While the cast and crew of The Princess Bride were making the film, they may not have had an inkling of just how popular it would eventually become. Rob Reiner's classic film has since become a classic with what feels like an endless list of quotable lines. To this day, Cary Elwes is still cited for his role as Westley and still discusses it. On that note, Elwes, recently recalled one priceless item from the set that he passed off to Reiner when the movie wrapped production.

In 1987's The Princess Bride, Elwes’ character is inseparable from his sword throughout the film. However, the actor ultimately parted with the cool accessory, giving it to Reiner. And Elwes had a great take on why he did that:

So, during his recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, Elwes said he was less interested in actual keepsakes and more so on he memories he'd made on set. With that, I can completely understand why Elwes gifted the prop to the movie’s valiant director. Now, I can't help but wonder what Reiner did with the sword!

Sweetly enough, it was love at first sight for Rob Reiner regarding Cary Elwes taking on the role of Westley. Per Vice, he had seen the actor in an early screening of 1986 costume drama Lady Jane and thought he was instantly perfect for the role. During the casting process, Elwes was out in Germany shooting a film called Maschenka, so Reiner actually the director flew all the way to Europe to meet with him.

Sadly, Rob Reiner died at the age of 78 alongside his wife, Michelle (who was 70), back in December. They were found stabbed to death in their home in Brentwood, California. Their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested hours later and has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder as part of what remains an active homicide investigation.

Cary Elwes was one of the first celebrities to react to the Reiners' deaths after the news broke. He posted a black and white photo of his and Rob's chairs on the set of The Princess Bride with the caption “No words…” Here it is below:

Cary Elwes also talked about Rob Reiner on the late director's birthday back in March. Aside from pointing out that Reiner would've been 79, Elwes also said at the time that it was “still hard to believe you’re gone,” and he also said he'd been “missing” the director “so much.” These sweet tributes and anecdotes (including the mention of the Westley's sword) further emphasize the bond that Elwes and Reiner forged while working together. And, with Reiner now gone, I can imagine Elwes holding onto those "keepsakes" even closer.

Months on, the Hollywood community continues to mourn the Reiners. Still, it's been lovely to see all the sweet tributes and hear the wonderful stories that have been shared about them, including the anecdote Martin Sheen recently shared. Those who are feeling particularly nostalgic for Elwes and Rob's collaboration on The Princess Bride can check out the movie now using a Disney+ subscription.

Before Martin Sheen played the American president in The West Wing, he played the chief of staff in Rob Reiner’s movie, The American President. Now, that great rom-com did lead him to the beloved series set in the White House. However, Sheen wanted to remember the late director by making it clear that he landed the part in the film where Michael Douglas played the commander-in-chief because of a conversation he had with Reiner about The Princess Bride.

It’s not a secret that The American President inspired The West Wing, seeing as both were penned by Aaron Sorkin. There was some cast crossover, too, as Sheen went from playing Chief of Staff AJ MacInerney in the movie to President Jed Bartlet in the show. However, he got the role of AJ because he had a meeting with The American President’s director, Rob Reiner. But they didn’t talk about the Oval Office. No, they discussed a far-off and beloved fantasy land instead, as Sheen explained during a panel at C2E2 (via Josh Horowitz):

Now, while we cannot really agree on Rob Reiner’s best film (because he simply has too many masterpieces), I think you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t adore The Princess Bride. The movie, which you can stream with a Disney+ subscription, is hilarious and whimsical. It’s fun and action-packed and also deeply romantic. In short, it’s wonderful, and I can see why Sheen only wanted to talk to the director about it when he met with him for The American President.

I also love that this meeting led to Sheen’s casting in the rom-com starring Douglas and Annette Bening. As someone who grew up on both movies and loves The West Wing (you can stream it with an HBO Max subscription), this story makes my heart swell.

The deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner also make it that much more emotional. In the months since their passing, tons of artists who worked with them shared tributes and stories. This also included a wonderful tribute at the Oscars for the Reiners, which featured Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Fred Savage, Carol Kane and Billy Crystal from The Princess Bride and Annette Bening from The American President, among many others.

Sheen was not at the ceremony. However, his love and adoration for Reiner are clear. He also explained why it's so important for him to share stories about the late director:

I think we all want to “remember him very lovingly,” and I love that Sheen took a moment to do just that. It’s worth noting that he wasn’t asked about Reiner. He was asked about how Reiner and Sorkin's movie, The American President, led to The West Wing. However, he took a moment to first tell this story about the director who hired him for the movie. Hopefully, more stories like this will come up as actors continue to discuss projects that Rob Reiner helped make iconic.

Now, if you want to go back and watch the movie that helped Martin Sheen land The American President, you can stream The Princess Bride on Disney+. If you are looking to see his collaboration with Reiner, The American President is available to rent.

For many fans, The Princess Bride is a comfort movie that never gets old. Beloved for its hilarious cast of characters, fantastical epic of true love, and extremely quotable lines, this ‘80s classic hits even harder since the death of its director, Rob Reiner. The Stand By Me director and his wife, Michelle Reiner, were found dead in their home in December 2025, and their son, Nick, was arrested on murder charges shortly after. Reiner would have been 79 this week, and PB star Cary Elwes shared a sweet tribute to the director who gave him his breakout role.

Countless admirers and past collaborators posted tributes to the Misery director immediately following the news, but the loss has clearly remained raw for many of his friends, including Cary Elwes. The 63-year-old actor played the masked menace-turned-hero Westley in Reiner’s 1987 adaptation of The Princess Bride. The Twister actor took to Instagram this week to honor his late friend and mentor on his would be birthday, and the caption has me in my feels:

The swords and the broken heart? I’m going to cry. Anyone who has seen The Princess Bride knows Westley is a master swordsman but, at his core, he's a lover, not a fighter.

Reiner and Elwes first met on the set of Princess Bride, but that was only the start of a long friendship. Though their next film together wasn’t until 2015's Being Charlie, the two remained close. Elwes expressed in depth what the All In The Family icon meant to him in an Instagram post a few weeks after Reiner’s death and, before that, Elwes simply shared a BTS photo with a brief caption that felt understated but poingnant:

Elwes writes in one of his posts that The Princess Bride is about “love, loyalty, and sacrifice. Things that Rob held dear. Which is among the many reasons he was the perfect person to direct it.” All of Reiner’s work have these markers, and his filmography is full of movies that tug at your heartstrings. When Harry Met Sally will make any cynic believe in soulmates and fate, and Stand By Me might just make someone text that childhood friend they lost touch with.

While it is devastating to lose an iconic storyteller such as Reiner, it’s comforting to know that so many people such as Elwes cared for him, and will continue to look after his other children, Jake and Romy Reiner.

As for Rob Reiner’s legacy, it looks like his classic fantasy tale will remain untouched, as stars Cary Elwes and Robin Wright have confirmed there is no sequel on the horizon, and they don’t support a remake of the classic fantasy tale. I have to agree, it’s a movie that stands the test of time, and I can’t imagine rebooting it into a film franchise nearly 40 years later, especially without its esteemed director.

Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride is available to stream now with a Disney+ subscription.

The list of beloved Rob Reiner movies is hardly a short one, but for me, the top of the list has to be This Is Spinal Tap. I adore the original mockumentary, but only slightly lower on my personal list is The Princess Bride, which I’ve watched dozens of times over the years. That film, which you can watch with a Hulu subscription, also has one of my favorite movie easter eggs of all time. If you didn’t know, the hat that Marty DiBergi (Reiner) wears in This Is Spinal Tap makes a subtle appearance in The Princess Bride. Here’s how that happened.

How The Hat Got There

The story has become a bit of a legend in recent years, but Reiner first laid out the basics of the story in the liner notes of the soundtrack for The Princess Bride. Reiner approached Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler about handling soundtrack duties for the fantasy film, and Knopfler, like almost every rock star, loved Spinal Tap. The guitarist had one request, however: he would do the music, but the hat would have to make an appearance in the movie.

Reiner took him seriously, though in those same notes, Knopfler admitted he was only joking. One problem Reiner had was that the actual hat from This Is Spinal Tap was missing. No worries, he simply got the prop department for The Princess Bride to recreate the blue Navy hat with “USS OORAL SEA OV-4B” written on it (with the very ’80s laurels on the bill). If you’re wondering how Reiner would work a modern hat into a fantasy movie set in ye olden times, look closely at the wall in the grandson’s room; it’s back there with all the other stuff behind Fred Savage.

It’s Not The Princess Bride's Only Connection To Spinal Tap

While the hat may be the most subtle connection to Spinal Tap in The Princess Bride, it’s not the only one, of course. Obviously, Rob Reiner directed both movies, and two cast members from Spinal Tap are part of The Princess Bride cast. Christopher Guest, who plays Nigel Tufnel in This Is Spinal Tap, also plays the villain Count Tyrone Rugen in The Princess Bride. Billy Crystal, who you might not even recognize at first as a mime in Spinal Tap, of course, plays Miracle Max in The Princess Bride.

Reiner loved working with the same actors over the years. Crystal and Reiner also teamed up for arguably the best rom-com of all time, When Harry Met Sally, and Guest and Reiner have worked together on these two movies, and what will now be Reiner’s final film, the 2025 movie release, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. Guest himself is semi-retired now.

The world lost an icon with the tragic murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle, and it was little things like this, sticking a small prop from an earlier movie in a new one, that endeared him to so many people around Hollywood and, indeed, around the world.

Many in Hollywood and around the country are both shocked and in mourning following the tragic news that filmmaking icon Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle Singer Reiner were the victims of an apparent homicide on Sunday, December 14. Details still have yet to be fully confirmed as far as what exactly went down and why, but the husband and wife were found dead in their Brentwood home reportedly with their throats cut. At this time, police have not made any arrests, and no suspects have been identified.

According to ABC7, Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Larry David and When Harry Met Sally’s Billy Crystal both showed up in person at different times at the Reiners’ residence after the news broke. At this time, it doesn’t appear as if either comedy star has publicly commented on the incident, but plenty of other acting legends and A-listers have been paying tribute.

Jamie Lee Curtis And Christopher Guest (This Is Spinal Tap)

Christopher Guest most recently worked with Rob Reiner for the long-awaited rock-umentary Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, the sequel to one of the funniest comedies ever, (At the time, Reiner even talked to CinemaBlend about famed musicians’ reactions to the first film’s release.) To be expected, both Guest and wife Jamie Lee Curtis were taken aback by the news.

Kathy Bates (Misery)

Kathy Bates, currently the star of CBS' Matlock reboot, worked with the director while portraying one of her most famous characters: Annie Wilkes, the obsessive reader/kidnapper in Reiner's adaptation of Stephen King's Misery. Sharing her grief-filled statement about both deaths with NBC News, Bates said:

Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride)

Cary Elwes will forever be associated with the hilariousness of 1987's The Princess Bride, which Rob Reiner both produced and directed. The latter even took on the role of the grandfather for the celebrity-filled 2020 fan film Home Movie: The Princess Bride, which also featured his own father Carl Reiner in his final on-screen performance ahead of his death that same year. (Both Reiners separately starred in two of the greatest sitcoms of all time, All in the Family and The Dick Van Dyke Show, respectively,) and Elwes didn't share many words in his Instagram post, but he didn't really need them to make his point clear.

Jerry O'Connell (Stand By Me)

Another friend and past project co-star of Reiner's, Jerry O'Connell also kept his words nearly as limited as Elwes did, but they still packed quite the emotional punch. O'Connell's very first on-screen film role was for 1986's beloved coming-of-age drama Stand By Me, an adaptation of Stephen King's short story "The Body." So you know he probably has very strong memories about working with the director.

Corey Feldman (Stand By Me)

Jerry O'Connell's Stand By Me co-star Corey Feldman, who has publicly spoken out against filmmakers he worked with as a child actor, has long held Rob Reiner up as one of the good ones. His message on X reflects that sentiment, as he wrote:

Ron Howard

Fellow director and '70s sitcom star Ron Howard also took to social media to share kind words for his longtime friend and colleague. While the two didn't seem to share the screen in anything, Howard did address the fact that Rob Reiner co-wrote the pilot episode of Happy Days along with Garry Marshall and Philip Mishkin. As Howard put it on X:

Eric Idle

Eric Idle, a founding member of the iconic Monty Python troupe, also co-created The Rutles, a Beatles-spoofing musical group that has released a handful of albums across the past 40 years. The Rutles were also a direct inspiration for all things Spinal Tap, and Idle revealed that he'd been speaking with the director just hours before he was killed. As Idle put it:

Mira Sorvino

Oscar winner Mira Sorvino is one of the many actors who only co-starred with Rob Reiner in a project but wasn’t ever directed in anything by him, which possibly made it an even easier relationship to thrive in. Sorvino and Reiner co-starred in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix drama Hollywood, and she clearly had positive experiences with him there.

We at CinemaBlend send our thoughts and condolences to the family and friends of the Reiner family during this mournful time.

When we talk about the best ‘80s movies, it’d be inconceivable for The Princess Bride not to come up. The 1987 comedy adventure is endlessly quotable, and a huge part of pop culture, even though it's been over 35 years since its release. When a movie is as successful as The Princess Bride, the Hollywood question that always comes up is whether it will get a remake, a sequel or be left alone. Robin Wright has just weighed in on that conversation.

These days, it feels like just about every classic is coming back around. But, could (or should) that happen for The Princess Bride? Here’s what Wright had to say:

When Robin Wright talked about the possibility of a sequel to AARP, she briefly commented on why she thinks a Princess Bride sequel will “never” happen. It sounds like she thinks the cast is too old at this point to embody their characters again. Wright herself is 59, Cary Elwes is 62, Mandy Patinkin is 72, Christopher Sarandon is 83 and Wallace Shawn is 81. André the Giant sadly died at the age of 46 back in 1993 due to congestive heart failure.

While Wright’s words suggest the time has long passed for another Princess Bride movie to happen, there are also a couple of points to make here. What would even be the point of bringing the whole cast back for another Princess Bride? What story needs to be told? And, considering the unique magic of the original film, it would likely seem simply impossible to recapture that magic as well.

The movie’s director Rob Reiner spoke about the topic to CBR while at San Diego Comic-Con, saying that he would never direct a sequel unless the writer William Goldman was on board, and he apparently tried to write a book called Buttercup’s Baby, and three chapters in he said it wasn’t “working” and decided he didn’t want to “go there.”

Cary Elwes shared his thoughts on more Princess Bride back in 2021, saying he felt it was “best left alone” while calling out Hollywood for making so many reboots and remakes so “they don’t have to spend as much on marketing”.

While a lot of famous movies do find a way into a reboot or remake, it definitely seems like the creatives and cast agree that The Princess Bride shouldn’t become a franchise. The movie is so iconic and fun that one time stormin’ the castle is enough.

Liam Neeson has made a pretty impressive career out of showing up in movies where you wouldn’t necessarily expect him. Before 2008’s Taken, few would have pegged Neeson as an action hero. Later this summer, he’ll pick up the mantle of the great Leslie Nielsen in a reboot of The Naked Gun, testing his comedy chops like never before. But could you imagine him playing Fezzik in The Princess Bride? I'm not sure I could, and the same seems to have been true of the fantasy film's director.

In actuality, such a casting never came close to happening, according to Neeson. However, he did technically audition for the role. Speaking with EW, Neeson admitted to feeling embarrassed when he showed up to audition, as director Rob Reiner gave him a “look of disgust." As for why the acclaimed filmmaker was less than pleased with him, Neeson said the following:

While Liam Neeson himself was surely a bit upset by the whole experience, he says he actually felt bad for the casting director. The role would, of course, would go to an actual giant in professional wrestler Andre the Giant, who was a full foot taller than Neeson. It’s unclear how many people of Andre’s stature there even were to audition.

Neeson isn’t a small guy, at 6’ 4” tall, but he certainly would have needed significant camera tricks to make him look giant compared to a six-foot-tall Cary Elwes. It’s unclear how Neeson was called in to audition for a role if Reiner only wanted “real” giants for the part of Fezzik. Perhaps other people who weren’t giants had also been called in, leading to more “disgust” from Reiner.

Things certainly turned out fine for Liam Neeson. He would appear in another cult classic, the Sam Raimi-directed film, Darkman, just a couple of years after this failed audition. Also, in 1993, he would star in Schindler’s List, a movie that would see him nominated for an Academy Award and truly launch his career into the stratosphere.

It’s certainly intriguing to wonder how Neeson appearing in The Princess Bride might have impacted the movie, never mind just his career. It would have been one of his biggest roles to date had he been cast. Of course, thefilm initially flopped in theaters before becoming a cult hit on home video later.

The Princess Bride (which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription) would have been one of the funnier roles in Neeson’s career if he had gotten it. Perhaps it would have led to more comedies earlier. As it stands, though, his new lead role in The Naked Gun will be something we haven’t really seen before, but, at this point, it seems clear Liam Neeson can do anything, except be a giant.

No one really scrolls the channels looking for something to watch anymore, there are too many great streaming services and other ways to call up your entertainment on demand. Back in the late 20th Century, however, that was the only option, and so, as you flipped endlessly from channel to channel, you could only hope to come across a classic "remote dropper." One of those movies, like The Big Lebowski or The Hunt For Red October, that never gets old is a remote dropper, and those are what this list is all about. The moment you hit on a movie you love, and drop the remote for the next couple of hours.

Die Hard

Die Hard may ultimate Christmas movie to some, but it is always a must-watch, no matter what season it is. There are so many amazing moments in the movie, no matter where it is in the plot, you just have to stop and watch until the end when Al becomes the hero he deserves to be.

GoodFellas

Martin Scorsese's classic Goodfellas is one of those movies where the great performances and amazing dialogue just get better with time. It's a movie that has aged incredibly well, and really, do we need to explain why so many people call this the perfect gangster movie?

Friday

Speaking from experience, I can tell you, if you went to college in the '90s, Friday was part of a regular rotation of movies that were watched over and over and over again. It really introduced Chris Tucker to the world, and it's filled with so many quotable lines from Tucker and the others that my friends and I could basically recite the entire movie. There's a good reason that it is so meme'd today.

Ocean's Eleven

The incredible cast, headlined by George Clooney and Brad Pitt, is so utterly charming in Ocean's Eleven that it's impossible to pass up when it's on. Every viewing will give you a new favorite moment or favorite line. The pace of the movie is perfect as you speed along to the fantastic conclusion. It's a classic heist movie, among the best the genre has ever produced.

Anchorman

Talk about a movie with an endless amount of quotable lines. There aren't many movies out there that have as many as Anchorman. It's ridiculous and hilarious. The comedy is Will Ferrell at his zenith, in my opinion. He's always funny, but Ron Burgundy is his funniest character ever. Including Buddy the Elf.

The Godfather And The Godfather Part II

There is a reason The Godfather and its first sequel are so often ranked as among the finest films ever made. The dense, complex movies are still incredibly watchable. That is a hard combo to pull of, but that's what makes the Francis Ford Coppola's movies so freaking great. They have everything anyone could ever want in a movie. Watching them back to back is a perfect way to spend a rainy day.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High

With an incredible cast of future stars, Fast Times at Ridgemont High will never not be a classic. Some of the jokes have aged poorly, to be sure, but for anyone who grew up with the movie on cable all the time, it will always be a favorite.

Dredd

If you haven't watched Dredd in a while, you should. The Alex Garland-penned superhero based on the classic comic series is an amazing improvement over the first attempt to adapt Judge Dredd by Sly Stallone in the '90s. Whenever I want to watch a movie and can't decide what to watch, there is a good chance I'll fall back on this, since it never gets boring or old.

Malcolm X

I'm a sucker for a great historical biopic and Spike Lee's Malcolm X is truly one of the best. It's also my favorite performance by Denzel Washington, and that is really saying something. Based on Alex Haley's The Autobiography Of Malcolm X, Lee adaptation is fantastic from start to finish.

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

I mean, come on, how could Raiders not be on this list? The Steven Spielberg classic is one of the most fun movies ever made. It's quippy and exciting, and it's exactly the kind of movie that everyone loves to watch. And we all know it so well, you can still get distracted by your phone and not worry about missing any important plot points that you don't already know by heart.

Network

It's almost scary just how relevant a movie like Network, which was released in 1976, is today. Ned Beatty's speech about corporations running the country is so prescient it's crazy. The rest of the movie is just as good.

The Hunt For Red October

This, to me, is the ultimate remote-dropper. It's the movie that inspired this list. It's such a well-made movie, from start to finish, that it just never, ever gets old. The Hunt For Red October is a near-perfect movie in my opinion, and it's easily one of the best movies of the 1990s. Sure, Sean Connery's lack of an accent is a little weird, but he's so great otherwise, it's easy to overlook. Alec Baldwin was born to play Jack Ryan, and I wish we'd gotten more movies with him in the role.

The Big Lebowski

There are many people who, when asked what their favorite movie of all time is, will answer with The Big Lebowski. It's the ultimate shaggy dog story with a cool macguffin (The Dude's rug), and some of the best dialogue ever put on film, courtesy of the Coen Brothers. All the Dude wanted was his rug back, and instead, we got one of the best movies ever.

The Dark Knight

Whenever a director as talented as Christopher Nolan takes on a superhero movie, sign me up. Ultimately, though, it's not Nolan's awesome direction that brings me back again and again; it's Heath Ledger's legendary performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight. It has redefined how the classic character has been portrayed ever since.

The Princess Bride

From the time you're a kid, well into adulthood, The Princess Bride is part of your life. It changes with perspective as you age, but it's always fantastic. The story is so timeless, and the performances are so good, it just never gets old. It would be inconceivable to me to keep scrolling when I see it on TV.

Dazed And Confused

Alright, alright, alright. You knew this one had to be here. The ultimate coming-of-age high school party movie that somehow avoids so many of the tropes of the genre that other movies like it fall into. It helps to have actors like Matthew McCoughnehey, Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, Cole Hauser, and so many more to anchor the movie.

Sicario

I was entranced the first time I saw Sicario. The gripping movie is intense, but incredibly watchable. The performances from Emily Blunt and Josh Brolin are great, but it's Benicio Del Toro who really steals the show as a man on a psychotic mission to avenge his family.

Casablanca

Casablanca is quite possibly the most quoted movie of all time. The first time you see it, it almost feels like a parody of classic cinema because so many iconic lines originated here. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are incredible, and the movie has it all, from daring escapes to classic romance to even some wonderful humor. Yeah, it's a misquote, but I'll always "Play it again, Sam."

Apocalypse Now

The opening scene of Apocalypse Now, with the trees exploding and The Doors playing over the sound of a helicopter is one of the most engaging opening scenes in any movie, ever. The movie never lets up from there (unless you're watching the "Redux" version, which I don't recommend). Screenwriter John Milius manages to cram a war movie with so many classic quotes, it's a movie you can recite over and over when you watch.

New Jack City

If we're honest, New Jack City is a bit dated these days, but in its time, it was one of the most rewatchable movies of the era. The Crack Epidemic was very real, and no movie showed it quite like this Wesley Snipes-led classic. Plus, Chris Rock, who was just 19 years old at the time, puts in one of his best acting performances of all time.

Tombstone

Could Tombstone be the most quotable movie ever? It is certainly one of the best Westerns ever. That's before we even get into all the amazing facial hair in the movie. The whole cast is amazing, especially Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday, and that will always make the movie rewatchable.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

This one is personal. I love some Quentin Tarantino movies, and I honestly hate other ones. I suppose that's the mark of a great artist. His vision isn't always going to line up with everyone else's idea of greatness. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is a truly great one, though. There are so many fun moments, great lines, and superb performances that it's easy to watch again and again.

Friends With Benefits

Rom Coms are always great movies to have on in the background as you do your daily chores, and my favorite for that is Friends with Benefits. Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake have great chemistry, and, honestly, Woody Harrelson's performance is my favorite part of the movie. He's just hilarious.

Iron Man

In a way, Iron Man is on this list to represent the entire MCU. It set such a fantastic example for next three dozen movies that it's hard to imagine any other movie launching the most successful franchise of all time. And it's maybe the most rewatchable of all them.

Beverly Hills Cop

In the 1980s, there was no one funnier than Eddie Murphy, and the peak of that came in Beverly Hills Cop. It's the perfect movie for Murphy's irreverent, foul-mouthed humor, and every single joke in the movie lands perfectly. It also has a great plot that allows for more than just Murphy delivering those jokes.

The Game

Director David Fincher has a slew of movies that could be on this list, like Seven and Fight Club, and even The Social Network, but for me, the one I love the most is The Game. It's a movie I knew nothing about when I first saw it and it blew my mind. I've revisited it many, many times over the years since.

Jurassic Park

The summer of 1993 will forever be known as the summer of Jurassic Park. The movie dominated the box office all summer, and it launched a franchise that is still going more than 30 years later. The most amazing part is how well the visual effects still hold up, and that is why it is on this list. It will be watched until the end of time.

Mean Girls

Talk about quotable movies! Mean Girls is full of classics. Its also one of the most enduring comedies of its era and has even inspired a musical and movie adaptation of that musical.

The Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs is the last movie to win each of the "Big Five" Oscars. It won Best Picture, Best Director for Jonathan Demme, Best Adapted Screenplay for Ted Tally, Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins, and Best Actress for Jodi Foster. That pretty much tells you everything you need to know.

True Romance

Tony Scott has a bunch of movies that could fit on this list. Top Gun, Days Of Thunder, Crimson Tide...it's a long list. For me, however, True Romance is his best. The Tarantino-penned classic also features one of the greatest scenes in movie history between Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper that ends with Hopper's character's death.

American Fiction

The Oscar-winning American Fiction is the newest movie on this list, but it became an instant classic for me. Issa Rae's character never fails to crack me up in her first scene, and Sterling K. Brown delivering the line "I've taken a lover" is my favorite quote in a movie this decade.

Boogie Nights

Paul Thomas Anderson hit the big time with Boogie Nights, and there are a lot of reasons it's on this list. The music is amazing, and every scene is like a self-contained mini-film. No matter where you start, you are sucked right in. The end gets a little dark, sure, but it's still Anderson's most rewatchable film.

When it comes to some of the most fantastical movies or TV shows, the first thing I always think of is the best fantasy movies or the best fantasy series, because those are the best kinds of escape. But this list is for those who want a massive sheet of some of the best fantasy adaptations that are awesome to watch – and will totally transport you to another world.

Harry Potter Franchise

I mean, if you know me, you know I love the Harry Potter franchise and no matter what, I will stand by it until the end of time – even if the author sometimes makes me want to cringe. Either way, the Harry Potter movies are some of the best out there, and the worldbuilding that has expanded from this series has only made it that much better.

The Lord Of The Rings

I don’t think I could do a fantasy adaptation list without mentioning The Lord of the Rings movies. Based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings is the kind of fantasy that only comes once in a lifetime, and the moment you get into these movies, you’ll never be the same.

The Wheel Of Time

Based on the novel series of the same name, The Wheel of Time is the kind of high fantasy that has so much going on with it that you’re going to need an entire glossary of terms to keep up with the worldbuilding. But there’s no denying that this series is a fun one – and one of the best shows to watch on Amazon.

Shadowhunters

Based on The Mortal Instruments novels by Cassandra Clare, Shadowhunters is all about a girl who finds out on her eighteenth birthday that she comes from a long line of Shadowhunters, human-angel hybrids whose job is to hunt down demons. It’s just as wild as you could probably imagine.

His Dark Materials

Based on the novels by Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials is the kind of fantasy drama that truly takes it to another level. It’s the kind of fantasy series that I really don’t want to dive too heavily into because it’ll reveal so much. Still, the main premise is about a teenager looking for a lost friend and finding out things related to her life that she never would have imagined. The fantasy is ever-changing, as they move from several different worlds, which is so cool.

The Sandman

If you’re looking for a fantasy drama with a tinge of the supernatural, then The Sandman is the show for you. The series, hailing from Netflix and based on the comic book of the same name, follows the personification of Dreams, who is captured for a century and then breaks out, aiming to restore his power.

Game Of Thrones

I have to put Game of Thrones on here. How could I not put this series? From the Game of Thrones cast to the heartbreaking deaths we witness, the shocking Game of Thrones moments, this series has it all if you’re looking for an intense fantasy show that will keep you hooked for eight seasons straight – even if the last one isn’t that great.

Outlander

While Outlander isn’t the typical fantasy I would put here, it’s still a fantasy nonetheless. Based on the novels of the same name, Outlander follows the story of a WWII nurse who somehow travels back in time and falls in love with a Highland warrior. Yes, that is the plot, and yes, it’s just as swoon-worthy as you can imagine. It’s one of the best Starz shows, for sure.

A Discovery Of Witches

For all the ones out there who love witches, you have to check out A Discovery of Witches. Based on the All Souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness, A Discovery of Witches follows a historian who must work together with a vampire in order to protect a bewitched manuscript from the hands of evil monsters.

Wicked

Out of every movie I was imagining to put on here, Wicked was one I knew had to appear. This movie, based on the Broadway musical and, in turn, based on a novel about the wicked witch called Wicked, the film follows the life of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and how she was actually once friends with Glinda the Good Witch. Truly such an iconic piece of cinema.

Once Upon A Time

If you love all those incredible Disney movies but want to see them in an adult way, then Once Upon a Time is the series for you. Many of the episodes and characters are based on classic fairy tales. The series is all about a boy discovering that the people who live in this new town they traveled to are actually all storybook characters.

Percy Jackson And The Olympians

While I’m toeing the line between Greek mythology and fantasy, I still believe these novels are more fantasy than anything else, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians are the best adaptations of them. The series is about a young man who finds out he is a demi-god, the son of Poseidon, and must go on a quest to retrieve Zeus’ lightning bolt to prove his innocence and restore order.

Attack On Titan

As much as Attack on Titan has traumatized me with its heartbreaking deaths, at the end of the day, it is a dark fantasy anime because this world most certainly does not exist. The series mainly follows Eren Yeager, a recruit of the Scout Regiment, who aims to explore beyond the three walls of their human civilization and take down humanoid Titans who seek to kill them. But there's A LOT more about this series that you will never expect – so go into it with an open mind. It’s based on the manga with the same name.

The Green Knight

Based on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, this movie is a visual masterpiece, and I need more people to watch it. The film, starring Dev Patel, follows a young man named Gawain who travels to face the titular Green Knight, a giant, green humanoid of a man who challenges those who come across him.

Locke & Key

Based on the novel of the same name, Locke & Key is a fantasy drama that follows the lives of three siblings who discover several keys throughout their new home that lead to mysterious doors. They unknowingly unlock gates that bring in dangerous entities that turn their lives upside down. While it’s not as crazy of a fantasy, it’s still a fun one with some cool visuals.

The Witcher

The Witcher is based on the novels of the same name and primarily follows the story of Geralt of Rivia. This monster hunter is known as a “witcher,” and his time was spent not only protecting the princess of Cintra but also running into horrors you could never imagine. Some of these monsters, man…they are a lot.

Sweet Tooth

Based on the novel of the same name, Sweet Tooth mainly follows a boy who is a deer hybrid after a virus has killed most of the world’s population. In this story, he looks to find his mother after his father passes, taking him on a fantastic journey.

The Hobbit

If you like The Lord of the Rings, chances are, you’re going to like The Hobbit. The movies are a prequel to famous films, and they follow Bilbo Baggins as he travels across the realm to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from a dragon that has overtaken it. This is J.R.R. Tolkien, so you know it’s going to be an intense fantasy.

The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina

While The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina takes place in the modern day, there are plenty of moments in this that make it stand out as a fantastical fantasy series. Based on the comics of the same name, it follows Sabrina, a witch who, on her sixteenth birthday, must decide between leaving her mortal life behind to fully become a witch or leaving that to embrace her friends.

Arcane

Hands down, Arcane is one of the best shows on Netflix to binge-watch. The series, based on the video game franchise League of Legends, takes you into the worlds of both Piltover and Zaun, an overcity and the underground one beneath, where two sisters are separated by years of tragedy and are thrown into a magical conspiracy you could never imagine.

House Of The Dragon

If you liked Game of Thrones, you’ll probably enjoy House of the Dragon. Based on Fire and Blood by George R.R. Martin, the new series follows the life of the Targaryen family tree, mainly during the time of the Dance of Dragons, where two Targaryen heirs fight for the throne and cause thousands of deaths.

Good Omens

Based on the novel of the same name, Good Omens is a hilarious fantasy comedy that follows a demon and an angel who are representatives of heaven and hell – oh, and they just so happen to be friends despite coming from two completely different sides. And now, they must work together to prevent Armageddon and the Antichrist.

My Lady Janes

My Lady Jane, based on the novel of the same name, follows the titular character as she is convinced to marry a lord while also trying to vie for the throne of England – oh, and people in this world just so happen to possess the ability to take animal forms, so…there’s that fantasy twist. Seriously, this show is wacky but fun all the same, and it's a cute fantasy romp.

The Chronicles Of Narnia

I have to put The Chronicles of Narnia movies on here, even if there have only been three, but these films seriously take you to another world on a different level. The series is obviously based on the novels of the same name and follows the lives of siblings who discover that there is a whole other world on the opposite end of their wardrobe back home.

One Piece

Okay, before you get mad, I am not going to recommend the anime to you because trying to catch up with that will take you years. However, I will recommend the Netflix adaptation. The series, based on the manga of the same name, follows Monkey D. Luffy, a wannabe pirate who builds a crew to find a famous treasure in order to become King of the Pirates—oh, and he also has awesome magical powers that are crazy.

The Golden Compass

Based on Northern Lights by Philip Pullman, The Golden Compass is actually another adaptation of His Dark Materials, but it takes a lot more of a deep dive into fantasy. The main character, Lyra, travels by sea to the North in order to search for kidnapped children. It’s an epic fantasy.

Wednesday

While Wednesday certainly took the world by storm when it first came out, it’s still a fun, dark fantasy to watch. Based on the Addams Family franchise, the series follows Wednesday Addams as she attends a fantasy academy with all kinds of beasts, only to find out that her father is connected to a murder that occurred years ago, and now she must solve it herself.

The Princess Bride

Based on the novel of the same name, The Princess Bride follows a farmhand who travels across the land with some friends to rescue his beloved. The film is a comedy at its core, with hilarious moments and fun fantasy aspects, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants something light for an afternoon.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events

Based on the novels by Lemony Snicket, A Series of Unfortunate Events follows the lives of recent orphans Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. They struggle to find a permanent foster home as they are relentlessly hounded by Count Olaf, who seeks to claim their parents' fortune. This fun series has so many twists and turns, and the fantasy aspects are fun.

Warrior Nun

Based on the comic Warrior Nun Areala, this fantasy drama will have you on the edge of your seat. The series follows the life of a former quadriplegic orphan who discovers that she has powers now and must join an order of warrior nuns to fight against demons. Yes, this is a crazy premise and one that is perfect for dark fantasy.

Shadow And Bone

Based on the novels of the same name, as well as Six of Crows, the series follows the story of Alina Starkov, who, after believing herself to be powerless, finds out that she is a Grisha with a powerful ability that could save her world. While there are only two seasons, it’s a fun one to follow.

Cursed

Based on the book of the same name, Cursed is a one-season fantasy series that reimagines the King Arthur story. The series follows Nimue, a heroine who goes on a quest with Arthur to bear an ancient sword to Merlin. Arthur takes her on an adventure filled with beasts and magic.

While these are just some of the most fun fantasy adaptations out there, all of these are great picks, and there are so many others, too, that I didn’t even have the chance to write down. It’s time to escape.

There really isn't anything more fun than Easter Eggs that filmmakers sneak into their movies. Often it's in tribute to past work, or to other things they admire. Sometimes they even reference real-world events. We collected a bunch of our favorites, so let's get into them! Tell which ones you knew about and which ones were unseen until now.

The Spinal Tap Hat In The Princess Bride

The story behind director Rob Reiner sneaking his hat from This Is Spinal Tap! into The Princess Bride is that Mark Knopfler, who did the soundtrack for the fantasy movie, only agreed to do the movie if Reiner got the hat into a scene. He did, by hanging it on the wall in Fred Savage's character's room.

Avengers Comic In The Electric State

In a blink-or-you'll miss-it moment, there is a quick call back a previous Russo Brothers' movie in the Netflix original film, The Electric State. A robot can be seen reading an Avengers comic.

R2-D2 In Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

Steven Spielberg paid tribute to his good buddy George Lucas in his film Close Encounters Of The Third Kind by adding a little R2-D2 to the underside of the alien ship. It can be seen very briefly as the ship takes off.

The Duke Brothers In Coming To America

In Trading Places, Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd's characters take down the Duke Brothers and leave them broke. A few years later, in Coming To America, Eddie Murphy's character Prince Akeem hands a homeless man a wad of cash. The bum turns out to be Mortimer Duke, who shakes his brother Randolph awake, and they celebrate being back.

Pac-Man In Tron

Disney's Tron broke a ton of new ground with CGI use, and in the first wave of the video game craze, it makes sense they would find a way to work in Pac-Man, the biggest video game of the character at the time, and really the first video game superstar.

The HMS Surprise In Deadpool & Wolverine

There are a ton of Easter Eggs in Deadpool and Wolverine, many of them when the characters land in the void. One of the most subtle, and one of the funniest, has to be the HMS Surprise from Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World, a movie that many people are sad wasn't turned into a franchise. Or maybe this wasn't an Easter Egg? There is a debate that it could be a fake.

Ezekiel 25:17 In Captain America: The Winter Soldier

You wouldn't think a Marvel movie would reference a Quentin Tarantino film, but that's what happened in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. At the end of the movie, the audience sees Nick Fury's "grave," and on the tombstone, there is a quote from Ezekiel 25:17, which, of course, is where Samuel L. Jackson's Pulp Fiction character gets his famous speech in the opening scene.

Binford Tool Box In Toy Story

If you weren't a big fan of Home Improvement, the reference to the sitcom in Toy Story would be easy to miss. In the show, Tim Allen's character's show-in-a-show "Tool Time" is sponsored by Binford Tools. In Toy Story, Allen's character is seen trying to move a Binford Tools toolbox.

Club Obi-Wan In Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom

Of the many times Steven Spielberg has made reference to Star Wars, the most fun might be in Indiana Jones And The Temple of Doom. The name of the club at the beginning of the movie, as seen as Indy jumps out of the window, is "Club Obi-Wan."

E.T. In Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

George Lucas paid a tribute to Steven Spielberg in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. During the scene in the Galactic Senate, one group of diplomats appears to be from E.T.'s home planet. It's good to know that everything was represented, even aliens in other universes.

Jimmy Buffett With Two Margaritas In Jurassic World

This is really more of a cameo than an Easter Egg, but it's kind of both. Sitting in Jurassic Park's Margaritaville is none other than the man who wrote the song and opened the first restaurant, the late, great Jimmy Buffett.

Goya's Portrait Of The Duke of Wellington In Dr. No

This has to be one of the best Easter Eggs ever. In the very first James Bond, and one of the best of the Sean Connery era, Dr. No, James briefly pauses to examine a painting in Dr. No's secret lair. The painting is a portrait of the Duke of Wellington by Francisco Goya. In the real world, that painting had famously been stolen the year before the movie came out, and at the time, it was missing. It seems Dr. No had it.

Starbucks Cups In Fight Club

This one is wild. Fight Club is a lot of things, and on one level, it's a pretty harsh critique of capitalism. As part of that, director David Fincher made sure that Starbucks cups appeared in every - or at least many - scenes in the movie. They are all over the place, and next time you watch it, you'll see them, we promise.

A Cowbell In The Jungle Book (2016)

Now this one is great. Director Jon Favreau seems to have snuck a great reference to a classic Saturday Night Live episode into his live-action version of The Jungle Book in 2016. When Mowgli visits King Louie, he bangs on a cowbell to summon the king. King Louie, of course, is voiced by Christopher Walken, who starred in the famous "more cowbell" skit on SNL.

Lou Ferrigno In The MCU Movies

One of the coolest things about the Hulk-centered movies in the MCU is that Lou Ferrigno gets his due. He famously played the superhero in the 1980s, of course. Getting his due in the modern movies is a fantastic tribute.

A Xenomorph Skull In Predator 2

Many years before they would meet in Predator V. Alien, it was established that the two franchises existed in the same universe. In Predator 2, there is a very clear Xenomorph skull on the wall in a trophy room of the team of hunters.

Yoda In E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Steven Spielberg really loves making sly references to the Star Wars franchise in his movies. In E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, there is a kid dressed as Yoda on Halloween, and very briefly, you can hear Yoda's theme music from Empire Strikes Back. E.T. recognizes Yoda, but is pulled back before he can speak to him.

Batman V. Superman In I Am Legend

This one is wild. In I Am Legend, there is a billboard in a post-apocalyptic Times Square advertising a "Batman vs. Superman" movie. Legend came out in 2007, a full nine years before Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice came out. Of course, the idea of a team-up between the two giant DC comic characters goes way back, but still, it's almost like I Am Legend predicted the future in a movie set in the future.

License Plate THX-138 In American Graffiti

George Lucas' breakout movie was American Graffiti, and he found a way to work the name of his first movie, THX-138, into the movie set in the fifties. It appears on a license plate in the movie. Lucas has snuck it into most of his movies since, as well.

The Millennium Falcon In Spaceballs

Spaceballs is one of Mel Brooks's best movies. It's a parody of Star Wars, and Brooks manages to pay direct tribute to the epic space opera by sneaking in The Millennium Falcon at the end of the movie. As the main characters pull into the space truck stop, they park their RV right next to it. Sadly, Han and Chewie aren't seen inside the diner.

OB-3PO In Raiders Of The Lost Ark

This is one of our favorites. Lots of people are aware that Steven Spielberg snuck R2-D2 and C-3PO into the hieroglyphics in Raiders of the Lost Ark, but did you know that wasn't the only tribute? The tail number of the plane at the beginning of the movie (the one with the snake in the seat) is "OB-3PO," referencing Obi-Wan and C-3PO.

Douglas Adams' Face In The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

Towards the very end of The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, the filmmakers pay quick tribute the Douglas Adams, the author of the beloved "trilogy" the movie is based on. The face of the late writer is seen very briefly as the ship swings around to head to the restaurant at the end of the universe.

Rango's Shirt In Rango

Johnny Depp voices the character Rango in the movie of the same name, and throughout the movie, there are a few references to one of Depp's other classic movies, Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas, most notably Rango's shirt, which is the same as Depp's character wears in Fear & Loathing.

A113 In Every Pixar Movie

One of the most famous Easter Eggs in movies has references to room A113 in almost all of the Pixar movies. Room A113 at California Institute of the Arts is where many of the artists and animators at Pixar studied in college, and they add it into the movie as a tribute to their education.

The Tesseract In Iron Man 2

The first time The Tesseract is properly introduced into the MCU is in the post-credit scene in Thor, but the first time it's ever referenced was in the preceding movie, Iron Man 2, when Tony Stark is seen looking through his father's journal is pauses on a drawing of the powerful object.

Hank Hill In Idiocracy

This one is really hard to catch, but it's there. At the beginning of director Mike Judge's Idiocracy, there is a family tree of the "idiot," and there are dozens and dozens of photos of his descendants. One of those, if you look closely towards the bottom, just left of center, is none other than Hank Hill. Judge, of course, is also the creator of King Of The Hill.

Roald Dahl Original Text In The Fantastic Mr. Fox

Director Wes Anderson paid a wonderful tribute to author Roald Dahl, whose story he adapted for The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and included a little of Dahl's original writing from the book.

Fire Marshall Bill In Liar, Liar

Jim Carrey had a lot of crazy ideas and nutty characters when he starred on In Living Color, and one of the most popular was Fire Marshall Bill. The idiotic fireman is seen very briefly in the background in Liar, Liar, and it's, frankly, brilliant.

Huttese Language In Men In Black

It's rare that you get an audio Easter Egg, but that's what we get in Men in Black. As K is showing J around the Men In Black headquarters, K stops for a cup of coffee, and there is a cadre of aliens making the coffee. They are speaking "Huttese," or the language of the Hutts, in the Star Wars universe. It's a great little tribute.

Callahan Institute in 50 First Dates

Lucy, played by Drew Barrymore in 50 First Dates, learns about her memory problems by visiting Dr. Keats, played by Dan Aykroyd. Keats works at the Callahan Institute. Callahan Auto, of course, is the name of the auto parts company Akyroyd's character tries to buy from Tommy Callahan (Chris Farley) in Tommy Boy.

Easter Eggs In The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Did you know that there are literal Easter Eggs in a few scenes in The Rocky Horror Picture Show? The lore surrounding the eggs is that the cast had their own Easter Egg hunt and they either left some on purpose, or failed to find a few, but there are at least three that can be seen in the "Time Warp" scene, including on top of the statue to the right of Frank's throne.

The Race In Ready Player One

It feels a little like cheating by adding it to this list, since Ready Player One is basically one big Easter Egg. So we could mention dozens, but in the race alone, there is a Knight Rider car, Christine, The A-Team van, and a whole lot more.

Movies have been prominently featuring video games going all the way back to the dawn of the gaming industry in the 1970s. Movies like Tron and The Last Starfighter made them central to the plot, while others like Swingers and The Avengers found ways to create some great moments around. Our list of movies with great video game moments has both.

Tron

Tron has become one of the most enduring franchises of the last half century, despite only having limited released. It was one of the first movies to truly incorporate video games and gaming directing into the plot. Not only does the protagonist (Jeff Bridges) own an arcade and play games himself, his avatar plays inside the Master Control

The Princess Bride

You might not think of this fairy tale as a video game movie, but you have to remember that first scene. As the grandson, played by Fred Savage, recovers in bed, home sick from school, he's playing a baseball video. At least until his grandfather shows up with a magical book called The Princess Bride. .

John Wick

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) isn't the kind of guy who would spend a lot of time playing video games, but those rich idiots who he is after are certainly the types that would pay more attention to a first-person shooter game than the shooter who is out to get them and get them Wick does.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High

Everything cool in Fast Times At Ridgemont High happens at the mall, including the arcade. There isn't a movie that is more quintessential to the '80s high school life than the Amy Heckerling-directed classic. That includes a few scenes in the mall's arcade, including the last shot in the movie declaring the end of the movie.

The Last Starfighter

For a lot of kids in the 1980s, The Last Starfighter represented a dream that maybe there is more to being great at video games than just getting to put your initials on the home screen. Maybe, just maybe, you might get chosen to be an intergalactic pilot. It's why the movie is so fondly remembered by any kid who grew up playing Galaga.

Boyz N The Hood

Even movies about the untold violence on the streets in South Central LA have found a way to work video games in, as they are truly ubiquitous. Take, for example, the more ominous tone of kids playing Duck Hunt on Nintendo with a very real-looking video game gun. It's hard to watch after knowing how things end and viewers are hyper-aware of that gun, toy or not.

Ready Player One

There is no doubt that Ready Player One has to be on this list. Of course, the whole world it creates is basically a giant game. Plus, games from the past, from the early days of home consoles and arcades play a big part in the quest everyone on earth is undertaking in the movie and serve to drive the plot at numerous times.

WarGames

Global Thermal Nuclear War is, in theory, a game in WarGames. Not only does the game serve as a central plot point, but the world is saved by playing any other video game based on tic-tac-toe. Oh, and there is a scene early in the movie where David (Matthew Broderick) is playing Space Invaders and it doesn't get more classic than that.

The Avengers

"That man is playing Galaga," has to be one of Tony Stark's best lines in the entire MCU. It comes in The Avengers as the team is assembling and getting ready to save the world, yet some people on the crew of the invisible flying base clearly have enough time on their hands for a quick game of a classic game.

Swingers

For anyone who played endless amounts of NHL hockey on Sega in the '90s, there is no more realistic or funnier scene than the one in Swingers when Sue (Patrick Van Horn) and Trent (Vince Vaughn) come to blows over a game before they go out for the night. It's pretty much exactly how that game was played for years.

The Karate Kid

Video games don't play a huge role in The Karate Kid, but they are important. Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Ali (Elizabeth Shue) really start flirting and she blows him while playing one in an arcade when their relationship starts to blossom.

Back to the Future Part II

One of the most memorable scenes in Back to the Future Part II comes when Marty (Micheal J. Fox) looks behind him while in the future to see an arcade game called Wild Gunman. When he tries to impress a couple of kids by being a "crack shot," the kids basically laugh the game off as a game for babies, because you have to use your hands. Honestly, it's not that far off from how things would turn out.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

it's funny, even in the early '90s, arcades, which were already almost obsoete, were still used to represent what "bad kids" did, like a teenage John Connor (Edward Furlough) in Terminator 2: Judgement Day. John and his buddy are hanging out at the arcade, getting into trouble, when the Terminator locates them for the first time.

Maximum Overdrive

You can't make a movie about the machine's coming "alive" without having a harrowing scene involving some arcade games. As bad as Maximum Overdrive is, it is filled with memorable scenes like the one when the games attack a character played by a young Giancarlo Esposito.

Jaws

Video games have been popping up in movies since way back in 1976 when kids are seen playing a game called "Killer Shark" at beach arcade on Amity Island.

Mallrats

Another classic home console moment from a '90s movie comes in the Kevin Smith-directed Mallrats. Brody is a shiftless layabout and his girlfriend, played by the late Shannen Doherty, is sick of it. Her feelings are completely justified when the first thing he does is pick up with his paused game from the night before. Granted, he was excited about his big lead in the hockey game, which many will understand.

Dawn Of The Dead

In the early days of arcades, pinball was a big part of the appeal. It's a pinball machine in an arcade that makes the biggest impression in one of the best horror movies of all time, Dawn Of The Dead from 1978.

Superbad

Video game scenes in movies often reflect a pretty accurate moments in real life. Like the scene in Superbad when Seth (Jonah Hill) is stressing about a party and Evan (Michael Sera) couldn't care less as he is distracted by his game. That sums up a lot of people's nights (and friendships) in high school.

Airplane!

No movie packs in more jokes per minute than Airplane! One of those jokes, includes two air traffic controllers playing a basketball video game when they should be landing planes. It's a funny joke, but a terrifying thought, right?

The Wrestler

The Wrestler is an amazing movie about a washed up pro wrestler (Mickey Rourke) who finds some version of a family, at least briefly and bonds with Pam (Marisa Tomei) and her son. In a heartwarming moment, he plays a wrestling video game against Pam's son.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

To be fair, the video game moment in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is fleeting but memorable. Principle Rooney (Jeffery Jones), on his quest to find Ferris (Matthew Broderick) encounters a person who he thinks is Ferris playing an arcade game. Of course, it's not Ferris, and in return for his mistake, Rooney gets a straw full of soda to the face.

Shaun Of The Dead

There is nothing quite like roommates playing video games together to make someone nostalgic for...well... having a roommate. For millions of people, it's a rite of passage to blow off work or school and spend the day going toe-to-toe in a video game battle.

Scott Pilgrim V. The World

Games like Dance Dance Revolution were all the rage in 2010, when Scott Pilgrim V. The World was released worldwide. Of course, a game like Dance Dance Revolution would be included in the movie, in one of the scenes before everything goes sideways for the protagonist. It's a sweet scene that really endears the audience to Scott (Michael Cera).

Zombieland

It turns out that Michael Cera plays a lot of characters who love video games. They aren't the main focus of any of his movies, but still, in movies like Zombieland, he's often seen playing them. In Zombieland, it's World of Warcraft.

Grosse Pointe Blank

"First-person shooter" takes on a new meaning in Grosse Pointe Blank when the clerk at the convenience store that was once Martin Blank's house is oblivious to the actual shooting going on behind him as he listens to metal and shoots enemies in the game. Finally, he has to be pulled from the store by Martin (John Cusack) moments before it explodes. Anyone who has played games knows how they can be that engrossing.

The Wizard

The Wizard, starring Fred Savage is... not a great movie, and it reeks of corporatism (it was basically a big commercial for Nintendo), but we couldn't make this list without it. It was a time when Nintendo had completely redefined the video game market with their hit console, the NES. It makes total sense that the hype would lead to a movie and completely predictable that it would be a bad movie.

Lost In Translation

Japanese arcades are completely awesome. It's a culture that did last in America but has been going strong in Japan since the beginning. As such, it's a wonder addition to Sofia Coppola's Lost In Translation as part of what makes the cultures so different and fascinating to Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson).

Never Say Never Again

It's true, even James Bond was part of the 1980s video game fad. Well, sort of. Bond (Sean Connery) plays a wild video game with real-life consequences in Never Say Never Again, which is why we say "sort of," because the movie, though not the worst Bond movie, is definitely not Bond canon and not one of the best Connery-Era Bond films.

Superman III

When ranking the Superman movies, Superman III is usually at or near the bottom of the list. It's a bad movie, but it does have a hilarious Superman video game that we all wished we could play when we were kids. It's really the only good part of a movie that even Richard Pryor couldn't make funny or fun.

The Thing

Some of Kurt Russell's best lines in his movies come from The Thing, and he also has a moment or two as he tries to save himself from destructive boredom by playing an early version of computer chess. Chess has long been a staple game going back to the dawn of the first home computers, so it worked well in the time period.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin

Like some other scenes on this list, the scene between Seth Rogan and Paul Rudd playing Mortal Kombat Deception is pretty much exactly how video game arguments went at the time, completely with the slurs we would never use today (and shouldn't have been using back in the day, but were).

Joysticks

We're really only including this silly, raunchy B-movie because it was kind of the first movie to truly be about the first video game fad of the late 1970s, though it came out just as the fad was imploding with the Video Game Crash of 1983. Even the movie's timing was bad, but still, it's all about games, so it has to be here on this list.

Genres are helpful—until a movie comes along that throws the rulebook into the fire. Some films are so inventive and wildly ambitious that slapping a single label on them feels like an insult. These movies blend tones, mix storytelling traditions, and challenge expectations at every turn. Whether mashup horror and comedy, sci-fi and romance, or animation and noir, these 32 films break free from traditional classification, proving that the best stories often refuse to fit into a box.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

The plot of Everything Everywhere All at Once sounds absurd when you hear it out loud. It’s sci-fi, but it’s also a family drama. It’s one of the best action movies in recent memory. It also happens to be an absurdist comedy with a scene that breaks my heart every time I see it–I still can’t look at rocks or googly eyes the same. It’s a meditation on existential dread wrapped in kung-fu spectacle. The Daniels crafted something that shouldn’t work but does—an emotional, high-energy, genre-blending rollercoaster where nihilism and love collide in the best way possible.

Donnie Darko (2001)

A suburban teen, time travel, existential horror, and a man in a creepy rabbit suit—Donnie Darko refuses to be pinned down. Is it a psychological thriller? A coming-of-age story? A horror film with sci-fi elements? Richard Kelly’s cult classic is all of these things, a moody, enigmatic puzzle box that continues to haunt viewers decades later, an easily one of Jake Gyllenhal’s best movie performances.

The Princess Bride (1987)

What other film can balance fairy tale fantasy, satirical comedy, swashbuckling action, and heart-melting romance without breaking a sweat? The Princess Bride is a book-to-screen adaptation that is as good, if not better than the novel it's based on. It’s a love letter to classic storytelling while also poking fun at its conventions. It’s pure magic—a film that can make you laugh, cheer, and cry, often within the same scene.

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth, one of his best movies, refuses to let fantasy be an escape. Instead, it interweaves a fairy tale with the brutal realities of war-torn Spain. Part fantasy film, dripping in historical drama and a dash of horror. Del Toro blends all three into something chillingly beautiful, proving that sometimes the scariest monsters are human.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

A hard-boiled noir detective film… with animated cartoon characters running wild? Who Framed Roger Rabbit defies expectations by fusing classic film noir aesthetics with Looney Tunes madness. It’s part mystery, part slapstick comedy, part technical marvel, entirely unclassifiable, and, in retrospect, not very appropriate for children.

Swiss Army Man (2016)

Since finishing up his tenure as Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliff has made some weird movies, and none are as odd as Swiss Army Man. Think Cast Away with a farting corpse–as a stranded man befriends a farting, talking corpse with Swiss Army knife-like powers—if that sounds like nonsense, that’s because it is pure absurdist genius. It’s an iconic buddy comedy, an existential drama, and a surprisingly heartfelt film about loneliness, self-worth, and the strangeness of human connection.

The Fifth Element (1997)

Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element is one of the best science fiction movies of the 90s, sure, but it’s also a campy, over-the-top, French space opera that veers into comedy, action, and cartoon levels of insanity. It’s a spectacle of pure creative energy, filled with outlandish characters and visual madness that make it impossible to categorize.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is an unholy blend of campy B-movie horror and glam rock musicals. It embraces its genre-defying weirdness with open arms. It’s more than a film—it's an experience with some of the catchiest songs committed to screen.

Being John Malkovich (1999)

A movie about a portal into John Malkovich’s mind that turns into a psychological drama about identity, obsession, and control? Spike Jonze, in his directorial debut, and Charlie Kaufman turn an absurd premise into something deeply unsettling yet darkly funny, making Being John Malkovich one of the strangest films ever made and one of the best flicks of the 1990s.

The Shape of Water (2017)

If you mix a Cold War espionage thriller with a creature feature and, of course, a fairy tale romance, you’ll get an idea of what The Shape of Water is. Guillermo del Toro masterfully stitches these elements together into a haunting, poetic, and profoundly weird film. A love story between a woman and an amphibious creature shouldn't work, but in del Toro’s capable hands, the movie becomes unforgettable and deserves all its Oscar wins.

Hook (1991)

Though much maligned since its release, Hook is easily one of Robin Williams's best performances. It tells a compelling father-son story mixed with whimsy and is a family-friendly swashbuckler. However, at its heart, it’s a deeply melancholic story about rediscovering lost youth.

Spirited Away (2001)

Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is an intoxicating blend of myth, folklore, and childhood wonder, defying any easy categorization. The film operates on dream logic, shifting between the whimsical and the nightmarish, crafting a world that feels both hauntingly strange and intimately familiar. It’s one of the very best adventure family movies out there.

Fargo (1996)

The Coen Brothers have a habit of making films that exist in the gray area between genres, and Fargo might be their greatest balancing act. It’s a crime thriller, a dark comedy with some of their funniest quotes, and a bleak meditation on human nature. The film is full of violence and tension, yet it never loses its absurd sense of humor—often in the same breath.

The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

At first glance, The Cabin in the Woods is one of the best horror movies of the 2010s, but the deeper you go, the more it mutates into something else entirely. It works as a love letter to and a brutal deconstruction of the horror genre, blending meta-comedy with genuine scares. It starts like a standard slasher film, but by the end, it’s an apocalyptic fever dream that leaves you questioning everything you know about horror storytelling.

Gremlins (1984)

Is Gremlins a horror movie? A dark comedy? Is it a Christmas film or just Christmas-themed? The answer is all of the above. Joe Dante’s chaotic creature feature shifts wildly between tones, sometimes feeling like a heartwarming holiday classic and other times diving headfirst into gruesome horror. It manages to be both gleefully silly and genuinely unsettling—making it impossible to fit neatly into one category.

The Pagemaster (1994)

The Pagemaster refuses to commit to a single identity. Though it loomed large in my childhood, its unwillingness to commit to a single genre could be why it has such an abysmal Rotten Tomatoes score. While it’s positioned as a children’s film about the power of books, it blends so many visual and storytelling styles that it becomes something else entirely. This surreal, hybrid experience feels both nostalgic and oddly experimental.

Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China is an action movie that plays like a comedy, a kung-fu film that satirizes kung-fu films, and a supernatural adventure that revels in its own ridiculousness. It gleefully subverts action hero tropes, making its protagonist more of a bumbling sidekick–with some of the greatest Kurt Russel quotes–than a traditional lead. Its genre-bending nature has made it an enduring cult classic.

Her (2013)

Her straddles multiple genres while remaining profoundly intimate and personal. Yet again, Spike Jonze takes a premise that could have been used for satire—a man falling in love with his AI assistant—and turns it into a heartbreakingly sincere exploration of modern relationships. It’s futuristic but deeply human, making it impossible to categorize.

Last Action Hero (1993)

On the surface, it’s an action movie but also a deconstruction of action movies. Last Action Hero arguably came out at the wrong time, as it revels in Hollywood excess while poking fun at its clichés, blending over-the-top action with meta-commentary way ahead of its time. It’s self-aware, chaotic, and often refusing to be boxed into a single category.

Burn After Reading (2008)

Burn After Reading is classic Coen Brothers chaos—a film where every character thinks they’re in control, yet none of them have any idea what’s actually happening. It plays with the tropes of espionage thrillers, only to reveal that the stakes are laughably low, making it a darkly hilarious puzzle box of a movie. Also, it has one of the best Francis McDormand performances ever.

Men in Black (1997)

It’s a sci-fi film, but it’s also a buddy-cop comedy. It’s a blockbuster, but it has the sharp humor of a satire. Men in Black blends alien conspiracies, action-packed spectacle, laugh-out-loud comedy, and one of the scariest aliens committed to celluloid into something effortlessly entertaining. It thrives in its refusal to take itself too seriously, making it one of its era's most unique sci-fi films.

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Edward Scissorhands is unapologetically Tim Burton at his best. An oddity that defies easy classification. It’s equal parts whimsical and tragic, blending a monster movie's aesthetics with the romance's tenderness. The film’s visual style is pure fantasy, yet its emotional core is deeply human, making it one of Burton’s most enduring works.

A Ghost Story (2017)

A Ghost Story is a slow, meditative exploration of time, grief, and existential loneliness. It also tells the story of a spiritual being who walks the earth in a bed sheet. This story challenges everything you expect from a ghost story, stripping away jump scares and supernatural lore in favor of long, lingering shots and quiet, contemplative storytelling. It’s haunting, but not in the traditional sense—more of a melancholy whisper than a scream in the dark.

La La Land (2016)

A musical, but one that subverts the tropes of the genre. La La Land embraces old Hollywood spectacle while refusing to follow the standard “happily ever after” formula. It’s nostalgic yet modern, blending reality and fantasy in a way that feels both dreamlike and achingly real.

The Lobster (2015)

The Lobster is so uniquely bizarre that it exists in a separate genre–the genre of Yorgos Lanthimos. Lanthimos takes an inherently ridiculous premise—that single people must find a partner or be turned into animals—and turns it into something deeply unsettling, bleakly funny, and weirdly moving.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

The Fantastic Mr. Fox is a movie far better than its bombing at the box office would lead one to believe. It is a wonderful stop-motion movie, but it's also unmistakably Wes Anderson, as the filmmaker blends the time-consuming animation with his signature aesthetic. It feels like a classic children’s storybook brought to life, yet it carries an undercurrent of existential angst that makes it resonate just as strongly with adults.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

No movie influenced 90s cinema quite like Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. This unpredictable film intertwines multiple narratives, with Samuel L. Jackson as the standout performer. The movie redefined nonlinear storytelling by skillfully blending brutal violence, humor, and unexpected poignancy.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Another Charlie Kaufman brainchild, Eternal Sunshine, takes a high-concept premise—erasing painful memories of lost love and toxic relationships—and turns it into an achingly beautiful meditation on heartbreak, fate, and human connection. It’s as cerebral as it is emotional, making it one of the most uniquely structured love stories ever told.

Prey (2022)

Prey is not just another Predator movie; it’s a historical survival thriller and an Indigenous-led action film that reinvents the franchise. By removing the excessive machismo of earlier movies and setting the story in 1719 around a young Comanche warrior, Prey transforms into a compelling tale of resilience and culture. Amber Midthunder emerges as a standout new face in the lineage of final girls in horror.

Aliens (1986)

James Cameron cranked Ridley Scott’s slow-burn terror into an all-out war film, proving that a sequel doesn’t have to repeat its predecessor. Aliens retains the dread of its predecessor while injecting explosive, military-driven spectacle, making it a rare hybrid that succeeds as both a nerve-wracking horror movie and a high-octane action thriller.

Coraline (2009)

It looks like a children’s fantasy film, but Coraline, while being one of Laika’s best movies, is pure nightmare fuel. A dark fairy tale with horror undertones, the film walks the tightrope between whimsy and dread. Its stop-motion animation is gorgeous yet eerie, and the story—about a young girl lured into a seemingly perfect world with sinister secrets—feels like something pulled from the pages of an old gothic ghost story.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)

A coming-of-age story drenched in comic book and video-game aesthetics? Scott Pilgrim vs. The World should have been a hit, with its pure kinetic energy, blending pop culture, music, and self-aware humor into a hyper-stylized spectacle. Edgar Wright expanded his abilities as a filmmaker, creating a film that’s part arcade game, part indie rom-com, and wholly unique in its execution.

The great thing about fiction is it allows people to temporarily suspend their disbelief for the sake of entertainment. Many of the most beloved movies of all time have strange and downright ridiculous premises if you try to explain them out loud, but their strangeness is a part of their charm. Here are 32 films with absolutely ridiculous plots.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

This movie was a critical and commercial darling, and its plot is utterly bizarre. A disillusioned laundromat operator traverses the multiverse, battles soldiers masquerading as IRS office workers, and dances with hot dog fingers in order to save her estranged, nihilistic daughter. It is, by far, one of the best and zaniest Best Picture winners that we’ve seen in a very long time.

21 Jump Street (2012)

On the surface this film seems relatively normal: it’s the classic tale of an awkward nerd and a dumb, handsome jock forming an unlikely duo while navigating the trials and tribulations of high school. Only this time, they’re also buddy cops going undercover as high school students in a sting operation to arrest the dealer of a new illicit drug. And, fittingly, the movie’s visuals are just as trippy as its premise.

Legally Blonde (2001)

In many ways, Legally Blonde was ahead of its time due to how it disrupted harmful stereotypes about hyper-feminine women. Its plot is still a bit goofy though, as it involves a popular, blonde sorority girl working her behind off to secure a spot at one of the most competitive law schools in the country, just to prove to her pretentious ex-boyfriend that she’s worthy of him taking her seriously. Thankfully the film ends with her ditching the loser and discovering a true penchant for law.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

One of the highest-grossing films of all time has one of the most convoluted plots of all time. A billionaire, retired superhero and his team invent time travel so that he and his fellow superheroes can travel to different timelines and capture magical, rainbow-colored stones so that they can reverse the devastating effects of a purple villain’s success in eliminating half of all life in the universe with a snap of his fingers. Don’t worry, though: you only have to watch 21 films to understand it.

Poor Things (2023)

This colorful, quirky science fiction movie earned Emma Stone her second Oscar, and by just listening to its plot, it’s clear to see why. Stone portrays a woman whose brain has been replaced by that of an infant, and in the beginning of the film she cannot even properly pronounce the word “blood,” but by the end, she is studying to become a doctor. The dramatic transformation she undergoes, while traipsing around Europe and learning philosophy, is equally strange and impressive.

Back To The Future (1985)

Back to the Future is widely thought of as the quintessential time travel movie, and the implications of its time travel are seismic. A teenager accidentally travels 30 years into the past after meeting his eccentric science friend, and while stuck in the past, he inadvertently interferes with the relationship of his teenage parents, which threatens his very existence. Now he has to ensure that the couple stays together before he is erased from history, while dealing with the uncomfortable fact that his teenage mother has taken a liking to him.

The Mask (1994)

Back in the ‘90s, Jim Carrey was arguably the King of Ridiculous Movies, and his turn as Stanley Ipkiss in the mask not only allowed him to show off his excellent comedic sensibilities, but also his amazing face acting and physical capabilities, as his character quite literally turns into a cartoon come to life with a neon green face after donning a magical mask. The bad CGI stretching and morphing only adds to the zany enjoyment of the movie.

Happy Death Day (2017)

There is no worse birthday present than death, and this film forces its protagonist to endure it every birthday. The protagonist, a mean sorority girl, dies on her birthday, and she is forced to relive the tragic day every single day until she figures out who the person responsible is. Also, she has limited time to figure out who the person is before she dies for real (as in, she stops coming back to life).

The Boss Baby (2017)

A lot of animated movies lean into the fact that they are marketed towards kids, and there are few better examples than The Boss Baby. This zany movie’s plot involves the existence of an absurd baby-making corporation in the clouds that delivers a baby with hopes of rising the corporate ladder to a family with a disgruntled former only child, and the unlikely brother duo must work together to stop puppies from becoming the most loved creatures in the world.

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004)

Speaking of absurd animated movies, the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise as a whole is pretty bizarre with its takes on marine life, but its movie definitely pushes the boundaries of what’s believable. In this movie, Plankton steals King Neptune’s crown and frames Mr. Krabs for it, just so Neptune will punish Krabs and give Plankton a chance to steal his coveted burger recipe, sell those burgers at his restaurant, and become dictator of Bikini Bottom. And it’s up to SpongeBob and Patrick to retrieve the crown while driving in a car made out of a Krabby Patty.

Home Alone (1990)

The ridiculousness of Home Alone’s plot likely comes from the fact that such a scenario happening in real life would be deeply sad. A young boy, who already feels like an outsider in his own family, is left behind by said family when they go on a Christmas vacation. And if this minor being left unattended isn’t bad enough, he is forced to set up elaborate, dangerous traps to ward off persistent, home invaders.

Divergent (2014)

The Divergent movie was just one of a multitude of young adult, dystopian franchise films that became massively popular during the 2010s, and it, by far, has the most head-scratching premise. In its future, what’s left of humanity after a cataclysmic war has divided itself into factions based on rudimentary personality traits, such as kindness and honesty. In this reality, you are seen as a massive threat that must be eliminated if you dare to be intelligent, honest, and selfless at the time.

Barbie (2023)

Stereotypical Barbie spends most of her life in an idyllic, woman-ruled, plastic paradise until one day she begins to experience existential dread and the horrible tragedies of cellulite and flat feet. She must then embark on a journey from her perfect Barbie Land to the Real World and discover the meaning of life and womanhood in a male-dominated world. And Ken’s also there, but he’s just Ken.

Cocaine Bear (2023)

The ridiculousness of this movie’s plot can really be summed up with its title. After sacks of cocaine fall into the woods, a bear accidentally becomes addicted to it and attacks the residents of a small town. While this sounds like the plot of a horror movie, it’s actually quite hilarious in the stupidest way possible, because the amount of opportunities these people are given to escape from or incapacitate the bear are numerous, and yet they choose idiocy every single time.

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Harry Potter’s story has become such a classic by now, that it’s hard to think that at one point it was another strange idea that had to be marketed to the world. In the first movie, Harry is an orphaned boy that is neglected and mistreated by his foster family, only to be politely kidnapped by a gentle giant who tells him he’s a wizard and sends him off to attend a magical boarding school. Also, a fully grown wizard has hated him since he was a baby, because that’s normal.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)

It’s normal when starting a new relationship with someone to not want to think about or compare yourself to their exes. Now, imagine that not only did you have to meet all seven of their exes, but you had to battle them to the death too, preferably in video game combat style. Those are the insane lengths Scott Pilgrim goes through to be with Ramona Flowers.

Twilight (2008)

It’s a tale as old as time: a teenage girl who hates the cold and rain moves to the Pacific Northwest to live with her distant father to allow her mother to travel the country with her new husband, and, while in the Pacific Northwest, said teenage girl meets and falls in love with a sparkly, 108-year-old vampire that not so secretly wants to drink her blood. And then, they live happily ever after or something like that.

The Princess Bride (1987)

The best part of The Princess Bride is its ridiculousness. There’s such a warmth to the film due to the fact that it obviously does not take itself seriously, exemplified by the princess herself being named “Buttercup,” she pushes the man whom she believed took the life of her former lover down a hill, only to realize said man is her true love, and rolls down the hill with him. And this is all after he incapacitates the three men who kidnap her. And that's just the beginning!

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The most-seen film in movie history also has the most beloved, ridiculous plot in movie history. A young girl and her dog get caught in a tornado, and the storm transports them to a faraway land where there are good witches, bad witches, flying monkeys, talking lions and scarecrows and more. And in order for her to get home, she has to follow a yellow brick road in ruby red slippers.

Despicable Me (2010)

In this silly tale, a villain, seeking to earn more respect in the villain community, plots to steal the moon, which is simple enough. So, obviously, the best way to go about doing so is adopting three orphaned girls and sending the girls to sell cookies at his villain competitor’s house, so that he can infiltrate said house and steal the competitor’s shrink ray to successfully steal the moon. At least, that’s what Despicable Me tries to convince its admittedly very young audience makes sense.

White Chicks (2004)

It’s common to look back at media from decades again with a modern perspective and assess whether said media from that earlier time would be made today. This movie is a clear example of one that is a product of its time, not only because of its crass racial humor, but also because of its dumbfounding plot: two Black, male FBI agents masquerade as blonde white women to protect two social heiresses from being kidnapped. Hijinks ensue, and lewd jokes abound.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

When your movie is being led by comedic genius Robin Williams, it’s likely to have a ridiculous plot, and Mrs. Doubfire is no exception. In this family-friendly flick, Williams portrays an unemployed voice actor going through a difficult divorce. After he is only granted supervised visitation rights to his kids, he comes up with an outrageous plan to spend more time with him: pose as an elderly, female nanny named “Mrs. Doubtfire.”

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

In this film’s universe, all major, commercial holidays coexist with one another and have their own lands which can be accessed by secret, tree-encased portals. The Pumpkin King of Halloween Town becomes disillusioned with his life there, stumbles across the Christmas portal, and falls in love. He does everything in his power to introduce his own, twisted form of Christmas to his macabre home, to limited success.

The Parent Trap (1998)

In yet another case of questionable parenting, a British woman falls in love with and marries an American man, and she gives birth to twin daughters. The couple divorced shortly after the girls are born, and instead of trying to work out a joint custody situation, the parents decide to keep one daughter each and raise her in their respective home countries and pretend the other daughter does not exist. This eventually leads to the girls meeting each other and learning of each other’s existence for the very first time at summer camp, and after a period of rivalry, they decide to join forces to get their parents back together.

13 Going On 30 (2004)

This is another movie that shows you how weird its plot is just with its title. An awkward, 13-year-old wants to skip the uncool parts of life and live life as a successful, 30-year-old woman in New York. And on her birthday, she gets her wish, waking up in the body of a rich, stylish magazine editor with a not-so-great personality. The most bizarre, yet impressive part of this movie is watching Jennifer Gardner portray a 30-year-old woman with the brain of a 13-year-old girl who’s trying to pretend like she’s a 30-year-old woman.

Shazam! (2019)

If you were to ask a child what their dream superpower is, becoming an adult probably wouldn’t be their tenth choice, let alone their top choice, but Billy Batson in Shazam! makes it look super cool. After being chosen by an ancient wizard, the foster kid, can now morph into a fully grown man at will by yelling “Shazam!” and he gets a suite of cool powers.

Central Intelligence (2016)

Few Hollywood best friends are more endearing than Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, and their on-screen chemistry comes to life in this silly buddy cop action movie. Johnson’s character is a formerly obese nerd turned jacked CIA agent who needs Hart’s character’s accounting skills, even though the latter hasn’t seen the former since his days as a star athlete. Of course, they save the world in the campiest, most hilarious ways.

Spy Kids (2001)

Surely many kids have wondered what their lives would be like if their mild-mannered, suburban, if a little boring, parents were actually top-secret spies. Well for the brother-sister duo in this movie, that lifestyle is anything but fun as it leads to them being captured by a villain with giant, sentient thumbs for minions. And, that’s not even the weirdest part.

Matilda (1996)

A young, precocious girl is neglected by her family, so she finds solace in reading a lot. Unlocking so much of her brain’s potential at a such young age grants her telekinetic abilities, which she uses to enact revenge on her parents and awful principal, Ms. Trunchbull.

Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)

A mysterious, eccentric chocolatier, invites a select group of children with accompanying guardians to his famed chocolate factory, only to discover that there are horrors at every turn, including chewing gum that can turn you into a human-sized blueberry and fizzy drinks that cause you to float, which is fun, until you’re dangerously close to a whirring ceiling fan. The only reason this film is thought of as cheerful and child-friendly, and not downright terrifying, is because it hams up how utterly ridiculous it is.

Alvin And The Chipmunks (2007)

A live-action movie with talking animals will always necessitate some suspension of disbelief, but when those talking animals are chipmunks that also sing, and quickly become the world’s biggest pop stars, at some point a line is crossed and any semblance of realism has flown out the window. The only thing more ridiculous than the rodent singers themselves are all the times their manager, turned adoptive father Dave screams “Alvin!”

The Nutty Professor (1996)

In this movie, Eddie Murphy portrays a brilliant, obese professor who develops a groundbreaking weight-loss formula. Insecure about his size and eager to impress the girl of his dreams, the professor tests out the drug on himself, and he successfully slims down, only for the thin version of himself to develop an evil alter ego and fight to take over the professor’s life permanently. Not only are the performances of this film hilarious and outlandish, especially with Eddie Murphy playing multiple roles, but the visual gags of the professor switching between his thin and large self are something to behold.

You've heard the saying, "The book's always better than the movie." Well, it turns out that's not always true. Sometimes films are able to streamline through a novel's tedious exposition or confusing jargon. Other times they're able to bring fantastical worlds to life in a more spectacular way than you might have imagined. Either way, here are some book-to-screen adaptations that are at least as good as — and sometimes better than — their source material.

Jaws

Never bet against Steven Spielberg, especially with John Williams providing what turned out to be an Oscar-winning score! The 1975 thriller Jaws is widely considered to be one movie that's at least as good as its source material. Spielberg cut out a lot of side plots from Peter Benchley's 1974 novel, and the actors really elevated the book's largely unlikeable characters, particularly Robert Shaw as Quint, turning the film into a classic you can watch over and over.

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

There are some pretty big differences between Roald Dahl's 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the 1971 classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder (not to mention the 2005 remake and 2023 prequel). That means it's probably a matter of personal preference regarding which is "better," but it's hard to argue with Mel Stuart's musical fantasy.

The Thing

While John W. Campbell Jr.'s 1938 novella Who Goes There? is considered a classic for its deeply developed characters and an alien that's smarter — and therefore possibly scarier — than its movie's equivalent, John Carpenter's The Thing from 1982 is considered one of the best horror movies of all time. Its truly repulsive monster and effective special effects hold up even decades later.

Stand By Me

Lots of Stephen King novels have been adapted for the screen, and not all of those projects have been great. Stand By Me, however, which was adapted from "The Body," from the Different Seasons collection, is considered one of the best movies from the '80s. Some people prefer the movie, if only for the nostalgia kick provided by its phenomenal casting of Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O'Connell.

The Ring

Both the Americanized 2002 horror The Ring and Koji Suzuki's 1991 novel are highly acclaimed, but the book simply can't match the movie in terms of the creepy imagery from the cursed video.

Fight Club

Brad Pitt and Edward Norton are simply incomparable as a dynamic duo in 1999's Fight Club. Not only is the movie considered one of the best of the '90s, and Chuck Palahniuk — author of the 1996 book of the same name — has spoken positively about David Ficher's film.

The Lord Of The Rings

I don't think anyone's arguing the talents of J. R. R. Tolkien here, and indeed many do prefer the world-building and lore of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings saga. However, other fans argue that the films are more inviting, bringing emotion to the characters and cutting through all of the author's descriptive text.

The Hunger Games

There's no question that Suzanne Collins' The Hunter Games books could stand on their own, but it was thrilling to see those terrifying games portrayed on the big screen. From the worlds built for the youngsters' trials to The Hunger Games' ridiculous outfits, it's no wonder many hold Jennifer Lawrence's movie trilogy in such high regard. To me, it was worth it all to see Katniss' red carpet-worthy "Girl on Fire" dress.

The Shining

The Shining is one of Stephen King's best books, and — thanks in large part to Jack Nicholson's unforgettable turn as Jack Torrance — the horror movie of the same name also remains a time-honored classic. Both will scare the daylights out of you, and there are enough differences between Stanley Kubrick's film and the book that The Shining is totally still worth reading after you've seen the movie.

Requiem For A Dream

Hubert Selby Jr.'s 1978 novel Requiem for a Dream is a good read, but you just can't beat the performances turned in by the cast of Darren Aronofsky's 2000 film. Whether it's the heartbreaking tailspin of Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans' characters into addiction, Ellen Burstyn's obsession with being on television or Christopher McDonald's haunting Tappy Tibbons leading a chant about JUICE, this movie elevates the already-harrowing text into something that you won't be able to shake.

Room

Emma Donoghue's 2010 novel Room is told from the perspective of 5-year-old Jack, which gives a different POV to the story of a mother and her son escaping after years of captivity than the 2015 film adaptation. The book is undoubtedly gripping, but the movie holds its own, earning four Academy Award nominations, including a win for Brie Larson for Best Actress.

The Silence Of The Lambs

It doesn't matter how good Thomas Harris' 1988 novel The Silence of the Lambs was — and it was definitely good — the 1991 film adaptation won the Academy Awards' "Big Five," which includes the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director (Jonathan Demme), Best Actress (Jodie Foster), Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Ted Talley). Since its release there have been three more movies and two TV series based on these characters, so I'd say that paints both the film and the novel in a phenomenally successful light.

Mean Girls

It's not really fair to compare 2004's Mean Girls to the source material that inspired it. That's because Tina Fey adapted one of the best high school movies of all time from Rosalind Wiseman's self-help book Queen Bees and Wannabes, which is a guide for parents to help their teenage daughters survive in a world of cliques, gossip and boyfriends. While moms of teens (myself included) could probably use all the help we can get, there's no way Queen Bees and Wannabees could stand up to Mean Girls' most quotable lines and pop culture references.

To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird has been a staple in schools since it came out in 1960 for its exploration of themes like race and stereotypes. It wouldn't be fair or correct to say that the 1962 film was better, but Gregory Peck and Mary Badham gave performances that earned them Oscar nominations as Atticus and Scout Finch, respectively. Overall the movie won three of the eight awards it was up for (including Best Actor for Peck), which should make it worthy of being considered as good as Lee's novel.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

While many still prefer Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the 1975 movie made Randle Patrick McMurphy's crimes more palatable for the moviegoing audience and ultimately won five of the nine Academy Awards it was nominated for, including Best Actor for Jack Nicholson and Best Actress for Louise Fletcher (Nurse Ratched).

Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch, but the movie proved why Hitchcock was the master of suspense, with that infamous shower scene likely inspiring audience members to start double-checking the locks on their bathroom doors. While the 1960 film may be as good (or better than) the book, the same can't be said for 1998's Psycho, which is considered one of the worst remakes in Hollywood history.

The Shawshank Redemption

Adapted from Stephen King's novella from Different Seasons, The Shawshank Redemption was turned into a classic movie that many think surpasses its source material. Frank Darabont's 1994 film adds a lot to the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman) and their decades together in prison. The film garnered seven Oscar nominations but did not win any.

Jurassic Park

Michael Crichton set the stage with his 1990 novel Jurassic Park for how dinosaurs could come to exist in the modern era and Steven Spielberg got hold of the idea and ran with it, creating a world for the big screen that we'd only ever dreamed about. As good as the book is, there was just something about seeing the prehistoric beasts walking amongst the humans with our own eyes, and that idea has since inspired two trilogies and several TV series.

Forrest Gump

A lot was changed in the story of Forrest Gump between the 1986 novel by Winston Groom and the 1994 Robert Zemeckis film, but for many, it was Tom Hanks' heartbreaking portrayal that got us, along with plenty of quotes still being repeated today. The six Academy Awards from 13 nominations also speak to it being a pretty good movie adaptation.

The Hunt For Red October

The 1990 spy thriller The Hunt for Red October cut out quite a few subplots and a lot of technical language from Tom Clancy's best-selling debut novel, making it more approachable for a wider audience. Without the popularity of this movie, would we still live in a world with three dozen Jack Ryan novels, a handful of films and a TV series? Thankfully we don't have to consider the alternative.

The Notebook

Nobody tells an epically sad love story quite like Nicholas Sparks, and that includes his 1996 novel The Notebook. However, seeing Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams' chemistry as they brought Noah and Allie's story to life in the 2004 drama was what really stuck with fans over the years.

The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride is one of the funniest and most quotable movies of the 1980s, and it's considered just as good as its source material, though the two are very different. William Goldman's 1973 novel is highly praised amongst those who have read it, with many fans suggesting that people who have only seen the movie would still enjoy the book.

A Clockwork Orange

Stanley Kubrick's 1971 adaptation of A Clockwork Orange is a fairly loyal interpretation of Anthony Burgess's 1962 novel, save for a few changes to make Malcolm McDowell's Alex more palatable. Many prefer the film's darker ending, as well, to the more optimistic conclusion Burgess wrote.

Little Women

Louisa May Alcott's Little Women has been adapted twice in recent decades — the 1994 version starring Winona Ryder as Jo March and Greta Gerwig's 2019 film. Because each iteration alters the March sisters' stories to better reflect the societal roles and priorities of a woman in that day, it only makes sense that audiences connect more with the updated material.

The Wizard Of Oz

No matter how classic L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is — and there are plenty who are staunch defenders of the book — there's nothing quite like seeing Dorothy step from her sepia-toned Kansas farmhouse into the fantastic Technicolor world of Oz in 1939's The Wizard of Oz. The film adaptation remains a beloved children's movie all these decades later.

Shutter Island

Both the 2003 psychological thriller by Dennis Lehane and Martin Scorsese's 2010 adaptation of Shutter Island starring Leonardo DiCaprio are highly regarded by fans, with many choosing to experience both, despite knowing how it ends. The movie stays loyal to the novel and can be considered at least as good, if not better.

The Devil Wears Prada

In Lauren Weisberger's The Devil Wears Prada, her fictionalized account of working for Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is undoubtedly fascinating, but Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly on top of the performances of Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and the rest of the cast elevate the story.

The Godfather

Mario Puzo's 1969 bestseller The Godfather was arguably made even better by Francis Ford Coppola by focusing his film on Marlon Brando's Vito Corleone and his relationship with son Michael (Al Pacino), thereby streamlining the novel's grand story.

A Simple Favor

In the movie adaptation of A Simple Favor, many find Anna Kendrick's Stephanie more likable than the blogger in Darcey Bell's 2017 novel of the same name. To that point, Blake Lively makes her own character Emily feel even more dangerous.

Blade Runner

Ridley Scott's Blade Runner is considered one of the best sci-fi movies of all time and many think it's even better than its literary counterpart, Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? From Harrison Ford's portrayal of android hunter Rick to the book's bleaker ending, this is the rare film that surpasses its source material in many fans' eyes.

City Of God

Fernando Meirelles' celebrated 2002 crime drama City of God expands on the 1997 novel by Paulo Lins in its performances and how it illustrates gang life in a suburb of Rio de Janeiro. Respect and homage are paid to the people of the region, and the cinematography shows the beauty that exists amidst the tragedy.

Drive

Many fans seem to prefer Nicolas Winding Refn's 2011 movie Drive to the 2005 book by James Sallis, crediting the director and Ryan Gosling with further developing the Driver and other themes in Sallis' work.

One of the best things about movies is that they come in all shapes and sizes, with something for audiences both young and old, near and far, and here and there. Over the years, Best Picture winners have consisted of all kinds of genres ranging from dramas to musicals, biopics to comedies, and so much more.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about just some of the countless different genres, stick around. Let’s break down 32 different genres and an example of a movie that belongs to each.

Action - Die Hard (1988)

One of the best action movies ever made, Die Hard essentially reinvented the genre with its story about a down-on-his-luck cop named John McClane (Bruce Willis) traveling across the country to save his marriage only for the reunion to be thwarted by a group of terrorists. Though Willis’ iconic character isn’t as jacked as those played by Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the everyman quality to him makes him an all-time hero.

Sci-Fi - Jurassic Park (1993)

Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park could fall into multiple genres, but since it deals with genetically modified dinosaurs being brought to life, it’s one of the best representations of sci-fi. One of the best book adaptations of all time, this massive summer blockbuster is as great today as it was back in 1993, both in terms of story and its state-of-the-art visuals.

Comedy - Blazing Saddles (1974)

Whenever talking about the funniest movies ever made, it doesn’t take long for the conversation to turn to Blazing Saddles, Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy Western about a plot to destroy a frontier town and a sheriff’s attempt to save its good and fair residents. But the plot is just secondary to the countless jokes, ribs, and wild situations that are found throughout this incredibly funny and outrageous comedy classic.

Documentary - Grizzly Man (2005)

As far as I’m concerned, Werner Herzog is one of the greatest documentarians of all time. Much like his feature-length films, the acclaimed filmmaker’s collection of non-fiction titles strays from the norms of the genre, creating unique pieces of art in the process. This is especially true for Grizzly Man, Herzog’s 2005 exploration of the life and tragic death of Timothy Treadwell, a conservationist who thought it was better to die with a bear than live with man.

Mockumentary - This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

There were mockumentaries that came before it, but This is Spinal Tap was a watershed moment for the genre. Rob Reiner’s 1984 chronicle of struggling heavy metal band Spinal Tap turns it to 11 (quite literally) with its scenes of rock n roll, excess, and over-the-top characters who are thinly veiled caricatures of famous English groups of the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Slasher - Scream (1996)

If you were to tell someone where to start with the slasher genre, Wes Craven’s Scream would be a great place to start. Though it’s not the best horror movie of all time, this landmark film is full of references to the films that came before it, has a wonderful meta dynamic, and perhaps the greatest opening scene of all time.

Superhero - The Dark Knight (2008)

To some, Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is the pinnacle of the superhero movie genre. This 2008 blockbuster takes elements from comic book movies and combines them with the realism of a gritty crime thriller and classic action flicks like Heat to create an incredible experience. Plus, Heath Ledger’s Joker is a force of pure chaos that needs to be seen.

Animation - My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

One of the most iconic Studio Ghibli films, My Neighbor Totoro is not only a great animated film but also a tremendous introduction to the fantastical world of Hayao Miyazaki. Released in 1988, this delightful film follows two young girls as they move to the countryside with their father a befriend a mythical creature known as Totoro.

Drama - Casablanca (1942)

Deciding on one film to use as an example of the drama genre is no easy task, but Casablanca is a classic that everyone needs to watch at least once in their life. The timeless story of American ex-pat Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) helping old flame Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) and her finance escape the Nazis while also revisiting the events that led to their split is something to behold.

Fantasy - The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the perfect place to start if you want to dip your toes into the waters of the fantasy genre. All the elements that make this type of film so beloved can be found throughout Peter Jackson’s impressive 2001 film that kicks off one of the greatest adventures of all time.

Sports - Major League (1989)

One of the best baseball movies ever made, Major League is also one of the funniest sports comedies you can find. Though not for younger audiences, this hilarious underdog story is all killer and no filler with its tale of the lowly Cleveland Indians defying the odds by putting together an unlikely championship team.

Romantic Comedy - When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Often considered the best romantic comedy, When Harry Met Sally is 90-plus minutes of pure joy. The on-screen chemistry between Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in this 1989 classic directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron is off the charts and filled with one iconic scene after another.

Horror - The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter, one of the great horror directors of the 20th century, really outdid himself with The Thing, his 1982 adaptation of John W. Campbell’s Who Goes There. The paranoia, the claustrophobic spaces, the incredible cast led by Kurt Russell, and those terrifying creature effects from Rob Bottin make this an unforgettable classic.

Crime - The Godfather (1972)

Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather is a family drama, an epic coming-of-age story, and a mobster movie, but above it all, it’s a transformative crime film. This sprawling story about the Corleone organization, told through the eyes of Vito (Marlon Brando) and Michael (Al Pacino) is worthy of all the praise it’s received over the past 50-plus years.

Musical - La La Land (2016)

Okay, there are classic musicals like An American in Paris and Singing in the Rain that are far more prestigious than La La Land, but Damien Chazelle’s 2016 throwback is a great entry point. The song and dance numbers performed by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are stupendous and the romance at the center of its story is wonderful, to say the least.

Western - Tombstone (1993)

One of the greatest Western movies, Tombstone has everything you’d want in the genre: shootouts, colorful characters, legendary mustaches, and some of the best movie quotes of all time. Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Bill Paxton, and Sam Elliott were all made for their respective roles as some of the most iconic gunslingers and lawmen in the Old West.

Noir - Double Indemnity (1944)

If you’ve taken any type of class on the history of American cinema, there’s a chance you’ve seen Double Indemnity by now. This 1944 film noir staple follows insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) as he gets in way over his head when dealing with Phyllis Dietrrichson (Barbara Stanwyck), a dangerous femme fatale with a plan to cash in on a life insurance policy.

Suspense - The Sixth Sense (1999)

The Sixth Sense is a lot of things – horror, thriller, family drama. But above all, it’s an intense suspense film about a young boy (played by Haley Joel Osment) who can see dead people and his therapist (played by Bruce Willis) who tries to help him make sense of the supernatural ability.

Coming Of Age - Lady Bird (2018)

Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird is one of the funniest, most sincere, and most realistic coming-of-age stories of the 21st century. Set in the early 2000s, the movie follows Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) as she deals with the fallout of her decision to move across the country upon graduating high school.

Time Travel - Back To The Future (1985)

There’s a good chance Back to the Future comes to mind when most people think about great time travel movies, and for good reason. This 1985 sci-fi adventure film hits in all the right places, features a career-defining performance from Michael J. Fox, and introduces the world to the coolest time machine of all time.

Historical Drama - The Age Of Innocence (1993)

Though Martin Scorsese is known more for his crime films, he put out one of the best historical dramas in 1993 with his adaptation of The Age of Innocence. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Ryder, the film took a lot of chances and pushed the genre in a new direction.

Disaster - The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

One of the craziest disaster films, The Poseidon Adventure has a simple yet effective premise: what would happen if a cruise ship was flipped upside down by a massive wave? Survival, questions about morality, and Gene Hackman in a turtleneck make this a must-watch movie.

Dystopian - Escape From New York (1981)

Escape from New York, which takes place in a future where the city has been turned into a walled-off prison colony, is just such a legendary dystopian film. When the U.S. president’s plane is hijacked and crashed in lower Manhattan, it’s up to Snake Plisken (Kurt Russell) to save the day.

Family - The Princess Bride (1987)

The Princess Bride is one of those movies that just never gets old, no matter how many times you watch it. With a great story, unforgettable characters, and expressions of true love (and revenge), there’s a lot for the whole family to enjoy.

Biographical Drama - Schindler's List (1993)

The same year Steven Spielberg dazzled audiences with Jurassic Park, he made us cry with Schindler’s List, a moving biographical drama about a man (played by Lian Neeson) who goes to great lengths to save Jewish prisoners at a German concentration camp.

Stop-Motion Animation - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

What’s this? What’s this? Oh, just one of the best stop-motion animation movies ever made. Released in 1993, The Nightmare Before Christmas has become a staple of the spooky season with its eccentric characters, sometimes grotesque scenes, and some lovely songs written and performed by Danny Elfman.

War Movie - Platoon (1985)

War is Hell, and few movies capture that sentiment better than Platoon. Released in 1985, Oliver Stone’s Vietnam War movie is neither triumphant nor pleasant, but instead a realistic and gut-wrenching depiction of combat and its effect on people. Truly unsettling and incredibly emotional, this Oscar winner is a tour de force.

Psychological Thriller - Seven (1995)

David Fincher made his mark on the world with Saven, his 1995 psychological thriller about a serial killer obsessed with the seven deadly sins and the two detectives assigned to stop the madness before it’s too late.

Buddy Action - Midnight Run (1988)

The ‘80s gave us all kinds of great buddy action movies, including Midnight Run, a hilarious and endearing cross-country affair about a down-on-his-luck cop-turned-bounty-hunter (played by Robert De Niro) trying to bring a mob accountant (played by Charles Grodin) to his court date. But things aren’t always as easy or clear as they seem.

Raunchy Comedy - Ted (2012)

There have been some great raunchy comedies over the years, with the likes of Porky’s and There’s Something About Mary quickly coming to mind. But one of the best options, especially for more modern audiences, is Ted, the 2012 comedy about a man (played by Mark Wahlberg) and his friendship with his childhood teddy bear (voiced by Seth MacFarlane). Though it sounds innocent, this wild comedy is anything but.

Silent Film - City Lights (1931)

If you’ve ever wanted to jump into the world of silent movies, Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights is going to be a great introduction. Released in 1931, this classic film follows Chaplin’s tramp as he falls in love with a blind flower girl and goes from there. Romance, drama, pratfalls, you name it, it’s all here.

Spoof Film - Airplane! (1980)

There has long been a tradition of spoof films in Hollywood, and no film does the format better than Airplane!. Released in 1980, this legendary comedy pokes fun at the disaster genre with outrageous jokes, scenarios, and so much more.

Sometimes an actor can carry an entire movie with a performance, while others make a lasting impression in merely one scene of action. We’re going to focus on the latter category today, as we present this list of single scene crushers who took a moment to bring the house down.

Ned Beatty - Network

Even in a big ticket classic like Sidney Lumet’s Network, there’s room for a performer like Ned Beatty to steal the entire movie in one fell swoop. Brought in as a last minute replacement, and with four pages of dialogue to work through, Beatty booms in a scene that nails the core tenets of writer Paddy Chayefsky’s blistering satire.

Drew Barrymore - Scream

Wes Craven’s reinvention of teen slashers kicked off the legendary Scream franchise with a murder no one saw coming. With Drew Barrymore featuring prominently in trailers and promotional art, everyone thought she’d be safe and sound for a good part of the picture. One scene was all it took to shake the audience to its core, and prove that anything can happen in Woodsboro… and it often does.

J.T. Walsh - Outbreak

As if having the late Donald Sutherland didn’t already inject a White House briefing scene with enough gravitas, legendary character actor J.T. Walsh gets a moment to protest an action that could wipe the small town of Cedar Creek off the map. His righteous anger is a lynchpin moment that perfectly sets the stakes for a nail-biting finale.

Viola Davis - Doubt

In just one scene of Doubt’s powerhouse narrative, Viola Davis scored something every actor dreams of: their first Academy Award nomination. A scene of masterful acting between herself and fellow legend Meryl Streep, Davis drives this moment of intense conversation with a gamut of authority and vulnerability. In a cast that also includes Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams, Viola Davis should have been credited on the poster, as her moment is that powerful.

Alec Baldwin - Glengarry Glen Ross

People who go to see David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross on stage are probably disappointed that Alec Baldwin’s Blake doesn’t appear in that version of the narrative. Crafted especially for the 1992 film adaptation the man that taught us to “Always Be Closing” sees Baldwin holding court viciously with a room that includes Ed Harris and Jack Lemmon among its ranks. Don’t worry if you forgot that character’s name… he’ll tell you soon enough.

Dame Judi Dench - Shakespeare In Love

Network actor Beatrice Straight is the record holder for the shortest performance to win an Academy Award. In a similar fashion, one scene in Shakespeare In Love was all it took for Dame Judi Dench to win her own golden accolade, playing the role of Elizabeth I. Although this is Dame Dench we’re talking about here, and that performance was certainly worth the hoopla… even if Saving Private Ryan is the film that should have won Best Picture that year.

Alfred Molina - Boogie Nights

You will never listen to “Sister Christian” the same way again after watching Alfred Molina’s single scene performance in Boogie Nights. His portrayal of unstable drug dealer Rahad runs the gamut from hysterical to horrifying, in a scene that only persists in the horrors that unfold to threaten Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) and his friends. Chekov’s Gun is so much more effective when you have firecrackers going off at irregular intervals.

Cate Blanchett - Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring

Is anyone absolutely sure Cate Blanchett isn’t really an Elf? The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring made a pretty good case for her actually being an ethereal being, as Galdriel’s one scene with Frodo (Elijah Wood) is an all-time stunner. You probably didn’t need the special effects to enhance the scene, as Blanchett’s actual physical performance in that moment makes you believe that she comes from the pages of J.R.R. Tolkien, and we should all be thankful.

August Diehl - Inglourious Basterds

Never, ever, set a meeting in a basement. Quentin Tarantino taught us that lesson in just one scene of Inglourious Basterds, as what was supposed to be a simple clandestine meeting of Allies became a bloody free-for-all. And it was all thanks to Dieter Hellstrom (August Diehl), the Nazi equivalent of Sherlock Holmes, sniffing out the truth behind Lieutenant Archie Hicox (Michael Fassbender) and his team.

Alice Nunn - Pee Wee’s Big Adventure

Children who grew up on the best ‘80s movies will still tell you that the appearance of Large Marge (Alice Nunn) in Pee Wee’s Big Adventure is something that just may have traumatized them. In a moment that’s akin to the ultimate campfire story, Marge’s story is made even more terrifying by her transformation into a horror only Claymation could properly convey.

Dave Bautista - Blade Runner 2049

Dave Bautista has been building an impressive resume through roles in projects like Blade Runner 2049. The eventual fight between his character Sapper and Officer K (Ryan Gosling) isn’t the point of his soft spoken presence, as the moments leading up to that explosion double as a crucial clue to the existential unraveling our protagonist undergoes. It’s a perfect showcase of the former wrestler turned actor’s range at work.

Vanessa Redgrave - Atonement

Atonement is a film that plays with the truth throughout time, through the eyes of its protagonist Briony. In the final incarnation of the character, Vanessa Redgrave devastates the audience by delivering the stone cold truth of what really happened between Robbie (James McAvoy) and Cecilia (Keira Knightley). Turning this romantic drama into a bittersweet tragedy, Redgrave delivers it like an expert.

Marcel Marceau - Silent Movie

Leave it to Mel Brooks to give famed mime Marcel Marceau the only line of dialogue in a film like Silent Movie. As Mel Funn (Brooks) and his pals make an important phone call to try and convince Mr. Marceau to join their motion picture, they get their answer pretty quickly. In a movie replete with cameos, this one takes the cake.

Carol Kane - The Princess Bride

Everybody remembers Billy Crystal’s Miracle Max from The Princess Bride, otherwise “Have fun storming the castle” wouldn’t be a memorable line of dialogue in human culture. But we also need to give Carol Kane’s Valerie an equal amount of credit for the magic, as she and Crystal are the ultimate double act that absolutely crush in just a short span of time.

Donald Sutherland - JFK

Whether you believe in conspiracy theories or not, Donald Sutherland’s appearance in Oliver Stone’s JFK will probably have you nodding your head in agreement throughout his patch of screen time. Commanding authority with his hushed oaken tones through a scene that lays down a lot of ground, it’s no wonder Kevin Costner’s memory of working with Sutherland is so fond.

Gloria Foster - The Matrix

Exposition is nothing new to The Matrix franchise, and neither is the concept of an all seeing character delivering the knowledge we need for the road ahead. And the OG actor that embodied that concept was the late Gloria Foster, playing the original Oracle who put Neo (Keanu Reeves) onto his path to destiny. Succeeded by actor Mary Alice after her untimely passing, Foster’s on-screen wisdom still sings to this day.

Ralph Fiennes - Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

The first appearance of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) in the Harry Potter movies is a revelation. Set as the ultimate threshold of importance, The Goblet of Fire heads into that point of no return with a scene so atmospheric, you can feel yourself standing in that graveyard. Seeing Fiennes step into the role for the first time is something akin to magic itself.

Edie McClurg - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Working the customer service desk of Marathon Car Rental when Planes, Trains, and Automobiles’ Neal Page (Steve Martin) has an expletive filled breakdown over a portion of his trip from hell, veteran character actor Edie McClurg’s rental agent goes from friendly to fierce as quickly as any luxury car in the fleet; dropping the F-bomb that ties the scene together in its ultimate laugh line.

Christopher Walken - Pulp Fiction

With Quentin Tarantino’s non-linear narrative of cool customers trying to make it through the day in Pulp Fiction, anything can fit if you do it right. And Walken’s single moment of action is, without question, a scene that nails in the importance of one gold watch that you can sympathize with Butch (Bruce Willis) when he decides to risk it all to find it.

Alfre Woodard - 12 Years A Slave

12 Years a Slave writer John Ridley once told Vulture that the toughest scene he wrote for that film was the one where Alfre Woodard’s Mistress Burke tells Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o) to “take comfort” that vengeance will eventually visit “the plantation class.” Hearing her alternate between the distant promise of judgment and rationalizing her own lot in life, similar to that of her younger guest, is something that remains as chilling as it was when first heard.

Wilford Brimley - Absence of Malice

In just one scene of Absence of Malice, the legendary Wilford Brimley moves from quips to threats in fast fashion, and the man never fails to compel the audience for his one brief scene. Wasting no time as a character that has none to waste, where Brimley’s Wells cuts to the heart of the entire picture’s mystery and lays out the consequences that will play out, lest anyone involved lose more face than they have to.

Kathy Burke - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Author John le Carré’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is the antithesis of the pulpy action that Ian Fleming injected into the books that would inspire the James Bond movies. Nowhere is that more present than in Kathy Burke’s monumental scene as Connie Sachs, ally and admirer of spy George Smiley (Gary Oldman). All at once, she goes from hitting on her former colleague to lamenting how the Cold War has left their kind adrift, and the sum total is properly heartbreaking.

Bill Murray - Little Shop of Horrors

Much like Jack Nicholson in Roger Corman’s 1960 original, Bill Murray gave Little Shop of Horrors’ musical movie adaptation a moment where the audience just had to laugh at someone who freaks out even sinister dentist Orin (Steve Martin). Coming in for a brief comedic interlude, Murray’s mania is a welcome pit stop in this tale of horror, Faustian bargains, and horticulture.

Molly Ringwald - Not Another Teen Movie

Not Another Teen Movie is Airplane! for generations who grew up in the presence of She’s All That, and some of the other best ‘90s movies. So having John Hughes alum Molly Ringwald highlighting just how ridiculous Janey (Chyler Leigh) and Jake (Chris Evans) are in their young romance is a late hour punchline that absolutely kills.

Clifton Collins Jr. & Thomas Jane - Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Playing something as ridiculous as Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’s Vegan Police is something that needs expert timing, as the right amount of menace and lunacy is required to make the gag work. With that in mind, Clifton Collins Jr. and Thomas Jane were just the pair to do it, as director Edgar Wright used their talents to give us a scene where even the threat of finger guns with laser pointers makes you feel something.

Kathleen Freeman - The Blues Brothers

Sister Mary Stigmata (Kathleen Freeman) isn’t called “The Penguin” for nothing. As the inciting character that sends The Blues Brothers’ heroes on their mission from God, her demeanor is as stinging as her ruler. So watch your language, and pray you leave her office standing up.

Brian Tyree Henry - If Beale Street Could Talk

Playing Daniel, an old friend of If Beale Street Could Talk’s Fonny (Stephan James), Brian Tyree Henry briefly holds court in a movie that knows how to simultaneously break and mend its audience’s heart. After James sets the scene up with his character’s own woes, Henry proceeds to build on that foundation with an understated sense of dread and sorrow that only scratches the surface of his talents.

Matt Damon - EuroTrip

What happens when you’re writing a teen sex comedy, and you happen to be friends with Matt Damon? You offer him a role like that of the rocker from EuroTrip, who admits in song that he’s been romancing the girlfriend of our hero. You have to wonder if this was an opportunity Damon took as a break from the intense seriousness of the Bourne movies. Whatever the truth may be, it’s a brief but memorable laugh riot, no matter where you parked your car.

Charlize Theron - Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Charlize Theron’s shocking MCU debut in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was the first of a couple big Marvel reveals that still haven’t panned out to something greater. That doesn’t stop her moment in the sun as sorceress Clea from being any less impressive, as she literally shows up, tears a hole of the fabric of dimensions, and invites Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) on an adventure we’d still love to see play out.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson - Reno 911: Miami!

You wouldn’t expect Dwayne Johnson to bite the big one if he were to randomly show up in a movie sporting SWAT tactical gear. And yet, Reno 911!: Miami gave us just that moment brought to hysterical life, thanks to the brave sacrifice of Agent Rick "The Condor" Smith. Ok, maybe “brave” is the wrong term to use, as the man did kind of fumble a live grenade into an unforced error of grave proportions.

Salma Hayek - From Dusk Till Dawn

Having an alluring talent like Salma Hayek in your movie can move things along in a number of ways. Perhaps one of her greatest achievements is when she acted as the literal pivot point of Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn, as the gorgeous Santanico Pandemonium. One moment she’s dancing for a crowd of thankful patrons, and the next she’s plunging this delightful genre mashup into horror-comedy hell.

Will Smith - Winter’s Tale

Winter’s Tale is a movie that still has people scratching their heads, thanks to its magical thinking and high fantasy style story. If you match that description of moviegoer, the appearance of Will Smith in a cameo as Lucifer isn’t going to do much to change your mind. However, this rare performance that sees Smith playing the heavy is amazing, as he commands Shakespearian style language with an intense rage that absolutely sells the CGI enhancement that tops it off.

So here’s the thing – I may not be the biggest lover of rom-coms, as most tend to be pretty cheesy. But there are some men out there from both movies and TV that I have fallen for – many of which have completely ruined me for real life and have set my standards way too high. And while I’ve been in a committed relationship for several years now, there are just some fictional guys that do it for me – so today, we’ll be going over the top ones. 

Chandler Bing (Friends)

I know that out of everyone in the Friends cast, people talk about Joey being the cutest or however you want to play it, but for me, it’s always been Chandler. I don’t think there’s ever been a better interpretation of best friends to lovers than him with Monica, and I swear to God, he loves her so much. In today’s world, it’s rare to find someone as loving as Chandler Bing. 

Graham Simpkins (The Holiday)

Because who isn’t attracted to Jude Law? But on a real note, Graham Simpkins in The Holiday is probably a clear example of a great movie boyfriend. He’s straightforward with his feelings, is sweet, and somehow still looks good even when he’s pouring his entire heart out. Every time I see him on my TV screen, I know it’s Christmas time again. 

Kevin (Shameless)

Shameless is hands-down one of the best Showtime shows, but you want to know how it’s one of the best characters. Kev, and how he absolutely adores Veronica. This man will go with whatever his wife says or wants and do anything to make her happy, even if it’s totally out there and nonsensical, but he has a good heart – and that’s all that really matters in the end, if we’re being honest. 

Ian Miller (My Big Fat Greek Wedding)

Any man—and I mean any man—who is not from a Greek Orthodox family but is willing to learn all the traditions and rules that it entails while throwing themselves into a huge and intense family is a man worth loving. Trust me—as someone who is dating a Greek Orthodox person, this movie is the most clear-cut example of what it’s like—and how loving Ian Miller truly is. 

Gomez (The Addams Family)

Any portrayal of Gomez, whether it be older versions or Luis Guzmán from the Wednesday cast, sets our standards so high. There is no other man in movies and TV who loves his wife more than Gomez loves Morticia. That’s the kind of love that we take to the grave – and it’s something that they clearly intend to do as well. 

Troy Bolton (High School Musical Franchise)

Okay, so maybe this is little me who absolutely adored Troy Bolton and the High School Musical movies, but Troy really was the perfect teen boyfriend. While he certainly had his moments of selfishness (as all teenagers do), he cared for both his friends and, of course, Gabriella, trying to figure out how he could work things out while making everyone happy. That’s dedication. 

Flynn Rider (Tangled)

Oh, Flynn. I swear to God, this man was the love of my life when I was about twelve years old and pretty much set me up for the type of men I would have crushes on in movies and TV. He literally sacrificed his life to cut off Rapunzel's hair so she could be free from Mother Goethel. That is love right there. 

Jesse (Full House)

Every girl at some point in their lives had a crush on Jesse from Full House. I mean, if we’re being honest, the entire Full House cast was good-looking, and all had their fair share of good traits, but Jesse was just another level of dreamboat man – and John Stamos plays him. You can’t get much better than that. 

Augustus Waters (The Fault In Our Stars)

You know how every girl always has that one character that absolutely shatters their soul at a young age? Yeah, Augustus Waters was mine. When I saw The Fault in Our Stars in the theater at the ripe age of fourteen years old, I was beside myself with this teenager and how lovely he was and I was devastated by the end. He was the epitome of mindfulness and listening to what the other person wanted. 

Prince Philip (Sleeping Beauty)

He literally slayed a dragon for Aurora. He got off his horse and took on a whole mythical beast. You can’t raise your standards higher than that. Honestly, he’s underrated when it comes to Disney princes. 

Charlie (The Perks Of Being A Wallflower)

To this day, I don’t think I have ever met a more sensitive soul than Charlie from The Perks of Being a Wallflower. He’s not precisely the hunky type, obviously, but there’s something about Charlie’s sensitivity and how much he truly cares about others that makes me want someone just like him, and I could only imagine how those feelings would adapt as he grew older. 

Kristoff (Frozen)

While we all anxiously wait for more Frozen movies, let’s be honest here and say that Kristoff is actually one of the best Disney princes because he’s real. He doesn’t hide behind fancy suits and high titles. He’s an ordinary man who loves his reindeer and his trade, and he clearly loves Anna. Sometimes, that is literally all you need. 

Matt Flamhaff (13 Going On 30)

As someone who had an unhealthy obsession with this movie and the 13 Going On 30 cast, Matt Flamhaff was the movie's boyfriend for a long time. He’s loyal and sweet and tells it like it is, even when he and Jenna haven’t been in contact for years in the film. I really, really love it. 

Simon Bassett (Bridgerton)

When Bridgerton was first released back in 2020, it seemed that everyone was focused on Simon Bassett, and while the character hasn’t been in the show since the first season, he is undoubtedly still highly handsome and was able to beat his trauma in order to be with the women he loved and give her the child she desperately wanted. They’re both not perfect, but I think they work well for each other, and she helped him become a better version of himself. 

Noah Calhoun (The Notebook)

Noah from The Notebook is the definition of a man who waits. Who waits for just that single chance to be with the person he wants and craves more than anything in this world. There’s a reason why people love Noah and cry every time they watch this movie. He’s just that romantic, even if he comes from nothing. It just goes to show that love has no boundaries. 

Jake Perry (Sweet Home Alabama)

Oh, there is nothing like little kids meeting, falling in love, falling out, and then coming back together. Jake Perry is that and more. While he’s almost as stubborn as Melanie, he knows how to keep up with her like no one else and still loves her just as much to this day. I just get all warm and tingly inside when I watch this film. 

Nick Young (Crazy Rich Asians)

Nick is just uncomplicated. He’s uncomplicated and a good guy who happens to have a boatload of money and loves his girlfriend even more than his family. Do you know how many men are portrayed as being emotionally closed off but have fortunes? So many. So many. But Nick is just good – and that’s really what matters if we’re being honest. 

Edward Lewis (Pretty Woman)

Oh, Edward. Pretty Woman was one of those films that I ended up watching as a teenager, and it became a comfort film. It’s certainly one of Julia Roberts’ best rom-coms, but Edward, in general, is the definition of “I Can Change Him.” A man with money and emotionally closed off but learns how to appreciate life and open himself up to someone new – like, come on. Plus, Richard Gere is always a win. 

Jack Dawson (Titanic)

Good god, Jack Dawson was every teenage girl’s dream back in the 1990s. I mean, I wasn't even born yet when Titanic was released, but I can see the appeal even now. Even if he comes from nothing, he has a good soul, is quippy and handsome, and has an appeal for breaking the rules and having fun. He’s like a good, bad boy, if that makes sense.

Nick (New Girl)

Okay, I want to preface this by saying that I mean Nick from later seasons of New Girl. I think he had some serious growing up to do for a bit, but once he started to date Jess and especially when they ended up getting back together later down the line, he really turned into a great boyfriend, a good listener, and he’s just funny. Sometimes, all you need is a jokester. 

Mr. Darcy (Pride And Prejudice)

Mr. Darcy was the pride of my entire generation. I can’t tell you how many people are so focused on this man, how just his movements and how he shows his love are everything. This film is the epitome of an enemies-to-lovers movie, and yes, I eat it up every single time, no matter what. 

Westley (The Princess Bride)

What makes Westley such a great pick from The Princess Bride is that he knows when to listen. He knows when to take charge and save the people he cares about, but he also knows when to back off and listen to those around him. He’s brave but not stubborn, and so many men are the complete opposite in films. We need more of him, and I will stand on that hill.

Luke (Gilmore Girls)

I think Luke is another example of the type of man that we all fall for at least once in television shows. And what makes him such a great pick is that he waited. He waited for eight years so that that woman he loved would be ready for him, and that isn’t just the most romantic thing you have ever heard. I mean, he even kept a picture of her in his wallet, for crying out loud. 

William Thacker (Notting Hill)

God, William Thacker is such a sweetheart. I love him so much. Notting Hill, in general, is a great rom-com, but Thacker is what makes it so good. He stumbles over his words, but he is sweet and has this whole nerdy thing going for him that works handsomely. Hugh Grant plays him, so you can’t really get much better than that.

Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead)

It’s Rick Grimes. The Rick Grimes. The entire The Walking Dead cast is excellent, but I don’t think any other man comes close to Rick Grimes and what he has done for his family. He’s ripped out the throats of people to protect them. He’s looked for hours to find his family. And, of course, he and Michonne’s romance is the perfect example of slow-burn. 

Patrick Verona (10 Things I Hate About You)

Heath Ledger is obviously a well-known actor who had plenty of critically acclaimed roles back in the early and later 2000s, but I’ll always remember him as Patrick Verona in 10 Things I Hate About You. He was the boy who ended up loving the girl he didn’t expect to and the boy who sang on the steps. Granted, he started off just wanting to make extra money, but we all know he ended up falling in the end. 

Hercules (Hercules)

I want to specify that I’m talking about Disney’s version of Hercules, not the mythical version because the Greek Gods were not super great people. However, this version of Hercules is actually the best and sets my standards so high. Hercules is an underrated film, but the fact that the titular character dives into a literal pool of death to save his loved one makes him that much more attractive. 

Anthony Bridgerton (Bridgerton)

While Anthony Bridgerton certainly has an acquired taste (we all know those side-burns were not doing him any favors in Season 1), he’s really grown on me in Bridgerton, and honestly, the third season did me in. He just loves his wife. He’s so dedicated to her and just wants to make her happy, and any kind of man that does that is worth it. 

Ricky Ricardo (I Love Lucy)

Ricky Ricardo is the blueprint of the best TV husbands. Married to Lucy in I Love Lucy, he somehow is able to put up with Lucy’s schemes, and though she drives him crazy, he still loves her in the end and makes her feel safe at home. These two were such a great example of a loving relationship in the earlier years of TV. 

Jack Pearson (This Is Us)

The This Is Us cast is insanely talented, but let me tell you, Milo Ventimiglia set my standards insanely high when I started watching this show and seeing him as Jack Pearson. I mean, he is a loving husband, a doting father, and a hard worker—that’s the recipe. And of course, throw in a little dash of his own trauma, and it adds complexity. I will forever be a Jack Pearson lover. 

Mr. Sheffield (The Nanny)

Mr. Sheffield is the type of life I think we all secretly want—to work as a nanny, fall for the rich man who hired us, and somehow become a part of his family. But I think the reason I love him so much is that he’s able to keep up with Fran, which is hard. Fran knows what she wants and is an independent woman, but he is with her every step of the way, and I love it. 

Grey Worm (Game Of Thrones)

I didn’t think I’d be putting anyone from the Game of Thrones cast on this list, but thinking about it, I realize that Grey Worm is definitely high-ranking. He and Missandei don’t have the kind of relationship you would expect, and it’s not perfect, but there is no denying his love for her and how much he wants to keep her safe, doing anything in his power to do so. And he’s a great fighter, so there’s a plus there. It makes their relationship that much more tragic towards the end of the series. 

This just makes me want to rewatch every single one of these shows and movies again. I think it’s time for a marathon with some wine and fun times. 

Some movies you can just watch over and over, like the ones on this list. There are a lot of great movies out there, some films you can only watch once, like Schindler's List, but others, like the ones on this list, never get old. Here's our list of the most rewatchable movies we know. 

The Big Lebowski

One of the things that makes the Coen Brothers' masterpiece The Big Lebowski is how The Dude and other characters learn things along the way and use those new facts and lines later in the movie. It's something you might never notice if you didn't watch the movie over and over and that kind of thing will not stand. Not to mention it has some really classic lines that are endlessly quotable. 

Clueless

As if we'd ever get bored of watching Clueless. There are so many great characters, from Cher (Alicia Silverstone) to Tai (Brittany Murphy) to Mr. Hall (Wallace Shawn), that we could watch over and over just to watch one character each time. 

The Dark Knight

Of all the comic movies that have been released in the 21st Century, there is one performance that will always stand above all the others. Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight ranks among the best roles ever seen on film, superhero movies or otherwise. It's so good that it literally never gets old or stale. There is something to behold every time you watch the movie. 

Die Hard

Watching Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman face off in Die Hard is the main reason the movie will always be rewatchable. Both put in some of the best performances of their careers and even though there have been many Die Hard sequels, none of them quite have the charm and magic that the original has. 

Dirty Dancing

For decades now people have been having the time of their lives watching Dirty Dance on repeat. The music, the dancing, the love story... it brings audiences along for a realistic, yet fantastical story all in one. It's been beloved for years for a reason. 

Dazed And Confused

Dazed And Confused is among the best movies about high school ever made. It's also one of the best movies of the 1990s, though it's set in the '70s. Those aren't the qualities that make it so rewatchable. It's simply the amazing cast and the endless amounts of quotable lines those actors deliver. It's always pleasurable to watch actors like Paker Posey, Ben Affleck, Cole Hauser, and Matthew McConaughey so early in their careers. 

Back To The Future

There is a level of rewatchability to all three Back To The Future movies, but the first still stands way above the sequels. It's a movie so fun and so well-paced that you never get bored, even if it's the 150th time you've watched it. 

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Everything Everywhere All at Once has a lot going on. It's a movie worth watching again and again if for no other reason than it's easy to miss stuff the first, or even fifth time you watch it. The concept is so cool and so well executed, and the acting performances are so good, that it's impossible to get bored with the film. 

The Godfather

Though the entry just says The Godfather, this could really count for either Part I or Part II, as both are among the most rewatchable movies ever. There is a reason they both consistently rank among the best movies ever made. The acting performances are amazing, the dialog is incredible, and Francis Ford Coppola's directing is as good as it gets on film. 

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 1

Let's be honest, there are quite a few movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that you can watch over and over. There is one that stands above the rest though. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 1 has great music and great quotes, which are two things that really make movies forever rewatchable. It's just a really fun movie with some of the most fun characters in the whole universe. 

Legally Blonde

If you want to know how valuable Elle Woods can be, just try to stop watching Legally Blonde when you randomly come across it. It can't be done. It's filled with quotable lines and one of the most charming performances of Reese Witherspoon's stellar career. 

The Princess Bride

From Gen Xers to Zoomers, The Princess Bride has become part of millions of people's childhood. It's a movie that kids and adults can watch over and over, finding different wonderful things about it, depending on your maturity level. No matter how many times you watch, you can always find something new to observe and love about The Princess Bride. 

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Who doesn't love Indiana Jones? The character, played of course by the great Harrison Ford, has become one of the most enduring movie heroes of all time. Well into the 21st Century, Hollywood is coming up with new adventures for the old archeologist. In the end, it all goes back to the beginning though, with the O.G. movie, Raider of the Lost Ark. 

Clue

If you were to ask around the staff of Cinemablend what off-beat comedy is their favorite, there is a decent chance Clue would be the answer you get. If for no other reason, the movie can be - and should be - watched over and over just for Tim Curry's amazing, manic, hilarious performance as The Butler...who butles and creates absolute mayhem. 

The Shawshank Redemption

It's hard for people to believe that The Shawshank Redemption wasn't a big hit in theaters. For whatever reason, it failed to find an audience. That all changed when the movie hit cable TV and became one of the most-watched movies in movie history. It was on TV all the time because people watched it all the time, over and over. 

Jurassic Park

The moment in Jurassic Park when Dr. Grant (Sam Neill) and Dr. Sattler (Laura Dern) see the dinosaurs for the first time, with John Williams' amazing score swelling in the background is such a great movie moment, that you can watch it over and over and a tear will still come to your eye. Now throw in all the other great parts and you have a seriously rewatchable movie. 

The Lion King

Disney sure knows how to make movies that kids and adults alike can watch over and over. We could really pick almost any of their classic cartoons here, but The Lion King is so good it's been remade into a live-action hit and one of the most successful Broadway shows of all time. All three are eminently rewatchable. 

Mean Girls

You know if a movie gets a remake less than 20 years after it was originally made, especially when that remake is based on a Broadway musical adaptation, it must be a movie you can watch over and over. Fans of Means Girls just can't get enough of the comedy, both on stage and screen. 

The Wolf Of Wall Street

If you're a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, or bad language, The Wolf Of Wall Street is likely a movie you've watched numerous times, right? And why wouldn't you? It's an almost perfect movie. Much of the story is tragic, but the ride to get there is wild. 

9 To 5

Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda are three national treasures. Put them in a movie where they torture their horrible boss played by the late great Dabney Coleman and you've got the recipe for a movie that people will never get bored of, just like 9 to 5.

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars fans can watch any of the many movies over and over. All movie fans can watch Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back over and over, however. You don't have to be obsessed with every bit of Star Wars lore to absolutely love Empire. It's the best of the movies and one of the best movies ever made. It's got some of the craziest action scenes, the coolest characters, and the best plot twist of all time, at least according to many. It's simply the best. 

10 Things I Hate About You

When a movie is a hit with teenagers, especially one as popular as 10 Things I Hate About You, you can bet it'll be a rewatchable movie. Throw in some breakout performances by Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Julia Stiles, a plot based on a Shakespeare play, and you've got all the ingredients you need for a massive hit that people will watch again and again. 

Fight Club

The first rule of Fight Club might be don't talk about Fight Club, but no one really follows that rule, and the second rule might as well be, "watch Fight Club over and over and quote it endlessly" because that's what Fight Club really is. Like many of director David Fincher's movies, Fight Club is so well done that you see something new in it every time you watch, just like many of the great movies on this list. 

Titanic

To paraphrase the late, great Jerry Garcia, Titanic is like black licorice. Not everyone likes it, but the people that do like it, really like it. The James Cameron mega-hit isn't for everyone, in fact, it might have as many haters as it does lovers, but those who do love it never get bored with watching the wonderful sets and spectacular effects that the movie is best known for. 

The Matrix

While it's true that the Matrix trilogy had diminishing returns, there is no denying how amazing and groundbreaking the first one was. It still has a hold on popular culture, decades after its initial release. While some fans may not go back to the three sequels, the original is still a favorite for everyone that was red-pilled from the beginning. 

Pretty Woman

As rom-coms go, you can't get more perfect than Pretty Woman. Sure, the plot is a little dated and in some ways problematic, but the performances from the leads, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, and the side characters, like Jason Alexander and Hector Elizondo are so good, it allows us to overlook the aging flaws of the movie and watch it again and again with nothing but joy. 

Gladiator

It really doesn't matter how many times you seen Gladiator, you are still going to jump up out of your seat when Maximus (Russell Crowe) reveals himself to Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). it's a moment in cinema history that will stand the test of time and still be a classic centuries from now. 

Jaws

It's no accident that Jaws is on this list. It's considered the first "summer blockbuster" but it's so much more. The characters are so well-developed that you can't help but root for all of them, except the mayor, of course. Sure the shark looks a little dated, but director Steven Spielberg did such an amazing job building the suspense by not seeing the shark, that it's easy to look past the 1970s movie magic.

The Great Escape

On Christmas in the United States, we watch things like A Christmas Story and It's a Wonderful Life every year. In the UK, they watch The Great Escape. We'll admit, that's a pretty amazing tradition because despite its nearly three-hour runtime, there is never a dull moment and it proves that longer is often better. The all-star cast and sharp direction keep the movie humming along from the time they are all locked up until they all get locked up again after the escape. 

The Incredibles

The Incredibles was an incredible hit for Pixar in 2004. Just like many Pixar and Disney movies before and after it, it became an indelible part of millions of kids' childhoods and even as they've aged, they still love the Parr family. While it took 16 years, when a sequel was finally made in 2018, it took in a cool $1.2 billion, attesting to just how loved (and watched) the original was and is. 

A League of Their Own

We all know that there is no crying in baseball because we've all seen Tom Hanks say it a million times as we've watched A League of Their Own over and over. All the characters are so unique and memorable that it's like watching an old friend every time it's on. 

Caddyshack

Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and Ted Knight are four of the most quotable actors of all time. When you put them all in the same movie, and give them some of the best lines ever written, it's no surprise that Caddyshack is the kind of movie that people watch so often they end up memorizing it. Dangerfield, a king of the one-liner, is especially great in this one. 

Growing a beard is easy for many people, but growing a really great looking one is not always so easy. When an actor grows a great bit of facial hair for a role, sometimes you just have to admire how much heavy lifting it does for the character. Like these 32 examples of great facial hair actors have grown for movies roles. 

Tom Hanks - Cast Away

Tom Hanks is usually clean-shaven in movies. Unless that movie is Cast Away when he grew one of the greatest beards in Hollywood history. It's easy to admire the commitment not just to the beard, but the wild, unkept nature of that amazing beard. It's truly a work of art in the sloppiest of ways. Sloppy in the best way. 

Hugh Jackman - Logan

The amount of work that Hugh Jackman has put in whenever he's starred as Wolverine in numerous movies is amazing. The beard is the easiest thing he has to do, given the shape he has to get himself in at the gym. But let's not discount how great the beard is in each out. It's sculpted just as much as his biceps. 

Kurt Russell - Tombstone

The great Kurt Russell has had some amazing facial hair over the years. The Hateful Eight comes to mind, and he's played Santa Claus. You have to say that his finest work came as Wyatt Earp in Tombstone. There may be no better facial hair movie than Tombstone and even then, Russell's amazing mustache is a stand-out. 

Robert Redford - Jeremiah Johnson

Robert Redford is another actor that, for the most part, stays pretty clean-shaven. Of course, in Jeremiah Johnson, he's goes way in the other direction with one of the greatest, bushiest, most meme-able beards ever. Of course, you can't hide the man's legendary good looks and the beard makes that so much more obvious. It's just spectacular. 

Harrison Ford - The Fugitive

Harrison Ford hasn't grown a beard for many roles, and you have to say his best was in the The Fugitive. It doesn't make it very far into the movie, as he shaves it when he escapes, but while he has it, it's a true beauty. It's a weird satisfying scene when he shaves it, too. 

Mark Hamill - Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker

In the original Star Wars trilogy Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) was still a baby-faced kid. For the the final trilogy, Luke is a grizzled, worn-down Jedi and has taken on a look much more like his mentor, Obi Wan, than his younger self. It's a shocking moment when he turns around and he's got that beard, but it's wonderful all the same. 

Wes Bentley - The Hunger Games

Seneca Crane's beard, grown by actor Wes Bentley, is truly a sculpted work of art. Citizens of The Capital in The Hunger Games have some wild styles and Crane's beard is a perfect example. It almost looks like CGI is so well barbered. You need an artist to shave you to get a look that good. 

Daniel-Day Lewis - Gangs Of New York

Everything about Bill The Butcher's (Daniel Day-Lewis) hair choices is interesting. The greasy, matted-down hair is a perfect match to the handlebar mustache. While many growing a handlebar would look like a clown, it only makes Bill more fearsome. Like, it's terrifying and yet looks so darn good. 

Bill Murray - The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou

The great Bill Murray usually doesn't act with a beard, but you can't play an undersea explorer without a good-looking beard. As Steve Zissou in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, Murray has one of the most dignified beards on this list. It's nothing over the top, it's just what you want from the character. 

Al Pacino - Serpico

Serpico's beard sounds like something Will Ferrell would say in an outtake for Anchorman, but really it's Al Pacino's beard as the character of the same name in the movie Serpico. It's a wonderful beard and one of the rare times Pacino has acted with one, especially a full beard. It's a beard that would make any man jealous. 

Tom Cruise - Tropic Thunder

Tropic Thunder is an outrageous movie, due in no small part to Tom Cruise relatively small part. His character as the jerk of all jerks is so amazing and his look is as outrageous as anything else in the movie. It's hilarious and disturbing, just like his character. 

Robert Pattinson - The Lighthouse

Robert Pattinson claims that he hates having to grow facial hair for a role, but he sure does it well. The Lighthouse is maybe the best example of this, as he sports an amazing mustache in that movie. Not everyone can grow something that beautiful, so he should be proud, even if it annoyed him. 

Joaquin Phoenix - I'm Still Here

Joaquin Phoenix went all in on his method acting for I'm Still Here, in which he played a fictionalized version of himself. For the "role," he grew out his beard to immense proportions that was reminiscent of Jim Morrison before his death. His bizarre appearance on David Letterman (in character) remains one of Phoenix's finest moments, as viewers didn't know if it was real or fake (and Phoenix might not of either). The beard played a big role. 

Leonardo DiCaprio - The Revenant

In addition to his immense acting ability, Leonardo DiCaprio's baby-faced good looks are part of what has made him such a bankable star for so long. He rarely looks less than his handsome best. In The Revenant, however, he went all out to look like a grizzled fur trapper in the 19th century. It's not his best look, but it is still very good. 

Remi Malik - Bohemian Rhapsody

Freddy Mercury had an all-time great mustache and to play him, Remi Malik just had to have one similar. It might even be better, but for argument's sake, we'll call it a tie. It's an amazing 'stache and really helped Malik bring the singer back to life. 

Joe Pantoliano - The Matrix

Joe Pantoliano's character in The Matrix is really well defined by the actor's facial hair. It looks cool, like a lot of the style choices in the movie, but it also feels like you can't trust him. The mistrust is, of course, well warranted when he betrays the rest of the crew. 

Sean Connery - The Hunt For Red October

Sean Connery has had some great facial hair over the years, though the role he is most famous for, James Bond, was always clean-shaven. For this list though, we had to choose just the classic beard he grew for The Hunt For Red October. It's exactly what you expect from a career naval officer from any country. 

Dustin Hoffman - Hook

If you're going to play Captain Hook, you better have a great mustache. Dustin Hoffman certainly does not disappoint in Hook. Sure, it's far from a perfect movie, but you can't say that about Hoffman's awesome curly-cue mustache. 

Henry Cavill - Mission: Impossible - Fallout

Yes, Henry Cavill's mustache in Mission: Impossible - Fallout is a really great bit of facial hair. That's not the only reason it's on this list though. The mustache is infamous because while filming the movie, the Superman actor had to switch gears and do re-shoots for Justice League. The producers of Fallout didn't want him to shave, so he did the reshoots with the 'stache, then it was CGI'd out. It's not a great CGI job either, though it must have been an almost impossible task, no pun intended. 

Will Ferrell - Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy

A great mustache was a must in 1970s TV newsrooms and in Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy, Will Ferrell's is one of the best ever. There is nothing fancy about it, no handlebars or curly cues, but it is a true beauty. It's a mustache that evokes complete trust in what the talking head is telling his audience. Stay classy, Ron Burgundy. 

John Krasinski - A Quiet Place

The director and star of A Quiet Place, John Krasinski, is often seen sporting a beard these days, but before he filmed that movie, his most well-known parts were usually clean-shaven. It's nothing fancy, like others on this list, but it is impressive. Just a great, full beard that anyone would be proud to grow. 

Jeff Bridges - The Big Lebowksi

Later in his career, Jeff Bridges has had facial hair for a lot of roles, but early on, he was often clean-shaven. Arguably the best role of his career, The Dude in The Big Lebowski, has the perfect facial hair for the character. It's slightly unkempt with just enough grey to make The Dude look wise and world-weary, and, of course, lazy. And The Dude was most definitely a lazy man. 

Chris Hemsworth - Thor

The best part about Chris Hemsworth's beard, when he plays Thor, is that it just keeps getting better with each movie. It looks fuller and more impressive with every new movie and it's a beard that we've all become so accustomed to, it's weird to see the actor without it, though before playing Thor in the MCU, he was often without it. 

Sylvester Stallone - Rocky IV

Rocky is one of the most iconic characters in film history. Most of the time, the boxer is clean-shaven, so that makes the awesome training montage in Rocky IV that much better when he grows the beard. You can imagine being stuck in the cold Siberian winter, but you can't imagine it without a beard, right? Neither could Sylvester Stallone while playing Rocky. 

George Clooney - Syriana

George Clooney is an impossibly handsome man, and when he grows beards for roles, it only enhances that. It's literally impossible for the man to not look completely on point no matter what. Even his beards are perfect, as it is in Syriana. 

Alan Rickman - Die Hard

There is something so magical about a perfectly sculpted beard that doesn't look perfectly sculpted. Such is the case for Alan Rickman in Die Hard. He is the dapper terrorist, who looks good as he does evil. Rickman's performance is legendary, and the beard has to be included in that legacy. 

Viggo Mortensen - The Road

The Road is one of the most intense post-apocalypse movies ever made and anyone who survived the end of the world would certainly have a scruffy beard. Viggo Mortensen grew a beauty for the movie to play a father trying to survive with his son. It looks like he has shaved in weeks, or even slept much in that time. He certainly hasn't bathed in a while. It takes dedication to grow a beard that looks this rough. 

Mandy Patinkin - The Princess Bride

For Homeland, Mandy Patinkin grew a monster beard, but maybe his best facial work came with a much more subtle work of facial art. His mustache in The Princess Pride is truly wonderful. It evokes the great Douglas Fairbanks or Cary Grant with its classic look, perfect for the role. 

Gerard Butler - 300

Everything about Gerard Butler in 300 is over-the-top. His physique, his acting, his fighting, and, of course, his beard. It's as masculine as a beard can get. It's as tough as his character and you almost expect the beard to win the war. 

Robert Downey, Jr. - Iron Man

Iron Man/Tony Stark has become one of the most iconic movie characters of the 21st Century and the goatee that Robert Downey, Jr. sports is equally iconic at this point. It's the perfect facial hair choice for the ego-driven Tony Stark. It's good-looking and confident, just like Stark. It's also not completely trustworthy, yet reassuring. It a tough line to walk and the beard works. 

Samuel L. Jackson - Pulp Fiction

Everything about Samuel L. Jackson's hair choices in Pulp Fiction is amazing. The hair on his head is great, the hair on his cheeks is great, and the handlebar mustache is great. It's hard to imagine Jules Winfield looking any differently. It especially all works together with the black suit he's in for much of the movie. 

Kenneth Branagh - Agatha Christie Movies

This one is a bit of an honorable mention because Kenneth Branagh didn't actually grow this work of art that his character Hercule Poirot has. He tried, but couldn't. It's such an iconic part of the character in the Agatha Christie novels, that it had to be perfect. And it is. So it might be a prop, but it's too amazing not to include. 

The Princess Bride has a great story, sure, it's the funny lines that keep us all coming back again and again. With an all-star delivering some of the best lines ever written, by author William Goldman, who also wrote the book it's based on. It's a movie fans can watch over and over and over. It would be impossible to include every line on a list like this without just typing up the whole script, so here are just a few of our favorite quotes from The Princess Bride. In no particular order. 

My brains, his steel, and your strength against sixty men, and you think a little head-jiggle is supposed to make me happy? - Westley

After Westley (Cary Elwes) is saved by Miracle Max, he, Inigo, and Fezzick strategize on how to best storm the castle to rescue Buttercup (Robin Wright). Since Westley isn't fully recovered, Fezzick tries to encourage him by celebrating him for moving his head. Westley knows they need more than a head jiggle to win the battle. 

Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates? Morons - Vizzini

Vizzini (Wallace Shawn) is a wonderful character and a terrible man. Hired to start a war, he thinks he is much smarter than he actually is. Comparing yourself to three of the most important philosophers of Western thought is pure hubris. Of course, he would come to regret it, but not for long. 

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. - Inigo

"Inconceivable" is Vizzini's favorite word, and he never misses an opportunity to use it. It's conceivable that he's not always using it correctly, as Inigo (Mandy Patankin) points out as they stand above the cliff waiting for the unidentified pursuer to reach them.

Anybody want a peanut? - Fezzick

One of the funniest moments in the whole movie comes as Ingio, Vezzini, and Fezzick (Andre The Giant) sail away from Florin with their captive, Buttercup, in tow. Fezzick has "a great gift of rhyme" and when Vizzini says "No more rhymes and I mean it," Fezzick responds with his gem. 

Have fun stormin' da castle. - Miracle Max

The character Miracle Max provided Billy Crystal with some of the best lines of his career, including one that has probably been quoted by people more often than any other in The Princess Bride. It works for so many occasions. 

You fell victim to one of the classic blunders - the most famous of which is "never get involved in a land war in Asia" - but only slightly less well-known is this: "Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line"! - Vizzini

Vizzini is extremely confident in his abilities. So much so that he assumes the battles of wits ended before it even began when Westley, as the Dread Pirate Roberts, challenged him to the dual. We all know how that worked out for the Sicilian. HA.

You mean, you'll put down your rock and I'll put down my sword, and we'll try and kill each other like civilized people? - Westley

After Westley bests Inigo with his sword, his next challenge is taking on the giant Fezzick. Vizzini wants Fezzick to take Westley out with a rock. Fezzick, the sweetheart that he is, doesn't think that is very fair, so he challenges Westley to a fistfight that the pirate still doesn't think is very fair. 

I'm not a witch, I'm your wife. But after what you just said, I'm not even sure I want to be that any more. - Valerie

Miracle Max's wife, Valerie (Carol Kane), is as funny a character as Max himself is. This list could just be lines from the two of them, if we're honest. Still, maybe the most memorable one is after Max rudely calls her a witch, even if that's kinda what she is, it's still not polite. She lets him know, too. 

Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die. - Inigo

This, without much debate, is the most iconic line in The Princess Bride. Maybe because Inigo repeats it six times in the movie, or maybe because revenge is the character's sole motivation. It's really because it's just such a great line and, after the fifth time he utters it, when Count Rugen (Christopher Guest) tells him to "stop saying that," we're all up and cheering. 

You've been mostly-dead all day. - Fezzick

Before they storm the castle, Westley is awoken from his death and wonders what is going on and when he doesn't feel well. Fezzick explains he's only been mostly dead, not all dead. 

Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up. Buttercup is marry Humperdinck in little less than half an hour. So all we have to do is get in, break up the wedding, steal the princess, make our escape... after I kill Count Rugen. - Inigo

While Westley is out of commission a lot happens. Inigo feels like he needs to explain, but with Buttercup getting married, there isn't much time. So he sums it all up nicely for Westley and the audience. 

You ARE the Brute Squad! - Miracle Max

Miracle Max isn't really interested in helping Inigo and Fezzick and threatens to call the Prince's brut squad. Fezzick tells him he's part of the squad and after Max eyes him up and down, he decides it's best to help them. 

The man I inherited it from is not the real Dread Pirate Roberts either. His name was Cummerbund. The real Roberts has been retired 15 years and living like a king in Patagonia.' - Westley

There is just something so funny about a pirate named after a part of a tuxedo. Cummerbund is a silly name for anyone, especially a pirate. If no one will surrender to the Dread Pirate Westley, surely no one will even listen to the Dread Pirate Cummerbund! 

And YOU: friendless, brainless, helpless, hopeless! Do you want me to send you back to where you were? Unemployed, in Greenland? - Vizzini

Vizzini really has no patience for anything or anyone. Without Fezzick, whom he yells at her, his plan to start a war between Florin and Guilder wouldn't be possible. Is Vizzini going to climb the Cliffs of Insanity by himself? He needs the giant. 

There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive. With all dead, well, with all dead there's usually only one thing you can do. Go through his pockets and look for loose change. - Miracle Max

It's a good thing that Inigo and Fezzick find Miracle Max. They don't even understand the difference between mostly dead and all dead. It's also lucky they found Westley in the Pit of Despair so quickly, otherwise they would just be going through his pockets as the credits rolled. 

Hold it, hold it. What is this? Are you trying to trick me? Is this a kissing book? - Grandson

When the grandpa (Peter Falk) comes over to read his grandson (Fred Savage) The Princess Bride, he tells him about all the exciting stuff in the book, but the unnamed grandson is still skeptical. When Westley and Buttercup kiss for the first time, the grandson has had enough and wonders just what kind of book this is.

My way's not very sportsman-like. - Fezzick

Fezzick, like Andre the Giant in real life, is just a sweet guy with a scary body. When he asks Vizzini what "his way" is in taking out the masked Westley, Vizzini tells Fezzick to hit him in the head with a rock. Fezzick, bless his heart, doesn't think highly of that idea. Fisticuffs it is! 

Mawwige is whut bwings us togevveh today. - The Impressive Clergyman

Really, the whole marriage (or Mawwige) ceremony as presented by "The Impressive Clergyman" is hilarious. It's not just the "Mawwige" line. The clergyman, played by legendary British comedian Peter Cook, struggles through the whole thing until he's forced to say "man and wife."

Ah, there you are. Inigo, I saw the Prince's stables, and there they were, four white horses. And I thought, there are four of us, if we ever find the lady. Hello lady! - Fezzick

One great example of just how thoughtful and sweet Fezzick the giant is comes at the end of the movie when he finds four horses for the team to ride – if they find the lady. Hello lady! 

Oh, my sweet Westley! What have I done? - Buttercup

Buttercup doesn't get many purely comedic moments in the movie. Her funniest line isn't really for the line itself, but for what happens immediately after it. When Buttercup pushes the masked Westley down the steep hill, only to hear him say that famous line "as you wish," she hurls herself down with him and all props to the stunt double for the way they took that hill, it's a hilarious bit of physicality as she bumps herself down the hill. 

You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles. - Miracle Max

Miracle Max is willing to help but on his own timetable. Inigo tries to explain they are in a hurry, as Buttercup is about to marry, but as Max explains, you can't rush a good miracle. And don't go swimming for a good hour, either. 

Yes, you're very smart. Shut up. - Grandpa

Peter Falk's grandfather character is very patient with his grandson, but even he has his limits. You have to figure that towards the end of the story, even he is tired and wants to wrap things up, so when the grandson says he "knew" that Buttercup wouldn't marry Humperdink, Grandpa tells him to shut up. It's one of the most underrated lines in the whole movie. 

I only dog paddle. - Fezzick

When Buttercup jumps into the water to escape her kidnappers, she doesn't count on the screeching eels. Inigo can't save her because he doesn't swim, and poor Fezzick only dog paddles. 

I wasn't nervous. Maybe I was a little bit concerned, but that's not the same thing. - Grandson

When Buttercup is in the water with the eels, the grandson is tightly clinching his blanket. This prompts the grandfather to explain that Buttercup will be fine. Keeping his cool, the grandson recovers and tells his grandfather he is actually nervous. 

EVERYBODY MOVE! - Fezzick

When Inigo and Fezzick are rushing to rescue Westley and Buttercup, they face a mob of peasants blocking their route. Luckily all it takes is one big scream to move from Fezzick to clear a path. 

Murdered by pirates is good... - Grandson

At first, the grandson is looking for any reason to like the story. A farm boy being murdered by pirates is a good start, apparently. At least it's not a kissing book. 

Humperdinck! Humperdinck! Humperdinck! - Valerie

Carol Kane matches Billy Crystal beat for beat as Miracle Max's wife Valerie. One of her best lines is all about her delivery, just repeating the prince's name over and over, driving Max crazy. It also spurs him to action. 

Am I going MAD, or did the word "think" escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic land mass. - Vizzini

No one delivers an insult like Wallace Shawn and, as Vizinni, he's full of them. Like laying into Fezzick after the giant dared to think about killing Buttercup. Fezzick is right, but Vizinni is really funny.

You surely are a meanie. - Fezzick

One line that really slips under the radar is when Fezzick tracks down a very drunk Inigo and tries to sober him up. Inigo is full of insults, and Fezzick lets him know as only he can, nicely. 

You must be that little Spanish brat I taught a lesson to all those years ago. You've been chasing me your whole life only to fail now? I think that's about the worst thing I've ever heard. How marvelous. - Count Rugen

Of all the cast members, Christopher Guest is one of the funniest writers and directors, but his role as Count Rugen is so understated (and great) that he doesn't have a lot of laugh-out-loud lines. The best exception is after he stabs Inigo, but before Inigo recovers. 

He's right on top of us. I wonder if he is using the same wind we are using. - Inigo

As the kidnappers make their way to the Cliffs of Insanity, Inigo can't help but think the mysterious boat behind them is following them. Vizinni may think it's just a local fisherman, but the audience (and Inigo) know better. 

A word, my lady. We are but poor, lost circus performers. Is there a village nearby? - Vizzini

When you have someone as diminutive as Wallace Shawn, and as huge as Andre The Giant, setting them for a line like this is just perfect. The visual is perfect, as is the setting. Everything about it, like the whole movie itself, is perfect. 

Somehow, there are people out there who are critical of The Princess Bride but after reading these quotes, which are just scratching the surface, it's hard to imagine why everyone doesn't love it. 

You can typically tell who is meant to be considered the “hero” of a movie by identifying the title role or looking at the top-billed cast member. However, there are many ‘80s movie characters who often go overlooked for the pivotal role they play in bringing things to a satisfying conclusion. We took a deeper look at some of the best movies of the 1980s, identified who we believe is the real hero, and decided to give them the credit they deserve.

Short Round (Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom)

While many like to criticize Raiders of the Lost Ark by claiming Indiana Jones' actions have no bearing on the plot, it is more surprising that Harrison Ford's intrepid archaeologist gets more credit for defeating the Thuggee Cult than he really deserves in the sequel. If not for Short Round (Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan in his debut role) freeing Indy from their captors' spell, 1984's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom would not have had the happy ending the bleak thriller so thankfully concludes on.

Sgt. Al Powell (Die Hard)

In arguably the greatest action movie ever made (let alone one of the best Christmas movies), 1988’s Die Hard, as John McClane (Bruce Willis) is single-handedly warring against violent thieves invading Nakatomi Plaza, his only real ally at ground zero is Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson). At the very end, the L.A. cop actually ends up taking out the last of Hans Gruber’s (Alan Rickman) goons, Karl (Alexander Gudunov), with the first shot he gained the courage to take in years.

Boy In Police Station (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

At the end of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the title character (Matthew Broderick) probably would have gotten caught without help from his sister, Jeanie (Jennifer Grey), who would not have been willing to help if she hadn't met Charlie Sheen's character at the police station. Not to mention, despite his off-putting appearance, the unnamed teen gives off a more genuine and endearing aura than the central character of John Hughes's 1986 classic.

George McFly (Back To The Future)

When Marty McFly's (Michael J. Fox) plan to get his future mother, Lorraine (Lea Thompson), and father, George (Crispin Glover), to fall in love goes awry courtesy of Biff (Tom Wilson), George gains the courage he needs to knock the ruthless bully out himself. This ensures that Marty will one day be born and changes his family's fate for the better at the end of the 1985 time travel movie masterpiece, Back to the Future.

Chunk (The Goonies)

Out of the entire Goonies cast — a stunning who’s who of future A-listers, including Sean Astin and Josh Brolin — it is Chunk (Jeff Cohen) who has the most memorable and inspiring character arc. He goes from being the butt of every joke to the one who helps rescue his buddies from The Fratellis (with help from Sloth, of course).

Jessica Rabbit (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

In 1988’s groundbreaking fusion of live-action with animation, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Jessica Rabbit (voiced by Kathleen Turner) assures private eye Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) that she is not bad, but “just drawn that way.” She goes on to prove that her words ring true by becoming a pivotal role in Valiant’s effort to clear her husband (Charles Fleischer in the title role) for murder.

Wang Chi (Big Trouble In Little China)

Kurt Russell may get top billing and his character, Jack Burton, may kill Lo Pan (James Hong) by the end, but did you ever notice that is really his only heroic act in 1986's Big Trouble in Little China? His Chinese-American best friend, Wang Chi (Dennis Dun), is the one who makes the smartest decisions and kicks the most butt in John Carpenter's cult-favorite fantasy that is lauded for its predominantly Asian cast at a time when such representation was scarce.

Rebecca "Newt" Jorden (Aliens)

Aliens may have solidified Sigourney Weaver's Scream Queen status and made a heroic icon out of her character, Ellen Ripley, but the most courageous and resourceful character in James Cameron's 1986 sci-fi sequel has to be Carrie Henn as Newt. The young girl manages to survive on a planet overrun with Xenomorphs all by herself before the arrival of a crew of marines, who also might not have survived as long as they did without her tips and tricks.

Rufus (Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure)

If you think about it, the plot of 1989’s Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure is not so different from The Terminator, which makes George Carlin's Rufus the sci-fi comedy's own Kyle Reese. The time-traveler ensures a bright future by helping the titular messianic duo (Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter) at every turn, including in 1991’s Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey when he disguises himself as Pam Grier’s character, Mrs. Wardroe, to let them into Battle of the Bands.

The Ewoks (Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi)

There are many Star Wars fans who see the Ewoks as nothing but a cheap  gimmick to attract younger audiences to the franchise. Whether or not that is true, the cute, cuddly warriors were pivotal to the Empire's downfall at the end of 1983’s Return of the Jedi.

Grandpa (The Princess Bride)

In 1987’s The Princess Bride, there is no real doubt that Westley (Cary Elwes), Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), and Fezzik (Andre the Giant) are the heroes of the enchanting, action-packed fairy tale. However, to us, the hero of the whole movie is Peter Falk's character, who takes the time to visit his ill grandson (Fred Savage) and read to him the story within the story.

Roy Batty (Blade Runner)

The main protagonist of 1982’s Blade Runner is, of course, Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard, but his job as a cop assigned to retire Replicants makes him a better qualifier for the villain of the story. It is Roy Batty's (Rutger Hauer) bid to try to give artificial humans like himself a chance at a better, longer life that makes him the real hero of Ridley Scott's groundbreaking, futuristic noir.

Ophelia (Trading Places)

After losing everything as part of an experiment to make him poor and give his job to the impoverished Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy), hot shot investor Louis Winthorpe (Dan Aykroyd) crosses paths with a street walker named Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis). While she was initially hired by Clarence Beeks (Paul Gleason) to make life even worse for him, she takes him in, cares for him, and attempts to help him get back on his feet, making her the true hero of 1983’s Trading Places.

Cabbie (Escape From New York)

One of Kurt Russell’s most iconic roles is Snake Plissken — a hardened criminal tasked with rescuing the President (Donald Pleasance) from a penal colony that used to be Manhattan in a dystopian 1997 in John Carpenter’s 1981 cult favorite, Escape from New York. The only incarcerated individual who is selflessly willing to help the anti-hero complete his mission in time is Oscar winner Ernest Borgnine’s Cabbie, whose own taxi ends up being Snake’s escape vehicle.

Carl Fox (Wall Street)

Oliver Stone’s 1987 drama Wall Street chronicles the rise and fall of ambitious stockbroker Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), as a result of taking orders from the devil on his shoulder: the ruthless Gordon Gecko (Academy Award winner Michael Douglas). If only he had listened to the angel on his shoulder — his father and the moral center of the story, Carl (Sheen’s real-life father, Martin Sheen) — he might not have wound up behind bars.

Queen Aoleon (Coming To America)

In Coming to America, Akeem’s (Eddie Murphy) chances at a life with his true love, Lisa McDowell (Shari Headley), are almost ruined by his father, King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones), if not for the support of his mother, Queen Aoleon, who we assume talked sense into her husband offscreen. Her tender-hearted performance and truly majestic presence in the 1988 comedy makes us sad that the late Madge Sinclair could not reprise the role in 2021’ Coming 2 America.

Bub (Day Of The Dead)

Never did a horror fan have any reason to feel empathy or admiration for a zombie until writer and director George A. Romero introduced “Bub” in 1985’s Day of the Dead. Played by Sherman Howard, the reanimated corpse displays an unusual level of intelligence, endearing human characteristics, and a strong compassion for his handler, Dr. Matthew Logan (Richard Liberty) which drives him to seek vengeance on his murderer and the film’s true villain, Capt. Henry Rhodes (Joseph Pilato).

The Gopher (Caddyshack)

As far as we are concerned, anyone who proves to be a source of frustration for Judge Smails (Ted Knight) is on the side of heroism in the classic 1980 comedy, Caddyshack. That being said, absolutely no one gets under that man's skin like the Gopher who lives underneath Bushwood Country Club and makes burrows in the golf course grounds wherever he goes.

Cousin Eddie (National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation)

When Eddie (Randy Quaid, reprising his role from 1983’s Vacation) arrives at the Griswolds’ house unannounced, Clark (Chevy Chase) believes his holidays are destined for disaster. He is right, but his otherwise annoying and absent-minded cousin is responsible for very few of the uproarious mishaps in 1989’s National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. In fact, he really comes through at the end when he brings Clark’s boss, Frank Shirley (Brian Doyle-Murray), to the house, where he becomes ultimately convinced to give Clark the bonus he deserves.

Dawson (Adventures In Babysitting)

We are not just including Dawson, Vincent D’Onofrio’s garage mechanic character from 1987’s Adventure in Babysitter, because he happens to look like one of Marvel Comics’ iconic depiction of Thor. Then again, if not for that striking resemblance, he might not have been coerced into giving Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) a $5 dollar discount for her car repair by young Sara Anderson (Maia Brewton) who calls him her hero. 

Carl (The Breakfast Club)

The character who forever changed the way high schoolers perceive their custodial employees was Carl (John Kapelos) from 1985’s The Breakfast Club, who has a bit of a heart-to-heart with the nearly sadistic Richard Vernon (Paul Gleason). We like to think that the janitor's defense of the students in detention that day got through to the uptight teacher so, by the time he reads their letter at the end of John Hughes’ quintessential teen dramedy, he may have seen them in a new, more sympathetic light.

Vi Moore (Footloose)

In Guardians of the Galaxy, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) refers to Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) as the hero of Footloose for bringing the joys of dancing back to the small, conservative town of Bomont. However, there is one character from the 1984 classic of equal (or even greater) importance that he should have also mentioned: Vi Moore (Dianne Wiest), who breaks her long silence and ultimately convinces her strict preacher husband, Shaw (John Lithgow), to give the town’s youth the freedom the dance.

Billy Francis Kopecki (Big)

In 1988’s Big, when 13-year-old Josh’s (David Moscow) wish to be a grown-up mysteriously comes true, turning him into Tom Hanks, the only one coming to his aid (after some convincing) is his best friend, Billy (Jared Rushton). He tries to be there to get his buddy through his strange situation in any way he can, even helping him get a job, but when Josh starts act a little too grown-up, it is Billy who brings him back down to Earth, reminding him it is time become his real self again.

Mr. Green (Clue)

Determining the real hero of Clue depends on which ending of the 1985 board game-inspired whodunit you consider canon. The conclusion we like to settle on reveals that Mr. Green (Michael McKean) is an undercover FBI agent, which he announces after shooting Wadsworth (Tim Curry), who also turns out to be the real Mr. Boddy.

The Gyro Captain (The Road Warrior)

Things between Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) and a fellow loner known only as The Gyro Captain (Bruce Spence) get off to a rough start in the second installment of George Miller’s Mad Max franchise, released as The Road Warrior in the States. However, the gyrocopter pilot comes to see the hardened former cop as a great teammate, later rescues him from a near-fatal accident, and assists him in his race to bring the rig to the Oil Refinery compound.

Mrs. Parker (A Christmas Story)

There are countless cinematic mothers, especially from the 1980s, who deserve more credit than they receive, and the quintessential example has to be Melinda Dillon’s role in 1983’s A Christmas Story. The classic moment when she keeps her son, Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), out of trouble with The Old Man (Darren McGavin) after his tussle with Skut Farkus (Zach Ward) is just one way she shows her loving devotion to her family and undisputedly earning the honor to be called a hero. 

Curtis (The Blues Brothers)

The heart and soul of the best movie based on Saturday Night Live characters, The Blues Brothers, is Cab Calloway's Curtis, who served as a father figure for the titular siblings, introducing them to music in their youth. Not to mention, he motivates them to attend a church service that ends up giving them the idea to put the band back together to save the orphanage.

Ken Pile (A Fish Called Wanda)

It comes as a surprise to see the stuttering, accident-prone goof, Ken Pile (Michael Palin), take down the true antagonist of 1988’s A Fish of Wanda, Otto West (Oscar winner Kevin Kline). To avenge the death of his beloved fish, Ken runs over Otto with a steamroller when he is stuck in cement, seemingly putting an end to his career in thievery, until we discover at the end that he survived the ordeal. Nonetheless, to see Ken get even with his enemy is one of the hit comedy’s most satisfying moments.

Otto (Airplane!)

When food poisoning incapacitates the entire piloting staff on a commercial flight, former fighter pilot Ted Striker (Robert Hays) is asked to help bring the also ill passengers to safety, but he is not the only one equipped for the job. Lest we forget, a great deal of the classic 1980 spoof movie, Airplane! sees an inflatable automatic pilot — aptly named “Otto” — at the helm of the aircraft. 

Lt. Andrew Bogomil (Beverly Hills Cop)

When Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) first blows into town in 1984’s Beverly Hills Cop, he immediately comes at odds with Lt. Andrew Bogomil. However, because the Detroit detective helps Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and Taggert (John Ashton) take down local traffickers while he is supposed to be on vacation, he fabricates a story to cover for him and helps smooth things out with Inspector Todd.  

Yori (Tron)

In 1982’s Tron, Flynn (Jeff Bridges) and the title character (Bruce Boxleitner) might have never managed to take down the Master Control Program without the help of Yori (Cindy Morgan). She gives Tron the chance to get pivotal information from his user outside the grid after convincing a guard named Dumont to let him. 

Merlin (Top Gun)

At the end of 1986’s Top Gun, Maverick (Tom Cruise) is still reeling from the death of his best friend, Goose (Anthony Edwards), which distracts him from his current aerial battle. Luckily, Merlin (Tim Robbins) is in the other seat and helps bring him back to Earth, leading him to victory.

So, next time you watch a flick and think you know who the real hero is, think again.

From being the all-time greatest Oscars host to appearing in some of the best romantic comedies of all time to headlining a beloved Pixar animated film, Billy Crystal has been all over the place for the past half-century. During that time, he’s given movie and TV audiences countless lines, quips, and zingers that have become parts of our everyday lives. Here are 32 of those hilarious quotes that we just can’t get enough of…

"When I Buy A New Book, I Read The Last Page First." - When Harry Met Sally

Harry Burns will forever be one of Billy Crystal’s most iconic characters thanks to quotes like this one from When Harry Met Sally. Though macabre in that his character reads the last line so that he knows how the story ends in the event of his death, the line tells you more about Harry than a long, drawn-out monologue.

"Well, It Just So Happens That Your Friend Here Is Only Mostly Dead." - The Princess Bride

Billy Crystal is only in The Princess Bride for a cup of coffee, but he makes the most of his brief screentime with this unforgettable performance as Miracle Max. Watching him tell Inigo Montoya and Fezzik that Westely is only “mostly dead,” before explaining the different stages of death is the gift that keeps giving.

"I Tried To Be A Man Of The People, I Had A Payphone In My Car" - Comic Relief '87 Opening

The Comic Relief specials created by Bob Zmuda raised a ton of cash while also providing some much-needed laughs. This is especially true for the opening of the 1987 special where Billy Crystal and Robin Williams played two former bigwigs who are now bums on the street corner asking for money and trading stories about how far they’ve fallen. Crystal’s line about a payphone in his car is especially hilarious and a little dark.

"But Every Time I Went To Taste The Cheese, The Thing Came Down Right On My Tongue! I’m Tellin’ Ya — After Forty, Fifty Times, I Couldn’t Even Feel The Cheese, Much Less Taste It." - Saturday Night Live

One of the best recurring sketches on Saturday Night Live in the ‘80s was the “Do You Know What I Hate?” bit featuring Billy Crystal and Christopher Guest. And while just about every sentence is funny in the various incarnations, Crystal’s Willie talking about the trouble he got into when trying to set a mousetrap is at the top of the list. The delivery, the imagery, and the expressions on his face are all on point. 

"Hi Curly, Killed Anyone Today?" - City Slickers

A lot of what makes City Slickers, one of the best '90s movies, work so well is the chemistry between Billy Crystal and eventual Oscar winner Jack Palance. The gruffness of Palance’s beloved Curly played so well against Crystal’s Mitch Robbins, especially in this classic interaction out on the cattle drive.

"That's It, I'm Out Of Ideas. We're Closed. Hot Air Balloon? Too Expensive, Giant Slingshot? Too Conspicuous. Enormous Wooden Horse? Too Greek." - Monsters, Inc.

The pairing of Billy Crystal as Mike Wazowkski and John Goodman as James P. “Sulley” Sullivan in Monsters, Inc. was a match made in comedy heaven, and the best friends and coworkers at times feel like an old married couple. This dynamic can be seen in this classic moment when Mike grows increasingly more frustrated when his ideas for the “Boo” situation don’t seem to be impressing anyone.

"You Look Marvelous!" - Saturday Night Live

Billy Crystal’s portrayal of Fernando Lamas as an over-the-top talk show host produced one of the best Saturday Night Live catchphrases, which just so happens to be one of the comedian’s funniest TV lines of all time. Dare you say, it’s “marvelous”?

"Owen, You Gotta Get It Throughout Your Thick Head: I May Be A Lot Of Things, But I'm Not A Killer" - Throw Momma From The Train

Throw Momma from the Train is one of the darkest comedies in Billy Crystal’s stellar filmography, as well as one of the funniest. The dark and sometimes disturbing tone of the film is best illustrated by this quote from Crystal’s Larry Donner to Danny DeVito’s Owen Lift when the latter tries to get the former to kill his mom.

"Come Out, Come Out, Mr. Doody, And Swim In The Swimming Pool." - Parental Guidance 

Is Parental Guidance one of the movies featuring Billy Crystal? No, not really. However, this 2012 family-friendly comedy does have a hilarious sequence where Crystal has to sing to his grandson to get him to go “number two” in a public restroom. And yeah, it’s in the form of a song.

"You Go Downstairs, You Shed A Tear, And You Say, 'It's A Shame. She Would Have Loved This Movie." - America's Sweethearts

America’s Sweethearts is one of those early 2000s rom-coms that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough, which is a shame. In the movie, Billy Crystal plays Lee Phillips, a tenacious publicist who’ll do anything to save a movie threatened by the breakup of stars Eddie Thomas (John Cusack) and Gwen Harrison (Catherine Zeta-Jones), including leaking a misleading photo that causes a media firestorm.

"Like When You Go Bowling And You Know You're In Someone Else's Shoes" - Friends

There were a lot of famous actors on Friends outside of the cast, including a random appearance by Billy Crystal and Robin Williams. In this improvised scene, Crystal and Williams have a hilarious conversation about infidelity that leads to this absurd simile that’s just too much.

"I Don't Like Heights. This Is Why I Stopped Growing At Fifth Grade." - My Giant

My Giant may not be the most well-liked Billy Crystal movie, but this 1998 comedy co-starring Romanian basketball player Gheorghe Mureșan saw the actor poke fun at his own height or lack thereof with this humourous line.

"Come On, Don't Talk Back, Mime Is Money." - This Is Spinal Tap

Hearing a mime talk is funny on its own, but hearing Billy Crystal as a mime talking is on a whole other level. And guess what, that’s exactly what happens in Rob Reiner’s hilarious mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap, in a short yet unforgettable scene where Crystal gives another mime, played by Dana Carvey, some much-needed wisdom.

"You Rush A Miracle Man, You Get Rotten Miracles." - The Princess Bride

Miracle Max is full of great lines in his brief stint in The Princess Bride, including this one where he explains why you shouldn’t rush a miracle man. Well, unless you want a rotten miracle.

"And My Mother, Disguised As An East German Judge, Gave Me A 5.6" - When Harry Met Sally

The conversations between Billy Crystal’s Harry Burns and Meg Ryan’s Sally Albright are what make When Harry Met Sally so dang good. And one of the funniest of those chats comes partway through the movie when Harry describes a dream where he’s being judged (by his mom) on his love-making skills.

"He's A Lost Soul, He's A Dented Can, He's Behind Me, Isn't He?" - City Slickers II: The Legend Of Curly's Gold

City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold pales in comparison to its predecessor in just bout every way, but this brilliantly awkward and perfectly timed scene when Jon Lovtiz’s character is introduced early on in the movie is nothing short of golden.

"Don't You Have A Dark Side? I Know, You're Probably One Of Those Cheerful People Who Dot Their 'I's' With Little Hearts." - When Harry Met Sally

The way the words roll off of Harry Burns’ (Billy Crystal) tongue in this classic conversation with Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) in When Harry Met Sally is something that never gets old. While brash, the description is spot-on.

"Sulley, You're Not Supposed To Name It. Once You Name It, You Start Getting Attached To It." - Monsters, Inc.

The transformation experienced by Billy Crystal’s Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc. is one of the best in terms of a character letting go of their insecurities and fears to become a parent. It’s just that this quote, which comes after Mike and Sulley (John Goodman) find Boo, is before the little monster has his grant epiphany.

"What Is My Goal Here, To Make You A Happy, Well-Adjusted Gangster?” - Analyze This 

Analyze This, a movie that features a great Tony Bennett cameo, is built around the on-screen parking of Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro, which ultimately leads to some unforgettable moments. One that comes up all the time, is an interaction between Crystal’s psychiatrist character and De Niro’s mafioso that leads to one of the funniest lines in the movie.

"Amnesia Dust, You Throw A Pinch, The Kid Forgets Everything That Happened The Last Few Seconds, [Throws Dust] That's How It Works." - Tooth Fairy

Released a year or so before Dwayne Johnson found his footing in Hollywood and became one of the biggest box office draws of the century, he starred in the 2010 family-friendly comedy, Tooth Fairy. Though the movie is kind of whatever, it does have a hilarious interaction between Johnson’s character and Billy Crystal’s fairy who teaches the new recruit the power of “amnesia dust,” several times.

"For Two Years I Ran A Hollywood Studio, But You Can't Trust Those People" - Deconstructing Harry

Deconstructing Harry is one of the wildest Woody Allen movies, which is saying something, and it also features a stellar ensemble cast that includes Billy Crystal playing the devil. In this fantastical sequence where Allen’s character visits Hell, he meets the man in charge who jokes about all the jobs he’s had in the past, including a short time running a film studio.

"While You're At It, Why Don't You Give Me A Nice Paper Cut And Pour Lemon Juice On It?" - The Princess Bride

As far as character introductions go, it doesn’t get much better than Miracle Max (Billy Crystal) bringing up his past in The Princess Bride. Before we even get a chance to meet the guy obsessed with MLTs, he throws this salt, err, lemon, on the wound.

"Either God Is In The Salvage Business Or Bigfoot Took My Car!" - My Giant

Billy Crystal makes the most of his performance in My Giant, which leads to some outrageous lines sprinkled throughout Michael Lehmann’s 1998 comedy. This includes this hilarious quote that manages to include both God and Bigfoot in the same sentence.

"I Couldn't Catch A Ball. Well, It's Hard To Catch With Your Face. I Had The Word 'Spalding' Written On My Forehead 'Til I Was About Six." - Memories Of Me

What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, or at least leads to a great joke somewhere down the line. This is true for Billy Crystal’s character in the Henry Winkler-directed comedy, Memories of Me, where he talks about a sports injury that he won’t soon forget.

"Well, It's Just That You Get To Do All The Dangerous Stuff, And I Get To Parallel Park" - Running Scared

Running Scared, the 1986 buddy cop movie not to be confused with another film of the same name, features the tremendous pairing of Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines, one that leads to some hilarious moments along the way. Case in point, this interaction between the two Chicago cops best illustrates their relationship.

"What's The Matter With You? We Never Discuss Mr. Vitti's Health Outside The Family" - Analyze This

Analyze This does a great job of poking fun at iconic gangster movie lines. One scene in particular works really well when Billy Crystal’s Ben Sobel slaps a mobster and manages to reference both The Godfather and HIPPA violations.

"Well Then, Let Me Be The First To Say Farewell!" - Forget Paris

The ‘90s had all kinds of comedies with professional athletes playing themselves, but few come close to the absurdity seen in Forget Paris. The sequence that takes the cake in absurdity is the one where a dejected NBA ref Mickey Gordon (Billy Crystal) ejects Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from his farewell game. 

"Mr. Klein Died Today, Leaving A Wife, Two Children, And A Spacious Three-Bedroom Apartment With A Wood-Burning Fireplace." - When Harry Met Sally

Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) trying to rationalize why obituaries and classified ads should be on the same page in When Harry Met Sally is a moment that, like the movie itself, just gets better with age.

"You And The Wife Retire To Fort Lauderdale, You Start Eating Dinner At Two, Lunch Around Ten, Breakfast The Night Before" - City Slickers

Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) walking a group of elementary school students through the sad series of events that awaits them in old age at the beginning of City Slickers is so good. Sure, it’s depressing, but that’s what makes it so much fun.

"Dodgeball Was The Best, Oh Yeah. I Was The Fastest One Out There. Of Course I Was The Ball." - Monsters, Inc.

Mike Wazowski is the king of self-deprecating humor in Monsters, Inc. and one of the best examples of this comes when the not-so-large and not-so-scary creature talks about being the ball in dodgeball as a kid. Ouch!

"You Should Knock First Because There's Some Kind Of Weird Bear In There." - The Comedians

The Comedians, a short-lived FX comedy starring Billy Crystal and Josh Gad, didn’t get too much love when it was released in 2015, but that doesn’t mean the show wasn’t funny, because it was. There’s one scene where Crystal’s character invites Gad’s character over for dinner and tries to warn him about a series of disasters waiting to happen, including a bear. Yes, a real, “kind of weird” bear.

"I'm On Vacation, Ahhhh!" - City Slickers

City Slickers saw Billy Crystal perform a tremendous amount of physical comedy, especially when the cattle drive starts. This is where this hilarious and hilariously painful quote comes into play.

It’s safe to say that Billy Crystal has given audiences some of the most outrageous, unforgettable, and hilarious quotes over the years. And who knows what could have been if he had been on SNL for more than one season?

A great movie quote resonates with you. An unforgettable one stays in your mind and may even alter how you approach life. Over my many movie-watching decades, some romantic movie quotes have infected my brain. They refuse to leave it. 

These quotes either automatically elicit a memory of a movie moment or are just so profound, romantic, or sharp that they play on repeat in my mind. These aren’t just quotes from my favorite romantic movies or even the best rom-com movies, but lines that remain a constant in my memory. These romantic movie quotes bewitch me body and soul. 

“I’m Just A Girl, Standing In Front Of A Boy, Asking Him To Love Her.” (Notting Hill) 

Anna (Julia Roberts) puts it all on the line by saying this to Will (Hugh Grant). It shows immense vulnerability. This act and line is one of the best movie examples of a character pleading with integrity. The scene becomes even more heartbreaking when Will makes the wrong choice and initially rejects her after her heartfelt plea.

Notting Hill is one of Hugh Grant’s best romantic movies because of brilliant, romantic lines like this one, the leads’ chemistry, and the genuine hilarity of the film. If anyone uttered a version of those words to me, I would forgive them for whatever they did, so Will is way stronger than me. 

“You Have Bewitched Me, Body and Soul, And I Love, I Love, I Love You.” (Pride and Prejudice) 

This quote truly doesn’t leave my head. Matthew MacFadyen deserves a thousand awards just for the perfect deliverance of these lines. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are the ultimate enemies to lovers example because of how bad it all started and how he manages to turn it all around. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are one of my favorite fictional couples and that’s mainly because of the 2005 movie version.

It’s a film I have seen many times but still feel excitement every time MacFadyen’s Mr. Darcy utters those lines. To bewitch someone is the level of love we should all strive for.  

“Sorry I’m Late. It Took Me Forever To Get Here.” (Never Been Kissed) 

Never Been Kissed is one of those movies that was iffy for some of the comedy and story choices even at the time. However, it’s a movie that I love and will always love despite its glaring issues. The main reason for that is the Josie (Drew Barrymore) and Sam (Michael Vartan) romance. The ending scene is one of my favorites of any romantic movie.

It’s also why the movie is one of Barrymore’s best romantic films. The simple lines say so much without over-explaining. The quote automatically makes me think of that perfect final scene. 

“It Wasn’t Over, It Still Isn’t Over.” (The Notebook) 

The Notebook has so many great romantic quotes that I could fill a whole book with them. I picked this one because it sums up Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah’s (Ryan Gosling) love story. It has an endless to be continued attached. Forever to continue, even after death. 

That’s just such a romantic notion that I can’t help but love the quote. The idea of soulmates and destiny really works in The Notebook. Allie and Noah will never be over because their love is that powerful. 

“I Wanted It To Be You, I Wanted It To Be You So Badly.” (You’ve Got Mail) 

The final moments of You’ve Got Mail have so many memorable quotes. However, I picked this one because I think it just sums up the feeling of really wanting something and then the pure, unadulterated joy of when it actually happens. 

Additionally, as viewers, we have all the information. Kathleen (Meg Ryan) does not. Therefore, we aren’t sure if she’ll be mad or happy when Joe (Tom Hanks) is her mystery man. When she says those words, we can sigh in relief. You’ve Got Mail is more proof that Ryan and Hanks are a perfect on-screen duo that we would watch together in any movie. 

“They Say When You Meet The Love Of Your Life, Time Stops, And That’s True.” (Big Fish) 

Big Fish was one of my favorite books as a child and one of the best Tim Burton movies.  Therefore, the story has a special place in my heart. However, it’s not exactly a romance movie. It’s about a father-and-son relationship and a look at a complicated man. But if you remove the context of the film, the quote is quite romantic. 

It is also paired with beautiful visuals. The hopeless romantic in me likes to believe that when you meet the one, something inside you just knows. This quote reflects that. 

“As You Wish” (The Princess Bride) 

“As you wish” is a three-word perfect line. It’s a way of saying I love you without saying I love you. This line is simple but means so much to Buttercup (Robin Wright) and Westley (Cary Elwes), and the viewers.

‘As you Wish” is also just something extremely romantic to say to someone. Whatever you want, I will do it is one of the ultimate displays of love and devotion.

“In Another Life, I Would Have Really Liked Just Doing Laundry and Taxes With You.” (Everything Everywhere All At Once) 

To quote another one of my favorite movies, “Don't talk of stars burning above, If you're in love, show me.” This quote from Everything Everywhere All At Once is a great example of how people show love without saying it. A committed relationship is more than romance and pretty words. It’s the commitment to the mundane things with the one you love.

Laundry and taxes sound amazing if you get to do them with the person you love the most. 

“I Hope You Don’t Mind, I Hope You Don’t Mind That I Put Down In Words How Wonderful Life Is While You’re In The World.”(Moulin Rouge) 

This is a bit of a cheat. “Your Song” by Elton John is one of my favorite songs ever, so I love all the lyrics of it. However, these particular lines always hit me deep in my soul. The song is perfect. It’s also equally magnificent how Moulin Rouge seamlessly makes popular music work in it. 

The mashups are inspired. And “Your Song” gets the beautiful treatment it deserves in this scene. It makes sense that Satine (Nicole Kidman) had no chance of not falling for Christian (Ewan McGregor) after he sang this song. 

“If You’re A Bird, I’m A Bird.” (The Notebook) 

I had to include one more The Notebook quote. The film’s best quotes very much pop into my head at any given moment. The “If you’re a bird, I’m a bird” line happens at such a sweet and cute moment in the film. It also sums up the idea of fully committing to someone. 

If they decide they’re a bird, you’re right there with them flying around the room. 

Sometimes screenwriters and authors (if adapted from a book) make movie quotes that are not only iconic but extremely romantic. They perfectly capture the bliss of being in love, falling in love, and loving. I welcome more romantic movie quotes to infect my mind. 

Many of the best kids movies that the whole family will love tend to fall under a genre category that people of all ages and all walks of life can enjoy: adventure. With so many great titles to choose from, we figured we would save you the time and compile some of favorite adventure family movies that would be perfect for your next big movie night. Let the journeys begin!

The Goonies (1985)

A group of young friends must evade deadly booby traps and outwit a ruthless criminal family in search of buried loot that could save their neighborhood.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: The Goonies is easily one of director Richard Donner’s best movies for its funny take on adventure tropes from a child’s perspective.

Stream The Goonies on Tubi.
Rent or buy The Goonies on Amazon.

How To Train Your Dragon (2010)

A young man (voiced by Jay Baruchel) strikes up a relationship with a dragon that could change the course of people’s war with the creatures forever.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: By flipping the script on how humans typically interact with winged, fire-breathing creatures in most fantasy tales, the exciting How to Train Your Dragon cements itself as one of the best DreamWorks Animation movies ever.

Stream How To Train Your Dragon on Netflix.
Stream How To Train Your Dragon on Amazon Prime.
Stream How To Train Your Dragon on Peacock.

Shrek (2001)

A cantankerous ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) and a talking donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) set out to rescue a princess (voiced by Cameron Diaz) so the selfish Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) will remove fairy tale creatures from the ogre’s swamp.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: DreamWorks’ groundbreaking adaptation of William Stieg’s children’s book, Shrek, was the clear winner for the first Best Animated Feature Oscar for its ruthless parody of animated fantasy movies at the time.

Stream Shrek on Peacock.
Rent or buy Shrek on Amazon.

Spy Kids (2001)

Two children (played Alexa PenaVega and Daryl Sabara) discover their kidnapped parents (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino) are secret agents and become their last hope to be rescued.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: While the filmmaker is known better for grown-up entertainment, Spy Kids is still one of director Robert Rodriguez’s best movies for brilliantly bringing a child’s idea of espionage to life.

Stream Spy Kids on Netflix.
Stream Spy Kids on Paramount+.
Rent or buy Spy Kids on Amazon.

The NeverEnding Story (1984)

A lonely boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver) becomes transfixed by the wondrous world of a mysterious book.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: You too will be transfixed by the incredible visuals and hair-raising thrills in Wolfgang Petersen’s adaptation of Michael Ende’s novel, The NeverEnding Story.

Rent or buy The NeverEnding Story on Amazon.

The Princess Bride (1987)

The story of a heroic loner (played by Cary Elwes) aspiring to reunite with his true love (played by Robin Wright) is read to a sick boy (played by Fred Savage) by his grandfather (played by Peter Falk).

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: Director Rob Reiner’s action-packed, surprisingly funny, and endearingly romantic adaptation of screenwriter William Goldwyn’s novel, The Princess Bride, is a beloved, undisputed classic of the adventure genre.

Stream The Princess Bride on Disney+.
Rent or buy The Princess Bride on Amazon.

Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989)

An inventor (played by Rick Moranis) discovers his shrink ray works, but only after it accidentally makes his son, daughter, and next door neighbors' two boys microscopic. 

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: Arguably the best Honey, I Shrunk the Kids movie is Disney’s timeless original, in which the bulk of the action takes place in a grassy backyard that seems like a dangerous jungle from our young protagonists’ perspective.

Stream Honey, I Shrunk the Kids on Disney+.
Rent or buy Honey, I Shrunk the Kids on Amazon.

Peter Pan (1953)

A group of siblings are taken by the chivalrous leader of the Lost Boys to a magical land where no one ever ages and pirates like Captain Hook sail the seas.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: Not only is Disney’s classic animated movie, Peter Pan one of the definitive adaptations of J.M. Barrie’s seminal stage play, but it is also one of the best pirate movies ever made.

Stream Peter Pan on Disney+.
Rent or buy Peter Pan on Amazon.

An American Tail (1986)

A young Russian mouse (voiced by Phillip Glasser) struggles to find his family after becoming separated from them while immigrating to America.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: A classic you might have thought was a Disney movie growing up, An American Tail is one of animation legend Don Bluth’s most exciting, and heart-wrenching, masterworks.

Rent or buy An American Tail on Amazon.

The Wizard Of Oz (1939)

Dorothy (Judy Garland), her dog, Toto, and others embark on a quest through a wondrous land “somewhere over the rainbow” to find a legendary being who may be able to send her home.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: Few films from Hollywood’s golden age are quite as influential to the fantasy/adventure genre, especially in terms of aesthetic, than this adaptation of Frank Baum’s novel, The Wizard of Oz — a not-so-scary witch movie with a still-pretty-creepy and wicked antagonist.

Stream The Wizard of Oz on Max.
Rent or buy The Wizard of Oz on Amazon.

Spirited Away (2001)

A young girl (voiced by Daveigh Chase) finds herself in a strange place inhabited by odd creatures that were once human.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: Perhaps the best anime movie for both kids and adults is writer and director Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning Studio Ghibli classic, Spirited Away.

Stream Spirited Away on Max.
Rent or buy Spirited Away on Amazon.

The Spider-Verse Movies (2018, 2023)

A teenager (voiced by Shameik Moore) embarks on thrilling adventures with people from different realities after a radioactive spider bite gives him extraordinary powers.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: Arguably the greatest Spider-Man movies so far are Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (also one of the best superhero movies to win an Oscar, for Best Animated Feature) and its first follow-up, Across the Spider-Verse, for their unbelievably inventive depiction of the Multiverse.

Rent or buy Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse on Amazon.

Stream Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Netflix.
Rent or buy Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Amazon.

Jumanji (1995)

Two children (played by Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce) play a board game that releases a man who has been trapped in the jungle for decades (played by Academy Award winner Robin Williams) and must help them finish the game to stop its exotic mayhem.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: While this franchise has changed dramatically in recent years, despite a few things that don’t make too much sense, director Joe Johnston’s original Jumanji is, arguably, the most dazzling adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s children’s book to date.

Stream Jumanji on Amazon Prime.

Labyrinth (1986)

After her wish sends her infant stepbrother into an enchanted land, a teenage girl (played by Jennifer Connelly) must set out to rescue him from the Goblin King, Jareth (David Bowie), before it is too late.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: Jim Henson’s most iconic creations may be the Muppets, but his cult favorite fantasy epic, Labyrinth (which was also executive produced by George Lucas), has a very special place in the hearts of its devoted followers.

Buy Labyrinth on Blu-ray.

Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)

Pee-wee (played the late Paul Reubens) searches far and wide for his prized, stolen bicycle.

Why it is one of the best adventure family movies: Reubens’ iconic man-child headlines his first big screen effort in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, which is not only one of director Tim Burton’s best movies, but also his feature-length debut.

Rent or buy Pee-wee's Big Adventure on Amazon.

You and your whole family can have an epic time without leaving your home by watching these classic adventure movies.

It seems like we see wrestlers-turned-actors showing up in major action movie franchises and massive comic book movies more than ever, but the truth is, this isn’t a new trend. In fact, some of the great Best Picture winners have featured in-ring technicians and brawlers show up in some capacity for decades at this point. 

If you’ve ever wanted to know about movies featuring professional wrestlers then you’ve come to the right place because we’re about to break down films big and small, blockbusters and cult classics, and everything in between.

Rocky III (1982)

Rocky III was bigger and badder than the previous two installments in Sylvester Stallone’s all-time great boxing movie franchise, and some of that is thanks to Hulk Hogan’s brief yet iconic performance as Thunder Lips, the wrestler Rocky Balboa (Stallone) faces in an exhibition match early on. And while Mr. T is an actor more than a wrestler, the man behind Clubber Lang would go on to appear at WrestleMania three years later.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Andre the Giant was one one of the most legendary wrestlers to ever step into the ring, but there are some out there who probably know the “Eighth Wonder of the World” from his work in Ron Reiner’s 1987 fantasy comedy, The Princess Bride. 

Spider-Man (2002)

You can’t tell Peter Parker’s origin story without including Bone Saw McGraw, and luckily fans didn’t have to live in that reality in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies, as the first entry in the franchise saw the late Macho Man Randy Savage take on the role of the over-the-top and notorious wrestler.

The Longest Yard (2005)

There are movies with one or maybe two wrestlers, but the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard starring Adam Sandler featured some of the WWE superstars of that era with the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kevin Nash, Bill Goldberg, and the Great Khali on both sides of the inmates vs. guards football game.

Road House (1989)

The late, great Terry Funk left us in August 2023, but he leaves behind a lasting legacy, both in the ring and in Hollywood. Perhaps his best known performance is that of Morgan, a bouncer who’s given the boot from the Double Deuce and proceeds to make James Dalton’s (Patrick Swayze) life a living hell. He even does a mean "Gorilla Press" early in the movie.

Predator (1987)

Jesse Ventura has worn a lot of different hats throughout his life: professional wrestler, conspiracy theorist, author, the 38th governor of Minnesota, and actor. He has made quite a few movies over the years, but his most notable flick has to be John McTiernan’s Predator starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Can you imagine that great action movie without Blain Cooper?

The Wrestler (2008)

By its very title, it’s safe to assume Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler was going to see Mickey Rourke step into the ring with a lot of real-life grapplers before everything was said and done. And he did. The list of wrestlers includes everyone from Ernest “The Cat” Miller to Necro Butcher (pictured above) and future AEW stars Claudio Castagnoli and Chuck Taylor to name only a few.

Highlander (1986) 

Highlander, a movie about immortals, swords, and all other kinds of fantasy elements, starts off with an absolutely bonkers match involving none other than the Fabulous Freebirds, one of the most impactful stables in American wrestling. They’re only around for a few minutes, but this definitely counts for something.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Dave Bautista has gone on to become one of the most versatile action stars in Hollywood, but the former WWE Champion made his first big splash as an actor with his portrayal of Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy. Since then, Bautista has appeared in several of the best Marvel movies to date.

They Live (1988)

Before Dwayne Johnson, John Cena, and pretty much everyone else not named Hulk Hogan or Andre the Giant tried their hand at acting, Roddy Piper gave a career-defining performance in 1988’s They Live, one of the best John Carpenter movies. This sci-fi action thriller not only features one of the best one-liners with the “Bubblegum” moment, it also features an epic fight scene.

The Mummy Returns (2001)

At the peak of his WWE career, The Rock decided he wanted to be a movie star, a process that essentially started with his portrayal of the Scorpion King in 2001’s The Mummy Returns. Though he wasn’t in the Brendan Fraser sequel all that long (except for that CGI abomination in the final act), it did lead to bigger and better things.

The Marine (2006)

John Cena is now known more for his acting than wrestling, but that wasn’t always the case. Back in 2006, the future Fast & Furious star and the man behind Peacemaker got his start with The Marine, a WWE-produced action thriller that would go on to spawn multiple sequels with everyone from The Miz to Becky Lynch and Shawn Michaels to Bo Dallas.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Remember the Nazi who had the misfortune of stepping into a propeller during a fight with Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in Raiders of the Lost Ark? Well, that’s none other than Pat Roach, a wrestler who found a tremendous amount of success on the big screen after hanging up his boots.

The Godfather (1972)

Prior to playing Luca Brasi, the Corleone family’s towering enforcer who ends up sleeping with the fishes in The Godfather, Lenny Montana had a rather successful in-ring career as a professional wrestler. Over the course of his nearly 20-year career, Brasi won multiple championships in various promotions under the National Wrestling Alliance.

Major Payne (1993)

Bam Bam Bigelow, a wrestler who took his larger-than-life persona and talents all around the world, showed up in the 1993 Damon Wayans comedy, Major Payne. He only shows up briefly as a biker hired to scare off Wayans' character, but it makes for one of the funniest spots in the movie.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze is mostly remembered for its lighter tone compared to its predecessor, as well as that Vanilla Ice cameo, but it also features an appearance by Kevin Nash as Super Shredder near the film’s climax. This was years before “Big Daddy Cool” changed the wrestling industry with the inception of the NWO.

Blazing Saddles (1974)

Blazing Saddles, one of Mel Brooks’ best movies, is full of great characters like Cleavon Little’s Sheriff Bart, Gene Wilder’s Jim the Waco Kid, and Harvey Korman’s Hedley Lamarr. But did you know one of the most absurd villains in this Western parody was a professional wrestler? It’s true, as prior to taking on the role of Mongo, Alex Karras, who also had a hall of fame NFL career, wrestled off-and-on for various American promotions. 

John Wick (2014)

There are a lot of John Wick characters who haven’t survived a run-in with Keanu Reeves’ titular assassin, but Kevin Nash’s Francis isn’t one of them. The bouncer was one of the few employees of Viggo Tarasov to survive the franchise’s first installment.

Ed Wood (1994)

Tim Burton’s Ed Wood is a wild movie with an incredible cast and one remarkable group of actors. In addition to Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Bill Murray, and Sarah Jessica Parker, the 1994 biopic also features George “The Animal” Steele as Tor Johnson, a professional wrestler hired for parts in Bride of the Monster and Plan 9.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

John Cena’s portrayal of Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad is honestly one of the best things about James Gunn’s 2021 R-rated comic book movie. He’s crass, he’s annoying, but there’s no denying his charisma and ability to dispense enemies with just about everything that comes out his hands.

Mr. Nanny (1993)

Is Mr. Nanny a great movie? No! But is it a movie that has to be watched whenever it airs on cable? You bet. Hulk Hogan is the star of the show in this 1993 family-friendly comedy no matter if he’s battling young kids with all their schemes or Tommy Thanatos (David Johansen) with his metallic head. This one is WILD.

The Champions of Justice (1971)

The Champions of Justice, or Los Campeones Justicieros, takes some of the most famous masked luchadors in the history of Mexican wrestling and puts them together as a team of crime fighters (motorcycles and all). Together, Blue Demon, Mil Máscaras, and various other superheroes take on an evil Mayan princess in this B-movie classic.

Man on the Moon (1999)

The 1999 Andy Kaufman biopic, Man on the Moon, retold several of the late comedian’s biggest moments with Jim Carrey losing himself in the role. You know who else did a great job in Miloš Forman’s movie? None other than Jerry “The King” Lawler, who portrayed himself to recreate the epic “feud” between him and Kaufman that included that unforgettable David Letterman moment. 

Friday (1995)

Friday just wouldn’t be the same without the towering Deebo bringing fear to the neighborhood, and that now iconic presence is all thanks to the late Tiny “Zeus” Lister Jr. The actor, who also appeared in movies like The Dark Knight, The Fifth Element, and No Holds Barred, will always be remembered for this role.

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz’s 2019 drama, The Peanut Butter Falcon, is a wonderfully tender movie about a young man with Down syndrome (played by Zack Gottsagen) with one dream: to become a wrestler. And he finally gets his wish in a magical scene that features some wonderful heel work by Jack “The Snake” Roberts’ character and a heartfelt performance by Mick Foley.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road is anchored by scene-stealing performances by Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, and Hugh Keays-Byrne as the brutal Immortan Joe, but let’s not forget former WWE superstar Nathan Jones’ performance as Rictus Erectus. He’s massive, he’s deadly, and he has great comedic timing, which brings a lot to one of the best action movies of all time.

MacGruber (2010)

MacGruber, the movie and not the Peacock original series of the same name, is a ridiculously silly movie that is all-around a lot of fun. On top of Will Forte and Kristen Wiig, the action comedy also features a whole stable of WWE wrestlers, all of whom die in the most absurd way possible.

The Rundown (2003)

The Rundown isn’t the best Dwayne Johnson movie, but it’s also not his worst. This 2003 buddy action comedy, which also features Seann William Scott and Christopher Walken, showed audiences that the wrestler’s electric charisma could translate to strong on-screen performances.

Ready To Rumble (2000)

If there was a wrestler on the WCW roster when Ready to Rumble was in production, there’s a good chance they show up in this 2000 comedy starring David Arquette and Scott Caan. Goldberg, Diamond Dallas Page, Booker T, Curt Henning, Sting, Rey Mysterio Jr., and countless others pop up.

Blade: Trinity (2004)

Nearly 20 years before taking over WWE creative, Triple H had a sizable role in 2004’s Blade: Trinity, the third and final installment in the Wesley Snipes-led comic book franchise. In the movie, which also starred Jessica Biel and Ryan Reynolds, the multi-time WWE Champion made his acting debut as a vampire named Jarko Grimwood.

Warrior (2011)

A movie about MMA featuring a professional wrestler with a professional wrestler in one of the major supporting roles sounds crazy, right? Well, that’s what happened in the 2011 sports drama, Warrior, which saw Kurt Angle portray the formidable Koba, Brendan Conlon’s (Joel Edgerton) opponent before taking on his younger brother, Thomas “Tommy” Conlon (Tom Hardy) in the final act.

The Waterboy (1998)

The Waterboy, Adam Sandler’s 1998 football comedy, has a brief, yet unforgettable cameo by Paul Wight as Captain Insano in one of the movie’s funniest scenes. Wight, who was wrestling as The Giant in WCW at the time, would use the gimmick during a 2023 AEW appearance.

With more and more wrestlers stepping out of the squared circle and jumping onto the silver screen, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see some of the big names show up not only at some of the upcoming WWE events but also the 2024 movie schedule.

Finding a funny family movie that will leave everyone laughing hysterically isn’t always the easiest of tasks. Watching a perfectly balanced film that children and adults will enjoy equally (or, at least a 60/40 ratio) can, more times than not, be a Herculean effort that will leave everyone in tears before you even get a chance to watch something, even when we’re talking about using some of the best streaming services.

However, some of the best kids movies have as much humor as life lessons or contagious songs. That being said, here are 26 funny family movies that the young and young at heart can enjoy (and how to watch them).

Ernest Goes To Camp (1987)

Ernest Goes to Camp has everything you’d want in a family-friendly comedy the whole clan can enjoy. It has laughs, it has heart, it has Jim Varney’s iconic character singing a sappy song to a turtle… you name it. Released in 1987, this iconic comedy follows Ernest P. Worrell as he and a group of juvenile delinquents become unlikely heroes as they set out to save Kamp Kikakee from a greedy mining corporation.

If you grew up watching the Ernest movies, this is the perfect way to get back into the franchise and introduce your kids to one of the great comedic characters of the ‘80s. And don’t worry, the turtle paratrooper scene is still just as funny in 2025 as it was in 1987.

Buy Ernest Goes to Camp on DVD on Amazon.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

When it comes to hilarious Robin Williams movies, Mrs. Doubtfire is near the top of the list. This iconic 1993 film about a recently divorced and out-of-work voice actor who comes up with an unorthodox yet hilarious way to spend time with his kids is still a hoot after all these years. Sure, some things about the movie haven’t aged well in the 32 years since its release, but the humor, heart, and lessons throughout make it a worthy addition to the family movie night list.

Whether it’s the scene where Williams’ Daniel Hillard gives a spot-on impression of a hot dog during an interview, the creation of the Mrs. Doubtfire character (as well as the other personas), or the epic dinner scene where he pulls double duty, there’s so much to enjoy here.

Stream Mrs. Doubtfire on Max.
Rent/Buy Mrs. Doubtfire on Amazon.

Babe (1995)

Written by George Miller (yes, the guy who made the Mad Max movies) and directed by Chris Noonan (he received an Oscar nomination for his work on this film), Babe is one of the funniest and most endearing family movies from the ‘90s. This triumphant story about a pig becoming a champion sheep dog is magical and masterful, and is a movie that’s impossible to watch without laughing or crying, or both.

Though the sequel, Babe: Pig in the City, is nothing to write home about, this 1995 comedy is the real deal. With beloved Hollywood pets, a wonderful and tender performance by James Cromwell, and an all-time great story, there’s a lot to love.

Rent/Buy Babe on Amazon.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

One of the best Roald Dahl adaptations, Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox is a hilarious, unique, and exciting stop-motion animated movie about a semi-retired thief planning a massive heist before calling it quits for good. With a voice cast that includes George Clooney as the titular character, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, and some of Anderson’s most frequent collaborators, awesome music, and a certain charm, it’s baffling that this movie isn’t talked about enough.

It’s impossible to be in a bad mood while watching this 2009 animated gem, no matter if you’re an adult or a kid watching it for the first time. Seriously, give this a watch.

Stream Fantastic Mr. Fox on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Fantastic Mr. Fox on Amazon.

The Mitchells Vs. The Machines (2021)

Though it didn’t win the 2022 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film (that went to Encanto), The Mitchells vs. the Machines was one of the best from the world of animation in 2021. This Netflix original, which follows a dysfunctional family as they try to survive an attack from a rogue AI and its army of robots, is not only a lot of fun, but has a lot to say about a lot of things. Family, identity, the changing relationship between parents and children, and societal norms are all on the table in this Netflix original.

There’s a good chance you watched this when it first dropped a few years ago, but there’s never a bad time to revisit one of the best animated films of the decade.

Stream The Mitchells vs. the Machines on Netflix.
Rent/Buy The Mitchells vs. the Machines on Amazon.

The Great Outdoors (1988)

In the mood for a vacation movie where everything goes wrong? Well, look no further than The Great Outdoors. Starring John Candy and Dan Aykroyd as two brothers-in-law from different walks of life who spend a summer vacation together with their families in a remote Wisconsin cabin, this John Hughes-penned Howard Deutch comedy is hilarious from start to finish.

A staple of cable television throughout the ‘90s, there’s a good chance you’ve watched the iconic big bear scene, the old 96er sequence, and everything else this one has to offer countless times. But have your kids? If not, change that soon.

Stream The Great Outdoors on Prime Video.
Rent/Buy The Great Outdoors on Amazon.

Big Fat Liar (2002)

When it comes to early 2000s Disney movies focused on revenge, Big Fat Liar is in a league of its own. Shawn Levy’s hilarious 2002 comedy about a young slacker with a wild imagination (played by Frankie Muniz) getting back at the Hollywood executive (played by Paul Giamatti) who stole his idea and plans to turn it into a movie features one great moment after another.

If you’re looking for a fun way to revisit the comedies of your adolescence and your kids without freaking them out with more intense favorites from the early 2000s, this is going to be the way to go. You’ll be blue in the face from laughing so much.

Rent/Buy Big Fat Liar on Amazon.

Cheaper By The Dozen (2003)

Not to be confused with the 2023 Disney+ remake of the same name (which was later removed from the platform), Cheaper by the Dozen is honestly one of the funniest early 2000s movies you can watch with the whole family. Sure, there are some maddening scenes, and the sequel should be avoided at all costs, but this Steve Martin-led family film – a remake of the 1950s film of the same name – is nothing but good, clean, fun for all.

As the name suggests, there are more than a dozen characters at the center of Shawn Levy’s 2003 comedy, but don’t worry, as each is funny in its own way and never gets lost in the shuffle of this film about a family facing a life-changing decision.

Stream Cheaper by the Dozen on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Cheaper by the Dozen on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

13 Going On 30 (2004)

If you’re looking for a great way to introduce your kids to the world of romantic comedies, then 13 Going on 30 is going to be a great entry point. Light and funny enough to keep their attention, and filled with great characters (on both sides of the time jump), Gary Winick’s 2004 comedy has a lot going for it. And watching Jennifer Garner play a 13-year-old trapped in a 30-year-old’s body is just so dang charming. Like, seriously, she is so good in this.

Even if you already watched this movie with your kids when they were younger, you can still give one of the best romantic comedies of all time another shot to see how they react now that they’re a few years older.

Rent/Buy 13 Going on 30 on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Big (1988)

There’s so much that makes Penny Marshall’s Big one of the best options for a family movie night, including its great sense of humor. Sure, the story of 12-year-old Josh Baskin transforming into a grown man (played by Tom Hanks) overnight has some dramatic moments, but the comedic timing of its star, especially when put in situations like the giant piano or focus group meeting, is just so grand.

I’ve watched Big too many times to count over the years, including a handful of times of my kids. I feel like they enjoy it more each time we revisit it, which makes this longtime fan even more excited to check it out from time to time.

Stream Big on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Big on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Addams Family (1991)

Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, The Addams Family is a movie that finds the perfect blend of horror, heart, and humor to create something that both pays homage to the source material and charts a new path forward. Some of the jokes may prove to be a little too bloody or macabre for some, but it’s all in the name of fun. There’s no maliciousness or animosity from the titular family in this romp of a good time.

Raul Julia and Christopher Lloyd, who play Gomez and Fester Adams, respectively, are especially funny in their portrayals of two long-lost brothers trying to reconnect after a number of years (and a bout of amnesia). But, they aren’t the only funny members of this all-time great cast.

Stream The Addams Family on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy The Addams Family on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Freaky Friday (1976, 2003)

There are two versions of Freaky Friday, adaptations of Mary Rodgers’ 1972 novel of the same name, that are worth checking out, if you have the time. Both the 1976 and 2003 adaptations have the same story that follows a mother and daughter who switch places and are forced to live each others’ lives and walk a mile in one another's shoes, and hilarious moments are bountiful.

With the Freakier Friday sequel (to the 2003 version) in the works, now would be a perfect time to revisit one of the most cherished and meaningful stories in Disney history.

Stream Freaky Friday (1976) on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Freaky Friday (1976) on Amazon.

Stream Freaky Friday (2003) on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Freaky Friday (2003) on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

The Princess Bride (1987)

The Princess Bride, with all its hilarious and classic lines, is something that can be enjoyed by the whole family, and it’s been that way ever since the release of Rob Reiner’s 1987 classic. This play on fairy tale tropes has action, adventure, romance, and most of all, comedy. This story about two lovers going to great lengths to reunite just never gets old, no matter how many times you watch it.

Stream The Princess Bride on Disney+.
Rent/Buy The Princess Bride on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

Beethoven (1992)

When it comes to family comedies from the early 1990s, few movies, if any, come close to capturing the heart, soul, and humor of Beethoven. Though the various sequels released over the years aren’t all that great, the 1992 original about a family finding a new lease on life after an adorable (and destructive) dog waltzes into their lives is the stuff of legend. And while the movie was a treat to watch as a kid, revisiting it as an adult is oddly an even more enjoyable and relatable experience.

Rent/Buy Beethoven on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

One of the best comedies of the ‘80s, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure is a laugh-a-minute type affair with several jokes (the basement at the Alamo) becoming a part of everyday life for a lot of us. It’s wild, it’s wonky, and oddly, it has a lot of heart. Watching as Pee-Wee Herman (Paul Rubens) goes off on a grand adventure to find his missing bike is an adventure like no other, and one that just gets better with time.

Rent/Buy Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Home Alone (1990)

Though it’s technically a Christmas movie, nothing is stopping you from watching Home Alone throughout the entire year. Written by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus, this iconic 1990 comedy film continues to bring families together (even jerk uncles) nearly 35 years after its theatrical debut. Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin McCallister is a legendary movie character and is responsible for some of the funniest moments in cinematic history. And don’t get me started on the comedy greats like Catherine O’Hara, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and John Candy.

Stream Home Alone on Disney+.
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Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Goonies (1985)

If you’re looking for a movie that has a slightly harder edge than most kids movies, The Goonies is going to be a great option for family movie night. From director Richard Donner, screenwriter Chris Columbus, and Steven Spielberg, who came up with the story, this 1985 comedy is more than worthy of its reputation. A sense of adventure overwhelms the audience as the Goonies try to find One-Eyed Willy’s lost treasure in hopes of saving their community from greedy developers, and great jokes are present throughout as well. No wonder we keep revisiting this gem of a movie nearly 40 years later.

Rent/Buy The Goonies on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Lego Movie (2014)

“Everything is awesome” when it comes to The Lego Movie, especially the 2014 animated film’s sense of humor. In addition to conquering the task of turning a toy with no story into a grand adventure film, sneaking in all kinds of references, and getting the most out of the film’s massive voice cast, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller also managed to create a uniquely funny experience. There’s a little something for everyone here.

Stream The Lego Movie on Prime Video.
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Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989)

Undoubtedly the best entry in the franchise, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids entertains the concept of what happens when a scientist’s latest invention goes haywire and shrinks his kids (and his neighbors' children) to smaller than the size of ants. Directed by Joe Johnston, this classic ‘80s movie is full of great laughs thanks to the chaotic energies of Rick Moranis and Matt Frewer’s characters, in addition to some incredible special and visual effects.

Stream Honey, I Shrunk the Kids on Disney+.
Rent/buy Honey, I Shrunk the Kids on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

The Muppet Movie (1979)

With an iconic movie song, wonderful creations by Jim Henson, and an all-time great road trip story, James Frawley’s The Muppet Movie has a little bit of something for everyone. Like the countless other Muppets movies that would follow, this 1979 classic sees Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and the various other beloved characters getting in all kinds of mischief and chaos as the green protagonist sets out to become a movie star in Hollywood, if a vindictive businessman doesn’t stop him first.

Stream The Muppet Movie on Disney+.
Rent/buy The Muppet Movie on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

Shrek (2001) 

Meta, gallows, fantasy, and just about every variation of humor are on full display in the 2001 animated adventure film, Shrek. More than 20 years after the franchise’s debut, the jokes in this early 2000s classic just hit, and hit well. This shouldn’t come as a surprise considering the movie follows an ogre played by Mike Myers and a talking donkey voiced by Eddie Murphy as they save a princess from a manchild of a villain.

Rent/buy Shrek on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

The Sandlot (1993) 

There were a lot of iconic 1993 films, and one that is quoted more than just about everything else is the beloved family-friendly baseball comedy, The Sandlot. The lines (“You’re killing me, Smalls”), the antics like the pool scene and the carnival barf-o-rama, and the cast of child actors who brought it all to life, make this not only one of the best sports movies of all time, but one of the funniest movies of the decade.

Stream The Sandlot on Disney+.
Rent/buy The Sandlot on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

The Parent Trap (1961; 1998)

Whether you’re checking out Nancy Meyers’ 1998 remake or the 1961 Disney classic, there’s no wrong way to watch The Parent Trap. The premise alone – two identical twins separated at birth swap places after meeting at summer camp – leads to some outrageous situations that make comedy look easy.

Stream The Parent Trap (1961) on Disney+.
Stream The Parent Trap (1998) on Disney+.

Rent/buy The Parent Trap (1961) on Amazon.
Rent/buy The Parent Trap (1998) on Amazon.

Night At The Museum (2006)

Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, and the rest of the Night at the Museum cast make this 2006 family-friendly movie a hilarious and fantastical experience. At night, the exhibits at New York’s Natural History Museum come to life and make inventor-turned-guard Larry Daley’s (Stiller) job all the more difficult, yet all the more hilarious for those watching at home.

Stream Night at the Museum on Disney+.
Rent/buy Night at the Museum on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

Paddington 2 (2017)

As the first Paddington 2 trailer teased, the adorable 2017 sequel was full of mishaps, mayhem, and jars and jars of delicious marmalade. Equal parts charming and hilarious, Paul King’s adaptation of Michael Bond’s iconic book series can and should be enjoyed by all. Even if you take out the surprisingly wholesome prison segments, Ben Whishaw, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville, and Hugh Grant are to die for here.

Rent/buy Paddington 2 on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

School Of Rock (2003)

Though it’s hard to imagine, it has already been 20 years since Jack Black introduced us to Dewey Finn, a guitarist who poses as a substitute teacher and changes the lives of his students (and his own) in School of Rock. Child actors, awesome rock-and-roll sequences, and Black firing on all cylinders makes this 2003 classic a must for music lovers of all ages.

Stream School of Rock on Peacock.
Rent/buy School of Rock on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

These funny family films should be more than enough to do the trick the next time you turn your living room into a home theater. But, if you want to know about all the titles that will soon be on the big screen, check out our 2025 movie schedule.

Every movie has a star, most have a hero. Sometimes there other roles that get overlooked, or under-appreciated. This list is dedicated to those ‘80s movie characters that just don't get the credit they should. 

Sallah - Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Indiana Jones is a legend. A hero. Everything anyone ever wanted from a big screen idol. Dr. Jones also probably wouldn't have survived the first half of Raiders of the Lost Ark if not for Sallah (John Rhys-Davies). Remember, it's Sallah who notices the monkey that died from eating the poisoned dates. 

Queen Aoleon Joffer - Coming To America

When Eddie Murphy's character, Prince Akeem, wants to travel to America to sow his royal oats in Coming To America, it's his mother, Queen Aoleon Joffer (Madge Sinclair in one of her roles as a Queen), who encourages it. When Akeem declares his love for Lisa, it's Queen Joffer who tells him to run after her. She's a queen in name and in action. 

Merlin - Top Gun

The are two critical moments in Top Gun when a pilot needs his "RIO" (the guy in the other seat). One is at the beginning of the movie when Cougar loses it after the first dog fight. He cracks under the pressure and his RIO, Merlin (Tim Robbins), helps Maverick (Tom Cruise) talk Cougar down to the flight deck. In the end, when Maverick needs to get back in the fight but is struggling with the loss of his RIO, Goose (Anthony Edwards), It's Merlin in the backseat that helps get Maverick back in the fight. 

Fezzik - The Princess Bride

There is one person you can always count on in The Princess Bride and that is Fezzik, played by Andre The Giant. Sure, he threatens to crush Wesley's skull and he is the Brute Squad, but that's before we really get to know him. After drying Inigo Montoya out from the booze, they set out to help the man they once were ordered to kill and in the end, it's Fezzik with the four white horses to carry everyone to safety. 

Sarah - Adventures In Babysitting

Sure, Sarah gets herself in a jam on the edge of a skyscraper in downtown Chicago in Adventures in Babysitting, but she's also the one that convinces the mechanic played by a blonde Vincent D'Onofrio to help. In the movie, he may look like Thor, but at first, he's not interested in saving the kids, because they are short a few bucks on the car repairs. Sarah offers up her favorite toy and he's so touched, he gives them the car. 

Jake Houseman - Dirty Dancing

Dr. Jake Houseman, Baby's father in Dirty Dancing, played brilliantly by Law & Order's Jerry Orbach, is a bit of a villain at times in the movie. He's very old school and very over-protective of his daughters. He certainly isn't happy about Baby (Jennifer Grey) and Johnny (Patrick Swayze) canoodling around. When the chips are down and Johnny's partner Penny is in trouble after a botched back-alley abortion, it's Dr. Houseman who steps in and saves her life.

Yori - Tron

In Tron, it's Tron (Bruce Boxleitner) and Flynn (Jeff Bridges) who win the day by defeating the Master Control Program. But without critical information that Tron gets by contacting his user outside the grid, it never could've happened. To do this, Yori convinces the guard, Dumont, to let Tron get the info he needs from his user.

Lt. Bogomil - Beverly Hills Cop

Ronny Cox plays the hardass Lt. Andrew Bogomil in Beverly Hills Cop. At first, he's definitely not on Axel Foley's (Eddie Murphy) side. He orders Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and Taggert (John Ashton) to follow Foley while he's in Beverly Hills. Bogomil comes around and ends up inventing a story to cover for Foley after they take down the drug traffickers.

Agent Oscar Wallace - The Untouchables

Agent Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith) isn't the prototype of a Treasury Officer tracking the gangsters in the 1930s in The Untouchables. He's not the grizzled vet like Sean Connery's Malone, or the hard-charging Elliott Ness (Kevin Costner). What he is, though, is the guy that actually nails Al Capone (Robert DeNiro). It's his bookish nature that gets him examining Capone's accounts to discover that Capone has paid no taxes for years. 

Carl Fox - Wall Street

Carl Fox, played by Martin Sheen, is Bud's (his real son, Charlie Sheen) father. Bud is caught up in the glitz and glamour of the go-go 1980s. Beach house, modern art, Darryl Hannah...you remember. He goes down some pretty dark roads in the movie, gaining insider trading info for the diabolical Gordon Gekko. The whole time, it's Carl  who tries to speak reason to him. Carl even lines him up with a job at his company that Bud once tried to kill with a deal. That's love. 

Sgt. Hulka - Stripes

In the beginning, he was the drill sergeant. Sgt. Hulka (Warren Oates) is mean; he's tough; he drills the men in the platoon in Stripes, directed by Ivan Reitman, half to death. Like any drill sergeant, he never lets down his guard or shows his human side. That is, until the end, when the idiots in the platoon drive straight into communist Czechoslovakia. Using all his toughness and smarts, Hulka gets word to John (Bill Murray) and Russell (Harold Ramis) and together they break the rest of the platoon out of jail and get back safely to Western Europe, becoming national heroes. 

Iona - Pretty In Pink

Iona (Annie Potts) is the best friend everyone needs in Pretty in Pink. She's the (slightly) older, wiser, big sister type for Andie (Molly Ringwald) and guides her through some of the most important parts of her life. When the brass tacks are down at the end of the movie and Andie needs a dress to the prom, it's Iona who gives Andie her own prom dress, making Andie pretty in pink. It's enough to bring a tear to your eye.

President John Harker - Escape From New York

Okay, so President Harker (Donald Pleasence) in Escape From New York isn't exactly a hero. In fact, the character is easy to despise. He's annoying, he's obnoxious, and he's almost ungrateful at times for the help he gets from Snake (Kurt Russell). For one brief moment, he is the hero. As Snake is being pulled to safety and off the prison island that is 1997 New York, The Duke (Isaac Hayes) appears with a gun and aims to kill Snake. Harker raises a machine gun and blows The Duke away, saving Snake, even if it was really Harker's own anger towards The Duke that motivated him. 

Billy - Big

Like Iona, Billy (Jared Rushton) in Big is the best friend we all need. After Josh (Tom Hanks, who almost didn't get the role) "grows up," he's basically on his own. The only person who believes Josh's story, that a wish from a fortune-telling machine made him "big," is Billy. He takes it upon himself to locate the machine while Josh is wrapped up in his "adult" life. In the end, it's Billy that finds the machine so Josh is able to become a kid again. 

Carl The Janitor - The Breakfast Club 

Carl (John Kapelos) is the eyes and ears of Shermer High School in The Breakfast Club. He's also quite the philosopher when he explains to Vice Principal Vernon (Paul Gleason) that the kids haven't changed, he has, after Vernon says he thinks '80s kids aren't like kids of yesteryear. It's an important thing for everyone to remember: kids will always be kids. 

Vasquez - Aliens

Vasquez (Jenette Goldstein) is one tough marine. She might be the toughest of the bunch in Aliens. She proves how tough she is when she and Lt. Gorman fight down to their last bullet, holding the alien off so Newt and Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) can escape. Vasquez and Gorman end up sacrificing themselves so the rest can get away. 

Sato - Karate Kid Part II

Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) and Sato (Danny Kamekona) have, it's easy to say, a complicated relationship in The Karate Kid Part II. We learn that the reason Miyagi left Okinawa as a kid was because Sato had challenged him to a fight to the death over a girl. When Miyagi returns to Okinawa, Sato has not forgotten. In the end, Sato finds forgiveness, and we need more of that in this world. 

Vijay - Octopussy

Sometimes even James Bond needs a little help. In Octopussy, a lot comes from Vijay (Vijay Amritraj), MI6's man in India. Not only does he help Bond get acclimated to the country, but he also drives the tuk-tuk in the chase scene, saving Bond and making the ultimate sacrifice when he's killed on a stakeout. 

Sgt. Al Powell - Die Hard

It's easy to hear "pal" instead of "Powell" in Die Hard when John (Bruce Willis) is communicating with Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson) of the LAPD. That's good, because Powell is a real pal to John. He's there to listen when John needs it, and most importantly, he's there with his weapon at the end so save John from the lone remaining terrorist. 

Zev Senesca - The Empire Strikes Back

Zev Senesca (Christopher Malcolm) in The Empire Strikes Back has a small role. He's one of many heroes in the rebellion, but the reason Zev stands out is because he locates Han and Luke after their night in the cold on Hoth. Without Zev, we might not have our heroes to save the galaxy from the Empire.

Da Mayor - Do The Right Thing

In Do The Right Thing, most of the characters do the wrong thing. The lone voice of calm in the movie is Da Mayor (Ossie Davis). He tries with all his might to educate the young and calm tensions at the end, but he, like many of our elders, is ignored and lambasted. He should be the hero that is needed at the moment, and would have been if any of us had been listening. 

Mrs. Parker - A Christmas Story

Moms are always a good bet for being unsung heroes and Mrs. Parker (Melinda Dillon) in A Christmas Story is no different. Anytime Ralph needs his mom, she is there. From the fight with the bully to covering up for shooting his eye out, Mrs. Parker has his back. 

Coleman The Butler - Trading Places

Butlers on film are often some of the most loyal characters, and Coleman (Denholm Elliott) in Trading Places is loyal not to one, but to both the characters he works for, Winston and Billy Ray (Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy). He even plays a big part in the scheme to get rich while bankrupting the Dukes and he ends up on the beach with them at the end, as he should.  

Rufus - Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure

Speaking of loyal servants, Rufus (George Carlin) in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is just that. Serving Bill and Ted with all the info they need to fulfill their destiny. Sure, he worships them, but he does the hard work to get them where they need to go so that in his future, Bill and Ted occupy the spot of reverence they are meant to. 

Frank Tillman - Road House

Frank Tillman (Kevin Tighe) in Road House is the boss. He's the bar owner who hires Dalton (Patrick Swayze) and lets him run the show. That's enough to get him on this list, but in the end, he's also one of the people who saves Dalton's life when Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara) goes to shoot him. A true hero in every sense. 

Next time you're watching a movie, pay attention to the supporting characters that truly make the difference. It shows we can matter in our own ways.

The best romantic comedies provide a bit of an escape. They can be a comforting blanket, some folly to lighten up a day, or just something to watch when you want some happy movie love. Some of the most entertaining romantic comedies also break the standard romance trope. These rule-breakers include some of the best romantic action movies. Many of them are also currently streaming.

The best romantic comedy action movies are a nice balance of comedy, action, and romance. Obviously, some of these films may have more of one element than another but each of them has a romance at the center while both action and comedy come to the forefront. Many of the best romantic comedy action movies are available online, so here’s where you can watch them streaming.

Shotgun Wedding (2022) 

Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel star in Shotgun Wedding. This Amazon Prime Video original film follows Darcy and Tom as their destination wedding gets invaded by pirates. We had a lot of thoughts about Shotgun Wedding including many of Tom’s questionable decisions.

Shotgun Wedding is a very silly film that knows its audience wants some light fun with plenty of action sequences, and it leans into it hard. It’s an entertaining movie and a must-watch when you want lots of brutal deaths and Jennifer Lopez fighting in a very damaged wedding dress. 

Shotgun Wedding is one of the best things to watch on Prime Video right now. 

Stream Shotgun Wedding on Amazon Prime.  

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010) 

Imagine meeting the person of your dreams only to then have to combat all their exes. Scott Pilgrim has a lot to deal with to keep his current girlfriend Ramona Flowers. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is one of Edgar Wright’s best movies. It’s a movie that embraces its graphic novel origins in a respectful and innovative way. You feel like you’re watching a live-action comic, which is the right vibe for this story.

The Scott Pilgrim vs. the World cast includes Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, and Chris Evans. 

Stream Scott Pilgrim vs. the World on Netflix.
Rent/buy Scott Pilgrim vs. the World digitally on Amazon.
Buy Scott Pilgrim vs. the World on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon. 

Romancing The Stone (1984) 

Romancing the Stone is an action-adventure romantic comedy about a novelist who travels to Colombia to save her sister. While there, she meets a man who promises to escort her safely to her destination, but for a fee. It stars Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas. Kathleen Turner plays Joan Wilder. 

Wilder is widely known because of her popular romance adventure books. However, she’s not really that adventurous in real life and gets any real excitement through writing her novels. Michael Douglas plays Jack T. Colton, a very no-nonsense wilderness guy. Robert Zemeckis directed Romancing the Stone and it’s one of his best movies. The film is a great opposites attract movie that loves a good ridiculous situation and the power of a good romance novel. 

Stream Romancing the Stone on Tubi. 
Rent/buy Romancing the Stone digitally on Amazon. 
Buy Romancing the Stone on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.  

The Princess Bride (1987) 

Never has the lines “as you wish” been more iconic than in The Princess Bride.  This Rob Reiner movie stars Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, and Chris Sarandon. The Princess Bride follows Westley (Cary Elwes) and Buttercup (Robin Wright) as they fall in love and are continually pulled apart, but they also continue to fight and find their way back to each other. 

This film has plenty of romance, sword fighting, revenge, and iconic comedic moments. It’s almost the perfect romantic comedy action movie. Westley and Buttercup are a great fairytale couple with plenty of on-screen chemistry and a charm that makes you anxious for their happy ending. The Princess Bride is silly in a way that makes it brilliant, with action that only enhances the movie’s allure and legacy. 

Stream The Princess Bride on Disney+.
Rent/buy The Princess Bride digitally on Amazon.
Buy The Princess Bride on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon. 

The Lovebirds (2020) 

Sometimes it takes a dangerous situation to revive a relationship. Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) and Leilani (Issa Rae) have been together for several years. Instead of growing stronger, things are falling apart. Mutually, they decide to break up. They then witness a murder. This leads to them then not only worrying about being murdered themselves but also about being accused of the murder, so they go on an adventure to find out who murdered this man to clear their names. 

Leilani and Jibran find themselves in one dangerous situation after another as they try to solve the crime. Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae are both great comedians, so The Lovebirds works best because of their ability to fully embrace any ridiculous line or situation. At the heart of The Lovebirds is a couple who find their way back to each other because of these stressful situations. They see they are stronger together than apart. 

Stream The Lovebirds on Netflix.
Rent/buy The Lovebirds digitally on Amazon.
Buy The Lovebirds on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Lost City (2022) 

The Lost City is almost like a modern-day remake of Romancing the Stone but different in a few key ways. They both revolve around romance novelists who find themselves suddenly thrust into adventure. However, the love interests are a bit different. Sandra Bullock plays romance novelist Loretta Sage. Channing Tatum plays Alan Caprison, the model for many of Loretta’s novels, including The Lost City of D. 

The Lost City cast also includes Daniel Radcliffe, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Brad Pitt. The most exciting adventure in this movie is the one where Loretta learns that she misjudged Alan and that he may be more than a cover model. Channing Tatum and Sandra Bullock’s characters have a fun dynamic in this film because she thinks he’s very dumb and he has a bit of a crush on her. The Lost City and movies like it work because they effortlessly make the action funny, the comedy exciting, and the romance thrilling.  

Stream The Lost City on Paramount+.
Rent/buy The Lost City digitally on Amazon.
Buy The Lost City on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Date Night (2010)

Shawn Levy directed Date Night, a 2010 romantic comedy starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell. It also stars Taraji P. Henson, Common, and Mark Wahlberg. Married couple Phil (Steve Carell) and Claire (Tina Fey) live a comfortable, boring life. They worry that their lack of excitement in their marriage could lead to divorce. 

Therefore, they try a different approach to their date night. As expected, chaos and mayhem ensue. Date Night allows Tina Fey and Steve Carell to show off their brand of comedy while getting a small taste of the action-adventure movie world. Movies like Date Night are always a good time because it shows the comedic brilliance of putting normal people in extraordinary circumstances.

Rent/buy Date Night digitally on Amazon.
Buy Date Night on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Murder Mystery (2019) 

Nick Spitz (Adam Sandler) is a dedicated New York City police officer. He’s so committed to his work that he and his wife, Audrey (Jennifer Aniston) haven’t been on a vacation for quite a while. However, Nick books a trip to Europe for their anniversary. The trip isn’t the relaxing vacation that they want because they find themselves involved in a murder mystery.

They are also being accused of the crime. Murder Mystery was such a huge Netflix release that it got a sequel.  The Murder Mystery 2 trailer shows Nick and Audrey put in even crazier situations. Beyond all the Murder Mystery madness, it’s a simple story of a couple who manage to overcome dangerous situations because of their devotion and determination as a couple. 

Stream Murder Mystery on Netflix.  

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005) 

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie play John and Jane Smith. They meet and fall instantly in love. They marry quickly, but years later their romance is dying. Their relationship just doesn’t have the same initial spark. Meanwhile, both Jane and John secretly work as assassins for competing agencies. 

One day, they discover the other’s secret and it becomes a bit of a cat and mouse to out-assassin, or possibly kill, the other. Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a playful movie that relies heavily on Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s chemistry to grab you into this assassin vs assassin comedy. 

Stream Mr. And Mrs. Smith on Tubi.
Rent/buy Mr. And Mrs. Smith digitally on Amazon.
Buy Mr. And Mrs. Smith on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Knight And Day (2010) 

James Mangold directed Knight And Day. It follows June (Cameron Diaz) as she accidentally enters the orbit of Roy Miller (Tom Cruise), a secret agent on the run from the CIA. Their encounter starts off nice and flirty until June realizes that this man may be crazy. Knight and Day is a refreshing action and adventure movie that realistically shows a character quite scared and confused when she suddenly finds her life in danger and is followed by a madman who won’t leave her alone.

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz are hilarious in Knight and Day. The film is the typical one-dangerous-situation-after-another movie, but Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz are so entertaining in Knight and Day that the concept feels fresh again. I believe that Knight and Day is an underrated action-adventure romantic comedy. 

Rent/buy Knight and Day digitally on Amazon.
Buy Knight and Day on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon. 

The best romantic comedy action movies need to have actors that can be funny, charming, and embrace the ridiculousness of the situation. They also need to have great chemistry with one another. All these streaming movies fit those criteria. Hopefully, the action-romantic comedy genre continues to grow, because they give romance movies some adrenaline. 

It is inconceivable to think that The Princess Bride has been around for over three decades. It was 35 years ago when director Rob Reiner and Academy Award-winning screenwriter William Goldman released this hilarious, thrilling, and romantic fairy tale adventure adapted from a book that Goldman, himself, also penned.

The real key to the enduring success of the 1987 film - which was cleverly parodied in  a PG-13 cut of Deadpool 2 - would have to be the remarkably talented members of the Princess Bride cast - including Cary Elwes as Westley and Robin Wright as Buttercup. We honor these legends with the slideshow below, which includes photos depicting them in character and in real-life in more recent years.

The Princess Bride is one of those movies that nearly everybody loves. Few are willing to go on record to say The Princess Bride isn’t great. A large part of the reason for the love be the film’s absolutely perfect casting. Most of the stars in The Princess Bride were not household names before the film, and in fact, the biggest star, in every sense, Andre the Giant, was the one with the least acting experience. Today marks what would have been Andre’s 76th birthday, and his co-star Carey Elwes is remembering his massive friend at this special time.

Carey Elwes took to Twitter yesterday, just before Andre’s birthday, to remember his friend, who passed away in 1993. He posed in front of a classic poster promoting Andre’s wrestling and included some very nice words for his old friend.

Wrestling fans around the world already knew Andre the Giant, but his character in The Princess Bride endeared him to millions of people who never saw him perform in the ring. In that film, Andre played a man who was incredibly strong, but had no desire to fight. Based on the words of Carey Elwes here, the man himself was as easy to fall in love with as the character.

Based on the things that many have said about Andre the Giant, he truly was just one of the nicest people you could meet. Perhaps because he was so physically intimidating, Andre balanced that with a personality that was much more approachable. You’ll be hard pressed to find anybody with a negative thing to say about Andre. Those in the wrestling world loved him, Dwayne Johnson has talked about what Andre meant to him, and those that worked with him on screen did as well. 

Andre was billed at over seven feet tall as a wrestler. He was born with an excessive amount of growth hormone, causing him to become incredibly big. In the man’s later years he was reportedly in constant pain due to the pressure that his size put on his body. Andre was known for imbibing massive amounts of alcohol as a way to manage his pain.

Andre died at the age of 46 due to congestive heart failure, which was likely exacerbated by his incredible size. His heart really was massive, but as Carey Elwes says here, it was filled with love, and the man clearly left a mark on his friends that will not be forgotten, even three decades later. 

There is one final thing in this picture that is worthy of note, which is that it shows us that Carey Elwes himself is doing well. Elwes was recently bitten by a rattlesnake which resulted in him being hospitalized. Based on this picture, he’s recovering well. 

Cary Elwes has had a long and successful career, although he’s most notable for playing Westley in the 1987 classic The Princess Bride. While he’s got a number of projects coming up, the Saw actor recently made headlines after being bitten by a snake and promptly having to be airlifted to the hospital. Elwes recently showed off a picture of his snake bite, and I’d honestly prefer the pit of despair.

While Cary Elwes has seen plenty of blood and guts throughout his career, things got personal when he was bitten by a rattlesnake while working on his own property on April 23rd. He was rushed to the hospital because of their venomous nature, but luckily seems to be recovering well. So much so that Elwes shared a photo of his gnarly injury on Twitter. Check it out for yourself below,

Honestly, the Princess Bride’s pit of despair is looking like a vacation home right now. Because while Cary Elwes’ character Westley was tortured in that iconic setting from the movie, that seems like child’s play when compared to the rattlesnake bite that happened to him IRL. To quote another iconic ‘80s adventure movie “Snakes! Why does it always have to be snakes?”

The above image of Cary Elwes’ thumb is sure to turn the stomach of a few folks out there, as it really shows the damage that rattlesnake did to his digit. The coloring is obviously off as well, with the injury standing out like a sore thumb (or in this case, middle finger). But Elwes’ hopeful message is sure to be a relief to his generations of fans out there.

For those who don’t remember, the Pit of Despair sequences happen about halfway through the runtime of The Princess Bride. Westley is captured by Humperdinck and tortured by Count Rugen and his assistant. The machine takes years off his life, which somehow seems less terrifying than being bitten by a rattlesnake. As a reminder, you can see the first of these scenes below,

Of course, his rattlesnake bite isn’t the first major injury that Cary Elwes has shared with the public. In his own book As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride, Elwes revealed that he was hurt and needed stitches while filming a fight scene for the beloved movie. He also broke a toe while riding the golf cart of Andre the Giant, which is obviously far less serious. While there was some recent talk about The Princess Bride being rebooted, Elwes has voiced his disapproval.

Hopefully Cary Elwes will be able to recover from this injury sooner rather than later, as he’s got some exciting projects coming down the line. He’s in the cast of Zack Snyder’s upcoming movie Rebel Moon, which recently celebrated the start of filming. Elwes can also be seen in the upcoming Mission: Impossible 7 alongside the one and only Tom Cruise.

Mission: Impossible 7 is currently expected to arrive in theaters on July 14th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

What makes a good romantic comedy? Is it the style of humor? The location where it takes place? The soundtrack? Surely, most will agree that the chemistry between the love interests is crucial. In fact, based on our picks for the absolute best romantic comedies of all time, a lot of factors come into play when identifying what makes us laugh or swoon or even tear up a bit if the mood is right. So let’s get on to the list. Those of us at CinemaBlend with a passion for rom-coms got together and rated our picks for the absolute best romantic comedy movies of all time… 

50. High Fidelity

When talking about meet-cutes, there are few movies that could make a list of rom-coms that are more sad sack than High Fidelity. But the Nick Hornby book-turned-film manages to be very funny, much of it due to the performance from John Cusack as Rob, whom one roots for despite his obvious poor understanding of the ladies in his life. The movie is carried along by an A+ soundtrack, a zany performance from Jack Black, and surprising turns from ‘90s icons Catherine Zeta Jones, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack, Lisa Bonet and more. It’s a great movie to curl up with in the winter and an even better movie to throw on after a break up. Watch, this rundown will now sell five copies. 

49. Crazy Stupid Love

Crazy Stupid Love is surprising in the best way. It tells the story of Cal (Steve Carell), who is dealing with a divorce from his wife Emily (Julianne Moore), and his friend Jacob (Ryan Gosling) is teaching him to be a playboy while dealing with his own love life after Hannah (Emma Stone) rocks his world. 

From re-creating the Dirty Dancing lift to what might be one of the greatest plot twists ever, the laughs come at a mile a minute in this film, and it’s pure joy. Also, how could we forget, this movie brought Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling together for the first time, and for that, we’re eternally grateful. 

48. 50 First Dates

Adam Sandler can and has made his share of rom coms over the years, but there’s something particularly magical about what happens when he and Drew Barrymore fall in love on screen. The 2004 Hawaii-set 50 First Dates is plenty goofy, as Sandler’s Henry learns that his crush, Barrymore’s Lucy, will – due to a brain injury from an accident in her past – forget him all over again every morning. The concept creates all sorts of setups for funny quips, but finds staying power in how it inspired a unique love story all about patience and acceptance.  Plus, you know a movie is iconic when it recontextualizes The Beach Boys’ “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and The Wizard Of Oz’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in a way that will have one never hearing them the same again, without recalling Henry and Lucy’s quirky love story anyway. 

47. 13 Going On 30

13 Going on 30 turns twenty in 2024, if you can believe it, and now, we’re cementing it as one of the best romantic comedies out there. The film follows a young teen who wishes to be “thirty, flirty and thriving,” only to wake up one morning to find her wish has come true. She’s thirty and living in New York City, working at a fashion magazine. 

While the romance in 13 Going on 30 takes a bit of a backseat in comparison to the life lessons Jenna is taught (like don’t try to change yourself for others), it’s still one that makes us smile. The 13 Going on 30 cast is great, and Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo have chemistry that is tough to beat. 

46. Never Been Kissed

Never Been Kissed is an ode to the awkward high school nerds. The ones who may have been late-bloomers but eventually found their spotlight. Drew Barrymore is another queen of the romantic comedy world. She always delivers a charismatic performance and creates likable heroines. 

Her characters are never without flaws but that makes them more appealing. Barrymore’s Josie bumbles her way through high school (again) in a very funny but sweet way. Michael Vartan and Barrymore’s chemistry is really what makes the film such a great romantic comedy. The final moments of Never Been Kissed make you kick and twirl your hair with glee. 

45. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is way more than its top-of-the-line embarrassing breakup scene where Jason Segel’s Peter, well, bares his peter because he’s so shocked by the end of his five-year romance with Sarah (Kristen Bell). Aside from hilarious performances from Segel, Bell, Mila Kunis, and a number of other funny people, the story of attempting to move past a relationship that wasn’t as perfect as you’d previously thought while unexpectedly falling for someone else when you really think you’re not ready is one lots of people can likely relate to. Laugh-out-loud funny and heartwarming is how we like our rom-coms, and this is an R-rated comedy that still delivers big time.

44. Pretty In Pink

Howard Deutch’s Pretty In Pink has one of the best movie soundtracks with songs like “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” by The Smiths and the titular track by The Psychedelic Furs, but it’s the story at the center of this “Brat Pack” classic that makes it so charming. Written by John Hughes, the film follows Andie Walsh (Molly Ringwald) as she begins to venture outside of her social group after falling for Blane McDonnagh (Andrew McCarthy), a popular prep from her high school.

The clash of cultures, ideals, and social classes leads the high school senior on a remarkable journey where she sets out to find out who she really is and what she wants out of life.

43. Love Actually

Why settle for one love story when you can have ten? Love Actually explores a spectrum of different types of love through its loosely connected characters, and while there’s plenty of romance to be found, there’s also grief, anger and heartbreak. It’s no surprise that this has become a Christmas classic — and is one of the best movies of the 2000s — as legendary rom-com director Richard Curtis assembled an astonishing ensemble cast that includes Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson and Colin Firth, to name just a few. Not all of Love Actually’s stories resonate with every viewer, but with so much going on, everybody’s sure to find something to love.

42. Love, Simon

Love, Simon was a massive deal when it was released because it was the first movie by a major Hollywood studio to focus on a gay teenage romance. Nick Robinson plays Simon, a high school senior who is coming to terms with his sexuality. Not yet ready to come out, Simon finds himself exchanging anonymous emails with a fellow gay classmate whom he begins to fall for. 

The movie includes a swooning romance with one of the best grand gestures at the end, but it also explores the nature of coming out and how complicated that can be, even though the people in Simon’s life are supportive. It’s safe to say there wouldn’t be as many LGBTQ+ romantic comedies if it wasn’t for this one. 

41. Bridget Jones's Diary

This early-aughts retelling of one of literature’s greatest romantic comedies—Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice—gave us a plucky heroine for the ages in Ms. Jones, a thirtysomething London singleton played to perfection by Renée Zellweger. It’s rare when a rom-com performance gets acknowledgment from the Academy, but Zellweger’s turn as the clumsy, chain-smoking yet utterly charming lass earned her a much-deserved Oscar nomination. 

In the Sharon Maguire-directed comedy, our usually unlucky-in-love leading lady finds herself in the middle of a love triangle featuring two very eligible (and very British) bachelors: Hugh Grant’s rakish Daniel Cleaver and Colin Firth’s mysterious Mark Darcy. The latter has a leg up, though, because he likes Bridget just the way she is. And so do we.

40. Licorice Pizza

PT Anderson’s Licorice Pizza gives us a romance we’re not sure if we should be rooting for. The age gap, life circumstances, morals and common sense should push Alana and Gary apart, but through waterbed schemes, acting dreams and his relentless determination, they’re repeatedly drawn together, despite her better instincts. It’s awkward and uncomfortable but also vibrant and full of life in a way that thoughtfully shows just how many similarities and differences there are between your teenage years and your twenties. Plus, acting newbies Cooper Hoffman (the son of Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Alana Haim are both fantastic, and the film features an absolutely unhinged supporting turn from Bradley Cooper that needs to be seen.

39. Crazy Rich Asians

Based on the novel of the same name and directed by Jon M. Chu, Crazy Rich Asians was a huge rom-com when it released in 2018, telling the story of a young woman who has to travel to Singapore to meet her fiance’s family – only to find out that they are incredibly rich. 

Crazy Rich Asians tells a story that aims to make you laugh but also make you swoon at the same time at the undeniable chemistry between Constance Wu and Henry Golding. Not only that, but you’ll be entranced by the wealth of this family – the wardrobe alone must have made up the entire budget of the film. However, you’ll stay for the sweet yet complex romance. 

38. The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

The original Princess Diaries is delightful as a story about a teen who learns she’s a princess, but it’s the sequel that finds a spot on this particular list. The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement sees Mia (Anne Hathaway), facing an arranged marriage due to a law that says she can’t take the throne without a husband beside her. Romantic sparks fly between Mia and Nicholas (Chris Pine), a man who’s also vying for the throne. Be it the chemistry between Hathaway and Pine, the fantastic cast – including Julie Andrews, Raven-Symoné, Hector Elizondo and more – Garry Marshall’s direction, the screenplay from Shonda Rhimes, or other talents involved, there’s a lot that works, and continues to hold up not only as a charming rom-com, but one for the whole family. 

37. Easy A

While Emma Stone has appeared in several critically-acclaimed movies, like The Favourite, Poor Things or even La La Land (which earned her an Academy Award), one of the stand-out movies has to be Easy A. 

Telling the story of a teenager who decides to build up a promiscuous reputation to become popular instead of mocked, Easy A is as raunchy as a rom-com can get without diving into the “too much” category. It’s hilarious in its line delivery, comedic timing, and so much more, and there’s nothing quite like watching Emma Stone sing “Pocketful of Sunshine” again and again. 

36. Trainwreck

Eagerly embracing love and commitment isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, for some people,  it’s extremely difficult, even when presented with the perfect opportunity for romance with a truly great person. Such is the case for Amy Schumer’s character, a writer who reluctantly falls for Bill Hader’s sports doctor character in Judd Apatow’s Trainwreck. 

The movie is not at all your typical fairytale. Life and love in Trainwreck are messy, but the movie embraces that mess with surprisingly sweet moments and great chemistry from its leads. And this is all complimented with raunchy humor and a fantastic supporting cast, including John Cena, Brie Larson, Vanessa Bayer, LeBron James and Tilda Swinton, among others. 

35. My Best Friend's Wedding

My Best Friend’s Wedding should not work: Jules Potter’s (Julia Roberts) scheme to sabotage the nuptials of her lifelong friend—and longterm back-up plan—Michael O'Neal (Dermot Mulroney) and his bubbly fiancée Kimmy Wallace (Cameron Diaz) is not only ill-advised, it’s also downright cruel. She messes with Michael’s job, gets Kimmy’s family involved, and even ropes in her gay BFF (a pitch-perfect Rupert Everett) to pretend to be her lover. 

Jules is undoubtedly the villain of her own rom-com and yet the megawatt charm of ’90s-era Julia Roberts is blinding enough that you can’t help but sympathize with her character’s behavior. And she’s so matched by the equally dazzling Diaz that you don’t even mind when the “wrong” girl gets the boy in the end. 

34. 500 Days Of Summer

500 Days of Summer in many ways is an anti-romantic comedy. It shows the delusions that sometimes overtake us when looking for the ideal mate. We want them to be perfect so badly that sometimes we don’t really see them. Nonetheless, 500 Days of Summer uses the genre to tell a story about a man who confuses his idea of love with actual love. 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel both make their characters layered and human. Their flaws make their love story feel honest and heartbreaking. Romantic comedies are often charming because of their whimsical nature, but movies like 500 Days of Summer show the messiness of love, especially when one refuses to leave the fantasy. 

33. Say Anything

Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything is one of those movies most famous for a single image, in this case, the shot of John Cusack standing with a boombox held above his head. But what’s better than the image itself is the context and terrific story that leads up to that quintessential ‘80s moment. 

The movie follows the unlikely romance shared by the underachieving Lloyd Dobler (Cusack) and valedictorian Diane Court (Ione Skye) that blossoms the summer following their high school graduation. Though infatuated with one another, the couple faces a series of obstacles over the summer, including being from different social groups, an IRS investigation, and a looming prestigious fellowship in England that could break them apart.

32. Chasing Amy

Though it’s still one of Kevin Smith’s best movies, Chasing Amy, which stars Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Lee, and an appearance by Jay and Silent Bob, definitely feels like a ‘90s movie. What we mean is, some of the concepts, like a lesbian who falls deeply in love with a man, and the insecurity that a male character feels about a female character’s sexual history, seems pretty dated by today’s standard. That said, the emotions in this one are super raw, and by the end of it, you’re left with a very real feeling of what could have been. 

31. Something's Gotta Give

When it comes to Nancy Meyers’ best movies, Something’s Gotta Give has to be at or near the top. This 2003 romantic comedy puts Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton up against one another as a wealthy womanizer and prolific playwright, respectively, who are forced to spend a few days together in the Hamptons. What starts as a clash of personalities and ideologies slowly turns into an unexpected romance as the pair learn they have more in common than originally thought.

The movie has all the staples of Meyers’ work with incredibly written characters, captivating dialogue, and a kitchen that belongs in a museum. Oh, and the supporting cast, which includes Keanu Reeves and Frances McDormand, adds a nice touch.

30. To All The Boys I've Loved Before

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before quite literally resurrected the teen romantic comedy genre and has gone on to be one the most hilarious romantic comedies with Asian-American leads. Based on the best-selling series of the same name, the first movie centers on Lara Jean, a high school student who fantasizes about love but has never been in a relationship. When her secret love letters to past crushes accidentally get mailed, she finds herself in a fake relationship with Peter, the school’s it boy. 

The original movie celebrated its 5th anniversary in 2023, and it still is one of the best according to fans because it shows Lara Jean and Peter falling for each other for real despite their fake arrangement. Their love is magical in the way all first love is, but it’s the chemistry between Lana Condor and Noah Centineo that really seals the deal.

29. The Big Sick

What happens when “in sickness and in health” pops up way earlier than you anticipated? That’s the crux of this 2017 rom-com, which stars Kumail Nanjiani in a story inspired by his own relationship with wife Emily V. Gordon. (The couple co-wrote the film’s script, which earned them an Oscar nomination.) Nanjiani plays an aspiring comedian whose new girlfriend Emily (played by Zoe Kazan) unexpectedly falls into a coma, leaving him to deal with the fallout and, even more worryingly, their families. 

Echoing another rom-com classic—Sandra Bullock’s While You Were Sleeping—Kumail falls for his future-in-laws (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) as he waits for Emily to wake up, but also has to contend with his own Pakistani parents, who’ve been trying to set him up for an arranged marriage. From cultural differences to chronic illnesses, The Big Sick lovably manages to make seemingly unfunny subjects feel both romantic and comedic. 

28. Harold And Maude

Harold and Maude is a taboo romance that wins over the audience. On paper, a woman in her 70s (near 80s) falling in love with a man in his 20s almost seems criminal, but Hal Ashby — against all odds  — warms you to the pairing. The film is about a lot more than just the friendship turned romance between Harold and Maude, but the romance helps elevate some of the film’s messages. 

One of those messages is to live your life at maximum capacity. Maude doesn’t let her age or societal norms dictate how she lives. She then passes this wisdom on to Harold. Harold and Maude makes it clear that Maude will not be Harold’s only love, but she will likely be his greatest. To experience such a transformative love story is what most aspire to obtain. 

27. While You Were Sleeping

If you want someone to give a relatable, endearing, and earnest romantic comedy performance, you call Sandra Bullock. She is truly one of the stars of the genre. While You Were Sleeping best demonstrates how Bullock can make you fall in love with her, no matter the crazy plot. Bill Pullman isn’t particularly known for his romantic comedy work, which is a shame. He’s undeniably attractive and bewitching in While You Were Sleeping. He oozes sexiness in the most subtle and appealing ways. 

Bullock and Pullman’s chemistry makes it a must-watch romantic comedy, but it's also a heartwarming tale about family. Bullock’s Lucy doesn’t just fall for Jack but the whole Callaghan clan. The themes of family and merriment make While You Were Sleeping a perfect holiday romance movie as well. 

26. Palm Springs

There are probably more gleefully weird rom-coms than Palm Springs, but it’ll likely be difficult for many people to think of one. As one of our rare sci-fi romantic comedies, it sees Andy Samberg’s Nyles and Cristin Milioti’s Sarah as strangers who attend a wedding, then get stuck together in a time loop. We watch as he and Sarah experience the same day together, growing closer as they try to make sense of and have some wackadoo fun with their new, oddball existence.

The film makes the most of the time loop scenario in how it keeps pushing both characters past their breaking point so that they continue to grow through every insane repeat of the day, learn more about themselves, each other, the world at large, and what it really means to love and accept someone despite having witness the results of their dark thoughts and nonsensical behavior.

25. Bridesmaids

Rom-coms love to talk about love, but it’s usually the typical scenario of pursuing that great romance, with grand gestures and huge lessons. Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids isn’t that sort of movie, or at least isn’t completely focused on the entanglements of the awkward Annie (Kristen Wiig). 

If there was a true love story to follow in this movie, it’s that of Annie and her best friend/bride-to-be Lilian (Maya Rudolph). But besides that, everything you’d want out of a rom-com is present in the script co-written by Wiig and Annie Mumalo; right down to Melissa McCarthy’s Academy Award nominated comic relief. To appreciate Bridesmaids’ brilliance is to realize that this very R-rated comedy isn’t afraid to leave it all in the middle of the street in the name of a laugh. And after over a decade, director Paul Feig’s reasons for why it holds up have aged all the better.

24. Red, White & Royal Blue

Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, Red, White & Royal Blue was one of the biggest new releases of 2023, at least in the streaming world. Though slight changes were made from the book, the movie follows the First Son of the United States Alex, and Prince Henry of Wales as they go from enemies to friends to lovers. Throughout the movie, the two bond over their alienating positions and their desire to make the world a better place. 

When Red, White, & Royal Blue was released, queer fans around the world found the movie super healing. As far as rom-coms, the movie has some pretty amazing quotes that are hard to forget. Above all else though, fans continue to stream it over and over again because Alex and Henry get a happily ever after at the end, which, unfortunately, is all too uncommon for queer love stories. 

23. Notting Hill

“I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her” is without a doubt one of the most iconic and quotable lines in the history of romantic comedies and one of the reasons Notting Hill is such a joy to watch time and time again. Released in 1999, Roger Michell’s rom-com about a travel book store owner (played by Hugh Grant) and a Hollywood star (played by Julia Roberts) falling in love after a chance encounter on the street is nothing short of magical in every way imaginable.

Even after repeated viewings and despite knowing how things end, it’s impossible to not get caught up in the drama and the “will they or won’t they” aspect of the swirling romance at the center of Notting Hill.

22. Clueless

Clueless is a brilliant take on the delightfully witty Emma. This modern version of Jane Austen’s popular novel delivers in performance, writing, and romance. It works both as a straightforward comedy and as a classic rom-com. Alicia Silverstone exemplifies on-screen charm as she makes Cher the clueless best friend that everyone wants. 

Over his many decades in Hollywood, Paul Rudd has become the man next door. The charismatic best friend or boyfriend. Clueless helped set Rudd on this trajectory. Silverstone and Rudd’s glorious chemistry makes it impossible to not root for Cher and Josh to end up together, despite the complexity of their enemies to lovers, former-sibling status. Clueless has rightfully earned its place as a comfort movie. A movie that film lovers (especially rom-com fans) can watch time and time again and still experience the same amount of wonder with each viewing. 

21. The Wedding Singer

Whoever cast Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore together in The Wedding Singer should have become a millionaire for that contribution to the film alone. After director Frank Coraci’s 1998 classic hit it big, there was no turning back. A new pair of rom-com legends was born, and repeated team ups were basically a done deal.

As Sandler’s jilted wedding entertainer slowly falls for Barrymore’s limitlessly sweet waitress, the sort of ‘90s comedy hijinx you’d expect out of a Happy Madison movie is definitely present. But at the same time, this picture marked a very important turning point for the SNL veteran. The Wedding Singer wasn’t just a good Adam Sandler comedy, it also gave him a chance to play a romantic lead. And if anyone had any doubts about whether this was a good idea or not, I dare you to watch the man sing “Grow Old With You” and not feel moved.

20. Breakfast At Tiffany's

Audrey Hepburn’s best films include many from her time in Hollywood, but I can’t think of one that is more iconic than Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This film, nominated for five Academy Awards, follows a young woman trying to marry for money, but in the process, falls in love with a struggling writer. 

This film is the perfect example of how you never really know when love is going to hit. You can make plans, but when you meet the one, it doesn’t matter what social status they are – you just want to be with them. Featuring Hepburn in one of her best performances, Breakfast at Tiffany’s not only gave Hollywood one of the most epic love stories out there, but a brilliant move overall – and don’t even get us started on the fashion. Holly is a snazzy dresser.

19. Pretty Woman

Yes, I know that “Pretty Woman” is for sure stuck in your head right now, and truthfully, it’s the perfect place to be, because everything about Pretty Woman is great. Starring Julia Roberts in one of her best rom-com movies, Pretty Woman tells the story of a Hollywood escort who is hired by a wealthy man to be his date to several social functions over the course of a week. 

As they spend more time together, their business deal turns romantic, and it’s fair to say that in many ways, Pretty Woman was the blueprint for rom-coms for several years after. Featuring undeniable chemistry from Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, and a love story that will make any romantic swoon, Pretty Woman is one of those films that is a must-watch.

18. The Holiday

Who hasn’t dreamed of just jumping on a plane and traveling to a foreign country to get away from it all? That’s the situation Iris (Kate Winslet in one of her best movies) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) find themselves in in The Holiday, when heartbreak leads the strangers to agree to switch houses for two weeks. It’s funny how running away from their lives leads to them having to confront some hard truths about themselves, and it’s a delight to watch them do so — Iris with the help of a couple of new friends, including Jack Black’s Miles, and Amanda in developing feelings for Iris’ brother, single dad Graham (Jude Law). 

With Nancy Meyers’ direction and Hans Zimmer’s score, The Holiday has become a beloved holiday classic that will leave you inspired to find your gumption, because anything can happen when the Santa Anas blow.

17. Silver Linings Playbook

Silver Linings Playbook follows Bradley Cooper’s Pat when he moves back in with his parents (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver) after spending time in a mental institution learning how to live with bipolar disorder. While staying there, and attempting to reconnect with his ex, he meets Jennifer Lawrence’s Tiffany, a widow, and they form a connection as they both reconcile with their lives. 

The two end up bonding, and they decide to compete in a dance competition. As they practice they grow closer, and so begins a chaotic and beautiful relationship. Jennifer Lawrence won her Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook, and for good reason. This gorgeous movie about acceptance and love is quick-witted and deeply moving as it tells the story of these two people finding themselves and supporting each other. 

16. Set It Up

Before Glen Powell was starring opposite Sydney Sweeney in Anyone but You, he was putting his rom-com acting skills to the test in the 2018 Netflix rom-com Set It Up. Zoey Deutch and Powell both play executive assistants whose lives revolve around making their demanding bosses happy. In order to get their own lives back, the two decide to set up their bosses and end up falling for each other along the way. 

There’s something magical about Set It Up and yet it’s one of the most underrated romantic comedies. Brimming with humor and romance, the movie is also a story about the professional and personal woes young twenty-somethings are currently facing in the world. While it’s been several years since its release, fans and the director are still hoping for a sequel that reunites this incredible cast. 

15. Sleepless In Seattle

Maybe it’s the soundtrack. Maybe it’s the seemingly effortless charm of its entire cast. Maybe it’s the way the story makes us feel a mixture of warmth and humor and hope and a little bit of sadness as we follow the two leads on their destined paths toward one another. It’s probably a little bit of everything that makes Nora Ephron’s Sleepless in Seattle work so well, and it continues to hold up as one of the best romantic comedies of all time. It doesn’t hurt that Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are undeniably likable as love interests in this tale of a grieving widower finding love again after tragedy, which continues to be a timeless classic. 

14. Four Weddings And A Funeral

Directed by Mike Newell and written by Richard Curtis, the 1994 romantic comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral is one of those romantic comedies that you just have to watch whenever it’s on TV, even if it’s three weddings in by that point. With a blend of side-splitting humor, great romance, and one of the most emotional eulogies you’ll see in any movie, not just comedies, this timeless classic captures the full human experience.

Hugh Grant, with his portrayal of the soon-to-be-married Charles who has second thoughts after meeting Andie MacDowell’s Carrie at a wedding, became a massive star and a staple of the romantic comedy genre upon its release. It’s hard to imagine Grant’s rom-coms like Notting Hill, Two Weeks Notice, and About A Boy happening without Four Weddings and a Funeral.

13. You've Got Mail

You’ve Got Mail marked the third time Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks worked together and it’s so iconic, that fans are still begging for the two to reunite for another rom-com. The movie follows Kathleen, a struggling children’s bookstore owner, who starts an anonymous online romance with a man. The man in question ends up being Joe Fox, the owner of the corporate bookstore that just moved in, jeopardizing her own shop. 

Not only do Ryan and Hanks have amazing chemistry in the movie, but it was written by the Queen of Rom-Coms, Nora Ephron, and her daughter Delia. It pulls out all the stops from witty banter in the form of an AOL chat room, heartfelt monologues and grand gestures, and of course, it’s the perfect example of the enemies-to-lovers trope.

12. Coming To America

Sing it with me. “Sheeee’s yoooour queen to beee.” – John Landis’ Coming to America is one of, if not the best Eddie Murphy movies of all time. The story of a prince who is willing to give it all up to find true love, Coming to America is the quintessential ‘80s movie, which is buttressed by both Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall taking on multiple roles. From Prince Akeem, to Akeem’s friend, Semmi, to a Jewish barber, to of course, Sexual Chocolate lead singer, Randy Watson, the laughs come fast and furious in this romantic comedy. 

That said, the best thing about this movie is probably the courtship between Prince Akeem and Lisa McDowell, played by Shari Headley. In the end, Coming to America is a simple love story with a lot of laughs, but seriously. What else could you possibly want? 

11. 10 Things I Hate About You

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, 10 Things I Hate About You follows Kat (Julie Stiles) as her sister Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) attempts to set her up with a boy so her father will let her date. Enter Patrick, played brilliantly by Heath Ledger, the boy hired to win Kat over. So, begins a tale as old as the great playwright with all the early 2000s energy we absolutely adore.

This film expertly incorporates lines from Shakespeare’s play into a quintessential early ‘00s story filled with shenanigans that include a grand gesture involving the song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” paintball and an iconic house party.Overall, 10 Things I Hate About You is incredibly intelligent and buckets of fun, plus its supporting cast is stacked with the likes of Allison Janney, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and David Krumholtz. And at the center of it is Kat and Patrick’s enemies-to-lovers relationship that bursts with chemistry.  

10. Punch-Drunk Love

Punch-Drunk Love is a lot of things, including a bit unusual and occasionally dark, but at its heart is a charming, humorous love story. If there’s one scene alone that secures its spot on this list, it’s the one set to Shelley Duvall’s “He Needs Me” from the Popeye soundtrack, when Barry (Adam Sandler) tracks Lena (Emily Watson) down in Hawaii, and their connection leads to romance, including some twisted and adorably bizarre pillow talk. Sure, he eventually has to confess that it’s not a coincidence that he’s there, but based on her reaction, she’s kind of ok with that.

As is the case with other Paul Thomas Anderson movies, there’s a mounting tension that builds in the movie. Barry Egan is almost constantly on the move in his bright blue suit, whether it’s dealing with work issues, his overbearing sisters or his occasional bouts of rage. And amidst an abandoned harmonium, being blackmailed by people running a phone sex hotline, and a plan that includes a whole lot of pudding, Barry forms a connection with Lena, who seems to see him the way no one else does. 

9. Obvious Child

Jenny Slate has made a run of movies in which she plays very funny characters dealing with some tough subjects, and no I’m not talking about The Secret Life Of Pets, but rather projects like Landline or most memorably Obvious Child. It was in the latter that Slate’s character Donna had an unusual meet cute, followed by an unplanned pregnancy. Yes, this film is very much still a rom-com, and while a story of a new relationship that simultaneously tackles a tough subject like an abortion is not the normal fodder for a popcorn flick, Obvious Child stands out from the pack. 

Gillian Robespierre’s film is witty, thoughtful, sharply written, poignant and a narrative that many women can identify with and relate to, though is rarely normalized on the big screen. Just don’t go into this one expecting a bombastic “I Love You Baby” finale or a boombox-over-the-head ending, because it’s really not that kind of movie.

7 (Tied) As Good as it Gets

There are few characters more hilariously unlikeable than Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson). The successful author is rude, bigoted and generally insensitive, but in As Good As It Gets, we see him take several turns for the better once he’s forced to help his recently assaulted neighbor (Greg Kinnear) as he becomes closer to Carol (Helen Hunt), the only waitress at his favorite restaurant who can stand/handle his horrid behavior. 

One of the many great things about this film is that it shows how two wildly different people can grow to respect, enjoy and even love each other and just how transformative that process can be, all while making us laugh and hope for Carol and Melvin’s Happily Ever After. Hunt and Nicholson have amazing tension that turns into a similar level of great romantic chemistry, and they sparkle so much in their respective roles that both nabbed Oscars for their work. If you haven’t seen this one at all, or in a while, the sweet moments and funny bits still hold up, and you should definitely add one of Jack Nicholson’s best movies to your queue soon.

7 (Tied) Amelie

For a lot of people, Amélie was not just the first French film they ever watched, it served as their introduction to the enchanting world of international cinema. Released in 2001, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s charming, ambitious, and tremendously shot romantic comedy follows a young and beautiful yet incredibly lonely woman named Amélie Poulain (Audrey Tautou) as she explores life, love, and her own imagination in Paris. Putting her own happiness on the back burner, the introverted and quirky waitress spends her days trying to improve the lives of those around her so that at least someone can find love and meaning in the world.

What makes this Paris-set movie so beloved and popular nearly a quarter-century after its release is the way Jeunet takes elements of the traditional rom-com and adds a unique flair and sense of place to it, resulting in a unique and unforgettable experience. It also doesn’t hurt that Tautou is at her best when portraying the whimsical young woman with a bob haircut and hunger for adventure and wonder.

6. Groundhog Day

Sure, most people remember Harold Ramis’ Groundhog Day as that Bill Murray movie where he repeats the same day over and over again. And why wouldn’t they remember it as such since it’s probably Bill Murray’s funniest role.. However, what people sometimes tend to forget is that, at its heart, the movie is really a love story between a weatherman and his new producer. The weatherman in question is, of course, Bill Murray, and his new producer is played by Addie MacDowell. 

Day after day, Bill Murray’s character, Phil Connors, learns to at first revel in a life with no consequences, and then despise it. But, the one constant in his time loop is that MacDowell’s character, Rita Hanson, is usually at the center of just what he needs in his life. Throughout the film, Connors goes from being selfish, to learning to care about others, and then finally, to learning to love Rita Hanson. Yes, it’s a very silly movie, but it’s also a beautiful one as well. Plus, you’ll never hear the song, “I Got You Babe” the same way ever again. 

5. The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride is a story for someone who doesn’t want to be told a story. As Peter Falk tries to cheer up on-screen grandson Fred Savage while he’s home sick from school, screenwriter William Goldman’s epic love story/adventure/comedy starts with the perfect foundation for a timeless story. Because when someone doesn’t want you to tell them a story, that’s when you pull out all the stops.

Director Rob Reiner’s movie is not only a perfect rom-com, but it also allows both sides of that coin to have moments of pure joy. It even goes above and beyond, giving us everything from Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and his quest to avenge his father, to Fezzig (André the Giant) proving that not all massive men want to crush and destroy. What reigns supreme though is the romance between Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) and Westley (Cary Elwes). You don’t question that romance for a second, and even viewers that aren’t into “the kissing parts” root for these young lovers every step of the way. By the time The Princess Bride concludes, we’re all like Fred Savage’s Grandson character: ready to hear it all over again, the same time tomorrow.

4. About Time

Time travel has long proven to be a stunning device to center great movies, and in 2013’s About Time, the concept was cleverly woven into the romantic comedy genre in an unforgettable way. Written and directed by Richard Curtis, who famously brought other movies on this list to life like Love Actually, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Notting Hill, About Time tells the story of Tim (Domhnall Gleeson), an unassuming gent who is unlucky in love, and finds out one day he has the ability to travel through time at his whim. 

When Tim meets Mary (Rachel McAdams), he’ll travel as much in time as he can to get things right with her. What starts as a fun rom-com with a science fiction bent, transpires into something more, as About Time explores how precious each moment we get with our loved ones truly is, whether it be with our significant others, family or friends. As the best rom-coms do, the 2013 movie not only is a great commentary on modern romance, with plenty of laughs weaved in, it also feels very honest, and is quite the tearjerker as well.

3. The American President

You might not think a budding relationship between the President of the United States and an environmental lobbyist would make for one of the best romantic comedies of all time, but with the superb writing of Aaron Sorkin and endearing leads like Michael Douglas and Annette Bening, that’s exactly what The American President is. The meet-cute happens when President Andrew Shepherd walks into a meeting just as Sydney Ellen Wade makes a disparaging remark at his expense. Rather than get angry, the widower seems amused, and he ends up asking her out.

But it’s not so easy to be the president and someone’s boyfriend, especially during a re-election year, when fulfilling your duties to the country leads to your girlfriend getting fired. Bening’s scathing parting words — “You just lost my vote.” — are a thing of beauty, and oh what a world where sending a bill through to Congress can be a big romantic gesture. The combination of an idealized universe, one of the all-time best fictional presidents, and two ridiculously compatible characters spouting smart dialogue make this one rom-com you can enjoy over and over.

2. Annie Hall

Annie Hall isn’t your typical romantic comedy. Those looking for the conventional reassuring structure of meet-cute to courtship to adversity to marriage will be disappointed, but Annie Hall is among the top movies on this list because it has so much to say about relationships. How we choose our partners, how we argue with them, how we decide to move in or not move in with them, how we drift apart, how we break up how we sometimes see the best in lovers and sometimes see the worst— it’s all analyzed and shown here, sometimes in subtle ways that let the viewer draw their own conclusions and sometimes in very overt statements we get from the narration. 

Also, it’s hilarious, sometimes in the exact way you’d expect from Woody Allen, like in a scene where he’s invited over in the middle of the night to kill a particularly large spider– and sometimes in offbeat and unexpected ways like when we got a scene with subtitles of what each character is thinking. It’s all so sharp and clever that it would probably get old or feel preachy if it wasn’t held together by an all-time Diane Keaton performance. Her Oscar-winning turn here is somehow both relatable and full of eccentric and quirky charm and is the biggest single reason why this movie is so fondly remembered decades later.

1. When Harry Met Sally...

Can two people, who are attracted to each other, really just stay friends? It’s a question many of us have had to ask ourselves time and time again, and the premise of Nora Ephron’s rom-com masterpiece, When Harry Met Sally. The 1989 movie tracks the lives of Meg Ryan’s Sally and Billy Crystal’s Harry through a decade of knowing each other, from first meeting on a ride-share in New York City to an all-time great movie moment with Harry's New Year’s Eve confession at the end, with both sincerity and tons of charm. 

From Ephron’s razor-sharp dialogue, Rob Reiner’s honest direction, the lush autumn New York setting and the magnetic chemistry between Crystal and Ryan, that will have one saying, “I’ll have what they’re having,” we’ll be talking about great rom-coms and When Harry Met Sally in the same sentence for eons to come. We want to spend the rest of our lives revisiting that one, and another rewatch cannot come soon enough. 

As evidenced by the variety of movies above, not all love stories take the easy road, but some of the best ones do it with a bit of humor and a lot of heart. 

Hulu has an extensive library that includes action movies, indie films, dramas,  horror flicks, and many more exciting genres of films. There are plenty of great movies to watch on Hulu. If you’re in the mood for romantic comedy movies, then Hulu has plenty of options to remind you how charming, sometimes cheesy, and fun romantic comedies are to watch. 

For this list, I’ve chosen romantic comedy movies that offer various spectrums of romantic love, that can include the good, the bad, the messy, and the ones that are going to warm your heart and make you believe in film love. Most of the films on this list are more recent romantic comedies, but there are a few from the '80s and '90s. Let’s talk about Hulu's romantic comedy movies.

Never Been Kissed (1999)

In Never Been Kissed, Drew Barrymore plays Josie Geller, a 25-year-old romantically inexperienced Chicago Sun-Times copy editor who goes undercover as a high school student for a story on today’s youth. With the help of her once-cool older brother, Rob (David Arquette), she’s able to experience high school from the perspective of a popular student.

Never Been Kissed is one of my personal favorite romantic comedy movies, and in my opinion, one of the best Drew Barrymore movies. She’s very charming, relatable to former high school nerds, and has a very inappropriate but sweet romantic love interest with her teacher, played by Michael Vartan.

Stream Never Been Kissed on Hulu.

Love, Simon (2018)

Love, Simon is a romantic comedy about a teenage boy who goes to great lengths to hide from his friends and family that he’s gay. However, along the way, he finds love with another student in his high school who is also trying to hide his sexuality. Love, Simon stars Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, and Keiynan Lonsdale. 

Love, Simon is one of the few mainstream teen LGBTQ+ romantic comedies and it’s a great LGBTQ romantic comedy because of how the film manages to capture just the uncertainty and anxiety of youth, especially when it comes to defining and understanding one's sexuality. It also shows the sweet, scary, and beautiful side of first love. 

Stream Love, Simon on Hulu. 

Sixteen Candles (1984)

Sam (Molly Ringwald) is turning 16, but there are so many things going on in her family, including her sister’s upcoming wedding, that her special day becomes a lot less special. However, through a series of fortunate incidents, she might just grab the attention of her crush. Anthony Michael Hall and Michael Schoeffling also star in Sixteen Candles. 

This John Hughes classic is part teen dream fantasy, part slapstick, and part relatable teen drama. Sixteen Candles is a film teen girls and boys of all generations can relate to, and also it gives the young and old hope that the cute person they’re crushing on might be crushing on them as well. 

Stream Sixteen Candles on Hulu. 

The Holiday (2006)

The Holiday follows Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) as they switch homes to get a much-needed vacation from their problems and lives. The Holiday also stars Jude Law and Jack Black.

Nancy Meyers is someone that romantic comedy movie fans can trust to give us a compelling love story that strays a bit from the convention. The Holiday is one of her best films. It gives us two equally charming love stories that showcase Jack Black in one of his best performances. The Holiday is definitely one of the best Jack Black movies and the entire cast gives some of their most charismatic performances.

Stream The Holiday on Hulu.

500 Days Of Summer (2009)

Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) meets Summer (Zooey Deschanel), who seems like the perfect girl for him. However, his fantasy girl doesn’t quite meet the reality of her. 500 Days of Summer depicts the rollercoaster someone may go on when they fall in love, especially when they fall in love with an idea more than a person.

Many consider 500 Days of Summer one of the best romantic comedies of all-time because it pulls back the veil and shows that love can become toxic when you hold someone to unrealistic standards, and see them more as what you want them to be than who they are. It also offers a refreshing take on the romantic comedy movie.

Stream 500 Days of Summer on Hulu.

Palm Springs (2020)

Palm Springs stars Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti as two wedding guests trying to figure out how to survive a time loop. While testing the limits of their situation, they get to know each other and start to fall in love. Palm Springs was a huge hit for Hulu and was one of the best romantic comedies of 2020.

Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti play two complex but still very likable characters who were not only navigating their time loop situation but also their own personal struggles as humans with complicated lives. Palm Springs also has the added bonus of just being a surprisingly really good movie. 

Stream Palm Springs on Hulu.

The Princess Bride (1987)

The Princess Bride follows Westley (Cary Elwes) as he goes on a quest to save his true love, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright). The Princess Bride also stars Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, and Mandy Patinkin.

The Princess Bride made the term “as you wish,” incredibly sexy. It is also one of the few romantic comedy movies that fans can agree is genuinely extremely funny. It takes the concept of a fairy tale romance and breathes new life into it in an over-the-top fun way. 

Stream The Princess Bride on Hulu.

Happiest Season (2020)

Happiest Season is a romantic comedy about a woman who accompanies her girlfriend to spend the holiday season with her and her family. The problem is that her girlfriend’s family doesn’t know that they’re dating and that her girlfriend is a lesbian. Happiest Season stars Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Dan Levy, and Aubrey Plaza.

Happiest Season is another hugely successful movie for Hulu. It’s also one of the first mainstream LGBTQ+ holiday movies. It tells an interesting story of the struggles to come out to your family, and to just be comfortable enough to be your true self and to love who you want to love.

Stream Happiest Season on Hulu.

Spontaneous (2020)

Spontaneous is a comedy about Mara (Katherine Langford), a teenage girl who attends a high school where the students start to randomly explode. This confusing and tragic phenomenon unites some of the students, including Mara and Dylan (Charlie Plummer).

Spontaneous isn’t necessarily a straightforward romantic comedy but the romance between Mara and Dylan is one of the key elements of the movie. I remember when I first saw the trailer for Spontaneous, I had no intention of watching it because it seemed incredibly bleak and not a situation that could be made funny. Luckily, one day, I said “I guess I’ll just watch it,” and it was the right decision. Spontaneous offers an insightful look at the fragility of being a mortal and how you have to embrace life to the fullest because you never know when it will end. Spontaneous definitely tackles a bleak topic, but it somehow does it in a hopeful way. 

Stream Spontaneous on Hulu. 

Plus One (2019)

Plus One follows college friends Alice (Maya Erskine) and Ben (Jack Quaid) as they decide to be each other’s plus ones at various weddings. Everyone in their friend group is reaching a certain age and there are a lot of weddings to attend. Alice and Ben are two of the few single people left. 

You aren’t sure whether Plus One is going to be a movie about two friends who help each other find love or fall in love with each other. After about ten minutes, you know which movie you want it to become. Quaid and Erskine are extremely likable in this movie, and have an unconventional romantic comedy dynamic, which adds to Plus One’s charm. This is one of those romantic comedy movies that surprised me with how much I enjoyed it.

Stream Plus One on Hulu. 

Love Sarah (2020)

Love Sarah is a dramedy about three generations of women who come together to support Sarah, the best friend, mother, and child of the three women. It stars Shelley Conn, Shannon Tarbet, and Celia Imrie. The film is mainly about the three women, but two of the three find themselves in romantic entanglements. 

Love Sarah’s two main romantic stories are cute and interesting, but the core of this movie is these three women working together to make a bakery a success. It also deals with the multi-cultural aspect and beauty of London. Love Sarah feels like your favorite warm pastry, delightful, satisfying, sweet, and comforting.

Stream Love Sarah on Hulu.

Breaking Fast (2020)

Breaking Fast is a romantic dramedy about a gay Muslim man who recently broke up with his closeted boyfriend. During Ramadan, he meets a new man and must navigate being true to his faith and exploring a possible new relationship. Breaking Fast’s cast includes Haaz Sleiman, Michael Cassidy, and Amin El Gamal.

Breaking Fast is another really delightful romantic comedy that also has a lot of interesting points about faith, religion, conflicting views, perspective, and showing a varied look at being gay and Muslim. The film also has two really compelling leads and the build up to the first kiss is A+ romantic comedy movie writing.

Stream Breaking Fast on Hulu.

The films on this list are not only some of the best romantic comedy movies, but some of the best movies on Hulu. These movies are great to watch during the seasons of love or just any time you want that warm fuzzy feeling that romantic comedies give you.