The Final 15 Most Rewatchable Movies

Rounding out the back end of my most rewatchable movies of all time.

Movie trilogies used to be the rubber stamp on a true blockbuster franchise. Of course, now the gold standard mark is double that amount of sequels, or extended universes. Still, there’s something special about a good trilogy of films.

So, it’s only right I follow-up my initial Top 15 Most Rewatchable Movies blog post and its respective blog sequel, the Next 15 Most Rewatchable Movies, with this latest chapter in my write-ups of Most Rewatchables. While the first two renditions showcased - in my opinion - movies that are inarguably the best rewatchable flicks of all time, part three highlights classics that might possibly meet with some disagreement on whether they’re good … or  “rewatchable” good.

But before we dive in, a quick reminder of my criteria for selection: 1) only movie releases from within in my lifetime are qualified; 2) each movie listed is alphabetically ranked and not in order of best to least; 3) must be films I immediately stop what l'm doing to watch. And one other thing, a reminder this is the THIRD list. So, before you think I’m missing a film you believe should be on the list, be sure to visit the first two blog posts (I’ve provided the links above) to see if it’s already included as one of the 30 entries from those lists.

Now, let’s take a look at the series-ending edition of my Most Rewatchables trilogy: The Final 15.

Armageddon

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure if Armageddon is actually a good film … but to me it’s an amazingly fun movie experience. And easily one of the most rewatchable flicks of all time (again, “to me”).

It quite literally checks all the boxes. Great cast. Superb action. Quippy dialogue. Perfect pacing. Emotional heartbeats that are truly earned. And a top tier comedy, especially for an actioner [even some really good unintentional comedy].

Michael Bay definitely has more misses than hits in his career. But Armageddon isn’t one of them. 1990s Bay was hot out the gate with an early-career catalogue of Bad Boys, The Rock, and this Bruce Willis-led classic in succession. While the highly critiqued director won’t go down as being a truly rewatchable director, he can at least lay claim to having a Top 50 rewatchable movie.

Demolition Man

Sylvester Stallone in his most entertaining role (he’s legit funny in this movie). And Wesley Snipes in arguably his best role [sure, he made Blade iconic … but he isn’t asked to do nearly as much in that franchise as he is with this performance as the sadistic - and hilarious - Simon Phoenix]. Demolition Man has everything that made 90s action flicks great, and all the things that make a film rewatchable.

Aside from the extremely charismatic protagonist and antagonist, Demolition Man is also extremely well-concepted, similar to Back to the Future. From the three seashells, to the fast food wars, to the foam safety feature in cars … and everything beyond. They built a world that, itself, acts as a character in the story. The audience marvels just as much at the genius {and, in certain instances, absurdity} of what 2032 would look like as we marvel at any of the other plot details. It’s truly the secret sauce behind what makes this cable-staple so fun to watch over and over again.

Lead characters. Check. Setting & timeline. Check. That just leaves supporting cast to complete the trifecta. And, boy, do they have a good one. Whether it’s Sandra Bullock or Denis Leary, Rob Schneider or the late, great Bill Cobbs, each of them show up with good dialogue, as well as all-around solid acting. This a highly quotable film thanks to fun writing and really good portrayals. Sign me up to watch Demolition Man anytime.

The Fifth Element

Bruce Willis at the height of his powers. Gary Oldman showcasing his almost unparalleled range in one of the most not-intended comedy roles of all time. And Chris Tucker reaching deep into his bag of hilarity. The Fifth Element is an absolute banger. No disputes.

Everything about The Fifth Element is fun. From the world they built to the dynamic characters, it’s a story that understands a space opera can have a serious and sincere tone underscoring the quirky aliens, diverse personalities, and wacky dialogue … so long as there’s heart and purity at the center of it. Which is to say this movie only works because we’re invested in the cast. More specifically, we’re invested in Bruce Willis’s Korben Dallas and Milla Jovovich’s Leeloo. If their budding romance doesn’t work, then the film falls apart almost immediately. And they certainly have quite the chemistry going.

Also, special credit to Jovovich for playing a role with no real discernible dialect, and playing it so well … relying only on body language and facial expressions to communicate, both within the narrative itself and to the audience at large.

And like so many other rewatchables, The Fifth Element has a number of scenes where if I’m walking around the house, cleaning, doing laundry, or what have you, I’m plopping my butt on the catch and I’m in! That’s the number one mark of a truly rewatchable film.

First Blood

I’m old enough to remember when First Blood was just First Blood, and not colloquially called Rambo 1 due to the franchising of the character. Four unplanned sequels tend to do that.

The reality is I probably shouldn’t have seen First Blood when I did; I was only six or seven at the time, but I caught it on VHS before the second installment dropped in theaters in spring of ‘85. However, even at that young age it blew me away. It was the first action movie I ever saw, and I was immediately hooked. A lot of the context was lost on me. But a one-man wrecking crew is easy enough for a child to absorb and be entertained.

With repeat viewings, I enjoyed First Blood more and more. Understanding more. Appreciating more. Quoting it more often. It wouldn’t be until Robocop came along in 1987 that I would latch onto another actioner to rewatch constantly.

For a near half decade though, First Blood had a stranglehold over me. It’s pure action cinema. Escaping the police station. The chase into the forest. The cave. The assault on the town. All of it.

And, of course, perhaps my favorite monologue ever. To paraphrase would do no justice. Instead, I’ll just share it now, word for word. This is the late Richard Crenna as Colonel Samuel R. Trautman delivering this absolute beauty of dialogue:

“You just don’t want to accept the fact that you’re dealing with an expert in Guerrilla Warfare. With a man who’s the best, with guns, with knives, with his barehands. A man who’s trained to ignore pain, ignore weather. To live off the land. To eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In Vietnam, his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. TO KILL! PERIOD! Win by attrition. Well, Rambo was the best.”

Now, tell me First Blood isn’t one of the 50 most rewatchables in cinematic history. I dare you.

The Fugitive

I saw The Fugitive several years (and many high opinions of it) after the film’s release. Once I’d finally seen this movie, I wished I hadn’t waited so long — and I’d come to understand what all the fuss was about.

In The Fugitive you have a flick with not one, but two A-listers in their respective prime throwing straight gas. Both Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones are dealing. Is the latter dialing up a little bit at times? Sure! But it works for this character (even in the not-as-good-but-still-guilty-pleasure-of-mine-sequel U.S. Marshals, where Jones is completely over the top in the role).

What’s great about certain cities inside of particular stories is that those locations have a unique way of being its own character. There are places that just emit a type of aesthetic, a vibe, and emotions that lend well to the plot. Chicago almost always evokes these traits. That’s especially true in The Fugitive. You can see and feel the Windy City of it all throughout. Of course, the St. Patty’s Day parade scene ratchets up the look of Chi-town ten fold.

And how did it take me this long to mention the script? Such an amazingly addictive storyline. To be fair, the writers were aided by existing IP and, to a degree, actual events. But all that was merely a foundation … and not an extremely firm one. From that, though, they created an absolute banger. Indeed, The Fugitive is one of the greatest rewatchables of all time.

Galaxy Quest

A Star Trek parody? Hmmm. Might be good. Turns out it’s great! Galaxy Quest is one of the most entertaining comedies you’ll come across, particularly if - as mentioned - you’re a fan of the iconic source material. Or really if you’re a fan of space operas in general.

I’m not sure you can go five minutes without something happening in this film that isn’t fun or funny in some way. And I could argue the campiness of Galaxy Quest, a term sometimes used negatively, is better served in this film than perhaps any other campy movie. It’s intentional and extremely well executed in doing so.

However, the real magic is in the characters and the performances. Every cast member has meaning and memorable moments. Each of them is given the dialogue to push such an over the top narrative. No one is wasted in this experience.  I first watched Galaxy Quest at 25, and I’ll be watching it till I’m 95. Still laughing. Still loving it. “Never give up. Never surrender.”

The Green Mile

It took me awhile to come around to The Green Mile. Released in 1999, I wouldn’t see it until several years later on cable. And even when I first watched it, I found it too incredibly sad to ever be considered a “rewatchable” movie. Hell, I wasn’t sure I’d ever watch it again.

Fast forward 20+ years and I’ve probably checked out The Green Mile a dozen times or more. You come to realize, in my case at least, that there’s always joy with pain. That’s where the warmth, heart, and beauty of the story lie. Also, if we’re keeping count, this is yet another Stephen King classic-turned-rewatchable. It’s not quite The Shawshank Redemption. But it’s the next tier or so down.

This movie is filled with so many “moments”. Like, “Oh, that’s my favorite moment … that’s my favorite one, too … that one, as well …that’s also my fave scene … and that one.” Whether it’s the mouse - Mr. Jingles - doing tricks, or Tom Hanks being able to pee peacefully again (among other things), or the late great Michael Clarke Duncan removing the cancer from Patricia Clarkson, or the reveal of what Sam Rockwell’s character did, or any number of other highly rewatchable moments.

The point to be made is The Green Mile is a bad movie to have on in the house if you’re trying to be productive in other ways because it just sucks you in every single time. In fact, I’m already looking forward to my next viewing.

Inception

Imagine being the film that has to follow The Dark Knight. When superstar director Christopher Nolan dropped his next feature after his caped crusader all-time masterpiece, Inception had the unenviable (and unfair) task of living up to expectations set by the movie that preceded it. Now, imagine living up to that hype.

There’s so much going on in Inception that I flat love. The creative concept. The cast. And the many layers, both literally and figuratively. It’s one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had in the theater. A true “I wish I could watch that for the first time again” kind of film.

Outside of Ellen Page, no one is showing off their best acting job. Still, the ensemble cast works in such beautiful harmony. Simply perfect casting. And Inception may just be unique in that I’m not sure another flick exists that is all three of science fiction, action, and heist. Again, the originality is mind blowing. The story is thrilling. And the execution is superb. One of Nolan’s best movies ever, for a director that has a long list of “best”. Inception is a remarkable rewatchable.

Major League

Major League, for my money, is one of the ten funniest films I’ve ever seen. It’s as effective a comedy as you’ll ever watch. And, like so many comedies of the past, you’ll never get to enjoy this brand of humor again. The ol’ “they don’t make ‘em like this anymore” type of flick.

It’s also a rare experience in a couple of key ways. First, it’s a satirical sports comedy that is as hilarious as it is heartwarming. You won’t find too many of this kind. Not then and certainly not now. Second, everything going on in and around the story is just a subplot. This is all about the characters. Characters. Characters. Characters. As much as anything before its time, or since, Major League has some of the best, most memorable characters — comedy or otherwise. That’s why it’s so funny. You’re invested in each persona and every interaction between them. Even the lesser cast members. Third, this movie resides in a time capsule. Not due to it being almost four decades old. Rather it’s because there no longer is a major league baseball team called the Cleveland Indians. They rebranded and are now the Cleveland Guardians. Aside from sifting through archival footage on the diamond, Major League is the last vestige of a once iconic franchise that’s lost its identity and, in fact, is no more.

As true a rewatchable as there ever was. I will sit and gaze upon Major League anytime it’s on the TV. I love this movie. Again, I love these characters. And the jokes & tender moments will never not hit for me. “Wild thing … you make my heart sing.”

Ocean’s Eleven

I’m still in shock how they got this ensemble cast to put paychecks aside, but I’m glad they did. The Ocean’s Eleven roster is as deep, as talented, as hilarious, as charismatic, and - perhaps most importantly - as cohesive a cast as any in cinema history. Full stop.

I love this film, obviously. And yes, the actors (and their respective performances) make this movie the amazingly fun ride it is. But kudos to Steven Soderbergh for lending his vision and his unmatched style to this story. I truly don’t think Ocean’s Eleven would be the same without his customary moviemaking flair.

Ocean’s Eleven is such a fun ride, especially once Clooney & Pitt tell the rest of the crew they’re going to rob the Bellagio. From that point on it’s a thrill-a-minute adventure of a heist film. With a climax and a conclusion that’s almost unmatched for this genre of cinema.

Sprinkle in a solid Julia Roberts credit and an underrated Andy Garcia villain role, and what you have is a bonafide rewatchable. Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how cool the score is in Ocean’s Eleven. It’s so perfect for the vibe of the film. I just can’t enough of this movie.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

There is no denying the first Pirates of the Caribbean as an unequivocal rewatchable from the moment it hit theaters. It is literally one of the most fun, funniest, and action-packed movies ever. I could watch this movie 100 times and never get bored.

Let’s get this point out of the way: Captain Jack Sparrow, brilliantly portrayed by Johnny Depp, is one of the best characters created … film, stage, TV, novel or otherwise. Sparrow is easily one of my favorite personas to watch. So hilarious with the dialogue and funky mannerisms. I truly think it’s one of rare comedic performances that is/was Oscar-worthy.

I think it would be remembered more fondly if not for the multiple cash-grab sequels. But it doesn’t take away from the original being so special. Dare I say - since it’s a Disney offering - it’s ‘magical’. The three leads, adding in Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, were each at the height of their acting powers. Depp was A-list. Bloom was blowing up due to his star-making role as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings. And Knightley was coming off the cultural landmark film Bend It Like Beckham. And then you get this perfect storm to bring their pop appeal and talent together with a fun script and visionary director in Gore Verbinski. There was no way to fail — at least not with the first installment.

It should be stated I’m a sucker for pirate stories. I do enjoy a good swashbuckling chronicle. So, it doesn’t take much to appease me when it comes to adventures on the high sea. But Curse of the Black Pearl also wouldn’t make this list if it wasn’t spectacular, regardless of my affinity for the subject matter.

The Rock

Back when we all thought Michael Bay was a good director (he’s not, as mentioned in my Armageddon write-up), he had that aforementioned run of really good and/or really fun films to watch. Bad Boys. Armageddon. And, likely to many, the best one of them all … The Rock.

The Nic Cage / Sean Connery actioner starts hot and never cools down; a great way to kick off any action film. But the unlikely pairing of Cage & Connery in, essentially, a buddy cop movie with the nation’s most famous island incarcerate, Alcatraz, lending its isolation as both the setting and key plot point just makes for a great story. Toss in the San Fan backdrop and a really good villain performance from Ed Harris, and what you get is a fast, exciting summer blockbuster. Hell, we weren’t even tired yet of Bay’s schtick. So, the camera angles, slow motion shots, and big bangs were still cool then.

If you’re looking for an enjoyable throwback to the 90s roller coaster action flicks, it’s hard to recommend many before you get to The Rock. For its time, it’s one of the best. And still, today, it’s one of the most rewatchable films you can throw on. Special shout out to the late great Tony Todd for adding his zest to the storyline.

Saving Private Ryan

Let’s get this out the way: it’s a travesty Saving Private Ryan didn’t make it onto my most rewatchables until now; I’ll admit that … not sure what I’ve would taken off out of the first 30 films, but it probably should been on one of the two initial lists — though I can say without a doubt it’s the best of this list (and - rewatchables aside - as just a movie itself, it’s one of my 10 favorite films of all time).

While not an anthology, there’s this insanely captivating quality of the almost episodic narrative taking place. Each skirmish feels like its own chapter, starting with [in my opinion] the greatest opening of a film in cinema history. The D-Day battle at Omaha Beach fo kick off this masterpiece is so wild, so brutal, so propulsive, I vividly recall my heart racing immediately when I first saw it. From there, if I’m to be cliche, it’s a tour de force.

The town of Neuville-au-Plain.

The German gun nest.

The bridge In Ramelle.

Saving Private Ryan, even with a runtime exceeding three hours (it never feels like a 3-hour film), is so easy to watch and enjoy. For all the great movies master director Steven Spielberg — my favorite auteur ever — has created, this might [MIGHT] be my favorite non-Jaws flick of his. There’s no denying the power of Saving Private Ryan. And it’s a flat crime that Shakespeare in Love beat out Ryan for the Best Picture Oscar at the Academy Awards.

Star Trek (2009)

2009’s Star Trek reboot may be a questionable selection to some. Hell, I somewhat question it myself. There’s no doubt it’s #15 on this list and, factoring in all three lists l I’ve now done, it would be the 45th pick overall. I struggled between this film, Robocop, The Sandlot, and a couple of other deserving movies. That point made, I also would have had the same argument with myself had I gone in the direction of one of those other choices. The thing that pushed Star Trek over the top is its propulsion in the climax. Simply put, the final 20 minutes of Star Trek is more edge-of-your-seat fun than the others (but only by a hair when compared to Robocop; man, I wish I could’ve found a way to get that movie in the Top 45).

Now that I’ve addressed that …

I was blown away by Star Trek when I saw it in the theater. So much fun! I could’ve immediately turned around and went right back into the theater for an instant rewatch. While me and my fiancée {at the time} didn’t do that, I can tell you what we did do … we [myself, my now-wife, her parents, and her siblings] watched it together a few months later during the Thanksgiving holiday. We rented a Netflix DVD (remember those times?!) and it was the one thing I was most looking forward to doing that weekend; maybe even more than eating turkey dinner. Only the best rewatchables can claim that kind of appetite - pun intended - for a repeat sitting.

Star Trek is existing IP, yes, but prior to this ‘09 feature, I only ever watched the original ‘60s run. I never saw the first string of films or the other TV series. So, I’m definitely not a Trekkie. I write that to state, to me, this is some of the most I’ve enjoyed of the franchise, despite my limited exposure to the entire suite of content.

Troy

Why Troy isn’t considered one of the best epic films of the 21st century is beyond me! I’m not suggesting it should be as highly regarded as is Gladiator. But it’s no more than a tier or two below for me, personally.

Brad Pitt is flat amazing in this role. My all-time favorite Pitt performance without even a shred of debate as far as I’m concerned. And his battle with Eric Bana’s Hector - my favorite acting part of his, too - is, in my opinion, one of the five best fights in movie history. I don’t even know what the other four would be but I can state blindly that this matchup is one of them. While we’re at it, let’s just make it three for three: Troy also offers up my favorite of Brian Cox’s portrayals as the ruthless Agamemnon. You just can’t go wrong with a movie (any movie) showcasing those three at the top of their respective games.

Beyond that, Troy is simply a fun viewing experience. It packs a ton of action. It’s humorous at times. The romance isn’t forced and feels believable, on both sides. And most importantly, it’s a bonafide rewatchable. If you like historical action flicks, then you’ll love Troy.