By Julie E 
Photo Credit (Pixeles)
Whether you visit the movies for solace, entertainment, or motivation, it may appear at times that the Hollywood industry is run by youthful actors. However, there are many exceptionally gifted older stars in the industry, such as Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, Morgan Freeman, and Dame Helen Mirren.
Though we all have a soft spot for the oldies, if you’re in the market for a change of pace, we’ve compiled a list of films with protagonists who are getting on in years.
- India’s National Flag at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel from 2011
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) is a sparkling ensemble that showcases the finest of British acting ability. It features Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Judi Dench, and Dame Penelope Wilton, among younger actors.
The film is based on Deborah Maggoch’s 2004 novel These Foolish Things, which was renamed after the film came out and is one of our favorite audiobooks featuring older protagonists. In the film, a bunch of British retirees are lured by an advertisement to what they think is an exotic retirement community in Jaipur, India. Things are not at all what they anticipated, though, as they quickly discover upon arriving.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which came out in 2015, is another great installment in the series.
- The Year Something Gives (2003)
In Something’s Gotta Give, Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton play the roles of Erica Barry (in her 50s) and Harry Sanborn (in his 60s). Harry had a heart attack and ends up staying with Erica; they start a relationship despite Harry’s rule that he only dates women under 30. But can two people who couldn’t be more different ever put aside their differences long enough for it to grow?
The majority of romantic comedies feature younger actors, so it’s refreshing to watch one with a somewhat older cast tackling the difficulties of falling in love later in life.
“Grumpy Old Men” from 1993
The plot of this unique romantic comedy from 1993 centers on two antagonistic neighbors, Jack Lemmon’s John Gustafson and Walter Matthau’s Max Goldman, who enjoy ice fishing and pulling pranks on one another. Their connection will change when a woman enters the picture.
Despite being nearly 30 years old, Grumpy Old Men remains a timeless classic that continues to be a favorite among seniors.
- A schedule and a cup of tea (2003) Calendar Girls
One of the greatest films for seniors, Calendar Girls (which came out in 2003), examines the significance of friendship and maintaining one’s sense of humor, and it was a smashing success.
Featuring an impressive ensemble cast that includes Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Julie Walters, Dame Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie, and Philip Glenister, Calendar Girls recounts the authentic account of a WI group from Yorkshire who, in memory of a member’s husband’s death from leukemia, posed naked for a calendar in order to collect money for a charity.
Funny, touching, and tremendously inspiring, Calendar Girls shows what a community can accomplish when its members pull together, making it an essential viewing for any WI member.
- In 2009,
Disney Pixar’s Up, the sole animated feature on our list, is a wonderful picture to see with grandkids and is among the most touching films ever made about older protagonists.
Carl Fredricksen, an obnoxious old guy bereaved of his wife Ellie—a place they had always wanted to visit—died before they could take their dream vacation to Paradise Falls.
In an effort to avoid being evicted from their home, Carl straps thousands of balloons to the roof and sets sail in pursuit of Paradise Falls. Little does he know that 8-year-old Russell is inside, working on his Wilderness Explorer badge for helping the elderly.
Despite the clumsy beginnings, the film becomes a heartwarming tale of the transformative power of friendship across generations as we cheer on Carl’s triumphant arrival in Paradise Falls. Check it out to see if he survives and if he returns Russell home safely.
Bowl of fried green tomatoes (1991) for number six on the list.
Kathy Bates plays Evelyn Crouch, and Jessica Tandy plays Ninny Threadgoode in the 1987 film Fried Green Tomatoes, which is based on Fannie Flagg’s novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.
As Evelyn pays a visit to her husband’s aunt in a nursing home, she meets the old Ninny. As they strike up a conversation, Ninny begins to tell Evelyn stories from her interesting life, particularly those involving the Whistle Stop Cafe’s co-owners, Idgie Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison.
Intergenerational ties and the power of friendship are brilliantly explored in Ninny’s stories, which also cover prejudice, murder, and the lessons we can learn about one another through sharing our stories. Tandy was nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actress for her performance in the film.
- The Ride of a Lifetime (1989)
In Driving Miss Daisy, which starred Morgan Freeman as Hoke Colburn and Jessica Tandy as the titular character, Tandy received the Academy Award for Best Actress. We included it among the most lauded films with aging protagonists because it took home three Oscars: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Makeup.
Miss Daisy, played by Tandy, is a rich widow of 72 years of age. They start getting to know each other after she unwillingly takes Hoke, a 60-year-old chaffeur, following a car accident. Racism, friendship, and the value of learning from others with diverse experiences are some of the topics tackled in the film.
- 2007’s The Bucket List
Our next stop on this tour of timeless films perfect for the elderly is Rob Reiner’s The Bucket List. Jack Nicholson portrays wealthy Edward Cole, and Morgan Freeman reprises her role as automobile mechanic Carter Chambers.
After receiving fatal lung cancer diagnoses, the two men meet in a hospital. In an effort to accomplish everything on his “bucket list” before he passes away, Cole decides to tour the world and see iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, Mount Everest, and the Pyramids. He then teams up with Chambers to make this dream a reality.
ancient Egypt’s pyramids
As their health deteriorates, will they have the opportunity to finish the list? What lessons will they discover about themselves and one another during their journey? Making the most of each and every moment is the message of the inspiring film The Bucket List.
- A Year with Philomena (2013)
Dame Judi Dench was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Philomena Lee in the 2013 film Philomena, in which she costarred with Steve Coogan.
The film is based on the real-life tale of Lee, who spent half a century trying to find her adoptive son Anthony after being compelled to give him up at a convent in the 1950s. Actor Steve Coogan portrays the role of Martin Sixsmith, a journalist assigned to investigate Lee’s story for a human interest piece. He goes on a quest with Lee to Ireland to uncover the truth.
The film’s powerful narrative will resonate with countless women. Despite Dench’s superb performance as Lee, you might want to bring tissues to the theater.
Paintings in an art gallery by the Duke (2020)
Our most up-to-date pick for seniors is The Duke, which came out in theaters in 2021; it hasn’t become a classic just yet, but it will.
The Duke, Roger Michell’s last feature film before his death in 2021, stars Jim Broadbent as Kempton Bunton, a 60-year-old man on trial for the 1961 theft of Goya’s Portrait of the Duke of Wellington from London’s National Gallery. Dame Helen Mirren plays the role of his wife Dorothy, who stands by him during the trial as he fights to have the government improve its care for the elderly.
Fantastically based on a true story, this film brings to life an intriguing period in British history through the performances of an A-list cast and plenty of laughs.
Eleven. The Irishman‘s 2019
The Irishman, starring the legendary Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and Harvey Keitel, is a classic gangster picture, as one would expect from such Hollywood heavyweights. This crime thriller is packed with gunfights, heated arguments, and shocking turns of events as it follows the life of Frank Sheeran, a hitman and WWII veteran. Fans of Martin Scorcese’s previous work, such as Goodfellas and The Godfather trilogy, should not miss this Oscar-nominated picture starring renowned actors.
- Wilderness (2020)
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A woman in her 60s loses her husband and her work in the relatively obscure film Nomadland. In response, she sells all of her possessions, buys a van, and sets out across the United States to live a nomadic life. The protagonist, played by Oscar winner Frances McDormand, is a traveler struggling with loss and seeking solace in the company of others. With breathtaking cinematography and a diverse ensemble that portrays the reality of a nomadic lifestyle in later life, this film was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. - 2019’s The Good Liar
The Good Liar is a suspenseful film about a con artist hunting his next victim, starring two of the greatest British performers of all time, Helen Mirren and Ian McKellan. The con artist pursuing Helen Mirren, a rich widower, is played by Ian McKellan. This basic drama is perfect for a Sunday afternoon, and it features an excellent cast in a cat-and-mouse game. - A Trip to Paris with Mrs. Harris (2022)
In the 1950s, Lesley Manville stars as the titular character, a retired cleaning lady named Mrs. Harris, in the uplifting and heartwarming film Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. After deciding she wants to buy herself a stunning Dior garment, Mrs. Harris takes a solitary trip to Paris. In her quest to find the ideal Dior outfit, Mrs. Harris embarks on an enchanting and hopeful journey in Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. - A Complete Distraction (2022)
Everything, Everywhere, All at Once was a critical smash during its 2023 Oscar presentation, when it won seven statuettes. The protagonist, a middle-aged woman (Michelle Yeoh), goes on a fantastic sci-fi odyssey where she experiences all the lives she could have had. Jamie Lee Curtis and James Hong, who play wealthy supporting roles, are featured in the picture. Watching this film will make you smile, maybe even cry, and most of all reflect on the meaning of life. Without a doubt, this is destined to become a classic of the modern era.
Is Your Adventure Geared Up?
It may be time to start a new chapter in your life and think about moving into a care home if you frequently find yourself watching movies alone or wishing you could have relationships like those you see on TV. One of the great things about living in a residential home is the opportunity to meet new acquaintances of your own age, as well as the younger residents and their caretakers.
In Leeds, Lancashire, Nottingham, Merseyside, and Greater Manchester, you may find contemporary and elegant residential care homes from New Care Homes. For additional information or to schedule a visit, please contact us immediately.