Top Movies to Watch on Starz

Starz is so much more than just a place to catch up on the adventures of Scotland’s steamiest couple. Of course, you can see “Outlander” there, but in addition to its series, Starz also features a wide variety of movies that you can’t necessarily find streaming elsewhere. Starz adds new movies every month, so it’s worthwhile to check up on the latest in the Starz streaming library.

You can subscribe to Starz with its app (normally $8.99/month), Check out this 1-week free trial. That is just enough time to watch all 7 of the movies below. See our guide to watching Starz online for more information on this streaming service.

Top 7 Movies on Starz in January

Here are a few of the top movies that will be added to the Starz streaming library in January:

1. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

(Watch on Starz)

This 1987 comedy was written, produced, and directed by John Hughes. It stars Steve Martin and John Candy as an unlikely traveling duo trying to get from New York City to Chicago on Thanksgiving. Martin’s character, Neal, is an uptight businessman, where Candy’s Del is a low-key shower curtain ring salesman. Their frustrations mount as the two encounters one setback after another. 

Why it’s Worth Watching

The Odd Couple takes to the skies, rails, and road in this classic comedy. Steve Martin and John Candy were both in the prime of their comedy acting lives, providing over-the-top reactions to traveling mishaps that grow increasingly infuriating. Maybe if we watch this and remember just how difficult traveling can be, we can feel a bit better about missing out on so much of it this holiday season. Just don’t think about how getting close to a total stranger can ultimately be so rewarding for them both.

2. Hulk 

(Watch on Starz)

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe made comic book movies commonplace, there was this “Hulk” movie in 2003. It is not set in the MCU, but it tells the origin story of the Incredible Hulk character previously told in comic books. In this version directed by Ang Lee, Eric Bana is the Hulk, aka Bruce Banner, a scientist exposed to gamma radiation and subsequently turns into a green monster when upset. Jennifer Connelly plays his girlfriend Betty, and Nick Nolte plays David Banner, Bruce’s absent and unstable father.

Why it’s Worth Watching

The number of Hulks that we have had rivals perhaps only the number of Spidermen. This movie was followed up by a Marvel reboot only five years later, with Ed Norton going green that time. When it came time for “The Avengers” four years after that, Marvel recast the Hulk with Mark Ruffalo, who has played the character ever since. The latest Hulk news comes not about the Hulk himself but about “She-Hulk,” a Disney Plus series coming out in 2022. While we wait with bated breath to see the glorious Tatiana Maslany play the title character, we can prepare by watching this and other recent Hulk appearances.

3. Glory

(Watch on Starz)

“Glory” depicts the first African-American regiment in the American Civil War, led by the white Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick.) Included among the soldiers are Private Trip, played by Denzel Washington, and Sergeant Major John Rawlins, played by Morgan Freeman. Even as their reasons for fighting are personal, being ex-slaves, the soldiers also struggle to get the supplies, pay, and status as their white counterparts. 

Why it’s Worth Watching

Historical dramas are fascinating – and often deeply flawed. It’s a strange phenomenon to watch something purporting to be a “true story,” as “Glory”’s trailer states, while also knowing that certain events and certainly dialogue are fabricated. In fact, there are several inaccuracies in the movie “Glory,” including one in the text shown after the movie’s conclusion. The fort they attacked did, in fact, fall later. However, that said, these kinds of movies and this one, in particular, are still important. Knowing abstractly that there was a black regiment in the Civil War like this one and watching the soldiers’ emotions play out are two different things. Watching it all brings awareness as well as entertainment. Just take the details with a grain of salt.

4. Sleepless in Seattle

(Watch on Starz)

Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star in this classic rom-com from 1993. Hanks is a widower in Seattle, Sam, whose son Jonah gets him to go on a national radio talk show to describe how sad he is without his wife. Ryan is a Baltimore reporter, Annie, who hears Sam on the radio and is transfixed enough to write him a letter. Despite how far apart Sam and Annie are physical, Jonah makes it his mission to bring them together.

Why it’s Worth Watching

In the 90s Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were the “it couple.” We watched them fall in love over and over as different characters, first in “Joe vs. the Volcano” then in “Sleepless in Seattle” and then “You’ve Got Mail.” In this classic rom-com, the two don’t actually spend any real time together – rather we follow their stories as they are compelled to meet despite being separated by the entire continental United States. The movie was written and directed by Nora Ephron, queen of the rom-com form. Through her the angsts of the characters gain significant and relatable weight, and through the acting of Hanks and Ryan, we see how those angsts might mesh. Those aching a bit for the nuance of human interaction (and aren’t we all these days?) will find this a must-see.

5. The Dark Crystal (1982)

(Watch on Starz)

In 1982, the incredible puppeteer Jim Henson created “The Dark Crystal” based on the idea that children should be sometimes scared by their fairy tales. The movie is indeed scary at times, but it is also high fantasy done completely with puppets and animatronics. It follows Jen, a “Gelfling” tasked with saving her world of Thra by fixing the broken and powerful dark crystal. This will rid the world of the cruel Skeksis, bird/dragon creatures. 

Why it’s Worth Watching 

Anyone with Netflix has been able to watch its prequel series, “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance,” since 2019. To truly appreciate all that is going on with this prequel, though, you need to see the movie, which has been considerably trickier to find. Watching “The Dark Crystal” on Starz will give you everything you need to know about this rich and complicated fantasy world – and as a bonus, you will also be in on the shared nightmare fuel we all share from the puppets.

6. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

(Watch on Starz)

Angelina Jolie stars in 2001’s “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” an action movie based on the Tomb Raider video game series. Lara has to travel the world and fight bad guys to find strange and mysterious artifacts. Iain Glen plays Manfred Powell, a sometimes partner, sometimes adversary, in her quest. 

Why it’s Worth Watching

Angelina Jolie’s cropped little shorts and tank tops hardly represent appropriate archaeological gear. From the costume to the camera angles, much is designed to give the male viewers something to ogle. That said, she is a super cool female action star who kick-punched her way past bad guys with the likes of all the other male heroes that dominated the 90s. Lara Croft may have been only a step along the way, but she’s an important one to know in terms of female action heroes.

7. Girl Interrupted

(Watch on Starz) (arrives January 15)

The 1999 film “Girl, Interrupted” stars Winona Ryder as Susanna, a teen who spends 18 months in a psychiatric hospital in the late 60s. There she encounters other girls dealing with their own rough issues, including Angelina Jolie’s rebellious Lisa and Elizabeth Moss’s fragile Polly. The movie is based on the popular memoir of the same title.

Why it’s Worth Watching 

How to deal with your mental health is a question we have always faced but perhaps never so much as right now. What’s normal life angst? What requires treatment? What goes so far as to require you to take a break from life? The group of young women in this book-turned-movie is teenagers when shifting cultural mores, making their mental state even more confusing. It is the work of all of us now to try to cope with what life is throwing at us – we might as well do it while watching Susanna’s story.

Great Movies Still on Starz

There are some great movies still on Starz from months prior. We keep a running list below.

Elf

(Watch on Starz)

A modern Christmas classic, “Elf” has charmed audiences since 2003. Will Farrell plays the elf himself, Buddy, although he is actually a human raised by elves, including Santa (Bob Newhart.) With a combination of live-action and stop-motion animation that pays homage to the 1964 Rudolph special, “Elf” tells the story of Buddy trying to ingratiate himself in with his human family, including dad played by James Caan – who happens to be on the naughty list. Buddy must woo his dad to the good side of the Christmas list and win the affections of the quirky Jovie, played by Zooey Deschanel. Thankfully he knows the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear – and putting syrup on spaghetti.

In addition to the movie “Elf,” Starz will also have various special features on “Elf” including a sing-along version. See how to watch Elf for free!

Why it’s Worth Watching

With the holiday season just around the corner, “Elf” is going to be a must-watch for many families. And considering how much we will be inside, I’m anticipating my family will have this one on repeat. It isn’t just because Will Farrell is hilarious, although he is – I will never not laugh when he screams “Santa!” in the department store. It isn’t just because of the supporting cast, which is the spot-on top to bottom. It’s also because it manages to be so satisfyingly heart-warming without being syrupy sweet (unlike Buddy’s flavor preference.) Even Scrooge himself would have a holiday twinkle in his eye after watching “Elf,” and these days, we should take a twinkle whenever we can find it.

Frozen

(Watch on Starz)

The phenomenally popular Disney movie “Frozen” isn’t just on Disney Plus. You can find it on Starz, as well, bringing the world of princesses Anna, Elsa, and snowman Olaf to an even bigger audience. The movie came out in 2013 when legions of fans praised Kristen Bell as Anna and Idina Menzel as Elsa for their portrayal of estranged sisters. Elsa has ice powers that she can’t quite control, coating the kingdom with snow. Anna is naïve and perennially optimistic. On their journey to reconciliation, they meet a cast of quirky characters, including Olaf, and belt out songs, including “Let It Go,” that continue to echo in living rooms the world over.

In addition to “Frozen,” Disney movies “Big Hero 6” and “Monsters University” are also coming to Starz.

Why it’s Worth Watching

With “Frozen” the Broadway show (on hiatus), “Frozen 2” the sequel, and the ubiquitous merchandising, it’s hard to imagine now that we ever lived without Anna and Elsa. “Frozen” took the world by an ice storm, with people cramming in to see the movie again and again and belting out “Let it Go” at every opportunity. One reason, at least for this mom of girls, was its celebration of sisterhood. Anna and Elsa don’t actually need a man: they save each other, and what better morals could a parent ask for? But it also benefits from gorgeous animation, strong joke density, and a soundtrack that lets people relate to each song’s emotions. “Frozen” is a must-see as a movie as well as a cultural institution. 

Spaceballs

(Watch on Starz)

In 1987, the original “Star Wars” trilogy was perhaps at the height of its fan mania. It makes sense, then, that Mel Brooks would make a parody of it – “Spaceballs,” a movie that lives on today as a cult classic. It features Dark Helmet, played by Rick Moranis, in his evil quest to steal the air of planet Druidia by kidnapping Princess Vespa. Bill Pullman is Lone Starr, the swashbuckling hero with a furry sidekick, a half-dog half-man named Barf (played by John Candy.) Mel Brooks himself is Yogurt, the small green guru who must teach them the ways of the mysterious “Schwartz.”

Why it’s Worth Watching

In the past few years, Disney has made good use of its purchase of “Star Wars,” dominating the box office with film after film. The older movies have gotten a new generation of fans – who might find a lot to laugh at in a parody. True, it is corny, but “Spaceballs” owns its own corniness with pride. It also points out the ridiculousness of “Star Wars” itself, which many treat with so much reverence today that almost no new movie can hope to compare with it. In fact, “Spaceballs” should probably be part of a Star Wars fan’s initiation. Before you can fully appreciate the Force, perhaps you must first enjoy the Schwartz.

Office Space

(Watch on Starz)

Cult classic “Office Space” gives the world view from a cubicle and how dreary it is. Ron Livingston plays Peter, a guy just zoning through the constant mild irritations of life at a software company. After attending a hypnotherapy session with his girlfriend, he has an epiphany of sorts and begins to give work its due, which is very little. With that off his mind, Peter can concentrate on getting together with a similarly frustrated waitress named Joanna, played by Jennifer Aniston, and on hatching a scheme with his coworkers to get even with the company for its workers’ poor treatment.

Why it’s Worth Watching

Is it possible that there was a time before we knew about the sweet satisfaction of smashing a printer to bits in an open field? Or that we didn’t know about the agony of TPS reports? “Office Space” launched as many memes as it did because it managed to show so adeptly what millions of workers know: office work can be soul-sucking. Give it a watch, validate your own experience of frustration, and then order your own red stapler, which Swingline started making after being popularized in the movie.

Looper

(Watch on Starz)

“Looper” from 2012 provided another take on time travel, this time involving assassins. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Joe, one such time-traveling killer aka “looper.” Part of the deal is that he must eventually kill his future self, played by Bruce Willis. Older Joe, however, has a plan of his own. Emily Blunt also stars as Sarah, a woman with telekinetic powers. Many of the mind-bending paradoxes of time travel that we know and love come into play, combined with non-stop action-adventure.

Why it’s Worth Watching

There are many iterations of time travel, from the cerebral in “Star Trek” to the funny suspense in “Back to the Future.” “Terminator” gave us a glimpse of the sort of terror that could ensue when the future comes back to bite you. And then there is “Looper,” which gets your heart pounding even as your head spins. Anyone who wants to know the full extent of time travel possibilities will want to give it a watch.

Titanic

(Watch on Starz)

The story of the Titanic shipwreck in 1912 was re-told in an elaborate and expensive style in 1997’s “Titanic.” Kate Winslet is Rose, a first-class teen engaged to the overbearing but rich Cal, played by Billy Zane. Her world opens up as she encounters the third-class Jack, and they start a steamy secret romance. Upon meeting an iceberg, however, everything falls apart – most notably, the ship. “Titanic” achieved spectacular popularity after it came out and caused legions of movie audiences to swoon and cry in equal measure.

Why it’s Worth Watching

The rocket of “Titanic” ‘s success was fueled largely by teenage girls, and I will admit that I was one of the most enthusiastic of all of them. I saw it many times in the theater with my friends, I belted out the cheesy theme song “My Heart Will Go On,” I planned for my bridesmaids’ dresses to be modeled after Rose’s wardrobe. Oddly enough, perhaps, I haven’t seen it since then. It was just so popular in the late 90s that it would naturally lay fallow for a while. Now, however, it seems like a great time to visit the movie. Is it a bit melodramatic? Perhaps. But it’s hard to match it for romance and sheer spectacle – and beyond that, for the fact that it’s the general story of a tragedy happened. 

Chicago

(Watch on Starz)

The gritty jazz scene of 1920s Chicago comes to life in this musical film made in 2002. Renee Zellweger is Roxie, a housewife who pines for a glamourous life as a singer at a club. Her idol is Velma, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones. Both Roxie and Velma land in jail together for murder, Roxie for killing a lover who dismissed her as having no talent, and Velma for killing her sister and her cheating husband. Sultry musical numbers illustrate the story as they both try to avoid being hanged with the help of sleazy but sophisticated lawyer Billy Flynn, played by Richard Gere.

Why it’s Worth Watching

“Chicago” has been captivating audiences since 1975 when the stage musical first came to Broadway. The revival has been on Broadway longer than any show other than “The Phantom of the Opera.” This film version won an Academy Award for Best Picture, which is unusual for musicals. The appeal has a lot to do with the jazz music and Bob Fosse’s legendary slinky choreography – it’s mesmerizing to watch. But the story also resonates with audiences, particularly the way the women use forbidden music and crime to vent frustration over their lack of power. They must manage the push and pull over what society demands and what they crave. Most of the time, they are selfish, and sometimes they spill blood, but when they do it in sparkles and feathers, it’s ceaselessly entertaining.

Bruce Almighty

(Watch on Starz)

Jim Carrey plays a man endowed with the powers of God in 2003’s “Bruce Almighty.” Bruce is a TV reporter dealing with a slew of irritations. His dog pees on the furniture, he is passed over for a promotion, and things are generally irritating. When he complains to God, he finds himself face to face with God in the form of Morgan Freedom. God gives Bruce his powers to let him know what it is like, and Jim Carrey-esque antics ensue, including revenge on his obnoxious co-worker played by Steve Carell. However, soon, Bruce must learn that to be like God, he must also try and help people, including his girlfriend, played by Jennifer Aniston.

Why it’s Worth Watching

“Bruce Almighty” is straight-forward as a silly Carrey comedy, with Jennifer Aniston playing the charming straight-woman. The jokes are predictable in a comfortable sort of way. But beyond that, the movie is relevant to modern moral questions, even 17 years after it was made. What does it mean to be a good person? How can you be good outside of a strict, organized religion? Should you be good even if you have the power and privilege to get away with being bad? They are questions examined by “The Good Place,” “Russian Doll,” and other more recent shows, but it is well worth digging back in time to this movie as well.

Bridget Jones’ Diary

(Watch on Starz)

The popular book “Bridget Jones’s Diary” was adapted into this film of the same name in 2001, bringing Renee Zellweger into the lead role. She plays Bridget, a woman who struggles with her job, her weight, and her love life, keeping a diary about the process as a way to cope. However, things change for her when two men come into her life: there is Hugh Grant’s dapper Daniel, her boss, and Colin Firth’s grumpy Mark Darcy. Bridget must awkwardly navigate the choice between the two. Her further adventures are explored in two sequels, 2004’s “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,” and 2016’s “Bridget Jones’ Baby.” 

Why it’s Worth Watching

Bridget Jones is certainly not the most stellar example of a modern, feminist woman. None of us aim to obsess over our weight that much, and her diary’s obsession with men means she might not pass the Bechdel test with herself. That said, these are things that women (and people in general) think about, and we don’t do ourselves any favors denying it. Sometimes it is just fun to poke fun at ourselves. The book is also known to be loosely based on Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” which means that these obsessions have the heft of classic literature.

Spy Kids

(Watch on Starz)

Carmen and Juni Cortez (played by Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara) are kids who think their parents are just normal, not-cool people. However, they soon find out that their parents, played by Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino, are top spies – spies that have been captured and need rescue. It is up to Carmen and Juni to figure out how to work all their parents’ tech and infiltrate the lair of Fegan Floop (played by Alan Cumming), a tv show host and maker of nefarious robots. “Spy Kids” was popular enough that three sequels, “Spy-Kids 2 followed it: The Island of Lost Dreams” in 2002, “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over” in 2003, and “Spy Kids: All the Time in the World” in 2011. The first three are all on Starz.

Why it’s Worth Watching

Kids love to feel powerful. Heck, don’t we all? “Spy Kids” started a franchise of movies that celebrate kids’ abilities to not only cope with the world’s problems but also to face them head-on. Even better, this movie involves actively rescuing parents, those symbols of the Man who are always keeping kids down. At the same time, however, it celebrates family integrity and family loyalty in ways that please the older set. 

Panic Room

Watch on Starz

This horror movie from 2002 gave people a whole new way to be terrified of home intruders. In it Jodie Foster plays Meg, a divorcee who moves into an old Brownstone with a quirk: it has a panic room with closed-circuit television monitoring the entire house. Unfortunately, she and her 11-year-old diabetic daughter have to use it immediately as intruders break-in during their very first night there. The panic room does not turn out to be a safe-haven, however, as the criminals will stop at nothing to get what they want – which turns out to be inside the room.

Why it’s Worth Watching

Why watch horror movies at all? During scary times it is a little odd to think of watching something scary for fun. However, it can be empowering to face some of your fears in the limited, controllable world of film. Watching Meg take on the horror of a home invasion, compounded by the danger to her daughter, can be cathartic. If she can take on big bad guys with nothing but unpacked boxes and moxie, maybe we can take on a pandemic with fabric masks and handwashing.

Men in Black

Watch on Starz

What if there were a top-secret agency tasked with dealing with alien forces at work on Earth? Such is the premise of “Men in Black,” 1997’s movie starring Tommy Lee Jones as a seasoned agent who has seen it all and Will Smith, a new recruit. The two don sunglasses and cool black suits and encounter aliens of all kinds, from the silly to the bizarre to the malevolent. The movie was popular enough that a series was made including “Men in Black II” in 2002, “Men in Black 3” in 2012, and “Men in Black: International” in 2019. All except “Men in Black 3” will be on Starz.

Why it’s Worth Watching

While shape-shifting aliens may seem crazy, what comes off most unlikely these days is that a secret agency would operate with some level of competence and ethics. We were a bit more trusting in 1997, I think, and it feels nice to go back to that time. A secret agency keeping things from us for our own good? Sounds perfectly legit and reassuring. Also, “Men in Black” blends science fiction and humor in a way that we haven’t necessarily seen since, and that alone makes it worth a watch.

Bring It On

(Watch on Starz)

Kirsten Dunst stars in this cheerleading-themed comedy from 2000. She plays Torrance, a high school senior just taking over as captain of her cheerleading squad, the Toros. All goes well until a new squad member points out that their award-winning routines were stolen from another high school’s team, the Clovers. The Clovers are from a less affluent part of town and comprised mainly of students of color. Torrance sets out to reinvigorate her squad with new dances and energy to prepare for the Regional competition, where the Toros and the Clovers will both “bring it on” for the chance at cheerleading dominance. The movie and the sequels will all be on Starz this month.

Why it’s Worth Watching

In 2000 the cheerleading world got a spotlight like never before: “Bring It On” premiered, and with it, we got fantastic dance/cheer routines, a bubbly Kirsten Dunst, and the origin of “jazz hands” as a popularized phrase. “Bring It On” brought it enough that no less than five sequels were made, although none had any of the original cast, plus a Broadway musical with music written by Lin Manuel Miranda of “Hamilton” fame. But it is the racial element that makes the first so relevant to today. Dunst’s character is well-meaning and well-off and ignorant of her privilege, as so many people are. “Bring It On” is a reminder that racism pervades in both large and small areas of our lives, including the cheerleading stage.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

(Watch on Starz)

Just like the title suggests, 1994’s “Four Weddings and a Funeral” features four events and a group of friends that attend them. Hugh Grant is Charles, a befuddled Brit who falls for the American Carrie, played by Andie MacDowell. They go through an on-again, off-again relationship and survive an onslaught of weddings helped by their friends, including Gareth, who is gay, and Charles’ deaf brother. Ultimately they have to decide whether love is worth the effort and the agony of getting married.

Why it’s Worth Watching

This movie was prescient in many ways, not only because it featured Hugh Grant, but soon to be a superstar of the screen. It is a rom-com but one that doubts the institution of marriage. Plus, it features a deaf person and a gay couple in pivotal roles. “Four Weddings and a Funeral” became the most popular British film of that time because it made all of this feel normal and incredibly affecting. Like “Notting Hill,” which came out five years later, “Four Weddings and a Funeral” blends life’s beauty with its ugliness and makes you root for the possibility of love in the midst of all of it.

The Other Boleyn Girl

(Watch on Starz)

This 2008 historical drama portrays some of the intrigue and horrors of King Henry VIII’s love life. Natalie Portman is Anne Boleyn, who becomes the king’s mistress and eventually his wife to gain social standing for her family. Scarlett Johansson plays her sister Mary, the “other” Boleyn girl, who also becomes mistress to the king. The siblings bond and bicker as they endure the tragedies of being a woman without any power in that era.

Why it’s Worth Watching

Many of us just finished off the latest season of “The Crown,” and I know I, for one, am not nearly ready to be done with historical drama. However, in this case, a woman is not in charge. In fact, quite the contrary. Anne and Mary have very little ability to exert control in their own lives, even to the point of if they live or die. It can be profoundly frustrating to watch, but Portman and Johansson give such rich performances you understand their situation’s intricacies. Just have another historical drama ready to go as soon as you are done.

My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising

(Watch on Starz)

This the second movie featuring characters from the “My Hero Academia” animated series. It came out in the U.S. in February 2020 and featured Izuku Midoriya in his continual attempts to be the best in his school for heroes. In this film, he and his fellow students from Class 1-A must defend an island and its inhabitants from a group of villains.

Why it’s Worth Watching

Right before the world shut down, “My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising” was released in U.S. theaters. If you weren’t one of the fans to see it right away, you would be happy to see it in Starz’s roster. The movie gives you everything you have come to expect from the anime, including plenty of superpowers or “quirks.” Here you get a chance to see the heroes engaging in a quest outside of school- making them more plus ultra than ever. Whether or not this is the final movie in the series, it is a must-see for fans of Izuku, his nemesis/classmate Bakugo, and their fellow students.

The Mask of Zorro

(Watch on Starz)

The swashbuckling hero Zorro became popular again with 1998’s “The Mask of Zorro.” Anthony Hopkins plays the original Zorro, aka Don Diego de la Vega, a masked hero to mistreated Californias in the 1800s. He trains Antonio Banderas’ Alejandro in sword fighting so that he can take up the title. Both are aiming for revenge on men who wronged them. Hopkins’ Zorro must face Don Rafael Montero, played by Stuart Wilson. Years ago Montero had kidnapped Diego’s daughter Elena as a baby and then raised her himself. Played by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the movie’s present day, Elena must discover her true father and face her feelings for Alejandro. The 2005 sequel, “The Legend of Zorro,” will also be on Starz.

Why it’s Worth Watching

In trying times, we often turn to superheroes to cope. Clear-cut good guys and bad guys make the world less complicated. Zorro is something like a Robin Hood for the American west, conquering the bad guys with panache and his signature “Z” cut-out with his sword. If you have watched all the Avengers movies multiple times, consider trying out a more low-tech version but still lithe, clever, and cathartic to watch.

Friday the 13th

(Watch on Starz)

This horror movie series began in 1980 with the original “Friday the 13th,” which featured Camp Crystal Lake ready to open after a boy named Jason apparently drowned there the previous year. However, Jason himself is found to be alive and in the many subsequent movies is the cause or inspiration for many more murders.

Why it’s Worth Watching

With the sourdough bread-baking portion of quarantine over, some of us may be turning our attention to a new endeavor, like catching up on the pop culture of the past. There are few as pervasive or influential as “Friday the 13th” when it comes to horror franchises. Many scary movies that came afterward used the movie as a template that should be considered required for students of the genre. Who knows, perhaps a little bit of pretend fear will give you an inoculation against the real-life threats around us.

Godzilla

(Watch on Starz)

A huge lizard-like monster threatens New York City in this 1998 movie. Based on the long-running Japanese series of movies, Hollywood’s first take on the well-known character. It stars Matthew Broderick as Nick, a scientist investigating evidence of the monster’s appearance and realizes it was created due to nuclear testing. Along with his reporter girlfriend Audrey, played by Maria Pitillo, Nick must try to figure out how to bring down Godzilla before it can wreak even more havoc and destroy the city.

Why it’s Worth Watching

We have a fascination with monster movies. The idea of our huge, busy cities made to seem miniscule is horrifying enough to be fascinating. Of course, they are sometimes brought to a standstill in real life for scary reasons, like COVID. But taking that fear and making it a bit ridiculous is a way to cope. Is this movie the best example of the genre? Not by a long shot. That said, you can sit back and soak up the ridiculousness, maybe even adding your own commentary like “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” It beats watching the scary things on the news.

Driving Miss Daisy

(Watch on Starz)

“Driving Miss Daisy,” made in 1989, earned both a Best Picture Academy Award and a Best Actress Award for Jessica Tandy. Tandy is Miss Daisy herself, a wealthy older woman in 1948 who ends up needing a chauffeur. Her son, played by Dan Aykroyd, hires a man named Hoke, played by Morgan Freeman. Miss Daisy is cantankerous, but ultimately the two develop a deep friendship, albeit one that is tainted by the difficulties of racism.

Why it’s Worth Watching

Racism has been around a very long time, as has the art made about it. “Driving Miss Daisy” is 1989’s contribution to the topic, and the way it grapples with it is far from perfect. The film has been criticized for Morgan Freeman’s character being too deferential to Tandy’s, and the accolades the film received only exacerbated that. However, it tries, and the attempt makes it interesting and worthy of conversation. The friendship that the two develop is genuinely beautiful and perhaps unlikely enough to be fodder for humor. If anything, watching “Driving Miss Daisy” today will hammer home just how long we have been talking about race and how much farther we have to go.

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

(Watch on Starz)

After Tobey Maguire but before Tom Holland, there was Andrew Garfield. In this 2012 film, Spider-Man’s origin story is told once again, complete with slick effects and all the catharsis of seeing an angst-ridden teen given superpowers. Uncle Ben is there as well as Aunt Mae, played notably by Sally Field. The villain he faces this time is the reptilian lizard. This iteration of Spider-man got one sequel before the franchise spun off to Disney.

Why it’s Worth Watching

Just how many times can we watch Peter Parker get bitten by a spider, be surprised by his powers, and finally take to heart that with great power comes great responsibility? Well apparently our appetite for his origin story is never ending. This SpiderMan came about soon after Sam Raimi’s SpiderMan trilogy starring Tobey Maguire. Modern audiences are probably more familiar with the Disney versions from the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring Tom Holland. Do we need Andrew Garfield in there too? Well, why not. If there’s anything we learned from “Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse,” endless variation on a theme can be endlessly entertaining.

Philadelphia

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“Philadelphia” caused waves when released in 1993 because it was one of the first major movies to address homophobia and AIDS discrimination. None other than the popular Tom Hanks played the subject of that discrimination, a lawyer named Beckett, who has AIDS. He sues his company for wrongful termination because of the disease. Denzel Washington plays the lawyer who takes his case despite his homophobia. “Philadelphia” received acclaim for its bold message and the acting and makeup used to show Beckett’s decline.

Why it’s Worth Watching

“Philadelphia” remains an important movie for modern audiences, especially for those hoping to understand the history of discrimination against LGBTQ people and the horrors of the AIDS epidemic. Even those of us who were around at the time probably did not realize the full extent of the havoc AIDS caused in the lives of people who already faced tremendous difficulty. Additionally, we must understand the past to help face today’s struggles with equality. Sadly even thirty years later, the fight for LGBTQ rights continues. “Philadelphia” can give crucial context to that battle.

Center Stage

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An elite New York ballet academy is the setting for “Center Stage,” 2000’s teen drama about dance. Amanda Schull plays Jody, a sweet student who isn’t quite good enough to compete with the other dancers, including star Maureen (played by Susan May Pratt) and the sassy Eva (played by Zoe Saldana in her debut performance.) Jody struggles with self-confidence and love interests as she finds herself in the world of dance.

Why it’s Worth Watching

Is this movie cinematic gold? Well, perhaps not. But if you are a ballet fan, or maybe if you’d like to introduce your teenager to ballet, this movie is a way to see some great dancing. Following along on the characters’ soap opera drama gives you an in to appreciating the dances in the movie and maybe even ballet dancing in general. As far as gateways to dance appreciation, there are many less fun than a weeknight watching “Center Stage.”

Into the Woods

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Disney adapted the Stephen Sondheim musical 1986 “Into the Woods” into this movie of the same title in 2014. Much adored among theater fans, the show brings together fairy tale characters and has them angst over the implications of their actions – and the unintended consequences of them. Meryl Streep is the Witch, who menaces baker James Corden and wife Emily Blunt with a curse that can only be lifted by a trip “into the woods” for three magical objects. They encounter other characters, including Cinderella, played by Anna Kendrick, encounter dangers and luck good and bad, and ultimately learn that happy endings are not all they seem.

Why it’s Worth Watching

I absolutely adore “Into the Woods,” so I am simultaneously in love with and irritated by this adaptation. That said, it is an absolute must for anyone with a drop of musical theater blood in their body. The cast of this production can’t be beaten, with James Corden being as dorky and loveable as you could desire, and Anna Kendrick providing a Cinderella just as quirky and conflicted as she needs to be. Plus, Meryl Streep as the witch! It’s so much fun to see them all singing together in the spooky woods that Disney has conjured. Nevertheless, “Into the Woods” is a delicate balance of energy and ennui, and the changes from the stage show throw that into a bit of disarray. I was particularly sad to lose the songs “Ever After” and “No More.” But now beggars for the stage can’t be choosers, and this version will do well while we wait for theater to return happily ever after.

Waitress

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Waitress Jenna, played by Keri Russell, longs for more out of her life in this 2007 movie. Her marriage to her abusive husband is miserable, with her only real outlet being making creative and amazing pies. An unexpected pregnancy further complicates matters – at least until she falls for her handsome OB/GYN. Supporting her are her friends and fellow waitresses Becky (Cheryl Hines) and Dawn, played by Adrienne Shelly. Shelly also wrote and directed the movie, but tragically died before its premiere.  

Why it’s Worth Watching

“Waitress” provides a tremendously satisfying arc for Jenna as we watch her get the nerve to stand up for herself. But it’s even more fun to see what pies she makes to symbolize what’s going on in her life. A smashed-berry pie is called “I hate my husband,” while she creates a luscious dark chocolate pie during her affair with the doctor. The pie gives us all a unique insight into what Jenna is going through. After watching, check out clips online from the “Waitress” musical, which brilliantly sets up Jenna’s plight in song.

Maid in Manhattan

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The classic Cinderella story gets another telling in this 2002 rom-com. This time Cinderella is Jennifer Lopez, playing a maid in a Manhattan hotel. While she is trying on a guest’s fancy coat, she meets a well-to-do senatorial candidate played by Ralph Fiennes. Fiennes’ character is smitten with her, assuming she is a hotel guest, and antics ensue. Along the way, the audience is treated to makeover scenes with gorgeous gowns and all the classic rom-com tropes our modern cynical hearts could desire.

Why it’s Worth Watching?

What if Lord Voldemort got together with a fabulous rock star?! For me, that is the hidden subplot of this movie. Any Harry Potter fan will be wide-eyed with muggle wonder at Ralph Fiennes’ portrayal of the dashing leading man. I mean, of course, he’s an actor, but don’t tell that to the images of him as a nose-less villain lodged in my subconscious. Almost equally bizarre is the idea that Jennifer Lopez could be considered anything other than glamourous. Her luscious curls and perfectly lovely lashes are not dampened by hard manual labor, it seems. Nevertheless, my rom-com-loving self can’t help but enjoy this movie, and if anything, its oddities in casting give it even more intrigue.

Open Season

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This animated movie from 2006 led to a series of sequels, two of which are currently on Starz (“Open Season 2” and “Open Season Scared Silly”). In the first movie, a bear played by Martin Lawrence ventures out from his home with a human park ranger and rejoins life in the wild. He is joined by Elliot, a mule deer played by Ashton Kutcher. The other creatures in the forest provide a slew of slapstick comedy. The bear and mule deer must band together with the forest animals to repel the human hunters that threaten their safety. 

Why it’s Worth Watching

Rampant silliness may not be an adult’s cup of tea, but kids will get a kick out of animals being weird. Fish-out-of-water stories are always rife with comedic possibilities, and in this case, it can be great fun to see a bear be the fish. Plus, if the kids like this one, parents can happily put on the sequels secure in the knowledge that they will get a few hours’ peace.

Annie

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At this point, you have your choice of “Annie” movies to watch, but this 1982 version will always be the one nearest and dearest to many people’s hearts. In it Aileen Quinn is Annie, the orphan red-head with spunk that we all know so well. She rapidly goes from rags to riches when she is taken in by Oliver Warbucks, a billionaire without a family of his own. The musical numbers are lavish. The acting is wonderfully over the top, especially in the case of orphanage matron played by Carol Burnett and her brother and his girlfriend, Tim Curry, and Bernadette Peters, respectively. 

Why it’s Worth Watching?

Somehow we all can’t get enough of Annie. Her story started in the 1920s with a comic book and continued in the Broadway show in 1977. This movie, then, was already treading on hallowed ground when it came out five years later. Though not universally adored at the time, it has come to be must-see viewing for fans of musicals. Even with newer adaptations made in the last few years, this version remains compelling for its dance and its drama. It also remains an illuminating peek into the disparity between the glitz of the rich and the desperation of the poor that was in full force in 1933 – but also continues today.

Before Midnight

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Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy star in this romance drama from 2013. Remarkably, it is the third in a trilogy that started 18 years prior. “Before Sunrise” in 1995 had the two actors playing the same characters meeting on a train as two young adults, deciding on a lark to spend the night walking around Vienna. In 2004 the characters met again with more walking and talking in “Before Sunset.” Finally, in 2013 “Before Midnight” yet again moved the pair nine years into the future. This last movie has them married with twin girls and faces the rewards and stress of a long-term relationship.

Why it’s Worth Watching

This trilogy should be required viewing for film fans, if only because it is so amazing that they were made over 18 years. Rarely do we get the chance to examine a relationship in such detail and over such a long time. The subtleties of the acting and the dialogue add depth to that treatment, letting us truly see how two people might find their feelings for each other changing over time. Is it jarring to see young love transform into mature frustration? Yes, of course. But it also feels true, and that is a truth that we all need to see as we grow older like the two characters. Who knows, maybe in 2022 we’ll get to see the couple entering their golden years.

Shakespeare in Love

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Before he chilled us with his performance in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Joseph Fiennes gave us an altogether more charming view of what humanity can accomplish in 1998’s “Shakespeare in Love.” Fiennes plays the Bard himself during some severe writer’s block. He finds inspiration in Lady Viola de Lesseps, a noblewoman played by Gwyneth Paltrow, who loves the theater. Their relationship helps to inspire the “Romeo and Juliet” play that we all know and love so well.

Why it’s Worth Watching

Controversy hit the Academy Awards when “Shakespeare in Love” won the Best Picture award over “Saving Private Ryan.” Many felt it was undeserved – but at least as far as I’m concerned, it is worthy if only for the enduring legacy of Gwyneth Paltrow’s passion for theater and gorgeous dresses. Fans of the stage were granted a gift with this movie, with Paltrow showing just how far we’d go for a life of poetry and adventure. We also gained in-jokes, references to the Bard’s plays, and a host of witty quotes that persist backstage today.

Ice Age

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Today the “Ice Age” franchise includes five movies, seven shorts, two television specials, and even a live show. But it all began back in 2002 with the original “Ice Age” movie. Two of the sequels, “Ice Age: The Meltdown” and “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs”, are also in its streaming library. Sid’s original features are a sloth, going on a quest to help a human baby with Manny the mammoth and Diego the saber tooth tiger.

Why it’s Worth Watching

With distance learning over for the summer and many camps closed, today’s kids have a lot of time. It’s great to start a franchise with lots of movies to enjoy, especially one that is almost certainly a sure thing. “Ice Age” was the top animated movie in 2002, as were many of its sequels. The antics of a sloth, mammoth, and tiger, and maybe most notably the zany squirrel with his acorn, are sure to provide a cool way to spend the hot summer months.

The Notebook

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You might love “The Notebook,” or you might hate it, but at the very least, you will have the chance to weigh in for yourself on this polarizing 2004 romance. Rachel McAdams stars as heiress Allie who falls for lumber yard worker Noah in 1940. Their romance faces great hurdles in the form of distance and her disapproving parents. The story is narrated by an older man, speaking to a woman with dementia in the present. Though the movie proved to be far too melodramatic for some, it retains a following today due to its sweeping Southern sets and costumes and, most of all, its passionate romance.

Why it’s Worth Watching

“The Notebook” is probably the epitome of cheesy romance movies, and while this has earned it some scorn, the film also enjoys a substantial cult following. Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling are all in on their performances, giving each desperate look and welp of joy all the drama they can take. As such, the chemistry between them is palpable, and the “will they won’t they” tension reaches epic proportions. By the time you reach the ending, the cheese is following freely, but if you are like me, you don’t particularly mind. Who doesn’t love a good helping of cheese, after all?

Little Women

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Louisa May Alcott’s classic 1868 novel is given a modern makeover in this version of “Little Women,” which came out late last year. Like the other movies made from the book, this film tells the story of the four March sisters who come of age in the 19th century. However, this version, directed by Greta Gerwig, moves around in time and focuses on the characters mostly as adults. Much of the narrative focuses on Jo, an aspiring writer played by Saoirse Ronan. Jo rejects traditional notions of love and marriage and wants more accomplishments in her life.

Why it’s Worth Watching?

For women today who want still appreciate classic novels, it is great to have an option like “Little Women.” The story is reasonably intact, but the values portrayed reflect a more modern sentiment, making it a good choice to show kids. You can simultaneously love the wardrobe, the romance, and the sisterhood, while also relish the girls’ independence and feisty spirit. 

Million Dollar Arm

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“Million Dollar Arm,” from 2014, tells the true story of teens from India who are recruited by an American agent to play baseball. Jon Hamm plays the agent, J.B. Bernstein, who is desperate for new talent. The teens’ journey from playing cricket in their native country to baseball in the U.S. is rocky, but ultimately both inspiring and heartwarming. The movie also stars Bill Paxton as the pitching coach and Suraj Sharma and Madhur Mittal as the teens.

Why it’s Worth Watching

Fresh off his success as Don Draper in “Mad Men,” who wouldn’t want to watch Jon Hamm doing just about anything? He is particularly fetching as an agent who believes in the underdog. Add to that the fact that you get to watch people from different countries mingling together, a novelty in the times of COVID. The spectators in the baseball stadium are even not made of cardboard.

Playmobil: The Movie

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The popular Playmobil plastic figure toys get a movie of their own in “Playmobil: The Movie,” which premiered in 2019. In it a pair of siblings from our world, Marla and Charlie, get transported into the animated world of Playmobil characters. There they encounter friends like Del, a food truck driver, as well the villain Emperor Maximus. A mad dash around the plastic environments of the toys ends with a showdown with a T-rex. Viewers will recognize a number of the voices, including Daniel Radcliffe, Meghan Trainor, and Jim Gaffigan.

Why it’s Worth Watching

Kids resolving family issues inside the world of plastic toys should sound pretty familiar – it is, after all, the plot of both “The Lego Movie” and “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.” Those movies told that story with humor and poignancy. Why, then, do we need this movie? Well, perhaps we as adults don’t. But the Playmobil toys are tremendously popular with kids, and seeing your toys come to life on screen is always thrilling. In the end, they won’t care whether or not this movie reveals something about the human condition. If it sparks a little more magic in their toys, this movie will have been well worth it.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

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A team of superheroes called the Fantastic Four fight for Earth’s survival in 2007’s “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” It is a sequel to the 2005 film “Fantastic Four” in which Susan Storm (Jessica Alba), Johnny Storm (Chris Evans), Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), and The Thing (Michael Chiklis) get their powers. This time Sue and Reed are about to get married but they have to pause the festivities to face off against the threatening Silver Surfer. Who is this shiny humanoid? Who is he working for? Why does he need to fly about on a silver surfboard? It’s up to the four to find out.

Why it’s Worth Watching

The Fantastic Four is Marvel’s longest-running superhero team. So why, then, aren’t they necessarily a household name now like Iron Man and Captain America? (Especially considering the quite confusing fact that Johnny Storm and Captain America are both played by Chris Evans)? As it turns out long before he was America’s toosh, he was the Human Torch. The Fantastic Four franchise up until recently wasn’t part of the MCU, or Marvel Cinematic Universe, so it isn’t included in the cohesive world-building we have become accustomed. All that might be about to change, however, since Marvel Studios recently regained the rights to the team. Watch some of these to get prepped for what Disney and Marvel might cook up next.

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