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Got a whole bunch of moods? Don’t worry, we’ve got tons of movie marathon ideas for you!
Say you’re not into glitzy New Year parties—no problem! Why not kick off the new year with an epic movie marathon? Grab your favorite snacks, throw on your comfiest pajamas, and settle in for a cozy night that will bring in a fresh new year.
Here are my top picks for 20 incredible, binge-worthy movie marathons to welcome 2020, each with a sprinkle of romance.
1. In Memoriam Menu
2019 saw us lose many beloved actors. Pay tribute to them by watching some of their best work:
– Starter: Pillow Talk (1959, 102 minutes) – Enjoy Doris Day and Rock Hudson in this classic rom-com filled with wit.
– Main: Two for the Road (1967, 111 minutes) – Watch Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn navigate a strained marriage.
– Side: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992, 86 minutes) – See where it all began with this early Luke Perry film.
– Dessert: Ladyhawke (1985, 121 minutes) – Relish Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer in this fairy tale full of love and curses.
Total time: 420 minutes.
2. A Dinner of Drews
Drew Barrymore has been a constant in our lives since childhood. Celebrate her career with these gems:
– Starter: E.T. (1982, 114 minutes) – Watch a young Drew steal the show in this heartwarming alien tale.
– Main: Ever After (1998, 121 minutes) – A modern take on Cinderella that’s perfect for romantics.
– Dessert: Never Been Kissed (1999, 107 minutes) – Laugh your way through Drew’s journey as a journalist returning to high school.
Total time: 317 minutes.
3. Victoria’s Victuals
Love the royal drama? Spend your night with Queen Victoria’s life stories:
– Starter: The Young Victoria (2009, 105 minutes) – Enjoy this film about Victoria’s early reign and romance.
– Main: Mrs. Brown (1997, 103 minutes) – Watch a grieving queen find solace in an unexpected friendship.
– Dessert: Victoria & Abdul (2017, 111 minutes) – Wrap up with this touching story of an unlikely friendship in her later years.
Total time: 319 minutes.
4. Guilty Twilight Pleasures
Admit it, you love the Twilight saga. Dive into this supernatural romance:
– Starter: Twilight (2008, 121 minutes) – The beginning of Bella and Edward’s love story.
– Main: New Moon (2009, 130 minutes) – The complications of love and a new supernatural contender.
– Side: Eclipse (2010, 123 minutes) – Love triangles and lasting consequences.
– Dessert: Breaking Dawn – Part One (2011, 117 minutes) – Love culminates in marriage and a surprising pregnancy.
– Afters: Breaking Dawn – Part Two (2012, 115 minutes) – The final showdown and transformation.
Total time: 606 minutes.
5. Nighy Nibbles
If you’re a Bill Nighy fan, enjoy his supporting roles in these romantic flicks:
– Starter: About Time (2013, 123 minutes) – Bill Nighy as a dad with a time-travel twist.
– Main: The Bookshop (2017, 117 minutes) – A quiet, charming role in this tale of village life.
– Dessert: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011, 124 minutes) – Romance and adventure in India.
– Afters: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015, 122 minutes) – Continuing the story with even more vibrancy.
Total time: 486 minutes.
6. Fast Food for Romantics on the Go
Road trips make for perfect romantic settings:
– Starter: The African Queen (1951, 105 minutes) – An unlikely duo braves rapids and romance.
– Main: Letters to Juliet (2010, 105 minutes) – A journey through Italy that blossoms into love.
– Side: It Happened One Night (1934, 105 minutes) – An heiress and a journalist find love on the road.
– Dessert: Leap Year (2010, 100 minutes) – A comedic trek through Ireland leads to unexpected love.
Total time: 415 minutes.
7. War Rations
Love stories set against the backdrop of war:
– Starter: The Last of the Mohicans (1992, 112 minutes) – Love amid the chaos of the French-Indian War.
– Main: Gone with the Wind (1939, 221 minutes) – An epic tale of love and loss during the Civil War.
– Dessert: Rogue One (2016, 133 minutes) – A Star Wars story that combines war and unspoken affection.
Total time: 466 minutes.
8. Delectable Dickens
Indulge in complex tales with romantic undertones:
– Our Mutual Friend (1998, 360 minutes) – A tangled web of love, class, and fate in a Dickens classic.
9. Star-Crossed Starters
If you’re into Romeo and Juliet-type romances, these variations will hit the spot:
– Starter: Tanna (2015, 100 minutes) – Star-crossed lovers in a South Pacific setting.
– Main: Romeo + Juliet (1996, 120 minutes) – Baz Luhrmann’s vibrant adaptation.
– Dessert: Warm Bodies (2013, 98 minutes) – A zombie love story with a twist.
Total time: 318 minutes.
10. Tom & Meg Tantalizers
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are the epitome of on-screen chemistry:
– Starter: Joe Versus the Volcano (1990, 102 minutes) – An oddball love story with adventure.
– Main: Sleepless in Seattle (1993, 105 minutes) – Romantic longing and destiny combined.
– Dessert: You’ve Got Mail (1998, 119 minutes) – Anonymous online love in the digital age.
– Afters: Ithaca (2015, 96 minutes) – War and waiting with heartfelt performances.
Total time: 422 minutes.
11. Tucker from Down Under
Immerse yourself in Australian tales:
– Starter: Australia (2008, 165 minutes) – A sweeping romance set against WWII.
– Main: The Dressmaker (2015, 118 minutes) – Revenge and romance in a quirky package.
– Dessert: Strictly Ballroom (1992, 94 minutes) – Forbidden dance steps and unexpected love.
Total time: 377 minutes.
12. A Ringbearer’s Repast
Dive into the epic world of Tolkien’s Fellowship:
– Breakfast: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001, 178 minutes) – The journey begins.
– Second Breakfast: The Two Towers (2002, 179 minutes) – The fellowship faces greater threats.
– Elevenses: The Return of the King (2003, 200 minutes) – The climactic battle for Middle Earth.
Total time: 557 minutes.
13. Gothic Goodies
For a taste of suspense and romance:
– Starter: Jamaica Inn (1983, 156 minutes) – Dark and mysterious drama.
– Main: Jane Eyre (2011, 120 minutes) – A poetic tale of love and hardship.
– Dessert: A Duel of Hearts (1991, 95 minutes) – Light-hearted Gothic romance.
Total time: 371 minutes.
14. Dumpster Dining
Unappreciated gems that deserve a watch:
– Starter: Just Wright (2010, 100 minutes) – A refreshing take on love and sports.
– Main: Dan in Real Life (2007, 98 minutes) – Romantic mishaps and reconnecting.
– Dessert: I Know Where I’m Going (1945, 88 minutes) – Unexpected life and love.
Total time: 286 minutes.
15. Helena’s Nosh-up
Celebrate Helena Bonham Carter’s spunky roles:
– Starter: A Room with a View (1985, 117 minutes) – Coming-of-age romance.
– Main: A Hazard of Hearts (1987, 90 minutes) – Gothic delight.
– Dessert: Cinderella (2015, 106 minutes) – A beautiful fairy tale.
Total time: 313 minutes.
16. Whistle Wetting
Iconic love scenes in the rain:
– Starter: Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994, 117 minutes) – Wet and wonderful romance.
– Main: Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, 114 minutes) – Running to love in a downpour.
– Dessert: Pride and Prejudice (2005, 127 minutes) – An unforgettable rainy proposal.
Total time: 358 minutes.
17. Lily’s Birthday Bash
Celebrate Lily James’s roles:
– Starter: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016, 108 minutes) – Austen meets action.
– Main: Yesterday (2019, 116 minutes) – A world without The Beatles.
– Dessert: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018, 124 minutes) – Post-WWII charm.
Total time: 348 minutes.
18. Before Bites
Dive into Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy:
– Starter: Before Sunrise (1995, 101 minutes) – A chance meeting in Vienna.
– Main: Before Sunset (2004, 80 minutes) – A reunion in Paris.
– Dessert: Before Midnight (2013, 109 minutes) – The complexities of married life.
Total time: 290 minutes.
19. Musical Munchies
Sing along to these modern musical favorites:
– Starter: Mamma Mia! (2008, 108 minutes) – ABBA tunes and island vibes.
– Main: Moulin Rouge! (2001, 128 minutes) – A tragic love story with a musical twist.
– Dessert: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954, 102 minutes) – A classic musical romance.
Total time: 338 minutes.
20. Holiday Treats
Wrap up with heartwarming holiday films:
– Starter: Under the Greenwood Tree (2005, 93 minutes) – A sweet love story through the seasons.
– Main: Last Holiday (2006, 112 minutes) – Embracing life’s unexpected turns.
– Dessert: Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001, 97 minutes) – Finding love as imperfectly perfect as you are.
Total time: 302 minutes.
Happy New Year! What movie marathons are you excited about? Leave a comment below. Best wishes for 2020!
