Lately, the world around us has left many people stressed and feeling bleak. It feels like there is always so much going on, and I for one am in need of some lighthearted distractions. My favorite distraction is always to watch my comfort movies, which are the movies that make me feel safe and happy whenever I need a pick-me-up. For all of you feeling like you need a break from reality too, here is a list of my favorite comfort movies to rewatch time and time again like I do.
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Sky High (2005): I will never stop talking about how this movie deserved two sequels and its own show. It’s a high school but with kids that have powers. That alone should be enough to catch your attention. On top of that, it has such a great message that tells us we don’t have to be super strong or super smart to help others. I’ve loved this movie since the first time I watched it in elementary school, and it made me wish I was a teenager with powers too. The nostalgia, in addition to the dynamic characters and their relationships to one another, makes this one of my favorite movies ever, and I’ll continue to watch it over and over again.
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Mulan (1998): This movie definitely molded me into who I am today. As a child, I loved the idea of a strong woman who fought for her family’s honor and proved that she was just as good of a warrior– if not better– than the men around her. Although this movie doesn’t have as many musical numbers as other Disney features, I wholeheartedly believe it has the best soundtrack out of any of them. This movie holds such a special place in my heart and it never fails to put me in a good mood.
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Bridge to Terabithia (2007): I admit, this movie is heartbreaking and sad, and I may be alone in saying that it cheers me up. That being said, it is still one of my comfort movies because of nostalgia and a young Josh Hutcherson. As a young imaginative child, I wanted to be a part of this world with them so badly. The message about friendship and being kind to one another just makes me feel so happy and fulfilled even when the rest of the movie breaks me down. This is definitely the movie to watch if you need a good cry after a long week.
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Across the Universe (2007): The themes of war, love, sexuality, relationships, and more are all tied together in this Mamma-Mia type musical, but with The Beatles instead of Abba. I have never been a big fan of The Beatles, so I wasn’t super into this movie when I had first heard of it. However, this was one of my boyfriend’s favorite movies, so we watched it together a lot. Eventually, it grew on me and became a comfort movie of mine. Taking place in New York City during protests against the Vietnam War, it hits the sweet spot of my very specific history interests. It also includes a queer main character whose story I love. It may be a very niche movie, but I constantly recommend this to everyone.
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Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse (2018): Spiderman has been my favorite superhero since I was a child, so this movie is everything to me. I act like it’s my first time seeing this movie every single time I watch it because it is just that amazing. This is a movie that I know people hate to watch with me because I won’t stop pointing out my favorite parts and fun facts about it. The soundtrack, the storyline, the animation style, and everything else about it makes me fall in love with this movie every time I rewatch it. I get so excited and happy when I watch this movie, and I cannot see any way a person could not enjoy it.
While not all these movies may be your cup of tea, I hope that they at least provide you with a good distraction for a couple of hours. Having these types of connections to movies can help you change your entire mood, so it can be good to unwind and rewind your favorite flick whenever you’re feeling low.