In fact, she admitted as much during an appearance on The Tonight Show. She even noted at the time a lot of people bring up the stairs thing, but that sort of thing is occasionally going to happen if you’re trying to look fashionable in high heels. What did mortify her?

You may already see where this is going. Silver Linings Playbook came out in 2012, and Lawrence was at the Oscars in 2013 in support of the movie, which is both when the stairs incident and this conversation occurred. Elizabeth Taylor died in 2011 at age 79.

At that moment, one of Lawrence’s pals walked by and informed her she was not, in fact, speaking with Elizabeth Taylor. The actress’ reaction was to just extricate herself from the conversation immediately and run and hide out behind a wall. Thankfully, she didn’t trip this time.

It was certainly an instance where Lawrence put her foot in her mouth, and this isn’t the only time she’s had an awkward interaction in a public setting. That’s sort of part of the charm of her personality. She’s exactly who she is at any given moment, and she can sometimes be a lot. She knows it. She once even took a break from Hollywood because she felt like people were sick of her.

She came back in high demand, however, and appeared in Die My Love this year, with a cameo coming in Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping, a role greenlighted in Martin Scorsese’s What Happens at Night, and another gig in Luca Guadignino’s Burial Rites, among others, coming up.

You may remember Lawrence’s meteoric rise to fame after signing on for The Hunger Games, but just a couple of years before that she’d been an indie darling, starring in the movie Winter’s Bone. As an actress she knew her “job” would be “very closely connected” with her personal life, and she thought for a long while she’d stick with the indie track.

She said as much to Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes during an episode of the “SmartLess” podcast, revealing that she thought she was on one path in Hollywood until the moment she was given a choice to take on something bigger and bolder, but with potentially more downside.

She's said before that signing on for The Hunger Games made her "afraid," and separately called it an "awesome responsibility." However, this time she opened up about how it happened so fast.

The Moment Jennifer Aniston Realized She Was Too Famous To Get Out And About

In Hollywood, it’s not uncommon to see famous people out and about in stores, on hikes, or even at restaurants. In fact, when I lived out there, I spotted Jennifer Lawrence at Lisa Vanderpump’s then-hotspot Pump. I clearly knew who she was by that point, but the actress says there was a time she could do things more anonymously in Tinseltown.

In fact, she can recall the specific moment she realized she was “too famous” and would not longer be able to do some of the things she really loved.

It wasn’t so easy to decide to upend her life. She told the podcast that Twilight had been a catalyst for her almost saying no. She liked hiking in LA, and she remembered helicopters following the main Twilight cast when they were simply “trying to live in a guest house.” (The Twilight fandom was def crazy and Kellen Lutz has spoken on record about fans trying to barge into his hotel room, as one example.) She said she honestly thought “it didn’t seem like a nice life,” but there were perks to having that level of fame, too.

Ultimately, it all worked out. The Hunger Games filmed at the same time she landed lauds for roles like Silver Linings Playbook and cemented her role as an A-lister. Lawrence said she became “the most famous person in the world,” noting it happened “fast.” But she roomed with her best friend and tried to do other things to normalize her life as much as possible.

It all worked out how it was meant to, and Lawrence still has fond memories of playing Katniss Evergreen and working within the franchise. In fact, she and Josh Hutcherson are expected to be back when Sunrise on the Reaping hits the 2026 schedule later this year.

The New Yorker has published a Jennifer Lawrence profile in advance of her new film Die My Love arriving in theaters (her first project since the 2023 comedy No Hard Feelings), and one story included in the piece is about her audition for the film Silver Linings Playbook – the first movie that saw the actress and Russell working together. The filmmaker remembers that they met virtually instead of in person, and he recalls her both selling her own personality and her capacity to play the character simultaneously. Said the writer/director,

Recalling Jennifer Lawrence's performance in Silver Linings Playbook, one can understand why this arachnid mimicry successfully sold David O. Russell on her capacity to play the female lead. The character, Tiffany Maxwell, is a bit of a manic weirdo, and one can properly sell that energy while pretending to be a dying spider with curled up legs.

In the profile, Jennifer Lawrence says that she essentially let her self be "wet clay" in David O. Russell's hands, and it's hard to argue with the results. Silver Linings Playbook ended up being nominated for eight Oscars in 2013, and Lawrence ended up taking home the Academy Award for "Actress in a Leading Role." Since then, they have worked together two more times – in American Hustle and Joy – and both turns earned the star attention from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

It has now been a decade since Jennifer Lawrence and David O. Russell teamed up, but she has been working with plenty of other exciting collaborators. The aforementioned Die My Love is directed by Lynne Ramsay, and it has been earning acclaim following its festival premieres throughout the year (it will be heading to theaters on November 7). She is also now attached to star in the new thriller from the legendary Martin Scorsese, as What Happens At Night – co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio – is now in pre-production.

That said, while I quite recently gushed over Marty, it's been a while since I gushed over Silver Linings Playbook, and I think I should again since I consider it one of the best romantic comedies of all time. However, while I could talk all day about the screenplay, acting, and directing, the thing that I want to focus on today is the insightful representation of bipolar disorder.

Because at the heart of this film is people struggling (and in many ways, succeeding) against a variety of disorders, which I’ll get into later. But first, let’s talk about Bradley Cooper’s character, Pat Solitano. Because guess what…

I KNOW People Like Pat

I don’t have bipolar disorder, so I can only imagine the high highs, and the low lows. But, I do know people who have been diagnosed with it, and I think this film does a good job of capturing what it might feel like.

Pat, you see, has just recently left a mental health facility since he violently attacked his ex-wife’s lover months prior. He’s taken in by his parents, one of whom (Pat Sr., played by Robert De Niro) likely has OCD, given his intense fixation on the Philadelphia Eagles. In that way, Silver Linings Playbook is not only about bipolar disorder, but also about living with mental illness in general.

But, back to Pat. Over the years, I’ve known friends who could be amped up beyond belief (Sometimes to the extent that it’s been difficult to hang out with them since I couldn’t match their energy level), only to disappear for months. When I would actually be a good friend and check in on them, some have told me that they “just didn’t have the energy” to see anybody for a while.

I didn’t understand this at first, but two brave friends actually told me that they were bipolar, and how they dealt with it. In retrospect, I see some of Pat’s tendencies in my friends (especially when it comes to taking medication), and even though I don’t know how accurate the film is, I do appreciate that it makes a solid effort to understand.

I Think The Film Also Does A Great Job Of Showing How Debilitating Bipolar Disorder Can Be

As I mentioned earlier, I don’t have bipolar disorder, but I have suffered from panic attacks, so I at least understand the feeling of having no control with a heart that won't stop racing. Pat is a man who’s suffering, but he’s trying to see the good in everything (Hence the title). That said, it’s hard, and his bipolar disorder isn’t helping.

His therapist, Cliff Patel (Anupam Kher) is trying to get him to stay on his medication, but Pat doesn’t want to because he doesn’t feel the same when he’s on it, which is something I’ve heard people say with all kinds of disorders and disabilities, including ADHD. But, the thing is, Pat thinks he can live with his disorder if he just tries his hardest, which is not necessarily how it works, especially when there are brain chemicals involved.

So, Pat continues to struggle, which I think is very realistic. When he hits bouts of depression, he seems to think that it just relates to missing his ex-wife, when there’s actually much more going on in his brain. For instance, when he has one of his manic episodes, it seems like he thinks it’s just because of something he read, but there’s actually so much more going on within him, and he’s struggling to reconcile that.

Which is why I think this movie succeeds, since it shows a man who has a hard time admitting to himself that his mood shifts aren’t necessarily his fault, and that feels very real.

The Movie Doesn't Shy Away From How Parents Might Deal With Children With Bipolar Disorder

A lot of people associate Robert De Niro with Martin Scorsese, and for good reason. However, whenever anybody says that Robert De Niro only acts a single way, I always ask, “But have you seen him in Silver Linings Playbook?”

Because De Niro doesn't play a tough guy in SLP. Instead, he plays a concerned father (and one who is absolutely obsessed with the Philadelphia Eagles). In truth, Pat is likely correct when he diagnoses his father with having OCD tendencies, but at the same time, the father has his own child to worry about in the story. As does his poor mother (Jacki Weaver), who has to deal with her son's issues, as well as her husband's.

That said, I think the film does a great job of showing how parents might deal with an adult son with bipolar disorder, as they do it with gentle care. They might be frustrated with Pat, but they try their best not to show it. And, that's because they’re not sure how he might react since they're aware that they're dealing with somebody who himself might not know where his emotions might take him.

The film doesn't shy away from the kind of struggles that parents might go through with bipolar children. But, that's not all…

The Film Also Doesn't Shy Away From What It Might Be Like To Be In A Relationship With Someone Who Has Bipolar Disorder

While it wasn’t on our list of movies that were as good (or better) than the book, I would like to add Silver Linings Playbook to that list, since I read Matthew Quick’s excellent novel, and I do think it's “as good” as the film. In the novel, Tiffany (played by Jennifer Lawrence), is actually about Pat’s age, though still a widow. This kind of changes the way that their relationship is presented in the book and in the film.

That said, what is similar is that Tiffany also seems to be suffering from a disorder in both the novel and the film, and I’ve read that it could possibly be borderline personality disorder. This is important, since the film shows what it might be like to be in a relationship with somebody who has a disorder.

Pat's ex-wife, Nikki, left Pat due to having to deal with his mood swings (and his violence against her lover), and while Nikki is made out to be “the bad guy” due to the fact that we like Pat, you kind of get how draining it must have been living with Pat, which again feels very real.

At the end of the film, Pat finds love with Tiffany, and we feel good about it, but we don't get to see what effect their personal disorders might have on each other long-term, but we're rooting for them all the same.

Overall, It's A Brilliant Movie With A Protagonist We Don't Often See In Modern Movies

Is Silver Linings Playbook a sports movie? In a sense, I guess it is given how big a role the Eagles play in the film. Is it a romantic comedy? Well, yeah, of course. It’s both funny and romantic at times. Is it a drama? Definitely, as it also gets very dramatic.

The point I'm making though is that SLP is many things. But, what I like most about it is the protagonist, Pat, as we don't see characters like him often. In fact, we don't see unvarnished movies about living with disorders often, either.

Which is why I still find myself thinking about (and watching) SLP all these years later. Like I said, I think it's “perfect,” and I don't use that word lightly.

But, what do you think? Do you also love Silver Linings Playbook? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

"Why Should I Listen To You, Anyway? You're A Virgin Who Can't Drive" - Clueless

Written by Amy Heckerling, the script for the '90s classic Clueless is full of iconic quotes and youthful slang. But one of the most brutal adolescent takedowns comes surprisingly from sweet transfer student-turned-cool girl Tai Frasier (Brittany Murphy), who manages to insult our leading lady Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) for not only the status of her virginity but also for failing her driver's test. Way harsh, Tai!

"That Was Yesterday. Today You're Just Some Girl Who Broke My Heart And Cut Up My Mother's Wedding Dress." - 27 Dresses

Katherine Heigl's Jane might be always a bridesmaid, never a bride, for much of the 2008 comedy 27 Dresses, but she's largely supportive of all of the newlyweds around her, even deeming to don some truly awful gowns as part of their bridal parties. However, when her own sister Tess (Malin Åkerman) manipulates her way into a proposal from the man Jane loves—all while wearing a chopped-up version of their mother's wedding dress—Jane rightfully lets her rage out.

"Waiting For You Is Like Waiting For Rain In This Drought. Useless And Disappointing." - A Cinderella Story

Like Cinderella meets You've Got Mail, the 2004 teen rom-com A Cinderella Story revolves around two internet pen pals from opposite ends of their high school's social scene: she, a lowly diner worker named Sam Montgomery (Hilary Duff) and he, the popular quarterback Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray). When their identities are unmasked and Sam is left humiliated, she marches into the football locker room and gives him a talking-to.

"Harry, You're Gonna Have To Move Back To New Jersey Because You've Slept With Everybody In New York And I Don't See That Turning Helen Into A Faint Memory For You." - When Harry Met Sally...

Some of the funniest quotes from the classic Meg Ryan rom-com When Harry Met Sally... feature hilariously charged banter between our titular friends-turned-lovers Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan). But some of the memorable lines from the Rob Reiner-directed, Nora Ephron-penned flick come more from a place of hurt than humor, such as this alfresco argument where they trade some brutally honest feedback about each other's love lives.

"Don't, For One Minute, Think That You Had Any Effect Whatsoever On My Panties." - 10 Things I Hate About You

Julia Stiles's prickly 10 Things I Hate About You protagonist Kat Stratford may protest too much that she's not totally charmed by the persistent interest of bad guy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger). She may declare that the only effect he has is on her "upchuck reflex," but her reaction to that swoon-worthy soccer-field performance of Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" certainly says otherwise.

"Sweetie, Your Skin Is So Dry It's Hurting My Face." - Crazy Rich Asians

To impress the wealthy and judgmental mother (Michelle Yeoh) of her beau, Nick Young (Henry Golding), while attending the lavish Singapore-set wedding of his best friend, Rachel Chu (Costance Wu) gets a much-welcome makeover from Nick's sassy second cousin Oliver T’sien (Nico Santos). Oliver's constructive criticism may have been admittedly harsh, but the reaction to Rachel's stunning wedding look was more than worth it.

"Where's The Cool, Fun, Smart, Beautiful Andie That I Knew? The One That Wanted To Be A Serious Journalist? You're Up, You're Down, You're Here, You're There, You're Like A Frickin' One-Woman Circus." - How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days

To make Matthew McConaughey's Benjamin Barry fall out of love with her, How to Lose a Guy in 10 days heroine Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) begins behaving outrageously: we're talking weeping over a love fern, ruining boys' night, nicknaming his manhood "Princess Sophia," the works. It's unsurprising, then, that Benjamin loudly laments that Andie has chaotically turned into a "one-woman circus" during a fight between the couple.

"Lower. [You're] The Pus That Infects The Mucus... That Cruds Up The Fungus... That Feeds On The Pond Scum. On The Other Hand, Thank You... For Loving Me That Much." - My Best Friend's Wedding

Julia Roberts's Jules Potter exhibits some seriously poor judgment in the 1997 romantic comedy My Best Friend's Wedding, kicking off a campaign to break up the nuptials of her lifelong friend Michael O'Neal (Dermot Mulroney) and his bubbly young bride Kimmy Wallace (Cameron Diaz). When Jules eventually confesses to Michael all of the sabotage she's been up to, he rightly and imaginatively tells her off but then, kindly, forgives his friend immediately.

"You Know What? You Are Rude And Mean And Sloppy And Frizzy. I Don't Like You At All!" - 13 Going on 30

Before leading the rest of the 13 Going on 30 cast into that iconic "Thriller" dance sequence to liven up her company party, Jennifer Garner's Jenna Rink and her co-editor-slash-best friend Lucy Wyman (Judy Greer) get into some words with rival magazine editrix Trish Sackett (Kiersten Warren) of Sparkle magazine. When Trish trashes Poise and tells them to change the publication's name to "Poison or Pitiful, whatever's more pathetic," Jenna partakes in some hilariously innocent smack talk.

"I Love This Man, And There Is No Way I'm Gonna Give Him Up To Some Two-Faced, Big-Haired Food Critic!" - My Best Friend's Wedding

If anyone—even a veritable America's Sweetheart like Julia Roberts—tried to ruin our wedding by smooching the groom, we'd react pretty much exactly like Cameron Diaz does in My Best Friend's Wedding. Her character confronts Roberts's scheming Jules Potter in the women's bathroom of a baseball stadium, and with onlookers cheering her on, Diaz knocks her tirade out of the park.

"I Do Not Need A Blind Date. Particularly Not With Some Verbally Incontinent Spinster Who Drinks Like A Fish, Smokes Like A Chimney, And Dresses Like Her Mother." - Bridget Jones's Diary

Taking inspiration from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Sharon Maguire's beloved 2001 title Bridget Jones's Diary features a similar enemies-to-lovers trajectory for our leading lady Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) and her eventual beau Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). However, after hearing Mark's harsh and haughty words about Bridget upon their first meeting at the Turkey Curry Buffet, we can't totally blame Bridge for initially writing him off as a wanker.

"Get Married, Make Babies! You Look So... Old! - My Big Fat Greek Wedding

A parent's criticism usually comes from a place of love, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt! In 2002's My Big Fat Greek Wedding, 30-year-old Toula Portokalos (actress-screenwriter Nia Vardalos) is living out her spinster days working at her parents' restaurant, with her dad Gus (Michael Constantine) giving her a hard time about settling down with a nice Greek man and making nice Greek babies. Instead, he gets John Corbett!

"If Staying Here Means Working Within 10 Yards Of You, Frankly, I'd Rather Have A Job Wiping Saddam Hussein's Arse." - Bridget Jones's Diary

Since he cheated on her and broke her heart—all while she was humiliatingly dressed as a Playboy Bunny—Bridget Jones' caddish boss-turned-boyfriend Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) deserved every bit of this verbal takedown from our eponymous heroine (Renée Zellweger).

"Do You Prefer 'Fashion Victim' Or 'Ensembly Challenged'? - Clueless

Beloved '90s movie Clueless is as much about the clothes as it is the comedy, with characters like Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone), Dionne Davenport (Stacey Dash) and Tai Frasier (Brittany Murphy) decked out in some majorly iconic outfits throughout the funny flick. However, style, or lack thereof, is also the subject of many insults in the movie, especially aimed at Cher's frenemy Amber Mariens (Elisa Donovan).

"Are You The Billionaire Owner Of Apple Computers? No? In That Case, You've Got No Right To Wear New Balance Sneakers, Ever." - Crazy, Stupid, Love.

At the center of the star-studded 2011 ensemble comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love is Cal Weaver (played by Steve Carell), a middle-aged dad and recently separated man who learns how to be more stylish and romantic to attract women. At his side is the debonair womanizer Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling), who is fantastically funny and, yes, a little mean with his constructive criticism of Cal's dorky wardrobe.

"I Cannot Believe I Wasted My Prime Reproductive Years On You! I Hope You Have Terrible Karma And Come Back In The Next Life As A Nasty Little Lizard And Get Stepped On By Someone On A Hike! You Are Getting The Finger So Hard Right Now!" - Always Be My Maybe

In the 2019 friends-to-lovers flick Always Be My Maybe, comedienne Ali Wong plays Sasha Tran, a celebrity chef who is engaged to successful restaurateur Brandon Choi (Daniel Dae Kim). However, when Brandon delays their wedding yet again, Sasha brutally breaks up with him over the phone with increasingly colorful language.

"When Was The Last Time You Tweezed?...Ever Watch Sesame Street? You Know Bert?" - She's All That

One of the best makeover scenes in the rom-com genre can be found in the 1999 fan-favorite She's All That, where big-man-on-campus Zack Siler (played by Freddie Prinze Jr.) makes a bet to turn artsy nerd Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook) into the prom queen. That requires ridding Laney of her paint-splattered overalls and thick-rimmed glasses, so Zack enlists his stylish sister Mack (Anna Paquin) to offer some mercilessly worded assistance.

"I Thought You Said She Was Thin?" - Bridget Jones's Diary

It's one thing to have your partner commit infidelity—with the leggy, young coworker from the New York office, no less—but it's another thing entirely when you find out that the leggy, young coworker not only knows about you but also insults you straight to your face. Such is the romantic horror that happens to Bridget Jones, made even worse by the fact that the Brit regularly displays insecurity about her weight throughout the 2001 comedy.

"You With Your Theme Park, Multi-Level, Homogenize-The-World Mochaccino Land. You've Deluded Yourself Into Thinking That You're Some Sort Of Benefactor, Bringing Books To The Masses. But No One Will Ever Remember You, Joe Fox...You Are Nothing But A Suit!" - You've Got Mail

Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are two rom-com partners we think are overdue for an onscreen reunion, but in You've Got Mail, their characters couldn't want to spend less time with each other. Ryan plays Kathleen Kelly, who runs the quaint neighborhood bookseller The Shop Around the Corner; Hanks portrays Joe Fox, the head of major bookstore chain Fox Books. Their rivalry cuts deep, as evidenced by Kathleen's harsh words to Joe—but that rivalry soon turns to romance.

"Snap Out Of It!" - Moonstruck

Arguably, the worst reply to you telling someone that you love them is for them to smack you across the face and yell, "Snap out of it!" Though not the most romantic response to a declaration of love, the scene did cement Moonstruck as one of Cher's best movies, with the music icon winning an Oscar for playing a widowed Italian American woman who falls in love with her fiancé's estranged younger brother (played by Nicolas Cage).

"I Love Your Sweater. Does That Come In A V-Neck?" - The 40-Year-Old Virgin

The infamous waxing scene from The 40-Year-Old Virgin is the stuff of comedy legend, with Paul Rudd previously revealing that all of the actors' reactions were genuine as they watched star Steve Carell get his chest hair ripped off IRL. Making things even funnier is the savage, on-the-spot jokes that the cast came up with while watching the body-wax horror before them, including Rudd declaring that Carell's exceptionally hairy torso resembled a pullover sweater.

"Yeah, You Just Take Soupy-Sales To Prom I Can Think Of So Many Cooler Things To Do That Night. Like, You Know What, Bleek? I Might Pumice My Feet, Uh, I Might Go To Bren's Unitarian Church, Maybe Get Hit By A Truck Full Of Hot Garbage Juice, You Know? Cause All Those Things, Would Be Exponentially Cooler Than Going To Prom With You!" - Juno

The quirky love story between 16-year-old high-schooler Juno MacGuff (played by Elliot Page) and her track-team BFF Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera) is certainly an unconventional one, seeing as how the teen girl falls pregnant with his baby before they've even begun dating. But just because they weren't technically together doesn't mean that Juno didn't clearly harbor romantic feelings for her longtime pal, as she gets plenty jealous when Paulie asks another girl to prom.

"I've Never Met Anyone So Manipulative, So Deceitful, And I'm in Politics!" - Sweet Home Alabama

They say you never forget your first love and that's certainly true for Melanie Smooter (Reese Witherspoon), the small-town girl turned big-city fashion designer who left her Alabama hometown as well as her estranged husband Jake Perry (played by Josh Lucas and not Matthew McConaughey, despite popular belief) behind. However, years later, at her wedding to the wealthy Andrew Hennings (Patrick Demsey), she not only comes clean about her rural roots but also her lingering feelings for Jake. It goes without saying that Andrew's powerful mother, New York City mayor Kate Hennings (Candice Bergen), is not pleased to hear about Melanie's deception.

"You Didn't Think You Became Popular For Real, Did You? Oh, You Did? That's So Sweet." - She's All That

A late-'90s retelling of Pygmalion, She's All That centers on Zack Siler (Freddie Prinze Jr.), a popular jock who boasts he could make any girl at his high school popular. His buddy Deah (Paul Walker) suggests artsy outsider Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook) and, using his own popularity as well as a strategic makeover as a status boost, Zack manages to get Laney nominated for prom queen. However, when the bet is revealed to Laney, Zack's ex-girlfriend Taylor (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe) digs the knife in even further with her cruel words.

"You Are Afraid To Be Alive. You Are Afraid To Live. You're A Hypocrite. You're A Conformist. You're A Liar. I Opened Up To You And You Judged Me." - Silver Linings Playbook

Jennifer Lawrence's Oscar-winning performance as widow Tiffany Maxwell in Silver Linings Playbook is an unflinchingly alive and bracingly funny one. Equal parts volatile and vulnerable, Tiffany is not one to back down from a fight, and that's certainly the case in this scene-causing blowup between her and Bradley Cooper's Pat Solitano Jr.

"I've Never Treated You Like A Prostitute." - Pretty Woman

With all of its Roy Orbison-soundtracked shopping montages and flower-filled grand gestures, it's easy to forget at times that Pretty Women is very much about a street worker, a fact that Richard Gere's Edward Lewis unkindly reminds street walker Vivian Ward (a dazzling Julia Roberts) of after offering her an apartment, a car and money with which to take care of herself—everything but his heart.

"It's Sentimental Tacky Crap! Do We Look Like The Kind Of Store That Sells 'I Just Called to Say I Love You'? Go To The Mall." - High Fidelity

The Jon Cusack-led rom-com High Fidelity centers on the romantic antics of record-store manager Rob Gordon, and along with offering up a fittingly fantastic soundtrack, the 2000 title is filled with memorable music-related moments. Several of them revolve around Rob's Championship Vinyl cohorts Dick (Todd Louiso) and Barry (Jack Black), the latter of whom does not hold back when it comes to rudely judging their customers' musical tastes.

"You Old, She Pregnant. Can't Have A Bunch Of Old Pregnant Women Running Around!" - Knocked Up

This interaction from Judd Apatow's Knocked Up is actually doubly mean, as it kicks off with Leslie Mann's mom-of-two Debbie hilariously rages against a nightclub bouncer (Craig Robinson) who went let her and her pregnant sister Alison (Katherine Heigl) through the venue's velvet ropes. ("You know what, you may have power now, but you are not God. You're a DOORMAN!") But said bouncer makes things even more hilarious when he plainly lays out exactly why he's denying the women entry.

"I Don't Think We Have Anything For You. You're Obviously In The Wrong Place. Please Leave!" - Pretty Woman

The scene birthed one of the greatest clapbacks in cinema history: "You work on commission, right? Big mistake! Big, huge!" But before Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) could get that delicious revenge against the snooty shopkeepers who slighted her in Pretty Woman, the sex worker was sadly on the receiving end of the boutique employees' mean condescension.

"I Don't Think You're Supposed To Wear White Jeans After 1983." - Never Been Kissed

Never Been Kissed may be one of Drew Barrymore's best movies, but admittedly, if undercover reporter Josie Gellar really wanted to blend into the crowd while posing as a high-school student, an all-white outfit complete with a feather boa might not have been the most inconspicuous ensemble for her first day. Still, Josie did not deserve the mean-girl comments of South Glen South High's resident popular clique Kirsten (Jessica Alba), Gibby (Jordan Ladd) and Kristin (Marley Shelton).

"I'm Going To Help You Rediscover Your Manhood. Do You Have Any Idea Where You Could Have Lost It?" - Crazy, Stupid, Love.

In Crazy, Stupid, Love., sleek Casanova Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) gives newly separated dad of three Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) some much-needed pointers on how to dress well, how to talk to women, and so on. And though his intentions are charitable and kind, the way he offers up criticism to Cal could be a bit kinder.

"Thank You Josh. I SO Need Lessons From You On How To Be Cool. Tell Me The Part About Kenny G Again?" - Clueless

The back-and-forth banter between Alicia Silverstone's Cher Horowitz and Paul Rudd's Josh Lucas are some of the best parts of that mid-'90s favorite, Clueless. And though Cher certainly gives him a hard time about his clothes. his classes and his Nietzsche-reading ways, it's not long until she realizes that she's "majorly, totally, butt crazy in love with Josh!"

Emma Stone – La La Land 

This ode to Old Hollywood and modern romance from Damien Chazelle is widely beloved in part because of Emma Stone's performance. If you go back to reviews for La La Land, you’ll see Stone and Ryan Gosling praised for their work as they played Mia and Sebastian, two aspiring artists who fall in love with each other. Notably, Emma Stone won her first Oscar for the film because of the wonderful performance she gave as the up-and-coming actress. 

Kristen Wiig – Bridesmaids

When it comes to Bridesmaids and all its hilarious lines and gags, we all need to say a collective thank you to Kristen Wiig. Not only did the Saturday Night Live alum lead the stellar ensemble cast of this 2011 flick, but she also wrote the movie with Annie Mumolo, and they got an Oscar nomination for it. 

Mahershala Ali – Moonlight

Moonlight, which famously won Best Picture in 2017, is a coming-of-age film that follows Chiron through three stages of his life, focusing on him exploring his sexuality and identity. In it, Mahershala Ali plays Juan, a man who has a pivotal role in Chiron’s early life. Famously, Ali won his first Oscar for his moving performance in this film. 

Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out

Get Out is considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and it marked the directorial debut of Jordan Peele. While this film about the deeply dark turn a trip takes after a white woman brings her Black boyfriend home to meet her family is career-defining for its director – as he’s gone on to become quite the name in the genre – it also marked a major breakout for Daniel Kaluuya who played the film’s lead, Chris. 

Amy Adams – Arrival 

Arrival is unquestionably one of Amy Adams’ best movies, and to this day, folks are still livid that she wasn’t nominated for an Oscar for it. She plays Louise, a linguist assigned to decipher and translate an alien language. However, as Arrival’s ending makes abundantly clear, there’s way more to it than that, and one of the major reasons this movie works is because of Adams’ masterful, emotional and nuanced performance. 

J.K. Simmons – Whiplash

In Whiplash, one of J.K. Simmons’ best films, he plays a brilliant and brutal jazz conductor and instructor named Terence Fletcher. During the film, Miles Teller plays a young drummer named Andrew who is determined to become great, and his intense relationship with Terence and the notion of being the best is what makes Damien Chazelle’s film magnificent. On top of its overall acclaim, Simmons also won an Oscar for his performance.

Hugh Jackman – Logan 

Logan was Hugh Jackman’s last ride as the Wolverine, and it was basically perfect. While he’s returned to the role since in Deadpool and Wolverine, Logan still serves as a wonderful conclusion to the iconic X-Man’s story. It was also a game-changing Marvel film, as it brought a level of grit and intrigue that we hadn’t really seen in a movie from this universe before. 

Ben Affleck – Argo 

Much like Good Will Hunting, Argo marked a major milestone in Ben Affleck’s career. It was one of the films that solidified him as a top-tier director, and on top of that, he also starred in the film about a CIA agent disguised as a producer who goes into Tehran on a mission to save a group of Americans. Oh, also, the film went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars too. 

Jesse Eisenberg — The Social Network

The Social Network cast is stacked, however, it wouldn’t be what it is without Jesse Eisenberg’s performance as Mark Zuckerberg at its center. His nuanced performance which is somehow both collected and chaotic compliments Aaron Sorkin’s fast-talking script perfectly, and he expertly helped build up tension in the film that director David Fincher is known for. All around, that made for a perfect, heart-pounding drama about the rise of Facebook.

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf Of Wall Street  

While Leonardo DiCaprio has a long list of career-defining performances, and he and Martin Scorsese have made many great movies together, you can’t deny that his portrayal of Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street tops that list. 

Brie Larson – Room

The film Room, which is about a mother and her son escaping captivity, is masterfully led by Brie Larson, who plays Ma. Both she and Jacob Tremblay, who played her son Jack, were praised for their performances, and in 2016, the actress won an Oscar for her work. 

Daniel Craig – Knives Out

Now, I know that Daniel Craig’s tenure as James Bond was still happening in the 2010s. However, an equally important and brilliant role he took on was as detective Benoit Blanc in Rian Johnson’s first whodunnit Knives Out. Now, after leading the cast of Knives Out, Craig has gone on to reprise his role as the Southern detective on multiple occasions, because he loves it and so do we. 

Ryan Gosling – Drive

If you look over Ryan Gosling’s best movies, on one side you’ll find his brilliant comedic films – like Barbie and The Nice Guys – and on the other side, you’ll find his stoic and dramatic performance, like the one he gives in Drive. Put simply, Drive wouldn’t work without the actor’s lead performance, because the entire film hinges on him and his abilities. 

Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool

After years of working to get it made and some well-timed leaked footage, finally, in 2016, Deadpool came out and we got to see Ryan Reynolds in his element as the Merc with a Mouth. 

Casey Affleck – Manchester By The Sea 

In a film about a man returning home to reckon with his past and grief after losing his brother, Casey Affleck gives an emotional and commanding performance. Not only did he win an Oscar for his work in this drama, but it’s also one of the big defining roles of his career. 

Chris Evans – Captain America: The Winter Soldier 

Chris Evans began and ended his tenure as Steve Rogers in the 2010s. While all his outings as the star-spangled man with a plan were excellent, nothing tops his performance as Cap in the political thriller that is the Russo brothers’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which is easily one of the best Marvel movies ever made. 

Ralph Fiennes – The Grand Budapest Hotel 

Under Wes Anderson’s precise direction, Ralph Fiennes occupied the pastel world of the Grand Budapest Hotel with grace and style. His fast-talking M. Gustave went on quite the adventure in this film, and he won over the hearts of audiences with his quick wit, smooth charm and impeccable work ethic. 

Natalie Portman – Black Swan 

Throwing it back to the beginning of the decade, Darren Aronofsky’s 2010 psychological thriller Black Swan showed us Natalie Portman’s talents in a new light. While she had been on the scene and in big movies for years, this film marked a major milestone in her career as her performance as a tortured ballerina got her an Academy Award. 

Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buys Club

Obviously, for a couple of decades before this, Matthew McConaughey was known and beloved for fun movies like Dazed and Confused and How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days. However, in 2013, Dallas Buyers Club marked a notable shift in his career. Not only did he win an Oscar for this dramatic turn as a man who finds out he has AIDS, but he also went on to star in acclaimed projects like Interstellar and True Detective one year later, cementing himself as a magnificent dramatic actor with serious range. 

Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

Yes, Jennifer Lawrence leading The Hunger Games cast is one of the biggest triumphs of her career. However, amid all of that, she starred in the beloved dramedy Silver Linings Playbook with Bradley Cooper, and that’s the film for which she won her Oscar. This magnificent film about two people learning to live and thrive through grief and mental illness, is a thoughtful and funny film that Lawrence steals with her amazing performance. 

Brad Pitt – Moneyball 

Moneyball is the story about the general manager of the Oakland A’s using his business savvy and what little money his team had to assemble a rag-tag team of MLB players. Brad Pitt plays said manager, Billy Beane, and I mean it when I say the movie really wouldn’t work without him. He’s at the center of it, and he carries it to victory just like his character did with the A’s.  

Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther 

We sadly lost Chadwick Boseman way too early, however, his legacy will live on forever. This is in part because of his performance as the King of Wakanda, T’Challa. Black Panther was a historic moment in modern movie history, and his incredible take on the titular hero is a big reason why. 

Margot Robbie – I, Tonya 

Before I, Tonya, Margot Robbie was beloved for her supporting and ensemble roles in films like The Wolf of Wall Street and Suicide Squad. However, one of the movies that helped solidify her as both a leading lady and super producer was I, Tonya. She played Tonya Harding and produced the film under the banner of her company LuckyChap – which went on to make films like Barbie and Promising Young Woman. 

Florence Pugh – Midsommar

Florence Pugh exploded onto the scene with the haunting Ari Aster film Midsommar. The movie is now considered one of the best horror movies of all time, and a big reason why is Pugh’s performance. 

Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird

Talk about a dynamic duo. Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan are a match made in heaven, and that was solidified into fact when the actress played the titular Lady Bird in the director’s breakout film. Not only did fans fall in love with Ronan’s performance as the defiant teenage gal, but she also received wide acclaim and an Oscar nomination for it. Plus, it was the beginning of a glorious partnership between her and Greta Gerwig as they then went on to make Little Women together. 

Timothée Chalamet – Call Me By Your Name

These days, when people think of Timothée Chalamet, they likely think of him as Paul Atreides, the leader of the Dune cast. However, before that (and in a different decade) the film that sprung him into the mainstream was Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name. The deeply romantic and tender coming-of-age drama was led beautifully by Chalamet, and since then he’s taken on more roles that have helped cement him as one of the top-leading men of his generation. 

Anna Kendrick – Pitch Perfect

If you were a kid in 2012 (like I was), odds are you learned the “Cups” song. The movie about college acapella was a phenomenon in the early 2010s, and it served as a big breakout leading role for Anna Kendrick. Not only was she funny as Becca, but everyone also became aware that she had the singing voice of an angel.  

Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years A Slave

Lupita Nyong’o’s first feature film was 12 Years A Slave. Her performance in the movie by Steve McQueen won her an Oscar in 2012 and solidified her as a top-tier dramatic performer. Since then, she’s gone on to star in massive blockbusters like Black Panther and A Quiet Place: Day One. 

Joaquin Phoenix – Joker

There have been many amazing takes on the Joker, and Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck was a totally new one. In Joker, we see the villain’s origin story, and it’s a film that’s unlike any other DC project. The haunting performance ultimately won the actor an Oscar, and he reprised the part again in Joker: Folie à Deux.

Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road

The movie is named after Mad Max, and he’s great, don’t get me wrong, but Furiosa steals the show. Charlize Theron’s performance as the driver in Mad Max: Fury Road is fierce and jaw-dropping, and she’s one of many reasons why George Miller’s movie is considered one of the best action films. 

Michael Cera – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

You can’t have Scott Pilgrim vs. The World without a perfect Scott Pilgrim and that’s who Michael Cera is. He perfectly played the awkward yet heroic protagonist in Edgar Wright’s beloved film, and to this day, it's considered some of his best work.

Matt Damon – The Martian

This Ridley Scott movie is literally about one man who is stuck on Mars. Yes, there are other people in the film trying to save him. However, overall, The Martian is Matt Damon’s movie. He plays the stranded astronaut and scientist, and the heart, charisma, intelligence and even humor he brings to the space drama is unforgettable. 

All around, the 2010s were full of films that are on their way to becoming all-time classics, and it’s in part thanks to the brilliant actors who starred in them. 

Lawrence had the chance to look back on the famous stumbles at this year's Academy Awards proceedings, where she presented the Oscar to one of the 2024 winners. Whilst chatting with the Oscars ambassador and her Chicken Shop Date paramour Amelia Dimoldenberg on the red carpet, the interviewer jokingly asked the No Hard Feelings leading lady to offer up "tips for nominees to not fall up the stairs," Jen had this to say:

You can see the full interaction about the falls here:

Lawrence is referring to yet another mishap she had while attending the Academy Awards, this time in 2014 when she was nominated for her supporting work in American Hustle. While waving to fans from the red carpet outside Los Angeles' Dolby Theater, the actress tripped over a traffic cone and nearly fell to the ground. She told CNN at the time: 

Her back-to-back stumbles allegedly had people wondering if Lawrence's clumsiness was all merely a planned bit, but Jennifer has denounced those rumors in the decade since her win. 

She previously revealed on the Absolutely Not Podcast what really went down back on that fateful 2013 Oscars night:

Though the stumble might still be a sore subject for the A-lister, she's offered up so many other lovably "extra" moments on the red carpet. This includes moments from other Oscar ceremonies too, from her viral encounter with Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson to that hilarious press conference she gave after winning Best Actress. If anything, these little falls made us all fall for JLaw even more. 

We don't yet know what upcoming Jennifer Lawrence movies are coming down the pipeline or if she'll have anything show up on the 2024 movie schedule. However, here's hoping that she will always be asked back to the Oscars, so we can have even more relatable moments to fall for. 

The City of Brotherly Love is known for many things, from its cheesesteaks to its Eagles games, and now, to having Taylor Swift defend a fan at one of her concerts there. There’s so much to love about the city, and movies and television shows have taken advantage of that. Here are some of the best movies and TV shows that are set in Philadelphia, and where you can watch them. 

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005 - Present)

First up on this list, we have It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, one of the most iconic sitcoms out there right now. The series, which has been running for fifteen seasons and counting, tells the story of the Reynolds siblings, Dennis and Dee, their friends, Charlie and Mac, and their father, Frank, and their adventures in a bar in the city. 

What can I say about this show that hasn’t already been said? It’s hilarious, with some truly hysterical episodes and a cast that always makes you smile or laugh in some twisted way. There's a reason why this show has been running for years and years -- it's full of laughs.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 16 is coming out very soon – that’s right, sixteen seasons – so you might as well get a head-start and check out the rest of these iconic episodes. 

Stream It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia on Hulu.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

This Academy-Award winning movie is the perfect Saturday watch. Silver Linings Playbook, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, is based on the book of the same name and follows a young man who's recently been discharged from a mental institution and is trying to rebuild his life. Things get complicated quickly, however, when he meets Tiffney, a young woman with a lot of complicated problems of her own, and her own set of goals and ambitions. 

The movie was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and Jennifer Lawrence won an Academy Award for Best Actress for the film, so you already know that the movie is going to be incredible. There’s so much to love about this film, from the story, to the dance scenes, so it’s worth the time to watch. 

Stream Silver Linings Playbook on Starz.
Rent/Buy Silver Linings Playbook on Amazon.

Rocky (1976)

I’m pretty sure everyone thinks of Rocky when they think of Philadelphia. The iconic film tells the story of Rocky, the titular character, a small-time club fighter and loan shark debt collector who is given the chance of a lifetime – to take on Apollo Creed and earn not only money for the fight, but a reputation as a boxer. 

Rocky has some of the most iconic shots of Philadelphia. They even call the stairs at the art museum there the Rocky stairs because it’s such an iconic movie. If you love Philadelphia, this movie is like a tribute to it, and it also has some excellent sports drama. If you love this movie, there are a ton of other films in the Rocky franchise to watch right after. 

Stream Rocky on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Rocky on Amazon.

Servant (2019 – 2022)

Servant is one of the best Apple TV+ shows and you have to check it out. It follows a young couple who experience a tragic loss and have a "reborn doll" to deal with it, but when they hire a nanny to take care of the doll, strange things begin to occur to them in their small home. 

The series features plenty of great scenes of Philadelphia since it was actually filmed there, and is incredibly suspenseful from beginning to end. Not only that, but it was created by M. Night Shyamalan, one of the best directors for horror and twists, so you know you’re going to be on the edge of your seat. 

Stream Servant on AppleTV+.

Philadelphia (1993)

A movie about Philadelphia called Philadelphia? How fitting. This critically acclaimed movie, starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, tells the story of a gay man named Andrew Beckett who asks his lawyer to help him sue his company for discrimination after they found out he had AIDS and proceeded to fire him, turning his whole entire world upside down.

The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, and it also won Tom Hanks his first Best Actor award, as well. Truly, such a great movie, and since it was also filmed in Philadelphia, it’s an accurate representation of the city, as well. 

Rent/Buy Philadelphia on Amazon.

National Treasure (2004)

Believe it or not, this iconic film takes place in the City of Brotherly Love. Starring Nicolas Cage, National Treasure tells the story of a historian and his friends who are all on the ultimate treasure hunt in order to find a Freemason treasure after they discover that there was a map hidden on the back of the Declaration of Independence. 

The film takes you to various stops throughout the city of Philadelphia, including The Franklin Institute, Independence Hall, the USS Intrepid and many more – it’s basically the perfect tourism movie that shows some of the best places around the city. Nicolas Cage is always a win, and he brings the fun in this movie. 

Stream National Treasure on Disney+.
Rent/Buy National Treasure on Amazon.

How To Get Away With Murder (2014 – 2020)

Starring Oscar winner Viola Davis, How To Get Away with Murder tells the story of a law professor who finds herself – as well as her students – entangled in a dangerous murder plot that only starts to grow more concerning and scary as time goes on. 

The series is set in Philadelphia – taking place at a fictional university that is based on the University of Pennsylvania – and is seriously so good. If crime shows are your favorite, you need to check this out. 

Stream How To Get Away With Murder on Netflix.

Abbott Elementary (2021 – Present)

There’s so much to love about Abbott Elementary. Filming in a mockumentary style format, the hit show follows the teachers of the titular school and their everyday lives working in a place that receives low funding, while trying to please and teach their students, and also looks at their personal lives, as well. 

From the main characters such as Janine and the lovely Gregory to its story, and even the jokes, the comedy has something to love for everyone, and the Philadelphia background only adds to it. Season 3 is on the way so better watch the first two seasons now. 

Stream Abbott Elementary on Hulu.

Boy Meets World (1993 – 2000)

Now, this is a series that so many people love. Boys Meets World, starring Ben Savage, follows the teen, and later young adult, years of Cory Matthews, and his life not only at school but at home, as well, following how he changes from middle school all the way to college and what he learns along the way. 

This was a super big show at the time and featured plenty of awesome places in Philadelphia, but really, you should just watch for how sweet it is. If you end up liking it, there’s a sequel that Disney produced about Cory’s daughter, called Girl Meets World. 

Stream Boy Meets World on Disney+.

Trading Places (1983)

Last but not least, we need to talk about Trading Places. This film, starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, follows two men who are complete opposites, a broker and a street hustler. One day, their lives are turned upside down thanks to a bet that they don’t even know about, and now, they are put to the test to see who can survive this new world they are placed into. 

Trading Places is probably one of Murphy’s most iconic movies, but it’s seriously so funny, and nothing can quite beat these two on the streets of Philadelphia causing everyone in the audience to laugh. If you haven’t had the chance to watch it, check it out, seriously. 

Rent/Buy Trading Places on Amazon.

There’s so much to love about Philadelphia, and these movies and TV shows capture it perfectly – while also providing some great entertainment. Maybe you've now found a new series or movie to check out. 

The Hunger Games trilogy of books, by Suzanne Collins, was extremely popular in the early 2010s. Then, when it was announced the books would be turned into movies it became clear that whoever was cast in the lead role was going to become a household name. Jennifer Lawrence got the role, and the movie was released in 2012 to great success. Not long after that, the actress won an Oscar for her role in Silver Linings Playbook. While these are astounding accomplishments, the attention she received must have been hard to handle. As she noted at the London Film Festival (via Variety) she felt like she lost control. 

She’s right, she was a hot commodity in Hollywood and worked a lot. Over the years Lawrence worked on the four Hunger Games films, she also starred in a myriad of movies, including the aforementioned Silver Linings Playbook, House at the End of the Street, American Hustle, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Serena. Then after Mockingjay - Part 2 she worked consistently until 2018. After the release of X-Men: Dark Phoenix the actress took a small break from acting and we didn’t see her again until late 2021. 

According to the actress, Dark Pheonix played a role in her decision to take a break. She explained that it felt like she was “not pumping out the quality that [she] has.” 

While she was away Lawrence got married and had a child. Now, she’s back on the big screen and it seems better than ever. Last year she starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Meryl Streep in Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up. She also has a movie on the 2022 movie schedule called Causeway, which can be watched with an Apple TV+ subscription on November 4. 

Meanwhile, the franchise that made her an A-list star is back in action with The Hunger Games prequel Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Even though Lawrence has said she wants no part in the upcoming movie, she did offer some advice to the cast, telling them to just “have fun” and not worry. 

Lawrence has spoken about her long-lasting friendship with her co-stars Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, saying in an interview with Vogue that the most fun she’s had on set was with those two. So, even though the aftermath of The Hunger Games may have been difficult, it’s nice to know that there were some great personal outcomes from the film for the actress. I hope the stacked prequel cast is able to have just as much fun making the movie. 

While it’s tough to know how hard the years following The Hunger Games were for Lawrence, it’s amazing to see her come back to acting. 

But, with a career that spans multiple decades, there are so many projects to pick from. Here are some of the best Julia Stiles movies and TV shows that are available streaming right now, or available to rent.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

One of the first movies Julia Stiles was ever in was 10 Things I Hate About You. This iconic rom-com starring Stiles and Heath Ledger tells the story of two sisters, where one is forbidden from dating until the older gets her own boyfriend. This, in turn, leads to a scheme in order to win the older sister’s heart so that the younger can be free to date. 

Based off Shakespeare's comedy, The Taming of the Shrew, there’s a reason as to why everyone often remember Julia Stiles from 10 Things I Hate About You. While the 10 Things I Hate About You cast is wonderfully talented in many ways, including the late Heath Ledger, there’s just something about Julia Stiles in this film that makes me want to re-watch. She’s so good as Kat, and I wish I could see her in a remake or a reboot of the film now. 

Stream 10 Things I Hate About You on Disney+.
Rent 10 Things I Hate About You on Amazon.

Save The Last Dance (2001)

This iconic dance film follows the story of Sara, a girl who had big dreams of getting into Julliard but after a failed audition and the death of her mother, she ends up moving away from that altogether. Now, living in Chicago, she starts a whole new life and her passion for dance is renewed - through hip hop. 

Save the Last Dance is a great dance movie, but Julia Stiles in the lead is really what makes it so great. I love dance movies and always adore the idea of people breaking down in the middle of a busy street for some dance sequence - it’s the main reason I love the Step Up series - but Julia Stiles' acting really makes this dance movie feel so much more realistic and heartwarming than it could have been. She really gave this film her all, and the fun dance moves are perfect. 

Stream Save the Last Dance on HBO Max.
Rent Save the Last Dance on Amazon.

The Prince And Me (2004)

In this romantic-comedy, The Prince and Me, Julia Stiles stars as Paige, a normal college student who is pre-med. However, her life is turned upside down when she is pursued by a boy, who is actually a prince in disguise. 

I know, that premise sounds goofy as heck, but for fans of early 2000’s rom-coms, this was one of the teen films to watch and it was because of that great chemistry between Julia Stiles and Luke Mably. It may not be a critical favorite, but it’s certainly one of the fan’s favorite films. And, if you just ignore those sequels that Stiles isn’t even in, it’s a good, stand-alone film. 

Stream The Prince and Me on Starz.
Rent The Prince and Me on Amazon.

Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

In this drama film, Mona Lisa Smile, we follow Katherine Watson, a graduate student who ends up taking a teaching position at Wellesley College, which at the time was a private liberal arts college just for women. When she discovers that most of her students already have everything memorized, she decides to teach them about modern art and try and change their lives for the better instead of just looking to get married. 

Julia Stiles stars as Joan Brandwyn, one of Katherine’s students who has big dreams of becoming a lawyer. While the rest of the Mona Lisa Smile cast is great, I especially loved Stiles' and Roberts' interactions, as their story was one of the more eye-capturing moments and made you want to root for her students to be successful.

Rent Mona Lisa Smile on Amazon.

The Omen (2006)

If you’re looking for a horror film with Julia Stiles, check out The Omen. This remake of the original 1976 film of the same name follows an official from America who ends up realizing that his son, after several instances of horror, might be something evil that none of them ever could have imagined - the Devil incarnate. 

While I will always prefer the original The Omen over this, as I am a mega horror movie fan and know it just might be getting a prequel, I can appreciate this film for the acting, mainly from Julia Stiles. I feel that her performance here showed that she should do more horror movies because I genuinely enjoyed her presence and made this remake more fun to watch. 

Stream The Omen on HBO Max.
Rent The Omen on Amazon.

Bourne Film Series (2002 - 2016)

As I mentioned before, Julia Stiles is a versatile actress, which means action is right up her alley, too. For the first three Bourne films - as well as the fifth one - she portrayed Nicky Parsons, a technician for the CIA that is tasked with helping and hunting down Bourne. 

For The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum and Jason Bourne, Stiles played this pivotal role, one that truly cemented her as an action actress and showed that she is capable of many different kinds of projects. Her character was so essential to the story that she was actually included in the Universal Jason Bourne attraction, showing how much the fans love Nicky. If you’re looking for a way to see Julia Stiles as a badass, this is it. 

Stream The Bourne series on HBO Max.
Rent The Bourne series on Amazon.

Dexter (2010)

Dexter, for eight seasons, was a huge hit for Showtime, telling the story of Dexter Morgan, a seemingly normal man with a dark secret - he’s a serial killer who takes out menaces to society. However, over time his secret starts to get exposed to more and more people, and cracks begin to form in his carefully crafted fake life. 

Julia Stiles, during Season 5, portrayed Lumen Ann Pierce, someone whom Dexter initially was going to kill, but ended up working with - and eventually, formed a romantic relationship with. And damn it, I wanted to see more of her. Julia Stiles was only in Dexter for one season (but it helped change her mind about doing TV) and yet, after binge-watching this show, her character was one of the few side characters I remember so well, because her acting was phenomenal and her chemistry with Michael C. Hall was off the charts. It’s no wonder she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy award for her recurring guest role. 

Stream Dexter on Showtime.

Between Us (2012)

Want to know what happens when two couples who are completely on the rocks and self-destructive reunite for a night in New York? Bad things, that’s what happens, and that’s the premise of Between Us, starring Julia Stiles, Taye Diggs, David Harbour, and Melissa George. 

I love a good drama, and Between Us is one of those where I feel like I’m in the living room of these characters’ homes and watching all this go down in front of me. I really enjoyed Julia Stiles and Taye Diggs together as a couple, but having all four of these actors working alongside each other, in such well-directed scenes, made it all the more entertaining. It’s not one of Stiles’ biggest hits, but I needed to include it, as not enough people know about this movie. 

Stream Between Us on Tubi.
Rent Between Us on YouTube.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

In this Academy Award-winning film, Silver Linings Playbook tells the story of two very broken individuals who become frenemies and decide to help out each other with their respective goals - but over time, as their relationship evolves, they learn they might need to change their intentions if they ever want to see the other again. 

Silver Linings Playbook is an absolutely fantastic film. Not only is it a great representation of mental health issues and how it affects not only the person but the people around them, but the cast is just phenomenal too, including Julia Stiles. While much of the focus of the movie was on Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence (as it should be), Julia Stiles as Veronica, the sister of Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence’s character) was so beautifully portrayed. 

She perfectly captured what it’s like as a family member to be watching someone they love going through something like this, and I personally think that it’s one of her best performances so far. If you haven’t watched this film, please do. You won’t regret it. 

Stream Silver Linings Playbook on Netflix.
Rent Silver Linings Playbook on Amazon.

Riviera (2017 - 2020)

Next up, we have Riviera, a television series that Julia Stiles starred in for three seasons. This drama tells the story of Georgina, a woman who is living the dream until her billionaire husband is killed in a yachting accident. Suspecting that there’s something else going on, Georgina ends up finding out way more than she bargained for, realizing that her husband’s death may have been a planned murder. 

As mentioned before, I am a huge drama person, and this is one of those shows where I could pop a bag of popcorn and sit down for hours watching this mystery play out on my TV screen. Julia Stiles is so good in her leading role as Georgina, and carries the story incredibly throughout its three seasons. It’s addicting, engrossing, and entertaining in all the right ways. 

Stream Riviera on the Roku Channel.

Hustlers (2019)

Last but not least, we have Hustlers. This dramedy/crime film tells the story of a group of strippers who try to steal money by slipping drugs into the drinks of CEOs and stock traders when they visit their club, and then using all their credit cards. 

Julia Stiles played Elizabeth, a journalist who interviewed each of the strippers about their experience. As one of only a couple of characters in this film who isn’t stripping or scamming people, Elizabeth captivated me, because it felt like she was the one who was telling the story of these women, who all worked together and showed how complicated crime can sometimes be. 

Her part is very interesting and serves a real purpose, and Stiles captured my attention the moment she appeared on the screen. The whole Hustlers cast is freaking talented as hell, but Julia Stiles was the perfect addition.

Stream Hustlers on Hulu.
Rent Hustlers on Amazon.

I’m sure that over the next couple of years, we’ll only get to see more of Julia Stiles and her great acting career, but until then, these are some of her best roles - now, if you don’t mind me, I’m going to go and re-watch all of Dexter again. 

Because let me tell you. I read a lot of books, and I watch a lot of movies. That said, Silver Linings Playbook is one of those rare stories where I can honestly say that I enjoyed both for entirely different reasons, and also for the same reasons, since they're essentially the same story. Now, I already compared all three movie versions of I Am Legend, where I concluded that none of the movies really got it right. (Perhaps the upcoming I Am Legend sequel might get it right.) So, I'll just say that it's refreshing to talk about a movie that actually did get it right this time.  

Still and all, there are a few MAJOR changes between the book and the movie, and I thought I would address them here. None of them really detract from the film, but all of them definitely give you a reason for why you should also read the book if you absolutely adore the film. Oh, and minor spoilers for both the film and the novel below. 

Jennifer Lawrence's Character Is Much Older In The Book 

Bradley Cooper's character, Pat, is changed in the film version, but not by much. In the book, his last name is Peoples rather than Solitano (He's also not Italian in the book), and he also has a traumatic brain injury in the book rather than bipolar disorder (I mean, he could have bipolar disorder as well, but it's not entirely spelled out like it is in the movie). But, Jennifer Lawrence's character is WAY different in the novel than she is in the film. 

In the book, her character, Tiffany, is 39, while in the movie, the role was played by a 20 or 21-year-old Jennifer Lawrence. I know age ain't nothin' but a number, but it does change Tiffany's character substantially in the book. In the novel, we get a better understanding of why this woman, who also lost her husband like Tiffany in the film, has had a harder time with coping, because her loss happened much longer ago. 

Her character definitely feels as broken as Pat in this version. Their eventual romance seems even more realistic, due to the closeness of their ages, than that of the one formed by Cooper and Lawrence, which, while great (I mean, Lawrence did win an Oscar for her performance), made me have to suspend my belief a little bit, whereas I didn't have that same problem with the novel. 

The Story Takes Place In New Jersey in The Book, Not Pennsylvania 

As a Jersey boy myself who loves everything from the Garden State (including superheroes from New Jersey), I think I just have to point out that the novel version takes place in Collingswood, New Jersey and NOT Ridley Park, Pennsylvania like it does in the film. But here's why this is interesting. Collingswood is DEEP south in New Jersey, and if you're from this state, then you know that North and South Jersey are like completely different states.

In North Jersey, where I'm from, we root for the Yankees, Giants, Jets, and Nets (we also call "pork roll" Taylor Ham). In other words, we're pretty much New Yorkers. But in South Jersey, they might as well live in Pennsylvania since they root for the Eagles, Phillies, and Sixers. All of that is lovingly talked about in the novel, and it's all but absent in the film. 

Yes, Pat loves the Eagles in both the book and the movie, but only in the book is the distinction made clear that South Jersey is NOT North Jersey. 

There Is No Gambling Subplot In The Book 

Anybody who has seen the film can tell you that Robert De Niro is a revelation in this movie. Sure, he had a substantial career before, most notably with his performances in Martin Scorsese films, but his Oscar-nominated turn as Pat's father, was heartfelt and funny, and totally worthy of the nod. 

But, guess what. There is no gambling subplot in the novel, even though Pat Sr.'s gambling is a big plot point in the film. Yes, both Pat Seniors love the Eagles, but only the film version has Pat Sr. gambling on them. I think this is mostly just to give Robert De Niro's character more to do in the film. Honestly, I prefer this subplot. It definitely makes these scenes that much more exciting (and funny).  

The Song That Triggers Pat Is Different In The Book 

This one actually hurts, because the song that triggers Pat in the movie is the beautiful "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder. I say it hurts since I LOVE that song. Yes, it's a really interesting juxtaposition for a song that lovely to throw somebody into a fit of rage, but did it really have to be that song? 

In the book, it's the much more suitable (says me) Kenny G that enrages Pat, as that's the musician with the song that always triggers Pat into anger. So, really, it's not a major difference, but it's one that made me sad in the movie, since again, "My Cherie Amour" is such a lovely tune. 

The Book's Ending Is Way Different 

Okay, so while there have been a few light spoilers in regards to the book and the movie thus far, I think the endings of both are the only area where fans of either might wildly disagree upon which is better. I would say that neither is better, and both fit in regards to the stories that are told up to their ending. 

I actually don't want to spoil the end of the book for you since I do think you should read it. But, since you've likely seen the movie, I will say that the whole gambling subplot that I mentioned earlier doesn't play anywhere into the story as it does in the dance competition in the film. Pat's former wife, Nikki, also doesn't play into the ultimate climax as she does in the film, and Chris Tucker's character, Danny, has a much more substantial role toward the end of the book. 

Again, I don't think either version is necessarily better. Each works given the rest of the story that came before it. So, read the book if you haven't already! It's really good! 

Have you seen Silver Linings Playbook and read the book? For more news on more recent movies (like the 2022 movie release dates), make sure to swing by here often. 

With mental health awareness a more important issue than ever these days, to do our part, we have compiled a number of films that represent these issues with the honesty they deserve. Check out our guide to these heartbreaking, uplifting, and even funny films and where to watch them.

Rain Man (1988)

A young, selfish L.A. collectibles dealer (played by Tom Cruise) discovers he has an older brother (played by Dustin Hoffman) with autism and savant syndrome – a condition that makes him extraordinarily intelligent, but socially impaired.

How it is honest about mental illness: Hoffman earned his second Academy Award for his performance as Raymond Babbitt – a character inspired by real-life savants Kim Peek and Bill Sackter, according to Forbes – in director Barry Levinson’s Best Picture Oscar winner, Rain Man.

Stream Rain Man on Tubi.
Rent or buy Rain Man on Amazon.
Buy Rain Man on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Skeleton Twins (2014)

A man (played by Bill Hader) and his estranged twin sister (played by Kristen Wiig) become reunited and bond over their common emotional struggles.

How it is honest about mental illness: Directed by Craig Johnson, who also co-writes with Mark Heyman, The Skeleton Twins is a dramedy that does not hold back on its depiction of depression, portrayed beautifully by SNL veterans Hader and Wiig in some of their most powerful performances.

Stream The Skeleton Twins on Max.
Rent or buy The Skeleton Twins on Amazon.
Buy The Skeleton Twins on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Benny & Joon (1993)

The relationship between a mentally ill artist (played by Mary Stuart Masterson) and her protective older brother (played by Aidan Quinn) changes when she falls for a quirky young man (Johnny Depp in one of his best roles).

How it is honest about mental illness: While never explicitly stated in Benny & Joon, it has been suggested by Psi Chi that Masterson’s Joon has schizophrenia and Depp’s Sam is on the autism spectrum – both of which are represented with a refreshing respectfulness in director Jeremiah Chechik’s charming romantic-dramedy.

Stream Benny & Joon on Tubi.
Rent or buy Benny & Joon on Amazon.
Buy Benny & Joon on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Trainspotting (1996)

A young Scotsman (played by Ewan McGregor) struggles to rise above the negative influences of his close friend group and let go of his reliance on heroin.

How it is honest about mental illness: One of Ewan McGregor’s best movies, director Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, is a drama that depicts addiction in bizarre, horrifying, and, ultimately, rawly authentic ways. 

Stream Trainspotting on Paramount+.
Stream Trainspotting on Amazon Prime.
Buy Trainspotting on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Aftersun (2022)

A 31-year-old single father (played by Paul Mescal) struggles with his own insecurities while on a Turkish vacation with his 11-year-old daughter (played by Frankie Corio).

How it is honest about mental illness: Mescal gives a stunning, Academy Award-nominated performance in writer and director Charlotte Wells’ feature-length debut, Aftersun – one of the most thought-provoking movies about depression in recent memory.

Stream Aftersun on Netflix.
Stream Aftersun on Showtime through Paramount+.
Rent or buy Aftersun on Amazon.

Take Shelter (2011)

A construction worker (played by Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon) fears for his family – and his sanity – when he begins to see visions of an impending doomsday.

How it is honest about mental illness: Also one of Jessica Chastain’s best movies, writer and director Jeff Nichols’ Take Shelter is a masterfully crafted, beautifully acted, and thoroughly absorbing exploration of how psychological delusions can affect one’s life and their relationships with their loved ones. 

Rent or buy Take Shelter on Amazon.
Buy Take Shelter on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The King Of Staten Island (2020)

A young, aspiring tattoo artist (played by Pete Davidson) struggles to come to terms with the death of his firefighter father from years earlier, which is worsened when his mother (Marisa Tomei) begins dating a different firefighter (played by Bill Burr).

How it is honest about mental illness: One of Pete Davidson’s best movies, The King of Staten Island – which he also wrote with director Judd Apatow – sees the SNL star acknowledge his own real-life struggles with borderline personality disorder (which he discussed for Variety) by portraying a fictionalized version of himself in the acclaimed dramedy.

Stream The King of Staten Island on Peacock.
Stream The King of Staten Island on Freevee through Amazon.
Buy The King of Staten Island on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

A family struggles to survive the road and each other while traveling across the country to see their youngest member (played by Academy Award nominee Abigail Breslin) participate in a youth pageant. 

How it is honest about mental illness: Despite what the dramedy’s efficacious title suggests, each character in the Little Miss Sunshine cast is dealing with their own personal crisis – each of which are acknowledged in admirably authentic, and even uniquely funny, ways.

Rent or buy Little Miss Sunshine on Amazon.
Buy Little Miss Sunshine on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Beautiful Boy (2018)

The experiences of a young drug abuser (played by Academy Award nominee Timothée Chalamet) and his father (played by Academy Award nominee Steve Carell), who is devoted to getting his son the help he needs.

How it is honest about mental illness: The topics of addiction in teens and the effects such habits have on families are explored in brutally honest ways in Beautiful Boy, which is an adaptation of two memoirs – one by Nic Sheff and the other by his son, David.

Stream Beautiful Boy on Amazon Prime.
Buy Beautiful Boy on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Following his release from a mental hospital, a former teacher (played by Bradley Cooper) hoping to mend his broken marriage finds friendship with a widowed recovering sex addict (played by Jennifer Lawrence in her first Academy Award-winning role) that soon shows signs of being something more.

How it is honest about mental illness: Despite claiming to always look for the bright side, Pat’s (Cooper) bipolar disorder causes him to act out in fits of rage, often fueled by his unrequited love for his adulterous ex-wife that also blinds him to his feelings for Tiffany (Lawrence) in Silver Linings Playbook – David O. Russell’s adaptation of Matthew Quick’s novel that might be the writer and director’s finest work.

Stream Silver Linings Playbook on Max.
Rent or buy Silver Lining Playbook on Amazon.
Buy Silver Linings Playbook on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

A young, mathematically gifted custodian (played by Matt Damon, who co-wrote the Oscar-winning script with co-star Ben Affleck) is forced by an uptight MIT professor (played by Stellan Skarsgård) to seek guidance from a widowed therapist (played by Robin Williams in his Oscar-winning role).

How it is honest about mental illness: It is not until near the end of Good Will Hunting – a brilliant, inspiring, heartily crafted drama from director Gus Van Sant – when we discover that Damon’s title character is a victim of child abuse, which has stunted his ability to form meaningful relationships and apply his intellectual gifts toward a better future.

Stream Good Will Hunting on Max.
Rent or buy Good Will Hunting on Amazon.
Buy Good Will Hunting on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Charlie Bartlett (2007)

A precocious troublemaker (played by Anton Yelchin) attending public high school for the first time becomes the personal therapist and pharmacist to his classmates in need.  

How it is honest about mental illness: Director Jon Poll’s underrated coming-of-age dramedy Charlie Bartlett came out at a time when themes of depression, obsessive behavior, sex addiction, and other mental health issues were rarely told from the point of view of high school students and in such a boldly authentic and encouraging way.

Stream Charlie Bartlett on Amazon Prime.
Stream Charlie Bartlett on Tubi.
Stream Charlie Bartlett on Pluto TV.
Stream Charlie Bartlett on The Roku Channel.
Buy Charlie Bartlett on DVD on Amazon.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)

An introverted high school freshman (played by Logan Lerman) becomes friends with an attractive senior (played by Emma Watson) and her gay stepbrother (played by Ezra Miller), who help him find a new sense of belonging when he learns that they also have their own damaging issues to deal with.

How it is honest about mental illness: As coming-of-age stories about mental health became more commonplace, The Perks of Being a Wallflower – writer and director Stephen Chbosky’s adaptation of his own novel – was praised as new high school movie classic for its deeply moving exploration of traumatic related to abuse, burdened romances, and death.

Rent or buy The Perks of Being a Wallflower on Amazon.
Buy The Perks of Being a Wallflower on Blu-ray on Amazon.

To The Bone (2017)

A young woman (played by Lily Collins) in denial of her anorexia, despite her dysfunctional family’s vocal concerns, finds treatment from a support group run by an unconventional doctor (played by Keanu Reeves).

How it is honest about mental illness: Written and directed by a woman who once suffered from an eating disorder (Marti Noxon) and led by an actor who once suffered from an eating disorder (Collins) – according to USA Today –  the Netflix original drama, To the Bone, offers a pretty authentic portrayal of the experience.

Stream To The Bone on Netflix.

Girl, Interrupted (1999)

A young woman (Winona Ryder) is forced by her parents to live at a mental hospital where she meets a girl (Angelina Jolie in her Oscar-winning role) whose own destructive tendencies worsen her struggle to understand and cope with her issues. 

How it is honest about mental illness: Based on Susanna Kaysen's memoir depicting her 18-month stay in a mental institution, Girl, Interrupted is an early, acclaimed hit for director James Mangold that also tackles themes of sociopathy, self-harm, and suicide in revealing ways.

Stream Girl, Interrupted on Max.
Rent or buy Girl, Interrupted on Amazon.
Buy Girl, Interrupted on Blu-ray on Amazon.

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

A brilliant, widely renowned, but socially challenged mathematician (Academy Award winner Russell Crowe) finds his relationship with his wife (Jennifer Connelly, in her Oscar-winning role) and his career threatened by an upsetting discovery.

How it is honest about mental illness: Another inspiring film about mental health based on a true story is director Ron Howard’s Best Picture winner, A Beautiful Mind, which, admittedly, does fabricate some aspects of John Nash's life, but still succeeds in its representation of the horrifying delusions and even harsher realities faced by paranoid schizophrenics.

Rent or buy A Beautiful Mind on Amazon.
Buy A Beautiful Mind on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Aviator (2004)

Illustrious billionaire Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio) battles rival aircraft company Pan Am, accusations of war profiteering, and severe, undefined mental health issues during the late 1920s through the mid-1940s. 

How it is honest about mental illness: Director Martin Scorsese’s compelling biopic, The Aviator, also does take a few creative liberties depicting Hughes’ life, but in a way that effectively portrays his struggles with the then-undocumented obsessive compulsive disorder.

Buy The Aviator on Amazon.
Buy The Aviator on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Still Alice (2014)

A successful linguistics professor (Julianne Moore in her first Academy Award-winning role) struggles to keep her family close and her mind together after she is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

How it is honest about mental illness: Based on the novel by renowned neuroscientist Lisa Genova, Still Alice gives audiences a vivid and sometimes harrowing first-hand account of the loss of memory and, eventually, of one’s sense of self that makes Alzheimer’s, as Moore’s title character describes, “hell.”

Stream Still Alice on Max.
Buy Still Alice on Amazon.
Buy Still Alice on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Uncut Gems (2019)

A series of increasingly selfish and misguided decisions prevent a New York City jewelry store owner (Adam Sandler) from achieving the life-changing payout he assumes he deserves.

How it is honest about mental illness: No matter how large his debt, how dire the stakes, and how unlikely the odds, Howard Rattner’s gambling addiction always to win over in Uncut Gems – a masterful exercise in pushing character, plot, and audiences to stress-inducing limits, from writing and directing duo Josh and Benny Safdie.

Stream Uncut Gems on Max.
Rent or buy Uncut Gems on Amazon.
Buy Uncut Gems on Blu-ray on Amazon.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

After his mental instability plea to avoid jail time lands him in a mental hospital, a convict (Jack Nicholson in his first Oscar-winning role) becomes a voice to victims of unfair abuse at the hands of the sadistic psychiatric nurse, Mildred Ratched (Academy Award winner Louise Fletcher). 

How it is honest about mental illness: Perhaps the most iconic, honest, and terrifying depiction of mental institutions is director Milos Forman’s masterful adaptation of Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which tries to portray patients in a most human way by shedding light on their historically inhumane treatment.

Rent or buy One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on Amazon.
Buy One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on Blu-ray on Amazon.

While the films above are heralded for offering honest representations of mental health, it is still important to educate yourself even further on the topics. Also, if you or a loved one is suffering from mental illness, please do not hesitate to seek help.

Sometimes turning on a movie that features a character in a fit of self-doubt or dealing with depressing thoughts is enough to hold me over until the storm breaks and I am able to move on in life. Here are 16 movies that handle depression (and other mental health issues) in a thoughtful way..

Aftersun (2022)

Charlotte Wells’ directorial debut, Aftersun, spends a week with Calum (Paul Mescal), a 31-year-old single father, as he goes on a trip to a Turkish resort with his young daughter, Sophie (Frankie Corio). The movie centers on Calum as he struggles with a number of different aspects of life, including fatherhood, depression, and his approaching 31st birthday. Meanwhile, his 11-year-old daughter attempts to find her place in the world while also making sense of her father’s depressed state. 

Wells leaves things ambiguous with the Aftersun ending, and never outwardly reveals Calum’s fate. However, the subtle and nuanced approach to the story, as well as her handling of depression, is worth noting. 

Stream Aftersun on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Rent/buy Aftersun on Amazon.

Sideways (2004)

Two friends – struggling writer and wine snob Miles Raymond (Paul Giamatti) and the soon-to-be-married Jack Cole (Thomas Haden Church) – embark upon one final hoorah before the latter gets married. Over the course of Alexander Payne’s 2004 Oscar-winning comedy, Sideways, the two friends find themselves tested in a number of ways after they become involved with a pair of friends who don’t know Jack is engaged. 

The way that Miles, a teacher who’s still not over his failed marriage and stalled writing career, wears his depression is incredibly honest and genuine, if that makes sense. The way in which Giamatti brings the character to life and shows the various sides of someone living in a downed mental state resonates so well.

Rent/buy Sideways on Amazon.

The End Of The Tour (2015)

American writer David Foster Wallace, the author of the acclaimed Infinite Jest, committed suicide in September 2008. James Ponsoldt’s 2015 drama film, The End of the Tour, doesn’t center on Wallace’s (Jason Segel) passing (though it is the story’s catalyst), but instead a period of time 12 years earlier when writer David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) went on a book tour with the late writer. 

Over the course of a few days, the pair of writers explore the American landscape, hold insightful conversations, and learn a great deal about each other and themselves in the process. The movie does a masterful job of portraying a successful and well-respected author struggling to deal with depression while also diving into how, despite his fractured state, he impacted so many people.

Stream The End of the Tour on Kanopy.
Rent/buy The End of the Tour on Amazon.

A Star Is Born (2018) 

In 2018, Bradley Cooper directed, co-wrote, and starred in the most recent, and perhaps heaviest, adaptation of A Star Is Born yet. In this version, successful musician yet struggling addict Jackson Maine (Cooper) discovers Ally Maine (Lady Gaga), a talented singer who becomes his protege, muse, and wife on her path to superstardom. Though Ally and her meteoric rise are at the center of the story, A Star Is Born also focuses a great deal on Jackson’s fall from grace as he stumbles through life.

The way the movie touches on the effects of untreated depression may be extreme for some, but it brings the conversation of mental health to the surface, a conversation that oftentimes needs to be had.

Rent/buy A Star is Born on Amazon.

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

Not long after a bitter breakup, Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) learns that his ex-girlfriend Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet) has taken extreme measures to get over the shattered relationship: wiping all memory of Joel and their past from her memory. Distraught and depressed by the news, Joel decides to undergo the same procedure in Michel Gondry’s 2004 transfixing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. However, letting go is easier said than done as the heartbroken Joel begins to have second thoughts about the process and fights to save the memories (both good and bad) before they’re lost to time in one of the best movies of the 2000s.

Though the movie takes a more sci-fi and fantastical approach to its handling of depression, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind does bring up a good point about depression, in that like the good memories, the bad ones are what make us who we are.

Rent/Buy Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on Amazon.

Manchester By The Sea (2016)

Following the death of his brother, grief-stricken loner Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) returns to his hometown of Manchester-by-the-sea where he discovers he has become the legal guardian of his teenage nephew, Patrick (Lucas Hedges). The reason behind Lee’s bleak demeanor and departure from his family’s longtime home is not immediately revealed, but when the truth comes out, it is easy to see how someone could fall into a deep, dark abyss of depression. Also while he’s back home, Lee runs into his ex-wife Randi (Michelle Williams), leading to one of the most heartbreaking movie meltdowns in recent memory.

Undoubtedly one of the most emotionally grueling movies on this list, Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester by the Sea doesn’t shy away from devastating topics. Instead, it faces them head-on.

Stream Manchester by the Sea on Prime Video.

Lost In Translation (2003)

Sofia Coppola’s 2003 drama Lost In Translation deals more with chronic loneliness than depression, but since the two go hand-in-hand so often, the movie is more than deserving of a spot here. The Focus Features classic centers on Bob Harris (Bill Murray), a washed up movie star whose career has reached the point where all there is left to do is appear in Japanese commercials and drink at a Tokyo hotel bar. His life is given new meaning when he meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), the wife of a famous and distracted photographer. The two unlikely friends strike up an immediate bond as they explore the sights and sounds of Tokyo and begin to learn more about themselves than they would have ever guessed.

Stream Lost in Translation on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Lost in Translation on Amazon. 

Garden State (2004)

Zach Braff’s 2004 directorial debut, Garden State, centers on struggling actor Andrew Largeman (Braff) as he returns to his family home in New Jersey to attend his mother’s funeral. While there, Andrew begins to come to terms with his role in an accident that left his mother confined to a wheelchair decades before her death and his father’s (Ian Holm) decision to put him on various antidepressants and lithium after the accident. 

Without giving too much away, there’s a scene near the end of the movie in which Andrew, his love interest Sam (Natalie Portman), and old friend Mark (Peter Sarsgard) visit a man guarding an abandoned quarry and Andrew tells him “Good luck exploring the infinite abyss” and the man responds with “You too.” Nearly two decades later, the weight of those words, as well as that moment, still get me.

Stream Garden State on Max.
Rent/Buy Garden State on Amazon.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris’ 2006 family road trip movie, Little Miss Sunshine, follows the Hoover family as they drive across the American Southwest so that the youngest member of the group, Olive (Abigail Breslin) can compete in a beauty pageant held in California, but the movie is about so much more than that. Sure, the central conflict that ties everyone together is a road trip in that iconic yellow Volkswagen Microbus, but each family member is dealing with their own personal demons. 

Two of the biggest and most thoughtful of these subplots are those of Frank Ginsberg (Steve Carell), who has just been released from a mental hospital after trying to kill himself, and Dwayne Hoover (Paul Dano), who has a rather extreme mental breakdown due to a certain visual impairment. Both of these characters learn to deal with their afflictions and are made better people because of it.

Stream Little Miss Sunshine on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Little Miss Sunshine on Amazon. 

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

David O. Russell’s 2012 romantic comedy, Silver Linings Playbook, tackles a myriad of different topics and mental illnesses as well as how the characters’ conditions affect practically every aspect of their lives. There’s Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), a recently divorced Philadelphian dealing with bipolar disorder and all the issues that stem from it, Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence), a grieving widow still coming to terms with her husband’s death, and Patrizio “Pat” Solitano Sr. (Robert De Niro), Pat’s father whose life is in disarray because of his OCD and gambling addiction. Each of these characters eventually come to terms with their illnesses and the depression that spawns from it in this perfectly-balanced dramedy.

There are some key differences between the movie and book on which it was based, but this all-time great Philadelphia film gets a lot of things right when it comes to depression.

Rent/Buy Silver Linings Playbook on Amazon.

The Skeleton Twins (2014)

Craig Johnson’s 2014 dramedy The Skeleton Twins follows Milo Dean (Bill Hader) and Maggie Dean (Kristen Wiig), a brother and sister who are brought back together after years apart just as each are experiencing their own crises and failed suicide attempts. To better take care of themselves (and one another) the estranged twins begin to confront the people and situations that pushed them over the edge while also coming to terms with their own relationship and how two people who were brought into this world together could drift so far apart. And then, there’s the amazing scene where Milo and Maggie lip-sync “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”

Stream The Skeleton Twins on Max.
Rent/Buy The Skeleton Twins on Amazon.

Inside Out (2015)

You may be asking yourself “Why is a Pixar movie on a list of movies about depression?” but there’s a good reason for it. Peter Docter’s 2015 emotional, animated feature, Inside Out, takes a look inside the brain of a young girl named Riley whose life is completely upended when she and her parents move from the Midwest to San Francisco. Told mostly through Riley’s emotions (played by an all-star cast including Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader, and others) the movie dives into issues ranging from loneliness to the brink of depression when the young girl’s feelings get all out of whack.

One of the best Pixar movies to date, Inside Out is an incredible exploration of human emotion and the human spirit through characters like joy and fear, and how our feelings make us who we are.

Stream Inside Out on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Inside Out on Amazon.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)

Stephen Chbosky’s 2012 coming-of-age drama, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (which was based on his book of the same name), tells the story of awkward high school freshman Charlie (Logan Lerman) as he breaks out of his shell and begins to explore all life has to offer after befriending a group of seniors who forever change his life. During all of this, Charlie is battling severe depression brought on by his best friend’s suicide as well as repressed memories from a traumatic childhood event. The film, like the book, also deals with the way in which isolation, loneliness, and an inability to express one’s true feelings can have on the mind and soul of a young teenager.

Rent/Buy The Perks of Being a Wallflower on Amazon.

Synecdoche, New York (2008)

Charlie Kaufman’s sprawling and mind-bending psychological drama Synecdoche, New York follows down-on-his-luck theater director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who develops a rather unique and arguably unhealthy coping method after his wife and daughter leave him: construct and produce an elaborate stage production of his life that slowly becomes more and more complicated and blurs the lines between fiction and reality. 

This truly bizarre (even for Kaufman’s standards) film is as transfixing as it is convoluted, but it offers a new spin on the idea of a tortured artist finding a way in which he can block out the pain of his own life.

Rent/Buy Synecdoche, New York on Amazon.

Melancholia (2011)

Released in 2011, Lars Von Trier's Melancholia follows two sisters — Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) — as they await their impending doom that will be brought on when a planet crashes into Earth, wiping out all life. On top of that, Justine is in the middle of a severe bout of depression brought on by the failure of her marriage in addition to other issues from throughout her life.

Stream Melancholia on Hulu.
Stream Melancholia on Prime Video. 

World’s Greatest Dad (2009)

Bobcat Goldthwait’s (yes, that Bobcat Goldthwait) 2009 dark comedy, World’s Greatest Dad, follows Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) after his son accidentally kills himself during an unorthodox sexual act. In hopes of avoiding the scandal that could potentially come out of the way in which his son died, Lance, who battles severe depression, decides to write a suicide note for his son, a note that channels a lot of the grieving father’s own problems with mental health. However, the situation gets out of hand and Lance becomes an overnight celebrity for being such a strong father all the while batting his own personal demons.

Stream World’s Greatest Dad on Hulu.
Rent/Buy World’s Greatest Dad on Amazon.

Each of these movies touch on depression in their own way, but hopefully all of them help show you that despite how you may feel at times, everyone goes through something at one point or another.

It’s that time of year again — the days are shorter, there’s a crispness in the air, and the leaves are changing. What better way to bring in the autumn months than with a marathon of the best fall movies. With classic romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally, instant classics like Knives Out, and oh so many sports movies, there are countless great films to fill up the hours of those cool September weekends, long October nights, and lazy November Sundays. To help you get the most out of your time, we’ve put together a list of the best fall movies and how to watch them.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

When Harry Met Sally, directed by Rob Reiner, tells the story of Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan), and the different stages of their relationship as they go from two college graduates arguing about the viability of male-female friendships to soulmates.

Why it’s a great fall movie: Some of the movie’s best scenes take place during the fall, particularly Harry and Sally talking about recurring sex dreams while walking through New York and the hilarious football game where Harry tries to talk about his divorce with Jess (Bruno Kirby) in the middle of the wave.

Stream When Harry Met Sally on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy When Harry Met Sally on Amazon.

Buy When Harry Met Sally on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Knives Out (2019)

When novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) dies under suspicious circumstances, detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is brought in to investigate. With every family member a suspect, it’s up to Blanc to get to the bottom of this murder mystery.

Why it’s a great fall movie: Maybe it’s the sweaters, leaves on the ground, or a general sense of chilliness that makes Rian Johnson’s 2019 whodunit, Knives Out, such a fun treat to revisit each fall. No matter what draws you back to the unique story, this is a must for anyone looking for one of the best movies on Amazon.

Stream Knives Out on Amazon.

Rent/Buy Knives Out on Amazon.

Buy Knives Out on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

October Sky (1999)

Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) and a group of friends make a rocket of their own, even if everyone else but their teacher, Miss Riley (Laura Dern), thinks they're crazy. Miss Riley soon becomes all the support they need.

Why it’s a great fall movie: Joe Johnston’s October Sky has fall written all over it. Cold air, fallen leaves in West Virginia, and the October 1957 launch of Sputnik 1, are three examples in this great biographical drama.

Stream October Sky on Peacock.

Rent/Buy October Sky on Amazon.

Buy October Sky on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

At the start of the fall 1959 semester at the prestigious Welton Academy preparatory school, unconventional yet influential English teacher John Keating (Robin Williams) comes into the lives of his students, forever changing the way they look at themselves and the world around them.

Why it’s a great fall movie: Just like wind shaking leaves from a tree, John Keating gives his students the knowledge and confidence to fall from their branches in Peter Weir’s Academy Award-winning coming-of-age drama, Dead Poets Society. The teenage boys undergo a tremendous shift in their lives just as the seasons change in the early days of autumn, a change that will forever stick with them.

Rent/Buy Dead Poets Society on Amazon.

Buy Dead Poets Society on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Rudy (1993)

What Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) lacks in size, he makes up for tenfold with his drive and positive outlook as he tries to pull off the impossible by joining the famed Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team as a walk-on.

Why it’s a great fall movie: David Anspaugh’s 1993 classic Rudy will forever be one of the best sports movies of all time thanks to its unforgettable story of an underdog going against the grain to make his dream a reality, no matter what it takes or costs. As the fall football season gets into full swing, there’s no better time than now to watch this timeless classic.

Stream Rudy on Amazon.

Rent/Buy Rudy on Amazon.

Buy Rudy on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

After being a mild-mannered fox with a wife, son, and weekly newspaper column, Foxy Fox (George Clooney) grows tired of his predictable life and decides to go back to his old ways. When the wise-cracking fox, his family (voiced by Meryl Streep and Jason Schwartzman), and friends become the targets of three local farmers, they finds themselves in a race for survival.

Why it’s a great fall movie: One of the best Wes Anderson movies, this 2009 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox just looks like a fall movie with its warm color palette and visuals of fruit and grain harvests.

Stream Fantastic Mr. Fox on Disney+.

Rent/Buy Fantastic Mr. Fox on Amazon.

Buy Fantastic Mr. Fox on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Just when it seems like things can’t get much crazier for Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), he meets recently widowed Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence). As a way for both to move on with their lives following episodes of severe trauma, the pair enter a dancing competition.

Why it’s a great fall movie: Set in Philadelphia in the middle of the NFL season, David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook is a damn near perfect fall film. With an inspirational story about living with a mental illness, rebuilding bridges, and finding new meaning in life, it’s also one of the best movies on Netflix.

Stream Silver Linings Playbook on Netflix.

Rent/Buy Silver Linings Playbook on Amazon.

Buy Silver Linings Playbook on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

For Love Of The Game (1999)

Billy Chapel (Kevin Costner) is in the middle of throwing a perfect game, but he can't stop thinking about his on again, off again relationship with Jane Aubrey (Kelly Preston) between each New York Yankee batter.

Why it’s a great fall movie: Sam Raimi's For Love of the Game is part baseball movie and part love story about a couple destined to be a part of each other’s lives despite the odds. A lot of the movie takes place in various seasons, but it always comes back to that fateful fall day in New York.

Stream For Love of the Game on Showtime.

Rent/Buy For Love of the Game on Amazon.

Buy For Love of the Game on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Will Hunting (Matt Damon) isn't your typical genius, but behind that hardened exterior is a level of intellect few have seen before. When Will has a run-in with the law, professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard) takes him under his wing and introduces him to therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).

Why it’s a great fall movie: There is something about Gus Van Zant’s Good Will Hunting, which was written by stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, that shouts autumn. Conversations in Boston Common, stories set in Red Sox World Series lore, and talk of Sunday afternoons watching the Patriots play all come to mind.

Stream Good Will Hunting on Starz

Rent/Buy Good Will Hunting on Amazon.

Buy Good Will Hunting on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Remember The Titans (2000)

T.C. Williams High School becomes integrated for the 1971 school year, forcing football players of different walks of life to be teammates. Under the leadership of new head coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington), the players’ triumphs on the field pale in comparison to the ground they break off the gridiron.

Why it’s a great fall movie: Remember the Titans remains not only one of the best high school football movies but also one of the best sports movies in general. And, with the movie primarily taking place during the Titans’ 1971 football season, there’s no reason not to consider this one of the best fall movie options.

Stream Remember the Titans on Disney+.

Rent/Buy Remember the Titans on Amazon.

Buy Remember the Titans on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Cider House Rules (1999)

Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) lives at a Maine orphanage under the care of Dr. Wilbur Larch. But, when Wilbur tells Homer he wants him to take over the orphanage and the care of those in need of his services, Homer flees to find a life of his own, connecting with Candy Kendall (Charlize Theron), the girlfriend of World War II pilot Wally Worthington (Paul Rudd).

Why it’s a great fall movie: There are few places as beautiful as New England on a crisp fall day, and Lasse Hallström’s 1999 coming-of-age drama The Cider House Rules proves that.

Stream The Cider House Rules on Cinemax.

Rent/Buy The Cider House Rules on Amazon.

Buy The Cider House Rules on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Little Women (2019)

Jo March (Saoirse Ronan) sets out to write about the bond she shares with her three sisters and their life in Massachusetts. Inspired by their extraordinary lives and everything that has happened to them over the years, Jo hopes to capture the magic of sisterhood.

Why it’s a great fall movie: Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation of Little Women makes some slight deviations from Louisa May Alcott’s novel of the same name, but the core of this timeless story remains the same. And it’s true that Little Women features all the seasons throughout its sprawling narrative, but one can’t help but think of fall whenever watching it.

Stream Little Women on Starz.

Rent/Buy Little Women on Amazon.

Buy Little Women on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Planes, Trains And Automobiles (1987)

Neal Page (Steve Martin) wants to be home for Thanksgiving, but fate has other plans. When his travel plans are thrown out the window, Neal is trapped with Del Griffith (John Candy), who becomes his companion in this heartfelt buddy road trip movie.

Why it’s a great fall movie: There are few Thanksgiving movies that compare to John Hughes’ Planes, Trains and Automobiles. With one side-splitting moment after another and a lot of weight in the final act of the movie, this beloved classic features a great story about the meaning of family and friendship.

Stream Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Hulu.

Rent/Buy Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Amazon.

Buy Planes, Trains and Automobiles on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

As the temperature continues to drop and the leaves start to change, hopefully these movies remind you of the beauty of fall and its warm memories. However, if you’re looking for something new, take a look at our list of all the remaining 2021 new movie releases.

Every now and again a movie comes along masquerading as a romantic comedy but is actually a Trojan horse to bring other issues that go much deeper than boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy and girl spend the rest of their lives together. In November 2012, Silver Linings Playbook, written and directed by David O. Russell and starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, became one of those movies with its mix of comedy and drama that tackled grief, mental illness, and complicated family relationships.

In partnership with Plex, where Silver Linings Playbook is streaming for free throughout the month of August, we have put together a collection of behind-the-scenes facts that go into how Matthew Quick’s novel became one of the most talked about movies of the past decade, what it was like during production, and how David O. Russell pulled from his own life to tell the film’s story. Here are some of those interesting stories from the making of Silver Linings Playbook.

The Weinstein Company Planned On Developing Silver Linings Playbook Before The Novel Was Even Published

Silver Linings Playbook was released ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday in 2012, a little more than four years after the release of Matthew Quick’s novel of the same, but work on the film began before the book even landed in bookstores around the world in September 2008. In a New York Times article released around the time of the movie’s release, it is revealed that the Weinstein Company purchased its film rights just before the book was published with Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella set to produce the feature.

When Anthony Minghella died in March 2008 and Sydney Pollack passed away two months later, the project was handed off to David O. Russell, who would eventually adapt Silver Linings Playbook, but not as soon as originally planned.

David O. Russell Originally Planned On Making Silver Linings Playbook Before The Fighter

Two years before Silver Linings Playbook was released and nominated for dozens of awards, including eight Oscars, David O. Russell released arguably one of his best movies with 2010’s The Fighter, which earned six Oscar nods. This wasn’t the original plan as Russell was initially slated to direct Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in a Philadelphia story before directing Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams in Lowell, Massachusetts, as Russell told Deadline in 2012. But for one reason or another, the director shifted from Silver Linings Playbook to The Fighter after writing the former’s script and returned to the project following the completion of the sports drama.

David O. Russell Was Inspired By His Son, Who Has Bipolar Disorder, When Making Silver Linings Playbook

There are a lot of tough subjects tackled in Silver Linings Playbook from grief to mental illness, the latter of which is something that drew David O. Russell to the project early on as he explained in an interview with HuffPost. The director’s son has a history with bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (both play major roles in the movie), which was one of the motivations he had going in, stating:

David O. Russell’s son actually has a brief cameo in Silver Linings Playbook as the kid that rings the doorbell and is chased away by Robert De Niro’s character.

Mark Wahlberg And Anne Hathaway Were Initially Set To Lead Silver Linings Playbook

Bradley Cooper would go on to receive all kinds of recognition for his portrayal of Pat Solitano Jr. and Jennifer Lawrence would win an Oscar for her turn as Tiffany Maxwell in Silver Linings Playbook but the leads in the film’s cast originally looked much different. During an appearance on the Howard Stern Show (via The Independent) in January 2014, Harvey Weinstein (a few years before sexual assault allegations against the mega-producer surfaced) revealed that Mark Wahlberg and Anne Hathaway were his first picks to play the couple at the center of film’s story.

No reason was given for Mark Wahlberg’s departure, but Harvey Weinstein claimed Anne Hathaway had “some creative differences” with David O. Russell and departed the project, allowing Jennifer Lawrence to come in and take the role. Other actresses, including Olivia Wilde and Rachel McAdams also tested for the role at various points.

Jennifer Lawrence Got The Role Of Tiffany Maxwell After Impressing David O. Russell In A Skype Interview

When David O. Russell was looking for the perfect actress to take on the role of Tiffany Maxwell, he initially saw Jennifer Lawrence as anything but, and so he had her audition via Skype instead of coming in for an in-person test. During a Q&A session at The Wrap’s screening of Silver Linings Playbook in 2012, Russell admitted that the Skype audition was just a formality because he thought she was too young for the role. But when Lawrence turned on the camera at her parents’ home in Kentucky, the director immediately knew she was the one.

That audition was also the start of a successful partnership between David O. Russell and Jennifer Lawrence who went on to team up again in 2013 for American Hustle and again two years later with Joy.

Jennifer Lawrence’s Character Was Supposed To Be A Goth

The character of Tiffany Maxwell went through several iterations by the time production began on Silver Linings Playbook and at one point the grieving widow was supposed to be portrayed as a goth. And while much of the goth aesthetic was toned down or removed entirely (included the plaid dress), David O. Russell told The New York Times that Tiffany’s dark hair, gothic cross around her neck, and the way in which she carried herself all became part of the character, creating this dark and mysterious yet highly confident person.

Bradley Cooper Said Production On Silver Linings Playbook Was ‘Fluid’ And A ‘Wonderful Way’ To Make A Movie

Production on Silver Linings Playbook only lasted a mere 33 days, and David O. Russell wanted to make the most of that time. During an interview with the Washington Post, Bradley Cooper revealed that pretty much all 12 hours of each work day were spent shooting the movie and trying new things with new dialogue that was changing all the time. Cooper described the experience as being “very fluid” before saying Russell’s experimental style on set was a “wonderful way” to make a movie.

Jennifer Lawrence Didn’t Understand Her Silver Linings Playbook Character And That Made Her Want To Get The Part

Throughout Silver Linings Playbook, Jennifer Lawrence’s Tiffany Maxwell is one of the strongest characters in the movie and one that is confident in pretty much every situation that is thrown her way. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lawrence revealed being thrown off by the character when she initially read for the part and her inability to fully understand the character was one of her biggest motivations:

It appears Jennifer Lawrence got a handle on the character and her motivations by the time filming began considering she received more than a few awards for her performance.

David O. Russell Had To Find The Right Balance With Bradley Cooper And Jennifer Lawrence’s Dance Training

Throughout Silver Linings Playbook, a lot of Tiffany and Pat’s on-screen time together is spent preparing for the climatic dance scene at the end of the movie. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, David O. Russell said he needed to find the right balance for the performance and the actors’ training in dance because they were playing amateurs and not professional dancers. Instead of coming off as experienced ballroom dancers, Russell felt they should feel like amateurs who are putting their hearts into the dance so that the audience can feel the emotion.

The Silver Linings Playbook Screenplay Brought Robert De Niro To Tears

There is a scene in Silver Linings Playbook where Pat Solitano Sr. (Robert De Niro) breaks down into tears as he tells his son he wishes he would have been there for him more as a kid. During an interview on Katie (via The Hollywood Reporter), David O. Russell told host Katie Couric that De Niro had a similar emotional moment when the two were discussing the screenplay:

Earlier in the interview, Robert De Niro explained that he knew exactly what David O. Russell was going through with his son’s bipolarity which made him all the more emotional.

After reading about all of these behind-the-scenes facts from the making of Silver Linings Playbook no one would hold anything against you if you wanted to go back and watch it again, which can be done for free on Plex throughout the month of August.

Stream Silver Linings Playbook on Plex.

Before we get started, if you want to take a look at everything Netflix has to offer in June, we’ve got you covered. The link to the total rundown for June 2021 will be provided before we kick off the films to gush about this month. However, if you’re ready to see what’s in store for the next month’s worth of entertainment, you can head onto our first entry without delay.

Million Dollar Baby

Clint Eastwood landed a knockout punch when Million Dollar Baby won several major trophies at the 2005 Academy Awards. But more important than that, Eastwood’s directing and acting skills helped Hillary Swank and Morgan Freeman piece together a sports story that aimed straight for the heart. It’s a beautiful tear jerker that audiences can still enjoy to this very day, provided you’re in the mood to cry more than a little. If you’re lucky enough to be just discovering Million Dollar Baby, go into it as cold as possible.

Stand By Me

Stephen King is mostly known as the “master of horror,” and rightfully so thanks to his epic works in the genre. It’s hard to believe it, but you could probably still surprise some people by mentioning that the coming-of-age drama that Rob Reiner’s Stand By Me is based off of a short story written by King himself. Just like The Shawshank Redemption would do years later, this tender tale of the power of friendship, and standing up for yourself and your friends, still blows minds to this very day. Though it also holds up as a good film to revisit from time to time as well.

Streets of Fire

Upon its release in 1984, Streets of Fire was a movie that crashed and burned at the box office. But like any other upstart that’s built a reputation as a cult classic over the years, Walter Hill’s visionary musical noir has built a truly devoted fanbase. Diane Lane, Willem Dafoe and Rick Moranis are only part of the ensemble that bring this movie to life, with songs that you may have already heard telling a story of biker gangs, rebellious youth and love in the time of violence. If you haven’t found Streets of Fire already, take this chance and don’t look back.

Swordfish

So what if Swordfish isn’t exactly the epitome of classic cinema? That doesn’t mean you should shy away from watching Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, John Travolta and Don Cheadle get caught up in some flashy cyber crime action. The cast alone should be enough to snare you into this tale of a hacker (Jackman) hired by a shady operative (Travolta) to pull off a heist too good to be true. It’s as fun as you’d expect it to be and then some, with some outrageous twists and turns that make the road to the finale incredibly interesting. Oh, those carefree days where Travolta played the villain and you could impress audiences by lifting a city bus for fun in the third act.

The Big Lebowski

The Coen Brothers have a way with making some of the most intriguing stories that, honestly, don’t even feel like stories. The Big Lebowski is a perfect example of a movie by the Coens where, yes, there’s a story that goes from Point A to Point B, but that’s not the most interesting part of the equation. Characters are king, and with a cast that includes iconic actors like Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi and Julianne Moore all tying the picture together, why wouldn’t they be? Grab yourself an adult beverage, or your vice of choice, and kick back with The Dude again or for the first time. You’ll be glad that you took the time to do so, especially in these trying times.

Silver Linings Playbook

Romantic comedies have a way of bringing certain expectations to the table, both in how they play out on screen and how love is supposed to work in real life. Those illusions are dangerous and lead to a lot of clichés that ultimately show just how refreshing a film like Silver Linings Playbook happens to be. By allowing Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence’s characters to both be damaged loose cannons that have their own reasons for wanting to dance, we’re given wildly different leads to root for throughout David O. Russell’s adaptation. Even through their outbursts and worst moments, we want them to succeed, as we’re behind them every step of the way.

Available 6/17/21

Killing Them Softly

Brad Pitt knows how to pick his roles, and Andrew Dominik’s Killing Them Softly is yet another example of why the man is so good at what he does. Playing a hitman hired to exact revenge after a group of robbers knock over a mafia poker game, Pitt plys his trade in slick, but menacing fashion. Boasting a cast that includes Richard Jenkins, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn and the late James Gandolfini, Killing Them Softly is a noir thriller that deserves to be seen, even almost a decade after it debuted.

Available 6/28/21

As always, unless specified, the titles you’ve just read about will be available on the first of the month. But be sure to check the Netflix schedule, as these titles are always subject to change and availability. Also, if you want to take a look at the best and the brightest from May 2021’s additions, you can jump to that lineup included below. Until next time, stream responsibly and we’ll see you back here around the same time next month!

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As the most romantic day of the year approaches, now is usually a time for couples to make dinner reservations. However, many are probably looking for ways to celebrate their love at home - perhaps by looking up what to watch on Valentine’s Day weekend. You could always go with a reliable favorite like The Notebook, or a more recent, acclaimed drama like A Star Is Born, for instance. However, if you expand your search across all of your favorite streaming platforms, you will find more movies that are perfect for the holiday than you will know what to do with.

When it comes to keeping our readers informed on what movies are currently available to stream, our goal has always been to put the spotlight on the highest quality options possible and selecting films for special occasions such as Valentine’s Day is certainly no exception. Thus, we sifted through the romantic sections of all of our favorite streaming services and found films we think you and that special someone will enjoy the most, whatever your cinematic tastes may be. We ended up finding a whopping 22 movies to keep you busy for practically the entire weekend and beyond, starting with one beloved story that proves true love really can last forever.

The Notebook (HBO Max)

An elderly man (James Garner) reads a woman in a nursing home (Gena Rowlands) the tale of young lovers Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) - whose passionate romance in the 1930s is tested by class differences in The Notebook, which set off a trend of hit tearjerkers from Nicolas Sparks in 2004.

Stream The Notebook on HBO Max here.

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Sylvie’s Love (Amazon Prime)

If The Notebook puts you in the mood for another period piece that spans generations, the 2020 Amazon Prime original Sylvie’s Love traces the on-and-off relationship of an aspiring TV executive (Tessa Thompson) and a jazz saxophonist (Nnamdi Asomugha) from the moment they meet in a 1950s Harlem record store, complete with exciting music and first-rate performances.

Stream Sylvie’s Love on Amazon Prime here.

The African Queen (Amazon Prime)

Speaking of the 1950s, Humphrey Bogart won the Best Actor Oscar in 1952 for The African Queen - a sweeping epic in which his alcoholic steamboat captain and a snobbish missionary (Katharine Hepburn) fall in love while taking on a German warship in World War I-era Africa.

Stream The African Queen on Amazon Prime here.

Coming To America (Amazon Prime)

Speaking of Africa, revisit Akeem (Eddie Murphy), prince of fictional African nation Zamunda, and his hilarious quest to find true love in the land of the free before he returns in Amazon Prime’s long-awaited sequel, Coming 2 America.

Stream Coming To American on Amazon Prime here.

The Big Sick (Amazon Prime)

This Amazon Prime original, The Big Sick, is inspired by Oscar-nominated and married screenwriters Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon’s real-life romantic struggles amid the latter’s comatose state, as well as their families’ differing cultural backgrounds.

Stream The Big Sick on Amazon Prime here.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (HBO Max)

The cultural differences between Greek Toula (Nia Vardalos) and non-Greek Ian (John Corbett) also cause a few ridiculous hijinks between their respective families as they await their impending nuptials in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, based on Vardalos’ autobiographical play.

Stream My Big Fat Greek Wedding on HBO Max here.

West Side Story (Hulu)

There is less to laugh about in how the cultural differences of former Jet gang member, Tony (Richard Beymer), and Maria (Natalie Wood), the sister of a rival Latino gang leader, affect their romance in West Side Story - an urban, musical retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet from 1961, which was recently remade by Steven Spielberg and set for a late 2021 release.

Stream West Side Story on Hulu here.

Queen & Slim (HBO Max)

A violent occurrence of cultural civil unrest actually becomes the catalyst for true love to eventually bloom between Academy Award-nominee Daniel Kaluuya and newcomer Jodie Turner-Smith in Queen & Slim - a thought-provoking, highly relevant, and extremely powerful crime drama about a Tinder date turned tragic.

Stream Queen & Slim on HBO Max here.

A Star Is Born (HBO Max)

As far as powerful, tragic romances go, few have had as great an impact on pop culture as the story of a fading celebrity falling in love with an ordinary, but extraordinarily talented woman in A Star Is Born - the most recent iteration of which stars a breathtaking Lady Gaga and a transformative Bradley Cooper, who also makes his directorial debut with this Academy Award-winning 2018 masterpiece.

Stream A Star Is Born on HBO Max here.

Silver Linings Playbook (Netflix)

Another romance that earned Bradley Cooper the Academy's attention in 2012 is the rousing dramedy Silver Linings Playbook, in which he plays a recently released mental patient whose plans to win back his ex-wife are interrupted when he meets the equally damaged Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence's first Oscar-winning role), who may be his true second chance at love, but only if he can learn to love himself.

Stream Silver Linings Playbook on Netflix here.

Carol (Netflix)

Speaking of unexpected chances at love, young shop worker Therese (Rooney Mara) finds herself falling for Cate Blanchett's older, soon to be divorced, titular housewife and mother in Carol - a beautiful and boldly honest portrait of forbidden romance in 1950s New York from director Todd Haynes.

Stream Carol on Netflix here.

There’s Something About Mary (Amazon Prime)

Ted (Ben Stiller) is still head over heels for his popular high school crush, Mary (Cameron Diaz), years after their disastrous prom night, and he soon discovers he is not the only one, in 1998's There's Something About Mary - one of the finer and more clever examples of a ridiculous raunchy comedy classic from Peter and Bobby Farrelly.

Stream There's Something About Mary on Amazon Prime here.

Palm Springs (Hulu)

Without spoiling too much about this Hulu original, Nyles (co-producer Andy Samberg) is going through a very unusual situation at a wedding in the titular location of Palm Springs, but after a chance encounter with the bride's sister, Sarah (Cristin Milioti), he finds he is no longer the alone, in one of the most glorious gusts of fresh air to come out of 2020.

Stream Palm Springs on Hulu here.

About Time (Netflix)

Speaking of finding love in unusual situations, Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) uses his newly discovered, hereditary ability to travel through time to win the heart of Mary (Rachel McAdams in her second role as a time traveler's love interest) in About Time - a charming romantic fantasy from Love Actually creator Richard Curtis.

Stream About Time on Netflix here.

Spring (Shudder, Tubi)

For those who crave a romantic fantasy on the darker side, look no further than Synchronic directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead's touching, Lovecraftian drama Spring, starring Lou Taylor Pucci as an American tourist in Italy, where he meets the woman (Nadia Hilker) of his dreams, but soon learns she is hiding a nightmarish secret.

Stream Spring on Shudder here or on Tubi here.

Starman (Amazon Prime)

The gender roles of human and not-so-human romance are, in certain ways, reversed in 1984's Starman - an unusually endearing change of pace for director John Carpenter, in which Raiders of the Lost Ark's Karen Allen is visited by an extraterrestrial explorer who takes human form in the appearance of her late husband, played by Jeff Bridges in an Academy Award-nominated performance.

Stream Starman on Hulu here or on Amazon Prime here.

Ghost (Amazon Prime)

Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) is visited by her late, murdered lover, Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze), with the help of a medium (Whoopi Goldberg's Oscar-winning role) in 1990's Ghost - an unusually dark, but moving change of pace for Airplane! co-director Jerry Zucker that made pottery sculpting an unexpected symbol of affection and The Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" the ultimate love ballad.

Stream Ghost on Amazon Prime here.

Love & Basketball (Hulu, HBO Max)

Sports had never been so romantic until the 2000 release of Love & Basketball, in which Quincy (Omar Epps) and Monica (Sanaa Lathan) experience the challenges of young love on and off the court, from their childhood years as next door neighbors to hitting the pro leagues.

Stream Love & Basketball on Hulu here or on HBO Max here.

Love, Simon (Hulu)

The challenge of young love is something Nick Robinson's title character would love the chance to experience, if not for his own struggles to be himself in Love, Simon - an uplifting dramedy about a gay teen finding the courage to stop playing his story "straight," from director Greg Berlanti, which also inspired a Hulu original spin-off series, Love, Victor.

Stream Love, Simon on Hulu here.

Date Night (Hulu)

Speaking of youngsters, couples wishing for a night away from the kids this Valentine's Day can witness the dangerous misadventures Steve Carell and Tina Fey endure in attempts to do just that, after a case of mistaken identity, in the criminally hilarious Date Night, and feel better about staying home in more ways than one.

Stream Date Night on Hulu here.

The Princess Bride (Hulu)

In fact, why not share movie night with the kids this Valentine's Day weekend by revisiting a classic that is perfect for the whole family, like 1987's The Princess Bride - the timeless and surprisingly funny storybook romance of adventurous Westley (Cary Elwes) and soon-to-be royal Buttercup (Robin Wright) from director Rob Reiner.

Stream The Princess Bride on Hulu here.

Aladdin (Disney+)

If you ask me, the most exciting, funny, and magical romantic adventure in Disney's line-up of animated classics would have to be 1992's Aladdin, inspired by the Arabian interpretation of a folk tale in which the titular "street rat" (voice by Scott Weinger) receives help in winning the heart of Princess Jasmine (Linda Larkin) from an eccentric, fast-talking genie (Robin Williams).

Stream Aladdin on Disney+ here.

I could have included Guy Ritchie's live-action, blockbuster update of Aladdin with Will Smith as Genie, but I think most would agree that the 1992 animated original is the one on more people's wish list. Then again, not everybody's wish list is the same when it comes to romantic movies. That being said, do any of the films listed above sound perfect for your Valentine's Day weekend marathon, and which do you prefer the most?

This poll is no longer available.

I believe there is more than one type of Bradley Cooper fan, especially at this point in his career. There are those who see him as a blockbuster superstar from Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as those who admire his talent both on and behind the camera for 2018’s A Star is Born - his Academy Award-winning directorial debut. Then, there are also those who have followed Bradley Cooper since even before he became a household name, which is a time we intend to explore with the following list.

The 45-year-old, Philadelphia native wears many hats in Hollywood these days, having come a long way from his memorable appearances on Inside the Actor’s Studio as a wide-eyed audience member hoping to learn more about the craft from guests like Robert DeNiro. Years later, he has starred in several films with the legendary screen veteran whom he also calls a friend and served as a producer for his film Joker in 2019. Not to mention, in 2011, Bradley Cooper finally got to sit across from the late James Lipton as his guest.

Before and beyond that emotionally gratifying milestone, Bradley Cooper has only done more to cement himself as one of the best in his craft, on both the big and small screen. Just take a look at the following 12 movies and TV shows, currently available to stream right now, that we consider highlights of his career, starting with the film that first made him an Oscar-nominated star.

Silver Linings Playbook (Netflix)

A man diagnosed with bipolar disorder (Bradley Cooper) hopes to reconcile with his adulterous ex-wife after his release from a mental institution, but an unexpected friendship with a recovering sex addict (Jennifer Lawrence) interrupts his plan.

Why It's A Good Option for Bradley Cooper Fans: Based on the book by Matthew Quick, Silver Linings Playbook is an inspiring recovery tale and, arguably, director David O. Russell’s greatest achievement, especially for Cooper’s unmistakable chemistry with Lawrence in the role that earned her an Academy Award in 2013.

Stream Silver Linings Playbook on Netflix here.

Serena (Amazon Prime, Tubi)

Financial woes, tragic accidents, and other complications arise for a North Carolina logging baron (Bradley Cooper) shortly after he marries a beautiful woman (Jennifer Lawrence) in the midst of the Great Depression.

Why It's A Good Option for Bradley Cooper Fans: The essential lifeblood of Serena (a romantic, historical drama from Bird Box director Susanna Bier released in the US in 2015) is that signature chemistry between Cooper and Lawrence.

Stream Serena on Amazon Prime here or on Tubi here.

Alias (Amazon Prime)

After suffering a devastating betrayal, a spy learns the organization that recruited her years earlier is an international crime syndicate and secretly works against them as double agent for the CIA.

Why It's A Good Option for Bradley Cooper Fans: While series lead Jennifer Garner would be the bigger action star during the 2001-2005 run of Alias, Bradley Cooper got a taste of that life on the hit espionage series from J.J. Abrams as major recurring character Will Tippin - Sidney Bristow’s journalist friend who inches closer and closer to her secret and dangerous professional life when he investigates the death of her fiance.

Stream Alias on Amazon Prime here.

The Place Beyond The Pines (Starz)

A motorcyclist’s (Ryan Gosling) reliance on bank robbery to support his child with an old flame (Eva Mendes) is challenged by an ambitious rookie (Bradley Cooper) hoping to make a difference at his corrupt police department.

Why It's A Good Option for Bradley Cooper Fans: One the earliest times Bradley Cooper came close to big screen action stardom (before American Sniper and the MCU, of course) was in 2012, starring opposite Ryan Gosling in The Place Beyond the Pines - a taut cat-and-mouse thriller that remains a beautiful hidden gem in the Neo-noir genre.

Stream The Place Beyond The Pines on Starz here.

Wet Hot American Summer (Starz)

Near-death experiences, complicated romantic tumbles, shameful laziness, and other hijinks ensue on the debaucherous counselors of Camp Firewood’s last day on the job in the summer of 1981.

Why It's A Good Option for Bradley Cooper Fans: Among the star-studded ensemble (before many of them were stars) of the 2001 cult comedy classic Wet Hot American Summer, Bradley Cooper plays Ben, a gay counselor in charge of the camp talent show, whom he reprised in the 2015 prequel series Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, which is available to stream on Netflix.

Stream Wet Hot American Summer on Starz here.

Limitless (CBS All Access)

Ordinary 28-year-old Brian Finch (Jake McDorman) is hired as an FBI consultant after he comes into possession of a pill that unlocks the ability to use his brain at full capacity.

Why It's A Good Option for Bradley Cooper Fans: In the 2011 film Limitless, Bradley Cooper played struggling writer turned stockbroker Eddie Morra, whom he reprised four years later - now a senator supplying Finch with NZT - on the well-liked series adaptation that lasted one season on CBS.

Stream Limitless on CBS All Access here.

Kitchen Confidential (Hulu)

The adventures of a down-and-out celebrity chef (Bradley Cooper) who gets a second chance by leading the kitchen of a population New York restaurant.

Why It's A Good Option for Bradley Cooper Fans: This sitcom, inspired by the late Anthony Bourdain’s memoir also called Kitchen Confidential, also lasted one season on Fox from 2005 to 2006, but was one of Bradley Cooper’s first TV jobs to help further exploit his comedic talent and allow him to take advantage of his culinary interests.

Stream Kitchen Confidential on Hulu here.

The Midnight Meat Train (Tubi, IMDb TV)

A struggling photographer (Bradley Cooper) suspects that a high-end local butcher (Vinnie Jones) is connected to the disappearance of a woman he met one late night at a subway station.

Why It's A Good Option for Bradley Cooper Fans: A “Scream King” is not a title commonly associated with Bradley Cooper, but his performance in The Midnight Meat Train - a 2008 hidden horror gem from Hellraiser creator Clive Barker - makes it a creepy ride worth taking.

Stream The Midnight Meat Train on Tubi here or on IMDb TV here.

Yes Man (HBO Max)

A divorced social pariah (Jim Carrey) makes a surprising covenant to only say “Yes” to everything, which only makes his life better, until it starts to get worse.

Why It's A Good Option for Bradley Cooper Fans: While he was still relatively a face without a name in the comedy world, Bradley Cooper landed a supporting role in Yes Man as a lawyer struggling get Jim Carrey’s character to be more accepting before taking full advantage of his covenant soon after in hilarious fashion by coaxing him into solely handling their friends’ bar tab.

Stream Yes Man on HBO Max here.

The Words (Amazon Prime)

A best-selling author (Bradley Cooper) is forced to confront the truth that the novel which made him a literary success contains not a word he wrote himself.

Why It's A Good Option for Bradley Cooper Fans: If not for its amusing commentary on ambition told through a story-within-a-story structure, you should at least watch The Words to see Bradley Cooper in a romantic onscreen relationship with Zoe Saldana two years before (technically) sharing the screen in an entirely different fashion.

Stream The Words on Amazon Primer here.

All Of Bradley Cooper’s Marvel Movies (Disney+)

A disgruntled, gun-toting thief resembling a woodland creature (Bradley Cooper) forms an intergalactic hero-for-hire group with fellow reformed outlaws in Guardians of the Galaxy, and later joins forces with Earthbound vigilantes after a space tyrant turns half the universe to dust, including most of his friends.

Why It's A Good Option for Bradley Cooper Fans: Bradley Cooper joined the MCU in the most unexpected of ways voicing hilarious CGI animal Rocket Raccoon - a character he shares with mocap performer Sean Gunn in 2014’s first Guardians of the Galaxy film, its 2017 second volume, and in a surprisingly pivotal role in Avengers; Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

Stream Bradley Cooper’s Marvel Movies on Disney+ here.

The Hangover Part II (HBO Max)

Two years after surviving their friend’s disastrous Las Vegas bachelor party, history begins to repeat itself for The Wolf Pack (Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis) after they mysteriously wake up in a Bangkok slum on the eve of Stu’s Thailand wedding.

Why It's A Good Option for Bradley Cooper Fans: I am actually in the minority that finds 2011’s The Hangover Part II pretty entertaining for its commitment to relentless insanity, even if it is practically a mirror image of its much funnier 2009 predecessor that, unfortunately, is not available to stream anywhere at the moment.

Stream The Hangover Part II on HBO Max here.

What do you think? Does being a sequel to one of the most acclaimed comedies of the 21st Century earn The Hangover Part II the right be considered a highlight of Bradley Cooper’s career, or did you already forget about both of those sequels? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back for additional information and updates on the multi-talented artist, as well as even more of our own recommendations for what you should stream right now, here on CinemaBlend.

Goodfellas

With the Martin Scorsese library slowly, but surely, finding its way to Netflix, you just might find a bunch of old favorites available for the picking once again. Perennial streaming favorite Goodfellas is a fine example of that theory in motion, as the 30-year-old gangster history lesson is returning to Netflix yet again.

After last year’s much hyped release of Martin Scorsese’s Netfilx original The Irishman, a lot of fans probably wanted to return to Goodfellas to see if the newer film really was better than this American classic. While we can’t solve that particular query with any evidence or logic on a widely acceptable level, we can totally talk about how Robert DeNiro’s Jimmy was totally trying to kill Lorraine Bracco’s Karen. But you should probably see the film again before taking that particular walk down memory alley.

Hook

If you’re looking for some more ‘90s nostalgia, then Netflix has basically turned into Blockbuster in March. Another title many a kid and adult saw lining the shelves of the old time video stores is a film that’s gotten a bit of a reappraisal as time has wound on: Steven Spielberg’s reinterpretation/sequel to the Peter Pan mythos, Hook.

Theorizing what would happen if Peter Pan were to ever grow up, and if Captain Hook was still salty about their previous battle, Hook sees Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman and Julia Roberts taking part in a whimsical live-action fairy tale. In addition to the praise this film has gotten from its many childhood fans, who have grown up quite a bit themselves, there are quite a few cameos sprinkled throughout this film that you may have missed. So have fun freeze framing or simply enjoying the magic of Hook.

Hugo

Cinema! A driving passion of Martin Scorsese’s, the man’s career has always been dedicated to preserving and promoting the world of fantastic visions on the movie screen. That moving force is part of what makes Hugo a truly unique film, as in its initial release, Scorsese delivered a 3D masterpiece in an era that saw the once-discarded cinematic device returning.

While you sadly won’t be able to watch Hugo in 3D on Netflix, you will be able to see how this adaptation of Brian Selznick’s The Invention of Hugo Cabret was expanded into a heartwarming love letter for the beginnings of the movie industry. Also, for all of you Sex Education fans out there, a young Asa Butterfield was basically put on the map by this film.

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

It’s interesting to see Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events coming back to Netflix, what with its own adaptation of the dreadfully funny children’s book series already existing on the platform. Still, there’s always room for Jim Carrey and Neil Patrick Harris’ portrayals of Count Olaf, I suppose.

Taking the first three books of the titular author’s woeful adventure, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events sees the Baudelaire children fighting to stay alive, as their new/insane guardian wants to bump them off to inherit their sizable fortune. With an energy reminiscent of The Addams Family movies of old, it’s hard not to crack a morbidly friendly smile with this one.

Looney Tunes: Back in Action

Everyone and their mother likes to pour on the nostalgia when it comes to Space Jam, but what if I told you that there was a better live-action Looney Tunes movie out there? Better still, what if it starred Brendan Fraser as one of its human leads? Well, Looney Tunes: Back In Action is that movie, and despite its reputation as a not-so-successful theatrical release, it’s actually a lot of fun.

Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and a slew of human companions all become part of a slapstick fueled chase that could determine the fate of the world and Warner Bros. itself. Even if you’re a huge fan of that other Looney Tunes movie, you might find yourself won over by this particular picture’s charms.

Outbreak

If you’re one of the people who's actually been taking the time to watch Contagion during the ongoing Coronoavirus crisis, you might be looking for a new cinematic epidemic to enjoy. Should that be the oddly specific case, you’re in luck, as Outbreak will be headed to the Netflix lineup in March.

With a small California town in the grip of a horrific virus, Dustin Hoffman, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Rene Russo race against time to save the day against a new microscopic foe. If you haven’t seen it already, or long for the days when this thriller used to always be on cable, get ready for some underrated ‘90s nostalgia.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse

The history of the Resident Evil movies spanned almost two decades, with various results making some films more entertaining than others. If you’re ready for another bold claim, I’m about to drop another one onto the table: Resident Evil: Apocalypse is the best sequel in the entire franchise. I apologize if this seems controversial, but it’s true.

Standing out as the one sequel to blend a unique story centered around Milla Jovovich’s Alice with aspects that were ripped straight from the cutscenes of the classic PlayStation games, this romp through Raccoon City is a lot of damned fun. Plus, if you were wondering why you felt oddly calmed by Jared Harris’ performance in Chernobyl, you may have first seen him at work in Resident Evil: Apocalypse.

Space Jam

Alright, I get it, you might still be a bit upset about that scientifically verifiable claim that Looney Tunes: Back In Action is better than Space Jam. It’s okay, everyone has their preference, and you’ll be able to go back to the video tape for play-by-play action with Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes, as that other reality bending adventure will also be available on Netflix in March.

While Space Jam 2 is currently in production to be unleashed upon the world next summer, this classic match-up between MJ and the Monstars is ready for a flashback movie party with you and your friends. Though good luck finding your copy of Jock Jams after this flick puts you in the mood for all things ‘90s.

The Shawshank Redemption

You can never say “The Shawshank Redemption is a perfect movie” one too many times. Unless, of course, you’re prone to standing around repeating that sentence several times in a short conversation. Then yeah, you might be overdoing it. Who could blame you though, as Frank Darabont’s timeless adaptation of a Stephen King novella plays beautifully, no matter when you watch it.

Seeing Tim Robbins’ Andy Dufresne and Morgan Freeman’s Red make their way through the years in that infamous prison is like a fairy tale for adults. With wicked figures, good friends and hope constantly on the horizon, there’s always a crack of light to be found on even the darkest days. Pair this one with Outbreak, and all you're missing is some nostalgic commercial reels to make it feel like you’re watching the perfect weekend double feature on TV.

Tootsie

We weren't kidding about "Dustin Hoffman Month," as those of you keeping score will notice that a total of four films, including Tootsie, boast a performance from the Academy Award winner himself. (His cameo in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events counts.) What better film to cap off his new Netflix run than the Sydney Pollack classic, which saw Dustin Hoffman getting in touch with his more feminine side.

Playing an actor who can't catch a gig as a man, but somehow comes up roses as a woman, Tootsie is a lighthearted comedy that sees Hoffman's comedic chops at full throttle. It also sees him playing off of an incredible cast that includes Jessica Lange, Charles Durning, Dabney Coleman and even Bill Murray. Who, sadly, only has two movies coming to Netflix in March. Hey folks, any chance we could make April "Bill Murray Month"?

Silver Linings Playbook

Previously, we ranked Silver Linings Playbook as one of the best Jennifer Lawrence movies in her entire career. It's a claim that stands the test of time, as her Academy Award-winning performance alongside fellow superstar Bradley Cooper is an engaging and heartfelt force of nature that needs to be seen to be believed. But even more interesting is the fact that this particular movie is probably director David O. Russell's most accessible film yet.

As Bradley Cooper's lead character Pat navigates some hard times involving a breakdown of both his marriage and his psyche, his path puts him on the same track as Jennifer Lawrence's Tiffany; someone very similar to him in terms of emotional damage. The two become dance partners, and soon enough, they start to move through life together, helping each other out as they can. It's funny, adorable and a movie that Robert DeNiro definitely should have won an Oscar for himself.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Whether you're a fan of James Bond's style of espionage or the more subdued and realistic stories that tell the tales of spies in the field, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a film that needs to be seen by more people. A stylish and atmospheric drama that sets its intrigue during the height of the Cold War, Gary Oldman's George Smiley is brought out of retirement to smoke out a mole and clear his own name in the process.

That might sound like a lot of sexy intrigue, as these sorts of stories have taken on that sort of image in the modern era. Such is not the case with director Tomas Alfredson's adaptation of the famed novel from John le Carre, as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a more world weary affair. Densely plotted and rewarding with each viewing, this mystery is one that grabs you from the very start and never lets go.

And those are all the new and exciting titles coming to Netflix in March 2020 that you'll need in order to pass the time on any given occasion. Though you don't have to stop there, as there's also plenty of new titles from last month's batch of newcomers that'll do the job as well. Keep in mind, all titles are subject to change and availability; so if you think something's gone missing, check out our full rundown of the titles coming in March. Until next time, stream responsibly, and try to keep the Jock Jams turned down to a sensible volume.

As tradition dictates, this month is packed with tender love stories like The Photograph and adorable meet-cutes such as To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. Sure, falling in love is a beautiful part of life filmmakers love to capture… but so it falling out of it. In Birds of Prey, Harley Quinn is navigating her “emancipation” from Jared Leto’s Joker in an action-packed and hilarious ballet of a breakup film unlike any other. It reminds us that sometimes watching a movie character like Harley blow up a chemical plant is just the catharsis we need in a big Hollywood world full of adorable love stories and mushy dialogue.

How do you pick up the pieces of a broken heart? These movie characters have some ideas for you should you find yourself in such a situation this Valentine's Day. Most of these are straight-up horrible ideas that you should definitely not do, but watching them play out is fun!

Break Every Dish In Your Kitchen

Sometimes you just have to take your frustration out on something, and going at it on an object is a better alternative than other things I guess, such as texting your ex “WHY” or going over to their house to ask “WHY.” Much, much better! In the iconic breakup indie (500) Days Of Summer, the movie opens on Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Tom just going one plate at a time and breaking them to pieces over his counter. But the real lesson of the 2009 film is what happens after all the dish breaking. After Zooey Deschanel’s Summer breaks it off with him, he turns to personal growth. He finds passion in pursuing his love of architecture, resulting in Tom entering a new and better season of his life.

Masquerade As Their Dream Housekeeper

Oh yes, 1993’s Mrs. Doubtfire is a 100% a breakup film. You thought it was just about the main character spending time with his kids, but this kind of crazy could only have come from heartbreak. In Robin Williams’ classic comedy, he is in the middle of a divorce with his wife (Sally Field). His custody deal is not great, so he thinks up an elaborate housekeeper character to dress up as in order to see his children, hang around at the house he’s built a life in and keep watch of her new BF – Pierce Brosnan. The movie provides some hilarious moments – like when he dunks his head in the pie! That said, Mrs. Doubtfire is also required viewing about the journey about coming out of the other side of divorce and heartbreak.

Imagine A Grand One-Shot Music Number About Your Relationship

Courtesy of 2017’s almost-Best Picture La La Land comes a what-could-have-been story of romance and heartbreak. The beauty of Damien Chazelle’s musical is how it highlights the beauty of love, even the ones that don’t end up panning out. A romance such as the one Ryan Gosling Sebastian and Emma Stone’s Mia had is often shown beat-for-beat and it ends in happily ever after. In La La Land, audiences fall in love with this couple’s chemistry, but they are also faced with the struggles of a young relationship diverging on two paths. During the film’s beautiful finale, Sebastian imagines their future, but it’s all in its head. Often we romanticize our lost relationships after the fact, but they were better off breaking up.

Enroll In The Same Law School As Your Ex

Another bold move of a breakup film comes in the form of 2001’s Legally Blonde. Reese Witherspoon’s pretty-in-pink Elle Woods gets dumped by her boyfriend, but she just doesn’t know how to let it go. Elle gets herself in her ex’s law school to spend more time with him and prove herself. It starts as a flawed decision fueled by loss, but what Elle Woods finds out is that it wasn’t worth it for her to do these big gestures to get her ex to take her back. She needed to push herself, for herself and when she does, she becomes a star at the law school! Legally Blonde is a fun take on the breakup film that offers a bit of hope for new flames. Hello, early '00s, Luke Wilson!

Break Out Into Song In Front Of All Your Closest Friends

A recent A+ breakup movie that was the talk of Oscars season is Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story. The movie takes audiences in the stresses and toxicity that can come out of a divorce between hotshot lawyers, your ex’s still-close relationship with your parents and the intensity of arguments. That wall punch – I do not recommend it! What’s great about Marriage Story is how it’s framed in the beginning and end through what Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver’s characters love about each other. The movie really explores the grey areas of love and heartbreak – because despite the drama, their love was always real, and that’s a beautiful reminder for a movie to include. But seriously, sometimes karaoke/public singing can be therapeutic.

Take Up A New Hobby

Here’s some classic advice: try something new. Place your passion and heartbreak in something else besides the thought of your breakup. It’s the premise of Silver Linings Playbook. In a desperate attempt to show his ex he’s getting better, Bradley Cooper’s character decides to enter into a dance competition with Jennifer Lawrence’s Oscar-winning widow Tiffany. They’re both messes going through their own personal struggles, but when they get together, it’s electric. Watching the final, hilarious dance scene between the both of them at the end is good every single time. It delivers the perfect message about creating something positive from a low point.

Blow Up A Chemical Plant And Become A Walking Target

Finally, to the latest breakup movie extravaganza: Birds of Prey. The new Warner Bros flick has Harley Quinn splitting off from her famous love, The Joker. At first she doesn’t know quite how to deal with life without him considering he’s a powerful villain in Gotham City and she had immunity to do whatever she pleased, but then she meets the “birds.” This action flick features some awesome action sequences and it’s just stylish – but it’s also all about coming into your own after a breakup. Harley Quinn finds out she’s even more powerful without Mr. J and meets some badass friends along the way, and blowing up the Ace Chemical Plant played a huge role in getting her there.

You can take or leave some of this bonkers advice on breakups. Which of these films are you popping in today? Vote in our poll and recommend your favorite in the comments below!

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While romantic comedies have begun to make a resurgence late in the 2010s, thanks to spectacle movies like Crazy Rich Asians and streaming services picking up a lot of the slack in the genre, much of the 2010s left behind big, broad romantic comedies in favor of niche movies, sometimes whimsical, sometimes powerful, often both.

It’s been a weird decade for romantic comedies. While we left the likes of Kate Hudson behind for the most part (although Something Borrowed just squeaked into the 2010 era back in 2011), we also got rom-coms with more diversity, odder stories, and that were oftentimes more inclusive as a while.

It’s hard to rank movies like Obvious Child when compared to broader movies like Trainwreck but by factoring in viewability, fun scenes, great jokes, good scripts, memorable moments and more it’s been easy to cull together a list of the decade for the decades. If your favorites didn’t make it, let us know!

10. Think Like A Man (2012)

Probably one of the more traditional rom-coms on this list, Think Like A Man is fun because it’s an ensemble take on the romantic comedy genre with a stacked cast. Tim Story – of Ride Along fame – helmed the movie, which follows characters played by Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Hart, Regina Hall, Meagan Good, Romany Malco, Michael Ealy, and Gabrielle Union.

This one’s also based on Steve Harvey’s famous book, Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man, so like a few other titles on this list, there’s source material where this came from. In the flick, the ladies have been using Steve Harvey’s advice in their own relationships, only to see the tables turned on them in amusing fashion.

How to watch Think Like A Man

9. Friends With Benefits (2011)

The 2010s started out pretty strong in the rom-com category, with big name casts and moderately big budgets. 2011 was a pretty good year, as the aforementioned Something Borrowed came out alongside No Strings Attached, New Year’s Eve, Just Go With It, Crazy Stupid Love and more. But it was Friends With Benefits that has really withstood the test of time.

Brooklyn Decker running around in a bikini didn’t cut it, but I’m still happy to sit down and watch Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis navigate a modern relationship and its rules. It's very of its time during the 2010s, particularly since Will Gluck’s movie will always remind me of that brief time when flash mobs were a big deal.

How to watch Friends With Benefits

8. Crazy Rich Asians, 2017

Crazy Rich Asians is like the Gossip Girl of rom-coms, set in a world that most of us really only have limited awareness about. Its characters are both outrageous and sincere in ways only the obscenely rich can generally pull off. Thanks to the likes of Awkwafina, Ken Jeong and Nico Santos, it’s also one of the more amusing rom-coms in recent years.

If you haven’t given the flick a watch yet, it’s already set for a sequel! So, go ahead and get your most fashionable outfit on and throw Crazy Rich Asians on from the comfort of your own home.

How to watch Crazy Rich Asians

7. Crazy, Stupid, Stupid Love (2011)

Crazy, Stupid, Love may be forever be a part of pop culture history thanks to a shirtless scene that cemented Ryan Gosling as a ‘Hey Girl’ meme forever. However, it’s also a pretty good romantic comedy written by Dan Fogelman and directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.

This particular romantic comedy movie has an all-star ensemble cast. Ryan Gosling. Steve Carell. Emma Stone. Kevin Bacon. Marisa Tomei. Julianne Moore. It also has one of the most unexpected and refreshing climaxes in a movie in the last decade, and I know we’re talking romantic comedies here, but this is about endings not intimacy. I swear! Anyway, watch it. You won’t regret it.

How to watch Crazy, Stupid, Love

6. Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Netflix has been pushing hard into the romantic movie genre. A lot of its movies give you a warm and cozy feeling (look no further than The Knight Before Christmas if that’s more your brand). Ali Wong and Randall Park’s Always Be My Maybe, also written by Park with a little help, is a more traditional romantic comedy.

It’s also really funny, tying together two childhood friends who end up growing apart as teenagers only to reconnect as adults. The chemistry between Randall Park and Ali Wong is there, and while the latter is more of a comedienne than an actress, this also means the movie comes out far funnier than it probably was on the page. Watch it, it’s close between this movie and Set It Up as the best streaming rom-com originals, but Always Be My Maybe slightly has the edge in my opinion.

How to watch Always Be My Maybe

5. Trainwreck (2015)

Trainwreck is a staple of the 2010s, the movie that kicked off Amy Schumer’s and really John Cena’s movie careers and launched a thousand conversations about not doing the bring the check motion while also saying “check, please.”

Judd Apatow directed this 2015 staple and it has aged like fine wine. It highlights a woman who is not perfect in any conceivable way, but who eventually does try to make peace with her imperfections and try to make the best of her life. Amy Poehler has had some other similar movies hit the big screen over the last couple of years, but this is the one people will be watching well into the 2020s.

How to watch Trainwreck

4. About Time (2013)

Finally, a British entry on this rom-com list! All due respect to Bridget Jones’s Baby, which is a fine enough fourth entry but not quite tops enough for this list, About Time has a lot going for it. For one, it has British accents galore. It has Domnhnall Gleeson at his most Domhnall Gleeson-y, particularly when he gets to joke around with his father in the movie, who is played by Bill Nighy.

But I’m burying the lede a bit because this movie also has time travel! Plus, it has Rachel McAdams right smack dab in the middle of her full-blown romantic movie phase. Really, I’m quite partial to About Time and there are a lot of things to love about Richard Curtis’ movie, but if you’re hankering for another romance with possible time travel the 2010s were chock full of them and I suggest 2012’s Safety Not Guaranteed.

How to watch About Time

3. Obvious Child (2014)

Obvious Child isn’t going to be a pick for everyone. The Jenny Slate starrer is a movie about romance and abortion, and given people tend to often watch movies that confirm their biases, this one won’t be for a certain percentage of rom-com lovers.

But dear reader, I loved it. Though it delves into serious topics, I got Obvious Child from the second Jenny Slate laughs when her one night stand partner is peeing and accidentally farts in her face. To me, it’s a perfect movie, that really, really gets relationships, the tentative steps and messy mistakes we make when meeting someone new, the ways mother-daugher and sister-sister relationships unfold, the mess we can make inside our own selves. It’s also wicked funny. Check it out.

How To Watch Obvious Child

2. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Silver Linings Playbook has all of the elements of a great comedy. It has family hijinks, it has an offbeat romance, it has a big name cast, and let’s not forget it has gambling and a dance competition. In fact, it’s also the movie that started the recurring partnership between actress Jennifer Lawrence and writer/director David O’Russell.

Silver Linings Playbook is a great movie and an excellent example of a memorable rom-com. It’ll make you laugh, maybe cry a little, but mostly leave you feeling exuberant. There’s perhaps only one other movie I could think to put higher on this list.

How to watch Silver Linings Playbook

1. The Big Sick (2017)

Kumail Nanjiani starred in and wrote The Big Sick with his wife Emily V. Gordon, based on their real-life romance and the physical challenges Gordon faced early on. The movie has some serious beats, but Nanjiani plays a stand up comic in the film, plus his exchanges with his family and hers are generally heartwarming and hilarious.

Along with Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan, Ray Romano, Holly Hunter, Anupam Kher and more put in funny performances and we get plenty of cameos from other comedians like Bo Burnham, David Alan Grier, Aidy Bryant and more. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, but watch it because it’s funny, not because it’s well-written.

How To Watch The Big Sick

There are plenty of romantic movies out there that would have made a broader romantic list as well, movies like If Beale Street Could Talk, La La Land, Phantom Thread, The Fault in Our Stars, Love, Simon and Me Before You. Yet those teeter into drama territory and make us smile or cry more than they try to make us laugh.

There were also other movies like Bridesmaids that I felt really bordered more on a female ensemble comedy than a rom-com. Plenty of movies could also be listed and nearly made this one, like Set It Up, Best Man Holiday, The Five-Year Engagement, and Jumping The Broom; all came close but just didn’t quite make this particular list.

So, it’s quite clear there were a lot of great romantic comedies in the last decade and this list proves a lot of them have made strong impressions, even if the genre seemed to by dying out there for a little while. Here’s hoping the ‘20s have even more amusing romances in store for us.

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While Jennifer Lawrence has only been seen in a handful of movies these past few years, it's remarkable how many of these films have gone to to be acclaimed, distinctive achievements or pop culture phenomenons. Sometimes both! Today, I'm ranking my personal favorite Jennifer Lawrence movies, placing them in order of personal preference. There are a few that missed the cut, like Passengers and Red Sparrow, for instance. And no doubt a few of these picks might be a bit different than yours, depending on how you feel about certain titles. Nevertheless, here's the official ranking!

Joy

In their third collaboration, Joy, David O. Russell and Jennifer Lawrence brought a loose retelling of the life story of Joy Mangano, a self-made woman who went from humble beginnings to a millionaire empire, to the big screen. The results were mixed, notably compared to their other collaborations together. But while the film is flawed, to say the least, it does have the distinction of boosting yet another exceptional Jennifer Lawrence performance.

After playing the second lead in Silver Linings Playbook and a memorable supporting character in American Hustle, Jennifer Lawrence is finally (and rightfully) given the center stage in this David O. Russell joint, and she definitely makes the most of it. Filled with the passion and indignation that was seen throughout her performances, Lawrence finds herself providing another powerhouse display, even if the movie itself fumbles to make the most of this top-tier performance. Not every movie can be a winner, but this intriguing, occasionally commanding film is benefited greatly by Jennifer Lawrence.

The Hunger Games

In the movie that turned Jennifer Lawrence from arthouse darling to movie superstar, The Hunger Games is certain a prominent and prosperous film on Jennifer Lawrence's resume. The actress was given a dystopian franchise that could've easily fizzled out from the public's conscious the way so many franchise non-starters do. But through her weighted, emotionally-resonant performance, Lawrence helped transport the ambitious franchise-starter into a bonafide box office hit.

As Katniss Everdeen, Jennifer Lawrence brought an honest emotional sincerity to the role that came from her experience of working with intense emotional dramas. That resonance helped the series become grounded and honesty in a way that most science-fiction franchises aren't. It's through those commendable talents that Lawrence was able to excel and become one of the biggest movie stars in the film business today.

X-Men: First Class

Shortly before she set the world on fire with The Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence got her first taste of blockbuster filmmaking when she took on the role of Mystique in the rebooted X-Men franchise-starter, X-Men: First Class. As the morphing blue mutant, one who's an adoptive sister to Charles Xavier (James McAvoy), there is no doubt that this version of the character was set to play a huge part in the retooled X-Men franchise. Sure enough, it's safe to presume that nobody involved with the film really knew just how big and famous JLaw would get in a short amount of time.

While Jennifer Lawrence's heart never seemed to be fully invested in this series after this introductory installment, Jennifer Lawrence's take on the character provided audiences with a more rich, layered take on the standout X-Men character. Allowing us to the see the emotions and depths that were often only hinted at with Mystique during the first three X-Men films prior, this new take on the character was a gentler, more sympathetic version, and that is often thanks to Jennifer Lawrence's emotional talents as an actress. These talents would shine ever brighter throughout other films in her career.

X-Men: Days Of Future Past

The X-Men series has always been on wobbly ground. For every rise, there is inevitably a fall. For every film that's on the level of X2, there's typically an X-Men: The Last Stand or X-Men Origins: Wolverine that trails behind it, shattering the potential of this superhero series. Nevertheless, after a promising start of a new, retooled franchise with X-Men: First Class, the Marvel comic property was finally brought back to its former exhilarating heights with the exceptional crossover event, X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Through this movie, which blended the high caliber talents of the new cast with the established excellence of Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, to name a few, the result is a series rejuvenator that could've easily been a huge hulking mess, but one that actually turned out to be one of the most surprising and beneficial superhero blockbusters in recent memory. Filled with great action, compelling stakes and a great roaster of talent, it's an exceptional installment in the X-Men universe, and it's quite possibly the last good-to-great film we'll see with these characters in quite awhile.

The only real reason why I'm ranking it a bit lower here is because, ultimately, the film is good, but it's not the best showcase of Jennifer Lawrence's talents. It's apparent throughout the film that her heart isn't really in the series as much anymore, and while that doesn't mean her performance is bad, it doesn't have the same compelling range as some of her other, better work, seen prominently and exceptionally throughout a number of titles listed in this article. In any case, while it's not a great Jennifer Lawrence film, it's still one the best movies to feature the actress, if that ultimately makes sense.

Winter's Bone

For many folks, including myself, Debra Granik's somber, harrowing independent film Winter's Bone was their first introduction to Jennifer Lawrence. The young actress was still in her late teens when she played the lead role of Ree, an impoverished, head-strong young woman living hastily in the Ozark Mountains while also trying to track down her drug-dealing father to prevent her family from being evicted. Though the film is definitely very minor in scope, it had a monumental impact on her early career. Specifically, the small Sundance title went on to receive four Oscar nominations, including a Best Actress nomination for Jennifer Lawrence, and it introduced Hollywood to this explosively talented young actress well on the rise.

Based on the book of the same name by Daniel Woodrell, Winter's Bone is an impressively sorrowful and powerful mediation on impoverishment and self sufficient under extreme devastation and economical decline. Yet, in a weird twist of fate, this tale of loss, poverty and misfortune paved the way for an incredible successful and lucrative career for Jennifer Lawrence, one that only continues to flourish with new projects. There's no denying that she is an exceptionally talented actress, and the proof was on the screen nearly 10 years ago when Lawrence came on the scene in Winter's Bone.

Like Crazy

In 2011, Jennifer Lawrence was already a young Oscar-nominated actress set to embark on her biggest, most prominent role to date as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games saga. But in this transition period in her life, she was still an up-and-coming actress who was working in a number of independent titles, hoping to make it up the ropes just like every young actor and actress in Hollywood. In any case, even by the time Like Crazy made its way into theaters, it was a little surreal to see Jennifer Lawrence play a prominent supporting role in this intimate, small-scale romantic drama.

In writer-director Drake Doremus' tender, touching personal story, Jennifer Lawrence plays Samatha, a woman with whom our main male character, Jacob (the late Anton Yelchin), begins seeing shortly after his relationship to after his long-distance relationship with Anna (Felicity Jones), falls apart. In the broad scheme of the story, Samantha is ultimately a minor part —even though she's the third biggest character in the movie. It represents that brief window of time when Jennifer Lawrence was well-established and well-accredited, but just before the celebrity rose to international superstardom.

But in the limited role, Jennifer Lawrence's Sam gives Anton Yelchin's lovesick Jacob a small, yet loving, window into a more stable, dependable romantic relationship close to home, one that doesn't come with the aches, heartbreaks and baggage of a long-distance relationship. Ultimately, due to Jacob's heart bleeding elsewhere, the relationship doesn't last, and Lawrence conveys that sweetness and eventual sadness beautifully in this rare supporting turn.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

While The Hunger Games provided the backdrop to a compelling and prosperous YA film franchise, it wasn't until its stellar sequel, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, that the series really lived up to this film's subtitle. Propelled by the commendable work of director Francis Lawrence, who took over the reins from Gary Ross, and boosted by a story with higher stakes, better action, stronger tension and greater dramatic potential, Catching Fire remains the strongest and more resilient installment of the series. It was the film where you could also see Jennifer Lawrence's acting talents take full flight.

With a higher budget, more wiggle room to evolve and elevated material that proved more world-expanding, greater challenges and more character development, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire does what every good sequel should: match or exceed what we've seen before and allow the series and the characters and the environments therein to bloom, mature and flourish in greater and more beneficial and compelling ways. In many ways, this sequel equals or exceeds the benefits of the first movie, and it's a shape that the following installments, Mockingjay - Part 1 and 2, couldn't match it.

American Hustle

Hot off the heels of Silver Linings Playbook, David O. Russell rounded up the talents of his proven stars, including Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, and provided audiences with another sizzling, sensational dramedy, American Hustle. The period piece is a splashier, more ritzy and stylishly-mimicking film, copying more than a few notes from Martin Scorsese's filmography. Yet, through the passionate and invigoration of its exceptional cast, the film is given a great amount of spry energy and enthusiasm. That's most certainly the case for Jennifer Lawrence's character, Rosalyn Rosenfeld.