Streaming
Plus, here’s whether to press play or skip on a handful of new movies and shows.
Check out “Interstellar” (2014) if you’re still riding high from watching “The Odyssey.”
July 18, 2026 | 8:00 AM
2 minutes to read
After watching Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” earlier this week, my first instinct was to get tickets so I can see it a second time. It’s that good.
I may still do that eventually. But in the interim, I decided to curate a list of movies that inspire similar feelings to Nolan’s latest.
“The Odyssey” essentially created the template for all modern storytelling, so there are tens of thousands of films that owe it some debt of gratitude. This list is a bit more precise in how each movie relates to Homer’s epic, whether via direct adaptation or stylistic/thematic similarities.
5 movies to stream after watching ‘The Odyssey’
“Interstellar” (2014).
“Interstellar” (2014): Many of Nolan’s previous works (including “Oppenheimer”) clearly influenced his take on “The Odyssey,” but the most obvious parallel is his sci-fi epic, in which a NASA pilot (Matthew McConaughey) bends time and travels to the ends of the universe in a quest to return home to his family. (Hulu, Paramount+)
“Lawrence of Arabia” (1962): The greatest of David Lean’s many epics, Lawrence (Peter O’Toole) and his struggles to rationalize his role in British war efforts mirrors that of Odysseus (Matt Damon) in Nolan’s retelling. (Netflix)
“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000): Ulysses “Everett” McGill (George Clooney) may lack the wit of Odysseus, but The Coen Brothers’ humorous take on Homer’s tale features a stranded wife (Holly Hunter), mesmerizing sirens, and a dangerous cyclops (John Goodman). (Criterion Channel)
“The Searchers” (1956): Civil War soldier Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) briefly returns home after eight years before embarking on another years-long journey to rescue his kidnapped niece (Natalie Wood). One of the great Westerns from Wayne and his best filmmaking collaborator, John Ford. (Criterion Channel)
“The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie” (2004): Don’t laugh: There’s no way that this tale of a sponge’s aquatic journey home in which he angers the sea king, crosses into the overworld, and is kidnapped by a Cyclops isn’t at least partially inspired by Homer. (Paramount+, Pluto TV)
Play or Skip
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“Obsession” (2026).
Press play on these new movies and shows:
“Obsession” (2026): The surprise horror hit of 2026, Curry Barker’s cautionary tale about a boy who wishes for a girl to love him above all else grossed more than $400 million on a paltry $750,000 budget. (Peacock)
“The Hunt for the Wilderpeople” (2016): Sam Neill, who passed away this week at age 78, was best known for his work in American blockbusters like “Jurassic Park” and “The Hunt for Red October.” But the New Zealand native returned to his roots in this Kiwi comedy, playing a reluctant father figure on the run with his ward (Julian Dennison). (Prime Video, Plex)
“Lucky” Season 1: Crime runs in the family in this brisk seven-episode series about a woman named Lucky (Anya Taylor-Joy) whose father (Timothy Olyphant) has stolen $10 million from the mother (Annette Bening) of her husband (Drew Starkey). (Apple TV)
But go ahead and skip this one:
“The Hawk” Season 1: Will Ferrell playing an arrogant past-his-prime pro golfer might’ve worked as an “SNL” sketch or even a 90-minute movie. But as a 10-episode series, he quickly wears out his welcome. (Netflix)
End Credits
That’s a wrap on this edition of The Queue. If you’re a fan, please consider recommending this newsletter to your friends.
Until next time, good stream hunting, everyone!
— Kevin
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