I’m always on the hunt for an amazing movie to watch. While there’s no shortage of modern-day movies to binge, I always find myself searching for a classic older flick. When I talk to my friends about older movies, they always say the same thing: “But they’re boring!”.

While this may be the case for some movies, there are engaging and entertaining movies from any decade if you know where to look. I have spent my childhood and teenage years watching movies religiously, so I’ve come to consider myself a bit of an expert. Here’s a list of throwback movies that I deem well worth watching on repeat!

Image Credit: Jakob Owens from Unsplash

Take the Quiz: Which Studio Ghibli Character Are You?

Are you a brave warrior, a free-spirited dreamer, or a gentle guardian?

1. The Goonies (1985)

The Goonies follows a group of boys who discover an ancient map, leading them to go on an adventure to find a pirate’s lost treasure. The ensemble is chaotic and perfectly portrays the experience of adolescent and teenage boys. This movie still holds up forty years later, boasting irreverent humor and a lovable cast of characters. The Goonies can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

2. Bring It On (2000)

Bring It On is a sassy story of two high school cheerleading teams battling for the title at the national championship. Similar in style to Mean Girls and Legally Blonde, Bring It On is seen as a cult-classic by viewers and critics. And, if you’re searching for Y2k fashion inspiration, look no further. Bring It On is a fun watch and shows off some fabulous choreography.

Image Credit: Rojan Maharjan from Unsplash

3. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

10 Things I Hate About You is arguably one of the best rom-coms of all time. Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger have electric chemistry and bounce off of each other comedically. The movie follows Bianca, played by Jamie Lynn Spears, attempting to set up her older sister with the edgy loner Patrick (Heath Ledger) so she can get permission to date on her own. This is the perfect movie to watch with a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers and a pint of ice cream.

4. Back to the Future (1985)

With a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Back to the Future is viewed as one of the best ‘80s movies. It tells the story of a teenage boy as he sets off on a quest to go back in time and save his strange scientist friend. This movie was ahead of its time in the science fiction genre.

It shows off realistic visual effects that you might even believe are real. The rewatch value of Back to the Future is undeniable, each watch revealing a new layer of comedy and ingenuity.

5. The Mighty Ducks (1992)

The Mighty Ducks is about a man who must coach a scrappy children’s hockey team for his community service. He slowly connects with the team and helps them get in shape to compete in the championship. The film is chock-full of heart and slapstick humor.

As someone from Minnesota, this movie gets Minnesotan hockey culture just right. I first saw The Mighty Ducks as a kid, and it has become a non-negotiable yearly rewatch.

Image Credit: Markus Spiske from Unsplash

6. Hocus Pocus (1993)

The Sanderson Sisters are a hilarious trio of witches who terrorize the town of Salem, Massachusetts, in this ‘90s Halloween flick. Watching Hocus Pocus never fails to make me laugh out loud. Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy pull off quirky and iconic performances as the witches.

Hocus Pocus is kid-friendly, but should be exciting for everyone. I guarantee this movie will become a staple in your spooky season rotation.

7. Matilda (1996)

Based on Roald Dahl’s best-selling novel, Matilda tells the story of an intelligent first-grader who discovers that she has telekinetic powers. Matilda is a testament to hope and staying true to yourself. The film is extremely witty for a children’s audience and is sure to be enjoyable for teenagers and adults.

8. Big (1988)

Tom Hanks stars in this movie about a 12-year-old boy who is granted a wish to be “big.” The movie balances the challenges of childhood and adulthood, making it relatable for any viewer. Watching Big as a teenager, I felt understood. It excellently shows how it feels to be young without access to the same opportunities as adults.

After asking my parents, they related to the movie too. Big understands its audience well and gets more fun with every watch.

Image Credit: Alan Light from Wikimedia Commons

9. The Princess Bride (1987)

If you love fantasy, romance, comedy, action, or drama, you’re in the right place. The Princess Bride has everything. There is truly not another movie that genre-blends quite as well.

This movie is about a woman named Buttercup who is forced to marry a prince, but is kidnapped by three odd men. The only man she wants to marry, Westley, has supposedly been killed by pirates. Westley—who has surprisingly become a pirate himself—sets off on a journey to save Buttercup. Inevitably, chaos ensues. This movie is legendary, and I haven’t stopped quoting it since I first watched it.