How do you decide when you’re ready to rewatch a movie or TV show? (Let’s set aside your absolute, all-time favorite movies and TV shows.)
Replies
When I've forgotten enough of it that I will be surprised by some of what happens.
sep 1, 2025, 4:39 pm • 4 0 • view
I just really feel like it and can’t ignore the want anymore.
sep 1, 2025, 4:51 pm • 1 0 • view
There are a couple books and movie I read after every major life inflection (moving cities, relationships, new career, etc). I usually get something different out of them each time
sep 1, 2025, 8:09 pm • 0 0 • view
When something in my real life makes the story newly relevant or makes me want to revisit it.
sep 1, 2025, 5:05 pm • 3 0 • view
When I vaguely remember good/interesting vibes from it but not the details. .... So the next day I guess
sep 1, 2025, 4:36 pm • 5 0 • view
I attach seasons to things—for example, I’m going to rewatch Talented Mr Ripley tonight because it’s an “end of August/beginning of September” film for me. My Mom and I rewatch Band of Brothers in the winter.
sep 1, 2025, 4:37 pm • 2 0 • view
Most things I don’t rewatch unless I feel like I’ve missed something crucial. If I’m unsettled by a story, I need to engage with it more than once, but I usually need to let it sit for a few years.
sep 1, 2025, 4:38 pm • 0 0 • view
Have you watched the series remake on Netflix called Ripley? It's Andrew Scott and it's in black and white. It's really good.
sep 1, 2025, 4:43 pm • 2 0 • view
I have not and it’s because I’m emotionally attached to the Minghella & Damon interpretation of Ripley, and as I understand it the series sticks more faithfully to Highsmith’s conception of the character. Love Andrew Scott and Johnny Flynn, but I’m not ready for it yet 😆
sep 1, 2025, 4:47 pm • 1 0 • view
I do this with books. That thin, hard crust of deep winter is when I re-read Trinity. "The goal of the brotherhood is to sharpen its teeth and die hard."
sep 1, 2025, 4:42 pm • 1 0 • view
Haven't seen a movie worth rewatching in awhile, but it's usually the media that leaves a distinct feeling that I might want to recapture. The "coziness" of something like Delicious in Dungeon or the ribald defiance of "Honey Don't"
sep 1, 2025, 4:39 pm • 0 0 • view
100% based on vibes
sep 1, 2025, 5:21 pm • 0 0 • view
It’s always a battle between rewatching and trying something new. I rewatch when 1) I think I may have new insight or am curious to see if my reaction has changed or 2) I’m introducing someone to it and want to watch with to see their reaction.
sep 1, 2025, 4:39 pm • 2 0 • view
Mood. Some days, I need a hit of Olivia Pope. Spooky season will always bring me back to my girl, Wednesday. And when I am NOT to be tried, well, why else did they even MAKE John Wick? 🎬
sep 1, 2025, 10:45 pm • 0 0 • view
If I keep thinking about it, and a huge hunk of time becomes available. (Lazy weekend or holiday)
sep 1, 2025, 6:29 pm • 0 0 • view
I feel like it's right around the time that the feeling of watching it is slipping from memory, if that makes sense? I'm almost due for a Good Place re-watch for that reason. I remember the plot but I'm starting to get a little fuzzy on how it felt watching it the first time.
sep 1, 2025, 4:38 pm • 3 0 • view
Oh yeah I wanna feel those feelings again
sep 1, 2025, 4:39 pm • 1 0 • view
When you find yourself thinking about it—and using it in pop-culture references—more often than not; it's probably time.
sep 1, 2025, 4:43 pm • 0 0 • view
When I'm out of other things to watch. When someone else mentions it. Maybe if its vibe matches the current season, e.g. Penny Dreadful.
sep 1, 2025, 4:43 pm • 0 0 • view
Rewatching "The Wire" now because I'm positive it's Trump's reasoning that DC is a lawless waste land. Yes, I know its based in Baltimore but we are talking about a doddering old racist
sep 1, 2025, 4:57 pm • 0 0 • view
When I want noise but don’t want to focus on the screen. So mostly when I’m working.
sep 1, 2025, 4:44 pm • 2 0 • view
when an emotional draw kicks in or I need what I know it will deliver or it's something I loved and have forgotten the details to. (The Good Place has been a recent absolutely perfect rewatch)
sep 1, 2025, 4:52 pm • 0 0 • view
When I'm trying to remember something (characters, scene details, side quests) but don't, it's time for a rewatch. Mood has to be right, though! September feels like a good time to rewatch the original True Detective.
sep 1, 2025, 4:44 pm • 1 0 • view
For a TV show: It needs to be at least five years since it ended and/or there needs to be something happening culturally. Last fall while on medical leave, I watched VEEP. This year, maybe it’ll be The Leftovers. For a movie: It’s usually showing it to a friend or loved one who hasn’t seen it.
sep 1, 2025, 6:10 pm • 0 0 • view
When I am randomly reminded of it on social media and think "Oh yeah, I should watch that again."
sep 1, 2025, 4:49 pm • 5 0 • view
When someone else mentions it.
sep 1, 2025, 4:42 pm • 0 0 • view
— When I can’t stop thinking about it. — I want to watch with a specific person (Sinners) — Sister Act 2 is on.
sep 1, 2025, 4:55 pm • 5 0 • view
last year I learned the concept of “ontological security” as it’s used in the field of television studies. now I think about it whenever I want to rewatch something - what existential insecurity am I soothing with the comfort of repeated joy?
sep 1, 2025, 10:41 pm • 0 0 • view
When I need someone else to see it and it’s the only way they will
sep 1, 2025, 4:37 pm • 0 0 • view
vibes. which, to be fair, is how i decide when to watch 90% of my watch lists
sep 1, 2025, 5:41 pm • 3 0 • view
Sometimes its as simple as "oh, thats available, and I've got open time" Other times its "It has been long enough that I only vaguely remember the experience and want to refresh those feelings"
sep 1, 2025, 5:23 pm • 0 0 • view
Just a matter of mood. "Hey, what about {x}? Oh, yeah, why not?"
sep 1, 2025, 5:48 pm • 0 0 • view
I have work to do and I need background sound that’s less intrusive than music. Imma slave to rhythm
sep 1, 2025, 5:00 pm • 3 0 • view
When I think my youngest child is old enough to watch it.
sep 1, 2025, 5:22 pm • 0 0 • view
When I find myself squeezing minuscule moments of joy out of late stage capitalism by watching the random clips from that show in my algorithm, I know it is time.
sep 1, 2025, 7:28 pm • 4 0 • view
R E A L.
sep 1, 2025, 7:29 pm • 2 0 • view
Anyway, eat the rich but time for Downton Abbey.
sep 1, 2025, 7:31 pm • 1 0 • view
when I don't remember details
sep 1, 2025, 4:37 pm • 31 0 • view
Yeah we went back to season 1 of GOT recently and really enjoyed it
sep 1, 2025, 4:41 pm • 0 0 • view
Same.
sep 1, 2025, 4:38 pm • 0 0 • view
When I want to spend time with the characters again.
sep 1, 2025, 4:40 pm • 7 0 • view
For me it’s usually some offhand reference that brings the show back to mind and I think “Huh, haven’t watched that in a while.” CUE BINGE!
sep 1, 2025, 4:54 pm • 1 0 • view
if there are no outside reasons (read a fascinating new take; someone else wants to see it; i turn a rewatch into part of one of the odd little projects i give myself) it’s when the thought becomes compulsive and intrusive enough that it hits a few times in a week, for a few weeks in a row?
sep 1, 2025, 4:41 pm • 2 0 • view