Best movies and series to watch in self-isolation
Read our article of the best 31 movies and series to watch during coronavirus crisis, take your mind off the fact that you’re running out of loo roll. Our list compiles all genres that can be watched on Netflix or Amazon Video. It’s great to take a cinematic break when you’re social distancing during this coronavirus crisis. Relax and enjoy!
Drama
- The Shawshank Redemption
This Oscar-nominated movie tells the story of a banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) convicted of a double homicide. During his harsh time in prison, he creates an unlikely bond with a fellow convict Ellis “Red” (Morgan Freeman) but is that enough for him to survive 19 years of prison life?
Amazon video
- The End of the F***ing World (series)
This British dark comedy-drama is about James, who is 17 years old. James (who thinks he is a psychopath) makes a connection with a cool and moody girl at school, Alyssa. The pair embark on a road trip in search for Alyssa’s real father.
Netflix and Channel 4
- Drive
Ryan Gosling stars as a mysterious, skilled mechanic with further jobs as a Hollywood stuntman and a getaway driver. But he finds himself in trouble whilst helping the neighbour he has fallen in love with.
Amazon Prime
Thriller
- Training Day
On his first day as a Los Angeles narcotics officer, Jake (Ethan Hawke) a rookie cop tries to prove himself to narcotics agent Alonzo (Denzel Washington) during a ride along, but soon he believes that the veteran detective may be a criminal himself. What limit will he go to, to become a good cop?
Netflix and Amazon Video
- Parasite
There is a clear reason why this South Korean movie picked up so many awards including Oscars. Parasite is about a poverty-stricken family, who cunningly place themselves in the service of a wealthy household, only to realise that there is something in the basement.
Amazon Video
Comedy
- Coming to America
Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) is an extremely wealthy and pampered African prince. He rebels against an arranged marriage and heads to America to find a new bride that he can respect for her intelligence and will. Will he be able to survive in the middle-class environment?
Netflix and Amazon Video
- Booksmart
Fast-paced, funny and fresh, two academic superstars and best friends realise they should have worked less and played more. Through this realisation, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night. The movie adds a smart spin to this coming-of-age-comedy.
Netflix and Amazon Video
- The Other Guys
It’s not many movies you get a stellar cast like Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Samuel Jackson, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Michael Keaton and Ice-T. This movie is about two mismatched detectives that seize an opportunity to step up, however things don’t go quite as planned.
Netflix
- Sex Education (series)
Sex Education is a British comedy drama series. A socially awkward teenage boy teams up with a high school classmate to set up a secret sex therapy clinic at school. He acquires the knowledge of sex from his mothers’ books as she is a sex therapist. However, can he use the advice he gives on himself as he becomes a young adult?
Netflix and Channel 4
Documentary
- Tiger King: Murder Mayhem and Madness (series)
A very popular Netflix series right now, showcasing the true crime story about Joe Exotic. Joe is a wildcat enthusiast who keeps tigers, lions and other large animals at his park in Oklahoma. Follow Joe through his crazy journey to become an internet star, a local politician, and accusations that he attempted to murder his chief rival, Carole Baskin.
Netflix
Horror
- Hereditary
A grieving family is haunted by tragic and disturbing occurrences. The family begin to unravel secrets about their ancestry, but where will it lead them?
Amazon Video
- Get Out
A young African-American visits his white girlfriend’s family estate for the weekend. He becomes uneasy about the reception he receives and eventually it reaches boiling point. Will he get out?
Amazon Video
Reality-TV
- Love Is Blind (series)
This show is about a group of single girls and guys, who have signed up for a less conventional approach to modern dating. These hopeful romantics are ready to couple up without ever seeing each other. Will they take the ultimate vow and get married?
Netflix
- The Final Table (series)
Teams of chefs cook up some of the world’s toughest plates from different nations in this reality cooking competition. Twenty-four contestants cook for nine of the most accomplished chefs in the world, plus a cast of celebrity judges.
Netflix
Animation
- Spirited Away
A 10-year-old girl by the name of Chihiro Ogino, moves to the suburbs with her family. Only to realise she has entered a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits.
Netflix
- The Incredibles 1
A Pixar animation about a family of undercover superheroes, fighting evil and saving lives daily.If you like this movie, be sure to watch the Incredibles 2 also.
Amazon Video
Mystery
- The Stranger (series)
This British mystery thriller is based on the book by Harlan Coben. Everything goes wrong for Adam Price, a happily married dad of two, when a stranger tells him a terrible secret about his wife.
Netflix
Fantasy
- Pan’s Labyrinth
In the Falangist Spain of 1944, a young girl called Ofelia escapes her sadistic army officer father by entering an eerie but captivating fantasy world. She meets a mystical faun who sets her tasks so she can become princess of the Underworld.
Amazon Video
- Stranger Things (series)
This science fiction, drama-horror investigates a young boy’s disappearance. His mother, local police chief and his friends must confront terrifying supernatural forces in order to get him back.
Netflix
Crime
- Uncut Gems
With his debts escalating and angry collectors on his case, a charismatic jeweller risks everything in hope of staying afloat and alive.
Netflix
- City of God
In the poor favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two best friends choose different paths: one as a photographer and the other as a kingpin. As things get out of control between two gangs, will their paths meet in order to end the violence?
Amazon Prime
Action
- Bad Boys for Life
Miami detectives and bad boys Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are the perfect comical duo fighting crime. They are back together for one last ride, but can the boys take down the Mexican cartel?
Make sure to watch Bad Boys 1 and 2 first if you haven’t already.
Amazon Video
- The Gentleman
Directed by Guy Ritchie, it boasts of many great actors such as Matthew McConaughey and Colin Farrell. This movie follows an American kingpin in England who is looking to sell his business, but this soon triggers an array of plots and schemes.
Amazon Video
- Black Panther
The heir to the advanced kingdom of Wakanda, T’Challa, must step up to lead his people into a new future but encounters a challenger from his country’s past.
Amazon Video
- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Scott Pilgrim is charming and jobless. He aims to do better and to conquer love by defeating his new girlfriend’s seven evil exes in order to win her heart.
Netflix and Amazon Video
Adventure
- 1917
At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers are ordered to deliver a message calling off an attack. An impossible mission, they must cross enemy territory and face head on the many challenges they come across. The fascinating thing about this movie is its bold cinematic style, as the entire film feels like a single, continuous take.
Amazon Video
- Mad Max: Fury Road
In a post-apocalyptic world, Max (Tom Hardy) teams up with Furiosa (Charlize Theron), to rebel against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland.
Amazon Video
Sci-Fi
- Arrival
After twelve mysterious spacecrafts appear around the world, an elite team led by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) are brought together to investigate.
Amazon Prime
- A Quiet Place
A family of four must quietly live their lives as mysterious creatures take over and (with ultra-sensitive hearing) hunt by sound. If they hear you, they hunt you.
Netflix and Amazon Video
Romance
- Forrest Gump
Tom Hanks plays a slow-witted man from Alabama, whose only desire it to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart. Along the way, Forrest inspires people around him with his childlike optimism.
Amazon Video
- Crazy, Stupid, Love.
A middle-aged husband’s life dramatically changes after he learns his wife has been cheating on him and asks for a divorce. With his life being turned completely upside down, he seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a newfound friend, Jacob. Will he be able to find the one? Starring Cal Weaver (Steve Carell), Emily (Julianne Moore) and Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling).
Amazon Video