You and your plus one have called things off. Whether you broke it off yourself or got kicked to the curb, you’re going to need some time to heal. If you’re like the rest of us, you’re sad, confused, and in need of some intense Ben & Jerry’s and rom-com therapy sessions. Unfortunately, nothing rubs salt in the wound quite like a bad break-up movie (ahem, The Break-Up… thanks a lot, Jennifer Aniston). Next time you cuddle up for a movie night, solo or with friends, turn on one of these tried-and-true, break-up blues-curing flicks!
1. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
In what might be our worst break-up nightmare of all time, Jason Segel’s character finds himself cheated on and dumped by a world-famous, super-hot, and annoyingly perky actress (played by – of course – Kristen Bell). He then winds up at the same Hawaiian hotel as she and her new love bird, an overly sexual Russell Brand.
Silver lining: Segel gets the ultimate revenge by shacking up with Mila Kunis, who, according to Esquire, is the Sexiest Woman Alive. While your rebound may not be earning sexy superlatives in magazines, you can bet he’ll be hot enough to make you forget your ex, too! Plus, the perpetually high and endearingly creepy character played by Jonah Hill will make you feel infinitely better about your choices… and your life in general.
2. Two Can Play That Game
Vivica A. Fox provides step-by-step rules for whipping a man into shape post-break-up: how to prevent wandering eyes, how to make him regret the break-up, and how to get him to beg for you back. Unsurprisingly, manipulating her man doesn’t work out as planned. (Turns out love doesn’t play by the rules – who’da thunk it?) Prepare for Mo’nique’s constant sexual innuendos, some classic Y2K outfits – think butterfly clips and a whole lot of glitter – and the beautifully full lips of Morris Chestnut. Sigh.
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3. 500 Days of Summer
Forget about your current love-hate relationship; the love-hate relationship you’ll have with Zooey Deschanel’s character, Summer, will be more than enough to occupy your mind. We love her for her quirk and spunk, but we can’t stand her when she breaks our favorite boy’s heart. Joseph Gordon-Levitt himself is also reason enough to indulge in this blockbuster; he’s cute, sweet, and even more vulnerable and lovesick than you are.
4. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Wouldn’t it be easier if you could forget all about your ex? Forget the fights, the missed dates, the lies, and all of the other not-so-magical moments you shared. On the other hand, you’d have to forget about the first date, the late-night laughter, the smiles, and all of the other moments you wished would never end.
Enter Joel (played by Jim Carrey), a scorned lover who erases his memories of his ex, the fiery – and fiery-haired – Clementine (played by Kate Winslet). If anything, this offbeat flick will convince you that despite the bad times of the break-up, you shouldn’t forget about the good that came before.
5. Legally Blonde
Boy dates girl. Boy dumps girl. Girl gets into Harvard Law, finds herself a brand new beau, and kicks some major butt (all while wearing her power color, pink). If you were at all worried about getting back on the horse post-break-up, Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon pre-arrest), will remind you that there’s nothing a girl on a mission can’t do. And that boys can be stupid.
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6. He’s Just Not That Into You
If you take away any message from this ensemble film, let it be this: everybody gets their hearts broken. Unfortunately, there’s no special secret for heartbreak immunity; whether you’re male or female, shy or outgoing, experienced or new to relationships, you will at one point or another wish you were with someone whom you just can’t have. That said, since it happens to everyone, you shouldn’t feel bad that it’s 4 p.m. on a Sunday and you’re still wearing slippers in front of the TV. Chances are your neighbors are, too.
Still having a pity-party? Let Ginnifer Goodwin and her unfailing optimism remind you that you don’t need a guy to be happy, anyway!
7. Bridget Jones’s Diary
Perhaps the most relatable woman of all of these break-up blockbusters, Bridget Jones (played by Renée Zellweger), is the best reminder that break-ups suck… but that they also mean you get to move on to greener pastures. Though we hate to see Hugh Grant acting anything less than saint-like, we couldn’t be prouder of the moment when Bridget (and her little skirt) tell off one of the skeeziest exes there ever was. And of course, the time she cooks blue soup.
If your break-up’s getting you down, let these movies pick you right back up! Full of reconciliations and rebounds, they’re the best cure for lovesickness (especially when combined with a nice box of chocolates).