Netflix is an amazing service that can kill boredom with a single swipe of the TV remote – however we’re often spoilt for choice, and I always succumb to option paralysis.

So for those of you who are stuck indoors (most of us!) I have scoured the Netflix library to find a selection of films broadly themed around ‘Escapism’.

Now you might say – Isn’t that most cinema? and rightly so – so I’ve tried to find movies that will especially transport you out of your living room and drop you into a completely different , wide and expansive landscape.

There’s a range of genres here, and of course you may not see eye to eye with me on my choices – that’s fine – and let me know what you think in the comments section.

All of these great movies were available today at time of posting this, on UK Netflix – so try and catch up with a few of them whilst you can, and feel yourself transported away…

First up…

Everest

Well liked by critics on it’s release for its breathtaking visuals, this high-altitude slice of escapism has an Icelandic director and two solid Marvel Universe leads in Josh Brolin and Jake Gyllenhaal.

The Bounty

This is an 80s remake, of the classic Mutiny on the Bounty, in which you will be transported to ( and marooned in…) the South seas. Audiences were mixed on this – it can be slow and ponderous at times, and in recent times Mel Gibson has upset Hollywood with his controversial behaviour. At the time though this formed part of a wave of striking historical dramas that were epic in scope and had beautifully haunting soundtracks – others include The Mission and 1492 (whose composer Vangelis, also did this soundtrack)

Spirited Away

Studio Ghibli, and in particular director Myazaki, are experts in crafting beautiful and mysterious worlds and transporting you there for an hour and a half. In fact it’s hard to pick any one Ghibli animation that solely fits this category – they are all escapist entertainment in some way or another ( and as most of them are now on Netflix you can truly lose yourself) Spirited away though, as its title suggests, absolutely does take its young heroine and drop her into the sort of unique Japanese fantasy world that only Myazaki can conjure up. I can watch his movies all day….

The Revenant

Both beautiful and shocking – I said i’d transport you places, but not that you’d necessarily like where you ended up!

This Academy Award winning film is on this list due to the outstanding visions of the harsh North American landscape lensed by one of my favourite Cinematographers – Emmanuel Lubezki ( who also worked with fellow Mexican Alfonso Cuaron on Gravity and Children of Men.

If you thought bears were cuddly, this will make you think twice…

Jumanji – Welcome to the Jungle

Our newest movie, this Hollywood blockbuster is the definition of Escapist entertainment. Possibly one you’ve seen, but it’s incredibly likeable cast make this very re-watchable. A sequel/ slash reboot – based around video games and with significantly better CGI than its predecessor ( which featured animal animations that look like they flew straight out of the first Tomb Raider on PS1) this ticks all the cheesy family friendly action adventure tropes – but this sort of mindless fun is probably most welcome by some right now.

And one last honourable mention…

The Great Escape

Hands down one of the absolute best films available on Netflix right now – and a beloved favourite of Dads across the world. You’ve most likely already fallen asleep to it on Christmas day – or at least seen a relative who has.

In vivid techno colour we are taken back to an almost mythical Boys-own world war – far removed from the more modern (but no less powerful) visions of Sam Mendes and Christopher Nolan.

However for pure escapism, there’s nothing like cheering on Steve McQueen as against all odds he goes head to head with German Barbed Wire fences ( an i’m very aware of the irony here…no spoilers)