Fighting with my Family- if you like British humor and are in the mood for a heartwarming story, give this one a shot. Following the true story of the WWE wrestler Paige, this movie is funny, touching, and entertaining all at once. As someone who has no interest in professional wrestling, I still found myself engrossed by this story. It really didn’t get the attention it deserved and has a little something for everyone to like.

Hotel Mumbai- another movie that will pull at the heartstrings, this is another true story film about the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, India. Focusing on the events which occurred at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the movie depicts the thrilling, yet tragic story of those who sacrificed and endured through such a horrific event. It moves at a very fast pace and there’s never a dull moment.

Yesterday- this is a movie I’d classify as “simply delightful.” It has a nice love story at the center of it and you can never have too much Beatles music. Similar in style to many other British rom-coms, it doesn’t try to do anything too extraordinary, but instead is just a nice little escape for a couple of hours.

The Art of Racing in the Rain- it’s undeniable that this is probably the cheesiest of all the movies on this list. However, it knows how to get to us dog lovers. If you are one of those people that considers your furry friend another member of the family, your heart will melt at this book to film adaptation.

Blinded by the Light- another British rom-com that doesn’t reinvent the wheel but achieves everything it sets out to do. It’s another touching love story featuring great music(this time from Bruce Springsteen). Another true story following the life of journalist and die hard Springsteen fan, Sarfraz Manzoor, this movie is an underdog story with extremely lovable characters and an inspiring message. It shows the power of perseverance and passion.

Ad Astra- even though this is literally Apocalypse Now in space, it’s still amazing. It’s everything I wanted movies like Interstellar and Gravity to be. It balances on the edge of pretension a couple of times but overall, it’s an engrossing depiction of what the near future could look like. Why Brad Pitt isn’t getting Best Actor consideration for this is beyond me. It got completely shut out during awards season and that’s a shame. It’s a much more analytical and well-crafted story than most people gave it credit.

Dark Waters- all I can really say here is this is probably the most horrific film I’ve seen that isn’t actually a horror movie. It’s one of many other similar legal thrillers but that doesn’t matter because when you tell an interesting story and do it well, nothing else matters. Focusing on the true story about DuPont and the pollution and other negative impacts of Teflon, this movie made me angry, frightened, and sad. It’s not any easy watch but a necessary one that educates people on a very relevant issue.

Queen and Slim- in a year when people are screaming for more diversity in the awards race, I’m puzzled why they aren’t mentioning this film. First time director Melina Matsoukas nailed her debut feature. Similar to the classic Bonnie and Clyde story, this interpretation explores very relevant issues associated with race in America. It hits on a lot of things I agree with and some on which I disagree. Ultimately, it’s a great conversation piece and that’s sometimes the best part about watching movies. It also does a nice job of showing how the acts of two characters like Queen and Slim can spread and become an image and inspiration that goes beyond any one individual.