Last week my husband and I were browsing the endless list of movies and TV shows on what now seems like an endless list of streaming services. We were having one of those nights where nothing looked good really and, when something did, the other person didn’t want to watch it. About 15 minutes into this painful and all-too-common ordeal, we saw that Hulu had Crazy, Stupid, Love available for streaming. Without any discussion, we selected the film. It’s an all-time-favorite–for both of us. It’s one of those memorize-dialogue, rewind-your-favorite-parts, know-behind-the-scenes-facts kind of movies. As we laughed about our favorite scenes days later, I thought about other movies that would fall into this category. I used to say these movies were the ones where, if you were flicking through channels on cable, you wouldn’t be able to pass. Now, I think they’re just the ones we go to when nothing else on streaming looks any good.

So, without further ado, here’s my list (in no particular order) of watch-100-or-more-times movies:

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Why? Not only is it incredibly funny, and the climax includes a great plot twist, but it’s genuine. It’s a complicated love story, but it’s a real love story. Fact: I did cry at the end of watching this movie last week even though I’d seen it 400 times already.

Favorite moments: Jacob (Ryan Gosling) reacting to Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) opening his velcro wallet; the Dirty Dancing scene in which Jacob lifts Hannah (Emma Stone) over his head like he’s Patrick Swayze

 

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Why? Everyone loves a story about someone bettering themselves, especially if it’s got fantastic actors. Everyone in this film is on top of their game: I get totally lost in the story because the actors make it so believable. Fact: This, along with Crazy, Stupid, Love, would also be on my dad’s list. Whenever we are watching Good Will Hunting (again), we text each other.

Favorite moments: the “How do you like them apples?” scene; at the end, when Chuckie (Ben Affleck) comes to pick up Will (Matt Damon), and he finally gets to walk away without Will just like he always wanted

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Why? This film has some of the best writing hands-down. It’s quick and clever and romantic without being cheesy. The movie is entirely dialogue-driven with some many quotable zingers. Fact: I quoted Harry’s romantic declaration monologue from the end of the movie on our wedding programs.

Favorite moments: Harry (Billy Crystal) telling Sally (Meg Ryan) it is not possible to have good sex with a man name Sheldon; the sandwich scene (obviously); Harry’s declaration of love

Remember the Titans (2000)

Why? Honestly, I know this movie really oversimplifies the real story, but that’s why I like it: football and friendship overcoming racism is a pretty enjoyable story. Fact: I still get upset when Gerry (Ryan Hurst) gets hurt and can’t play football anymore. Like, I know it’s coming, and I’m still heartbroken.

Favorite moments: Singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” on the bus; doing the dance to “We Are the Titans” on the football field before a game; the “Can’t you see he’s my brother?” line

PS I Love You (2007)

Why? Gerard Butler, the music, Ireland, romance, heartbreak… What’s not to love? I think Gerry (Butler) and Holly (Hilary Swank) have such a realistic marriage: they fight over dumb stuff, but they still love each other. It just makes his death all the more awful. Fact: I sob like a little baby every, single time I watch this movie–multiple times.

Favorite moments: “Fairytale of New York” playing at Gerry’s funeral; when Gerry protects Holly from the “killer dog”; Holly walking into the right bar in Ireland where Gerry is performing

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Why? The script is incredible accurate to the novel and does an excellent job of portraying the sexual tension between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy without ignoring social codes of the time. I’m really in this one for the romance which is, much like the novel itself, not cheesy. There’s definitely a “will they/won’t they” thing going on, but it’s not trite. Fact: This would probably be on my mom’s list too. We used to watch it together, like, every other weekend for years.

Favorite moments: the scene when Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) first confesses his love to Elizabeth (Keira Knightley); Darcy helping Elizabeth into the carriage; Darcy walking across the field at the end of the movie with that fantastic blue morning coat billowing behind him

Romeo & Juliet (1996)

Quick note: As a Shakespeare nerd, I want to start by saying two things: (1) Romeo & Juliet as a play has become extremely underrated due to the fact that it’s been done so often, but it’s legitimately brilliant. It’s one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, and it deserves that spot. (2) This is not my favorite adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, but that is not the point of this list.

Why? Firstly, Baz Luhrmann includes tons of Shakespeare Easter eggs for the greeky, Shakespeare-obsessed population of his audience. More importantly, it’s engaging and fun and romantic and, really, who doesn’t see Leonardo DiCaprio as their own personal Romeo? It’s just an enjoyable, teen-esque watch. Fact: This is the version my students always love the most which gives it extra bonus points.

Favorite moments: Romeo (DiCaprio) and Juliet (Claire Danes) meeting for the first time; Romeo’s murder of Tybalt

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Why? This is another extremely quotable film. While there are some problematic moments in retrospect, this film is the quintessential high school movie to me. Like When Harry Met Sally, it’s a dialogue driven film. It’s host to several of my (and my parents’) favorite lines of dialogue: “You mess with the bull, you get the horns,” “If Andrew gets up, we’ll all get up. It’ll be anarchy!”, “Screws fall out all the time. The world is an imperfect place,” “You never know when you gotta jam,” and I could go on… There is also the great scene in which all the characters get serious and bond over their problems. Man, John Hughes is a genius. Fact: In high school, every weekend, I either watched this movie or Grease.

Favorite moments: the gang whistling together; when Vernon (Paul Gleason) tries to use the book shelf to prop open the door of the library; the “field trip” to Bender’s (Judd Nelson) locker to get weed; the dancing scene