A Proposed Quarantine Watchlist

While the period of watching movies and shows to pass the time has long passed for me, I have quite a few friends who are already on summer vacation. Or, rather, summer quarantine. And whenever I get complaints about how bored they are cooped up at home with nothing to do but watch the end of the world through tiny screens, I start yelling at them about all the great material they could be catching up on. So I figured I’d share those recommendations with all of you!

A quick note, though: some people might not find quarantine- or pandemic-related viewing enjoyable right now. That’s totally okay. As I’ve mentioned before, people have been dealing with all this in different ways, and I happen to be someone who embraces the new headspace. Or at least I have been so far. It is getting a little old.

Anyway! Without further ado, here are some things you could be watching to get you through a few more hours of your quarantine.

Film

Contagion

This is the obvious one. I’d always been a fan of Contagion, but now I’m kind of in awe of it. It’s incredibly eerie to watch right now. It’s a tense, taught thriller with a superb cast, and so well researched that you’ll probably learn a thing or two. And be seriously impressed (or disturbed) by how right the filmmakers got some of the details.

Night of the Living Dead

Zombies! Must stay inside! Ahhh!

Dawn of the Dead

Same as the above, but better, and in color!

Dawn of the Dead

Newer!

Shaun of the Dead

Funnier!

Cloverfied

Not so much about a virus as a . . . well, I won’t spoil it, but this is a fun, exciting found footage film that I think does an interesting job portraying an apocalyptic scenario from a claustrophobic, first-person perspective.

10 Cloverfield Lane

Actually more thematically relevant, scarier, more subtle, overall an even better movie.

The X-Files

The first movie sprouting from one of my favorite science fiction shows ever. Does have something to do with a virus-y type situation, if I remember correctly.

Cloud Atlas

The book is one of the best I’ve ever read, but the movie has a mixed reputation. In my opinion, it’s a beautiful, challenging epic. It’s definitely quite timely right now.

Children of Men

A fantastic movie with disease-y elements.

Television

The Expanse

I don’t want to spoil why this counts. It just does. It’s also the best sci-fi on TV right now, and it’ll make physics purists especially happy.

Battlestar Galactica

Oh! In terms of (post) apocalypse, I guess this is my chance to plug the best sci-fi show ever, too.

The X-Files (Season 1, Episode 24; Season 2, Episode 9; Season 2, Episode 22; Season 3, Episode 15; Season 3, Episode 16; Season 4, Episode 8; Season 4, Episode 9; Season 5, Episode 13; Season 5, Episode 14; Season 6, Episode 1; Season 6, Episode 11; Season 6, Episode 12, Season 8, Episode 18; Season 9, Episode 19)

Again, The X-Files. A long-running sci-fi horror show. So.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Season 9, Episode 7)

“The Gang Gets Quarantined”. Self-explanatory.

Community (Season 2, Episode 8)

(New to Netflix!) I wonder if, years down the line, I’ll start referring to the quarantine era of my life as “that bottle episode“.

Parks and Recreation (Season uhhhhhhhhhh, Episode it’s a special my format has been ruined)

One of my favorite feel-good comedies ever, resurrected for a new special in light of these very times.

So, there you have it! I definitely forgot some (and keep in mind these are only things I’ve watched personally, and thought were good), but regardless, happy viewing!

Lucas is sheltering in place for the rest of his sophomore year. He’s fighting his pandemic anxiety with a passion for all things nerdy and a talent for overthinking and awkwardness (and self-deprecation). He hails from Pasadena, California, and he hopes everyone is okay back there. He currently sees himself majoring in Physics, although he hopes to explore Cinema and Media Studies, Chemistry, Economics, and Computer Science (among many other subjects) as well. He misses everyone and sends his love. Meet the other bloggers!