Abi's World

Over one month into quarantine life, and surprisingly,  I’m not actually bored yet! However, if you feel boredom strike, don’t forget to check out my previous post on things to do when bored at home.

One thing I suggested – and something I’m sure most people are doing anyway – was to watch a movie that you’ve been meaning to watch but have never had time to.

If you’ve finished watching all the movies on your list, and you need a good recommendation, I have listed all the movies I love below, in neat little categories, saving you the time and effort of Googling a movie to suit your mood.

Enjoy!

Rom Coms

I think I have watched pretty much every rom-com out there; here are some the ones I LOVE.

A Cinderella Story (personal favourite) – This is one of my favourite films of all time. I love everything about it. And for those who asked why he couldn’t recognise her, it’s because he was looking but not really seeing! Come on guys!

The Proposal – One of the only Ryan Reynolds movies I have ever watched. This film – also starring Sandra Bullock – is funny, romantic and a great choice for any movie night.

Definitely Maybe – The other Ryan Reynolds movie I’ve watched and really liked! In this film, he plays a single dad, telling his daughter the story of how he and her mother met.

He’s Just Not That Into You – This story follows the lives of a handful of women, whose lives are all loosely intertwined, as they try to navigate the complexity of the simple minds of men. It’s a film that is both hilarious and heartbreaking at once, and stars pretty much every famous actor/actress of the late noughties.

Something Borrowed – Kate Hudson and Ginny Goodwin star as best friends who are completely opposite to one another, except for the one thing they share in common: they are both in love with the same man! This is one underrated rom-com.

Hitch – This Will Smith classic is genuinely one of the funniest films I have ever watched. I’m laughing just thinking about it… 

Crazy Rich Asians – This is the newest rom-com on my list, and it is very different to the others. Set in Singapore, this film is funny, sweet and very extravagant. I have also been to many of the filming locations in Singapore, and watching the movie brings back great memories, which makes me love it even more.

Sweet Home Alabama – This film has so many of my favourite things – Southern-American accents, country music, romance, and Reese Witherspoon – all rolled into one.

27 Dresses – I have watched this movie around that many times too. I love everything about it!

13 Going on 30 – This is a classic rom-com loved by teenagers and adults alike. As with all her films, Jennifer Garner wows in her role as Jenna Rink, a teenager who finds herself in the body of a 30 year old woman. Or should I say, the body of a woman who is thirty, flirty and thriving 😉

50 First Dates – Another classic must-see movie. This one stars Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler – who is as funny as ever – as the main couple. Guys and girls alike will enjoy this one.

Bride Wars –  Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson star as lifelong besties who book the biggest day of their lives on the exact same day. Prepare for…well…bride wars!

Just Go With It – Jennifer Aniston stars alongside Adam Sandler in this hilarious comedy in which a plastic surgeon convinces his assistant, a single mum, to pretend to be his ex- wife, in order to cover up a lie he told his new girlfriend. Yeah, it’s complicated, which is why they tell you to just go with it…

The Break-up – Another Jen An hit. This time, her leading man is Vince Vaughn, in a story following the life of a couple who break up (as the title suggests). As funny as it is, it is also heart-warming and touching. Another one for both guys and girls.

The Intern – Less rom, more com; this film will make you laugh, cry and want to befriend a grandad.

You Again – This lesser known rom-com stars Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Betty White and a host of other big names. Bell plays Marni, a once high-school nerd, now a successful business woman, find out her brother is marrying her high school mean girl. Prepare for laughter, tears, drama and plenty of high school flashbacks.

Letters to Juliet – I love this film, and I have been to “Juliet’s Wall” in Italy, which features in this sweet film starring Amanda Seyfried.

The Lost Valentine – This underrated film, like Letters to Juliet, focuses on a love letter to a lost love, but it is more heart-breaking than the above. It is less comedy, and more romantic, touching and a little heart-wrenching. I love war romances, so this is a must-watch in my opinion.

Just Like Heaven – I was skeptical when I first read the synopsis of this movie, starring Mark Ruffalo and Reese Witherspoon, but I decided to give it a go, and I’m glad I did. I think you will be too.

Forever My Girl – Again, less com and more rom, this is a lovely movie filled with Southern accents (swoon), guys in cowboy hats (double swoon), and a country singer (swoon-o-meter breaks). Apart from all the swooning, it is a sweet, heart-warming film about the important things in life.

Penelope – I often feel like Penelope now as I walk around with a scarf tied around my nose and mouth! You’ll need to watch it to get it…

Monte Carlo (personal favourite) – Selena Gomez and Leighton Meester star in this fun rom-com about a teenager who is mistaken for a British heiress whilst on vacation.

She’s All That – Freddie Prince Jr stars as a typical high school jock who bets his friends that he can turn nerdy Rachael Leigh Cooke into a prom queen. What he doesn’t expect is to fall in love with her. This is a cute high school film, featuring one of my favourite songs ‘Kiss Me’ as its main tune.

Leap Year – This film doesn’t have the best reviews, and yes, some parts can be predictable and cliché but so what? I think it’s a good watch. Fun Fact: I watch this film every February 29th. Another fun fact: I watch Valentine’s Day every February 14th and New Year’s Eve, yup, you guessed it, every December 31st. Those two films aren’t on my list, as they are seasonal, but I’d definitely recommend both of them.

Just My Luck – Lindsay Lohan, Chris Pine, and McFly (yup), star in this quirky comedy about a woman with good luck who kisses a man with bad luck at a masked ball, swapping their fortunes. It makes more sense when you watch it…kinda.

Think Like a Man – Both the first and second film are hilarious. They’re films women and men will enjoy equally, although the latter will probably deny it.

Grown Ups – 40 percent romance and 60 percent comedy, this film – and its sequel – are a hilarious watch for men and women alike.

The Devil Wears Prada – This is another must-watch. When I landed a job at a magazine company, I genuinely imagined this is what it would be like! Thankfully, it really wasn’t.

What A Girl Wants – This film sees Amanda Bynes as a teenager who goes to visit her dad in London, only to find out he is the Prime Minister. As she spends more time with him, she faces obstacles, catty step-sisters, and her first love.

First Daughter (personal favourite) – From the daughter of a prime-minister to the daughter of a president. This film has lovely family moments, highlights the pains of growing up, cute romantic moments, and a huge plot twist that I DID NOT see coming…although I was around 12 when I first watched it.

Family films

The best films suitable for the whole family

High School Musical (personal favourite) – I love all three cinematic musical masterpieces. The first film came out weeks into my first year of high school, and gave me false hope as to what high school would be like. Regardless, I love these movies (especially the first one) and I am not ashamed to admit I can sing every song in my sleep, and recite nearly every line of each film.

Camp Rock – This is another Disney Channel Original Movie that is close to my heart – and the heart of most 20-something year olds I’m sure. It features the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato before all the innocence was lost.

Lemonade Mouth (personal favourite) (U) – I love this DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie). They just don’t make it like this anymore.

Hannah Montana: The Movie – To my fellow millennials who grew up with gold like Hannah Montana on Disney Channel, this one is for our nostalgia-yearning hearts. You’re welcome. Now come on, let’s do the hoedown throwdown! No? Just me…?

The Lizzie McGuire Movie – I don’t even need to write a description for this one. If you know you know. Oh, and one more thing: Sing to me, Paulo.

Cheaper By The Dozen – Another classic that makes me reminisce about the good old days. SPOILER ALERT: one of the kids, who often feels left out, has a pet frog as his best friend. Now I HATE frogs, but when this frog died, I cried. Hard.

The Game Plan – A funny, heart-warming family film starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson who plays a famous quarterback that discovers he has an eight year old daughter that he never knew about.

Matilda – Children of every generation should watch this classic based on the Roald Dahl best-seller.

Happy Feet – Another cute film that had me reaching for the tissues. Mumble, the baby penguin, is the cutest of the cutest.

Rio – This film reminds us how cruel people can be to animals with or without realising it. But it also reminds us how love can heal pretty much anything.

Enchanted – A fairytale princess finds herself in the real world and chaos ensures. This imaginative movie is one people of all ages can enjoy.

The Lego Movie – Everything is awesome, everything is cool about this movie.

The Secret Life of Pets and The Secret Life of Pets II – Both movies will make adults and children laugh out loud. I dare you not to.

Sing – This animated film has an eclectic range of talented celebrities for a voice cast, including Taron Egerton (who can sing really well, I mean, I had a crush on the gorilla he played…), Reese Witherspoon, the unbelievably talented Tori Kelly, and many more. It also has a great soundtrack too!

Despicable Me – This heart-warming, yet hilarious film, is ideal to watch with the whole family. Make sure to check out its sequels too. But be warned, you’re kids will end up saying phrases like “It’s sooo FLUFFY, I’m gonna die!!” and wanting their own minions…in fact, you probably will too.

Trolls – Watch this super-sweet, funny, musical movie – starring Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake – before watching its newly-dropped sequel.

Shrek – Of course. Perfect for a family movie night.

Madagascar – This movie and all its sequels are absolutely hilarious. I’ll bet you can’t get through more than one scene without cracking up.

Over The Hedge – Another funny Dreamworks film. This time, instead of wild animals, we meet woodland creatures that are just as loveable.

Peter Rabbit – Most generations grew up with Peter Rabbit in our books, but now he is on the big screen. He is just as mischievous and just as loveable. After watching this film, join Peter and his bunny family on their latest adventure in Peter Rabbit 2.

Alvin and the Chipmunks – Alvin, Theodore and Simon are all you really need for a perfect family movie night.

Shark Tale – I can’t believe this film came out 16 years ago! It is still as good now as it was when I first watched it back then. The talented cast of this a-laugh-a-minute movie include Will Smith, Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro and Reneé Zellweger.

Kung Fu Panda – This trilogy is great for all the family, especially the first movie.

How To Train Your Dragon – This films and its sequels are emotional rollercoasters; you have been warned!

Any and every Disney and Pixar film – you cannot go wrong

Family Films for Older Kids

Films for family movie night for those with older children. I’ve put the age ratings by each film to help you out.

Grace Unplugged (PG) – Another lesser known film. I found this on Netflix and I’m recommending it to everyone. Worth a watch for anyone who has a teenager or is a teenager.

Instant Family (12) – A heart-warming film about a couple who decides to adopt. Honestly one of the best films of recent years.

Everything Everything (12) – Another movie with a plot twist I did not see coming.

Freaky Friday (2003) (PG) – This film is a remake, and has been remade since then, but this – in my opinion – is the best. I love the music in this movie, as well as the cast (Hello…Chad Michael Murray, albeit not the usual clean-cut pretty-boy version, but I’ll settle), the jokes, and the storyline as a whole.

The Parent Trap (1998) (PG) – Another remake starring Lindsay Lohan. This time playing twins. A complete classic with a talented cast, especially 11-year-old Lohan.

Wonder (PG) – Get the Kleenex out…two packets. This is such an important story for children and adults alike. A must-watch for sure. It has a happy ending though, don’t worry.

Bratz: The Movie (U) – The-dolls-turned-animated-series-turned-animated-movie had a live-action movie made back in 2007. It has cringe moments, and the girl who plays Chloe really can’t act, but it’s a fun throwback movie to watch. Think Mean Girls for pre-teens. It also features a lot of familiar faces for those who grew up watching Nickelodeon and Disney Channel in the mid-2000s.

Raise Your Voice (PG) – Another film starring teen icon Hilary Duff. This is a much sadder one, in which Duff’s character loses her big brother in a car accident, and needs to learn to continue living through the pain.

Midnight Sun (12) – Yet another sad teen film; this time featuring Bella Thorne and Patrick Schwarzenegger. Think Everything Everything meets The Fault In Our Stars (which you will find later on this list).

Miracles From Heaven (PG) – The final tear-jerker in this cateogory – also the last movie in this section – this film is about how a family copes when they find one one of their children has a rare and incurable disease. It stars a stellar cast, including Jennifer Garner, who is such a terrific actress; she radiates kindness in pretty much all her roles.

Teen favourites

All these movies are loved by teens and adults everywhere, and nearly all of them gave us some of the best quotes that we still use today. If you don’t understand the description, then watch the movie!

Mean Girls – An absolute classic that never ages. It’s just so fetch.

Clueless – Wait, what? You don’t like Clueless, AS IF!

Legally Blonde – An iconic film. Plain and simple. I’ve watched this many times too…What? Like it’s hard.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging – This film was like a rite of passage for every teenage girl of the late 2000s.

John Tucker Must Die – A group of girls plot revenge on the jock who uses girls and breaks their heart; now it’s their turn to break his.

17 Again – Zac Efron grows up to be Chandler and then becomes Zac Efron again. Yup, that sums it up. But I love this movie! It’s a fun watch for a family movie night (with kids above the age of 12 though).

The Princess Diaries – both films are exceptional. I love the books too (yes, they’re aimed at 13-16 year olds, but it’s cool). Anne Hathaway excels in her first role playing Amelia Mignotte Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, whilst Julie Andrews is as cool as ever playing the role of her regal grandmother.

She’s The Man – Based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, this movie starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum is comedic, cute and completely re-watchable.

10 Things I Hate About You – Another film based on a Shakespeare play; this time it’s The Taming of the Shrew. Heath Ledger stars opposite Julia Stiles in this classic teen rom-com, in which he is paid to take her out on a date, only to end up falling for her for real. I have watched this movie so many times, and it never gets old. “But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.” I mean, come on!

Musicals

I genuinely wish I could live in a musical…or at least star in one.

Mamma Mia and Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again! (personal favourites) -What’s not to love? Abba songs were underrated until these movies came along. The original movie is better than the sequel, in my opinion, especially due to the continuity errors leading on from the first movie. But Lily James shines in Here We Go Again, and for that reason alone it is worth watching. I have watched each film more times that I can count. And you should too, so that…you can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life, whilst in lockdown.

The Greatest Showman (personal favourite) – One of the greatest films ever. Yes, I said what I said. There is nothing I don’t love about this movie. And the soundtrack is one of the greatest (pun not intended).

Grease – A classic. Seriously, if you haven’t watched this, how? and why? You know what to do after finishing this blog post. However, truth be told, I dislike the ending. SPOILER ALERT: The fact that Sandy completely changes herself for Danny is absolutely not okay, even if she is hopelessly devoted to him.

Hairspray (2007) – The only version of this musical I have watched is the 2007 remake starring Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Queen Latifah, John Travolta and a bunch of famous faces, and it’s the only one you need to watch. The story of Hairspray (which has very very little to do with actual hairspray) is so important, and on top of that, the soundtrack is great.

Pitch Perfect – All three movies are fun, hilarious – mainly thanks to Fat Amy – and sweet, with amazing soundtracks accompanying each one.

La La Land (personal favourite) – City of Stars, are you shining just for me? This is one of my all-time favourite films. MINI SPOILER ALERT: I hated the ending the first time I watched it because I’m all about happy endings, but this ending makes it so much more realistic.

Tear-jerkers

Sometimes we just need a good cry, and these movies will surely do the trick.

The Notebook – It wasn’t over and it still isn’t over! This is another classic you simply must watch at least once in your life.

The Last Song – The love story of Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus begins before our very eyes in this movie about a rebellious young girl visiting her father over the summer. Like The Notebook, this tear-jerker is based off of a Nicholas Sparks novel.

Me Before You (personal favourite) – This is a real heart-breaker, as is the novel by Jojo Moyes. She just gets everything about this story right. Have more than one box of tissues nearby when watching this one.

Titanic – If you jump, I jump Jack. This classic needs no description, except to say, there really was not enough space for both of them on that door, you guys!

P.S. I Love You – This movie is based off of my favourite book of the same name. The book is a lot better than the movie, so I do recommend reading before watching.

The Fault in our Stars – A teen favourite about two teenagers who meet at a support network for those with cancer and become star-crossed lovers.

The Longest Ride – Another Nicholas Sparks novel-turned-movie; this one follows the two couples whose stories collide.

Marley & Me – There are some movies you can’t watch more than once because you just don’t want to ugly cry like that again. Titanic is one of these films, The Lion King is another, and Marley & Me is the third. This story about man’s best friend stars Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson.

Dear John – Yet another Nicholas Sparks tear-jerker, this time starring Channing Tatum as a soldier who falls in love with Amanda Seyfried’s college student character.

The Vow (personal favourite) – Heartthrob Channing Tatum is back in this film which is based on a real story about a woman – played by Rachel McAdams – who loses her memory after a car accident, and her husband – played by Tatum – who does all he can to get her to remember him and their love.

The Pursuit of Happyness – Will Smith and little Jaden Smith star in this touching true story about a father trying to create a better life for his son. It’s another must-see.

Lion – A heart-wrenching true story that will make you value everything you have. This film touched me, and I’m sure it will do the same with you. Also, a massive shout-out to every individual and couple who give a less fortunate child a loving home.

Five Feet Apart – No, it isn’t a story about Covid 19. It’s another teenage tale of two star-crossed lovers, as Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson play teenagers with cystic fibrosis.

Pearl Harbour – Set during World War II, this famous film stars Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsdale, alongside a whole host of big names. Like I said earlier, I love love stories set during the war, and this is definitely one of the best.

A Walk to Remember (personal favourite) – Another sad story by Sparks. This one is the oldest Sparks’ work on the list, and my personal favourite. It is sweet, innocent, romantic, touching, honest, and completely heart-breaking.

Action/Adventure

I’m not one for action films, but I LOVE these films:

The Hunger Games – All four movies. I loved the books even more, and I would highly recommend reading them. The movies are also great, mainly thanks to the talented cast, including Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson.

Jumanji: Welcome to The Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level – The funniest films that have come out in recent years. Kevin Hart just needs to speak and I’ll be laughing. These films can be watched again and again, and both films are ideal for a family movie night (again, for families with kids over the age of 12).

Modern Classics

Definition (made by me): a famous “classic” that was made in the ’80s and ’90s.

Dirty Dancing – Simply a classic, featuring one of the most famous songs, and dance leaps of all time.

Footloose – I watched the 2011 remake, starring Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald, before I watched the original 1984 film. If you only want to watch one, then I recommend the remake.

Groundhog Day – I only recently watched this famous film, as I kept seeing references and quotes from it everywhere, especially as lockdown is making us have our own version of Groundhog Day. I quite enjoyed it, and it had some funny moments. I’d recommend this for a perfect lockdown film.

Notting Hill – “I’m just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her”, said Julia Roberts to Hugh Grant in this popular classic about a famous film star falling for an average Joe bookseller. It’s cute. And funny. And a must-see.

When Harry Met Sally – Can a man and woman ever only be just friends? That is the question this film poses, and it does a good job answering it. Another classic rom-com that’s a must-see.

Sleepless in Seattle – Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star in this heart-warming film about a widower whose eight-year-old son calls a radio station hoping to find his lonely dad a new wife.

You’ve Got Mail – Hanks and Ryan reunite in this classic. This time they play business rivals who fall in love via email, not knowing who the other is. Think A Cinderella Story for adults of the ’90s.

My Best Friend’s Wedding – Cameron Diaz, Dermot Mulroney’s and Julia Roberts star in a film about a woman realising she is in love with her best friend…when he announces he is marrying another woman.

Miss Congeniality – Undercover cops, bad guys, beauty contests, makeovers, action, humour, friendship, romance; this film has something for everyone.

Netflix Originals

We have a whole new way of watching movies now, thanks to streaming services. Netflix is arguably the biggest of these, and it produces its own movies too; some of them are seriously good, and these are my favourites:

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before – Probably the most famous teen-flick of the last couple of years. Both the first and second movies are good films for a (virtual) girls night in. Be sure to watch it before the third and final installment comes out later this year.

(Also, if you want to host a watch-party for this movie or its sequel, check out mine here)

Dumplin’ – This is a seriously good film, covering comparison, unrealistic beauty standards, and insecurity. And as a bonus, it stars Jennifer Aniston, so you know it’ll be good.

Tall Girl – Another great film by Netflix that covers insecurity, beauty standards, and comparison. It’s a good watch, especially for teenagers.

Falling Inn Love – Kind of cliché but very cute. Plus, I love a good pun!

Isn’t It Romantic? – Pitch Perfect stars, Rebel Wilson and Adam Devine, reunite alongside Liam Hemsworth and Priyanka Chopra, in this hilarious film that is essentially a parody of a typical rom-com.

Hope you enjoy watching (or rewatching) some of my favourite films. Be sure to let me know which ones you love!

And make sure to stay safe, stay well, and stay happy.

With Love, Abi X