When it comes to subscription services for streaming TV and movies, you might think that Netflix and Amazon Prime have it locked down. In reality, there’s more competition out there than you might think – we’ve rounded up some of the best streaming platforms here – and one of the top picks is Now.
The Cinema membership offers just what it sounds like – the best movies Sky Cinema has to offer – and we’ve done our best to pick our favourites here.
In case you didn’t know, the Now Cinema membership costs £9.99 per month, and it’s worth pointing out that it’s separate from the TV membership, so you only get access to the films, which means it is pretty expensive if you want access to both. However, if you’re still interested check out our top picks of shows on Now. New customers can often get bundles on the two memberships.
There are more than a thousand films included in the Sky Cinema membership right now, so ranking our top picks obviously meant missing out on some favourites. It’s also worth remembering that one of the best things about the membership is that it offers far more of the biggest recent blockbusters than Netflix or Amazon do, so it’s arguably the best streaming service for watching new movies.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Disney
Watch Spider-Man: No Way Home on Now
The third MCU Spider-Man movies is arguably one of the best Spider-Man movies out there, with multiversal villains, surprise appearances and a rollercoaster storyline.
Peter Parker’s notoriety as Spider-Man begins to interfere with his friends lives, so he turns to Doctor Strange for help. However, when a spell goes wrong, Peter ends up pulling in villains from other universes, including the Green Goblin and Electro.
The Shawshank Redemption
Now
Watch The Shawshank Redemption on Now
There are a handful of films that you’ll always remember as masterpieces, and The Shawshank Redemption is one of them.
Based on a novella by Stephen King, the film follows two men who are imprisoned over a number of years who bond over their shared experiences in confinement. Bank Merchant Andy Dufresne has been convicted of the murder of his wife, whilst longtime convict “Red” is influential in what happens inside the prison walls.
A fair warning – this isn’t exactly a casual watch. Bring tissues, and prepare yourself.
Roman Holiday
Watch Roman Holiday on Now
Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn star in the quintessential rom-com, as an odd couple who fall in love on the streets of Rome – except she’s a European princess trying to hide her identity, and he’s a journalist who’s seen through the ruse and is hoping to use her for a story.
Naturally, things are never that simple, and Peck’s character just has to go and develop feelings – this wouldn’t be a rom-com otherwise, we suppose – but Roman Holiday doesn’t fit too neatly into all the familiar boxes otherwise.
It’s also a beautiful love letter to Rome in the ’60s, the sort of film that leaves you absent-mindedly checking flight prices five minutes after it’s over – don’t say we didn’t warn you.
School of Rock
Watch School of Rock on Now
Arguably Jack Black’s most iconic role is in School of Rock. Black plays Dewey Finn, an aspiring rockstar. When Finn is short on money, he poses as a substitute teacher to bring in some cash.
Along the way, he discovers that his students have musical talent, and so he starts to turn them into a rock band (plus crew). However, they must keep the whole affair a secret from the posh private school teachers and parents.
This film is pure joy, and the kickass music certainly helps.
Paddington 2
Watch Paddington 2 on Now
Both the first and second movies in the Paddington franchise are available on Now, but the second is a true standout. Not only does it feature a heart-warming story (that will make you cry), but it also has Hugh Grant playing one of the most outlandish roles ever with Phoenix Buchanan.
Paddington is determined to get his hands on a one-of-a-king handmade pop-up book of London for his Aunt Lucy. However, in true Paddington fashion, things don’t go according to plan.
There’s prison breakouts, musical numbers and train chases – what more could you want?
The Suicide Squad
Watch The Suicide Squad on Now
James Gunn’s adaptation of The Suicide Squad is everything that the first film should have been, in which a team of villains band together for a secret mission for the government. It’s gory, hilarious, shocking and full of action.
The Suicide Squad features returning DC stars such as Margot Robbie alongside new faces such as Idris Elba and John Cena – and everyone has their chance to shine.
Inception
Watch Inception on Now
Every big blockbuster that Christopher Nolan produces if often mind-boggling, and Inception is the top dog when it comes to this genre. Based around the concepts of dreams within dreams, this movie creates worlds where even the impossible is within reach.
Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Dom Cobb, a professional thief who works by entering people’s dreams to steal important information. In order to pull off the ultimate heist, he must plant an idea in someone else’s mind by going deep into their subconscious.
However, he has a big Achilles heel: the memory of his late wife, who often enters his mind unexpectedly.
Clueless
Watch Clueless on Now
The teen movie to end all teen movies, Clueless remains unmatched after more than 20 years.
Alicia Silverstone’s wealthy but well-meaning Cher is utterly endearing as she does her best to tutor a new student (Brittany Murphy) in this modern take on Jane Austen’s Emma that transposes the action to a stereotypical American high school.
Keep an eye out for Paul Rudd as the obligatory romantic lead, years before his more recent ripped superheroics as Marvel’s Ant-Man.
The Theory Of Everything
Watch The Theory Of Everything on Now
Got your tissues at the ready? You’ll need them for The Theory Of Everything.
Eddie Redmayne stars as Professor Stephen Hawking – the world-famous physicist. The film follows Hawking’s live starting in the sixties as a Cambridge student, where he falls in love with Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones).
When Stephen discovers he has motor neuron disease as a young adult, he continues to persevere through his illness and make ground-breaking discoveries in his career, with Jane by his side throughout it all.
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Watch Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark on Now
Now has all the films in the Indiana Jones film franchise – but if you’re going to watch one then it should be Raiders of the Lost Ark. The film is not only the first in the series, but undoubtedly the best.
And what more could you want? Harrison Ford plays an adventuring archaeologist who explores the world, runs from giant boulders and punches Nazis. Every mission Indie is on leaves him an inch away from death – and it’s amazing to see how he pulls himself out of every sticky situation.
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
Watch Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban on Now
Now has all of the Harry Potter films once again, and the best of the lot is the third instalment – Prison of Azkaban. Harry returns to Hogwarts with his best friends Ron and Hermione, but quickly learns he’s in grave danger, as an escaped convict is after him.
This is one of the few films in the franchise to not have an appearance from He Who Must Not Be Named, but it does include time travel – so it all balances out.
Jumanji
Watch Jumanji on Now
There are so many classic Robin Williams films, but Jumanji is arguably one of the best. Siblings Peter and Judy come across an old board game in a mansion. When they start to play, they discover that the game is alive.
Eventually, after a few turns, they free Alan Parrish – a man who has been stuck in the game for several decades. Now they must find a way to beat Jumanji, and not get sucked into the jungle world themselves.
I Am Legend
Watch I Am Legend on Now
Will Smith films don’t always hit the mark, but this 2007 post-apocalyptic story will have you gripping the edge of your seat and choking back a few sobs.
What was marketed as a cancer cure has mutated into an infectious disease that has turned the population into mindless, zombie-like killers. Smith is one of the few survivors, and is continuing his search across the whole of New York for the cure that will save what remains of humanity.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Now
Watch Terminator 2: Judgement Day on Now
Terminator 2 is one of the best action films of all time, and you can stream the Judgement Day Special Edition on Now.
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a Terminator – a robot from the future who is on a mission to protect the future saviour of the world, John Connor. However, the boy is being hunted by another Terminator – the T-1000, which can morph into liquid metal, making it incredibly difficult to kill.
The Imitation Game
Studio Canal
Watch The Imitation Game on Now
The Imitation Game tells the true, inspiring story of Alan Turing, a British mathematician who joined a team of code-breakers to help aid the efforts against Nazi Germany in World War Two.
Turing was criminalised for his sexuality, and his critical role in the war was buried within history. This film details his personal struggles, and also shows how he and the team at Bletchley Park worked tirelessly to crack Enigma.
