June has come to an end, and while Paramount+ has delivered some impressive titles—like Scream 7, the latest season of The Agency, and Beavis and Butt-Head—its extensive movie library still offers plenty of options for the final week of the month.
For the week of June 29, I’ve picked three noteworthy films perfect for your home-viewing experience: a thought-provoking sci-fi that challenges our understanding of extraterrestrial communication, a delightfully comedic underdog narrative featuring masked wrestlers, and a legendary 1980s war comedy starring a beloved actor.
3
Arrival
Amy Adams explores first contact with an alien race
One of the most captivating alien films of the 2010s, Arrival captivates audiences without relying on typical sci-fi tropes. Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams), a linguistics professor, finds herself in the midst of a global crisis when colossal alien crafts appear worldwide. The U.S. government recruits her to interpret the aliens’ language in an effort to uncover their intentions.
As global tensions rise and leaders begin to clash over how to approach these visitors, Banks forms a unique bond with the extraterrestrial beings. With the help of physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), she must facilitate understanding before drastic actions are taken. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this visually stunning film showcases powerful performances from Adams and Renner, with the former earning a Screen Actors Guild nomination for her role. Arrival boasts an impressive 94% rating among critics.
2
Nacho Libre
Jack Black’s kind-hearted friar has a secret identity
After recently enjoying Jack Black’s performance in High Fidelity, I felt compelled to revisit this quirky comedy while it’s still available on Paramount+. Directed by Jared Hess and co-written with the future White Lotus creator Mike White, Nacho Libre features Black as the gentle Ignacio, a friar and cook at a Mexican orphanage.
Hoping to improve the children’s diets, he secretly becomes a masked luchador named “Nacho,” teaming up with a scrawny thief named Esqueleto (Héctor Jiménez), all while harboring a crush on the lovely Sister Encarnación (Ana de la Reguera). This story, inspired by the true-life wrestling priest Fray Tormenta, has become a cult classic filled with memorable quotes. Despite a lukewarm reception from critics, Nacho Libre remains a fan-favorite in Black’s repertoire, challenging any negativity from its 39% Rotten Tomatoes score.
1
Good Morning, Vietnam
Robin Williams transforms wartime radio into comedic brilliance
In a role he was destined to play, Robin Williams shines in Good Morning, Vietnam as Adrian Cronauer, a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio Service during the Vietnam War in 1965. His humorous broadcasts and rock music resonate with the troops, earning him a following among soldiers and his colleague Edward Garlick (Forest Whitaker).
However, Cronauer’s irreverent takes on the war draw the ire of his superiors, especially the straight-laced Lieutenant Steven Hauk (Bruno Kirby) and Sergeant Major Phillip Dickerson (J.T. Walsh), who threaten to pull him off the air. As he falls for a local woman and develops friendships that challenge his views on the conflict, Cronauer risks his career—and his life—by incorporating these new perspectives into his broadcasts. With a 90% rating from critics, this film remains one of Williams’ most memorable performances and will be available on Paramount+ starting July 1st.
Summer sizzle keeps going strong
Wondering what to watch this week? These movies on Paramount+ offer insightful sci-fi, hearty laughs, and a lovable underdog’s journey. If you need more options, there are plenty of resources to explore for additional streaming recommendations.
