StudioBinder’s guide to the best streaming movies and TV shows for cinephiles and filmmakers alike. We’ve collect the best content from Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and Hulu.
This “What to Watch” list is updated monthly.
What to Watch on Netflix
Mank (2020)
We can all agree that 2020 wasn't the best year but it did give us at least one gift — a new David Fincher movie. It's been six years since Gone Girl and Fincher returns with a bit of a curveball project. Written by his father, it tells the story of Herman Mankiewicz, co-writer of Citizen Kane, as he rushes to finish the script. This is Fincher's first black & white film but it looks just as crisp and precise as ever. The performances from Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried are exceptional and we'll be hearing more from Mank when awards season rolls around.
It's hard to overstate how great the three leads are in Bombshell. Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron and Margot Robbie each embody flawed characters but presented without judgment. Director Jay Roach captures the claustrophobic and contentious corporate environment and an unfortunately true reflection of the abuse of power.
It's been 3 years since Phantom Thread was released and it's one of those movies that just sticks in your brain. Naturally, Daniel Day-Lewis' performance is something to admire but we don't talk about his co-lead Vicky Krieps nearly enough. A relative unknown, she went toe-to-toe with Day-Lewis and held her own beautifully. The portrait of their relationship is something rather shocking, unique and rather touching.
Sure, Christmas is over but one last viewing of Home Alone (until next year, of course) never hurt anyone. The magic of a John Hughes script and Chris Columbus' directing is a match made in heaven. And just take a moment to think how iconic Macaulay Culkin's performance was. Have we seen a similar breakout performance from someone his age since then? Oh, and we can't forget John Williams' score which foreshadows his ethereal chimes he'd later do in the Harry Potter films. This is a stone-cold classic.
The sequel may have been delayed (Thanks, COVID) but we've still got the original to rewatch in the meantime. This thriller has the perfect premise for a packed audience in a theater — no one dares munch on popcorn or slurp the last of their sodas here. Of the minor rash of horror/thrillers that we've seen recently that focus on one of the senses (e.g., Birdbox, Don't Breathe, Hush), this film stands out by going beyond the gimmick. It helps when you've got such empathetic leads like John Krasinski and Emily Blunt.