Picking a movie when you don't have a specific title in mind has to be one of the most tedious things to do. This can be bothersome especially if someone is waiting for you to choose or if your food is already getting cold as you decide. There are simple ways to narrow your choices down, and here are some of them.
Who Are You Watching With?
The person you are with can determine what kind of movie you might want to watch. If you're with a significant other, you might want to opt for rom-com, drama, or whatever genre both of you would enjoy watching.
If you're with family, you can opt for family-friendly movies like comedies or animated films. With friends, you can go for horror movies especially since they tend to become comedies when you're with the right crowd.
Take Advantage of the Recommendations
Most of the popular streaming services already come with recommendations based on what people want to watch and your own streaming history. Trending movies are trending for a reason, so you might like them more than you would expect.
Some services like Netflix offer suggestions just for you if you don't like the top movies in general, and these are based on what you have already watched before. If those don't interest you still, you can ask your friends for titles they think you would like.
Look at Review Websites and Pages
There are people who leave their reviews about movies online, and their ratings are then converted to rankings. Sites like IMDb, for instance, have top movie lists whether it's the most popular, most watched, most awarded, and many more.
If you want random recommendations from social media, you can follow pages or accounts dedicated to film suggestions or even memes. People tend to make memes about currently popular titles, which has somewhat become one of the ways to discover new films.
Choose One Based on Your Mood
The way we currently feel can affect how we receive a film. If you feel upbeat after experiencing a good day, you might want to end it by watching a feel-good film. You can also watch a more intense movie since your current mood can balance it out.
If you feel a little sad because of the gloomy weather, you might want to watch warm or comedic titles to lift your spirits. If you really want to lean into the weather, you can watch sad movies too, although that might not be the best idea.
Consider the Duration of the Movie
Streaming services often display the duration of the movie if you hover over it, and you can add this to factors you should consider. For instance, you might not want to watch a movie that's two and a half hours long if you're an hour away from your bedtime.
If you're watching it with someone who tends to get sleepy fast or can't sit too long to watch a long film, maybe choosing one that's only an hour and a half long would suit the situation better. Long movies are very much welcome when you intend to binge for as long as you like.