Top 20 Movies You Can't Help but Watch Again

There are time travel movies, and then theres Back to the Future. The story of Marty McFlys trip back to the 1950s is positively timeless. The clash between 80s and 50s cultures may not land for everyone today, but the memorable characters and dozens of quotable lines never fail to entertain. It certainly makes for a rewarding rewatch, since there are so many elements of foreshadowing peppered throughout the film from its opening scene. We cant go back in time to watch Back to the Future for the first time, but rewatching it is the next best thing.

The real first rule of Fight Club, is that you have to watch it more than once. And sure, being able to go back and see all the clues leading up to that famous twist is nice. But its also just really easy to get lost in the film in general. Its commentary on masculinity and commercialism remains relevant. Likewise, seeing the narrator and Tylers friendship develop before spiraling out of control (along with the fight club they create) is downright hypnotic. Its a real mood of a movie. When youre in it, itll keep you awake until you experience it again.

One does not simply watch The Lord of the Rings just once. We know its kind of cheating to include every film from this fantasy trilogy, but in our defense, its impossible to pick one to rule them all. Whether youre doing your annual marathon of Frodo and the Fellowships journey to destroy the One Ring, or just enjoying your favorite clips, The Lord of the Rings is incredibly rewatchable. Countless scenes and lines from these movies have been embedded in pop culture because theyre just so dang epic!

Speaking of epics, Gladiator is a historical one that never fails to entertain. Maximus fight through gladiator battles to come before the man who destroyed his life is endlessly gripping. Part of why its so watchable is the sheer variety of its tones - Gladiator is a war movie, a revenge tale, a historical film, and a wrestling movie all rolled into one. Much like the blood sport around which it revolves, its a real crowd-pleaser. The fight scenes are satisfying, the villain is fantastically hateable, and there are so many brilliant moments of humanity throughout. It may be set nearly two thousand years ago, but Gladiator resonates firmly in us every time we watch it.

A horror and thriller film in one package, The Silence of the Lambs is among the best of both genres. Clarice Starlings hunt for Buffalo Bill with the assistance of the devious Dr. Hannibal Lecter is captivating from start to finish to the next start. Nearly everything about it demands multiple viewings. The performances are multifaceted, with the subtle power dynamics at play in each scene taking a while to unpack. Meanwhile, so many scenes are expertly fraught with tension and scares that youll jump even after dozens of viewings. The Silence of the Lambs is a masterpiece. We love to sit down and enjoy it - with a nice Chianti or not.

Teen movies make for some of the most rewatchable experiences. The Breakfast Club takes something as mundane as detention and turns it into something unforgettable. Its a great hang-out movie with the hijinks we love to watch repeatedly. Its not all fun and games, though. The group of five kids may initially see each other as stereotypes, but through their shared experiences, particularly some hard-hitting revelations about their home lives, they come to understand life and each other a little more. Whether youre a teen yourself or reflecting on your time as one, The Breakfast Club is a film we never forget to watch.

Gangster movies are another genre that just makes for watchable cinema, and Goodfellas is among the elite. Not only is the rise and fall of Henry Hill like a twisted version of the American dream, its also darkly comedic and expertly filmed. Everything about it, from the cinematography, to the dialogue, to the narration, to its bit characters, is fantastic. Goodfellas may or may not make you wanna be a gangster, but watching every scene makes us hungry for more - just like that dinner the wise guys cook up in prison!

What did we just say about gangster movies? And whats the ultimate gangster film? The Godfather, of course! Sure, its a titan of cinema, and so many of its most memorable lines pervade our collective consciousness. But that doesnt mean Michael Corleones ascension, or fall, to become the new godfather isnt worth watching again and again. The phenomenal cast is acting their butts off in every single scene. The mood and atmosphere are just as important as whats happening on the surface. Rewatching The Godfather is an offer we could never refuse.

The Dude abides, and so does our love for this movie. Jeff the Dude Lebowski may not have any idea what hes doing in the middle of a mystery plot, but we absolutely love seeing him try and fail to figure it out, along with all the strange people he encounters. Whether were watching it for the umpteenth time to recite the oh-so-quotable dialogue or just dropping in to see what condition the bizarre characters are in, we love to revisit The Big Lebowski. Much like Walter telling Donny to shut up, this movie just does not get old.

A staple of holiday viewing for many people and cable channels for decades, Home Alone is an incredibly watchable movie. We never tire of Kevin McCallister getting left at home and deciding to fight off a pair of bumbling burglars - instead of, you know, getting the authorities involved sooner. The traps are inventive, the pratfalls hysterical, and the heartfelt moments make us melt every time. It doesnt matter if were watching it with loved ones in winter or replaying it when were home alone ourselves. Home Alone makes for great comfort viewing on any occasion.

Robin Williams manages to make us laugh and cry in this timeless classic. Movie fanatics love Mrs. Doubtfire for its message about fatherly dedication and how far a parent would go to spend time with his children. Although it may seem a little too sad and maybe a little extreme at times, its still a lovable go-to to watch alone or on any family movie night. With hilarious moments like the makeover or the table-hopping climax, and more heart-warming scenes that show the characters progression, Mrs. Doubtfire is a flick anyone can enjoy whether its the first time you watch it or the fiftieth.

There are quite a few perfect movies on this list, and Shawshank still feels special among this elite company. The timeless story of Andy Dufresnes time in prison, as told by his best friend Red, The Shawshank Redemption is more than just a prison movie. From one moment to the next, youll be crying, laughing, or feeling inspired. They ought to file this movie under educational tools, because it should be studied by everyone. Weve certainly done our fair share. No good thing ever dies. Our love for Shawshank never will.

Ask any horror movie fanatic what film he or she keeps around for a rainy day. In all likelihood, its this one! With an all-star cast featuring the likes of Chris Hemsworth and Richard Jenkins, this film delivers without being something its not. When youre stuck in some perverted alien-human killing game, its not going to be Oscar material. But, thats just what makes this film even more re-watchable. The action never stops, the dark humor reigns supreme, and laughter fills the air in the eyes of the audience. Every time you watch this horror satire, youll probably pick up a reference or joke that you missed the first time, making this one a great movie to re-watch.

What movie buff cant say that he or she has seen this movie more than once? As is life, its like a box of chocolates, delivering something special without being too obvious as to what youre going to get. With a likeable protagonist and a commanding narrative, Forrest Gump never gets old. Thanks to the protagonists ignorance about his impact on history, it also provides subtle humor. On top of that, not only is it historical, it also features its fair share of romance, action, and even social learning theory to moviegoers. Gumps love for Jenny, his bravery, and his optimistic view on life never escapes the audience, and we cant get enough of this heart-warming tale.

We may not be living in the matrix, but how can we know if life is not all a dream within a dream manipulated by an antagonistic dream expert? Thanks to this classic, we ask that question every day. Leonardo DiCaprio brings his best in this mind-bending thriller as the leading dream expert, with a crack team by his side. With more action than a Michael Bay film and more twists than an M. Night Shyamalan joint, who could have anything bad to say about this cinematic masterpiece? And who wouldnt want to watch it just one more time, if not only to understand it a little better?

Theres a 30% chance youre planning on watching this one again, right, Karen Smith? This Tina Fey masterpiece chronicles the anxiety, the struggle, and the mindset of an awkward new girl at a Midwestern public high school. Oh yeah, did we mention she was homeschooled in Africa? Thats right, so if you thought your high school experience was stressful, Lindsay Lohans in this film is ten times worse. With constant laughs, relatable teenage obstacles, and perceived antagonistic adult characters, this movie is re-watchable for everyone who has gone to high school and can now laugh about it.

You want to watch this one again? Before she could steal Forrests heart in Forrest Gump, Robyn Wrights breakthrough performance in this movie made us love her, made us hate her, and made us cry. Who wouldnt want to see the Dread Pirate Roberts face off one more time? Its inconceivable that you would answer no, but maybe a battle of wits would suit your taste. With lovable characters, like Andre the Giants Fezzik, and an unforgettable grandpa-grandson relationship between Peter Falk and Fred Savage, this Rob Reiner classic shall never get too dusty on the shelf, as long as Roberts passes it on.

When Disney makes an animated film, you expect it to just be for children, but this one isnt. In a clever adaptation of Shakespeares Hamlet, this classic cartoon depicts the intricate and complex relationships of a lion king while portraying the harsh environment of the African desert and savanna. Families come back to this film time and again for the great music thanks, Elton John! as well as for the deep themes packaged within the animated, child-centric story. Theres so much admiration for this movie in the film community we could go on for days, but we think the classic circle of life scene speaks for itself.

When we say re-watchable, youd better not say: what? With mind-blowing performances by Hollywood greats like Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, and Uma Thurman, this Quentin Tarantino classic is one youll be pulling off the shelf forever. With a blend of black comedy, dark action, and plenty of pop culture references, the audience is left stunned as Tarantino delivers his special blend of gangster wit. This classic's intertwined stories and nonlinear narrative keep it fresh with every viewing. And, lets not forget, if we watch it just one more time, we may be able to guess exactly whats in that 6-6-6 briefcase.

Thats right, well watch this movie over and over again until we have no limbs. No one does dry humor and intelligent comedic wit like the classic Monty Python troupe, and this film delivers like no other comedy. British humor plus a medieval setting equals one satisfied audience. With an endless list of quotable lines, a memorable cast of hilarious characters and a killer rabbit, this is one side splitting film to always come back to. Is she a witch? We may just have to watch this classic one more time to find out.


Is there an endlessly entertaining movie youre disappointed didnt make our list? Go to the comments, and share your favorites!