We all run into this problem: you want to have a movie night, but you don't know what to watch. You ask friends for recommendations, but they name a list of movies that you've never wanted to see or can't stand to watch again. Luckily for you, I've compiled a short list of both animated and live-action movies that are sure to make any movie night a win! (Plus, they're my favorites, so they've gotta be good.)
1. The LEGO Movie
The Lego Movie was released in Feb. 2014, but it's still just as funny today as it was then. It stars the voices of Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Channing Tatum, Elizabeth Banks, and Will Arnett. With a cast like this, you know it's gotta be hilarious. Be careful, though, because "Everything Is Awesome" WILL be stuck in your head periodically for the next couple weeks. It's rated 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.
2. The Great Gatsby
This is a 2013 remake of the 1974 film based on the 1925 book of the same title, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Directed by Baz Lahrmann, who also directed Moulin Rouge, this film has beautiful visuals with a soundtrack to match. It stars Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, and Joel Edgerton. This movie really does the book justice, so if you haven't read it beforehand, you'll still get the full story.
3. Big Hero 6
This is another 2014 animated film that has a special place in my heart. It explores important themes, such as the loss of a loved one, and shows children good ways to deal with their grief. It stars the voices of Ryan Potter, Jamie Chung, T. J. Miller, Genesis Rodriguez, Scott Adsit, etc. You will fall in love with the adorable, squishy marshmallow that is Baymax. It's rated 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.
4. The Help
The Help is my all-time favorite movie. It was released in 2011 and is based on the 2009 book of the same title, written by Kathryn Stockett. It will make you laugh, cry, and reassess your privilege, all in the span of 2h 26m. It has an all-star cast which includes Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney, and Jessica Chastain. This movie is really timeless. It's rated 75% on Rotten Tomatoes.
5. Moana
This film was released just last year in 2016. It stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Maui and introduces Auli'i Cravalho in her breakout role as Moana. The soundtrack was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (who also wrote Hamilton), Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa'i, and features songs in English, Samoan, Tokelauan, and Tuvalu. The animation is simply stunning, and the story is incredibly empowering. It's rated 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.
6. Les Misérables
There are many excellent versions of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel, but I prefer the 2012 musical film. It has an incredible cast, including Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Samantha Barks, with a cameo by Colm Wilkinson, who has played Jean Valjean and The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. It's a rather long film, but every second is worth watching. It is a cinematic masterpiece. It's rated 70% on Rotten Tomatoes.7. The Corpse Bride
This is another favorite of mine. It is a stop-motion animation film that was released in 2005 and was directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter bring Danny Elfman's incredible soundtrack to life. This story includes funny moments, heartfelt moments, and thrilling moments. It's rated 83% on Rotten Tomatoes.Hopefully now you've got a better idea of what you want to watch at your next movie night. Grab a fuzzy blanket and some popcorn, settle in, and press play!
































