Retirement is your time to relax and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle where you get to do anything and everything you want. Sometimes, that could be putting your feet up, eating some popcorn, and watching a good movie with others in your senior living community.
These seven great movies about retirement are entertaining options for a rainy afternoon. They show characters of retirement age pursuing passions, finding a new path in life, and demonstrating that growth doesn’t have an age limit.
1. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Starring Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, and Tom Wilkinson, this movie follows British retirees who retire to India to live in the Marigold Hotel. However, when they arrive there, they find it’s not quite what they expected. This movie offers beautiful visuals and themes of starting fresh in this stage of life.
2. Up
This Pixar animation is great for all ages – making it a perfect selection for watching with grandchildren. The story is about 78-year-old widower Carl Fredricksen, who escapes to South America by using balloons to lift his house up and away. When he discovers that Russell, a young boy scout, had been aboard the whole time, the two form an unlikely pair as they explore the wilderness.
3. Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again
The sequel to “Mamma Mia!”, the story of a hotelier’s daughter who invites three men to her wedding in the Greek Islands – any of which could be her father. In the sequel, the movie brings back beloved characters and tells two stories simultaneously. There are flashbacks to Donna’s trip throughout Europe where she met Harry, Bill, and Sam. The present-day story features Donna’s daughter Sophie, who reconnects with her mother’s old friends, who are living life to the fullest.
4. Gran Torino
This movie is more serious and dark but compelling. Clint Eastwood plays a bigoted retired veteran living in a neighborhood where gang violence and crimes occur. After an incident where Walt helps out an Asian teenager, the two start to form a friendship. Eastwood’s character shows there are always new things to learn and new friendships to make.
5. Tea with the Dames
This movie is perfect for fans of documentaries and the great leading British actresses of generations. Dames Maggie Smith, Judie Dench, Joan Plowright, and Eileen Atkins gather together for an afternoon of talking and joking about life, their craft, and love. They don’t hold back, and their wit and sense of humor shine through – making this an easy watch and enjoyable for everyone.
6. Ford vs. Ferrari
Car enthusiasts will definitely want to see this film. Based on true events, Ford vs. Ferrari tells the story of the Ford team who built and raced a vehicle to beat the Ferrari team from Italy in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, a prestigious race held in France.
Viewers will appreciate the journey of character Caroll Shelby, who raced and won Le Mans, and in his older age, joined the team to help design a car that could beat Ferrari.
7. Quartet
This comedy-drama features retired performers who live in a retirement home for professional artists. While financial difficulties put the home’s future in jeopardy, a yearly gala where the retirees perform helps raise funds to keep the home running. Continuing to do what they love and connecting with a live audience energizes and fulfills the protagonists’ hearts.
Enjoy a Picture-Perfect Retirement at The Merion
We’re here to help tell your story for a new chapter of your life. While it may not involve winning a 24-hour race or starting a new life in India, it can be an exciting time to embrace your retirement and all that you can accomplish.
Independent living at The Merion is all about providing you with an engaging and vibrant lifestyle. We offer amenities and services with the focus of ensuring your life is as comfortable and worry-free as possible. Some examples include:
- Daily social activities
- Housekeeping
- State-of-the-art fitness center and indoor saltwater pool
- Beautiful spaces including an atrium, library with fireplace, and arts and crafts studio
- Lifelong learning program
Leave the drama for the silver screen, and find out what vibrant senior living looks like. Schedule a tour of our community so you can see what life is like at The Merion.