
Melissa Roth

Flee
The most urgent and relevant Oscar-nominated film of 2022, Flee is a deeply personal documentary about a man’s childhood as a refugee that inspires as it creates empathy for those forced out of their homelands.

Charlie Wilson’s War
A suddenly timely look back at how the U.S. first escalated involvement with Afghanistan in the 1980s, told through an eye-opening story that feels like it had to be made up by its Oscar-winning screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin.

The Last Letter from Your Lover
A date night movie that transports you to a lush 1960s French Riviera, the adaptation of the JoJo Moyes novel entwines two eras and two sharply contrasted romances, delivering a wistful summer escape watch.

Sex and Lucía
A cinephile’s choice for a Netflix and Chill night, Sex and Lucia is a steamy and intoxicating portrait of two lovers … and their other lovers … that explores the blurry lines between reality and imagination, love and lust, tragedy and obsession.

My Neighbor Totoro
A joyful, enchanting classic, My Neighbor Tortoro is the rare film that can captivate all ages, from young kids to their parents and grandparents.

Origin Story: How Friends Became the Ultimate Watercooler Hit
After a year-long delay due to the pandemic, the much-anticipated Friends Reunion Special finally has a “stream date”: Thursday, May 27th, a tribute to its original “Must-See TV” night. The big event has already driven legions of fans sign up for HBOMax, turning the service into “Must Stream TV.” David Janollari was a young development

I May Destroy You
An addictive, provocative, Emmy-nominated limited series that challenges how we think and feel about our own relationships – romantic, platonic, and professional. Creator and star Michaela Coel captivates.

Dolores
A gripping history lesson that also sheds light on the methods, risks, and compromises required to organize and sustain a movement.

I Am Greta
Surprising and inspiring, I Am Greta is a testament to the power of one voice — no matter the age. Watch it with the disenchanted young student in your life.

Melissa Roth

Lucifer
This sexy devil is not the Prince of Lies or the incarnation of evil as commonly depicted in media, but a self-indulgent fallen angel working out his daddy issues on Earth.

Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar paints a beautiful picture, both literally and figuratively, of a group of flawed yet lovable characters, who often act unpredictably but are always relatable.

The Baby-Sitters Club
A fine spiritual, if not always literal, successor to the books, depicting an inclusive and optimistic view of the world at a time when it’s sorely needed.

The Oprah Conversation
A timely, much-needed series that combines raw honesty with the moderation only Oprah can bring, offering a road map for how to move forward.

Say I Do
Inspiring, love-filled, and will give you hope for humanity. Each episode centers around a couple’s complex love story, while one is secretly planning the wedding of their dreams.

Upload
You will go into it thinking (especially in the first episode), what a light, silly, predictable sci-fi show. Prepare to have your expectations far exceeded.

Hamilton
Dazzling, rousing, and enlightening, Hamilton is a cultural phenomenon that’s as entertaining as it is inspiring. The Broadway show united politicians and won a Pulitzer, a Grammy, and record-breaking Tony nominations, and it’s now available for everyone to see thanks to streaming.

Eurovision Song Contest
A hilarious homage to the international song contest that launched ABBA, Celine Dion and many others, Eurovision doubles as a vicarious vacation adventure — one with outlandish performances, actual hits, and Will Ferrell.

The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is a wildly imaginative take on the superhero genre, but it works mainly because of the strong characters and dysfunctional family at its core.

Rutherford Falls
Rutherford Falls is a clever and sweet satire similar to Michael Schur’s other half-hour comedies. Like Parks and Recreation and The Good Place, it’s surprisingly deep and deserves just as much attention.

Cha Cha Real Smooth
Cha Cha Real Smooth is a sweet, intimate antidote to all the noisy summer blockbusters out there. Filmmaker Cooper Raiff proves he’s someone to keep a close eye on.

The 10 Best Episodes of Love, Death + Robots
Netflix’s animated anthology Love, Death + Robots includes so many worthwhile episodes, but these 10 are a great place to start.

We are Lady Parts
This is a funny, endearing, fresh show that demonstrates what proper representation looks like.

Why I’m Watching Ms. Marvel and You Should Too
Ms. Marvel delivers the representation Muslims finally deserve. And you don’t have to be Muslim to appreciate it.

Fire Island
Fire Island is one of the best gay films released in recent memory. It’s funny, it’s romantic, and it is beautifully written, acted, and directed. It may not win Oscars–comedies rarely do; gay films more rarely still–but it is an instant classic that critics and audiences will be citing for years.