Must-Watch Now! Top 5 Latest Streaming Picks as of June 13, 2025

Must-Watch Now! Top 5 Latest Streaming Picks as of June 13, 2025

2025年06月17日 19:22

Introduction

In today's saturated streaming platform landscape, choosing a work to watch is so challenging that it's often referred to as "Episode 0." Boston.com's weekly streaming guide serves as a valuable compass, picking out noteworthy works from the vast catalog. The June 13, 2025 edition selected five titles from different genres, eras, and services.


For those of us living in Japan, distribution rights and subtitle availability are concerns, but this article will carefully follow not only the viewing points of each work but also how to watch them from Japan.boston.com



'28 Days Later' (2002)

Released in 2002, '28 Days Later' is a landmark that defined the format of modern zombie films. The first ten minutes, where the protagonist Jim wakes up in a hospital and wanders through an empty London—the contrast of silence and desolation remains terrifyingly vivid even after more than twenty years. While borrowing the concept of "infection," the story also functions as a socially conscious drama depicting the raw human nature that emerges in extreme situations. With the latest installment, '28 Years Later,' set to hit theaters on June 20, now is the perfect time for a review.


In the U.S., it is available for free with ads on Pluto TV. From Japan, it can be viewed via a browser without using a VPN, but it's important to note that ads appear frequently.boston.compluto.tv


The handheld shots captured by cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle with early digital video are rough and earnest, as if foreseeing a post-pandemic world. When revisited from the perspective of 2025, the imagery encapsulating early 21st-century social anxieties serves as a sharper metaphor for "infection" and "division." According to shooting permit documents released by the British government at the time, guerrilla filming was conducted in just one hour before dawn to close off the financial district and in front of the Houses of Parliament, a story well-known among fans.



'Emma.' (2020)

Jane Austen's novel 'Emma' has been beloved across eras for its heroine who combines elegance and a touch of venom. The film 'Emma.' is produced by Working Title, the company behind 'Marriage Story,' and stars Anya Taylor-Joy. Without losing the nuances of class critique present in the original, the film creates a "painterly England" with pastel-colored art and harpsichord background music. Director Autumn de Wilde, who originally built her career as a photographer, is known for her use of symmetrical compositions that provide visual pleasure.


In the latter half's ballroom sequence, where the classic romance elements of "misunderstanding" and "missed connections" overlap, the mobile camera captures the intertwining emotions of the characters in 360 degrees, drawing viewers into the elegant social scene. As of 2025, it is available for free on U.S. Peacock (account registration required), with Japanese subtitles automatically selectable. Enjoying it with a cup of British tea late at night might make you feel as if you've been invited to the social scene in the film.boston.compeacocktv.com


"Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" (2010)

This live-action adaptation of a Canadian comic has been highly praised for its visual representation of comic sound effects and maintains a cult following. Director Edgar Wright established his tempo-focused "music x visual synchronization" technique in this film, preceding "Baby Driver." Every time band member Scott, played by Michael Cera, faces off against his girlfriend Ramona's "evil exes," the screen is adorned with game-like score displays and arcade sound effects.


The essence of the film lies in visualizing the brilliance and pain of youth as "boss battles." The moments when the adolescent wavering of self-esteem literally explodes with drum rolls and effects can be seen as a microcosm of 2010s pop culture. It is currently streaming on Max (formerly HBO Max) in the US. Although it is not available on the Japanese Max service due to licensing issues, it can be watched via digital rental through Apple TV. The 4K upscale version, supervised by Wright himself, features HDR grading that makes the neon colors even more vivid.boston.comhbomax.com



"Stick" (2025)

Apple TV+, which opened up new possibilities for sports dramas with "Ted Lasso," presents its latest work. Owen Wilson plays Pris Cahill, a former genius golfer who hit rock bottom after a major tournament disaster. From a situation where he lost his job and his family was on the verge of collapse, he discovers an unknown young player, Santi, and tries to seize his "second chance" by guiding him on the tour.


The appeal of this work lies in Wilson's easygoing humor and a script that combines the tension of the quiet sport of golf. The sound of insects' wings and the rustling of the wind heard with each shot highlight the cruelty of golf, where each stroke can determine the outcome.


In the third episode's par-5 hole, an 8-minute silent long take is inserted, blending the boundaries between sports and psychological drama. This silence is actually a device to quicken the viewer's heartbeat. It is simultaneously available on Apple TV+ in Japan (with a 7-day free trial). With Dolby Atmos support, headphone viewing is recommended.boston.comtv.apple.com



"Underdogs" (2025)

This unique animal documentary series, produced by National Geographic, features narration by Ryan Reynolds. The theme is "underdogs as heroes."Spotlighting creatures that can't be described simply as "cute" or "strong," such as the cave-dwelling "glow grubs" and koalas that give their young feces to build immunity. Reynolds' characteristic ironic narration elevates the surreal ecology into comedy, creating a taste that sits between an educational program and stand-up comedy.


The production is by Wildstar Films, known for the 'Planet Earth' series. The footage is shot in 8K, capturing every strand of fur and the dilation of nocturnal animals' pupils in vivid detail. It will be available on Disney+ and Hulu starting Sunday, just before Father's Day (June 15). It's family-friendly, but those who are squeamish about extreme close-ups of insects should be cautious.


In the Japanese dubbed version, popular voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda translates Reynolds' wit, making it worth a try even for those who prefer the original language. parents.comboston.comdisneyplus.com



Tips for Enjoying Streaming to the Fullest

Optimizing your viewing environment is as important as choosing what to watch. Free ad-supported services (like Pluto TV and Tubi) can be watched without a VPN as long as the content rights don't overlap, but ad insertion points can often be abrupt. Installing a browser extension that lets you check "how many more ads will play" before viewing can help maintain your focus.



Whether to choose subtitles or dubbing is a matter of preference, but if you're also learning a language, Netflix's "English subtitles + Japanese subtitles" simultaneous display add-on is convenient. If you want to save on data usage, use the 480p setting for mobile viewing and "adaptive streaming" to automatically switch to 4K when connected to Wi-Fi. Using the Apple TV app as a hub allows you to manage watchlists across multiple services, so you don't have to worry about "which app to watch it on."



Conclusion

Each of the five selections offers different genres and charms, sure to color your indoor time during the rainy season vividly. While streaming is "unlimited viewing," time is finite.


That's why, using the knowledge gained from this article as a foundation, plan a varied viewing schedule: test your courage with horror today, soothe your heart with a rom-com tomorrow, and motivate yourself with a sports drama on your next day off. By pressing the play button without hesitation, your weekend will become richer and more memorable.



Reference Articles & Official Pages


5 Must-Watch Movies & TV Shows Streaming Right Now
Source: https://www.boston.com/culture/streaming/2025/06/13/5-must-watch-movies-tv-shows-streaming-right-now-june-13-2025/

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