Sometimes you go through a situation and feel like you’ve seen it in a movie before. For most situations, you’ll go through in your twenties, there are movies you must watch in your twenties. Everyone around you probably told you when you were younger that you’d be living your best life in your 20s. The question is, are you? Movies can be a great way to have a glimpse of how it’s going to be. They either raise your expectations, teach you something new, or show you the reality of saying goodbye to your teenage years and welcoming your adult twenties years.
Being in your twenties is like eating hot soup on a cold day and burning your tongue because you don’t want to wait for it to cool. We should always remember to enjoy every sip of the delicious soup, so be patient and try not to finish it all at once without enjoying it. Just like in our 20s, we rush to do everything that we forget to enjoy each stage, with its ups and downs.
Movies are a good soul remedy for the countless quarter-life crises we experience in our twenties, and yes, it’s completely normal to have one! These 10 movies capture our struggles as we enter our 20s and become adults, so we know we are not alone.
Grab your snacks, and let’s see what each movie is about.
50/50 (2011)
- Genre: Drama/Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
50/50 is a great example of how your life can be turned upside down, and yes, most of us in our twenties take life for granted, but after watching this movie, you will have a different perspective on life.
The movie is inspired by writer Will Reiser’s personal experience with cancer. As a result, the movie is full of emotions, from heartfelt scenes to scenes that will make you cry your eyes out. The plot revolves around a twenty-something man dealing with cancer, showing his friends’ reactions and how he deals with his sickness.
This movie is on the list of movies you must watch in your 20s because it is an excellent lesson on not taking life for granted and how to choose the right support system around you carefully. Remember that friends are defined not by their number but by their willingness to be there for you.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
- Genre: Romance/Sci-fi
- IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
At some point in our lives, we went through a bad breakup, and we just wished to forget that person and anything and everything related to them. Be careful what you wish for. After watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, you will understand more about what we mean.
The movie follows the story of a couple; after their relationship goes sideways, they decide to erase the memories of each other permanently. They go through the procedure to erase their memories and realise how important they were to each other in the middle of the process.
The movie explores how we perceive relationships, with their happy and painful moments. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind made it to the list because it shows that breakups are never easy, but erasing all the memories of your ex is never the answer. Time is the only way you will fully heal. You cannot jump a few steps ahead. You must go through the entire process to heal.
Devil Wears Prada (2006)
- Genre: Comedy/Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
We all have dream jobs; some of us have managed to get our dream job while others are still finding their way. The Devil Wears Prada depicts how you face new challenges when you land your dream job, which is normal for anything initially, but is it worth it?
The plot revolves around Andrea, who works as the assistant of the fashion editor of one of New York’s most prestigious magazines, in hopes she can one day become a writer. Let’s just say Miranda, the fashion editor, is not the easiest person to work with. You get to experience Andrea’s struggles as she progresses from not fitting into becoming one of the fashion gurus.
If you’re wondering why this movie is included on the list of movies you should watch in your 20s, it’s because it’s okay not to fit in at first, and hard work does pay off, but at the end of the day, you have to measure the pros and cons to know if it really is your dream job. So, if you are ever in a situation where you believe you are not doing a good job, remember that you got to where you are because of your hard work.
500 Days of Summer (2009)
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
In another movie about love and breakup, some of us are looking for “the one” or wondering if our partners are the one while figuring out life. The enjoyable 500 Days of Summer is a movie that reflects the phase when we have just graduated and are wondering what to do next, or in other words, “the lost phase” that most of us go through.
You know how when you watch a romantic movie, and you say to yourself no way this is true? Well, 500 days of summer is an excellent example of ‘expectations vs reality’. Tom and Summer meet at a card company they both work in, and we all know how that ends.
Tom falls in love with Summer, who is very clear from the start that she is not interested in a relationship with Tom, but he is a true believer in finding the one and having a soulmate. But, of course, things do not work out, and they split up. Tom is too preoccupied with his ideas about Summer and finding the one while trying to figure out life. He does not notice that his expectations and reality don’t match.
This movie is on the list of movies you must watch in your 20s because you really need to be a little more relaxed in life and not let the people around you influence your expectations. After all, everyone’s reality is so different.
Groundhog Day (1993)
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- IMDb Rating:8.1/10
When you start working, you may feel as if you are living the same day over and over again; welcome to adulthood, and you are not alone! Groundhog Day perfectly captures this feeling.
The plot revolves around Phil Connors, a dissatisfied and depressed weatherman who is stuck reliving the same uninteresting day in the same dull town every day. So, did he make any changes? Guess you’ll have to watch the movie and find out for yourself.
Why is this movie on the list of movies you must watch in your 20s? The movie has a strong message about taking control of your own life and changing it. In other words, getting out of your bubble or comfort zone is always a good idea.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Can women and men be best friends? We all ask this question ourselves, and we believe there is no correct answer. However, the romantic movie nicely depicts the concept of whether women and men can be friends.
The movie follows Harry Burns and Sally Albright sharing a long car ride from Chicago University to New York City. As the road trip begins, they share their opinions on whether men and women be friends. Five years later, fate brings them back together, sparks fly, and they must confront their feelings for each other.
When Harry Met Sally is a movie you will enjoy watching, and, more importantly, it has a great message behind it, which is why it made the list of movies you must watch in your 20s.
Someone Great (2019)
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
We go through different phases in our lives. When you’re in a relationship, you might grow apart or realise that you’re not on the same page in your life and can’t be together anymore. Well, the movie Someone Great portrays this exactly.
The movie follows Jenny, who is dating Nate, who is her college sweetheart. When they start their lives as 20-somethings and Jenny gets her dream job in a different state, things escalate because Nate does not want to move to another state, causing them to break up.
We always go to our friends when we break up, and in this movie, two things are portrayed: great friendships and the fact that some romances are meant to be temporary when the two parties are in different places in their lives. This movie deserves to be on the list of movies you must watch in your 20s.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
- Genre: Comedy/Drama
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
As much as we adore our siblings, sometimes we avoid them for reasons like them asking, “when are you going to start working?” or the most dreaded question, “are you seeing anyone?” If you were having second thoughts about your family, The Royal Tenenbaums is a great movie that will make you appreciate it more.
This comedic film follows the story of three siblings, each of whom shines in their own way. They aren’t very close. They only see each other during the holidays. However, they all end up gathering as their father announces his death! So, it is safe to say the drama begins here.
This is a great movie to add to your list of movies you must watch in your 20s because it is a friendly wake-up call. No matter how busy life gets, the family will always be there for us, and we must always prioritise them.
Muriel’s Wedding (1994)
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Do you ever feel as if you’re struggling to find your place in the world? Do you feel out of place in some situations? This feeling is widespread in the twenties, so rest assured that you are not alone. The movie Muriel’s Wedding will show you exactly how to leave this feeling behind and enjoy your twenties when the main character faces the same situation.
The comedy movie Muriel’s Wedding is about a small-town girl who has always felt like she doesn’t belong and has never dated before. She decides to take matters into her own hands in an unusual way and try to find herself a husband and move from her small town to the big city. What happens next? You’ll have to watch it to find out.
Why is it on the list of movies you must watch in your 20s? First and foremost, your twenties are a transitional period, so feeling lost is part of the package. Regarding love, it’s perfectly fine to be in your twenties without dating before; simply view it as a journey of discovering yourself and discovering who you are.
Moonlight (2016)
- Genre: Drama/Indie
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Why did things not turn out differently? Is it too late for a significant change? When you get lost in your thoughts, you might find yourself asking these questions. Moonlight is a movie that addresses all of the questions you may have.
A three chaptered movie that follows the main character Chiron through his various life stages of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. The movie follows his experiences growing up in Miami during the peak of the drug epidemic and coming to terms with his sexuality.
Wait a minute, why is it on the list of movies you must watch in your 20s? Well, While the movie portrays the experiences of one unusual young man, it’ll resonate with anyone who’s ever felt different. Remember to keep a tissue box next to you while watching the movie.
The 20s Are Your Transitional Phase
This list has come to an end. Tell us how many movies you’ve seen from the ten listed above and if you would be willing to watch any. These movies will help you understand that your 20s are a transitional phase from being a teenager to embracing adulthood. The most important thing is to grab some snacks and tissues and enjoy the ride.