If you’re looking for a movie night pick that won’t let you down, head to Amazon Prime Video.

The top streamer has a fantastic selection of flicks that are basically masterpieces, and Watch With Us says that they are, and obviously, you trust us, right?

This April, we’ve picked three great movies that we feel are a perfect 10/10 — and that means it’s kind of an objective fact.

Our first selection is Being John Malkovich, the absurdist classic from Spike Jonze starring John Cusack and Cameron Diaz.

Read on to see all three movies.

Related: 10 Must-Watch Comedy Movies on Prime Video (April 2026)

There aren’t a lot of recently released films among the latest comedy movies on Amazon Prime Video, but we’re always here for the classics. Being John Malkovich was a wild experimental film back in 1999, and it’s still pretty out there in 2026. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email […]

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‘Being John Malkovich’ (1999)

Craig Schwartz (Cusack) is an unemployed puppeteer who ends up taking a temp job as a filing clerk in an office between the 7th and 8th floors. While working in the strange environment, he stumbles upon a door that acts as a gateway into John Malkovich‘s mind for anyone who goes through — and spits you out on the side of the New Jersey Turnpike once the experience is over. Alongside his attractive coworker Maxine (Catherine Keener), Craig starts a side hustle allowing people to have the John Malkovich experience, but it causes his bored wife Lotte (Diaz) to form an odd relationship with the acclaimed actor.

Being John Malkovich is a funny and unique film that manages to pull off its odd, ambitious premise with the greatest of ease. The skilled direction from Spike Jonze, a sharp screenplay from Charlie Kaufman and the committed ensemble cast work hand in hand to pull the whole thing off, and what results is a genuinely affecting story about identity, gender, the desire for fame and the ethics of control and voyeurism. At the time, Jonze, Keener and Kaufman were all nominated for Academy Awards.

‘The Zone of Interest’ (2024)

In 1943, Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) strives to build a life for himself, his wife Hedwig (Project Hail Mary‘s Sandra Hüller) and their five children while living in a gorgeous country home that sits within birds-eye view of the black smoke billowing from the concentration camp’s chimneys. In his free time, Höss takes his children out to swim and play, Hedwig works in the garden, and the family otherwise lives normal, carefree lives while the sounds of screaming, gunshots, furnaces and trains emanate from over the wall of the extermination camp Höss oversees, and helped to create.

The Zone of Interest is a stark and frequently uncomfortable watch, adapted from the 2014 novel of the same name but instead based on the real-life Höss and his family, who inspired the fictional characters in the book. A damning indictment of the “banality of evil,” The Zone of Interest demystifies Nazi pathology from something beyond comprehension into something that might seem eerily familiar. Frequently topping lists of the best movies of the 2020s and best movies of the 21st century as a whole, The Zone of Interest also received a much-deserved Oscar for Best International Feature Film in 2024.

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‘Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood’ (2019)

It’s 1969, and while flower children are blowing the winds of change, aging television star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) struggles to adjust to the times. Rick made a big splash in the 1950s as the star of Bounty Law, but now can’t seem to find the meaningful work that he craves, as the siren song of Spaghetti Westerns looms. Nevertheless, his loyal stunt double and best friend, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), sticks by his side despite a lack of work. Meanwhile, Rick’s new neighbor, rising star Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) and her husband, the director Roman Polanski (Rafał Zawierucha), move in next door, and strange, dirty hippie girls show up around town, residents of a defunct movie set where a man named Charlie Manson (Damon Herriman) is said to reside.

Related: 3 Prime Video Movie Masterpieces You Need to Watch in February 2026

Everyone knows that Amazon Prime Video is one of the best streamers around, and the proof is in the pudding. Each month, their library is updated with amazing additions — from old classics to new masterpieces, every kind of movie lover can find something to enjoy on Prime Video. This month, Watch With Us wants […]

While the end of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood ends with a display of comic violence typical of a Quentin Tarantino film, the movie might just be the director’s most mature (and best) work. The gentle love letter to 1960s Los Angeles rewrites a tragic history for Tate — who is perfectly embodied by Robbie — while fabricating a touching, bro-mantic love story between two best friends who’d do just about anything for each other. With all of Tarantino’s best instincts on display, Hollywood is a comfort watch that is funny, thrilling and expertly crafted in just about every way.

Roommates, Sexyy Red just dropped a post that has social media doing a double take — and Latto’s name is right in the middle of the conversation. From the matching energy to the sweet caption, fans are trying to piece together exactly what the rap girls were celebrating together.

RELATED: What’s Tea? Social Media Goes WILD After Latto & 21 Savage Tease Joint Post (PHOTO)

Sexyy Red Shares Sweet Message For Latto

In a post shared to Instagram, Sexyy Red appeared to give fans a look inside what looked like Latto’s baby shower. The video showed the two rappers posing for multiple photos together as Latto rocked a brown gown paired with a noticeable baby bump, while Sexyy stepped out in a white dress with her signature red hair and black shades. In one snap, the two appeared to playfully grab each other’s backsides, while another showed them sharing a hug as cameras flashed around them.

Sexyy kept the love flowing in the caption, writing, “Congrats susta welcome 2 da hood [Latto],” instantly sending fans into speculation mode online as the clips and photos began making rounds across social media.

You Already Know The Comments Did Not Disappoint

Roommates, as soon as Sexyy Red dropped the post, fans raced to TSR’s Instagram comment section and turned things all the way up. Some folks celebrated seeing Black women embrace and celebrate pregnancy publicly, while others loved seeing the rap girls support each other online. A few fans also brought up Latto’s old “big mama, one kid” lyric, joking that she really spoke her future into existence.

One Instagram user @tsehaiwalton said, “I love seeing woman celebrate woman , blue check or not 👏🔥😍”

This Instagram user @trulytee_ commented, “THE BEST HOOD 🫡💪🏽”

And, Instagram user @richlifeshawtydred added, “I’ve loved seeing black women celebrate pregnancy.“

Meanwhile, Instagram user @xoxo_jalysa shared, “Look at the sword lol that’s definitely the baby name 😂”

While Instagram user @mochaahontas__ wrote, “BIG MAMA 1 KID 👏🏾🔥baby I love me some LATTOOOO“

Lastly, Instagram user @sayjulius claimed, “When the greens touches the mac and cheese“

Did Latto Give Birth Yet?

Roommates, the internet is in full detective mode after the 21 Savage dropped a series of new photos packed with heavy Arsenal energy following the club’s major milestone of securing its first Premier League title in 22 years. One standout image shows a baby resting on a plush cream furry couch, wearing a white Arsenal onesie with “Emirates Fly Better” across the front, and while the face stays mostly out of frame, fans quickly zoomed in on every detail trying to connect the dots.

Speculation only intensified online as viewers began linking the post to ongoing rumors surrounding the rapper and a possible new addition to his family. As previously reported, chatter about Latto and 21 Savage welcoming a baby together has been circulating for weeks, and gained even more traction after Latto shared an emotional Instagram clip on May 18, where she opened up about being five weeks pregnant, showed ultrasound footage at 13 weeks, and reflected on balancing pregnancy, career moves, and her upcoming album — with baby shower moments also featuring a cameo appearance from 21 Savage.

RELATED: Awww! Fans Think 21 Savage Confirmed The Arrival His Baby With Latto & The TL Is In Shambles (PHOTOS)

Shopping for quality sandals can sometimes feel challenging, but doing it online takes the task to a whole new level. Luckily, Amazon shoppers have made the experience even more fail-proof than in-store shopping, leaving plenty of detailed reviews about specific designs. After scouring hundreds of comments, we uncovered these 11 chic, comfy sandals that shoppers say feel like “walking on clouds.”

Whether you’re looking for everyday flip-flops, polished options or vacation-ready slip-ons, these sandals fit the description, making comfort a priority. See the styles shoppers are obsessed with for travel, brunch, work and everything in between. Who knows? These summer must-haves might just replace your tried-and-true sneakers!

11 Chic Sandals That Feel Like ‘Walking on Clouds’ — From $14

1. Mediterranean Maven: With raffia-looking detailing, these leather slides have a high-end European resort vibe. Slip them on with linen pants or a sundress and you’re done.

2. Classic Espadrilles: Thanks to a thick platform, Dream Pairs’ ankle-strap espadrilles boost your height without the wobble. Hot pink keeps things fun, but the same style also comes in neutrals.

3. Yoga Mats: Flat sandals with zero support make beach walks miserable. These orthopedic flip-flops support your arches, so they’re even suitable for those who suffer from plantar fasciitis.

4. Quite the Charmer: If your old Birks finally bit the dust, these double-strap sandals are identical — but cost a fraction of the price!

5. Cheetah Girl: Memory foam insoles are the highlight here, sinking under your heel the way a good pillow does. If nothing else, the cheetah-print design feels fun and iconic.

6. Classic Cork: With over 62,000 five-star reviews, Cushionaire’s Luna slip-ons are the cult favorite of the bunch. Adjustable straps and a wide-width option make them ideal for everyone.

7. Boho Babe: Strappy sandals usually mean blisters, but this boho option has a stretchy ankle band that’s smooth rather than rough.

8. Wear-Everywhere Staple: For date night in the city, you want something polished that’s not a heel. These sparkly silver shoes dress up any outfit without making you regret the walk to dinner.

9. Dreamy Denim: When you’re running from coffee to brunch to errands, it’s a slide day. These textured slip-on sandals come in a dreamy denim hue that matches everything in your summer wardrobe.

10. Extra Polished: Channel Italian rich mom vibes in some modern square-toe slides. They’re a classy twist on a regular round toe.

11. Travel MVP: Run! These yoga-mat flip flops are equipped with orthotic arch support, and they’re only $14 right now. You won’t want to travel without them.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s finances are reportedly not in a great state, and it is said to have left the royal couple scrambling to save every dollar as they strive to keep up with their expensive lifestyle.

Reports claim the situation has left the duchess especially juggling different ventures to bring in cash as they’re both reluctant to “dip into” the duke’s inheritance.

Prince Harry and Meghan, who recently celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary, are also reportedly looking to reconcile with the royal family.

Harry and Meghan are said to be running their life in California on a very tight budget, despite fostering a public narrative of a wealthy home.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left their royal roles in 2020 after major fallouts with some members of the royal family and the British press.

They aimed to live an independent, celebrity lifestyle across the pond, but it appears that the harsh reality of funding such a global brand is fast catching up with them.

According to Star Magazine, a source revealed that they are now “watching every dollar” as they continue to live their lives to the best of their abilities, completely determined not to dip any further into Harry’s inheritance from his mother, Princess Diana, and great-grandmother, Princess Elizabeth, Queen Mother.

“Harry and Meghan are watching every dollar right now. Their cash flow, or lack of it, is a major concern, and it’s been that way for a while,” the source said. “They may be multi-millionaires with savings they’ve tucked away for emergencies, but their outgoings are absolutely huge.”

Meghan Markle Has Had To Work More To Keep Things Steady

Maintaining the Sussex brand doesn’t come cheap, as the source revealed that their family needs roughly $6 million a year just to keep their current lifestyle afloat.

Page Six reports that up to half of that amount goes directly into top-tier private security for them and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Combined with the mortgage on their $15 million sprawling Montecito estate, staff salaries, and legal fees, the outgoings have reportedly forced a hard look at their balance sheet.

This has seemingly left them anxious for money, with Meghan having to float several business ventures to keep things intact.

“It all boils down to the fact that they’re not getting those lucrative paydays right now, or at least Harry certainly isn’t,” the source told Star. “Meghan is effectively the family breadwinner. She’s working her socks off on her As Ever brand and other business ventures — that’s providing the bulk of their earnings.”

Prince Harry Has Reportedly Struggled To Bring In Money

Things haven’t always been this bad for the Montecito-based royals. When they first ditched their royal roles, Harry secured an appointment as chief impact officer for mental health startup BetterUp in 2021, with a reported yearly salary of $1 million.

He soon secured a $27 million payday for his efforts on his 2023 blockbuster memoir “Spare,” coupled with the multi-million dollar deals they initially got from Netflix and Spotify.

However, Netflix has since downgraded its deal to a less lucrative “first look” deal, while Spotify completely pulled the plug on working with them.

Although he has taken up several speaking engagements, like the one he took part in when he and Meghan traveled to Australia last month, NewsNation reported that his speaking fee has dropped from $1 million in 2020 to just about $50,000 today.

“He’d love to make more, but he’s hampered by the fact that he’s in Hollywood and not really in the same league as Meghan when it comes to business,” the insider continued. “And he’s loath to dip into his inheritance.”

A Possible Divorce Would Be Hard For Harry And Meghan As They Are Stronger ‘Together’

Harry and Meghan celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, May 19, with the former “Suits” actress taking to her Instagram Story to share a sweet photo of them kissing while holding a cake, and another photo where they looked happy together wearing penguin-themed costumes.

It appears there’s no easy way out for them regarding the situation with their finances, as any consideration of a divorce will hit them hard financially and reveal the reality of things they’d rather keep secret.

“Harry and Meghan are definitely worth a whole lot more together than apart,” the insider added. “So for the time being, it appears they’re stuck with each other, whether they like it or not!”

Meanwhile, reports suggest Meghan had a “huge shock” when she got to see how much Harry was actually worth. She’d reportedly believed he would be worth “hundreds of millions,” but the reality hit her hard, especially when compared to their expensive lifestyle.

Prince Harry Has Called For Reconciliation With The Royal Family

Amid reports of financial strain for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry is said to have been seeking for reconciliation with the royal family.

He has also made this call himself publicly during an interview with the BBC after he lost his bid to have his security as a royal restored.

At the time, Harry said he “would love a reconciliation,” adding that “there’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.”

Unfortunately, his request seems to have been met with silence, with royal authors and insiders noting that his brother, Prince William, has been especially hard to get through to.

So, in the meantime, it’s unclear whether the duke will get his wish for a reconciliation. However, experts are looking at his upcoming Invictus Games event in the UK as a means for him to make a reunion with the royal family a reality.

Fire Country has experienced cast — and showrunner — departures amid budget cuts, so which cast members are and aren’t returning for season 5?

The CBS series, which premiered in 2022, introduced Us to the town of Edgewater after inmate Bode (Max Thieriot) returned home and began volunteering for the California Conservation Camp Program. By season 2, a backdoor pilot set up the world of Sheriff Country, which is centered around Sharon’s (Diane Farr) estranged sister, Mickey (Morenna Baccarin), as she solves crimes in town.

Fire Country later went through shocking shakeups when budget cuts led to Billy Burke and Stephanie Arcila‘s exits in season 3.

“It’s a fire show. Anyone can go at any time,” showrunner Tia Napolitano exclusively told Us Weekly in October 2025. “But in terms of losing people, we’re also adding some really fun guest cast. It’s a revolving door of people from Sharon’s past and new faces that are exciting to bring conflict and secrets and twists and turns.”

Related: How Many ‘Fire Country’ Stars Have Left the CBS Series Over the Years?

Fire Country has faced numerous surprising cast — and crew — changes over the years. The CBS series, which premiered in 2022, introduced Us to the town of Edgewater after inmate Bode (Max Thieriot) returned home and began volunteering for the California Conservation Camp Program. By season 2, a backdoor pilot set up the world […]

Napolitano teased how the show will have to balance “really spicing it up” while still walking a “fine line” of paying tribute to the loss.

“What we’ve done is really thread the needle of honoring — especially Vince — because Gabriella is gone, but she’s gone to a happy and successful life. She’s still out there. But we really walk this line of honoring Vince while also finding hope rather quickly,” she noted. “Looking forward, the theme of the season is rising from the ashes and recovery.”

Napolitano continued: “How do you recover from something like this? And we’re really going to see everybody rise to the occasion, in celebration of Vince, of his life and in honoring the sacrifice that he made.”

The show continued to have characters come and go before news broke that Napolitano was departing after four seasons. Keep scrolling to see who is and isn’t coming back in season 5:

Max Thieriot

After viewers were introduced to Edgewater through Thieriot’s character, Bode, Fire Country has kept him the focus of the show.

Kevin Alejandro

Manny’s release from Three Rock allowed him to be front and center on the series.

Jordan Calloway

Jordan Calloway’s Jake learned more about his family in season 4, which presumably will keep being explored in future episodes.

Stephanie Arcila

Stephanie Arcila exited as Gabriela in the season 4 premiere but she previously told Us she would return if given the option.

Jules Latimer

Based on the midseason finale of Fire Country, Jules Latimer’s Eve will keep playing an important role on the show.

Diane Farr

Diane Farr’s Sharon will return in season 5 as she continues to grieve the loss of her husband, Vine (Burke).

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Related: ‘Fire Country’ Stars Who Would — or Should — Appear on Sheriff Spinoff

Fire Country‘s spinoff, Sheriff Country, hasn’t even premiered yet but there’s already questions about which characters will make crossover appearances. Fans were originally introduced to the town of Edgewater when Fire Country premiered with inmate Bode (Max Thieriot) returning home and volunteering for the California Conservation Camp Program during season 1 of the hit show. […]

Billy Burke

Billy Burke has yet to address his exit from Fire Country, but his character, Vince, can’t return after being killed off.

Morena Baccarin

Morena Baccarin will likely find her way back to Edgewater but only in guest star capacities. The actress is currently leading Sheriff Country, which has been renewed for season 2.

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Leven Rambin

After Gabriela’s exit, Audrey was Bode’s one and only love interest — only to be written off the show before season 4 came to an end. Leven Rambin has shown interest in reprising the role but her future on Fire Country remains unclear.

Shawn Hatosy

Napolitano hinted at plans to bring Shawn Hatosy back but details remain unclear.

Jelly Roll

The same goes for Jelly Roll’s character Noah, who could return but nothing concrete has been confirmed yet.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 20 seconds ago

One of the reasons I’ve distanced myself from Netflix’s true crime offerings is because they often feel disingenuous. Don’t get me wrong, there are some diamonds in the rough, like My Father, the BTK Killer, but for every banger like that, there’s also a ton of content that basically says, “Look at Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy, they’re so attractive, smart, and awesome! You’ll watch a 10-episode miniseries on them if we get somebody handsome enough to do the reenactments.” Personally, I prefer my true crime in the same vein as Forensic Files, a series I’ve watched all 406 episodes of multiple times.

Craving a solid procedural piece, I decided to finally check out what’s known as the best true crime documentary of all time, which just so happens to be credited as the film that popularized the genre as we know and love it today, 1988’s The Thin Blue Line. Admittedly, I slept on this one until just this week, and I’m just as disappointed with myself for not watching it sooner. Tubi, in its infinite glory, gave me easy access to the documentary, and now I feel whole. 

Written and directed by Errol Morris, The Thin Blue Line is a top-tier exploration of a criminal justice system that becomes a dangerous combination of corrupt, complicit, and incompetent when you look at the case it’s unpacking: the wrongful conviction of Randall Dale Adams, a man whose only crime was being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A Slam-Dunk Case Turned Total Disgrace

Private investigator Errol Morris spent three years making his case and documenting his findings in what would ultimately become The Thin Blue Line. The case in question, the 1976 murder of Dallas police officer Robert Wood, should have been a slam-dunk case on paper. The murderer, David Harris, was a 16-year-old psychopath who not only had access to an arsenal of weapons, but was also in the middle of a crime spree when the murder occurred, committing a string of robberies on his way home from the routine traffic stop that resulted in Wood’s murder. Heck, the next day, he bragged to all of his friends that he murdered a cop, as if it were some kind of rite of passage.

Caught in the crosshairs of this murder investigation was 27-year-old Randall Dale Adams, who was traveling to California from Ohio with his brother and stopped in Dallas to get some rest on Thanksgiving night. That Saturday, when his car ran out of gas, he was picked up by David Ray Harris, who, unbeknownst to Randall, was driving a stolen car. As the story goes, the two spent the day together, drank some beers, smoked some pot, and hit up a drive-in theater before going their separate ways.

Later that evening, Robert Wood was shot three times before David Ray Harris fled the scene and continued his crime spree. Randall Dale Adams wasn’t even in the car with him, but several eyewitness reports placed him at the crime scene. Adams was ultimately convicted of the crime after spending, in his words, about 15 minutes with Dr. James Grigson (also known as Dr. Death), the psychiatrist doubling as an expert witness who claimed with a hundred percent certainty that Randall would kill again. In his mind, the smoking gun was the lack of remorse Adams exhibited for the crime he didn’t commit.

Additionally, the state of Texas was all about carrying out due process so long as doing so meant somebody would get the electric chair. Eyewitnesses all piled on Adams, but as the documentary points out, many did so in bad faith. The prevailing theory surrounding Adams’ conviction is that he was old enough to receive the death penalty, while Harris, who would continue being a dangerous criminal over the next decade, was still a minor, meaning no death penalty.

The documentary takes a deep dive into the case, breaking down the prosecution, defense, sentencing, and appeals process while bringing in all the key players who sealed Adams’ fate before they even heard the whole story. As the film progresses, it becomes crystal clear that they already had their own version of events made up in their heads, and this was the outcome they wanted.

Blue Line? More Like Blue Print! 

Though Errol Morris didn’t know it at the time, he created the template and gold standard for the modern true crime procedural. His approach, which seems like standard fare now, was ingenious at the time. His method of storytelling involved dramatized reenactments of Wood’s murder based on eyewitness accounts, fully intending to show viewers at home just how many holes existed in those stories when scrutinized. Adams, who maintained his innocence the entire time, would ultimately have his conviction overturned in 1989, after serving 12 years in prison.

The Thin Blue Line got its name from Dallas County Judge Don Metcalfe, who famously said of the police, “The police are a thin blue line that separates the public from anarchy. The line is supposed to be honest … and you’ve made a mockery of that.” The central thesis of Morris’ documentary is that when a system is broken at its foundation, innocent men will pay the price. Thanks to his investigative work, Morris did what no law enforcement official on the case could do, which was find justice not just for Adams, but for Wood, who died in the line of duty when he pulled David Ray Harris over to tell him his taillight was out. 

If you’re a Forensic Files junkie like me and want to see how cold, hard facts get manipulated by the powers that be to fit a political agenda, The Thin Blue Line is essential viewing. It’s a masterclass in reading between the lines in pursuit of the truth, and in this case, the truth saved an innocent life from death row while helping expose the real culprit, who was pretty much dead to rights but didn’t fit the narrative.

As of this writing, The Thin Blue Line is streaming for free on Tubi.

1991 was an amazing year for cinema, and one that has perhaps not received enough credit. While it’s often mentioned that 1994 or 1999 are among the best years of the ‘90s, 1991 was an equally stacked year that had way more than just ten great films released; among the memorable titles released during this impressive span of 12 months are David Cronenberg’s science fiction neo-noir Naked Lunch, Barry Levinson’s epic gangster drama Bugsy, Martin Scorsese’s remake of Cape Fear, the all-time great action film Point Break, and the excellent franchise-capper Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

1991 is truly an impressive year in the sense that it offered a robust slate of films from many different genres and cinematic styles, indicating that audiences were much more willing to check out something that didn’t necessarily fall into their comfort zone.

10

‘The Prince of Tides’ (1991)

Image via Columbia Pictures

The Prince of Tides truly feels like it came from a different era because it would be unfathomable for a mature romantic drama based on a complex novel to become a smash hit and blockbuster. Barbra Streisand had made her directorial debut in the previous decade with Yentl, but The Prince of Tides was a more sweeping melodrama that explored guilt, trauma, and familial legacy in a profound way.

The Prince of Tides raised questions about surviving abuse and coping with mortality in a way that was unheard of at the time, and proved that female-directed films could appeal to mass audiences. It also featured the single greatest performance of Nick Nolte’s career, as he was able to show a more sensitive side of masculinity that many of the other leading men of his generation would not have been capable of.

9

‘The Fisher King’ (1991)

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

The Fisher King is just as weird as one would expect from Terry Gilliam, but also has some of the most profound emotional subtext of any of the films directed by the former Monty Python member. Although The Fisher King features some deep allusions to Arthurian mythology (and is frankly much better than many of the more traditional King Arthur films), it is also a powerful story about friendship lasting beyond class, and providing outreach to those with mental health struggles.

The Fisher King features two of the best performances of the ‘90s from Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams, both of whom are cast slightly against type. Although Williams earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for one of his boldest performances ever, Bridges is just as good in the film, and does a great job playing a character on a redemptive arc.

8

‘My Own Private Idaho’ (1991)

Image via Fine Line Features

My Own Private Idaho is one of the greatest queer films ever made, and solidified Gus Van Sant as a unique voice in the American independent film movement of the ‘90s. In what can be described as a loose, modern retelling of the relationship between Henry and Flastaff in William Shakespeare’s Henry V, My Own Private Idaho charts the journey of two young travelers, played by River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves, both of whom give the greatest performances of their respective careers.

Phoenix was truly an unparalleled screen presence who tragically died at far too young of an age, but left behind a legacy of excellence that is reminiscent of other late stars, such as James Dean and Heath Ledger. Reeves is often thought of strictly as an action star, but My Own Private Idaho showed that he could be a compelling dramatic lead.

7

‘Boyz n the Hood’ (1991)

Image via Columbia Pictures

Boyz n the Hood is one of the most impressive directorial debuts of all-time because of the audacity and clarity that John Singleton showed, despite being only 23 when the film was released. Singleton made a powerful and insightful film about violence and discrimination within a community, and created one of cinema’s greatest father figures in Furious, played in an incredible performance by Laurence Fishburne.

Boyz n the Hood was a major film for many of its young stars, as it was the first instance in which Ice Cube proved himself to be a star, even if he would end up doing more comedic roles in the future. It was also a film that had a significant breakthrough at the Academy Awards, as Singleton became the youngest person ever nominated for Best Director, and the first Black director in the history of the category.

6

‘Defending Your Life’ (1991)

Image via Warner Bros.

Defending Your Life is a delightful comedy about the afterlife that has all the wit and whimsy that Albert Brooks is best known for. Brooks has always been a force of comedic nature who can recognize the fallibility of humanity, but Defending Your Life was a rare instance in which he had to advocate for the merits of mankind, showing a surprising degree of optimism.

Defending Your Life was among the first films to prove that Meryl Streep was just as talented at comedy as she was at drama, and it also features a hilarious performance from the late great Rip Torn. The influence of Defending Your Life is still prominent today within other comedies that explore the afterlife in various incarnations, including last year’s charming rom-com Eternity, which featured great work from Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, and Callum Turner.

5

‘Barton Fink’ (1991)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Barton Fink is yet another masterpiece from the Coen brothers, and stands as one of their most personal films because of the focus it has on the indignities and pressures of Hollywood. John Turturro gives the greatest performance of his career as the titular character, who is a Jewish screenwriter who begins to suffer from extreme writer’s block when he is hired to write films for a corrupt studio.

Barton Fink featured an Oscar-nominated performance from Micahel Lerner, but also has a hilarious side role for John Goodman as Barton’s neighbor, who may or may not be a serial killer. While the Coens were already highly respected as artists at this point in their careers, Barton Fink minted them as some of the greatest filmmakers of their generation because it won the Palme d’Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

4

‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991)

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

Terminator 2: Judgment Day was the peak of James Cameron’s abilities as an action filmmaker because it is one of the rare instances in which the sequel surpassed its predecessor in every single way, even though the original The Terminator from 1984 was a masterpiece in its own right.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day made brilliant choices with its characters, as it turned Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) from a scared waitress to a powerful action hero, and brought back a new T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to be a protector and unusual father figure to a young John Connor (Edward Furlong). Terminator 2: Judgment Day paved the way for decades of blockbusters with its creative use of CGI, which is most notable in the sequence in which the ruthless T-1000 (Robert Patrick) transforms into liquid metal in order to take down the Connors.

3

‘The Commitments’ (1991)

Image via Beacon Pictures

The Commitments is an unusual and underrated film about a working class band trying to make it in Ireland, and has the trappings of a music biopic, despite being based on a novel that was not a true story. Although the soundtrack is worth listening to as a great standalone piece of music, The Commitments is at its best when showing the complex evolution that bands go through when their members struggle to stick together after many years on the road.

The Commitments is a powerful homage to the many bands that “didn’t make it,” showing that their lack of attention does not invalidate their work and appreciation for the craft. It’s a very charming film from Alan Parker, a highly underrated filmmaker whose name should be brought up more often when talking about the great British directors of the 20th century.

2

‘JFK’ (1991)

Image via Warner Bros.

JFK is the most ambitious and controversial film of Oliver Stone’s career, and remains just as jaw dropping in its construction many years later. Stone took on the story of the New Orleans Attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) to explore the theories involving the assination of President John F. Kennedy, leading to a complex study about how his administration was usurped for the sake of pushing forward a war effort in Vietnam.

JFK features an amazing ensemble that is filled with great actors, many of whom only show up for a scene or two; while it was Tommy Lee Jones who earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, Gary Oldman is absolutely chilling in the role of Lee Harvey Oswald, and Donald Sutherland gives an unforgettable performance as the mysterious information “Mr. X,” who provides details to Garrison about the coverup.

1

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Image via Orion Pictures

The Silence of the Lambs is the greatest horror film of the ‘90s, and remains the gold standard for serial killer stories. Jonathan Demme didn’t seem like the natural choice to helm such a ruthless thriller, but his ability to capture human emotion (often using close ups where the characters look directly into the camera) created an exhilarating cat-and-mouse game between FBI Agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) and the serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins).

Hopkins created one of the greatest villains of all-time, making it all the more shocking that Lecter is only on screen for less than 20 minutes. The Silence of the Lambs wasn’t only the first horror film to ever win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, but one of only three films to win the “Big Five” Oscars of Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay.

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Release Date

February 14, 1991

Runtime

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118 minutes

Writers

Ted Tally

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Most movies go for the feel-good ending. Comedies are meant to make us laugh until the end. Dramas often see protagonists make up. Thrillers and action movies have the good guy conquer the evil villain. Horror is different. While the genre has its share of happy endings, where the final girl slays the killer or the monster is defeated, it’s also the one that can get away with terrifying endings. Here, the antagonists are either victorious or the hero is so damaged that there is no true victory for them. Movies like Rosemary’s Baby, Night of the Living Dead, Midsommar, and Smile knew how to scare the viewer through the very last second, but these 10 horror movies did it better than any other.

10

‘Speak No Evil’ (2022)

Image via Nordisk Film

Christian Tafdrup‘s See No Evil is a highly uncomfortable chiller. The Dutch film focuses on a family vacationing in Italy who meet another family and quickly befriend. What starts out as fun quickly becomes something more sinister when the latter family begins acting more and more strange, causing the form to doubt what they’re seeing until it’s much too late to escape.

The 2024 American reboot went for the happy ending. No thanks. The original gets it right by going as dark as possible. Agnes (Liva Forsberg) has her tongue cut out and is taken. There is nothing Bjørn (Morten Burian) and Louise (Sidsel Siem Koch) can do, as Patrick (Fedja van Huêt) tells them they were chosen simply because they let him. If only they’d run away immediately, they would have survived. Instead, the couple is stoned to death.

9

‘The Mist’ (2007)

Image via Dimension Films

Frank Darabont has adapted several Stephen King stories for film but nothing tops the emotional wallop he created with The Mist. The film stars Thomas Jane and a whole host of future stars of The Walking Dead, who are attacked by interdimensional monsters when a fog descends over their small town.

King’s novella had a hopeful ending. Darabont wanted nothing to do with that. In the final scene, David (Jane) and several others, including his own young son, Billy (Nathan Gamble), flee in a vehicle that runs out of gas. With the monsters closing in, the group decides to end their lives on their own terms. David shoots and kills everyone off-screen. Out of bullets, he steps out, begging for the monsters to take him. It’s then that the military drives by. Hope was so close. If only they’d held on for a few more minutes.

8

‘Martyrs’ (2008)

Image via Wild Bunch

Pascal Laugier‘s French horror film, Martyrs, is an exercise in extreme violence pushing against what audiences can bare. When Lucie (Mylène Jampanoï) was a child, she was abused by a group of people, and now she’s out for revenge with her friend, Anna (Morjana Alaoui). What they discover is something more sickening than they could ever have imagined.

Martyrs has a dark and ambiguous ending. Anna has been captured and tortured nearly to death by a mysterious cult who believes their victims can get so close that they see the afterlife. With her skin ripped from her flesh and death near, Anna whispers to the cult leader what she sees. The viewer doesn’t hear her words, but whatever they are causes her to shoot herself in the head.

7

‘Hereditary’ (2018)

Image via A24

Ari Aster‘s debut film, Hereditary, may still be his best. A stacked cast includes Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, and Alex Wolff. They are part of the Graham family, and Annie’s (Collette) strange mother has just passed away, unleashing a series of bizarre events surrounding a cult. The most shocking scene involves Charlie (Milly Shaprio), who is decapitated out of nowhere. It’s not the only moment that sticks with you though, because the finale is a wild nightmare.

The final scenes see Annie possessed and sawing off her own head, which leads to her son, Peter (Wolff), jumping out of the window. This is not his freeing moment. Instead, the next time we see Peter, who was very much dead, he’s alive again in the treehouse, the demon Paimon inside him as the cult worships their leader.

6

‘Sinister’ (2012)

Image via Summit Entertainment

Sinister is regarded as one of the scariest modern horror movies. Directed by Scott Derrickson and co-written with C. Robert Cargill, their story centers on Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke), a true crime writer, who moves into a new home with his family. In the attic he finds a projector and reels which show the murders of several families. As he discovers that a demon named Bughuul is behind the killings, Oswalt tragically finds his own family marked for terror.

It’s revealed that the murders were all committed and filmed by children under Bughuul’s control. In the final scene, Ellison’s young daughter, Ashley (Clare Foley), drugs and ties up her family. Now possessed by the demon, she slaughters them with an axe and is taken by Bughuul. There is no happy ending for anyone.

5

‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ (1974)

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In 1974, Tobe Hooper‘s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre helped launch the slasher fad. It’s so much more than a killer in a mask movie though. Instead, it’s a deeply political story about the lengths a family will go to when new technology takes their jobs. Marily Burns stars as Sally Hardesty, a young woman driving across Texas with her friends when they decide to enter the wrong house. Inside waits the chainsaw wielding Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen) and his wild family of cannibals.

The third act is a non-step frenzy of violence. With only Sally left alive, the family ties her up, ready to make her their next meal. She’s able to escape, smashing face first through a window and running down the driveway in the breaking Texas dawn as Leatherface and the Hitchhiker (Edwin Neal) close in. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre ends with the Hitchhiker dead and Sally saved by a truck driver. However, even though she escapes, her wails of fear, as a frustrated Leatherface swings his saw, reveal that this final girl will never be okay again.

4

‘Halloween’ (1978)

Image via Compass International Pictures/Aquarius Releasing

John Carpenter‘s Halloween changed horror forever with a simple premise that has been copied off. The suburban nightmare begins with young Michael Myers killing his sister in 1963. Fifteen years later, he escapes from a psychiatric hospital, puts on a shapeless white mask, and looks to recreate his crime by stalking babysitter Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her friends. Many of them won’t live through the night.

Halloween set the template for slashers to come. After a slow burn build, Carpenter lets the Boogeyman loose in the last act. When Laurie goes across the street to check on her friends, the Shape is waiting. From one house to the next, Michael Myers teases the prey who he could kill at any moment if he wanted to. In the end, with help from Dr. Samuel Loomis (Donald Pleasance), Michael is seemingly taken down, only for the final shots revealing where he’s been as the Shape’s breathing fills our ears. Evil can’t be defeated.

3

‘The Vanishing’ (1988)

Image via Argos Films

George Sluzier‘s The Vanishing is one of the most bleak and unnerving movies you’ll ever see. The story begins with two young lovers, Rex (Gene Bervoets) and Saskia (Johanna ter Steege), who are vacationing in France when Saskia goes missing. Years later, Saskia has never been found, but then Rex begins receiving startling messages from Raymond (Bernanrd-Pierre Donnadieu), the man who took her and now wants to terrorize who she left behind.

This is again a case where the American reboot delivers a happy ending. The original does not. Raymond wants Rex to experience what Saskia did in her last moments. Desperate to know the truth, Rex gives in, so he agrees to drink coffee laced with drugs. When Rex comes to, he’s been buried alive in a coffin with no chance of escape. He will die here, slowly suffocating, while Raymond is free to kill again.

2

‘Don’t Look Now’ (1973)

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Nicholas Roeg‘s Don’t Look Now gets a lot of attention because of the decades-old rumors that stars Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie actually did the deed during their sex scene. They didn’t, and there is so much more to this film than that curiosity. Don’t Look Now is a slow-burn mystery nightmare with Sutherland and Christie as John and Lura Baxter. After the drowning death of their daughter, the couple goes to Italy for work and to try to forget what happened. While there, a serial killer strikes.

In several scenes, John sees a short person in a red hooded coat, similar to the way his daughter was dressed when she died. Has she found a way to return to him? Needing to know, John follows the hooded figure in the final moments. Cornered, and with nowhere to go, the stranger turns around. It’s not John’s daughter. Instead, it’s the killer, an elderly little person with crazed eyes who slashes John to death.

1

‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999)

Image via Artisan Entertainment.

The Blair Witch Project had the greatest marketing campaign in movie history. Directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez had audiences convinced that the found footage they were seeing was actually real. It’s a simple premise for the terror, with college filmmakers Heather (Heather Donahue), Josh (Joshua Leonard), and Mike (Michael C. Williams) going into the Maryland woods in search of a legendary witch. They quickly become lost before something unseen stalks them through the trees.

In the final scene, Josh has disappeared and now screams from somewhere out in the darkness. A terrified Heather and Mike go looking and come upon a dilapidated house. Alone in the basement, Mike’s camera is knocked down by the unknown. In the final shots, a screaming Heather runs down the steps. There stands a motionless Mike in the corner, just like Rustin Parr used to do with the kids he killed. An unknown force then knocks Heather’s camera away, silencing her. The audience never sees the witch or finds out what exactly happened. The fear is in the unknown.