Streaming services were already at an all-time high in
usage rates before we were all locked down and stuck at home for public health
reasons. These days, it can sometimes be harder to find something to do with your
time. In this list, you'll find a mix of shows and movies that you can sink
hours into and still want to come back for more. All productions listed are
easily streamable on big-name services.
1. Parasite
Delightfully subversive of expectations, Parasite
is one of the best foreign films in recent memory. Through this film, we get a
glimpse into the life of an extremely poor family in the Korean slums who use
their cunning to manipulate a far richer family into providing for them. Having
won multiple awards and been advertised and shown prominently in American
theaters despite being entirely in a foreign language, this film has proved
itself to be a hallmark of the thriller genre, even overseas. It is currently
available on Amazon for a paltry rental price of $3. Parasite is more
than worth the money you'll spend to enjoy it during your next movie night.
2. Castlevania
A gritty, bloody, and exceedingly engaging take on the
story of Dracula, Castlevania is an animated Netflix original with
considerable critical acclaim. The main narrative chronicles Dracula's quest to
eradicate humanity and the opposition he faces in the form of the few remaining
vampire hunters. As a mature production, the series manages to deftly execute darker
themes with well-placed comedic breaks. Castlevania is exclusively available
on Netflix.
3. Cobra Kai
While it was a YouTube exclusive for the majority of its
life, the Karate Kid's successor has made its way to Netflix with
resounding praise. Chock full of witty humor and clever spins on the original
smash-hit classic Karate Kid, Cobra Kai is the story of Johnny Lawrence,
decades after his humiliating defeat at the conclusion of the original film.
With episodes that string together a cohesive yet independent narrative, this
is the perfect series to binge-watch. Even if you weren't a fan of the original
Karate Kid, this show is still worth giving a shot. Cobra Kai is
most readily available on Netflix, but you can also find it on YouTube.
4. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The conclusion to the trilogy hailed for having
revitalized Westerns, Clint Eastwood's iconic 60s hit still holds up
surprisingly well in modern-day viewing. A gritty and violent portrayal of the
American Old West, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly stands as a hallmark
of the genre as it tells the story of three gunslingers hunting for a large sum
of money amidst the Civil War. You can stream the film on Netflix.
5. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
A fun and engaging film for the whole family, Spider-Verse
was critically acclaimed on release for its gorgeous and creative animation and
well-paced storytelling. It tells a succession story as well as an
unconventional superhero story to surprising effect. Spider-Verse is a
good use of your time if you're looking for a lighthearted and enjoyable flick.
You can stream it on Netflix.
