It seems a bit strange to talk about movies and complain about being bored when self-isolating during a worldwide pandemic, but that’s the reality we live in. Healthcare systems are crumbling under the pressure of thousands of sick people and a new unknown virus and we’re told that the only way to stop this and essentially save the world is to stay at home. This in itself sounds like a plot for a movie. But hey, we can’t keep thinking about this 24/7, we need a distraction. Something to take us out of this situation we’re in and give us a different narrative to follow. So here are the best movies on Netflix to watch on quarantine.
1. The Irishman
We’ve all heard
about this Oscar-nominated movie, but 3 and a half hours long and
some of us just can’t spend that much time sitting down in the
cinema when we could be doing something else. Well, now we definitely
have the time, so make some of that microwave popcorn, get
comfortable and dive into the gangster drama starring the legendary
Al Pacino, Rober De Niro and Joe Pesci.
2. Marriage Story
Marriage story is
a heartbreaking movie, but sometimes we need something like this to
just get all of our emotions out and have a good cry. It’s a story
of a divorce that will touch you like no other love story will and
it’ll leave you broken yet reborn at the end of it.
3. Kate & Leopold
Now that we got
those oscar nominated movies out of the way it’s time for some
feel-good classics. If you’ve not seen Kate Leo before you’re in
for a great ride. If you have, you already know that it’s a perfect
combination of Hugh jackman in period costume being the perfect
gentleman and Meg Ryan being a super lucky lady who gets to deal with
this confused but very handsome stranger.
4. The Talented Mr Ripley
Matt Damon and
Jude Law in one movie, what else could you possibly want. It’s an
old-time classic at this point and the plot of this movie is so far
from our reality at this point that it’ll feel like a fantasy
movie, and who doesn’t want to watch a fantasy about a spoiled rich
playboy enjoying his life in Italy starring Jude Law?
5. Crazy Stupid Love
You should just
rewatch this movie every year. It’s the perfect rom-com in the best
way possible. Steve Carell, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling (and his abs)
will provide a perfect distraction if that’s what you’re looking
for. They will feel your heart with joy and make you laugh out loud
along the way. Must watch, preferably on repeat.
6. Clueless
Leave the reality of self-isolation and dive headfirst into the life of a rich high-school girl whose biggest problem seems to be picking a cool outfit to wear to school using a truly revolutionary computer program. I mean who else had their entire closet scanned? As if! Oh and the other, possibly even more outrageous thing in this movie is Paul Rudd who legitimately looks the same, and this movie came out in 1995.
7. About Time
Another time
travel romantic comedy but this one’s different. This movie is made
by the creators of Love Actually and Notting Hill – that’s how you
know it’s going to be good. The story is hard to explain without
spoiling it but Tim, a regular British guy, is let in on a family
secret that the men in his family can travel through time. So he uses
this to make the girl of his dreams fall in love with him. Is that a
questionable move? Definitely. But once you watch this movie you will
have so many more questions.
8. Always Be My Maybe
If you love Ali
Wong and her comedy, but you’ve already watched every single stand
up special and all of her stand up videos on Youtube – this might be
the next best thing. A comedy written and produced by her, obviously
starring her and the eye candy that is Randall Park, Daniel Dae Kim
and a special appearance by Keanu Reeves.
9. The Terminal
Tom Hanks is
everyone’s favourite actor, right? I mean have you ever watched a
movie with him and didn’t enjoy it? That would be absurd. So
basically what I’m saying is that you could pick any movie with him
and it’ll be a great choice, but if I have to pick – go for the
classic that is The Terminal. It’s heartbreaking and funny at the
same time. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll watch Tom Hanks’
filmography in the days to come.
10. Julie & Julia
There are two
reasons to watch this movie. The first one is that Meryl Streep is a
national treasure and anything she stars in is absolutely brilliant
and a joy to watch. And the second is – this will make you feel like
you can come out of this quarantine as an actual chef. Just make sure
you have food before you start this movie because it’ll make you
hungry and it’ll make you want to cook too.
11. It Takes Two
Did you know this
childhood classic was on Netflix? Well, now you know. It’s been way
too long since you’ve seen little Olsen twins playing identical
strangers in a movie. Two little girls, from very different worlds,
come together to make two unknowing adults fall in love? What could
possibly be better?
12. Outbreak
And if you’re one of those people who doesn’t mind watching a movie about a scary virus in the middle of a worldwide pandemic – this one’s for you. A made-up city in the US goes on quarantine because it becomes the epicentre of a terrifying deadly virus that makes people bleed out of all possible orifices. Watch the medics, CDC and even the military grapple with containing this virus and saving lives. Does it sound familiar?
