Deciding how much you want to commit to a movie will invariably affect what you actually decide to put on. Challenging foreign or indie movies can be immensely rewarding, but they often require your full attention. The same is true of some larger movies that are incredibly complex — like basically any movie Christopher Nolan has ever made.
Sometimes, though, you know you’re looking for a movie that you can put on while you do some work, scroll through your phone, or play some video games. In those cases, you’re more likely to gravitate toward something that feels familiar, even if it might be new to you. These are the ideal movies for that kind of experience, whether you’re looking for something thrilling or funny to pass the time.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Spirited Away (2001)
Jurassic Park (1993)
Elf (2003)
The Matrix (1999)
Editors' Recommendations
- 10 best sci-fi movies of 2023, ranked
- Why is it so hard to make a hit Terminator movie again?
- The best kills in John Wick: Chapter 4, ranked
- Beyond Pandora: the 5 best fictional worlds in movies
- The 5 best movie trilogies ever