The weather is getting colder! So, we’re curling up with our favorite comfort movies. Here’s what we’re choosing:
My comfort movie is, hands down, Pride and Prejudice (2005). From the stunning scenery to the beautiful music, to the book-accurate storytelling, it is just incredible. I am a nerd when it comes to Jane Austen books in general, and Pride and Prejudice holds a very special place in my heart, so having such an accurate and well-done movie adaptation is just perfect. I put it on any time I am feeling down or just need to feel like the hopeless romantic I am. I couldn’t tell you how many times I have watched it, and for my own sanity, I don’t think I want to know.
- Caroline Snyder ‘26
I’m never more violently humbled than when I open my Netflix account in front of someone, due to my horrible taste in movies. The more a movie makes me physically cringe or laugh out loud at how bad it is, the more I like it. Case in point: my comfort movie is He’s All That (yes, the one with Addison Rae in it). Do I think that this is a good movie? Absolutely not. But hear me out: sometimes when you’re having a rough day, watching a bad movie with a friend and getting to be a hater the entire time is downright therapeutic. It’s also a nice ego boost, because no matter how badly you might think you’re doing in life, you can rest assured that you will never reach the epitome of cringe that is the “dance battle” at the end of He’s All That.
- Tessa Stayton ‘25
If you haven’t seen Garden State (2004), you simply must. I won’t argue that it’s America’s greatest film, but the plot is comforting in its familiarity and bildungsroman-esque structure. It follows the story of a young (slightly sociopathic) man who must return home for the first time in ten years to attend his mother’s funeral. He encounters old classmates who never left home, old friends, hamsters, and most importantly, a new love interest, of course. In many ways, the film’s plot and characters parallel Albert Camus’ The Stranger, making it an absurdist’s dream and a nihilist’s nightmare. I especially love that Zach Braff wrote, directed, and starred in this film, putting his usual humor and wit into an otherwise somber situation. And who else could play the female love interest than Natalie Portman? If you love Zach Braff and want a laugh attack as he choreographs abstract cracks at protagonists who have to come back, then this film is where it’s at and that’s a fact.
- Catherine Gwinnett ‘24
While it seems a little silly, I can’t help but think of Blended, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, when it comes to comfort movies. It’s about a blind date gone wrong, and ends with a family vacation gone right. My sister and I used to watch this together all the time when we were younger and still quote the movie to this day. “I look like the walking dead!” is one of my favorite lines. It’s a cheesy romantic comedy but actually has some pretty funny moments, so I recommend it to people!
- Sophia Nadeau ‘24
My favorite comfort movie would have to be a tough tie between Tangled and Perks of Being a Wallflower. Although they’re quite different movies (one an animated Disney princess movie, the other a beautiful and heart wrenching depiction of adolescent struggles and mental health), they evoke the same comfy feeling to me. Tangled is one of my all-time favorite Disney movies. I believe that it’s one all ages can enjoy, and I usually watch it when I’m in the mood for a laugh or need some cheering up. Perks of Being a Wallflower is better for that melancholy kind of day, when I’m feeling a bit sentimental, and I’m okay with mulling over those emotions. I think that sitting back and relaxing with a comfort movie is a wonderful method of self care, and I always recommend these two movies as options.
- Allie Ziegler ‘27
The first movie that came to mind when thinking about my comfort movie was Howl’s Moving Castle. I’ll be honest, I’ve only watched the English version, but I love both Christian Bale and Billy Crystal’s performances as Howl and Calcifer. From what I can remember, I watched it only once when I was little, but I rediscovered it during the first Covid lockdown (when we were all looking for a bit of childhood nostalgia), and I’ve watched it many times since. I love the aesthetics and the soundtrack, and I feel like I could watch this movie at any time, whatever mood I’m in.
- Maggie Hayes ‘24
When I think of those movies that I automatically turn on when I need a distraction, background noise, or general comfort, several big franchise series come to mind: Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Twilight. While these movies often find their way onto my dorm room monitor, there is one franchise that takes the cake: The Chronicles of Narnia. While Prince Caspian is certainly my favorite, because of one Ben Barnes, all three movies are sure to fill me with a warmth and happiness absolutely upbeat by other pieces of media. Although I’ll never quite understand why Edmund sold out his family for some Turkish delight, I’ll always come back to the epic battles, magical visuals, and loveable characters. Plus, the soundtrack is one of my all-time favorites and a necessity for deep-focus study sessions.
- Lara Beckius ’24
Sometimes you really just need to put on that movie that you have seen a thousand times. For me, this means a cute romance or some catchy music. My go-to comfort movie is While You Were Sleeping. Even though While You Were Sleeping is technically a Christmas movie, I will watch it all year round because it fills me with such perfect, sweet feelings. It’s so quotable and Sandra Bullock is amazing, so I definitely recommend it if you haven’t seen it before. Honorable mention comfort movies are Mamma Mia! or The Lorax (2012) where I will most definitely be singing along to every song.
- Caitlin Boyd ‘24