It can be hard to find a movie to watch, especially with how many options we have in front of us. From Netflix and Hulu to HBO Max, there are thousands upon thousands of movies at our disposal. Sometimes it can feel like a real hassle to pick something. You scroll and scroll until the point where you’re tired of looking and eventually settle on something that you’ve seen hundreds of times. I’m guilty of it too, I always seem to make my way back to Good Will Hunting. But that’s why I have put together this list. Pick one of these and introduce yourself to a new movie, old or new. 

Lady Bird (Netflix) Drama

This movie from 2017 may feel like a classic coming of age story but it is much deeper than that. It speaks to the new generation in a way that some films with the same concept do not. The movie follows a senior in high school as she deals with the normal issues of high school. While the story is great, the elite cast also helps. With young stars such as Saoirse Ronan and Timothee Chalamet, the film served as a breakout for two of Hollywood’s brightest young stars. 

Soul (Disney+) Animated Comedy Drama 

The latest hit movie in Disney’s deep roster of films, Soul stood out in a way that only some have. The movie came out right before the end of 2020, on Christmas day. People were instantly captivated by the concept as it was somewhat different than what Disney had done in the past. While still technically a movie intended for children, the underlying messages were much deeper than usual. The movie follows Joe Gardner, a middle school music teacher who aspires of becoming a Jazz performer. As Joe begins to make his dreams a reality, he has an accident. He wakes up as a soul, not yet willing to accept death. Joe embarks on a journey in hopes of finding his way back to the real world. 

Palm Springs (HULU) Rom-Com, Sci-Fi

Maybe my favorite movie from the last year, Palm Springs offers a different approach to the typical Rom-Com genre. There is a sci-fi aspect that makes the movie stand out. While attending a wedding, Nyles (played by the hilarious Andy Sandberg) becomes trapped in a cycle of living the same day on repeat. Eventually Sarah (played by Cristin Milioti) becomes trapped in this cycle as well. As the two embark on a journey to find a way out, they are met with many different obstacles. The duo of Andy Sanberg and Cristin Milioti is a perfect match for any comedy fan. The chemistry of the two create a movie that anyone will enjoy. 

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Amazon Prime) Drama

In a time of such uncertainty, a movie like this will have you sitting back and looking for the positives in life. In my opinion, one of Ben Stiller’s greatest acting performances. We follow the character Waler Mitty, an employee for Time and Life magazine. Walter Mitty is a very simple man who takes life as it is. He spends his days dreaming of a life much different than his own, full of love and adventure. This all changes when he is forced to go on a journey across the world to track down a photographer to find a missing picture. As the story unfolds, we see the dreams of Walter slowly become reality. In times of doubt, this movie can always provide a nice boost of morale. 

Good Will Hunting (Amazon Prime) Drama 

As I said earlier, this is the movie that I always find myself coming back to. This list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t add this. This movie has a cast full of A-List celebrities. Robin Williams, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck all-star in this 1997 classic. The movie follows Will Hunting, a young man from Boston. After some poor decisions and trouble with the law, Will is forced to meet with a therapist. The therapist, Sean Maguire (played by Robin Williams) leads Will on a path of self-discovery.