Editor’s list of ‘must-watch’ films

Chloe Hawkins, Spectrum Editor 

Us (2019)

Directed by Jordan Peele, “Us” starts off with a family of four on the way to the beach for vacation. The family is excited to get away until they are met with the consequences behind a secret the mother Adelaide, played by Lupita Nyong’o, has kept for many years. This horror film will have you laughing one second and gasping in fear the next. There’s only a few movies I’ve only ever watched that made me want to hit play all over again — this is one of those. 

Available on Amazon Prime | 93% Rotten Tomatoes

Avatar (2009)

Avatar is a science fiction film set in the 21st century. In this movie humans are inhabiting a new planet named Pandora. This action-packed movie isn’t all action though. There also are moments of sentiment, goofiness and sadness. This film holds a strong lesson in it while also incorporating beautiful visuals. Fortunately, a second Avatar movie releases at the end of this year named “Avatar: The Way of Water,” so you won’t be waiting too long for more. 

Available on Disney+ | 81% Rotten Tomatoes 

Interstellar (2014)

This movie follows a former NASA pilot Joe Cooper, played by Matthew McConaughey. It’s set in Colorado, year 2060. Cooper is apprehended by NASA and asked to fly for them again, but this time, for a top-secret mission. This mission has the potential to open many doors for NASA, but can also take many things away from Cooper. I still randomly think about this movie often.

Available on Netflix | 73% Rotten tomatoes

Encanto (2021)

Encanto translates to “charm” in Spanish. This heartfelt family film follows a little girl’s journey to embracing her culture and magical powers. In this movie there are no bounds; animals are understood by humans, and characters can make flowers bloom with a snap of their fingers. The catchy songs and colorful animations make this film satisfying to watch, but it also highlights the importance of keeping your family close. 

Available on Disney+ | 91% Rotten Tomatoes

The Fifth Element (1997)

In Luc Besson’s film, planet earth is in grave danger, with its fate in the hands of a military officer and taxi cab driver. The cast consists of notable actors such as Bruce Willis and Gary Oldman. This movie is very unpredictable and will leave you asking very existential questions — some may be about the characters’ extravagant outfit choices.

Available on Amazon Prime | 71% Rotten Tomatoes 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

This coming-of-age film was a staple in my childhood. It’s based on the novel written by Stephen Chbosky. It follows three kids through their high school years: Charlie, played by Logan Lerman; Sam, played by Emma Watson; and Patrick, played by Ezra Miller. These three teenagers give themselves a safe space to grow and be themselves, which pushes Charlie to figure things out about himself that he never knew. This movie helped me come to many important realizations; I hope it can do the same for you. 

Available on HBO Max | 85% Rotten Tomatoes