The best TV shows and films on Sky and Now

The best TV shows and films on Sky and Now
(Image credit: Hulu)

Sky and its streaming service Now offer a seemingly endless amount of content to enjoy, from the company's own TV series, to Sky Cinema movies, both live and on-demand. 

And of course if you're watching on Sky Q with the necessary Sky TV deal, you can enjoy 4K Ultra HD video and Dolby Atmos surround sound.

But what to watch? We've picked out what we think are some of the best TV shows and movies on Sky and Now right, er, now. And we'll be keeping this page updated throughout the year as new shows and films arrive on the platform. Enjoy...

The United States Vs. Billie Holiday

One of the most legendary – and most troubled – voices in popular music gets the cinematic treatment in this biopic, which features a Golden Globe-winning turn from Andra Day in the title role. Based on the book Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, it focuses on the US government's targeting of Holiday in an attempt to racialise the war on drugs. Thanks to a deal with Hulu, Sky is currently the only way to watch the film in the UK.

ZeroZeroZero

This Sky original is made by the team behind Gomorrah, and stars Gabriel Byrne and Andrea Riseborough. Set in the high-stakes world of the international cocaine trade, it follows a cocaine shipment from its purchase by a powerful Italian cartel to its packaging in Mexico and shipment across the Atlantic. Cue an epic power struggle between the local drug dealers to the head honcho in the hierarchy of international organised crime. And you thought your workplace's office politics were bad.

Roald Dahl's The Witches

This is another adaptation of Roald Dahl's 1983 novel of the same name (the first was in 1990). With a great cast and crew (Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, and director Robert Zemeckis of Forrest Gump and Back to the Future fame), it reimagines the classic tale for a modern audience.

Cobra

No, not the 1986 Stallone film of the same name, but another Sky original series, this one centring on the UK's Cobra committee which was set up to deal with national emergencies. In this case, the emergency in question is a series of power outages. While that might seem small fry compared to terrorism and global pandemics, it would be quite disruptive. Victoria Hamilton, Robert Carlyle and David Haig (the shouty one from The Thin Blue Line) are tasked with switching the lights back on.

Tin Star Liverpool

Tim Roth returns for another series of Tin Star, and this time the action has moved from Canada to Merseyside. Roth's character may be home for the first time in 20 years, but he's not got time for reminiscences – rather, him and the family set about hunting down and killing everyone who has ever wronged them. Considering he used to be an undercover cop, it's quite a long list. As ever, it's a blend of horrific violence with some madcap moments, though the zany bits never seem to jar. Which is quite an achievement.

To Olivia

Sky is a bit obsessed with Roald Dahl at the moment. Not only does it have The Witches as mentioned earlier, and Roald & Beatrix (about Dahl's boyhood pilgrimage to meet Beatrix Potter), it also has this true story of Dahl and his wife Patricia Neal's grief at losing their daughter Olivia. It's a touching tale – with Hugh Bonneville playing Dahl and Keeley Hawes as Neal – that shows how even the most traumatic of experiences can become a source of strength.

Birds of Prey

Following 2016's Suicide Squad, Margot Robbie once again takes the role of Harley Quinn, who in this film has broken up with The Joker and joined forces with other female superheroes to save Cassandra Cain. Another solid entrant in the DC comic book canon.

View Birds of Prey on Blu-ray Amazon

Parasite

This Oscar-winning Best Picture is available on Sky Buy and Keep or you can rent it for £2.99. And we'd thoroughly recommend you choose your poison and do one of those options, for this is an entertaining, enthralling film that will stay with you, as all the best films do, long after the credits have rolled. The story is inventive enough as it is – and then comes the twist. Intriguingly shot and brilliantly acted. 

View Parasite on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Sopranos

(Image credit: The Sopranos / HBO)

Undoubtedly one of the greatest TV shows of all time, The Sopranos is available to enjoy in full, at your leisure, on Sky. The story revolves around Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), an Italian-American mobster, as he tries to balance his family life with his role as the leader of the New Jersey Mafia. And the rest is history... There are six seasons to enjoy.

View The Sopranos on Blu-ray on Amazon

Stars War: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker

A suitably epic end to the most epic movie franchise in the galaxy. It looks and sounds stunning, and packs crowd-pleasing nods to keep die-hard fans happy alongside plenty of easy-to-enjoy action and classic story-telling for more casual padawans.

View The Rise of Skywalker on Blu-ray on Amazon

Gangs of London

Not one for the faint-hearted, this violent dive into London's criminal underworld has been garnering great reviews, thanks to its thrill-a-minute, did-somebody-say-gritty deception of modern skullduggery. Intelligent or ground-breaking, perhaps not. But enjoyable? You bet. 

Once Upon A Time in Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, the golden age of Hollywood... if you don't like the sound of that, keep scrolling. For the rest of us, this is watch on sight stuff – and it delivers the goods. Even if you caught it in the cinema, we'd say this one, like most Tarantino films, is well worthy of repeat viewings.

Once Upon A Time in Hollywood Blu-ray on Amazon

Snatch

Talking of Brad Pitt, we couldn't not mention Snatch. Got Sky Cinema? It's there for you to enjoy in all its glory, complete with a wealth of slightly dodgy accents – and some bulletproof cockneys for good measure. Remind yourself how great an actor Vinnie Jones really could be, despite those Brut ads.

View Snatch on Blu-ray on Amazon

Code 404

Code 404 is a Sky Original buddy cop comedy starring the dependably-excellent Stephen Graham. Set in a dystopian Britain "a few years from now", let's hope this isn't a glimpse into the near-future...

Us

If you haven't seen this film, you really should. Written and directed by Jordan Peele, and produced by the same trio of collaborators that worked on Get Out and BlacKkKlansman (Peele, Jason Blum and Sean McKittrick), Lupita Nyong'o is excellent as the lead in this original, doppelgänger horror – complete with a classic twist to finish.

View Us on Blu-ray on Amazon

Intelligence

Ross from Friends, sorry, David Schwimmer stars as the arrogant US security agent who joins GCHQ in London… with hilarious consequences. At least that's the plan. The reviews weren't terrible, so check out the trailer and see if it looks likely to float your 4K boat.

Bulletproof

Noel Clarke and Ashley Walters as a cockney copper comedy duo? Yep, we'll take that. Full of big guns and big action, a buddy cop show set in London and starring two black leads makes a welcome change. Delivered in UHD and Dolby Atmos it's a winner when it comes to picture and sound, too. There are two series available to watch on demand.

View Bulletproof on DVD on Amazon

The Trip

The latest series of the The Trip sees Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon travelling around Greece as they ham-up their fictional alter-egos for our entertainment. And no doubt it will work every bit as well as season three, which was set in Spain and is also available in 4K on Sky. Enjoy figuring out where the truth ends and fiction begins as two born show-offs battle to have the last laugh in front of some stunning scenery.

View The Trip on DVD on Amazon

Fortitude

An all-star cast led by Christopher Eccleston attempts to get to the bottom of a dark mystery in an almost-as-dark Arctic town. Remastered for UHD, a third season dropped at the end of 2018 and all three are available on demand. Some excellent cinematography and suitably moody soundtrack make for a good system test, too.

View Fortitude on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Tunnel

One of the best-rated original dramas on Sky Atlantic, The Tunnel comes from the makers of Broadchurch and sees the British and French police forces working together when a body is found inside the Channel Tunnel. And if you think the story seems familiar, it's a remake of Swedish drama, The Bridge

View The Tunnel on DVD on Amazon

Bohemian Rhapsody

A treat for your ears and eyes, with Rami Malek's Oscar-winning turn as arguably the greatest frontman of all time, Freddie Mercury. With multiple Oscars for the soundtrack, you know this will deliver on the audio as well as the UHD visuals, not least as there are a whole sackful of Queen classics to get through. Look out for the classic crowd sing-a-long scene.

View Bohemian Rhapsody on Blu-ray on Amazon

A Star Is Born

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga surprised everyone with their respective singing and acting skills (we knew they could each do the other part) in this fourth version of the classic Hollywood musical drama. It's an original but reverential take which just about steers clear of over-doing the melodramatics.

View A Star is Born on Blu-ray on Amazon

Widows

Widows was strangely snubbed by the Oscars but Steve McQueen's thriller is well worth catching in 4K on Sky. Available to rent through the Sky Store, Viola Davis stars as the leader of a band of widows who set out to pull-off the heist their partners planned.

View Widows on Blu-ray on Amazon

Der Pass

Want a fresh take on Nordic noir? Der Pass could be the one. Available on demand in 4K, it plots a German and Austrian detective together when a dead body is discovered on this particularly gloomy stretch of European border. Reviews suggest this one is worthy of investigation, albeit very much of its type.

View Der Pass on DVD on Amazon

Billions

Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis star in this highly-rated drama about power politics in the world of New York high finance.

View Billions on DVD on Amazon

Ray Donovan

Seven seasons speaks for itself (all seven are on Sky), and Ray Donovan has consistently delivered for those wanting a brooding anti-hero in the style of Tony Soprano. And while writing something as clever, compelling and downright entertaining as The Sopranos is no easy task, Ray Donovan isn't too far off, showing the shady side of a Hollywood fixer for whom business and family life is never easy. You can enjoy the complete series in Ultra HD on Sky Q.

View Ray Donovan on Blu-ray on Amazon

Kidding

Have you ever wondered if children's TV presenters are really that chirpy all the time? Perhaps Jim Carrey has too. Carrey is the kids' TV host who struggles to deal with daily life despite maintaining his upbeat exterior when it comes to the day job. Strong reviews, and a UHD picture, make this a worthy addition to our round-up.

View Kidding on DVD on Amazon

Stan Lee's Lucky Man

The world lost a great talent when Stan Lee passed away. Best known for his Marvel superheroes, he also worked with Sky on this excellent British drama. James Nesbitt stars as Murder Squad detective Harry Clayton, who's been given the power to control luck. Hence the title. There are three seasons in 4K to binge on Sky.

View Stan Lee's Lucky Man on DVD on Amazon

The Affair

This American drama stars two English actors in the leading roles – Dominic West and Ruth Wilson – and manages to put a fresh spin on seemingly familiar tales of love and lust. The over-arching story is told from each protagonist's perspective, letting the viewer decide who and what to believe as the story unravels. It's well-paced and well-acted, and does just enough each episode to keep you intrigued without giving the game away. There are now five seasons in UHD on Sky Q.

View The Affair on DVD on Amazon

Patrick Melrose

Benedict Cumberbatch is the titular star of this five-part series based on the novels by Edward St. Aubyn. The series charts Melrose's journey from a traumatic childhood in the South of France, through substance abuse in his twenties in New York and, ultimately, on the road to recovery back home in England.

View Patrick Melrose on DVD on Amazon

Sick Note

Nick Frost, Rupert Grint and Lindsay Lohan? It's got to be worth a look. This Sky comedy sees Grint playing a down-on-his-luck couch potato whose outlook only changes for the better when he's diagnosed with cancer, and he gets to enjoy the resultant rallying from friends and work colleagues. The twist? He's been wrongly diagnosed and doesn't have cancer at all. There are two seasons to enjoy in 4K on Sky.

View Sick Note on DVD on Amazon

The Godfather

If you haven't seen this epic trilogy yet, you really should. You can watch the complete Godfather trilogy on Sky right now, though only The Godfather and The Godfather Part II are available in 4K. As it happens, the quality is befitting of the films, with only the last film letting the side down somewhat. But it was a high bar – the first two form arguably the greatest pairing in cinema history. Three years of meticulous 4K restoration ensures a pretty solid picture considering the original was released back in 1972.

View The Godfather on Blu-ray on Amazon

MORE:

Upgrade your viewing: 18 Sky Q tips, tricks and features

Time for a new telly? Best 4K TVs

Check out the best OLED TVs around

These are the best 4K TV shows and films to watch right now

Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is Content Director for T3 and What Hi-Fi?, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for more than 15 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff, and the Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).