By Vlad Zakh · August 29, 2026
From neurotic cinephiles to real-life legends of the trade, these are the best movies that turn the lens on the people who review the movies. In Critic (2008): Seventy critics and filmmakers discuss cinema and the tension between the artist and the observer across three continents. Another standout is Life Itself (2014): The surprising and moving life of renowned film critic Roger Ebert, from his Pulitzer Prize to his brave battle with cancer.
01 An intellectual, world-weary film critic who despises romantic clichés finds himself living a sappy love story of his own.
Directed by Hernán Guerschuny · 1h 38m · Rated NR
Stream: Chai Flicks · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
02 The surprising and moving life of renowned film critic Roger Ebert, from his Pulitzer Prize to his brave battle with cancer.
Directed by Steve James · 2h 01m · Rated R
Stream: Philo, Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, BFI Player, YouTube · Buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, YouTube
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, FlixFling
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fetch TV
03 A comedian-turned-serious-actor spends a chaotic day with a journalist just before his wedding, opening up about his career and a scathing review.
Directed by Chris Rock · 1h 42m · Rated R
Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Stream: Paramount+ Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, YouTube
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, CosmoGo, YouTube, Amazon Video
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fetch TV
Rent: Amazon Video
04 Seventy critics and filmmakers discuss cinema and the tension between the artist and the observer across three continents.
Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho · 1h 16m
05 A film critic accidentally kills his lover during a spat and must cover his tracks as a suspicious detective closes in.
Directed by Steven Schachter · 1h 34m
06 A neurotic film critic obsessed with Casablanca tries to get back into dating with help from his illusory idol, Humphrey Bogart.
Directed by Herbert Ross · 1h 25m · Rated PG
Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Rent: JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, YouTube · Buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, YouTube
Stream: Super Channel Plus, Super Channel Amazon Channel, fuboTV · Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Rent: Amazon Video
Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.
