In a world where streaming services are always going head-to-head for the best content,Peacockhas proven itself to be the home of some incredible films. The streamer, which is known for being the home of popular sitcoms likeThe OfficeandParks and Recreation, is continually expanding its library of original content as well as fan favorites to stay fresh and keep its audiences satisfied. Whiletheir roster for February 2024includes dozens of new movies to check out, here is a list of seven of the best flicks to kick off your February.
‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)
Available On: February 16
Director: Christopher Nolan |Runtime: 180 minutes
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey, Jr.
Six months after its theatrical release,Oppenheimeris still taking its victory lap, now by way of Peacock. The film starsCillian Murphy(28 Days Later) as American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer as he works on building the world’s first atomic bomb. The story tackles Oppenheimer’s life from his college days to post-World War II, where he is dealing with the repercussions of developing such a powerful weapon. Written and directed byChristopher Nolan(The Dark Knight),Oppenheimerwas a triumph at the box office, earning over $958 million and becoming the third highest-grossing film of 2023. The film also starsEmily Blunt(A Quiet Place) as Kitty Oppenheimer, andRobert Downey Jr.(Iron Man) as Lewis Strauss. The film is currentlynominated for 13 Academy Awards, including Best Director for Nolan, Best Actor for Murphy, and Best Picture.
Oppenheimer
The story of American scientist, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
Watch on Peacock
‘8 Mile’ (2002)
Available On:February 1
Director:Curtis Hanson|Runtime:110 minutes
Cast:Eminem, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy
Only a few years after rapperEminemcame into the public eye, he starred in8 Mile, a film based on his life that earned him an Academy Award. It’s not only incredibly rare that an artist finds themselves achieving such polarizing success as Eminem did with this first LP, which went triple platinum in its first year, but that they also star in a film that finds massive critical acclaim.8 Mileco-starredKim Basinger(Batman),Mekhi Phifer(Dawn of the Dead), and the lateBrittany Murphy(Uptown Girl), and was written by Academy Award nomineeScott Silver(Joker).8 Mileis a terrific example of an impeccably well-made based-on-a-true story that doesn’t need to be told with glitz and glamour; it simply lets the talent of its performers do the talking. More than that, it gave us Eminem’s song, “Lose Yourself,“a now-iconic example of what a song written for film can be.
The people of Detroit know 8 Mile as the city limit, a border, a boundary. It is also a psychological dividing line that separates Jimmy Smith Jr. (Eminem) from where and who he wants to be. A provocative fictional examination of a critical week in Jimmy’s life.
‘Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story’ (2004)
Director:Rawson Marhsall Thurber |Runtime:92 minutes
Cast:Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Christine Taylor
Dodgeballexists in a league of its own, and boy is it a fun one. The film,which currently has a sequel in the works, starsBen Stiller(The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) as White Goodman, a gym owner who wants to expand his empire onto a location called “Average Joe’s Gymnasium.” Average Joe’s owner, played by the always lovableVince Vaughn(The Internship), refuses to go down without a fight…a dodgeball fight, that is. The two rivals settled on battling it out in a dodgeball tournament worth the $50,000 it would take to keep the gym out of Goodman’s hands. The cast is a delight, made up ofChristine Taylor(Zoolander),Rip Torn(Men in Black),Justin Long(Galaxy Quest),Jason Bateman(Arrested Development), andFrank Azaria(The Simpsons). With appearances byChuck Norris,William Shatner, andDavid Hasselhoff,Dodgeballis a good time from start to finish.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
A group of misfits enter a Las Vegas dodgeball tournament in order to save their cherished local gym from the onslaught of a corporate health fitness chain.
‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ (2018)
Director:Barry Jenkins |Runtime:119 minutes
Cast:KiKi Lane, Stephan James, Regina King
Based on the book byJames Baldwin,If Beale Street Could Talkis a powerful story set to a gorgeous theatrical score byNicholas Britell(Moonlight). The story follows Tish (KiKi Lane) as she simultaneously deals with the news of her pregnancy while her love, Fonny (Stephan James) is ripped out of her life for being accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Written and directed byBarry Jenkins(Moonlight) the story is one of community, strength, and resilience in the face of adversity.If Beale Street Could Talkwon co-starRegina King(Ray) an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and earned two other nominations for Best Score, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Jenkins.
If Beale Street Could Talk
A young woman embraces her pregnancy while she and her family set out to prove her childhood friend and lover innocent of a crime he didn’t commit.
‘i, Robot’ (2004)
Director:Alex Proyas |Runtime:115 minutes
Cast:Will Smith, Bridget Moynaham, Alan Tudyk
The year is 2035, and human-like robots work as assistants to human beings, living by a strict code of three unbreakable rules that involve them never harming a human being or one another. One day, the creator of the rules, Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell) is found dead of an apparent suicide, but homicide detective Del Spooner (Will Smith) is sent in to investigate, suspicious that this death was a robot’s doing. This is the story ofi, Robot, a film based around morality, prejudice, and the meaning of life. The film co-starsBridget Moynahan(Battle Los Angeles),Bruce Greenwood(Star Trek), andAlan Tudyk(Rogue One) as the insanely lovable and fierce robot, Sonny. Upon its release,i, Robotwas nominated for an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects, and was a hit at the box office, grossing $353 million worldwide. It’s a powerful story that, year after year, continues to hold new meaning as the world evolves and audiences do, too.
In 2035, a technophobic cop investigates a crime that may have been perpetrated by a robot, which leads to a larger threat to humanity.
‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)
Director:Christopher Nolan|Runtime:118 minutes
Cast:Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhard
With arguably one of the best opening scenes in film history,The Dark Knightis breathtaking from start to finish. Directed by Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer), the film is the second of Nolan’sBatmantrilogy and tells the story of Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) and the people of Gotham City as they are terrorized by the Joker (the late, insanely greatHeath Ledger). Also starringAaron Eckhard(Thank You For Smoking),Michael Caine(The Cider House Rules),Maggie Gyllenhaal(Secretary),Gary Oldman(Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), andMorgan Freeman(The Shawshank Redemption), the film grossedover one billion dollars at the box officeand won a posthumous Best Supporting Actor for Ledger, which was accepted by his mother, father, and sister at the ceremony. If you’re up for a double-feature, the final installment of Nolan’s trilogy,The Dark Knight Risesis also available to stream on Peacock.
The Dark Knight
When the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.
‘Bosco’ (2023)
Available On:February 2
Director:Nicholas Manuel Pino |Runtime:99 minutes
Cast:Aubrey Joseph, Nikki Blonsky, Vivica A. Fox
