Movies you (probably) skipped
Welcome to Movies You (Probably) Skipped, a monthly column where I pick out the best new releases that didn't pull in the crowds on the big screen, but deserve a second chance now they've arrived on streaming.
As a dedicated movie theater goer — I recently caught my 50th movie on the big screen in 2026 — I watch a lot in cinemas. Amongst the tentpole blockbusters and box office breakouts, every month, I inevitably end up watching some good (often even great) films that don’t quite get the attention they deserve. And that’s why I created this monthly column.
Below, I’m highlighting five movies that recently arrived on streaming that didn’t manage to score huge audiences in theaters. That is no indication of their quality. It just proves that getting viewers off their couches and into a cinema has never been more difficult. These films deserve a second chance now that they can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home.
My picks for June 2026 include a pair of British thrillers (gotta support my native land) alongside a chilling paranormal horror. But for viewers looking for lighter watches, there’s also a charming sci-fi animated adventure and a documentary that brings The King to life. These are the 5 movies you (probably) skipped in theaters, but need to watch now on streaming.
‘Wasteman’ (PVOD)
My colleagues can attest that I’ve not shut up about “Wasteman” since I saw it in theaters in February. This intense and gritty prison-set thriller currently ranks among my favorite movies of the year. It boasts two excellent performances from rising stars David Jonsson (“Alien: Romulus,” “The Long Walk”) and Tom Blyth (“The Hunger Games” franchise, “People We Meet on Vacation”), and offers a dark insight into life behind bars.
Taylor (Jonsson) has spent the last 13 years locked up in a British prison, but thanks to his commitment to staying out of trouble, he’s set to be eligible for early release. Hoping to rebuild his relationship with his teenage son on the outside, his early release is threatened when he gets a new cellmate, Dee (Blyth), who has plans to take over the prison’s supply of contraband and quickly starts making very dangerous enemies.
Watch "Wasteman" on Prime Video (buy/rent) now
‘Fuze’ (PVOD)
Even when I was watching “Fuze” in my local multiplex, I recall thinking, “This movie feels made for streaming.” Yes, that’s an insult, but I’m still recommending it here, so that should prove that I believe it’s got some merit. It’s a crime thriller from genre veteran David Mackenzie (he helmed last year’s excellent “Relay”) and centers on an audacious heist. It’s a little predictable, and ending on a flashback sequence is a narrative choice that doesn’t work at all, but it’s got solid tension and a well-crafted twist, too.
Set in the hustle and bustle of London, the always-moving city comes to a standstill when an unexploded WWII bomb is discovered on a construction site. Military forces are called in to diffuse the situation, led by Major Will Tranter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). While the surrounding area is being excavated, a group of criminals uses the commotion as cover to pull off a daring bank heist with very personal stakes. Also starring Theo James and Sam Worthington, “Fuze” is sort of like thriller junk food.
Watch "Fuze" on Prime Video (buy/rent) now
‘Arco’ (Hulu)
My overlooked picks this month mostly lean on the darker side of the movie spectrum, but here's a suitable option for anybody looking for something lighter. Check out “Arco” on Hulu. This French animated movie (there is an English-language dub, if you can’t do subtitles) explores a colorful future through the eyes of a precious child. It bites off more than it can chew thematically, but it gave me some real Studio Ghibli vibes.
Opening in a far-flung future, humanity now lives in the clouds with access to flying rainbow suits and even time travel. 10-year-old Arco is frustrated when his parents tell him he’s too young to accompany them on their time-travel adventures. So he steals his sister’s special suit and ends up trapped hundreds of years in the past, where he meets a young girl named Iris, and the two embark on a grand quest of their own in the hopes of reuniting Arco with his family.
Watch "Arco" on Hulu now
‘Hokum’ (PVOD)
The world of horror has been dominated by two breakout hits in recent weeks, “Obsession” and “Backrooms.” Much as I’ve loved watching these two success stories, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed for the equally chilling “Hokum,” which got overshadowed. I watch a lot of horror movies, so I am typically desensitized to the usual tropes, but there’s a sizeable stretch of “Hokum” that had me gripping my cinema seat in genuine fear.
Adam Scott plays an arrogant and abrasive American author suffering from a wicked case of writer’s block as he attempts to wrap up his next novel. After a ghostly vision of his mom, he travels to rural Ireland, to the same place his deceased parents honeymooned. On location, he learns of an urban legend claiming a witch haunts the hotel’s grand suite, and like all foolish lead characters in a horror movie, he decides to investigate.
Watch "Hokum" on Prime Video (buy/rent) now
‘Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert’ (Paramount+)
If you enjoyed Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 “Elvis” (and the movie's strong 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes suggests most viewers did very much so), consider “Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert” essentially a companion piece. It’s a documentary, also helmed by Luhrmann, that uses archival footage to present the King of Rock and Roll as you’ve never seen before.
During the production of “Elvis,” Luhrmann obtained rare footage of Presley in concert, intending to incorporate it into the biopic. However, much of the material was in poor shape and lacked audio. So the director spent years restoring it. The final result is “Epic,” a hybrid documentary and concert film that is now just about the closest you can get to watching the iconic rocker perform live. If you consider yourself even merely a casual Elvis fan, you need to watch this very well-received Luhrmann project.
Watch "Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert" on Paramount+ now
