Nothing quite brings loved ones together like movie night. With the thousands of movies that have been made since the late 19th century, it can be hard to decide what to watch with so many options. Below is a list of 10 great movies you can watch with family and friends at home or in the TV room at Broadmoor Court assisted living in Colorado Springs, CO.
Although it’s often classified as a holiday movie, It’s A Wonderful Life is the perfect existential film on any day of the year. The raw performance by the wonderful Jimmy Stewart makes one man’s search for meaning in life believable and profound. Before throwing himself off a bridge, George Bailey meets his guardian angel, who is sent from heaven and takes him on a journey through the history of his own life. Through flashbacks, Bailey learns the importance of family and love and makes his ultimate decision on the value of life.
Roman Holiday is one of the most classic romantic comedies ever made. It stars Gregory Peck as a journalist and Audrey Hepburn as a princess and tells the tale of their unlikely meeting in the heart of Rome. This three-time Academy Award-winning movie has action, adventure, romance, suspense and tender moments to make one fall in love with the city of romance.
It might be considered cheating to include an entire trilogy as one movie on this list, but each of these movies is just as enjoyable as the others. These classic films are a throwback to the 80s and include some of the most iconic moments in film, such as the clock tower scene and the train scene in the final film. See Michael J. Fox at his best as Marty McFly in this zany trilogy by Robert Zemeckis.
Inside Out is one of Pixar’s best movies — not just in the last few years but of all time. Following the emotional journey of Riley, a young girl who must deal with the sadness and uncertainty of moving to a new city, this movie manages to deliver a lot of laughs while encouraging introspection and proper handling of emotions in difficult times. It’s deep, endlessly creative and genuinely hilarious and heartfelt. Inside Out is relatable to any generation and has become timeless in its relevance to every member of its audience. It's definitely worth watching with family, loved ones or your fellow assisted living residents.
This Christian allegory of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is based on the popular book by C. S. Lewis. Centered on the four Pevensie children and their journey to the magical land of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is an entertaining tale about family, teamwork and destiny. It's an excellent film to watch with your fantasy-loving grandkids.
One of the greatest musicals to be taken to the big screen, The Sound of Music won five Academy Awards, including Best Music and Best Picture, in 1966. With some of the most recognizable songs you'll ever hear in a musical, this upbeat tale starring the legendary Julie Andrews never fails to entertain — even after 50 years.
Indiana Jones never fails to captivate. His endlessly entertaining antics in this film take audiences across the world on a quest to find the lost Ark of the Covenant. Harrison Ford’s charismatic performance breathes life into the professor of archaeology and makes the danger of treasure hunting exciting to watch. This is a great pick for people of all ages, especially action-movie lovers and history buffs.
A story of hard work, perseverance and determination, The Karate Kid serves as a great film for entertaining audiences young and old. This inter-generational story about Daniel LaRusso and his relationship with trainer-turned-mentor Mr. Miyagi is one of the best stories about friendship across decades. Skip the sequels and remakes, because it doesn’t get any better than the original classic.
This Oscar-winner for Best Picture in 1990 also managed to garner awards for Best Writing and Best Actress for Jessica Tandy as the cantankerous titular character. After crashing her car into her neighbor’s property, Miss Daisy must hire herself a chauffeur played by Morgan Freeman, who shines in his role as Mr. Colburn. The movie is wholesome, heartfelt and historical in its coverage of race relations in the south. Overall, it’s a fantastic movie and more than worthy of a second viewing.
This final movie is an inspiring true story about a Jew and a Christian who compete to participate in the 1924 Olympics. The film won four Academy Awards — Best Picture, Best Writing, Best Costume and Best Music. Covering topics such as religious division, antisemitism and devout determination, this film about piety, tolerance, cooperation and respect for one another is an excellent tale for sports-lovers of all ages.
