10 Movies That Are Better The Second Time You Watch Them

Many films warrant multiple rewatches to truly understand the plot or to catch all of the countless details that are carefully placed throughout its entirety. Other films have such beautiful or unique cinematography that after the first viewing where most audiences are focused on the plot, a second viewing allows the viewer to appreciate its beauty.

There are films in almost every genre that are better the second time watching from thrillers to horror to comedies. These are movies that have rich and detailed plots or hidden moments that are only noticed and appreciated on a second watch.

10 Donnie Darko (2001)

This Jake Gyllenhaal cult classic has a difficult plot to understand in the first viewing and a confusing timeline and ending to it as well. It warrants multiple viewings to understand what is happening, and even then there is debate about what is truly happening on the screen.

It’s an interesting and engaging film that deals with the end of the world, time travel, and coming of age among its themes.

9 Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Grand Budapest Hotel is a quirky Wes Anderson film that has a similar stylistic approach to his other films and a wide cast of interesting characters introduced throughout.

Although this film isn’t as complex as others on this list, it still warrants a rewatch to truly appreciate its cinematography and beautiful imagery in setting and costumery. Once the audience knows the plot and what happens throughout the film after the first viewing, the second viewing can serve to look for more details and appreciate its beauty.

8 Blindspotting (2018)

Blindspotting balances serious drama with a comedic approach that on first viewing is difficult to grasp and the serious subject matters of police brutality and gentrification overshadow the comedy on its first viewing.

On multiple viewings, the audience can appreciate its natural balance and be able to laugh at the jokes and Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal’s chemistry without making light of its more serious moments.

7 Clue (1985)

Clue is a hilarious and wickedly smart film that is based on the board game of the same name. All of the characters from the game, and the weapons represented in the game, are present and the central mystery of who kills who with what is well alive in the witty film.

There is so much packed into this film from puns to visual gags to mystery that it’s difficult to catch everything the first time and is more enjoyable on the second watch when the viewer can catch more.

6 Memento (2000)

Memento is a purposefully confusing film on its first viewing. The mystery is slowly revealed throughout the film leading up to its climactic conclusion when the entire mystery of the plot is divulged.

The Christopher Nolan film demands a rewatch to catch all of the little hidden details throughout the film that do, in fact, foreshadow the ending of the film.

5 Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

The first viewing of Rocky Horror Picture Show sweeps up its audience in all of its unique quirks that it’s difficult to actually pay attention to the characters and songs throughout.

People are more confused at each new scene that surprises them on their first viewing that they miss the details, specific characters, and songs that are more accessible in a second viewing.

4 Spaceballs (1987)

This Mel Brooks film has so many little details and gags that there’s no way a viewer can catch everything on their first viewing.

The second viewing, and multiple viewings after, the audience will catch more puns, jokes, and visual gags. It’s also worth going back to rewatch some Star Wars before giving this spoof film another watch if the viewer is not familiar with the franchise so the Star Wars related jokes are all appreciated as well.

3 Hereditary (2018)

Hereditary is a psychological horror film from Ari Aster that reaches its epic climax after an increasingly uncomfortable and odd viewing experience, but overall it serves a film experience like no other. There are multiple hidden details that help the audience predict the end of the film, but they are more easily noticed on a second viewing when the audience already knows what happens at the end of the film.

If the viewer enjoyed the experience this film provides the first time around, it’s certainly worth a few more watches to catch even more details throughout.

2 Get Out (2018)

This psychological thriller and horror from Jordan Peele merits multiple viewings as most of the first viewing warrants trying to figure out exactly what’s going on under the surface of the Armitage family. There’s something off, and the verging on slow burn film doesn’t reveal all until near the end.

The second viewing of Get Out, and multiple viewings after, allow the audience to look for its rich details as they already know what the secret horrors of the film are and can look for clues that led up to the reveal.

1 Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is a stylistic film is a lot to take in on the first viewing and it takes a bit of time to get comfortable with the comic book style and fast pacing.

It’s extremely chaotic during its first viewing and if the viewer isn’t prepared it can be a little off-putting and is much more enjoyable once the viewer accepts and enjoys the style and interesting approach to the comic book genre.

About The Author