My Favorite Movies of All Time!
*Disclaimer*: For all my other lists, I rate movies/tv based on my personal opinion, but also what I think the general public of casual movie watchers would think. This list is completely different. It only reflects ONLY my personal opinion and I think a lot of people would disagree with me on my selections. I judge a movie strongly based on the storyline. I love films that move me to feel or make me think. I don’t usually like “just entertaining movies”. I pay a lot of attention to the background set design, how it was filmed, the music score, and the costumes. I enjoy slower movies that cause a discussion when it's over, and as all my friends point out- I love sad movies. You’ve been warned.
Platform: Amazon Prime
This is my absolute favorite movie. I love how awkward and real the love story is. But ultimately the reason it’s my favorite is the end message… it makes me want to live my life better every single time I watch it. As an added bonus Rachel McAdams is one of my absolute FAVORITE actresses.
About Time
Platform: Hulu
The way the story has you laughing about such devastating subject matter is a masterpiece. It is the only satirical movie I’ve ever enjoyed. I love the humor and it makes me cry every time. The cinematography of each camera angle (especially the wide shots) and the colors of the costumes and background set are stunning. One of the best movies ever made.
Jo Jo Rabbit
Platform: Amazon Prime, Tubi, Youtube, Roku
I have never met a single person who has heard of this movie, which is a real shame because it’s amazing and has won a lot of awards. It is extremely slow but the storyline is a beautiful lesson on kindness. The description of this movie is bizarre and I think it turns a lot of people off before trying it. Every time I watch it I love reflecting on the “Bianca’s” in my life and the ways my family and friends accommodate those things because they love me.
Lars and the Real Girl
Platform: For Rent on Amazon Prime and Others
After seeing this movie for the first time I thought about it at least once a day for a full month afterward. It brings up such an important conversation about sexual assault and will really shake you to your core.
Promising Young Woman
Platform: For Rent on Amazon Prime and Others
This is my comfort film under my “purely entertaining” category. Christina Agulara’s vocals and the music in this are 10/10. It has such a great cast and is just a fun movie to watch. It is honestly a 9/10 for me just because I love it so much and not because it is some cinematic masterpiece. Sometimes you just really like a simple movie.
Burlesque
Platform: Amazon Prime, Hulu, Paramount+, Roku
I love the writing in this movie. I highly recommend watching it with closed captions because the conversations are quick and so witty between the main character and his friends.
Good Will Hunting
Platform: Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBOmax
This movie has some pretty heavy subject matter. I absolutely love how it starts in the middle of the story and just shows you a small amount of time and leaves you to wonder about the rest. You feel like you are living in a situation with them. I love slow movies that make me feel all the emotions with them. Such great acting and a storyline.
Room
Platform: Amazon Prime, Roku, Paramount+
If you know me you’d know I HATE scary movies. Can’t watch them. Horror? Forget it, I have terrible nightmares and will refuse to watch. So it’s shocking that a thriller movie made this list… but these movies are so good. I love the focus on family in the plot, especially to be able to pull it off in this genre. They’re the only scary movies I’ll watch. The use of sound throughout the movie was magical to experience in a theater and I feel bad for anyone who missed out on it.
A Quiet Place 1 and 2
Platform: For Rent on Amazon Prime and Others
I don’t normally like “war movies” because I’m not a huge history buff and I prefer romance to any other genre- but this movie is an exception. The way they filmed it is so cool. They deserved every award they won and I was absolutely amazed by the size of the sets.
1917
Platform: Amazon Prime
I love the way this movie brings to light the positives and negatives of unconventional education. It is such an interesting plot and isn’t like anything I’ve seen before.
Captain Fantastic
Platform: For Rent on Amazon Prime and Others
This movie does such a great job showing the home sickness when living in another country. Saoirse Ronan is one of my favorite actresses and has an amazing performace. Fun fact- I read the book after watching the movie and it was one of the worst books I’ve ever read. Which ultimately lowered my rating of the movie from a 9 to an 8, because I hate reading stupid books.
Brooklyn
Platform: Disney+
I loved this book when I was younger and I equally loved the film adaptation. The casting was perfect and personally think there are so many discussions and lessons that can come from this movie. It always inspires me to keep my individuality and reminds me how much of an impact one person can have. My favorite part is when she finds out what happened with the bike and she apologizes without justifying herself, I think there is such a powerful lesson to be learned there.
Star Girl
Platform: Disney+
Similar to war movies- I don’t love sports movies. But this one is great and I really like Mark Wahlberg. Sometimes you just need a good inspiring movie, ya know?
Invincible
Platform: Hulu
I was not okay after watching this. It made me so upset and slightly depressed but I instantly wanted to talk to everyone about it. I watched it 3 times in 4 days. I think the ending is so powerful and the fact they made an entire movie where you hate the main character (and warn you at the beginning that you will hate her) is pretty impressive if you ask me.
Not Okay
Platform: For Rent on Amazon Prime and Others
Another slow but amazing movie. It brings up a great conversation about education and what the most important priorities are for gifted children.
Gifted
The Martian
Platform: For Rent on Amazon Prime and Others
I don’t have anything profound to say about this film… I just like it a lot. It’s funny. It has Matt Damon. What more could I want?
Platform: Hulu, HBOmax, Amazon Prime, Roku
Need good music to listen to while you study? Look no further because this film score is one of the best. It also gets a lot of credit for my desire to travel and live around the world, he just makes it look so cool and inspiring.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Platform: Hulu
Such a feel good story. It makes me emotional every time I watch it. Sandra Bulluck is amazing. Not much else to say. Its just a solid movie.
The Blind Side
Platform: Hulu
You’ve all seen it, you know why it’s good. If you haven’t… um I’m not sure where you were when this was all people talked about.
Inception
Platform: Hulu
I honestly don’t care what anyone thinks about this movie- I love it. I think its absolutely hilarious and the main character’s body language throughout the entire film is incredible. Her love interest is so good-looking and I am just grateful to have a new comfort film that isn’t “She’s the Man”.
Rosaline
Platform: Hulu, Sling
If there is any pattern you can draw from my favorite movies, it would be the presence of Matt Damon. What can I say? He’s in a lot of great movies. I also get him and Mark Wahlberg mixed up a lot, so it’s not surprising Mark is up here a couple of times as well.
Ford V Ferrari
Platform:
I think this movie is one of the most accurate portrayals of what it is like to hate your body and the work it takes to change it. I find it to be a beautiful true story and the ending always gets me emotional when she is about to give up. I don’t think this is everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’ve ever struggled with your weight I would say its worth the watch.
Brittany Runs a Marathon
Platform: Netflix
This movie is super cute and does a great job juggling between the two “lives”. My favorite part is showing that her path is different but who she is as a person and her dreams are the same in both scenarios. I think it’s true for all of us, that our paths in life might be different than what we planned, but the big parts of us will be the same no matter which route we pick. Happiness can be found on any path.
Look Both Ways
Platform: Amazon Prime, Paramount+, Hulu, Roku
So cute- and I’m not just talking about Mark Walberg.
Instant Family
Platform: Disney+, Hulu
The music is fantastic and it holds a special place in my heart because it was the first movie I watched after my mission (a year without TV or social media) so it made it even more magical.
The Greatest Showman
Platform: Amazon Prime
I am an absolute sucker for a sad movie with an interesting plot and questionable ethics. This movie is all of those things and they threw in Abigail Breslin, who I also adore.
My Sister’s Keeper
Platform: HBOmax, Peacock, Amazon Prime, Hulu
The fact that this is a true story blows my mind. It is so sad, so inspiring, and honestly just unbelievable. My only advice would be to just watch this one and never watch the second one. The sequel was garbage.