By Nicholas Ntaganda, contributor  

For cinephiles around the world, the social distancing required to slow the spread of COVID-19 has also led to the loss of a treasured communal experience: going to the movies. 

This means most of our movie-watching will be done on streaming; a great resource no doubt, but its general dearth of curation might prove to be daunting for cinephiles and casual viewers alike. So for all the people stuck in their home and looking for a movie to watch, in these times when we seem to need them more than ever, here are a few recommendations, sorted by the desired viewing experience and all available on various streaming services. 

Feel-Good Fun: 

1. Paddington 2: 

Don’t let the awful promotional material (or a general resistance to films that mix live-action and CGI animals) fool you; Paddington 2 is one of the great comedies of recent years and an essential, deeply empathetic refutation of the hatred and xenophobia that has plagued our divisive political moment. Watching the first Paddington is not necessary to relish in its sequel’s pleasures, but is recommended for optimal viewing.   

Available on: Netflix 

1. Stop Making Sense: 

In addition to mainling pure joy, Jonathan Demme’s classic Talking Heads concert manages to create a sense of community among the performers that are at once inspiring and especially vital during these uncertain times. 

 Available on: The Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime 

1. Game Night: 

A tad overplotted, but such a gloriously fun time that it hardly seems to matter, especially whenever Rachel McAdams and Jesse Plemons are on screen. 

Available on: Netflix 

1. His Girl Friday: 

The greatest American comedy ever made. 

Available on: The Criterion Channel 

1. Dazed and Confused: 

In an interview, Quentin Tarantino said that the experience of viewing this supremely re-watchable hangout movie was akin to visiting old friends, making for a delightful substitute during your quarantine. 

Available on: Hulu  

Compelling Dramas: 

1. Moonlight: 

An urgent portrait of black masculinity, featuring at least 5 remarkable performances, as well as countless moments and images that will forever be seared in my brain. Essential viewing. 

Available on: Kanopy 

1. Shoplifters: 

This profoundly humanistic and sensitive Palme d’Or winner is overflowing with empathy and filled with moments of deep human feeling, ranging from remarkable compassion to crushing selfishness. 

Available on: Netflix 

1. Brief Encounter: 

A classic weepie and a benchmark in the great subgenre of right-person-wrong-time romances. An all-time great. 

Available on: The Criterion Channel 

1. The Florida Project: 

A brief description of this film might make it sound like a depressing exercise in  circling-the-drain social realism, but in actuality, the movie is brimming with life; so full of humour, empathy (I sense a theme developing) and glorious, glorious lavender.  

Available on: Amazon Prime 

1. In the Mood for Love: 

In addition to being another great right-person-wrong-time romance, Wong Kar-wai’s sumptuous masterpiece is one of the most stunningly beautiful films ever made. 

Available on: The Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime 

Sweat-Inducing Thrillers: 

1. Rear Window: 

For my money, this is Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest achievement, as well as his most suspenseful effort. You may need an inhaler during the last twenty minutes. 

Available on: Kanopy, Starz 

1. Diabolique: 

The best Hitchcock film that Hitchcock never made consists of remarkable rug pulls, indelible images and an all-timer of an ending. 

Available on: The Criterion Channel 

1. Uncut Gems: 

A non-stop thrill ride and required viewing for anyone who still doubts Adam Sandler’s capabilities as an actor. 

Available on: Netflix 

1. Mother (2009):  

So you loved Parasite and you’re looking for more Korean movies to watch. Look no further than this 2009 Bong effort, an engrossing and subversive murder mystery with a towering lead performance by Kim Hye-ja. 

Available on: Amazon Prime 

1. Double Indemnity: 

Put simply, the greatest film noir ever made, featuring the greatest femme fatale this side of Lady Macbeth (only Ann Savage has a legitimate claim to the throne). 

Available on: Kanopy, Starz 

Nicholas Ntaganda is a second-year student who is working to complete a double major in Business Administration and Rhetoric and Media. A native Sudburian, his great passions include impromptu musical numbers, crying during the happy parts in movies and bad transatlantic accents. For a more comprehensive (and less refined) look at his movie-watching, click here.