In today’s day and age, the average person can be found streaming a movie or TV show on any of the numerous platforms. But people watch the same comfort shows and films over and over again, describing them as “good” or stating, “there’s nothing else to watch.”
This is all well and good, but if you’re looking for something new or don’t know what to watch next, this list has movies and TV shows you may have forgotten came out in the 21st century. Enjoy, and happy viewing!
1. “Shutter Island” (2010) Stream on Paramount+ or Hulu
“Shutter Island” is presented in a neo-noir style. Neo-noir is the revival of film noir that peaked during the post-World War II era. Leonardo DiCaprio plays US Marshall Teddy Daniels alongside his rookie partner, Chuck Aule, played by Mark Ruffalo. Teddy and Chuck leave the mainland for Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane to locate one of their missing patients, Rachel Solando, played by Patricia Clarkson.
The film takes place in 1954, hence the neo-noir style for this psychological thriller that leaves you hooked until the very end. Both DiCaprio and Ruffalo were nominated for a Saturn Award, but DiCaprio won a Teen Choice Award for his performance.
2. “Hidden Figures” (2016) Stream on Prime Video, Disney+, or Hulu
This movie is considered a biographical drama set in 1961. It portrays African American women working for NASA at a time when being African American and a woman was difficult.
“Hidden Figures” portrays African American women working for NASA during a time when being African American and a woman was difficult.
Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox
This film screams girl power as it tells the story of three female African American mathematicians, Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae), as the minds behind the launch of astronaut John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit.
These women crossed racial, gender and professional lines all to be heard and seen by their caucasian and skeptical peers. They are indeed the heroes of their time. Also, this movie has a great tagline, “Meet the women you don’t know, behind the mission you do.”
3. “The Patriot” (2000) Stream on Hulu
Set in 1776 in colonial South Carolina, “The Patriot” is a drama, action and war movie. It shows a pivotal time for the United States as they gain their independence from the British forces.
“The Patriot” tells the story of retired veteran Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) who is sick and tired of fighting wars.
Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Directed by Roland Emmerich, the cast is made up of Mel Gibson, Jason Isaacs, Chris Cooper and the late Heath Ledger. The film tells the story of retired veteran Benjamin Martin (Gibson) who is sick and tired of fighting wars. But when Benjamin’s house burns to the ground thanks to the British dragoon Colonel William Tavington (Isaacs), his oldest son, Gabriel (Ledger), enlists in the newly formed Continental Army without his father’s permission. Soon, Benjamin finds himself protecting his family and seeking revenge on the British all while being a part of the birth of a new nation.
4. “Gotham” (2014-2019) Stream on Netflix
The name you know and love: the hero that actors Adam West, Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson have played alike. You guessed it, it’s the “Caped Crusader” himself, Batman. The show “Gotham” is the origin story of Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) in his younger years as well as the famed detective James “Jim” Gordon (Ben McKenzie) before becoming the Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department.
“Gotham” tells the origin stories of characters like Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz).
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Television
In this series, you also see the origin stories of characters such as Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova) a.k.a. Catwoman, Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor) a.k.a. The Penguin and even Jerome Valeska (Cameron Monaghan) a.k.a. The Joker.
5. “Daredevil” (2015-2018) Stream on Disney+
Marvel Comics’ Daredevil is a blind lawyer named Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) by day and a crime-fighting vigilante by night. We see Matt’s story unfold as he struggles to keep clients with his partner, Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson), and office assistant, Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), and balance his personal life and nightly habits of saving and protecting Hell’s Kitchen as “the man without fear.”
Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is the Marvel superhero Daredevil.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
6. “Sons of Anarchy” (2008-2014)
“Sons of Anarchy” follows Jackson “Jax” Teller (Charlie Hunnam) and his club of motorcycle enthusiasts.
“Sons of Anarchy” follows Jackson “Jax” Teller (Charlie Hunnam) and his club of motorcycle enthusiasts.
Photo courtesy of FX Productions
This series sees the club operating legally and illegally, as they participate in gun-running. Jax wants to change the image of the club as President Clay Morrow (Ron Perlman) prefers the old-school style of things. The Clay and Jax conflict affects relationships within the club and personal relationships.
