Did you catch Part I of this post? Have you already binged those first five? If so, I’m genuinely in awe and proud of you. If you haven’t had a chance yet, don’t panic. You still have plenty of time to exercise your yearly right to sloth and decadence by starting a series of movies at 9 am and not finishing until 4 am the next day.
Best Movie Marathons and Where to Stream Them
Terminator
There are six of these movies now, whether or not the world wants them. They’re also the origin story for the “Governator,” which is such a weird Hollywood/political crossover. It’s unsettling to think what the film’s larger cultural impact became. Also, it feels like Skynet is becoming more of a reality every day. The Terminator world is a dark place to spend 10 hours, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed by Christmas spirit, maybe this is the marathon you need.
Shrek
Not unlike the Governator, Shrek ended up taking on much more significant cultural relevance in the decades following its release. The original was actually a bold reimagining of the feature-length animated movie genre–Disney wasn’t exactly incorporating farts into its screenplays. A lot of movies have followed, although none have the revolutionary spirit of the original.
Hunger Games
Maybe this one hits a little too close to reality these days, but it’s fun going back to the Jennifer Lawrence of it all. She’s still a baby in the trilogy, agonizing over which boy to choose while leading a revolution against the wealthy elite. On the plus side, it’s a tidy trilogy that won’t re-emerge with a meandering part IV in a few years. I’d lump Divergent into this category too. They’re bland movies you can throw on in the background to add a little edginess to your holiday spirit.
Pirates of the Caribbean
If your binge-skills are at the level of casually throwing on another movie instead of just another episode, this is the series for you. It’s not only endless, but most of it is genuinely good! The later movies don’t always capture the raucous fun of Curse of the Black Pearl, but they’re just a delightfully good time that even the most curmudgeonly of your quarantine pod will acquiesce to watch.
Studio Ghibli
I find Miyazaki movies so emotionally resonant that I have to take a break from television for a day after watching one. But conceivably, someone with more emotional fortitude than myself could watch some or all of the Studio Ghibli movies in one sitting. They’re gorgeous, and while 2020 is a trash fire, it’s a boon that so many are finally available streaming in one place.