For many people, the long Memorial Day weekend is a chance to relax, picnic and visit family. This year, given at-home restrictions, it’s an ideal time to movie binge. Hollywood has often released action-adventure flicks or big-budget sequels on the holiday.
And for “Star Wars” fans, this weekend is the perfect time to revisit “Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back,” which just celebrated the 40th anniversary of its release on Thursday.
Here’s a look at past blockbusters that debuted their first or second weekend release on Memorial Day and where the movies can be streamed now.
Star Wars
- Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (Disney+)
- Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (Disney+)
- Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (Disney+)
Indiana Jones
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (Netflix)
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Netflix)
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Chrystal Skull (Netflix)
Action-Adventure
- Aladdin (live action, 2019) (Disney+)
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
- Mission: Impossible (1996) (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (Disney+)
- Rambo: First Blood II (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
Sci-Fi
- Mad Max: Fury Road (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
- Star Trek Into Darkness (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
Comedy
- Beverly Hills Cop II (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
- Bruce Almighty (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
- What About Bob? (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
Classics
- Braveheart (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
- Rocky III (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
- The Shining (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
- Smokey and the Bandit (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
- Thelma & Louise (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
However, if you or your kids prefer the newest releases for Memorial Day viewing, turn to VOD and Disney+ for these titles:
- Scoob! (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
- Trolls World Tour (VOD, Amazon Prime Video)
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Disney+)
- Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (Disney+)