5 best movies on BBC, ITV and more this weekend including Colin Firth’s “terrific” period drama

Looking for a captivating drama or action-packed movie this weekend? You’re in luck – you don’t even need to go to the theater! You can enjoy new releases like Glenrothan or Lee Cronin’s The Mummy from the comfort of your own home.

This weekend, April 18th and 19th, offers a lot of great movies, from stories about famous musicians to thrilling science fiction from well-known directors.

The best part is, you can watch these movie recommendations on regular TV – no subscription needed! Get ready for a great weekend with these five film suggestions.

Minority Report

Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film, inspired by a 1956 story by Philip K. Dick, stars Tom Cruise as the leader of a special unit that stops crimes before they happen. This is possible thanks to three individuals, known as “precogs,” who can foresee future crimes.

Though he’s the face of the law enforcement agency, Tom Cruise’s character flees after authorities predict he’ll commit a murder. The film, directed by Steven Spielberg and also starring Colin Farrell and Samantha Morton, received high praise and currently holds an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Minority Report airs on Saturday 18 April at 8pm on ITV2.

Commando

While Commando isn’t as highly praised as some of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s other iconic 80s movies like The Terminator or Predator, it remains a beloved action film for many fans of the genre.

The story, though simple, centers around John Matrix, a former bodybuilder and retired Special Forces soldier enjoying a peaceful life with his daughter. This peace is shattered when she’s kidnapped by a group of mercenaries, prompting John to embark on a rescue mission.

Even though the 1985 film’s story isn’t particularly famous, it remains popular after four decades thanks to its exciting action and memorable, witty lines – one IMDb user even called them ‘classic’.

Commando airs on Saturday 18 April at 11.10pm on Channel 4.

Pitch Perfect

This is a refreshing break from all the recent action movies. Get ready for singing, dancing, and lots of beautiful harmonies in this much-loved musical comedy!

Inspired by Mickey Rapkin’s book and director Jason Moore’s experiences, Pitch Perfect tells the story of an all-female a cappella group as they compete against their university’s all-male team at the international championships.

The 2012 film, starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, and Elizabeth Banks, unexpectedly became a big success and led to follow-up movies in 2015 and 2017. It also inspired a TV show that premiered in 2022.

Pitch Perfect airs on Sunday 19 April at 8pm on ITV2.

Rocketman

If you love Elton John, you’ll enjoy this 2019 musical drama, Rocketman. It’s not a typical biographical movie; instead of just telling the facts, it weaves his famous songs into the story in a creative and non-linear way.

Taron Egerton, who received a Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for his role, plays the singer. Jamie Bell stars as songwriter Bernie Taupin, and the cast also includes Richard Madden, Kit Connor, and Stephen Graham.

Fans of the singer will love hearing familiar hits like ‘I’m Still Standing’ and ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’, and the movie is also a lot of fun thanks to the lively direction by Dexter Fletcher.

Rocketman airs on Sunday 19 April at 9pm on E4.

The King’s Speech

Finally, we come to this highly praised historical drama, which was a major success at the 2011 Academy Awards, winning four Oscars – including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

The movie stars Colin Firth – in the role that won him an Oscar and BAFTA – as King George VI during the years leading up to World War II. Because the King struggled with a stammer, he sought help from Lionel Logue (played by Geoffrey Rush), a speech therapist who used unique and often unexpected techniques.

When The King’s Speech, directed by Tom Hooper and starring Helena Bonham Carter, was released, it received widespread praise. The Arizona Republic called it “terrific” and highlighted the actors’ “fantastic” performances (according to Rotten Tomatoes).

The King’s Speech airs on Sunday 19 April at 10pm on BBC Two.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a beautifully illustrated 100-page tribute to Sir David Attenborough, is now available! You can purchase it at newsstands or online.

2026-04-18 09:20