Image via WikiCommons
In theory, having the entirety of human knowledge accessible on your cellphone or laptop should make being bored basically impossible. Forget knowing the square root of pi—the internet’s true utility lies in having 24/7 access to high quality entertainment. Or, at the very least, several semi-decent Nicholas Cage movies with endless meme potential.
Our culture of binge-watching practically guarantees access to a steady stream of content whenever the mood strikes you to get lost in a movie for a few hours (or more than a few). But the truth is that the seemingly simple decision to stay in and chill out tends to result in an endless, and often fruitless trek across the cavernous corners of the internet in search of just one thing: something good to watch. You click between Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Go, Hulu, and back again, as if something new could have possibly been added in the three minutes since your last site visit. This might be the epitome of a first world problem, but don’t pretend it hasn’t happened to you.
In short, the invitation to Netflix and chill can be surprisingly stressful, but it doesn't have to be limited to just Netflix. Luckily, the latest crop of movies offered on Starz provides a new destination—and solution—to your next late night search. Recent listings cover every staying-in vibe, from true cinema classics like Chinatown to so-bad-they’re-good cult classics like UHF, Weird Al’s wacky ‘80s era film. Try Lost In Translation for a romcom that isn’t made by Nicholas Sparks, or Ponyo for a kid’s movie unabashedly loved by adults. Or, pair a stoner comedy with a Bob Marley documentary for the ultimate chill night in—with entertainment covered, the only real question that remains is which takeout app to use when the munchies hit.
Below, our list of the best Starz movies available right now.
Clerks (1994)
Director: Kevin Smith
Stars: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson
This black comedy (shot in black in white, ‘natch) shows a day in the life of two convenience store clerks through the lens of Dante’s Inferno, tackling topics like the complexities of love and the romantic potential of lasagna. For two stoner slackers in the service industry, dealing with the general public absolutely counts as purgatory.
Marley (2012)
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Stars: Bunny Wailer, Rita Marley, Lee “Scratch” Perry
Interviews with close friends and family—along with an impressive 24-song soundtrack—bring to life perhaps the most comprehensive Bob Marley documentary of all time. With Bob Marley’s eldest son Ziggy Marley and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell acting as producers, the movie is able to accurately depict Marley both as a reggae legend and a human being.
Fight Club (1999)
Director: David Fincher
Stars: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter
Despite the first rule of fight club, it’s impossible to mention this movie without wading through years of hype. Luckily, it’s warranted. Fight Club may be single handedly responsible for half of Hot Topic’s graphic T-shirt selection, but it’s also a truly entertaining film that’s surprisingly socially relevant. Who knew a Donald Trump presidency was all anarchy needed to become extra appealing?
UHF (1989)
Director: Jay Levey
Stars: Weird Al Yankovic, Stanley Brock, David Bowe, Kevin McCarthy
Did you see that cast list up there? Take a second. Yeah, this is a Weird Al movie. The ‘89 cult classic uses Weird Al’s talent for parodies to roast the TV industry, complete with fake commercials for shows like Conan the Librarian.
Pineapple Express (2008)
Director: David Gordon Green
Stars: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Gary Cole, Rosie Perez
Pineapple Express famously defined the Franco/Rogan TCH-fueled bromance genre, and the hazy comedy holds up well almost a decade after its release, proving that the term “stoner action movie” isn’t an oxymoron. The plot is admittedly minimal, but sheer absurdity of the closing action sequence will always be timeless.
Ponyo (2008)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Stars: Tina Fey, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, Noah Cyrus, Frankie Jonas
Yes, this is a children’s movie—but it’s also a Miyazaki movie. Director Hayao Miyazaki famously transcends the typical animated genre tropes to deliver a fully-realized fantasy world where a goldfish named Ponyo is transformed into an adorable, surprisingly adventurous little girl. Bonus: The English language version features voice work from everyone from Tina Fey to Liam Neeson.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Director: Sofia Coppola
Stars: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson
Lost In Translation revamps the classic Hollywood “boy meets girl” trope with a meeting of two lonely souls, set against a classically Sofia Coppola dreamscape of luxe hotel rooms and dimly lit karaoke bars. The film is focused on the connection between an aging American actor brought to Tokyo to endorse a Japanese whiskey brand and a young woman, marooned in a hotel room while her recent husband works. It’s Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson at their best.
Chinatown (1974)
Director: Roman Polanski
Stars: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston
Roman Polanski may be a creep, but his ‘74 neo-noir classic Chinatown is so highly regarded, it was even added to the Library of Congress’s highly selective National Film Registry. The tangled web of intrigue and psychological drama focuses on a murder mystery inspired by the infamous California Water Wars.
Ant-Man (2015)
Director: Peyton Reed
Stars: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lily, Michael Peña
Despite everyone’s expectations of failure, a movie about a man whose entire superhuman talents lie in his ability to turn into ant turned out to be a worthy addition to the comic book genre. This feat is largely due to the still-boyish charm of Paul Rudd and mile-a-minute dialogue expertly delivered by Michael Peña.
The Fifth Element (1997)
Director: Luc Besson
Stars: Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman
Twenty years later, The Fifth Element remains one of the most singular sci-fi films ever made. Luc Besson’s fully realized alien world is dazzling, complete with a vibrantly hued cityscape and now-iconic costumes created by famed French haute couture designer Jean-Paul Gaultier. The resulting movie isn’t exactly subtle, but it’s completely engrossing—and just cheeky enough to recognize its own moments of absurdity.