13 Classic Movies To Watch This Weekend

As we stay inside this weekend and practice social distancing, indulging in a movie marathon is the perfect way to pass some time. And if you're looking to shake things up a bit, adding some classic flicks to the mix will do just that.

Hoping for a good dose of laughter? Look no further than “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Back to the Future,” which are available on Netflix and Amazon Prime, respectively, for your streaming pleasure.

If you're in the mood for a delightful romance film, check out “Tootsie,” “Strictly Ballroom” and “Howards End.”

Meanwhile, when it comes to the crime-drama genre, “The Godfather,” “Dirty Harry” and “The Shawshank Redemption” will dazzle you.

So get ready to curl up on the couch and stream these classic picks that have stood the test of time:

Related:

• "17 Feel-Good Movies To Watch This Weekend"
• Early Digital Releases: "Frozen 2," "The Invisible Man," "Emma" And More
• What's New On Netflix: April 2020

"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (Netflix) — Harrison Ford, Sean Connery; directed by Steven Spielberg

The final chapter of the classic "Indiana Jones" trilogy finds Harrison Ford's iconic archaeologist dead set on his pursuit of the Holy Grail while navigating the cradle of civilization. His heart-pounding adventure will delight the whole family as Indiana partners up with another well-known archaeologist — his very own dad, Dr. Henry Jones (Sean Connery) — who has devoted his whole life to finding the most coveted treasure of the centuries.

Watch the trailer:

“Driving Miss Daisy” (Netflix) — Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman; directed by Bruce Beresford

A film adaptation of Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the impeccably smart drama chronicles the 25-year friendship of two equally strong-willed, opinionated people — the Jewish matron Miss Daisy (Jessica Tandy) and her black chauffeur Hoke (Morgan Freeman) — who have both become the odd one out in a predominantly WASP society.

Watch the trailer:

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (Netflix) — Matthew Broderick, Jennifer Grey; directed by John Hughes

In this irresistible coming-of-age comedy, Matthew Broderick charms as the titular Ferris Bueller, a teenager notorious for cutting classes and for his uncanny ways of not getting caught in the act. But his string of good luck may soon run out, as high school Principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) is feverishly hot on the young man’s trail.

Watch the trailer:

“The Shawshank Redemption” (Netflix) — Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman; directed by Frank Darabont

Based on Stephen King’s novella in “Different Seasons,” Frank Darabont’s feature directorial debut is a tale of one man’s path to redemption. That man is Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a banker convicted of a double murder despite his claims of innocence. While serving a life sentence in the Shawshank State Penitentiary, he and a fellow inmate, Ellis Redding (Morgan Freeman), will forge a friendship that becomes instrumental in Andy’s mission to reclaim his life.

Watch the trailer:

“Tootsie” (Netflix) — Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange; directed by Sydney Pollack

What if you were an actor and every movie producer in town wouldn't work with you because of your prima-donna behavior? Well, that’s exactly the premise of the rom com “Tootsie.” Meet Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman), a talented actor who has burned his bridges with every producer in New York City. Unfortunately, he is financially strapped and needs money now. Lucky for him, he may just have found the role of a lifetime that could save him from dire straits — and possibly lead him to the love of his life.

Watch the trailer:

“The Godfather” (Netflix) — Marlon Brando, Al Pacino; directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Oscars’ 1973 Best Picture winner chronicles a young man’s rise to power as a Mafia family don, or “godfather.” Set in 1940s New York, the crime-period film centers on Michael Corleone (one of Al Pacino’s earliest roles), who eventually takes over the reins of the Corleone Mafia family upon the death of his father, Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). As the new don, he takes the Corleone empire to new heights while raining terror in the criminal world.

Watch the trailer:

“Strictly Ballroom” (Amazon Prime) — Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice; directed by Baz Luhrmann

Baz Luhrmann’s feature directorial debut is a delightful Australian romantic comedy about Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio), a male dancer struggling to find his footing in the world of ballroom dancing. For the 20-year-old Scott, who comes from a long line of dancers, ballroom dancing has become second nature, so much so that he now wants to incorporate his own flashy moves. Will he and his dancing partner, Fran (Tara Morice), prevail in the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix Dancing Championship as they dance the Paso Doble?

Watch the trailer:

“Goldfinger” (Amazon Prime) — Sean Connery, Gert Fröbe; directed by Guy Hamilton

Remember one of 007’s most iconic lines: "A martini. Shaken, not stirred"? Well, Bond’s signature, tongue-in-cheek cocktail was first featured in “Goldfinger,” the third installment of the James Bond movie series. In the 1964 spy film, MI-6 agent 007 (Sean Connery) gets to play with his new toy, the quintessential Aston Martin DB5, while in hot pursuit of a gold magnate hell-bent on contaminating the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox.

Watch the trailer:

“Dirty Harry” (Amazon Prime) — Clint Eastwood, Harry Guardino; directed by Don Siegel

Clint Eastwood’s iconic role — Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan of San Francisco P.D. — made his first appearance in 1971’s “Dirty Harry,” a crime-thriller about the hard-nosed detective’s relentless pursuit of a serial killer named Scorpio. Over the years, Clint Eastwood would go on to play the titular hero in all the “Dirty Harry” sequels: “Magnum Force,” “The Enforcer,” “Sudden Impact” and “The Dead Pool.”

Watch the trailer:

“Back to the Future” (Amazon Prime) — Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson; directed by Robert Zemeckis

One of the most popular time-travel movies in American cinema, “Back to the Future” follows the story of 17-year-old Marty McFly, a high school student fortuitously zapped back 30 years into the bygone era of the 1950s in a time-traveling DeLorean. What will the 1980s kid do now, considering Marty has already become his future mother’s (Lea Thompson) object of affection? The 1985 box-office hit spawned 2 sequels: “Back to the Future Part II” (1989) and “Back to the Future Part III” (1990).

Watch the trailer:

“Howards End” (Amazon Prime) — Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson; directed by James Ivory

James Ivory’s romantic drama is based on E.M. Foster’s novel about British class relations in the early 20th century. Emma Thompson plays the ebullient bourgeois Margaret Schlegel, whose life is about to change upon the death of her aristocratic friend, Ruth Wilcox, who has bequeathed the young woman her family’s country estate. Enter Ruth’s widower, Henry (Anthony Hopkins), a self-made man who vows to thwart his wife’s bequest— that is, until he slowly finds himself falling for Margaret. What emerges is a complex tale of love, power and hope, enveloped in disparate-yet-connected worlds of thoughts.

Watch the trailer:

“Good Will Hunting” (Hulu) — Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon; directed by Gus Van Sant

The movie that made stars out of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, "Good Will Hunting" follows the story of a math whiz (Damon) who's clueless about life. Before long, a psychologist (Robin Williams) guides him to find direction. "Good Will Hunting" is sensitive, charming and impeccably honest and heartfelt. This movie reminds us that we all need someone to lean on every now and then.

Watch the trailer:

“To Kill a Mockingbird” (Amazon Prime) — Gregory Peck, John Megna; directed by Robert Mulligan

A film adaptation of Harper Lee's 1961 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird," explores the great racial divide in the 1930s South. With compelling narrative, magnificent performances and thoughtful direction, the timeless masterpiece will mesmerize the whole family.

Watch the trailer:

Other Entertainment News:

• Reviews of 'Onward,' 'The Way Back' And 'Burden'
• Reviews of 'I Still Believe,' 'Bloodshot' And 'The Hunt'
• What's New On Netflix: March 2020