Top 10 Movie Night Movies
A good movie night is a great way to get friends together, and the most important part is, obviously, the movie. It has to be fun, easy to digest, and liked by almost everybody. Here are ten films that fit the bill. If you want to please a large crowd, these movies will not disappoint!
Some Like it Hot (1959)
Shockingly irreverent for its time—so much so that it was initially banned in Kansas—this cross-dressing comedy is one of the funniest of all time and holds up well today. Though it’s tame by today’s standards, the rebellious spirit of the film hasn’t lost its charm, and the script and performances are both hilarious. If you want funny and classic, this can’t be beat.
Roman Holiday (1953)
This is Audrey Hepburn’s first film, and, like her, the film is fun, charming, and undeniably classic. This is the perfect mix of adventure, romance, humor, and just a little heartbreak, and it hits a lot of the right notes to please a lot of people. If you’re looking for something classy and poignant, but still fun, this will probably be the film for you.
Jurassic Park (1993)
This film did something remarkable: it took the sci-fi formula and made it almost universally accessible without watering down what makes sci-fi great. This is just as much a thriller as it is a sci-fi, and it’s got plenty of humor and action to keep just about everyone satisfied. Plus, it has dinosaurs, which makes it at least 20% cooler. There’s a reason this was one of the biggest films of the 90s: almost everyone loves this movie.
Airplane! (1980)
“Best comedy of all time” is a hotly debated title, but Airplane! is a contender. With more jokes than most comedies and some hilarious parodies, this is a comedy that will have everyone laughing. Some of the cultural references are unfortunately lost on modern audiences (like Leave It to Beaver actress Barbara Billingsley speaking jive), but there’s plenty to laugh at.
The Princess Bride (1987)
This quirky adventure film is a bit of an anti-fairytale, and it paved the way for other films like Shrek, which did the same thing. It begins like a traditional fairytale, but slowly diverges and eventually throws the whole formula out the window. It’s also quite funny, supremely quotable, and surprisingly dark in some spots. This really is one that the whole family will enjoy, although I frequently watch it without kids.
North by Northwest (1959)
The original action film, this one blends suspense and action with humor and charm to create a fun and exciting film that stands up very well today. Classic film star Cary Grant is at his best here, and master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock doesn’t disappoint either. This is as charming as it is thrilling, and it holds up as one of the greatest and most accessible classic films of all time.
Die Hard (1988)
Sometimes, we don’t want cute or classy—we just want pure, badass 80s action! If you want action, this is one of the best, and most accessible, of the genre, and it’s got a good mix of humor and drama to keep things interesting between the action sequences. If most of your viewers want action but some are on the fence about action films, this offers something to both groups.
Goodfellas (1990)
The Godfather may be the greatest crime film of all time, but Goodfellas is the most entertaining. Director Martin Scorsese brings his best game for this film about a kid growing up with the mob and learning to branch out on his own with organized crime. As a crime film, it can be a little intense at times, but this is one of the most loved films in the genre and it has a very wide appeal.
Jaws (1975)
The original blockbuster hit, this is a film that has something for everyone. It’s tense, but not too scary; funny, but not too silly; and adventurous, but still grounded in a very tight plot. This film broke box office records because it really catered to all audiences and offered something to everyone. If you’re looking for something that’s both thrilling and fun, and suitable for just about everyone, this is probably what you’re looking for.
Back to the Future (1985)
One of the greatest adventure films of all time, this beloved comedy-adventure is fun every time you watch it. It has aged extremely well, and the smart script takes something complicated (time paradoxes brought about by time travel) and makes it easy to grasp and follow. This is the perfect mix of adventure, suspense, and humor, and it features some extremely memorable scenes and characters sure to please anybody.
Runners Up
Almost Famous (2000), Charade (1963), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
About Brandon
My name is Brandon, and I love movies. Not bad ones, though—just the good ones. I’m curating and reviewing a list of classic, essential-viewing, or just plain good movies from all decades, and I've been reviewing them since 2016. I also co-host Peculiar Picture Show, a podcast about movies and mental health and write about Dungeons & Dragons options, builds, and optimization.