Whether you're off from work sick, or just planning a lazy Sunday in front of the TV in your PJs, we've found the films that'll satisfy your craving for something light, silly, and easy to watch for the ultimate duvet day. For those of you who are feeling under the weather, we've avoided all things gory [1] and gross-out, and for those who just want to switch their brains off for a while, we've skipped the mind-bending sci-fi and hard-hitting dramas. What you're left with is a mix of silly rom-coms [2], family flicks, '80s classics [3], and hidden gems that'll keep you occupied until you're ready to face the world again. All these films can be streamed on Netflix UK now, so what are you waiting for? Dose yourself up on paracetamol, and prepare for a lazy day of recovery.
Bride and Prejudice
Director Gurinder Chadha puts a Bollywood spin on Jane Austen's classic tale in this 2004 hit, and it won't fail to make you smile. Indian superstar Aishwarya Rai takes the lead as Lalita Bakshi, while New Zealand actor Martin Henderson is her Darcy. Not only will you get to play a game of "spot the cameo" (hello, Alexis Bledel), but you'll be singing "No Life Without Wife" for days after. This riot of fun, colour, and silliness is just what you need when you're feeling under the weather.
Stream it now [4].
La La Land
What could be better, on a day when you're feeling under the weather, than escaping to the city of stars? If you've not seen La La Land before (where have you been?) let me warn you that this one doesn't have quite the happy ending you'd expect, but that doesn't stop it being an absolute joy from start to finish.
Stream it now [5].
Eddie the Eagle
Prepare to fall head over heels in love with Taron Egerton in this uplifting biopic about a tenacious young Brit who won't give up on his Olympic dreams. Based (loosely) on a true story, it follows Eddie as he trains to become a ski jumper. Hugh Jackman [6] costars as the washed-up American who eventually becomes his coach.
Stream it now [7].
The Breakfast Club
If The Breakfast Club is one of those classics you've just never got round to watching, make an impromptu day off the time you finally give it the attention it deserves. If you've seen it before, rest assured it's just as enjoyable on the second, third, or 25th viewing. This was the teen movie that all other teen movies will try to live up to.
Stream it now [8].
Mamma Mia
If anything's going to raise a giggle from you when you're feeling like crap, it's Pierce Brosnan [9] yelling his way through "SOS" like a drunk dad at karaoke. Mamma Mia is brilliant in it's ridiculousness, and what really sells it is that the cast is all in on the joke, laughing straight back at us because they got paid to hang out on a Greek island singing Abba songs with Meryl Streep [10]. Honestly, this is my number one sick day film, and I cannot wait for the sequel [11].
Stream it now [12].
Ant-Man
Marvel's miniature hero makes his debut in a film that perfectly fuses comedy and crime-fighting and is just the right tone for a day when you just want to veg out. Paul Rudd [13] brings his unique brand of charm to tiny superhero Scott Lang, and thanks to the special effects that take us into his ant-size world, even the action moments are laced with just the right amount of humour (just wait for the Thomas the Tank Engine scene).
Stream it now [14].
Maid in Manhattan
In your less-than-lucid state, you'll be able to overlook the fact Jennifer Lopez [15] and Ralph Fiennes [16] are one of the oddest pairings in film history . . . but that's kind of the point in this fish-out-of-water rom-com about a hotel maid who's mistaken for a wealthy guest. Maid in Manhattan is exactly the right kind of light-hearted, happily-ever-after stuff to sniffle your way through on a sick day.
Stream it now [17].
Back to the Future
Fact: you can never watch Back to the Future enough times. It's basically the perfect film. Don't @ me.
Stream it now [18].
Hunt For the Wilderpeople
If you loved Thor: Ragnarok, delve into director Taika Waititi's back catalogue with this brilliantly funny and heartwarming film, which he wrote and directed. It tells the tale of a juvenile delinquent desperate to get child services off his back and the grumpy old man who ends up his guardian. For reasons best left to the film to explain, they end up on the run in the New Zealand bush, and much hilarity ensues.
Stream it now [19].
Josie and the Pussycats
Riverdale [20] fans have to give the OG Josie & The Pussycats a go, but prepare for a completely different tone! Filmed in 2001, at the height of the teen movie renaissance, the film is hilariously tongue-in-cheek. It pokes fun at trends, frequently breaks the fourth wall, features some very memorable cameos, and sends up the entire industry of product placement and advertising. Fun fact: the singing voice of Josie is provided by Kay Hanley of the band Letters to Cleo. The band also appears in another teen classic from the era, 10 Things I Hate About You [21]. Sadly, that's not on Netflix.
Stream it now [22].
The Nice Guys
There is only one thing better than watching this dark buddy comedy with Ryan Gosling [23] and Russell Crowe [24] and that is slowly falling into a five-hour YouTube hole watching all the interviews they did to promote it. Start with the Graham Norton one for a taster [25].
Stream it now [26].
Now You See Me
I'm pretty sure I actually was sick the first time I watched Now You See Me, which may explain why I think its reviews and ratings are a little unfair. Like Ocean's 11 with added magic, it's glossy, fast-paced, and fun. Oh, and Mark Ruffalo [27] is in it. Need I say more?
Stream it now [28].
Power Rangers
When you're feeling sick and all you really want is your mum, the next best thing is surely another form of regression back to your childhood? Last year's Power Rangers film takes your favourite childhood heroes to new heights. Elizabeth Banks stars as Rita Repulsa, and that hot dude out of Stranger Things [29] is the Red Ranger. Pour another lemsip, it's morphin' time.
Stream it now [30].
Safe Haven
You can always rely on a Nicholas Sparks adaptation for a little wallowing. If your duvet day is more about getting over a breakup than recovering from sickness, give love a chance with this schmaltzy tale of finding love when you least expect it. If nothing else, you will come out of this 100 percent convinced that you need to cut your hair exactly like Julianne Hough's [31].
Stream it now [32].
I Capture the Castle
Author Dodie Smith may be more famous for writing "The Hundred and One Dalmatians", but I Capture The Castle is arguably her best work. Voted number 82 in the BBC Big Read's survey of the nation's favourite novels, it's the coming-of-age tale of the Mortmain sisters, who live in "genteel poverty" with their father, stepmother, and younger brother in a crumbling English castle. This 2003 adaptation of the novel stars Romola Garai and Rose Byrne, and it really brings the book to life. If you love period dramas, this one's for you.
Stream it now [33].
Notting Hill
New rule: you can only watch Notting Hill if you live tweet it, just like Moonlight director Barry Jenkins did on a recent flight [34].
Stream it now [35].
The Right Kind of Wrong
Ryan Kwanten (who you'll either know as Vinnie from Home and Away or Jason from True Blood, depending on your age) leads the charge in this surprisingly watchable rom-com about a guy whose romantic life is ruined by an ex-girlfriend's tell-all blog. This film isn't going to change your life, but if you've scrolled through the rest of this list thinking "but I've seen all of those already!", then this will be a lovely way to waste a couple of hours before you resort to binge-watching every episode Friends [36].
Stream it now [37].
13 Going on 30
If you're in desperate need of some warm fuzzies, Jennifer Garner [38] definitely delivers in this much-loved romantic comedy. Bonus: at one point, Gollum does the "Thriller" dance. Seriously.
Stream it now [39].