Entertainment
The 21 Absolute Most Nostalgic Things You Can Watch On Netflix Right Now
The days leading up to New Year's are ones of reflection and contemplation, taking a long look back to prepare for the bright and shiny future ahead of us. It's a time to say goodbye to the past - out with the old and in with the new, moving onwards and upwards! But now, two weeks into our fresh start, we're starting to think maybe hitting the gym seven days a week was a tad unreasonable, and are starting to question if this was the year to try and learn 4 languages at once. For those who think they might've thrown Baby New Year out with the bathwater, here's the most nostalgic movies on Netflix to bring back that golden-era glow.
While it's good to keep an eye on that future prize, the past looks a little rosier with each passing day. These movies inspire all the warm and fuzzy feelings of childhood without any of the accompanying embarrassments like braces or bad bangs (well, bangs might still be a problem, but now we got you covered). The rest of the year still lies ahead, so feel free to indulge in a trip down memory lane with these favorite films.
1'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'
Calling this Chinatown for kids hides the fact Who Framed Roger Rabbit's actually the better movie. Featuring ALL the cartoons in a 40s noir throwback murder mystery, this
2'High School Musical'
It's been over a decade since this series had everyone cheering for the Wildcats, and with even the actors getting wistful for the original film, it's time for a revisit.
3'Heathers'
This may be a little before Millenials' time, but the pain of high school cliques is forever. If you haven't seen this dark comedy yet, what's your damage, Heather?
4'Batman'
Before Heath Ledger, before Ben Affleck's brooding, Tim Burton's take on the Dark Knight brought grit to Gotham. It's a refreshing look back to an era when superheros didn't take themselves too seriously.
5'The Princess Bride'
Quite easily a contender for Perfect Movie, this childhood fave only gets better with age (yours and the movie's). Like Grandpa says, fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles...it's got everything.
6'Con Air'
While not the first movie that comes to mind when folks think 'nostalgia', I dare you to put this on and not feel the visceral thrill that only an over-the-top Bruckheimer action film can bring. This star-packed film starts high-concept (plane full of super-criminals gets hijacked) and just gets more ridiculous as it goes along.
7'Casper'
Even though Casper spent most of the movie as a CGI ghost, his brief transformation into Devon Sawa for one last dance set many a Tiger Beat-subscribing heart aflutter. This sweet and spooky film had everyone wishing their house was haunted.
8'A League Of Their Own'
There's no crying in baseball, but it's totally fine to get misty-eyed at this tale of two sisters struggling in the Women's Leagues during World War II. With Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell firmly planting this in the 90s, it's two trips down memory lane in one.
9'William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet'
This classic tale of star-crossed lovers got the full 90s treatment from Baz Luhrmann, including a pop soundtrack and young Leo in a starmaking role.
10'Grease'
I don't think you could legally have a nostalgic list without including this sleepover staple.
11'Hocus Pocus'
12'The Crow'
Get your eyeliner ready for watching the movie that singlehandedly launched a thousand Hot Topics. A gothic portal to the mid-90s, with soundtrack to match.
13'Space Jam'
A movie whose plot is "an alternate history of Michael Jordan's brief 1993 retirement from basketball where he and Warner Bros. cartoons save the earth from alien invasion," Space Jam is its own encapsulation of 1996.
14'Labyrinth'
David Bowie, Muppets and music - what more could you want? Maybe a young Jennifer Connelly living every young girl's dream, running around to defeat the Goblin King
15'Beauty And The Beast'
And speaking of magical creatures, forget the recent live-action remake. Disney's original animated tale as old as time will have you singing along with every song.
16'My Girl'
Get that box of tissues ready for this coming-of-age tale. You think it won't be as sad this time around and then...she finds his glasses.
17'The Monster Squad'
Combine 80s crudeness with 50s monsters, and you get The Monster Squad, a film about a group of friends who have to stop Dracula, The Wolfman and Frankenstein from taking over their town.
18'One Crazy Summer'
It's the classic tale of Preppy Kids vs. Local Weirdos in Savage Steve Holland's summer mashup of every type of 80s weirdness in one movie.
19'Wayne's World'
Yes, and it's the choice of a new generation. This movie's taken on such a life of its own it's easy to forget it started as an SNL sketch, especially as Wayne and Garth's world quickly leaves their basement.
20'Pee Wee's Big Adventure'
Even if you never caught the original TV show, Tim Burton's tale of a young man determined to find his bike is its own world. Don't Leave The House Today; watch this instead.
21'Newsies'
Back before he was a Very Serious Actor, Christian Bale was a teen dreamboat in Disney's all-singing, all-dancing tale of paper-hawking moppets just trying to make it in this crazy world.
After a long, warm walk down Nostalgia Lane, you'll feel ready to face the new. But don't worry, any time present-day gets to be too much, these movies will always be ready and waiting for you to check back into.
