While on “maternity leave” (aka I’m a stay-at-home mom and my husband has 3 weeks off) I needed to watch some guilty pleasure movies.  Guilty pleasure movies are movies that are embarrassing for you to admit how much you like them.  But they serve a purpose and if they bring you joy who cares!  First of all, these movies don’t require any thinking or remembering.  The films are not complicated so you can drift off to sleep, wake up, and still not really have missed anything. Also, guilty pleasure movies have happy endings and will leave you feeling good after watching them. Here is a list of a few of my guilty pleasure movies;

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Empire Records

A group of misfits works at a local music store that is at risk of being sold to a big chain.  The employees each have problems they are dealing with, such as drug abuse, losing their virginity, and suicide attempts, yet they band together to save the store.  I still love the soundtrack to this movie – don’t judge!

Mystic Pizza

Three teens living in Mystic, Connecticut work at a pizza parlor.  One of the girls longs to escape her hometown and falls in love with a wealthy college student. Meanwhile, her sister falls for the father of the little girl she babysits for.  The movie stars Julia Roberts and there is an appearance by a young Matt Damon, need I say more?

Waiting for Guffman

A cult classic that most people have never heard of, but if you have ever been in theater productions, this movie is for you.  A community theater is putting on a play, and a Broadway theater critic is expected to attend the opening night.  This movie stars the same people who brought you Best in Show and A Mighty Wind.  I’m warning you, it’s kooky.

Because I Said So

A mom who knows no boundaries places a dating ad for her youngest daughter without the daughter’s knowledge.  The daughter ends up dating two of the men who answer the ad and is torn between them.  When the daughter finds out what her mother has been up to she is not happy.

Something To Talk About

When a woman finds out her husband is cheating on her, she is furious. She goes to live at her parents’ horse farm and ends up ruffling a lot of feathers in the community and within her own family.  The couple has to navigate her family, their daughter, and a possible divorce.

Center Stage

Ballet students audition for the American Ballet Company and those who make it are in constant competition amongst one another. One dancer in particular is frustrated and feels as if her teachers are constantly picking on her.  Luckily, she makes friends and has a few male admirers but in the end, only a few dancers will make the cut for lead ballerinas.

The Proposal

Sandra Bullock is a book editor and a fierce boss.  When she learns she is about to be deported back to Canada because of an expired visa, she quickly fabricates the story that she is engaged to her assistant.  Her assistant plays along with her ruse so that he will get promoted.  To keep the charade up, the “couple” must travel to Alaska to attend a family birthday party where Sandra Bullock’s character is very out of her element.

It’s Complicated

Alec Baldwin, Meryl Streep, and Steve Martin are the perfect team for a fun comedy about a divorced couple possibly reconciling.  Meryl Streep’s character begins to sneak around with her married ex-husband, hoping to keep their children in the dark about their affair.  Meanwhile, she also starts to date her architect. This situation could only end badly.  Bonus – John Krasinski plays the son-in-law who finds out about the affair and has to keep it secret.

Grease 2

This movie is truly terrible, but I can’t help but watch it. The bowling song alone is worth giving this film a shot, not to mention the very patriotic song, “Let’s Do It For Our Country”.   In this sequel to Grease, Sandy’s cousin from Australia is now the new student.  He is nerdy and finds himself attracted to the cool girl at school.  The only problem is that her ex-boyfriend is the leader of the T-Birds.  His solution to win her heart – a motorcycle.

P.S. I Love You

Keep a box of tissues handy for this one!  When a young woman’s husband dies, she has a hard time moving on.  Her husband thoughtfully left behind letters for her to help with her grief and included tasks for her to accomplish.

To see more of my favorite movies, check out these guides;

 Best Movies to Watch While Pregnant

Family Classic Movies

Musicals