May 2025’s Best Streaming Titles: Lord of the Rings, Murderbot, Across the Spider-Verse, Rogue One, Ran

Baa-ram-ewe! Baa-ram-ewe! The Citizen Kane of talking pig pictures, as one critic called it, will start streaming as soon as the new month rolls around. I plan on watching it with my kids, and all the while, I’ll try to wrap my mind around the fact that the man responsible for this charming little film is the same deranged genius who gave us Mad Max.

Peter Jackson’s adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic fantasy trilogy — which is arguably the fantasy trilogy — deserves all of the praise that it’s received over the years (like my review of the first film). With its incredible production values, astounding special effects, solid casting, and a script that knows when to remain faithful to the source and when to depart from it, the Lord of the Rings movies are just about as good as literary adaptations get.

Based on Martha Wells’ acclaimed Murderbot Diaries series, Murderbot stars Alexander Skarsgård as a security cyborg who manages to overcomes his own programming and achieve free will, a fact that he must hide from his employers in order to stay alive. Things get complicated, however, on his latest assignment when his charges discover his freedom. Murderbot also stars David Dastmalchian, Noma Dumezweni, Clark Gregg, John Cho, and Jack McBrayer.

I’m always a sucker for an old fashioned treasure hunting adventure movie. And Fountain of Youth, which stars John Krasinski and Natalie Portman as a pair of estranged siblings who team up to track down the titular artifact, promises just that. The fact that it’s directed by Guy Ritchie is an added bonus. Fountain of Youth also stars Eiza González, Domhnall Gleeson, and Stanley Tucci.

2018’s near-perfect Into the Spider-Verse set an incredibly high bar for animated features, forcing the Spider-Verse team to pull out all the stops for Across the Spider-Verse. The 2023 sequel finds Miles Morales careening through the multiverse and encountering an army of Spider-heroes trying to preserve the infinite realities. Their efforts are threatened, however, by a bizarre villain with a mysterious connection to Morales. While Across the Spider-Verse’s plot gets a bit convoluted with all of the multiversal shenanigans, but there’s no denying that it’s another visual tour de force like its predecessor (read my review).

Two of Star Wars’ most famous bountyhunters — Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane — return to the hunt in the animated anthology that follows on the heels of Tales of the Jedi and Tales of the Empire. Tales of the Underworld was created by Dave Filoni, who serves as supervising director and one of the executive producers.

Long before he was Finn in Star Wars, John Boyega burst on the scene in Attack the Block as Moses, the leader a London street gang who find themselves facing off against deadly alien invaders. Attack the Block was the directorial debut of Joe Cornish, and with the aid of Boyega, Nick Frost, and Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Broadchurch), he delivered a rollicking film that blends sci-fi, action, horror, and comedy with some pointed social commentary on racism and poverty (read my review).

In this stylish 1998 thriller from director Tony Scott, a lawyer (Will Smith) finds himself in the middle of a political conspiracy involving the murder of a U.S. congressman. His only hope is a paranoid communications specialist (Gene Hackman, in a role reminiscent of his acclaimed performance in The Conversation). Enemy of the State has been criticized for both its depiction of the NSA and for influencing Americans to be more accepting of government surveillance.

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.)

Thanks in large part to Tom Cruise’s willingness to risk life and limb, the Mission: Impossible movies have arguably become our best modern action movie franchise (sorry, James Bond). Compared to the franchise’s most recent entry, the first Mission: Impossible movie might seem a bit sedate and underwhelming — but make no mistake, it’s still a solid spy flick in its own right.

Starring Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, Once is a charming romantic film about two lonely souls who find each other on the streets of Ireland and begin playing music together (read my review). Naturally, an attraction begins to develop between them, but the film doesn’t always follow the expected route. At the same time, it’s a joyful exploration of making and creating art within a vibrant community. The film’s hit single, “Falling Slowly,” won an Oscar in 2008 for “Best Original Song.”

The first Star Wars anthology film follows a ragtag group of Rebel fighters on a mission to steal something that could bring the Empire to its knees: the plans for a new battle station called the Death Star. The film’s cast includes Felicity Jones as the group’s leader, Donnie Yen as a zen-like fighting master, Mads Mikkelsen as a brilliant weapons designer, and Alan Tudyk, who steals the show as the misanthropic droid K-2SO.

If you’re looking for the ultimate over-the-top ’80s action flick, then you’d be hard-pressed to find a better candidate than Commando. Directed by Mark L. Lester, Arnold Schwarzenegger is at his musclebound ’80s-est as Colonel John Matrix, a retired Green Beret who’s forced back into action after mercenaries kidnap his young daughter (Alyssa Milano). Commando is utterly ridiculous as Matrix tears through wave after mercenary wave with machine guns, rocket launchers, grenades, and gardening tools.

When a group of high school students discover a strange meteorite that gives them superpowers, the world becomes their oyster. But when one of them slowly begins to slip into villain territory, how will his friends respond. Chronicle is an interesting take on the superhero genre, not the least of which is its “found footage” approach to storytelling in the form of footage from cellphones and videocameras.

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 a man discovers that his ex-girlfriend paid a company to erase her memories of their relationship, he sets out to do the same, sending him on a mind-bending journey through his own memories. What follows is an utterly unique film filled with ingenious visuals and a trippy storyline — as one might expect from a movie made by Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman, and starring Jim Carrey — that’s filled with unexpected poignancy as it explores themes of memory, love, grace, and forgiveness. (Read my review.)

Christopher Nolan’s Inception is about as trippy as big budget Hollywood spectacles get, featuring a group of dream hackers who hire a new recruit to infiltrate the subconscious of an executive. Filled with mind-blowing visuals and some incredibly clever action set pieces — and a hotly debated ending — Inception is proof that Hollywood action movies can be plenty cerebral.

When Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) takes a job as the winter caretaker for a remote hotel, he looks forward to writing his new book. But malevolent forces in the hotel have other plans, and soon, Jack begins sliding into a madness that threatens the lives of his wife and son. Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of the 1977 Stephen King novel contains some of the creepiest and most indelible images in all of film history.

Josh Holloway, best known as Lost’s Sawyer, reunites with J.J. Abrams for this 1970s-set action drama about a skilled getaway driver (Holloway) who’s recruited by an FBI agent (Rachel Hilson) in order to infiltrate a criminal gang. Based on the trailer, this looks like it could be a lot of retro fun, with Holloway really showing off his charisma.

In the final days of the Vietnam War, a group of Army soldiers are recruited for a top secret mission to explore a mysterious island. As you might expect from the movie title, they soon discover far more than they bargained for. Obviously inspired by Apocalypse Now, Kong: Skull Island turns out to be a pretty fun movie thanks to some crazy monster action, some inspired visuals, and a solid cast highlighted by some delightful John C. Reilly kookiness (read my review).

As an adaptation of the long-running Hellblazer comic, Constantine ticked off fans by casting Keanu Reeves as the cynical British sorcerer/occult expert/con-man John Constantine and transplanting him to California. But once you get past that (not to mention the film’s muddled plot and theology), Constantine can still be a fun Hollywood-level “B” movie. The plot: when Constantine agrees to help a detective (Rachel Weisz) solve the mystery of her sister’s suicide, they’re both drawn into the long-running conflict between Heaven and Hell. Cue the special effects, gross demons, and Reeves’ inimitable watchability.

“It was never easy for me. I was born a poor black child.” Thus begins The Jerk, the first feature film starring role for Steve Martin, and one of his most iconic performances. The film is basically a showpiece for Martin’s absurd form of comedy, as he plays a lovable — and rhythm-less — loser who strikes it rich with a silly invention, and experiences all kinds of pitfalls with his newfound wealth.

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).

Long ago, three kung fu students swore to defend their city against injustice. And then middle age caught up to them. When their respected master is killed by a mysterious assassin, the trio vow to avenge his death. That’s easier said then done, however, as the trio struggle to regain their martial arts mastery. Tran Quoc Bao’s directorial debut is a modern martial arts classic filled with humor and pathos aplenty (read my review).

While it’s entirely possible to watch Starship Troopers as a parody of military fascism, you can also just enjoy it for the over-the-top violence as a bunch of clean-cut, attractive teenagers join the military in order to fight an alien insect race. Despite receiving quite the critical drubbing at the box office, it has since inspired four sequels and two TV series.

Actor/stuntman Alban Lenoir reprises his role as Lino, the rough-and-tumble mechanic, for this followup to 2020’s Lost Bullet and 2022’s Lost Bullet 2. The first two films were excellent action flicks, and Last Bullet looks to deliver a whole lot more of the same, with Lino going all out to take down a corrupt police commander.

The acclaimed animated anthology returns for another season of mayhem. The fourth season will feature 10 shorts, each with its own unique story and visual style, and produced by animation studios around the world.

When I was a kid, I was absolutely convinced that I was going to become a fighter pilot. Also, I have very fond memories of seeing the Air Force’s Thunderbirds perform their mind-blowng — and eardrum-shattering — aerial stunts and maneuvers at various air shows. So am I interested in a documentary that goes behind the scenes and delves into the squadron’s intense training? Do you even need to ask?

After a storm at sea, a lone robot washed up on the shore of a remote island. Initially seen as a monster by the wildlife living there, the robot slowly becomes the island’s protector, even adopting an orphaned goose. But can she still protect the island when her makers come looking for her? Based on Peter Brown’s acclaimed 2016 novel, The Wild Robot — which features the voices of Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, and Mark Hamill (to name a few) — is ultimately an emotional metaphor for the sacrifices that mothers make for their children and communities.

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.

Although Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy could be considered the gold standard of live action Batman adaptations, Tim Burton’s take on the Caped Crusader is not without its merits. It’s gaudy, gothic, and hyper-stylized; boasts some scenery chewing of the finest sort courtesy of Jack Nicholson’s Joker; and has a funky Prince soundtrack to boot.

One of 2022’s most acclaimed films, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a riotous journey through the multiverse as a Chinese woman (played by Michelle Yeoh) tries to file her taxes. Oh, and prevent the collapse of all of existence. Riffing on everything from Wong Kar-wai films to Ratatouille, with a heady dose of martial arts and existentialism and fantastic performances from Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a truly unique cinematic experience (read my review).

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.

The third film in Sergio Leone’s “Dollars” trilogy, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly finds three gunslingers — Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach — racing against time and each other to find a hidden cache of Confederate gold in the midst of the Civil War. Leone’s film was notable for its striking cinematography and stylized violence, as well as Ennio Morricone’s iconic theme. Although critics initially dismissed it upon its release in 1966, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly is now considered one of the greatest films of all time, and the definitive spaghetti Western (read my review).

Directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg, The Goonies is about as good as a classic kids adventure film can get. When a group of social misfits on the verge of being kicked out of their homes discover a pirate treasure map, they see it as the perfect solution to their problems — if they can survive the elaborate booby traps and vicious criminals on their tail.

I don’t mean this as an insult, but Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar is worth watching for the visuals alone. Of course, it has an emotional storyline, as an astronaut is forced to leave his family in order to find a new home for humanity. And Hans Zimmer’s score has become increasingly iconic. But the film’s visuals are simply jaw-dropping. Fun fact: Nolan worked with theoretical physicist Kip Thorne to make the black hole effects as realistic as possible, which ultimately advanced the scientific understanding of black holes and led to the publishing of several scientific papers on the topic.

When a powerful warlord (Tatsuya Nakadai, in a bravura performance) decides to divide his lands between his three sons, he sets in motion a great conflict that threatens to tear his family — and kingdom — apart. Akira Kurosawa’s epic retelling of William Shakespeare’s King Lear has often been called one of the greatest films ever made, and it’s filled with some of the most striking visuals ever committed to film. Costume designer Emi Wada won an Oscar for her work on the film, while Kurosawa received his only Oscar nomination for his directing.