Movies About Marathons

From George Lucas, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope is an epic space-opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the fourth installment of the original Star Wars trilogy and the first installment of the Star Wars franchise. Set nineteen years after the forming of the Galactic Empire, the story revolves around a group of freedom fighters who band together to defeat the Empire and restore justice and peace in the galaxy. The main protagonist, Luke Skywalker, is a young farm boy living on the desert planet of Tatooine. After he discovers that his aunt and uncle have been killed by Imperial Stormtroopers, Luke becomes involved in the Rebel Alliance's mission to destroy the Empire's ultimate weapon, the Death Star. Along the way, he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, an old Jedi Knight who helps him to master the Force and become a full-fledged Jedi. With the help of his friends, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Princess Leia, Luke embarks on a mission to destroy the Death Star and ultimately defeats the Empire.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover
Rated PG

Back to the Future is a classic 1985 time travel movie directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a teenage boy who travels back in time to 1955 with the help of a Delorean time machine. In 1955, he accidentally interferes with his parents' first meeting and must bring them together in order to return to his own time. Along the way, he encounters his eccentric scientist friend, Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd), and together they must prevent Marty's future from being erased. With the help of a few friends and a lot of luck, they manage to get Marty back to 1985 and set his future back on track.

From Ridley Scott, starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Rated R

Alien is a science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and released in 1979. The movie follows the crew of the commercial space tug Nostromo as they investigate a distress call coming from an abandoned alien spacecraft. The crew discovers a lifeform, the terrifying Xenomorph, which begins to hunt and kill the crew one by one. The only survivor is Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), a warrant officer who must battle her fear and the alien to save herself and her ship. The movie was a critical and commercial success and spawned several sequels and prequels.

From Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff, starring Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Whoopi Goldberg
Rated G

The Lion King (1994) is an animated feature film directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, and produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. The film tells the story of Simba, a young lion cub who is heir to the Pride Lands of Africa. After his father Mufasa is killed in a wildebeest stampede, Simba is tricked into believing he is responsible and flees into exile. In his absence, his wicked uncle Scar plots to take over the Pride Lands by inciting a rebellion. Meanwhile, Simba is rescued by the wise baboon Rafiki and learns to accept his destiny and face his fears. Together with his friends, Timon and Pumbaa, Simba reclaims his kingdom and defeats Scar. In the end, Simba is crowned King of the Pride Lands and his family is reunited. The film features the voices of Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, and Jeremy Irons, and includes such memorable songs as 'Hakuna Matata' and 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight'. The Lion King was a critical and commercial success, winning two Academy Awards and becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all-time.

From John Lasseter, starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney
Rated G

Toy Story is an animated film directed by John Lasseter. It tells the story of a group of toys who come to life when humans are not around. The main character is a pull-string cowboy doll named Woody, who is the leader of the toys and best friends with a spaceman toy named Buzz Lightyear. When a new toy, a space ranger action figure, is brought into the house, Woody and Buzz compete for the attention of Andy, their young human owner. The toys then have to go on a quest to get back to Andy's house before he moves away. Along the way, they face many challenges and must learn the importance of friendship and loyalty. At the end, the toys are reunited with Andy and learn the true meaning of being a toy.

From Directors: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam
Rated PG

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a 1975 British comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones. It tells the story of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table as they embark on a surreal and comedic quest for the Holy Grail. Along the way they encounter a variety of characters including the Black Knight, the Bridge of Death, the Three-Headed Giant, the Killer Rabbit and a giant animatronic lumberjack. The film features a number of classic comedy routines, such as the argument between the knights about the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow, and the classic song "Knights of the Round Table." The film also features a number of references to historical and mythical elements, such as the Knights of the Round Table and the figure of Merlin. The film is widely considered one of the greatest comedies of all time and has become an iconic part of popular culture.

From John McTiernan, starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson
Rated R

Die Hard is an American action film directed by John McTiernan, starring Bruce Willis as John McClane, an NYPD detective who travels to Los Angeles to visit his wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), at a Christmas party at her employer's Nakatomi Plaza office building. When it is taken over by a group of terrorists led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), McClane must fight the terrorists single-handedly in order to save his wife and those held hostage. The terrorists plan to steal millions in bearer bonds from a safe in the building, but McClane foils their plan and kills all the terrorists, except for Gruber. McClane's courage and resourcefulness earns him the respect of the authorities, including Deputy Chief Dwayne T. Robinson (Paul Gleason).

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Ken Watanabe, Liam Neeson
Rated PG-13

Batman Begins is the first installment in Christopher Nolan's Batman film trilogy. It follows Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) as he seeks to discover the truth behind his parents' murders and decides to fight crime in Gotham City as the vigilante Batman. He is trained by the mysterious League of Shadows and its leader, Ra's al Ghul (Liam Neeson). Along the way, he gains allies like Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) and Detective Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman), while coming face-to-face with dangerous villains like Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson) and the Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy). In the end, Batman triumphs over evil and returns to Gotham a hero.

From Directors: Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Mervyn LeRoy, Norman Taurog, Richard Thorpe, King Vidor, starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr
Rated PG

The Wizard of Oz (1939) is a classic American fantasy film directed by a collective of directors, Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Mervyn LeRoy, Norman Taurog, Richard Thorpe, and King Vidor. It tells the story of Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who is transported to the magical world of Oz. Accompanied by her pet dog, Toto, Dorothy embarks on a journey to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz, hoping he can help her find her way back home. Along the way, she meets a Scarecrow in search of a brain, a Tin Man in search of a heart, and a Cowardly Lion in search of courage. With the help of her newfound friends, Dorothy must face the Wicked Witch of the West in order to get back to Kansas. The Wizard of Oz is a beloved classic that is celebrated for its iconic characters, vivid visuals, and timeless message about the power of courage, friendship, and home.

From Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker, starring Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman
Rated G

Aladdin is a 1992 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The film is the 31st Disney animated feature film, and was the fourth produced during the Disney Renaissance. The film is based on the Arabic folktale of the same name from One Thousand and One Nights. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, with a screenplay written by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S.H. Schulman, it is the first installment in the Disney's Aladdin franchise. The film follows Aladdin, an impoverished street urchin, as he falls in love with Princess Jasmine. When he is recruited by Jafar, a grand vizier of Agrabah, to retrieve a magical lamp from the Cave of Wonders, Aladdin unwittingly unleashes a powerful genie, who grants him three wishes. With the help of the genie, Aladdin attempts to win over Jasmine and thwart Jafar's evil plot. The voice cast includes Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman, Gilbert Gottfried, and Frank Welker. Alan Menken composed the film's score, with lyrics written by Howard Ash

From Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise, starring Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Jesse Corti, Rex Everhart
Rated G

Beauty and the Beast is a 1991 animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, it is the 30th film in the Disney Animated Canon. The film is based on the fairy tale of the same name, and is the third animated adaptation of the story. The film tells the story of an arrogant prince cursed by an enchantress to live as a terrifying beast until he learns to love and be loved in return. To break the curse, he must find true love before a certain amount of time passes, otherwise he will remain a beast forever. He is aided in his quest by a beautiful, book-loving young woman who, despite her fear and disgust at the Beast's outward appearance, eventually learns to look beyond it. The film features an ensemble voice cast that includes Robby Benson, Paige O'Hara, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, Angela Lansbury, and Rex Everhart. Beauty and the Beast was released to critical acclaim, becoming the first animated film to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. It was also a commercial success, grossing over $425 million worldwide against its $25 million budget, becoming the third highest-

From Peter Jackson, starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis
Rated PG-13

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a 2012 epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson. Based on the 1937 novel The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, it is the first installment in The Hobbit film series, which is a prequel to Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. The story follows the journey of hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who is hired by the wizard Gandalf to help thirteen dwarves reclaim their ancestral homeland from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo encounters various creatures, including the creature Gollum, who holds a mysterious ring that holds great power. The film also stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, and Elijah Wood. The film was both a critical and financial success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and earning numerous awards.

From Pierre Morel, starring Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Leland Orser
Rated PG-13

Taken is a 2008 French action thriller directed by Pierre Morel. Starring Liam Neeson, the film follows retired CIA operative Bryan Mills as he sets out to rescue his daughter, Kim, from Albanian human traffickers who had abducted her while vacationing in Paris. With the help of a former colleague, Bryan embarks on a mission to find Kim and take down the criminal organization responsible, all while fighting off relentless pursuers. Along the way, Bryan discovers a larger conspiracy involving the trafficking of young women, and his skills and resolve are tested as he attempts to save his daughter and bring an end to the criminal enterprise.

From Ivan Reitman, starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis
Rated PG

Ghostbusters is a 1984 supernatural comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The film stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Ernie Hudson and Rick Moranis. The story follows three eccentric parapsychologists in New York City who start a ghost-catching business. After they are fired from their jobs at a university, they set up shop as "Ghostbusters" and soon gain notoriety for their paranormal elimination services. They investigate strange paranormal phenomena and battle with a variety of ghastly ghosts, and must stop an ancient evil spirit from wreaking havoc on the city. The film was a commercial success, grossing more than $282 million at the box office and becoming the highest-grossing comedy of that time. It also spawned a successful sequel, Ghostbusters II, released in 1989.

From James Whale, starring Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff, John Boles
Rated Passed

Frankenstein (1931), directed by James Whale, is a horror classic based on Mary Shelley's novel. The film tells the story of Dr. Frankenstein, a brilliant scientist who creates a monster from the parts of corpses. After the creature comes to life, Dr. Frankenstein is horrified by his creation and rejects him, leading the creature to become an outcast in society. Alone and desperate, the creature seeks revenge on his creator and those around him, leading to a fateful showdown between the two. The film is a masterpiece of Gothic horror and has become an iconic representation of the genre.

From Kevin Smith, starring Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonauer
Rated R

Clerks is a 1994 comedy film written, produced and directed by Kevin Smith. The film follows the day-to-day lives of two convenience store clerks, Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) and Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson). The two clerks spend their days bantering with each other, talking to customers, and getting involved in various ridiculous situations. Along the way, they become entangled with drug dealers, a funeral procession, a customer trying to sue Dante for damages, a job hunt, and a hockey game. Through it all, the two clerks manage to maintain their friendship and sense of humor as they navigate their way through the day.

From John Carpenter, starring Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran, Nancy Kyes
Rated R

Halloween is a 1978 independent horror film directed by John Carpenter, and written by Carpenter and Debra Hill. It stars Jamie Lee Curtis as a teenage babysitter who must protect herself and a group of children from a masked killer, Michael Myers, played by Nick Castle. The film follows Myers as he escapes from a mental institution and stalks Laurie Strode, the babysitter, and her friends. The film has become a classic of the horror genre, spawning several sequels and inspiring a number of other movies. It has also become a cultural touchstone, with the Michael Myers mask becoming a Halloween staple and the film's theme song being widely recognized.

From Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, starring Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett
Rated PG

The Lego Movie is a 2014 computer-animated adventure comedy film directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, based on the Lego toy series. It follows Emmet, an ordinary Lego minifigure, who is mistakenly identified as the "Special" – an extraordinary person who is prophesied to save the world from an impending evil. With the help of his friends, Emmet embarks on a rescuing mission to stop the evil tyrant Lord Business from gluing the Lego universe into an endless genre of his choosing. Along the way, Emmet learns that he is much more than just an ordinary minifigure, and he is the key to saving the Lego universe. The film stars Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, and Morgan Freeman.

From James Wan, starring Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, Danny Glover, Ken Leung
Rated R

Saw is a horror movie directed by James Wan and released in 2004. It focuses on two men, Adam and Lawrence, who wake up in a dilapidated bathroom with no memory of how they got there. They quickly discover they are part of a sadistic game set up by the mysterious Jigsaw Killer, who kidnaps people and puts them in deadly traps in order to teach them a lesson about the value of life. With the help of another captive, they must figure out how to escape the bathroom and evade Jigsaw's traps before it's too late. The film is filled with suspense, horror, and gore, and it has gone on to become one of the most influential horror films of all time.

From James Frawley, starring Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt
Rated G

The Muppet Movie (1979) tells the story of Kermit the Frog and his fellow Muppets, who set off on a grand adventure to pursue their dreams of fame and fortune in Hollywood. Along their journey, they encounter a variety of obstacles and characters, including a villainous Doc Hopper and his assistant, who are determined to make Kermit the face of their fried frog-legs empire. With the help of their friends, including Fozzie Bear and Miss Piggy, the Muppets must use their wit and wisdom to overcome their enemies and reach their goals. Throughout their journey, they learn the importance of friendship and loyalty, and ultimately find success in the end.

From David Zucker, starring Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, O.J. Simpson, Ricardo Montalban
Rated PG-13

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is a 1988 comedy film, and the first of three in the Naked Gun film series. Directed by David Zucker, and starring Leslie Nielsen as the bumbling police lieutenant Frank Drebin, the film follows Lt. Drebin in his attempts to foil a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II while attending a baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Along the way, he must contend with a range of quirky characters, including an evil villain, a beautiful woman, and a suspiciously familiar police chief. Along with its signature sight gags and physical comedy, the film features a number of celebrity cameos, including O.J. Simpson, George Kennedy, Ricardo Montalban and Priscilla Presley. The film was a critical and commercial success, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

From Chris Columbus, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith
Rated PG

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the first installment in the Harry Potter film series directed by Chris Columbus and based on the novel of the same name. The film follows Harry Potter, an orphaned boy who discovers that he is a wizard and has been invited to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along with his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry embarks on a magical journey to find the fabled Sorcerer's Stone, a legendary artifact that could grant Harry's greatest wish - to be reunited with his dead parents. Along the way, they must face a host of enemies, including the evil Lord Voldemort, who is determined to use the Stone for sinister purposes. With the help of their teachers and Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, Harry, Ron, and Hermione must outwit their adversaries and keep the Stone from falling into the wrong hands.

From Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker, starring Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Rene Auberjonois, Christopher Daniel Barnes
Rated G

The Little Mermaid is a classic 1989 animated Disney musical fantasy film directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. It tells the story of Ariel, a mermaid princess who is fascinated with life on land. When she defies her father and visits the surface, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula to become human for three days. Ariel must win the love of the prince and break the witch's spell before the sun sets on the third day, or she will become Ursula's prisoner forever. Along the way, Ariel is aided by her fish friends Flounder and Sebastian, and the comedic duo of seagulls Scuttle and Scuttlebutt. With the help of her newfound friends, Ariel embarks on a journey of self-discovery and adventure as she discovers what it truly means to be human.

From Rupert Wyatt, starring James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, Karin Konoval
Rated PG-13

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a science fiction action film directed by Rupert Wyatt and released in 2011. It is a reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise, which began in 1968. The story follows the journey of Caesar, a chimpanzee given enhanced intelligence by a DNA-altering drug developed by a scientist. Caesar, now able to think and communicate like a human, leads a revolution of apes in order to take back their freedom and eventually take over the world. After a series of escalating conflicts between humans and apes, Caesar leads a full scale revolt against the humans and eventually succeeds in overthrowing the human race, setting the stage for the original Planet of the Apes series.

From Richard Donner, starring Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, Harvey Stephens, David Warner
Rated R

The Omen is a 1976 psychological horror film directed by Richard Donner and written by David Seltzer. The film follows Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck), an American diplomat in Rome, who discovers that his son, Damien (Harvey Stephens) is actually the Antichrist. After bizarre and frightening events start to occur, Robert and his wife, Katherine (Lee Remick), become convinced that Damien is the Antichrist and must do whatever it takes to stop him before he brings about the end of the human race. With the help of a priest (Patrick Troughton) and a photographer (David Warner), Robert and Katherine race against time to save the world from Damien's evil powers.