10 best rainy day movies to watch in bed

Beat the weather doldrums with these 10 movies, guaranteed to help you survive the rain while you’re huddled in bed:
 
1. Sleepless in Seattle
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan
Why it Works: Where would a rainy day movie list be without the original queen of rom-coms, Meg Ryan? (Step aside, Julia Roberts.) This film is all about love lost and found in America’s wettest city. Commiserate with Seattleites about the weather while you revel in the romance. Tom Hanks’ son (Ross Malingerer) steals the show.
 
2. What about Bob?
Starring: Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss
Why it Works: The droll Bill Murray and rainy weather seem like the perfect combination. Murray is at his deadpan best playing a psychiatric patient who crashes the vacation of his hilariously uptight psychiatrist (Dreyfuss); hijinks ensue. Time will fly – and hopefully the thunderstorm will, too.
 
3. Scream
Starring: Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Liev Schreiber
Why it works: With equal parts humour and horror, this film will make you happy you’re safely ensconced in bed. Sydney Prescott (Campbell) is haunted by the murder of her mother when the body count of her nearest and dearest starts to rise. This tribute to teen slasher flicks parodies the genre so well that even die-hard horror fans will succumb to its wit.
 
4. 500 Days of Summer
Starring: Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Why it Works: The non-linear narrative keeps this romantic comedy humming from start to finish. Summer (Deschanel) is the retro girl next door and Tom (Gordon-Levitt) is the eternal romantic. The film begins with their break-up and takes us through the ups and downs of their 500-day relationship. What better way to distract yourself from the downpour?
 
5. Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, Shannen Doherty
Why it Works: Ladies, this is where SJP’s fashion began – with pink tights and bedazzled tops. Before she was Carrie Bradshaw, she was Janey Glenn, a lovelorn high schooler with dreams of becoming a Dance TV regular. Throw a bad boy into the mix and this 1985 classic is the perfect chick flick to combat any stormy day. A pre-Mad About You Helen Hunt plays Janey’s best friend.
 
6. Cinema Paradiso
Starring: Jacques Perrin, Philippe Noiret, Leopoldo Trieste
Why it Works: You may not be able to afford that ticket to Italy, but this film will transport you with ease. Successful film director Salvatore returns to the Sicilian village of his youth for the funeral of Alfredo, the local projectionist at Cinema Paradiso. It’s the ultimate love letter to first loves and cinema – and has one of the best endings.
 
7. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, Alan Ruck, Jennifer Grey
Why it Works: Director John Hughes allows you to time travel (again) to the carefree days of your youth when the biggest stress was which scrunchy to wear. Ferris lives out every teenager’s fantasy (except when he sings on that float): he plays hooky with his best friend, kisses the girl of his dreams, and doesn’t get caught. Ferris’ great escape will become yours as well.
 
8. Vertigo
Starring: James Stewart, Kim Novak
Why it Works: Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological thriller about a retired police detective’s fear of heights will have your nerves in knots – James Stewart is at his tortured best. And there are so many plot twists that even the characters can’t keep them straight. The suspense will have you jumping out of your skin every time rain hits the window pane.
 
9. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffalo
Why it Works: The title and premise alone make this film worthy of inclusion. In this mind-bender by Adaptation’s Charlie Kaufman, the cure for a painful break-up is to erase the person from your mind. Carrey and Winslet are impeccable as ex-lovers who meet again (déjà vu at its best). You’ll have lots to ponder from your pillow-laden perch before and after the film.
 
10. Love Story
Starring: Ali MacGraw, Ryan O’Neal
Why it Works: Love means never having to say you’re sorry – and you won’t be sorry you rented this iconic 1970s film. It’s the ultimate tearjerker: boy meets girl; boy falls for girl; girl is diagnosed with terminal illness; girl dies. This film rocketed Ali and Ryan to superstar status and gained them legions of fans. Keep Kleenex on the bedside table.

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