College may be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to cancel your Netflix account or give up TV and movies for good. It simply means you can no longer binge-watch all six seasons of Gossip Girl in a single weekend. That being said, we’re giving you full permission to curl up with a glass of wine to spend all night watching these seven movies—because they completely relate to you and your post-college journey!
Not only do these movies have awesome story lines and cast members, they also cover every possible situation you might find yourself in after you graduate. Whether you choose to spend the months after graduation enjoying yourself at the beach, working all day or traveling the world, these movies have got you covered.
1. Crossroads
Three very different girls (and former childhood best friends) take a spontaneous road trip across the country after graduation and quickly learn that sometimes, taking an unexpected turn can get you exactly where you need to be. Not only does this movie star a young Britney Spears, it also encompasses the true meaning of learning that things might not always turn out the way you planned—and that it could be a good thing.
2. St. Elmo’s Fire
St. Elmo’s Fire is a classic movie that encompasses what it means to be a college grad struggling with the idea of growing up and becoming an adult. Although it’s about a group of friends, the film magnifies each person’s life individually, bringing issues to light each character didn’t even realize they had. You’ll relate to this movie because it shows the stress others put on you to follow the path society sets for graduates. As soon as someone hears you graduated, they immediately ask, “Well, what do you do now?” The movie demonstrates the importance of being true to yourself, no matter what anybody else says or expects of you.
3. Into the Wild
Based on a true story, Into the Wild shows the value of adventure and being out on your own with a clean slate. Christopher McCandless graduates as the top student of his class and decides to donate his entire savings to charity, leaving all his possessions behind him as he sets off on a journey to Alaska. He hitchhikes all the way there and stops along the way to stay with complete strangers who change his life. Eventually, Christopher arrives in Alaska and lives off the land in order to survive. This is truly an eye opener for everyone, especially post-collegiettes who might think earning money and prestige is what is most important at this point in their lives.
4. The Nanny Diaries
Recent graduate Annie Braddock (Scarlett Johansson), receives her diploma and lands an interview with Goldman Sachs. During her interview, however, the interviewer asks, “So tell me. Who is Annie Braddock?” As soon as she hears the question, Annie realizes she doesn’t know the answer and runs out of the interview. Suddenly (a few scenes later), a nannying job falls into her lap and soon Annie faces obstacles that help her figure out who she is and what she truly wants to be.
5. Reality Bites
The title of this movie says it all. The main character, Lelaina, graduated as valedictorian of her college class and is now an aspiring filmmaker in Houston, Texas. To reach this career goal, she makes a documentary, titled Reality Bites, which follows the lives of her friends and captures the struggles of life after graduation. Grads will relate to this movie because it covers a wide range of issues… and those issues aren’t just about being unable to find a job.
6. Adventureland
Adventureland is a comedy starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart. Although it came out in 2009, the movie takes place in the summer of 1987. After James Brennan (played by Eisenberg) graduates college, he plans to take a trip to Europe before attending graduate school in New York City. Unfortunately, like many of us graduettes, James’s financial problems stand in the way of his trip and force him to take on a summer job. After numerous failed interviews, he ends up accepting a job at a local, rundown amusement park called Adventureland. Here, he meets and falls in love with his co-worker, Emily (played by Stewart), and the couple embarks on adventures of their own that help James paint a clear picture of what he really wants from his future.
7. The Graduate
You knew this one was coming. This classic 1967 movie features a college grad, Ben, who ends up torn between an older woman he is having an affair with, Mrs. Robinson, and Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, Elaine. In the beginning, Ben’s parents throw him a party to celebrate his achievements in college, but he is uncomfortable and tries to avoid conversation. When his father asks him what’s wrong, he explains that he’s worried about his future, and wants it to be different. This movie provides a great lesson to graduettes: you will never be able to move forward and progress toward your future unless you handle the issues you currently have on your plate. Ben tries to avoid his future by having an affair, which ends up complicating things even more. The Graduate also teaches you to make your own path in life. Not everyone has to go to college, graduate, and immediately find a job. You may want to travel or explore your options before settling down—and that’s totally okay.
No matter what you’re doing after graduation, remember that this is your life and it’s up to you to make it great. So what are you waiting for? Go grab the remote, log back in to Netflix and start embarking on your journey to the rest of your life.