The Queue
A guide to help you navigate the never-ending struggle of picking something to watch.
You’re reading The Queue, Boston.com’s guide to streaming. Sign up to get the latest industry news, movie and TV recommendations, and more in your inbox every week.
A typical edition of The Queue starts with me going in-depth on a single topic — whether it’s Oscars controversies, the history of “SNL,” or whether Netflix is still worth it — before offering some quick streaming recommendations.
Once a month, however, I’ll be sending you an all-recommendations edition of the newsletter, because the struggle of deciding what to watch is eternal.
This week’s picks include a few movies leaving on Friday (Feb. 28), new ones debuting on Saturday (March 1), Oscar-nominated movies that have recently debuted on streaming, and a mix of reader-submitted and staff recommendations.
Last call on these movies
All of these movies are leaving their respective streaming services on February 28, so the time to watch is now.
Note: The Queue arrives in inboxes Fridays at noon. If these viewing suggestions are reaching you too late, sign up now to start your weekend with the freshest streaming recommendations.
“Cinderella Man” (2005): Ron Howard’s biopic turns 20 this year, telling the true story of a Depression-era boxer (Russell Crowe) who goes from manual labor to contending for the heavyweight championship. (Leaving Netflix)
“Inception” (2010): Christopher Nolan’s thriller about a team of mind thieves only grows in strength upon rewatch, though you’ll still be left debating the ending. (Leaving Netflix)
“Beetlejuice” (1988): Less than three months after Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” arrived on Max, its predecessor is disappearing. And it won’t come back even if you say its name three times. (Leaving Max)
Coming Attractions
Each of these movies will make their debut on March 1, so pencil them in for Saturday night.
“Blade Runner” (1982): Like fellow ‘80s filmmakers George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, director Ridley Scott has tinkered with this landmark sci-fi film. His 25th anniversary “final cut” comes to Netflix this weekend. (Netflix)
“Big” (1988): Perhaps the best use of early-career Tom Hanks’ boyish charm was this Penny Marshall film, in which he plays a 13-year-old stuck in a man’s body. (Disney+ and Hulu)
“Men in Black” (1997): I challenge you to name a better physical performance than Vincent D’Onofrio as the alien stuck in a farmer’s body in this movie. Seriously, email me if you think of one. (Max)
Oscar-nominated movies now streaming
Whether you’re reading this in your inbox on Friday ahead of the 2025 Oscars or after all the awards have been handed out, here are three nominees that have recently arrived on streaming services.
“Flow”: The Best Animated Feature category is a two-film race between “The Wild Robot” (streaming on Peacock) and this Latvian animated film about a group of animals stuck on a boat after a great flood. (Max and Hulu)
“Nosferatu”: New Hampshire native Robert Eggers’ gothic vampire film was nominated in four below the line categories like Costume Design and Production Design. It may end up losing to the likes of “Wicked” or “Dune Part Two,” but it sure is gorgeous to look at. (Peacock)
“September 5”: I’m a sucker for journalism movies, and this one — the story of how ABC Sports pivoted from covering the 1972 Munich Olympics to the developing hostage crisis – is no exception. (Paramount+)
Play or Skip
You’ve heard enough of my streaming picks already, so here’s a mix of recommendations from reader emails and fellow Boston.com staff.
Have a show you can’t stop watching? Email me about it at [email protected], and your recommendation may appear in a future edition of The Queue.
“My Old Ass”: Boston.com’s Heather Alterisio recommended this coming-of-age dramedy: “One of the sweetest, funniest, most heart-wrenching films I’ve watched in a bit. Maisy Stella is a standout. Aubrey Plaza, of course, never lets me down. And at 89 minutes? Sure, I left with a few unanswered questions, but I felt just fine not knowing, as that runtime was perfect.” (Prime Video)
“School Spirits”: Boston.com’s Abby Patkin recommended this teen drama, whose first season is on Netflix and whose first and second seasons are on Paramount+: “It’s bingeable, cute, sometimes clever, a little spooky, and features some strong performances for a teen drama.” (Full series on Paramount+; Season 1 on Netflix)
“Abbott Elementary”: Boston.com’s Jessika Landon has been loving the fourth season of this standout ABC comedy: “I’ve been enjoying the new season and the depth it brings to each character, as well as the relationship between Janine and Gregory (that we’ve all been waiting what feels like 20 years for). Janelle James’ Ava and Chris Perfetti’s Jacob are standouts.” (Full series on Hulu; Seasons 1-3 on Max)
“Cobra Kai”: Boston.com’s Kelly Chan (who produces this newsletter!) was pleased with the final episodes of this Netflix show: “A chaotic, dramatic, crazy show but the last few episodes are very wholesome and a satisfying end to everything that happened.” (Netflix)
“Harpoon Hunters”: Reader Cathy K. has been enjoying this new Discovery reality show that follows local fisherman hunting tuna off the coast of Cape Cod, including one angler from Marshfield who is fishing in order to raise money to fund a clinical trial for Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD): “The show follows five fishing boats as they hunt for tuna off the coast of MA. It’s fun to watch as they fish with harpoons. One fisherman, Joe Dion, is […] trying to fund the first ever trial for Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. LGMD is a rare disease and their son Peter and daughter Maggie were diagnosed two years ago. They have not stopped working towards a cure.” (Max)
End Credits
That’s a wrap on this edition of The Queue. If you’re a fan, please consider recommending this newsletter to your friends.
Until next time, good stream hunting, everyone!
— Kevin
Sign up for The Queue
Discover the best movies and TV shows streaming now, with handpicked recommendations from Boston.com.