Life
24 Movies To Watch On Vacation, Because You Deserve To Relax Too
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You may have noticed that going on a family vacation as a parent doesn’t feel much like going on vacation at all. Sure, it’s rewarding to see your children joyfully experience new things like salt water taffy or a roller coaster for the first time, but taking a trip loses that "sit-on-the-beach-and-sip-frosé mentality" once you’re a parent. Fortunately, there are some great movies to watch on vacation, because you’re holiday really begins when the kids are in bed, and you find yourself with a few blissfully uninterrupted hours (until someone wakes up and can’t find the bathroom). What better time to watch a feel-good flick, or at the very least, a movie that’s been on “your list” for years?
I know you probably haven’t been to a movie theatre in quite some time; date night is precious and with millions of things to talk with other adults about, it can feel counterproductive to spend your free evening in a cold, dark room (plus you might end up taking a nap). Fortunately, streaming services exist, and movies can come to you, wherever you are.
Below, I've rounded up 24 of the best movies to watch on vacation, because even if you don’t get much of a break (laundry doesn’t do itself, unfortunately, and kids still need to eat) you owe it to yourself to take two hours off, pour a glass of wine, and pop some popcorn — *quietly* people; you’ll wake a kid up.
2. Juno
Minnesota high school student, Juno, played by the lovable Ellen Page, finds out she’s pregnant, and (my celebrity crush) Michael Cera is the father. What follows is hilarious, moving story about teenage angst, adoption, and complicated decisions. Over a decade after its release, this coming-of-age story will stay make you laugh and probably cry.
3. Clueless
You can never go wrong with Clueless: the clothes, the one-liners, the utter ‘90s-ness. Also Paul Rudd looking exactly the same as he does over 20 years later (what is that man’s secret?). If you’re like me, you’ve already seen this movie approximately one thousand times, but watching it on a vacation feels like a comforting indulgence.
4. Father Of The Bride
George Banks (played by Steve Martin) is so relatable as a father whose daughter returns home from studying abroad and announces she’s engaged to a man her parents have never met. I’ve loved this movie since I was a little kid, and if you haven’t seen it, be prepared to laugh out loud. Tough call, but my personal favorite character is Martin Short, who plays the over-the-top wedding planner.
5. A League Of Their Own
You may want to watch this one with your kids on a rainy vacation day when your options for adventure are limited. If you’re not familiar with this classic, it’s loosely based on the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League who started playing when most of the male players were sent to World War II. The all star cast includes Geena Davis, Rosie O’Donnell, and Tom Hanks.
6. Eat Pray Love
I just watched this movie on a gloomy Friday night, and though I was at home, I feel like I got a mini escape for a few hours. Based on the bestselling book by the same name, the story follows Liz Gilbert (played by Julia Roberts) as she navigates the year of her life after deciding to leave her husband. You’ll go with her from Italy, to India, to Bali. Talk about a vacation.
7. Knocked Up
A drunken one-night stand results in a pregnancy; you’ve heard the story before but the cast is what makes this movie so damn funny. Katherine Heigl and Leslie Mann play perfectly off each other and Kristen Wiig acts as a passive aggressive coworker with so much cutting, dry humor. Plus there’s Seth Rogan, Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, and Jason Segel to keep the laughs flowin'.
8. The Big Sick
This is a true story of the first year of dating between actor, Kumail Nanjiani (who plays himself) and his now-wife Emily Gordon, who co-wrote the film. Beyond experiencing culture clash and parents who don’t understand their love, the pair are brought together when Emily experiences an intense and unexpected illness. Given the heavy nature of the film, I didn’t expect to be laughing out loud in the theatre, but I was practically snorting at times.
9. Something's Gotta Give
Friends, this movie has Diane Keaton, Frances McDormand, Amanda Peet, and Keanu Reeves, what more can you ask for? Even if your vacation is less-than-glam, you’ll get to experience a gorgeous Hamptons beach house. You also may find the mother’s reaction relatable when she finds out her daughter is dating the much older… Jack Nicholson.
10. Iris
This 2015 documentary follows Iris Apfel, the New York fashion icon that turned 98 this year. At one point she says, “I didn’t give a damn about going to the party, or being at the party, it was getting dressed for the party and there’s truth and poetry in that.” I relate to this woman so hard, and even if you’re not interested in fashion, you’ll get a kick out of what an insightful and unique person Iris is.
11. The Holiday
Why not watch a movie about a holiday when you're on holiday? Amanda (Cameron Diaz) and Iris (Kate Winslet) agree to swap houses (and continents) for a much-needed getaway from their respective lives.You’ll get to experience a dose of Los Angeles, a bit of the English countryside, and a whole lot of romance that’s hard to come by in the real world. It’s the perfect escape, plus who doesn’t love to oogle the beautiful homes that are always found in Nancy Meyers’ movies.
12. Julie & Julia
If you love cooking, or if you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I’m not a good cook,” this one may be for you. Based on a true story (and a book by the same name) Julie Powell (played by Amy Adams) decides to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child’s (played by Meryl Streep) classic cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. You’ll learn a lot about the life of Childs, and even if you’ve never thought about it before, you’ll probably end up craving beef bourguignon.
13. Center Stage
I always love a dance movie — Black Swan, Billy Elliot, even Bring It On Again, but Center Stage is my favorite. It’s one of those movies that you can watch again and again and still be entertained. It’s an early aughts drama about a group of teenagers in the American Ballet Academy, plus there’s choreography that you’ll want to learn ASAP (a.k.a flail around your living room).
14. Always Be My Maybe
Ali Wong is known for her two hilarious specials, Baby Cobra and Hard Knock Wife, but Always Be My Maybe is her first foray into the non-stand-up world. Two best friends (and childhood crushes) run into each other after more than a decade, and they find their lives have veered drastically. Hilarity ensues, plus you get to see Keanu Reeves play… Keanu Reeves.
15. Frances Ha
I didn’t realize that Frances Ha was written by Greta Gerwig, who also wrote Lady Bird. Gerwig stars in this movie too, about a young New Yorker awkwardly and earnestly trying to find her footing. The style of this hilarious movie is known as “mumblecore” which means somewhat low-budget, partially improvised, and often hilarious.
16. The Hangover
It's the classic tale of three friends trying to retrace their steps after losing their fourth friend in a blackout stupor one night in Vegas. Oh, and the missing friend is supposed to get married in two days. Is the plot kind of stupid? Yep. Did I laugh for an hour and 48 mins? Yep.
17. Best In Show
Director Christopher Guest, is known for his funny mockumentaries, but in my humble opinion, this one takes the cake. The heavily improvised movie centers around a dog show, and the people who have their dogs compete in these shows. And if you’re short on time, at just 90 minutes it runs the same amount of time as a kids movie, but packs all the humor of the funniest adult movie.
18. Happy
This feel-good documentary follows filmmaker Roko Belic, as he travels all over the world searching for the meaning of happiness. The doc offers practical advice from psychologists about lifestyle changes you can make to become a bit happier in your own life. Plus the visuals are stunning, and you’ll feel along for a ride around the world.
19. Bridesmaids
Friends, we got Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolf, and Rose Byrne: what could go wrong? Well, a lot, as it turns out. While being laugh out loud funny, this flick also touches on a universal truth that it can be hard to see your friends’ lives change while yours stays the same.
20. Couples Retreat
This movie will remind you that sometimes even people without kids have a rough time on vacation. In this 2009 rom-com two couples who are all friends decide to vacation together, where they learn that couples therapy is mandatory. Sounds kind of awesome to me, actually.
21. Lost In Translation
Ever wanted to go to Tokyo? Well, you can if you watch Lost In Translation featuring Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray, two expats in Japan who form an unlikely bond. Written by Sofia Coppola, this won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2004.
22. Obvious Child
I love Jenny Slate, voice of beloved little snail, Marcel the Shell, who also stars in this movie. An unplanned pregnancy occurs after a one-night-stand with Jake Lacy (who you may remember from Girls). This movie restored my faith in the basic goodness of people, and my partner who watched (begrudgingly) loved it too.
23. Silver Linings Playbook
I love the chemistry between Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in this movie about two people who meet unexpectedly while both going through troubling times. While I wouldn’t bill this as a comedy, it has very funny moments. And, you’ll get to see some of the very best dance scenes in any movie (yes, I really am into dance movies).
24. Coco
Okay, okay so I know this is a children's movie, but it's really good. This one's worth watching without your kid too, so you can really focus and you know, not have to answer 300 questions and be on cheddar bunny duty. Fair warning: you will probably cry, but you'll feel uplifted by the end.