12 Excellent Movies on Peacock You Don’t Want to Miss This Month

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We’ve recently talked about the streaming service Peacock and a few of the things we admire about it – the base tier is free, for example. But the service has another advantage; a tremendous stock of Universal movies and more that are perfect for getting through a dark December at the end of a stressful year.

So if you’ve been looking for an excellent movie to curl up to with a loved one, or just a much-needed distraction (and maybe a good dose of nostalgia), we suggest starting with Peacock. Here’s what’s available this month, and why we think you should take a look! 

Sidenote: Peacock is pretty good at recommending additional movies. If one of the movies on our list really hits the spot, take a look at their recommendation section, and you may be surprised at what you find.

Casino Royale

We’re highlighting Casino Royale because it’s a great jumping-in place for the current era of James Bond films, but Peacock is actually getting a whole bunch of Bond movies this month, including beloved classics like Diamonds Are Forever and Goldeneye, as well as Quantum of Solace and The World Is Not Enough. Basically, it’s a great time for a Bond binge!

Batman Begins and The Dark Knight

If you’re looking for a Batman fix and it’s been a while since you checked out Nolan’s much-praised efforts, there’s no better place to begin than…well, Batman Begins. And after that, there’s no better way to follow it up than with the tour de force that is The Dark Knight. These movies hit the sweet spot of, “Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen these, but I remember they were fantastic” that so many of us are looking for.

Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice is one of those cult classics that became popular enough to hit it big in the mainstream. Maybe you loved the crazy goth comedy when you were young. Maybe you’ve just heard about Beetlejuice and have some vague idea it’s about ghosts and Winona Ryder, but you’ve never seen it. Either way, this month is the perfect time to start watching and appreciate just how unique this creepy comedy really is.

Space Jam

Yes, another Space Jam movie is on its way. And there’s no better way to get ready than to take a look back at the original movie. If the details are fuzzy, don’t worry – there’s still lots of zany fun, plenty of basketball, and kids are always sure to love it (even if they’re your kids this time around). If nothing else, the old-school animations are easy to appreciate.

Jet Li’s Fearless

Martial arts showdowns are always a great pick for casual movie nights, and Fearless is an outstanding example of the craft, following a master throughout his life as he learns to be less of a jerk (while also beating up just, so many people). If you’re a fan of foreign martial art films and haven’t given this one a try yet, now is certainly the time.

Tremors (and Sequels)

Are you a Tremors household? Do you have fond memories of at least one of the movies, which combine monster horror tropes with a unique slapstick comedy? Peacock boasts not just the original Tremors movie, but all of the sequels, making it easy to binge them at your leisure to get the full experience.. Take a trip back to the desert, shoot up some giant worms, and you’re sure to feel better by the end. 

Se7en

Maybe you feel like the winter months are the best time to dive into horror – and horror-thrillers don’t get much more memorable than Se7en. It’s definitely one of those movies that you can’t say too much about, but it broadly focuses on two detectives after a serial killer who is slaying according to the seven deadly sins. If you like a whole lot of chills with your thrills, you’ll love it (even if you have trouble falling asleep afterward).

The Paper

The Paper doesn’t get nearly as much recognition as it should. This 90s film features an incredibly talented cast, direction by Ron Howard, and a surprisingly charming story about a New York editor trying to make it in life – and in the news business, which can be more than a little cutthroat in the days before social media was breaking all the stories. If you can’t decide what movie to watch, try this one out!

The Goonies

The Goonies is, in many ways, a pinnacle of 80s kids’ films, showcasing much of what made that genre and era so much fun for filmmakers. It features evil land developers, treasure maps, adventures, and lots of that classic 80s sense of humor – which still makes the movie a perfect family watch at any time.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

If you’re more in the mood for a romance, this is a great recommendation. Starring Steve Carell and Keira Knightley, it’s quite literally about finding love at the end of the world (due to a giant asteroid) but also very much about finding love and what you really want in life. Even dedicated romance fans may have missed this one, which makes it an even better discovery if you’re looking for something to relax to.

Wet Hot American Summer

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This highly self-aware parody of summer camp movies also manages to be a pretty great summer camp movie in itself – which is probably why it remains a fan favorite and even inspired a follow-up show on Netflix. Set in 1981, the movie follows a group of counselors and camp workers on their last day before the season ends. Drama and hilarity ensue!

Serenity

Our list wouldn’t be complete with adding some sci-fi, and few sci-fi stories are as beloved as Firefly. As fans surely know, Serenity is a movie designed to follow the cut-short season of Firefly with a final story to cap everything off and allow people to say goodbye to their favorite characters. Fortunately, it’s also a great movie in its own right so seeing the show is not a requirement for full enjoyment.