The 10 best R-rated films currently available for streaming.

      Mubi

      While family-friendly films are usually a safe choice for movie nights, there are occasions when gatherings with friends or solo moments call for more exhilarating options. If you're looking for edge-of-your-seat, thrilling, or delightfully bizarre cinematic adventures, R-rated films could be just what you require.

      From new releases like the horror sensation *Nosferatu* to timeless classics such as *The Godfather*, these exceptional R-rated features can be streamed on services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Max. You’ll surely enjoy any of the 10 titles listed here.

      Looking for more suggestions? We also offer guides to the best new movies to stream this week, top films on Netflix, must-see movies on Hulu, great choices on Amazon Prime Video, and exciting picks on Max.

      *Nosferatu (2024)*

      Focus Features

      In Robert Eggers’ 2024 reinterpretation of *Nosferatu*, the narrative begins with real estate agent Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) traveling to the Carpathian Mountains to finalize a property deal with the enigmatic Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). Upon arriving, Hutter encounters a decaying castle and an even stranger host than he had anticipated. He soon uncovers Orlok’s horrific reality as a grotesque vampire intent on spreading his curse. Meanwhile, in their German hometown, Hutter’s wife, Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp), experiences unsettling visions, foreseeing doom ahead.

      Eggers' gothic horror film serves as a worthy remake of the classic *Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror* (1922), which was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel. Both repulsive and captivating, *Nosferatu* effectively balances its elements in a way that few modern horror films dare to attempt. This critically praised work draws viewers in with dark gothic elegance before delivering genuinely terrifying moments. Skarsgård’s Orlok radiates malevolence, bolstered by the actor's performance and exceptional prosthetics. Depp shines in her role as Ellen, whose intense journey into the supernatural grounds the film.

      *Nosferatu* is streaming on Peacock.

      *Whiplash (2014)*

      Sony Pictures

      A crucial film exploring an artist's obsession, *Whiplash* follows Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), a young jazz drummer who enrolls at the esteemed Shaffer Conservatory. Eager to establish a legacy, he believes he has found his path when he encounters Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), a teacher known for his brutally tough methods that push students to their limits. Fletcher’s mantra is straightforward: greatness is developed through adversity, and he’s more than willing to be the one to impose it. As Andrew faces humiliating verbal assaults and physically demanding practice sessions, his aspiration to impress devolves into obsession, damaging his personal relationships and drawing him closer to self-destruction.

      Directed by Damien Chazelle, *Whiplash* is a gripping and fast-paced film that mirrors its intense narrative with a relentless rhythm of its own. Simmons delivers a powerful performance, making Fletcher one of the most contentious figures in the genre. Teller, in turn, gives a career-defining portrayal, depicting Andrew’s progression toward becoming a near-mad virtuoso with the requisite passion. The 2014 film—and its explosive finale—provokes the audience to question: Does true excellence necessitate suffering, or is Fletcher’s philosophy a twisted illusion?

      *Whiplash* is streaming on Netflix.

      *Alien: Romulus (2024)*

      20th Century Studios

      Director Fede Álvarez revitalizes the legendary franchise with *Alien: Romulus*, which unfolds between the original *Alien* (1979) and *Aliens* (1986). It initially follows a young woman named Rain (Cailee Spaeny), eager to flee her desolate mining colony on Yvaga III with her anxious but loyal android companion Andy (David Jonsson). She soon becomes part of a group that commandeers a ship leading them to an apparently deserted space station. However, they discover it’s not abandoned and soon confront the horrifying reawakening of xenomorphs that pick them off one by one.

      In *Romulus*, Álvarez effectively captures the suffocating tension that characterized Ridley Scott’s original masterpiece. Cailee Spaeny's performance as Rain is compelling, echoing Ellen Ripley while maintaining her distinctiveness. Even though the 2024 sci-fi horror film has faced criticism for leaning too heavily on nostalgia, it’s undeniable that both newcomers and established fans of the franchise will find entertainment value in *Alien: Romulus*.

      *Alien: Romulus* is streaming on Hulu.

      *The Substance (2024)*

      Mubi

      Now a nominee for Best Picture, *The Substance* is a chilling body horror film that plunges viewers into