Movies to Watch for Every Cinematic Yearning
April 6, 2020
Like it or not, we are all stuck inside the house these days as a result of the coronavirus crisis, and whether working from home or just chilling, it’s good to take a cinematic break
With cinemas closed and blockbusters-in-waiting – postponed for later this year or all the way through to next year, thankfully, there are many movies offering some form of escape during this time of distress.
Here’s a list of 100 amazing movies to watch in the comfort of your home:
When you need something out of this world
- Aliens (1986):Our queen Sigourney Weaver vs. a cosmic queen is a sci-fi all-timer.
- Arrival (2016):Amy Adams communicates with aliens and at this point we’re envying her hazmat suit.
- E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982):Honestly, hanging out with E.T. sounds cool until the little guy eats all your Reese’s Pieces.
- Independence Day (1996):Will Smith clocks an outer-space creature in the face, more for invading Earth than eating his Reese’s Pieces.
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014):I am Groot, obviously.
- Galaxy Quest (1999):Like “Star Trek” if it was funny.
- Star Trek (2009):Like “Star Trek” if it was “Star Wars.”
- The Martian (2015):It’s nice to know that Matt Damon’s recipe for Martian poop potatoes is right there if ever needed.
- Moon (2009):You get two Sam Rockwells for the price of one awesomely intriguing lunar mission. What a deal!
- Star Wars (1977):Because who doesn’t want to learn the ways of the Force with Han, Luke, Leia and John Williams’ blasting score?
When you need a change in scenery
- Blade Runner (1982): Is Harrison Ford a robot or not? Feel free to think about that as you immerse yourself in neon noir.
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998): Going on a Vegas acid binge with Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro is indeed a trip.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001): Kids going off to a magical school and dealing with seriously dark stuff is somehow not child endangerment.
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010): A Viking boy having a scaly best friend is totally OK, though.
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001): A three-movie, 11-hour trudge through Middle-earth to drop a ring into a volcano needs to start somewhere.
- Mad Max: Fury Road (2015):Ride eternal, shiny and chrome into a splendiferous post-apocalyptic wasteland with Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy.
- The Matrix (1999):You’ll want to choose the red pill because Keanu Reeves’ cyberpunk kung fu is top notch.
- The NeverEnding Story (1984):Come for the flying dragon dog, stay for that cult tune the “Stranger Things” kids sang.
- The Princess Bride (1987):Head to Florin, save Princess Buttercup and, most importantly, have fun storming the castle!
- The Wizard of Oz (1939):Good friends, cool shoes and Midwestern chutzpah are a must along the Yellow Brick Road. (Which has more flying monkeys than Fury Road.)
When you need family bonding time
- Back to the Future (1985):Teenage kid travels back to the 1950s to make sure his parents fall in love and Mom hits on him. That’s some future therapy bills right there.
- Father of the Bride (1991):Steve Martin’s overprotective patriarch is a must-see for the dads with daughters out there.
- Frozen (2013):From wanting to build a snowman to letting it go, Anna and Elsa are a sister act for the ages. (All ages, in fact.)
- The Incredibles (2004):With a bevy of superpowers and dinner-table issues, the Parr clan’s tale is the best Fantastic Four movie ever.
- The Godfather (1972):But don’t forget about the Corleone family, whose business involves betrayal, crime and murder. So that’s less than fantastic, in terms of the law.
- Little Miss Sunshine (2006):The Hoover family is crazy dysfunctional – and just plain crazy – but man, can they bust up a pretentious kid beauty pageant.
- Mary Poppins (1964):The Banks family is a hot mess when Julie Andrews thankfully flies in on her umbrella.
- Meet the Parents (2000):No one’s in-law circle of trust can compare to Robert De Niro whipping out a lie detector or discussing his nipples.
- The Sound of Music (1965):Even though there are Nazis, there’s plenty to sing about for the tuneful Von Trapps.
- Step Brothers (2008): Sorry, Anna and Elsa, as a sibling duo Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are much more fun in that nunchucking, boat-crashing, man-child way.
When you need a belly laugh
- Animal House (1978): It would never be made in the #MeToo era, but the Deathmobile, the food fight and John Belushi in a toga destroying a guitar still have no college-comedy equal.
- The Blues Brothers (1980):While the guys in the suits and shades get the title love, praise the gods of country andWestern for a scene-stealing Carrie Fisher, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles.
- Booksmart (2019):The female-centric standout proves teen travails are just as relatable now as they were when “The Breakfast Club” was in session.
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986):Save Ferris! That’s it, that’s all you need to know.
- Ghostbusters (1984):A reminder that things can always be worse – in this case, full torso apparitions, a Sumerian god of destruction and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
- Groundhog Day (1993):Bill Murray refuses to let a bucktoothed critter upstage him. Respect.
- The Hangover (2009):Mike Tyson singing Phil Collins isn’t even in the top five nuttiest moments in this bachelor-party-gone-wrong classic.
- Old School (2003):Indefinite self-isolation might make one ponder founding their own fraternity in their house. Just don’t go streaking, please.
- This Is Spinal Tap (1984):It’s the rock mockumentary that goes to 11, and the sting remains from “Big Bottom” not snagging an original song Oscar nod.
- Young Frankenstein (1974):A Mel Brooks marathon is guaranteed to lift all spirits but do start with the one starring Gene Wilder as a lovably kooky mad scientist.
When you need a good scare
- Evil Dead II (1987):The splatter-fest teaches you the essential lesson that if your hand gets hacked off, attach a chainsaw.
- The Exorcist (1973): The dreadful thought of the devil possessing a young girl is even more unnerving seeing it unfold in front of you.
- Get Out (2017):Good luck ever forgetting the image of Daniel Kaluuya’s teary horror upon realizing he’s in the Sunken Place.
- It (2017):A coming-of-age story first, a clown-laden fright fest second.
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984):Slasher villain math: Freddy Krueger > Michael Myers > Jason Voorhees.
- Psycho (1960):Still an effective deterrent to showering, six decades later.
- Se7en (1995):A splendid smashup of genres (detective, noir, horror) and an eerie exploration of the seven deadly sins, but don’t look in the box, Brad Pitt!
- Shaun of the Dead (2004):If you’re going to watch a freaky outbreak movie in the time of coronavirus, at least make it a seriously funny British joint.
- The Shining (1980):OK, maaaaaaybe not the greatest film to watch in a time of self-isolation.
- The Witch (2015):If a goat named Black Phillip asks you, “Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?” just say no. (You might want to avoid talking goats in general.)
When you need a super-duper hero
- Big Trouble in Little China (1986):Only Kurt Russell could sell being the two-fisted, macho-talking, truck-driving sidekick in his own movie.
- Black Panther (2018):Wakanda – and Chadwick Boseman’s phenomenal royal warrior – forever!
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014):A well-crafted, outstanding political thriller in which Chris Evans just happens to be wearing star-spangled tights.
- The Dark Knight (2008):Heath Ledger’s Joker for the absolute win. (Christian Bale’s Batman is all right, too.)
- Flash Gordon (1980):He’ll save every one of us. It’s right there in the song.
- The Goonies (1985):Let’s see Batman or Captain America try to do the Truffle Shuffle.
- Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003):Clad in a Bruce Lee jumpsuit, Uma Thurman’s The Bride marries the look of a fashion icon with supreme sword-swinging vengeance taking out umpteen goons.
- Rocky IV (1985):Sure, Sylvester Stallone’s first “Rocky” was “the good one.” He pretty much has to take on the whole Soviet Union in this one, though!
- Superman (1978):Nobody has ever worn superhero threads – especially those of the iconic big blue boy scout – the same way as Christopher Reeve.
- Wonder Woman (2017):Gal Gadot’s ridiculously powerful Amazon princess learns that humanity is a bunch of warring jerks and helps out anyway.
When you need a history lesson
- All the President’s Men (1976):Whether you see shades of the past now or not, crusading journalists taking on a corrupt administration is simply riveting.
- Amadeus (1984):Mozart could write a mean classical tune, and his rivalry with Salieri here is a symphony of hedonism and drama.
- Ed Wood (1994):Tim Burton turns in a fascinating retro ode to the B-movie filmmaker and angora sweater aficionado.
- Hidden Figures (2016):One way to honor NASA pioneer Katherine Johnson, who died death last month at 101, is to watch Taraji P. Henson in this rousing civil-rights tale.
- Lincoln (2012):Man of many hats Daniel Day Lewis rocks the stovepipe headwear of the 16th president especially well.
- RBG (2018):Worried about the health of 87-year-old Ruth Bader Ginsburg? This documentary shows the notorious Supreme Court justice is made of the sternest stuff.
- The Right Stuff (1983):More than three wondrous hours detailing the backstory – in epic Hollywood fashion – of our first trip to space.
- 1776 (1972):Just think of it as the prequel to “Hamilton.”
- Spartacus (1960):Fun fact: Kirk Douglas was leading slave revolts when “Gladiator” Russell Crowe was a preschooler.
- Straight Outta Compton (2015):O’Shea Jackson Jr. plays dad Ice Cube in the N.W.A. biopic that’s a delight even if you aren’t into hip-hop.
When you need a great movie
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969):Find yourself a ride-or-die BFF like Paul Newman and Robert Redford as infamous Old West outlaws. (But don’t do all the robbing.)
- Casablanca (1942):Hey, kids! If you ever wondered why Humphrey Bogart was a thing, watch this.
- Chinatown (1974):Jack Nicholson’s busted face is a signature look for a sublime L.A. film noir.
- Citizen Kane (1941):The greatest film ever made is actually pretty good. The hype is real!
- The Departed (2006):Leo, Jack and Damon in a Boston-set Scorsese mob movie? That’s wicked smaht casting.
- Die Hard (1988):It should be everyone’s goal to have the self-confidence to trudge across broken glass, take on a snarling Eurotrash supervillain and save the day, all on Christmas Eve.
- Jaws (1975):The first summer blockbuster is the mack daddy of man-eating shark flicks.
- North by Northwest (1959):Getting embroiled in a case of mistaken identity and getting chased by a crop-dusting plane equals a very bad, no-good day for Cary Grant.
- Parasite (2019):The South Korean movie just won best picture so maybe getting stuck at home is the best time to catch up? (Warning: It might cause paranoia about your basement.)
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981):The perfect action film with an imperfectly flawed, square-jawed protagonist.
When you need a not-so-great movie
- Armageddon (1998):Let the record state that Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck were Space Force before it was cool.
- Cobra (1986):Crime is a disease, Stallone is the cure and this violent extravaganza is a transfusion of guilty pleasure.
- Con Air (1997):Much of Nicolas Cage’s whole career could fill this space, however, only one flick has characters named Diamond Dog, Swamp Thing and Cyrus the Virus.
- Highlander (1986):Ridiculous cheeseball plot, immortal warriors and killer Queen songs strangely go together.
- The Last Dragon (1985):We dare you not be earwormed by DeBarge’s “Rhythm of the Night,” the infectious tune that reflects the overall cult-movie mix of kung fu, romance and ‘80s style.
- Mommie Dearest (1981):Yes, it’s the one with “No more wire hangers!” But there’s much more melodrama throughout the bonkers Joan Crawford biopic as Faye Dunaway gives a masterclass in overacting.
- Over the Top (1987):The underdog plot centered on arm wrestling is nonsensical and yet completely rousing. It’s also proof positive that turning your trucker hat around always means business.
- Road House (1989):The one where Patrick Swayze rips a dude’s throat out.
- So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993):Forget “Wayne’s World” and “Austin Powers.” This is Mike Myers’ greatest hit, as a beat poet afraid of commitment and even more fearful of his maybe-a-killer new love.
- Xanadu (1980):The splashy, post-disco pop musical was made to be played on repeat constantly at roller rinks.
When you need your heart warmed
- About Time (2013):Domhnall Gleeson is a time-traveling dude, Rachel McAdams is his soulmate, and all the feels will be had.
- Field of Dreams (1989):The magnificent baseball film embraces the power of faith, belief and having one last catch with your dad.
- It’s a Wonderful Life (1946):Not just for Christmas anymore!
- Jojo Rabbit (2019):Taika Waititi plays Hitler in a satire focusing on human love over learned hate.
- Notting Hill (1999):You, too, will believe a regular schmo could date Julia Roberts.
- Rudy (1993):The best football movie’s most impressive trick is making you believe Sean Astin would survive two seconds on the gridiron.
- Silver Linings Playbook (2012):Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence together are an A-list romantic pairing – he plays a bipolar Eagle fan, she’s an acerbic widow – as well as a sizzling dance couple.
- Sing Street (2016):An Irish teen in the ‘80s forms a band to win over his crush and discovers no woman can truly love a man who listens to Phil Collins. (Sorry, Mike Tyson.)
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994):A memorable jailbird bromance from the mind of Stephen King.
- You’ve Got Mail (1998):The swoon-worthy Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan jam that feels ancient with the AOL email chime yet is oh-so-timeless.
Enjoy!
Source: US Today