With the stress of quarantine and trying to escape pure boredom while social distancing, there’s no better way to pass the time than doing something fun – either by yourself or with the family.
Although the activities are limited, one thing everyone can do is sit down and watch a movie.
Here are seven movies – ranging from Disney™ classics to romantic love stories – that spice up a family movie night or fulfill some much-needed alone time.
While we all wish we could go back to our regular routines, hopefully, at least one of these movies should make your day a little brighter.
“The Longest Ride”
Everyone could use a little extra love right now, and this movie is the definition of a love story. If you liked “The Notebook,” this is another one of Nicholas Spark’s masterpieces. It parallels two love stories set in entirely different time periods and follows a modern-day love between a dedicated bull rider and a hardworking sorority girl with a passion for art. The movie also follows a passionate love between a young man and a woman during World War II. These two couples’ intense and complicated love stories will have you reaching for the tissues.
“Onward”
If you and your family are looking for a new movie that everyone can enjoy, “Onward” is an excellent option. “Onward” is Disney Pixar’s latest animated film. The story follows two elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, after they get a magical opportunity to spend one more day with their father, who passed away when they were young. The two embark on a magical quest that includes all the fan favorites such as cryptic maps, magical obstacles, and incredible discoveries. That being said, this movie reminds us of the importance of family. It will be a new favorite for everyone.
“Mamma Mia”
Although many abroad programs and trips are being cancelled, we can at least pretend we are there. “Mamma Mia” is a music-filled classic that takes you to the beautiful Greek island, Kalokairi, where Sophie is trying to figure out who her father is a few days before her wedding. This movie has something for everyone. Whether it be the great ABBA classics or the romantic love story of Sophie and Skye, Mamma Mia is the perfect musical to turn your whole family into dancing queens and kings.
“Tangled”
Another Disney classic that has recently been rediscovered, “Tangled”helps us understand how Rapunzel felt locked up in her tower for all those years – a reminder that we too can’t wait to break out. This animated film follows her journey with the handsome Flynn Ryder. The two travel to Corona (ironically) for her 18th birthday after Rapunzel runs away from her tower. It is a funny, light-hearted, animated movie that hits a little too close to home right now but is a sweet story that will make you smile.
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
Remember when we were all trying to get out of going to school? Now all we want to do is go out and socialize. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off “ is a hilarious 80s classic that follows Bueller on his mission to get away with missing a day of school, and her reminds us of what it was like when we dreamed of skipping a day of school to hit the city with our friends instead. It is an action-packed classic guaranteed to make you and your whole family crack up.
“Bombshell”
“Bombshell” is a recent release that follows America’s most relevant news networks. It is based on the scandal at Fox News in 2016 where multiple women decided to expose the CEO, Roger Ailes, for sexual harassment. The movie displays the struggles these women faced when trying to keep their jobs while also maintaining a sense of moral uprightness. The movie represents female empowerment and the inner workings of major news networks like Fox. Bombshell is not necessarily a family-friendly movie, but a good reminder of some other social issues going on today.
“Outbreak”
This film may be a little too real right now, but it’s a drama-filled movie that can help you escape your boredom. “Outbreak” takes place in a small town in California that becomes quarantined after a virus outbreak. The movie follows the military and health professionals who become responsible for treating the patients and containing the virus. Outbreak came out in 1995 and, unfortunately, at the same time that Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was facing an Ebola-like virus, much like the one in the film. The movie is considered to be an entertaining disaster movie that proves again that life-threatening diseases could impact us at any second. If you want to remind yourself of the potential seriousness of the current coronavirus outbreak,, this is the perfect movie for you.
by Holly Malnatti
CougarBuzz 