March 2025’s Best Streaming Titles: Daredevil, Pulp Fiction, The Truman Show, Do the Right Thing, Community

Dr. Buckaroo Banzai is many things: physicist, neurosurgeon, test pilot, rock star. He’ll need all of those talents, as well as his brave comrades in the Hong Kong Cavaliers, to save Earth from the evil Red Lectroids, who’ve been trapped in the 8th dimension by the Black Lectroids of Planet 10. If any part of that description sounds like the best movie ever, then you’ve probably already watched this multiple times. If you haven’t, then you’re in for a treat: Buckaroo Banzai is cult cinema par excellence.

In this classic time travel movie, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) accidentally ends up in the year 1955 courtesy of a souped up, plutonium-powered DeLorean. His shock upon arriving in the past is compounded when he meets his parents as teenagers, his future mother falls for him, and he squares off against the school bully. Since its 1985 release, Back to the Future has become a pop culture phenomena, inspiring video games, a theme park ride, and even a stage musical.

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.

On its surface, RoboCop seems like a pretty straightforward action/sci-fi movie: dedicated cop gets gunned down by vicious thugs and is reborn as an unstoppable cybernetic enforcer. But this being a Paul Verhoeven movie, it’s no surprise that RoboCop also packs a darkly satirical edge that skewers corporate greed.

Before they blew away the box office with Top Gun: Maverick, Joseph Kosinski and Tom Cruise teamed up for this 2013 sci-fi film about the last two humans on Earth who are tasked with monitoring the planet following an alien invasion. But a shocking discovery threatens to undo everything they thought they knew. The film received mixed reviews at the time, but its visual effects were widely praised, and helped lay the foundation for series like The Mandalorian.

The original Daredevil series was a huge hit when it debuted on Netflix back in 2015. Ten years later, Charlie Cox re-dons the mantle of the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, a blind vigilante who uses his extrasensory powers and superhuman reflexes to find justice in the streets of New York City. Vincent D’Onofrio also reprises his role as the nefarious crime lord Kingpin, who is running for mayor of New York. The series has already been renewed for a second season.

After the crew of a deep space vessel discovers the wreckage of an alien spaceship, they soon find themselves being hunted by a vicious, cold-blooded creature. Directed by Ridley Scott, with designs inspired by H.R. Giger’s nightmarish artwork, Alien is a sci-fi/horror classic (read my review). The movie Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm, and of course, Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, one of sci-fi cinema’s most iconic female characters.

Ridley Scott’s original Alien was as much a horror movie as it was a sci-fi flick. But with Aliens, director James Cameron decided to throw in lots of action, as well. Set nearly 60 years after the original film, Aliens finds Ellen Ripley returning to the moon where the xenomorphs were first encountered in order to investigate why the human colony there has gone silent. Joining her are a colorful bunch of Colonial Marines, and they’ll need all of the firepower they can muster to deal with what awaits them.

John Cusack stars as a rumpled and cynical record store owner who decides to try and make sense of his failed relationships by seeking out his old partners. Based on Nick Hornby’s novel of the same name, High Fidelity is filled with music in-jokes, especially when Cusack spars with his employees, and specifically, Jack Black’s extremely annoying Barry Judd.

Young Jojo is under a lot of stress. He wants to fit in with the rest of the Hitler Youth, but he’s too kind-hearted and is mercilessly mocked by his peers. The only one who believes in him is his imaginary friend: Adolf Hitler. But even that friendship gets tested when Jojo discovers that his mom is hiding a young Jewish girl. As you might guess, Jojo Rabbit is far from your typical World War II film, but what else would you expect from writer/director Taika Waititi?

I was a college freshman when Pulp Fiction arrived in theaters, and it was everywhere. Tarantino’s twisty, twisted morality play about hitmen, gangsters, drug addicts, boxers, and a mysterious briefcase blew everyone away with its snappy dialog, retro aesthetic, and celebrated performances (including John Travolta in a career-resurrecting performance). The diner conversation between Jules and Vincent is one of my favorite movie scenes of all time (read my review).

Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) lives in a lovely little town, he has a lovely wife, and his life seems perfect and idyllic in every way. But unbeknownst to Truman, he’s actually the star of the world’s most popular reality TV show, and has been ever since birth. But a series of events soon arouse Truman’s suspicions that his world isn’t all that he thought it was, and he begins rebelling against his existence even as the show’s producers try to rein him in (read my review).

When it was released in 1999, Fight Club generated no small amount of controversy due to its dark, seemingly nihilistic plot about a couple of guys (Edward Norton, Brad Pitt) who start an underground fight club that eventually grows into an anarchist cell. But all of the hullabaloo over the film’s darkness and violence overlooked the fact that it also made some valid points about the hollowness of consumerism and materialism (read my review). Since then, Fight Club’s reputation has grown, with some critics calling it a defining movie of the late 20th century.

In this supernatural comedy classic from 1984, Bill Murray leads a group of intrepid paranormal investigators who quickly find themselves in over their heads when an ancient god of destruction threatens New York with eternal doom. Ghostbusters also stars Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, and Rick Moranis.

Martin Scorsese’s gangster epic is based on the true story of Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta), a mob associate who eventually became an FBI informant. The film follows Hill’s introduction to the mob life, and his rise and fall in the gang through the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. The film was nominated for multiple Oscars, eventually winning “Best Supporting Actor” for Joe Pesci’s performance as the unhinged Tommy DeVito.

Released at the height of Will Smith’s box office dominance in the ’90s, Men in Black stars Smith as the latest recruit of a shadowy organization that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Paired with a veteran agent (played with cranky glee by Tommy Lee Jones), he must prevent an alien menace from destroying the world. Men in Black is topnotch Hollywood blockbuster entertainment, filled with sci-fi action, imaginative alien designs, and most importantly, Smith and Jones’ wise-cracking comedy chemistry.

Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore star in this romantic comedy about a man who falls for a woman with amnesia, and strives to win her heart despite her memory issues. 50 First Dates also stars Rob Schneider, Dan Aykroyd, Maya Rudolph, and Sean Astin in a hilarious turn as a steroid-abusing bodybuilder. The film was a commercial success in 2004 and spawned remakes in India, Japan, Iran, and Mexico.

What else can I say about Blade Runner that hasn’t already been said? Without a doubt one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time, its sense of atmosphere and gritty vision of the future has influenced countless films since its release in 1982. The “Final Cut” was released in 2007 with additional footage (including a complete version of the unicorn dream scene), and is considered by Ridley Scott to be the definitive version of the film.

It’s the hottest day of the year in Brooklyn’s Bedford – Stuyvesant neighborhood, and tensions are running high amongst its racially diverse inhabitants. Do the Right Thing explores these racial tensions through the various characters, and all centered on the neighborhood’s Italian-owned pizza shop. The film was a massive critical and commercial success. Both Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel called it 1989’s best film, and it’s since been called one of the greatest films of all time for its vivid and controversial depiction of race relations.

Vampires may be second-tier Carpenter material, but it’s still full of good ol’ fashioned B movie fun. James Woods is perfect as the gruff, cynical leader of a team of Vatican-sponsored vampire hunters. But when his team is slaughtered by a powerful vampire master, he must team up with a naïve young priest to prevent the vampire from acquiring a powerful relic.

Before he directed a string of the best sci-fi films in recent memory, including the recent Dune films, Denis Villeneuve directed this taut action thriller about an FBI agent (Emily Blunt) who teams up with the CIA to bring down a violent Mexican drug cartel. Upon its release in 2015, the film was widely praised, and nominated for several Oscars. The film also stars Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, and Daniel Kaluuya, and was the screenwriting debut of Taylor Sheridan, who would later go on to create Yellowstone.

The Russo Brothers, who rose to fame after directing Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, return with this film inspired by the retro-futuristic artwork of Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag. Years after a robot uprising, a young woman (Millie Bobby Brown) travels through the American west with the help of a former soldier (Chris Pratt) and a mysterious robot to find her brother. The film also stars Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci, and Giancarlo Esposito as well as the voices of Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Jenny Slate, and Alan Tudyk.

In this time twisty sci-fi actioner, Tom Cruise plays a disgraced soldier who’s quickly killed while trying to defend Earth from mysterious alien invaders — only to discover that he now relives the same day over and over again. Not only does this allow him to become a super-soldier Groundhog Day-style, but it might also be the key to defeating the aliens once and for all. In the hands of a lesser cast and crew, Edge of Tomorrow’s premise could be ridiculous and boring, but that is most certainly not the case here (read my review).

Christian Bale underwent an incredible physical transformation — he lost over 60 lbs — to play this film’s titular character, an insomniac who is haunted by bizarre visions and paranoia (read my review).

In this dark fantasy film by Guillermo del Toro, a young girl in 1940s-era Spain encounters a mystical creature who promises her immortality in exchange for completing several tasks. Is this really happening, or is it just her imaginative way of coping with the violence and brutality surrounding her? Filled with gorgeous visuals, imaginative creatures, and fantastical effects, Pan’s Labyrinth is arguably Del Toro’s finest movie to date (read my review).

The legendary Bruce Lee directed this film about man from Hong Kong who arrives in Rome to help defend a small restaurant from some gangsters — all of whom he handily dispatches with fists, feet, and nunchakus. The Way of the Dragon is noteworthy for being more comedic than most of Lee’s films as well as for its climactic duel between Lee and Chuck Norris in the Colosseum.

Arguably the best Saturday Night Live-inspired film, Wayne’s World follows the adventures of Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey) as they bring to their public access TV show to the big time. It’s basically an opportunity for Myers and Carvey to do their schtick, but what a schtick it is. Party on, Wayne. Party on, Garth. Sha-wing!

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.

This pitch-black English comedy follows a rookie hitman and his mentor as they lay low in the city of Bruges after the rookie botches his first job. What follows are a series of escapades as the unlikely pair try to survive in Bruges, and maybe even find some redemption for the rookie. In Bruges stars Colin Farrell as the hapless rookie, Brendan Gleeson as his mentor, and in the movie’s most iconic performance, Ralph Fiennes plays their irritable, foul-mouthed boss.

I’ll admit, I had very low expectations for The Lego Movie when it was originally announced. But I need not have worried: The Lego Movie turned out to be way more delightful, inventive, and affecting than I could’ve expected. When a lowly Lego guy named Emmet Brickowski (voiced by Chris Pratt) finds himself in possession of a powerful relic, he’s drawn into a conflict between freedom fighters and an evil overlord that will completely change his view of the world. The Lego Movie also features the voice talents of Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, Alison Brie, Will Ferrell, and Morgan Freeman (to name a few).

This cult TV show about a group of community college students and their crazy hijinks may be the most pop culture-literate show since Spaced. I’m looking forward to the various paintball episodes, the Dungeons & Dragons episode, the darkest timeline, and of course, Troy and Abed in the morning!

Enter the Dragon was the final film that Bruce Lee completed before his untimely death at the age of 32, and it was the film that sealed Lee’s status as the greatest martial arts actor of all time. Enter the Dragon’s plot is pretty straightforward — Lee must use his skills to infiltrate a martial arts competition run by a ruthless crime lord — but it’s all about Lee’s charisma, lighting fast fists and feet, and superhuman skill with the nunchaku. Enter the Dragon also stars John Saxon, Jim Kelly, Angela Mao, and Bolo Yeung.

When an intellectually disabled man is accused of murdering a high school girl, his mother sets out to prove his innocence and find out what really happened. Her quest soon puts her at odds with their small hometown as she starts to explore its seamy side, and what she uncovers could destroy her small family. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, who co-wrote it with Park Eun-kyo, Mother is a unique thriller centered on Kim Hye-ja’s acclaimed lead performance.

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.

If it weren’t for District B13, parkour probably wouldn’t be quite the household word that it is. In the year 2010, Paris has been overrun by gangs, one of which threatens the city with a nuclear weapon. The only ones who can stop them are a renegade cop and a former gangster. And of course, the power of parkour. The plot is threadbare but the action sequences are breathtaking, as characters race and leap across the rooftops of Paris without the aid of wires or CGI (read my review).

Kids on Fire School of Ministry is a summer camp where Christian kids go to learn how to better proselytize others into their faith. With numerous interviews and footage, Jesus Camp explores the controversy surrounding the camp’s teachings in a surprisingly even-handed manner (read my review). I saw this documentary with some friends many years ago, and it led to a really interesting discussion concerning our own upbringing in the evangelical Christian church, and the ways in which our adult faith has evolved and now differs from the faith of our childhood.

Based on Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now is one of the greatest war movies of all time. Coppola’s harrowing film chronicles the spiritual and psychological horrors of war on a haunted soldier as he travels deep into enemy territory to kill a colonel (played by Marlon Brando) who’s gone rogue. Filmed at tremendous cost and beset by numerous disasters and setbacks, Apocalypse Now contains some of cinema’s most indelible images.