mission from God to save the orphanage where they were raised. To do so, they’ve got to get the band back together, literally, which proves to be pretty difficult as they try to outrun a vengeful country and Western band (yes, both kinds of music), the Illinois Nazis and Jake’s scorned lover.

The Blues Brothers boasts some truly epic cameos from the likes of Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Carrie Fisher; the best soundtrack that will have everybody wanting to sing the blues, plenty of hilarious quotes, and one of the highest numbers of crashed cars in movie history. Hit it!

8. Sing Street

Sing Street is a simple coming-of-age story about a boy who forms a band to impress a girl. However, don’t let that fool you, it’s actually a very nuanced, lovely love story about a boy and his love for his crush and rock ‘n roll. Seeing Conor (played by Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), discover his love for music is wonderful, and the love story between him and Raphina (played by the then-up-and-coming Lucy Boynton) is so sweet. It’s a classic and universal story that so many can relate to, and once you mix that with the stellar ‘80s nostalgia, you really have something special.

What really drives this movie though is the music. These kids turn out to be quite the band, and with each passing track, you realize that they really have something special. Sing Street oozes with ‘80s energy through its synth-y songs and over-the-top outfits, and it’s the major reason why it’s so great. Also, if “Drive It Like You Stole It” isn’t stuck in your head for weeks after watching this film, something might be wrong.

7. Tick, Tick... Boom!

Critics and fans alike love Tick, Tick…Boom! and specifically Andrew Garfield’s performance as the late great Jonathan Larson. The lead actor put his heart and soul into this adaptation of Larson’s autobiographical musical, and it is palpable. With Lin-Manuel Miranda’s caring direction, this love letter to musical theater and the writer of Rent bursts off the screen.

Songs like “30/90” and “Therapy” will get hearts pumping, and in the more vulnerable moments of the film, tracks including “Come To Your Senses” and “Louder Than Words” hammer home the emotional stakes that come with wholeheartedly pursuing your passion. This film is for artists, and it depicts the ever-relatable struggle of trying to make it. Simultaneously, it’s also a tribute to one of our greatest writers who we lost too soon whom Andrew Garfield embodies with great care.

6. High Fidelity

While the majority of the movies on this list are about the creation of music, Stephen Frears’ High Fidelity is essentially a music appreciation course unto itself, and it’s ivy-league level brilliant. Based on the novel of the same name by Nick Hornby, it presents fascinating insight about the medium from the very first line – “What came first: the music or the misery?” – and proceeds to ponder love through the protagonist’s deep love of rock, pop, techno, and soul.

John Cusack’s Rob Gordon is an asshole, as we learn over the course of the film, but he’s also an entirely relatable asshole who has a deep passion for what he loves and legitimately learns to put behind his selfishness through the introspective journey of his romantic past. It’s a wonderful movie for all those reasons (as well as an endless stream of terrific music-driven moments) … but also because it had a huge role in teaching the world about the brilliance of Jack Black and setting the stage for his amazing career.

5. O Brother, Where Art Thou?

If you’re looking for a movie inspired by Greek mythology that also pays homage to the early days of American folk, blues, and roots music, then Joel and Ethan Coen’s O Brother, Where Art Thou?... is really your only option. Loosely based on Homer’s The Oddysey, this Great Depression-era dramedy follows a trio of escaped convicts (played by George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson) as they set off to find a hidden treasure and live the rest of their lives as free, and very rich, men.

When an attempt to make some quick cash turns them into an overnight sensation known as the Soggy Bottom Boys, the three men find themselves responsible for the most popular song in the American South. What follows is a journey through the heart of the South and the heart of man as the three escaped prisoners encounter otherworldly situations and a collection of colorful characters ranging from a bluesman who made a deal with the devil, an over-the-top gubernatorial candidate, and a ruthless sheriff who wants nothing more than to bring them to justice.

4. Amadeus

Movie fans regularly reflect on the times that the Oscars “got it wrong,” but 1985 was definitely a year that they got it right. Miloš Forman’s Amadeus famous won a stunning eight Academy Awards, and it deserved every single one of them, as the movie is a phenomenal cinematic achievement about an unquestioned genius.

Amadeus is so gorgeous that it would be breathtaking to watch on mute – the period production design, costuming and theatrical staging is dazzling – but that’s obviously not something that you should do when watching a movie about one of the most gifted composers to ever walk this planet. Despite all of its fancy dressings, it’s a movie that is the opposite of stuffy (it’s regularly laugh-out-loud funny), and packs a powerful story of immense talent and poisonous professional jealousy. F. Murray Abraham won the Oscar for his performance as Antonio Salieri, but Tom Hulce in the eponymous role is unforgettable.

3. This is...Spinal Tap

Making a movie about music that stands the test of time is no small feat, and not only did legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner do that — on his first try, no less — he gave us possibly the funniest movie about music of all time in This Is... Spinal Tap. Alongside Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer wrote and star in this 1984 rock mockumentary about the titular band trying to crank their fame back up to 11.

Its soundtrack holds up decades later, with tunes like “Gimme Some Money” that are guaranteed to get stuck in your head, and the whole ensemble masters the fine line between stupid and clever with dialogue that is witty and endlessly quotable. This Is... Spinal Tap also gets the credit for being the beginning of a beautifully hilarious relationship between Christopher Guest and several players who would go on to make more brilliant mockumentareies like Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show and — another entry on this list — A Mighty Wind.

2. Soul

Our pick for the best movie of 2020, Soul is also probably Pixar’s greatest movie ever And hey, it’s also a film about music. The story of a middle school music teacher who dies just before he gets his big break, Soul has more to say about mortality than a vast majority of films aimed at adults (which just may be why Soul is Pixar’s most mature movie to date).

At the same time, it’s also about living in the moment, since you never know when your run of moments will end. Unlike a lot of the movies on this list that use music as a centerpiece, Soul is that rare film that uses music to explore the entire meaning of life. And why not, as music is so rich and complex that it’s one of life’s few universal languages. We have a feeling that people will be singing this movie’s praises for years to come.

1. Whiplash

What would you sacrifice for true greatness? Your friends? Your family? Your health? Your sanity? It’s a big question that can yield some disturbing answers, and filmmaker Damien Chazelle makes you feel every ounce of its weight in his directorial debut. Inspired by the writer/director’s own experiences, the movie immerses you in the intense and competitive world that is being a part of an esteemed collegiate Studio Band, and when you walk away from it, there’s a part of you that is surprised that your hands don’t sport drumstick blisters.

As young and ambitious percussionist Andrew Neiman, Miles Teller's empathetic performance makes you feel every iota of his passion and pain – and it's still somehow only the second best turn in the movie. J.K. Simmons’ Terence Fletcher is an antagonist that will be remembered in cinematic history alongside Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter and Kathy Bates’ Annie Wilkes, and it’s what ultimately cements Whiplash’s place at the top of this ranking.

Be on the lookout here on CinemaBlend for more of our ranked features, such as our ranking of the 30 Best TV Game Shows, the 35 Best Sci-Fi Movies, the 50 Best Horror Movies, and more.

There are a few elements that go into a great heist film. A movie doesn't have to have all of them to be great, but usually, it has to have some of them. Things like a "pre-heist" heist that sets up the main one, or introduces the crew. A cool scene depicting the planning is important too. Oh, and a monster cast helps. A car chase, though not necessarily required, sure goes a long way to make it great also. Keeping all that in mind, here we go with our list of great heist films. 

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

You can't have a list like this and not include Ocean's Eleven. It doesn't have a car chase, but it's got everything else, including one of the most star-studded casts in film history, with names like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, and so many more. There is something so infectious about the way the cast is clearly having an amazing time making the movie which translates into a couple of hours of the most fun you'll have watching a movie. 

The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

1999's The Thomas Crown Affair is a remake of a movie from 1968 starring Steve McQueen, and with all due respect to that one, the modern version is better. Pierce Brosnan's character, Thomas Crown, is quite simply one of the coolest characters of the '90s and Rene Russo is amazing as his love interest and the one investigating him. 

The Italian Job (1969)

The 2003 remake of The Italian Job (1969) is good, but it doesn't hold a candle to the original starring Michael Caine. The original just oozes cool, with great cars, exotic locations, and the aforementioned Caine. Both have spectacular car chases in Mini Coppers, but again, you can't beat the original. 

The Town (2010)

The Ben Affleck directed The Town is based on a true story, although the accuracy, like many historical films, has been disputed. There are essentially three heists in the movie. A bank robbery opens the movie, then the crew botches an armored car robbery, and it ends with them making off with millions by robbing Fenway Park! 

Inside Man (2006)

Spike Lee's contribution to the genre is Inside Man starring Denzel Washington. True to form, Lee's take is anything but formulaic. Instead of the usual tropes of a good heist film, the robbery in this one has much broader social implications. It's a great take on the genre.  

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Pretty much all of the Mission: Impossible movies are heist films in one way or another, so this entry can represent all of them. The heist in the first one is still a classic though, with the memorable scene with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) dangling precariously above the floor as he tries to steal the NOC list from CIA headquarters. 

Baby Driver (2017)

Baby Driver has a couple of things going for it that make it a great heist film. It's stylish and there are some epic car chases. Those two components are critical to a certain kind of heist movie. The movie also has some fantastic music too, which goes a long way. It turns into a revenge movie of sorts, but it still belongs on this list. 

Ronin (1998)

There is no question that 1998's Ronin has a couple of the best car chases in movie history and that alone makes it a great heist movie. It has all the other elements of a great one as well, with a pre-heist and great planning. It's really all about the car chases though. 

Heat (1995)

Robert De Niro seems to love heist movies too, judging on how many he's been. Of all of them, though, the best is probably Heat. In addition to having the epic shootout as the crew tries to escape the bank, which will forever be one of the best action sequences in Hollywood history, the movie also marked the first time De Niro and Al Pacino appeared in a scene together in a movie. 

Out Of Sight (1998)

Author Elmore Leonard really knew how to write a great crime story and Out Of Sight is no exception. The adaption, starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez, flies a little under the radar, but it's a really fun movie. It's not quite over-the-top enough to be called a comedic caper, but it fits well on this list. 

To Catch a Thief (1955)

Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant, and Grace Kelly. Do we really need to say anything more? This is a little different because the robberies don't involve a crew, like a lot of great heist movies. It's just one man, a cat burglar named...Cat (Grant). it's also set in the South of France, which Grace Kelly would get to know quite well later in life when she became Princess Grace of Monaco. 

Inception (2010)

Inception can be confusing with the whole "dream-within-a-dream" stuff, but at its core, it's about stealing. Not art, or money, but information. So while it's a lot more complicated than robbing a casino or a bank, it's still just about stealing. 

The Score (2001)

Robert De Niro first appeared on screen alongside Marlon Brando in 2001's The Score, which also turned out to be Brando's final performance on screen before his death in 2004. It's a straightforward caper film, but it's slickly done and a really fun movie to watch both for the story and for the performances. 

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of the all-time greats from the 1960s. Sure, it's about a whole more than just a robbery, but the best scene in the movie is the railroad heist towards the beginning. It doesn't hurt that stars Robert Redford and Paul Newman are at the height of their careers and look great doing the stealing. 

Ocean's 8 (2018)

Though not directed by Steven Soderbergh, like its brother Ocean's 11, Ocean's 8 still pops along just like the male version of the caper film. It pulls off the same super fun vibes and brings together an all-star cast of women who prove they are up to the task of pulling off a great robbery too. 

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Audiences first heard about one of the all-time great heists in history in 1977 when they learned in the original Star Wars that the plans for the Death Star had been stolen. It wasn't until almost 40 years later that we would get to see how the heist happened in Rouge One. It was worth the wait too, as Rogue One is arguably the best Star Wars movie since Return of the Jedi. 

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Quentin Tarantino's debut film is unique on this list because audiences don't actually see the robbery. We see the planning and (mostly) the aftermath of the heist, but all we see of the heist itself is some of the crew running from the jewelry store with the alarm going off. It goes to show you need to see the crime to make a great movie. 

Triple Frontier (2019)

2019's Netflix original movie, Triple Frontier, is a great example of a subgenre of military heist movies. It plays like a straight action movie, but the motivation is all about the money for the characters played by the all-star cast that includes Ben Affleck, Pedro Pascal, and Oscar Isaac. 

Gone In 60 Seconds (2000)

Gone in 60 Seconds is another unique entry on this list, because usually these movies are about stealing money, or jewels, but Gone in 60 Seconds is about stealing cars. A lot of cars. 50 cars in one night. It follows all the familiar beats of a great caper flick, but it adds in a bunch of cool cars. It's a remake of a low-budget movie from 1974 and is superior in almost every way. 

Quick Change

One of Bill Murray's most underrated movies has to be Quick Change. It's really funny and completely ridiculous in all the best ways. The heist happens in the first couple minutes of the movie and the rest of the film is the three-person crew trying to get out of town before the police net swallows them up. Give it a shot. 

The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

The original Thomas Crown Affair starring Steve McQueen and the millionaire playboy who robs banks for fun is, if we're honest, a little dated. It feels very much of its time in the late '60s. But it's still incredibly charming and if you can get used to the dated transitions between scenes, it's still really good. 

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

What happens when a Monty Python vet writes a caper movie? A Fish Called Wanda is the answer and it's exactly what you would expect. It's a hilarious entry into the genre that includes some really funny performances from all the cast members, including the screenwriter, John Cleese and his fellow Python Michael Palin, plus Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline. Just don't mess with Palin's fish, Wanda! 

Ocean's 11 (1960)

The stories about the filming of the original Ocean's 11 are as legendary as the Rat Pack cast members who star in it. It doesn't have the same snappy dialog as the 2001 remake, but if you're a fan of Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Sammie Davis, Jr, and Dean Martin, you just have to watch it. 

Lucky Logan (2017)

Director Steven Soderbergh's best heist movie is still Ocean's Eleven, but Lucky Logan is another movie by Soderbergh that is really great. Daniel Craig leads another all-star cast that includes Channing Tatum, Katie Holmes, Sebastian Stan, Adam Driver, and more in a movie where the crew robs a Nascar track. 

The Pink Panther (1963)

The Pink Panther is unique on this list, not because it's a comedy, but because the star of the movie, Peter Sellers, plays the guy investigating the robbery, rather than the culprit. Sellers is, of course, ridiculously funny in the movie as the bubbling, but effective Inspector Clouseau.

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

We just had to include The Muppets on this list! The great Charles Grodin co-stars with everyone's favorite puppets as the leader of a crew trying to steal the Baseball Diamond, which has to be the coolest name of something being stolen in a heist movie. 

Dead Presidents (1995)

The Hughes Brothers released two great movies in the '90s, the first was Menace II Society which was a cultural bombshell. The second, Dead Presidents, is not as highly regarded but it's still a good movie. It is as much a comment on society as their first movie, but it's wrapped up in a caper story.

Sneakers (1992)

If having an all-star cast is an indication of a great heist movie, Sneakers definitely has that going for it! Sidney Poitier, Robert Redford, and River Phoenix lead this cast which also includes Dan Aykroyd and Ben Kingsley, among others. Also, it's one of the earliest examples of cyber-crime on film, which makes it both exciting and, if we're honest, a little dated.  

Drive (2011)

2011's Drive starring Ryan Gosling is the prototype for Baby Driver in a lot of ways. It doesn't have a stylish soundtrack, but it's got great car chases and a charming star. It's not the best movie on this list, but if you like chases, it's great, even if they are a little too short. 

Three Kings (1999)

Director David O. Russell's Three Kings is famous for its on-set conflicts, but in the end, the director and the cast, which includes George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Spike Jonze, and Ice Cube, ended up making a really great heist movie set during the first Persian Gulf war. 

The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery (1959)

The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery is far from the best movie on this list, but it is really fun to watch a budding star named Steve McQueen early in his career. It was around this time, in 1959, that McQueen's career exploded into the stratosphere, but here, it's still trying to make it. It's also a unique movie because it's shot on location at the actual bank in St. Louis where the robbery on which the movie is based actually took place. 

The Bank Job (2008)

Jason Statham can make everything he does cool. Even when he doesn't have a lot to work with, story-wise. The Bank Job doesn't have the most original story, even though it's based on a true one, but the slick production and Statham's charms make this a very fun watch. 

People have always been fascinated by daring heists, going all the way back in Hollywood history, so there will always be great movies to add to the list in the future. We can't wait for the next one! 

Car chases in films are almost as old as the medium itself, though it’s really in the last 50 years that they’ve become a way to market an entire movie. There are a lot of amazing chase sequences out there, so here are fifteen of our favorite movie car chase scenes, and something wild about each one. 

The Blues Brothers Final Chase Had To Be Reshot

There are two great car chases in 1980’s The Blues Brothers. The first is the one in the mall, but the second is one of the most legendary of all time. Estimates vary as to how many cars were destroyed in that final chase, but it’s safe to say it was at or near a hundred vehicles, which was a record at the time. The most amazing fact, though, is that one particular sequence in that scene had to be re-shot because the cars were traveling so fast through the streets of downtown Chicago that it looked fake. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, director John Landis decided to film the scene again, but with pedestrians walking on the street to show the audience just how fast the cars were moving. 

The Italian Job Minis Were All Electric

Electric vehicles are all the rage these days, but 20 years ago, when Mark Wahlberg and co. remade The Italian Job, they were almost unheard of. The car chase, an homage to the original Italian Job from 1969, features three Mini Coopers racing through the Los Angeles subway system. Because the city of LA was worried about fumes from combustion engines, the filmmakers asked BMW, which owns Mini, for a few electric cars. 

The problem was that BMW hadn’t yet designed or built any electric ones, so the stunt team, including transportation coordinator John Carpenter, actually designed and built their own electric engines and installed them in the Minis so that they could shoot the now-iconic scene. 

The Chase In Bullitt Wasn’t In The Script 

Many film historians point to 1968’s Bullitt as the first modern car chase. You can argue about how true that is, but what is definitely true is that the chase wasn’t even in the original script. Bullitt was based on a novel by Robert L. Fish called Mute Witness and in the book there is no car chase. The film’s star, Steve McQueen, who was a famous thrill-seeker and race car driver in his spare time, came up with the idea, telling Motor Trend in 1969 (via Hagerty):

Audiences sure are lucky for McQueen’s inspired addition to the scene. Today, the film is pretty much only remembered for the car chase, which is still one of the best of all time, and won the film its lone Oscar for Best Editing. 

The French Connection Didn’t Have Permits

The famous chase scene in The French Connection has some people in common with Bullitt, including one of the stunt drivers, Bill Hickman. The difference, or course, is that Gene Hackman’s character, Popeye Doyle, is chasing a subway train, instead of a Dodge Charger. One other major difference is that the film shot it all on open streets, not closed to traffic. According to the DVD commentary, (via Hagerty): 

It’s frankly a miracle that no bystanders were injured or killed in the shoot, but there is no question it adds to the authentic vibe that the movie creates around New York City in the 1970s. 

The Italian Job (1969) Aston Martin Wasn’t An Aston Martin

Another of the early pioneers in car chases was the original Italian Job from 1969. The British production set the standard for European sports cars tearing up the streets of the continent, including one of the most iconic British cars of all time, the Aston Martin DB4. According to what stunt driver David Salamone told Top Gear, due to a production mishap, the DB4 audiences see blowing up as it plummets down a cliff at the end was actually a Lancia Flaminia 3C. 

Mad Max: Fury Road Custom Built 150 Cars

There is a whole lot that can be said about the car chases in Mad Max: Fury Road, but maybe the most insane would be that, unlike most car chases where the stunt coordinators and producers only need to customize a few things on standard cars, that clearly wasn’t going to work for the stylish post-apocalyptic word. So, what did they do? They designed 88 custom cars, and with duplicates, according to production designer Colin Gibson, in an interview with Motor Trend, they had a total of 150 or so cars built just for the movie. In the end, only one survived. 

Ronin Used 100 Stunt Drivers In One Scene

The two car chases in Ronin are so good that the movie was immediately vaulted into the pantheon of great action sequences on film. In one chase, the production used 100 stunt drivers to film the insane action. In the second chase scene, Robert De Niro’s character pursues Natascha McElhone’s character through the streets of Paris, including a white-knuckle drive against traffic on a three-lane road. 100 drivers were used for the cars coming straight at the protagonists. There is good reason the scene is so iconic today. 

Fast Five Had Only One CGI Shot In The Most Famous Chase

The Fast And The Furious franchise is both praised and lambasted for its car stunts, especially the use of CGI when so many epic chase scenes in cinema history have been shot without it. One of the franchise’s most iconic chases, though, when Brian and Dom drag a bank vault through Rio, was shot mostly without the use of special effects, only requiring one shot with a CG vault.

Death Proof Used No CGI At All

Quentin Tarantino fans usually don’t hold Death Proof up as his best work, but that doesn’t mean the movie isn’t worth watching. The car chase scenes alone are amazing. In true Tarantino fashion, the director didn’t use any CGI at all for any of the shots. He wanted them to look authentic and since the whole movie was an ode to the old car movies of the ‘70s, he had to shoot it the way he did and it meant stuntwoman Zoë Bell was really on the hood of that car the whole time. 

The Man With The Golden Gun Used A Computer To Calculate A Jump For The First Time

The James Bond franchise is filled with amazing action and incredible car chases, but one stunt stands above the rest, despite the cheesy slide whistle effect added to it. In The Man With The Golden Gun, the franchise became the first to use computer modeling to design a jump. According to Jaleponik, it was computer scientists at the Calspan Corporation who first modeled the physics involved in the famous “corkscrew” jump Bond makes over a river in an AMC. Now if they would just get rid of the stupid slide whistle in future edits… 

Vanishing Point Cars Were Unmodified

The now-cult classic, Vanishing Point, was shot on a shoestring budget and that meant using basically factory cars for its chases. There were multiple Dodge Chargers in the film and none were modified except to add some racing shocks. In fact, the stunt coordinator chose the Charger specifically because it didn’t need to be modified and could handle whatever stunts they wanted to put it through. 

Smokey And The Bandit Made The Trans Am So Popular, You Couldn’t Get One

There are few more iconic cars in film history than Burt Reynolds' Pontiac Trans Am in Smokey In The Bandit. The film was a huge hit in 1977 and even though the cast includes Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, and Jackie Gleason, the star of the movie became that car. It was so popular that, according to director Hal Needham, there was a six-month waiting list to buy the car. 

Duel’s Final Stunt Almost Ended In Tragedy

It’s hard to believe Steven Spielberg got his start in television. His first full-length film was the made-for-TV Duel, about a man pursued and harassed by a crazy truck (whose driver remains unseen for most of the film). That truck almost killed a stunt driver when a mechanical problem while filming the movie's climactic scene forced the driver to stay inside until just before it tumbles off a cliff and explodes. The driver bailed at the very last second and any longer would have meant he would’ve gone down with it. 

The Roads Weren’t Closed For Baby Driver Production

One of the most unbelievable stories on this list is that the famous highway chase in Baby Driver was shot on a road that the city of Atlanta didn’t allow the production to shut down. If you’ve ever been stuck in Atlanta traffic, you understand why, but how they shot it is incredible. Instead of closing the highway completely, the production had the police performing a “rolling barricade” around the cars while they filmed. You can take shots at the soundtrack for Baby Driver, but you can’t criticize the action. 

Mission Impossible: Fallout Had To Find Used M5s

The Mission Impossible franchise is yet another that film fans can always count on to bring great car chases, and the latest installment, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One is no different. In Mission Impossible: Fallout, production ran into a problem. For the BMW M5s used in one of the chases, BMW couldn’t provide any of the retro cars, which, according to stunt coordinator Wade Eastwood, meant they had to go out and find used ones on the open market. Eastwood had to tell a little fib to many of the sellers that their beloved cars weren’t going to get trashed in the filming of the movie, which, of course, they were. 

There is little doubt that car chases will continue to drive action movies forever. You can check out our 2023 movie release schedule to find out when you can scratch that itch for more heart-pounding driving stunts with movies like the latest Mission Impossible film and Gran Tourismo set to come out this year. 

Representation in film and television is something that so many people have been striving for for decades now. There’s still work to be done within the industry to ensure that diverse experiences are being portrayed on screen, but Hollywood has made strides in recent years. The deaf community is such a group that has experienced an increase in visibility over the years, which has been a true joy to witness. And with this, viewers have gotten to see some incredible movie and TV characters played by deaf actors. 

Even before this recent increase in deaf representation, there have been plenty of stellar performances by deaf actors. All of the characters they’ve played are layered and compelling, and also dwell within a variety of genres, ranging from drama to science fiction. In the process, they further drive home the point that the community is not a monolith but, like any other, filled with unique experiences and points of view. So, let’s take a look at some of these truly fantastic characters:

Sarah Norman - Children Of A Lesser God

When thinking about deaf characters, it’s honestly hard not to think about Sarah Norman from Randa Haines’ 1986 romance, Children of a Lesser God. Sarah is a closed-off janitor who works at a school for the deaf and hard of hearing and eventually strikes up a passionate romance with a hearing teacher who’s new to the school. What makes her such a great character is the simple fact that there are layers to her. She’s strong, passionate, vulnerable and very flawed. And in the context of a romantic movie, she’s not defined by the person she’s in a relationship with. 

Who’s even more amazing, though, is the person who brought the character to life on screen – Marlee Matlin. This film was actually the actress’ first movie role, and it earned her an Oscar for Best Actress, making her the first deaf performer to even win an Academy Award. In the years since the film’s release, Matlin has continued to work extensively, appearing in films and TV shows like Hear No Evil, The West Wing and a certain Oscar-winning film we’ll discuss later. But above all else, she’s worked to open doors for other deaf creatives, something we can all be grateful for.

Emmett Bledsoe - Switched At Birth

ABC Family’s Switched at Birth featured a number of compelling characters, and Emmett Bledsoe is certainly one of them. The motorcycle-riding teen can put up somewhat of a tough front at times, but underneath his occasionally rough exterior is a sentimental young man battling his insecurities while dealing with problems at home and matters of the heart. Over the course of the show’s five seasons, Emmett experiences plenty of highs and lows, many of which involve his ex-girlfriend, Bay. Yet it’s his sheer resilience that makes him such a compelling figure to watch. Of course, Sean Berdy's approach to playing him is also phenomenal.

Though it was his role as Emmett that truly brought him to prominence, Sean Berdy has been acting for quite some time. Aside from the fan-favorite drama, he’s appeared on shows like The Society and Drunk History. He’s done great work, though I still hold a soft spot for his role as young ladies’ man Sammy "Fingers" Samuelson in The Sandlot 2.

Thad Stone - The Family Stone

In a film filled with strong personalities, Thad Stone manages to stand out from his somewhat eccentric, yet loving, family members. Thad is a warm presence in The Family Stone and his story is one that so many can relate to. The film sees him and his partner, Patrick, trying to decide whether they’d like to adopt a child all while dealing with the chaos of the holiday season. Stone is truly a breath of fresh air, not because of his deafness, but because of the fact that his deafness is not used as a plot device during the holiday movie. 

Writer/director Thomas Bezucha does a nice job handling the character, but Tyrone Giordano’s performance is what makes Thad shine. The actor has some strong acting chops and has done great work on both the big and small screens. His best work, however, may be on the stage through his roles in Big River and Pippin.

Joe - Baby Driver

Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver isn’t just a great film due to his sleek direction and high-octane action, it’s propelled by its memorable characters. CJ Jones’ Joseph, the foster father of the lead character, is definitely one of them. The witty older man may not get in on much of the action, but he crucially serves as Baby’s conscience and, ultimately, their warm relationship serves as an emotional touchstone within the movie. 

CJ Jones, who wowed Edgar Wright from the jump, does impeccable work in the 2017 film, as he’s done over the course of his career. A veteran of the stage, he made one of his earliest TV appearances on the classic NBC sitcom, A Different World (which is where I actually saw him for the first time), and he’s since appeared on shows like Hulu’s Castle Rock and FreeForm’s Everything's Gonna Be Okay. Also, those looking to see more blockbuster work from him will get just that when he appears in the upcoming Avatar 2.

Regan Abbott - A Quiet Place

2018’s A Quiet Place was a revelation. Director/co-writer John Krasinski’s horror film delivered a compelling story, genuine scares and a rising star in Millicent Simmonds, who plays Regan Abbott. The eldest child of the Abbott family, the teen is a survivor who’s had to grow up in a world that’s been ravaged by vicious aliens. Though their situation is dire, she ultimately shows no fear in the face of danger and her roles as a protector and a savvy inventor are only amplified in the 2020 sequel. 

Millicent Simmonds was praised for her work in both films, and it’s not hard to see why. The actress exudes both charisma and confidence, which is ever present on screen. She’ll next be seen in the Helen Keller biopic Helen & Teacher. Aside from her work in TV, film, and music videos though, she also advocates for the deaf community, even helping to create masks with transparent panels for lip-reading in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jia - Godzilla Vs. Kong

In 2021, MonsterVerse fans were gifted with another installment in the franchise in the form of Godzilla vs. Kong. Aside from a plethora of kaiju, viewers were also introduced to a number of new human characters, including Jia. The sweet young Iwe native, who was adopted by Dr. Ilene Andrews, notably formed a special relationship with the gigantic ape through sign language, and their relationship serves as a major focal point of the film. 

Actress Kaylee Hottle deserves a lot of praise for her work, especially when you consider she had to act off of a digital ape for much of the movie. The rising star has a few TV and film credits under her belt right now, and I’d imagine that after her work in the blockbuster, more could be on the way.

Zuzu - Feel The Beat

Zuzu is among one of the most lovable characters featured in Netflix’s dramedy, Feel the Beat. Played by rising star Shaylee Mansfield, the young lady aspires to be a professional dancer. Smart, funny, and sweet, Zuzu is committed to her craft but also supportive of her colleagues. She also makes it clear to her peers that her deafness in no way prevents her from enjoying music. As she signs to her teacher in the movie, she feels the vibrations. 

Shaylee Mansfield, a former YouTuber, is a star in the making and does quite a bit with her role in the Netflix movie. In addition to her work as an actress, she continues to encourage kids around the world on social media through the use of ASL. She was also instrumental in encouraging Instagram to provide a captioning method for its videos. I’d say this young lady has a bright future ahead of her, in both the worlds of entertainment and advocacy.

Makkari - Eternals

Over a decade into its existence, the Marvel Cinematic Universe finally introduced its first deaf superhero in the form of Lauren Ridloff’s Makkari in Eternals. The heroine, who’s been on Earth for thousands of years, is a skilled speedster with a cheeky sense of humor. She also has a fierce sense of loyalty that helps make her one of the most endearing characters the MCU has ever produced. Writer/director Chloé Zhao handles her beautifully, while Ridloff effortlessly brings her to life. 

The actress has made quite a name for herself, particularly through her roles on The Walking Dead and in the 2019 drama Sound of Metal. Her Marvel role has only helped elevate her star, and she’s using her increased visibility to do some serious good. One of the things Lauren Ridloff has been doing is encouraging hearing people to learn American Sign Language, which has seen a huge spike in interest. She even taught it to Eternals co-star Lia McHugh on set. All in all, Ridloff is a true hero both on and off screen.

Maya “Echo” Lopez - Hawkeye

Makkari wasn’t the only deaf hero to be introduced to the MCU in 2021, as Disney+’s Hawkeye marked the debut of Maya Lopez a.k.a. Echo, played by Alaqua Cox. An enforcer for the Tracksuit Mafia, the young woman seeks vengeance against the man who killed her father: Clint Barton. Though, she eventually learns that all is not what it seems. Maya’s an intensely focused young woman, if not somewhat reckless. She’s extremely loyal to her allies and potentially deadly to those who cross her.

The MCU show marked the first time Alaqua Cox had ever acted professionally, and she made quite the impression. As a matter of fact, the Native American actress, who is also an amputee, is set to reprise her role in her own solo series, titled Echo. The character is sure to grow in some interesting ways, and let’s hope that as time goes on, Cox herself is able to further evolve as a performer.

Frank Rossi - CODA

CODA, written and directed by Sian Heder, made a major impression in 2021, which isn't too surprising given there’s a lot to love about the family dramedy. One of these elements is the character of Frank Rossi, played masterfully by Troy Kotsur. Frank, a hardworking and proud man, works to provide for his family and keep their fishing business afloat. There are so many little quirks that one can’t help but love about the patriarch, from his affinity for rap music to his somewhat raunchy sense of humor. But, what’s especially great about him is his fierce love for his family and his special connection with his hearing daughter, Ruby. 

To put it simply, Troy Kotsur is a force in the movie and manages to give an incredibly well-rounded performance. It’s honestly no surprise that he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, becoming the second deaf performer (after co-star Marlee Matlin) to win an Academy Award. Over the years, he’s also appeared in stage productions as well as other notable films and TV shows. His star will hopefully rise following his acclaimed turn in CODA (which also won Best Picture), and maybe we’ll see him taking another gold statue back to his hometown down the road. 

One can only hope that we get to see more dynamic deaf characters in cinema and television as time goes on. And, should that be the case, let’s also hope that Hollywood continues to make efforts to cast deaf talent in the roles.

He could be playing a realistically violent Marvel character, portray one of TV’s most complicated villains, or appear in flashbacks where he doesn’t say a word, and there’s a chance Jon Bernthal is still giving an unforgettable performance on the silver and small screens. There’s this certain quality about the talented and versatile actor that makes you want to see more of any of his characters long after the movie or show has finished.

With his new HBO drama, We Own This City, quickly approaching on the 2022 TV schedule, now feels like a good time to go through some of the best Jon Bernthal movies and TV shows, talk about why they should be required viewing, and all the ways you can watch them streaming and a variety of other ways.

Punisher (2017 - 2019)

Just when Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), better known as “The Punisher,” thinks everyone who had a role in his family’s vicious murder has been brought to his twisted form of justice, the ex-Marine learns this is just the beginning and heads back out onto the streets of New York City to end the pain once and for all.

Perhaps the most violent show available to anyone with a Disney+ subscription, The Punisher is also one of the best Marvel shows brought over from Netflix. Multiple actors have played Frank Castle in the past, but none of those actors capture the emotionally damaged and vengeful assassin who will do anything to free himself from the pain of grief as well as Bernthal. Let’s hope we haven’t seen the end of him yet. 

Stream The Punisher on Disney+.
Buy The Punisher on Amazon.

Baby Driver (2017)

Edgar Wright’s incredible 2017 crime flick, Baby Driver, follows a talented wheelman named Baby (Ansel Elgort) as he serves as a getaway driver in a series of high-stake heists. But, upon meeting a waitress named Deborah (Lily James), Baby sees a way out of his life of crime and puts a plan in motion to turn the corner.

Just about everyone in Baby Driver is performing at the top of their game, and the same can be said about Jon Bernthal, who briefly appears as a cocky bank robber named Griff. Despite being in the movie for all of 10 minutes, Bernthal milks every second of it in dazzling, albeit annoying, fashion. 

Rent/Buy Baby Driver on Amazon.
Buy Baby Driver on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Walking Dead (2010 - 2012, 2018)

The long-running AMC horror drama series, The Walking Dead, has followed what’s left of humanity as its members attempt to survive not only millions of zombies walking the earth, but also the more dangerous and sinister humans who have control of small pockets of the American landscape in the years following societal collapse.

Countless members of The Walking Dead cast have come and gone over the years, and one of the most prominent of those is Jon Bernthal, who portrayed Shane Walsh during the show’s first two seasons (though he did reappear as hallucinations later on). The friend-turned-rival of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), Shane slowly morphed into the show’s antagonist part-way through Season 2 in a heartbreaking yet captivating performance by Bernthal.

Stream The Walking Dead on Netflix.
Buy The Walking Dead on Amazon.

Wind River (2017)

Upon finding the mutilated body of Natalie Hanson (Kelsey Asbille), a young American Indian woman on a reservation in Wyoming, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agent Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) teams up with FBI Agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) to solve the mystery surrounding her death. Although their mission finds some truths, it also brings them face-to-face with pure evil.

Jon Bernthal’s character, Matt Rayburn, is technically only in one scene in Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western thriller Wind River, but it happens to be one of the most intense and memorable sections of the entire movie. The scene, which is a flashback showing how Matt and Natalie were killed, quickly goes from a happy moment shared by two lovers to an incredibly traumatizing display.

Stream Wind River on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Wind River on Amazon.
Buy Wind River on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Show Me A Hero (2015)

Taking place between 1987 and 1994, David Simon and William F. Zorzi’s Show Me a Hero follows several high-ranking officials and various residents in the city of Yonkers, New York, after the municipality is ordered by the federal government to construct a public-housing development and put an end to the city’s segregation.

Whenever the 2015 limited series is brought up, the conversation quickly turns to Oscar Isaac’s Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Nick Wasicsko, who was famous for being the youngest mayor in the country at the time. Though Isaac was phenomenal, another actor who doesn’t get brought up nearly as much is Jon Bernthal who played civil rights attorney Michael H. Sussman, who was a major proponent in getting the housing block built. 

Stream Show Me a Hero on HBO Max.
Buy Show Me a Hero on Amazon.

King Richard (2021)

From the crime-ridden streets of Compton, California, to the gated communities of Florida, Richard Williams (Will Smith) trains his daughters — Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena Williams (Demi Singleton) — to become two of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Although King Richard primarily focuses on Richard Williams and his quest to make something of his daughters, the movie also features a large ensemble cast of characters who are just as committed to the young girls’ success. Case in point, Rick Macci (Jon Bernthal), the decorated tennis coach who agrees to take the budding stars under his wing as they prepare to go pro. The look, the accent, and everything else about Bernthal’s performance is electric throughout the second half of the movie.

Stream King Richard on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy King Richard on Amazon.
Buy King Richard on DVD on Amazon.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

In the wake of losing his job on Wall Street, Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) joins a penny stock brokerage firm before branching out on his own with one of the most successful yet morally bankrupt financial companies the world has seen. Over the course of many shady deals and run-ins with ever shadier individuals, Belfort tries in vain to keep afloat professionally and personally.

The Wolf of Wall Street cast is stacked from top to bottom with outstanding talent, including Jon Bernthal, who portrays Belfort’s quaalude dealer and deeply loyal friend. This is another example of Bernthal getting a lot out of something small and turning a secondary character into one of the most fully-realized roles in the entire movie.

Stream The Wolf of Wall Street on Showtime.
Rent/Buy The Wolf of Wall Street on Amazon.
Buy The Wolf of Wall Street on Blu-ray/DVD on Amazon.

Ford V Ferrari (2019)

Despite their differences, driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) and designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) team up to create a powerhouse of a race car in hopes of defeating the famed Ferrari team at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.

You would think that it would be hard for an actor to stand out in a movie led by Christian Bale and Matt Damon, but Jon Bernthal is up to the task with his portrayal of Ford Motor Company Vice President Lee Iacocca, who puts the famous driver and car designer together in the first place. The way in which Bernthal embodies the character is truly something else.

Rent/Buy Ford v Ferrari on Amazon.
Buy Ford v Ferrari on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Fury (2014)

David Ayer’s 2014 military drama, Fury, follows a close-knit tank crew fighting in World War II as they are joined by a new member. Over the course of several battles and difficult encounters with German soldiers and non-combatants, the group becomes even closer.

One thing about Fury that makes it such a great watch is the camaraderie shared by the members of the titular tank crew. Although their earlier battles aren’t shown (they have been fighting together for years at this point), you can see it in the eyes of Jon Bernthal, Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Michael Peña, and Logan Lerman that these men have been to hell and back with one another.

Stream Fury on IMDb TV.
Rent/Buy Fury on Amazon.
Buy Fury on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Me And Earl And The Dying Girl (2015)

Greg Gaines (Thomas Mann) goes through an incredible change after he and best friend Earl Jackson (RJ Cyler) befriend Rachel Kushner (Olivia Cooke), a classmate who has been diagnosed with leukemia.

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’s moving Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is anchored by the three outstanding young leads, but the adult supporting cast is also worth mentioning, with one of the highlights being Jon Bernthal’s portrayal of the gang’s history teacher Mr. McCarthy. One of the best examples of a “cool teacher,” McCarthy constantly has Greg and Earl’s back and offers some much need advice during one of the film’s crucial scenes.

Rent/Buy Me and Earl and the Dying Girl on Amazon.
Buy Me and Earl and the Dying Girl on DVD on Amazon.

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

Upon escaping his care facility to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional wrestler, a young man with Down syndrome named Zak (Zack Gottsagen) forms an unlikely bond with Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), an on-the-run fisherman, who takes the would-be grappler under his wing.

Jon Bernthal doesn’t have any lines in The Peanut Butter Falcon, and only appears in a handful of short flashbacks experienced by Tyler, but you can feel the bond shared by the two brothers and the impact his life and death had only his younger sibling. It’s honestly one of the most beautiful aspects of this incredibly moving comedy-drama.

Stream The Peanut Butter Falcon on IMDb TV.
Rent/Buy The Peanut Butter Falcon on Amazon.
Buy The Peanut Butter Falcon on DVD on Amazon.

With several projects in the works, expect to see even more titles added to the list of the best Jon Bernthal movies in the very near future. If you want to know when and where you’ll see the star in action, check out CinemaBlend’s 2022 movie premiere dates schedule.

As a longtime admirer of Lily James, I honestly believe that she has never been better than in the Pam & Tommy cast as Pamela Anderson. She not only gives a convincing portrayal of the former model, star of the original Baywatch TV show, and social activist, but completely embodies her with a spot-on vocal impersonation and uncanny makeup and prosthetics that make it nearly impossible to tell the difference between the two.

Admittedly, though, the otherwise stunning and transformative performance is not the only one I would recommend to audiences who want to be properly acquainted with the British actress. So, for any fans of the fact-based Hulu exclusive miniseries who want to get to know the “real” her, I put together a list of some of the best Lily James movies, along with a tip for where to find them on streaming or available to rent. Our first recommendation, however, is actually a hit TV show on which James first broke out into the mainstream.

Downton Abbey (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Peacock)

A chronicle of the lives of a wealthy, extensive family and their relationships with their loyal servants at their lavish estate in early 20th-Century England.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Lily James: In Season 3 of creator Julian Fellowes’ blockbuster British series, Lily James joined the Downton Abbey cast as the charmingly rebellious Lady Rose MacClare - which, essentially, saw the beginning of the actress' long and successful streak of roles in Victorian costume dramas.

Stream Downton Abbey on Netflix.
Stream Downton Abbey on Amazon Prime.
Stream Downton Abbey on Peacock.

Buy Downton Abbey on Amazon.

Cinderella (Starz)

A meek young woman (Lily James), cruelly neglected by her stepmother (Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett) and her daughters, goes to the local ball and captures the heart of a prince (Richard Madden) with help from her fairy godmother (Helena Bonham Carter).

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Lily James: In one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) period drama role of her career so far, Lily James absolutely soars as the titular lead of 2015’s Cinderella - director Kenneth Branagh’s surprisingly captivating live-action update of Disney’s animated classic based on the quintessential fairy tale.

Stream Cinderella on Starz.
Rent/Buy Cinderella on Amazon.

Pride And Prejudice And Zombies (Tubi)

Five sisters from an aristocratic family struggle with the expectation of their male suitors and spar with flesh-eating corpses in an alternate 19th Century England overrun with the undead.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Lily James: A year after leading Cinderella, Lily James began to show her worth as an action star, while still honing her penchant for period dramas, in a film that inventively combines both genres: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s thrilling, Romero-inspired reinterpretation of Jane Austen’s classic romantic satire.

Stream Pride And Prejudice And Zombies on Tubi.
Rent/Buy Pride And Prejudice And Zombies on Amazon.

Baby Driver (Amazon Rental)

A young man (Ansel Elgort) with an incredible talent for making a clean getaway and a passion for hip tunes is torn between his reluctant position as a mobster’s wheelman and his desire for a normal life with the woman he's come to love (Lily James).

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Lily James: While not quite an action star role, Lily James made an undeniably lasting impression as the beautiful waitress, Debora, in 2017’s action-packed Baby Driver - a high-octane and highly unique heist thriller set to music, from writer and director Edgar Wright.

Rent/Buy Baby Driver on Amazon.

Fast Girls (Tubi, IMDb TV)

A talented, yet rebellious, track runner (Lenora Chrichlow, star of one of the best Black Mirror episodes, “White Bear”) finds her aspirations to compete in the World Championships interrupted when she develops an intense rivalry with her equally ambitious teammate (Lily James).

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Lily James: Years before capturing the heart of a fast boy in Baby Driver, Lily James landed her first starring role in a feature film with the 2012 sports drama, Fast Girls, as the extremely competitive track runner, Lisa Temple.

Stream Fast Girls on Tubi.
Stream Fast Girls on IMDb TV.
Rent/Buy Fast Girls on Amazon.

Little Woods (Hulu)

A young drug dealer (Tessa Thompson) struggling to go legit is forced back into the game due to her own financial situations and a desperate plea from her estranged sister (Lily James).

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Lily James: Before sharing the screen with Bucky Barnes actor Sebastian Stan in Pam & Tommy, James starred alongside fellow Marvel movie star Thompson, and was directed by future Marvel movie helmer, Nia DaCosta, in 2018’s Little Woods - a riveting, brutally realistic modern-day take on a Western outlaw stories.

Stream Little Woods on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Little Woods on Amazon.

Yesterday (Amazon Rental)

A young, British musician (Himesh Patel) struggling to make something of himself finds success beyond his wildest dreams after he suddenly becomes one of less than a handful people in the world familiar with the Beatles' music, and begins passing the Fab Four’s greatest hits off as his own creations.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Lily James: In 2019, Lily James would star alongside future Marvel TV show star Sophia Di Martino in Yesterday - a clever “what if?” story for Beatles fans from Oscar-nominated screenwriter Richard Curtis and Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle.

Rent/Buy Yesterday on Amazon.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (Amazon Rental)

As she is about become a mother herself, Sophie (Academy Award nominee Amanda Seyfried) learns more about her mother (Academy Award winner Meryl Streep), specifically what happened when she first met the three men that Sophie now calls her dads.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Lily James: A year before playing the female lead in Yesterday, Lily James made her cinematic musical debut (unless you count Baby Driver) as a younger version of Meryl Streep’s character, Donna, in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again - a fun sequel to the cinematic adaptation of the hit musical featuring the songs of Abba.

Rent/Buy Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again on Amazon.

Darkest Hour (Netflix)

In 1940, Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman) is torn by a situation that may determine the fate of the British Empire: deciding on an attempt to make a peaceful negotiation with Adolf Hitler or enter his nation’s Army into the second World War.  

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Lily James: A year before sharing the screen with several Oscar darlings in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Lily James starred opposite a man about to win his long-awaited first Oscar (Oldman) for his own transformative performance in Darkest Hour - director Joe Wright’s intense World War II-era biopic in which James plays the famed British Prime Minister’s personal secretary.

Stream Darkest Hour on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Darkest Hour on Amazon.

The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society (Netflix)

A British woman (Lily James) struggling to see her writing career really begin to take off finds inspiration in a book club whose members bond over their experiences living on a formerly Nazi-occupied island.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Lily James: A year after starring in a World War II-era drama, Lily James led the cast of the post-World War II drama The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - a powerful, romantic Netflix exclusive drama based on the novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

Stream The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society on Netflix.

Rebecca (Netflix)

A young woman (Lily James) is brought by her new husband (Armie Hammer) to live on his luxurious estate in the English countryside, where she soon learns that the memory of his late former wife lingers heavily, especially through the intimidating head maid (Kristin Scott Thomas).

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Lily James: Lily James’ next Netflix exclusive romantic period drama was director Ben Wheatley’s 2020 adaptation of Rebecca - author Daphne Du Maurier’s seminal thriller that director Alfred Hitchcock had previously adapted into a Best Picture Oscar winner in 1940.

Stream Rebecca on Netflix.

The Dig (Netflix)

A wealthy, widowed woman (Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan) enlists an archeologist (Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) to dig up what lies beneath the burial mounds on her British estate, which leads to a discovery of historical proportions.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Lily James: Less than a year after starring in Rebecca, Lily James starred as real-life English archeologist Peggy Piggot (otherwise known Margaret Guido) in yet another Netflix exclusive, romantic period drama called The Dig - director Simon Stone’s beautifully shot, beautifully told, and beautifully acted adaptation of John Preston’s fact-based novel.

Stream The Dig on Netflix.

Next up, Lily James stars in the upcoming romantic-comedy What’s Love Got to Do with It?, which is now in post-production. In pre-production currently is her international thriller, The Paris Trap, in which she plays a woman whose European vacation is jeopardized by a case of mistaken identity.

While you wait for those new Lily James films to debut, however, you can take your pick of her previous hits to keep you entertained, or take a look at the 2022 movie releases to see what else you can watch in the coming weeks.

In October 2021, Matthias Schweighöfer took us back into the world of Army of the Dead, but instead of offering another zombie thriller, like Zack Snyder did earlier in the year, the director-actor gave Netflix subscribers a story that didn’t have nearly as many ghouls as its counterpart, but more than made up for it with a series of great heists and a thrilling origin story for fan favorite Ludwig Dieter. 

If you like what you saw and want to know about more movies like Army of Thieves, you have come to the right place, because we have a nice and varied list of the best heist movies that share some similarities with the Army of the Dead prequel. From classics like Heat to modern gems like Baby Driver, there’s a lot to choose from here…

Army Of The Dead (2021)

Years after a zombie outbreak has consumed Las Vegas, an elite squad of mercenaries (and an obsessive safecracker) are sent into the walled-off Sin City to pull off an improbable heist at a casino in the middle of ground zero.

Why it’s worth checking out: After watching Army of Thieves, I immediately wanted to go back and watch Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead for a few reasons, with the biggest being Matthias Schweighöfer’s Ludwig Dieter. Now that you know the character’s backstory and why he’s so obsessed with the vault at the center of the heist, it makes his journey into the quarantine zone all the more meaningful and enjoyable to watch. Also, there’s no such thing as too much Ludwig Dieter and his high-pitched screams whenever he’s in danger or just overly excited.

Stream Army of the Dead on Netflix.

• Check some of the other best movies on Netflix.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

As soon as Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is released from prison, the career criminal decides to put together a crack team to pull off what could very well be the biggest heist in the history of Las Vegas, but also one that could land him back behind bars, or worse…

Why it’s worth checking out: Steven Soderbergh’s 2001 heist comedy, Ocean’s Eleven (a remake of the Rat Pack classic of the same name), not only features one of the most impressive robberies in modern movie history, it is also filled with more than a dozen interesting characters with their own goals, motivations, and fears. And, like Army of Thieves, this star-studded crime caper is full of moments in which it looks like they'll be caught and everyone is going back to prison.

Stream Ocean’s Eleven on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Ocean’s Eleven on Amazon.
Buy Ocean’s Eleven on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Italian Job (2003)

When his friend and partner in crime betrays him and his tight-knit group of international thieves, Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) makes it his mission in life to get back at Steve Frazelli (Edward Norton) the only way he knows how: an elaborate heist with revenge and riches up for the taking.

Why it’s worth checking out: Much like Army of Thieves, the 2003 remake of The Italian Job features a story built around a thief finding his way, taking his skills to major cities around the world, and trying to rebound after being double-crossed by one of his partners. What it lacks in the sophistication and grace of the 1969 film of the same name, starring Michael Caine, this F. Gary Gray heist thriller makes up for with loads of great action.

Stream The Italian Job on Cinemax.
Rent/Buy The Italian Job on Amazon.
Buy The Italian Job on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Baby Driver (2017)

Following a series of successful bank robberies, but also a few too many close calls, Baby (Ansel Elgort), a music-obsessed getaway driver, plans to pull off a final job before driving into the sunset with Debora (Lily James), a waitress offering him a shot at redemption. However, Baby’s employer and partners in crime won’t make that an easy task.

Why it’s worth checking out: Edgar Wright’s 2017 crime thriller Baby Driver, like Army of Thieves, centers on a likable protagonist, who, despite being a part of a crime syndicate, never feels like he truly belongs with him and is destined for something greater than a life that bounces from one illegal job to the next. 

Rent/Buy Baby Driver on Amazon.
Buy Baby Driver on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Thief (1981)

A no-nonsense and highly skilled jewel thief named Frank (James Caan) takes on what he thinks will be a series of simple heists when he’s offered a gig with Chicago crime boss Leo (Robert Prosky). But, after a series of successful heists, and favors from his new employer, Frank becomes trapped in the cutthroat mobster’s web, setting in motion a deadly showdown. 

Why it’s worth checking out: One of the best things about Michael Mann’s Thief, besides James Caan’s commanding presence, is the way in which it defies conventional heist movie wisdom, in that Frank, a career perfectionist, never messes up during any of the jobs, and things only go awry because of someone else’s jealousy and betrayal, much like with Ludwig Dieter in Army of Thieves.

Stream Thief on The Criterion Channel.
Buy Thief on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Point Break (1991)

Rookie FBI Agent (and former Ohio State quarterback) Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) goes undercover and infiltrates a group of surfers who bankroll their lifestyle by carrying out a series of bank robberies in the Los Angeles area. While investigating the “Ex-Presidents,” Utah finds himself becoming transfixed by the group’s charismatic leader, Bodhi (Patrick Swayze).  

Why it’s worth checking out: There’s a scene in Army of Thieves in which Alexis Broschini (Stuart Martin) dons a Richard Nixon mask and robs a bank as a distraction for the real heist. This mask, and the brazen bank robbery, have references to Point Break, the “Ex-Presidents,” and their style of intense tactics.

Rent/Buy Point Break on Amazon.
Buy Point Break on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

• Take a look at the best movies on Amazon.

Fast Five (2011)

On the run from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Diplomatic Security Service and its agent, Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) put together a top-notch team of criminals, thieves, and drivers to pull off a remarkable bank heist in Brazil.

Why it’s worth checking out: Justin Lin’s Fast Five took the Fast and Furious franchise in a new direction upon its release in April 2011 when he turned the series’ focus away from street racing to international heists. With a great balance of story, action, and a tight-knit group of outcasts, it also happens to be one of the best heist films of the past 10 years.

Stream Fast Five on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Fast Five on Amazon.
Buy Fast Five on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Heat (1995)

Following a life of over-the-top, yet successful, bank heists, career criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) plans one final job in downtown Los Angeles that could set him up for the rest of his days. There to prevent him from completing his dream heist is Detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), who does everything he can to track him down and end the robbery before it even begins.

Why it’s worth checking out: If you are a fan of the cat-and-mouse game that plays out during Army of Thieves, you will love the pairing of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in Michael Mann’s 1995 epic crime drama, Heat. Like the history shared by Gwendoline Starr (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Delacroix (Jonathan Cohen) in the new Netflix movie, the two figures at the center of this story have a connection that becomes more and more personal at every step.

Stream Heat on Starz.
Rent/Buy Heat on Amazon.
Buy Heat on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Logan Lucky (2017)

Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum), his one-armed brother Clyde (Adam Driver), sister Mellie (Riley Keough), and convict Joe Bang (Daniel Craig) pool together resources, skills, and creativity to pull off an impossible heist at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the middle of the Coca-Cola 600, one of the biggest Nascar races of the year.

Why it’s worth checking out: Steven Soderbergh’s highly-inventive crime comedy, Logan Lucky, like Army of Thieves, perfectly blends together great heists, hilarious encounters, and an extra topping of zaniness that makes it a treat worth revisiting time and time again. And, despite being one of the funniest movies of 2017 it also features some real nail-biters.

Stream Logan Lucky on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Logan Lucky on Amazon.
Buy Logan Lucky on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), and a group of outcasts set off an a suicide mission to steal the plans for the Death Star, so that the Rebel Alliance can find a way to destroy the Galactic Empire’s new super weapon before it’s too late.

Why it’s worth checking out: Okay, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story probably isn’t the first movie that comes to mind when you think of a heist film, but at the center of the prequel is a riveting story about a ragtag group of rebel fighters breaking into a heavily-fortified base to steal plans that could forever change the future of the galaxy.

Stream Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on Amazon.
Buy Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Hopefully, each of these movies do the trick when you’re looking for something to check out after watching Army of Thieves.

From Any Given Sunday to Horrible Bosses to Soul, Jamie Foxx has lived up to his renaissance man persona – acting, music and standup comedy. This persona has made him one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stars. Whether he’s leading a film or playing a supporting role, Foxx is always a scene-stealer.

Despite being a critical favorite and a mega-talent, Jamie Foxx has only received two Oscar nominations (both in 2005), ultimately winning Best Actor for portraying musician legend Ray Charles in 2004’s Ray. But that isn’t the only Oscar-worthy performance Foxx has given in his ever-expanding career. So, here are just some of the best Jamie Foxx movies that deserved recognition from the Academy Awards.

Ali (Drew Bundini Brown)

This role in Ali serves as a major shift in Jamie Foxx’s film career. He plays boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s trainer and right-hand man Drew Bundini Brown.

In a surprising turn, the multi-tainer was able to tap into Drew Bundini Brown’s emotions and sensibilities as the biopic showed the difficulties in his life. This allowed him to capture Brown’s presence, especially in documenting Muhammad Ali and his friendship. In intense moments, Jamie Foxx was able to go toe-to-toe with Will Smith, proving his worth as a dramatic actor. All this allowed Foxx to flesh out Ali’s right-hand man while serving as a reverse mirror image of the boxing legend’s powerful transformation in the critically acclaimed biopic.

While Will Smith scored himself a well-deserved Oscar nom, Jamie Foxx deserved just as much recognition with a Best Supporting Actor nomination. The multi-hyphenate brought a certain level of vulnerability and humor to this powerful biopic.

Dreamgirls (Curtis Taylor Jr.)

Taking part in the celebrated musical Dreamgirls allows Jamie Foxx to be dramatic and musical without sacrificing one for the other. After winning an Oscar for playing music legend Ray Charles in Ray, the multifaceted entertainer becomes ruthless car salesman-turned-record executive Curtis Taylor Jr.

Given the history attached to the Broadway musical, the actor leaned into the characterization of a typical record label executive. Jamie Foxx may have drawn some inspiration from legendary Motown honcho Berry Gordy (the alleged inspiration for Curtis Taylor Jr.). But Foxx melded the play’s portrayal with stories of Gordy seamlessly. Through the manipulative Taylor, the actor personified the darker side of the music business, especially during the 1950s and 1960s.

This angle was best illustrated in Taylor’s dynamics with Deena Jones and Effie White (played by Beyonce Knowles-Carter and Jennifer Hudson, respectively). That dynamic worked in Hudson’s favor as Jamie Foxx brought out her best in every scene. He even held his own against veterans like Danny Glover and Eddie Murphy.

While Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson were pushed the most that award season, Jamie Foxx deserved, at least, a Best Actor Oscar nomination. He needed to be acknowledged for being a great villain to bet against.

The Soloist (Nathaniel Ayers)

Tackling the real-life story of The Soloist allows Jamie Foxx to show his range once again. He shows off his true musical chops as real-life musical savant and mental health advocate Nathaniel Ayers in this musical drama.

As one of the Oscar winner’s more substantive supporting roles, Jamie Foxx catalyzed co-star Robert Downey Jr.’s storyline. His characterization of Ayers allowed him to be a confidant and mirror for RDJ’s Steve Lopez. While it was Downey Jr’s film, it was Foxx who gave an award-worthy performance tackling the stigma surrounding schizophrenia. The actor’s portrayal of the disorder felt more nuanced and authentic than a caricature. Foxx gave a voice to the racial issues attached to creativity and mental health.

As one of Foxx’s most acclaimed performances, the actor deserved an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. This role challenged Jamie Foxx while tapping into his various talents.

Django Unchained (Django Freeman)

After so many musical performances, Jamie Foxx goes against type by taking on the old guard of the Antebellum South in Django Unchained. Playing freed slave and loving husband Django Freeman is credit as one of Foxx’s best roles.

Regarded as one of Foxx’s best performances, the actor became a stoic and strong male presence with a loving and moral core. His performance gave a modern twist to spaghetti westerns and 1970s Blaxploitation. Serving as an ally to Christopher Waltz’s Dr. King Schulz, Jamie Foxx subverted the slave narrative and Black trauma by being a hero. He didn’t need a white savior to carry out his revenge plot.

At the same time, Django and Brunhilda’s Black love story served as a great B-story to the main story. Jaime Foxx and co-star Kerry Washington’s chemistry and dynamics were palpable during their scenes. But his scenes with Samuel L. Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprio were the complete opposite. Each scene was a mix of intensity and wittiness as Foxx fought against the evil schemes of DiCaprio’s Monsieur Candie and Jackson’s Stephen.

While the actor appeared on many end-of-the-year critics’ lists, Foxx’s performance warranted at least some acknowledgment from the Academy. A Best Actor nom would’ve been nice. Jamie Foxx showed he doesn’t always have to be big and loud to stand out.

Baby Driver (Leon “Bats” Jefferson III)

Again, Jamie Foxx chooses to play against type in the action film Baby Driver. Foxx taps into his inner badass by playing Baby’s fellow psychotic henchman Leon “Bats” Jefferson III.

This departure allowed the Oscar winner to take on the sadistic and ruthless nature of being a hired thief. At some points, Jamie Foxx and “Bats” Jefferson became one. He came off as unhinged and trigger-happy with a sense of nuance. He transformed a one-dimensional character into a dynamic and complex one. This played into Jefferson’s animosity and competitive relationship with Ansel Elgort’s Baby. This dynamic elevated Elgort’s performance.

While the thriller and Ansel Elgort received acclaim and some Oscar buzz, Foxx's name should’ve been called on nomination day for Best Supporting Actor. Tapping into his darker side allowed Jamie Foxx to show audiences his versatility.

Just Mercy (Walter McMillian)

After playing against type in the last two films, the Oscar winner tackles the real-life issues surrounding criminal justice and Black America. This time, Jamie Foxx portrays wrongfully convicted businessman Walter McMillian in Just Mercy.

The actor crafted a complex performance as Foxx tackled multiple sides of the entrepreneur-turned-convict. This put Jamie Foxx as the film’s moral and ethical core. Just like Robert Downey Jr. in The Soloist, the actor served as a great supporting player to Michael B. Jordan’s Bryan Stevenson. The co-stars played into the client-attorney relationship with their intense and vulnerable scenes. The multifaceted entertainer captured the emotions and history of this present-day issue, allowing him to push his performance to another level.

Being one of Foxx’s best film performances, he was primed for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. Jamie Foxx brought levity and authenticity to a heavy role.

Honorable mention: Collateral (Max Durocher)

Jamie Foxx reinforced his status as Hollywood’s next best thing with this role. The multihyphenate drove around hitman Tom Cruise as taxi driver Max Durocher in 2004’s Collateral.

Acting alongside Tom Cruise allowed the Oscar winner to show a different side as an actor. Usually serving as the comic relief, Jamie Foxx was able to portray different emotions while being forced into nefarious events. Despite the terror, Foxx displayed amazing chemistry and dynamics with Cruise and fellow co-star Jada Pinkett-Smith.

For his performance as a terrified taxi driver, Jamie Foxx did receive a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. While he didn’t win, his nomination made Academy history. Foxx became the first actor to score nominations in Best Actor and Supporting Actor in the same year. Of course, he won Best Actor for Ray.

These performances showcased how versatile the multi-tainer is. After winning Best Actor, Jamie Foxx’s career has reached new heights as evident by a multitude of projects, including Spawn and Spider-Man: No Way Home. With that said, Foxx must touch the Oscar stage again someday. In the meantime, check out our guide of 2021 movies for what's coming to the rest of the year.

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If you are like a large portion of the Netflix subscriber base, you have either watched or plan on watching Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, the latest offering from one of the most visionary and divisive filmmakers in today’s Hollywood. After watching the over-the-top zombie-heist action thriller, there’s a good chance you want check out more movies like it. I mean, with so many elements from multiple genres included — zombie horror, crime, action, family drama — it’s easy to think back on titles like Dawn of the Dead, Heat, and The Road for a myriad of reasons.

With that in mind, I've compiled a list of movies like Army of the Dead worth checking out, dead pixels and all. Each of these have a least one thing in common with Army of the Dead, whether it be zombies, an intricate casino heist, or the bond shared by a parent and their child. And no, not every single one of these movies fall in the zombie genre, but quite a few do…

Dawn Of The Dead

Zack Snyder’s 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake (which was penned by James Gunn), has the same basic premise of George A. Romero’s 1978 horror classic: a group of survivors take shelter in a shopping mall during a global zombie outbreak. Led by Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Jake Weber, and Michael Kelly, the movie shows there is no stopping the inevitable and safety is not guaranteed.

It is fun to go back and watch Dawn of the Dead after completing Army of the Dead to see where Zack Snyder came from and how he has progressed as a filmmaker since making his directorial debut (and introducing amazing title sequences) 17 years earlier.

Rent/Buy Dawn of the Dead on Amazon.

Ocean’s Eleven

Steven Soderbergh’s 2001 remake of the Rat Pack crime-comedy Ocean’s Eleven follows recently paroled thief Danny Ocean (George Clooney) as he puts together a team of career criminals to pull off an elaborate Las Vegas casino heist while the city is distracted by a high-profile boxing match. But even with the brightest minds (Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle included) there’s always a chance the plan will blow up in Ocean’s face.

From the jump, Army of the Dead has been called the Oceans Eleven of zombie movies, and you wouldn’t be wrong to think of it that way. This 2001 crime caper has a lot of the same elements as Zack Snyder’s latest film: a casino heist, a team full of personality, and little room for mistakes.

Stream Ocean’s Eleven on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy Ocean’s Eleven on Amazon.

Planet Of The Apes

The 1968 sci-fi film Planet of the Apes follows American astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) as he and two others land on what appears to be an alien planet ruled by intellectual simians who hold humans as their slaves. With an established society with a class system, laws, and ruthless political system, the apes are not unlike man in Franklin J. Schaffner’s complex classic.

There are multiple parallels with Planet of the Apes and Army of the Dead with the most striking being the way in which apes and zombies respectively have been able to defy man’s logic and establish structured societies with their own classes, rules, and forms of punishment.

Stream Planet of the Apes on Cinemax.

Rent/Buy Planet of the Apes on Amazon.

Escape From New York

John Carpenter’s 1981 dystopian action thriller Escape from New York follows Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell), a disgraced war hero with an eyepatch and lack of trust for the government, as he is sent into the giant maximum security prison complex that is Manhattan where the President of the United States is being held hostage.

Just like Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) and his team in Army of the Dead, Snake Plissken has to enter a walled off New York City, find and extract his target, and make it out of the city alive in a specific amount of time or he will be toast. And also like Zack Snyder’s latest zombie film, John Carpenter’s gritty thriller has its fair share of deceitful characters holding back key information from the central protagonist.

Stream Escape from New York on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy Escape from New York on Amazon.

Day Of The Dead

In 1985, George A. Romero released the third entry in his Dead franchise with the claustrophobic and dialogue-heavy Day of the Dead. Centering on what could very well be the last survivors of the zombie apocalypse, this underrated gem spends a great deal of time showing the divide between brain and braun through constant arguments (and more) between the surviving scientists and soldiers.

George A. Romero walked with Day of the Dead so that Zack Snyder could run with Army of the Dead in terms of having zombies exhibiting intelligence and proving they’re capable of more than being mindless corpses stumbling from one meal to the next. An argument can be made that if it weren’t for Bub (Sherman Howard) learning to use a gun (and salute), we wouldn’t have Zeus (Richard Cetrone) ruling an entire kingdom of zombies.

Stream Day of the Dead on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy Day of the Dead on Amazon.

Land Of The Dead

George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead picks up years after much of the human population has been turned into walking corpses with what’s left of humanity taking shelter in heavily fortified feudal-like societies. Like all movies in the zombie genre, Land of the Dead shows there is no such thing as peace and safety from the world outside, especially when the undead begin to learn and adapt to their surroundings.

The late George A. Romero took a giant leap with the evolution of the zombie in Land of the Dead, especially with Big Daddy (Eugene Clark), the leader of the film’s zombie army who leads a charge to the walled off city of Pittsburgh and the ivory tower that is Fiddler's Green.

Stream Land of the Dead on Peacock.

Rent/Buy Land of the Dead on Amazon.

The Road

Based on Cormac McCarthy’s celebrated novel of the same name, John Hillcoat’s 2009 post-apocalyptic survival film The Road follows a father (Viggo Mortensen) and son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) as they traverse the decaying American landscape in hopes of finding a new life on the southern coast. Dark, dreary, and dirty this intimate and tense thriller sees the pair evade small pockets of cannibalistic savages while also not losing what little faith they have left in humanity.

At the center of The Road, just like in Army of the Dead, is a story about the love shared by a father and his child and his attempt to find redemption for himself and a future for his offspring, even if it means paying the ultimate price.

Stream The Road on Pluto.

Rent/Buy The Road on Amazon.

Baby Driver

Edgar Wright’s music-infused heist film Baby Driver follows Baby (Ansel Elgort), a talented getaway driver who has to constantly listen to music to overpower a bad case of tinnitus, as plans to pull off one more job before leaving town and his life of crime in the dust. But it’s never as simple as getting in and getting out.

With a great balance of comedy and tense drama, Edgar Wright’s 2017 crime thriller, which is one of the best movies on Amazon, is perfect for a double-feature alongside Army of the Dead due to both films centering around the “one more job” trope and the way in which their directors come up with brilliant ways of using music to help add to the story.

Rent/Buy Baby Driver on Amazon.

28 Days Later

The 2002 post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later takes place just weeks after a group of animal rights activists unknowingly released the hyper-contagious “Rage” virus, which turns much of the United Kingdom into a hellscape overrun with zombie-like creatures hellbent on killing anything and everything they see. Following a group of four survivors — Jim (Cillian Murphy), Selena (Naomie Harris), Frank (Brendan Gleeson), and Hannah (Megan Burns) — Danny Boyle’s tense thriller shows how far people will go when guided by hope.

One of the most fascinating aspects of 28 Days Later (and Army of the Dead in a sense) is the fact we don’t really spend a lot of time with the early days of the pandemic, instead picking up later, throwing us into a world where we figure out what’s going on and how we got here.

Stream 28 Days Later on Hulu.

Rent/Buy 28 Days Later on Amazon.

Heat 

Michael Mann’s 1995 crime thriller Heat follows master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) as he plans one last big heist in Los Angeles all while trying to keep his team in line and avoiding the watchful eye of LAPD detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino). With a great deal of heat caused by a bank robbery gone awry, McCauley has to tread lightly if he wants to see this one through.

There are bank robbery movies and then there is Heat, which remains in a league of its own more than a quarter-century after its initial release. This is a must for anyone who especially enjoyed Army of the Dead’s $200 million casino heist.

Stream Heat on Starz.

Rent/Buy Heat on Amazon.

Cargo

The emotionally-taxing 2017 Australian post-apocalyptic horror film Cargo brings a whole other level of emotion to the zombie genre with its story about an infected father (Martin Freeman) racing against time (48 hours at most) to find somewhere safe for his infant daughter before he turns.

One of the best movies on Netflix, Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke’s heartbreaking Cargo is similar to Army of the Dead in the sense that it is about a father’s love for his child above anything else, even though he could very well be the one that does her in.

Stream Cargo on Netflix.

Within in the next couple of years, fans of Army of the Dead will have plenty of other options to choose from with the upcoming animated series subtitled Lost Vegas, the international crime prequel Army of Thieves, and hopefully another sequel on Netflix. In the meantime, we can watch all of the films mentioned above or go back and make sense of the Army of the Dead ending.

Jamie Foxx movies are almost always good. It's just his performances. They're always something special. And it can be any role. Whether it's Jamie Foxx smiling and laughing at a piano, or it's Jamie Foxx talking about how he's going to rid the world of Spider-Man. It doesn't matter. If he's in it, I'll see it.

In fact, I think have seen him in pretty much everything he's been in. From his days on In Living Color and The Jamie Foxx Show to his first film role in Toys, to his most recent role in Project Power, Jamie Foxx is one of my favorite actors, and I can’t get enough of him. But what are his best performances? Well, you’re about to find out.

12. Dean “MF” Jones – Horrible Bosses

For Dean “MF” Jones, the Dean is silent. That’s because the “MF” he goes by in Horrible Bosses is… well, it’s what you’d think the MF would stand for. In the role, Mr. Foxx plays a “murder consultant” who’s not very good at negotiating. He also has some of the best lines in the entire movie, which is saying a lot when you have such a great ensemble cast.

While not a major role in the film, I’ll always remember the story as to how he actually got his moniker. And would you believe that he was originally going to be called “Cocksucker Jones”? I can only imagine the reason he would have gotten that name, but I’m sure it would have been hilarious, just like the character himself.

11. Bats – Baby Driver

Honestly, Bats and Dean “MF” Jones are almost the same character, except one is played purely for comedy (Dean), while the other is played only partially for comedy (the “Michael Myers” scene in Baby Driver is evidence that the movie isn’t meant to be taken too seriously). But Bats is actually really scary, killing undercover cops and anybody else who crosses him. Jamie Foxx sometimes plays tough guys, and sometimes plays quite the opposite. But in Baby Driver, he’s the baddest “MF” on the planet, and you don’t want to cross his path.

Baby Driver is a weird film in that its tone fluctuates on a dime. And Bats is probably the main reason for that. Here you have this silly movie, and then you have this homicidal creep that Jamie Foxx just plays so well. I’m surprised he hasn’t played more menacing characters. He’s really good at it!

10. Drew Bundini Brown – Ali

Yes, Ali is pretty much all Will Smith all the time in this pretty decent biopic from Michael Mann. But Jamie Foxx shouldn’t be forgotten for his role as assistant trainer, Drew Bundini Brown, either. It doesn’t matter that he’s Jewish and that Ali’s Muslim. They still get along.

Until they don’t. Because Bundini has a pretty big fall into alcohol and depression, and Jamie Foxx plays this role impeccably. Yes, I love when Mr. Foxx plays tough guys, but I like him even more when he plays deeply flawed characters. And Ali is one of Jamie Foxx's best performances to date in that regard.

9. Walter McMillian – Just Mercy

As I mentioned earlier, I’m more into the dramatic Jamie Foxx performances than the badass ones. But as Walter McMillian, a real death row inmate who was wrongly convicted of murder, Jamie Foxx knocks it out the park as a man who has already given up hope and thinks he’s done for until a young lawyer (played by Michael B. Jordan) fights for his rights. Like Ali, Jamie Foxx is more of a background character to the events that follow (even though it’s his trial!), but he’s such a strong background character that you never forget his presence, which is the sign of a great actor.

Just Mercy has many opportunities to be hokey, but it never is, and Jamie Foxx’s performance is a large reason why. He was nominated for best Male Actor in a Supporting Role for the Screen Actors Guild and he deserved it. He’s excellent in this.

8. Nathaniel Ayers – The Soloist

In The Soloist, Jamie Foxx plays another real person in Nathaniel Ayers, a former student at Julliard who had to drop out because of his mental illness. But his role as Nathaniel is a lot more complex than Walter McMillian, since Jamie Foxx has to pull off having schizophrenia as well as being a musical prodigy. It’s a tough tight rope to walk across, but, yep, you guessed it, Jamie Foxx pulls it off.

Honestly, The Soloist isn’t the greatest movie in the world. And unlike Just Mercy, it actually is a little hokey. But Jamie Foxx has a standout performance, so at the least the acting is very good. If only the movie could live up to that performance.

7. “Steamin’” Willie Beamen – Any Given Sunday

Playing a third string quarterback, Jamie Foxx kills it as "Steamin’" Willie Beamen, who seems to have excuses for everything. Willie Beamen is an interesting character because you kind of see where he’s coming from, but he’s blaming a lot of his problems on things that he could probably just solve himself, especially when it comes to Al Pacino’s character, as head coach, Anthony “Tony” D’Amato. D’Amato believes that Willie can be great, but only if he’s willing to step up and take responsibility. And thankfully, he does by the end.

Jamie Foxx is great in this role because he’s both a showboat, but also sympathetic. Any Given Sunday has a lot of tremendous performances, but the one that really sticks out for me is Jamie Foxx’s character. He believes every last thing that comes out of his mouth, even when you, the viewer, know it’s not true.

6. Art/The Major – Project Power

The most recent film on this list, Jamie Foxx plays a tough guy who will do anything to find his daughter. Even if it means roughing up some super-powered cretins in the process. And let’s be frank, the other superhero movie that Jamie Foxx was in, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, was pretty bad. But Project Power is pretty good, and he’s the “hero” this time around, so how can you go wrong?

In Project Power, Jamie Foxx is blasting supervillains and putting people in the trunk of his car. But his best moments are when he’s quiet and listening to his costar, Robin (Played by Dominique Fishback). And the fact that Jamie Foxx can coexist in a role that has be both quiet and loud is just another reason why we’re so lucky to have him as an actor.

5. President James Sawyer – White House Down

In Roland Emmerich’s best movie (fight me), Jamie Foxx basically plays Obama. And it’s not even subtle, either. Because in this action-thriller, Jamie Foxx has to get out of the White House during a terrorist attack, and he definitely channels his inner politician since he acts very Presidential in the role.

But he also channels his inner comedian, since White House Down is also really funny. And Jamie Foxx is such a good actor that he can pull off playing a young, urbane President, but also versatile enough to play a semi-tough action hero with comedic chops to boot. What’s not to love?

4. Curtis Taylor Jr. - Dreamgirls

Semi-playing a real person in Curtis’s character (he’s apparently based off of Motown founder, Berry Gordy Jr.), Curtis will do anything to get black music to white audiences—Even making it disco! And throughout the film, you get a sense that Curtis’s ambition will get the best of him, and it kind of does, but not in the way you might expect. Jamie Foxx plays a cruel character, shuffling a great singer to the side if he feels a slimmer singer will appeal more to white audiences. And you kind of hate his character, but that’s intentional.

But you also kind of appreciate his drive. And I feel that only somebody with a range like Jamie Foxx can make such a detestable character admirable. That’s the Jamie Foxx magic!

3. Max – Collateral

In a role that earned Jamie Foxx an Academy Award nomination, Jamie Foxx plays Max, an L.A. taxi driver who just so happens to pick up the wrong passenger in Tom Cruise’s character, Vincent, the hitman. Max is the quintessential can-you-just-leave-me-alone, character who is in the wrong place at the wrong time. But he steps up because he has to, and it’s surprisingly believable throughout. His character arc is huge, and it happens right before your eyes without you even realizing it’s happening. Again, that’s that Jamie Foxx magic.

Jamie Foxx can play tough people, no problem, but the fact that he can also play meek average Joe’s with aplomb is pretty mind-blowing. Again, what range! And this is the best of those roles, by far.

2. Django – Django Unchained

Django just wants his wife back. But he’s a slave... until he’s set free, of course. Then, he’s a bounty hunter who likes the way you die, boy. And in Quentin Tarantino’s epic revisionist Western, Django Unchained, Jamie Foxx proves that he can play an illiterate slave who can rise up and shoot plantation owners to Hell. Because why not?

Django Unchained is one of my least favorite Tarantino movies, but probably my favorite Jamie Foxx movie. How can that be, you ask? Well, it’s because Jamie Foxx is tremendous in it, even though I think the movie itself isn’t all that special. From the very first scene where he’s cold and afraid, to the very last scene where he’s walking with swagger, Jamie Foxx owns this role. And to think, Django could have been Will Smith. And while look, I love my Will, he’s already been in a western. And I’ll tell you what. It was no Django.

1. Ray Charles - Ray

Come on now, what else could be number 1? He won Best Actor for his role as Ray Charles and he definitely deserved it. At times, Jamie Foxx is unrecognizable and you totally believe that Ray Charles is actually on that screen, and not Jamie. From his mannerisms, to the way he walks, to the way he sings, Jamie Foxx is Ray Charles. And that’s all there is to it.

Really, I can’t think of another actor who has fully become the person that they’re mimicking. Even to the extent that Jamie Foxx had his eyes glued shut just so he would be “blind” for the role. Now that’s dedication!

Fact is, Jamie Foxx is one of the greatest actors that we have, no question. But what’s your favorite role of his? Any Booty Call fans out there? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

This poll is no longer available.

Many were surprised this week when a Twitter user alleged that Ansel Elgort had sexually assaulted her when she was 17. The Baby Driver and The Fault in Our Stars actor had remained relatively quiet on the situation, but he has now issued a response to the allegations.

Ansel Elgort took to his Instagram account to issue a message about the alleged incident. The actor expressed that he was surprised to see the news circulating and that he couldn’t begin to understand what the young woman, Gabby, is feeling. He then went on to say that her account of the events is “simply not what happened” before discussing their relationship further:

Gabby, who didn’t give her last name, originally posted a now-deleted tweet on Friday in which she detailed her relationship with Ansel Elgort. The text note, entitled “my story of Ansel Elgort,” alleges that she met Elgort, who she says was in his 20s at the time, after sending him a private DM on his Snapchat account. She also admitted that she didn’t expect to get a response from the actor.

It’s unclear as to when the alleged assault occurred, though Gabby notes that she was “sobbing in pain” and had mentally disassociated herself during the alleged incident. She also alleges that she was told not to tell anyone about the incident because it could “ruin his career” and says she’s currently suffering from PTSD and panic attacks.

The young woman also alleges that Ansel Elgort asked her for nude photos and suggested the two have a threesome with one of her friends, who was underage at the time. In her post, she also included a photo that allegedly shows her and Ansel Elgort together, though her face is partially blurred by her hand.

Gabby writes that she decided to speak out on the alleged assault because she’s finally “ready to talk about it and finally heal” and to let other women know they’re not alone.

At this point in time, Gabby has not released any further details, and Ansel Elgort has not responded beyond this social media post. Keep it here at CinemaBlend for more updates on this matter as they arrive.

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Action, intrigue, and danger are all part of the James Bond franchise, and these are important hallmarks for audiences looking to escape the current realities of the COVID-19 pandemic from the safety of their own home. However, Bond can only do so much, and depending on when you’re reading this listing, you may not have his exploits available for viewing on your favorite streaming platform.

That’s not a problem though, as there’s plenty of movies that have that 007 style, or something extremely close to it, on the streams. So if you’re looking for something to watch in preparation for, or as a rest from all the James Bond action you could ever handle, you’ve come to the right list of titles. Here are 13 assignments you should consider streaming, if you're a fan of the Bond canon of films, but would like a similarly flavored change of pace.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (Hulu/ Prime Video)

What The Movie Is About: Stop us if you’ve heard this one: three nuclear weapons have gone missing, and a band of secret agents need to retrieve those weapons before they’re used to trigger all out chaos. Mission: Impossible – Fallout brings Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the rest of his IMF team back for their sixth adventure in the name of world peace, with quite possibly their biggest mission yet.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: If there was ever a series that made for a perfect American analog for the James Bond series of films, it has to be the Mission: Impossible series. Taking the globe-trotting adventure and charismatic central agent against the world formulas that 007 has been known to use, this franchise spreads the love throughout a team of agents that assist Ethan in his rogue agent tactics. Not to mention, Tom Cruise’s stunt work is impeccable, pushing the action packed envelope further with each outing in the series.

Where To Stream: Mission: Impossible - Fallout is available on both Hulu and Prime Video

The Austin Powers Trilogy (Netflix)

What The Movie Is About: Picture this: what if the world’s greatest secret agent (Mike Myers) volunteered to have himself frozen, in the name of fighting his arch-nemesis, who was also cryogenically preserved for the future? The Austin Powers series starts out with this plot device, as both Austin and Dr. Evil freeze themselves in the ‘60s to do battle once again in the ‘90s. But as the series goes on, time travel, mojo theft, and other hysterical points of conflict come into play to make things all the more exciting.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: As a fan of both the comedies of Peter Sellers and the James Bond series of films, Mike Myers created all three Austin Powers movies as love letters to both. With Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery in particular roasting the traditional James Bond tropes to full effect, seeing Myers and director Jay Roach play around with the conventions of a Bond flick is a sharp and entertaining break from the norm.

Where To Stream: All three Austin Powers films are currently available on Netflix.

Inception (Netflix)

What The Movie Is About: Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief with one of the weirdest, most valuable skills in the world: he can sneak into people’s dreams, and shape them as he sees fit. Usually, he uses these traits to steal information, but when a shadowy party (Ken Watanabe) hires Dom and his team for the job of a lifetime, he just might find the thing he’s been looking for the most: a way home.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: Inception has widely been considered the best prototype for what a Christopher Nolan James Bond movie would feel like in the first place. Even the forthcoming release Tenet has that sort of look and feel, which might strike up the band looking to see Christopher Nolan finally get his chance to direct a new and exciting James Bond adventure. If you like both the far flung adventures of the Roger Moore era, but the hard hitting emotional action of the Daniel Craig run, Inception is the mixture of those two worlds.

Where To Stream: Inception is available on Netflix.

The Thomas Crown Affair (HBOGo)

What The Movie Is About: Obsessed with the thrill of theft, millionaire Thomas Crown (Pierce Brosnan) steals a priceless painting right off the wall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It feels like the perfect crime, until a ruthless insurance investigator (Rene Russo) starts to pick up on his trail. As the two dance around each other’s motives, a romance starts to form; one that could either bring them together or tear them apart.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: First and foremost, former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan happened to make this film around the same time he was wearing 007’s tuxedo for MGM. But instead of just copy/pasting his Bond style charms, Brosnan really gets to play up the witty and sly part of his personality, as opposed to shooting his way through the room. His pairing with Rene Russo makes The Thomas Crown Affair a funny, sexy spin on romance and intrigue. If people are going to prepare for a Michael B. Jordan led remake, this is a good place to start.

Where To Stream: The Thomas Crown Affair is available on HBOGo.

The Fugitive (Hulu)

What The Movie Is About: Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) has been convicted of the murder of his wife (Sela Ward). The strange thing is… he may not have done it. After a freak accident leaves Dr. Kimble a chance to escape, he sets off on investigating the crime he’s supposedly committed. All the while, a determined U.S. Marshall (Tommy Lee Jones) is closing in on his trail, in an effort to apprehend him in the name of the law.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: Some of the best James Bond movies feature 007’s investigative skills, usually on display as he’s unraveling a hideous conspiracy of epic proportions. If you scale down the scope of The Fugitive’s conspiracy, and put a man who’s not used to sleuthing around at the heart of that mystery, you’ve got a story that invokes Bond’s best qualities in an unpredictable setting. Not to mention, this is the opportunity for you to see what a Harrison Ford style Bond adventure would look like.

Where To Stream: The Fugitive is currently available on Hulu.

The Saint (Netflix / Crackle)

What The Movie Is About: A brilliant electrochemist (Elizabeth Shue) has made a gigantic breakthrough in clean energy, leaving a power hungry oil tycoon (Rade Šerbedžija) desperate enough to try and steal the formula for himself. Enter Simon Templar (Val Kilmer), a cunning thief who starts this job as a pure professional, but ends up switching sides when he both falls for his target, and discovers the true nature of his shady employer.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: In a fun sort of coincidence, the James Bond series happened to cast one of its leads thanks to the TV incarnation of The Saint. Much as Roger Moore got to play 007 thanks to the role of Simon Templar, Val Kilmer’s incarnation of the role is a very Bond-esque character. Mix the tortured past and investigative skills of Bond with the disguises of Ethan Hunt, and The Saint makes for another example of a film nailing down the formula Daniel Craig would eventually run with through his tenure.

Where To Stream: The Saint is available on both Netflix and Crackle.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Netflix)

What The Movie Is About: A job gone wrong leads to the near death of one of England’s best secret operatives (Mark Strong). The latest in a pattern of events that suggests a mole is hidden at the top of the clandestine services, it’s up to retired spy George Smiley (Gary Oldman) to smoke out the parties selling state secrets during the Cold War. Told through a series of flashbacks and present day investigation, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is gripping right until the surprising, shocking finale.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, much like James Bond, is a quintessentially British spy story. However, instead of flashy suits, fast cars, and trips to exotic locales, this film based on the novel by John le Carré shows the spy game in a more dour, realistic light. With a cast stacked with talents like Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Toby Jones, among others, this potboiler is a perfect contrast to spy aficionados who want a change of pace from the James Bond movies.

Where To Stream: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is available on Netflix.

The Peacemaker (Netflix)

What The Movie Is About: After a nuclear warhead is detonated in the Russian countryside, the seemingly random event attracts the attention of a nuclear specialist (Nicole Kidman) and a hot shot Army officer (George Clooney). Following their mutual hunch, The Peacemaker sees our leads fighting their way to the truth in city and desert alike, in an effort to prevent another, greater nuclear catastrophe from happening.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: The Peacemaker isn’t as flashy or as grim as some of the other James Bond adjacent films we’ve suggested. However, the geopolitical thriller aspect of director Mimi Leder’s blockbuster definitely helps to scratch the itch Bond fans may have without No Time To Die hitting theaters in the next month. Clooney’s charm and Kidman’s cunning make for a duo that embody the best of Bond, in an adventure that pushes them both to the limit.

Where To Stream: The Peacemaker is available on Netflix.

No Way Out (Tubi / Vudu)

What The Movie Is About: Lt. Tom Farrell (Kevin Costner) is a Navy officer whose star is on the rise. With the Secretary of Defense (Gene Hackman) hot to hire him as one of his most trusted intelligence officers, Farrell’s career couldn’t be in a better position. But a romantic entanglement (Sean Young) leads to dangerous connections between Tom and a scandal so powerful, it could ruin his career.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: A Cold War thriller reminiscent of the politics of the early James Bond films, No Way Out uses a charming protagonist thrown in a plot of international intrigue to thrill potential viewers. As the central plot involving Russian and U.S. forces using operatives for their own means unfolds, Costner’s Lt. Farrell gets to engage in some very Bond-like behavior, while also serving as a grounded dramatic protagonist.

Where To Stream: No Way Out is available on Tubi and Vudu.

Atomic Blonde (FXNow)

What The Movie Is About: MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) finds her in a pretty interesting position in Atomic Blonde. As the Berlin Wall is about to fall, and a secret file lies hidden in the very city on the verge of history, Broughton is going to have to keep her wits about her as she fights to obtain a list of double agents sabotaging Allied operations.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: If you enjoyed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, but wanted some more of the fighting that a modern James Bond movie would contain, Atomic Blonde has that particular need covered expertly. Theron’s Lorraine Broughton is basically the female James Bond, right down to her vices, and it’s exciting to see some off-kilter sensibilities thrown into a formula that feels very Bondian.

Where To Stream: Atomic Blonde is now available on FXNow.

Baby Driver (FXNow)

What The Movie Is About: An elite talent behind the wheel, the enigmatic young man known as Baby (Ansel Elgort) is hired only by the heist teams who absolutely need the best wheelman in all of Atlanta. But just when he’s thinking of going straight in the name of love, his old handler (Kevin Spacey) draws him in for another job. And it very well could be his last, if he’s not careful.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: Baby Driver isn’t about a spy, but rather someone pushed to the brink when they least expect it. That isn’t saying that Ansel Elgort’s Baby isn’t worthy of being spoken of in the same sentence as James Bond, but rather that writer/director Edgar Wright’s story and direction are reminiscent of Bond without giving the protagonist a pedigree in espionage or even military services. Though that more than likely amps up the excitement, as Baby has a set of skills that make him deadly in his own way.

Where To Stream: Baby Driver is currently available on FXNow.

All titles above are subject to change, so be absolutely sure to double check the availability of these films before enjoying them! As usual, this information is for your eyes only, and should you or your friends be caught with this list, the secretary will disavow all knowledge that you're not taking full advantage of Tubi's killer movie library. Good luck, and happy streaming!

At this past Sunday’s Academy Awards, Parasite made history by becoming the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture. The hope is that this win causes general audiences beyond discerning cinephiles to seek out Parasite, and in turn go out of their comfort zones and become more open to other foreign films. Thankfully, Baby Driver director Edgar Wright is here to recommend some other great Korean movies for people who love Parasite. Take a look:

If you loved Parasite and want to see more movies like it, or you don’t know where to start your dive into the rabbit hole of Korean cinema, Edgar Wright has you covered. The writer and director took to Twitter to open up a new cinematic world with a whole host of options as well as selling his followers on why many of these films are worth their time.

Edgar Wright starts with some of the past work of new Best Director winner and alcohol enthusiast Bong Joon-ho. Wright recommends the crime drama Memories of Murder, the monster movie The Host and horror comedy Mother. If you’re curious how Edgar Wright feels about these movies, he doesn’t mince words, calling them masterpieces.

While those who liked Parasite shouldn’t have a problem watching movies with subtitles, Edgar Wright also recommends Bong Joon-ho’s English language work. Bong Joon-ho directed Snowpiercer, starring Captain America performer Chris Evans, as well as the Netflix film Okja with Tilda Swinton. So for those Parasite fans with a Netflix account, you can queue up Okja right away to see some more of what goes on inside Bong Joon-ho’s brain.

Of course, Bong Joon-ho isn’t the only Korean director whose work is worth your time. Edgar Wright also stumps for Park Chan-wook. Take a look:

Park Chan-wook also has an impressive filmography. His most recent feature film was 2016’s The Handmaiden, which Edgar Wright calls a sumptuous masterpiece that should have received an Oscar nomination. Perhaps that’s the kind of thing that will change with Parasite’s win. Park Chan-wook’s revenge trilogy is also worth seeking out, according to Edgar Wright.

One of the films in that trilogy is Oldboy, which anecdotally seems to be one of the Korean films that has been the most noticed and permeated domestic film culture over the years. Ignore the 2013 Spike Lee remake and just check out the original.

Edgar Wright has a whole Twitter thread on the topic of Korean cinema with recommendations and links. So I’ll just highlight one more:

Edgar Wright had to mention Train to Busan, Yeon Sang-ho’s 2016 zombie movie. Edgar Wright calls it his favorite zombie film of the 21st century. This is rather noteworthy considering that Edgar Wright wrote and directed the 2004 zombie film and modern horror comedy classic Shaun of the Dead. So he’s a guy that knows a good zombie flick when he sees it.

This is just a small sampling of Korean movies, and of course there is a whole world of international cinema worth checking out. The hope is that Parasite’s win inspires more people to do just that. If it does, the achievements of Bong Joon-ho’s film will have far more meaning and resonance than its much-deserved four golden statues.

As for Edgar Wright, his next movie, Last Night in Soho, hits theaters on September 25. Check out our 2020 Release Schedule to see what else you can look forward to this year.

With roles in movies like The Accountant and Baby Driver and TV shows like The Walking Dead and The Punisher, actor Jon Bernthal is no stranger to action and the stunt performers that help make it possible. Jon Bernthal has a deep respect for the stunt community and as such, like so many others, he believes they should be honored come awards time. In fact, Jon Bernthal argues that it’s a ‘crime’ not to have Oscars for stunt performers, as he explained:

Jon Bernthal’s respect and admiration of stunt performers is plainly evident here, as is his frustration that they do not receive the recognition he believes they deserve. He’s not mincing words either. Jon Bernthal thinks it’s a crime that stunt performers aren’t recognized by the Academy, and it’s not just because he’s extremely close with the stunt performers on his projects either.

As reported by Comicbook.com, Jon Bernthal believes that those in the stunt community are in many ways the ones driving audiences into the theaters. What those stunt performers are able to achieve is an exciting part of modern cinematic entertainment and thanks to their constant creativity, audiences never get bored. New and awe-inspiring stunts that people have never seen before keep them interested and compel them to seek out entertainment.

That doesn’t happen by accident, there is a whole community coming up with those stunts and performing them. The actor likes to do his own stunts and even broke his hand filming Season Two of The Punisher, so he has a bit of an idea what those in the stunt community go through. Jon Bernthal also trains with stunt performers and gets the need to go all out in order to deliver a convincing stunt.

As Jon Bernthal stated, when you get down to it, the stunt performers are the ones really putting it on the line. That’s not an exaggeration either, because as much as there are measures in place to prevent serious injury and as important as safety is, things still happen. Stunt performers can and have died in the course of their jobs and their contributions still go unrecognized on Oscar night.

Jon Bernthal isn’t the only one who believes that stunt performers deserve Oscars. Over the years many of those in Hollywood have voiced their support for a stunt category, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brad Pitt, Steven Spielberg and Helen Mirren. It’s honestly kind of fascinating it hasn’t happened yet given the support behind it.

Instead the Academy attempted to introduce an award for Best Popular Film when there are plenty of other worthy categories, including Best Stunts that could have honored less traditional prestige fare. Jon Bernthal is absolutely right that it is absurd that stunt performers aren’t honored with the industry’s highest form of recognition.

Stunts are one of the most visible parts of a film, they’re the selling point, included in every trailer to delight and excite audiences. But the nature of their job means that the stunt performers themselves are invisible; they disappear into the film, allowing the stars to shine and their names aren’t included on any movie posters. The least we can do is give them one night and one award for all they do.

Despite the cancellation of Marvel’s Netflix series, including The Punisher, Jon Bernthal is still hoping to revisit Frank Castle again someday. In the meantime, he stars as the recently deceased Lee Iacocca in James Mangold’s Ford v Ferrari, in theaters on November 15. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to see what other movies are still on the way this year.

At this year's Academy Awards ceremony, Lady Gaga walked home with her first Oscar. But she almost found herself with two gold statues that night. The musician won Best Original Song, alongside Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt, for the undeniable smash hit, "Shallow," which has rocked the core of nearly every person who has listened to it these past several months. However, Lady Gaga was also in contention for Best Actress, although she ultimately lost to Olivia Colman.

Like many musicians, Lady Gaga has proven that her talents expand beyond her music. Though she was already a star when A Star Is Born made its way into theaters, Bradley Cooper's acclaimed remake of the classic Hollywood tale showed that Ms. Gaga had what it takes to be a bonafide movie star, in addition to being a world-renowned musician. She's not alone in that respect. There are plenty of musicians out there who have gone on to become movie and television stars as well, including Miley Cyrus in Netflix's latest controversial season of Black Mirror.

Of course, they aren't alone in spreading their talents, so I'll take a moment to list a few of the talented singers and musicians who made that leap.

Lady Gaga In A Star Is Born

As we mentioned above, Lady Gaga was well-accomplished as a singer. Beyond appearing in a season of FX's anthology series, American Horror Story, the singer's acting experience was limited — at best. It was not clear to some producers if Gaga had the acting chops to pull off playing the lead role — the title role, to an extent, no less — in this latest retelling of the iconic love story, A Star is Born. Nevertheless, director/co-star Bradley Cooper believed in her, as you probably heard throughout various press tours from Lady Gaga herself, and the results proved the first-time filmmaker was right.

Actually, that's putting it mildly. Lady Gaga's performance in A Star Is Born is an absolute powerhouse, an emotional rollercoaster that is astonishing for an actress with relatively limited experience such as Gaga. Both vulnerable and confident in a way that makes you believe that this incredibly famous musician could be a lowly, hard-working blue collar woman trying to make a name for herself as a singer someday, Lady Gaga's brazen performance is, at once, mild-mannered and electrifying, and capable of capturing the lengths our lead characters journey through throughout the tragedy that unfolds.

It became one of the year's best performances, and it proved that — in the right hands —Lady Gaga has what it takes to be a movie star in addition to being a beloved musician. Because, like she has often said, there can be a hundred people in the room, and 99 don't believe you, but if one does...

Miley Cyrus In Black Mirror

Having gotten her start on Disney Channel's Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus can often be considered an actress and a singer at the same time. Still in recent years, away from Sofia Coppola's holiday special, A Very Murray Christmas, Woody Allen's Amazon mini-series, Crisis in Six Scenes, and a a handful of Saturday Night Live guest appearances, Miley Cyrus has opted to focus more on music than building an acting career. At least, that was the case until the famous musician made a controversial appearance on Netflix's British anthology sci-fi series, Black Mirror.

In the third episode of the fifth season, Miley Cyrus plays popstar Ashley O, who finds that a doll made in her likeness, Ashley Too, paves the way for some sinister outcomes. Having Miley Cyrus prominently featured in an episode of Black Mirror obviously garnered a lot of attention. When that episode premiered, the responses were mixed, particularly given the subject matter. However, there were many folks who praised Miley Cyrus for this darker, more mature turn, proving the actress has the dramatic range to expand herself into non-comedic roles, if she desires to go in that direction.

Flea In Baby Driver/Boy Erased

As part of the rock 'n' roll scene, Michael "Flea" Balzary has proven himself many times over as the bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. What some music fans might not know, however, is that he has been working as a character actor throughout these past couple of decades on the side, turning in the occasional supporting turn or noteworthy appearance in films such as Back to the Future Part II, The Big Lebowski, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, to only name a handful. Yet, it was his most recent work in two notable different films, Edgar Wright's Baby Driver and Joel Edgerton's Boy Erased, that really proved his talents as an actor.

In Baby Driver, Flea's turn as Eddie was maniacal-yet-transfixing. He brought that same heightened, extreme energy that he is often known to show on stage and brought it the cinema, giving audiences a taste for what the musician can do in action-comedies. Meanwhile, his most recent acting turn in Boy Erased showed a whole other side of Flea, one who could be menacing and unrelenting, brutal and vengeful, while also layered and dimensional. If you didn't know better, you may not think these two were the same people, let alone a musician who only acts occasionally. I hope Flea is given more opportunities to act. He's really quite good at it, by musician standards or otherwise, and it would be neat to see him play a bigger, meatier role.

Jennifer Hudson In Dreamgirls

It's a story of Hollywood dreams. Jennifer Hudson first made her way into the public spotlight as a contestant on the third season of American Idol. She didn't win, ultimately placing seventh overall. But that didn't stop her from hitting the big time. The singer made her acting debut in Dreamgirls, the 2006 musical directed by Bill Condon. Even though she had never appeared in a film prior to that, she made a hell of an impression. So much so that, when it came time for awards season, Hudson walked away with the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her absolutely incredible turn as Effie White.

Since then, Jennifer Hudson has continued to develop an acting career. She starred in Sex and the City, Winnie Mandela, The Secret Life of Bees, The Three Stooges, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, Black Nativity, Sing and Sandy Wexler, to name a few, but she never quite reached the heights that she hit with her first movie. No matter. You can't ask for a better rise-to-fame, especially in the movie business, and Jennifer Hudson will get another chance to showcase her music and acting talents when she appears in Tobe Hooper's adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Cats this year.

Justin Timberlake In The Social Network

Ever since he first appeared in 2006's Alpha Dog, moviegoers have been quick to remark, "Oh, wow. So he can act!" Critics at the time were ready to write off the musician as yet another example of a music-maker trying to overstep their boundaries as an actor. Ultimately, though, he proved to be a surprisingly sincere, intuitive actor, and that resulted in the performer earning a few more acting gigs down the road. Including his most prominent to date in David Fincher's 2010 masterpiece, The Social Network, where Timberlake played Sean Parker, the co-founder of Napster who takes an interest in Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) and Eduardo Saverin's (Andrew Garfield) new business venture, the social media network we know as Facebook.

While Justin Timberlake was able to hold his own as an actor in Alpha Dog, The Social Network proved Justin Timberlake could deliver a truly great performance. With some regrettable acting turns in lackluster movies such as The Love Guru and Shrek the Third, Timberlake's fans were starting to wonder if perhaps his acting promise was limited to one exclusive role. Nevertheless, in this prestigious role in this award-winning drama, Timberlake more-than-prove himself as an actor, and it's a shame that many of his follow-up films haven't quite captured that same high level of potential and possibility.

Acting is a competitive business. You are never guaranteed to succeed, no matter how famous you might be in other creative fields. Therefore, it's a credit to the expendable talents of these actors that each of them have proven themselves as actors as well as musicians. And they aren't alone. In addition to the musicians listed above, we could've also talked about Jared Leto, Ice Cube, Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Mariah Carey, Willie Nelson, Tom Waits, Eminem, Common, Ludacris, Beyonce Knowles, Chance the Rapper, Yasiin Bey (formally known as Mos Def), Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton and many, many more.

There are no shortage of talented musicians out there, and we were only able to list a few of them who successfully made the leap into acting. For example, we'll see Queen Bey do some voice acting in the live-action The Lion King later this year. But you can be sure to list your favorite musicians-turned-actors in the comment section below, and remind us of any actor/singers we missed.

Every once in a while, a movie comes along with such an awesome soundtrack that it can even overshadow the rest of the film. Sometimes the songs can be huge hits all on their own. Baby Driver is a perfect example, because let’s be honest, the music is central to the movie’s plot about a getaway driver for a bank robbery crew with tinnitus. The driver, named Baby, constantly listens to music to drown out the ringing in his hears, so music is key.

The music is not only central to the plot, but because the song choices are so cool, it adds almost all the style to the movie. Every scene and every car chase are elevated by the fantastic song choices made by director Edgar Wright and Steven Price, Baby Driver’s music composer. Music, driving, and stealing sunglasses are what makes Baby tick.

There are 30 tracks on the soundtrack, ranging from solid gold oldies to very modern choices and everything in between, so we’ve ranked from worst to best – but make no mistake, there really aren’t any bad songs in the lot.

30. “Was He Slow (Credit Roll Version)” – Kid Koala Featuring Kevin Spacey And Jon Bernthal

One of two original songs on the soundtrack and as is clear from the title, it’s the song over the end credits. It’s just a mishmash of quotes from the movie and the weakest song on the Baby Driver soundtrack.

29. “Tequila” – The Button Down Brass Band

An off-brand cover of the The Champs song from 1958 by an off-brand British copy of Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass. Easily ignored on Baby Driver’s great soundtrack.

28. “Unsquare Dance” – Dave Brubeck

This jazz number by the great Dave Brubeck is mostly clapping, drums, and bass. It works great to build tension; it’s not so great to listen to on its own.

27. “The Edge” – David McCallum

There is a lot of great jazz on the Baby Driver soundtrack, but this isn’t the best of the bunch. It is however, the sample for Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode,” which does make it pretty cool from that angle.

26. “Debora” – T. Rex

It’s difficult putting a band as awesome as T. Rex toward the bottom, at least for me, but this isn’t the band's best song by a mile.

25. “Easy” – Sky Ferreira

"Easy" is a decent enough cover of The Commodores classic (which also appears in the movie), but it’s not deserving of being higher on this list of great songs.

24. “Intermission” – Blur

Like T. Rex, it’s hard to rank an amazing band like Blur this low on a ranked list, but this song is really kind of a throwaway from the group's album Modern Life Is Rubbish and serves as an intermission on the album; in Baby Driver, the buildup of sound is used well, however.

23. “Kashmere” – Kashmere Stage Band

This funky number, played by a bunch of high school students no less, is a fantastic feel-good and move-your-feet kind of song. This stuff's starting to get good!

22. “Every Little Bit Hurts” – Brenda Holloway

Motown’s Brenda Holloway is one of the lesser-known artists on that label’s legendary roster, but this song goes to show how great Motown was at producing incredible songs.

21. “Know How” – Young MC

Any song that samples “The Theme From Shaft” by Isaac Hayes is cheating. But it’s the best kind of cheating and Young MC nailed it with this one.

20. “Bongolia” – Incredible Bongo Band

This may seem as if it is ranked a little high on the list; regardless, Incredible Bong Band’s music always sounds awesome on soundtracks.

19. "Smokey Joe’s La La" – Googie Rene

Such a fun little tune with easy lyrics and great beat to drive to. Play it now if you don't know it off the top of your head.

18. “B.A.B.Y.” - Carla Thomas

Carla Thomas is a soul singer who has sadly been overshadowed over the years, but her powerful voice is on full display in this 1966 hit.

17. “Brighton Rock” – Queen

This is circus music from Queen. It’s a weird little song that is often overlooked in the band's catalog, but it’s a great song with a great solo by Brian May – which is like half the track!

16. “Early in the Morning” – Alexis Korner

Alexis Korner is way more important to rock history than most people realize and this dripping, plotting, sweat-soaked track is weird and awesome and a great addition the Baby Driver soundtrack.

15. “Baby Driver” – Simon & Garfunkel

It’s pretty clear that this song inspired the whole movie. It’s not the most recognizable tune by this famous duo, but just check out the first couple lyrics to see how important this song is to the movie:

I was born one dark gray morn

With music coming in my ears

They call me Baby Driver

And once upon a pair of wheels

I hit the road and I'm gone

14. “Chase Me” – Danger Mouse Featuring Run The Jewels And Big Boi

"Chase Me" is the other of the two original songs on the Baby Driver soundtrack. This is by far the better one, with great performances by all three MCs and a great beat from Danger Mouse.

13. “Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms)” – The Detroit Emeralds

Another track on the Baby Driver soundtrack that is more famous for being the sample in a hip hop song. This is used by De La Soul in “Say No,” but the original is fantastic.

12. “Harlem Shuffle” – Bob & Earl

This song is mostly famous for the horn fanfare that opens it (and was very famously sampled by House Of Pain), but it should be known for much more. The horns are fantastic throughout the whole song.

11. “Neat Neat Neat” – The Damned

In a movie with so much chaos, Baby Driver needed at least one chaotic punk song and this is one by a band that isn’t as well known as The Sex Pistols, brings a bit of the drama and anger that Johnny Rotten brought with the Pistols, but with more musical talent.

10. “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby” – Sam & Dave

There is nothing quite like that old time soul like Sam & Dave were the masters of.

9. “Never, Never Gonna Give You Up” – Barry White

The great Barry White and his silky smooth bass/baritone voice is unmatched in 20th century music. Honestly, anytime it appears anywhere, it’s one of the best.

8. “Radar Love” by Golden Earring

Okay, this song might not deserve to be in the top ten usually, but “Radar Love” is one of -- if not the -- greatest driving song of all time and Baby Driver is a movie about driving, right? Seriously, put this one next time you hit the highway and hit the gas, that’s why it’s here.

7. “Egyptian Reggae” – Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers

This little weird ditty by the godfather of punk Jonathon Richman fits so perfectly in this movie it’s almost like it was written for it.

6. Bellbottoms – Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

While it’s not the best song in the movie (though it is awesome), it’s the most important song as it sets the tone right away for Baby Driver. Car chases and great music abound.

5. “Debra” – Beck

Beck loves to show off sides of him you’d never expect and “Debra” is Beck channeling his inner Prince, falsetto and all, to outstanding results. This really is close to perfect.

4. “Let’s Go Away For Awhile” – The Beach Boys

If you are going to be including The Beach Boys on a soundtrack, choosing something from Pet Sounds is never a bad idea. Brian Wilson’s musical genius is on full display with this American classic.

3. “Nowhere To Run” – Martha And The Vandellas

"Nowhere to Run" is of the greatest Motown songs from the sixties,period. It’s so catchy and wonderful, it’s like you know the lyrics before you’ve ever heard it. It’s a song that's impossible to ever get sick of and it were used in every movie ever, that’d be just fine. It’s a fantastic addition to the Baby Driver soundtrack.

2. “Hocus Pocus” – Focus

This is one of those songs that always makes everything awesome, whether it’s the scene in Baby Driver or a Nike Commercial, “Hocus Pocus” by Focus (yes, you have to say the full title and band name every time, because it’s awesome), makes the world a cooler place.

1. “Easy” – The Commodores

The easy pick? Probably. Not much needs to be said about this absolute classic of a song. Is there a person on earth that doesn’t like it? It’s just easy like Sunday morning and that's alright with us.

Every good car chase needs great music and in Baby Driver, a movie with lots of car chases, the music is crucial to making them as wonderful as they are. Next time you steal a car or rob a bank, pop in your earbuds blast this soundtrack. Let's hope when they make another one, the soundtrack will be just as good.