Especially when the weather outside is frightful, there's nothing like curling up with snacks and a movie. But there's certain classics that have found a way into our hearts that should be watched time and time again... well, pretty much every time they're on TV. Here's our list of movies that you should never fail to turn on when they show up on cable.
Shawshank Redemption
The Short Version: The good guy always wins but it sometimes takes crawling through a load of sh*t and a lot of patience.
It’s crazy that this movie was originally a box office disappointment.
But Andy Dufresne, the banker who is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife and her lover, even though he’s innocent has since gained huge momentum through rentals (when they still existed) and a second life through television viewing.
Whether it’s the friendship between Dufresne and Red, the incredible patience Andy has throughout his imprisonment as he slowly chips his way through a wall and makes a great escape after crawling through a sewage pipe, or that the bad guys get it in the end while he spends the rest of his life on a beach, this movie is a must watch every single time.
Watch: When you want to feel good.
Pretty Woman
The short version: A hooker and a hottie hookup.
Julia Roberts’ portrayal of a call girl with a heart of gold captures us every time. Who can resist her giant smile and signature laugh, or when she calls out the sales person at the high end boutique.
But in the end, we all love a good love story and Vivian and Edward gives us that in spades.
Watch: When you need something light after a long, hard day.
Elf
The Short Version: Buddy tries to buddy up with his dad who’s a Christmas fuddy duddy.
Not in a holiday mood yet? Don't be a cotton-headed ninny-muggins because this is a movie you can watch and laugh at throughout the whole year. Grab your candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup and watch Buddy the Elf track down his dad in the thriving metropolis of New York.
Warning: After watching this movie you’ll be prone to saying things like, “You sit on a throne of lies!” and "I just like to smile; smiling's my favorite."
Watch: When you want to laugh.
Breakfast Club
The Short Version: We can’t forget about you.
Alison the compulsive liar. Beautiful, privileged Claire. Andrew the jock. Brian, the book nerd, and the rebel without a cause, John.
This could have been a teen satire disaster but in the hands of John Hughes, it became an inside look at how teens struggled with who they were and how they were perceived – both by themselves and the adults around them.
Watch: When you’re feeling nostalgic.
Dirty Dancing
The Short Version: Affluent girl meets working class boy, dances, falls in love and tackles tough topics like abortion and paid sex, all to a very cool soundtrack.
Patrick Swazye really did give us the time of our life with this movie. His cool swagger, mixed with hot dance moves and a wee bit of a temper (dude, you totally did not need to bash out the window of that car), was the perfect partner for sweet, watermelon carrying, dancing on a bridge, Baby who wanted to fix everything and still stay daddy’s little girl.
This movie will be 30-years-old next year but the tough topics it tackled are still relevant today.
Watch: When you’ve had a little bit of wine and will get up and try to copy the dance moves.
Sixteen Candles
The Short Version: Sweet sixteen turns bitter but then becomes sweet again but with a whole lot of inappropriate stuff that wouldn’t be allowed in a movie today.
First of all, whatever happened to the dude who played Jake Ryan? It’s like he dropped off the face of the planet after this role.
Secondly, the 16-year-old in all of us loved this movie. Who can forget Jake and Samantha leaning over a birthday cake to kiss *swoon*
But the adult in us is asking why we thought it was okay that Jake allowed his drunk girlfriend Caroline to be driven home by Ted, a guy he barely knew and when Caroline who is clearly past the point of making good decisions, falls into Ted’s lap he looks directly at the camera and says, “This is getting good.”
Watch: When you want to teach your kids exactly what not to do if they are ever in the same situation.
Forrest Gump
The Short Version: There is no short version, so much happens in this movie you just have to watch it.
This movie covers it all… Child molestation, bullying, drug abuse, the horrors of war, post-traumatic stress syndrome, and AIDS. But that’s not all, the storyline is also interspersed with defining events in America, and that loyalty and love count for something.
Watch: When you’re feeling cynical and need to remember that life really is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.
Christmas Vacation
The Short Version: Jelly of the Month is not the best gift for your employees.
Dysfunctional family members, unexpected guests, tangled lights, sledding accidents, and Christmas light disasters. The reason this movie resonates so much is because we’ve all experienced these things, the Griswold’s just happen to do it multiplied by 1000.
Watch: When you’re in the midst of a full blown holiday emergency and you need to press on and have the Hap Hap Happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny *bleeping* Kaye.
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