6 Best Retirement and Second Act Movies

By Vlad Zakh · March 14, 2026

It’s never too late for a fresh start, and these films deliver warmth and comedy. The Intern has a widowed retiree joining a fashion startup, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel sends British retirees to India, and 80 for Brady has four friends heading to see their favorite quarterback. The Bucket List, Space Cowboys and Cocoon round out the six.

80 for Brady (2023)

TMDB ★ 5.9

Four lifelong friends and football fans take a wild trip to see their favourite quarterback in the Super Bowl.

Directed by Kyle Marvin · 1h 38m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Netflix Standard with Ads · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Intern (2015)

TMDB ★ 7.1

A widowed retiree takes a senior intern position at a fashion startup run by a young, overwhelmed CEO.

Directed by Nancy Meyers · 2h 01m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A group of British retirees move to a rundown Indian hotel that turns out to be better in the brochure.

Directed by John Madden · 2h 04m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Bucket List (2007)

TMDB ★ 7.4

Two terminally ill hospital roommates take a road trip to tick off their wish lists before they die.

Directed by Rob Reiner · 1h 37m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Space Cowboys (2000)

TMDB ★ 6.5

Four ageing former test pilots are recruited for one last dangerous mission into space.

Directed by Clint Eastwood · 2h 10m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Cocoon (1985)

TMDB ★ 6.9

Residents of a retirement community discover a mysterious pool that restores their youthful vitality.

Directed by Ron Howard · 1h 57m · Rated PG-13

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

6 Best Retirement and Second Act Movies

80 for Brady (2023)

The Intern (2015)

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

The Bucket List (2007)

Space Cowboys (2000)

Cocoon (1985)

You might also like

14 Best Feel-Good Movies for a Solo Weekend

6 Best Small Business Rescue and Turnaround Movies

6 Best Senior Friendship and Adventure Movies

50 Movies to Watch Before You Turn 30

6 Best Time Capsule and Legacy Movies

7 Best Maggie Smith Movies