The 2021 Sundance Film Festival kicks off today with a mainly virtual festival that we all can attend from the comfort of our homes. As you consider taking in a likely pre-awards contender, here are our picks for the 20 best movies from past 20 festivals that you can watch right now.

2020 - "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" - Last year's breakout hit features a powerful breakout performance from Sidney Flanigan, and is already taking the 2020 awards race by storm. Look for it on HBO Max and other VOD platforms.

Sidney Flanigan in "Never Rarely Sometimes Always."

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2019 - "The Farewell" - Multi-hyphenate Awkwafina stars in Lulu Wang's pseudo-biographical dramedy. The film screened in that year's Dramatic Competition and went on to win numerous awards, including a Golden Globe for Awkwafina, but it was ultimately snubbed at the Oscars. Look for it on Prime Video and other VOD platforms.

LU Hong ZHAO Shuzhen and Awkwafina in The Farewell

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2018 - "Eighth Grade" - YouTube comedian Bo Burnham draws on his own experiences with social media anxiety with this coming-of-age dramedy. Told through the lens of a young 8th grade girl, "Eighth Grade" was praised for its authenticity, without pandering to the target audience. Look for it on Kanopy and other VOD platforms.

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2017 - "Get Out" - Jordan Peele stepped away from comedy with this powerful directorial debut in an entirely different genre. First premiering at Sundance, the film went on to win numerous awards, ultimately being nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Daniel Kaluuya) and Best Original Screenplay at the 90th Academy Awards. Look for it on FuboTV, FXNow and other VOD platforms.

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2016 - "Captain Fantastic" - A fantastic Viggo Mortensen stars in this comedy-drama about a family that lives off the grid, but is forced to reconnect after the devastating loss of the family matriarch. After screening at Sundance the film also played at Cannes and Mortensen went on to be nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Look for it on Hulu, Kanopy and other VOD platforms.

Viggo Mortensen and Annalise Basso in "Captain Fantastic."

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2015 - "The Wolfpack' - Not to be confused with the guys from the "Hangover" movies, this stunning doc follows a clan of seven homeschooled siblings who were locked away in their family's apartment and their only view of the outside world was through the lens of popular movies. The doc won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance that year. Look for it on Hoopla, Kanopy and other VOD platforms.

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2014 - "Whiplash" - After watching "Soul" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," continue your cinematic blues and jazz fusion journey with this award winner from Damien Chazelle. After winning the top audience and grand jury prizes at Sundance, it went on to win numerous awards including Best Supporting Actor (J.K. Simmons) at the Oscars. Look for it on Starz and other VOD platforms.

Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons in "Whiplash."

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2013 - "Fruitvale Station" - Before they teamed up for bigger pictures "Creed" and "Black Panther," director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan broke out with this still-timely, award-winning true story of a young man wrongfully shot by an Oakland transit police officer. Look for it on Netflix and other VOD platforms.

Michael B. Jordan and Melonie Diaz in "Fruitvale Station."

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2012 - "Beasts of the Southern Wild" - Director Benh Zeitlin broke out big with this fantasy drama following the story of a young girl (Quvenzhané Wallis) forced to find her own courage and seek her estranged mother. After winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, the film was unstoppable, gathering more accolades including four Academy Awards, with Wallis becoming the youngest actress ever to be nominated for Best Actress. Look for it on HBO Max and other VOD platforms.

Quvenzhane Wallis in "Beasts of the Southern Wild."

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2011 - "Martha Marcy May Marlene" - Elizabeth Olsen might now be best known for her role as Wanda/Scarlet Witch in the MCU, but her breakout was here in this award-winning family drama, where she plays a young girl who suffers from paranoia after escaping an abusive cult. Look for it on HBO Max and other VOD platforms.

Elizabeth Olsen and Sarah Paulson in "Martha Marcy May Marlene."

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2010 - "Winter's Bone" - Before she led popular franchises like the X-Men and "The Hunger Games," Jennifer Lawrence broke through with a powerful performance in this rural drama from director Debra Granik. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance that year and went on to nab four Oscar noms including Best Actress for Lawrence. Look for it on Hulu, Kanopy and other VOD platforms.

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2009 - "Sin nombre" -  While we wait, and wait, and wait for the release Cary Joji Fukunaga's Bond flick "No Time to Die," go back to his start with this adventure thriller about a young boy caught up in gang life, and the girl he's protecting, who looks to immigrate to the United States for a better life. The film screened in competition at Sundance that year with Fukunaga winning the directing award. Look for it on Prime Video and other VOD platforms.

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2008 - "Man on Wire" - Playing like a heist movie, filmmaker James Marsh's documentary details French high-wire artist Philippe Petit's 1974 high-wire walk between the iconic Twin Towers in NYC. After winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance the doc went on to nab more awards including the Oscar for Best Documentary Film, and was later adapted into a full-length feature, "The Walk," starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Look for the doc on Kanopy and other VOD platforms.

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2007 - "Black Snake Moan" - Director Craig Brewer will soon be delivering some well-needed laughs with the anticipated Eddie Murphy sequel "Coming 2 America." But as you wait, take a trip back to Brewer's dark dramedy that premiered in 2007 at Sundance. Featuring a chained up Christina Ricci and a way-out-there Samuel L. Jackson, critics were not sure what to make of the film upon release, but filmmaker Kevin Smith, filling in for Roger Ebert on Ebert's TV review show, called it the best film of the year. Look for it on Prime Video and other VOD platforms.

Christina Ricci and Samuel L. Jackson in "Black Snake Moan."

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2006 - "Friends with Money" - Nicole Holofcener's comedy-drama opened Sundance that year. A look at economic disparity through the lens of four women friends, one of whom struggles to make ends meet, Holofcener's film can still feel relevant today, as it did when it first premiered. Look for it on all VOD platforms.

Joan Cusack, Catherine Keener, Jennifer Aniston, Frances McDormand in "Friends with Money."

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2005 - "Hustle & Flow" - Before director Craig Brewer confounded critics and audiences with "Black Snake Moan," he delivered this raw music drama about a hustler who aspires to become a rapper. After winning the Sundance Audience Award and the Cinematography award, the film went on to receive more accolades including an Oscar for original song "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp." Look for it on all VOD platforms.

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2004 - "Primer" - Got a lot of time to kill? Take out a pad and a pen and try to unravel the complicated timeline from this low-key, mind-bending time travel movie. Director Shane Carruth's indie sci-fi drama proves that you don't need a mega-budget to create a sci-fi film that can blow your mind. Look for it on all the major VOD platforms.

David Sullivan and Shane Carruth in "Primer."

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2003 - "American Splendor" - Documentarians Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini step away from non-fiction for this Grand Jury prize winner that's part comic book adaptation, part biopic, but also part actual documentary featuring real-life interviews about artist Harvey Pekar. It's a strange combination that works, especially if you know the source material. Look for it on HBO Max and other VOD platforms.

Hope Davis and Paul Giamatti in "American Splendor."

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2002 - "Better Luck Tomorrow" - Justin Lin's breakout crime drama is technically a part of the "Fast & Furious" franchise. The connection comes via smoking and snack loving criminal Han (Sung Kang), who crossed over to make his first "F&F" appearance in Lin's "Tokyo Drift." Due to fan popularity he has appeared in five more "F&F" films and the short "Los Bandoleros," and was even hinted at coming back in the upcoming "F9." Look for it on CBS All Access, Crackle, PopcornFlix and other VOD platforms.

Sung Kang, Jason Tobin, Parry Shen in "Better Luck Tomorrow."

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2001 - "Memento" - Christopher Nolan was pretty unknown when his mind-bending neo-noir thriller played the festival circuit. "Memento" started its tour at Venice in 2000 and finished its rounds in 2001 at Sundance, impressing critics along the way. It wouldn't be long before Nolan amassed a huge cult following, eager to watch any of his films whenever they release. Look for it on the Roku Channel, Hoopla and other VOD platforms.

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Instant 20: Best Sundance Movies to Watch

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We know from history that the "Queen of Soul" herself Aretha Franklin has had an interesting rise to fame. But do we really know the full story? She was considered one of the greatest music artists of the 20th century. But she didn't always have her place in the spotlight. She had to work tirelessly in the industry to find her voice. And now, MGM is telling Aretha's story in their upcoming biopic "Respect" (in theaters August 13th). American singer and actress Jennifer Hudson takes on the iconic role. Noovie was able to sit down with the Oscar winner in an interview to talk more about "Respect" and what it means to her.

Our interview begins with Hudson telling us about how Aretha Franklin was an authentic and raw vocalist. Franklin experienced her climb to greatness over time with different songs, so Hudson explains that as an actor she wanted to do to the same thing. Hudson sang the same songs live that Franklin did and tried her best to stay true to the legend that is Aretha.

Hudson also illustrates that Aretha Franklin actually lived her truth and expressed it through tje music. That's why it was so popular. And, of course, the biggest challenge for Hudson is telling the tale of a real legend. Franklin's story is a treasured one so to take on the icon's place put a heavy weight on Hudson's shoulders.

Finally, she tells of her appreciation for Franklin's music, saying it's "timeless." And we all can still relate to it even after all these years. To see Jennifer Hudson's interview with Noovie, just click below.

Respect

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Noovie Backlot Interview: 'Respect' with Jennifer Hudson

Movie News

It's big superhero action and amped-up sci-fi thrills this August on HBO Max. Warner Bros.' theatrical releases, "The Suicide Squad" and "Reminiscence," will drop this August, while regular HBO subscribers can enjoy the return of the monster showdown "Godzilla vs. Kong." Other big premieres include the romance drama "All My Life" and the Mexico-set comedy "Half Brothers." Here are a few of the big premieres that you should watch, along with the full list of HBO Max debuts below. Happy streaming!

Five years after all hope seemed lost with DCEU's Task Force X, director James Gunn takes the lead and delivers what is shaping up to be the best DC superhero movie since "The Dark Knight." Gunn goes hard on the R-rating and amps the action and comedy beyond anything he did for the MCU. This is certainly one bash you will not want to miss.

The Suicide Squad

Reminiscence

Godzilla vs. Kong

DCEU: DC Extended Universe

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It's the movie that proved the big screen is back. Now, after its initial theatrical and HBO Max debut, the showdown of showdowns comes back home for regular HBO subscribers. Indie horror director Adam Wingard ("You're Next," "The Guest") goes all out with his blockbuster budget. And this time there is a victor.

Lisa Joy, co-creator of HBO's popular sci-fi series "Westworld," makes her feature film debut with this equally weighty -- and wholly original! -- sci-fi thriller. Hugh Jackman stars as a P.I. that helps his clients relive lost memories. Things go haywire when the mysterious Mae (Rebecca Ferguson) seeks out his skills. Also, look for Joy's "Westworld" star Thandiwe Newton, who appears as Jackman's partner.

What to Watch on HBO Max in August - Classic Hits & Modern Premieres

Along with all the new releases, August on HBO Max will be chock-full of classic films to binge on. There are great modern noir classics to feed your thrills, like Paul Verhoeven's "Basic Instinct," Michael Mann's "Collateral," and Jeremy Saulnier's indie thriller "Blue Ruin." You can get your laughs with a few Christopher Guest mock-docs, "A Mighty Wind," "Best in Show," and "For Your Consideration." Or you can treat yourself to real docs like "Woodstock" and "Mr. SOUL!" Plenty of award-winning dramas can also be found, from Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" and Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun," to Frank Darabont's "Shawshank Redemption," which is always good for a watch. 

See below for the full list of HBO Max premieres.

A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014) - 8/1 (HBO)

Anna to the Infinite Power (1982) - 8/1 (HBO)

Betrayal at Attica (2021) - 8/1 - Original Documentary

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) - 8/1 (HBO)

For Your Consideration (2006) - 8/1 (HBO)

Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo (2006) - 8/1

The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl (2005) - 8/1 (HBO)

The Man in the Iron Mask (1998) - 8/1 (HBO)

The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984) - 8/1 (HBO)

The Suicide Squad (2021) - 8/6 - Exclusive Premiere

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) - 8/14 (HBO)

Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) - 8/17 (HBO) - Debut

Half Brothers (2020) - 8/20 (HBO) - Debut

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What to Watch on HBO - "The Suicide Squad"

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What to Watch on HBO in August - 'The Suicide Squad' and More

Looking to make it a movie night? Great! Here are the top movies at home that you can watch right now, from across the major video-on-demand services. Bookmark this page as we'll be updating it each week with a new top ten.

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Instant 20: Best Sundance Movies to Watch

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