There is a famous saying that claims, “Comedy is tragedy plus time,” and it appears that some artists like to put an extra emphasis on the more tragic element of that equation. Some of the all-time funniest movies and best TV sitcoms boast a plot that would normally be found in a serious drama if it were not for their more absurd or quirky tones. Hopefully, you have never felt too guilty for laughing at any of these darkly humorous classics of the big and small screen.

Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964)

A film by Stanley Kubrick about a group of politicians and military personnel desperately struggling to find a solution to an imminent nuclear catastrophe sounds like an intense thriller. In truth, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, based on author Peter George's Red Alert, is a blistering, gut-busting satire, brilliantly led by Peter Sellers in three distinct roles.

Barry (2018–2023)

Just about the best thing starring former Saturday Night Live actor Bill Hader, which he also co-created with Alec Berg, is Barry, which follows a hitman struggling to put his past behind him when he takes up an interest in acting. The HBO series starts off as a clever comedy with effective moments of intense drama before slowly evolving into an intense drama with moments of clever comedy.

The Hangover (2009)

Most films set in Las Vegas, no matter the genre, fixate on the more glamorous aspects of the Entertainment Capital of the World, but not The Hangover. As seen through the eyes of three groomsmen (played by Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis) desperate to find the groom (played by Justin Bartha) after a bachelor party they can't remember, Todd Phillips' hilariously unhinged blockbuster boldly embraces the "sin" in Sin City.

Beef (2023)

Road rage is already nothing to joke about, but even an incident that small can evolve into a conflict of uproariously disastrous proportions. This is demonstrated brilliantly in Netflix's Emmy-winning A24-produced TV show, Beef, starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong as two sides of a feud that slowly spirals out of control.

After Hours (1985)

Martin Scorsese is most definitely not a filmmaker who is commonly associated with comedy, but he has a few funny flicks on his resume, such as After Hours. The relatively overlooked '80s movie, in which an unassuming New Yorker (played by Griffin Dunne) becomes embroiled in a series of dangerous situations over the course of one night, actually does sound like an on-brand effort for the Goodfellas director based purely on its plot description.

BoJack Horseman (2014–2020)

BoJack Horseman is one of Netflix's darkest original series, depicting the life of a self-destructive, narcissistic, washed-up actor and the negative effect he has on the people he encounters. The series might not be as funny if it were not animated and the title character (voiced by Will Arnett) was not an anthropomorphic horse.

Evil Dead II (1987)

Even on a shoestring budget, writer and director Sam Raimi achieved "the ultimate experience in grueling terror" with the first installment of his Evil Dead movies. However, the second chapter, following Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) and his fight against possessive spirits, is one of cinema's most perfect blends of horror with comedy of a most nonsensically cartoonish degree.

Rick And Morty (2013–present)

The fate of the world, and even other worlds, often rests in the hands of the titular duo from Rick and Morty: an alcoholic scientist and his anxious teenage grandson. In fact, even some of the bizarre situations they find themselves in, while undeniably threatening, are pretty ridiculous, such as when an alien race challenged Earth to an intergalactic singing competition in one of the best Rick and Morty episodes, "Get Schwifty."

In Bruges (2008)

In Bruges stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two Irish hitmen who are forced to take a holiday in a mundane Belgian vacation spot after a job goes horribly wrong. Only a storyteller with a sense of humor as bleak as writer and director Martin McDonagh could construct such a witty romp out of an increasingly dark plot such as this.

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

Perhaps the most definitive example of cringeworthy comedy on television is FX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The dim-witted gang of bar owners (played by Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito) often get themselves into situations that are certainly infantile, but also deeply hazardous.

Fargo (1996)

In retrospect, it's a good thing Joel and Ethan Coen's Oscar-winning satirization of midwestern culture, Fargo, is not based on fact, as they claimed, because audiences might feel guilty for laughing at a story of an insurance scheme gone violently awry. Creator Noah Hawley's spin-off series would honor that same tone by telling new, seasonal stories set in similar rural locations and with the same quirky tone.

Succession (2018–2023)

Sibling rivalry of even the most immature kind can last long into adulthood. Exhibit A: the Roy Family from HBO's Succession, a wealthy patriarch (played by Brian Cox) suffers a stroke that sparks a war over his corporate empire between his three youngest children.

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

The life of a vampire, which involves committing murder to satisfy their insatiable bloodlust, is a horrifying concept. However, the beloved horror-comedy movie What We Do In the Shadows (which begat an equally hilarious spin-off series on FX) offers a documentary-style glimpse into that sort of existence that is somewhat relatable and even charmingly funny.

Only Murders In The Building (2021-Present)

A TV show about two elderly men and a young woman teaming up to produce a podcast documenting their investigations of mysterious deaths that occur in their New York apartment complex does not sound very funny. However, with Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez in the lead roles and scripts boasting a razor-sharp wit, Only Murders in the Building is a comical delight.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Anyone familiar with the work of Martin McDonagh should have been able to expect that Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri would not hold back on its heartbreaking material. However, the story of a grieving mother (played by Frances McDormand) at odds with local law enforcement regarding her teenage daughter's unsolved murder, creates a light aura of false security early on with its bold use of humor.

Killing Eve (2018–2022)

Creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Killing Eve is a wildly acclaimed series chronicling the intense cat-and-mouse game between a spy (played by Sandra Oh) and a skilled assassin (played by Jodie Comer). The thriller is renowned for its unique blend of high-wire suspense with absurdism.

Death At A Funeral (2007)

In director Frank Oz's English comedy, Death at a Funeral, anything that could go wrong at a gathering for a deceased loved one does go wrong, and then some. Daniel (Matthew McFadyen) deals with issues that include the wrong body being delivered to his childhood home, a guest going berserk after unwittingly taking a hallucinogen, and a stranger (played by Peter Dinklage) appearing to reveal a secret about his father's past.

Shameless (2011–2021)

One of the best American TV shows based on a U.K. series is the hit Showtime original, Shameless. Developed by John Wells, the series follows the Gallaghers – a large family from Chicago facing extreme poverty and other various, debilitating struggles, with little to no help from their patriarch (played by William H. Macy).

The Menu (2022)

At first glance, The Menu seems like the kind of delicious food movie that fine dining enthusiasts could get a nice laugh out of. Indeed, director Mark Mylod's acclaimed hit starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult is funny, but Ralph Fiennes' Chef Slowik has something planned for his carefully selected guests that proves to be truly "to die for."

Weeds (2005-2012)

Mary Louise Parker received three Emmy nominations for her performance on creator Jenji Kohan's dramedy, Weeds, as a widowed suburban mother who relies on drug dealing to make ends meet. It is easy to understand why Vince Gilligan was accused of ripping off the Showtime original when he proposed the idea for Breaking Bad (which he revealed at the Paley Center for Media), but anyone would agree that this show is much funnier.

Beau Is Afraid (2023)

Save a few notably fanciful moments (especially at the end), Beau is Afraid is regarded as a relatively authentic representation of what it is like to live with anxiety. Writer and director Ari Aster – known for his more earnest A24 horror movies, Hereditary and Midsommar – achieves this feeling by exaggerating every inconvenience our eponymous hero (played by Joaquin Phoenix) faces to the most absurd degree.

Bad Monkey (2024-Present)

How do you make a complex murder mystery funny? Well, for one, Carl Hiaasen's 2013 novel that inspired the Apple TV+ original series, Bad Monkey, already boasted a satirical tone. However, Vince Vaughn's performance as the hero, sarcastic former detective Andrew Yancy, especially brings the humor to the surface.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Former SNL writer and Anchorman director Adam McKay started to gain newfound respect with his humorous approach to more earnest topics in Oscar-winning movies The Big Short and Vice. He would follow those with an even darker satire, Don't Look Up, in which two astronomers (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence) struggle to warn humanity about Earth's impending doom.

After Life (2019-2022)

Creator Ricky Gervais stars in the Netflix comedy series After Life as a man grieving his wife's death, but does nothing to make the process any easier for him. Tony goes as far as adopting an off-putting, devil-may-care attitude to push away anyone who offers solace or assistance.

The Death Of Stalin (2017)

Some of the best movies about politics offer a farcical take on even the darkest days in history. Case in point, Armando Iannucci's star-studded satire, The Death of Stalin, which is a hilarious and surprisingly accurate depiction of the aftermath of the notorious Soviet dictator's demise. Though some liberties are taken with the actual history.

Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)

Not every TV show about zombies needs to be as stone-cold serious as The Walking Dead, especially if you change the rules of reanimation, like in Santa Clarita Diet. The unfairly cancelled Netflix original series stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as married real estate agents forced to turn to murder when Barrymore's role mysteriously becomes a walking corpse who thrives on raw human flesh.

World's Greatest Dad (2009)

Robin Williams stars in writer and director Bobcat Goldthwait's pitch black comedy, World's Greatest Dad, as dissatisfied teacher Lance, who begins to attract overwhelming attention following the news that his teenage son, Kyle (Daryl Sabara), has taken his own life. However, in truth, the insufferably rude Kyle's death was an accident of embarrassing proportions, which Lance has covered up with a phony suicide note in order to take advantage of the subsequent fame.

Dead To Me (2019–2022)

The phrase "misery loves company" serves as the essential hook for creator Liz Feldman's darkly comic Netflix original TV show, Dead To Me. Christina Applegate stars as the recently widowed Jen Harding, who crosses paths with the also grieving Judy Hale (Linda Cardellini). What starts off as the friendly bond that each of them desperately needs son evolves into a complicated grouping that sparks trouble for both.

Burn After Reading (2008)

One of the Coen Brothers' most overlooked dark comedies is Burn After Reading, which imagines what happens when investigative intelligence crosses paths with a severe lack of intelligence. It follows a pair of gym employees (played by Frances McDormand and Brad Pitt) who find a disc holding classified information left by a retired CIA agent and attempt to profit from the discovery.

Search Party (2016-2022)

Search Party stars Alia Shawkat as a young woman who decides to take it upon herself to find her missing past acquaintance. Of course, bizarre hijinks ensue, causing it to evolve into a far crazier situation for her and her friends over time.

Better Off Dead (1985)

One of John Cusack's earliest romantic comedies boasts a premise that would be a challenge to get made in modern times. He stars in the coming-of-age film as a young man who repeatedly tries and fails to take his own life.

Sweetpea (2024)

Ella Purnell earns laughs and screams leading the Starz original series, Sweetpea, as a lonely young woman who adopts a penchant for murder.

The term "MacGuffin" was coined by Angus MacPhail, an English screenwriter who often worked with Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock himself is often associated with the term, as he used the term often and, indeed, employed MacGuffins often in his movies. The term refers to an object (usually) that is central to the motivation of the characters in a film and is used to move the plot along.

There is debate amongst film fans as to whether a MacGuffin can be a person, or if it has to be something that is otherwise pointless to the plot, but for this list's sake, we're not making any kind of distinction. It can be a person or a character. It can be crucial to the plot, or irrelevant. It is just something that carries the plot forward.

Pee-Wee's Bicycle In Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

One of the classic '80s MacGuffins is, of course, Pee-Wee Herman's bicycle in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. After it is stolen, Pee-Wee embarks on a cross-country trip to the Alamo's basement to find it. Without the stolen bicycle, there is no movie, so it is, indeed, a true MacGuffin.

The Briefcase In Pulp Fiction

One of the coolest uses of a MacGuffin is by Quentin Tarantino in Pulp Fiction. We never even see what the MacGuffin really is, just the briefcase it's housed in. We know it radiates golden light and leaves everyone who sees it a little speechless, so it must be something either incredibly beautiful, incredibly valuable, or both.

Doug In The Hangover

Sometimes, the MacGuffin is a person. You can argue all you want about whether or not that counts, but we're not listening. The best example we can think of to prove it can be a character is Doug in The Hangover. The movie doesn't happen without the search for Doug, and the groom-to-be isn't really much of a character otherwise, with only a few scenes at the beginning and at the end. Without him though, there isn't even a bachelor party to create the hangovers in the movie.

Big Worm's Money In Friday

In Friday Craig (Ice Cube) gets sucked into Smokey's bad day after Smokey (Chris Tucker) gets himself into trouble with the local neighborhood dealer and must come up with the money he owes him or else. It doesn't motivate Smokey all the much, but hey, it finally does by the end.

The Death Star Plans In Star Wars

There is a lot of debate over what the MacGuffin is in the original Star Wars. Some say it's the plans for the Death Star that R2-D2 is tasked by Princess Leia to deliver, others say it's the droid itself. Let's quit splitting hairs here because they are both kind of the same thing, and they are both critical to the whole adventure.

The Letters Of Transit In Casablanca

In the very beginning of Casablanca, it's explained that everyone in Casablanca during World War II is trying to get out and on to their next place of safety, usually the U.S. via Portugal. That's what makes letters of transit so important, especially when you are wanted by the Germans for being a spy, as Victor Lazlo (Paul Henreid) is. His hunt for them, and Rick (Humphrey Bogart) hiding them is what drives the plot (along with Rick and Elsa's love story).

The Dude's Rug In The Big Lebowski

The Coen Brothers love to use MacGuffins in their movies, and for The Big Lebowski, they created the perfect one - The Dude's rug. It's a completely meaningless object in the grand scheme of things, but without The Dude's ire at the destruction of it and the hunt to replace it (because it really tied the room together), there would be no adventure at all.

The Ring In The Lord Of The Rings

One of the greatest MacGuffins in film and literature is the one ring to rule them all in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. There is no question it's a true MacGuffin, as literally everyone and everything in the franchise is motivated by it.

The Ark In Raiders Of The Lost Ark

All of the Indiana Jones movies have used MacGuffins to send our hero, played by Harrison Ford, on his adventures. In the first of the five movies, it is, of course, the Lost Ark of the Covenant. It's being chased by both Indy and the Germans, and whoever gets it first could change the fate of World War II and, indeed, the whole world.

The Fabergé Egg In Octopussy

A lot of James Bond movies employ MacGuffins to motivate the super spy into action. One of the most fun has to be the Fabergé Egg in Octopussy. Not only is it a really cool-looking MacGuffin, but it's not something you'd ever think a spy like Bond would need to be worried about, yet it also works perfectly within the story.

Rosebud In Citizen Kane

At the very beginning of Citizen Kane, we hear Kane say "Rosebud." For the rest of the movie, we are left wondering what that means. It turns out, as we discover in the final scene that Rosebud was Kane's childhood sled and that his entire motivation in life and through the movie was to find that lost bit of his youth. Without the sled, there is no Charles Foster Kane, tycoon.

The Plans For The Silent Plane In The 39 Steps

Of course, you have to include Hitchcock on this list, as he was the master of the MacGuffin. The most common one people point to comes from one of his earliest movies, The 39 Steps. You can argue over whether it's the secret plans for the plan themselves, or Mr. Memory, who has memorized those plans as the MacGuffin, but either way, the movie's plot relies on those plans to motivate all the characters in the film.

Ruby Slippers In The Wizard Of Oz

Two of the most famous props in history are Dorothy's ruby slippers in The Wizard Of Oz. The twist here is that it's not our hero Dorothy looking for the MacGuffin, it's the Wicked Witch of the West desperately seeking them out and trying to steal them. "Home" motivates Dorothy, while the shoes motivate her enemy.

The Grail In Monty Python And The Holy Grail

The Cup of Christ, or The Holy Grail, is a common MacGuffin in pop culture. Indiana Jones and his father search for it, and so does Robert Langdon in The Da Vinci Code. The most ridiculous (and hilarious) search for the mythical cup has to be Monty Python's quest for The Grail. Like so many others, they come close to grasping the holy relic, only to be thwarted by the police in the end. It's really a silly story.

Private Ryan In Saving Private Ryan

One great example of a person or a character being a solid MacGuffin is Private Ryan (Matt Damon) in Saving Private Ryan. Ryan is really only there to motivate Miller (Tom Hanks) and his chosen team to save him. He's otherwise irrelevant to the story. Sure, we care if Ryan's been a good man since getting saved, but mostly, we care about the other characters in their hunt for him.

The Maltese Falcon In The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon in The Maltese Falcon is a wonderful example of a MacGuffin being basically just a random object. The object could be anything, it just happens to be the little statue that is motivating everyone in the movie. It's maybe the most basic example of a successful MacGuffin in film history.

The Chimera Virus In Mission: Impossible 2

Every Mission: Impossible movie has a MacGuffin. Some are cooler than others and even though Mission: Impossible 2 is generally ranked as the worst in the franchise, the MacGuffin is kinda the coolest. A virus that could wipe out life on Earth. Now that we've all gone through a traumatizing pandemic, it feels even more motivating.

The Infinity Stones In The MCU

There is no more ubiquitous MacGuffin in movie history than the Infinity Stones in the MCU. They appear in one form or another in more than a dozen movies, culminating with the destruction of Thanos and his minions at the end of Avengers: Endgame when Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr) sacrifices himself to save the world and prove he has a heart.

Colonel Kurtz In Apocalypse Now

Marlon Brando's wild performance as Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now is part of what makes it such an incredible movie. Without it, it would unquestionably be less of a film. BUT, Willard (Martin Sheen) could have been searching for anything important to motivate him and the boat's crew up the river. It just happened to be a rogue psychopath.

The Necklace in Ocean's 8

Obviously all the best heist movies usually have a pretty motivating MacGuffin. In Ocean's 8 it is a pretty traditional one. It's simply a very valuable necklace around the neck of an actress played by Anne Hathaway. How Ocean's crew goes about stealing it is what makes the movie great, but it's still just a thing at the end of the day that could have been anything else.

The Declaration Of Independence In National Treasure

There is no bigger piece of American history than the actual Declaration Of Independence. As a MacGuffin in National Treasure, it makes for the perfect object worth stealing. For Benjamin (Nicholas Cage), the motivation is pathological, as he'll stop at nothing to acquire it.

The President In Escape From New York

There are arguments that the briefcase handcuffed to the President (Donald Pleasance) is the real MacGuffin in Escape From New York, but let's give those going after it a little credit and hope that they at least partly wanted to save the man himself.

The Heart Of The Ocean Necklace In Titanic

James Cameron needed to find a good reason for us to get invested in the love story in Titanic because, without it, it's just a disaster movie that would have been over too quickly. The way he brings us all into the hunt for the ship and the stories on it before it sinks is the fictional "Heart Of The Ocean" necklace owned by Rose and had been in her possession all that time.

Red Ryder BB Gun In A Christmas Story

Ralphie gets berated by Santa, dismissed by his mother, pens a wonderful composition for his teacher, and eventually shoots his eye out all in his desire to own a "Red Ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time." It's the ultimate MacGuffin.

The Briefcase Full Of Money - No Country For Old Men

There is no bigger motivator in the world than money. For better or for worse, that's how it goes. Even someone like Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) in No Country For Old Men, who seems only slightly motivated by money goes through a terrible ordeal to keep the briefcase full of money he found and everyone else is after.

The Buried Money/The Big W In It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World

A MacGuffin doesn't get any plainer than cash at the end of an epic race like in It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World. The price, $350,000 buried under "a big W" in a California state park motivates one of the greatest comedic casts ever assembled to race each other to find the buried money.

Genesis Device In Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan

Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan is often thought of as the best of all the Star Trek movies, and certainly the best that features the cast of the original series. In it, both the crew of the Enterprise and their arch-enemy, Khan, are in desperate search of The Genesis Device.

The Buried Treasure In O Brother Where Art Thou?

Yet another movie where the MacGuffin is buried treasure, but we couldn't leave the Coen Brothers' classic O Brother Where Art Thou? off the list. Though it's based on The Oddessy, where the motivation was to get home, this one is a little simpler. Three idiot prisoners trying to get rich quickly. In the end, it's more about the friends we met along the way.

The Diamonds In Diamonds Are Forever

James Bond often has some interesting MacGuffins and as the years have worn on, they've gotten increasingly complicated. It makes us yearn for the days when it was just a simple bag of diamonds, as it is in the aptly titled Diamonds Are Forever.

Turboman Doll In the Jingle All The Way

Every Christmas there is a hot toy that people occasionally come to blows over, like Frank in Seinfeld, for example. In Jingle All The Way, it's a Turbo Man doll and one father is willing to go to extreme lengths to get one for his son!

The Pink Panther Diamond In The Pink Panther

Peter Sellers' portrayal of Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther is one of the all-time great comedic performances. In it, he is searching for the stolen Pink Panther diamond. It's a classic MacGuffin, but worth mentioning because the hunter is such a goof.

Green Destiny Sword In Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Occasionally, a MacGuffin is a supernatural object or even a supernatural weapon like the Green Destiny Sword in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The movie, though highly stylized and more of a visual work of art than a true quest, still has a fairly simple motivating device, just like all the best MacGuffins.

Movies about trips gone wrong are as old as Hollywood. Some of the funniest, scariest, or most stressful films come from this sub-genre and we are here to celebrate those movies with this list. Whether it's a classic comedy like City Slickers or an action/horror movie like Deliverance, these are our favorite movies about vacations that ended up a total nightmare.

National Lampoon's Vacation

You can't have this list without the all-time classic road trip disaster that is National Lampoon's Vacation. Everyone has been on a family road trip; it's a rite of passage in the United States. Thankfully, most don't go as bad as this Griswold's Chicago-to-California trip to WallyWorld. It's such a classic that it launched a mini-franchise.

Deliverance

There is no movie ever made about a camping trip that goes as bad as Deliverance. The Burt Reynolds-led classic from 1972 has become a cliche for a nightmare of a canoe trip (or really any trip into "the hills." All the guys wanted to do was canoe a river one last time before it was dammed up. The locals had a different idea entirely.

The Great Outdoors

Chet Ripley (John Candy) just wanted to have a classic summer vacation in the woods with his family. Unfortunately, like so many dads before him and after him, the trip went a completely different direction once his obnoxious brother-in-law, played by Dan Aykroyd showed up uninvited with his family. At least Aykroyd has some classic John Hughes quotes in the movie.

The Hangover

It's not usual for a bachelor party in Vegas to go a little sideways, but we sure hope none have gone quite as disastrous as Doug's party in Vegas the night before he got married. What started as a quick shot on the roof of Caesar's Palace in The Hangover, ended with Doug missing, a stolen police car, a surprise wedding, and more. At least almost all of Alan's quotes in The Hangover (by actor Zach Galifianakis) are hilarious.

The Beach

Imagine finding paradise in Thailand while trying to find yourself as a young college-age kid, and then imagine that dream spot becoming a total nightmare. That's what happens in The Beach. Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his friends manage to find the mysterious, beautiful beach, and everything is idyllic—until the community (and its leader) go to extreme lengths to keep the beach a secret.

Home Alone

Home Alone isn't about the vacation itself, it's about the kid left behind as the rest of his family heads to Paris. Things go pretty well for Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) at home as he triumphantly defeats the Wet Bandits, but for the family on vacation, especially Kevin's mom (Catherine O'Hara), it is pretty much a nightmare as she (and they) try to get home to him.

The Cabin In The Woods

There is nothing better as a college kid than finding an out-of-the-way place, like a cabin in the woods, to spend some time partying with your best buds. That is, unless, you're one of the kids in The Cabin In The Woods where everything about your trip is being messed with by some crazy scientists trying to conduct a psychotic "experiment" with cabin... and the kids.

Anyone But You

Imagine finding yourself at a destination wedding with a one-night stand who you detest after things went sour quickly. For Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell), it's a Shakespeare play come to life. They secretly still really like each other, but neither can let the other know and the idyllic vacation/wedding is anything but. At least at first.

City Slickers

Dude ranches were all the range in the 1990s and the Billy Crystal classic City Slickers is a big reason why they were so popular. It's strange that people had any interest in spending their vacation time at one, given how horrible the trip goes in the movie.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Murder mystery parties are a nightmare even when they go perfectly, or at least they are for some people. Other people seem to like them. Even those people wouldn't love them much if they went the way the party goes in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Old friends turn enemies in this disaster of a trip that is manipulated by their mysterious, rich friend.

Bad Trip

Eric André and Lil Rel Howery star in Bad Trip and the name pretty much says it all. It's a classic road trip-gone-bad movie as the two stars try to make it from Florida to New York. It's an underrated comedy that had a bunch of problems upon its release and as a result, not enough people have seen it.

I Know What You Did Last Summer

To be clear, pretty much everything that goes wrong in the horror flick I Know What You Did Last Summer is the fault of the selfish college kids on the vacations. We're meant to like them, of course, but it's hard to like any of them after everything they do.

Get Out

Meeting your significant other's parents is always a little stressful. For Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) in Get Out, it starts out actually pretty well. His white girlfriend's parents are perfectly fine, it seems with their daughter dating a Black man, something he was worried about. Of course, things turn into a nightmare when he finds out what is really going on and why her parents are so "cool" about things.

Weekend At Bernie's

Is Weekend at Bernie's really a vacation movie? Well, kind of, right? After Larry (Andrew McCarthy) and Richard (Jonathan Silverman) expose company fraud to their company's owner, Bernie, the boss invites them out to his place in the Hamptons for the weekend. Well, we all know what happens next and while Bernie never intended for it to be a vacation for our heroes, things go from bad to worse when Bernie dies.

Summer Rental

John Candy found his way into quite a few vacation disaster movies. Summer Rental might not be the best-remembered one, but boy is it a disaster. What was supposed to be a nice 5-week vacation in Florida meant to reduce stress turns into the most stressful beach vacation you can ever imagine as literally everything goes wrong.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

There is no worse nightmare than trying to escape to paradise for a while to forget your ex-girlfriend only to find out she's at the same resort with her new, extremely obnoxious boyfriend. That's exactly what happens to Peter (Jason Segel) as he tries to leave his heartache behind in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. At least he meets Rachel (Mila Kunis) who is way cooler than Sarah (Kristin Bell).

The Sure Thing

The Sure Thing has some of John Cusack's most iconic quotes. Of course, that's because he's trying to make the most of a cross-country road trip that turns into a total disaster. Everything goes wrong as he tries to deal with a travel partner who he hates and who hates him. It's also a wonder rom-com as they end up falling in love after bonding over how bad the trip is.

Jurassic Park

Not everyone on the trip to Jurassic Park in Jurassic Park are there for a vacation, but the two kids, Lex and Tim, are there for one. Boy oh boy does it going bad for them! All they thought they were doing is seeing their grandfathers amazing new bio-park. Instead, they are almost eaten again and again!

National Lampoon's European Vacation

The Griswolds returned for their second vacation in National Lampoon's European Vacation. Unfortunately for Clark (Chevy Chase) and his family, things go as bad as they did when they drove to WallyWorld. They aren't in the car as much, but when they are, it's maybe worse when they drive by Big Ben and Parliament for hours.

Couples Retreat

Most couples look forward to a weekend away together. Other couples use time away as a chance to rekindle their relationship and get things back on a good track. The latter is what is happening in Couple's Retreat, but with "vacations" like that, who needs the stresses of home to ruin marriages?

Gotcha!

It was supposed to be a dream summer trip for a college kid exploring Europe in too-often forgotten Gotcha! starring Anthony Edwards. It turns into a Cold War nightmare when Jonathan (Edwards) meets an exotic woman named Sasha (Linda Fiorentino), who turns out to be a spy.

One Crazy Summer

As summer jobs and vacations go, things could be a lot worse than what happens to Hoop (John Cusack) in One Crazy Summer. He finds love with Cassandra (Demi Moore) and makes some life-long friends. But it all comes with some serious challenges along the way that Hoop and his friends must overcome.

A Very Brady Sequel

Taken straight from the classic show, A Very Brady Sequel sees the whole family traveling to Hawaii to rescue Carol from an unscrupulous con man who has kidnapped her. That might not sound like a vacation, but the family still manages to make the most of their time on the islands, but even that goes wrong.

What About Bob?

Psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss) takes his family on their annual vacation to Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. It's going as planned until a borderline psychopath patient of Leo's named Bob Wiley (Bill Murray) shows up and does his best to ruin Leo's life and vacation.

Brokedown Palace

You know those announcements at the airport that tell you not to accept things from strangers to take on the plane with you? It seems like common sense, but Darlene (Kate Beckinsale) and Alice (Claire Danes) don't heed that warning and unknowingly smuggle drugs into Thailand and their dream vacation turns into a prison nightmare quickly.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

When you think about movies about bad vacations, superhero stories may not stand out, but Tom Holland/MCU Spider-Man movies break that. Spider-Man: Far From Home starts as an amazing school trip to Venice, but is interrupted in a violent fashion when the Water Elemental attacks the city. It's not what you expect from a school trip, that's for sure. It's far from the final twist in the movie though.

Us

Director Jordan Peele followed up one vacation nightmare movie (Get Out) with another one, Us. Us is an equally disturbing vacation movie, based on a more traditional beach vacation. What makes it worse is that Addy (Lupita Nyong'o) saw it coming. She knew what was up.

Vegas Vacation

Once again the Griswolds, led by Clark, set out to have a good, fun, family vacation, this time in Sin City. Vegas Vacation, like the two previous (actual) vacations in the series, turns into a total disaster for almost everyone except Cousin Eddy. Clark loses all his money gambling, the kids get into all kinds of trouble, and Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) almost gets seduced by Wayne Newton.

EuroTrip

Things start badly for Scotty (Scott Mechlowicz) when he gets dumped in the most brutal fashion after graduating high school. They get worse when he is cut off from his German pen pal. To save things, he decides to head to Europe to meet her in person. The trip, of course, is a total disaster, at least until the very end, when it gets much better. It takes a lot to get there, though.

Thelma And Louise

People forget that Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) were just planning a weekend getaway up to the mountains to escape life for a bit. Instead, their quick jaunt turns into a run from the law after Louise shoots a man assaulting Thelma after a night in a bar. It's an amazing adventure, but it doesn't end the way you want your vacations to end, that's for sure.

Midsommar

Dani (Florence Pugh) has had a rough year after the death of her sister and an increasingly hostile boyfriend. She decides to take up a friend's offer to travel to a midsummer festival that only happens once every 90 years in rural Sweden. Instead of a festival celebrating rebirth and life, it turns out the commune where it is being held is nothing short of a hedonistic nightmare.

Home Alone 2: Lost In New York

In the first Home Alone, the vacationing family are the ones having the real disastrous trip. In the second installment, the trip starts off as a nightmare for Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) but once again really affects his family much worse than it does for him, even though he's the one that has to meet a certain future politician in the movie. Things always seem to work out for Kevin.

Film fans often flock to see the locations where their favorite movies were made, like the ones on this list. Whether it's a place crucial to the plot of a movie, like the prison in The Shawshank Redemption, or a seemingly minor spot like the burger place in Dazed & Confused, these 32 locations have become iconic for their use on film. 

Hook & Ladder Company 8 - Ghostbusters

The coolest thing about Hook & Ladder Company 8, located on North Moore Street in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City is that the firehouse, which is still an active station, has incorporated the Ghostbuster's logo into its crest. The building is not run down at all, as seen in the movie, and at almost any time of day, you'll see fans of the movie taking selfies. 

Quick Stop Groceries - Clerks

Kevin Smith famously made Clerks on a minuscule budget. One way he cut costs was to film overnight in his actual place of employment, the Quick Stop Groceries convenience store in Leonardo, NJ. The store is still in business, all these years later and you can be sure they play up the fact that the movie was filmed there. 

King's Cross Station - The Harry Potter Series

King's Cross Station is one of a few train stations in London, and while it's always been a well-known station, its fame leaped to another level with the Harry Potter series. You see, it's there, on platform 9 3/4, that Harry and the rest of the Hogwarts students catch their train to school. Of course, there isn't really a platform 9 3/4, but there is a photo op for fans at the real station now.  

West 167th Street Stairs - Joker

In the Highbridge neighborhood of The Bronx is an unassuming staircase connecting Shakespeare Ave. and Anderson Ave. There are similar stairs in New York City, but none are as famous as the West 167th Street Stairs, where Joaquin Phoenix famously danced as the titular character in Joker. 

Haystack Rock - The Goonies

The Haystack Rock formation off the coast of Cannon Beach in Oregon has been a famous geological spot for decades. For movie fans, it's immediately recognizable from The Goonies as the beach where the kids emerge after finding One-Eyed Willie's pirate ship. It's been used in other movies as well, like Twilight and Point Break. 

Top Notch Burgers - Dazed & Confused

Dazed & Confused does such an incredible job putting the audience right in the middle of the '70s, it's become one of the most beloved cult classics of all time. One major reason it just oozes 1970s teen car culture is the Top Notch Burgers that the characters cruise through. It's a real restaurant in Austin, Texas, where the movie was set and filmed. 

Fox Plaza - Die Hard

2121 Avenue of the Stars, which is most well known by its former name, Fox Plaza, is most famous for being the building where Hans Gruber and his band of merry men commit their robbery in Die Hard. The building, in Los Angeles, was brand new when it was used for the movie in 1988. Eagle-eyed viewers might also recognize it as one of the collapsing buildings at the end of Fight Club. 

South Seas Apartment Complex - The Karate Kid

The South Seas Apartment Complex in The Karate Kid is a pretty typical apartment building in the LA area. It is a real place, with that name, just like in the movie. It's located in Reseda, but it's actually pretty nice, nothing like it looks in the classic '80s movie.

The Philadelphia Museum Of Art - Rocky

There are a lot of really famous sites to see in Philadelphia. Constitution Hall, The Liberty Bell, Pat's and Geno's cheesesteak stands, and, of course, the steps that lead up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They were made most famous by Sylvester Stallone in Rocky when the titular character runs up them and celebrates at the top as "Gonna Fly Now" plays triumphantly. 

Georgetown Stairs - The Exorcist

The Exorcist is one of the scariest movies ever made and one of the eeriest things about it are the steep steps just outside the MacNeil household. They are used a few times in the movie, and it's good when they appear. The real stairs are located in the same neighborhood of Washington DC, Georgetown, where the movie is set, at Prospect St and 36th St NW. 

Seaside, FL - The Truman Show

The fictional town where The Truman Show takes place is both fictional for the movie, and fictional in the movie, as it's really just a soundstage where the TV show is filmed, unbeknownst to Truman (Jim Carrey). It was filmed in a real town, however. Seaside, FL looks pretty much exactly as it does in the movie and the house where Truman lives in the movie is where Congressman Matt Gaetz grew up. How's that for an odd coincidence? 

Katz's Deli - When Harry Met Sally

Katz's Deli, on Houston St. in Manhattan, has long been one of the most famous delis in New York City, but it reached new heights of fame after the legendary scene in When Harry Met Sally after Sally (Meg Ryan) does her famous performance of her faking it in bed. 

Chippewa Square Bus Stop - Forrest Gump

The Baby Boomer fever-dream hit movie Forrest Gump takes place over decades, but it's all told by Forrest (Tom Hanks) from one location, a bench at the Chippewa Square bus stop in Savannah, Georgia. It's where the character sits chatting with different people as he tells them his life story, which for some reason is like a box of chocolates. 

Fox Theatre, St. Louis - Escape From New York

If you ever wondered what city could stand in for a dystopian New York City that has been turned into an island prison, it was late '70s St. Louis, MO. The movie was filmed all over the city, including the Fox Theater, located on Grand Ave. The theater at the time was in disrepair and in desperate need of a renovation. Thankfully it got one and today is in much better shape than it was in the movie. 

Timberline Lodge - The Shining

It may be one of the most famous locations on this list - Timberline Lodge, which is the hotel that stands in for The Overlook Hotel in The Shining. The lodge, Mt. Hood, WA, is still open today and draws not only skiers and outdoor enthusiasts, but fans of the horror classic. 

Hôtel Sidi Driss - Star Wars

The Hôtel Sidi Driss in Matmata, Tunisia is one of the most unique hotels in the world, and so it's fitting it would serve as a home on a planet way out of this world. Movie audiences will immediately recognize it as the home of Luke Skywalker and his aunt and uncle at the beginning of the first Star Wars movie. If you're a fan, and you're in the neighborhood, the hotel is still open and taking reservations. 

7B Horseshoe Bar- The Godfather Part II

It goes by many different names. 7B and Horseshoe Bar are the two most people call it. It's still open, right at the corner of 7th Street and Ave. B in Manhattan. It's been there for years and has been used in a few film productions, but none more famous than in The Godfather Part II. It's where the botched assassination of Frank Pentangeli took place. 

Ohio State Reformatory - The Shawshank Redemption

One of the best movies of the '90s has to be The Shawshank Redemption. While the film is set in Maine, the home state of the book's author Stephen King, it was filmed in the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. It had closed as a prison just a few years before they filmed it, so that certainly helps bring some authenticity to the movie. 

Bosse Field - A League Of Their Own

With some of the best moments in a baseball movie ever, A League Of Their Own has endured for years. So has the minor league baseball field where it was filmed, Bosse Field in Evansville, IN. Though it's a minor league park, it's still the third oldest baseball stadium in the country, behind Wrigley Field and Fenway Park and it retains all the charm it has in the movie. 

Mountain Lake Lodge - Dirty Dancing

In the 1960s, when Dirty Dancing was set, inclusive vacation spots like the Mountain Lake Lodge in Virginia dotted the American countryside. Most have long closed, but the Mountain Lake Lodge has survived and you can still visit and stay there, just like Baby and her family did in the movie. The actual cabin where the Housemans stayed is even available for rent. 

1 Wall Street Court - John Wick

Most of New York City - Manhattan at least - is a grid. But there are a few spots where the grid breaks down and creates odd-shaped blocks, leading to oddly shaped buildings. 1 Wall Street Court is one of those buildings, which makes it the perfect exterior for the mysterious Continental Hotel in the John Wick series where hitmen and criminals can enjoy a drink and a good night's sleep without one eye open looking for enemies. 

The Best Little Chapel - The Hangover

Las Vegas is famous for a lot of reasons, including all the tiny wedding chapels all over town. One famous chapel isn't actually a chapel, though. There are a lot of famous locations in The Hangover, most notably Caesar's Palace (Caesar didn't actually live there). One place you'll have a hard time finding unless you know where to look is The Best Wedding Chapel, as it's really just a youth hostel on Las Vegas Blvd. that was dressed up to look like a wedding chapel. Still, you can see the parking lot and all the hilarious signs behind the location as you quote all your favorite lines from The Hangover.

Matamata, New Zealand - Lord Of The Rings

This is a unique entry on this list as it's now famous for what the Lord of the Rings series did for the town. It's where The Shire was built and much of the set remains today as a tourist attraction for the millions of fans of the movies. It really does feel like you're stepping into the movies. 

Christmas Story House - A Christmas Story

"Ah, there it is. My house, and good old Cleveland Street," is how A Christmas Story begins. The house is almost a character all itself, with the sketchy furnace and the leg lamp, etc... The real house is in the City of Cleveland, but it's at 3159 W 11th St, not on Cleveland St. It's also worth noting that while most of it was filmed in Cleveland, it's set in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana.

The Dakota Building - Rosemary's Baby

The Dakota, at 72nd and Central Park West in New York, is one of the most famous apartment buildings in the world, and one reason for that is that it's the setting for the terrifying Roman Polanski film, Rosemary's Baby. It's the perfect building to set the film, with his is dark neo-gothic architecture and large, lavish apartments. The Dakota is also infamous for being where John Lennon was shot and killed in 1980, while he lived there. 

Forks, WA - Twilight

For fans of the Twilight series, the town of Forks, Washington is the homeland. Both the books and the movies are set in a small town in a remote part of the state west of Seattle. It's now a tourist hot spot, though most of the movie was filmed in locations other than Forks. 

El Coyote - Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

El Coyote is a legendary Mexican restaurant in LA that dates back to the 1930s. It's also where Sharon Tate and her friends ate their final meal on August 9th, 1969 before they were murdered by the Manson Family. For his movie Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino filmed the scene of the friends eating not only in the same restaurant but in the very same booth where they sat all those decades ago. 

Lighthouse Café - La La Land

The Lighthouse Café is a great jazz spot that sits in Hermosa Beach, California near LA. It was the location for one of the most famous scenes that movie critics often call a "love letter to Los Angeles," La La Land. 

Drayton House - Saltburn

The English countryside is filled with amazing, ornate homes that are often used for filming, sometimes they are the location for TV shows, like Downton Abbey, and other times it's for movies like Saltburn. For the latter, the makers of the film used the stately Drayton House in Lowick, Northamptonshire.

Kualoa Ranch - Jurassic Park

Kualoa Ranch in Hawaii has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. It makes sense it would be the setting for quite a few TV shows and movies, including Lost,  Magnum P.I., Pearl Harbor, and maybe the most famous movie filmed there, 1993's Jurassic Park. 

The Tasty - Good Will Hunting

Sadly, this is a location you can no longer visit, as it closed a few years ago. For decades, however, The Tasty Diner in Harvard Square was a late-night favorite for drunk college students from all over Boston. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck made sure it found its way into their movie about Boston, Good Will Hunting. 

Görlitz Department Store - Grand Budapest Hotel

The exterior of the titular Grand Budapest Hotel might have been a model, but the interior and lobby were actually a beautiful - and vacant - department store in Görlitz, Germany. Sadly, while the building is still standing, it is still unused. 

For nearly 40 years, Mike Tyson has been considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, as well as one of the sport’s most controversial icons. During that time, Tyson joined the ranks of legends like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson, who became not only boxing legends but also cultural icons. That pop culture prominence turned Tyson into a cameo-friendly athlete who's popped up across a plethora of TV shows, landmark wrestling events, and at least one of the best movies of the 2000s.

With Tyson being in the news quite a lot lately due to his upcoming fight with Jake Paul on Netflix, we decided now would be a great time to go back and look at the boxer’s best big-screen appearances and even more from beloved TV comedies. Let's take a look!

The Hangover (2009)

Todd Phillips’ The Hangover helped further propel the careers of Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis upon its release in June '09 and instantly became one of the best movies of 2009 altogether. One of the reasons for this was Mike Tyson’s scene-stealing performance. In the movie, “Iron Mike,” plays a version of himself that is very close to the real thing, which adds a wild, dangerous, and unpredictable dynamic, especially when he gives the core trio another obstacle to overcome as they look for their missing friend. 

Tyson would also appear in The Hangover Part II in a smaller yet just as memorable way in the final stretch of the movie. Like, how could you forget that over-the-top ending sequence?

Ip Man 3 (2015)

The Ip Man movies, starring martial arts legend Donnie Yen as the titular Wing Chun master, has given audiences all kinds of impressive fights and other great moments over the years. Ip Man 3, which was released in 2015, features what could be one of the best fight scenes in the series, as well as a great Mike Tyson appearance. 

Tyson plays a boxer and corrupt American property developer named Frank who challenges Ip Man to a fight about halfway through the movie. The contrast between the styles – boxing vs. Wing Chun – creates an incredible dynamic and one of the most grueling three-minute fights ever captured on film.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2013)

Mike Tyson provided one of his most emotional and unforgettable small-screen appearances during a 2013 episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. During the episode titled “Monster’s Legacy,” Tyson took on the role of Reggie Rhodes, a victim of child abuse who later murdered one of his attackers after dealing with years of trauma from the attacks. Though he’s only featured for a short while, Tyson makes the most of his time and provides a heartbreaking and gut-wrenching performance that’s up there with the best SVU guest appearances.

The Last O.G. (2020)

Tracy Morgan’s TBS comedy series, The Last O.G. had some great guest stars throughout its four-season run, and one of the best was Mike Tyson. Appearing in a pair of episodes, the boxer took on the role of Triple O.G., an over-the-top gangster who gave Morgan’s Tray Leviticus Barker some unorthodox yet much-needed advice. Again, he wasn’t on the show all that much, but he did give audiences some outrageously hilarious moments.

How I Met Your Mother (2013)

There were a lot of actors you may have forgotten were on How I Met Your Mother, and that includes Tyson. During the 2013 episode titled “Bad Crazy,” he, playing himself, saves the day by helping Robin (Cobie Smulders) take care of a baby. What’s so great about the concept is how the premise plays against type for Tyson and instead treats him like a kind, gentle, and misunderstood giant.

Entourage (2010)

Entourage was a show that was known for its outrageously funny celebrity cameos, and Mike Tyson could very well have one of the best. In the 2010 episode, “Bottoms Up,” the boxing legend approaches Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) with an idea to repair his reputation: a new and improved version of The Brady Bunch. Though the attempt to get Jessica Simpson to sign on for the project blows up, we can still imagine just how great that would have been, especially in the show’s universe.

Mike Tyson Mysteries (2014 - 2020)

Though it may not be the best Adult Swim show, Mike Tyson Mysteries was one hell of an animated experience. Unlike other entries on this list, Tyson wasn’t just a cameo on the show, he was the main attraction of all 70 episodes. Playing a parody of himself, the show followed Tyson and his crew solving a variety of mysteries in a similar fashion to Scooby-Doo and other Hanna-Barbera classics. If you haven’t already, this is a must-watch with some immensely hilarious moments.

Who's The Boss? (1990)

Who knows if we’ll ever get the Who’s the Boss? revival series, but if we do, hopefully, Mike Tyson will come back for another great cameo. Back in 1990, Tyson showed up as himself at the very of the the episode titled “Sam Accelerates,” which saw him confront Tony Micelli (Tony Danza) after he heard someone had been making fun of him. The scene then turned into what could be the best freezeframe of the show as the credits rolled.

Rocky Balboa (2006)

We never got to see Mike Tyson fight Sylvester Stallone in a boxing match, but we did get to see the iconic bruiser show up for a brief moment in Rocky Balboa. No, Tyson doesn’t confront the aging “Italian Stallion,” but he is seen jawing off at Mason “The Line” Dixon (Antonio Tarver) before the climatic fight. It was brief, but the cameo did add a nice flash and sense of realism to the big bout.

Webster (1987)

Way back, when Tyson was still making a name for himself in the boxing world, he showed up on an episode of Webster. In 1987, “Iron Mike” crossed paths with Emmanuel Lewis’ beloved titular character and other members of the cast as he was caught in the middle of a family feud.

WrestleMania XIV (1998)

There have been so many celebrity appearances at WrestleMania over the years, and  Tyson’s involvement in the 14th annual Showcase of the Immortals is one of the most well-known and impactful of them all. In March 1998, Tyson served as the special outside enforcer and helped Stone Cold Steve Austin defeat Shawn Michaels and claim his first WWE Championship in the process. More than a quarter-century later, the image of Iron Mike turning on the Heartbreak Kid to help the Texas Rattlesnake is one wrestling fans remember fondly.

Surely, we haven’t seen the last of Mike Tyson in movies and TV shows. Perhaps we’ll see much more from him as he gets ready to fight Jake Paul in one of the most anticipated boxing matches in recent memory.

Zach Galifianakis' Alan Garner in The Hanger is easily one of the funniest characters of the 21st Century, and probably in all of cinema history. In a movie that is full of hilarious moments, no one comes close to matching the number of amazing lines that Alan has. So far, there have been three movies in the Hangover franchise, but the first one is far and away the funniest, so here are all of our favorite lines from Alan in the original Hangover.

You probably get this a lot. This isn't the real Caesar's Palace, is it?

Probably the most oft-repeated line from the movie is this classic when the crew are checking into Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas at the beginning of the movie. Just remember, no matter how many times you've heard it in your life, have some sympathy for the people who work at the actual casino. 

You guys might not know this, but I consider myself a bit of a loner. I tend to think of myself as a one-man wolf pack. But when my sister brought Doug home, I knew he was one of my own. And my wolf pack, it grew by one. So there were two of us in the wolf pack. And six months ago, when Doug introduced me to you guys, I thought, "Wait a second, could it be?" And now I know for sure, I just added two more guys to my wolf pack.

Alan is a lovable weirdo, and his explanation/toast of how he lives his life, as a member of a wolf pack, pretty much says it all. Cutting his hand to be "blood brothers" was going too far though. 

Gambling? Who said anything about gambling? It's not gambling when you know you're gonna win. Counting cards is a foolproof system.

Alan saves the day at the end when they need to raise $80K dollars to pay Chow and get Doug back. Alan, it turns out, is a pretty good card counter. Which is foolproof, as he proves. "Fool" is the operative word there. 

What about the tiger? What if he got out?

Since audiences don't see what actually happens in the night, other than the photos at the end, we're left wondering why there is a chicken, a tiger, and a baby in the room when they wake up. That's a dangerous combination. 

I'm on your side! I hate Godzilla! I hate him too! I hate him! He destroys cities! Please! This isn't your fault. I'll get you some pants.

Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong) jumping out of the trunk of the car is the funniest moment in the movie, and Alan immediately tries to gain his trust in a very Alan way. 

I'm not supposed to be within two hundred feet of a school... or a Chuck E. Cheese.

Ok, Alan is a weirdo, but he's a creep too? This is a line, about schools and kids' pizza places we'd rather not read too deeply into, as we want to like the character. Yikes. 

I didn't know they gave out rings at the Holocaust.

The most dramatic moment of the unseen bender must have been when Stu (Ed Helms) married Jade (Heather Graham). She's not the kind of girl you'd take home to Mom, especially after you've given her your grandmother's ring that she managed to keep hidden through the Holocaust. At least Jade is a sweetheart. 

“Do you know if the hotel is pager friendly?”

Of course, Alan still uses a pager, right? What else would he do? Would anyone trust him with an actual cell phone? The thought is terrifying. 

Don't touch it. Don't even look at it. Go on, get out. You heard me. Don't look at me, either... I'll hit an old man in public.

The only thing for certain with Alan is that nothing is for certain and you never know how he is going to react to anything or anyone. Take, for example, the poor guy at the gas station who just wants to admire the Mercedes. Alan isn't having it and lets him know in no uncertain terms. 

Pants at a time like this? I don't have any...

Alan is the first to discover the tiger in the bathroom and as he tries to explain what's going on, he just doesn't have the time or the inclination to put any pants on. Not at a time like that. 

Is there a payphone bank? Buncha payphones? Business.

After revealing he only uses a pager, it makes sense that he would need to be aware of where the nearest pay phones are. Of course, it's the 21st Century and those aren't really a thing anymore, even in hotels. Luckily, there are phones in the room, which Alan is okay with. 

The Doug we're looking for is a white.

Alan does not mean to be offensive, it's all an innocent mistake when he tries to explain that Mr. Chow is turning over the wrong Doug after they pay him back. Black Doug (Mike Epps) seems like a good dude, just let it go, Alan. 

But you don't know for sure? I have this cousin Marcus who saw one he said it blew his mind I want to make sure I never ever miss out on a Halley's comet.

Halley's Comet comes around once every 75 years and the most recent visit was in 1986. It's going to be a while, Alan, but you've got plenty of time to plan for it. 

It's where I keep all my things. Get a lot of compliments on this. Plus it's not a purse, it's called a satchel. Indiana Jones wears one.

Man purses are a convenient way to carry stuff around, and Alan isn't afraid of the reputation they might convey. He's proud of his handy satchel and one of the greatest action stars of all time in one of the best '80s movies, uses one, so why shouldn't Alan?

I want you to know, Doug, I'm a steel trap. Whatever happens tonight, I will never, ever, ever speak a word of it. Seriously, I don't care what happens. I don't care if we kill someone. You heard me. It's Sin City. I won't tell a soul.

Alan understands the basics and nothing is more basic than "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Don't tell a soul – and that's before everything happens! 

How's my hair?

Everyone has a little vanity and while wearing a wolf t-shirt with white jeans doesn't phase Alan, he is concerned with how his hair looks. We all are. Even if it's Galifianakis' beard that steals the show. 

I think the cop car part's pretty cool.

One thing that stands out about Alan's weirdness is that it's complimented by his enthusiasm even if it is also misplaced. Like when they discover that somehow they ended up valet parking a police car. It seems like a bad situation, but Alan likes it. 

And we're the three best friends that anyone could have!

Okay, okay, hanging out with Alan for more than about two hours would be maddening. He proves that nicely in the car to pick up Doug. Stu and Phil (Bradley Cooper) are rapping about finding Doug and going home and Alan wants to be a part of it. His choice of songs, an original written by him, is pretty awful. 

Hey, you guys ready to let the dogs out?

Even in 2009, it wasn't cool to reference the Baha Men's "Who Let The Dogs Out." Actually, it wasn't even cool in 2000 when the song came out. Still, Alan is ready to rock, letting all the dogs out. Woof Woof Woof. 

Tigers love pepper. They hate cinnamon.

On one hand, it's nice of Alan to properly season the steak that they are trying to feed to the tiger with the sleeping pills, so they return the cat to Mike Tyson. On the other hand, it's disturbing that Alan is so confident in knowing that tigers like pepper, but no cinnamon. 

Hey, there's skittles in there!

When Mr. Chow gets mad at the boys for not returning his money, he shows his displeasure by smashing the bag he thought the money was in. There wasn't money, but there were Skittles and wow does that set Alan off. Don't mess with the man's candy! 

Oh you know what, next week's no good for me, the Jonas brothers are in town.

Alan wants to run with his new wolf pack, he wants to be best friends forever. Unless it interferes with his Jonas Brothers concert plans. Nothing gets between Alan and the Jonas'.

Okay, well, maybe we should tell that to Rain Man, because he practically bankrupt a casino.

Alan is pretty stupid in many ways, but when it comes to counting cards, he's second only to Dustin Hoffman's famous character in Rain Man. 

I've found a baby before.

Well, this explains why Alan was so comfortable with the baby in the Bjorn across his chest. He's done this all before! Who among us hasn't found a baby before?

Drunk driving. Classic. 

First, isn't it kind of weird that with Doug missing, Phil, Stu, and Alan are all enjoying a nice breakfast by the pool? Setting that aside, Alan's laughing about drunk driving is one of the more uncomfortable laughs of the movie. The three of them can't remember anything but they did valet a car so... yikes. 

Yeah, I checked all the rooms… no one’s there. Check its collar or something.

As if the chicken and the tiger weren't enough, there was also that mystery baby left in the closet of the hotel villa. Who's baby is it? Hard to know when you can't remember anything. If only babies had collars like dogs, Alan's idea would've worked. 

Yeah, maybe after 9/11, where everybody got so sensitive. Thanks a lot, bin Laden.

In the real world, The Hangover was released about eight years after 9/11 and it was kind of just around the time that people started dabbling in jokes about that tragic day in U.S. history. Alan wouldn't have cared either way, he was angry about how security on airplanes changed. 

No, he was skiing in Vermont, it was just during World War II.

Alan has feelings too. In fact, he feels deeply and he is genuinely worried about his future brother-in-law, Doug. He doesn't want Doug to die like his Grandfather during World War Two. Which would've been a few decades before Alan was born, but who's counting?

Uh, if we're sharing beds, I'm bunking with Phil. You cool with that?

By the end of the movie, Doug, Stu, Phil, and Alan might have a real bromance going on, but it doesn't start that way. Alan wants to bunk up with Phil, who is not having it, and who can blame him?

Easy. You just pour kerosene over a ferret, light it on both ends, put it in.

Okay, this is where things get pretty dark when you think about it. How exactly does Alan know so much about lighting cars on fire and why does he think it's best to use living animals? Again, it's best we don't ask too many questions and just let Alan go, he's probably (hopefully) lying about his experience. 

I don't think you should curse around the baby.

Of all the guys to be entrusted with the mysterious baby, Alan would be most people's last choice, but he proves pretty early on that maybe he wouldn't be the worst parent. Of course, moments later he smacks the baby with a car door. Oh well. 

It says here we should work in teams. Who'll be my spotter?

Alan decides early on he's going to learn how to count cards. It's not long into his book before he realizes it's best to work as a Blackjack team. He asks who's with him and no one takes him seriously. Luckily, Alan kept studying. 

When Stu is finally at his wit's end, he tells Alan, "You are literally too stupid to insult."Alan, being Alan, sees that as a compliment, and thanks him for it. And that pretty much sums up everything about the lovable weirdo that he is. 

Ah, sequels. They’re pretty much the lifeblood of the film industry. Whether it’s one sequel, or several (as seen with some horror franchises), a sequential film is always a possibility as long as enough people watched the first movie.    

But, when it comes to sequels, there are none that are more heavily lauded than the trilogy. Yes, the power of three is very real when you consider beloved trilogies like Episodes 4-6 of Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings movies, and the Captain America trilogy (which, for my money, is even better than The Dark Knight trilogy).

All of these aforementioned film series rank as some of the best of the best, and people were clamoring for their Part 3’s. However, with every great trilogy, there’s a sea of mediocre ones that nobody asked for. That said, some of these trilogies aren’t that bad, despite their reputations. Here are just a few of them.  

The Hobbit Trilogy  

When ranking the Lord of the Rings films, I think most people would agree that The Hobbit movies, which consisted of 2012’s An Unexpected Journey, 2013’s The Desolation of Smaug, and 2014’s The Battle of the Five Armies, were quite a step down from the original trilogy. Not only that, but the novel, The Hobbit, is not even that long, so it could have conceivably been told in just one movie; two movies at max.   

So, why then did we get three movies when most fans would have been content with just one? Well, because of money, of course. Duh. However, that doesn’t mean that The Hobbit trilogy is a complete failure, because there’s a lot of good will that went into this trilogy, even if it didn’t feel entirely necessary.  

For instance, even though Peter Jackson himself acknowledges that The Hobbit movies could have been better, you can still tell there’s a lot of love in these films. We got more backstory to Sauron, and there are elements that tangentially tie The Hobbit to the Lord of the Rings, like Orlando Bloom’s Legolas returning to the franchise.    

Sure, one might argue that Legolas didn’t even belong in The Hobbit, but for fans of the original trilogy who just wanted more Lord of the Rings, they certainly got it with The Hobbit trilogy. And then some.  

The Hangover Trilogy 

When it comes to R-rated comedies, there may not be one better than 2009’s The Hangover. You really just had to be there, as the misadventures of Phil, Stu, Alan, and Doug (as well as others from The Hangover cast), just seemed to be the perfect blend of gags and debauchery at the time.   

Honestly, the film stands fine on its own. But, because of its seismic success, we got 2011’s The Hangover Part II, and 2013’s, The Hangover Part III. In Part II, we actually had our continuation in Thailand, with Stu getting married this time around, and Part III sees the Wolfpack coming back together again, but this time, to help out Alan. 

A lot of people will tell you that the films got less and less funny with each subsequent movie, and I agree. Part II feels like a retread of the original, and Part III is actually even less funny than II, and a lot more action-y. 

That said, the cast from the first movie is so strong that it’s actually interesting to follow Ken Jeong’s Leslie Chow, or Stu’s ex-wife Jade, played by Heather Graham, throughout these movies. And, the third film actually ties in quite well with the first, so they don’t just feel like separate stories, but rather, cohesive, which is definitely worth something. 

The Charlie’s Angels Trilogy 

I didn’t grow up with the TV show, Charlie’s Angels. In fact, just like with the Mission: Impossible movies, my introduction to Charlie’s Angels was actually through the films. So, like many people, I had no attachment to Jaclyn Smith, Farrah Fawcet, or Kate Jackson. Because my angels were Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, and Drew Barrymore from the 2000 movie. That film, directed by McG, was successful.    

So successful, that we got 2003’s Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, which, despite its title, didn’t feel as fun as the first movie. So, when 2019’s reboot, directed by Elizabeth Banks came along, nobody seemed all that interested. 

But, let me tell you. The 2019 Charlie’s Angels movie might be my favorite of the three, and it all comes down to the chemistry amongst its cast, which includes Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska. 

This movie was a lot more fun than the first two, and actually enhances them by being a part of, rather than completely ignoring, the previous movies and TV show. In that way, it makes it all feel like a universe, just like James Bond, which was awesome.  

The Darkman Trilogy 

1990’s Darkman is definitely one of Sam Raimi’s best movies, and it was certainly a precursor to what he would go to do with actual comic book flicks, like his Spider-Man movies (another good, but flawed trilogy), and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Also, it has Liam Neeson in it, and it’s one of his best movies as well.    

So, why in the hell would they make sequels if the original is as good as it is? Well, because believe it or not, the original did much better on VHS than it did in theaters, so it got two direct-to-video sequels in 1995’s Darkman II: The Return of Durant, and 1996’s Darkman III: Die Darkman Die.   

The first sequel, The Return of Durant, is actually the less interesting of the two. We get a new actor as Darkman in Arnold Vosloo, but since Darkman can mold his skin, it actually works out quite fine that there’s a different face underneath those bandages now. Larry Drake returns as the villain from the first movie, and it’s all pretty by-the-books action scenes. 

The third movie, though, actually feels more comic-booky, with a more out-there plot, and better action. Sure, it’s not as good as the first movie, but even half as good is good enough for me. 

The Unbreakable Trilogy  

I consider 2000’s Unbreakable to be M. Night Shyamalan’s best movie, and it works so well on its own. But, lo and behold, when we got that shocking reveal in 2016’s Split, I think I’m not alone when I said, “Well, I didn’t see THAT coming.” And then, we got 2019’s Glass, which tied them all together.   

Now, upon first viewing Glass, I hated it. I mean REALLY hated it. I thought the big twist devalued everything that made Unbreakable cool, as an organization that tracks down superheroes is just so comic-booky. 

But then, it hit me. In an era of comic book movies reigning supreme at the box office (at the time), Glass’ interesting take on what it means to be a superhero in a world that would most likely shun them, is a fascinating one to say the very least. 

So, while I don’t necessarily hate Glass anymore, I definitely appreciate it more for what it means in the wider scope of Shyamalan’s trilogy.  

The Honey, I Shrunk The Kids Trilogy 

I once posed the question of which was the best Honey, I Shrunk the Kids movie, and the 1989 original came out on top. But, that's not to discredit 1992's Honey, I Blew Up the Baby, and 1997's Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves.

In fact, going from small, to big, to small was an interesting choice for a trilogy, and the adults shrinking themselves rather than the kids in the third movie was a smart choice. In the end, I like them all. 

The French Connection Trilogy  

Lastly, I want to talk about a trilogy that most people might not even know exists, which is The French Connection. The 1971 movie won Best Picture, and didn’t really seem like it needed a follow-up, but it got one in 1975’s French Connection II, directed by John Frankenheimer this time rather than William Friedkin. 

The sequel actually finds Popeye Doyle in France this time, following Alain Charnier from the first movie, so it feels like a worthy sequel, and the action and police work is engaging enough. But, what I really want to talk about is the 1986 television film, Popeye Doyle, which sees a pre-Married…With Children Ed O’Neill in Gene Hackman’s role. 

The TV film brings it back to New York, and O’Neill is actually convincing in the part, as he takes on a new case involving terrorists and smugglers. It’s worth a watch, if you can find it!

So, those are just seven movie trilogies that are better than people may think. For more news on all things trilogy-related, be sure to swing by here often! 

While the prospect of The Hangover 4 seems to be hovering between slim and none, with Ed Helms previously pegging the chances as "between 0 and 0," Bradley Cooper recently shared his eagerness to reprise his role as well as rejoining the Hangover cast, whom he expressed great affection for. There may be a glimmer of hope for fans yearning for a reunion with the Wolf Pack. Helms, who initially downplayed the likelihood, shared his thoughts on Cooper's newfound enthusiasm, signaling a potential shift in the tides.

The comedian, who was walking the red carpet for the premiere of his holiday flick Family Switch (which is new on Netflix), caught up with ET Online. When asked about Bradley Cooper's recent comments on the potential for another Hangover installment, he responded with an infectious enthusiasm that mirrored his co-star's sentiments. The star said: 

It seems the camaraderie and chemistry among the Wolf Pack and crew members is still alive and well, making the prospects of a reunion even more appealing. There is a caveat to point out here, though But Helms reiterated reiterated something that his co-star said while sharing his thoughts on a fourth film. And this is a major factor to consider:

In recent years, Todd Phillips has seemingly shifted his focus towards more prestigious, art-house projects. With Phillips busy helming the upcoming DC movie Joker: Folie à Deux, a sequel to his Academy Award-winning film Joker, the logistics of a potential Hangover 4 are challenging, even if Phillips would be interested. While not entirely impossible, navigating these complexities in Hollywood, where unexpected developments are not uncommon, adds an intriguing layer to the speculation surrounding the possibility of a fourth installment.

A sequel to the comedic trilogy might have to wait but, as for Todd Phillip’s highly anticipated Joker 2, details about the specific plot are tightly guarded. However, what we can expect from the sequel is that it promises to distinguish itself from its predecessor in two significant ways. Firstly, Lady Gaga takes on the role of Harleen Quinzel, the Arkham psychiatrist entangled in a tumultuous romance with the eponymous villain, ultimately transforming into Harley Quinn, his criminal partner. The movie is set to break new ground as a musical, contributing to the sequel’s notably larger budget than the original. Alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the Folie à Deux cast includes Zazie Beetz, reprising her role as Sophie Dumond, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey.  So Phillips definitely has his hands full.

Aside from that, if another cinematic outing for the “three best friends that anyone could have” isn’t in the cards, perhaps the filmmaker could find a place for Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis in his next project. Suppose it happens to be another upcoming superhero movie. In that case, I think the triad of actors could make for a very entertaining addition to the DC cinematic pantheon as the obscure supervillain group Terrible Trio. I'd buy that for a dollar! But still, let's hope another Hangover installment proves to be the case.

For now, catch up with Ed Helms alongside Jennifer Garner in his Christmas comedy Family Switch, now streaming with a Netflix subscription. Meanwhile, Hulu subscribers can stream the three Hangover films.

Before Bradley Cooper became an actor and filmmaker best known for dramas like A Star is Born and his project on the 2023 movie schedule Maestro, he made a name for himself through comedy. By way of supporting roles in projects like Wedding Crashers and Failure to Launch, the actor proved he had solid comedic instincts, and then we all learned he was a pro at bringing the funny when he led The Hangover cast in 2009. Now, as he prepares to release his new drama, the Oscar-nominated performer opened up about the possibility of returning to the comedic franchise for a fourth time, and I desperately need it to happen. 

What Bradley Cooper Said About The Hangover 4

While the odds of The Hangover 4 happening are realistically slim to none (Ed Helms said the chances were “between 0 and 0”), Bradley Cooper has made it very clear that he’d be down to return to the franchise. As he spoke about Maestro on The New Yorker’s Radio Hour, he commented on his love for The Hangover cast as well, and he said they’re the reason he’d return to play Phil for a fourth time:

I’m positive a lot of us would also love to see him return as the cocky member of the legendary friend group. However, Cooper also noted that adding another film to this franchise is highly unlikely. He said:

I get it, I really do. All these guys are very busy, including the aforementioned director Todd Phillips who is currently working on Joker: Folie à Deux. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible though. Crazier things have happened. While we may not get another Hangover movie, that doesn't diminish the fact that I desperately want one. 

Why I Desperately Need To See Bradley Cooper In Another Hangover Movie 

We’ve gotten hints of Bradley Cooper's comedic skills through projects like the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and his cameos in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and Licorice Pizza. However, he hasn’t led a straight-up comedy since The Hangover Part III, which came out ten years ago. So, I think we’re due for a Cooper comedy. Why not make it The Hangover 4?

Don’t get me wrong, I love his dramas. Based on what we know about Maestro and the critics' response to the Leonard Bernstein biopic, I know I’ll absolutely adore his latest flick too. However, when you have an actor who has incredible comedic skills, it’s hard to see them step away from the genre for so long.

Some of Cooper’s greatest roles have come through comedies, from the classic Las Vegas adventure we’ve been talking about in this story to the dramedy Silver Linings Playbook. He’s able to balance heart and humor so well, and he can play both the straight man and the over-the-top comedic character. Just watch The Hangover and Wedding Crashers back to back and you’ll see that range on full display. 

Basically, what I’m saying is, whether it’s The Hangover 4 or another silly movie, I need Bradley Cooper’s list of upcoming film to include a comedy! However, in a dream world, his next comedy would 100% be the fourth installment in Todd Phillips' hilarious Las Vegas-based franchise. Seeing this actor back in action with Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Justin Bartha would be an actual dream come true!

While we wait to see if The Hangover 4 ever comes to fruition and whether or not Bradley Cooper takes on a comedy in the near future, you can get excited for his latest movie, Maestro, which will be available for those with a Netflix subscription on December 20. 

If you're wondering what the best Ed Helms movies are, you aren't alone – thankfully, we have plenty of options for you right here. 

Ed Helms is an actor who has been around for some time. Starting his career in television with parts in shows like The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and a significant role in The Office cast, Ed Helms only continued to shine in comedy. And later on, in some drama as time continued. And now, several years later, Helms has been in plenty of movies that will undoubtedly make you laugh. 

From The Hangover movies to some dramas he appeared in later on, these are the best Ed Helms movies and how to watch them.

We’re The Millers (2013)

In We're the Millers, a pot dealer decides to convince his neighbors to pretend to be his family for him to smuggle drugs from Mexico back into the United States so he can make it big. 

Ed Helms wasn't a part of the leading family in We're the Millers – which consisted of Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts, and Will Poulter. Honestly, We're the Millers is one of Jason Sudeikis' best movies, too. 

But you want to know who Ed Helms did play? The supplier of said drug that Sudeikis' character was taking across the border into America. Helms played Brad Gurdlinger. Yes, that name is hilarious, and so was Helms' role. He is so funny, and his chemistry with Sudeikis is off the charts. 

Rent/Buy We're The Millers on Amazon.

The Hangover Franchise (2009 - 2013)

You can't get more iconic than The Hangover franchise for Ed Helms, considering it's one of the movies that blew him up as an actor. The films follow a group of friends who get into wacky adventures the day after bachelor parties when they can't remember what the heck happened the night before. 

All three movies are different in the stories they tell. Still, the main three stars of The Hangover cast – Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper, and Zach Galifianakis – always delivered hilarious moments that make me snicker to this day, more than ten years after the last film was released. 

I'm still waiting for a fourth film, but I doubt we'll ever get there, and you can watch Ed Helms in some of his prime comedic acting.

Rent/Buy The Hangover on Amazon.
Rent/Buy The Hangover Part II on Amazon.
Rent/Buy The Hangover Part III on Amazon.

Jeff, Who Lives At Home (2011)

Directed by Jay and Mark Duplass, Jeff, Who Lives at Home stars Jason Segel and Ed Helms and tells the story of a man who is sent off to run an errand for his mother, and this one moment changes his life when he ends up spending the day with his brother. 

This movie has a small cast, which makes it much better than many other comedy dramas, instead of the enormous ensembles you might get for other films. But what makes Jeff, Who Lives at Home a great movie is the chemistry between Jason Segal and Ed Helms, who perfectly capture the relationship between brothers and find new ways to make me laugh each time. 

Stream Jeff, Who Lives at Home on MGM+.
Rent/Buy Jeff, Who Lives at Home on Amazon. 

Tag (2018)

Okay, I'll be honest and say that Tag is my favorite movie on this list because of the simple premise – the comedy film is just about a group of guy friends who have had a game of tag going on for decades. 

This film is so goofy, and I love it. Helms is great as Hogan Malloy, but when I tell you he shines with the other actors – Jon Hamm, Jake Johnson, and Jeremy Renner – I mean it. 

Tag is hilarious and heartwarming and will make you want to call your friends and go and play tag yourselves. I mean, there are even controversial tag scenes – and the movie is actually based on a real story. 

Rent/Buy Tag on Amazon.

The Lorax (2012)

The Lorax is based on the Dr. Suess' book of the same name and follows the story of a boy who visits the Once-ler to try and impress a girl with a "real tree" outside of their walled city. 

Okay, so on the surface level, The Lorax isn't the best Illumination film, but you can't deny it isn't a fun time. The reason this has to be on the best Ed Helms movies list is that Helms' character, The Once-ler, has become social media famous in more ways than one. If you're on Tumblr or TikTok, you know the real deal. 

But truthfully, he kills it in this voice role, and his song, "How Bad Can I Be?" is a banger. I stand by that. 

Stream The Lorax on Peacock.
Rent/Buy The Lorax on Amazon.

Chappaquiddick (2017) 

Chappaquiddick, also known as The Senator, is a political drama that is all about the real-life story of the Chappaquiddick Island, when Ted Kennedy's driving led to the death of the passenger in his car. 

Through most of the films on this list, Ed Helms has shown his comedy acting skills, but I like his role in Chappaquiddick. His role as Joe Gargan was a nice change of pace for the usually comedic actor, and he knocked it out of the park alongside co-stars. If anything, Chappaquiddick makes you want to see Helms in more dramatic roles. 

Stream Chappaquiddick on Starz.
Rent/Buy Chappaquiddick on Amazon.

Cedar Rapids (2011) 

Throwing it back to 2011, we have Cedar Rapids. Starring Ed Helms in the lead role, Cedar Rapids is all about a young man who is sent to an insurance convention in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the first time. While he's initially excited for the new opportunity, he is not prepared for what he faces there. 

Cedar Rapids is so funny, and for no reason other than Helms being a great lead character. I do love him in films where he gets to shine with his co-stars, but there's just something about him playing Tim Lippe that makes me smile every time I watch the movie. Not only that, but the scenes with him and John C. Reilly are gold. 

Rent/Buy Cedar Rapids on Amazon.

Together Together (2021)

Last, we have Together Together, a 2021 film directed by Nikole Beckwith. The film stars Ed Helms and Patti Harrison and tells the story of a young woman who decides to become a surrogate for a lonely man who wishes to start a family of his own – this one partnership changes their lives forever. 

This movie is at its heart a comedy, and has some hilarious moments that will make you snort out your drink. But aside from that, Together Together provides a great story about the relationship that forms from strangers into friends into possibly something more and the connections that build from the most random places. Pair that with an excellent Ed Helms performance, and it's a great addition to this list. 

Stream Together Together on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Together Together on Amazon.

With so many great movies, you'll have your hands full regarding the best Ed Helms movies. And while we wait for him to appear in any films in our upcoming 2024 movie premieres, we can rewatch these repeatedly – or maybe check out The Office again. 

If there is anything more irresistible in entertainment than romance, it has to be bromance. A bond between male friends almost as strong as a love between life partners is truly a beautiful thing, which is why it has been a staple in pop culture for decades. If you cannot take our word for it, just take a look at these essential, world-famous duos from movies and TV shows as proof.

Bert And Ernie (Sesame Street)

There are Sesame Street characters whom we love on their own, such as Big Bird and Elmo, and then are those we cannot separate from one another, particularly Bert and Ernie. Some have theorized that the roommates are really in a romantic relationship, but that could also just be a sign of just how strong their "bromantic" relationship is. 

Bill And Ted (Bill & Ted Movies)

The aspiring San Dimas-based musicians known as Wyld Stallyns — Ted “Theodore” Logan (Keanu Reeves) and Bill S Preston, Esq. (Alex Winter) — have a friendship defined by a philosophy to be excellent to each other and “party on, dude!” It is no wonder that the time-traveling pair from the Bill & Ted movies went on to make music that ensured a most non-heinous future.

Bing Crosby And Bob Hope (Road To… Movies)

Throughout and 1940s to the early 1960s, the multi-talented Bing Crosby and comedy legend Bob Hope were one of Hollywood’s most dynamic duos, appearing in several hilarious adventure movies together and as a different set of characters each time. The Road To… movies, as they came to be collectively known, would also star Dorothy Lamour to help add a little romance among the road trip comedies’ central bromance. 

Butch And Sundance (Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid)

While undisputed legends of cinema on their own, some would say that Paul Newman and Robert Redford were at their best when sharing the screen together. Case in point, their eponymous roles as a pair of desperate outlaws on the run in early 1900s Wyoming from 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Chandler And Joey (Friends)

Some use their Max subscription to revisit Ross and Rachel’s bumpy relationship or Chandler and Monica’s aspirational romance, but I think the beloved sitcom’s most essential couple is Chandler and Joey. With how seamlessly they maintain a close bond even after their tenure as roommates ends, could there be a better duo in the Friends cast than Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry’s characters?

Cory And Shawn (Boy Meets World)

The transition from adolescence all the way to adulthood is a profoundly challenging time that's hard to survive without help from friends — something the Boy Meets World cast demonstrated beautifully. This is especially true in the way Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong) relied on each other for support almost completely without fail, despite coming from entirely different walks of life.  

Crockett And Tubbs (Miami Vice)

In the ‘80s, there was no cop pairing on TV cooler than James “Sonny” Crockett (Don Johnson) and Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) on Miami Vice. The detectives’ unexpected collaboration in the pilot turned into a trusting partnership against drug trafficking and other crimes that lasted five years.

Drake And Josh (Drake & Josh)

The titular teens from this popular Nickelodeon sitcom are the only duo on our list of bromances who are actually brothers… legally, that is. If their respective mother and father had not married, Drake (Drake Bell) and Josh (Oppenheimer cast member Josh Peck) — who could not have been more different upon meeting — might not have become so inseparable.

George And Grover (Silver Streak)

In one of the best movies set on a train, 1976’s Silver Streak, book editor George Caldwell (Gene Wilder) finds himself forcibly marooned when he witnesses a murder that he is later accused of. His only hope to make it back on board to his new lover (Jill Clayburgh) is street smart thief Grover T. Muldoon (Richard Pryor) in the first of many beloved collaborations by the comedy legends.

Hank And Manny (Swiss Army Man)

Before Best Picture Oscar winner Everything Everywhere All At Once made them household names, filmmaking duo DANIELS made their feature-length debut with another great A24 movie about a friendship like no other. The title of 2016’s Swiss Army Man refers to the inexplicable arsenal of magical abilities that reanimated corpse Manny (Daniel Radcliffe) possesses, which helps Hank (Paul Dano) survive the wilderness in this hilarious, highly inventive fantasy adventure.

Harold And Kumar (Harold And Kumar Movies)

Whether they are desperate for some fast food, desperate to flee prison, or desperate to save Christmas, Harold Lee (John Cho) and Kumar Patel (Kal Penn) stick by each other through thick and thin. We would love to see another Harold and Kumar movie just to see more of the stoner buddies’ friendship continue to thrive.

Harry And Lloyd (Dumb And Dumber)

As Jeff Daniels recalled on Off Camera with Sam Jones, Jim Carrey had already been cast as Lloyd Christmas in the Farrelly Brothers' classic 1994 comedy, Dumb and Dumber, and had to fight to get and keep Daniels a Harry Dunne -- a role the studio wanted a real comedian for. Casting the actor -- primarily known for drama -- resulted in a beautiful onscreen bond that made these otherwise hopelessly infantile pals hard not to like.

Harry And Ron (Harry Potter Franchise)

The Harry Potter movies (and books that inspired them) have one of pop culture’s strongest trios in the titular wizard (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). However, the group’s core bromance may be even more iconic on its own in the astonishing loyalty Harry and Ron have toward one another and the way they bring out each other’s best qualities.

Holmes And Watson (Sherlock Holmes)

Out of the various onscreen iterations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law’s versions may be the most definitive. The Guy Ritchie movies depict the detective and his flatmate/assistant/biographer as almost more than friends with genuine affection for one another despite their constant bickering.

Jay And Silent Bob (Various)

The shared universe of Kevin Smith movies that include Clerks, Chasing Amy, and more is anchored by its two most important, most dynamic, and most hilarious characters: Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith). Usually stoned and rarely seen doing much of anything productive, the inseparable pair have still managed to make a lasting impression on pop culture even beyond the View Askewniverse without saying much, in Bob’s case at least.

J.D. And Turk (Scrubs)

One of the first times I ever heard the word “bromance” was by Zach Braff’s Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian to describe his relationship with his longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Christopher Turk (Donald Faison). Rarely have a pair of sitcom characters reflected the term so definitively and it helps that the Scrubs cast members have reunited on camera in recent years, as reflected in their T-Mobile ads lately.

Kenan And Kel (Kenan & Kel)

It was not until I recently rewatched Kenan & Kel that I realized these classic Nickelodeon characters (played by All That’s Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, who are reuniting for Good Burger 2) had such an aspirational relationship. Only friends who truly wholeheartedly care for one another would be able to put with up the insurmountable trouble they get each into on a regular basis.

Mike And Marcus (Bad Boys)

Detective Mike Lowery (Will Smith) is a well-to-do player, while his partner, Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence), is a committed family man. What makes the heroes of the Bad Boys movies (which have a fourth installment on the way) such a strong pair despite their different lifestyles is a shared commitment to fighting crime, even if it means breaking a few rules.

Mike And Trent (Swingers)

When struggling actor Mike (writer Jon Favreau) is dumped by his longtime girlfriend, his buddy, Trent (Vince Vaughn), goes out of his way to help him get back on his feet. It is this strong inclusion of supportive friendship as a central theme amid the raunchy comedy that makes director Doug Liman’s Swingers so “money.” 

Murtaugh And Riggs (Lethal Weapon)

While buddy cop action films had already existed before the Lethal Weapon movies did, director Richard Donner’s 1987 classic is easily the most quintessential example. If not for the brotherly bond between the otherwise unlikely pairing of widowed, sharp-shooting maverick Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and by-the-book veteran detective Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), the film might not have spawned a four-part franchise. 

Pedro And Man (Cheech & Chong's Up In Smoke)

The many stoner buddies on our list likely would have never existed if not for Cheech Marin and Thomas Chong — the legendary comedy duo collectively known as Cheech & Chong. In their most esteemed cinematic achievement (and one of the best ‘70s movies), 1978’s Up in Smoke, they star as the motor-mouth Pedro (Marin) and slower-witted “Man” (Chong), who become fast friends and, eventually, bandmates over their mutual admiration for greens.

Peter And Sydney (I Love You, Man)

When straight-laced real estate agent Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) gets engaged, he suddenly realizes that he has no male friends to ask to be his best man, but finds the perfect choice instantly in outspoken investor, Sydney Fife (Jason Segel). I Love You Man was Rudd’s third collaboration with Segel and it certainly shows in how seamlessly their chemistry meshes in this instant classic “bromantic comedy.”

Schmidt And Jenko (21 Jump Street)

While they were enemies in high school, when Morton Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Greg Jenko (Channing Tatum) reunite at the police academy, they become brothers. Their new kinship certainly comes in handy when they soon have to go undercover as teenage siblings when leading the cinematic 21 Jump Street cast in 2012.

Shaun And Ed (Shaun Of The Dead)

Real life best friends and flatmates Simon Pegg and Nick Frost made their film debuts together playing best friends and flatmates in the classic horror-comedy movie, 2004’s Shaun of the Dead. Said friendship between our title hero (Pegg) and the aimless Ed (Frost), is not without its dysfunctions, but strong enough to survive a zombie apocalypse, even when one succumbs to a bite.

Shawn And Gus (Psych)

Charming con artist Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) has been best friends with the nervous Burton “Gus” Guster (Dulé Hill) since they were children, as seen in nearly every cold open from the long-running USA dramedy, Psych. That likely explains why, despite Gus’ reluctance, he becomes Shawn’s business partner after convincing the Santa Barbara police that he is psychic.

SpongeBob And Patrick (SpongeBob Squarepants)

With the exception of Squidward, anyone would be lucky to have a friend like SpongeBob Squarepants (voiced by Tom Kenny) — case in point, his life-long pal and neighbor, Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke). The square, yellow fry cook does not just accept the dim-witted starfish for who he is, but is almost oblivious to anything beyond his positive character traits, which is something I think everyone hopes to find in a friend.

Steve And Bucky (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Before he received the chance to become Captain America, the only person who ever believed in Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) potential as a hero was his good friend, James Buchanon “Bucky” Barnes. After Bucky was discovered decades later to be a brainwashed assassin, Steve returned the favor by fighting for his protection, even if that meant antagonizing his fellow Avengers in one of the best Marvel movies, Captain America: Civil War.

Troy And Abed (Community)

It is not very common for a college student (even a community college student) to find a friend who brings out your inner child, but Troy Barnes (Donald Glover) and Abed Nadir (Danny Pudi) are a clear and most heartwarming exception. From participating in intense “Floor Is Lava” challenges, to hosting their own imaginary talk show, and more of their iconic Community moments, this duo defined the kind of friendship you hope to find once you reach adulthood and, together, were the heart and soul of Greendale.

Ted, Marshall, And Barney (How I Met Your Mother)

There are not very many trios in this list, but there was no way we were going to exclude all three of the inseparable boys from the How I Met Your Mother cast. While Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) has a longer history with Marshal Eriksen (Jason Segel) and Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) had his selfish tendencies, you could argue that he really did help teach his bros “how to live,” even if they were reluctant to take his advice most of the time.

Phil, Stu, Alan, And Doug (The Hangover)

Even though they are partially to blame for Doug Billings’ (Justin Bartha) disappearance during his bachelor party, Alan’s claim that he, Phil Wenneck (Bradley Cooper), and Stu Price (Ed Helms) are the “three best friends that anyone could have” is not so incorrect, considering the trouble they endure for his benefit in The Hangover. Though we see most of the main trio in this blockbuster comedy, it would be wrong to not count Doug as part of The Wolfpack.

Bromance is in the air and here to stay!

There’s no single CinemaBlend opinion on anything. Through countless arguments over the years, I’ve learned we’re not even on the same page about how to define the word best, from our choices for the top 100 '90s movies to our picks for the best horror movies of all time. What makes a movie the best is impossible to nail down from one person to the next, though it's perhaps easier to consider when thinking about a decade of movies that came and went and can't be added to anymore. But for the most part, it's all about what you like.

It’s because of those clashing perspectives that this Best Movies Of The 2000s list is unlike any list that a single person from our team could have crafted, taking into account both Oscar-worthiness and popcorn-friendliness. The list accounts for movies that have aired 5,000 times on cable, and movies that have been shared lovingly from generation to generation. It’s a retro-hodgepodge of what we loved then and then, from Adam Sandler's raunch to Daniel Day Lewis' aplomb.

This list is CinemaBlend’s collective celebration of the 2000s, in all its neon-hued glory, and we hope everyone will find plenty to love, though a few disagreements and good-natured debate never hurt anyone. Let the arguments begin…

100. Avatar (2009)

While it's the last on this list, there's no denying Avatar's impact on the film industry back in 2009. The movie is a sci-fi masterpiece that features incredible visuals, mainly following the tale of Jake Sully, a human who finds love and acceptance within the world of the Na'vi, the native people of Pandora.

The film takes the audience on a wild ride for two and a half hours. While the story of saving a planet from foreign invaders could be more groundbreaking, the unique visual effects that fans get to see are. And now, with a successful sequel out more than ten years later, it's the perfect chance to revisit the original.

99. Erin Brockovich (2000)

Julia Roberts had established herself as one of the most beloved actors in the world in the 1990s, and as calendars flipped over to the year 2000, she didn’t waste any time starring in yet another critically acclaimed box office hit. Hitting theaters in March 2000, Erin Brockovich tells the story of the titular lawyer who started a landmark case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company for groundwater contamination, and it’s a stellar work that further cemented the clear talents of director Steven Soderbergh. It’s thrilling and dramatic, but also funny and fun – in large part due to Roberts’ charm and charisma.

98. The Hangover (2009)

The Hangover is part travelogue and part comedic shitshow. It races its characters through what feels like an entire TV season’s worth of odd locations and ridiculous scenarios, somehow finding time for hospital visits, naked gangsters, weddings, Blackjack heaters, stolen tigers, missing babies and stun gun demonstrations. It sounds like way too much plot for an hour and forty minute movie, but the key to a good comedy isn’t the situations the characters find themselves in, it’s the rapport and natural chemistry between the actors/characters going through those situations. And Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms are fantastic together. Their clashing vibes, energy levels and comedic sensibilities somehow blend into a perfect cocktail, and with Oscar-nominated director Todd Phillips stirring the drink, The Hangover is able to turn its B-movie premise into one of the funniest comedies of the 2000s.

97. Cloverfield (2008)

The first decade of the Aughts saw one word playing into many of its most cherished cinematic successes: reinvention. For director Matt Reeves’ Cloverfield, two different types of genre favorites were mashed together to create a wildly new, very mysterious product: monster movies like Godzilla and found footage pictures such as The Blair Witch Project. 

Amping up the scale of what a handheld camera could cover, Cloverfield’s ingenious marketing campaign kept audiences guessing about what its true intentions were. In the wake of a mysterious/title-free teaser, it was anyone’s guess what writer Drew Goddard’s movie was about. To live up to the hype after stoking such anticipation for an unknown quantity only cemented Cloverfield as a certified success. In a market where it felt like the trailers gave everything away, a major studio movie broke with the norm, all in the name of a monstrous triumph. 

96. National Treasure (2004)

The race to steal the Declaration of Independence was on in 2004 as Nicolas Cage and his team of treasure hunters went on a high stakes mission to find the greatest treasure. This story sweeps across American history, and is held together by Cage’s protagonist and his drive to find this great prize, and protect the Declaration of Independence by stealing it, of course.

This Disney staple is a family classic, and an action adventure bound to entertain just about anyone. It was such a success that a sequel soon followed, and maybe, someday, National Treasure 3 will happen. However, let us not forget the majesty that is the original National Treasure. 

95. The Notebook (2004)

There’s a reason that when one thinks of the genre “romance” The Notebook instantly comes to mind. The 2004 Nicholas Sparks adaptation is nothing short of a timeless classic that gracefully dances between being a forbidden and second-chance love story. It’s the movie that made Ryan Gosling a Hollywood hunk matched by a passionate yet grounding performance by Rachel McAdams. Together they are a firecracker of chemistry who left a generation longing to kiss in the rain. Cliché and mushy as The Notebook can be, when the music swells on the final scene, it never ceases to remind us why it’s one of the most endearing and cathartic love affairs we’ve ever seen. 

94. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

Though it's been nearly two decades since its release, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy still stands as one of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s greatest collaborations. The 70s-set movie marked McKay’s directorial debut and, with it, he masterfully injects humor and social commentary into a satirical workplace comedy set within the world of broadcast news. His screenplay is funny and occasionally, downright hilarious, but the cast truly makes the movie shine. Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carrell and more are just flawless. And of course, it’s Ferrell’s portrayal of the titular character that really puts it over the top.

93. Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Anyone angling for a great sports drama that not only delivers sheer emotion but also captures the spirit of the pastime it’s tackling should check out Million Dollar Baby. Director Clint Eastwood’s Best Picture-winning film tells the story of an aspiring boxer (played by Hilary Swank), who teams up with a veteran trainer (Eastwood) in the hopes of achieving in-ring glory. The result is an emotionally affecting – and sometimes brutal – story about resilience and parental bonds. This boxing flick won Swank, Eastwood and co-star Morgan Freeman all Oscars and, when you see the movie, you’ll understand why.

92. Saw (2004)

2004's Saw revitalized the horror genre years ago, thanks to James Wan and Leigh Whannell, with its shocking twists and equally astonishing violence. But while the movie did include some truly grotesque “games” for Jigsaw’s victims, this was more than the mere “torture porn” that plagued the aughts. There was intention behind Jigsaw’s pain — making people think about the lives they’d led before forcing them to, “Live or die, make your choice.” 

The audience was along for the ride, trying to figure out why Adam (Whannell) and Dr. Gordon (Cary Elwes) were chained up in a bathroom and how they could escape before it was too late. Thanks to some brilliant misdirection, the ensuing plot twist was truly gasp-inducing. These days you might not be able to get away with that ending, but don’t say you saw it coming back in 2004.

91. Super Troopers (2001)

Super Troopers From a plotting and acting perspective, Super Troopers isn’t exactly The Departed. Its basic premise, and even many of its specific scenes, are just nimbly bimbly excuses for the cast to make raunchy jokes about the natural absurdities of being a cop. That works, though, because the movie understands what we want as an audience: non-stop jokes and shenanigans about liters of cola, littering and smokin’ the reefer. From cat game to syrup fights to biker confusion, Super Troopers has its own vibe and unique sense of humor. It’s just out there, doing its own thing, and that’s why, more than two decades later, fans are still pulling over to watch it… even if they’re already pulled over and they can’t pull over any further.

90. War of the Worlds (2005)

Steven Spielberg wouldn’t be the first to adapt H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds novel for the screen, nor would he be the last. But his modern-day take on the 19th Century sci-fi novel certainly made an impression. From the main characters — led by Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier, father to Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin) — to the various settings, to the unnerving sight (and sound) of the tripods emerging from below the ground to decimate or capture any humans in their path, War of the Worlds made its mark as an epic sci-fi action movie about survival and the choices a struggling parent has to make to protect his children from a worst-case-scenario. In true Spielberg fashion, the movie is thrilling and occasionally chilling, but also offers that added layer of a family element to keep us invested from beginning to end. 

89. Sin City (2005)

Most comic book adaptations aim to reimagine the characters and events of the source material in a way that more closely resembles reality. However, when director Robert Rodriguez teamed up with famed author and illustrator Frank Miller (acting as co-director) to bring his graphic novel series, Sin City, to the big screen, they did more than just adapt it. They brought it to life.

This anthology-style collection of three interconnected stories — all of which take place in the same hopelessly down-trodden, crime-ridden metropolis — is a masterclass in noirish storytelling (the razor sharp dialogue is straight out of a Raymond Chandler classic), astonishingly unique visual design (every beautifully grayscale frame resembles a comic book panel), and flawless acting from the entire Sin City cast, including Bruce Willis, Rosario Dawson, Mickey Rourke, and so many more amazing A-listers. When it comes to non-superhero-related comic book movies, this might be the best of them all.

88. Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Anticipation for the feature adaptation of Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary — itself a reinterpretation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice — was high, to say the least, for those of us who adored the book, when it finally made its way into theaters in 2001. Renee Zellweger’s mix of charm, determination for romance and occasional awkwardness alone are reason enough to love the adaptation. Then factor in the excellent chemistry she shares with both love interests — Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver and Colin Firth as Mark Darcy — not to mention the fantastic supporting cast, well-timed bits of hilarity and genuinely heartfelt moments of romance and what’s not to love about Bridget Jones’s Diary? 

87. Taken (2008)

Taken isn’t the most emotionally complicated or the most realistic movie, but it has a really good sense of its own strengths and leverages that particular set of skills perfectly. Liam Neeson might not be the prototypical action star, but he’s an Oscar-nominated actor uniquely good at portraying single-mindedness and determination. Taken is able to harness the badass fatherly intensity of a desperate man searching for his daughter and pair it with ruthless action sequences that rely more on craftiness than brute strength. The result is one of the best and most rewatchable action movies of the 2000s, a tight 90 minutes that’s so much fun it produced two sequels, a TV series and an unexpected late career resurgence for Neeson.  

86. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Before Will Smith earned his third Oscar nomination for King Richard, and after his nomination for Ali, he received his second Academy Award nod for The Pursuit of Happyness. Based on the real story of Chris Gardner, the movie follows Gardner's struggle to find a job to provide for his son during a year when they are homeless. 

The movie is inspiring for anyone, featuring an uplifting and memorable story. That, paired with an incredible performance from Will Smith and his son, Jaden Smith – who made his acting debut in the film – makes this the perfect movie to watch on any given day. 

85. The Bourne Identity (2002)

Before Daniel Craig came along and ushered in a new era for the James Bond movie franchise a few years later, Doug Liman’s The Bourne Identity welcomed audiences to the 21st century with this fresh, unique, and action-packed spy thriller. Matt Damon, who had already shown a great deal of depth in movies like Good Will Hunting and The Talented Mr. Ripley a few years earlier, became a bonafide action star with his portrayal of Jason Bourne, a trained killer with no recollection of his dark past.

There are few early 2000s action sequences as memorable as the movie’s iconic car chase through the streets of Paris. Audiences, used to seeing spies and assassins whipping around in souped-up sports cars were in for the ride of their lives with Bourne behind the wheel of a weathered Mini Cooper.

84. Love Actually (2003)

Love Actually has become annual holiday viewing for many since its premiere in 2004. Renowned rom-com filmmaker Richard Curtis struck gold with an A-list cast, as ten loosely connected plotlines each portray a different kind of love. Everybody’s sure to have their favorite stories within the movie, but they all strike an emotional chord, albeit in different ways. 

As these characters navigate the holidays, Love Actually tackles themes of grief, infidelity, unrequited love, workplace romance and more, while never losing its charm and eliciting tons of laughs. Throw in infinitely quotable dialogue (“Let’s get the shit kicked out of us by love!”), an infuriatingly hilarious cameo by Rowan Atkinson, and one absolutely iconic dance from Hugh Grant, and you’ve got yourself a classic.

83. (500) Days of Summer (2009)

In a decade greatly defined by bubblegum romantic comedies where audiences can take comfort in the same three act structure often ending in wedding bells, (500) Days Of Summer flipped the genre on its head. Romance and love can be a tricky, complicated thing that not only may be finite, but clouded by one’s fantasies, projections of potential and manic pixie dream girls. Marc Webb’s indie rom-com announces up front that it is “not a love story” and cleverly plays with structure as Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Tom falls for Zooey Deschanel’s Summer. Between its stunningly memorable soundtrack, creative use of mixed media against its gorgeous L.A. backdrop, (500) Days Of Summer is a dark horse of a romantic comedy that tackles the expectations vs. reality of love with a sharp wit. 

82. Knocked Up (2007)

Most romantic comedies try a lot harder at one of those two things. They’re either romantic movies with a few solid laughs sprinkled in or they’re clearly comedies that shoehorn a romance in there as an afterthought. Knocked Up works so well because it tries really hard at both. It succeeds a little more as a comedy, given it has Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Martin Starr, Craig Robinson, Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd, but it also takes a lot of time and care with its love story and has many thoughtful things to say about relationships and parenting. It never takes the easy way out or betrays itself for a cheap, inauthentic laugh, which lets the natural chemistry between Rogen and co-lead Katherine Heigl grow into a budding relationship you actually root for. 

81. Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

As proven decades ago by George A. Romero, slow zombies are quite scary – but in 2004, director Zack Snyder and screenwriter James Gunn teamed up to show us just how freaky fast zombies can be. Dawn Of The Dead is a movie that stays true to its source material, gathering a bunch of strangers in a shopping mall as the dead come back to life, but it has its own energy and no shortage of standout moments. The beginning is a terror, the ending is deeply unsettling (including the material in the end credits), but the baby is where this one hits its peak.

80. Remember the Titans (2000)

Remember the Titans will make you laugh, cry, cheer and feel a whole range of emotions as you go on a journey with newly integrated T.C. Williams football team to win the state championship. This incredible movie about bringing a football team together is led by Denzel Washington, and it’s not only regarded as one of his best movies, but it’s also widely known as one of the greatest sports films. 

Washington and Will Patton lead the stacked cast of Remember the Titans, which includes Wood Harris and Ryan Hurst as the team’s leaders. Along with them, the movie also features Donald Faison, Craig Kirkwood and Ethan Suplee as well as a very young Ryan Gosling and 10-year-old Hayden Panettiere, among many others. Overall, it’s an inspiring and moving movie about acceptance and determination. Let’s just say Remember the Titans always has us saying “We want some more!” 

79. Juno (2007)

While Elliot Page was an actor at a young age, Juno was the movie that made him into a household name. And for good measure, as Jason Reitman’s quirky 2007 flick delivers in both comedy and heartfelt, human moments. Page earned an Academy Award nomination at the time for his performance, which surely feels justified. 

2007's Juno centers around its title character, a teenage girl who accidentally gets pregnant. She decides to carry the baby to term, arranging an adoption with a married couple (played by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman). After being filled with plenty of funny moments (and a killer soundtrack) the ending provides an emotional catharsis that puts Juno above many movies around its time.

78. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

It’s no wonder that Disney has been trying for 20 years to recapture the lightning in a bottle that was Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Inspired by a theme park attraction, but blazing its own trail, Pirates created one of modern cinema’s most iconic characters in Captain Jack Sparrow. But the rest of the cast, including Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and a scene-stealing Geoffrey Rush, is no less compelling. From sword fights to ship battles, Black Pearl’s action is near perfect, with the Johnny Depp vs. Orlando Bloom duel a textbook example of how to tell a story with an action scene. It set a bar so high that even its own sequels were never going to clear it.

77. Ray (2004)

Cinema lovers have been graced with plenty of great biopics over the decades, and Ray certainly stands as one of the best. Directed by Taylor Hackford, the movie chronicles the life and career of the great Ray Charles. James L. White’s screenplay effectively tells Charles’ story, chronicling his professional and personal highs and lows in the process. And of course, the production is (appropriately) infused with incredible music. There are plenty of great performances on display, but it’s Jamie Foxx’s uncanny – and Oscar-winning – turn as the titular musician that really makes this period drama worth a watch or two.

76. Unbreakable (2000)

M. Night Shyamalan had an unenviable task in 2000 – following up his overnight sensation, The Sixth Sense. Was that movie a flash in the pan? Or would Shyamalan live up to the billing he was receiving in the press as, “The next Spielberg?” Remarkably, Shyamalan came up with a deeper, more meaningful film that also started the bandwagon for superhero-movie fascination, only with a meditative origin story for a strong man (Bruce Willis) who doesn’t recognize his invulnerability. Pulp Fiction co-star Samuel L. Jackson tapped into his fiendish side to play Willis’s nemesis, a man plagued with brittle bones who assumed that his opposite had to exist in the world. But it was Night’s ability to generate an intense mood that boosted Unbreakable. We rode a wave of increasingly suspenseful tension until the moment Willis donned his raincoat and embraced his destiny. Unbreakable started a trilogy, but also guaranteed that Shyamalan was here to stay as one of our most original and effective storytellers. 

75. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall occasionally gets overlooked as being just another rom-com from the aughts – specifically the rom-com featuring the oddball pairing of Mila Kunis and Jason Segel, but I can’t imagine that anyone who’s lumping this movie into just another group of rom-coms has seen it recently because it is profoundly and consistently weird. 

Segel’s TV composer main character dreams of creating a Dracula musical featuring puppets called A Taste For Love. He also wants to get over his titular ex-girlfriend - hilariously played by Kristen Bell, who somehow ends up in the hotel room next to him having loud sex with her new rock star boyfriend. That messy journey of acceptance and moving on, amidst all its weirdness or maybe because of all its weirdness, never feels like a cliche. It’s consistently funny and has so many thoughtful things to say about relationships, break-ups and finding yourself. Don’t write it off.

74. School of Rock (2003)

Jack Black was many things in 2003, though many wouldn’t have considered his comedic stylings family-friendly until School Of Rock. Black’s musical abilities from his band Tenacious D paired with the wholesome story of teaching some kids how to rock, was fun for everyone and really skyrocketed him further into the mainstream and into more roles for younger audiences like Kung Fu Panda and Nacho Libre. Sure, he’d still do raunchier stuff like Tropic Thunder, but this movie was imperative to show the range he had as an actor. 

Let’s also not forget this movie boasted other celebrities who are notable talents in 2023, like Miranda Cosgrove and The White Lotus showrunner Mike White. Oh, and the music is still as great as it was then, even decades later. There’s a strong message here about the importance of teaching children about music and helping them follow their passion, and it’s that message that will keep this movie relevant for decades to come. 

73. Up (2009)

Pixar Animation Studios, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, has always been known for its films that have reached a broad audience, starting with their debut full-feature film, Toy Story. However, in 2009, the studio released Up, the first Pixar film to receive a nomination for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Up is mainly about Carl, an older man living a lonely life, and to fulfill his promise to his late wife, he travels across the world in a floating house to South America – with the help of a local wilderness explorer who tags along for the ride. 

A lot can be said about Up, from its stunning animation to the beautiful soundtrack, but nothing beats the story. It's a tale of a found family and of finding love and compassion in places you would never expect. And you must always remember – the wilderness must be explored!

72. District 9 (2009)

Coming in at 72 on the list might just be an indicator of how underrated District 9 is, considering it’s one of the best science fiction movies of the 2000s. Neill Blomkamp’s feature walks the line between messaging about the various mistreatment marginalized groups are subjected to, to how humanity would respond if aliens were really discovered to be on Earth. Given recent reports at government hearings, it isn’t all that unbelievable that it wouldn’t take long for humanity to get back to normal after finding a bunch of alien refugees on Earth. 

Perhaps the best compliment to pay District 9 is that it’s a phenomenal standalone sci-fi movie with no sequels or prequels. This could be why it’s typically lower on the sci-fi lists as there may be a community of people that simply forgot about it as the years went on. Now is the time to revive the credit it deserves and maybe bump it up a few notches on future top lists. 

71. Shrek (2001)

Think of every DreamWorks Animation movie you can think of – I bet Shrek is one of the first that pops into your head. 

Shrek was a momentous occasion for DreamWorks Animation when it was released. It was a huge box office success, received rave reviews, and was even the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature winner. The movie mainly follows Shrek, an ogre whose swamp is suddenly overrun with fairytale creatures, and to get them out, he must save Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a dragon on a mountain of lava and bring her to Lord Farquad. 

The DreamWorks Animation film created an empire of Shrek success. With numerous sequels and spinoff movies, Shrek is one of the most successful animated franchises ever. The first film featured some great CGI animation for 2001 but also had the hilarity of adult jokes that parents would get while their kids enjoyed the fantasy, animation, and love story. Besides, who wouldn't love listening to Eddie Murphy crack jokes as Donkey for an hour and a half? 

70. Mulholland Drive (2001)

There are two sides to David Lynch: the fairly normal filmmaker who wants to tell a linear story in a somewhat straightforward manner (examples include The Elephant Man and The Straight Story), and the absolute bonkers off-the-wall batshit fever dream of an avante-garde video artist (examples include Eraserhead and Inland Empire). What makes Mulholland Drive such a beautiful film, is that it’s the perfect balance of these two sides of the iconic writer/director. In fact, without spoiling anything, the film even has a pivotal moment where it completely changes tonally, effectively showing these two distinct sides of Lynch. Perhaps more importantly, this tonal switch is expertly pulled off by the film’s star Naomi Watts, who, between this and 2001’s 21 Grams, was at a point in her career where she was showing off her chops with an authenticity that was hard not to notice. Mulholland Drive will show you the full range of skill you need to see from both Watts, and the legendary auteur that is David Lynch. 

69. Watchmen (2009)

“Unadaptable” is a word that’s been used when approaching the most ambitious literary adaptations. Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ landmark graphic novel Watchmen was one such project, earning that brand after decades of potential adaptations failed to tackle the ambitious superhero narrative properly. 

Even in light of multiple cuts, and the ending being substantially altered from what was depicted in the 1985 source material, Watchmen is a miracle to behold. Somehow, the complicated narrative told through various mediums in that graphic novel was streamlined into a product that didn’t water down the full story. 

Only Zack Snyder’s third directorial effort, Watchmen is a powerful statement of the man’s developing skills in that point of his career. Arriving in the wake of Iron Man and The Dark Knight, it proved comic adaptations could be more than market-driving crowd pleasers. In the case of Watchmen, such movies could also be masterpieces.

68. Sideways (2004)

How the hell did Sideways, a dialogue-driven dramedy about a schoolteacher who loves wine, become such a mainstream pop-culture phenomenon? Try going wine-tasting without hearing a joke about drinking from the spit bucket, or somebody saying, “I am not drinking any fucking merlot!”

Sideways’ writer and director, Alexander Payne, has always told stories that are rather grounded in reality. Aside from Downsizing where he literally shrank Matt Damon, these are movies about common issues that most folks can relate to. The Descendants is about grief, About Schmidt is about aging, and Sideways is about letting go. With the script came Payne’s first Academy Award, a life-changing role for Paul Giamatti, and one of the best films of that decade. The bleak nature of the ending with just a dash of hope is a testament to real-life, and relatable for the average person. That is how a movie about a failed middle-aged writer with a drinking problem managed to cement its place in film history. 

67. Lost In Translation (2003)

Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is an American actor past his prime. Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is a young, married, recent college graduate. Both are in Tokyo — Bob to shoot promos for a Japanese whiskey and Charlotte to follow her photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi) on his latest assignment — and overcome with feelings of loneliness and disillusionment until a chance meeting at their hotel bar gives the unlikely duo a sense of fulfillment when they both need it most.

Lost in Translation is one of the first films produced by Focus Features and is still considered to be one of the production company’s best releases two decades later for the refreshingly unique — albeit, unlikely — love story that still manages to warm hearts from its unforgettable opening shot to its cryptic, much-debated final moment. The charming, invigoratingly honest dramedy also managed to be a major turning point for Murray (who earned his sole Academy Award nomination), Johansson (a breakthrough performance), and second-time writer and director Sophia Coppola, who earned a well-deserved Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

66. The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

In the mid-2000s, big screen comedy underwent a titanic shift. Through the late ‘90s and the turn of the century, the genre was dominated by the so-called Frat Pack (Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson)… but then along came The 40-Year-Old Virgin, the directorial debut from Judd Apatow. The film is hilarious and sweet, with a collection of wonderful characters exploring the high highs and low lows of sexuality and romance in the 21st century – and while not everything about it has aged perfectly, it does a tremendous job at leaning into the talents of its stars. And it’s a game-changer.

While it’s Steve Carell’s movie, a huge part of its legacy is featuring the breakout performance by Seth Rogen. In the wake of The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Rogen and Apatow became the biggest names in funny, with not just their own comedic voices becoming popular, but also their improvisation-heavy styles.

65. Hot Fuzz (2007)

Hot Fuzz is the kind of action movie where every second feels crafted by a team of action movie fans, as opposed to a cast and crew just going through the motions. Co-written by the A+ pair Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, starring Pegg opposite frequent co-star Nick Front, Hot Fuzz is mostly set far from metropolitan skylines and endless high-rises, and its quaint Wicker Man-esque village makes for a wildly unique setting for any story filled with this many Point Break references.

As the second film in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, Hot Fuzz built on Shaun of the Dead's already stellar cast with a host of UK legends such as Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Bill Nighy, Edward Woodward, Billie Whitelaw, Olivia Colman, Bill Bailey, and the list goes on and on. (When you have Cate Blanchett making uncredited appearances, you're doing something right.) Unlike the other two Cornetto films, though, Hot Fuzz probably deserves another straightforward sequel set in this universe, with a new killer crime for Nicholas Angel and Danny Butterman to get crackin’ on.

64. Walk The Line (2005)

Music biopics might feel like they’re a dime a dozen, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t gems to behold in the genre, and one of those is absolutely James Mangold’s Academy Award-winning drama, Walk the Line. In it, Joaquin Phoenix portrays country music legend Johnny Cash through his tumultuous rise to fame, which includes his relationship with eventual wife, June Carter (Reese Witherspoon).

Sure, on one hand, we’ve seen music’s superstars descend into alcoholism and drug addiction on the big screen time and time again, but it’s how all the pieces of Cash and Carter’s story are put together that make the film a must watch. As such, the performances of the leads are everything here, and seeing June attempt to staunch her feelings for her married co-performer, while also trying to knock some sense into him as she watches his addictions grow and Johnny become more erratic, are some of the best parts of the movie. Witherspoon didn’t win a Best Actress Oscar for nothing, and Phoenix is at his peak here, as well.

63. Lilo & Stitch (2002)

With Walt Disney Animation fresh out of its renaissance after the ‘90s, the 2000s were a particularly experimental period for the studio which, looking back, found inspiration from numerous science fiction classics. The best 2D animated movie from the House of Mouse of the decade is a lively spin on E.T., but this mysterious alien is an intergalactic fugitive with a bad temper who falls to the Hawaiian Islands, becomes best friends with a young orphaned girl who teaches him the gospel of Elvis Presley. 

Not only is Lilo & Stitch an incredibly quotable, fun, family adventure, it’s one of Disney’s most authentic and original films that speaks to finding one’s ohana in unexpected places amidst great loss. Few Walt Disney Animation movies have felt as simultaneously intimate and commercial as Lilo & Stitch. Experiment 626 remains a gem that made Disney’s growing pains of the 2000s worth the while. 

62. Monsters, INC (2001)

Before Up, The Incredibles and even Finding Nemo, there was Monsters, Inc. Pixar’s decision to make its fourth feature a story about a company that generates scream-based power in a world inhabited by ferocious creatures may have seemed odd at the time. However, it ultimately turned out to be an inspired (and very) lucrative decision. Set in the world of Monstropolis, the film centers on two pals – both employees of the titular corporation – who must return a human child to her world in order to keep her out of harm’s way. And the result is a hilarious and heartwarming romp about loyalty and tolerance.

Pete Docter – who’d go on to direct Up, Inside Out and more – really proved himself as a filmmaker with this directorial debut. The flick is beautifully animated and populated with plenty of lovable characters. Speaking of which, John Goodman’s James P. “Sully” Sullivan and Billy Crystal’s Mike Wasowski still stand as two of Pixar’s most popular creations. The interactions between the two sometimes mirror the interplay of some of cinema’s best comedic duos. Monsters, Inc. would spawn a sequel and TV spinoff, but it’s the 2001 movie that’s truly an eclectic piece of storytelling.

61. The Hurt Locker (2008)

Best Picture award, but the voters got it right when it came to the prize handed out at the end of the 21st century’s first decade. Director Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker is a heart-stopper that tears down the wall between film and audience: when Jeremy Renner’s Staff Sergeant William James is suited up and defusing bombs, you hold your breath in fear, terrified to feel the heat of the fiery explosion that will result with one false move by the protagonist.

Screenwriter Mark Boal’s work puts us directly in James’ mind – a soldier who is incapable of leaving the battlefield behind – and Jeremy Renner’s turn is a career best. In retrospect, it’s wholly understandable why Renner’s performance changed the trajectory of his career and turned him into the Marvel-bona fide star that he is today.

60. Moulin Rouge (2001)

On paper, Moulin Rouge is a movie that just should not exist. The premise alone, a modern jukebox musical set in 1890s Paris, creates a level of cognitive dissonance on its own that suspension of disbelief should be impossible. It’s the sort of thing that only a director like Baz Luhrmann would even try, but somehow, he not only makes it happen, he makes it work.

Everything about Moulin Rouge goes hard. The performances, the songs, the sets. It creates its unreality so perfectly that it’s near-impossible to avoid being swept up by it and brought along for the ride. And the absinthe-infused magic is so far removed from reality that even 20 years later Moulin Rouge feels just as fresh. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor are perfect as the star-crossed lovers. We know how the story will end before it begins, but it doesn’t make any of it less heartbreaking. Luhrmann’s films can sometimes focus on style over substance, but there’s no lack of substance here. 

59. Elf (2003)

Elf is probably the most recent Christmas movie that became an instant classic. Jon Favreau crafted a delightful and bonkers story for the 2003 movie, with Will Ferrell offering one of his most iconic performances of all time. And it’s a movie that’s re-watched annually by countless families every Holiday Season… or other times in the year when you need a good laugh.

Elf’s concept is both ridiculous and simple; Buddy is a human raised by elves who eventually goes to New York City to find his birth father (played by Godfather icon James Caan). The juxtaposition between Buddy’s eternal optimism and the hard streets of the Big Apple is fodder for countless funny bits throughout its runtime. There’s also a touching story about family and the holiday spirit that makes Elf a true beloved Christmas movie. Plus, it’s got a pre-Game of Thrones appearance by Peter Dinklage. And of course, Santa (I know him!).

58. Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)

In the 1950s, few people were as outspoken about the threat of Communism than Wisconsin senator Joseph McCarthy, whose blacklisting of anyone he deemed suspicious was so notoriously frequent that “McCarthyism” — a term associated with fear mongering — was coined after him. One of the few people brave enough to take a stand against him was CBS reporter Edward R. Murrow, whose defiance of the politician and the Red Scare nearly cost him his career, but also made him into one of the most influential icons of his craft.

This monumental moment in journalism history is dramatized with nearly the same level of passion for truth and justice in Good Night, and Good Luck. — named after the famous concluding catchphrase of Murrow, portrayed here in an Academy Award-nominated performance by David Strathairn. George Clooney, who also plays Murrow’s producer, Fred Friendly, earned his first Oscar nominations as a director and co-writer for this riveting history lesson, made even better with Robert Elswit’s gorgeous cinematography and exquisite acting from the star-studded ensemble, which also includes Jeff Daniels, Patricia Arquette, Robert Downey Jr., and Frank Langella.

57. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Wes Anderson’s style is so distinct that it has become something of a joke in pop culture, frequently being parodied on shows like Saturday Night Live. When folks reference Wes Anderson, and the trademarks of a Wes Anderson film, they’re primarily lifting it from The Royal Tenenbaums. The point is, Tenenbaums is by far the most Wes Anderson-y film to ever Wes Anderson; absolutely jam-packed with quirkitude, a variety of eccentric characters and deadpan dialogue delivery. This is the quintessential hipster flick that helped to define a generation of indie millennial film buffs.

Aside from The Royal Tenenbaums’ effect on pop culture, it truly exists as a wonderful, honest, hilarious, and heartbreaking film. Over twenty years ago when the film was released, there wasn’t a lot like it in mainstream American cinema, with the somewhat privileged (yet painfully relatable) themes it explores being limited to conversations had by those gathering to watch Jean-Luc Godard in their NYU dorm rooms. With his first Oscar nomination, The Royal Tenenbaums introduced much of the world to Wes Anderson, and many still consider it to be his finest work to date. 

56. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Oftentimes sequels don’t measure up to their predecessor, but Spider-Man 2 is one of the exceptions. Director Sam Raimi and screenwriter Alvin Sargent kept the best elements from the first Spider-Man movie and improved upon them, with the follow-up doing an excellent job exploring how Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker handles the burden of heroism and trying to balance his web-sliding activities with his civilian life. However, Spider-Man 2’s MVP is Alfred Molina, whose more sympathetic take on Doctor Octopus quickly cemented him as one of the best superhero movie villains of all time. It’s no wonder we still have yet to see another actor play the tentacled antagonist in a live-action movie. As a bonus, I love how the movie recreated the panel from 1967’s The Amazing Spider-Man #50 of Peter Parker leaving his costume behind in the garbage. A touch like that is a great Easter egg for Marvel fans, but is also just a gorgeous shot for the casuals watching the tale unfold.

55. Ratatouille (2007)

Pixar Animation’s eighth feature film, Ratatouille, is as surprising as its premise. It came at a time when the studio was high on a winning streak, redefining how we looked at toys, bugs, monsters, cars, superheroes and fish. Sure, making an audience empathetic to rats feels like a stretch, but the 2007 movie had a fresh and quirky way in that kept Pixar at an all-time high. What if one rat was secretly a gourmet cook in Paris, France? The results are so charming. 

Fronted by a charismatic voice performance from Patton Oswalt as Remy, packed with decadent and often mouth-watering animation greatly displayed inside a top-tier French kitchen and beautifully underlined by an all-time great score from Michael Giacchino, Pixar told a hilarious underdog story with the creativity and wonder the studio remains beloved for. It’s one of those movies that has one doing a double take at every human and animal you encounter next time you walk outside in playful curiosity about the world thinking “Anyone Can Cook.” 

54. Superbad (2007)

Seth Rogen has touted himself as a “permanent teenager,” and never has that title been truer than in the 2007 teen buddy comedy Superbad. The movie — which he penned with Evan Goldberg and stars a number of the regular Judd Apatow players — carries the funky vibe of the 1970s throughout, but its story is timeless. The only thing more relatable than high-school seniors Seth and Evan (played perfectly by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera) trying to get to a party to impress some girls was their underlying anxiety over not knowing what would happen to their friendship after graduation.

The laughs come a mile a minute — some may say it’s the funniest movie of all time — with an impressive cast that also includes Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio, Emma Stone and, of course, Seth Rogen. But in the end it’s the friendship at the heart of the story that makes this one worth watching again and again. Superbad is also responsible for giving us “McLovin,” for which we should be forever grateful.

53. Catch Me If You Can (2002)

One of the most intriguing stories related to the crime of check fraud is that of Frank Abagnale Jr., who impersonated various professions, passed off millions of dollars worth of phony checks, and outran the FBI between the ages of 16 and 21. At least, that is what the fraud prevention consultant claimed in his memoir, Catch Me If You Can. The book inspired an excellent movie of the same name.

This 1960s-set crime drama stars future Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio as the young, elusive con artist, who enters an intense, enduring game of cat-and-mouse with two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks as a veteran FBI agent who will stop at nothing to bring him to justice, even if he becomes friends with him in the process. Following Minority Report, director Steven Spielberg completed his one-two punch of masterfully entertaining films in 2002 with this dazzling, devilishly charming, and even heartwarming tale. 

52. Cast Away (2000)

Everybody scream “Wilson!” with me! Now, let’s all break into violent sobs as we remember Tom Hanks losing his best friend… a volleyball with a face painted on it. Cast Away is a miracle. It’s essentially a one-man show that you can’t pull your eyes off of, because you root so hard for Hanks and want to see how he’s going to get off the deserted island on which he is stranded. Director Robert Zemeckis places us in Hanks’ sandals, so we feel frustration as he fails to get a makeshift raft over the incoming tide, and elation when he figures out how to start a fire. Hanks already was viewed as one of our greatest actors before he single handedly carried this survival story, but the gripping performance earned him his fifth Oscar nomination. (He lost to Russell Crowe in Gladiator.) Listen to this remarkable stat: Zemeckis filmed Cast Away’s first half with a chunky Hanks, then had to pause production while his leading man lost enough weight and grew enough hair to play his marooned self in the movie’s second half. During that pause, Zemeckis filmed an entire feature: 2000’s marital thriller What Lies Beneath, with Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford.

51. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

One thing to know about Ang Lee is that he keeps audiences guessing when it comes to his projects. And given his body of work leading up to the 2000s, not too many people might’ve expected him to helm a wuxia martial arts epic with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Yet movie lovers should be so glad he did. His seventh directorial effort is a masterpiece featuring beautifully choreographed fight sequences, impeccable production design, imposing performances and more.

Based on Wang Dulu’s 1942 novel of the same name, the highly ambitious production centers on a seasoned warrior and his equally skilled ally (and love interest), who aim to hunt down the former’s fabled sword so it can be delivered for safekeeping. Their quest ultimately leads them down a path neither could’ve ever imagined. Ang Lee assembled a highly formidable ensemble of actors led by Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi, who all give career-best performances. The martial arts genre features a wide array of movies, but few can meet the standard set by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

50. Legally Blonde (2001)

“What? Like it’s hard” to be one of the top 50 movies of the 2000s? It’s not for Legally Blonde, that’s for sure. Casually going to law school at Harvard to win back your ex-boyfriend is a far-fetched idea, but Reese Witherspoon’s Elle Woods doesn't just pull it off, she succeeds in grand fashion, obviously.  

Elle Woods is such an icon, she’s funny, gorgeous, and hyper-intelligent, and seeing her harness all of that to succeed at Harvard was empowering. Reese Witherspoon and the cast of Legally Blonde are also on their A-games in this movie, creating a hilariously smart and unique story. From Jennifer Coolidge’s “bend and snap” moment with our leading lady to the adorable rom-com subplot between Elle and Luke Wilson’s Emmett, the film is packed with memorable stories from fabulous characters.

Since then, Withersoon’s lawyer’s story has expanded into a sequel and a Broadway musical, because a world with more Elle Woods in it is “So Much Better.” 

49. Tropic Thunder (2008)

Tropic Thunder is a relentless and vicious commentary on the motion picture industry and all the absurdities associated with it. For two unyielding hours, Ben Stiller’s satirical action comedy mercilessly skewers the executives, the actors, the directors, the writers, the agents and even an explosives coordinator, painting them as deeply flawed and emotionally unstable people who will do anything to stay relevant and protect their own fragile egos. From blackface to stolen valor to exploiting the mentally handicapped, there’s no line they won’t cross in pursuit of their next award, their next paycheck or their next high.

Tropic Thunder shouldn’t work. From one angle, it’s a big budget, big studio action comedy filled with explosions, fart jokes and Tom Cruise dancing to Flo Rida. From another angle, it’s a deeply clever satire that repeatedly and without apology seeks out complicated and problematic subject matter. It’s a movie within a movie disguised as another movie, but instead of a disorganized mess, it somehow all comes together thanks to a fantastic script, an Oscar-nominated Robert Downey Jr. performance and the greatest little kid reaction shot in the history of movies.

48. Gladiator (2000)

Russell Crowe went on an absolute tear in the 2000s with a number of memorable movies, so it’s no surprise that the one he won the Best Actor Oscar for is on this list. Gladiator is an absolute triumph from start to finish, with knockout performances led by the direction of Ridley Scott. Maximus is an immediately likable character brought down to the lowest point of his life. He keeps fighting and survives solely because of the revenge he hopes to deliver to Commodus. 

And while Joaquin Phoenix did not win an Oscar for his nominated performance as Commodus, Maximus’ journey isn’t quite as sweet without him being every bit as unlikable as he should be. When the big scene finally comes for Maximus and Commodus to square off, how can you not be on the edge of your seat? Without a doubt one of the best gladiator movies of all time.

47. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

While not strictly a love story, Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire definitely owes a lot to the genre, as Jamal’s (Dev Patel) lifelong love for childhood friend Latika (Freida Pinto) drives much of what he does. The drama follows Jamal as he relays the events of his young life that have led him to correctly answering questions on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, after he’s arrested and tortured for cheating.

As Jamal takes us through the harrowing events of his childhood that led him not only to fall for Latika, but to compete on the show in an effort to find her again, we’re taken through an action-packed tale of survival under extreme circumstances, what a young man will go through to save the love of his life, and how we all probably know a lot more than we think we do. Definitely hard to watch at times, but inspirational nonetheless.

46. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

On one hand, Jonathan Daylon and Valerie Faris’ Little Miss Sunshine is one of the funniest movies of the 2000s, but on the other hand it’s one of the most tragic stories to come out of the decade. The “road trip from Hell” setup had been done countless times prior to the film’s 2006 release, but rarely had the subgenre been as effective, emotional, or laugh out loud funny.

Michael Arndt’s hilarious, heartbreaking, and nuanced screenplay, which earned him an Oscar, doesn’t play it safe by avoiding life’s tragedies (both major and minor), but instead faces them head-on, creating a cathartic experience for his characters and audience alike. Transformative performances by the late Alan Arkin (he also won an Academy Award), Abigail Breslin, Toni Collette and the rest of the Little Miss Sunshine cast make you feel their characters are family, which is the heart and soul of this outstanding film.

45. Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Keira Knightley’s Pride & Prejudice is hardly the first take on the novel of the same name, but the 2005 film arguably set the standard for modern Jane Austen movie adaptations. The love story between Elizabeth Bennet (Knightley) and Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) is beautifully told, and made all the more memorable for the cinematography, soundtrack, and chemistry between the stars. In fact, the cast was stacked with stars who either already had or would become big names, including Donald Sutherland, Judi Dench, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Carey Mulligan, and Kelly Reilly in addition to Knightley and Macfadyen. 

The world of the Bennet family in this Pride & Prejudice feels lived in and domestic in a way that adds a touch of modern realism to a Regency-era period drama and contrasts the more austere beauty of Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley estate. The film isn’t as faithful to the book as the beloved 1995 BBC miniseries, but it hits the important beats of the original Jane Austen story in just over two hours while also being completely accessible to viewers who haven’t read the book, with moments like the iconic hand flex of Mr. Darcy that fans far and wide know well. 

44. Adaptation (2002)

Adaptation is a book adaptation about the adaptation process. Understood? Wonderful. 

Nicolas Cage plays dual roles as the most neurotic possible version of screenwriter Charlie Kauffman, as well as his fictitious twin Donald Kauffman. Originally hired to write the film adaptation for Susan Orlean’s bestseller The Orchid Thief, Charlie Kauffman experiences a debilitating case of writer’s block, stemming from a slew of mental health issues including social anxiety, body dysmorphia and depression. This sends him on something of a tortured artist’s odyssey that leads him to write himself, and the experience, into his script. Thus, we get Adaptation, a hybrid of both the story of The Orchid Thief, and Kauffman’s experience adapting it.

These days, such a meta concept is somewhat commonplace, but over 20 years ago, this was the most bonkers script since Kauffman’s Being John Malkovich. Malkovich was even worked into Adaptation’s storyline, with John Cusack, Catherine Keener and the titular John Malkovich playing themselves. The point is, this film is WEIRD in the best of ways, yet still managed to grab Oscar nominations for Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep, as well as a win for Chris Cooper. Adaptation is perhaps the greatest cinematic insight into the creative writing process, and the effect it has on one’s psyche, ever made.

43. Love & Basketball (2000)

The best romantic comedies might get a lot of attention from fans of lovey dovey stories, but romantic dramas deserve our eyeballs as well, and Love & Basketball is one that really should be praised. This romance (which is also a fantastic sports drama) tells the story of Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps), two talented, basketball-obsessed kids who bond over their love of the sport, but have several trials as they attempt to take their relationship from friends to lovers in their high school and college years and, later, in their twenties.

Gina Prince-Bythewood’s feature-length directorial debut does an amazing job of showing how hard it can be for two people who are so dedicated to their craft to make time for one another, especially as the pressure to succeed in their sport pulls them in different directions. But, it goes much further than that, with each of their complicated family dynamics and emotional wounds taking this love story to the next level.

42. Minority Report (2002)

If you had the chance to predict and prevent a tragic crime, the choice sounds obvious, right? That is until you are faced with the possibility that the prediction is wrong and your arrestee was destined to be innocent. That provocative idea was the basis for a 1956 short story by prolific science-fiction writer Philip K. Dick, which was later adapted into one of director Steven Spielberg’s most exciting films of the decade, if not his full career.

Tom Cruise stars as John Anderton — the chief for a special police unit that uses a trio of clairvoyant siblings to detect future murders — who begins to question their seemingly “perfect” system when he makes the horrifying discovery that the potential perpetrator of his next case is himself, forcing him to go on the run. The truth behind this prediction revealed in the brilliant twist ending of Minority Report is one of the many fascinating and thought-provoking aspects of this astonishingly inventive sci-fi masterpiece that is not quite dystopian, but far from utopian either.

41. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Over the past few years, there have been great strides for representation and diverse stories in Hollywood. But back in the early 2000s, this wasn’t exactly the case. Which is why Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain was such a groundbreaking movie upon its release. Hollywood simply wasn’t telling queer love stories through major blockbusters, let alone honoring them with major Awards Nominations.

While there’s been some backlash about straight actors playing LGBTQ+ roles, Brokeback likely only got produced because of its bankable (and yes straight) lead actors. For their part, both Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger offer moving and complicated performances that still stand up today. Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway also really deliver, which is par for the course for those talented actresses. This quartet of performers tell their characters’ stories through decades of time, and to devastating results. And the acclaimed film is still so beloved that it’s being adapted for the stage on the West End, starring Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges. 

40. American Psycho (2000)

Author Bret Easton Ellis’ novel American Psycho is a shocking literary experience. There are scenes in it that will make even the most seasoned horror fan blanche – and reading it, you can understand why it was deemed unadaptable for a time after its publication. When it did finally get brought to the big screen, co-adapted by screenwriter Guinevere Turner and director Mary Harron, the material was understandably pulled back a bit, but the movie still remains a scary and biting satire that takes aim at the hardcore capitalism in the 1980s.

Years before he became a big screen legend playing Batman, Christian Bale became a horror icon with his performance as Patrick Bateman – a white, rich sociopath who enjoys torturing and slaughtering women… but who nonetheless blends in with all the rest of New York’s white, rich sociopaths. It’s a rich cinematic experience that manages to be both satisfyingly scary and surprisingly funny.

39. 28 Days Later (2002)

Certain movies can be credited as causing shifts so powerful, an entire genre felt its influence. Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland’s 28 Days Later is one such film, as this lo-fi British horror-thriller would go on to see interest in movies like Dawn of the Dead (2004) and Shaun of the Dead being boosted. 

Revitalizing the zombie genre, while not calling its own creatures by the Z-word, the normal rules didn’t apply in this horror masterpiece. In the world of the previously coma-ridden Jim (Cillian Murphy), the vicious “infected” could come from anywhere, with blazing speed. Survival, in some situations, could be measured in a heartbeat, with a drop of blood or saliva making the difference. 

Stocked with a who’s who of actors like Brendan Gleeson, Christopher Eccleston, and Naomie Harris, 28 Days Later did for zombies what Scream did for slasher films. Challenging the status quo with relentless energy, the film is all at once terrifying, heartbreaking, and hopeful. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland resurrected the undead genre with stunning results.

38. Amelie (2001)

One of the most delightful stories committed to film. French ingénue Audrey Tautou was perfectly cast as the title character Amelie, who is believed to have a delicate heart condition and so is overprotected by her doting parents. As a result of her gently-imposed isolation, Amelie develops an overactive imagination, which leads her on a series of whimsical adventures. Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet embraces magical realism as a style, with Tautou basically gliding through this giddy fantasy as she works to make the lives of everyone around her happy, and possibly find love on her own in the process. Amelie seems to transmit joy, and if you aren’t uplifted by Tautou’s effervescent performance, you might want to check to ensure you still have a pulse. Now, go borrow someone else’s lawn gnome, photograph it in front of a celebrated vacation spot, and spread the joy of Amelie with anyone who hasn’t yet seen this delightful gem. 

37. Donnie Darko (2001)

There may not be a more aggressively strange and maddeningly perplexing movie on this list than Donnie Darko. Yet, its mysterious and nearly off-putting nature may be the reason why — despite nearly becoming a cable TV movie (if not for Christopher Nolan’s praise) and ultimately bombing at the box office — it remains an enduring cult hit.

At its core, writer and director Richard Kelly’s feature-length debut is the story of an emotionally troubled young man (Jake Gyllenhaal) whose struggle to navigate adolescence in the late 1980s is worsened by visions of an apocalyptic soothsayer in a horrifying rabbit suit, but it is much more than that. It is a sharp coming-of-age satire on par with some of John Hughes’ films, a classic time travel movie, and a pervasively grim fantasy tale that serves as a perfect Halloween tradition, among other things. Above all, however, Donnie Darko is unique enough to defy categorization, resulting in a one-of-a-kind experience. 

36. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

If we’re only including one adaptation of the Harry Potter series on this list, it has to be Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The source material has our lead trio entering into their teen years with more studies than ever and higher stakes all around. New characters are introduced, major reveals transpire and there’s also that twisty bit of time travel. Oh, and let’s not forget the bone-chilling Dementors, whose powers include dredging up a person’s darkest memories and fears. 

Those things on their own give Prisoner of Azkaban an edge over some of the other books, but Alfonso Cuarón’s adaptation does more than just bring one of the best installments of the series to life. New layers of the magical world emerge on the screen thanks to the cinematography, not to mention Cuarón’s vision and patient approach to the pacing, which gives us the chance to really soak in the surroundings in any given scene. Whether it’s showing the change of seasons at Hogwarts or the stunning sight of Harry soaring over the lake on the back of a Hippogriff, it’s more than enough to set the film above its predecessors and raise the bar firmly for the adaptations that would follow. 

35. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

The Devil Wears Prada is already a classic. While the film quality itself is high, the movie has also become part of the fabric of pop culture, thanks to its quotable lines and the unbelievable performance of one Meryl Streep. Anne Hathaway is regularly transformed into a meme thanks to the scene where Annie shows up to work post-makeover in Chanel Boots.

Aside from the pop culture of it all, The Devil Wears Prada is a delightful movie romp. The fashions are aspirational, and the cast is truly on top of their game. Special points to Emily Blunt, who became a household name following her performance as Emily. And considering how light and frothy even the movie’s drama is, the rewatchability of this book to movie adaptation cannot be understated. If you haven’t watched Devil Wears Prada recently, by all means move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.

34. The Lord Of The Rings Movies (2001-2003)

There are very few fantasy movie franchises out there that have been great all the way through. They have their dips and slides, but if there’s one major fantasy franchise to rule them all, it has to be The Lord of the Rings movies. 

The film franchise mainly follows Frodo Baggins as he travels with the Fellowship on a quest to destroy the One Ring in order to take down the person who made it, Sauron. But don't take that premise at face value – there is so much more to this story than meets the eye. 

The Lord of the Rings movies are perfect in every shape and form. From the battle sequences to the visual effects to the acting, there is much to love and adore about these films. The Lord of the Rings delivers in ways fans can't even imagine. There's a reason why the franchise is so popular years later – and how spinoffs, such as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, have been released in recent years. The love keeps pouring in. 

33. Casino Royale (2006)

When James Bond was given his iconic Walther PPK in Dr. No, Sean Connery’s initial incarnation is told the weapon has “a delivery like a brick through a plate glass window.” The same could be said for 2006’s Casino Royale, as the introduction to Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies wasn’t shy about changing things up, and surprising even the most experienced 007 fans with how it would depict Commander Bond’s exploits.

Director Martin Campbell’s franchise reboot was as lean and mean as they come. Casino Royale showed 007 getting his ass handed to him, and his heart broken. Such vulnerability didn’t weaken the character, but rather it humanized him and added a suspense that the Bond movies had lost for some time.

Daniel Craig stepped into the role of the modern James Bond as if it were a tuxedo perfectly tailored for his presence. Wryly funny, yet cold and calculating when he had to pull the trigger, Craig made the role his own from frame one. To see such an iconic series redefined so perfectly, after 20 movies and over four decades of history before it, is something that still astonishes as much now as it did upon initial viewing.

32. Batman Begins (2005)

One of the most notorious bombs in Hollywood history is 1997’s Batman & Robin — a movie that, despite having some fans, is so cartoonishly absurd and dismissive of the source material’s essential themes and tone that it would be the last we would see of one of DC Comics’ most important characters on the big screen for years. The Caped Crusader’s resurgence in cinema — and in modern pop culture — can be traced back to when director Christopher Nolan went back to basics and all the way back to the beginning of his war on crime in Batman Begins.

Christian Bale immediately asserted himself as one of the best actors to play Batman with his grounded and stoic performance as a Bruce Wayne desperate to rescue his beloved Gotham City — one of the most stunningly realistic and effectively grimy depictions of the burdened metropolis — from the cesspool of crime and corruption it has become. While it is not widely considered to be the absolute best of the live-action Batman movies so far (more on that one later), most would agree that Batman Begins is one of the best superhero movies in general for its refreshingly earnest and complex approach to comic book lore, exhilarating action sequences and technical mastery, and reinventing the Dark Knight for a new generation without losing sight of what made him an icon in the first place.

31. Children of Men (2006)

In a dystopian future, environmental malpractice has led to constant war, famine, and total human infertility. So imagine the surprise felt by former political activist Theo Faron (Clive Owen) when he learns that a young female refugee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) is pregnant, and is poised to deliver the first natural childbirth in eighteen years. 

Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron was coming off of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (considered by many to be the best film in that saga) when he unleashed his talents on Children of Men. His breathtaking approach to editing and cinematography propels the action forward at a feverish pitch, with Cuaron often choosing to stage his movements in long, eye-popping, unbroken shots that lure the audience to the edge of their seats. Cuaron says this is a movie about hope, but you have to endure a lot of credible despair to finally unearth it. It’s worth the effort.

30. Ocean's Eleven (2001)

As times change, what’s considered popular is as fluid as water itself. Sometimes a movie can be ahead of the curve in that respect, dictating a whole era of cool in its very existence. Director Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven did just that, as both an uber slick heist movie, and as a modernized remake of a pre-existing film. 

The 1960’s Rat Pack extravaganza about war veterans looking for one big score was turned into a gathering of thieves, assembled by one man (George Clooney) looking for something more than cash. While the stakes were changed, and the number spelled out in the title, this film nailed the breezy energy that made the original so lovely.

Be it an all-star cast including Bernie Mac, Carl Reiner, Andy Garcia, and Julia Roberts, the insanely slick soundtrack, or even just the way George Clooney could rock a suit without a tie, Ocean’s Eleven doesn’t telegraph its style. It presents it with great confidence, and allows you to decide if it’s worth your while. It’s a love letter to the past, while playing to the viewer of today; with a result as cool as that drink you just ordered at the bar.

29. Chicago (2002)

If you look at just about any list of the best musicals of the 21st century, it’s basically a guarantee that Chicago will be there. The adaptation of Bob Fosse’s long-running musical is one of few musical films to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Catherine Zeta-Jones took home a trophy as well for her stellar performance as the “All That Jazz” singer who killed her husband and sister, Velma Kelly. This film has intrigue, sex, murder, genius performances and a whole lot of jazz, and it's truly a masterful musical adaptation.

Rob Marshall ultimately made a musical that stays true to its stage roots, but also heightens the entire story through movie magic. Take “Cell Block Tango” for example, the majority of the song is performed on a stage, and the women singing about murdering their husbands are in black costumes similar to the wardrobe from Broadway. However, it’s bigger as a whole, and it flashes between the actual prison, and this staged dream-like sequence. By doing this for every number, the film both elevated and paid homage to its predecessor, which is just one of the many reasons it’s so incredible.

28. Iron Man (2008)

From being the first self-financed Marvel Studios production, executives initially being opposed to casting Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, and most of the dialogue being improvised since the script wasn’t finished when production began, there was a lot that could have gone wrong with Iron Man. And yet, the end result stands as a triumph in large part due to Downey’s performance as the genius/billionaire/playboy/philanthropist.

But of course, one can’t discuss Iron Man without addressing how it changed the film franchise game. Once Nick Fury emerged from the shadows and mentioned the Avengers Initiative in the post-credits scene, that was the first big tipoff that this movie was the first chapter in a shared universe, just like in the original Marvel comics. More than a decade later, the MCU still stands as a Hollywood powerhouse, and many franchises, both superhero and from other genres, have followed in its footsteps. 

27. Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

The slacker bastard child of George Romero's Dead films and Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later, Shaun of the Dead is a rarity in cinema, and not just for having the gall to sacrifice the soundtrack to 1989's Batman. It's a largely perfect amalgam of authenticity and parodical storytelling, anchored to the comedic whims and wiles of  director Edgar Wright, his co-writer Simon Pegg,  and Pegg’s co-star Nick Frost. As it goes with that trio’s other film on this list (see #65), Shaun’s biggest strength is its characters who feel real enough to legitimize the zombie apocalypse chaos, while also making viewers care about them even when the gory threats aren’t around the corner.

Shaun of the Dead may go down as the funniest horror movie to have ever existed, while also delivering some genuinely disturbing moments throughout that keep the adventure from falling too far into the funnies. Simon Pegg even transcends the dual genre description by spinning palpable emotion out of his struggle to prioritize the safety of his relationship, his BFF, and his mom. And if that wasn’t enough, it allowed moviegoers to spend some time in the Winchester, and that’s a slice of fried gold that makes everyone’s life better.

26. Moon (2009)

Whenever we sit down for a sci-fi film, especially one that takes place on a remote station somewhere away from our planet, we all know that we’re in for a twisty tale, and Moon certainly fulfills that promise. Duncan Jones’ 2009 directorial debut (he also came up with the story) focuses on Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), the lone human working a mostly automated mining facility on the far side of the moon, who begins to have troubling hallucinations as he nears the end of his work contract.

What follows is surprising, as not only does the story take several intriguingly unexpected turns, but it also examines what it’s like to be isolated from others (including loved ones), holding on to a sense of community, and one’s willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. Throw in a creepy AI, which can’t quite be determined as a helper or a hindrance for a time, and you get science fiction gold.

25. The Incredibles (2004)

Released during the early years of the superhero movie’s surging popularity, The Incredibles still holds up tremendously after all this time, despite so many other offerings from Marvel, DC and other studios being delivered nearly two decades after its release. To be sure, Pixar’s sixth full-length feature does a spectacular job at both honoring classic superhero stories and tropes, as well as poking fun at them, including the hilarious ‘no capes’ gag. But The Incredibles’ greatest feat isn’t how it handles these larger-than-life elements, but rather how it makes these characters feel relatable and complex in the midst of the action.

From Bob and Helen Parr being concerned about their children’s welfare, whether they’re living everyday life in suburbia or fighting bad guys in costume, to understanding that Syndrome’s sinister motivations stem from the hurt he endured as an adolescent, The Incredibles never pushes aside its humanity in favor of spectacle; instead, they compliment each other quite nicely. Throw in outstanding vocal performances from actors like Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter, and Brad Bird excelling as both the director and screenwriter, this movie stands out not just as a superhero movie, but as one of the greatest entries in Pixar’s library.

24. Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Join Us In Creating Excellence. More powerful than any anti-drug ad, Requiem for a Dream hit theaters in 2000 and has stood the test of time as possibly the most affecting portrayal of addiction to date. Based on the Hubert Selby Jr. book of the same name, Darren Aronofsky’s film explores more than just the heroin addictions of Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans’ characters. Ellen Burstyn’s obsession with being on television and fitting into her red dress is haunting, and there’s no questioning why the role earned her an Academy Award nomination.

The work behind the camera was equal to the all-around horrifying performances, as Darren Aronofsky and cinematographer Matthew Libatique added to the story in how every shot was framed, the choreography of the characters’ movements, and the use of sound effects and split screens. The score was worthy of praise all on its own, with "Lux Aeterna" — the song that played over the climax of the film — leaving such an impression that it has gone on to be re-orchestrated for several other movie and video game trailers. 

Combine all of this and add a little of Christopher McDonald’s Tappy Tibbons J.U.I.C.E., and you’ve got a real feel-bad movie that may never fully leave you.

23. Oldboy (2003)

Because many have such good storylines, South Korean films have become some of the biggest international movies.. A few examples could be Parasite and The Wailing. One movie in particular stands above many of them, and that's Oldboy. 

Directed by Park Chan-wook, the film is loosely based on the Japanese manga of the same name and focuses on Dae-su, a man imprisoned in a cell that looks like a hotel room, for fifteen years, without knowing who the person was behind his capture. But when he gets his chance at freedom, he makes it his mission to find out who committed the crime all those years ago – only to find out there is much more to his imprisonment than he thought. 

Oldboy is incredible. The action scenes are probably some of the best recorded on a movie screen and have been imitated many times – just the corridor fight scene itself is enough to satisfy any action-movie fan. The story is intriguing all the way until the end, which will blow the minds of first-time viewers. Truly, Oldboy is a staple of the South Korean film industry – and a fantastic movie of the 2000s. 

22. Collateral (2004)

Michael Mann had already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest directors in the world of crime thrillers, but he further made a case for himself with his 2004 thriller, Collateral. Clocking in at exactly two hours, this cool, violent, and ruthless neo-noir classic not only sees one of the best Jamie Foxx performances with his portrayal of cab driver Max (a role that should have earned him an Oscar), it also introduces one of Tom Cruise’s most unhinged characters: Vincent, a mysterious and deadly assassin.

Cruise, who was coming off movies like Minority Report and The Last Samurai, is incredibly refreshing as the film’s antagonist, and it shows a side of the star that audiences don’t get to see as much. Seeing the actor’s undeniable charm and big-screen energy used to breathe life into someone who is pure evil is quite the experience, and really messes with the viewers’ mindset. In addition to actors like Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, and Jada Pinkett Smith, the movie also treats the city of Los Angeles less like a backdrop and more as another character, one that feels more alive as the story goes on, much like Mann’s 1995 heist film, Heat.

21. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Since the early days of moviemaking, Walt Disney’s viewpoint of the fairytale has had a stake in popular culture. It’s G-rated, soft and sweet, and there’s always a happy ending. Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth brings to life a fairytale that redefined what a fantasy movie can look like with its distinct and unforgettable vision. Set in 1944 Spain as the country picks up the pieces of the Spanish Civil War, the R-rated fantasy film follows a young girl named Ofelia as she faces the violent reality of the Francoist period and stumbles upon a dark wonderland in the shadows (or at least the shadows of her imagination). 

As del Toro was coming off two more commercial movies in Blade II and Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth is a breathtaking highlight in an all-time great filmmaker’s career. Across two hours, the Spanish-language movie brings to life an extraordinary vision that beautifully balances being twisted and innocent all at once with memorable horror, gore, mythical creations and a ton of gorgeous practical creature effects. How does he balance a magical quest with political drama? Some especially memorable words in Pan’s Labyrinth answers that question: If “door is locked,” one must “create your own.” In a landscape where fairytales can be predictable, del Toro opened a wonderfully defiant world of his own with Pan’s Labyrinth.

20. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) And Vol. 2 (2004)

After turning the heist movie on its head with 1992’s Reservoir Dogs, and changing the way audiences perceive movies in general (and winning a screenwriting Oscar) with 1994’s Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino very quickly made himself into one of the most unique and esteemed icons of the medium. However, after releasing his 1997 Elmore Leonard adaptation, Jackie Brown, we would not see him direct anything for another six years. Little did we know that he was planning to come back with something big — so big, that just one movie was not enough to tell the story. Based on a character Tarantino created with star Uma Thurman on the Pulp Fiction set, Kill Bill follows a deadly assassin initially known only as The Bride — one of the greatest female action heroes — who wakes up from a four-year coma with a furious urge to punish those who tried to put her to sleep permanently, with her former boss (David Carradine) being the primary target. 

For years, it was debated whether or not the stylistically disparate halves of the story — with Vol. 1 being an ode to ‘70s kung fu movies and Vol. 2 counting as Tarantino’s first western, essentially — should count as one film. Well, even if the director had never officially clarified that he does see Kill Bill as one movie, we still would have designated one spot for both volumes of this exquisitely crafted, gorgeously choreographed, visually and emotionally breathtaking epic on this list, because that is the only way to experience "the whole bloody affair.” 

• A Kill Bill Quote To Remember: “That's right. I killed your master. And now I'm gonna kill you too, with your own sword, no less, which in the very immediate future, will become... my sword.” (The Bride)

19. Training Day (2001)

In 100 years, when film historians look back to determine why Denzel Washington was considered one of the best actors of his generation, director Antoine Fuqua's Training Day should be at the top of any screening list. Detective Alonzo Harris is a special kind of monster, and Washington’s work offers incredible escalation and power. At first, he just seems like a hardened detective who has made some scary discoveries about how best to patrol the city of Los Angeles, but he becomes a whole different kind of beast by the end – one that King Kong ain’t got nothin’ on.

But while Training Day features an all-time great performance from one of the all-time great actors, not to be ignored is just how terrific the movie as a whole is. Ethan Hawke is also at the top of his game as up-and-coming officer Jake Hoyt, who faces death and peril as he slowly understands the real game that Alonzo is playing, and David Ayer’s screenplay is special – packing the believable character arcs and growing stakes into a limited 24-hour time frame. Even on the tenth viewing it is successful at raising your pulse and getting you to invest in the protagonist’s peril, and that’s the mark of a truly great thriller.

• A Training Day Quote To Remember: “You gotta control your smiles and cries, because that's all you have and nobody can take that away from you.” (Jake Hoyt)

18. The Wrestler (2008)

Still considered one of the best movies of 2008 more than a decade later, Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler is a grueling battle royale of emotions that doesn’t pull any punches with its story about a broken-down professional wrestler looking for one last shot at redemption. Channeling both the triumph and tragedy, and the agony and ecstasy of putting one’s life on the line day-in and day-out for decades, Mickey Rourke gave audiences the performance of a lifetime with his portrayal of washed-up wrestler, Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a one-time larger-than-life titan caught somewhere between his past and uncertain future.

There are a lot of parallels between the character and Rouke’s own journey in this semi-autobiographical drama, which adds a tremendous amount of depth to not only his performance, but also the movie in general. Though wrestling is often considered a fake sport, Rourke’s performance and Aronofsky’s commitment to portraying the industry in an honest and genuine light is incredibly real. The physical, mental, and emotional pain can be felt in each of Randy’s movements, heard in his voice, and seen in his eyes as the former champ wrestles in high school gyms and attempts to make ends meet by taking on shifts at a local grocery store deli. Then there are the religious allegories that are explored through Randy’s character, as well as Marisa Tomei’s Cassidy, which make it all even more potent.

• A The Wrestler Quote To Remember: “I'll tell you somethin', I hate the fuckin' 90's.” (Randy Robinson)

17. Finding Nemo (2003)

Pixar has created some of the greatest animated films of all time, and Finding Nemo may be the studio’s true crowning achievement. It is as beautifully animated as it is emotionally powerful. The undersea world of Nemo is gorgeous simply to look at, and that’s just as true today as it was when the film was released. 

2003's Finding Nemo’s voice casting is second to none. Nobody does neurotic like Albert Brooks. Nobody can play clueless like Ellen DeGeneres. Nobody plays a tough guy of questionable sanity like Willem Dafoe. These are the actors you would cast if you were telling this story in live-action, and they bring it all to the voice performances in a way that truly brings these characters to life.

And Finding Nemo is able to balance its emotional extremes perfectly. We’re used to Pixar movies making us cry but years before Up, Finding Nemo opened with an incredibly heartbreaking moment. But after that, it’s able to be hilarious, scary, and even exciting. Finally, it concludes with the sort of resolution that stands the test of time, as young children will see the film and relate with Nemo, then grow up, and begin to understand Marlin in a new way.  Nemo does it all, not bad for a clownfish with a bad fin. 

• A Finding Nemo Quote To Remember: “Of course I like you. It’s because I like you, I don’t want to be with you. It’s a complicated emotion.” (Marlin)

16. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

“I think this just might be my masterpiece.” That’s the final line in writer/director Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, and coming as it does at the end of 153 minutes of perfection, it’s hard not to read it as a message directly from the filmmaker to the audience. In 2009, Tarantino was coming off of a low point in his career with the disappointing theatrical release of Grindhouse, but his follow-up is a phenomenal World War II epic that only he could make: Nazi-killing action packaged in a love letter to cinema.

Two stories – the revenge of Mélanie Laurent's Shosanna Dreyfus and the mission of the titular troop – play out in parallel with equal captivating energy right up until they collide in the (literally) explosive finale. While there isn’t a star in the expansive ensemble who doesn’t deliver a memorable performance (from Brad Pitt to Michael Fassbender to even Mike Myers), there isn’t a person who can watch the film and not walk away mesmerized by the work done by Christoph Waltz in his star-making turn as Hans Landa. It’s not an easy thing to blend a vibe of dastardly evil with sharp charisma, but Waltz is a force in the role, and it remains the best thing he has done in his career.

• An Inglourious Basterds Quote To Remember: “Well, you don't got to be Stonewall Jackson to know you don't want to fight in a basement.” (Lt. Aldo Raine)

15. Spirited Away (2001)

Studio Ghibli is one of the world's most-known anime film studios. Co-founded by legendary anime director Hayao Miyazaki, the studio has created some of the best anime films of all time, one of which is Spirited Away – which Hayao Miyazaki directed. 

Spirited Away is about a journey into the spirit world following the young Chihiro. Taking place in Japan, we follow the little girl, who happens to be moving to a new neighborhood with her family. When her parents decide to take a shortcut to their new home and explore what looks to be an abandoned amusement park, Chihiro is forced to go along. However, there's magic everywhere, and her mom and dad turn into pigs against their will for eating a gluttonous feast. For her to get them back, she must work for the spirits in the bathhouse, so they can return to the human world. 

The premise itself sounds like a lot at first, but it's become Studio Ghibli’s – and Hayao Miyazaki's – highest-grossing film. It’s also the only anime film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and the only hand-drawn film (so far) to accomplish the task. The movie features themes about love and learning to grow up and be brave. It's the perfect gateway movie into the anime film – indeed, one of the best movies of the 2000s. 

• A Spirited Away Quote To Remember: “I don't need any help; this place is full of soot.” (Kamaji)

14. The Prestige (2006)

The Prestige is a battle of wills between two talented and irreparably flawed magicians, who can’t stay out of each other’s lives. Their differing roles in a shared tragedy push them apart and then repeatedly back together, as their initial determination to succeed steadily gives way to an obsession for vengeance. That obsession drives them to sacrifice and abandon everything healthy about their lives until they’re each left with only a singular drive to sabotage the other.

Based on that description, The Prestige sounds like a really dark movie. In many ways, it is, but in director Christopher Nolan’s hands, it’s also often really fun. It has a sense of wonder and mystery about it, as it not only dives into the idiosyncrasies of magic but also the exciting possibilities of science in the 1890s and early 1900s. It was a time and place in which anything felt possible, and you really feel that hopeful uncertainty thanks to a timeline that jumps to and fro and fantastic performances from Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall and a perfectly cast David Bowie as Nikola Tesla. Like a great magic trick, the first time you watch The Prestige, you’re fascinated by the spectacle and simply along for the ride. Then every time you rewatch it afterwards, you’re blown away by all the subtle skill required to pull it off.

• A The Prestige Quote To Remember: “Nobody cares about the man in the box.” (Robert Angier)

13. There Will Be Blood (2007)

Looking back, 2007 was one of the best movie years in recent memory, considering classics like No Country For Old Men, Zodiac, and Superbad all premiered on the big screen. But one of the biggest, baddest, and most arresting of those releases was Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood. An epic period drama about oilman Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) doing everything in his power and stepping on anyone in his way in his quest for wealth in the early 20th-century oil boom, the movie is a deep and vast exploration of a man’s psyche and desire to become the biggest player in the game.

While Day-Lewis’s performance is tremendous and more than deserving of the Oscar he received, it’s made even better thanks to his character’s conflict with Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), a religious zealot who is just as tenacious and hungry for power as his counterpart. Several of the movie’s most iconic scenes (like the oil-town baptism and shocking ending sequence) are the result of the actor’s tremendous chemistry and ability to play off each other’s words. The pair, who get along like oil and holy water, create a dynamic that’s not quite a battle between good and evil, but instead something much deeper than that, which adds another level to this incredible cinematic achievement.

• A There Will Be Blood Quote To Remember: “You're an orphan from a basket in the middle of the desert, and I took you for no other reason than I needed a sweet face to buy land.” (Daniel)

12. In Bruges (2008)

Prior to 2008, Martin McDonagh was established as a talented and popular playwright, but he had ambitions to make his way into movies. In 2004, he directed the incredible short film Six Shooter (which won an Academy Award), and then he moved to features. He made his debut with In Bruges, and anyone who saw it instantly recognized McDonagh’s potential to become one of the best filmmakers working today (potential he has made good on with the genius of Seven Psychopaths, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and The Banshees of Inisherin).

In Bruges takes a high concept premise – two hitman hide out in Belgium waiting for instructions after a job goes bad – and weaves a remarkable meditation on life and death. It’s a dark comedy (and a hilarious one at that), but it has a beautiful blend of tones that radiate from the genius work of stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes. Farrell and Gleeson have a unique chemistry that works on both comedic and dramatic levels (it’s far from a mystery why McDonagh reunited them for The Banshees of Inisherin) and the bizarrely rage and logic-filled energy that Fiennes brings in the third act is icing on the cake.

• An In Bruges Quote To Remember: “I kinda like hearing people having sex. Means at least somebody around here's happy.” (Ray)

11. Almost Famous (2000)

If a 15-year-old going on tour with a raucous rock band wasn’t enough of a hook, Almost Famous also happens to have one of the most memorable posters/ DVD box covers of all time. It focuses on the enigmatic Penny Lane, the heroine of Cameron Crowe’s film, whom everyone loves to love and admire and most don’t bother to understand. With distinct shades and tendrils of blonde hair, she draws you into her world of Humble Pie and heartbreak, and in between commentary on what made the ’70s the ’70s and a slick soundtrack including Led Zeppelin, The Who and of course Elton John, she helps turn the film into one of the best of the 2000s.

It’s a career-defining performance for Kate Hudson, and she’s not the only one who delivers. Jason Lee grows a mustache and long hair to fall into his hilarious lead singer role while Billy Crudup is similarly unrecognizable as the talented and moody Russell Hammond. Patrick Fugit plays William Miller, younger than most but wiser than some, and he finds a terrific foil in Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays famed music writer Lester Bangs. Throw in great work from Frances McDormand, Zooey Deschanel and even Jimmy Fallon and it’s a masterclass of terrific performances. If it’s been a while since you’ve revisited the movie, maybe throw on some purple-tinted sunglasses and kick back to the tune of Simon & Garfunkel’s “America.” Settle in, you’re almost home.

• An Almost Famous Quote To Remember: “If you never take it seriously, you never get hurt. If you never get hurt, you always have fun. And if you ever get lonely, you just go to the record store and visit your friends.” (Penny Lane)

10. No Country For Old Men (2007)

No matter what kind of film genre is up for discussion, the power and breadth of the Coen Brothers' filmography is worthy of inclusion, and they don't make 'em much better than 2007's No Country for Old Men. An adaptation of Carmac McCarthy’s 2005 novel that’s every bit as faithful as it is chilling, the film meticulously dips its toes most heavily into the cinematic waters of crime thrillers and westerns. That said, Javier Bardem’s unflinching hitman, Anton Chigurh, would be at home in any horror narrative, with his Two-Face-esque coin flips and an unstoppable drive that rivals Jason Voorhees or Michael Meyers. At least if a big ol’ stack of cash was also their end goal.

Despite being one of Joel and Ethan Coen’s driest films regarding their signature screwball humor, the movie is an exercise in tension that thrives on its lack of levity, though it’s hard not to smile whenever Woody Harrelson is on the screen in any capacity. With a stellar cast including Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt and more, No Country for Old Men is, to date, the only Coen brothers masterpiece to win them the Oscars for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture, with Bardem taking the gold for Best Supporting Actor. It’s not the awards that best signify its impact, however, but the bolt pistol gripped in Chigurh’s ever-steady hand.

• A No Country For Old Men Quote To Remember: “Well all the time ya spend trying to get back what's been took from ya, more is going out the door. After a while you just have to try to get a tourniquet on it.” (Ellis)

9. Memento (2000)

Talk about a movie that you definitely need to watch without your phone in your hand. Christopher Nolan’s Memento is a mind-bending combination of different angles that demands and deserves your entire attention. The story is told backward, broken up by clips of a black and white, forward-moving montage of a mysterious one-sided phone call in a hotel, led by Guy Pearce, whose character Leonard, also happens to have anterograde (or short-term) amnesia, stopping our protagonist from creating new memories as he looks for his wife’s killer, who also gave him this debilitating injury.

As mentioned, Nolan basically begins at the end and works his way back, for the most part. The juxtaposition of the timelines bring the audience into the obvious confusion that Leonard lives with every day. "Even if you get revenge, you're not going to remember it," he's told by his new friend Teddy (played by Joe Pantoliano) but his reply shows just how far his love and determination will go, stating "My wife deserves revenge whether or not I remember it."  Toss in Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss) to add some confusing sympathy (or treachery) and you will probably want a second viewing just to wrap your mind around what you might have initially dismissed as unimportant plot points from this Nolan classic. You’ll notice that Nolan has popped up numerous times on this list (and rightfully so) and he has also once again recently hit it out of the park with 2023’s Oppenheimer.  

• A Memento Quote To Remember: “So you lie to yourself to be happy. There’s nothing wrong with that. We all do it.” (Teddy G.)

8. Wall-E (2008)

Do you know who is a genius? Sound designer Ben Burtt. You might not know his name, but you certainly know the movies he contributed to over the years, including Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and 2009’s Star Trek. Burtt designed the “vocals” for R2-D2, Darth Vader’s heavy breathing, and the “voice” of E.T. But, his work truly soared when he lent dialogue to the adorable Waste Allocation Load Lifter assigned to an abandoned Earth. MIraculously, the first half of Pixar’s ingenious WALL-E works as a silent film, following our main character as it goes about its daily routine with a pet cockroach in tow. WALL-E’s life is upended when another robot named EVE arrives, searching for any sign of life. 

From there, the fate of humanity starts to be revealed, and it’s rather grim. Director Andrew Stanton’s animation for the film ranks as some of Pixar’s most magnificent, embracing the scorched orange of a deserted Earth and then painting with vivid colors for WALL-E’s eventual outer-space adventure. The environmental messages of the film are important without ever being preachy. And, the eventual romance felt and shared by WALL-E and EVE will lift every single heart, with the lovers sharing hardly any words. 

• A Wall-E Quote To Remember: “I see the ship's log is showing that today is the 700th anniversary of our five year cruise. Well, I'm sure our forefathers would be proud to know that 700 years later we'd be... doing the exact same thing they were doing.” (Captain B. McCrea)

7. The Departed (2006)

There are crime films and then there are Martin Scorsese crime films, and when it comes to The Departed, the director doesn’t let us down. A remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, the 2006 movie gives us a range of characters to root for, root against or simply watch just to see what they’ll do or say next. That includes Leonardo DiCaprio’s undercover cop character Billy Costigan, Matt Damon’s sneaky, spying Colin Sullivan, Jack Nicholson’s mob boss character Frank Costello, and Vera Farmiga’s well-meaning therapist Dr. Madolyn Madden. To say that things get complicated might be understating it, but it’s the complexity of the characters and their roles in this story that makes The Departed such a fantastic and gripping movie from beginning to end. 

In a way, it’s all business for everyone involved, but it’s also personal for each character on some level or another. It’s impossible not to feel anxious for DiCaprio’s character as he attempts to navigate the criminal world without being caught for who he really is, just as it’s impossible not to grow increasingly frustrated by Matt Damon’s character for posing as an upstanding law enforcer who’s actually up to no good. It’s thrilling, stressful, riveting and ultimately satisfying, and that’s not even factoring in Mark Wahlberg’s character every time he has something to say (that’s just a bonus). 

• A The Departed Quote To Remember: “You know what I like about restaurants? . . . You can learn a lot, watching things eat.” (Frank Costello)

6. Best In Show (2000)

Nobody does mockumentaries like Christopher Guest, and 2000’s Best in Show is an absolute masterclass. The mundane musings of everyday conversation combine with outlandish characters and awkward situations to deliver one of the best movies of the decade. The dog show is the event that brings these unique and individually brilliant characters under one roof, but it’s no Maguffin. As bonkers as each dog-lover’s trip is to get to the show, everything is turned up to 11, if you will, when they all come together, and the event itself is perfectly colored by Fred Willard’s commentary.

There’s a reason this phenomenal cast has stuck together to appear in other projects. The chemistry between Eugene Levy’s Gerry and Catherine O’Hara’s Cookie (with her “hundreds” of boyfriends) left people begging for more, which they got in A Mighty Wind. Jennifer Coolidge was excellent in her attempts to substantiate her marriage to her ancient sugar daddy husband by saying they bonded over a love of soup and the ability to “not talk or talk forever.” The genius casting of John Michael Higgins and Michael McKean gave audiences the married couple they never knew they needed. 

Best in Show exploits the banal in some situations while heightening reality in others, to where Harlan Pepper naming nuts and the couple describing how they met at Starbucks (but two different Starbucks) land laughs just as hard as Gerry’s literal two left feet or Cookie walking with her knee out of socket.

• A Best In Show Quote To Remember: “Why don’t they put the bloodhound — put on one of those Sherlock Holmes hats and put a little pipe in his mouth? Are they ever allowed to do anything like that? Dress up the dog in a funny way? It would really get the crowd going. You know what I mean? The Sherlock Holmes hat with a pipe. I don’t know if you could make it look like smoke is coming out of the pipe.” (Buck Laughlin)

5. Zodiac (2007)

David Fincher’s greatest accomplishment, and that’s saying a lot. The director has spent countless hours analyzing the compulsion that drives people to seek the truth – be it lawyers parsing through statements to figure out who invented Facebook (The Social Network), or detectives tracking a serial killer who is inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins (Seven). But Zodiac is Fincher’s magnum opus, an engrossing true-crime thriller based on the books of Robert Graysmith tracking the diligent work of three men consumed by the search for the identity of the Zodiac Killer. 

Jake Gyllanhaal serves as the ideal audience surrogate, a puzzle designer for the San Francisco Chronicle who gets swept up in the mystery of the serial killer, who antagonized the police and the media as he committed vicious murders around San Francisco in the 1970s, Fincher painstakingly recreates the time period with breathtaking visuals and top-notch costuming and set design. His emphasis on the bustle of a newsroom is particularly spot on. The film also lingers in the haze of fear, anxiety, and suspense that comes from a killer on the loose. But it’s the supporting roles of Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo, as well as an inability to truly deliver a concrete ending, that makes Zodiac such a rewatchable movie, and a captivating masterpiece.

• A Zodiac Quote To Remember: “I am not the Zodiac. And if I was, I certainly wouldn't tell you.” (Arthur Leigh Allen)

4. Mean Girls (2004)

From wearing pink on Wednesdays to shouting “You go Glen Coco” it’s undeniable that Mean Girls has seriously influenced pop culture over the last (almost) two decades. So, “get in loser,” it’s time to appreciate this beloved coming-of-age comedy from Tina Fey.

This movie is a classic teenage tale about a girl who moves from Africa to the United States where she experiences the rude awakening that is high school by way of The Plastics. While it’s your typical coming-of-age story, it’s infused with the signature sense of humor from Fey – who was in the midst of her legendary run at Saturday Night Live – and it shows the high school experience in a totally unique way with a cast of characters played by actors who have since become icons. 

Not only did the film solidify Lindsay Lohan as an early 2000s star, it also simultaneously jumpstarted the careers of many in the Mean Girls cast, including little known actresses like Rachel McAdams and Amanda Seyfried. On top of that, its legacy has lived on, as it was adapted into a Broadway musical, and is eventually coming back to the screen with an adaptation of said stage production. To say this film is a quintessential 2000s classic almost feels like an understatement because of the lasting impact it has managed to have on people of all ages since its release in 2004. 

• A Mean Girls Quote To Remember: "She doesn't even go here!" (Damian)

3. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

You could argue that Jim Carrey makes much better dramatic movies than he does comedic features. And that opinion is coming from someone who adores Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, as well as Dumb & Dumber. But when you factor in the dramatic detours he embarked on for The Truman Show, Man on the Moon, and this incredible romance, you begin to wonder how many Oscars Carrey might have if he got the industry to treat him seriously, instead of talking out of his ass (literally). 

Carrey and Kate Winslet are magnificent as Joel and Clementine, two soul mates who undergo a radical procedure to have their memories of each other erased after a bitter argument. Only screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) could keep such a twisty premise from flying off the rails. And while the side-mission actions of the memory technicians can get a little silly, we remain wholly invested in Joel and Clementine’s complicated journey because of the heartbroken and beautiful chemistry shared between Carrey and Winslet. It’s a real challenge presented to these stars, as we’re not supposed to know whether Joel and Clementine are better off together or apart. But the satisfying resolution says as much about fate as it does about the existence of true love, so long as we remember how and when to look for it.

• An Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind Quote To Remember: “Constantly talking isn’t necessarily communicating.” (Joel Barish)

2. The Dark Knight (2008)

It’s been said before, but it’ll be said again – The Dark Knight is one of the greatest superhero films (and one of the greatest movies) ever made. Christopher Nolan’s ambition as a filmmaker has been well-noted, but even he outdid himself with his 2008 follow-up to 2005’s Batman Begins. The second chapter in the journey of Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne sees the iconic DC Comics hero going up against the dangerous and unpredictable Joker. All the while, the Caped Crusader and his allies must also contend with mob bosses and Harvey Dent, Gotham City’s honorable district attorney who becomes the deformed Two-Face.

Where does one even start when it comes to singing this movie’s praises? There’s the impeccable screenplay, massive set pieces, engrossing score and much more. Yet I suppose what stands out the most are the performances, especially that of the late Heath Ledger. The actor, who posthumously won an Oscar for his work, fully committed to his role as the Clown Prince of Crime and is absolutely mesmerizing. His villainous turn is just one of the many reasons why Nolan’s film is a thrilling and compelling piece of work that’s still incredibly entertaining now, over a decade later.

• A The Dark Knight Quote To Remember: “Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it! You know, I just...do things.” (The Joker)

1. City Of God (2002)

Making its Brazil and festival run in 2002 and eventually hitting theaters in the U.S. and elsewhere  in the year that followed, Fernando Meirelles’ City of God, based on Paulo Lins’ semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, served as an inflection point in the world of cinema and served as a preview of what the the next few years would look like. Told through the eyes of young photographer Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues), the movie explores the life of street kids in the Cidade de Deus (City of God) favela in Rio de Janeiro, an expansive slum filled with endless supplies of drugs, ruthless gangsters, and corrupt cops who allow the madness to continue. One of the most violent movies of the 2000s, City of God is a lesson in brutality, especially whenever depicting the exploits of Li’l Dice (Douglas Silva), a ruthless and sociopathic young criminal who stops at nothing in his quest for complete control. Oddly enough, the older version of the character known as Li’l Ze (Leandro Firmino) never comes off as cold blooded as his younger self, which further illustrates the movie’s point about youth and violence. 

At the same time, City of God is also one of the most beautiful movies of the 2000s, and not just on an aesthetic level (though César Charlone’s cinematography is out of this world). The endearing spirit of those who wish to escape a life of crime, ranging from Rocket to the ill-fated drug dealer Benny (Phellipe Haagensen), adds a level of heart and soul one may not expect from a two-hour crime drama about young criminals with short fuses and, in many cases, tragically  shorter lifespans. 

• A City Of God Quote To Remember: “You need more than guts to be a good gangster; you need ideas.” (Rocket)

How we put this list together

Using a combination of internal recommendations and other best of lists, we compiled a spreadsheet of all the movies from the 2000s that we considered to be culturally relevant and/or critically well-reviewed. We pushed together some multi-part movies like Kill Bill and Lord Of The Rings and then had our staff of almost 30 go through and assign a score for each movie they’ve seen based on their own personal opinions. We disqualified any movies that didn’t get a minimum number of ratings and dropped the lowest score for each, as if we were judging a figure skating competition. We then ordered the top 100 based on average score and had someone who gave that movie a particularly high score write up a paragraph explaining what’s so great about it. This rigorous scientific process resulted in Idiocracy being slotted at 101, an omission I’m still furious about.

What makes an R-rated movie? Is it crass and foul language? What about nudity? Violence, too? Or it could be a combination of these different elements, which is often the case for some of the best comedies of all time. 

Below is a list of 25 R-rated comedies that really earned their R-ratings, either because of language, nudity, violence, or simply because the subject matter was too harsh for audiences under a certain age. With classics like Blazing Saddles and modern gems like The Hangover, and just about everything in between, here are some of the raunchiest comedies and why the MPA felt they should be “restricted” at the box office, but not enough to earn the dreaded NC-17 rating.

The Hangover (2009)

Todd Phillips’ The Hangover pushed the limits of the R-rating in 2009 with its pervasive language, all kinds of references to drugs, violence, sex talk, and even some full-frontal nudity involving Ken Jeong. Those elements, along with a fun story about a group of guys who lose their friend in Las Vegas right before he’s set to get married, created one of the most popular comedies of the century as well as the most successful R-rated comedy of all time, per BoxOfficeMojo.

Blazing Saddles (1974)

Most likely the first Mel Brooks movie that comes to mind, Blazing Saddles is often considered one of those movies that could never be made today. And there’s a good reason for that: Brooks already made the classic Western comedy in 1974. But seriously, this legendary R-rated comedy is full of racist, sexist, and straight-up dirty language, has all kinds of references to sex, violence, and so much more. But, what more would you expect from a script co-written by the late, great Richard Pryor?

American Pie (1999)

Undoubtedly the biggest teen sex comedy of the 1990s, American Pie took the world by storm in 1999, especially for those who had to sneak into the living room while their older brother and his friends were watching it. From the scrambled porn opening scene to the infamous apple pie moment, there are plenty of reasons the movie about a group of high school seniors trying to lose their virginity earned an R-rating.

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Though David Wain’s teen comedy parody, Wet Hot American Summer, doesn’t push the boundaries like other movies on this list, the 2001 movie about the counselors and campers of Camp Firewood does have one sequence that earns its R-rating: the “Going into town” scene. In the span of three minutes, we go from a library to an alley where the counselors buy cocaine, rob an elderly woman, and shoot up heroin in a drug den that looks like something out of Trainspotting. As quickly as it starts, the scene ends and the teens go back to camp as if nothing happened. Classic. 

Bridesmaids (2011)

Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids is another movie on this list that is on the softer side of the R-rating, but this raunchy 2011 comedy starring Kristen Wiig (who also co-wrote the script) and Maya Rudolph more than earns its restricted classification. The food poisoning scene, especially when Rudoph’s character is pooping in the street, might not be too extreme, but the sexual references and crass language throughout the two-hour comedy were what made this modern classic too much for younger audiences.

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

One of the best Eddie Murphy comedies, the Martin Brest-directed Beverly Hills Cop also happens to be one of greatest buddy cop movies, and comedies in general, of all time. Murphy’s turn as Axel Foley, a reckless Detroit police detective who goes to Los Angeles to solve the murder of his best friend, is definitely what gives this movie its R-rating, considering his constant barrage of profanity would be enough to lose a PG-13 classification in his first scene alone.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Nicholas Stoller’s comedy about a composer who goes on a Hawaiian vacation following his high-profile breakup with a famous actress, only to discover she’s at the same resort with her new boyfriend, was one of the biggest surprises of 2008. The language and situations found in Jason Segel’s script were enough to make this romp R-rated, but the two scenes where the actor is seen fully naked is what pushes it over the edge.

Friday (1995)

One of the best ‘90s comedies, F. Gary Gray’s Friday follows Craig Jones (Ice Cube) and his best friend Smokey (Chris Tucker) over the course of a single day, a day in which they get incredibly stoned, survive a drive-by, and take on neighborhood bully, Deebo (Tiny “Zeus” Lister Jr.). With language totally not suitable for younger audiences (unless they’re watching the USA Network edit), constant drug references, and one of the most brutal fights, there are plenty of reasons this 1995 comedy earned an R-rating.

Booksmart (2019)

Olivia Wilde’s Booksmart took the teen coming-of-age/sex comedy premise and flipped it on its head in 2019 with a hilarious and crude yet incredibly heartfelt story about two girls who finally decide to come out of their shells on the last day of school. Drug use, cursing, sexual situations, and other things often associated with male leads are instead tied to Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein’s characters as they attempt to let loose after years of following the straight and narrow.

Clerks (1994)

Kevin Smith has had an incredibly long and fruitful career in Hollywood, and it all started with the 1994 black-and-white comedy, Clerks. If you are familiar with Smith’s movies, then you know this landmark film is full of unsavory language, drug use, some violence, and an extended bit of dialogue about a certain girlfriend and the number 37. 

Ted (2012)

Seth McFarlane’s 2012 comedy, Ted, follows life-long slacker John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), as he spends his days wasting away with his best friend, a stuffed bear named Ted (McFarlane). This incredibly hilarious and crude movie checks all the boxes when it comes to an R-rating: drug use, sexual content, obscene language, and situations that may be too much even for some adults. 

The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)

Judd Apatow’s 2005 comedy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, follows Steve Carell’s Andy Stiltzer as the introverted Smart Tech employee attempts to have sex for the first time. But, the craziest thing about this movie is that Andy isn’t what really earns the R-rating, but instead the cast of characters surrounding him. Paul Rudd, Romany Malco, and Seth Rogen’s characters are foul-mouthed, sex-crazed lunatics who really turn up the volume throughout the movie, especially a certain scene shared by Malco and a then up-and-coming Kevin Hart.

Superbad (2007)

We had Booksmart on the list, so you knew Superbad wasn’t going to be too far behind. This seminal teen comedy from Greg Mottola has all the hallmarks of a teen buddy comedy: two nerdy friends (played by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera), an end-of-the-year party, and language that would make a sailor blush. If the language and drug/alcohol use by teens wasn’t crazy enough, there’s that notebook scene at the end of the movie.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)

Amy Heckerling’s 1982 coming-of-age comedy, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, is just as popular 40 years later thanks to its incredible cast, multiple storylines, and some of the genre’s most iconic scenes. Some of these scenes, like the fantasy sequence involving Judge Reinhold and Phoebe Cates, help you figure out why the movie was given an R-rating upon its initial release. But, the cussing and drug use by Sean Penn’s Jeff Spicoli also probably helped in that department.

There's Something About Mary (1998)

The Farrelly Brothers’ 1998 romantic comedy, There’s Something About Mary, is one of those movies that could have earned an NC-17 rating; it’s that wild. The movie centers on Ted Stroehmann (Ben Stiller) as he seeks out Mary Jensen (Cameron Diaz), his high school crush who’s also the obsession of pretty much every man she encounters. If you’ve seen this movie, you know it doesn’t hold back when it comes to language, sexual situations, and gross body humor like the zipper scene and that hair gel moment.

Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2004)

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle introduced the world to two of the greatest movie potheads in 2004 with its story about a pair of underachievers who go on an epic quest to find a greasy, square-shaped burger. It’s the journey that makes these road trip movies so much fun, right? Well, along the way, Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) get into all kinds of ridiculous situations, including a sequence with Neil Patrick Harris, that more than earn it a spot on this list.

Me, Myself & Irene (2000)

After There’s Something About Mary, the Farrelly Brothers gave the world another great R-rated comedy, and one that pushes the limits of the rating once again, with the 2000 Jim Carrey comedy, Me, Myself & Irene. The movie follows Carrey’s Charlie Baileygate, a meek and overly nice Rhode Island state trooper who finally snaps after years of taking abuse from everyone around him. This split personality, known as Hank Evans, creates some of the most hilarious, and depraved, moments from Carrey’s career.

National Lampoon's Animal House

The legendary National Lampoon’s Animal House is an absurdly funny and raucous affair, which is to be expected considering the movie is about a college fraternity on probation for poor academic standing and countless conduct violations. Even then, John Landis’ 1978 comedy surprises you with its vulgarity, sexual situations, and straight-up ridiculousness from characters played by the likes of John Belushi, Tim Matheson, Peter Riegert, and Kevin Bacon.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

One of the best Coen Brothers movies, The Big Lebowski is one of those films that transcends genre, but since it’s funny as all hell, we can’t not include it here. Released in 1998, the movie follows Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) as he gets caught up in a scheme involving the other Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston), which leads to a long and winding road of kidnappings, pornography, and an epic fantasy sequence. The sexual situations, violence, and language from Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) sent this over the edge.

Porky's (1982)

Two years before he gave the world the classic holiday movie, A Christmas Story, Bob Clark presented a less wholesome and raunchier movie that made the whole leg lamp situation look like nothing. Of course, we’re talking about the successful 1982 sex comedy, Porky’s. So, why the R-rating? Well, there’s the main plot that involves a group of Florida high schoolers going to a strip club in an attempt to get their friend laid. Combine that with the “pepping” and “Lassie” subplots, and you can figure it out.

Borat (2006)

Released in 2006, Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, or Borat for short, was a mockumentary following Sacha Baron Cohen’s titular character as he explored America and got into all kinds of hijinks. With a combination of scripted sequences and some of the most absurd hidden-camera pranks, there was no way Larry Charles’ movie was going to be anything but R-rated. Nudity, sexual situations, cussing, violence, and racism/xenophobia are all at play in this utterly ridiculous movie.

Zombieland (2009)

Though movies like My Boyfriend’s Back, Warm Bodies, and World War Z proved a good zombie movie could have a PG-13 rating, that wasn’t the case for Ruben Fleischer’s 2009 horror comedy, Zombieland. Taking the best elements of buddy action comedies and combining them with the hallmarks of the zombie genre, the movie was a fun ride. Crude language, violence, and so much gore are the main reasons the movie earned an R-rating.

Freddy Got Fingered (2001)

How Tom Green’s surrealist comedy, Freddy Got Fingered, was given an R-rating instead of the NC-17 classification is something that remains a mystery 22 years after its initial release. While the main plot about Green’s Gordon “Gord” Bordy trying to become a professional cartoonist doesn’t sound all that crazy, the movie is anything but tame. The horse and elephant scenes, the subplot where Gord accuses his father of sexually abusing his brother, and pretty much everything that happens is WILD. 

Revenge Of The Nerds (1984)

Jeff Kanew’s 1984 comedy, Revenge of the Nerds, doesn’t seem all that bad or too risque on the surface, but man, this movie is absolutely nuts. Sure, there’s an edited TV version that cuts out a lot of the language and some of the more absurd scenes, but the theatrical cut is a depraved exploration of college culture. The language is one thing, but the Lambda Lambda Lambda members spying on a sorority, the Darth Vader scene, and several other interactions mean giving this movie an R-rating was a no-brainer.

Super Troopers (2001)

The 2001 Broken Lizard comedy, Super Troopers, follows a group of Vermont state troopers as they try to prevent their raucous station from being shut down and their jurisdiction handed over to the local police department. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? Well, this movie is bonkers in all the good ways. With more curse words than one can count, so many drug references, and so many shenanigans, it’s easy to see what an R-rating was a given with this one.

Well, we’ve come to the end of this wild and debaucherous ride going back several decades. If you want to know about all the upcoming comedy movies that will push the boundaries of the R-rating, take a look at our 2023 movie schedule so you don’t miss a thing.

The Hangover became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy in 2009 domestically. It even managed to sneak into first place at the weekend box office ahead of Pixar’s Up! One of the comedy’s core cast members, Ed Helms, spoke about the panic and anxiety he felt due to The Hangover’s fame, painting us a picture of the horrors that celebrity life can bring to a person.

Ed Helms was already a well-known face on TV from being a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and his time on The Office as Andy Bernard. But Helms admitted on an episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend how overwhelming fame was for him after The Hangover blew up, saying:

It’s true that Ed Helms was shown on the big screen in many prominent roles after The Hangover came out. He lent his voice as a news reporter in the animated comedy film Monsters Vs. Aliens, went boy band in The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, and had his first leading man role in Cedar Rapids, which was critically well-received. The anxiety you feel getting a handful of film scripts and not knowing which ones to pick is understandable. On the other hand, The Hangover was clearly great exposure for The Office star to show he’s big-screen material.

After Ed Helms experienced fame after The Hangover, the comedy actor further explained a unique discovery during this time.

To go from living a quiet life to having a number of people reaching out to you can definitely be intense. Luckily, Helms gave credit to his Hangover co-stars Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper for keeping him “sane” during filming. I’m sure that must have made it hard for him to say goodbye to them after The Hangover trilogy was completed. And you better believe The Hangover will always be a memorable experience for the Rutherford Falls actor, considering he pulled his own tooth for the movie! Don’t worry, it was an implant that was already there that he had a dentist remove for the role, but that's still the mark of a dedicated actor.

Ed Helms’ moments of anxiety from The Hangover show that fame can be an absolute nightmare, but this actor proves how important it is to break the stigma of anxiety by talking about it. As for if there will be The Hangover 4, Helms doubts it. It’s okay, as he doesn’t need these films to show off his acting chops. If you want to see his comedic performance in The Hangover movies, you can watch them with your HBO Max subscription. 

Max is one of the best streaming services out there and has a ton of great movies, which can make the process of deciding on one a difficult task. There are so many films you can see with a Max subscription, and as of March 2025, so many have been added, like The Florida Project, Flow and more. Here is what you can check out.

Intense Dramas

For the times you want to be on the edge of your seat:

The Zone Of Interest (2023)

The Director: Jonathan Glazer

The Cast: Christian Friedel, Sandra Huller

What It's About: This movie focuses on the life of an Auschwitz commandant, and how he and his family live in the “Zone of Interest,” an area around the concentration camp.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The film won Best International Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards and was praised for its story and sound.

• Stream The Zone of Interest on Max.

Civil War (2024)

The Director: Alex Garland

The Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, Jesse Plemons, Stephen McKinley Henderson

What It's About: Civil War is a dystopian thriller film that follows the story of photojournalists, both professionals and a rookie, who travel across a United States that has been torn apart by a civil war, and the horrors they face, all to interview one person – the president.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Civil War is hands down one of the best films of 2024, and it’s by A24, which rarely ever misses in the films they distribute.

• Stream Civil War on Max.

The Iron Claw (2023)

The Director: Sean Durkin

The Cast: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson

What It's About: The Iron Claw is based on the real-life wrestling family known as the Von Erichs, and how they suffered tragedy after tragedy while in the professional sport.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: This is a film that will emotionally gut you by the end, but you’ll thank yourself for it. It’s beautifully acted and well-shot.

• Stream The Iron Claw on Max.

Prisoners (2013)

The Director: Denis Villeneuve

The Cast: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, Paul Dano

What It's About: After two girls are abducted in Pennsylvania, a suspect is released back to the public, and one of the fathers decides to take matters into his own hands and hunt him down.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I personally think Prisoners is one of Hugh Jackman’s best performances, and you will be riveted by the end of it. The movie is thrilling from beginning to end.

Stream Prisoners on Max.

A Different Man (2024)

The Director: Aaron Schimberg

The Cast: Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson

What It's About: A man with Neurofibromatosis undergoes a surgery to change his face forever only for the procedure to bring up past insecurities.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: A24 rarely misses when it comes to many of their dramatic films, and A Different Man is right up there with its compelling story and incredible lead performance from Sebastian Stan. It even won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Male Actor - Musical or Comedy in 2025.

• Stream A Different Man on Max.

Powerful, Emotional Dramas

For the dramas that make you laugh, cry, and more…

The Florida Project (2017)

The Director: Sean Baker

The Cast: Willem Dafoe, Brooklynn Kimberly Prince, Bria Vinaite, Valeria Cotto, Christopher Rivera, Caleb Landry Jones

What It's About: The Florida Project mainly focuses on the daily life of a six-year-old girl as she and her mother struggle not to become homeless in Kissimmee, Florida while also simultaneously living close to Disney World.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Since Sean Baker recently swept the 2025 Academy Awards for his film Anora, I think it’s time to check out one of his lesser-known films from A24. It’s emotional in all the right ways and beautiful, as well.

• Stream The Florida Project on Max.

Taxi Driver (1976)

The Director: Martin Scorsese

The Cast: Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Albert Brooks, Harvey Keitel, Leonard Harris, Peter Boyle, Cybill Shepherd

What It's About: Travis Bickle is a former Marine who takes a job as a taxi driver in New York City, and as the world around him continues to crumble, so does his mental state.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I mean, I think if you think of Martin Scorsese, there are a few films that instantly come to mind for the brilliant director, and Taxi Driver is one of them. It’s an iconic movie with even better performances and if for some reason you haven’t seen it, you need to check it out now.

• Stream Taxi Driver on Max.

The Imitation Game (2014)

The Director: Morten Tyldum

The Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, Charles Dance, Mark Strong

What It's About: Based on the autobiography, Alan Turing: The Enigma, this film follows the story of the real-life game cryptanalyst Alan Turing and how he and a team decrypted German intelligence messages and essentially created one of the world’s first modern computers.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Nominated for several awards in many different ceremonies, The Imitation Game is one of those films that really captures your interest the moment you watch it, and by the end, you’ve not only learned something new but want to learn more after.

• Stream The Imitation Game on Max.

The Color Purple (2023)

The Director: Blitz Bazawule

The Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins

What It's About: Based on the stage musical of the same name, which is based on the 1982 novel, The Color Purple is a movie musical about the life of Celie, an African American woman in the early 1900s trying to make a life for herself over time and dealing with domestic abuse at home.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The movie earned several Academy Award nominations, and features some of the best performances of 2023. You have to check it out if you love musicals.

• Stream The Color Purple on Max.

King Richard (2021) 

The Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green

The Cast: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Jon Bernthal

What It's About: King Richard tells the story of Richard Williams (Smith), the father of famous tennis duo, Serena and Venus Williams, and the struggles he went through to see his daughters become the best tennis players in the world.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Starring Academy Award-winner Will Smith, King Richard features the actor in his best role, and is the story that shows the beautiful kind of resilience that we all need.

• Stream King Richard on Max.

Priscilla (2023)

The Director: Sofia Coppola

The Cast: Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi

What It's About: Priscilla is a biographical drama that tells the story of Priscilla Presley, the legendary wife of Elvis Presley, following the tale of how they met, fell in love, and navigated their complicated relationship until their divorce.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The movie received critical praise for its acting performances and Spaeny shines as Priscilla.

• Stream Priscilla on Max.

Sully (2016)

The Director: Clint Eastwood

The Cast: Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney

What It's About: Based on the inspiring true story, Sully tells the story of real-life pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and how he saved all the passengers of his flight when he had to make an emergency landing on the Hudson River.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: When I first saw Sully back in 2016, it was one of those films that really opened my eyes to a story that I didn’t fully know, and it’s a quick movie that flies by while also delivering compelling performances from its cast.

• Stream Sully on Max.

Romantic Rendezvous

From dramatic romances to funny ones, these are the romance movies for you:

We Live In Time (2024)

The Director: John Crowley

The Cast: Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh

What It's About: We Live In Time follows the love story of two people who meet on a whim, and their beautiful and heartbreaking love story.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: We Live In Time utterly broke me when it first came out back in October 2024 and I was seriously shocked it wasn’t up for more awards, because it’s one of those films that just sits with you and makes you think about the beauty in your life, and to learn to enjoy every second that you can, because you never know when it will be taken from you. So beautiful in so many ways.

• Stream We Live in Time on Max.

Eat Pray Love (2010)

The Director: Ryan Murphy

The Cast: Julia Roberts, James Franco, Richard Jenkins, Viola Davis, Billy Crudup, Javier Bardem

What It's About: Based on the memoir of the same name, Eat Pray Love follows a woman who looks for fulfillment in life after ending her marriage, and decides to travel the world.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I think if you’re ever looking for something that’s romantic but also has a touch of self-love as well, this is the movie for you. You can’t get much better than Julia Roberts in a romantic drama.

• Stream Eat Pray Love on Max.

Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

The Director: Rose Glass

The Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian

What It's About: Love Lies Bleeding follows a young woman who owns a gym but is secretly part of a huge crime family. She gets tangled up in a romantic relationship with a female bodybuilder, and drama ensues once the bodybuilder finds out what is going on.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Love Lies Bleeding features an amazing LGBTQ+ storyline that somehow breaks barriers and also keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Plus, Stewart and O’Brian’s acting is top tier.

• Stream Love Lies Bleeding on Max.

Casablanca (1942)

The Director: Michael Curtiz

The Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingred Bergman

What It's About: An American expatriate who runs a successful nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco, is given a second shot at redemption and love when his old flame waltzes back into his life and asks him to help her fugitive husband escape the Nazis once and for all.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: One of the greatest films to ever win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, Casablanca has it all: drama, romance, action, and one of the most quotable lines ever. I mean, do you need me to go on?

• Stream Casablanca on Max.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

The Director: Jon M. Chu

The Cast: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, Michelle Yeoh

What It's About: A Chinese-American professor travels to Singapore with her boyfriend only to find out that his family over there isn’t normal – they are incredibly rich.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I think Crazy Rich Asians is one of those films that everyone has to watch at least once. The romance in it is top-tier, with some expert-level chemistry and acting, but the comedy aspect is really what makes it so great. Plus, the cast is outstanding.

• Stream Crazy Rich Asians on Max.

Pretty Woman (1990)

The Director: Garry Marshall

The Cast: Richard Gere, Julia Roberts

What It's About: Pretty Woman is a rom-com that follows the story of a rich man hiring a sex worker for a week in order to pretend to be his date for several upcoming social events, and the relationship that grows from there.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Pretty Woman is hands down one of Julia Roberts’ best romantic comedies, and features one of the best romances on the big screen, mixed in with some steamy chemistry.

• Stream Pretty Woman on Max.

Fun Comedies

Get ready for your tummy to hurt from laughing so much:

Modern Times (1936)

The Director: Charlie Chaplin

The Cast: Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman

What It's About: Charlie Chaplin’s 1936 silent movie classic, Modern Times, follows the Tramp (Chaplin) as he attempts to make sense of the technologically-advanced world around him and stay out of trouble, failing at both.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I mean, it’s Charlie Chaplin. How can I not recommend him? There are some of his other films on the platform but I’ll always stand by Modern Times as the best.

• Stream Modern Times on Max.

The Hangover (2009)

The Director: Todd Phillips

The Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha, Jeffrey Tambor

What It's About: When a bachelor party goes wrong and the groom winds up missing, it’s up to three groomsmen teaming up together to look for him across Las Vegas before the wedding.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: It’s The Hangover. It’s pretty much considered one of the best comedy movies of the 2000s. I would be a fool not to recommend it to you. It’s hilarious and great to watch with friends.

Stream The Hangover on Max.

• Stream The Hangover on Max.

Teen Wolf (1985)

The Director: Rod Daniel

The Cast: Michael J. Fox, James Hampton, Scott Paulin, Susan Ursitti, Jerry Levine, Jay Tarses

What It's About: A teenager suddenly finds his ordinary world turned upside down when he turns into a werewolf.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I mean, I think when we remember the most iconic films of the 1980s, Teen Wolf is probably up there for it being one of Michael J. Fox’s biggest movies. It’s funny, a great coming-of-age story, and honestly one that plenty of people can enjoy – and it’s not even scary.

• Stream Teen Wolf on Max.

Keanu (2016)

The Director: Peter Atencio

The Cast: Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Method Man, Luis Guzman, Nia Long, Will Forte

What It's About: Two cousins go on the ultimate adventure when a kitten is stolen and they do anything to get him back – including getting tangled up with criminals.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: This movie is so. Freaking. Funny. I stand by it every time I watch it because I think Peele and Key just have the best chemistry out there. Anyone who hasn’t seen it needs to.

• Stream Keanu on Max.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)

The Director: Edgar Wright

The Cast: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Alison Pill, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman

What It's About: Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the titular character, Scott Pilgrim, must face off against the seven evil exes in order to be with his new girlfriend, Ramona Flowers.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: This film is an absolute classic, especially now fifteen years later. The action is fun, the comedy is great, and it’s an all-around entertaining time.

• Stream Scott Pilgrim vs. The World on Max.

Intense Horrors

These are the kinds of horrors that you might want to leave the light on for:

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

The Director: Lee Cronin

The Cast: Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, Nell Fisher

What It's About: Evil Dead Rise is the latest installment in the Evil Dead franchise, this time following the story of a mother who is possessed by the Deadites in that famed demonic book, and causing chaos for her sister and children on the same night.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The film was a critical success – and even if you haven’t seen an Evil Dead movie before, this one is good for a solo watch for any horror fan.

• Stream Evil Dead Rise on Max.

MaXXXine (2024)

The Director: Ti West

The Cast: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan

What It's About: The final part of the X trilogy, MaXXXine follows Maxine as she makes her way to Hollywood and finds herself in the middle of someone else’s killing spree – someone who is looking to kill her next.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: You could check out X or Pearl prior, but MaXXXine takes the gore to another level and is fun as heck.

• Stream MaXXXine on Max.

The Conjuring (2013)

The Director: James Wan

The Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingsgon, Lili Taylor

What It's About: Based on the real-life haunts, The Conjuring tells the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren, two paranormal investigators, and their experience in a house on Rhode Island that is overcome with disturbing events.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I remember when The Conjuring first released back in 2013, it was all everyone could talk about, and now, The Conjuring universe is still going strong, twelve years later, with a final film releasing in 2025, The Conjuring: Last Rites. You should certainly check it out if you haven’t yet for the frights.

• Stream The Conjuring on Max.

Sinister (2012)

The Director: Scott Derrickson

The Cast: Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, Fred Thompson, James Ransone

What It's About: Sinister is a horror film that follows the story of a true-crime writer who begins to experience supernatural events after moving his family into a new home, only to find out that there’s more to this house than he thought, including plenty of murder.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Sinister is certainly one of Ethan Hawke’s best movies, but truthfully you should just watch it for how utterly horrifying this film is and how quickly it gets under your skin.

• Stream Sinister on Max.

Not So Intense Horrors

For the ones who need a light horror day:

Child’s Play (1988)

The Director: Thomas Lee Holland

The Cast: Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon

What It's About: The ghost of a serial killer possesses a doll, and soon, that new doll is unknowingly gifted to a young boy, which causes nothing but chaos.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I know that at first glance you might wonder why I put Child’s Play in the “Not So Intense Horror” section but truthfully the first movie isn’t that scary. It’s not as gory or bloody as later Child’s Play movies, and the film is scary in a delightful way and enjoyable for those who want more subdued horror.

• Stream Child’s Play on Max.

The Lighthouse (2019)

The Director: Robert Eggers

The Cast: Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe

What It's About: The Lighthouse follows the story of two lighthouse keepers in the nineteenth century, and how a storm one night changes their lives forever.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Look, this is a Robert Eggers film. That means you know it’ll be visually stunning but also trippy as heck and will certainly make you say “huh?” a couple times while watching. But let me tell you that this is the kind of horror that is not aimed to scare, but make you uncomfortable and freaked out. And I eat it up each time I watch it.

• Stream The Lighthouse on Max.

I Saw The TV Glow (2024)

The Director: Jane Schoenbrun

The Cast: Justice Smith, Bridgette Lundy-Paine, Helena Howard

What It's About: I Saw The TV Glow follows two high school students who bond over their connection to a children’s show that they love, but things in their lives begin to take a turn when the show is cancelled.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: As I said before, A24 doesn’t miss with its horror movies, so this is a great pick for those who want that scary feeling but don’t want to be completely horrified by the end of it.

• Stream I Saw The TV Glow on Max.

The Killing Of A Sacred Deer (2017)

The Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

The Cast: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Barry Keoghan

What It's About: The Killing of a Sacred Deer follows how the lives of a teenage boy and a cardiac surgeon begin to twist in unexpected ways, but things take a turn when the family of the surgeon begins to fall ill, one by one.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Yorgos Lanthimos directed this film so it really does have some crazy visuals and twists throughout it. Truly one of a kind and not too scary but scary enough.

• Stream The Killing of a Sacred Deer on Max.

Black Swan (2010)

The Director: Darren Aronofsky

The Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder

What It's About: Black Swan captures the essence of a ballerina slowly losing her mind as she becomes obsessed with perfection regarding her starring role as the Black Swan in the stage production of Swan Lake.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Natalie Portman won the Academy Award for Best Actress because of her performance in Black Swan. Truly a great performance.

• Stream Black Swan on Max.

Heroes And Villains Galore

It’s a bird, it’s a plane - nope, it’s some exciting superhero (or villain) movies!

The Batman (2022)

The Director: Matt Reeves

The Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright

What It's About: Bruce has been fighting crime for two years in Gotham City, and now must uncover corruption as the Riddler (Paul Dano) wreaks havoc on the wealthy.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: It’s certainly one of the best live-action Batman movies out there, and there’s a sequel on the way, so you might as well check out the first.

• Stream The Batman on Max.

Superman I And II (1978, 1981)

The Director: Richard Donner and Richard Lester

The Cast: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty

What It's About: The movies, considered some of the best Superman movies ever, star Christopher Reeve as the beloved DC superhero, telling the origin story of Superman, from his time as a young child on Krypton to his crime-fighting days against Lex Luthor.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: If you want a pure superhero movie with a lot of heart, not crazy CGI, and good acting, these are some of the best out there and ones you need to check out.

• Stream Superman on Max.
• Stream Superman II on Max.

The Dark Knight (2008)

The Director: Christopher Nolan

The Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman

What It's About: The second movie in the Nolan Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight follows Batman as he forms an alliance with lawmakers in order to take down the Joker.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: What can I say about this film that hasn’t already been said as to why you should watch it? It’s The Dark Knight. Ledger’s performance is incomparable and the film is full of action and great lines. Give it a watch.

• Stream The Dark Knight on Max.

Blue Beetle (2023)

The Director: Ángel Manuel Soto

The Cast: Xolo Maridueña, Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, George Lopez

What It's About: Blue Beetle follows the story of Jaime Reyes, a young man trying to help out his family in their time of need, but when he touches an ancient Scarab and it fuses with him, it gives him the powers of the Blue Beetle – a moment that will change his life forever.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Many other heroes in the upcoming DC universe formed by James Gunn haven’t made the cut, but Blue Beetle will. Now is the best time to check out the film.

• Stream Blue Beetle on Max.

Deadpool (2016)

The Director: Tim Miller

The Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano

What It's About: Deadpool is the first film in the Deadpool franchise, following a mercenary who is diagnosed with cancer and undergoes a treatment that’s supposed to cure him but ends up giving him superpowers that change his life for the worse. Now, he uses it to fight against evildoers and find the person who did this to him.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Ryan Reynolds is perfect as Deadpool and with the third film out, now is the best time to check out the original.

• Stream Deadpool on Max.

Joker (2019)

The Director: Todd Phillips

The Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz

What It's About: Joker tells the origin story of how Arthur Fleck donned that famous face paint and ended up becoming a symbol for all of crime in Gotham City, through his own madness.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Joker earned Phoenix an Academy Award for Best Actor and was one of the highest-grossing R-rated films ever. Truly a great one to watch. You could check out the sequel on Max as well but I prefer to stick to the original.

• Stream Joker on Max.

Action Galore

These are the picks that will get your heart racing!

Elevation (2024)

The Director: George Nolfi

The Cast: Anthony Mackie, Morena Baccarin, Maddie Hasson

What It's About: When the life of a young boy is threatened, a single father and two women go on an incredibly perilous journey in order to save him, leaving behind the safety of their elevated community to travel into the depths of danger beneath them.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I feel like no one knows about Elevation. The movie came out during a time where there were a lot of other big movies at the box office and it wasn’t marketed as much. But it’s an enjoyable thriller with a lot of action going for it.

• Stream Elevation on Max.

Speed (1994)

The Director: Jan de Bont

The Cast: Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton, Jeff Daniels

What It's About: This iconic action thriller tells the story of a city bus that is set to explode if the speed drops below 50 mph, so now an LAPD officer has to figure out how to save the people on board.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I really think that Speed is one of the best action movies out there. When I think of high-paced action, I think of this film. It’s a great movie to check out on a random Saturday night.

• Stream Speed on Max.

Bad Boys (1995)

The Director: Michael Bay

The Cast: Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Tea Leoni, Tcheky Karyo

What It's About: Bad Boys is a buddy-comedy movie about two detectives who are trying to investigate a huge drug case but get entangled into protecting a woman after she sees someone murdered.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: There’s a reason why there have been so many of these films over the last two decades (five and counting). You just can’t help but enjoy Lawrence and Smith’s hilarious chemistry and performances.

• Stream Bad Boys on Max.

Greenland (2020)

The Director: Ric Roman Waugh

The Cast: Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin Roger Dale Floyd, Scott Glenn, David Denman, Hope Davis

What It's About: When a comet is coming that will destroy the Earth, a family races against time in order to get to an evacuation point so they can somehow survive.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: There are some great modern-day apocalypse movies and I do think Greenland is one of those. While it doesn’t do anything new – as we’ve all seen the films that follow someone trying to survive a planet-killing comet – it’s fun acting, action, and the effects are great as well. I would fully recommend it.

• Stream Greenland on Max.

The Boondock Saints (1999)

The Director: Troy Duffy

The Cast: Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, Willem Dafoe

What It's About: Two Irish twin brothers become vigilantes after they kill members of the Russian mafia up in Boston.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: This film is just fun. That’s the best way I can describe it. It’s a fun, action-paced film with scenes that are so packed with violence that it’ll almost make you laugh but damn, do I love watching it.

• Stream The Boondock Saints on Max.

Fun For The Whole Family

These are great for the parents and the kids!

Flow (2024)

The Director: Glints Zilbalodis

The Cast: N/A

What It's About: A cat tries to survive alongside its animal companions in a world where the water level is rising and no one is there to help them.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: This film is honestly one of the best of 2024. It won the 2025 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and comes from one of the few independent film studios to ever do so. It’s incredibly well-animated and the fact that it tells a story so well without any dialogue is fascinating.

• Stream Flow on Max.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

The Director: Chris Columbus

The Cast: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fiernstein, Robert Prosky

What It's About: When a divorced dad wants to see his kids, he decides to disguise himself as a female nanny and housekeeper and work in his old home undercover.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: When you’re talking about Robin Williams’ best movies, Mrs. Doubtfire is always high on that list for his hilarious comedic timing and the heartwarming story that comes from it. Definitely check it out if you haven’t ever seen it.

• Stream Mrs. Doubtfire on Max.

Ghostbusters (1984)

The Director: Ivan Reitman

The Cast: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis

What It's About: A group of men work as parapsychologists and begin a ghost-catching business in New York City to take on the paranormal problem.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! As someone who did watch this film as a kid, it’s fully safe for the whole family and is a ton of fun. And I’m sure that after, you’ll end up watching every Ghostbusters movie after.

• Stream Ghostbusters on Max.

Matilda (1996)

The Director: Danny DeVito

The Cast: Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Pearlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris

What It's About: Based on the novel of the same name, Matilda follows the story of a young girl with psychokinetic abilities who uses them to not only deal with her family but with the bad principal of her school.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Matilda is probably one of the most classic kids films that you could see. The magic is fun, the acting is enjoyable, and of course, Mara Wilson is adorable as Matilda.

• Stream Matilda on Max.

Barbie (2023)

The Director: Greta Gerwig

The Cast: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera

What It's About: Barbie follows everyone’s favorite doll as she enters the human world to find the girl she is connected to in order to help her. If she doesn’t, Barbie will turn more human-like by the day.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Considered one of the best movies of 2023, Barbie inspires a celebration of girlhood, love, and the beautiful life that we all take for granted most days.

• Stream Barbie on Max.

Hayao Miyazaki Movies

All of the films you see below were directed by legendary anime film director, Hayao Miyazaki. All of which are great for parents and for kids. Personally, my favorites have been Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle for a long time, both featuring beautiful stories, but the 2023 Academy Award-winning The Boy and the Heron is a must-watch as well.

• Stream Howl’s Moving Castle on Max.
• Stream Spirited Away on Max.
• Stream The Boy and the Heron on Max.

Megamind (2010)

The Director: Tom McGrath

The Cast: Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross, Brad Pitt

What It's About: When a villain beats his nemesis, he decides to create a new hero to fight, but when the hero ends up becoming worse than he could ever imagine, it’s up to Megamind to stop him.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: You know, I think Megamind was ahead of its time. It was successful back then but has only become more of a cult classic now, and people love to look back on it with fond memories.

• Stream Megamind on Max.

Paddington (2014)

The Director: Paul King

The Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Nicole Kidman, Ben Whishaw

What It's About: Based on the fictional character of the same name, Paddington follows a bear who migrates to London and is adopted by a family there, while a taxidermist looks to add him to her collection and will stop at nothing to achieve it.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Paddington has always been praised as one of the best family films out there for a reason. It’s emotional, funny, and teaches good lessons, and is quite successful, with a sequel and a third movie releasing soon.

• Stream Paddington on Max.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

The Director: Phyllida Lloyd

The Cast: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard

What It's About: Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical comedy that is based on the Broadway musical of the same name and uses ABBA music to tell the story of Sophie. You see, Sophie is getting married, but she’s never met her biological dad, so she has no one to walk her down the aisle.To do this, she decides to invite all three possible choices and figure out who it is for herself.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The premise itself is hysterical, but truthfully, this film is the perfect one to watch to get yourself up on your feet and dancing while also swooning at all of the romance.

• Stream Mamma Mia! on Max.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

The Director: Guy Ritchie

The Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams

What It's About: Based on the iconic fictional character of the same name, Sherlock Holmes tells the story of Holmes and his partner, Watson, as they investigate the crimes of someone who was thought to be dead.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: While these films can get a little action-packed, I watched this with my entire family and it was a heck of a fun time, and who doesn’t want to see Holmes kick some butt?

• Stream Sherlock Holmes on Max.

How To Train Your Dragon (2010)

The Director: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois

The Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera

What It's About: This animated DreamWorks masterpiece follows the story of Hiccup, a Viking, who is somehow able to tame – and learn to ride – the most vicious dragon after he injures it, in a world where Vikings slay dragons.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: A new live-action version of How To Train Your Dragon is releasing in 2025, so you might as well check out what made the original trilogy such a great one.

• Stream How To Train Your Dragon on Max.

Thrilling, Twisty, And Exciting Sci-Fi

Sci-fi that will truly make you question everything and anything:

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

The Director: Adam Wingard

The Cast: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Keylee Hottle, Alex Ferns, Fala Chen

What It's About: In this sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong, King Kong must unite with Godzilla in order to prevent even bigger monsters, the Skar King and Shimo, from invading Earth.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I mean, it’s Godzilla and King Kong. You can’t really get more sci-fi than these two. Is it a big CGI monster fun-fest? Of course it is – but that’s what you sign up for with these epic films, and it’s fun as heck.

• Stream Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on Max.

Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)

The Director: Daniel Kwan, Daneil Scheinert

The Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis

What It's About: The movie, starring Michelle Yeoh, follows the story of a Chinese-American immigrant who goes on a wild ride when parallel universe versions of herself say that she is the answer to stopping a powerful being from taking over – and destroying – the multiverse.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The premise is silly, but the film swept at the Academy Awards and won Best Picture, and personally, it’s one of my favorites.

• Stream Everything Everywhere All At Once on Max.

The Martian (2015)

The Director: Ridley Scott

The Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels

What It's About: The Martian, based on the novel of the same name and directed by Ridley Scott, follows the story of an astronaut who is left behind on Mars, while also simultaneously following the people whose task is to get him back safely.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The Martian cast is insanely talented, but Matt Damon knocks it out of the park with this one. Truly a great space movie.

• Stream The Martian on Max.

Men In Black (1997)

The Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

The Cast: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D’Onofrio, Rip Torn

What It's About: Two MIB agents, one a veteran and one a newbie, investigate a series of criminal incidents related to space creatures that have been invading Earth, all of which are finding ways to live among the people. All of them lead to one major alien that is causing a lot more harm than good.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: I feel like any time you think of Will Smith, his role in Men In Black is always one of the first you think of. He’s hilarious in the movie and, with three films in the franchise with the actor a part of it, it’s seriously one of his best roles.

• Stream Men In Black on Max.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

The Director: Stanley Kubrick

The Cast: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood

What It's About: 2001: A Space Odyssey is probably one of the most iconic movies of all time. The film follows a group of space explorers consisting of astronauts and scientists in order to look into an alien monolith, but the adventure isn’t as seamless as you would expect.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: While the film itself can be a little confusing, it’s considered one of the best movies of all time, so I’d highly suggest checking it out.

• Stream 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Fantasy Spectaculars

When you just want to escape to a magic world:

Dune And Dune: Part 2 (2021, 2024)

The Director: Denis Villeneuve

The Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista

What It's About: In this 2021 adaptation of the famous science-fiction novel, Dune stars an amazing ensemble cast and tells the story of Paul Atreidas (Timothée Chalamet), who sets out on a dangerous journey in order to find a way to save his family and his people, with Part 2 continuing the epic saga and taking the audience members on a journey unlike any other.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: The new Dune movies truly took over the world when they came out and introduced plenty of people to this fantasy world. Such fun films.

• Stream Dune on Max.
• Stream Dune: Part 2 on Max.

The Harry Potter Films (2001 – 2011)

The Director: Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuaron, Mike Newell, David Yates

The Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson

What It's About: For those who don’t know (which would be pretty shocking but either way), the Harry Potter film franchise is based on the novels of the same name and follows a boy wizard named Harry Potter and his adventures at a magical school named Hogwarts, where he trains to use magic and, eventually, take on the Dark Lord himself, Voldemort.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Harry Potter is a franchise that is still going to this day, but the original eight films raised an entire generation of Potterheads and make us all feel like going home when we hear the word ‘Hogwarts.’

• Stream the Harry Potter films on Max.

The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001 - 2003)

The Director: Peter Jackson

The Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett

What It's About: An unsuspecting Hobbit embarks upon a perilous journey to hell on earth to destroy the One Ring, an incredibly dangerous instrument that grants its bearer great power while also corrupting their mind and body.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy remains a landmark cinematic experience even 24 years after it first took audiences to Middle Earth at the turn of the 21st century.

• Stream The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on Max.
• Stream The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on Max.
• Stream The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on Max.

The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim (2024)

The Director: Kenji Kamiyama

The Cast: Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, Luke Pasqualino, Laurence Ubong Williams, Lorraine Ashborne, Miranda Otto

What It's About: Set before the Lord of the Rings movies, this film documents the story of King Helm Hammerhand, and how he begins a war by unintentionally killing the leader of an opposing faction, leading to bloodshed.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Look, if you like The Lord of the Rings movies, you’re going to like this one. The animation is utterly beautiful, with an anime style that is perfected so wonderfully it’ll make you want to watch more anime after. Plus, there’s much more to love about the film, and I would fully suggest watching it, even if you’re not fully aware of all the fantasy aspects.

• Stream The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim on Max.

Wonka (2023)

The Director: Paul King

The Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas

What It's About: Based on the fictional character of the same name, Wonka is the origin story of Willy Wonka, the famous chocolatier, and how he struggles to get his passion project up and running in the face of the Chocolate Mafia.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: Yes, I know that premise sounds wacky but this film is honestly a fun time. Chalamet gives a hilarious but sweet performance, the music mixes well with the fantasy, and it has a lot of heart – and yes, you will be craving chocolate after.

• Stream Wonka on Max.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Director: Victor Fleming

The Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley

What It's About: A young girl is transported from a dusty farm in Kansas to the technicolor dreamland of Oz where she must defeat a wicked witch if she wants to ever see home again.

Why It's One Of The Best Movies On Max: To this day, The Wizard of Oz remains one of the most fantastical cinematic experiences and continues to enchant audiences of all ages.

• Stream The Wizard of Oz on Max.

All of these movies and more are available to anyone with a Max subscription. This list will change as the months go by so make sure to bookmark this page and check back for all future updates.

Las Vegas. Sin City, a place where those who are looking for a little bit of luck can retreat and gamble – a true paradise for those looking to have fun. Which makes it the perfect setting for a movie. 

The famous Nevada city has had several movies set within its confines, from hilarious comedies that are some of the funniest movies out there, to Zack Snyder features that will take you into a zombie apocalypse. From casinos to schools to heists, Las Vegas-set films have it all. These are some of the best movies set in Las Vegas, and where you can stream them.

The Hangover (2009)

If you want a classic comedy, check out The Hangover. Released in 2009, this film follows a group of friends who decide to go to Vegas to celebrate a wedding. The next morning, none of them can find the groom, and they also have no memory of what happened the night before. Now, it's a race against the clock to retrace their steps and find him before time runs out. 

The Hangover is honestly an absolute Las Vegas classic. I feel like whenever I think of the city, this is one of the first films that comes to mind. All of The Hangover movies are funny, but nothing can quite beat the first. The chemistry The Hangover cast has is impeccable and it’s just so dang funny. This movie defined my middle school years and still continues to be one of my favorite comedies to date. You just have to love it.

Viva Las Vegas (1964)

Oh, you want old-school Vegas? You’re getting old-school Vegas. Viva Las Vegas is a classic musical starring Elvis Presley and Anne-Margret in a simple love story. A race-car driver is trying to mind his business while waiting for the ultimate competition - the Grand Prix. However, his life turns upside down when he meets the woman of his dreams in Las Vegas while he’s working to save up money for a new engine. 

I mean, if you’ve ever heard of the song “Viva Las Vegas” from Elvis, it’s from this movie. And, with a musical starring the King of Rock and Roll himself, you know the tunes are going to be banging. While Las Vegas in the film looks nothing like Las Vegas does today, it still has that same Vegas vibe, and the chemistry that these two share is great. 

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

If you’re looking for a heist comedy that takes place in Las Vegas, you have to check out Ocean’s Eleven. A remake of the original film released back in the 1960s (which you should also check out if you like this one), this story follows Danny Ocean and his criminal buddies, who decide to pull the ultimate heist in the city of sin - to rob $160 million from a casino owner. The twist? The casino owner’s girlfriend also happens to be Ocean’s ex-wife, creating an even more chaotic scenario. 

Ocean’s Eleven is iconic for so many reasons. The background of Las Vegas is expertly used and the action scenes are phenomenal, but what does it for me is the outstanding Ocean’s Eleven cast. You have the likes of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle - all of these Hollywood powerhouses in the same film. And if you end up liking Ocean’s Eleven, there’s a whole Ocean’s franchise for you to watch after. 

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

James Bond’s contribution to movies set in Las Vegas is Diamonds Are Forever. Like everything Bond (Sean Connery) does, it oozes cool in 1960s Vegas. The main action takes place on Fremont Street decades before it was closed to traffic. That’s a good thing too, since there is a pretty epic car chase along the original Strip. Of course, there is also a great gambling scene featuring Bond playing craps, alongside Plenty O’Toole (Lana Wood). 

The Godfather (1971)

There isn’t a ton of Las Vegas in The Godfather none of the scenes set in Sin City were filmed there. However, who doesn’t think that Moe Greene could be running your hotel in Vegas? Not to mention thinking of Fredo every time you meet a cocktail waitress. In the sequel, many scenes were filmed in Nevada, but again, not in Las Vegas. Still, it’s a Vegas movie. 

Pay It Forward (2000)

In this sweet romantic drama, Pay It Forward stars Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment, telling the story of a young boy who wants to make a difference in the world. So he decides to start a new movement called “pay it forward,” not knowing the impact that it would have not only on his community, but on those he loves, as well. 

Truthfully, this is the only Las Vegas centered movie on this list that I can fully recommend for families, just because many of the others have pretty adult scenes or a lot of gore or violence, but Pay It Forward is just a sweet film. While the reviews at the time of its release weren’t the best, I can look back on it with a smile because I enjoy simple love stories. 

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Starring Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue, Leaving Las Vegas is an amazing drama, based on a book of the same name. This film follows a man who has lost his family and his job so he decides to give up on everything and move to Las Vegas so he can drink himself to death and live the rest of his days alone. But, while he’s there, he ends up meeting Elisabeth Shue's character and forming a relationship with her. 

Leaving Las Vegas is arguably the saddest film on this list, as it deals with really heavy issues such as suicide and depression, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a great film featuring wonderful acting. Nicolas Cage is stellar and ended up winning an Oscar for his role in the film, and Elisabeth Shue also scored several nominations, as well. It’s such a great film to watch, especially if you want an amazing movie set in Las Vegas. 

Rain Man (1988)

Many people who go to Las Vegas dream of hitting it big at the blackjack table. Counting cards would be a big help, but it’s not that easy. There is one movie character for whom it is natural though. Ray Babbitt (Dustin Hoffman) in Rain Man can’t help but count cards and he’s darn good at it. It’s a little nasty that his brother Charlie (Tom Cruise) manipulates him into it, but it still makes us dream big. 

Vegas Vacation (1997)

Even we have to admit that Vegas Vacation is easily the worst installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise, but that doesn’t mean it won’t put you in the mood for a trip to the Las Vegas Valley. There are some sneaky funny parts, like Wallace Shawn as the unscrupulous dealer, and Ethan Embry's Rusty as "Mr. Papagiorgio." Plus Audrey takes a trip to one of the coolest tourist spots in town, the Neon Museum. 

Bugsy (1991)

You can’t tell the story of Las Vegas without Ben “Bugsy” Siegel. Siegel was a mobster connected to Meyer Lansky and Murder, Inc. in New York. He is credited with the birth of the famous Las Vegas Strip when he built the Flamingo in the 1940s. Bugsy, starring Warren Beatty as Siegel, tells the story of the mobster, and the construction of the Flamingo. Amazingly, the hotel is still open, the oldest hotel on The Strip. 

Honeymoon In Vegas (1992)

Honeymoon in Vegas is one of the most underrated comedies of the 1990s. Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicolas Cage, and James Caan are all brilliant in this movie about a proposal gone wrong in Las Vegas. It’s filled with showgirls, gambling, flying Elvises, and everything else that screams “Sin City.” Cage is especially hilarious in the movie. 

Now You See Me (2013)

Next up on the list, we have Now You See Me. Another heist film but with a twist of magic, this fun movie (which also has a great sequel) follows a group of magicians who are skilled in what they do – so skilled, in fact, that they are able to use their magic talent to rob banks and other places, often handing off much of their earnings to the audiences they perform for, while keeping some for themselves. 

This is such a fun heist movie. As someone who loves the magicians who are often featured in Las Vegas, the take they do in Now You See Me – with them all being bank robbers – is just so inventive and something that I really loved to see. It’s creative, and with a talented Now You See Me cast, the chemistry is all there for this magic show. 

Ocean's Eleven (1960)

If you want a real taste of “cool” 1960s Vegas, look no further than the original Ocean’s Eleven starring the members of the Rat Pack as the thieves. Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr, and Dean Martin lead the all-star cast in a movie that was, of course, remade in the 21st century with an equally star-studded cast. If we’re honest, the stories about the making of the movie, with all the stars hanging out in Vegas together, are better than the movie, but it’s still super fun to watch. 

Swingers (1996)

“Vegas, baby!” Those two words might just be the most quoted words from visitors to Sin City. They come, of course, from Swingers. While the movie, starring Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau is really more about LA, you can’t have a list like this and not include it because of the iconic scenes in Las Vegas. From meeting the women at the top of the Rio Hotel at the old Voodoo Lounge to the $100 minimum blackjack table, it’s Vegas through and through.

The Cooler (2003)

Starring William H. Macy, in one of his best films, The Cooler is a fantastic movie that you definitely can’t miss. In this film, a man who works as a casino "cooler" (a person who seems to keep gamblers from winning) is quite good at his job, but everything changes when he ends up meeting a lovely woman - and he falls in love with her. Now, he has to figure out his next move when his gift of cooling people's gambling luck begins to fade. 

The Cooler is one of the best movies on this list. It was critically acclaimed when it first came out, and the film has some amazing acting. Alec Baldwin, for example, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role. William H. Macy got a Satellite Award nomination for Best Actor as well - it’s such a good story and one you should definitely watch. 

Casino (1995)

You know, I’m only just now starting to realize how many crime and heist movies there are on this list because, dang, there’s a lot. Casino, a classic Las Vegas film, stars Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci, and tells the story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein, an expert handicapper in gambling who is given the shot to run Tangier Casino for the mob. 

Casino, hands down, is the best film on this list in terms of pure quality. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Casino does an excellent job of showing how casinos were once run by mobs and had a lot of dirty business behind them, but also portrays the story of Ace in a way where you can’t help but want to learn more about him as he begins to change. 

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998)

One of the most revered stories about Las Vegas is, of course, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Starring Johnny Depp, this black comedy is based on the epic book by Hunter S. Thompson and details the story of Thompson and "his attorney" who are tasked with covering the Mint 400 motorcycle race in Las Vegas their trip gets turned upside down. 

While the film originally bombed at the box office, it’s so fun to re-watch now, as the performances are stellar, and of course, Johnny Depp always rocks whatever role he’s usually in. The partnership between Depp and Benicio del Toro, though, as Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo, flows so well and makes their psychedelic story that much more fun.

Showgirls (1995)

There are some things about Showgirls that are laughably bad. The dialog is unintentionally hilarious and the plot is really just an excuse for all the racey scenes and nothing more. Director Paul Verhoeven has said the movie was misunderstood in its day, but it hasn’t aged well, either. Still, it has some great scenes in Vegas and harkens back to the day of showgirls and the shows they performed in, which are all but gone today. 

21 (2008)

One of the big reasons that people return to Las Vegas over and over is the dream of hitting it big in the casino. In 21, the movie based on the true story of MIT Blackjack team, that dream is re-enforced by convincing card players that they can count cards and take down the house. It’s a pipe dream, but it sure looks glamorous! 

Ocean's Thirteen (2007)

Ocean’s Twelve took Danny and the crew to Europe, but the third movie in the series, Ocean’s Thirteen, brings them back to Las Vegas. The target of their heist is different, but the goal is the same, to embarrass and bankrupt him. This time the antagonist is played by Al Pacino and while the movie hits a lot of the same beats as the first one, the heist is different enough to still make it original and fun. Plus, it's always a treat to see Brad Pitt and George Clooney work together.

Con Air (1997)

Con Air is a masterpiece and fans of the movie will always go to the mat for it, even if doesn't always make sense. While most of it takes place in the sky, of course, the plane crashing into the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is the most iconic scene in the movie. The final chase scene all takes place in Sin City, so it definitely counts for this list. Put the bunny back in the box. 

Indecent Proposal (1993)

Robert Redford, Demi Moore, and Woody Harrelson all-star in the controversial movie Indecent Proposal. Like another Vegas movie, Honeymoon in Vegas, the plot centers around a…well…proposal that a rich guy makes to a struggling couple who lose at the tables in Las Vegas. It’s a much darker movie, of course, and it was criticized a lot when it was released for its premise, but it was a hit. It might not get you in the mood to hit it big though. 

Go (1999)

Director Doug Limen’s second movie, after Swingers, also takes place in Las Vegas. Go is a very different movie though. It’s a frenetic, wild adventure about locals in Las Vegas partying, and partying hard. While it was a moderate hit when it was released, it was acclaimed by most critics and has a pretty healthy cult following today. The film feels like a blur, in the best way, just like a good trip to Las Vegas does. 

Hard Eight (1996)

True to his style, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Las Vegas movie (in his feature directorial debut), Hard Eight is a brooding, methodically paced character study. It also leans heavily into the darker side of casinos, gambling, and Las Vegas. If you’re looking for a party movie, this one isn’t it. But if you want a great director cutting his teeth on an intriguing story with the glitz in the background, this is the one you want. 

Mars Attacks! (1996)

In the ‘50s and ‘60s, the desert outside of Las Vegas was used to test nuclear devices by the US military, so it makes sense that aliens might pick there to land. Anyway, Vegas is the perfect setting for one of Tim Burton’s best movies, Mars Attacks! The ensemble cast goes all out in this spoof of, and love letter to, sci-fi films of the 1950s. If you want to see Vegas get destroyed, this one’s for you. 

3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)

3000 Miles to Graceland has everything you want in a Vegas movie. A super charismatic cast robbing a casino with plenty of witty banter to around, not to mention all the Elvis impersonators you’ll ever see in one place, drives this underrated gem from 2001. It’s got plenty of action too. 

What Happens in Vegas (2008)

We will concede that most of the romantic comedy What Happens in Vegas actually takes place in New York City, but with a title like that – the catchphrase we’re all familiar with – it has to be here. Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher do what so many others have done, they get a quickie marriage after an epic night out in Sin City. They spend the rest of the movie hating each while falling in love with each other, naturally. 

One From The Heart (1982)

Francis Ford Coppola has made some of the most revered movies in Hollywood history, but One from the Heart is not usually listed among them. His 1982 musical/rom-com set in Vegas has garnered a bit of a cult following in the years since it was released and bombed at the box office. Teri Garr and Frederic Forrest have great chemistry and while the movie was mostly shot on soundstages, there is a great scene with the two of them separately walking around Fremont St. in Downtown Vegas. 

Fever Pitch (1985)

Not to be confused with the 2005 movie starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon, this Fever Pitch, from 20 years earlier is about a degenerate gambler played by Ryan O'Neal trying to win enough money to pay off another gambling debt. It definitely shows the dark side of gambling, as he struggles to get over his addiction while trying to win at the same time. 

They Came to Rob Las Vegas (1968)

Everyone loves a good heist film, and They Came to Rob Las Vegas is a fun one. Anytime a crew gets together to steal from the mob, it’s going to make for an intense heist. Gary Lockwood and Jack Palance star in this oft-overlooked flick that isn’t the best movie on this list but still has some great shots of the city and the surrounding desert. 

Jason Bourne (2016)

The Jason Bourne series has taken Matt Damon’s titular character all over the world and in his return to the franchise in 2016’s Jason Bourne, he finally goes to Las Vegas. The car chase along The Strip is fantastic and if you love Vegas and great car chases, this one is not to be missed. 

Army Of The Dead (2021)

If you want some zombies, we've got the film for you. The Netflix original, Army of the Dead, released in 2021 features Vegas in a post-apocalyptic state, overrun by zombies. However, when a group of mercenaries are given the chance to steal millions of dollars from a casino before the city is nuked, they throw caution to the wind and dive headfirst into the army of the dead in the hopes that this money will change their lives.

Army of the Dead is so much fun. Often compared to Zack Snyder’s other zombie film, Dawn of the Dead, this one takes the setting of Las Vegas to another level. That, paired with the amazing Army of the Dead cast and some sick casino action scenes, makes this movie a hit. 

With all these great picks, I bet it might be hard to pick just one but trust me when I say no matter what you end up picking, you’re going to have a great time watching them no matter what. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m going to go and re-watch Army of the Dead again for the millionth time.  

It’s awards season, and during this time of the year, we often talk about the crazy lengths certain actors go to really delve into their roles. For example, Lady Gaga stayed in her House of Gucci accent for almost a year, and Andrew Garfield learned how to sing ahead of Tick, Tick… Boom!. But here’s a throwback movie fact we don’t talk about enough: Ed Helms full-on removed a tooth to play Stu in The Hangover. 

Back when the movie came out, it was reported that Ed Helms actually had his tooth pulled ahead of starring in the movie with Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis. But now with nearly 15 years have passed since The Hangover's release, Helms spoke about it in greater detail. During his episode of Hot Ones, the actor said this: 

The first part of the story is that they tried other options (thankfully).  Ed Helms put a marker to one of his teeth to make it look like he’d lost a tooth on Stu’s fateful night in Las Vegas. However, it did not look good. Helms continued: 

The dentist removed the crown placed when Ed Helms was 20 years younger, and for three months, the actor was visibly missing a tooth to star in The Hangover. He also said this: 

Talk about commitment! Even though it was an implant in his mouth, to even go to the dentist for a role and have them take out an implant and then replace it goes to show that Ed Helms was willing to go the extra mile. Then the former Office star would wear a retainer to play Andy Bernard during that time. Pretty crazy, right? 

That’s not the only wild thing to happen during the production of The Hangover. The Las Vegas cops were also called while the movie was being shot thanks to Ken Jeong going nude for an improvised sequence. 

The Hangover hit theaters in the summer of 2009 and was one of the biggest successes of that year. It was the sixth highest grossing movie of 2009 domestically under Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Up, The Twilight Saga: New Moon and Avatar. On the worldwide charts, it was the tenth in line, which is incredible for a comedy that reportedly cost $35 million to produce.

 Plus, the careers of just about every member of The Hangover core cast are doing incredible over a decade after the film’s release. So in that sense, it seems like pulling a tooth was worth it for Ed Helms. Just don’t expect a The Hangover sequel anytime soon. 

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Over the course of a decade-plus, Zach Galifianakis became one of Hollywood's most reliably berserk comedians, particularly with The Hangover's unlikely success. While the comedian's peak has passed, the actor-comic continues to find fame in offbeat roles, including FX's exceptional dramedy series, Baskets, and Funny or Die's mean-spirited faux talk show, Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis. Certainly, on the big screen, small screen, or the wide recesses of the web, there's a lot of great content from the seasoned comic at the click of a button, and we're here to direct you to his best stuff.

If you love Zach Galifianakis, here are the best movies and shows to rent or stream.

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis (Amazon Prime)

Seated between two potted ferns, an indignant talk show host mercilessly grills his increasingly-aggravated celebrity guests in a series of uncomfortable interviews.

Why You Should Stream It If You Love Zach Galifianakis: In the deliberately awkward web program that would unexpectedly mirror Zach Galifianakis' career ascension, Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis started modestly, beginning as a sketch short before it transitioned into a Funny Or Die favorite and spun off a 30-minute special and, eventually, a movie adaptation on Netflix in 2019. In the process, the humiliating interviews went from (then) up-and-coming stars like Michael Cera to famous faces like Brad Pitt before Galifianakis was almost inexplicably trading insults with U.S. President Barack Obama. Throughout its gestation period, Galifianakis never lost focus of the series' intent, delivering more pointed jabs with each uncomfortable celeb guest to surprise Emmy-winning success. It's the little fern talk show that could.

Stream Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis on Amazon Prime and on Funny Or Die.

Additionally, you can stream Between Two Ferns: The Movie on Netflix here.

Baskets (Hulu)

When he flunks out of a prestigious French clown college, Chip Baskets (Zach Galifianakis) becomes a rodeo performer in his hometown.

Why You Should Stream It If You Love Zach Galifianakis: It started with a simple premise: what if a sad clown became a rodeo star? From there, Zach Galifianakis, Jonathan Krisel, and Louis C.K. (who left the show after several sexual misconduct reports) created an oddly melancholic (yet darkly funny) exploration about trying to follow your passions and find your sense of self in a world that refuses to take you seriously. Pulling double duty as Chip Baskets, our central clown, and his dismissive twin brother, the amusingly named Dale, Baskets was an excellent showcase for Galifianakis' comedic and dramatic talents, though it was Louie Anderson's evocative performance as Christine Baskets, their long-labored mother, that stole the spotlight, resulting in an Emmy win for this transformative turn. Though it was more of a critical darling, Baskets was an exceptional display of Galifianakis' post-Hangover star power.

Stream Baskets on Hulu.

Buy Baskets Season 1 on digital on Amazon.

Buy Baskets Season 1 DVD on Amazon.

The Hangover (Amazon)

Three men (Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms) wake up from a bachelor party blackout to discover that their bachelor (Justin Bartha) is missing in Las Vegas.

Why You Should Stream It If You Love Zach Galifianakis: In the explosive role that turned Zach Galifianakis into a household name, the comedian's comedian became an overnight celebrity with his steal-stealing performance as Alan, a socially inept brother-in-law who's thrown into (and the cause of) the mayhem that is this bachelor party from hell in Todd Phillips' surprise hit, The Hangover. Through playing this befuddled oaf with an unsuspecting teddy bear gentleness and a child-like curiosity for the wild-and-out antics of these hard-partying men — the wolfpack, as it were — the supporting turn quickly became a quotable delight, though the two sequels sadly shied away from his warm-hearted demeanor to explore Alan's burgeoning dark side. It's a shame because this movie had Galifianakis' dry prickliness but also found his oddly moving sweet side.

Buy/rent The Hangover on digital at Amazon.

Buy the DVD/Blu-Ray at Amazon.

Bored To Death (HBO Max)

A struggling writer (Jason Schwartzman) becomes a private detective (of sorts) by utilizing the methods he learned in private eye novels.

Why You Should Stream It If You Love Zach Galifianakis: Though it gasped for airtime during its three-season tenure on HBO, Bored to Death became a niche favorite on the premium cable service, notably thanks to its sharply dull-witted lead performances from Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifianakis, and Ted Danson. More specifically, Galifianakis played Ray Hueston, a comic book artist and our would-be sleuth's best friend. Premiering in 2009, Bored to Death befitted from The Hangover's success, which came out the same year. This boost helped the series stay on the air for a couple years. Nevertheless, while the noir-inspired show wasn't a rating favorite, it was celebrated by critics for its writing and spirited performances. Though plans to make a film follow-up never materialized, Bored to Death remains one of the actor's most endearing projects.

Stream Bored To Death on HBO Max.

Buy Season 1 on digital on Amazon.

Buy The Complete Series DVD on Amazon.

Zach Galifianakis: Live At The Purple Onion (Netflix)

Zach Galifianakis delivers a murderer's row of one-liners in his acclaimed DVD special.

Why You Should Stream It If You Love Zach Galifianakis: Becoming something of an underground sensation only a few short years before its titular comedian discovered mainstream success with The Hangover, Zach Galifianakis: Live at the Purple Onion found a wide audience towards the end of the '00s, notably when more comedy lovers were finally familiar with the comic's signature dry delivery. That said, this 2006 DVD comedy special was a major moment, demonstrating in one hour-plus special what he could deliver — especially when left to his own devices. The results are screamingly funny, in a way that only Galifianakis can be, resulting in a hilariously hectic hour that continued the comedian's rising ascent. Certainly, this standout special was key to Galifiankis landing a plump role in The Hangover. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Stream Zach Galifianakis: Live At The Purple Onion on Netflix.

Buy the DVD on Amazon.

Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (IMDbTV)

An over-the-hill superhero actor (Michael Keaton) revives his career by writing, directing, and starring in his own Broadway production.

Why You Should Stream It If You Love Zach Galifianakis: In an A-list ensemble filled with award-nominated performances from Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, and Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis didn't get as much attention or praise for his supporting turn as Jake, our lead's perpetually frustrated best friend and lawyer, which is a shame because Galifianakis is on top of his game here. Through the actor's dependable work, Galifianakis captures Jake's weighted emotional vulnerability while also demonstrating a sense of grounded integrity that stands out in a sea of egomaniacs. As a result, Galifianakis' performance was overlooked during the movie's awards run, particularly as it wasn't a full departure from his previous work. Nevertheless, it's a standout part that shouldn't be undervalued — much like his woeful council of a supporting character.

Stream Birdman on IMDbTV.

Buy/rent it on digital on Amazon.

Buy the DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Into The Wild (Netflix)

A bright college grad (Emile Hirsch) hitchhikes across the country to live in the wild.

Why You Should Stream It If You Love Zach Galifianakis: Admittedly, Zach Galifianakis only provides a cameo in Into the Wild, writer-director Sean Penn's soulful adaptation of Jon Krakauer's non-fiction book, in the role of Kevin, a wildlife expert with a seemingly checkered reputation. Nevertheless, while Galifianakis' short, pre-fame performance is notably small, the comedian is part of a tremendous ensemble, including Emile Hirsch as our adventurous protagonist, along with a supporting cast that features Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Catherine Keener, Jena Malone, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart, and the late Hal Holbrook, who was Oscar-nominated. Through its rascal spirit and its emotional exploration of this determined youth, Into the Wild captures what it means to pursue your wild-at-heart dreams, particularly in a civilized world that won't understand.

Stream Into The Wild on Netflix.

Buy/rent it on digital on Amazon.

Buy the DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Missing Link (Hulu)

Recruited by an opportunistic explorer (Hugh Jackman), a well-mannered Sasquatch (Zach Galifianakis) travels out of his natural habitat to find his furry, long-lost relatives.

Why You Should Stream It If You Love Zach Galifianakis: Since he's often prone to playing unsophisticated dullards with a flawed understanding of the known world, Missing Link became a bit of a departure for Zach Galifianakis. Specifically, the vocal role allowed the actor to play up the character's curious mind and wondrous desire to learn about the undiscovered truths of its own bloodline. The result is a witty, winsome performance in a family film that doesn't live up to the high standards of its often-impeccable stop-motion animation house, Laika, though it certainly looks gorgeous. Also, it features sharp turns from Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, Emma Thompson, and Timothy Olyphant to round out the voice-only cast. Additionally, while it favors familiar fish-out-of-water jokes, the slapstick timing is consistently sharp throughout, which continues Galifianakis' history of exacting comedic precision.

Stream Missing Link on Hulu.

Rent it on digital on Amazon.

Buy the DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

The LEGO Batman Movie (HBO Max)

An immature Batman (Will Arnett) must learn to accept responsibility when the solo hero accidentally adopts a plucky teen orphan (Michael Cera). Meanwhile, a band of villains, led by a vengeful Joker (Zach Galifianakis), attempt to overtake Gotham City.

Why You Should Stream It If You Love Zach Galifianakis: Over the years, we've either seen or heard many different interpretations of the Clown Prince of Crime. Several are widely celebrated, including Mark Hamill, Jack Nicholson, and Alan Tudyk. A couple of them (Heath Ledger, Joaquin Phoenix) are even award-winning. And, well, the less said about Jared Leto, the better. With that said, it's easy to overlook Zach Galifianakis' maniacal, traitorous toy version of the Aces of Knaves, but the voice actor winningly gives the miniature menace a few unexpectedly tender moments, particularly one memorably tender scene that proves to be more sympathetic than possibly any other portrayal of the clown criminal. It's not the definitive Joker, but it brings the laughs.

Stream The Lego Batman Movie on HBO Max.

Buy/rent it on digital on Amazon here.

Buy the DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon here.

Up In The Air (HBO Max)

Corporate downsizer Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) travels the country, firing people across the nation, while he's accompanied by an enthusiastic new hire (Anna Kendrick).

Why You Should Stream It If You Love Zach Galifianakis: Though Jason Reitman's Up in the Air belongs to its central three stars, George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick, all of whom were Oscar-nominated, this slickly-made, high-flying character dramedy is also indebted to its standout supporting talents, including Melanie Lynskey, Danny McBride, J.K. Simmons, Sam Elliott, Amy Morton, and Zach Galifianakis. The latter plays a disgruntled ex-employee who becomes the focal point of a memorable montage that shows us everything that could potentially happen if this unstable man's job termination takes the wrong turn. It's easily the film's most darkly hilarious scene, and Galifianakis brings it readily with a fine mix of trembling vulnerability and anarchic glee, establishing the hit movie's unconventional acidic (yet also soul-searching) tone.

Stream Up In The Air on HBO Max.

Buy/rent it on digital at Amazon.

Buy the DVD at Amazon.

It’s Kind Of A Funny Story (Amazon)

A clinically depressed teenager (Keir Gilchrist) checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward, where he makes an unfriendly friend (Zach Galifianakis).

Why You Should Stream It If You Love Zach Galifianakis: While Zach Galifianakis is rightfully celebrated for his wry witticisms, the comedian demonstrated his understated dramatic talents in the underrated coming-of-age dramedy, It's Kind of a Funny Story.

Based on the YA novel of the same name by the late Ned Vizzini, this likable, sweet-natured titular story is too cutesy for its own good, especially given its heavy subject matter. That said, It's Kind of a Funny Story is anchored assuredly by its heartfelt lead performances, notably with Zach Galifianakis providing wistful warmth as Bobby, a mentor found inside these white walls. Sadly, it wasn't a hit, but the film demonstrated his expandable talents, which have only periodically been realized in other projects.

Buy/rent It's Kind Of A Funny Story on digital on Amazon.

Buy the DVD on Amazon.

We’ve had comedies in the past where grown men behaved badly. But it really wasn’t until 2009’s The Hangover that it pretty much became a genre in itself. So much so, that Bridesmaids was often, some might say unfairly, referred to as a “female version” upon its release in 2011. To note, The Hangover cast, which included the likes of Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and many others, most likely had no idea what a massive hit the film would eventually become. In fact, The Hangover was, at the time, the highest grossing R-Rated comedy of all time, until it was surpassed by, you might have guessed it, The Hangover Part II in 2011.

Why did this story about men who go on a wild bachelor party that goes wrong resonate so much with audiences? Honestly, if I knew the answer to that, I’d be a multimillionaire, since I’m pretty sure nobody would have imagined that it would become a whole trilogy of films. That said, with a cast like this, I actually kind of get it, since it’s so jam-packed with stars. So, what are those stars doing today? Well, you saw the title of this article. You’re about to find out.

Bradley Cooper (Phil Wenneck)

Yes, while Bradley Cooper was in a bunch of notable films before The Hangover, namely Wet Hot American Summer and Wedding Crashers, I think it’s safe to say that a lot of movie-goers began to fall in love with the talented actor with The Hangover. Since then, he’s had a very successful career, both in television and in film. On the TV side, Nip/Tuck fans will remember his brief stint on the show as Aidan Stone, and he also did some episodes on TV shows based on films he’s been in such as 2015’s Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, and also a few episodes of Limitless.

On the film side, some of his most notable work, post the first Hangover, was The A-Team, Silver Linings Playbook, where he was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor, American Hustle (Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination), American Sniper (Best Actor nomination again), and 2018’s A Star Is Born, where he was again nominated for Best Actor, but he also directed and sang the hit song, “Shallow,” which won a Grammy for Best Original Song. MCU fans will know him best as talking raccoon, Rocket, in the Guardians of the Galaxy series. 2021 is actually a really busy year for Cooper, because he’ll be in an untitled Paul Thomas Anderson movie, a psychological thriller called Nightmare Alley, and is also voicing Rocket again in Thor: Love and Thunder.

Zach Galifianakis (Alan Garner)

While Bradley Cooper was definitely one of the breakout stars of the first Hangover, I like to think that Zach Galifianakis (and one other actor I will get to later) also shot into the stratosphere after this film. I actually wonder what he’s had a bigger role on, the big screen or the small. On the TV end, prior to The Hangover, I remember seeing him in some of my favorite shows like Wonder Showzen, The Sarah Silverman Program, and Tim and Eric Awesome Show. Great Job!. After The Hangover, he was in the immensely popular Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis, which even became a movie, Comedy, Bang, Bang, and of course, Baskets.

On the film end, he’s been probably even more prolific following The Hangover. Besides two Hangover sequels, he also did another Todd Phillips comedy, Due Date with Robert Downey Jr., costarred in the underappreciated The Campaign with Will Farrell, and could arguably be considered one of the greatest Jokers ever in Lego Batman. He’ll next be voicing a robot in the sci-fi animated comedy, Ron’s Gone Wrong, as the titular character.

Ed Helms (Stu Price)

Ed Helms was actually pretty well known prior to The Hangover since he portrayed Andy Bernard on The Office, but his brand of humor was definitely appreciated in the raunchy comedy. On TV, he’s been popping up here and there since the hit movie in shows like The Mindy Project, The Muppets, and as a voice on Bojack Horseman. He’s also currently on the Peacock original show Rutherford Falls.

Film-wise, Ed Helms was in one of my favorite comedies of the past few years, Cedar Rapids. He also played Clark Griswold’s son, Rusty, in Vacation, the sixth movie in the series, and was even the narrator for the Disney Nature documentary, Penguins. His latest movie is the Nikole Beckwith comedy Together Together.

Ken Jeong (Leslie Chow)

Ken Jeong is the other big star who really broke out after his role in The Hangover. He'd been in a string of great films prior to that movie as well, most notably Knocked Up, Step Brothers, Pineapple Express, and Role Models. But, after The Hangover, I feel like he was in everything. Some notable films include Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Crazy Rich Asians, and he even had a surprising cameo in the once biggest movie in the world, Avengers: Endgame, as a security guard. In 2021 alone, if all goes according to plan, he will have been in six movies, including Tom & Jerry, Boss Level, and even a My Little Pony film called, My Little Pony: A New Generation as a voice actor. He is also supposed to star in Charlie Day’s directorial debut, El Tonto, which still doesn’t have a release date yet.

Ken Jeong is probably most known for his TV work. The very real doctor was probably most famous for his role as Ben Chang on Community, but he also starred in his own show titled (What else?) Dr. Ken, which ran for two seasons. He can currently be seen as a judge on The Masked Singer, as well as its spin-off, The Masked Dancer. His next TV role is TBA for a release date, but it will be a voice role for a series based off of the movie Wonder Park, called Adventures in Wonder Park.

Justin Bartha (Doug Billings)

Funnily enough, we barely even saw Justin Bartha in the first Hangover movie even though he’s the actual groom they’re having the bachelor party for in the first place. We got to see a lot more of him in the sequels, though. On the TV end, he was on 17 episodes of The Good Wife sequel, The Good Fight, and he most recently had a recurring role on the crime drama, Godfather of Harlem.

In film, Justin Bartha starred in movies like CBGB, Sticky Notes, Against the Clock, and will next be seen in the upcoming Jason Mamoa action thriller, Sweet Girl, on Netflix.

Heather Graham (Jade)

Heather Graham's first movie was all the way back in 1984, in the Diane Keaton film, Mrs. Soffel. Since then, she's been in a ton of great stuff before The Hangover, such as Swingers and Boogie Nights. In fact, The Hangover was actually more of a resurgence to her career rather than a jumping off point. Following The Hangover, she was also featured in The Hangover Part III, Horns, the Netflix flick, Love, Guaranteed, and will also star in an upcoming horror film called Oracle.

On the television side, she’s been in shows like Portlandia, Californication, Get Shorty, and was also Rita Blakemoor in the recent The Stand series.

Mike Tyson (Himself)

Lastly, if you ask anybody—anybody at all—what they remember most about the first Hangover movie, they will almost certainly tell you that they remember when the four friends actually looked at the pictures of the night they blacked out on, and then, they’ll tell you they remember Mike Tyson singing “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins before he knocked out Zach Galifianakis’s character.

Since The Hangover, “Iron” Mike Tyson has been keeping busy. Besides reappearing in The Hangover Part II, he was also in Scary Movie 5, playing himself, and Ip Man 3. He was also in a number of TV shows, most notably the grossly underappreciated animated comedy, Mike Tyson Mysteries. Last year, he got back in the ring to fight Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition match, and with Logan Paul recently calling him out, maybe we’ll see Tyson strap on the gloves again to fight the YouTube celebrity. Only time will tell.

The Hangover is one of those lighting in a bottle movies that we may never see again ever in our lifetimes. Sure, R-Rated comedies are still being made, but I can’t think of any that might blow up like The Hangover, but who’s to say? For news on 2021 movies (or maybe you’re already thinking ahead to 2022 movies) make sure to stop by often!

Even though The Hangover trilogy had diminished returns with each installment, there’s no doubt it kept trying to one-up itself in how many wild and crazy stunts it could pack in. And believe it or not, one scene from the first movie was so shocking to Las Vegas guests that they called the cops during filming.

The Hangover producer Scott Budnick recently appeared on The John Roa Show to talk about criminal justice reform and, of course, his involvement in the 2009 comedy. During their talk, Budnick spoke a bit about the infamous scene where Ken Jeong jumps out of the car naked and how that affected production. Here’s what he said:

Wow, that sounds nuts. And Scott Budnick wasn't joking when he said it wasn’t planned. Of course, Ken Jeong played the infamous character Mr. Chow in The Hangover. According to Jeong, he sprung the idea to be nude last minute to director Todd Phillips on set. Phillips agreed and they convinced Bradley Cooper to be the guy a naked Jeong jumps on. That's wild.

From chickens and tigers to babies and a Mike Tyson appearance, The Hangover had scene after scene of bizarre antics that built on each other for great comedic effect. The result was an underdog comedy success story that made two more installments all but inevitable.

While many critics and fans have fond memories of the first installment of The Hangover, its subsequent entries received mostly poor reviews, leading many, including Zach Galifianakis, to wonder if they should have just stopped with one.

But again, due to the heightened popularity of the franchise, Warner Bros. and director Todd Phillips had every intention of continuing. In an interview, Todd Phillips said they were already working on The Hangover Part III while filming Part II, and that there were five different ways it could have gone until they decided on the one that we all got to see.

The Hangover Part III felt like the final nail in the coffin for the franchise since it did unsatisfactorily both critically and at the box office. However, now that time has passed, could we be in for a fourth installment? Ed Helms doesn't think so, saying the chances “are between 0 and 0.” So, sorry The Hangover fans, you'll have to settle for the crazy stunts they pulled in the original trilogy.

Netflix giveth and Netflix taketh away. At least, that's how it seems at the end of every month when the streaming giant gets rid of slew of titles just days before it refills its library with dozens of other new films and longtime favorites. This month is no different as Netflix will be getting rid of movies like Goodfellas, The Shawshank Redemption, and dozens others before the calendar flips once again.

With so much leaving at the end of each month it can sometimes be difficult or next to impossible to see what movies added to your queue months ago will soon disappear in the blink of an eye. Fear not, as I have put together a list of great movies that will soon cease to exist, at least in the labyrinthine user interface of Netflix. All of these titles, with the exception of National Treasure, will be leaving Netflix as of April 30. National Treasure's expiration date on Netflix is April 29.

Goodfellas (1990)

Martin Scorsese's 1990 organized crime masterpiece Goodfellas still stands up, 30 years after it was first released. This crime epic follows mobster Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) as he goes from made man to federal witness after turning against his former partners in crime. Hurry up before you have to settle for the "edited for television" version, and nobody wants that.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Probably one of the best Stephen King adaptations, The Shawshank Redemption is just as beloved now as it was when it was first released more than 25 years ago. From the casting of Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne to the narration by Morgan Freeman's character Red Redding to the direction of Frank Darabont, there are plenty of reasons to dive back into Shawshank State Penitentiary.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

National Treasure (2004)

National Treasure is one of those movies with a plot that sounds like it could either be an Indiana Jones movie or a made up movie on an episode of The Simpsons. Add Nicolas Cage halfway between being sane and Vampire's Kiss, and this movie about a historian attempting to steal the Declaration of Independence gets even better. If you want to find out how this one ends, make sure to be quick as time is running out.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

A Cinderella Story (2004)

Who knows when we'll finally get to see the continuation of Lizzie McGuire on Disney+, but for everyone who wants to see star Hilary Duff in peak form, check out the 2004 modern day fairy tale A Cinderella Story on Netflix before the clock strikes midnight. Just make sure you have your flip phone handy to properly get in the mood for this absurdly fun reimagining.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

A Nightmare On Elm Street (2010)

Although it doesn't live up to the original A Nightmare On Elm Street, the 2010 remake packs quite a punch thanks to Jackie Earle Haley's new take on the classic dream killer Freddy Krueger. Also, if you want to watch a movie with Rooney Mara where she doesn't spend 10 minutes eating a pie on the kitchen floor, this remake will hold you over.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

Blade Runner: The Final Cut (1982)

It's easy to lose count of all the different versions of Ridley Scott's 1982 techno-noir thriller Blade Runner, but The Final Cut is about as close to the director's vision as it gets thanks to the removal of Harrison Ford's tired and uninterested narration and other elements that hold the original back. But just like tears in rain, this sci-fi classic will soon be gone.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

The Craft (1996)

The coven of witches in The Craft might be teenagers, but they're anything but the friendly witches that became popular in the mid-90s. When Sarah Bailey (Robin Tunney) starts at a new Catholic school, she forms a bond with a group witches who are beyond sinister. This ultra-90s thriller is everything you would want and more from a horror movie of the era.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

The Academy Award-winning 1989 drama Driving Miss Daisy follows the unlikely friendship that forms between Daisy Werthan (Jessica Tandy) and her chauffeur Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman) after the independent widow gets in a wreck and is no longer able to drive. This sentimental and funny movie will bring a smile to your face, but not for long.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

Friday The 13th (2009)

Another horror reimagining that didn't really get a fair shake, the 2009 version of Friday The 13th features a lot of the scares, deaths, and teenage romance as the original series. More of a reboot than a traditional remake, the 2009 edition does an okay job of combining elements of previous films in the series while also treading new ground.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

Good Burger (1997)

Did you know there's a Nickelodeon movie featuring screen legend Abe Vigoda, Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, and funk superstar George Clinton? Well, act now before it's too late to catch Good Burger, the 1997 film adaptation of Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson's iconic All That skit that puts the two teenagers up against the evil Mondo Burger restaurant.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

The Hangover (2009)

Ten years before Todd Phillips broke all kinds of records with 2019's Joker, the writer-director had another box office hit with the 2009 comedy The Hangover. With a cast that includes Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Mike Tyson of all people, this movie absolutely killed people of a certain age. Why not relive your college memories and watch The Hangover before they both fade away again.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

The Police Academy Franchise (1984-1994)

See where it all began for Steve Guttenberg, Michael Winslow, Kim Cattrall, and the rest of the Police Academy cast by watching the original 1984 slapstick cop comedy that spawned a franchise totaling in seven movies. And why stop at the first movie? All seven of the Police Academy films are available to stream on Netflix, at least for the time being.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

Rosemary's Baby (1968)

Rosemary Woodhouse becomes frantic as she explores the idea that an evil cult wants to abduct her unborn child for a series of rituals in Roman Polanski's psychological thriller Rosemary's Baby. This classic horror movie remains just as popular as it was upon its release in 1968, so why not sit down with the family and watch it before it's gone from Netflix.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

Rounders (1998)

When two friends get in more than a little over their head in an underground high-stakes poker game, they must quickly come up with a large sum of cash before things get even worse for the pair. Starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton as two longtime friends, Rounders shows just how far gambling addicts will go. But just like the characters in the movie, you don't have long to see how things shape up.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

Scream 2 And Scream 3 (1997, 2000)

There have been a total of four Scream movies since the franchise first got off its feet in 1996, and two of the films in the franchise will soon be gone from the library of Netflix. Both films are largely continuations of the stories of the key characters first introduced in Wes Craven's '90s slasher classic, so why not see how it ends (for some of them) before it's too late.

Watch Scream 2 and Scream 3 on Netflix while you still can.

Space Jam (1996)

Michael Jordan and Looney Tunes were both in high demand by the time Space Jam hit theaters in 1996. This live-action-animation crossover film was perhaps one of the most ambitious film projects at the time of its release, and the animation surprisingly still holds up nearly 25 years later. Just like the NBA players who lost their ability in the movie, this title will soon be gone.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

Step Brothers (2008)

The comedy pairing of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly has given audiences some of the greatest laughs in the past 20 years, and while Step Brothers isn't the best of those movies, it's certainly not the worst either. Watch as two man-children Brennan Huff (Ferrell) and Dale Doback (Reilly) drive their recently married parents to their breaking point before they're gone for good.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

Strictly Ballroom (1992)

Australian visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann is responsible for some of the most eye-catching movies the world has seen over the past 30 years, and now is a perfect time to see where it all began with his 1992 romantic comedy Strictly Ballroom. Luhrmann's directorial debut follows Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio) as he is forced to train a new dance partner played by Tara Morice on the eve of a major competition.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

A couple of years after Matt Damon warmed his way into audiences' hearts with Good Will Hunting, the young actor proved that he could take on more sinister roles in the Anthony Minghella's 1999 thriller The Talented Mr. Ripley. In the film, Damon plays Tom Ripley, a young sociopath who will stop at nothing to live the life of Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law).

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

True Grit (1969)

You have most likely seen the Coen Brothers 2010 remake of the same name, but there's never been a better time to watch the 1969 original True Grit starring John Wayne in an Oscar-winning performance as lawman Rooster Cogburn. Don't waste too much time as this western will soon be gone.

Watch it on Netflix while you still can here.

Those are just some of the movies that will soon be leaving the confines of Netflix's vast streaming library. If you miss the boat on these titles and want to know what new and exciting movies are coming to the platform and many other streaming options, make sure to check back here at CinemaBlend.

Netflix has undergone a lot of changes since it first launched. The most recent being the option for subscribers to turn off the autoplay feature, which customers have long complained about. With 148 million subscribers worldwide, Netflix’s expansion also means heeding requests from world governments, and a recently released report revealed the nine TV series and movies the streaming giant was forced to remove following official government demands.

Netflix has released its first report on Environmental Social Governance. The report is based on the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board framework. It included information on the company’s commitment to diversity and its environmental impact, but it also revealed which world governments demanded the removal of certain movies and series. Some of the media the streamer pulled was surprising.

Per Netflix’s report, five of the nine demands came from Singapore’s Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority. Netflix was reportedly forced to pull The Hangover, The Last Temptation of Christ, Disjointed, the cooking series Cooking on High, and the documentary The Legend of 420. The streaming giant reports that the requests from Singapore began a couple of years ago.

Netflix also removed the films The Bridge from its service in New Zealand following the demands of the New Zealand Film and Video Labeling Body; Full Metal Jacket in Vietnam per the demands of the Vietnamese Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information; and Night of the Living Dead in Germany following a demand by the German Commission for Youth Protection.

In 2019, Netflix pulled an episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, one of the nine listed in the report (via THR), from Saudi Arabia at the behest of the Saudi Communication and Information Technology Commission. The Patriot Act episode had criticized the country and its removal sparked conversations regarding the stifling of free speech.

More recently, Netflix faced backlash after the release of The First Temptation of Christ by Brazilian group Portas dos Fundos. A petition demanded the removal of the comedy special, which depicted a gay Jesus and a weed-smoking Mary. Many spent Christmas trying to cancel Netflix over the satire and the backlash led to Portas dos Fundos’ headquarters being attacked. Unlike the shows and movies in the report, however, Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of keeping the satire on Netflix and it’s still available to stream on the service.

When looking at the numbers, removing nine shows and movies doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s the impact of the removal that ultimately matters and only time will tell what that might be. In the meantime, there’s plenty left to stream on Netflix, so be sure to check out our complete guide to everything available on the service this year. You can also swing by our 2020 midseason schedule for updated information on cable shows.

Todd Phillips' Joker is one of the most highly anticipated movies right now, with its theatrical release just days away. Phillips was tasked with giving the Clown Prince of Crime an origin story, without taking direct inspiration from the comics. The movie has been getting a ton of positive buzz ahead of its release, after great reviews and cleaning up at the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals. But Phillips is primarily known for his comedies-- although now he's revealed he's disinterested in the genre following the rise of woke culture.

Years before he collaborated with Joaquin Phoenix on Joker, Todd Phillips had film success with The Hangover movies, and classics like Old School and Road Trip. One might assume the filmmaker will return to the genre after his DC debut, but Phillips doesn't seem interested in comedy anymore. Namely, because of the backlash that comes with woke culture, and how the conversation has changed within the film world. As he put it:

Well, he certainly didn't mince words. It seems the way society has moved forward since Todd Phillips' time in comedy has made the genre undesirable for the filmmaker. As such, we should probably expect him to take on more gritty and emotional work like Joker.

For those unclear with the current terminology, being woke is the ongoing movement of being more socially aware, acknowledging privilege, and taking an active role in social justice. The way language and comedy has been used has been part of a conversation over the past few years, with certain comics taking the time to apologize for past missteps.

Related: Todd Phillips Actually Does Not Hope Everyone Is Going To Love Joker

But Todd Phillips seems to think this has made making a comedy movie far more difficult, as jokes have the potential to offend people, with backlash coming via social media. The pressure was enough to convince Todd Phillips to leave the genre altogether, dropping a F-bomb in the process for extra measure.

The flip side of this argument is that moviegoers can be just as passionate and angry when it comes to dramas. Joker certainly hasn't been void of controversy, and some critics took umbrage with the movie's message, and its potential to inspire violence. But the movie has also been praised by critics, so Todd Phillips should be able to pick which genre he's interested in moving forward.

Joker will hit theaters on October 4th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Competition continues to heat up in the streaming world, as Netflix is driving the conversation around its platform yet again with a new slew of material debuting on the streaming service in July. With the usual mix of older movies and new additions headed to the streaming catalog, there are some long-awaited TV programs that are returning. In one particular case, fans will be saying goodbye to a long running Netflix Original as it takes its final bow.

If you're curious about June's slate of releases, you can head over to that lineup to see what's been added throughout this past month. But if you're ready for the future of Netflix's continued campaign of entertainment, then follow us into July's brand new offerings...

Week of July 1

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore - 7/1/19

Astro Boy - 7/1/19

Caddyshack - 7/1/19

Caddyshack 2 - 7/1/19

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) - 7/1/19

Cheech & Chong's Up in Smoke - 7/1/19

Cloverfield - 7/1/19

Designated Survivor: 60 days - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/1/19

Disney's Race to Witch Mountain - 7/1/19

Frozen River - 7/1/19

Inkheart - 7/1/19

Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/1/19

Kill the Irishman - 7/1/19

Lady in the Water - 7/1/19

Little Monsters - 7/1/19

Mean Dreams - 7/1/19

Mean Streets - 7/1/19

Megamind - 7/1/19

Nights in Rodanthe - 7/1/19

Paul Blart: Mall Cop - 7/1/19

Philadelphia - 7/1/19

Rain Man - 7/1/19

Road House - 7/1/19

Room on the Broom - 7/1/19

Scream 3 - 7/1/19

Starsky & Hutch - 7/1/19

Swiped - 7/1/19

Swordfish - 7/1/19

Taxi Driver - 7/1/19

The Accountant of Auschwitz - 7/1/19

The American - 7/1/19

The Book of Eli - 7/1/19

The Brothers Grimm - 7/1/19

The Hangover - 7/1/19

The Pink Panther - 7/1/19

The Pink Panther 2 - 7/1/19

War Against Women - 7/1/19

Who's That Knocking at My Door? - 7/1/19

Bangkok Love Stories: Objects of Affection - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/2/19

Bangkok Love Stories: Plead - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/2/19

Good Witch: Season 4 - 7/2/19

The Last Czars - NETFLIX ORIGINAL -7/3/19

Yummy Mummies: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/3/19

Kakegurui: Season 2 - 7/4/19

Stranger Things 3 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/4/19

In The Dark: Season 1 - 7/5/19

Free Rein: Season 3 - NETFLIX FAMILY - 7/6/19

The Iron Lady - 7/6/19

Sicilian Ghost Story - 7/6/19

Week of July 7

Disney's Mary Poppins Returns - 7/9/19

Kinky - 7/9/19

Family Reunion - NETFLIX FAMILY - 7/10/19

Grand Designs: Season 10 - 7/10/19

Grand Designs: Season 15 - 7/10/19

Parchís: El documental - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/10/19

Cities of Last Things - NETFLIX FILM - 7/11/19

3Below: Tales of Arcadia: Part 2 - NETFLIX FAMILY - 7/12/19

4 latas - NETFLIX FILM - 7/12/19

Blown Away - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/12/19

Bonus Family: Season 3 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/12/19

Extreme Engagement - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/12/19

Kidnapping Stella - NETFLIX FILM - 7/12/19

Luis Miguel - The Series: Season 1 - 7/12/19

Point Blank - NETFLIX FILM - 7/12/19

Smart People - 7/12/19

Taco Chronicles - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/12/19

True Tunes: Songs - NETFLIX FAMILY - 7/12/19

Sorry Angel - 7/13/19

Week of July 14

The Break-Up - 7/16/19

Disney's The Princess and the Frog - 7/16/19

Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/16/19

Wynonna Earp: Season 3 - 7/16/19

Pinky Malinky: Part 3 - NETFLIX FAMILY - 7/17/19

Secret Obsession - NETFLIX FILM - 7/18/19

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: New 2019: Freshly Brewed - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/19/19

The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants: Season 3 - NETFLIX FAMILY - 7/19/19

La casa de papel: Part 3 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/19/19

Last Chance U: INDY: Part 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/19/19

Queer Eye: Season 4 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/19/19

SAINT SEIYA: Knights of the Zodiac - NETFLIX ANIME - 7/19/19

Typewriter - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 7/19/19

Week of July 21

Inglourious Basterds - 7/22/19

The Great Hack - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 7/24/19

Another Life - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 7/25/19

Workin' Moms: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 7/25/19

Boi - NETFLIX FILM – 7/26/19

The Exception – 7/26/19

Girls With Balls - NETFLIX FILM – 7/26/19

My First First Love: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 7/26/19

Orange Is the New Black: Season 7 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 7/26/19

The Son - NETFLIX FILM – 7/26/19

Sugar Rush: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 7/26/19

The Worst Witch: Season 3 - NETFLIX FAMILY – 7/26/19

Week of July 28

The Croods – 7/29/19

Whitney Cummings: Can I Touch It? - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 7/30/19

Kengan Ashura: Part l - NETFLIX ANIME – 7/31/19

The Letdown: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 7/31/19

The Red Sea Diving Resort - NETFLIX FILM – 7/31/19

Wentworth: Season 7 – 7/31/19

If you're looking for some good movie based entertainment on Netflix, you'll be pleased to know there's plenty to pull from in the coming month. The classic golf comedy Caddyshack is one such option, as Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and Rodney Dangerfield lead a rambunctious cast in this time-tested laugh riot depicting life on, and off of, a snooty golf course. Should monsters be more your speed, Cloverfield is headed back to Netflix, making a marathon of the entire series that much easier to accomplish.

However, action fans will have something to sink their teeth into on the Netflix Original side of things, as Netflix's American remake of Point Blank sees Marvel Cinematic Universe vets Anthony Mackie and Frank Grillo teaming up to fight their way through a twisted mystery that'll pit them against everything this particular case has to throw at them. Based on the French action thriller of the same name, it promises to be a bone-crunching, bullet-blazing good time; so perhaps you'll want to have some friends over to enjoy the fun in a group.

If you've been waiting for Stranger Things 3 to rear its head on your Netflix streaming queue, you won't have to wait much longer as July's TV offerings bring that to the forefront toward the beginning of the month. With the Starcourt Mall opening in Hawkins, Indiana, and the summer of 1985 heating up, there seems to be trouble on the horizon yet again. This time, not everyone in the core gang of Hawkins residents is guaranteed to make it out alive. On a similarly anticipated, though more somber note, Orange Is The New Black will be debuting its final season next month, with Season 7 marking the last chapter in the story Piper Chapman and her former fellow inmates of Litchfield Correctional.

Lightening the mood is the debut of two of Netflix's breezier programs, starting with Season 4 of Queer Eye, which will undoubtedly see the Fab Five turning new leaves and new looks for those in desperate need of some massive makeovers. If you're one of those folks who believes that Netflix is a joke, then you'll love the fact that Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee has a new season headed your way. During this round, Jerry Seinfeld talks with notables such as Sebastian Maniscalco, Seth Rogen, and Eddie Murphy.

Now keep in mind, all of these incoming Netflix titles are subject to change. So if you see something disappear from the lineup, or debut a little later than intended, there was probably a slight tweak. In any case, if there are updates to this lineup, you can usually find that information noted here after the fact. So stream wisely! Other than that, enjoy your July's worth of Netflix content, and we'll see you back here in a month to see what August brings our way.

We've now left 2018 behind us and have 2019 in full view. There are a lot of movies to look forward to over the next 12 months, but as with the start of any new year, one doesn't need to simply look to the future. It's also fun to reminisce about the past; 10 years ago specifically. Just like where we find ourselves now, 2009 was the final bow to a decade, and thankfully, there were a lot of interesting movies released to help bid the 2000s goodbye. With that in mind, here are the ten most memorable theatrical entries of 2009, taking into account critical and commercial reception, as well as just narrative and/or technological uniqueness.

10. Watchmen

Having already proven his comic book adaptation mettle with 300, director Zack Snyder went for Round 2 with Watchmen, based off the critically-acclaimed DC Comics miniseries that changed the superhero comics landscape. Rather than take a lot of creative liberties, Snyder's Watchmen adaptation closely resembled the source material (though there were still a few key changes), and the end result was a polarizing feature that is still being discussed a decade later. However you feel about Watchmen, compared to the superhero movies from that era, this one definitely set itself apart from the pack with its darker, more mature narrative that deconstructed the superhero story tropes.

9. The Hangover

Raunchy comedies have been around for decades, but it's not often that these types of movies become pop culture phenomenons. The Hangover managed to do just that, as the tale of three guys trying to figure out what they'd done on their blacked-out night of debauchery and then falling into another round of Las Vegas shenanigans was one of 2009's most talked-about movies. Along with earning a lot of positive reviews, The Hangover made over $467 million worldwide, making it both the 10th highest-grossing movie of 2009 and the sixth highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time. It's just a shame that the two Hangover sequels didn't come close to measuring up to this hilarious first installment.

8. Fantastic Mr. Fox

Director Wes Anderson had already shown off his weird, symmetrical filmmaking in live action several times, but this time, we got to see how he fared in animation. Based off the Roal Dahl book of the same name, Fantastic Mr. Fox followed the eponymous character and his family outwitting a group of farmers who were sick of Mr. Fox stealing from them. Simultaneously honoring the original source material and displaying Anderson's creative sensibilities, Fantastic Mr. Fox was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It's definitely an odd movie (as we expect from Anderson), but one that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

7. Zombieland

Several years before The Walking Dead TV series premiered and the zombie genre experience a full-on resurgence, Zombieland had Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin on a journey to find a new place to live free from the undead. We'd seen zombie-oriented comedies before, but Zombieland nonetheless stood out as an enjoyable feature that blended gore with laughs seamlessly, with one of the biggest examples of the latter being its Bill Murray cameo. Zombieland was so popular that it was the highest-grossing zombie movie until World War Z, and while it stood just fine as a standalone movie for a decade, this October we'll finally get the long-awaited sequel, Zombieland Too.

6. Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince isn't necessarily the best of the eight Harry Potter movies, but it definitely one of the franchise's highlights. Arriving four years after the same-named book was released, The Half-Blood Prince stayed true its literary predecessor and delved deeper into the more mature themes of Harry and the gang's fight against Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Not only was The Half-Blood Prince received better critically than its predecessor, The Order of the Phoenix, it also made a lot more money. Over $934 million, to be precise, making it the eight highest-grossing movie of all time for a period. At the time of its release, J.K. Rowling even called The Half-Blood Prince her favorite of the Harry Potter movies, so that gives it an extra boost on the popularity scale.

5. Star Trek

The Star Trek franchise was in a weird place in 2009, with the last movie, 2002's Nemesis, largely failing to impress, and the TV series Enterprise wrapping in 2005 on an underwhelming note. It was decided to rewind the clock and revisit James T. Kirk, Spock and the rest of the main characters from The Original Series, only this time we would see how they all met. And thus, Star Trek was born, and because it was set in an alternate timeline, that freed J.J. Abrams and the rest of the creative minds involved from continuity restrictions. Make no mistake, this reboot and its two sequels were met with mixed reception from the hardcore Star Trek fans, but overall, the 2009 Star Trek movie accomplished its goal of revitalizing the franchise, as it was met with a lot of positive reviews from critics and collected $385 million worldwide.

4. Avatar

What do you do when you've made the highest-grossing movie of all time? You break your own record, and that's just what James Cameron did with Avatar, which knocked Titanic off its 12-year perch. Cameron waited to make Avatar until the technology necessary to achieve his vision was available, and it's a good thing he didn't rush things. Avatar's motion capture was unlike anything that had been seen before, resulting in the Na'vi people and the Avatar bodies modeled after them looking incredibly realistic. Avatar's derivative, Dances With Wolves-like story prevents it from ranking any higher on this list, but it's unquestionably 2009's most visually striking movie, and at the end of 2020, we'll finally return to Pandora in Avatar 2, the first of four sequels.

3. Inglourious Basterds

If there's one thing you can count on for a Quentin Tarantino movie, it's a lot of violence. Inglorious Basterds was no exception, but this time, we got to see Tarantino's exaggerated gore in World War II, as the story followed a group of Jewish-American soldiers who take great joy in killing Nazis and an SS colonel tasked with finding and eliminating this military group. Among Inglorious Basterds' accomplishments was Christoph Waltz winning a Golden Globe and Academy Award for his performance as Hans Landa. As one would expect from a movie with this kind of subject matter, Inglorious Basterds didn't escape controversy, but it's certainly one of the more memorable cinematic offerings from Tarantino.

2. District 9

While science fiction continues to be a popular genre, it becomes more difficult each year to tell a story in this realm that feels truly fresh and different. District 9 had no problems pulling this off, because rather than go with a standard alien invasion story, director Neil Blomkamp's project showed us a tale of aliens of sick aliens arriving on Earth and meaning humans no harm being forced to live in internment camps in South Africa. With its exploration of xenophobia and segregation, District 9 earned numerous accolades, including four Academy Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination, not to mention made over $210 million worldwide off a $30 million budget. It's looking increasingly unlikely a sequel will ever be made, but District 9 can stand perfectly well on its own as an innovative sci-fi movie.

1. Up

Pixar isn't quite the infallible studio it once was, but it still has more hits than misses on its filmography. One of the biggest hits is Up, which arrived at the tail end of Pixar's uninterrupted streak of making all original movies from 2000 onwards (Toy Story 3 would come out in 2010). Up's opening sequence, i.e. seeing Carl and Ellie's life together, is brilliant filmmaking on its own, but thankfully the rest of the movie kept up the high quality through Carl's relationship with Russell, its humorous moments (we can Dug the dog for a lot of those) and, as we can count on from a Pixar movie, its stunning animation. Up walked away with two Golden Globe wins, two Academy Award wins and three other Oscar nominations. Not only did Up cinematically reign supreme in 2009, it remains one of Pixar's most cherished stories a decade later.

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If you've been paying attention to the career trajectory of director Todd Phillips, you've probably noticed a certain pattern in his work -- with his early movies being much lighter than his darker more recent work. On the surface, Road Trip and War Dogs look like they were made by completely different filmmakers. Aware of this tonal change, I recently asked Phillips if his sensibilities have evolved, but that's not the case. Instead, it's more about the writer/director at this point in his career having the freedom to make films the way he wants to make them.

With Todd Phillips currently promoting his new movie War Dogs, I had the pleasure of talking with the director over the phone earlier this month. His new film being darker and much more dramatic than any of his other studio work prompted me to ask about his approach to certain material as my first question in the interview, and he explained what's really going on:

Essentially, the tone present in Todd Phillips' last five movies is more consistent with the tone that he really wishes to strike in his films. Of course, this does not at all mean that he looks down on his earlier work, as he went on to explain:

So why are Todd Phillips tonal sensibilities more in line with the darker elements of The Hangover, Due Date and War Dogs? Using his most recent film, which is based on a true story, to illustrate his point, he noted that his interests lie in telling real, grounded stories -- with comedic and dramatic elements comingling to create a particular type of experience. Said Phillips,

Thanks to War Dogs' release this past Friday, you can experience Todd Phillips' new mix of dark dramatic tones and seriously funny moments in theaters now.

Holidays and movies really go hand-in-hand. From the filmmaker's perspective, holidays are all about bringing people together -- and that togetherness can be a perfect recipe for conflict, drama and/or comedy. For audiences, movies are perfect entertainment when you're trying to find something that your family and friends will enjoy. Of course, some films are better for some holidays than others -- which is why we've created this list.

Going through the calendar, we've pulled out the 11 biggest holidays in the United States, and determined what is the best movie to watch -- based on both the spirit and themes of the day as well as content and tone of the feature. Read on to see our choices, and hit the comments section with your own personal picks!

New Year's Day -- The Hangover

Through a certain lens, New Year's Day can been seen as a day of renewal -- as many make resolutions to change themselves in some kind of significant way over the next 365 days. In another lens, though, it's National Hangover Day, which is why we're calling this one for Todd Phillips' The Hangover. Unlike many of the other titles featured on this list, it doesn't actually feature a celebration of its assigned holiday, but people will surely be able to relate to the lead characters who find themselves regretting a night of partying just a little too hard.

Valentine's Day - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Unless you're both real cinefiles, Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind might not be the best Valentine's Day choice for those just starting a relationship, but for everyone else it should be a tradition. Driven by both Gondry's incredible auteur style and beautiful performances from Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, the movie is deeply open and honest about what it means to be in a relationship with someone you truly care for - and while most of the story unfolds after a breakup, it ultimately demonstrates with great poetry and emotion the incredible amount of power that love has over us.

St. Patrick's Day -- Waking Ned Devine

For St. Patrick's Day, the obvious key is finding a movie that is both dyed-in-the-wool Irish, and can be enjoyed while having a few too many drinks. Unfortunately a lot of Irish films are terrifically depressing, like Hunger or In The Name of the Father, but director Kirk Jones' Waking Ned Devine really hits all the marks for the holiday. It's an incredibly silly comedy with a bit of darkness to it, following a village in Ireland that conspires to pretend a dead man is alive to accept lottery winnings, and it's even more fun after a few green beers.

Mother's Day - The Sound Of Music

Cinema history is filled with amazing mothers, but in picking the perfect movie for Mother's Day, I figured it best to make a choice that most film-lovers can actually watch with their moms (sorry, Aliens). Robert Wise's The Sound Of Music was ultimately my choice for the holiday because it is fits the bill for the latter and features the former. Julie Andrews' Maria Rainer isn't a mother in the traditional sense, as she is actually a prospective nun taking care of a widower's seven children, but she is a wonderful maternal figure, and your own mom will love you for watching it with her.

Memorial Day - Saving Private Ryan

Memorial Day is the holiday we spend thinking about and commemorating those who gave their lives in times of battle, and while there are certainly many movies that feature this, Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan goes as far as to actually open with the act of remembering fallen soldiers. Epic and often brutal, the movie is all about the sacrifices that are made in war and individuals tragically dying for what they truly believe in, and it serves as a powerful tribute that is incredibly fitting for an importance day of remembran

Father's Day - To Kill A Mockingbird

Fictional fathers don't get more legendary than Atticus Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird - and while Harper Lee's book is where the character was created, many will long associate the character with Gregory Peck's performance in director Robert Mulligan's 1962 adaptation of the classic novel. Much like the selection for mother's day, this is very much a movie that you want to sit down and watch with your dad -- with the option of making his day by explaining all the ways that Atticus reminds you of him.

Independence Day -- Independence Day

There are many great movies about the Revolutionary War and the events that actually led up to us having an Independence Day, but July 4th happens to land right smack dab in the middle of the summer blockbuster season, which is why we give the edge to Roland Emmerich's epic 1996 film Independence Day. On beyond having the best Independence Day-related speech in cinema history, it's also a blast from end to end, led by a star-making performance from Will Smith, and the awesomeness of Jeff Goldblum. Is it silly beyond words? Absolutely. But it's also an authentic summer classic.

Halloween - Halloween

That's right -- two entries in a row named after the holiday that the movie celebrates. I didn't plan it that way, it's just happening. In 1978, director John Carpenter unleashed an incredibly straight-forward horror film about a masked serial killer who murders a lot of people on the haunted last day of October, and it's a true masterpiece. Simplistic as it may be, it also has a tremendous number of legitimate scares, and really helped define the slasher subgenre that lives on to this day. Plus, it also happens to have one of the best scores ever, and just playing the main theme makes All Hallows Eve that much creepier.

Veterans Day - The Longest Day

While Memorial Day is a time for mourning the loss of our fallen soldiers, Veterans Day is the time that we celebrate the many brave men and women who fight for freedom and defense of our country, and I can't think of a movie that does this on a grander scale than 1962's The Longest Day. A film so epic it took a team of three directors - Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton and Bernhard Wicki - the adaptation of Cornelius Ryan's book of the same name is an epic cinematic portrayal of the D-Day landings at Normandy during World War II, and an incredible vision of one of the nation's greatest strategic victories.

Thanksgiving - Planes, Trains and Automobiles

On beyond being set around Thanksgiving, John Landis' Planes, Trains, and Automobiles isn't exactly a typical turkey day movie, as it saves the big family gathering and dinner for the very, very end, but what makes it a perfect holiday treat is the fact that it genuinely hits on all of the key and celebrated themes: patience, gratefulness, forgiveness and family. Perhaps most importantly, though, it's all wrapped into a ridiculous and fun road trip adventure that can be watched by the entire family as everyone is unbuttoning their pants and digesting.

Christmas - It's A Wonderful Life

It's fitting that Christmas is the last holiday on this list, because it is certainly the most challenging holiday to assign the perfect piece of cinema -- thanks to the fact that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of films about the yuletide. A big part of me wants to pick Die Hard or almost any title from Shane Black, and A Christmas Story was a close runner up, but I had to choose Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life. It's the true Christmas classic for a reason, as George Bailey is the ultimate everyman who learns the ultimate lesson of the season. Families will be watching It's A Wonderful Life for generations, and that's because there's no better Christmas movie.

If you’re looking for the archetypal Hollywood trilogy trajectory then The Hangover franchise is perfect. The original comedy is one of the finest examples of mainstream comedy in years. It has an ingenious premise, constantly keeps you hooked by its plotting, and is riotously funny. This momentum immediately ground to halt with the sequel, while the third film was just plain awful. And it turns out that Zach Galifianakis knows that The Hangover Part 2 and The Hangover Part 3 don’t match the quality of the original. In fact, he admitted that he wishes they’d only done one.

Zach Galifianakis, whose career absolutely sky-rocketed because of his performance as Alan in the 2009 original, made this admission during his appearance on WTF With Marc Maron. Galifianakis is currently doing the rounds to promote his quirky FX comedy, Baskets, but that didn’t stop him talking about his past. Which led him to make this admission about The Hangover sequels.

A quick look over at Rotten Tomatoes suggests that the critical consensus agrees with Zach Galifianakis’ assessment. The Hangover currently has a 79% rating over on the website, which is hardly surprising considering just how many genuinely laugh out loud moments the bombastic comedy includes.

The ratings take a sharp turn for the worse when it comes to the sequels. The Hangover Part 2 only has a 34% rating, while things get even worse with The Hangover Part 3, as it has just 19%. And those of you that have seen these instalments can probably testify just how poor both films are in comparison to the original.

But the good folks over at Warner Bros. Pictures would probably disagree with Zach Galifianakis’ viewpoint that The Hangover Part 2 and Part 3 shouldn’t ever have seen the light of day. While The Hangover grossed $467.5 million, the follow-up eclipsed this mammoth total by raking in a further $586.8 million. Sure, The Hangover 3 didn’t quite reach any of these totals, but its haul of $362 million was still a very healthy effort.

Plus, the success of these further follow-ups helped to cement Zach Galifianakis’ reputation as one of the most dangerous comedy talents in American cinema. While he felt honest enough to admit that The Hangover 2 and 3 weren’t quite up to par, it should also be noted that his other comedies, The Campaign, Due Date, and Dinner For Schmucks, suffered similar fates. Hopefully the comedies Masterminds and Keeping Up With The Joneses, both of which are due out this year, will help to finally correct this slide.

Ken Jeong’s uproarious performance as Mr. Chow in The Hangover was off-the-walls, batshit crazy, and also one of the most life changing roles of his career. But the reason he accepted the part is particularly moving. The 45-year-old comedian recently revealed that the only reason he joined the Hangover crew was by the urging of his wife, who wanted to get his mind off her breast cancer diagnosis.

Jeong is one of the subjects of a new PBS documentary series, called Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies. In it he shared the emotionally charged story of how he came to play one of the most ridiculously over-the-top characters of cinema. Though it was a small role back in the 2009 film, Mr. Chow provided most of the more memorable moments. As quoted by The Korea Times, Jeong said he wasn’t going to accept the part, even though it was offered to him. However, his wife, Tran, encouraged him to do it. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer, leaving Jeong to care for her and their 1-year-old twins as she underwent chemo. "She thought I was suffering from caregiver burnout," he said, which was the push he needed to take on the film.

Jeong channeled his rage towards his wife’s condition into his performance, and it paid off handsomely. In 2010, Jeong’s psychotic antics earned him an MTV Movie Award for Best WTF Moment, specifically the scene in which he leaps out of a trunk butt naked and lands on Bradley Cooper’s face. While fans were expecting more laughs during the comedian’s acceptance speech, they were moved by his words in support of his wife.

Speaking with MTV News directly after his acceptance speech, he explained that he wanted to take that time on stage to both raise awareness and praise his director Todd Phillips and his co-star Cooper. As he said, they were the only two people outside of his family who knew at the time, and they were both extremely supportive of Jeong on the set.

Tran has been cancer free for the past six years, but Jeong continues to fight the good fight. Since his MTV Movie Awards speech, he’s been volunteering for the organization Stand Up To Cancer that includes promoting the PBS doc. Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies was filmed by Barak Goodman and Ken Burns and will air on the network on March 30, 31 and April 1.

It can be hard for an R-rated film to earn back serious bank. By embracing an R rating, producers theoretically are alienating a large chunk of a potential audience, essentially telling teenagers – you know, the demographic that routinely spends the most discretionary income on motion pictures – that they have to jump through hoops to see your film in a theater.

These films, however, found a way to reach a massive audience despite the somewhat limiting MPAA rating. Over the weekend, Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper muscled its way near the top of this particular chart. And from what we are hearing, this weekend’s Fifty Shades of Grey has a very good chance at joining it. Until the dust settles on those two titles however, here are the Top 10 Highest-Grossing R-Rated Movies (according to domestic grosses). Any surprises in the group?

10. 300

Released: March 9, 2007

Domestic Box Office: $210.6 million

Zack Snyder inched onto the scene three years prior to 300 with his taut and stylized reboot of Dawn of the Dead. But it was the slo-mo and sepia-toned bonanza of 300 that announced this filmmaker to the world. His visual approach to Frank Miller’s esteemed graphic novel breathed new life into the sword-and-sandal genre, reveling in the blood and gore of a Spartan battlefield. And while Snyder would eventually become known as the Founding Father of the DC Cinematic Universe, his roots will always trace back to this incredibly successful R-rated war epic.

9. Saving Private Ryan

Released: July 24, 1998

Domestic Box Office: $216.5 million

The movie that lost the Best Picture Oscar to Shakespeare in Love still manages to grasp the No. 9 spot on this list of R-rated hits. And that’s largely because director Steven Spielberg plunged both his audience and his A-list leading man (Tom Hanks) into the atrocities of combat with the jaw-dropping Omaha Beach landing that opens the film. Saving Private Ryan was unlike anything Spielberg had directed to that date (and since, to be honest). It proved – much like American Sniper is proving now – that audiences will show up to support contemplative, compelling war-time dramas, no matter the violence levels, when the material is handled properly by distinguished filmmakers with Hollywood pedigree.

8. Ted

Released: June 29, 2012

Domestic Box Office: $218.8 million

Not all R-rated hits have to be war-time dramas. Seth MacFarlane proved with Ted that crowds will show up to support the sweet story of a grown-up child (Mark Wahlberg) and his foul-mouthed teddy bear… so long as the movie includes more pop-culture references than a standard episode of Family Guy. Ted was a huge hit in 2012, going toe-to-fuzzy-toe with the likes of Men In Black 3, Snow White and the Huntsman and Magic Mike … and kicking all of their asses. What else is the common thread of these 2012 hits? They are all getting sequels, with Ted 2 set to reach theaters on June 26.

7. The Exorcist

Released: December 26, 1973

Domestic Box Office: $232 million

Finally, the R-rated list dips back into a little of Hollywood’s history, to a time when audiences cringed in horror at the demonic possession of an adolescent girl. The power of Christ compelled crowds to check out William Friedkin’s wickedly disturbing adaptation of William Blatty’s supernatural novel. Adjust for inflation (thank to the lower cost of a 1973 movie ticket), and The Exorcist would be an industry-changing behemoth. Oh wait, it pretty much already is that – as well as the highest-grossing horror film on this list. Spoilers.

6. Beverly Hills Cop

Released: December 5, 1984

Domestic Box Office: $234.7 million

God, I miss Eddie Murphy. In his prime, there was no one funnier, and Beverly Hills Cop showed how you could combine Murphy’s motor-mouthed yet extremely clever delivery with a textbook ‘80s action thriller. Beverly Hills Cop milked the fish-out-of-water template for countless laughs, building on the momentum Murphy had from 48 HRS. and Trading Place, but ultimately launching the comedian into the stratosphere. They may eventually get this franchise back on track, but it will never be as fast and funny as it was in 1984.

5. The Hangover Part II

Released: May 26, 2011

Domestic Box Office: $254.4 million

Amazingly, we make it all the way to the fifth slot before we run into our first sequel. By nature, sequels tend to make more than their original movies, seeing as how audiences warm up to concepts and often flock to see if "bigger" leads to "better." With the case of the second Hangover, both audiences and critics deemed it as more of the same, just in a different location (Thailand as opposed to Las Vegas). That didn’t stop people from turning out in droves to support the further misadventures of the Wolf pack. This magic couldn’t extend to The Hangover Part III, which stalled out at $112.2 million in 2013. (Fool me twice, shame on me, Todd Phillips.) But it did have a lot to do with the placement of the next movie on our list.

4. The Hangover

Released: June 5, 2009

Domestic Box Office: $277.3 million

People forget how big of a hit Todd Phillips’ first The Hangover was back in 2009. It was so successful, it later helped push the mediocre Due Date past $100 million. That’s insane. Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis were recognizable. The Hangover turned them into household names. And while studios were softening their punches to appeal to the PG-13 crowd, The Hangover reminded several executives that comedies like There’s Something About Mary, Porky’s, Risky Business and Phillips’ own Old School can be worth the risk. Whether you think it’s funny or not, this is the highest-ranking comedy on this list.

3. The Matrix Reloaded

Released: May 15, 2003

Domestic Box Office: $281.5 million

Truth be told, I had to look up whether Reloaded was the first Matrix sequel or the final one. (The Matrix Revolutions was the final one, for the record.) But the films are interchangeably bad, especially when compared to the original, groundbreaking sci-fi thriller that preceded it. The Wachowskis’ The Matrix took people by surprise. They couldn’t wait to see how Neo’s (Keanu Reeves) journey continued. And while Reloaded boasted memorable action set pieces, it bogged down in deep-throated psycho-babble that drowned casual fans in convoluted mythology. The franchise nose-dived shortly after, with Revolutions only banking $139 million domestically – or half the take of its predecessor.

2. American Sniper

Released: December 25, 2014

Domestic Box Office: $282 million (and counting)

Significant for so many reasons. American Sniper is in the thick of a Best Picture race, and currently is the highest-grossing film in the eight-picture BP field (by a longshot). It’s also Clint Eastwood’s highest-grossing films as a director, destroying the closest film, Gran Torino, which sits at $148 million. Now, that doesn’t guarantee the film an Oscar win. Box office is one factor in the annual Academy Awards race, but not the factor. In fact, this year’s race seems to be boiling down to Birdman or Boyhood. Still, when all is said and done, American Sniper may end up being the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, if it can top the next (and last) film.

1. The Passion of the Christ

Released: February 25, 2004

Domestic Box Office: $370 million

When studios moved forward on films like Noah, Son of God and Exodus: Gods and Kings, they all were courting the faith-based audience who turned out in massive numbers for Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. Few predicted just how successful the gratuitous (but text-faithful) adaptation of the Bible’s most famous story would turn out to be. Churches supported it in droves. Controversy swirling around Gibson’s choices kept interest bubbling under the surface for weeks. And while the director’s reputation eventually was tarnished for different reasons, the impact of The Passion continues to be felt to this day.

While a movie’s box office numbers are a good sign of its popularity or the level of anticipation it was able to muster, one could argue that Blu-ray sales are an indicator of just how beloved that title is. It’s one thing to buy a ticket to see a film once, and another to pay a premium price to own that film forever. Knowing this has to make you wonder what the biggest Blu-ray sellers of all time are – and fortunately we are here to provide that bit of interesting information.

It has been revealed by the movie tracking website The Numbers that a new film has taken over the number one spot of the all-time best selling Blu-ray rankings, so we thought it an appropriate time to do a bit of analysis to see which titles from the past few years have continued to dominate the charts. Some of the answers will surprise you!

10. The Hangover

Original Release Date: December 15, 2009

Total Units Sold: 3,435,979

Total Consumer Spending: $57,412,803

Though the final two chapters of the Hangover trilogy were considered critical disappointments, they seemingly haven’t done anything to hurt the Blu-ray sales of the original – which still works rather well as an individual comedy effort. What’s even more impressive about these sales, however, is the fact that The Hangover is the only R-rated movie on the top 10 – which means that it’s not the only one being bolstered by sales of parents buying copies for their kids.

9. The Hunger Games

Original Release Date: August 18, 2012

Total Units Sold: 3,636,290

Total Consumer Spending: $69,300,562

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 will almost certainly be a big hit when it is released on Blu-ray later this year, but for right now Gary Ross’ original Hunger Games is representing and holding strong at the number nine spot on the all-time best selling Blu-rays list. Interestingly, the young adult novel adaptation is present on the list while both Harry Potter and Twilight are kept out (the former franchise currently holds the 16th, 20th and 22nd slots on the Top 50, while the latter isn’t even ranked).

8. Guardians of the Galaxy

Original Release Date:December 9, 2014

Total Units Sold: 3,752,311

Total Consumer Spending: $78,901,028

In addition to being one of the biggest, most critically-beloved domestic hits of the year, Guardians of the Galaxy is the only 2014 movie to show up on this list – and what’s even more amazing is the fact that it’s place at number eight only after a month and a half in release. Obviously the first wave of sales is important, but in the coming year it wouldn’t be shocking in the slightest if its ranking continued to grow. It certainly doesn’t hurt that we are now only a couple of years away from Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

7. Inception

Original Release Date:December 7, 2010

Total Units Sold: 3,841,600

Total Consumer Spending: $77,215,048

There is a high rewatchability factor in Inception, generated both by its exciting, creative storytelling and the confusion generated by its complex, multi-layered plot. Still not sure if Cobb actually made it out of his dream? Still trying to figure out exactly what limbo is? There’s no better way than to just pop in a Blu-ray copy and try to get all of the answers. Adding a special layer to this movie’s placement on the Top 10 is the fact that it is one of two Christopher Nolan titles on the list. And you won’t have to wait a while to find out what the next one is…

6. The Dark Knight Rises

Original Release Date:December 4, 2012

Total Units Sold: 3,971,577

Total Consumer Spending: $80,922,020

Of the films in the Dark Knight Trilogy, the Dark Knight Rises is easily the most divisive – but apparently that hasn’t slowed it down at all in terms of Blu-ray sales. It’s likely that the finale outranks its predecessors because it was the only one in the series released on home video during the height of the Blu-ray format’s popularity, but moving nearly 4 million units is quite an achievement. Plus,

[[ the dark em knight rises ]] <=""> is one of only two direct sequels on this list.

5. Star Trek

Original Release Date: November 17, 2009

Total Units Sold: 3,997,167

Total Consumer Spending: $90,374,375

J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot didn’t make as much theatrically as many of the other titles on this list, but it evidently has been a huge winner on home video. These numbers were surely boosted by the release of Star Trek Into Darkness and fans feeling the need to go back and refresh themselves on the latest incarnation of the franchise, but these numbers certainly aren’t anything to shake a stick at. After all, Star Trek beat Batman! This may be the only instance in all of fanhood of that actually happening.

4. The Avengers

Original Release Date: September 25, 2012

Total Units Sold: 5,216,212

Total Consumer Spending: $118,108,937

In 2012, Marvel Studios and Joss Whedon teamed up to create one of the most enthralling, entertaining, rewatchable blockbusters in recent memory – so is it any real surprise that it’s been doing extraordinarily well on Blu-ray? A great deal of the film’s box office receipts were made up from people seeing the blockbuster multiple times in theaters, so it just makes sense that they would continue replaying it at home on home video. Hell, I personally saw The Avengers on the big screen four times, and actually watched it again just this past weekend.

3. Despicable Me 2

Original Release Date: December 10, 2013

Total Units Sold: 5,761,489

Total Consumer Spending: $114,061,866

Children really do love those minions, and apparently that love has translated to both incredible theatrical and home video success for the Despicable Me movies. While the first film has been bumped out of the Top 10 and currently sits in the #11 spot about 141,000 units behind The Hangover, the Despicable Me 2 numbers are holding it strong in the number three position – though it is a full 2 million Blu-ray copies behind the movie that currently holds the number two slot in this ranking…

2. Avatar

Original Release Date: April 22, 2010

Total Units Sold: 7,376,176

Total Consumer Spending: $163,950,842

Given that it is far and away the biggest movie of all time, Avatar has a logically high place on the list of all-time best sellers on Blu-ray. That being said, the high number of units sold is rather interesting if not just because the James Cameron film was really more about the big screen experience than anything. It’s also worth noting that while the latest numbers have pushed Avatar to the number two slot in terms of total Blu-ray sales, it is still the champ when it comes to total consumer spending.

1. Frozen

Original Release Date: March 18, 2014

Total Units Sold: 7,460,592

Total Consumer Spending: $158,682,212

This whole list was spurred on by the fact that there is a new champion of the all-time Blu-ray sales charts, and that champion is none other than the animated hit Frozen. Were you curious as to why you kept hearing children repeatedly running around singing out "Let It Go" all for the last year? It’s apparently because parents everywhere decided to buy home copies of the blockbuster hit. So there you have it: it wasn’t enough for the movie to be the biggest Walt Disney Animation title of all time – it had to be the biggest Blu-ray feature as well.

Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper went wider over the weekend, and while it dominated the box office with a record take, it divided critics and audience members with its political and military messages. The one factor everyone agreed on, though, was the incredible performance by leading man Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, a decorated Navy SEAL who dedicated his life to his brothers in arms. It’s hard to believe that this is the same guy who charmed Jennifer Garner in Alias, and entertained audiences in the Hangover trilogy.

American Sniper is Bradley Cooper’s third straight Best Actor nomination, following nods for his two films with director David O. Russell. But where does it rank on a list of the all-time great Bradley Cooper roles? We decided to comb over his resume and single out our choices for the 10 best, ranked from two to one.

10. Leon, The Midnight Meat Train

Yes, we’re going with a horror film in our tenth slot. Why? Because Bradley Cooper was still finding his way as a leading man after small scene-stealing parts in Wedding Crashers and a little-seen TV showcase in Kitchen Confidential, and he made a real impact here. Rarely do actors emerge from the horror genre and make a successful stab at mainstream, but Cooper’s natural charisma shines through the stylish gloom of Midnight Meat Train. Similar to Jamie Lee Curtis in the original Halloween, you could tell that you were watching an actor who was logging time but planning on bigger things. And most of those bigger things happened in the following roles.

9. Eddie Morra, Limitless

Limitless was a surprise hit in early 2011, primarily because people didn’t yet know what to make of the handsome jerk from The Hangover. But Cooper showed that he had the chops to carry an intelligent sci-fi premise, and was convincing as both a struggling, economically deprived writer AND the intelligently stimulated success story that Cooper’s character, Eddie, eventually becomes. Again, it was the actor’s charisma that shined through a sloppy screenplay, with director Neil Burger finding ways to enhance his star’s bright personality with visual flourishes. Limitless seemed like it could have been a franchise for Cooper. There’s no real surprise it is finding new life as a TV series, because the potential for future stories was (sorry) limitless.

8. Face, The A-Team

Remaking a classic television show is a mixed bag. For every memorable Mission: Impossible, there a misfire like The A-Team, Joe Carnahan’s attempt to update the team of mercenaries who now help those in need. The failure of the A-Team movie doesn’t fall on Bradley Cooper, though, who was perfectly cast as the vainglorious Templeton Peck… aka, Face – because, like Cooper, is face is damn near perfect. One issue with the A-Team movie is that reboot cast members Sharlto Copley, "Rampage" Jackson and even Liam Neeson couldn’t make us forget the original TV stars. But Cooper made Face a wild card, injecting him with maniacal energy and stealing multiple scenes with his wit and charm. He was better than this film, and we went on to prove it.

7. Rocket, Guardians of the Galaxy

Should this be higher on the list? Maybe. We debated in the CinemaBlend offices how much stock should be given to a vocal performance, and whether the acerbic personality Bradley Cooper brought to James Gunn’s space epic would (or should) trump the actor’s roles in … well, in the next six choices! (No spoilers.) But there’s no denying the fact that Rocket wouldn’t work quite as well in Guardians of the Galaxy without the attitude that Cooper brought to the sound booth. He played extremely well off of Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista and, yes, Vin Diesel. And I think that Cooper will actually be able to bring new depths to Rocket when he returns to the Marvel universe for Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

6. Will Tippin, Alias

Before Bella had Edward or Jacob, and before Katniss has Peeta or Gale, CIA operative Sydney Bristow often had to choose between fellow agent Vaughn (Michael Vartan) and unassuming best-friend reporter Will Tippin (Cooper). Will’s role in Alias was viewed as a necessary bit of grounding to Sydney’s globetrotting adventures – the regular guy who Sydney, the college student, likely should have settled down for, even though that meant ditching her spy lifestyle. Eventually, the show ran out of ways to cleverly use Tippin, and he … well, I won’t say, in case you haven’t seen Alias yet. (What are you waiting for?!) But Cooper was a terrific soft spot one which hardened Jennifer Garner would land, a dependable rock in the tumultuous storm of her spy life, and the two actors had a wonderful chemistry that could have carried the show for a few more seasons. Can we get those two together in a movie sometime soon?

5. Richie DiMaso, American Hustle

We’re finally getting into Bradley Cooper’s Oscar-nominated roles, and a lot of this has to be attributed to the contributions of writer-director David O. Russell. Cooper’s now a player in Russell’s "company," though he earned his slot by disappearing into broadly drawn neighborhood caricatures – usually with Italian roots. Richie is torn between two worlds – the law-enforcement agency that employs him, and the con artists he lures to help him in a sting. In different hands, the characters populating Russell’s films could be grotesque cartoons. But Cooper, Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence know how to slice through most of the bull to make these roles human. It helps when you are hustling.

4. Sack Lodge, Wedding Crashers

Easily the best character name on this list (Sack Lodge!), Sack is the guy you’d ASSUME Bradley Cooper could and would play for the duration of his career… if he was interested in simply being typecast because of his terrific looks. Sack is the "evil boyfriend" role, the tool who Rachel McAdams is dating – but only because he wants access to her family’s political power. He’s a textbook jerk, and Cooper plugs into the role with such ease that we could have easily assumed this was Cooper’s personality – and he’d be stuck in that part forever. It also shows how Cooper was willing to bulk up for a role. Watch the football scene in Wedding Crashers, and you won’t be amazed at how drastically Cooper changed, physically, for this next role.

3. Chris Kyle, American Sniper

It’s amazing how deeply Bradley Cooper disappears into the role of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, swallowing his natural charisma to play a bear of a man who swears to protect his fellow soldiers. When Cooper plays with David O. Russell or Todd Phillips, he is the center of attention. As Kyle, he’s a silent assassin perched atop a building, watching over all – but unable to acclimate to home life and be the husband and father his family needs. It’s a calculatedly subdued performance that is all the more powerful for what it doesn’t show… and Cooper’s decisions as a performer get to the heart of this patriot.

2. Pat Solitano, Silver Linings Playbook

The better of the two David O. Russell collaborations, and a painfully wounded performance by Bradley Cooper that shows him at his most vulnerable. Behind every Cooper character is the supreme confidence that comes with looks like Bradley Cooper. But Pat has been hurt. He’s broken. And even though he’ll rapidly explain to anyone around him that he’s better… he’s lying. And he can’t truly heal until he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), the equally damaged yin to his demented yang. Russell’s words require a specific cadence, and Cooper plugs right into the director’s manic vibe. But it’s the soulful hurt resting behind Pat’s darting eyes that pull us into his quest to follow a silver-linings playbook, and one day live a better life.

1. Phil, The Hangover

A controversial choice? Perhaps. Bradley Cooper wasn’t nominated for the Oscar for his turn in Todd Phillips’ shockingly crude Hangover comedies. But here’s why I believe the trilogy boasts Cooper’s finest performances. We should be chemically trained to despise Phil. He’s an egotistical ass who abuses his closest friends and essentially ruins the lives of everyone around him. And yet, we end up rooting for this guy, time after time. That’s due to Cooper, who shows in the Hangover movies how versatile he is at comedy – board and slapsticky, but also capable of playing an integral part of an ensemble. The Hangover movies might be the undergraduate program that trained Cooper for Russell’s films (and beyond). But his "maturity" as Phil increased from film to film, giving us Cooper’s most complete, unpredictable and rewarding performance to date.

Most of us tuning into Sunday’s telecast of the Golden Globe Awards will be hoping for a few memorable one-liners from hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler or maybe a standout acceptance speech from an Oscar hopeful putting the finishing touches on some Academy Awards preparation. A smaller sliver of viewers, however, will be tracking to see how winners might help pull the larger Oscar picture into focus. Quite often, a win at the Globes can procure valuable momentum leading into the announcement of the Academy Award nominations, which will take place on Thursday, January 15 this year.

To that small group, I offer one quick reminder: Be prepared for at least one WTF head-scratcher. Because the Globes have separate categories for Drama and Musical/Comedy, it’s a little easier for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to spread the wealth to deserving films (than it is for, say, the Academy). But that also means the Globes have double the chances to whiff, as they have done multiple times over the past few decades.

I went back and looked at the Golden Globes winners for the past four decades, hoping to give you a little perspective. On Monday morning, when we are talking about this year’s Golden Globes winners, just remember that they join an "illustrious" group that also happens to include these trophy holders.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Tim Burton makes good movies, but rarely is his name – or the titles of the films he directs -- in the awards conversation (as the good folks pushing Big Eyes learned this year). Sweeney Todd, like most of the films that I’ll mention on this list, is a serviceable movie, yet another gothic collaboration between Burton and his muse, Johnny Depp, though one that – sadly – put a lot of stock in Depp’s ability to sing. The strange thing about Sweeney Todd’s Golden Globes win in 2007 is that it wasn’t even the best musical in its category. That distinction belonged to Adam Shankman’s effervescent and irreverent Hairspray -- which joined Juno, Charlie Wilson’s War and Julie Taymor’s imaginative Across the Universe in the Globes’ loser bracket.

Scent of a Woman (1992)

Can anyone tell me what Scent of a Woman is about? Anyone? We all remember Al Pacino’s "hoo ah," and the courtroom scene during which the line was delivered (for the umpteenth time). But outside of that, Martin Brest’s movie is mainly recalled as the film that finally earned Pacino his Oscar. Not Serpico. Not Dog Day Afternoon. Not The Godfather Part II. Scent of a Woman. The Globes went one step further, also handing Brest the Best Motion Picture – Drama prize in 1992 over The Crying Game, Howard’s End, A Few Good Men and Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven. Can we ever forgive the HFPA for this oversight?

The Hangover (2009)

When you refer to Todd Phillips’ The Hangover in conversation, we’d prefer that you use its proper title, "Golden Globe winner For Best Motion Picture – Comedy, The Hangover." That’s right, a movie that had a naked Ken Jeong springing from the trunk of a car to attack Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis with a tire iron won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture. Listen, the first The Hangover had funny moments. The three guys had real chemistry, and the shock value of the premise was enough to carry it at the box office. It was a huge hit. But did it deserve to win a Globe over Marc Webb’s 500 Days (of Summer) or the Meryl Streep/Amy Adams comedy Julie & Julia? That’s up for debate.

Evita (1996)

No one is crying for Evita, the silver screen musical fashioned around the world’s biggest pop star at the time – Madonna. The musical collaboration of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice has been a mainstay on the Broadway stage for a reason, and their original song "You Must Love Me" charmed the Academy back in 1997. The Globes, however, went even further by handing their Best Motion Picture – Musical/Comedy to Alan Parker’s competent, stodgy political adaptation… besting the likes of Fargo, Jerry Maguire and The Birdcage. (!!!!) The HFPA loves their musicals, rewarding Moulin Rouge, Chicago and Dreamgirls over the years. Evita does not belong in that class.

Bugsy (1991)

The Globes love nominating Hollywood "royalty" so that they will attend what has become – over the years – a television product driven by brightly shining celebrities. This is why Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp were nominated for the lump of coal that was The Tourist, and also why Barry Levinson’s Bugsy earned multiple nominations. The allure of having posh real-life couple Warren Beatty and Annette Bening front and center for the Globes show was too much to resist. This much, we can understand. How the period drama/biopic topped its competition in 1991, however, remains a mystery. Levinson’s film beat out JFK, The Prince of Tides, Thelma & Louise and the eventual Oscar winner, Silence of the Lambs.

Green Card (1990)

If there’s one genre that the Golden Globes historically love more than musicals, it’s romantic comedies with a pedigree. As Good As It Gets, Working Girl, Romancing The Stone and Almost Famous all found victories in the Musical/Comedy category, which helps explain how Peter Weir’s Green Card rose above the pack back in 1990. Again, and this is a recurring theme, Green Card isn’t a bad movie. It’s perfectly fine, riding on some endearing chemistry between Andie MacDowell and Gerard Depardieu. But is it better than Ghost or Pretty Woman? Hell, is it better than Home Alone? Because it beat all of them that year at the Globes.

Atonement (2007)

Few love Joe Wright as much as I. And Atonement is a fantastic film – a stifling, passionate and ultimately soul-crushing story of unrequited love that tells how two potential mates (James McAvoy and Keira Knightley) are torn apart by a lie, then kept apart by a war. The Globes sometimes favor international stories, because the films are selected by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. And it’s possible that they thought they were getting ahead on the curve with Atonement. But Wright’s artsy drama beat out Michael Clayton, There Will Be Blood and No Country for Old Men in 2007… and in hindsight, I’m not sure anyone can agree with that.

Hope and Glory (1987)

Remember when I just mentioned how the HFPA tends to favor foreign films, particularly in a tight race? I have to assume that’s how John Boorman’s charming, autobiographical Hope & Glory squeaked by Moonstruck, the crowd-pleasing Dirty Dancing and freaking Broadcast News to triumph at the Globes in 1987. The British-based World War II comedy-drama certainly had support, but belonged in the category of "happy to be nominated." While it’s likely better remembered by UK crowds, it walked out the venue with a Best Motion Picture statue under its arm that night.

Avatar (2009)

The trend lately is to wonder why James Cameron’s Avatar has all but disappeared from the pop-culture landscape, despite the fact that it holds the crown for being the highest-grossing film of all time. OF ALL TIME! Cameron loves the movie. He’s planning multiple sequels. But it’s hard to find fans who truly love Avatar outside of Cameron. I think, back in 2009, the Globes felt Avatar would pull a Titanic and sweep the awards season. It didn’t, losing to The Hurt Locker. But before that happened, Cameron’s 3D blue adventure beat out Kathryn Bigelow’s tense-as-hell war-time thriller. Does that make sense?

Forrest Gump (1994)

Forrest Gump is not my favorite film. It’s goofy, contrived, and sickeningly saccharine. I didn’t care for it in theaters, and then downright loathed it as it steamrolled through the awards season in 1994. Why? Partly because I personally didn’t feel that it earned the accolades. But also because every trophy collected by Gump was one less piece of hardware for far superior films like Quiz Show and Pulp Fiction. Gump was a steamroller that year. I still don’t understand it, but I’ve come to accept the fact that I’m in the minority, and Gump was the people’s choice that year.

Remember when The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift couldn’t even muster $25 million at the domestic box office during its opening weekend seven years ago? Let the record show the franchise’s successes in the years since have not been flukes. The latest installment in the series not only looks poised to win the box office crown this weekend, it looks poised to leave tiretracks all over the competing films.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fast & Furious 6 earned an estimated $38.2 million during its opening day yesterday. If that momentum carries through over the rest of the weekend, the film could gross about $120 million, which would be the single biggest domestic opening in the franchise’s history. Unfortunately for The Hangover Part III, the same cannot be said.

The final installment of the uneven franchise only managed to haul in $14.5 million yesterday. Added to what the movie grossed Thursday and what it’s expected to gross through Memorial Day, the film’s total will likely end up around $65 million, which isn’t even half of what The Hangover Part II added to its coffers two years ago.

As for last week’s winner, Star Trek Into Darkness continued its solid run, taking in more than $10 million and potentially netting $40 million for the four day weekend. That’ll put the film in a dogfight for third place with the family-friendly Epic, which generated $9.4 million but will likely receive a big boost this morning from families going to matinees.

We’ll have a full box office report later this weekend. When we do, some of these numbers will likely be slightly altered, but barring some unexpected scandal that sours the world to Fast & Furious, it’s likely executives at Universal will be in line for some much-deserved celebrations.

The writing team behind The Hangover may be contributing their talent to the small screen, more specifically at ABC. Writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore have secured a pilot order for their comedy project Mixology, which is set at a Manhattan bar. There seems to be a recurring drinking theme with their projects, especially when you factor in the new movie they also have in the works.

By the title, Mixology and the bar setting, one might jump to the conclusion that Lucas and Moore's ABC project might emphasize partying, much in the way The Hangover did, but from what Deadline reports, it sounds like love is the primary focus for this high-concept single camera comedy. The comedy "chronicles the exploits of singles in search of love– all over the course of one night."

So, while drinking seems to be part of the concept, given the "sexy Manhattan bar" setting, it seems the show's focus will be on seeing people try to connect. This pilot joins How The F Am I Normal and Trophy Wife among the comedy pilots lined up for the network.

We can also expect more feature work from the writing duo. In addition to Mixology, Lucas and Moore also have 21 and Over in the works. Not only did they write the feature film, which will star Miles Teller, Justin Chon, Skylar Astin and Sarah Wright and centers on the 21st birthday celebration of one of the characters, but Lucas and Moore also directing that one. Among their other writings credits is the feature film The Change-Up, which stars Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman as two guys who end up body-switched after a few too many drinks.

While most of us have never accidentally kidnapped a naked Asian gangster or received an unwanted Mike Tyson-inspired facial tattoo, everybody can relate to the idea of a crazy weekend with friends. You know, the kind of outing that leaves scars, incriminating photos, and stories that will be retold between friends for decades to come. That's one reason why The Hangover and its sequel have become blockbuster hits. They're exaggerated, funnier versions of something most of us have experienced at some point or another. They're relatable. There's one fellow, however, who insists that The Hangover Part II hits just a little too close to home...close enough that he's filed a lawsuit.

According the The Hollywood Reporter, a dude named Michael Alan Rubin is claiming that The Hangover Part II ripped off both his real-life Asian honeymoon vacation and the script he wrote based on that trip. You can click through to THR's story to read the full details, but the gist is this: back in 2007 Rubin got hitched to a Japanese lady, then the pair headed off to Thailand and India for their honeymoon. The trip didn't exactly go as planned, however, because the two soon began fighting over money issues. Trying to make the best of a bad situation, Rubin decided to write a script based on his honeymoon misadventures. That script, entitled Mickey and Kirin, was allegedly filed with the Writers Guild of America. When Rubin eventually heard about The Hangover Part II, he decided there were too many similarities to his script and life, leading him to eventually file a lawsuit.

Granted, none of us have read the script in question, but if the only similarities you can find between The Hangover Part II and Rubin's story are the setting and the vague concept of "bad stuff happens on a wedding trip," well, I'm right there with you. Rubin likely has an uphill battle to prove that he's got a case, and it's probably not going to help that he's purportedly representing himself. Especially because he takes it a step beyond simply crying plagiarism: according to THR he's claiming that specific instances in the film were targeted directly at him with the intent of defaming his character.

It's not the first odd lawsuit that's been leveled at the comedy sequel. Recent months have seen The Hangover Part II lawsuits from both a tattoo artist and Ed Helms' stunt double.

It is baffling to see that the most pirated movies are the very movies that work best on the big screen. Movie piracy continues to be an issue, and based on the list of most pirated movies, those who are opting not to pay for their entertainment prefer the big blockbuster movies, Avatar topping the list with a whopping 21 million downloads.

Inspired by Netflix posting their most rented movies, TorrentFreak.com compiled a similar list for BitTorrent downloads. Here are the Top 5:

As TorrentFreak points out, the films on the list did pretty well in the box office, despite the piracy, however the number of downloads suggests that the films likely would have done even better if people weren’t choosing to download them illegally.

Only two of the Top 10 films on the list are something other than an action/adventure film (The Hangover and The Departed). While all of the films are popular and did well at the box office, they’re also the kinds of movies you’d want to see on the big screen, rather than wait to rent, let along settle for a lesser-quality version by downloading illegally.

While it’s likely that at least some of those who downloaded a pirated copy of Avatar did actually see the film in the theater first, millions of downloaders probably saw the movie for the first time on their computer. Even if the downloaded version of the film were near-DVD quality, Avatar will never be as good as it was seeing it for the first time on the big screen in 3D. The same applies to most of the other movies on the list. These are exactly the kind of movies to see in the theater.

I don’t have any children, but I’m told, if I did, they would instantly become my most valuable possessions. My 1972 Topps Bobby Orr and my Zodiac Killer shirt and my car would all supposedly be worthless in comparison because unlike human beings, those items cannot be tutored into becoming lawyers, professional lacrosse players and Jeopardy contestants. That’s apparently why intelligent, involved parents spend an inordinate amount of time discussing which people they know would make serviceable watchers of their children during periods of time in which they are both called away. I vividly remember, during my own youth, my mother and father talking at the kitchen table and discarding wannabe babysitters for such reasons as lack of intelligence, possible drinking problem, ugliness and poor hygiene, but all that effort still didn’t stop one hired hand from encouraging me to jump as far as I could off the back of the couch. She thought it was funny. I still do.

All of the dumb, fictitious bitches and dumb, fictitious sons of bitches on the following list make that aforementioned long jump encourager look ideal. Each would cause irreparable damage to any child no matter how short the exposure, and each would make any level-headed matriarch beg for Cameron Diaz’s character in Bad Teacher. Many of them have proven it in the past, and if you were in a pinch and sought their services, they’d sure as hell prove it again. Here are 7 movie characters that never should be put in charge of a child…

Mrs. Sturak From Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead

This crazy old bat might run a tighter ship than most employers would want or expect, but it’s not her Stalin-esque management style that finds her a position on this contemptible list. No, Mrs. Surak is on this ordered middle finger for one simple reason: she can’t be trusted not to die. It might sound harsh, but studies have continually shown the elderly are worse at staying alive than any other demographic sampled. Birthed during Zelda Fitzgerald’s prime, this Cosmo Kramer-haired disciplinarian has a long and storied history of passing peacefully in her sleep. All her lectures and threats of television taking do concerned parents no good if she’s shirking her responsibility by sneaking into hell.