Happy Friday! If you’re planning to spend your weekend chilling on the couch with a movie, the Watch With Us team has some underrated picks for you.
This weekend, Netflix has several hidden gems worth streaming. We’re spotlighting two charming rom-coms starring Charlize Theron, Chris O’Dowd and Seth Rogen, plus an ‘80s action flick that’s about to be reimagined for a new generation.
Whether you’re in the mood for laughs, romance or explosive sci-fi action, these underrated Netflix movies deserve a spot on your watch list this weekend.
‘Long Shot’ (2019)
Secretary of State Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) is considering a presidential run when she reconnects with Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen), a classmate she used to babysit, and hires him as a speechwriter. Despite their different worldviews (Fred is an idealist, while Charlotte is more pragmatic), they fall for each other — but the scrutiny around their relationship threatens to tear their love apart.
These days, it often feels like the fun and optimism have gone out of politics — so Long Shot feels more like a fantasy than ever, and that’s part of what makes it so fun. Theron and Rogen have an engaging chemistry, and while the politics are oversimplified, the movie has some thoughtful things to say about compromise and not letting the perfect be the enemy of the good. More importantly, it serves up laughs and romance along the way.
‘The Running Man’ (1987)
Based on a 1982 novel by Stephen King (under his pen name Richard Bachman), The Running Man is about a television program in which death row inmates are hunted by assassins to earn their freedom. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Ben Richards, a former police officer who’s been framed for murder by a totalitarian government and forced to participate in the game show.
When Ben teams up with a government employee (María Conchita Alonso), his fight leads to a revolution against the corrupt regime. The original film is set between 2017 and 2019, and the story is now being remade with Glen Powell in the lead role — so it’s the perfect time to watch the original before the new version hits theaters.
‘The Incredible Jessica James’ (2017)
Jessica Williams is one of our favorite underrated actresses — even if you don’t know her name, you’ll recognize her from shows like Shrinking and The Daily Show. In The Incredible Jessica James, she plays a confident and passionate playwright struggling with a breakup while waiting for her big break.
When she meets Boone (Chris O’Dowd, Bridesmaids), a divorcé who challenges her defenses while she continues daydreams about her ex (LaKeith Stanfield, Atlanta). The Incredible Jessica James is nothing revolutionary in terms of rom-com storytelling, but the compelling performances from the two leads elevate it — watching Williams and O’Dowd banter is a perfect way to spend a Sunday night.
Enjoy these underrated Netflix movies this weekend — or any other time.
