5 best movies on BBC, ITV and more this weekend including Kevin Costner’s “classic” crime thriller

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The weekend is here, and if you’d rather stay in than go to the movies, we’ve got five film recommendations to get you started!

Wow, so many new things came out this week – Michael, Mother Mary, Rose of Nevada, and Exit 8! But honestly, I’m excited because there’s also a ton of great stuff to watch on TV this weekend. We’re talking everything from a classic ’80s gangster movie to a really well-loved historical drama that’s come out more recently.

The best part is, you can watch these movies on regular TV channels – you don’t need subscriptions to streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime. Let’s dive right in!

Living

Oliver Hermanus’s 2022 film is a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1952 classic, Ikiru. The story has been moved from Japan to 1950s London, but remains a subtly moving and confident piece of filmmaking.

The film centers on Rodney Williams, played by Bill Nighy, a reserved and somewhat unfulfilled office worker at the London County Council. When he learns he has terminal cancer, he decides to use his remaining time to truly live his life.

The film Living, starring Bill Nighy, received critical praise and earned Academy Award nominations for Nighy’s performance and its adapted screenplay. Aimee Lou Wood and Tom Burke also appear in supporting roles.

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Living airs on Saturday 25 April at 9pm on Channel 4.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Steven Spielberg’s iconic adventure film, with a story contribution from George Lucas, is widely considered a landmark blockbuster. It’s especially remembered for bringing back popularity to a movie genre that had faded in previous years.

Raiders of the Lost Ark first introduces us to Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, a daring archaeologist. The film follows his exciting 1936 adventure around the world, where he races against the Nazis to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant.

The thrilling action movie was the biggest box office hit of 1981 and won five Academy Awards, including nominations for Best Picture and Best Director. It also spawned four sequels.

Raiders of the Lost Ark airs on Sunday 26 April at 4.25pm on ITV2.

The Devil Wears Prada

Excited about The Devil Wears Prada 2 coming out on May 1st? If so, now’s a great time to revisit the story of Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs!

This popular comedy-drama is based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel and tells the story of Andy, who gets a job at the high-fashion magazine, Runway. But the job isn’t what she expected, because the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Miranda, is known for being very critical.

Okay, so this movie came out in the 2000s and was a massive hit back in 2006. Meryl Streep was amazing in it – she actually won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar! Plus, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci are in it too, which always makes things better, right?

The Devil Wears Prada airs on Sunday 26 April at 5pm on Channel 4.

The Untouchables

Brian De Palma’s 1987 film is a classic, action-packed crime thriller set in the past. It follows Elliot Ness (Kevin Costner), a Prohibition agent, as he tries to clean up the dangerous streets of 1930s Chicago, using everything from guns to baseball bats.

Al Capone (played by Robert De Niro), a ruthless gangster, controls Chicago and presents a major obstacle. Eliot Ness assembles a special team, nicknamed the Untouchables, determined to take him down, but it’s a difficult fight.

Okay, so this movie has a seriously amazing soundtrack – Ennio Morricone, the legend, did it and won a Grammy! And Sean Connery is in it, giving a fantastic performance – though, honestly, his Irish accent is… something else. But it’s a really fun, classic thriller – the Chicago Sun-Times even called it one, and I can totally see why.

The Untouchables airs on Sunday 26 April at 10pm on BBC Two.

Shaun of the Dead

This 2004 comedy-horror film, the first in a three-part series by Edgar Wright (known for using Cornetto ice cream as a running gag), playfully references George A. Romero’s classic Night of the Living Dead movies. The zombie outbreak in this film happens right in a neighborhood of north London called Crouch End.

In this story, Simon Pegg plays a somewhat unlucky salesman who, along with his best friend Ed (played by Nick Frost), tries to navigate a chaotic day and keep their loved ones safe.

Okay, so this movie is directed by Edgar Wright, who’s awesome, and he actually co-wrote it too! It’s got a really funny cast, with guys like Dylan Moran, Martin Freeman, and Peter Serafinowicz all showing up. Honestly, after you watch it, I always feel like grabbing a pint at the Winchester and just letting the whole thing sink in – it’s that good.

Shaun of the Dead airs on Sunday 26 April at 10.15pm on ITV1.

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.

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2026-04-25 09:20