If He Loves These Movies, It’s A Total Green Flag
Let’s face it: When we talk about the things we love with the people we like, we’re looking for things in common. Even if we’re doing it lightly, we’re totally judging their interests. That’s because someone’s favorite movie says a lot about them. But we’re not talking about red flag movies today. Instead, we’re listing the movies that show he’s a well-rounded person with real human emotions he’s not afraid to share. If he likes these green flag movies–and freely admits it–you might be with someone worth keeping around.
The Mummy (1999)
This is one of those action movies that has something for everyone. Best of all, it has America’s sweetheart, Brendan Fraser. It’s full of hot people, hot desert sun, and hot archeology. What more could you ask for? Anyone who doesn’t like Brendan Fraser or this movie is suspect. If he loves The Mummy, he’ll be your hero without the dose of toxic masculinity you’d often find in action-lovers.
The Princess Bride (1987)
This adventure romance is so ubiquitous, at this point pretty much every guy has it on their list of favorite movies. You’ve got Cary Elwes showing everyone the lengths he’ll go for the woman he loves. Then there’s Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya, not afraid to speak about the trauma of losing his father. At this point, if a guy says he doesn’t like this movie, it feels more like he’s trying to be a “pick-me” than giving his honest opinion of a movie. If he loves The Princess Bride, you know he’s confident enough to admit he likes a “kissing movie,” and that’s reason enough right there.
Amelie (2001)
Not all manic pixie dream girl movies are created equally. For every 500 Days of Summer there’s an Amelie. This sweet French film follows the titular Amelie as she battles her quirky shyness while trying to find a similarly quirky man just as obsessed as she is with public photo booths. If he’s going to be obsessed with main character Amelie, that’s better than a lot of alternatives–because honestly, who doesn’t love her?
Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Take a classic Shakespeare tragedy, but fill it with color, modern music, and gritty character portrayals. That’s how you get Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. Suddenly what could have been a boring and staid play adaptation becomes something everyone could like–even the dudeliest of dudes. If he loves Romeo + Juliet, his emotional depth is deeper than a kiddie pool, which is hard to find these days. Bonus points if he also likes Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge.
Moon (2009)
It’s one thing to love classic laser gun-filled epic sci-fi like Star Wars or Dune, but another to have a quiet character study at the top of your list. Moon follows Sam Rockwell’s character as he works alone in a station on the moon. It’s subtle, it’s emotional, and it’s incredibly well-acted. No big action scenes, no lightsaber battles–just a man finding out the heartbreaking truth of his job. If he loves Moon, you might actually enjoy having him share all his favorite movies with you. The man’s got taste.
Clue (1985)
A swift way to judge someone’s compatibility with you is to learn what they find funny. If he sticks with the fart jokes of Grown Ups, big yikes. Then there’s Clue, a movie so jam-packed with humor, you’ll find new jokes even on your tenth watch. Comedy powerhouses like Madeline Kahn and Tim Curry make this one of the best in the genre. If he loves Clue, you know you can take him home to meet your parents and he won’t embarrass you with his trash sense of humor.
The Birdcage (1996)
You really can’t go wrong when you have Robin Williams in the cast, let alone the comedy gold that is Nathan Lane. When a man brings his fiancé and her family home to meet his two gay dads, all sorts of hijinks ensue. While there are plenty of gems in queer cinema that could count as green flag movies, this one is just plain light-hearted fun and a total product of the time. If he loves The Birdcage, you don’t have to worry about him meeting your LGBT+ friends.
School of Rock (2003)
There aren’t any hot babes or action scenes in School of Rock. It’s just the majesty of Jack Black and a bunch of personality-rich kids with some serious skill when it comes to music. This is one of those fun movies that hits the right note even almost two decades later. If he loves School of Rock, you might actually see a kid-filled future with this guy. Of course, there needs to be more than just liking a movie, but it’s a start.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
On the surface, Eternal Sunshine follows a man in love with the quintessential manic pixie dream girl. But you look deeper and it’s all about how much the love of your life can affect you so deeply that you’re never the same again. That desire to erase your memories of someone you once loved is truly heartbreaking. If he loves Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, he understands just how monumental love can be. That’s emotional depth right there.
Your Favorite Rom-Com
There are a couple of romantic movies already on this list, but they’re the ones that plenty of guys like and aren’t afraid to admit it. But what about the sappy rom-coms so often dubbed “chick flicks?” I’m talking movies like 27 Dresses, 13 Goin on 30, and You’ve Got Mail. If he freely admits that he loves one of your favorite romantic comedies, that’s a keeper right there. Bonus points if he’ll even admit it to his guy friends.