50 of the Most Rewatchable Movies Ever Made
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In this age of digital distraction, streaming services have given us easy access to thousands of films from across the last century. I never need to rewatch a movie again! And yet here I am, queuing up Back to the Future for the nth time.
Because sometimes, you just want a known quantity, and some movies seem designed to be watched again and again. Others simply go down so agreeably that you can't help but find them comforting. The pop culture critic Sarah D. Bunting has a name for these endlessly rewatchable flicks: "poppy-fields movies." Like the enchanted flowers outside the palace in The Wizard of Oz (see below), you can't help but fall into them every time they're on TV. (There's also an entire podcast dedicated to them, called The Rewatchables, naturally.)
The criteria for a rewatchable film varies, but there are some common themes: memorable set pieces, quotable dialogue, particularly colorful characters you love spending time with, and, most critically, a truly satisfying ending. It’s also matter of taste—I’ll rewatch Citizen Kane as readily as I’ll rewatch Charlie’s Angels—and nostalgia never hurts. Wicked has already proven itself to be a popular (get it) rewatch, with audiences having gone back to the theater for multiple screenings. If the second part manages not to blow it, I think one or both of those movies will earn a spot on this list someday.
In the meantime, here are 50 films worth seeing more than once. Or twice.
Galaxy Quest (1999)
What makes it rewatchable: One of the best Star Trek movies isn't a Trek movie at all; instead, it's a parody about the fictional cast of a sci-fi TV series who become drawn into an interstellar conflict. That's a pretty goofy premise for a movie that plays out here with a lot of affection for its source material and an impressive amount of heart. Oh, and it's pretty funny, too. You can rent Galaxy Quest from Prime Video.
Jaws (1975)
What makes it rewatchable: The ur-blockbuster changed the way movies are marketed forever, ushering in an era of summer tentpoles that strive for ever-larger box office returns. That's not really great, but you can hardly blame Steven Spielberg and his plucky little shark-attack film for being such a damn good time at the movies. You can rent Jaws on Prime Video.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
What makes it rewatchable: Spike Lee's masterpiece isn't always an easy watch—for all the funny and joyful moments and rich characters, there's a tremendous undercurrent of trauma in the story of a Brooklyn block about to explode. But even for all of that, it's so brilliantly and cleverly constructed that it's impossible not to want to watch more than once. You can stream Do the Right Thing on Prime Video.
Spirited Away (2001)
What makes it rewatchable: Perhaps Spirited Away is the best of director Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli films, or perhaps it's just that it's so thoroughly representative of what the artist is capable of. The first among nearly equally great films, you might say. The story of a young girl who takes a job at a bathhouse in a spirit world in order to save herself and her parents (who've been turned into pigs) is beautifully animated and, ultimately, deeply moving. You can stream Spirited Away on Max or rent it from Prime Video.
Get Out (2017)
What makes it rewatchable: Like the best horror movies (and many of the best comedies), Get Out is rooted in deep, savage, real-life trauma. It's also a very funny satire that takes impressively choreographed swerves into harrowing horror. Satisfying and, Improbably, kinda fun. You can rent Get Out from Prime Video.
Scream (1996)
What makes it rewatchable: Wes Craven's era-defining blockbuster kicks off with one of the most memorable chase sequences in horror movie history before going on to establish characters and a franchise that are still going strong (-ish) into the present day. For us sickos who take comfort in horror movies, this one is like revisiting a murder-y old friend. You can stream Scream on Max or rent it from Prime Video.
Some Like It Hot (1959)
What makes it rewatchable: It's not my favorite Billy Wilder movie (that's The Apartment), but it is a brilliantly orchestrated bit of fun—one of those comedies that's so breezy that you don't even notice how meticulously crafted it is. The cross-dressing comedy didn't even get nominated for Best Picture in the year when Ben-Hur won, a real crime given that people actually stay awake through this one. You can stream Some Like It Hot on Prime Video, Freevee, and Tubi.
Playtime (1967)
What makes it rewatchable: Any of Jacques Tati's comedies starring M. Hulot are worth a second (or third, fourth, etc.) watch, but Playtime is probably his masterpiece. Here, good-natured Hulot bumbles through a modern world whose stresses and stumbling blocks are entirely recognizable, even though the movie was released in the 1960s. A merciless satire of capitalism and bureaucracy that's also entirely silly, it's Tati's most intricate and detailed film, as well, and each new watch reveals fresh wonders. You can stream Playtime on The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video.
Love & Basketball (2000)
What makes it rewatchable: Director Gina Prince-Bythewood made a stellar debut here with this romantic sports drama following two athletes, played by Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan. We meet the two as children, next door neighbors, with a shared love of basketball and follow them through high school, college, and beyond as their friendship and searing attraction meet the challenges of life. It's romantic, but also thoroughly believable, and the leads have all-time great chemistry. You can rent Love & Basketball from Prime Video.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
What makes it rewatchable: An utterly goofy, endlessly quotable bit of silliness that also manages to squeeze in some trenchant commentary about the utter idiocy of our various economic systems? Count me in. Allegedly very enjoyable even if you're not high. You can stream Holy Grail on Prime Video and BritBox.
Back to the Future (1985)
What makes it rewatchable: Goofy, but heartfelt, and with just enough raunch (incest with mom? Oh my!) enough to give it a little edge, Back to the Future blends a perfect script with a breezy tone and indelible lead performances from Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. It's a comfort watch, but the obsessive level of detail (Twin Pines Mall becomes Lone Pine Mall) rewards multiple viewings. You can rent Back to the Future on Prime Video.
Groundhog Day (1993)
What makes it rewatchable: The time loop has become a wee bit of a trope, but it’s never been done with as much charm as in this, one of its earliest and most iconic incarnations. Andie MacDowell is great, and Bill Murray is at his curmudgeonly best as he slowly comes to accept that moving forward in his life (both metaphorically and literally) might require changing everything about himself. You can rent Groundhog Day on Prime Video.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
What makes it rewatchable: Everything I said about the satisfying time loop in Groundhog Day, but grafted onto an endlessly creative sci-fi action flick. Watching Tom Cruise get repeatedly slaughtered by aliens in increasingly hilarious ways never gets old. See also: Emily Blunt in power armor. You can stream Edge of Tomorrow on Prime Video.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
What makes it rewatchable: A feel-good prison story that incorporates elements of murder, corruption, and money-laundering, Shawshank is bittersweet (the title’s promised redemption arrives more or less on schedule) but never cloying. Happy endings are easy, but this one offers something harder won, and a bit more satisfying, making this Stephen King adaptation more than simple comfort food. The movie also has the résumé to back up its rep: it was a cable-TV mainstay for decades, creating a sense of familiarity fed by its ubiquity. You can rent The Shawshank Redemption from Prime Video.
Soul Food (1997)
What makes it rewatchable: It’s a movie about family and the power of community, big-hearted without being treacly. It’s also the kind of thing that gets played at many a holiday gathering. You can rent Soul Food from Prime Video.
Black Panther (2018)
What makes it rewatchable: There are plenty of rewatchable movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (I'm no snob), including the very first one, Iron Man. But Black Panther, even with its ties to the broader superhero landscape, is one of the few that feels like a standalone movie in its own right—complete and satisfying on its own. Chadwick Boseman leads a stellar cast in a film that blends solid action and drama with some deeper themes. And points for general quality: It took 18 movies before a Marvel Studios movie was lead by a Black lead and director, and the only one to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination. You can stream Black Panther on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video.
A Christmas Story (1983)
What makes it rewatchable: After years of back-to-back holiday marathons and merchandising, A Christmas Story became very much a victim of its own slow-building success (it did OK at the box office, but not well enough to warrant its afterlife). So, in one sense, A Christmas Story is rewatchable because we’ve had no other choice. That oversaturation, though, hasn’t completely dulled the film’s charms, nor lessened its innovations: It’s cynical about the holiday season, serving as a bit of counter-programming that’s often genuinely funny, but it’s not so dark that the whole family can’t watch. It’s sort of like curling up with a good memoir. You can rent A Christmas Story from Prime Video.
Die Hard (1988)
What makes it rewatchable: A great action movie needs a great protagonist, and benefits tremendously from a great setting. This one has both—Bruce Willis is doing all the stuff we like about Bruce Willis, and the Nakatomi Plaza setting is brilliantly utilized—we understand the space and therefore always know where John McClane is in relation to the terrorists. It’s all very carefully constructed. You can stream Die Hard on Hulu and Prime Video.
The Thin Man (1934)
What makes it rewatchable: The boozy chemistry between all-time greats Myrna Loy and William Powell gives The Thin Man the kind of loose energy that makes it not only easy to rewatch, but a joy, whether or not you’re paying any attention to the central murder mystery. The other Thin Man movies are good, but none is quite as good (nor nearly as endlessly rewatchable) as the original. You can rent The Thin Man from Prime Video.
The Princess Bride (1987)
What makes it rewatchable: Endlessly quotable, The Princess Bride is a masterwork of tone, mixing in disparate elements in just the right measures. It’s a parody and a farce, a fairy tale, a fantasy, and a genuinely satisfying love story that adds in pirates for good measure. It’s weird, but not so much as to be off-putting, and always returns to the central character relationships whenever things are getting too silly. It movies from memorable scene to memorable scene effortlessly, which ensures that it’s nearly as enjoyable in bits and pieces as it is from beginning to end. You can stream The Princess Bride on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
What makes it rewatchable: Unlike many beloved classics, The Wizard of Oz wasn’t the slow build its reputation sometimes suggests: The movie actually did very well in theaters initially, and only built its popularity through theatrical re-releases and then endless TV airings. It has hardly lost any steam over the past eight decades. And why would it? It’s a fun all-ages fantasy and a singable musical with a career-making lead performance, with themes around childhood anxieties that still hold up. You can stream The Wizard of Oz on Max or rent it from Prime Video.
Mean Girls (2004)
What makes it rewatchable: Written by Tina Fey (shortly before she became a household name), the script balances super-sharp comedy with an incisive understanding of high school politics and a worthwhile message about the hollowness of the drive to be the best and prettiest. You can stream Mean Girls on Paramount+ or Prime Video.
Bring It On (2000)
What makes it rewatchable: Another endlessly repeatable teen comedy, Bring It On is also a secret sports movie and a stealth musical (if you consider elaborate dance sequences set to music in the same light as characters bursting into song)—two genres with comforting formulas that stand up to repeated viewings. As much fun as it is to witness the gymnastics on display, it's also a kick to watch a young Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union snipe at one another. You can rent Bring It On from Prime Video.
Friday (1995)
What makes it rewatchable: It doesn’t all hold up perfectly (the women here are mostly the objects of the jokes), but there’s still a reason Friday became a cult classic. At a time when white America was particularly worked up about rap and hood culture, it dared to have a little fun. And when it’s funny, it’s really funny. You can rent Friday from Prime Video.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
What makes it rewatchable: It's a triumph of imagination in a sea of a lot of same-y superhero movies (plenty of them spider-related). The animation is gloriously energetic and innovative, and in service to a twisty, multi-layered story that's thrilling, uplifting, and genuinely poignant, in the best Spider-tradition. You can rent Into the Spider-Verse on Prime Video.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
What makes it rewatchable: In many ways, this rom-com feels like a throwback in the best possible way: Economics professor Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) has no idea that her New York boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding) is heir to a real estate empire as part of an extravagantly wealthy Singapore family. The fish-out-of-water comedic elements never get so silly that we're not focused on the core relationship, and Michelle Yeoh as Nick's mother makes for a brilliantly vicious, but also very human, foil. All that, plus an exploration of a place and a culture we don't often visit in Western movies. You can stream Crazy Rich Asians on Max or rent it from Prime Video.
Aliens (1986)
What makes it rewatchable: The Ridley Scott original is a brilliantly tense haunted spaceship flick, but the James Cameron-helmed sequel is quite simply one of the most efficient blends of action and horror in the history of either genre. The '80s produced a lot of action stars, but it's hard to argue that Sigourney Weaver doesn't run rings around all of them in her fight to escape the alien queen. You can stream Aliens on Peacock or rent it from Prime Video.
Titanic (1997)
What makes it rewatchable: There's a reason James Cameron is one of our most financially successful directors: He knows how to serve up a satisfying movie, even when what's on offer is tragic melodrama. This is epic storytelling on a truly grand level—the kind of movie they don't make anymore, and didn't in 1997, either. It was much rewatched even before it left theaters during its initial run, with people returning multiple times to goggle at the spectacle and weep into their popcorn (I am people, in this scenario). You can stream Titanic on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video.
All About Eve (1950)
What makes it rewatchable: Pound for bitchy pound, I'm not sure that you'll find a better screenplay than writer/director Joseph L. Mankiewicz's for All About Eve, buoyed by the most memorable performance in the extremely memorable career of Bette Davis. A smart, sassy delight from start to finish. You can rent All About Eve from Prime Video.
Charlie's Angels (2000)
What makes it rewatchable: Deeply goofy in all the right ways, the action-comedy take on the venerable franchise soars in its campy sense of style, while also delivering some truly impressive, larger-than-life action sequences. Leads Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz, and Drew Barrymore look like they're having a ton of fun, and the vibe is infectious. You can rent Charlie's Angels from Prime Video.
Steel Magnolias (1989)
What makes it rewatchable: Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be gay to have seen Steel Magnolias dozens of times (though it doesn't hurt). Throw Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts into a movie that rather flawlessly blends melodrama with quotably bitchy comebacks, and we're in for good laughs, alongside a few good cries. You can stream Steel Magnolias on Max or rent it from Prime Video.
RRR (2022)
What makes it rewatchable: The jury's still out on whether India-made RRR will remain a popular favorite over time, but I'm here to make the case that it ought to. It's long, sure, but in the course of its runtime we get musical numbers, romantic drama, buddy comedy (by "buddy" I mean they should kiss), and action sequences that put modern Hollywood blockbusters to shame. The much-memed sequence in which a truck full of wild animals is set loose in the compound of white colonial administrators during the era of the British Raj is a masterclass in rewatchable movie moments all on its own. You can stream RRR on Netflix.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
What makes it rewatchable: We love a heist, and this one is cleverly constructed in the ways in which it goes right, and then wrong, and the setup and execution are slippery enough that you kind of forget how it all goes down between viewings. The all-star cast adds panache. You can rent Ocean's Eleven from Prime Video.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
What makes it rewatchable: It's Ocean's Eleven in a galaxy far, far away, but with much higher stakes and a lot of pew-pew laser battles. I defy anyone to turn it off once the Battle of Scarif sequence kicks in. You can stream Rogue One on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video.
The Fugitive (1993)
What makes it rewatchable: Aside from the innumerable charms of early '90s Harrison Ford and a breakout performance from Tommy Lee Jones, this cat-and-mouse thriller excels at "the process-y bits," showing you every step in dueling investigations: unjustly accused murderer Richard Kimble's (Ford) efforts to find out who killed his wife and framed him for the crime, and a U.S. Marshall's (Jones) attempts to track him down and put him back in the slammer. And who could forget that waterfall scene? You can rent The Fugitive from Prime Video.
The Color Purple (1985)
What makes it rewatchable: Though this is a Black story told by a largely white team behind the camera, it’s Steven Spielberg at his most humane. The multigenerational story includes some of the best actors of their generations playing some of their most memorable characters. While not everyone gets a happy ending, the conclusion is about as satisfying as they come. You can rent The Color Purple from Prime Video.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
What makes it rewatchable: It’s just tremendous fun, with jokes that remain funny and gravity-defying dance numbers that all look effortless, even when it’s clear that the incredibly talented cast must’ve been working their asses off in order to make things look so easy. You can stream Singin' in the Rain on Max or rent it from Prime Video.
North by Northwest (1959)
What makes it rewatchable: Another one that works whether you’re paying attention or not, Hitchcock knew that the singular charms of his heroes and villains were more than enough to carry a picture, provided that the action set pieces offered suitable thrills. I’m not even sure what the baddies are after here, but I’ve never turned it off. You can stream North by Northwest on The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
What makes it rewatchable: Raiders of the Lost Ark remains the best of the series, but a good case can be made that Last Crusade is the more rewatchable entry (I’m sure I’m not alone in having seen both of them plenty of times). Crusade is a bit lighter than its predecessor, a little bit looser and more fun, with great chemistry between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. You can stream Last Crusade on Disney+ and Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video.
Ghostbusters (1984)
What makes it rewatchable: Making wacky comedies that were also kind of art was a particular skillset that ‘80s filmmakers seemed to possess, and there’s a meticulousness to the film’s construction that belies the cynical-but-easygoing vibe that Bill Murray personifies. It’s goofy, but it all holds together. (The 2016 remake lacks the solid construction that made this one a classic, but is also thoroughly rewatchable for its similarly talented cast—a hill I shall die on). You can rent Ghostbusters from Prime Video.
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
What makes it rewatchable: The first Sister Act is a better movie, a highlight of the era when we were moving away from R-rated sex comedies into more family-friendly fare (for better and worse). But the second Sister Act is both more real with its characters’ move into the inner city, but also campier and weirder in its efforts to blend the Lean on Me-style school drama with a singing nuns/mistaken-identity farce. Nineties kids instantly recognize the jams, mom jeans, and spontaneous breakdancing as signifiers of the era. It also builds to a genuinely joyful finale, even if you’re a bit embarrassed for the white boy rapping in overalls. You can stream Sister Act 2 on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
What makes it rewatchable: In these days of manufactured camp, there’s more value than ever in something that’s simply the product of queer weirdos putting their heads together. Most frequently experienced as a communal event, and demanding little beyond a willingness to sing along and maybe pull on some fishnets, it’s the kind of movie that, I suspect, very few people have seen just once. You can rent Rocky Horror from Prime Video.
Coming to America (1988)
What makes it rewatchable: There’s a great supporting cast here, but this is Eddie Murphy at his ‘80s best—wildly funny, and just profane enough. It’s just scene after memorable scene. You can rent Coming to America from Prime Video.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
What makes it rewatchable: It is, by far, the most standalone of the many Star Trek movies, working on its own as a sci-fi cat-and-mouse movie with a wildly memorable protagonist. [Editor’s note: Star Trek VI though?] You can stream The Wrath of Khan on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video.
New Jack City (1991)
What makes it rewatchable: It’s several things at once, and does them all well. New Jack City is a serious, thoughtful crime crime drama; it’s an impressively thrilling action movie, and it’s a time capsule of ‘90s cool, as epitomized by Wesley Snipes. You can rent New Jack City from Prime Video.
Casablanca (1942)
What makes it rewatchable: The iconic movie of Hollywood’s golden age, you know the lines (and the ending) even if you’ve never seen it. If you have seen it, it’s unlikely you’ve seen it only once. You can stream Casablanca on Max or rent it from Prime Video.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors (1987)
What makes it rewatchable: Slasher fans are loyal (putting my hand up), so a list of rewatchable movies could easily be overrun with Freddys, Jasons, Michaels, and Ghostfaces. Though this choice is slightly arbitrary, Dream Warriors is Freddy at his height, still scary in the era just prior to his wise-cracking huckster phase. Every scene/kill here is memorable on its own, and there’s an almost Avengers-like quality to the anti-Freddy team that assembles to bring him down. You can rent Dream Warriors from Prime Video.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
What makes it rewatchable: Ferris is the coolest kid in school, somehow managing that without being insufferable (mostly). There are elements to his laid-back attitude and concern for his friends that most of us could stand to learn from. This is another that goes from memorable scene to memorable scene. You can rent Ferris Bueller from Prime Video.
Attack the Block (2011)
What makes it rewatchable: A band of outsiders teams up to stop an alien invasion on a council estate. It’s energetic and action-packed, with memorable characters and even more memorable aliens. Plus, it’s the movie that teamed up a future Star Wars lead (John Boyega) with a future Doctor Who (Jodie Whitaker). You can stream Attack the Block on Peacock or rent it from Prime Video.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
What makes it rewatchable: Ripped from the pages of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s heavily manga-influenced graphic novel series, this 2010 Edgar Wright underperformer seemed designed to play better on a second (or fifth) viewing. The humor is incredibly dense, every shot peppered with background gags and onscreen graphics, and the episodic plot—with goofy loser “hero” Scott going up against his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriends in cartoonish one-on-one showdowns—recreate the experiences of moving from level to level in a video game you just can’t put down. You can stream Scott Pilgrim on Max or rent it from Prime Video.