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3 sci-fi movies on Peacock you need to watch in September

A man crouches in front of a tube TV with a pair of lips enlarged on screen in a scene from Videodrome.
Universal Pictures

Those who love the sci-fi genre appreciate some of the more obscure titles as well as popular films of that ilk. There are low-budget classics as well as modern films with incredible special effects. If you’re into sci-fi, you probably appreciate how diverse the genre can be.

If you’re looking for a new movie to watch this month, we have some recommendations. These are three sci-fi movies on Peacock you need to watch in September. One or two you may have seen before but are worth watching again.

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Paul (2011)

NEW Official PAUL Trailer

If you want something that skews more toward the comedic side, Paul will be right up your alley. Created by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, the two also star as Graeme and Clive, sci-fi geeks whose dreams come true when they meet a being from outer space. Paul the alien, voiced by Seth Rogen (who also provides motion capture) is on the run from the Secret Service, and the friendly duo want to help him get back to his own planet.

Designed to be a parody of typical sci-fi movies and the idea of sci-fi fandom in general, Paul is a refreshing satire of a genre we love so much. Pegg is known for poking fun at typical tropes with other films like Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, and he has the same success with Paul. The movie received positive reviews when it came out, and it’s a low-key charmer that still warrants a watch in 2024.

Stream Paul on Peacock.

It Came from Outer Space (1953)

It Came From Outer Space (1953) Official Trailer Movie HD

If you’re into old-school sci-fi, It Came from Outer Space is about as classic as they come. The sci-fi horror based on Ray Bradbury’s short story The Meteor is about John (Richard Carlson) and Ellen (Barbara Rush) who see a large object resembling a meteorite crash to Earth while stargazing. Upon further inspection, John discovers that it’s an alien spaceship, but it’s buried by a landslide before anyone else can see, and no one believes him.

When strange things start happening around town, however, some minds change, and a hunt for foreign invaders begins. It Came from Outer Space is a clever, suspenseful movie that any sci-fi purist will appreciate.

Stream It Came from Outer Space on Peacock.

Videodrome (1983)

Videodrome Official Trailer #1 - James Woods Movie (1983) HD

This Canadian sci-fi body horror movie from David Cronenberg is set in the early ’80s and centers around Max Renn (James Woods), CEO of a small UHF TV station who happens upon a broadcast signal of snuff films. Desperate to figure out the source of this signal, he gets caught up in a mind-control conspiracy that results in hallucinations and him losing grip on reality.

Videodrome bombed at the box office but in the decades since release, the movie is now considered a cult classic, some even naming it among Cronenberg’s best films. With psychosexual themes and a unique aesthetic, Videodrome is unlike any other sci-fi movie that had been released at the time, and arguably even since.

Stream Videodrome on Peacock.

Christine Persaud
Christine has decades of experience in trade and consumer journalism. While she started her career writing exclusively about…
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3 underrated Netflix movies you should watch this weekend (March 7–9)
Tim Blake Nelson plays a guitar while riding a horse in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

The sheer volume of content on Netflix can feel endless and overwhelming—every fan knows there are hidden gems out there, but it's easy to get lost in the mix. While it's always fun to catch up on the latest blockbusters, there are numerous underrated movies on the streamer that are just waiting to be discovered. Despite delivering big on story and originality, these deserving films flew under the radar.
Whether you're in the mood for a quirky indie drama, a darkly comedic Western, or a mind-bending thriller, this list has something to make your weekend binge a memorable one. Sometimes, the best movie experiences happen when cinephiles dive into something genuinely unexpected. So get ready for a one-of-a-kind evening spent alone or with loved ones — you'll be glad you took a chance on these underrated picks!
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The Squid and the Whale (2005)

Noah Baumbach, known for directing the more popular Frances Ha and Marriage Story, tells the story of a dysfunctional family in the criminally underrated The Squid and the Whale. Set in 1980s Brooklyn, the indie comedy-drama revolves around the Berkmans, whose lives change for the worse when parents Bernard (Jeff Daniels) and Joan (Laura Linney) announce their divorce. This negatively affects their sons: 16-year-old Walt (Jesse Eisenberg) and his younger brother, Frank (Owen Kline). The rift between the family worsens when Bernard's pretentious intellectualism and Joan's newfound independence cause even more friction.
Bolstered by a semi-autobiographical lens that draws from Baumbach's own childhood and the efforts of producer Wes Anderson, the 2005 film is unflinching in its tragicomic approach to its story. It's an honest portrayal of the messiness of divorce, fully embracing awkward and unfiltered moments experienced by its unlikable characters. The Squid and the Whale's often quirky and subtle humor may alienate most viewers, but any fan of similar intimate and character-driven portraits of imperfect families should add this one to their watchlist.

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3 underrated movies on Amazon Prime Video you need to watch in March 2025
Several workers with bags standing in a remote location looking scared in Severance.

What makes a movie underrated? It might be that critics have panned the film even though it has earned massive box office success and positive reception from audiences. Perhaps it’s the other way around, and critics love it, but audiences fail to see what’s so special. Some underrated movies are fantastic but simply didn’t get the attention they deserved and have slipped into the deep depths of streaming services, only to be unearthed by those who dare to find them.
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie | Official Trailer

Even before it premiered, The Super Mario Bros. Movie was getting a lot of flak for the choice of Chris Pratt as the voice of the titular character. Following the debut of this adventure comedy film in theaters, critics still weren’t convinced that it was a hit. But The Super Mario Bros. Movie delighted fans and proved naysayers wrong.
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Severance (2006)
Severance (2006) Trailer | Danny Dyer | Laura Harris

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underrated hbo max movies this weekend february 28 march 2 2025 tom hanks sully

With the start of a new month, Max is getting a new slate of movies added to its library. One of the new additions is Heretic. The creepy thriller starring Hugh Grant arrives on March 7. Sing Sing, one of 2024's most critically acclaimed movies, finally hits Max on March 21. Colman Domingo received an Oscar nomination for his work in the drama about a prison arts program.
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Sully - Official Trailer [HD]
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