The 5 Best Birthday Movies Ranked

The best birthday movies highlight the joy of celebrations while exploring themes like expectations, regret, and growing up. Sometimes, the excitement of birthdays leads to meaningful messages, but other times, they simply deliver fun and laughter. A birthday serves as a prompt for characters to confront necessary changes in their lives.  SSP has prepared the top 5 films to watch before the birthday.

This Is 40 (2012)

Judd Apatow's "This Is 40" isn’t his best film, but it accurately captures middle-aged malaise. It transitions from focusing on Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl to Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. Here, their characters, Pete and Debbie, grapple with a rut in their marriage. Both couples celebrate turning 40, facing daily stress and regrets that may jeopardize their relationships. Rudd and Mann's chemistry shines, and the scripting is sharp, though the over two-hour runtime can feel drawn-out.

Encanto (2021)

In "Encanto." a member of the Colombian Madrigal family gains magical powers on their fifth birthday due to a special candle. However, 15-year-old Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) hasn't received a gift. Upon discovering her family is losing theirs, she embarks on a mission to resolve the problem. The film earned three Academy Award nominations, winning Best Animated Feature. With a stunning animation style, Mirabel’s disappointment at not receiving her power resonates with anyone who anticipates big changes with milestone birthdays.

Midsommar (2019)

Ari Aster's film "Midsommar" differs from his previous work, "Hereditary," despite maintaining a terrifying essence. Dani (Florence Pugh) copes with a traumatic loss when she accompanies her boyfriend and friends to a Midsommar festival in Sweden. The people at the festival engage in serious rituals. Dani and Christian (Jack Reynor) navigate a tumultuous relationship. A pivotal moment occurs when Christian forgets Dani’s birthday, attempting unsuccessfully to mask his blunder. This act underscores his selfishness, with Dani remaining silent.

13 Going On 30 (2004)

"13 Going on 30" follows Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen), who wishes to be 30 on her 13th birthday. She wakes up 17 years later, portrayed by Jennifer Garner, successful, independent, and beautiful. Jenna soon realizes that the power of adulthood comes with lost happiness. This film juxtaposes the perceptions people hold about older and younger birthdays. Young individuals look forward to growing up, while adults may reflect on their birthdays with either fondness or regret, evaluating how they utilized their time.

Liar Liar (1997)

In "Liar Liar," Jim Carrey stars as Fletcher Reede, a lawyer who always prioritizes work over spending time with his son. After promising to attend his son’s birthday party, an obligation prevents him from going. His son’s wish that Fletcher never be able to lie again leads to humorous consequences. Carrey’s exemplary performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination, while the film garnered impressive box office success: $303 million (Box Office Mojo). Amid the comedy, it’s the emotional moments between father and son that bring this movie to life.

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