50 Movies to Watch During Lockdown
50 Movies to Watch During Lockdown
featuring my top five favourites, films for the wanderlust heart and a few you probably haven’t heard of.
11 movies to escape your current reality.
Films to feed your wanderlust soul.
Into the wild
Starring the handsome Emilie Hirsch with a serious Vince Vaughn, this has to be one of my favourite films. You’ll find it playing on movie nights at hostels around the globe and it’s cinematography is simply beautiful. I also recommend reading the book, Alaska will always be on my bucket list.
Streaming on Netflix now.
Slumdog Millionaire
If you know me, you’ll know I love any and all movies that are set in India. I remember when this film came out and the critics went wild. It’s an incredible story following a young orphan finding his way across the wildness of India’s street life.
Sherpa (documentary)
This documentary is easily one of the best ones I’ve watched in awhile. Not only does it pay homage to the tough, dangerous life of a sherpa, its Nepal backdrop will make you drool. Forever dreaming of the Himalayas…
Eat, pray, love
I read it before the film came out and immediately felt inspired. Call me cheesy, but the film is just as good. Italy, India and Bali, what more do you need right now…
Streaming on Netflix now.
Wild
Funny enough, I’m re-reading this book now. Cheryl Strayed’s story is captivating and poetic. The film did the book justice and the hiking scenes will have you dreaming of the trails.
The Darjeeling Limited
Ah, Wes Anderson, you talented such of a b*tch. If you know his films, you’ll know this one. It’s an emotional rollercoaster (like our current lives) and filled with comedic relief. If you haven’t seen it, watch it now.
Lion
Yes, another film set in India (and Tasmania, Australia) that I fell in love with. This story pulls at the heart strings and stars the very handsome Dev Patel (actor from Slumdog) and Nicole Kidman.
Streaming on Netflix now.
The Beach
This cult-travel classic film is always playing on the screens in Thailand. Featuring a young Leo, the paradise beach scenes will instantly make you want to book tickets to SE Asia. The book is good, but I think I like the film better. Also, it’s said that the real beach the author wrote about was in the Philippines.
The movie was filmed in Koh Pi Pi, Thailand where tourists could take a boat trip to the famous spot, but Maya Bay is officially closed until 2021 due to environmental damage sadly from the excessive tourism.
The Way
Have you ever heard of the Camino de Santiago? It’s a Catholic pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain and this story follows a father who decides to complete the journey in honor of his son. If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration or more on this trail, I highly recommend reading The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho.
Life of Pi
Maybe not a true wanderlust film, but the cinematography and CG of this movie is just insane. I read the book in high school and the movie surpassed what my mind had imagined. It’s a beautiful watch.
Midnight in paris
Teleport to the 20’s in Paris with Owen Wilson as he hangs out with Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway in this dramedy that makes you wish you lived in a different era.
My top 5 ultimate favourite movies
No judgement please. ha.
Factory Girl
This film is not one many know, but it tells the story of Edie Sedgwick, one of Andy Warhol’s muses. Sienna Miller and Guy Pearce kill the roles showcasing the good and the bad that came with the famous pop artist.
Across the universe
I love a good musical so when I heard about a Beatles musical film, I about died. The story follows two young lovers growing up in the same decades of the Beatles as they grow and the world changes so does the music just like the Beatles’ albums.
Practical magic
Since I was a little girl, I’ve dreamt of being a witch. From trying to do spells from a Wiccan book to obsessing over the HP novels, this weirdo loves a good witch film. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star is the female-dominated cast including a young Evan Rachel Wood.
Almost famous
“I am a golden God.” What a film. From the music to the costume design, the storyline and the love we all have for Penny Lane, it’s a must for all the band-aids in the world.
A little princess & the secret garden
Both of these films are family-friendly and favorites of my childhood. While one reminds us that all girls are princesses no matter their story, the other makes you fantasize about your own secret garden. Both magical stories for young girls.
Lesser-known films i highly recommend
Oldies, newies, Netflix films and more.
The Craft
Yes, it’s another film about witches and magic, but this one involves high school drama, a new girl and games we used to play when we were younger. Light as a feather, stiff as a board anyone?
Heathers
I’d describe it as Mean Girls intertwined with Scream set in the 80’s featuring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. This dark comedy is one of my favourites from my pre-teen days.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Based on a memoir, this film is follows the story of a young boy from a village in Malawi who fights for his education and saves his poor community from a devastating drought.
Streaming on Netflix
Anything from Quentin Tarantino
Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bills are cult classics, but have you seen Jackie Brown and Reservoir Dogs? Possibly, but what about Four Rooms, From Dawn to Dusk and Natural Born Killers? Throw yourself a Tarantino marathon movie day, you won’t regret it.
Django Unchained and The H8ful Eight now streaming on Netflix
Anything from Wes Anderson
Although it’s hard to pick a favourite, Moonrise Kingdom is up there along with The Darjeeling Limited (mentioned above), The Royal Tenenbaums, The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zizzou. Anderson’s films are artwork that often use the same cast of characters in a form of dark comedy. Another great way to spend a day.
New zealand classics
Watch these before coming to the land of the white cloud.
hunt for the wilderpeople
We make everyone who comes to visit NZ, watch this film. It’s clear why Taika Waititi received so much recognition for this movie and it’ll make you laugh and forget about this Covid crisis for 100+ minutes.
Now streaming on TVNZ
What we do in the shadows
Another piece of gold from Taika Waititi, this mockumentary follows the lives of three vampires trying to fit in with regular society. Many scenes are filmed in Wellington, our home city.
boy
And one more from Taika, the lesser known film, Boy. Set in the 80’s, the story follows a young Michael Jackson fanatic who takes over the household when his grandma goes to Wellington.
Now streaming on TVNZ
Lord of the rings Trilogy
I don’t think I need to say much here. This mega-successful trio of films put New Zealand on the map and is one of the reasons the country has a booming tourism industry (although that industry is sadly hurting from the lockdown). This series will take over 10 hours to complete and even longer if you had in the Hobbit films.
Fellowship of the Ring streaming now on Netflix
Captain fantastic
Ok this is far from a New Zealand classic, but our good friends introduced us to this film when they were travelling in New Zealand and we immediately fell in love. A unique story of a family living off the land in Colorado and their attempt to re-enter society. Please please watch it.
tv series to make time disappear
Just a few TV recs to wrap it up. Giving just a few words to describe each tv series.
stranger things
Sci-fi. Winona Ryder. 1980’s and sick synth sounds.
Streaming on Netflix
madmen
1950’s. Martini’s. NYC. Advertising and non-stop smoking.
Streaming on Netflix
peaky blinders
Birmingham. Gang. 1910’s. Thomas Shelby and plenty of violence.
Streaming on Netflix
ozark
Missouri. The present. Jason Bateman. Drug-trafficking and money laundering.
Streaming on Netflix
The sinner
Jessica Biel. Suspense. A crime drama that will suck you in.
Streaming on Netflix
Need something light-hearted? Try Modern Family, The Office, Parks & Rec, Friends and That 70’s Show.
When there is nothing to watch or you’re not in the best mood, pop on Up! My favourite Pixar film full of adventure, big dreams and a talking dog named Doug.
Thanks for checking out my 50 movies to watch during lockdown. I hope I’ve provided some new films you haven’t seen yet! Please drop your favourite movies below, I’m always looking for more.
Cheers,
Viktoria
streaming sites are relative to New Zealand availability
[images provided by Amazon, IMDB and Unsplash]