In our current age of social distancing and COVID-19 fear, a good movie that doesn’t require you to leave your house may be just what the doctor ordered. However, if you’re like me, choosing a movie available on Netflix or with the most basic Hulu subscription can be difficult. The selection is rather sparse, and many Netflix originals are cringe-worthy at best. 

Luckily for you, I compiled my very favorite movies from a variety of genres available on Netflix or Hulu. Stay in, stay safe and stay entertained with these high-quality, easily accessible films.

1. “Silver Linings Playbook”

Starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, this film racked up major Oscar nominations when it premiered 2012. Cooper plays Pat Solitano, a bipolar man who moves back in with his parents after his court-mandated mental health hospitalization. 

The movie follows Cooper’s character’s attempts to reconcile with his ex-wife and his new relationship with Lawrence, who plays a widowed woman also dealing with mental illness. Cooper and Lawrence’s performances are sensational, and the movie is a perfect mix of emotional complexity and humor. 

2. “Carrie Pilby”

A relatively unknown film, “Carrie Pilby” is a great movie to watch when you’re looking to curl up on the couch and feel warm and fuzzy. “Carrie Pilby” stars Bel Powley as Carrie Pilby, a recent Harvard graduate from London who is currently living in New York City. 

Pilby began Harvard at 16, and while the protagonist is extremely intelligent, she suffers from social anxiety and reflects upon the ways her age caused her to be taken advantage of in college. “Carrie Pilby” is a story of healing and self-discovery. I’d recommend the watch just to see Pilby’s excellent chunky sweater combinations. 

3. “A Simple Favor”

Starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, this film generated massive buzz when it premiered in 2018. If you didn’t get a chance to see the comedic thriller, Hulu offers the movie to stream. 

The amount of plot lines, absurdity and martinis served up by this movie will leave you laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. While this movie is a mystery and does involve thrills and murder, it’s far from scary. Rather, Kendrick’s mommy blogger character and Lively’s portrayal of a mysterious, enigmatic beauty make a magnetizing duo that will leave you wondering what you just watched – in a good way. 

4. “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”

Based on the book with the same mouthful of a title, this movie tells the tale of a book club on the island of Guernsey during Nazi occupation. Foggy British scenery, romance, letter writing, Lily James’ impeccable fashion – this movie really has it all. 

If you love romantic movies and history, this film is definitely the one for you. I also recommend reading the book.

5. “All the Bright Places”

Another Netflix original based on a popular book, “All the Bright Places” is the story of two hurting teens who find joy in new adventures and each other’s company. Violet Markey, played by Elle Fanning, recently lost her sister in a car accident in which she was driving. Theodore Finch, played by Justice Smith, helps Markey on her path towards healing by coaxing her into discovering different wonders of Indiana. 

Simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming, this is the most well-done Netflix original movie geared toward young adults I have ever watched. 

6. “The Kindergarten Teacher”

Disturbing and thought-provoking, this film stars Maggie Gyllenhaal as a kindergarten teacher who becomes obsessed with one of her students after he demonstrates advanced poetic talent. 

This movie is an acquired taste and can be uncomfortable to watch, but Gyllenhaal’s performance is outstanding and asks viewers to consider the boundaries between teacher and student and how we treat child prodigies. 

7. “My Girl”

If you haven’t seen “My Girl” before, you’re definitely missing out. Anna Chlumsky stars as Vada, an eleven-year-old hypochondriac living with her widowed father in their house, which is also a funeral parlor. Her best friend, Thomas J., is played by Macauly Culkin. In the film, Chlumsky’s character undergoes a life-changing summer of both sorrow and joy. 

The film is a tear-jerker, but also filled with bubbles of humor and happy childhood nostalgia. 

8. “The Iron Lady”

For all the Merryl Streep fans out there, “The Iron Lady” is one of her best performances. Streep portrays Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s controversial Prime Minister from 1979-1990. The movie follows Thatcher in her old age as she reflects upon her time as Prime Minister. 

“The Iron Lady” is perfect for anyone looking to learn a little history. When the world feels bleak, it can be reassuring to watch a film about a tough female leader who guided her country through stressful political crises. 

9. “Up in the Air” 

Starring George Clooney, “Up in the Air” follows a man who lives out of a suitcase, travelling across the country to professionally fire employees. Anna Kendrick, who plays his new apprentice, begins to change his outlook on living in isolation – as does a love interest played by Vera Farmiga.

Thought-provoking, funny and containing an unexpected twist, “Up in the Air” was nominated for six Oscars. This movie will make you contemplate what in life is truly meaningful. 

10. “Julie and Julia” 

Amy Adams and Merryl Streep star in this cheery, based-on-a-true-story film sure to make you want to hop in the kitchen and whip up Julia Child’s beef bourguignon. Streep plays Julia Child, a famous chef who wrote a French cookbook for American amatuer cooks. Child is joyful, particular and determined. Adams plays Julie, a woman living in New York City and unhappy at her job. She chooses to cook her way through Julia Child’s cookbook and blog about it. This movie will make your mouth water and your heart warm. 

During this unprecedented time of social isolation, a movie that doesn’t require you to leave the house can be the perfect distraction. All ten of these movies have something to provide, whether that be joy, something to think about or even a new outlook on life. 

At just 24 years old, Timothée Chalamet has already cemented his status as one of Hollywood’s darlings. His willingness to embrace androgyny and show sensitivity on and off the big screen have the potential to single-handedly rid the world of toxic masculinity.

A striking jawline, ability to pull off fuschia suits and French ancestry might have contributed to Chalamet’s seemingly sudden rise, but the actor has proven to be much more than a pretty face. Chalamet really broke out in 2017, but the curly-haired star exhibited his talents in several other projects long before that date. Here are the top ten TV shows and movies graced by his presence in chronological order:

1. “Homeland” (2011)

“Homeland” centers around a bipolar CIA officer convinced a former prisoner of war was turned by al-Qaeda and poses a terrorist threat to the United States. It is a TV show best loved by middle-aged mothers who have already seen everything interesting on Amazon Prime, and Chalamet’s character is no exception to its mediocrity. In the show’s second season he plays the jerk son of the vice president who refuses to admit to a hit-and-run and meets an explosive end. His character may not have been swoon-worthy, but Chalamet’s performance hinted at his acting potential while he was still a high school student. 

2. “Men, Women & Children” (2014)

Chalamet plays a football player in this film seeking to show the effect of the internet on personal relationships. “Men, Women & Children” did not earn a warm reception from critics, and most of Chalamet’s scenes were cut, but it was a strong film debut that led to later roles for the young actor. 

3. “Interstellar” (2014) 

Chalamet played a small but meaningful role as the teenage son of a NASA pilot searching for a new planet to call home as Earth becomes less hospitable. This movie gave Chalamet the opportunity to work with acclaimed director Chirstopher Nolan, as well as a cast that included Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Michael Caine. The mind blowing sci-fi dystopia was the first of Chalamet’s to become a hit at the box office and award shows.

4. “Miss Stevens” (2016)

This lesser-known indie film stars Lily Rabe as an English teacher chaperoning three students on a trip to a drama competition. Chalamet really got to show his acting chops as the angsty male lead with an explosive monologue that earned him and the film critical acclaim.

5. “Lady Bird” (2017)

2017 proved to be a big year for Chalamet, and “Lady Bird” provided him with the first of several supporting roles that really put him on the map. Opposite Saoirse Ronan, Chalamet brilliantly executes his role as the snobby, bass-playing, dirtbag crush. His performance is one of the many relatable parts of “Lady Bird,” especially for anyone who has experienced attraction – and inevitable disappointment – from men who appear cool and mysterious. Ultimately, Chalamet is a vehicle for developing the coming-of-age narrative for the titular character in Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut.

6. “Call Me by Your Name” (2017) 

“Call Me by Your Name” chronicles the blossoming romance between 17 year-old Elio, played by Chalamet, and 24 year-old archaeology student Oliver, played by Armie Hammer. Set in the Italian countryside in the 1980s, the film is beautiful for its aesthetic as well as its plot. Chalamet has remarkable chemistry with Hammer and really shows off his ability to handle complex emotional themes. Anyone who doesn’t cry during the final scene is a heartless monster. The film rightly earned Chalamet his first Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations.

7. “Hostiles” (2017)

Though hardly comparable to the successes of “Lady Bird” and “Call Me by Your Name,” Chalamet capped off his year working the film festival circuit with this violent Western. Alongside Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike, Chalamet plays a soldier who is a part of a security detail escorting a Cheyenne chief and his family back to their home in Montana in what turns out to be a very harrowing journey.

8. “Beautiful Boy” (2018)

Based on the best-selling memoirs of David and Nic Sheff, Chalamet and Steve Carell star as father and son in this intimate, heartbreaking, and moving story of addiction, relapse, and recovery. Compared to “Call Me by Your Name,” Chalamet transforms emotionally and physically. His memorable performance is remarkable enough to make anyone a “Chalamaniac,” and it earned him more nominations and awards.

9. “The King” (2019)

“The King” combines the realism of film with the legendary plot of Shakespeare’s plays. Starring as King Henry V, Chalamet proves his ability to make a bowl cut look hot and pull off intense battle scenes. The film follows the warrior king as he ascends the throne and figures out how to handle politics and war. Be sure not to miss Robert Pattinson sliding around in the mud.

10. “Little Women” (2019)

“Little Women” retells the classic story of the March sisters, four women coming of age and forging individual paths following the Civil War. This version of “Little Women” emphasizes the agency and anger of the sisters, and Chalamet’s depiction of Laurie as a childhood friend and eventual thwarted love interest serves this aim. Yet another fabulous Greta Gerwig film, “Little Women” was well recepted but snubbed for big nominations and awards.

Overall, Chalamet’s performances in these works only hint at what is to come, as the actor seems to be gaining steam. His upcoming performances include a Wes Anderson film called “Dune” and a sequel to “Call Me by Your Name.”

Since its debut in 1969, “Scooby-Doo” has remained one of the most consistent cartoons to ever air. With many remakes and reboots, the relevance of “Scooby-Doo” has passed through generations, earning him and the mystery-solving gang a special place in our hearts. In total, there are over 40 different “Scooby-Doo” movies, not including any television movies or short films. Ranking these films is not easy – especially if you consume these movies like candy – so this list will contain the rankings I have devised over the years – yes, years.

10. “Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare”

To kick this list off, this movie was the first “Scooby-Doo” movie I ever purchased. It aired Sept. 14, 2010 and has been continuously played throughout the years on Cartoon Network or on Boomerang, a channel owned by Cartoon Network that airs old cartoons. The movie takes place during the summer at Fred Jones’ old summer camp, which the characters found out was attacked by a monster when they first arrived. Later on, two more monsters appeared, trying to scare the mystery-solving gang away from the camp. The plot of the movie is unique for “Scooby-Doo,” considering they usually face one monster, not three. Overall, the movie is excellent because it keeps you guessing as to who might be scaring them away up until the final battle scene, where the monsters are revealed. 

9. “Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy”

Next on the list, “Frankencreepy” employs a new tactic only seen once in “Scooby-Doo” history: the return of the mystery-solving gang’s past. Though the same monsters are not used, this movie uses the characters from the original “Scooby-Doo” show that aired in 1969, allowing for some of the most famous villains from those episodes to make a comeback. They lure the gang into Velma’s creepy family history, almost succeeding in destroying them all mentally by changing their personalities completely. Overall, the movie moves beautifully from scene-to-scene and conveys the message that your past can still haunt you in many ways, but it’s possible to solve your issues because they’re something you’ve conquered before.

8. “Chill Out, Scooby-Doo!”

Airing Sept. 4, 2007, this movie is a special treat. Initially the gang was supposed to meet in Paris, France. However, “Scooby-Doo” and Shaggy boarded the wrong plane and became a crazy Frenchman’s bait for the Yeti, which is the monster in this film. Fred, Daphne and Velma make their way to the Himalayas to search for the two. Meanwhile the Yeti is causing quite a stir on the mountain – until the mystery solving gang arrives. Overall, the plot and mystery are okay, but the movie teaches you that change affects many people, and that you will leave an impact on everyone’s life, no matter how big or small.

7. “Scooby-Doo! in Where’s My Mummy”

On Dec. 13, 2005, this unique and edgy movie aired. The movie takes place in Egypt at the site of the restoration of the Sphinx. However, Velma – who was working with the lead archeologist – discovers there is much more to the great building than meets the eye. Much different from the previous films, the movie explores what possibilities could lie underneath the Sphinx, as well as the dangers of being consumed with greed. The villains in this movie are no strangers to the mystery gang. Overall, the movie is solid with a steady plot that enhances the hype of who might be scaring everyone away from the site.

6. “Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword”

Airing April 7, 2009, “Scooby-Doo” and the gang find themselves in Japan for a martial arts and action-packed mystery. Unlike all the previous movies, this movie explores the possibility of actual monsters – a plot they hadn’t touched in a few years. The movie examines good versus evil as well as the greed people are consumed by to inherit power. The gang finds themselves in many predicaments when facing an unexpected foe. This movie helps drive home the idea that not all power is bad, but that the hunger for more power can lead one astray.

5. “Scooby-Doo” & “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed”

Next are the two live action films that aired June 14, 2002 and March 26, 2004. These two are grouped together because they go hand-in-hand with one another. The first movie explores the reality that friendships don’t last forever, whereas the second movie discusses the importance of teamwork. Both movies deal with live monsters controlled by a character from their past who is seeking revenge for the mistreatment they believed the gang had subjected them to. What makes both of these movies revolutionary in the Scooby multiverse is that these were the first live action films to be produced, and thankfully the producers and directors made both movies into long-lasting memories for everyone.

4. “Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders”

Airing Oct. 3, 2000, this movie was one of the four direct-to-video movies that were produced in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. The plot explores the possibility of aliens in our universe and the greed of humans once again. After finding themselves stuck in a town in the middle of nowhere, the mystery solving gang is intrigued by the locals’ stories about aliens scaring the town every now and then. After meeting some new people, the gang solves the mystery fairly easily, but the battle scene is the real plot twist of the movie. Overall, the movie keeps the same tone of the possibility of the supernatural being a reality, not just a fantasy.

3. “Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost”

Coming in at third on my list, this movie produced one of the better mysteries the gang has ever solved. Embedded in a mystery itself, the plot once again explores the possibility of witchcraft and magic as an actual practice – though it does stretch what witchcraft truly is. The gang must solve the mystery of a witch who’s haunting an old Puritan village within a scenic and beautiful northern town. They were tricked into coming by the villain, Velma’s hero, author Ben Ravencroft, who has been searching for an ancient and evil spell book for years. The plot thickens immensely once the book is found and includes a fight scene that is one for the ages. Because of the plot, this movie deserves to be remembered as one of the greatest “Scooby-Doo” movies of all time.

2. “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island”

Runner-up is this classic movie that I’m sure everyone has seen at least once. This might be one of the most famous movies in the “Scooby-Doo” series due to its very creepy nature and thick plot. The gang finds themselves separated due to their annoyance with never solving real mysteries until Daphne and Fred decide to produce a show in which they find the most haunted places in America. Searching for live horror, not what they used to solve, causes the gang to find themselves on an Island supposedly haunted by ghosts and zombies. The gang is skeptical – as they should be – and jump to conclusions once clues start to pile together. However, they were not expecting to also face cat creatures that have a dark past due to the carelessness of pirates. The gang barely makes it out alive with one extra character all thanks to Scooby-Doo and Shaggy being the clumsy goofs they are. Overall, this movie is great for nostalgia purposes and would be an ideal Halloween movie to enjoy with friends.

1. “Scooby-Doo and the Cyberchase”

Finally, my favorite “Scooby-Doo” movie easily has the best plot of all the movies listed and features old fiends within cyberspace. The movie takes place in a university computer lab, where the gang is sent into cyberspace by the true villain – who created a virus to destroy his friend’s computer game to earn $250,000. The gang must find their way out by playing a video game based around their mystery-solving lives. They battle their way through nine levels before facing the final and most difficult 10th level, where they must face villains they’ve unmasked in the past. However, they aren’t too lucky this time because they’re in a computer generated game, not reality, making these monsters even more dangerous. Of course, in the end the gang is able to find their way out and catch the person that sent them into cyberspace for a cyberchase.

Jaspers: Located off Wornall Parkway, Jaspars captivates its customers with the fresh and authentic taste of Italian cuisine. It features many traditional dishes such as its seasonal homemade mozzarella with tomatoes imported from Italy. Its ambiance makes it a wonderful place to eat with family and friends.

The Bristol: With locations  off the Plaza and in Overland Park, The Bristol has one of the best lobster bisques in the Midwest. They also have weekly fish that is caught from all over the country. Many of their dishes have fresh flavors that compliment their seafood. 

Kyoto: Located in Overland Park, Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse has incredible fresh sushi and hibachi. Their friendly staff and delicious sushi rolls make people hesitant about trying sushi local regulars. One of their most popular rolls is the Kansas Roll. 

JJ’s: Located off the Plaza, JJ’s is an old school steakhouse that has the largest wine collection in Kansas City. If you are a fan of wine and decadent cuisine, then you should check out JJ’s.  

Plaza III: Located in Overland Park, Plaza III is known as one of the best steakhouses in Kansas City. They offer a wide variety of steaks and have many sides that are big enough to share with the whole table. They have a pepper-crusted steak that is delicious, along with their homemade mashed potatoes and gravy.

The Pearl: Located in Lee’s Summit, The Pearl is new to the Kansas City area. Owned and operated by Andrew Lock’s parents, this restaurant has a delicious happy hour menu. They feature freshly caught fish as well as other favorites such as their wings and butter lemon shrimp. You also can’t leave without trying their key lime pie. 

Bonefish Grille: Offering wonderful seafood and steak options, Bonefish is known for its shrimp tossed in a spicy sauce. They also have wonderful mussels and a delicious ahi tuna dish.

Bluebird Bistro: Located off Summit Street in downtown Kansas City, the Blue Bird Bistro is known for its farm-to-table approach. It features many fresh, organic and local ingredients that are full of flavor. This is a wonderful option if you are vegetarian, vegan or have any family members or friends that enjoy supporting local and sustainable restaurants. 

Q39 BBQ: Kansas City is known for its barbeque, and Q39 has become a household Kansas City name. Their menu has many twists on traditional barbecue dishes. They have delicious appetizers, ribs, burnt ends and even pie. 

Kona Grill: Located in downtown Kansas City, Kona grill offers wonderful happy hour options. They not only offer excellent seafood options but also weekly chef-inspired dishes.