June 2026’s Best Streaming Titles: Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Captain America, Gladiator, The Karate Kid, Star Trek

You know the story: two rock n’ roll-obsessed burn-outs are destined to save the world with their band Wyld Stallyns, but only if they can successfully complete high school with a kick-ass history presentation. Enter a time-traveling phone booth from the future and, well, the rest is history. Featuring what is arguably Keanu Reeves’ greatest role, this is truly a most bodacious movie. Be excellent to each other and party on, dudes.

Bloodsport is the film that put Jean-Claude Van Damme’s name on the map. Supposedly inspired by a true story (which is total baloney), Van Damme plays Frank Dux, an army captain who also happens to be a ninja, as he battles his way through the Kumite, an illegal martial arts competition. Make no mistake: Bloodsport is not a great movie, but it is an entertaining one, especially if you’re looking for some mindless martial arts mayhem (read my review).

Hackers is completely unrealistic in its depiction of computers and technology. And yet, it’s one of the best computer movies ever made because of its over-the-top sense of style and joyful, anarchistic idealism. (I highly recommend reading this oral history of the film’s genesis and production.) Yeah, I can nitpick and mock its depiction of hacking and how computer networks and interfaces work. But secretly, I totally wish all of that stuff really did work (and look) like it does in Hackers.

In the near future, Australia is a wasteland filled with roving motorcycle gangs. Law and order is maintained by the highway patrol, but just barely. Max Rockatansky is the patrol’s top officer, but when his family’s threatened by one of the gangs, he tosses aside the law for a rampage of revenge. Filmed in 1979 for a few hundred thousand dollars, Mad Max held the Guinness record for the world’s most profitable film — and helped reinvigorate Australia’s film industry. More importantly, though, it launched one of the most action-packed film franchises of all time.

What if the legends about aliens building the pyramids was true? Stargate takes that outlandish premise and spins it into a thoroughly entertaining sci-fi action/adventure movie. James Spader stars as an archaeologist and linguist whose unorthodox theories land him in a top secret military project, and eventually, half-way around the universe. Released in 1994, Stargate was box office success in part to its ground-breaking special effects, and would go on to inspire numerous spin-off TV series.

During World War II, young Steve Rogers is constantly rejected by the Army because of his small stature and poor health. But he finally gets a chance to serve as part of the Super Soldier program, which transforms him into the super-powered Captain America. And he’ll need all of those powers to battle the dastardly Red Skull, a Nazi scientist and occultist seeking to take over the world. One of the earliest Marvel movies, Captain America: The First Avenger is a lot of fun thanks to Chris Evans and Hugo Weaving’s performances and Joe Johnston’s (The Rocketeer) direction.

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator was one of 2000’s biggest and most successful films, thanks to an epic plot, incredible special effects, and thrilling action sequences (read my review). Russell Crowe stars as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a disgraced Roman general who is enslaved and forced to compete in Rome’s brutal gladiatorial exhibitions. Gladiator also stars Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed (in his final film appearance), Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris, and Joaquin Phoenix as the corrupt Roman emperor.

When it comes to over-the-top, special effects-filled, big screen spectacle, it doesn’t get much better than Roland Emmerich’s Independence Day. Yes, Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum taking on an alien invasion may require you to suspend your disbelief higher and longer than you’d like to, especially if you’re concerned about, say, the science of the movie’s events. But if you do, you’re in for a whole lot of explosion-filled, world-saving, alien-busting fun.

The casting of Jack Black as the voice of Po, a panda who dreams of being a martial arts legend, was clearly a stroke of genius. Set in an version of medieval China populated with anthropomorphized animals, Kung Fu Panda is a thoroughly entertaining action/comedy for the whole family that also packs some delightful depth beneath the martial arts hijinks. (And for what it’s worth, I contend that Tai Lung’s prison escape is one of the great cinematic action scenes of all time.)

Gareth Evans’ The Raid caused a huge sensation amongst action cinema fans when it was released in 2011 thanks to brutal, non-stop action, which highlighted the Indonesian art of pencak silat. Iko Uwais stars as a rookie cop tasked with infiltrating an apartment building run by a local crime lord. But his mission will require him to use all of his fighting skills just to survive.

Make yourself a White Russian and get ready to spend some time with the Dude… I’ll admit, the first time I watched The Big Lebowski, I kind of hated it. It seemed so directionless and pointless. But then I realized that it’s more about the characters and their interactions then any standard plot (though one does exist). The movie boasts a number of classic scenes, from the discussion about the importance of rugs to a discussion about nihilism. Oh, and the trippiest bowling dream sequence in cinema history.

Steve Martin and Diane Keaton star in this 1991 comedy about a father who discovers that his daughter is engaged, only he’s not quite ready to let her go. What ensues is a comedy of errors as Martin’s pride, ego, and fears land him in all manner of embarrassing and difficult situations, from a flamboyant and over-eager wedding coordinator (Martin Short) to a too-small tuxedo and a kerfuffle over hot dog buns.

In this wonderfully executed heist movie by Spike Lee, an unorthodox hostage negotiator (Denzel Washington) finds himself squaring off against an equally unorthodox thief (Clive Owen) in a bank robbery where nothing is what it seems. The film’s star-studded cast also includes Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer, Willem Dafoe, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Wax on, wax off… If you’re a child of the ’80s then you know the plot by heart: a lonely kid gets picked on by some ruthless karate bullies, he’s taken in by an old Japanese man who teaches him karate in a rather unorthodox fashion, and he uses the crane kick to dispense justice. Oh, and there’s that awesome soundtrack featuring Survivor, Bananarama, Joe Esposito, and… Gang of Four?!

When a spaceship goes off course and crash lands, the survivors assume that the planet is barren and lifeless. Soon enough, they discover that the planet is filled with creatures who thrive in darkness — and there’s about to be a total eclipse. Their survival now rests in the hands of a vicious criminal named Riddick (Vin Diesel), whose augmented eyes and killer instincts may be their only hope. Pitch Black spawned several sequels — The Chronicles of Riddick and Riddick — with another one in the works.

How’s this for a premise: An unemployed puppeteer takes a job on a hidden floor in an office building where he discovers a door that transports him into the mind of actor John Malkovich. Make no mistake, Being John Malkovich is a bizarre film, and often quite disturbing in its tale of mental control, usurped identities, and immortality. But being the feature film debut of director Spike Jonze and writer Charlie Kaufman, it’s quite unlike any other film you’ll see.

I’ve never read any of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels, so I have no idea how well this Christopher McQuarrie-directed adaptation holds up to the original material. In any case, I found the movie — which stars Tom Cruise as a former Military Police officer investigating a violent sniper attack and the conspiracy behind it — a serviceable action thriller. And as usual, Cruise acquits himself well as the titular antihero.

If you’re my age, then Miami Vice brings to mind pastel jackets, sports cars and speedboats, and big hair. But for his 2006 big screen adaptation, director Michael Mann went for a grittier, rawer feel — and it worked pretty well. A lot of that had to do with some great casting, especially Luis Tosar as a drug kingpin and Gong Li as his paramour. But Mann’s striking use of digital photography also played a big role, giving the film a very immediate and distinctive look.

A modern adaptation of Michael Bond’s stories about a marmalade-loving bear who travels from “darkest Peru” to live with the Brown family in England might seem a bit odd. But the truth is, Paddington is an absolute delight of movie. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, and Ben Whishaw as Paddington’s voice, it’s full of good-natured, big-hearted fun as the lovable bear gets into all sorts of adventures while trying to avoid capture by an unhinged taxidermist (Nicole Kidman). The film received widespread critical acclaim, winning “Best Feature” at the British Academy Children’s Awards.

Although it was widely panned by critics, and even drove legendary actor Omar Sharif into temporary retirement, The 13th Warrior is a lot more fun than most people probably realize. Based on Michael Crichton’s Eaters of the Dead, itself a retelling of Beowulf, the film follows the exploits of a Muslim man who falls in with a bunch of Vikings who have been tasked with defeating an ancient evil.

In this melancholy and meditative sci-fi film by South Korean filmmaker Kogonada, a family grapples with the potential death of their robot Yang, who has become like a son and brother to them. As the father (Colin Farrell) seeks a fix for Yang, he discovers secrets from the robot’s past that reveal a much more complicated existence. Thanks to its deft handling of heady themes like the relationship between humans and technology, After Yang was widely acclaimed upon its release — read my review — and has been called one of the best sci-fi films of the 21st century.

Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a cocky, loud-mouthed trucker who finds himself in way over his head (though he won’t admit it) when he’s caught up in a war between rival Chinatown gangs, a war that soon becomes supernatural. One of John Carpenter’s best films, Big Trouble in Little China is a rowdy, hilarious ode to classic kung fu films (read my review). As Burton, Russell delivers one of his most iconic performances, with James Hong and Victor Wong stealing the show as rival Chinese sorcerers.

What happens when a brash, hotshot attorney crosses paths with a down-on-his-luck father trying to make ends meet? Chaos and suspense, in this modern morality tale by director Roger Michell. Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson star as the two men, each from vastly different backgrounds and levels of privilege, who find themselves resorting to increasingly desperate measures to outsmart and outmaneuver each other.

This classic Adam Sandler comedy from 1996 stars Sandler as a wannabe hockey player who discovers a secret talent at playing golf — which comes in handy when he needs to save his grandmother’s house from foreclosure. Needless to say, Happy Gilmore’s unorthodox playing raises the ire of professional golfers, most notably Shooter McGavin (played with slimy glee by Christopher McDonald). Happy Gilmore also stars Carl Weathers as Happy’s one-handed coach and The Price Is Right’s Bob Barker in a truly glorious cameo.

I still remember the first time I saw Spaceballs. I was in junior high at the time, and I had no idea what the movie was, but the moment I saw the “We brake for nobody” bumper sticker on Spaceball One, I knew my life would never be the same. One of the most quotable movies of all time — e.g., “I am your father’s brother’s nephew’s cousin’s former roommate.” — Spaceballs is a true comedy classic.

Keanu Reeves officially became an action movie star in this thriller about a SWAT officer (Reeves) trying to stop a mad bomber (Dennis Hopper) threatening the Los Angeles. When the bomber’s latest ploy is a bus that will explode if it slows down below 50 miles/hour, Reeves must find a way to stop him and save the passengers. Thanks to its strong performances, taut set pieces, and thrilling twists, Speed was one of 1994’s most successful movies, commercially and critically, and its status has only grown over time (read my review).

One of the best Star Trek films, and certainly the best Star Trek film featuring the Next Generation cast, Star Trek: First Contact finds Picard and the rest of the Enterprise crew traveling back in time to prevent the Borg from rewriting human history. First Contact has a little bit of everything: Space battles, fish out of water humor, and even some melodrama as Picard continues to process his post-Locutus trauma. Directed by Jonathan Frakes, First Contact stars all of the Next Generation regulars, as well as Alfre Woodard, James Cromwell, and Alice Krige as the Borg Queen.