Several movies featuring a long weekend or involve events taking place during a short period. When you use a contained period of time, you are doing two things: firstly, you are using a ‘time-lock’. And secondly, because we all have experienced a long weekend, you are using a universal moment.
Here’s a list of films of some of my favourite long weekend movies that you may find interesting, and use for research on how to use a holiday weekend in your story:
1.Weekend at Bernie’s (1989)
“Weekend at Bernie’s” is a 1989 American comedy film directed by Canadian Ted Kotcheff and written by Robert Klane. The movie stars Andrew McCarthy as Larry Wilson and Jonathan Silverman as Richard Parker. They portray two young and ambitious insurance company employees. After discovering a fraud scheme that involves their boss, Bernie Lomax (played by Terry Kiser), they report it to him, unaware that he is the one behind it.
To silence them, Bernie invites Larry and Richard to his luxurious beach house for the weekend. He plans to have them killed by a hitman. However, when they arrive, they find Bernie already dead, having been murdered by his mob associate. In an effort to enjoy the weekend and avoid suspicion, they decide to pretend Bernie is still alive. This leads to a series of comedic situations as they lug the corpse around, attempting to convince everyone that he’s just enjoying himself.
“Weekend at Bernie’s” received mixed reviews from critics but has since gained a cult following for its dark humor and the physical comedy performances by McCarthy and Silverman. The film’s success led to a sequel, “Weekend at Bernie’s II” (1993), which continues the adventures of Larry and Richard with Bernie’s corpse.
The Big Chill (1983)
“The Big Chill” is a 1983 American comedy-drama film directed by Lawrence Kasdan, who co-wrote the screenplay with Barbara Benedek. The film features an ensemble cast, including Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, and JoBeth Williams.
The plot revolves around a group of former college friends who reunite for a weekend after the funeral of one of their friends, Alex, who committed suicide. Gathering at the South Carolina vacation home of Harold (Kline) and Sarah (Close), the friends spend the weekend reminiscing about their college days, discussing their current lives, and rekindling old relationships. The film explores themes of friendship, love, and loss while navigating the complexities of the characters’ relationships and their personal growth.
“The Big Chill” was well-received by critics and audiences alike, praised for its strong ensemble cast, witty dialogue, and relatable themes. It was nominated for several awards, including three Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Glenn Close, and Best Original Screenplay), and won two Golden Globe Awards (Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical and Best Supporting Actress – Glenn Close). The film’s soundtrack, which features iconic songs from the 1960s, has also become a classic, contributing to the film’s enduring popularity.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
“Dirty Dancing” is a 1987 American romantic drama film directed by Emile Ardolino and written by Eleanor Bergstein. The film stars Jennifer Grey as Frances “Baby” Houseman, a young woman from an affluent family, and Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle, a dance instructor at a holiday resort. Set in the summer of 1963, the film takes place at the fictional Kellerman’s Resort in the Catskill Mountains of New York.
The story follows Baby, who is vacationing with her family at the resort. She becomes intrigued by the staff’s after-hours parties, where they engage in “dirty dancing,” a sensual and provocative style of dance. Baby soon meets and falls in love with Johnny, the resort’s dance instructor. When Johnny’s dance partner, Penny (Cynthia Rhodes), becomes pregnant and needs to have an abortion, Baby steps in to take her place in a crucial dance performance, leading to an intense and transformative experience for both her and Johnny.
“Dirty Dancing” was a massive box office hit, and it has since become a beloved classic, praised for its memorable soundtrack, iconic dance sequences, and the chemistry between Grey and Swayze. The film won numerous awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song for “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. The film’s popularity has led to several stage adaptations, a prequel titled “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” (2004), and a 2017 television movie remake.
Friday the 13th (1980)
“Friday the 13th” is a 1980 American slasher film directed by Sean S. Cunningham and written by Victor Miller. The film is the first installment in the long-running “Friday the 13th” franchise and has since become a significant influence on the slasher genre. The story takes place at the fictional Camp Crystal Lake, which has been closed for years due to a tragic drowning and a double homicide.
The plot follows a group of young camp counselors who are preparing to reopen the camp for the summer. Unbeknownst to them, an unknown killer is stalking and murdering them one by one. As the body count rises, the remaining counselors must uncover the killer’s identity and motive to survive the terrifying ordeal.
“Friday the 13th” became a box-office success, grossing over $59 million worldwide on a modest budget. Although it received mixed reviews from critics, the film has since gained a cult following and is considered a classic in the horror genre. The success of “Friday the 13th” spawned numerous sequels, a crossover with the “A Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise, a 2009 reboot, and various spin-offs in other media, such as novels, comic books, and video games. The character of Jason Voorhees, who appears as a young boy in the first film and becomes the primary antagonist in later installments, has become one of the most iconic figures in horror cinema.
American Pie (1999)
“American Pie” is a 1999 American teen sex comedy film directed by Paul Weitz and co-written by Adam Herz and brothers Chris and Paul Weitz. The film stars an ensemble cast, including Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Alyson Hannigan, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Tara Reid, Mena Suvari, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Seann William Scott, and Eugene Levy.
The movie focuses on a group of high school friends who make a pact to lose their virginity by prom night. Each of the friends faces various comedic and awkward situations as they try to navigate the complexities of teenage relationships, friendships, and their impending transition to college life. The film explores themes of coming-of-age, peer pressure, and the desire for sexual experiences.
“American Pie” was a significant box office success, grossing over $235 million worldwide. The film received mixed reviews from critics but has since become a cult classic, known for its raunchy humor and memorable scenes. Its popularity led to several sequels, including “American Pie 2” (2001), “American Wedding” (2003), and “American Reunion” (2012), as well as a series of direct-to-DVD spin-off films. The franchise has left an enduring mark on popular culture and is often credited with revitalizing the teen comedy genre in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
“Cabin in the Woods” is a horror-comedy movie released in 2012, directed by Drew Goddard and co-written by Goddard and Joss Whedon. The film follows a group of college students who take a weekend trip to a remote cabin in the woods, where they become unwitting pawns in a mysterious and twisted experiment.
Without giving too much away, the movie is a deconstruction of the horror genre, subverting the usual tropes and expectations of a typical horror movie. It’s a clever, self-aware film that plays with audience expectations and delivers plenty of scares and laughs.
The movie stars Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, and Jesse Williams. It received positive reviews from critics and has since gained a cult following.
Sideways (2004)
“Sideways” is a comedy-drama movie released in 2004, directed by Alexander Payne and written by Payne and Jim Taylor. The film follows two middle-aged friends, Miles (played by Paul Giamatti) and Jack (played by Thomas Haden Church), who embark on a road trip through California’s wine country before Jack’s wedding.
Miles, a struggling writer and wine enthusiast, is depressed after his divorce, while Jack is a washed-up actor who wants to sow his wild oats before getting married. As they travel through the vineyards, the two friends encounter a waitress named Maya (played by Virginia Madsen) and a wine pourer named Stephanie (played by Sandra Oh), leading to various romantic and comedic entanglements.
The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress (Madsen). It is known for its exploration of midlife crises, friendship, and the culture of wine-tasting. The movie also boosted tourism to California’s wine country and led to a surge in sales of Pinot Noir, the wine that Miles obsesses over in the movie.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
“Little Miss Sunshine” is a comedy-drama movie released in 2006. It is directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris and written by Michael Arndt. The film follows the dysfunctional Hoover family as they embark on a road trip from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Redondo Beach, California so their daughter, Olive (played by Abigail Breslin), can compete in the “Little Miss Sunshine” beauty pageant.
The family includes Olive’s parents, Richard (played by Greg Kinnear) and Sheryl (played by Toni Collette), her grandfather (played by Alan Arkin), her moody teenage brother (played by Paul Dano), and her uncle (played by Steve Carell), a gay, suicidal Proust scholar. Along the way, the family encounters various obstacles and conflicts but ultimately learns to support each other and overcome their individual issues.
The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for four Academy Awards. It won for Best Original Screenplay. It is known for its quirky characters, dark humour, and heartwarming message about the importance of family and following your dreams. The film also launched Breslin’s career and solidified Carell’s transition from television to film.
What we can learn from movies featuring a long weekend
These films feature a variety of genres and take place over a long weekend, providing you with several options for entertainment.
Do you have a film or screenplay that you would like to get noticed?
Why not submit to the Raindance Film Festival?
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