With this in mind, and with not a lot else going on, the Propstore gang wanted to give you something, something which we hope will help give you a few hours of joy, laughs, excitement, fear (in a good way) and suspense. We have compiled a list of films that have helped us during this time of uncertainty, and we hope they help you too. From hilarious, classic comedies to enthralling sci-fi adventures, and just about everything in between, we bring you Propstore’s 17 Films to Get Lost in During the Lockdown. Get to know us and get to know these timeless masterpieces…

I first remember seeing Face/Off when I was about 12, when I’d snuck the VHS into my room late one night. Now bearing in mind that this had an 18 certificate at the time and I was definitely not 18, I thought I was being super cool and couldn’t wait to tell everyone at school the next day that I’d watched an 18. So, I stayed up and watched this film secretly on the TV in my room all night, making sure to turn the volume all the way down to the lowest setting so my I didn’t wake anyone up. Now, if the name didn’t already alert you to the fact, someone’s face is literally taken off about half way through (so he can change identities). Me being the naive little rebel that I was hadn’t cottoned on and promptly kicked over the bowl of cereal I had next to me under the covers (I really know how to live dangerously) as it came on, which woke up my parents. I managed to get the TV off in time so they didn’t catch me, but my mum – seeing the spilt soggy cereal – thought I’d been sick and helped me change my covers. The next day, still thinking I’d been sick in the night, my mum called into school to tell them I wasn’t well – meaning I had somehow managed to sneak a day off school! For the rest of the day, I succeeded in watching the rest of the film, ate a tonne of secret sweets from the sweetie drawer whilst no one was watching, and basically had the time of my life. Watching it back as an adult it really isn’t that scary (or what you would consider even a 15 these days!), but it’ll always have a place in my heart for being my first ‘18’ film. It’s genuinely a really great movie and definitely one of – if not the – best Nicholas Cage movies ever, so I’d highly recommend it if you’ve never seen it and want to binge a 90s classic!

Mad Max: Fury Road might just be the best film ever made. Bold statement, I know, but I have plenty of other hot takes if you’d like them (pepperoni pizza is deeply overrated… anyone?). The film is a technical marvel, filmmaking and storytelling of the highest level. With very little dialogue (production started without a script, instead having everything meticulously plotted with storyboards), George Miller et al. have crafted well-rounded characters and an incredibly immersive world without the need for heavy-handed exposition. And in Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), they have one of cinema’s great badasses, a hero of guts, guile and genuine depth. On top of all that, the film is insanely beautiful, full of practical special effects, death-defying stunts and an awesome soundtrack. Truly one of the greats.

A lot to say about these films but I’ll keep it brief. A cinematic masterpiece, with stunning sound, visuals and story. It’s tradition to watch these three films it least once a year, plus it will take an entire day to watch them all, so that’s a big chunk of quarantine gone!

This is a nostalgia choice for me really but this film still lasts the test of time and will never fail to put a smile on my face! From my childhood crush of David Bowie as Jareth the goblin king (am I right ladies?!) to the amazing puppetry and direction from Jim Henson, you can’t be anything but happy watching this film. I feel that’s what we need right now, a good sing song (I defy you not to sing along when Remind Me of the Babe comes on), some amazing visuals and some feel good vibes. I also dressed up as Jareth for Halloween at Propstore one year so that’s always fun!

I realise Pulp Fiction is probably one of the most common answers when people are asked their favourite film, but it really is my absolute fave and I don’t mind sounding like a cliché. My Dad showed me this film when I was about 11 (top notch parenting!) and as soon as I watched it, I was absolutely obsessed and couldn’t wait to tell my friends all about it. I remember taping it from the TV onto VHS and bringing it to a friend’s house to watch in her bedroom and when it got to the car clean-up scene, trying desperately to pause the screen on the open car trunk to see Marvin’s headless body because we thought it was so shocking/gross! I used to listen to the soundtrack every day on the bus to school, and I’ve just watched it so many times I can’t even count, I think when I was about 14 I managed to find a version that played the scenes in chronological order.

The day the “Bad Motherfucker” wallet came into Propstore for EMLA was definitely a good day for me. But yeah, I’m sure you’ve all seen this already, but it’s always worth watching again (and again, and again), the dialogue is so smart and funny, and the characters are so cool it hurts.

In between making Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan put Batman and Wolverine against each other in a story about rival magicians in 19th century London. A psychological thriller with twists and turns galore. Two magicians battle it out to perform the greatest trick the world has ever seen. A beautiful film with an all-star cast (including an unrecognisable David Bowie as Nikola Tesla). The story is about magicians but the film itself is also one big magic trick.

Christian Bale’s character with the opening line of “Are you watching closely?” is seemingly harmless at first, but on multiple viewings I came to realise that line is really Nolan asking us, the audience, if we are watching closely. When you know how the story ends, any viewing of the film afterwards becomes a puzzle for us to work out as it unfolds. If you’ve seen it once, watch it again. If you haven’t ever seen it… what are you waiting for? A quarantine?

My brother and I were raised on these classic 80’s films, so they hold a real soft spot in my heart. This genius film features 2 comedy greats; Steve Martin, and the late great John Candy. Candy will always be one of my favourite actors thanks to his amazing comic timing, sincere empathy and heart-felt performances. Planes, Trains and Automobiles is no exception. This film was never going to win the Best Picture Academy Award, nor will it be renowned by critics as a life-changing piece of art. However, for me, the chemistry between Martin and Candy, the subtle humour and laugh out loud moments, the gentle heartbreak and relatability, and, oh that bitter sweet ending, all make it a film I will love getting lost in time and time again.

This film is just pure childish joy. A whole factory that produces delicious wonders and scrumptious curios, what could be better? Such amazing things as fizzy lifting drink, everlasting gobstoppers and a three-course dinner chewing gum are just a few of the genius inventions of the brilliant and kooky Willy Wonka. All of these things captured the imaginations of countless children. Watching the film makes you wish you could be transported into the film to try all of the delicious sweets that are up for grabs, no matter what your age is.

Gene Wilder is just such a fantastic Willy Wonka with his charming smiles and wonderous speeches. But he also can juxtapose all that with an eerie feel in certain scenes of the film, here’s looking at you creepy boat scene. I can’t begin to count the amount of times I have seen this film but every time I watch it, it brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart. There are so many wonderful scenes and quotes in the film and Willy Wonka truly is a magical character that I will always remember for the rest of my life.

Anyone who has been running (marathon or just fitness), will appreciate this film. Even if you’ve never run for more than the bus, you’ll enjoy this gem directed by David Schwimmer. Hank Azaria is deliciously smug as Whit, and the young son is a Lord of the Rings fanatic. You’ll never want to pop a blister again once you’ve watched it. Whenever I lose the motivation to carry on running, I just watch this film and the enthusiasm returns. Brilliant soundtrack too.

Because it was, is, and always will be, the best film ever made. True love, cliffs of insanity, a fire swamp, shrieking eels, lightning sand, swordfights, poison, miracles, rodents of unusual size, kidnap, the pit of despair and a fire cloak. It never gets old and it always cheers me up.

This is just a really silly, funny film. Danny DeVito and Bette Midler are brilliant as always, and though not one people remember, it has always made me laugh.

I am fully aware that my choice isn’t award winning, but I have always had a soft spot for it. My brother originally bought this film on DVD and I watched it with him. At the time I was definitely too young to be watching it and probably didn’t fully understand what was going on. But I remember laughing along to it and loving the soundtrack.

The way the Wayan Brothers are transformed into the Wilson sisters is pretty impressive and they nail their mannerisms from the moment they arrive at the Hamptons. It is hard to pick my favourite moment as I have too many, but I do love when the girls go on a shopping trip as I think every girl can relate to the stress of trying on clothes in a changing room. And then there is the addition of Terry Crews as pro basketball player Latrell Spencer, he steals every scene he is in. I love anything that features silly comedy and I think this film is perfect for a time like this when you may need cheering up.

We have a nineteen-year-old Alice returning to a barely-remembered childhood adventure in Wonderland but in Tim Burton style, what is there not to love? This film grabs me, not only because I’m a fan of Alice in Wonderland and Tim Burton, but because of the visuals and the thought and care that has been applied to each and every character. Not only that but the beautiful design and essence of the whole film itself, everything was thought of. I could watch this film over and over. It’s a really fun watch if you want to escape reality for a couple of hours!

The current situation of the world might make us feel like we’re living the same day over but here’s a film to remind you of what that’s really like. Bill Murray relives the same day, February 2nd in Punxsutawney, PA. For me, this is one of the best 90s comedies, as Director Harold Ramis explores the subject of human growth through Murray’s improvisation and hints of a dark undertone. This is a film you can watch over and over and over and over again…

Not one for everyone but something about this film brings me so much joy. For one, it has Bon Jovi in the title track (already awesome) and motorbikes (wicked). I love this film so much, I spent 25 years wishing I had bought the boot in an auction until my good friend tracked it down and gifted it to me on my 50th.