Movies, in all their variations, allow us to escape our daily lives. As irresponsible as it may sound, everyone needs a little break sometimes, and films are the perfect channel to let go of everything and turn off your brain for a couple of minutes. Playing at the theater or in your living room, movies will help you relax like no other medium. In some cases, they’ll help you dream the dreams where you may become the hero or the villain and live your own fantastic story.
There have been previous compilations of films of this nature, and you’ve surely populated your watchlist for your next binge. Some regarda specific genre like action, and in other cases, TV series work as the proper way todepart from your daily lives. Comfort movies and TV shows are personal picks because everyone has their perks, and it’s OK if your list includes a guilty pleasure that helps you disconnect.
Familiar content, like sequels and continuing seasons of your favorite movies and shows, simply has a better effect on what you’re looking for. Sequels are what you’re looking for in turn-off-your-brain movies, with characters you already know and storylines relatively similar to those you’ve seen before.Big franchises are riddenwith them, so preparing the list was a great trip down Memory Lane to find the best sequels that are turn-off-your-brain fun. One thing is guaranteed: you will find yourself watching and rewatching after a while, and probably year after year, so don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Back to the Future Part II (1989)
Back to the Future 2
Back to the Future Part II, the first sequel to Robert Zemeckis' 1985 sci-fi adventure, tells the story of Marty McFly teaming up once again with Doc Brown as they go to the future and seemingly prevent an attack on Marty’s own son. The problem is that they go too deep to accomplish this and play with some paradoxical rules that change their present. How? It all has to do with a damn sports journal Biff gets his hands on and delivers to himself in the past.
Why Back to the Future II Makes the List
As complex as it may sound, Bob Gale’s script is good enough to make thisvery entertaining ’80s filmextremely simple in the eyes of those who find time travel films too complex. The franchise itself used a very peculiar style of time-travel rules that simply played on cause and effect and didn’t dig into the relativity aspect. This makesBack to the Future Part IIa lighter version of a movie that could have been much more complicated. Instead, it’s balls-to-the-wall fun! With special effects playing a key character in the film and a follow-up to the same story, just seen from another perspective. We guarantee you that this is an easy one to digest.
Stream on Peacock Premium
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
Return of the Jedi
Part III of Lucasfilm’s first trilogy ofStar Wars,Return of the Jedi, is a solid pick for turn-off-your-brain fun. In the film, the Empire is building another Death Star, and it’s up to the Rebel Alliance to try to destroy it again. To do this, they’ll have to disable the energy field powered by a station on the moon of Endor, where furry creatures known as Ewoks live. Meanwhile, Luke tries to convince Darth Vader to come join the good guys, given that he admitted to being his father.
Why We’ve Inlcuded Return of the Jedi
One of the best sci-fi movies from the ’80s,Return of the Jedi, feels like a lighter version of its predecessors. With much more humor and familiar characters, the film doesn’t expand on unnecessary details and goes heavy on action. Adding creatures like Ewoks feels like a wink to much younger audiences, who could enjoy an adult version ofThe Care Bearsthat could fight an entire platoon of Storm Troopers using rudimentary tools. It’s a huge break from the dramatically complicated Episode II,The Empire Strikes Back.
Stream on Disney+
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
The third volume of James Gunn’s contribution to the MCU,Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, tells the story of what’s left of the gang after the events where Gamora’s alternate version was the only one left and is now part of another posse. Located in Knowhere, the group suffers an attack by a mighty warlock, and Rocket suffers a deadly wound. That’s when the film actually starts, as the rest of the Guardians are forced to find a way to cure Rocket, and in flashback mode, we learn about the past of thequite vocal and iconic superhero/raccoon.Volume 3is his movie.
Why Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Is Great
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3is a great improvement from the rule-bound second part. The film feels like Gunn releasing himself from studio restraints (as weird as that sounds considering Disney’s involvement), as the direction is heavily focused on a secondary character and not much else. From a narrative point of view, the film is very simple and doesn’t represent a challenge. Not even if you aren’t familiar with the franchise.
Army of Darkness (1992)
Army of Darkness
InArmy of Darkness, Sam Raimi’s extremely underrated sequel toEvil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn, the franchise star Ash Williams is a store clerk who’s accidentally taken to the Middle Ages, in a time travel plot device that isn’t worth exploring. Instead, the film shows us a very witty Ash trying to get back to the present. The problem is that he needs the Necronomicon to defeat a whole army of undead warriors.
Why Army of Darkness Belongs Here
Possiblythe best film of the entireEvil Deadfranchise, Army of Darkness is a wild early ’90s ride of horror and comedy. It stars Bruce Campbell in his most important portrayal of the Ash character, and Raimi is confident enough to twist the third entry into something absolutely different and unexpected: a period horror movie that has all the goods. Practical effects, the aggressive style of editing, and the scare factor that’s always necessary for balance.Army of Darknessis undoubtedly the most original film on the list, and it won’t require much thinking from you. From the very first scene in the store, you will feel your brain slowly entering the Raimi realm of fun horror.
Rent on Prime Video
Batman Returns (1992)
Batman Returns
Batman Returns sees the return of Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne after his victory over the Joker. This time, the Dark Knight faces a new threat in the form of The Penguin, an outcast who wants revenge on Gotham City. Featuring Danny DeVito as Oswald Cobblepot, Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle a.k.a. Catwoman, and Christopher Walken as Max Schreck, Batman Returns is Tim Burton’s second and final movie based on the iconic DC comics character.
The very controversialBatman Returns, Tim Burton’s follow-up to his 1989 version ofBatman, takes audiences to a very chaotic Gotham City. While Batman tries to restore balance in any possible way, corporate mogul Max Schreck is a corrupt man whose heinous acts are discovered by Oswald Cobbleplot, aka Penguin. Penguin doesn’t act because he convinces Schreck to include him as an elite member of society, bringing the poor, deformed guy into the political spotlight. Meanwhile, Batman sees the evil in both of the men, but before he tries to do anything about it, he will have to face Catwoman, a woman seeking revenge for what Schreck has done to her.
Why Batman Returns Is Such a Great Addition
Batman Returnsis one of Burton’s films whose style feels like an overflow of information. But we can’t say it’s not necessary. The story was simple, and the most complex character had already been resolved in the first film. The sequel aimed at introducing others that didn’t require much connection. The result is an escapism-based sequel that feels like a high-profile circus sideshow that’s probably a bit too scary for children, even though it’s also one of thebest Christmas moviesever made.
Stream on Max
Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
Die Hard: With a Vengeance
The third entry in theDie Harduniverse,Die Hard with a Vengeance, is by far the best sequel to the franchise. Renny Harlin had helmed part two, and yes, it was a good sequel, but John McTiernan would be back in the McClaneverse in the riddle-fest that is part three. In the film, NYPD’s John McClane pairs up with an everyday man called Zeus Carver as they try to take New York City back after a very smart terrorist claims the city and puts it under his domain. It may be the third part of a franchise, butDie Hard with a Vengeanceis one of the best action films of the ’90s.
Why We’ve Included Die Hard with a Vengeance
Thevillain is great, the chemistry between Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson elevates the film above franchise standards, and the screenplay doesn’t pose a complex story.Die Hard with a Vengeanceis based on a script that writer Jonathan Hensleigh had written as a standalone film, but it fits perfectly with theDie Hardfranchise. It shows the two leads trying to solve riddles to catch a bad guy and not much else, and this results in a very entertaining film that won’t require much thinking from the viewer. No, the riddles aren’t hard to solve, but what they are is fun, a factor that action films don’t normally have.
Stream on Hulu
Shrek 2 (2004)
Shrek 2takes viewers back to the swamp, where Shrek and Fiona have returned after their honeymoon. To their surprise, they have been invited to the kingdom of Far Far Away because Fiona’s parents wish to meet Shrek and see how they’re doing. The couple, along with their sidekick Donkey, get to the kingdom, where they will meet the Fairy Godmother, who actually has other plans: she wants her son,Prince Charming, to basically break the marriageand inherit the kingdom. Luckily, the gang has some help by the name of Puss in Boots.
Why Shrek 2 Belongs Here
Everything’s bigger inShrek 2. The cast, the jokes, and the story. It feels like an exceptional upgrade to the first film that, as original and different as it was, felt restrained when blurring the line between “animation for adults” and family-friendly storytelling. In this one, writers burn the rule book and make an insane adaptation of the joke booklet. This means the film is much more loose in terms of conflict, makingShrek 2a no-brainer for turn-off-your-brain fun.
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Toy Story 4
2019’sToy Story 4shows the gang now under Bonnie’s ownership. Andy has gone off to college, and the toys are now the little girl’s. The creative Bonnie uses trash elements to build herself a new toy called Forky, who has existential issues because he considers himself to be trash and not a worthy toy. Woody tries to help him, but gets lost in the process. The good thing is that he reunites with some of Andy’s lost toys, and Buzz Lightyear does everything in his power to find them. And the bad thing? An evil doll called Gabby Gabby will attempt to dismantle Woody to get his voice box.
Why Toy Story 4 Makes the List
A great comeback after the emotionally drainingToy Story 3, part 4 of the franchise is a blast from beginning to end that doesn’t subject the audience to anything sad or tragic. It’s just an adventure featuring familiar characters. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and sort of repeats a previous storyline. This also represents an opportunity for great new characters to enter the picture: Forky, of course, but also Ducky and Bunny, and Duke Caboom.
Related:The 10 Best Sequels of the 2020s (So Far), Ranked
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Gremlins 2: The New Batch
Theself-aware mock festGremlins 2: The New Batchis the best sequel Joe Dante could have made to what was already a weird concept. In part 2 of the Amblin franchise, Billy and Kate have moved to Manhattan, and they coincide with Gizmo being stolen from Mr. Wing. Luckily, he lands in Billy’s hands and claims the creature back. The problem is that Gizmo gets wet inside a high-rise building, and we all know that’s a rule that shouldn’t be broken. Thousands of gremlins take over the building, and they won’t stop until the entire world falls under their dominion.
Why We’ve Included Gremlins 2
The irony of this pick is that the only way a film like this can be enjoyed is if you don’t think about it that much. It’s a sequel to a film about malignant creatures who don’t exactly indulge in anything but destruction and mischief while hilariously laughing at their capacity.Gremlins 2: The New Batchis completely self-aware of its absurdity and features a meta approach to the entertainment experience: Can you imagine movie theaters in 1990 being stormed by the creatures while the film was playing? Well, Joe Dante did, and he put it in his own film.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Apocalyptic practical-effects extravaganzaMad Max: Fury Roadis a great example of turn-off-your-brain entertainment. In the reboot/sequel, Max Rockatansky is taken prisoner by the tyrannical government of Immortan Joe. Fortunately, he escapes and joins Imperator Furiosa in her uprising against the dictator. This territory of vehicle obsession and thirst for fuel is the perfect setting for the brave rebels who decided enough was enough, but defeating Joe won’t be an easy task of the talkative kind.
Mad Max: Fury Road is an incredible movie experience that traps you from its first seconds. It’s visually stunning and stylishly ambitious. Its story is linear enough to keep you in tune with the simplicity of the premise, and it doesn’t carry any complex themes that require much analysis from the audience. It’s an action-packed adventure with just the right amount of carnage and compelling characters you’ll naturally connect with. The film is closer to Hollywood in its production value than previous entries, but director George Miller doesn’t sacrifice a single touch of his vision of the apocalyptic wasteland. Fortunately, Miller’s concept is tobe revisited again inFuriosa.
We just gave you a list of turn-off-your-brain movies for you to indulge soon, but how about the opposite? Here’s a video that will help you with some mind-bending movies:
