Peacock is full of must-see movies. Sure, the streaming conversation is often focused on the top-tier platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video. But the NBC Universal-owned streamer deserves its flowers -- and I'm going to show you why.
Let's talk about blockbusters for a second. Universal Pictures has been churning out box office hits and Oscar-winning flicks for more than a century. A large sampling of these titles can be found here, including the first-ever blockbuster, Jaws, among other Stephen Spielberg classics.
Whether you're looking for the cinematic spectacle of Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, action hits like Jurassic Park or the horror stylings of Jordan Peele, you'll find a flick worth hitting the Play button on by the time you reach the bottom of the page. Scroll on to see for yourself.
Read more: Peacock Review: Few Originals, but Cheap Access to Network TV, Movies May Grab You
Screenshot by Aaron Pruner/CNET Nope It's hard to describe Jordan Peele's third feature film without spoiling the whole thing. If you've not seen the movie yet, let me just say it is well worth your time if you're into horror and sci-fi. Some might even say it has a lot in common with Stephen Spielberg's Jaws -- except it's scarier, bloodier and features two epic performances by Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer.
Screenshot by Aaron Pruner/CNET Dazed and Confused Sure, everyone knows that this is where Matthew McConaughey made his acting debut. But there's more to the cast of Dazed and Confused than the Oscar winner. Jason London, Milla Jovovich, Parker Posey, Cole Hauser and Anthony Rapp are just a smattering of names appearing in Richard Linklater's classic. Oh, and Ben Affleck's also in it. Crazy.
Screenshot by Aaron Pruner/CNET Airplane! They just don't make comedies like Airplane! anymore. It's both dry and incredibly silly, and somehow, the balance struck between those two tones makes this movie the iconic flick that it is. It's full of classic one-liners, has a stellar ensemble cast -- including Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul alum Jonathan Banks -- and brought Leslie Nielsen's comedic chops to the big screen.
Universal Pictures Ray Jamie Foxx's portrayal of the iconic R&B legend, Ray Charles, is something to be seen. His transformation in this movie is outstanding. That, along with the emotional depth of his performance, it's no wonder he won the Oscar. Aside from that, Ray is also one heck of an entertaining biopic. Don't take my word for it. Go watch it yourself.
Sunset Boulevard/Getty Images Forrest Gump I'm not really sure what I can say about Forrest Gump that hasn't already been said. The Oscar-winning movie solidified Tom Hanks as a bona fide movie star when it hit theaters in 1994. Hanks's Gump is a revelation. Three decades later, this classic still plucks the heartstrings in the best way possible.
New Line Cinema Friday Ice Cube surprised audiences everywhere when he ditched his signature mean-mugging hip-hop persona to lead the sleeper comedy, Friday. Here, he plays Craig, the straight man opposite Chris Tucker's Smokey. Their relationship dynamic is infectious and is the biggest reason why this movie works as well as it does. It became a successful franchise with a fourth sequel in the works. The first one, though, is still the best.
... continue reading