Top 10 Movies To Watch This Week on Peacock | August 17-23, 2025

So you’re stuck in scrolling purgatory again, huh? Endlessly thumbing through Peacock, hoping something jumps out. We’ve been there. That’s why we pulled together the Top 10 Movies you would actually want to watch this week—no fluff, no filler. Whether you’re into thrillers, rom-coms, or indie gems, there’s something worth hitting play on. Here’s your movie cheat sheet for August 17-23, 2025—because your time is too valuable for another “meh” movie night.

1. Madagascar (2005)

Zoo life? Overrated.

Four New York City animals—Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippo—break out of the Central Park Zoo and wind up stranded on the island of Madagascar. What starts as a survival mission turns into a full-blown jungle party, thanks to lemur king Julien (voiced by Sacha Baron Cohen in scene-stealing form). Still bright, still chaotic, still makes you want to yell “Move it!”

2. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)

From jungle to ancestral home.

The gang’s rescue flight doesn’t quite stick the landing, and next thing you know, they’re in the African savanna—where Alex reconnects with his lion roots, Marty deals with identity crises, and Melman… becomes a witch doctor. The scale’s bigger, the stakes are higher, and the emotional beats hit deeper. Bonus: Bernie Mac delivers major heart as Alex’s dad in one of his final roles.

3. Bring It On (2000)

This cheer drama still slaps.

Kirsten Dunst leads the Toros, a powerhouse high school cheer squad with a routine that’s… not actually theirs. When new recruit Missy (Eliza Dushku) reveals they’ve been stealing cheers from a rival team led by Gabrielle Union, things get real. Sharp, hilarious, and surprisingly ahead of its time, Bring It On hits hard on ethics, equity, and elbow punches in the name of spirit fingers.

4. Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Legends don’t always start graceful.

Po the panda dreams of kung fu glory… but spends most days spilling noodle soup. That changes when he’s (accidentally?) chosen as the Dragon Warrior. With training from the grumpy but wise Master Shifu and backup from the Furious Five, Po faces off against Tai Lung, a villain with actual claws. Gorgeous animation, legit martial arts homages, and Jack Black in peak voiceover form? Skadoosh.

5. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Your past is your power.

Just as Po settles into his role as Dragon Warrior, a new threat emerges: Lord Shen, a peacock with a deadly weapon—and a chilling link to Po’s mysterious childhood. This sequel leans darker, digs deeper, and doesn’t pull emotional punches. Plus, it looks phenomenal. That shadow-puppet origin story? Still stunning.

6. Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)

Chi. Family. Giant panda hugs.

Po finally meets his birth father and discovers a hidden panda village, just in time to face a supernatural villain stealing kung fu masters’ chi. Cue dumpling lessons, inner peace quests, and Bryan Cranston voicing a panda dad with A+ dad jokes. A sweet and satisfying trilogy capper that goes big on visual flair and emotional payoff.

7. Clueless (1995)

Total Betty energy.

Alicia Silverstone’s Cher Horowitz floats through high school on a cloud of confidence, designer fits, and questionable matchmaking ideas—until life throws a few reality checks her way. Yes, it’s a Jane Austen remix (Emma, but with cell phones), but it’s also one of the smartest, snappiest teen comedies ever made. And Paul Rudd? The blueprint for modern rom-com charm.

8. Mean Girls (2024)

Regina George can sing now. Be afraid.

This musical reboot of the 2004 teen classic reintroduces The Plastics with a new coat of gloss and a Broadway-trained bite. Reneé Rapp absolutely owns the role of Regina (and “World Burn” will, in fact, melt your face off), while Angourie Rice’s Cady adds just the right amount of awkward earnestness. Same savage social dynamics, now with hallway harmonies and updated shade.

9. Trolls (2016)

It’s glitter. It’s chaos. It’s joycore.

Poppy (Anna Kendrick) is all sunshine and song. Branch (Justin Timberlake) is a survivalist in desperate need of serotonin. Together, they team up to save their friends from the Bergens—giants who believe happiness only comes from eating Trolls. It’s wildly colorful, packed with pop bangers, and yes, it gave us Can’t Stop the Feeling, which still lives rent-free in our heads.

10. R.I.P.D. (2013)

Dead cops. Soul patrol. Mayhem.

Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges are undead officers for the “Rest in Peace Department,” chasing rogue spirits (aka “deados”) through Boston while trying to prevent a doomsday scenario. It’s Men in Black meets Ghostbusters with a messier plot and more supernatural gunfights. Is it a bit chaotic? Yeah. But there’s something weirdly fun about watching Reynolds try to solve his own murder while inhabiting the body of a blonde bombshell.

And That’s a Wrap

From martial arts pandas to cheer squad takedowns, high school drama to undead buddy cops, this week’s Apple TV lineup delivers a wild buffet of genres. Whether you’re in the mood for glossy teen nostalgia (Clueless, Mean Girls), animated gold (Kung Fu Panda, Trolls), or just a movie where Sacha Baron Cohen plays a lemur king (Madagascar, obviously), there’s no shortage of hits to dive into. So grab some snacks, queue it up, and let Apple TV sort out your weekend plans.