It seems that all everyone lucky enough to be able to safely quarantine needs right now is a distraction from the events of the world. What better way to escape the present than by reveling in the past? Everyone has their favorite old movie, and for many that favorite is connected to a younger, simpler time in their lives when things like the global cancelling of major events would not so much make a blip on their radar. In the spirit of reminding ourselves of those simpler times, if only for a moment, here are ten of the best classic films available for streaming right now, with the added bonus of some delightfully camp old-timey narrated trailers:
Roman Holiday (1953)
The film that put Audrey Hepburn on the Hollywood radar and effectively made her a household name, Roman Holiday is the essential old Hollywood rom-com. Following Hepburn as a princess exploring the streets of Rome with a reporter (played by Gregory Peck), this movie will make you feel good while transporting you back to Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Available with subscription: Amazon Prime
Available to buy/rent: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
Available to stream free: Sony Crackle
The First Wives Club (1996)
With a cast like this, how can you not love The First Wives Club? Starring a trio of LGBTQ+ icons, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn, with supporting roles from the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker and Maggie Smith, this one is chock-full of laughs, heart and celebrity cameos. You’ll have Leslie Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” stuck in your head for days.
Available with subscription: Netflix, Amazon Prime
Available to buy/rent: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
Goldfinger (1964)
If Casino Royale and Skyfall were some of your 21st century favorites, now is a great time to dive into the on-screen origins of the world’s favorite spy. Perhaps the most recognizable original Bond film with certainly the most iconic theme song save for the original film’s opening sting, Goldfinger has all you need from classic Bond. It’s got gadgets, high-octane action sequences, airplane acrobatics and a woman named Pussy Galore.
Available with subscription: Amazon Prime, Hulu
Available to buy/rent: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
The Bodyguard (1992)
With the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time (featuring the one and only Whitney Houston cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”), The Bodyguard also scored the second-highest box office numbers of 1992. It may not be the best movie on this list, but if melodrama is your thing, you’re sure to extract some entertainment out the laughable acting, and at the very least jam to some classic Whitney.
Available with subscription: Amazon Prime
Available to buy/rent: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
Tootsie (1982)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdWOP7E_Z9E
On a lighter note, if you haven’t seen the source material for 2019’s Broadway musical Tootsie, then add this one to your list. Younger fans of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story and Feud will recognize a young(er) Jessica Lange in one of her two Oscar-Winning roles. But what will keep you laughing is the title character’s charismatic face at the center of it all.
Available with subscription: Netflix
Available to buy/rent: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
Moonstruck (1987)
For those curious about Nicholas Cage’s career before he became the meme/butt of every joke he is today, Moonstruck has you covered. In Cher’s Oscar-winning role as an Italian-American widow enamored with her fiancé’s loose cannon younger brother, she brings the laughs and more heartfelt moments to this often overlooked rom-com.
Available with subscription: Amazon Prime
Available to buy/rent: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption is considered on of the most beloved films of the 90’s (and of all time for that matter) for good reason. The film documents Tim Robbin’s quintessential role as Andy Dufresne, a man sentenced, despite claims of innocence, to life in prison for the murder of his wife and her lover. Narrated by the soothing voice of Morgan Freeman we know and love, this one deserves its “classic” label.
Available with subscription: Netflix
Available to buy/rent: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Those who love a good whodunit will surely appreciate this adaptation of the Agatha Christie mystery exemplar. The first of quite a few film versions of the novel, this A-list ensemble is the quintessential make and model. That being said, Kenneth Branagh’s 2017 attempt at the story is a worthy addition to the cannon with just as many famous faces.
Available with subscription: Amazon Prime
Available to buy/rent: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)
America’s answer to Australian surprise hit The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (with an equally long title), To Wong Foo follows typical Hollywood tough guys Patrick Swaze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo as New York City Drag Queens on a cross country road trip to Hollywood for the “Miss Drag Queen of America Pageant.” If you loved Priscilla you’re sure to love this equally campy affair.
Available with subscription: Netflix
Available to buy/rent: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
To Catch a Thief (1955)
Lastly, if you’re a connoisseur of the films of Hollywood’s Golden Age, what better way to jump into a time capsule than to brush up on some classic Hitchcock. His final of three films starring Grace Kelly, To Catch a Thief has all the markings of the director: pusle-pounding action, a charismatic blonde and as steamy a depiction of romance as the 50’s would permit on screen.
Available with subscription: Amazon Prime
Available to buy/rent: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
