The 10 Best Non-Romantic Movies To Watch With Your Boyfriend
Movie nights with your boyfriend are always a great way to spend quality time together. But sometimes, it can be tough to find a movie that you both enjoy. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best non-romantic movies to watch with your boyfriend. These films will keep you on the edge of your seat, make you laugh, and leave you feeling inspired. From action-packed thrillers to heartwarming dramas, there’s something for everyone on this list.
1. ‘Taxi Driver’ (1976)
What it’s about: Travis Bickle suffers from chronic insomnia and loads of other issues that keep him awake at night and permanently lonely. Due to this, the only job fitting for him is a taxi driver. As he meets the city, frequents adult movie theatres, and meets the women and men who often find themselves in his taxi after sundown, he becomes extremely disgusted by crime and urban decay around him. Fueled by a desire to rid the city of what he perceives as “the scum,” he becomes that “scum” himself.
Why you should watch it: It’s a Martin Scorsese film so of course you should watch it. It’s definitely a realistic insight into what it feels like to watch someone break down on screen. The movie’s realistic depiction of urban life and moral decay became a cult in certain circles of society.
2. ‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
What it’s about: The movie follows Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) over the course of several decades as he grows up in a predominantly Italian-American neighborhood in Brooklyn. Henry idolizes the local mobsters and, at a young age, becomes involved in their criminal activities. Alongside his friends James “Jimmy” Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), Henry becomes a part of the Mafia.
Why you should watch it: A Scorsese movie, but based on the book ‘Wiseguy’ by Nicholas Pileggi. The movie takes its time representing the “wiseguy” culture that was popular at the time, and it’s considered one of the greatest crime films ever made and a landmark in the gangster genre which plenty of movies down the line tried to emulate.
3. ‘Gladiator’ (2000)
What it’s about: The movie follows Maximus, who is betrayed by Commodus, the corrupt son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. After being betrayed, Maximus is captured and forced into slavery, where he rises through the ranks as a gladiator. He seeks revenge against Commodus for the murder of his family and the betrayal that led to his downfall.
Why you should watch it: ‘Gladiator’ might not be the most historically accurate movie about Gladiators of all time, but it’s certainly one of the most memorable. The movie has it all, plenty of action, plenty of soul-touching moments and is there something more epic than a man fighting for his principles?
4. ‘Raging Bull’ (1980)
What it’s about: The movie is based on the life of Jake LaMotta, an American middleweight boxer, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films in the history of cinema. The story focuses on LaMotta’s tumultuous career in the boxing ring in a non-linear fashion, his troubled relationships, and his personal struggles outside of boxing. LaMotta is known for his fierce and aggressive fighting style, which earned him the nickname “The Bronx Bull” and later “Raging Bull.”
Why you should watch it: I swear this is not a list of Scorsese movies, but it just so happens that he makes the best movies oriented toward guys, I mean scratch that he makes masterpieces oriented toward everyone. The film is celebrated for its exceptional cinematography, editing, and sound design. The boxing scenes are particularly well-executed
5. ‘Stalker’ (1979)
What it’s about: ‘Stalker’ takes place in a post-apocalyptic landscape known as “The Zone.” An entire profession of people has been created that deals with “tours” through the zone, and those people are called Stalkers. The Stalkers lead people into the Zone, guiding them to a room where it is said their innermost desires will be fulfilled. The film follows a Stalker who takes two clients, a Writer and a Professor, into the Zone. Will they find what they are looking for?
Why you should watch it: The movie was based on a book written by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky titled ‘Roadside Picnic,’ and while the movie is quite different when compared to the book it’s really a deeply philosophical movie that’s not about Stalkers or the Zone at all.
6. ‘The Departed‘ (2006)
What it’s about: The Massachusetts State Police assigns Billy Costigan to go undercover and infiltrate the Irish mob led by Frank Costello. Meanwhile, Colin Sullivan, who grew up in the same neighborhood as Costello, becomes a mole for the mob within the police force. As both moles try to uncover each other’s identity, tensions rise.
Why you should watch it: First and foremost the movie has an outstanding cast, it’s also filled to the brim with clever twists and sets a realistic crime atmosphere. The film received critical acclaim and won several prestigious awards, including four Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing).
7. ‘Memories of Murder’ (2003)
What it’s about: When a small South Korean town is struck by a serial killer who targets women, Park Doo-man, a borderline-amateur detective can’t handle the case properly so he gets help from Seo Tae-yoon, a young detective who arrives from Seoul to help. As the investigation progresses Tae-yoon and Doo-man often clash due to extremely different approaches to investigation, bringing the whole thing in danger of never being solved.
Why you should watch it: ‘Memories of Murder’ is widely recognized to be among the best South Korean movies all of time. It’s a crime movie, a comedy, and a realistic portrayal of how cases are handled when there are not that many resources to spare. The ending itself leaves you thinking long after you’ve watched the movie.
8. ‘Mad Max’ (1979)
What it’s about: The film is set in a near-future Australia, where society has collapsed due to energy shortages and widespread violence. The story follows Max Rockatansky, played by Mel Gibson, who works as a Main Force Patrol officer, part of a highway patrol tasked with maintaining order on the roads. The situation takes a personal toll on Max when his partner and best friend, Goose, is seriously injured by a gang of motorcycle-riding criminals led by the ruthless Toecutter
Why you should watch it: I put the first movie on the list, but really just about any movie in the franchise will do. ‘Mad Max’ is one of the most iconic action movies of all time and fits the description of this list perfectly.
9. ‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007)
What it’s about: The story begins when Llewelyn Moss, played by Josh Brolin, discovers a drug deal gone awry in the Texas desert. He finds a suitcase filled with money and decides to take it. However, this sets off a violent chain reaction as a psychopathic hitman, Anton Chigurh, played by Javier Bardem, is hired to recover the money. Chigurh is a relentless and cold-blooded killer who uses a captive bolt pistol as his weapon of choice. As he ruthlessly pursues Moss to retrieve the money, the movie heavily starts focusing on fate, morality, and consequences.
Why you should watch it: ‘No Country For Old Men’ is not just a crime thriller, it’s also a movie that heavily deals with philosophy. Anton Chigurh is also one of the most notorious villains in the history of cinema.
10. ‘Interstellar‘ (2014)
What’s it about: In a near-future scenario where global famine threatens humanity with extinction due to ecocide, Cooper’s family survives by farming. After a dust storm, Cooper discovers a gravitational anomaly in his daughter Murph’s room, forming GPS coordinates. Following these coordinates, Cooper and Murph uncover a hidden NASA facility, setting the stage for an unexpected and potentially pivotal turn of events.
Why you should watch it: ‘Interstellar’ is a cinematic masterpiece it truly is, everything from special effects, story and music is absolutely perfect and the movie won’t be surpassed for many years to come. It’s also one of those movies that you can easily watch dozens of times and still notice different things about it.
Have a movie to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!