EDIT: I accidentally scheduled this post for 6 AM CST on May 9 instead of May 10 as I meant it, and it was not completed. Note that this post was edited to completion in the evening of May 9 a little after 6 PM CST. Thanks and my apologies!
The Top Ten Tuesday topic posed by The Broke and The Bookish was “Top Ten Books When You Need Something Light & Fun.” Well, apparently I don’t do light and fun much in books because when I tried to think of one book that fit into this category, my mind went blank. But when I started thinking about light and fun movies, it was a lot easier! I tend to spend less time reading something light than I do watching light-hearted movies. I love darker movies too (particularly of the Christopher Nolan variety), but here’s a list of 10 movies that are pick-me-ups for me, with very few serious undertones.
Note: I decided to leave out animated movies, because they would have dominated this list too much. I’ll do a Top 10 Animated Movies list sometime. Also, instead of ordering these, I am just clumping them into categories.The Chick Flicks
OK, so there are a few serious undertones in these movies, but they sure do make you feel light after you finish watching them. While You Were Sleeping and Emma are delightfully fun with quirky characters and friendships that turn into romance. Little Women explores the changes of life and growing up, showing both its trials and joys. And of course, Pride and Prejudice is the classic romance that makes many of us enjoy.
Just Fun and Silly
These movies are not the best movies ever made, but they’re fun and I do enjoy them each in their own way. I remember when I went to the theater with a group of friends to see Napoleon Dynamite while I was in high school, and I had NO idea what I was getting myself into! Afterwards we all looked at each other and asked, “Was there a plot in there?” (According to a scriptwriting book I own, the answer is yes, it’s just cleverly disguised!) But it’s just funny. Daddy Day Care is just silliness, centered on three men who lose their jobs and decide to try to make ends meet by watching kids. Steve Zahn is particularly hilarious as a Trek enthusiast. And The Mighty Ducks… oh how I love these more than a lady in her mid-twenties should. The plots of the second and third are a little ridiculous when you think about them, but that’s OK. Because you love the Ducks, and you just can’t help but root for them.
A Little Magical
I love that these stories are set (mostly) in the real world but have just a touch of magic to make them more light and fun. Enchanted is a brilliant parody of every Disney animated princess movie ever, but still sticks close to its formula (complete with several songs) and make us all fall in love with Giselle and root for her and Robert. Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium is an underrated gem, which features a very uncertain early-twenty being given the task of taking over her boss’ magical toy store. You seriously need to see this one if you haven’t already. August Rush is a beautiful story featuring amazing music that follows a boy looking for parents and looking for music. There’s no real magic involved, but there are definitely some miracles.
What are some of your go-to light, fun movies?
Oh, I’m the same way. I think I watch a lot more light and fun tv shows or movies than read books that fit that category. I’m not sure why? I guess when I watch something it’s usually more of a mindless thing so don’t want to get sucked in necessarily as I would a good book!
I was excited to see The Mighty Ducks on here! I haven’t seen that movie in FOREVER! It makes me want to go watch it right now.
I know The Mighty Ducks is actually completely ridiculous in its plot points, but who cares? I grew up with the movies and I love them just because they’re fun!
I accidentally scheduled this post early so it’s not finished yet, so check back tomorrow to see the complete post.
It’s completed now. 🙂
Good choices – I love “Enchanted,” especially. 🙂 I always throw on either “Stardust,” or “Ten Things I Hate About You,” or “Garden State.” I think those are my top three go-to movies when I need something fun and light.
I was trying to think of fun and light books, too, and you’re right, it is much harder. I’ll have to sleep on it…might be a good future post. 🙂
I actually haven’t seen any of the movies you mentioned! I feel like I’m the only person who hasn’t seen 10 Things and Garden State!
By the way, I accidentally scheduled the post to go up before I had finished it, so now it’s actually completed.
I love While You Were Sleeping, and Enchanted was so cute! I’ll have to look up a couple titles I haven’t heard of before. 🙂 Fun list!
Alice @ Alice in Readerland
Not sure which ones you haven’t heard of before, but I would highly recommend Mr. Magorium and August Rush especially.
That was perfect to pick movies so much easier! I struggled with finding books for this topic too. Love Little Women, Emma, Enchanted and P&P. Great choices 🙂
It is so much easier! So much so that I have thought of more after creating this list and wonder if I’m going to have to do a “round two” of light, fun movie choices!
Mr. Magorium is one of my absolute FAVES and no one understands me. So glad to see that I’m not alone in this!
Emma, with Gwyneth Paltrow, is also a lot of fun!
I feel like a lot of people aren’t even familiar with it. Are there people who don’t like it?! Because that’s just not right!
I do like the Gwyneth Palrtow version of Emma, but my favorite is the BBC mini-series that came out just a few years ago. It’s just soooo good (and long! But I like that it’s long)!