Director: Jonathan Lynn | Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Cast: Eileen Brennan (Mrs. Peacock), Tim Curry (Wadsworth), Madeline Kahn (Mrs. White), Christopher Lloyd (Professor Plum), Michael McKean (Mr. Green), Martin Mull (Colonel Mustard), Lesley Warren (Miss Scarlet)

Based on the classic whodunnit board game, Clue finds the seven colorfully surnamed suspects gathered at a mysterious mansion to discover who is blackmailing them. What follows is a night of revelations, hijinks, and of course, murder. When it was originally released in 1985, Clue had three different endings, with each theater randomly screening one of them. This was seen as gimmicky at the time and didn't help Clue's box office numbers, but the movie has since gone on to become a cult classic, and with this ensemble of comedy heavyweights, it's easy to see why.

Director: Martin Brest | Runtime: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Cast: Eddie Murphy (Axel Foley), Judge Reinhold (William "Billy" Rosewood), Lisa Elibacher (Jeanette "Jenny" Summers)

Ahead of the release of the fourth movie in the franchise, there's never been a better time to revisit the classic original Beverly Hills Cop, the massive action-comedy smash from 1984. Eddie Murphy stars as Axel Foley, an unpredictable Detroit detective who goes to Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of his friend. The fish-out-of-water story is a classic example of the trope, while the movie also delivers plenty of great action, earning it a Best Picture nomination at the Golden Globes. Apart from ranking among the best movies on Paramount+, Beverly Hills Cop remains one of Eddie Murphy's best action movies and helped launch his career as a Hollywood leading man.

Director: Mark Waters | Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Cast: Lindsay Lohan (Cady Heron), Rachel McAdams (Regina George), Tina Fey (Ms. Norbury)

While a Mean Girls musical is well on the way, the original movie remains a touchstone in the teen coming-of-age subgenre. The classic comedy stars Lindsay Lohan as a new girl in a high school who is accepted into a group of the most popular and mean girls in school. When she falls victim to the cruelty of the group's leader, Regina (Rachel McAdams), she makes a plan to take her down. Written by Tina Fey, Mean Girls is a sharp and funny look at the modern high school setting and has gone on to become a cultural landmark a decade after its release.

Director: Jon Favreau | Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Cast: Will Ferrell (Buddy the Elf), James Caan (Walter Hobbs), Zooey Deschanel (Jovie)

A 21st-century Christmas classic, Elf stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, a grown man who was raised by Santa's elves. Buddy travels to New York City to meet his biological father Walter (James Caan) and help get him into the Christmas spirit. Ferrell is as delightfully over-the-top as ever playing the fish-out-of-water protagonist, and the contrast of Buddy's bubbly disposition with cynical New Yorkers is comedy gold. But the movie's messages about the love of family and making time for the things that matter are what make Elf such a perennial holiday favorite.

Director: Ben Stiller | Runtime: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Cast: Ben Stiller (Derek Zoolander), Owen Wilson (Hansel), Will Ferrell (Mugatu), Christine Taylor (Matilda Jeffries)

Somewhat overlooked on release, Zoolander has defied the initial apathy to secure its status as a beloved cult classic and one of the funniest comedies of the 21st century. Zoolander is filled with cameos from the likes of Natalie Portman, Billy Zane, and David Bowie. However, the real reason why Zoolander ranks among the best movies on Paramount+ is Ben Stiller, who not only directed the movie, but also stars as the titular dim-witted male model whose success begins to wane with the arrival of the hot and cool newcomer Hansel (Owen Wilson). Stiller's commitment to the ludicrous role makes the movie, which features one of the more ridiculous, yet hilarious plots in mainstream comedy.

Director: Amy Heckerling | Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Cast: Alicia Silverstone (Cher Horowitz), Brittany Murphy (Tai), Stacey Dash (Dionne Davenport), Paul Rudd (Josh)

A loose adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma, Clueless is an essential '90s teen movie. Alicia Silverstone stars as the rich and popular Cher, who enjoys playing matchmaker in her high school sphere but hasn't figured out her own love life. The movie's sayings and references are cemented squarely in the 1990s, but the dated feel actually gives the movie a signature style that works decades after release. Silverstone's charming performance is a perfect match for the movie's gentle comedy, and Clueless remains a quotable classic beloved by millions.

Director: Richard Linklater | Runtime: 1 hour, 49 minutes

Cast: Jack Black (Dewey Finn), Joan Cusack (Rosaline Mullins), Mike White (Ned Schneebly), Sarah Silverman (Patty DiMarco)

The perfect vehicle for Jack Black's chaotic comedic style, it's easy to see why School of Rock is one of the 2000s most beloved movies. After getting kicked out of his band for his flamboyant antics, guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) impersonates his roommate Ned Schneebly (Mike White) in order to work as a substitute teacher at the local prep school. Dewey quickly realizes that the children he's teaching are highly musically gifted, so he organizes them into a rock band for the Battle of the Bands – against the wishes of concerned parents and the school hierarchy. Among the best movies on Paramount+ in any genre, School of Rock is a feel-good, rebellious story that proves the spirit of rock 'n' roll is alive and kicking.

Director: Jody Hill | Runtime: 1 hour, 25 minutes

Cast: Danny McBride (Fred Simmons), Ben Best (Chuck Wallace), Jody Hill (Mike McAlister)

A low-budget black comedy, The Foot Fist Way marks one of star Danny McBride's first ventures onto the big screen. The rough and ready story follows the trials and tribulations of Fred Simmons (McBride), a fourth-degree black belt, self-styled bigshot, and teacher of Taekwondo in a small town in North Carolina. After Fred's wife cheats on him and his idol Chuck "The Truck" Wallace (Ben Best) turns out to be terrible person, Fred goes on a martial arts expo with his students on a mission to rekindle his arrogance. While Danny McBride's portrayal of overconfident losers isn't for everyone, The Foot Fist Way is a subversively irreverent dark comedy with a deceptively sharp script that belies its limited budget.

Director: Betty Thomas | Runtime: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Cast: Gary Cole (Mike Brady), Shelley Long (Carol Brady), Christopher Daniel Barnes (Greg Brady), Christine Taylor (Marica Brady), Larry Dittmeyer (Michael McKean)

While movies based on TV shows tend not to be very good, this is often because they're a direct copy of their original medium. This is what makes The Brady Bunch Movie unique in that it's a film about a family with '70s values living in the '90s, and is also a straight-up parody of the source material. The eponymous blended family finds themselves about to lose their home to Larry Dittmeyer (Michael McKean), a greedy land developer unless they can come up with $20,000. So, in true Brady Bunch fashion, the kids team up to enter a talent show and win the prize money. Those expecting a feature-length version of the wholesome sitcom are in for a rude awakening, but viewers wanting comedy with bite will get a lot out of the film.

Director: Adam McKay | Runtime: 1 hour, 47 minutes

Cast: Will Ferrell (Allen Gamble), Mark Wahlberg (Terry Hoitz), Eva Mendes (Dr. Sheila Ramos Gamble), Michael Keaton (Captain Gene Mauch)

A buddy-cop comedy that marks the first on-screen collaboration between regular compatriots Ferrell and Wahlberg, The Other Guys walks a delicate tightrope between white-knuckle action and laugh-out-loud humor. Firecracker detective Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) is partnered with the mild-mannered forensic ant Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) after accidentally shooting ex-baseballer Derek Jeter. While Hoitz and Gamble get zero respect from their peers, they eventually prove themselves by uncovering a billion-dollar corporate corruption case involving NYPD funds. A clever parody of the classic buddy cop genre, The Other Guys is a pleasantly surprising success.

Director: Hugh Wilson | Runtime: 1 hour, 43 minutes

Cast: Bette Midler (Brenda Morelli-Cushman), Goldie Hawn (Elise Eliot-Atchison), Diane Keaton (Annie MacDuggan-Paradis)

Based on the Olivia Goldsmith novel of the same name, The First Wives Club follows Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton, who play divorced women set on revenge against their ex-husbands who have all left them for younger women. Though the film was met with mixed reviews, it became a sleeper hit as at the time it was rare to see three middle-aged women playing the lead roles in a Hollywood movie. The First Wives Club has since become a cult classic, and it became the prototype for comedies like Book Club.

Director: David O. Russell | Runtime: 2 hours, 18 minutes

Cast: Christian Bale (Irving Rosenfeld), Amy Adams (Sydney Prosser/Lady Edith Greensly), Bradley Cooper (Richie DiMaso), Jennifer Lawrence (Rosalyn Rosenfeld), Jeremy Renner (Mayor Carmine Polito)

American Hustle is a star-studded crime caper comedy that is all about the art of the con. Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) are two con artists who are forced to forces with reckless FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). The outrageous yet entertaining premise allows American Hustle's ensemble cast to have a blast, and Adams in particular has electric chemistry with anyone she shares the screen with. The movie received rave reviews and 10 Oscar nominations, including acting nods for the four leads.

Director: Francis Ford Coppola | Runtime: 2 hours, 55 minutes

Cast: Marlon Brando (Don Vito Corleone), Al Pacino (Michael Corleone), James Caan (Sonny Corleone)

Hailed as one of the greatest movies of all time in any genre, The Godfather is a seminal movie-making achievement. Based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel, the film redefined the gangster genre and has spawned countless imitations and homages in the years following its release. The sprawling and epic narrative revolves around the ing of the torch from one generation in an influential New York crime family to the next, with Marlon Brando's brooding pater familias paving the way for his son Michael to take the reins. Bolstered by iconic performances across the board, and one of the most recognizable scores in film history, The Godfather is essential viewing for any movie fan.

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson | Runtime: 2 hours, 35 minutes

Cast: Mark Wahlberg (Eddie Adams/Dirk Diggler), Julianne Moore (Amber Waves), Burt Reynolds (Jack Horner), Don Cheadle (Buck Swope), John C. Reilly (Reid Rothchild), William H. Macy (Little Bill Thompson), Heather Graham (Rollergirl)

Paul Thomas Anderson's adult film opus, Boogie Nights centers on the rise and fall of young, well-endowed porn star Dirk Diggler (originally Eddie Adams) that parallels the 1970s Golden Age of Porn through to the 1980s ushering in home video. Under Anderson's deft direction, Boogie Nights made the public take both former rapper Wahlberg and action star Burt Reynolds seriously as actors — Reynolds was even nominated for an Oscar for his role as porn filmmaker Jack Horner. The subject matter may be titillating, but it's the layered characters and stellar performances that make Boogie Nights a modern-day classic.

Director: Cameron Crowe | Runtime: 2 hours, 2 minutes

Cast: Patrick Fugit (William Miller), Kate Hudson (Penny Lane), Billy Crudup (Russell Hammond), s McDormand (Elaine Miller)

A semi-autobiographical coming-of-age film based on director Cameron Crowe's real experiences, Almost Famous finds awkward teenager William Miller (Patrick Fugit) hired by Rolling Stone to interview rock band Stillwater in the 1970s. While traveling with the band, William finds himself falling for groupie Penny Lane (Kate Hudson). Almost Famous covers a lot of familiar coming-of-age tropes, from first love to first sexual experience, but it stands out by embracing how important music is in a person's teenage years. This was also Hudson's breakout film, and both she and s McDormand were nominated for Best ing Actress at the Oscars.

Director: Stanley Kubrick | Runtime: 2 hours, 39 minutes

Cast: Tom Cruise (Bill Harford), Nicole Kidman (Alice Harford), Sydney Pollack (Victor Ziegler)

One of the most controversial footnotes to any directorial career, Eyes Wide Shut is reviled and adored in equal measure. Stanley Kubrick's final movie is a compelling mix of erotic thriller and psychological mystery drama, based on an early 20th-century Austrian novella. Cruise and Kidman (who were married at the time of production) play husband and wife Bill and Alice, who are caught up in a secretive sex society after uncovering issues within their relationship. Praised for its dream-like one-shot scenes and visually arresting cinematography, Eyes Wide Shut has earned rave reviews from many top critics – as well as prompting derision from others. Nevertheless, despite its mixed reputation, the movie undoubtedly deserves to be considered one of the best movies on Paramount+.

Directors: Josh and Benny Safdie | Runtime: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Cast: Adam Sandler (Howard Ratner), Kevin Garnett (Himself), Julia Fox (Julia de Fiore)

Proof positive that Adam Sandler is a much more nuanced performer than comedy flops like Jack and Jill would suggest, Uncut Gems is a gripping, anxiety-inducing thriller. Sandler plays a diamond shop owner whose gambling addictions make his life a razor's edge as he bounces from one reckless bet to the next. Indeed, while Uncut Gems definitely deserves a place among the best movies on Paramount+, the protagonist's self-destructive path warrants a content warning for viewers susceptible to panic attacks. Following in the steps of Jamie Foxx, Robin Williams, and Bob Odenkirk, Adam Sandler's performance in Uncut Gems also once again proves that comedians can double as great dramatic actors.

Director: Anthony Minghella | Runtime: 2 hours, 19 minutes

Cast: Matt Damon (Tom Ripley), Gwyneth Paltrow (Marge Sherwood), Jude Law (Dickie Greenleaf), Cate Blanchett (Meredith Logue), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Freddie Miles)

Starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, and Cate Blanchett, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a veritable who's who of '90s A-listers. Based on Patricia Highsmith's novel of the same name, the movie centers on Tom Ripley (Damon), who's sent to Italy by a rich family to fetch their playboy son Dickie (Law), only for Ripley to kill Dickie and assume his identity. The Talented Mr. Ripley is a steamy yet substantial thriller with a gorgeous sun-kissed Italy for a backdrop, and the performances of the main actors leave no doubt as to why they all became huge stars.

Director: Stephen Daldry | Runtime: 1 hour, 54 minutes

Cast: Meryl Streep (Clarissa Vaughan), Julianne Moore (Laura Brown), Nicole Kidman (Virginia Woolf), Ed Harris (Richard Brown)

A celebrated and much-lauded classic, The Hours intricately juxtaposes the stories of three women from different decades. Renowned novelist Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman) struggles to complete her book Mrs. Dalloway in 1923, Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) is a pregnant woman in an unhappy marriage in 1951, and Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl Streep) is a socialite preparing a party for her friend Richard (Ed Harris) in 2001. The expertly woven intersection of these narratives helps The Hours explore important feminist and existential themes of confinement and mortality. The movie was nominated for nine Oscars, with Kidman winning the Best Actress award for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf.

Director: Ridley Scott | Runtime: 2 hours, 37 minutes

Cast: Lady Gaga (Patrizia Reggiani), Adam Driver (Maurizio Gucci), Jared Leto (Paolo Gucci), Jeremy Irons (Rodolfo Gucci), Salma Hayek (Giuseppina "Pina" Auriemma), Al Pacino (Aldo Gucci)

Based on the book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara Gay Forden, The House of Gucci chronicles the sensational romance between fashion icons Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) and Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver). More importantly, however, The House of Gucci is focused on Patrizia and Maurizio's fight over who controls Gucci as a brand and company - and what they were willing to do to keep that control. In addition to unpacking a deliciously dark true-crime story, The House of Gucci is one of the best movies on Paramount+ for anyone interested in the shocking real history behind one of the most successful luxury fashion brands ever.

Director: Sidney Lumet | Runtime: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Cast: Al Pacino (Frank Serpico), John Randolph (Sidney Green), Jack Kehoe (Tom Keough)

Inspired by the true story of former NYPD detective and corruption whistleblower Frank Serpico, Serpico has a well-earned reputation as one of the most thrilling and compelling crime drama movies ever made. With Al Pacino in the lead, the film begins with Serpico being rushed to the hospital after being shot in the face - allegedly by another cop. The action then flashes back to Serpico graduating from the police academy, before following the next 11 years of his life as an unorthodox and controversial police officer. Apart from ranking highly among the best movies on Paramount+, Serpico is arguably Al Pacino's greatest movie role, with the actor getting a Best Actor Oscar nomination and winning the Golden Globe for Best Actor in 1974.

Director: Julie Taymor | Runtime: 2 hours, 3 minutes

Cast: Salma Hayek (Frida Kahlo), Alfred Molina (Diego Rivera), Geoffrey Rush (Leon Trotsky)

A sweeping biopic, Frida stands out from other films in the genre thanks to its fascinating subject, captivating performance by an Oscar-nominated Salma Hayek, stellar direction by Julie Taymor, and stunning visuals. Frida chronicles the life of world-renowned painter Frida Kahlo (Hayek) who with her husband, Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina), become Mexico's most successful painters. Hayek disappears into the role, and though she had the help of an Oscar-winning makeup artist, it's she who makes Frida a masterpiece.

Director: Robert Zemeckis | Runtime: 2 hours, 22 minutes

Cast: Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump), Robin Wright (Jenny Curran), Gary Sinise (Lieutenant Dan), Sally Field (Mrs Gump), Mykelti Williamson (Bubba Blue)

A fantastical and heartwarming American epic, Forrest Gump follows the titular protagonist and his unlikely involvement in several historic events from the 20th century. Played by Tom Hanks, Forrest is also consumed by his love for his childhood best friend Jenny (Robin Wright). From being in the Vietnam War and causing the Watergate Scandal, to inspiring John Lennon and building a shrimping empire, Forrest's adventures establish him as a seminal fixture in American history. In 1995, Forrest Gump won six Academy Awards, including the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor. The National Film Registry chose Forrest Gump for preservation in 2011, further underlining its importance.

Director: Martin Scorsese | Runtime: 3 hours

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio (Jordan Belfort), Jonah Hill (Donnie Azoff), Margot Robbie (Naomi Lapaglia), Matthew McConaughey (Mark Hanna)

Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese have had an incredibly successful working relationship over the years, and few films prove the point better than The Wolf of Wall Street. Unlike their previous work, the movie is an outrageously funny ride detailing the real rise and fall of stockbroker Jordan Belfort. Despite being over three hours long, The Wolf of Wall Street races by with its debaucherous depiction of excess, misadventure, and criminality. One of the best movies on Paramount+, The Wolf of Wall Street was a breakout role for star Margot Robbie and was up for five Oscars, including Best Picture.

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson | Runtime: 2 hours, 38 minutes

Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis (Daniel Plainview), Paul Dano (Paul & Eli Sunday), Kevin J. O'Connor (Henry)

A tour-de-force of epic cinematography and powerhouse performances, Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood is considered by many to be the best movie of the 21st century. Daniel Day-Lewis plays Daniel Plainview, an oil man in the early 1900s California who battles an ambitious and manipulative preacher (Paul Dano) in order to gain valuable land. The movie showcases Day-Lewis's credentials as one of the most versatile actors in history, earning him another Best Actor Oscar. The movie's success lies in its complex exploration of Plainview's gradual descent into darkness, with Day-Lewis expertly revealing how evil can exist in everyone.

Director: Greta Gerwig | Runtime: 1 hour, 34 minutes

Cast: Saoirse Ronan (Christine"Lady Bird" Mherson), Timothée Chalamet (Kyle Scheible), Laurie Metcalf (Marion Mherson)

From writer-director Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird is a funny, moving, and disarmingly honest teen movie. Saoirse Ronan was up for an Oscar as a rebellious and ambitious teenager in the 1990s dealing with struggles like young romance, an uncertain future, and an overbearing mother. Lady Bird's sharp humor sits perfectly alongside a grounded, realistic atmosphere that gives the film a sense of believable authenticity. Gerwig was Oscar-nominated as both writer and director and the film was also up for Best Picture. As well as offering a relatable look at the struggles and pitfalls of being young, Lady Bird is also a terrific mother-daughter movie and one of the best drama movies on Paramount+.

Directors: Brian De Palma, John Woo, J.J. Abrams, Christopher McQuarrie | Runtime: Various

Cast: Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt), Ving Rhames (Luther Stickell), Simon Pegg (Benji Dunn)

Even with competition like the James Bond and Jason Bourne movies, Mission: Impossible has gradually become the dominant spy movie franchise, with all entries (*with the exception of 2023's Dead Reckoning – Part One) currently available on Paramount+. Chronicling the adventures of spy Ethan Hunt, the series is a rarity among long-running franchises, in that it seemingly improves with every new addition. Beginning with Brian De Palma's flawed but stylish opening entry, Mission: Impossible is now famed for featuring some of the most ambitious and spectacular practical action sequences in cinema. Coupled with compelling stories and a charismatic cast of characters, it's clear how the franchise has secured its status as the preeminent action movie series.

Director: Steven Spielberg | Runtime: 2 hours, 50 minutes

Cast: Tom Hanks (Captain Miller), Matt Damon (Private Ryan), Edward Burns (Private Reiben), Tom Sizemore (Sergeant Horvath)

Steven Spielberg delivered one of the most visceral war movies of all time with Saving Private Ryan. The World War II movie stars Tom Hanks as the leader of a small company of soldiers who go out on a mission to locate and send home a soldier whose three brothers have been killed in combat. The Best Picture nominee is set up as a throwback war adventure, yet Spielberg subverts expectations with an unflinching depiction of the brutality of war. To this day, the opening D-Day invasion sequence stands as one of the most impactful movie sequences of all time.

Director: F. Gary Gray | Runtime: 1 hour, 51 minutes

Cast: Mark Wahlberg (Charlie Croker), Charlize Theron (Stella Bridger), Edward Norton (Steve Frazelli), Seth Green (Lyle)

A remake of the 1969 Michael Caine film, The Italian Job centers on Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) and his team of thieves who plan a gold heist against their former friend Steve Frazelli (Edward Norton) after he betrayed them and left them for dead. The Italian Job came out in the midst of a sea of action movie remakes, but it stands out based on the chemistry between the core thief team, with Seth Green as tech-expert Lyle being a particular standout. The heart-pulsing score by John Powell adds heft and excitement to the stylish film.

Director: Steven Spielberg | Runtime: Various

Cast: Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones), John Rhys-Davies (Sallah), Karen Allen (Marion Ravenwood)

With all four of the first films in the franchise available as part of a Paramount+ subscription via Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and Showtime (*the fifth film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, is still in theaters), the service is the perfect place to binge one of the most iconic action-adventure sagas ever. Harrison Ford stepped into his definitive role as Indiana Jones for the first time in Raiders of the Lost Ark, perhaps the most beloved of the great action movies on Paramount+. Subsequent entries only helped to augment Indy's legend – despite the divided reaction to 2008's Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Nevertheless, although the franchise's reputation took a hit with later entries, Indiana Jones remains an essential action series beloved around the world.

Director: Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung | Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Cast: Jackie Chan (Dragon Mi Yong), Sammo Hung (Fei), Yuen Biao (Inspector Hong Tin-Tzu), Dick Wei (Pirate Chief Lor Sam Pau), Lee Hoi San (Mr. Lee Cho-Kou)

A high-octane martial arts exhibition, Project A is one of the earliest examples of Jackie Chan's big screen credentials. Hong Kong Marine Police Sergeant Dragon Ma Yue Lung (Jackie Chan) and a clever criminal named Fei (Sammo Hung) get embroiled in arms deals between pirates and the authorities. Set in old Hong Kong in the 19th century, Project A combines old-school physical comedy, some of the best and most creative action choreography in the history of film, and a lighthearted approach to its criminal plot. It's no wonder that the film remains a cornerstone for both action and comedy movies today and ranks as one of the best action movies on Paramount+.

Director: John Irvin | Runtime: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Cast: Anthony Barrile (Languille), Michael Patrick Boatman (Motown), Don Cheadle (Washburn)

A harrowing retelling of the real Vietnam War battle, Hamburger Hill provides an intimate snapshot of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division, also known as the "Screaming Eagles", during the conflict. Instead of the Viet Cong's typical hit-and-run tactics, the U.S. Army faced well-defended fortifications at the North Vietnamese stronghold on Hill 937, which the Viet Cong held onto even after repeated napalm airstrikes stripped the hill bare. What makes Hamburger Hill one of the best movies on Paramount+ is its unflinchingly realistic depiction of one of the bloodiest fights in the entire Vietnam War timeline, as well as its damning indictment of the futility of the bloodshed.

Director: Jeff Fowler | Runtime: 1 hour, 38 minutes

Cast: Ben Schwarz (Sonic), Jim Carrey (Dr. Eggman), James Marsden (Tom Wachowski), Tika Sumpter (Maddie Wachowski)

Sonic the Hedgehog deserves a place alongside the best movies on Paramount+ for being a rare thing in cinema: a movie adaptation of a video game that actually works. Sonic (Ben Schwartz) is an anthropomorphic hedgehog from another planet who gets lost on Earth before his supersonic antics attract the ire of Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Sonic the Hedgehog is the official film adaptation of the famous Sega game of the same name from the '90s, and its box office success led to the sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with a third movie in the works. The continued success of the franchise just goes to show that not every video game movie is doomed to failure.

Director: John Woo | Runtime: 2 hours, 13 minutes

Cast: Nicolas Cage (Castor Troy/Sean Archer), John Travolta (Sean Archer/Castor Troy)

Despite its infamously ludicrous premise, Face/Off is one of the 90s most entertaining and successful action movies. The film follows a feud between FBI Special Agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) and the sociopathic killer Castor Troy (Nic Cage). After Troy gets knocked into a coma, Archer undergoes an experimental face transplant procedure to acquire Troy's entire face and voice. This allows Archer to impersonate Troy and gather information about an impending terrorist attack. However, Troy then uses his gang to coerce doctors into performing the same procedure for him, with Troy threatening to steal Archer's family and entire identity. No other movie has since replicated how Face/Off made two Hollywood legends play each other's characters through a feasible sci-fi premise, and both Cage and Travolta revel in exploiting the other's eccentricities. Directed by no less than John Woo, Face/Off is a masterclass in stylized action.

Director: Phillip Noyce | Runtime: 1 hour, 57 minutes

Cast: Harrison Ford (Jack Ryan), Sean Bean (Sean Miller), Samuel L. Jackson (Robby), James Earl Jones (iral Greer)

Based on the Tom Clancy novel of the same name, Patriot Games is perhaps the best example of how to bring the author's most famous character to the big screen. Played in this instance by Harrison Ford, Jack Ryan is a former CIA analyst who witnesses and intervenes in the failed kidnapping of a British Royal by a radical splinter cell of the IRA. After this, Ryan is forced away from his job teaching history at the U.S. Naval Academy in order to fight a foreign war and go after those trying to hurt his family. Despite not winning any awards, Patriot Games has achieved cult status as a definitive '90s action film, and Ford shines in the lead role.

Director: Joseph Kosinski | Runtime: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Cast: Tom Cruise (Peter "Maverick" Mitchell), Miles Teller (Bradley "Goose" Bradshaw), Jennifer Connelly (Penny Benjamin), Jon Hamm ("Cyclone")

After a long hiatus, Tom Cruise returns to his iconic role as Maverick in Top Gun: Maverick. The movie picks up with the stilled fighter pilot still pushing boundaries and defying orders, which lands him back at TOPGUN as an instructor. Among the new generation of pilots is Rooster (Miles Teller) the son of Maverick's fallen friend Goose. The film shocked many by not only delivering massive box office numbers but also suring the original in quality, earning a Best Picture Oscar nomination for its efforts. The movie's relatable and grounded relationships, coupled with its death-defying aerial maneuvers, make it a legacy sequel that was certainly worth the wait.

Director: Steven Spielberg | Runtime: 2 hours, 25 minutes

Cast: Tom Cruise (Jon Anderton), Collin Farrell (Danny Witwer), Samantha Morton (Agatha)

Two of the biggest names in Hollywood collaborated for the first time in the excellent modern sci-fi classic Minority Report. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie stars Tom Cruise as Jon Anderton, a cop in the future who works for a department that predicts crimes before they happen. However, when he is predicted as a future murderer, Anderton must go on the run to clear his name. The movie is a terrific mixture of fugitive action flick and futuristic sci-fi thriller, bringing author Philip K. Dick's original story to life.

Director: Alex Garland | Runtime: 2 hours

Cast: Natalie Portman (Lena), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Dr. Ventress), Gina Rodriguez (Anya Thorensen), Tessa Thompson (Josie Radek), Tuva Novotny (Cassie “Cass” Sheppard), Oscar Isaac (Kane)

Director Alex Garland follows up his Ex Machina debut with Annihilation, another thought-provoking sci-fi story. It follows biologist Lena (Natalie Portman), who leads an expedition of scientists into "the Shimmer" after her husband Kane (Oscar Isaac) returns from there in deteriorating physical condition after a year away. Annihilation requires a keen watch, but Garland values his audience's attention and intelligence with a layered story that will have viewers talking long after the credits roll.

Director: Matt Reeves | Runtime: 1 hour, 25 minutes

Cast: Lizzy Caplan (Marlena Diamond), Jessica Lucas (Lily Ford), T.J. Miller (Hud Platt), Michael Stahl-David (Rob Hawkins), Mike Vogel (Jason Hawkins)

A riveting combination of expansive kaiju action and thrilling, low-key found footage horror, Cloverfield was a surprising hit on release. Through footage recovered by the U.S. Department of Defense in the ruins of Central Park, Cloverfield reveals the lives of six New Yorkers who were present during the arrival of a massive and mysterious monster that levels the city. In 2008, the Internet Film Critics Society Awards conferred Cloverfield with the award for Most Experimental Film, while the Saturn Awards recognized it as the Best Science Fiction Film of the year. The Cloverfield franchise now consists of several movies and is considered the true spiritual successor of The Blair Witch Project – despite being significantly more ambitious within the confines of the genre.

Director: Denis Villeneuve | Runtime: 1 hour, 56 minutes

Cast: Amy Adams (Louise Banks), Jeremy Renner (Ian Donnelly), Forest Whitaker (Colonel G. T. Weber), Michael Stuhlbarg (Agent Halpern)

Denis Villeneuve may be best known for helming Dune, but the sci-fi director also captivated audiences with the much quieter Arrival. When 12 spacecrafts land in various locations across the world, linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is recruited by the military to figure out how to communicate with the newly arrived aliens. Most alien movies quickly establish whether their subjects are friend or foe, but Arrival isn't quite so black-and-white, and is as much of a meditation on how we communicate as it is about aliens. The film was praised by both critics and academics, and was nominated for eight Oscars, winning for Best Sound Editing.

Director: Christopher Nolan | Runtime: 2 hours, 49 minutes

Cast: Matthew McConaughey (Cooper), Anne Hathaway (Brand), Jessica Chastain (Murph)

An ambitious, if flawed spectacle, Christopher Nolan's Interstellar is one of the most visually striking sci-fi movies to feature on the big screen. Nominated for five Academy Awards alongside many other accolades, Interstellar follows Matthew McConaughey's Cooper as a man in the not-too-distant future, recruited to leave his family and embark on a space mission to find a suitable planet for humans to escape to. Nolan manages to combine bold and realistic sci-fi ideas with a touching story about family as McConaughey's children deal with being left behind. While the narrative has its detractors, Interstellar is a heartfelt meditation about humanity's place in the cosmos and the enduring power of love.

Directors: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert | Runtime: 2 hours, 19 minutes

Cast: Michelle Yeoh (Evelyn Quan Wang), Stephanie Hsu (Joy Wang), Ke Huy Quan (Waymond Wang), Jamie Lee Curtis (Deirdre Beaubeirdre), James Hong (Gong Gong)

Amid an avalanche of multiversal stories from major franchises, Everything Everywhere All at Once proves that cameos and movie tie-ins are no substitute for storytelling. Michelle Yeoh stars as Evelyn, a wife and mother struggling to keep the family business afloat before being plunged into an adventure involving parallel versions of her husband and daughter. Applying sheer absurdity and heartfelt family drama to nearly every prominent blockbuster genre, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a beautiful mélange that proves love isn't limited to one universe. Praised for its innovation and ambition, the film bagged seven Oscar wins, including Michelle Yeoh's Best Actress Oscar, the Best Director award for the Daniels, and Best Picture. As such, Everything Everywhere All at Once is decidedly one of the best movies on Paramount+.

Director: Donald Petrie | Runtime: 1 hour, 34 minutes

Cast: Kate Hudson (Andie Anderson), Matthew McConaughey (Benjamin Barry), Kathryn Hahn (Michelle)

In this rip-roaring screwball comedy, Kate Hudson plays Andie Anderson, a journalist whose next assignment is to date a man and get him to break up with her in 10 days. Her mark is Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey), an advertising executive who accepts a bet he can get a woman to fall in love with him in 10 days. Neither Andie nor Ben know about the other's motives, which makes for a fun premise, but the bombastic chemistry between Hudson and McConaughey is what really sells the movie — that, and Hudson's iconic yellow dress.

Director: Sharon Maguire | Runtime: 1 hour, 56 minutes

Cast: Renée Zellweger (Bridget Jones), Colin Firth (Mark Darcy), Hugh Grant (Daniel Cleaver)

A classic British romantic comedy, Bridget Jones's Diary remains a cultural touchstone more than two decades after its release. Based on Helen Fielding's wildly popular 90s novel of the same name, the movie is a loose retelling of Jane Austen's classic Pride and Prejudice. Featuring Zellweger as the eponymous diarist, the movie documents Bridget's love life as she finds herself torn between the roguish Daniel Cleaver and the stiff Mark Darcy. Hilarious and heartwarming in equal measure, Bridget Jones's Diary was a huge success on release and remains the best entry in the three-film series.

Director: Sofia Coppola | Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Cast: Kirsten Dunst (Lux Lisbon), Josh Hartnett (Trip Fontaine), Hanna R. Hall (Cecilia Lisbon), Hayden Christensen (Jake Hill Conley)

Although director Sofia Coppola achieved greater recognition for her acclaimed 2003 effort Lost in Translation, many critics and audiences still consider her debut The Virgin Suicides to be her crowning achievement as a filmmaker. Centering around the strict Catholic upbringing of five sisters, the movie uses the perspective of several male characters who are fascinated by the sisters' unattainability as a result of their parents' overly protective instincts. Simultaneously romantic and harrowing, The Virgin Suicides is a complex psychological portrait that will prove deeply satisfying for any viewer, provided they can stomach the potentially triggering subject matter.

Director: Blake Edwards | Runtime: 1 hour, 55 minutes

Cast: Audrey Hepburn (Holly Golightly), George Peppard (Paul Varjak), Patricia Neal (2E)

Iconic in large part thanks to star Audrey Hepburn's instantly recognizable appearance as Holly Golightly, Breakfast At Tiffany's is one of the most instantly recognizable 1960s romance movies. Hepburn's Golightly is an eccentric yet beguiling café society girl who falls in love with struggling writer Paul Varjak. While its premise and plot are significantly less grounded than other contemporary comedies, Breakfast at Tiffany's succeeds thanks to its stellar cast and legendary soundtrack, which was nominated for six Grammys on release. Acclaimed as an essential of American cinema, the movie helped shape the romantic comedy genre as audiences know it today.

Director: Wes Craven | Runtime: 1 hour, 51 minutes

Cast: Neve Campbell (Sidney Prescott), Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers), Drew Barrymore (Casey Becker)

A sly reinvention of the slasher genre director Wes Craven helped popularize, Scream finds a group of high schoolers stalked by a killer known as Ghostface. While the wider Scream franchise has expanded the series' character list, this original group of would-be victims is perfect, from the heroic Sidney Prescott to the charmingly bumbling Deputy Dewey. Scream's meta-approach has the characters recognize they are in a horror movie-type scenario, changing the genre and continuing to influence movies like it. While the four subsequent Scream movies can be streamed on Paramount+ as well, it's the original that sets the standard for modern meta-horror.

Director:: Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez | Runtime: 1 hour, 21 minutes

Cast: Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, Michael C. Williams

Considered the godparent of the found footage horror subgenre, The Blair Witch Project has a simple premise: three film students traverse into the woods to make a documentary about the titular legend, only they never come back, and their film footage is all that's left behind. Between its grainy, low-grade footage and the marketing campaign portraying the movie as real to the point that many viewers believed it actually was. The Blair Witch Project took on a life of its own in pop culture and became one of the most successful independent movies of all time. It's a must-watch for any horror aficionado.

Director: Brian De Palma | Runtime: 1 hour, 38 minutes

Cast: Sissy Spacek (Carrie White), John Travolta (Billy Nolan), Amy Irving (Sue Snell)

One of the most iconic horror movies of all time, Carrie is a stylishly terrifying adaptation of Stephen King's original story. Sissy Spacek stars in the title role as a young tormented high schooler who begins to realize she has extraordinary telekinetic abilities. Carrie works largely to Brian DePalma's expert directing, utilizing a vibrant color palette and striking visuals to great effect – best seen in the climactic and chaotic prom sequence. A landmark in 70s horror, it's easy to see why Carrie is considered a true horror classic.

Director: James Watkins | Runtime: 1 hour, 35 minutes

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe (Arthur Kipps), Ciarán Hinds (Sam Dailey), Janet McTeer (Elisabeth Daily)

Daniel Radcliffe's first movie post-Harry Potter, he plays young lawyer Arthur Kipps in The Woman in Black, based on the Susan Hill novel of the same name. In the late 19th century, Arthur travels to a small village where he discovers the ghost of a vengeful woman is terrorizing the townsfolk. Radcliffe has since made a reputation for himself taking on eccentric roles in films like Swiss Army Man and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, and this chilling ghost story is the first example of the talents he has to offer beyond playing the Boy Who Lived.

Director: Marc Forster | Runtime: 1 hour, 56 minutes

Cast: Brad Pitt (Gerry Lane), Mireille Enos (Karin Lane), Daniella Kertesz (Segen), James Badge Dale (Captain Speke)

When ex-UN investigator Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) finds himself stuck in traffic with his family, he learns that the reason for the jam is a zombie outbreak. World War Z doesn't add anything revolutionary to the zombie genre, which by the 2010s had become oversaturated, but Brad Pitt's star power combined with the everyman "dude with a problem" premise is enough to make for a fun popcorn watch. Both the theatrical film and the extended domestic cut are available to stream on Paramount+.

Director: Adrian Lyne | Runtime: 1 hour, 53 minutes

Cast: Tim Robbins (Jacob Singer), Elizabeth Peña (Jezebel Pipkin), Danny Aiello (Louis "Louie" Denardo)

A paranoid, logic-defying, and terrifying psychological tour-de-force, Jacob's Ladder is one of the 90s most original and influential horror movies. The film centers around Tim Robbins' Jacob, who experiences strange visions after returning from service in the Vietnam War. As he attempts to understand what's causing his condition, he uncovers a horrifying conspiracy that tests the limits of his sanity. An incredibly ambitious horror-thriller, Jacob's Ladder has curated a dedicated cult following over the years, and remains one of the most layered and detailed entries in the genre.

Director: Darren Aronofsky | Runtime: 2 hours, 1 minute

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence (mother), Javier Bardem (Him), Ed Harris (man), Michelle Pfeiffer (woman)

In Darren Aronofsky's controversial psychological horror movie, the titular mother (Jennifer Lawrence) lives in the country with her writer husband, known simply as Him (Javier Bardem). Their idyllic life is interrupted by the arrival of strange guests, leading to a fight that results in a pregnancy, and events just get more strange and disturbing from there. While the dark, surreal nature of the movie is polarizing, its biblical allegories raise questions and encourage debate, which is always a treat for cinephiles.

Director: Sergio Leone | Runtime: 2 hours, 46 minutes

Cast: Henry Fonda (Frank), Claudia Cardinale (Jill McBain), Jason Robards (Cheyenne), Charles Bronson (Harmonica)

Perhaps the definitive example of the Spaghetti Western sub-genre, Once Upon a Time in the West is today recognized as a landmark cinematic achievement. Sergio Leone's sweeping epic follows a young widow who finds herself at the center of a battle between a daring outlaw, a vicious gunslinger, and a mysterious man looking for revenge. The movie features some of the most iconic sequences in movie history, from the opening train station shootout to the final showdown between Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson. The movie also ended up launching Leone's "Once Upon a Time" trilogy and has stood the test of time over five decades after its release.

Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen | Runtime: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Cast: Jeff Bridges (Rooster Cogburn), Matt Damon (Ranger LaBoeuf), Josh Brolin (Tom Chaney), Hailee Steinfeld (Mattie Ross)

Even though Charles Portis' True Grit has been adapted on several occasions, the Coen brothers' 2011 version still manages to add something fresh and essential to the source material. Hailee Steinfeld makes an Oscar-nominated debut as a young girl who hires a notorious U.S. Marshal (Jeff Bridges) to hunt down the man who killed her father. The Best Picture nominee is an exciting Western adventure with each character making a big impression thanks to the Coens' inimitable writing style. The script features a great sense of humor, while the chemistry between Steinfeld, Bridges, and Damon elevates the adventure into a truly sublime story.

Director: James Mangold | Runtime: 2 hours, 2 minutes

Cast: Russell Crowe (Ben Wade), Christian Bale (Dan Evans), Logan Lerman (William Evans), Ben Foster (Charlie Prince)

A loose remake of the 1957 movie of the same name, 3:10 To Yuma was an underappreciated box office disappointment on release. However, as its critical reputation proves, the film deserved far more recognition on release. Russell Crowe stars as Ben Wade, a notorious gang leader who is apprehended by authorities who must then work together to get him on the movie's titular train to stand trial. All the while, the rag-tag posse is pursued by the remaining of Wade's gang, who will stop at nothing to get him back. Stylishly directed by future Indiana Jones and Logan helmer James Mangold, 3:10 To Yuma is a thrilling modern Western that arguably outshines the original.

Directors: Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley | Runtime: 2 hours, 14 minutes

Cast: Chris Pine (Edgin Darvis), Michelle Rodriguez (Holga Kilgore), Regé-Jean Page (Xenk Yendar), Justice Smith (Simon Aumar), Sophia Lillis (Doric), Hugh Grant (Forge Fitzwilliam)

Finally breaking the curse of terrible movie adaptations befalling the Dungeons and Dragons franchise, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a hilarious love letter to the most beloved tabletop roleplaying system in the world. From clever meta-references like Edgin the Bard (played by Chris Pine) chaotically acting much like a player character from a homebrew game, to every single DnD spell, item, and reference being exactly where they're supposed to be in the film, Honor Among Thieves is one of the best movies on Paramount+ for long-time fantasy and tabletop RPG enthusiasts. Beyond its note-perfect tribute to the source material, the movie also has a solid plot, relatable characters, and more than enough jokes to please even viewers totally unfamiliar with Dungeons and Dragons.

Director: Barry Sonnenfield | Runtime: 1 hour, 39 minutes

Cast: Raul Julia (Gomez Addams), Anjelica Huston (Morticia Addams), Christina Ricci (Wednesday Addams), Christopher Lloyd (Uncle Fester)

One of the most beloved comedy hits of the early 90s, The Addams Family was a huge success despite an incredibly troubled production. Centering on the titular eccentric and sinister family, the film sees patriarch Gomez attempt to reconnect with his long-lost brother, falling for a scheme set up by a con artist and her son. Although the movie ran well over budget and was plagued by a plethora of behind-the-scenes issues, The Addams Family was a financial hit on release and was universally praised for its perfect casting. A cinematic sequel (also available on Paramount+) soon followed, as well as a TV revival in the form of Tim Burton's Netflix series Wednesday.

Director: Neil Jordan | Runtime: 2 hours, 2 minutes

Cast: Tom Cruise (Lestat de Lioncourt), Brad Pitt (Louis de Pointe du Lac), Kirsten Dunst (Claudia)

Gloriously gothic and camp, Neil Jordan's Interview With The Vampire laid the groundwork for the 2000s obsession with vampire-based content – from Twilight to True Blood. Like the Anne Rice novels on which it is based, the movie uses flashbacks to tell the story of Louis, a plantation owner in Louisiana who is attacked and turned by the vampire Lestat (Cruise). The movie then explores the pair's relationship, as well as Louis' sorrow at being destined to walk the earth forever. Recently revived as an Amazon Prime Video TV series, Interview With The Vampire is a crucial component of the vampire subgenre, and remains a scary fantasy classic.

Director: Martin Scorsese | Runtime: 2 hours, 2 minutes

Cast: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Charlie Watts

Stylishly directed by auteur and long-term Rolling Stones fan Martin Scorsese, Shine A Light documents the group's 2006 Beacon Theatre performances as part of their A Bigger Bang tour. Offering behind-the-scenes insights and interviews, as well as a window into one of the all-time great rock band's stagecraft, Shine A Light is a far cry from many more traditional documentaries. However, as a record of an iconic performance by some of the most acclaimed artists of all time, Shine A Light is hard to beat.

Director: Jessica Kingdon | Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Cast: Various

With a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Ascension is a bold and ambitious project that has received deserved critical acclaim. Told through a series of seemingly disconnected vignettes, the movie is an engrossing study and deconstruction of the so-called "Chinese Dream" – a social philosophy that has at its heart productivity and innovation, yet seemingly fails to deliver on its promise. Nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, Ascension questions the audience's assumptions about life in one of the world's most influential countries, as well as what the future might hold.

Director: David Greenwald | Runtime: 1 hour, 12 minutes

Cast: Somaya Faruqi, Fatemah Qaderyan, Roya Mahboob

An unmissable feminist epic, Afghan Dreamers chronicles the harrowing journey of the all-female Afghan Girls Robotics Team. Since the team was founded in 2017, these girls have developed new technologies for farmers, more affordable respirators for Covid patients, and won several awards at international robotics competitions. This is despite the Afghan Girls Robotics Team not only starting with rudimentary equipment, but also being targeted for assassination by the Taliban. Out of all the best movies on Paramount+, Afghan Dreamers is a candidate for the most inspiring. The documentary won the Tiempo de Historia Award at the Valladolid International Film Festival in Spain, and was recognized as the Best Human Rights Film at Galway in Ireland.

Director: Patricia E. Gillespie | Runtime: 1 hour, 34 minutes

Cast: Judy Malinowsky

Not for the faint of heart, The Fire That Took Her relays the tragic story of Ohio mother Judy Malinowsky, who was set on fire and left for dead by her ex-boyfriend. In the first case of its kind, Judy became the first woman to testify at her own murder trial, which resulted in the conviction of her ex-boyfriend. Judy's bravery and the unusual circumstances of this landmark murder and domestic violence case are well-documented in The Fire That Took Her, helping make the documentary one of the best movies on Paramount+.

Director: Denis Villeneuve | Runtime: 2 hours, 1 minute

Cast: Emily Blunt (Kate Macer), Josh Brolin (Matt Graver), Benicio del Toro (Alejandro Gillick)

One of the most tense and gripping action thrillers of recent years, Sicario is a perfect exemplar of director Denis Villeneuve's visual flair and skill behind the camera. The film follows Blunt's Kate Macer, a by-the-book FBI Agent who is dragged into an underground plot to thwart a powerful Mexican drug cartel. In the process, Macer learns that dolling out justice isn't always a simple matter of playing by the rules. Boasting incredible central performances from Blunt, Brolin and del Toro, as well as one of the most thrilling car scenes ever committed to screen, Sicario received critical acclaim on release.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock | Runtime: 1 hour, 46 minutes

Cast: Cary Grant (John Robie), Grace Kelly (s Stevens)

In this classic Hitchcock thriller, Cary Grant plays John Robie, an ex-jewel thief who must prove his innocence by setting out to catch his imposter. While To Catch a Thief isn't uttered in the same breath as Psycho or Rear Window as one of Hitchcock's best movies, it's still an enthralling film from the Master of Suspense, and Grant and Grace Kelly are in peak form, proving why they were some of the most beloved movie stars of their time.

Director: Phil Alden Robinson | Runtime: 2 hours, 4 minutes

Cast: Ben Affleck (Jack Ryan), Morgan Freeman (William Cabot), James Cromwell (J. Robert Fowler), Liev Schreiber (John Clark)

Another interpretation of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan series, The Sum of All Fears follows the legendary CIA analyst (this time played by Ben Affleck) on a nail-biting adventure in Russia. On this occasion, Ryan finds himself embroiled in a Neo-Nazi conspiracy involving the use of nuclear weapons aimed at rekindling hostilities between the U.S. and Russia. Jack and CIA Director William Cabot (Morgan Freeman) are the only two men who see the patterns of a fascist plot and set out to stop it from coming to completion. A tense thriller with serious stakes, The Sum of All Fears is widely acknowledged as one of the best Jack Ryan adaptations.

Director: Alan J. Pakula | Runtime: 1 hour, 42 minutes

Cast: Warren Beatty (Joseph Frady), Hume Cronyn (Bill Rintels), William Daniels (Austin Tucker), Paula Prentiss (Lee Carter)

A tense, conspiratorial thriller, The Parallax View is an acclaimed forerunner to the likes of JFK and All The President's Men. Investigative reporter Joe Frady (Warren Beatty) is visited by his ex, journalist Lee Carter (Paula Prentiss), who previously witnessed the assassination of a presidential candidate. Carter tells Frady that six witnesses to the incident have since died and that she fears being next. After Carter is found dead of a drug overdose, Frady's investigations into Carter's death lead him to a massive corporate and government conspiracy that strategically plans political assassinations. The movie's descent into paranoia and its masterful unraveling of dangerous secrets makes The Parallax View one of the best movies on Paramount+ and a classic thriller.

Director: Sidney Lumet | Runtime: 2 hours, 11 minutes

Cast: Albert Finney (Hercule Poirot), Lauren Bacall (Mrs. Harriet Hubbard), Ingrid Bergman (Greta Ohlsson), Sean Connery (Col. Arbuthnot), Martin Balsam (Bianchi), Jacqueline Bisset (Countess Elena Andreni), Jean Pierre Cassel (Pierre Paul Michel), John Gielgud (Beddoes), Wendy Hiller (Princess Natalia Dragomiroff), Anthony Perkins (Hector McQueen), Vanessa Redgrave (Mary Debenham)

Long before Kenneth Branagh made his star-studded adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express, Sidney Lumet adapted the Agatha Christie novel of the same name, and his cast was also filled with Hollywood heavyweights. The film follows Hercule Poirot (Albery Finney), the famed mustachioed detective who must solve a murder while aboard the titular train. As opposed to the dark and dreary Branagh version, Lumet's Murder on the Orient Express leans into the camp while still delivering a gripping mystery. Ingrid Bergman took home the Best ing Actress statuette at the Oscars, and the film was nominated for six Academy Awards in total.

Director: Gary Fleder | Runtime: 2 hours, 7 minutes

Cast: John Cusack (Nick Easter), Gene Hackman (Rankin Fitch), Dustin Hoffman (Wendell Rohr), Rachel Weisz (Marlee)

Based on the John Grisham novel of the same name, Runaway Jury centers on a high-profile gun trial. John Cusack plays charismatic juror Nick Easter who's mysteriously privy to the behind-the-scenes battle between plaintiff attorney Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman) and jury consultant for the defense Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman). Runaway Jury crosses all the checkboxes for Grisham fans, and by changing the trial subject from cigarettes to guns, Runaway Jury offers poignant commentary on a hot-button American issue that is still very relevant today.

Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen | Runtime: 2h 2m

Cast: Josh Brolin (Llewelyn Moss), Javier Bardem (Anton Chigurh), Tommy Lee Jones (Ed Tom Bell)

The Coen brothers’ bleak neo-Western gem No Country for Old Men stars Josh Brolin as a hunter who stumbles across a briefcase full of blood money in the desert. Javier Bardem, who won an Oscar for his ing performance, plays the ruthless hitman determined to get the money back. No Country for Old Men is a tense cat-and-mouse thriller with a chilling villain and subversive storytelling avoiding genre tropes and clichés at every turn. In addition to Bardem's Oscar, it won three more Academy Awards out of eight nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for the Coens – a testament to the movie's enduring legacy and beautifully nihilistic storytelling.