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“What’s your favorite movie?” is and has been a standard question for a long time. And why not? After all, from seniors to preschoolers, it’s a question that can reveal quite a bit about a person.
Here’s how to figure out your own favorite movie.
Reflect on Past Favorites
A good start is figuring out common themes from the films you’ve often enjoyed. Then, really think about what elements, like genre, storyline, characters, or emotions, have consistently drawn you in. For instance, if you often find yourself absolutely loving epic fantasy adventures like “The Lord of the Rings” and “Harry Potter,” there’s a very good chance you have a preference for this genre.
Then, you also want to think about the emotional impact they’ve had on you. Did a particular film leave a lasting impression on your emotions? For example, if “Schindler’s List” moved you to tears with its powerful storytelling, you probably love emotionally impactful dramas.
Explore Different Genres
Step out of your comfort zone! Often, we gravitate toward familiar genres, and while that’s great, exploring as many widely different films as you can, including those you might not typically consider, is how you’ll really get it.
To help you pinpoint your preferences, keep a movie journal where you can jot down your thoughts on each film you watch. You can write whatever strikes you, but if you’d like to see patterns emerging you want to make notes about things like what you liked and disliked regarding the plot, characters, and cinematography.
Discuss and Share
Engaging in conversations with others about movies is a fun but effective way to figure out your favorite movie.
For example, discussing the themes and symbolism in “Inception” with fellow movie enthusiasts can provide fresh insights into your own preferences.
Also, it’s a good idea to use recommendation services like Netflix’s algorithm or IMDb’s personalized suggestions as they’re specifically built to analyze your viewing history and preferences and recommend movies to keep you watching.
Seek Recommendations from Trusted Human Sources
Yet, while algorithms are great, there are few things quite like recommendations from someone who knows and loves movies.
Almost always, the people you trust and share similar tastes with can introduce you to films you’ll likely love. Ask friends, family, or online movie communities for their top movie recommendations based on your interests.
As you gather these recommendations, make an effort to watch the suggested films; your friends or community members may offer valuable insights into why they think you’d enjoy a particular movie. And this is how many people discover hidden cinematic gems that are seemingly made for you.
Honestly, you don’t need to have just the one favorite movie! Still, it’s a good idea to figure out a standard answer for questions such as this.
