With the rising popularity of renting movies through the mail and the relatively inexpensive DVDs, there’s no excuse not to spruce up your New Year’s resolution list with a few films you’ve always been meaning to watch or should probably revisit. You can even bring the family along for the ride.

Casablanca (1942), Citizen Kane (1941)

Classics! Some of the finest filmmaking in the history of film! You’ve certainly heard the praise, but how many have actually seen them? Sure, you may know general plot outlines or a few key lines of dialogue; maybe you’ve even skillfully tricked your friends into thinking you’re some kind of film buff at dinner parties. You’ll get around to them eventually, right? Well, would have’s and should have’s don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. They’re considered classics for a reason; now’s your chance to find out why.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Indy meets Charlie? How could two movies so seemingly different find themselves on the same list? Common themes: the plight of the underdog, the enduring human spirit, proper whip techniques. Maybe not that last one, but is searching for a golden ticket all that dissimilar from searching for a golden idol? Are inflated blueberry children really that different from massive rolling boulders? In the end, movies like these bring us face-to-face with fun, fantasy and adventure like few others can. Worth the watch if you haven’t seen them.

Star Wars: Episodes I-VI (1977-2005)

Back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back, do you think you have it in you? If you do, there are few better examples of the triumph of good over evil than the six perpetually celebrated, often obsessed upon Star Wars films. Following the good and just Luke Skywalker and the Rebellion’s feverish battle with Darth Vader and the evil Empire, the series’ character and story development have brought fantasy and science fiction into the mainstream like nothing before or since. Spark your children’s imaginations with the galaxies and characters you grew up with. Except that Jar Jar; everybody hated him.

Wall E (2008), Monster’s Inc (2001), E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982)

What do a robot, two closet monsters and an alien have to offer? For the kids, enduring themes of friendship and love. For you, sweet computer generated imagery, moments of hilarity and the opportunity to relive the most classic “flying bicycle in front of the moon” scene in cinematic history. Just because a film is geared toward children doesn’t mean adults can’t secretly enjoy it. Some films are just timeless.

The Princess Bride (1987), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Why? Because sometimes you just need to laugh, especially if you actually watched all six Star Wars movies in a row. What were you thinking?

Run Fatboy Run (2007)

If all else fails, maybe you simply need a movie to remind you what your original New Year’s resolution was in the first place. That, and maybe a little inspiration. Simon Pegg’s film does both.

Are you having fun yet?