Although made-for-TV films are often written off as second-rate due to their retirement for being overly melodramatic and ripping stories out of the headlines, in recent years, made-for-TV films have been accepted as an acceptable alternative to cinema. With the advent of companies such as HBO, the concept of what a made-for-television movie is has moved away from its Hallmark stereotype.

Television films, with their generally lower budgets and fewer casts, are often not held in the same respect as larger productions by fans. However, because of the freedom and accessibility they provide, many prestigious directors and actors have taken the path made for television, with successful results.

10/10 “Too Big to Fail” (2011) - 77%

In the early 2010s, Hollywood became obsessed with capturing what the financial crisis did to America. While films like big short and Additional collateral requirement portrayed what was outside, Too big to fail showed what kind of discussion around the financial crisis was going on inside the government. Based on the book by Andrew Ross Sorkin. Too big to fail follows Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson and his attempt to deal with the economic crisis.

Producer Curtis HansonThe film features an impressive ensemble cast led by William Hurt as Paulson, a role for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award. Smart, literate and more serious than some of his thematic counterparts, Too big to fail tries seriously and rigorously to show how the people at the top of the food chain handled the financial crisis.

9/10 “The Next Day” (1983) - 83%

While the idea of ​​a TV movie can now be denigrated, in 1983 it certainly shouldn’t have been done. Over 100 million people watched it at the time. The next day set a record as the highest rated television film in history. Director great screenwriter Nicholas Meyer, The next day tells about a small town in Kansas, which is threatened by a nuclear war.

The plot is similar to the 1983 theatrical film. Willas well as a 1984 TV movie streams, The next day of all these films, it had the greatest cultural impact. Topically released at the height of the Cold War, Ronald Reagan watched the film a month before release, commenting that it left him “greatly depressed” and ultimately changed his views on nuclear war.

8/10 You Don’t Know Jack (2010) - 83%

famous director Barry Levinson, You don’t know Jack shows one of the best late career performances Al Pacino. Winning an Emmy for his portrayal of Pacino, the film chronicles the career of Jack Kevorkian, the controversial physician who pioneered medical assisted suicide and introduced the idea to the public.

In recent years, Levinson has turned his attention to making big-star television films based on true stories, such as the 2017 film. Wizard of lies with Robert DeNiro like Bernie Madoff or last year’s biopic survivor with Ben Foster. Although they were all well received, You don’t know Jack is Levinson’s best film in recent years as it subtly walks the tightrope of the film’s divisive theme.

7/10 “Citizen X” (1995) - 86%

Citizen X it’s a dark look at the true determination to catch one of Russia’s most infamous serial killers. movie stars Stephen Rea as a medical examiner who, despite being frustrated by the government, pursues an unknown serial killer for 12 years.

Screenwriter and director Chris Gerolmo, Citizen X includes some of the best acting of any film of that year, with a completely abandoned and Jeffrey DeMann turning a striking character actor into the role of the Chikatilo killer. Good pace and often legitimately dramatic, Citizen X makes for a continuously compelling addition to the serial killer genre.

6/10 Night Hunter (1972) - 88%

By stimulating the continuation of film and television, Night Stalker started out as one of ABC’s Movies of the Week. Script from the author Richard Matheson, Night Stalker follows an investigative journalist who investigates a series of murders he believes were committed by real-life vampires.

Night Stalker became a hit, becoming the highest-rated original television movie on American television, and also served as an inspiration for later popular shows such as secret materials. Highly acclaimed upon release, both the films and TV shows have gained a cult following and are now regarded as some of the pioneering works in the supernatural and science fiction genres.

5/10 “Duel” (1971) - 89%

First professional film Steven Spielberg started from humble beginnings. Made for a measly $450,000 compared to Spielberg’s current colossal budgets, Duel follows a businessman down the road who is being chased by a psychopath trucker. Originally Another ABC Movie of the Week, Duel was only released theatrically after success on the small screen.

Now he is considered one of the pioneers in the field of special effects and sound design. Duel was nominated for only one Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography. While Spielberg’s leadership was praised, Duel it is now a fascinating spectacle when viewed in the broader context of Spielberg’s career and the history of television films in general.

4/10 “Gia” (1998) - 93%

Receiving recognition for his role Gia this is the movie that put Angelina Jolie on the map. Although she had leading roles in the thriller No proof and adaptation by Joyce Carol Oates foxfire, Gia According to Rotten Tomatoes, Jolie won a Golden Globe and remains her highest-rated film to this day. In the film, Jolie plays real-life supermodel Gia Karanji, who became a drug victim at the height of her career.

Joint role Faye Dunaway as Dutch model Wilhelmina Cooper, Gia rises above the rise and fall trail thanks to its performances, stable direction Michael Christopher, and a scorching score from Terrence Blanchard. While his themes of drugs, ambition, and high life have been covered in many other films, Gia still an inspiring biography shown on screen.

3/10 “Behind the Candelabra” (2013) - 94%

Steven Soderbergh not new to experimentation in filmmaking. No wonder he chose to do Behind the candelabramade-for-cable TV movie about world-famous pianist Liberace, played by Michael Douglasand an unstable relationship with his much younger lover Scott Thorson, played by Matt Damon.

Despite the limited release, Soderbergh has assembled a top-notch cast for his film, which, in addition to Douglas and Damon, includes: Rob Lowe, Dan Aykroydand Debbie Reynolds. Douglas and Damon are sensational, both nominated for an Emmy Award, and Douglas won. Nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes Behind the candelabra superbly acted and directed, quietly becoming one of Soderbergh’s most underrated great films.

2/10 “Bad Education” (2019) - 94%

Although made-for-TV films are often adapted from real-life news, few are more entertaining than those featured in Bad Education. Written Mike Makovsky and under the guidance Corey Finleyeach of the most interesting newcomers in their field, Bad Education follows a Long Island superintendent and his assistant as they try to cover up their school’s embezzlement scandal.

Under the direction of Hugh Jackman in one of the best roles of his career, Bad Education very funny and well observed, both in writing and direction. The script is subtle, with Jackman nailing every face line and interaction. Makovsky and Finlay have a bright future. Bad Education a film that will be remembered as an important moment in their careers as well as one of the most exciting television films of the decade.

1/10 “And the Band Played” (1993) - 100%

Adapted from the book of the same name by Randy Shilts. And the band played is one of the most notable made-for-television films of all time. Written by playwright Arnold Shulmanthe film follows an epidemiologist who begins research on a rare virus that would later be known as the AIDS epidemic.

Nominated for 11 Primetime Emmy Awards And the band played was known for its themes, extensive cast, and ending, which features cameos from Magic Johnson to Freddie Mercury. Films before and after covered the AIDS epidemic, including 1989. longtime companion and 2014 normal heartbut none of them were as significant as And the band played.