The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has changed a lot in the past couple of months. In addition to the obvious impact it’s had on the general population, the numerous casualties, and the overwhelming pressure it’s placed on healthcare workers, the coronavirus has also hit the game industry and the entertainment industry in unprecedented ways.
Major conferences like E3 have been canceled or postponed, things are getting delayed, and offices worldwide are asking employees to work from home. Now with the rise in shelter-in-place orders and many parts of the United States closing down “non-essential” businesses like restaurants, clubs, and other social venues, there are even more people stuck at home without a clear indication of how long this will all last.
While those lucky enough to be able to telecommute might be able to keep busy most of the day, people currently out of work, stuck homeschooling or being homeschooled, or self-isolating for health reasons now suddenly have a lot of time to occupy. Escapism isn’t always the best medicine, but it can be a temporary relief from the uncertainty of our current situation.
Below we’ve rounded up some of our favorite movies, shows, and games to keep you entertained while practicing social distancing or self-quarantining. We hope they serve as a much-needed distraction and bring you some joy during all of this. Stay safe!
The Best Games To Play While You’re Stuck At Home
Sometimes the best thing to do when you’re stressed is unwind with a great game. Our best games to play while stuck inside list includes some of our favorite relaxing RPGs like Stardew Valley and Dragon Quest, meditative puzzlers like Tetris Effect, and more.
All The Free Games You Can Play Right Now
There are tons of free games available right now across multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Mobile games are great for passing the time too. Here are all the games you can play for free right now.
The Best Games To Play With Friends Online
Sometimes the game matters less than the people you’re playing with. If you’re looking for a way to chill out with friends even while you’re stuck at home, check out one of our favorite games to play with friends online.
The Best Blu-Ray Deals
Delivery workers are still out there bringing the rest of us food, groceries, medicine, and (right or wrong) non-essential garbage to keep us busy. If you’re stocking up on important stuff (but a normal amount, please), why not throw something nice in to keep you busy? Amazon and Best Buy currently have a ton of really good deals on Blu-rays: movie collections for major franchises like Jurassic Park and Fast & Furious, popular TV shows like Chernobyl and Rick & Morty, and more.
Watch Netflix With Your Friends
Sometimes it isn’t about having a particular movie in mind, but just being able to spend time with your friends when many cities are ordering social distancing measures for public health reasons. A new Google Chrome extension called Netflix Party lets you sync movies up with your friends and adds a chat box on the side.
Catch A Movie In Theaters… At Home
Universal will be putting some of its theatrical releases up for on-demand viewing in the comfort of your home, as soon as Friday, March 20. That means you’ll be able to watch new theatrical releases at home.
Movies To Fight Cabin Fever
This assortment of cabin fever-fighting films are hand-picked by our editors and are sure to bring some much-needed lighthearted energy into your home. They include nostalgic classics and a more modern one, but all are perfect for a cozy rewatch.
New On Netflix This Month
Netflix got a ton of new movies and shows this month and there’s still more coming.
New On Hulu This Month
If you have Hulu, you can expect new movies, TV, and anime this month that you won’t want to miss. A ton of new binge-worthy TV shows are also coming in April. You might also want to check what’s leaving in April so you know what to watch before the month is up.
New On Amazon This Month
Amazon Prime added a bunch of new movies at the start of the month, with just a small handful dropping through the end of the month still.
New On Disney Plus This Month
Disney Plus added a few new movies this month, including Black Panther. Star Wars: The Clone Wars is still ongoing as well. April has quite a few new movies and originals in store, including some National Geographic specials to celebrate Earth Month.
