The 10 Best Films on BBC iPlayer Right Now

Posted on Sep 17, 2024 by Ginny Dorn

High-quality films aren’t often free, but BBC iPlayer has a variety of top-rated options right now. Whether you’re looking for a family film, heart-wrenching drama, or something scary, there’s a film for you. 

We’ve ranked the best films on BBC iPlayer so you can get your movie night started quickly. Connect to a PIA VPN server before you start if you want to avoid common streaming issues and enjoy the films hassle-free.


Quick Guide – How to Watch BBC iPlayer with PIA VPN 

  1. Subscribe to PIA VPN and install it on your preferred streaming device.
  2. Connect to one of our servers in the UK.
  3. Watch the best movies on BBC iPlayer now!

The 10 Best Films on BBC iPlayer

10. My Summer of Love

2004 | IMDB: 6.7/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

Meet Tamsin (Emily Blunt) and Mona (Natalie Press), unlikely new friends who bond over their dysfunctional families. Mona introduces Tamsin to her ex-criminal, born-again Christian brother. Tamsin recruits Mona to help her spy on her adulterous father. Although the title implies a love story, this drama keeps you captivated as you sift through themes of deception, obsession, and faith.

Fun fact: The film was shot in five weeks in Todmorden. It was the hottest summer in Yorkshire in 50 years. 

9. The Blair Witch Project

1999 | IMDB: 6.5/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 86%

Three film students from Maryland travel to a small town to learn more about the Blair Witch, a local legend and murderer. They gather documentary footage of locals discussing the legend before heading into the woods to find the Blair Witch themselves. This found footage style movie was one of the first of its kind, and is still one of the scariest movies thanks to its realism.

Fun fact: The film’s creators told the three lead actors that the Blair Witch was a real legend during filming, only sharing that it was all false afterward. At roughly 46 minutes into the film, the actors are sleeping in a tent when it suddenly shakes, scaring them all. This was an unscripted scene, and the actors were no doubt terrified since they believed the legend was real.

8. Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom

2019 | IMDB: 7.5/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 98%

Ugyen is a teacher and aspiring singer living in Bhutan with his grandmother. After neglecting his work responsibilities, he’s sent to teach in Lunana, a Himalayan village, at the most remote school in the world. There, he learns about true hardship and finds transformation with the help of the villagers. It’s heartwarming, charming, and funny – perfect for a family movie night. 

Fun fact: The film was shot on location. The crew had to haul their equipment onto 65 mules for an eight-day journey to Lunana. The locals in the movie are actually highlanders and many had never seen the outside world, a movie, or cameras before.

7. The Theory of Everything

2014 | IMDB: 7.7/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 80%

This biographical drama shares the real-life story of Stephen Hawking. Now referred to as the successor of Einstein, expectations were low when doctors diagnosed him with ALS at 21 and gave him two years to live. The movie tells the unlikely story of his academic success even as his body collapsed, and his love story with Jane Wilde, whose support was critical to his accomplishments. 

Fun fact: Stephen Hawking allowed the filmmakers to use his copyrighted voice for the movie, along with his signed thesis and his Companion of Honour medal. After seeing the movie, he praised Eddie Redmayne’s performance by saying there were moments in which he thought he was watching himself on screen.


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6. Aftersun

2022 | IMDB: 7.6/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 96%

Sophie reflects on a cherished, childhood summer holiday with her father. The movie toggles between the present and past as she tries to reconcile the father she knew as a child with life-altering events that occurred later. One of the best movies to watch on BBC iPlayer, this drama explores familial relationships and mental health, providing light and dark moments alongside gorgeous cinematography. 

Fun fact: The actors portraying Sophie and her father (Frankie Corio and Paul Mescal) spent two weeks at a hotel resort to bond before filming, which helped make their on-screen portrayal feel more genuine. They remained close after filming and still facetime each other.

5. The Shining

1980 | IMDB: 8.4/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 83%

This classic horror film follows Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a struggling writer, who brings his family to the Overlook Hotel in Colorado as he takes over as the winter caretaker for the property. His son begins having disturbing psychic premonitions as the hotel’s dark secrets come to light. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as Jack goes from family man to raging maniac.

Fun fact: Nicholson worked as a volunteer fire marshal in the past. When the props department presented him with an easy-to-break door for the “here’s Johnny!” scene, he broke it so easily that it wasn’t believable. The props department had to build a stronger door for the scene.

4. Queen and Slim

2019 | IMDB: 7.1/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 82%

When a police officer pulls over Queen and Slim, their first date morphs into a fugitive story. As they run from the law, a video of the incident goes viral and the pair, initially labeled cop killers, become a symbol of racial trauma. This gripping movie applies a modern-day spin on the classic tale of Bonnie and Clyde, adding commentary on race relations in America today.

Fun fact: The two main characters are actually named Ernest Hines and Angela Johnson. They’re never referred to as “Slim” or “Queen,” and their real names are only revealed during the news reports covering the incident. 


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3. Bringing Up Baby

1938 | IMDB: 7.8/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 97%

If you’re looking for comedy and a taste of old Hollywood, look no further than Bringing Up Baby. This classic follows as paleontologist David Huxley tries to make a good impression on Mrs. Random who’s considering donating to his museum. Random’s niece, Susan Vance, immediately falls for Huxley and leads him through chaotic mishaps as he tries to maintain his composure. 

Fun fact: A real-life event inspired the scene where Vance’s dress rips and Huxley follows closely behind her to hide the rip. Cary Grant, who plays Huxley, once spent a night at the Roxy Theater during which his pants zipper caught on a woman’s dress and he followed her around.  

2. Sicario

2015 | IMDB: 7.7/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 92%

This tense action thriller stars Emily Blunt as Kate Macer, an idealistic FBI agent who’s worked hard to move up in her male-dominated field. Working on a task force aiding in the war on drugs at the border of the US and Mexico, she finds that her team’s choices are not necessarily honest or legal, and there are darker secrets to uncover as the movie rolls on.

Fun fact: To film the complex border crossing scene, the film crew had to create a replica of the Juarez border crossing. Filming at the real location would have been nearly impossible, as the multiple days of filming would have caused too many road closures. 

1. Moonlight

2016 | IMDB: 7.4/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 98%

Winner of three Academy Awards, Moonlight tells the story of Chiron, a young Black man growing up in Miami. It follows him through childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood while he struggles with his identity and sexuality. The movie is incredibly engaging and at times heartbreaking, as Chiron must deal with racism, neglect, and bullying while finding his community.

Fun fact: Three different actors portray Chiron during the different chapters of his life. They never met during filming, as director Barry Jenkins wanted each of them to create their own vision of the character during his respective life stages. The same is true for the actors playing Kevin.

How a VPN Helps You Stream BBC iPlayer 

BBC iPlayer is only available in the UK, which means you might not be able to access the streaming service if you travel abroad. With a VPN, you can connect to a server back in the UK and keep watching BBC iPlayer’s best movies and shows. 

If the Wi-Fi at your university or office blocks iPlayer, or any other streaming service, you can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. When you connect to a VPN server, it encrypts your connection and conceals your internet activity, allowing you to easily unblock streaming sites.

Why You Should Choose PIA as Your Streaming VPN

PIA VPN ensures you get the best streaming experience every time. It has servers in 90+ countries, including streaming-optimized servers with frequently refreshed IPs that work seamlessly with your favorite streaming services like BBC iPlayer. 

Our 10-Gbps server network gives you the blazing-fast VPN speeds you need for smooth, HD-quality video. With no bandwidth caps, you can binge as many films as you like. 

PIA VPN has apps for Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux, making it easy to watch on your preferred device. You can also configure PIA on your router to use the VPN across all your devices. 

It’s easy to set up, but there’s always a live expert available to help answer any questions with PIA’s 24/7 customer support. Still not sure? Try it risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee.

FAQ

What’s the best thing on BBC iPlayer?

It depends on your preferences. Moonlight, Sicario, Bringing Up Baby, and The Shining are some of the highest rated and best films on BBC iPlayer today. EastEnders, Sister Boniface Mysteries, and Celebrity MasterChef are some of the most popular shows on the platform now.

How can I watch BBC iPlayer in the US?

If you’re traveling to the US from the UK, you’ll likely get an error message when you try to stream your usual iPlayer content. To bypass this, connect to a VPN server in the UK and refresh the page. If you still get an error message, you may need to clear your cache and re-enter your iPlayer credentials.

Is BBC iPlayer worth it?

If you already have a TV license, BBC iPlayer is free and worthwhile. It’s great for catching up on current TV series and seeing both new and old films. It also allows you to download shows for offline viewing. If you don’t have a license, it might not be worth it depending on your entertainment tastes. We suggest browsing iPlayer’s library before making a decision.

How do I use BBC iPlayer outside the UK?

If you’re traveling overseas, you can download a VPN to continue streaming on iPlayer. All you need to do is connect to a VPN server in the UK, log into iPlayer, and watch like normal.

Is BBC iPlayer free?

Yes, BBC iPlayer is free if you’re a UK resident with a TV license. TV license fees are subject to regular increases but are typically over £150 per year. Note: you may incur additional data costs if you stream while using mobile data. 

Is Netflix better than BBC iPlayer?

It depends on what you’re looking for. Netflix charges a monthly fee while iPlayer is free and doesn’t have ads. Both have a great variety of content, though Netflix’s library seems to have more frequently updated content. BBC iPlayer tends to have more British content, whereas Netflix has more American content. 

Does BBC iPlayer have films?

Yes, there are tons of good movies on BBC iPlayer, including comedy, horror, action, drama, and non-fiction. It features everything from Hollywood productions, like The Theory of Everything, to more obscure films, like Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

PIA VPN. It has streaming-optimized servers with regularly refreshed IP addresses, so you can always get reliable access to the platform. It also has a 10-Gbps server network, providing the fast VPN speeds necessary for HD streaming. Plus, there’s a 30-day, money-back guarantee so you can try it risk and commitment-free. 

Can I use a VPN to watch a streaming service in another country?

Some VPN users may use a server in another country, where a certain streaming service is available, to connect to that service. While we cannot see what you are doing online due to our no-logs policy, this goes against our terms of service and is not acceptable.

PIA VPN puts your privacy first and we don’t track our users’ activity. That said, you should always comply with relevant laws, including copyright.