Who knew a microscopic virus would bring the world to a halt? Being required to shelter-in-place due to the pandemic has allowed people to take the time to sit back, relax and escape into the realm of movies. There have been several popular films that came out around the time of quarantine that have transported their viewers past the walls of their home.

On Feb. 28, 2020, All the Bright Places premiered, directed by Brett Haley. It is a very powerful film, made to appeal to a younger audience. The movie follows two polar opposite teens, who help each other overcome the emotional struggles of their past, and along the way, discover that they don’t always have to focus on the bigger picture. This movie rests on the belief that there is more to a person than how they appear on the outside. Much like how at first glance, the film may seem like a basic teen romance but turned into something much more. It outlined the impact a mental illness can have on someone, especially on an individual so young, which could do some good for teenage viewers dealing with similar issues. The stars, Elle Fanning and Justice Smith brought this film to life and explored the alleviating power of affection. This movie should definitely be added to your movie radar and is easy to access as it is found on the very popular platform, Netflix.

The Hunt which premiered on March 13, 2020, directed by Craig Zobel, is a very gory, but also brutally entertaining film. The movie is about 12 strangers being kidnapped and brought to a secluded area where they are put through an intense and deadly version of hide and seek. There is definite controversy over this film because of the political aspects it introduces.

“The movie coming out was made in order to inflame and cause chaos,” President, Donald Trump stated in a tweet. The Hunt is a commentary on the division between liberals and conservatives. This film has several unexpected twists and turns and will take its viewer by surprise. If you have a deep appreciation for satire or thrillers, this film is definitely for you. This film is quite accessible as it is streamed on many platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and iTunes.

Another movie, Extraction, that premiered on April 24, 2020, directed by Sam Hargrave, is an R-rated film that is violent, heroic and extremely emotional. Tyler (Chris Hemsworth) is hired on a mission to extract Ovi (Rudhraksh Jaiswal), the child of a powerful drug lord in prison, from his kidnappers, protect him and get him home safely. Throughout the movie, Tyler and Ovi form a very special bond, which made the movie more emotional from beginning to end. There was a lot of suspense leading up to each action-packed scene. Chris Hemsworth was definitely made for action-packed movies, as he fit his part in the movie perfectly. This movie was made for you if you are into thrilling, heartfelt films. This film is also very easy to access as it can be found on Netflix.

These films should definitely be added to your movie radar, as they are very entertaining. These movies are sure to take your mind off of this pandemic, and will help you focus on the good things in life such as relaxing, eating sweet savory snacks and of course, watching movies!