The only thing that makes being sick bearable is when you know you can take a sick day. As a kid, there was no greater pleasure than getting to stay home for a day and curl up in front of the TV — while sick, of course. Sick days are supposed to be spent sleeping, but there's only so much sleep one can indulge in, and that's where having a TV came in handy. Is a sick day really a sick day if a good two hours (at least) aren't spent in front of the television set, catching up on the latest releases? I think not. No matter what kind of movies you were into, I guarantee you'll recognize at least one of these 33 '90s movies everyone watched when home sick.
Whether it was a movie you owned on VHS, or ones you begged your parents to record (also on VHS), or movies that seemed to always be playing on television in the middle of the day, a movie was always watched on a sick day. Sick day movies have now been replaced by sick day Netflix marathons, but we can still remember the good old days with the below '90s movies that you definitely watched when you were home sick.
1. FernGully: The Last Rainforest
Ferngully, aka the Disney-light animated movie that taught you about the environment, was ideal for sick days: not iconic enough to require your full attention, but entertaining enough to keep you busy.
2. Matilda
One look at Mrs. Trunchbull will make you eternally grateful you're safe at home and not at school.
3. The Lion King
Hakuna matata takes on a whole new meaning when you're running a 101 degree fever.
4. Space Jam
Space Jam is a trip, perfect for when you're loopy on cold medicine.
5. Mrs. Doubtfire
Anyone else remember having laughing fits that turned into a five minute cough? No, just me?
6. Aladdin
Another Disney classic on the list, Aladdin was the perfect sick day movie because you could watch it over and over without getting bored.
7. Toy Story
Be honest, you faked being sick to see what your toys might do if they thought you were gone.
8. Hook
A fun movie about never wanting to grow up? Perfect.
9. The Mighty Ducks
Little Joshua Jackson was one hell of a companion to have by your sick side.
10. Casper
Casper was super relatable, especially when you got bored from staying home all day and started talking to imaginary friends.
11. Babe
I'm not sure anything says '90s sick day movie quite like talking animals.
12. The Addams Family
Wednesday Addams was #Goals.
13. Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Movie
What do you think happens to a Power Ranger when they get sick?
14. Passport To Paris
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen can make any day better.
15. Wish Upon A Star
Fantasize about trading bodies with a healthy person while watching this sister-swap movie.
16. Brink!
Disney Channel at its finest.
17. Romy And Michele's High School Reunion
I don't know about you, but I was first introduced to Romy and Michele on a sick day.
18. Home Alone
Home Alone was never so relatable. (Though, hopefully your sick days had more fun time, less intruders.)
19. The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden was the kind of sick day movie your parents would play for you — kid appropriate and based on a book.
20. Zenon: Girl Of The 21st Century
Sick days didn't get any better than when there was a Disney Channel Original Movie marathon going on.
21. A Little Princess
For when you wanted tears to go with your sniffles.
22. James And The Giant Peach
Another parent-approved sick day entertainment staple.
23. The Parent Trap
For when you needed something familiar to lift your spirits.
24. The Rugrats Movie
Because you would just watch The Rugrats, but episodes were only 30 minutes long.
25. FairyTale: A True Story
I don't know what it is about sick days, but when I have a cold, I just love watching something that makes me believe in magic.
26. Spice World
Spice World is a crazy movie — just crazy enough to make perfect sense when viewed in a cold-induced daze.
27. Liar Liar
Jim Carrey will wake you up from your sick day nap every single time.
28. Mulan
Mulan was a great sick day choice if you wanted to get a little motivation to do some homework.
29. 101 Dalmatians
The perfect mix of fun, adorable, and flat out terrifying. (This movie is literally about a woman who wants to skin dogs, people.)
30. Doctor Dolittle
Another talking animals classic.
31. My Girl
Watching My Girl on a sick day was always a gamble, but if sobbing made you feel better, then it was perfect.
32. Titanic
There is no escaping Titanic on a sick day — it's always playing on TV. I think it's a rule of the universe.
33. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
Seriously, what is it with the '90s and talking animals?
Next time you're feeling sick, feel free to make yourself some Chicken & Stars soup and curl up with one of these '90s movies. I guarantee it will make you feel better — or at least make you feel like you're in the fourth grade again.
Images: TriStar Pictures; Giphy (29); lucreziatargaryen/tumblr; welshhockeyfan/tumblr; halpertjames/tumblr; mercurieux/tumblr
