These Hollywood classics will fill your cups – and long weekends – with every possible film genre.
If there’s one line that shaped an entire generation of Millennials, it’s, “You’re a wizard, Harry.” For those of us who began reading Harry Potter in primary school and grew up alongside him, the movies in this series hold a special place. They never get old – no matter how many times you hit play or how many lines you know by heart (“Not me, not Hermione, you!”). It’s rare to find a film franchise so universally loved, still racking up views on major streaming platforms to this day. In case you fell and hit your head during a Quidditch match, the Harry Potter films follow a young wizard, Harry, as he navigates the magical world and uncovers secrets about his past.
At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he befriends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Together, they face magical challenges, including confrontations with dark forces aiming to resurrect the dark wizard Voldemort (oops), who killed Harry’s parents. With eight movies clocking up a total of 19 hours and 38 minutes, you’ll want to stock up on snacks for your marathon. We assume you’re starting early, so kick off with a Bloody Mary – a perfectly balanced cocktail that’s as likable as the Harry Potter series.
2. The full ‘Rocky’ and ‘Creed’ saga with a low-carb beer
If you love an underdog, training montages, hard work, determination and a love story, these films will be right up your alley. Yep, we’re taking Rocky and all the sequels – they go right up to Rocky V and Rocky Balboa. But we can't forget the Creed films, an extension of the series. There's three of them. That’s a lot of sequels. Okay, spoilers ahead. The saga follows Rocky Balboa, a Philly boxing underdog who goes the distance against Apollo Creed in Rocky and wins their rematch in Rocky II. In Rocky III, he loses to Clubber Lang but reclaims his title with Apollo’s help. Rocky IV sees him avenge Apollo’s death by defeating Ivan Drago. Retired in Rocky V, he trains Tommy Gunn, but their bond ends in a street fight. Rocky Balboa brings him back for one last exhibition bout. The spin-off Creed films shift to Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), Apollo’s son, who seeks out Rocky to mentor him. In Creed II, Adonis battles Drago’s son, and Creed III sees him step out of Rocky’s shadow to face a past rival. Phew, did you keep up with all of that?
We suggest breaking up your movie marathon by donning your best grey tracksuit, blasting ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and running laps around the house. Inspiring stuff. Then, reward yourself with a Carlton Dry Lower Carb – a refreshingly crisp beer, perfect for athletes or anyone living out their training montage fantasy.
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3. ‘The Godfather’ trilogy and an Italian red (don’t forget the cannoli)
What. A. Trilogy. The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, and The Godfather Part III follow the Corleone family, a powerful Mafia clan, led by Vito Corleone as they navigate the treacherous world of organised crime in New York. In The Godfather, Vito deals with the dangers of organised crime while his son Michael becomes involved. Part II explores Michael’s deepening descent into corruption as he takes control of the family business and in Part III, Michael seeks redemption for his past sins while struggling to secure his family’s future. There’s plenty of betrayal and loss, and if you love dramatic family dynamics, loyalty and power struggles, this is the trilogy for you.
Keep an ear out for some of the classic lines: “I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse,” (CLASSIC), and “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli” – advice to live by, if you ask us. As for something to sip on while you immerse yourself in the unhinged world of organised crime, we recommend a bottle of Santa Margherita Chianti Classico. It offers a nice balance of bright acidity, smooth tannins, and rich flavours of red fruit (think cherry and raspberry), with hints of herbs, spices, and earthy notes.
We’re not here to tell you which Batman is the best, but we do have a soft spot for Christian Bale, so we’re shining a light (or should we say bat signal?) on Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises. In Batman Begins, billionaire Bruce Wayne trains with the League of Shadows before returning to Gotham City to fight crime as Batman, taking on the corrupt system and his former mentor, Ra’s al Ghul. In The Dark Knight, Batman faces his greatest challenge yet – the Joker, a chaotic mastermind who pushes Gotham into anarchy, forcing Bruce to make devastating sacrifices. And The Dark Knight Rises sees a retired Bruce pulled back into action when the mercenary Bane seizes Gotham, leading to a brutal battle for the city’s survival and Bruce’s ultimate redemption.
Whether you’re bingeing all three in one sitting or spacing them out over the long weekend, these Christopher Nolan-directed films will go down a treat. You know what else will? A Manhattan – an ode to Gotham City. With just three ingredients that create some seriously complex flavours, it’s the perfect cocktail to mix up between scenes.
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5. Julia Roberts rom-coms and something fruity
Yes, Julia Roberts deserves her own marathon. Obviously. Everyone's favourite leading lady has graced the big screen in some classics we simply can’t skip on a long weekend watch. In Notting Hill, a London bookstore owner (Hugh Grant) has his life turned upside down when he falls for a famous American actress (J-Rob, of course). And then there’s perhaps her most famous role, “Big mistake! Big! HUGE!” Need we say more? Then there’s Runaway Bride, where Julia leaves her grooms-to-be at the altar, again and again. In My Best Friend’s Wedding, she plays a woman who realises she’s in love with her best friend just as he’s about to marry someone else. Ooft, messy. Finally, Mystic Pizza, a coming-of-age film featuring three teenage girls from a small town navigating love, friendships and their futures while working at a local pizza restaurant.
Crack open a can of Doozy Half and Half Iced Tea Lemon Raspberry for this viewing sesh. It combines vodka, iced tea, lemonade and raspberry flavours – balancing sweet and tart notes perfectly. Just like J-Rob, it’s a great all-rounder.
We know you’ve seen him in The Dark Knight, but you’d better believe Heath Ledger is worth celebrating in his own right. Start with 10 Things I Hate About You (perhaps the best film ever made), a modern take on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew that has it all: Patrick (Heath) serenading Kat (Julia Stiles) on the bleachers, the ‘I Hate The Way I Don't Hate You’ poem (sigh), and the best paintball scene ever. Candy shifts the tone, exploring the passionate and destructive romance between a poet and an addict. Next is Casanova, where Heath plays the legendary lover in 18th-century Venice, torn between love and his playboy lifestyle. Brokeback Mountain will hit you in the feels – a poignant love story between two men navigating a secret, complicated relationship over many years. Try hearing "I wish I knew how to quit you" without tearing up. Finally, A Knight’s Tale features Heath as a young peasant dreaming of knighthood, adopting a false identity to compete in jousting tournaments and challenge the elite.
His films are all crowd favourites, so we’re pairing them with a crowd-pleaser drink: the Spicy Pickle Margarita. With a tangy dill pickle brine and a jalapeño kick, it’s a memorable adventure – just like these films.
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7. Every Ocean’s film and whisky
Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen and Ocean’s Eight – yes, there are four films in this franchise, which makes it a no-brainer for an at-home long weekend viewing. The entire Ocean’s series follows Danny Ocean and a group of skilled thieves as they plan and execute heists. The OG, Ocean’s Eleven, is where we meet Danny for the first time as he assembles a team of specialists to pull off a sophisticated heist targeting three Las Vegas casinos owned by a ruthless billionaire. Danny returns in Ocean’s Twelve when he and his crew are forced to complete a new heist to repay a debt to a powerful figure from their past. No surprise that another heist and revenge on a wealthy casino owner is the premise of Ocean’s Thirteen. Then it’s time for the ladies to shine in Ocean’s Eight, where Debbie Ocean, Danny’s sister, assembles an all-female crew to steal a valuable necklace from the Met Gala. Remember Rihanna in this film? Iconic as ever.
We suggest sipping Starward Two-fold Double Grain Australian Whisky while you watch multiple heists in one sitting. This single malt whisky, folded together and matured in Australian red wine barrels, is approachable and versatile – and probably the type of spirit Danny himself would enjoy after swindling another casino owner out of millions.
