The humble birthday isn’t exactly a holiday usually ᴀssociated with movies. Compared to the deluge of great Christmas movies or horror flicks set during Halloween time, birthdays don’t get as much cinematic love. But many great films that take place during birthdays or feature them heavily are perfect for throwing on at a party.

Instead of music, sometimes a movie is amazing for background noise at a party. The best kinds of party movies are the ones that always provide something entertaining when occasionally glanced at and don’t require tons of attention to follow their stories. It just so happens that many birthday movies match these qualities perfectly.

10

Sixteen Candles

The most iconic of the high school John Hughes movies, Sixteen Candles doesn’t just feature a birthday, but entirely revolves around one. When Chicago teen Sam Baker has her sixteenth birthday forgotten entirely by her family thanks to her sister’s wedding, she doubles down on her own romantic entanglements.

Sixteen Candles offers a relatable coming-of-age story perfect for any birthday occasion, punctuated by outrageous party sequences and hilarious punchlines. Not everything in the film has aged great since the ’80s, but it’s simply another great way to look back at how far things have come, fitting enough for a birthday celebration.

9

13 Going on 30

Movies that play with body-swapping and age are always great fun, from Big to Freaky Friday. A fantastic birthday-themed version of this primed for any party is the rom-com 13 Going on 30, which centers on a young girl who makes a wish on her 13th birthday to already by 30, only to wake up as an adult played by Jennifer Garner the next day.

13 Going on 30 is great for exploring the duality of desire when it comes to age, with kids wanting to grow up fast and adults wishing they could reclaim their youth. The grᴀss is always greener on the other side of the age bracket, and the film pokes fun at this while providing some amazing jokes and performances.

8

Happy Death Day

Despite being branded a horror movie, Happy Death Day is more upbeat than scary, and is a fun slasher for a birthday party crowd that isn’t squeamish about their entertainment. The story centers around a vapid college girl who wakes up trapped in a time loop on her birthday, killed over and over again by a mysterious masked murderer.

From its theme to its baby-faced villain, few movies are as thematically centered around birthdays as Happy Death Day. It’s also one of the best time loop movies outside of Groundhog’s Day, playing with the idea in creative ways that provide a poignant arc for its seemingly shallow final girl.

7

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

The Harry Potter films are a yearly rewatch for many people, and what better occasion to sync up a viewing of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone than one’s own birthday, which could mirror the occasion that marks the start of Harry’s journey. Of course, the rest of the plot is more focused on Harry’s introduction to the wizarding world.

As the first film in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone makes for easy viewing loaded with plenty of nostalgia to thrive on. The sense of wonder and spectacle the movie boasts is perfect for a party occasion, and seeing a young Daniel Radcliffe prove his stardom as a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed year one wizard makes for a great perspective of growth.

6

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring

Another beloved fantasy series that starts with a protagonist’s birthday is The Lord of the Rings. Granted, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring might not be as easy to half-heartedly pay attention to as the first Harry Potter movie, but it’s more than worthy of a watch in the background of a delightful occasion.

Even after the wonderful 111th and 33rd birthdays of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins are celebrated, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring has a lot to enjoy in a party setting. The works of Tolkien are beloved by many for a good reason, and a more fantasy-inclined party composition would be happy to see them played.

5

Toy Story

When it comes to movie series, it’s hard to match the icon status of the Toy Story films, which start strong with the original. It’s easy to forget that the crux of the action of Toy Story begins at a birthday party, with Andy’s biggest-ticket gift, a Buzz Lightyear action figure, eclipsing the love of his classic cowboy Woody doll.

The 3-D animation may be aged by present standards and Woody’s initial treatment of Buzz might be meaner than most remember, but the original Toy Story is still fantastic for reasons beyond nostalgia. The film proves that while change can be scary, it doesn’t have to be a bad thing, a perfect message for getting older.

4

Child’s Play

Despite also being all about the introduction of a sentient toy on a child’s birthday, Child’s Play goes in a completely opposite, but equally fun, direction to Toy Story. When the six-year-old Andy gets a coveted “Good Guy” doll for his birthday, his mother is shocked to learn the spirit of a serial killer is inhabiting the toy.

Child’s Play shows off some stunning puppetry that still shows off today, creating a brand-new type of pint-sized slasher villain whose size betrays his murderous nature. Child’s Play is another fantastic birthday-themed horror movie that’s great fun for a background visualizer at a hectic party.

3

Cat On A H๏τ Tin Roof

For those who appreciate the classics, Cat on a H๏τ Tin Roof is a quintessential birthday party movie whose story is inexorably linked to getting older. An alcoholic athlete whose best years are far behind him has to endure the birthday party of his terminally ill father, with his resentful wife in tow.

While the premise is quite a depressing one on-paper, what Cat on a H๏τ Tin Roof lacks in visual spectacle or kinetic energy, it more than makes up for with some truly phenomenal performances. Exploring themes of nostalgia, regret, and the inexorable march of time, Cat on a H๏τ Tin Roof is a thoughtful choice for a more laid-back gathering.

2

The Birds

For something a little livelier that’s still an iconic blast from the past, one must look no further than Alfred Hitchcock’s filmography for a great birthday movie. The Birds stars Tippi Hedren as a woman who travels to San Francisco for her niece’s birthday party, only to find the whole town attacked by a ferocious flock of birds.

The special effects might be laughable by today’s standards, but that only makes The Birds even more of a good time to throw on with friends. From its ridiculous death sequences to it’s over-the-top performances and bizarre ambiguous ending that sees the birds stop attacking suddenly, The Birds is fantastic birthday party fare.

1

Paddington 2

Few family-friendly films of the 21st century are more beloved than Paddington 2, which has totally eclipsed the first film in popularity and critical appeal. The sequel sees the lovably polite Peruvian bear hunt down a thief who steals his present for Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, putting him in some wacky and hilarious situations.

Paddington 2 ensures that any partygoers who spare a glance at the screen will see something adorable and visually-appealing happening, coming off as a mix of a Disney film and a Wes Anderson movie. Syrupy sweet like a thick jar of marmalade, Paddington 2 wouldn’t go amiss at any birthday party.