With the entire country on lockdown inside houses and apartments streaming services have become an essential survival tool. The big five streaming platforms of Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime and Disney+, have helped all of us waste away our days as we practice social distancing protocols.
However, there are only so many times people can re-watch “New Girl” and most of America’s already burned through “Tiger King” and “Love is Blind.” So, to my gift to all of you is a list of the best hidden gem TV shows and movies on all the big five streaming sites. So, don’t click “watch next” on that episode of “The Office” you’ve already seen nine times and instead give something new a chance because, well, you have the time to.
Netflix: Set it Up
Lost in Netflix’s rom-com resurgence of “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and “Someone Great,” lies “Set it Up.” The film focuses on the working lives of two interns (played by Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell) whose bosses demanding requests and personalities almost rival that of Miranda Priestly. Certain that getting their bosses in relationships will give them the social lives they crave, the pair scheme to get them together. The film does follow classic rom-com troupes but adds a modern twist on what might otherwise be predictable plot points to make it refreshing rather than stale. Besides a sweet story, where the movie really shines is the charming chemistry between Deutch and Powell.
Hulu: Dollface
Easily one of my favorite go-to shows, “Dollface” offers a sharp, touching and humorous commentary on modern female friendships. The series follows freshly dumped Jules Wiley (Kat Dennings) who must relearn how to have strong, supportive female friendships in the new age of social media. Mixed with meta explanations of how liking a crush’s 52 week old Instagram post might as well be a social death-sentence, the show continuously reiterates the importance and necessity of female friendship.
HBO Go: Happy Death Day
As someone who wouldn’t consider themselves a fan of horror movies I found myself loving “Happy Death Day.” Viewers follow Tree (Jessica Rothe) as she re-lives the same day that no matter what ends with her being murdered by a stranger in a baby mask. The film certainly loves a good jump-scare and some scenes are pretty graphic but nothing too nightmare-inducing. While admittedly the plot takes some, well, creative liberties to wrap up the story, it’s a fun film nonetheless.
Amazon Prime: Jonas Brothers Chasing Happiness
As a fifth-grader who obsessed over the Jonas Brothers am I a little biased in this pick? Yeah, I am but I also believe this is one of the best, most intimate celebrity documentaries out there. Following a nasty breakup in 2013, the three brothers Kevin, Joe and Nick were barely on speaking terms and each harbored deep resentments towards one another. However, after what sounds like lots of personal growth and time to heal, the brothers reconcile and get back together. Their healing process is documented in “Chasing Happiness” which gives fans and even casual viewers a sometimes painfully honest look into the brother’s rapid journey to Disney stardom to their breakup to the forgiveness each brother had to show one another.
Disney+: Spark Shorts
Instead of trying to sell you on my favorite underrated Disney film, let me introduce you to Disney and Pixar’s Spark Short series. The collection of six short films from new and upcoming filmmakers follows the Pixar tradition of showcasing wonderful, creative and maybe-shed-a-few-tear stories. From stories about workplace discrimination and tokenism to protecting loved ones to the unlikely friendship between a pitbull and kitten, the Spark Shorts cover it all. These short films are a great, quick break for anyone working from home.
The Beat @APU 