With flu season rolling around everyone seems to be trying to ward off the sniffles, but let’s face it: most of us are going to catch something. Should you find your afternoon filled with copious amounts of Kleenex and cough drops here are some movies to watch while you bounce back.
Fantasy/Sci-fi
- Star Wars
Despite the new special effects Star Wars is something nice to come back to (and I have the two original trilogies on DVD). If you fall asleep and wake up two hours later you can pick up pretty much anywhere in the series. Plus, Leia is pretty awesome.
- Harry Potter
If you haven’t read the books then definitely skip this one, but if you have then it’s worth considering. Even if you don’t particularly enjoy the movies at least you’ll be able to point out all the inconsistencies with the book. Also, if you get to the third movie you can see Hermione hitting Draco.
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Although it’s a bit new, Newt Scamander is absolutely one of my favorite characters, and you get all the magic of Harry Potter without having to understand all the backstory. There’s plenty of cute creatures and action if you are a bit too fever ridden to get the whole plot and (SPOILER ALERT!) it has a cute ending.
- Nanny McPhee (I recommend the first, but if you’re on a roll then go for gold)
A bit older watching all the siblings go from holy terrors to well-behaved, but compassionate kids is a ton of fun. If you take a short nap in the middle you’ll still wake up in time for someone to do something hilarious, and the plot is standard enough that you’ll always be able to pick it up.
Kids’ Movie Marathon
- The Lion King (1, 1 ½ , and 2)
- Mulan (Just the first one)
- How To Train Your Dragon (frankly, everything)
- Moana
- Frozen
- Ice Age
- Lilo and Stitch
- Zootopia
- Big Hero Six
- Hercules
- 101 Dalmations
RomComs (aka my guilty pleasure)
- What If
This is pretty funny and has plenty of quirky scenes to keep you entertained. You get all the standard characters plus one or two more and a feel-good ending out of it too! Also, if you imagine Daniel Radcliff as Harry Potter living in the muggle world then it makes it just a little bit more hilarious.
- What’s Your Number?
Chris Evans should be more than enough to justify giving this one a whirl, but the funny run-ins with the exes and dodging of one-night stands adds the necessary comedy. It follows the standard romcom plot so even if you tune out the boring parts (like picking out wedding fonts) you’ll still be able to enjoy Ally and Colin playing strip horse.
- Tag
I was on my Jeremy Renner phase when I found this movie and the game adds a fun overlay on an otherwise fun lesson. The characters are fun and not too deep, and there are some pretty funny fails as everyone tries to get their hands on the groom to be.
Want to Cry
If you’re sick, miserable, had a hard day, and want a good cry then look no further. Half of these are dog movies so be warned – I pull no punches.
- Marley and Me
It’s Marley. And Me.
- A Dog’s Purpose
Too cute, also it’s less plot centric which means you just have to watch.
- Gifted
Not all of us have a gifted niece living with us, but the movie is definitely filled with heart wrenching scenes of an unconventional family trying to make it work. By the ending your corneas will have gotten a heck of a work out.
- Inside Out
I know, I know, it’s a kids movie. But if the ending doesn’t make you cry then you should have watched the other three on the list. Otherwise it’s cute, so if you want some joy to balance out the sadness then this is what you’re looking for.