Examples include The Prestige, Inception, The Usual Suspects, Shutter Island, and The Matrix. While I wouldn’t mind watching them again, I have no desire to put them on, if I’m being honest. But there are a handful of movies I can watch over and over again. Not many films make that list for me—and the ones that do aren’t necessarily good movies, just well-made and entertaining. The characters, the acting, the cinematography, the story, the stakes, the dialogue all combine to pull me in and refuse to let go. Here are the most rewatchable movies that pass the test!
25. Buried (2010)
Buried is an excellent example of a film that’s so well-crafted and suspenseful that you just can’t look away. Ryan Reynolds is buried alive in a coffin—for the entire film. The entire movie takes place INSIDE A COFFIN. And yet you’re kept at the edge of your seat, eyes glued to the screen.
24. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
I first watched Scott Pilgrim vs. The World on recommendation from a friend. I knew nothing about it except that I hated the name, and I went into it with a sour attitude. Well, what a pleasant surprise, eh? It totally caught me off guard and introduced me to the genius of Edgar Wright. Superb to the last drop.
23. Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca is the quintessential romance film, packed with a great story, great characters, and some of the greatest lines ever uttered in cinema. And no matter how many times you’ve seen it, you’ll want to see it again. Don’t let the fact that it came out in 1942 turn you away. It may not have the flash and dazzle of modern films, but it has all the magic needed to suck you in and enthrall you from start to finish.
22. Stardust (2007)
There’s no live-action fantasy adventure film that’s as fun as Stardust. Some like to say it’s the spiritual successor to The Princess Bride, with all the fun and wit that comes with such a comparison. Stardust has a stacked cast that includes Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Henry Cavill, Mark Strong, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, and so many more. That alone should clue you in to how fun this film is.
21. Shrek (2001)
The magic of Shrek comes in its willingness to subvert fairy tales while playing into the very same tropes that make fairy tales what they are—that, and the amazing cast of characters like none other. From Shrek to Donkey, Fiona to Farquaad, and all the other side characters that show up along the way, Shrek is just a blast. You may not glean anything new with repeat viewings, but you’ll have as much fun each time.
20. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a top pick for favorite Christmas movies. Or is it a Halloween movie? And that question right there is what makes this film so great. I love the creativity that Tim Burton poured into The Nightmare Before Christmas, and the art style is so distinctly lovely. It’s an animated classic. Anyone who doesn’t like this film as a cold, dead heart. Cold and dead!
19. Up in the Air (2009)
Up in the Air is seriously, seriously underrated—not by critics, given that this film has a 91% approval on Rotten Tomatoes and several awards nominations, but by regular folks like you and me. Too many people have never even heard of it, and that’s a shame because it’s both hilarious and heartwrenching. George Clooney, Anna Kendrick, and Vera Farmiga have surprisingly good chemistry on screen, and the film is edited so well. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it, then rewatch it.
18. Wedding Crashers (2005)
I’m a bit biased here because Wedding Crashers is the first raunchy comedy I ever saw and actually liked. But even after several rewatches, I still find it as hilarious as I did the first time, so I’m pretty sure rose-colored glasses have nothing to do with it. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are perfectly matched, and Rachel McAdams and Isla Fisher are always a sight to see.
17. Twister (1996)
Twister was big during the 90s. Back then, nobody outside of Tornado Alley really knew what it felt like to live under the threat of tornados, and this movie allowed us all to experience those thrills. Written by Michael Crichton, produced by Steven Spielberg, and directed by Jan de Bont, Twister is a pure blockbuster. You won’t remember the characters, but the experience is a ride you’ll want to come back to.
16. Die Hard (1988)
Against all odds, Die Hard became one of the most iconic action movies of all time. It gave us what is arguably Bruce Willis’s best performance in John McClane as well as cinema’s greatest snake in Hans Gruber (played by the late Alan Rickman). Look, if you haven’t seen Die Hard yet, just watch it. Suspend your disbelief and don’t worry about the plot holes. You have to see it for yourself to understand why fans love rewatching it.
15. Groundhog Day (1993)
A time loop movie in a list of most rewatchable films? There’s a joke there somewhere, but I ain’t clever enough to find it. All you really need to know is that Groundhog Day is a classic for a reason. It’s more than just an interesting “What if?” premise, and it’s more than just a comedic look at someone stuck in an unusual situation. It’s deep, it’s existential, and it’s great for hundreds of watches.
14. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
The thing about Edge of Tomorrow is that it always seems to blow people away because they go into it with such low expectations. A time loop action movie about aliens? Surely it can’t be that good. But let me say this: despite me being a Tom Cruise anti-fan and having lukewarm appreciation for Emily Blunt, Edge of Tomorrow is immensely enjoyable and I’m happy to watch it time and time again.
13. Toy Story (1995)
The CGI in Toy Story is… lacking, to say the least, when you compare it how far we’ve come with CGI in general. But none of that matters. There’s so much heart and drama in Toy Story that you can’t help but watch whenever it’s on screen. Buzz? Woody? Even Sid? These are the kinds of characters you love to watch, and that’s what makes Toy Story so rewatchable even to this day.
12. Airplane! (1980)
Airplane! is one of the best parody movies ever made with some of the funniest scenes in cinema history—and that, obviously, makes it a solid movie you can watch anytime, anywhere. The slapstick humor and visual gags are always a joy to watch, but there are plenty of surreal antics, obscure references, and running jokes that you’ll only catch with repeat viewings.
11. The Departed (2005)
Based on the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, The Departed is one of the few American remakes that actually succeed. It’s the perfect crime thriller, complete with an all-star cast led by two of my favorite actors of all-time: Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. It’s so good at blending humor into its more serious and thrilling scenes. And the cherry on top? It has an earworm of a theme in “The Departed Tango.” Not to mention that ending. Oof!
10. The Mummy (1999)
Hollywood doesn’t make action adventure films like The Mummy anymore, and what a shame because The Mummy is so, so good. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz knock it out of the park with their performances, and even though there are some cheesy bits here and there, The Mummy is just a joy to watch. It’s the perfect popcorn flick for a lazy summer night when you want to shut off your brain.
9. Harry Potter (2001–2011)
Yeah, I know that the Harry Potter films are gravely imperfect compared to the books—but I still love them. There’s something about these films that make them comforting to watch, even as they get progressively darker. Between the main trio (Harry, Hermione, Ron), the exotic characters we meet along the way, the wonderful whimsy of the wizarding world, and the satisfying self-contained nature of each film (except perhaps the last two), Harry Potter is an easy rewatch every year.
8. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Stephen Chow has made several incredible films, the most famous of which is probably Shaolin Soccer. But for me? Kung Fu Hustle is the better watch if only because it’s just so comically funny even on repeat. It’s absurd to an extreme, and that absurdity never grows old. Many critics describe it as “martial arts meets Looney Tunes” and I couldn’t agree more.
7. Rush Hour (1998)
Rush Hour is classic action-comedy. Lots of chemistry between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, lots of humorous scenes, and lots of amazing action choreography. It’s been over twenty years since it debuted but it still holds up well, and the sequel Rush Hour 2 is just as good.
6. Mean Girls (2004)
One of the funniest and most quotable comedies of the 2000s. There’s a lot to like about it, including the performances by Rachel McAdams, Lizzy Caplan, and Amanda Seyfried… …but most important is the bright vibe that wraps the underlying drama. Extremely watchable and tons of laughs per minute.
5. Chef (2014)
For me, Chef is the ultimate feelgood movie. Whether you’re feeling down, depressed, overwhelmed, homesick, or just plain bored, Chef is the kind of movie that will always raise your spirits. Always. Summed up in one sentence, Chef is about a father and a son who go on a road trip together while serving food out of their food truck, with plenty of wholesome moments along the way. Keep this movie on hand at all times in case you’re ever in need of a pick-me-up.
4. The Bourne Identity (2002)
A compelling mystery, a lovable hero, and some of the best fight scenes in any movie to this day. You could argue that The Bourne Identity popularized the annoying shakycam style of fight choreography, but it’s actually not that bad in the film itself. This movie is a quick and fun watch every time.
3. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Ocean’s Eleven is just so comfortable to watch. It’s funny, it’s groovy, it’s exciting, and it has one of the best climaxes in any heist film. I’d watch this on repeat just for the music, and if not that, then simply to watch Brad Pitt eat and eat and eat and eat.
2. The Lord of the Rings (2001–2003)
Is there a single film saga that’s more epic, more immersive, or more complete than the Lord of the Rings trilogy? To this day, Peter Jackson’s incredible adaptation remains a top contender for most rewatchable film ever made, with the first film being downright magical. Die-hard fans rewatch the trilogy every year—some even rewatch multiple times per year—because it’s matchless as far as fantasy cinema goes, with some of the best characters and moments in film history. To get the most out of it, watch the Extended Editions which add an incredible 2 hours and 33 minutes of extra footage across all three films.
1. Jurassic Park (1993)
Jurassic Park is easily my favorite movie of all time. It has it all: great character development, balance of drama and humor, thrilling scenes, and DINOSAURS. There are plenty of iconic scenes in this masterpiece, and the dinosaurs still look better than anything put out in recent films. A true classic. Read next: The most iconic sci-fi movie scenes
