Every now and then, we all witness that feeling where we feel like the whole world is collapsing on our shoulders. It can be quite painful, and it can prevent you from enjoying the things you used to find delight in. There are several options you can resort to help you cope with the feeling of nothingness. From taking a walk to enjoying some quality time by yourself, everyone has their own way in which they try to get through tough times. However, one common option many people find efficient is watching movies.
Yet again, you do have to be mindful of the movies you choose to watch during an emotional funk. Some movies have the capability to worsen it, while others will help you get out of it. Here is a carefully curated list of movies that might help you with your “bleh” situation. These movies cater to different genres and different emotions, but since they all carry the common denominator of a happy ending, they will definitely help you feel better.
Miss Congeniality (2000)
With Sandra Bullock taking over the lead role of Gracie Hart,Miss Congenialityfocuses on Hart’s attempt at overthrowing a terrorist group that plans to bomb the beauty pageant, Miss United States. Hart, who is a tough FBI agent and definitely not a feminine figure, is forced to take part in the pageant. What happens throughout the film is less romantic and more comical.
Even if it is hard to expect women’s empowerment from a beauty pageant, this film acts as an exception. That is one simple reason why this film is recommended. You end up having a good laugh and watching a strong female lead win while developing beautiful friendships.
Grown Ups 1 & 2 (2010 & 2013)
You might or might not be anAdam Sandler fan, but these two films are for anyone who just wants to have a chill watch and a good laugh. With comedians like Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek, Maya Rudolph, and Sandler himself, taking over the lead roles you can only expect peak comedy.
The two films focus on a group of friends and their families. They are all different, except that these grown men act like children who just want to have fun. It definitely reminds you how simple life can be and makes you want to tap into your inner child and do the most childish but playful things.
Related:Motivational Movies For Self-Improvement
Harry Potter Series
It doesn’t matter if you have watchedHarry Pottera million times, every single time you watch the series, you will definitely find solace in watching everybody’s favorite young wizard grow up and defeat “he who must not be named”. This is the perfect go-to comfort series and if you needed a reminder that it is worth re-watching, this is it. What makesHarry Pottera perfect watch to help you with your emotional funk? The fact that unfortunate things keep happening to Harry and his friends and the fact that they defy all odds, end up almost getting killed each year, but ultimately find some sort of happiness within each other.
Do not be misled, asHarry Potteris not just about Hogwarts and the wizarding world. It is also about finding your self and creating a family, even if you don’t have a conventional family. So, here’s your reminder to re-watchHarry Potter, but keeping in mind that the series gives you brilliant life lessons.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
This classic Tim Burton stop-motion film enters the list because of two key reasons; one is its visuals which have the ability to bring you the much-needed sense of magic and the other reason is Jack Skellington, the protagonist. Jack represents our own selves in many ones.
Jack’s boredom or tiredness with the annual routine of Halloween might remind you of your dissatisfaction with the mundane lifestyles, which might also be a reason behind the dispiriting nature. However, the film ends up reminding you that our lifestyles, no matter how “mundane” they seem to be, can actually be interesting and exciting IF we are willing to look at it that way. Moreover, the film will also make you appreciate what you have and be grateful for your life.
The Karate Kid (2010)
An inspiring film that follows a 12-year-old boy who is disheartened by the sudden transfer of countries and schools which is a result of his widowed mother’s job transfer. Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) enters China as a young boy who has no friends. He ends up getting bullied. However, he is taken under the wing by Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) who ends up training Dre and prepping him for a karate tournament.
The film is about Dre figuring out his place in this foreign community and finally forming bonds with the “bullies” who were actually bullies due to their corrupt mentor. This version ofThe Karate Kidwill motivate you and encourage you, as Dre’s hardships and the way in which he overcomes them to act as lessons that teach us that anything is possible as long as we are willing to dedicate ourselves.
The Karate Kid (1984)
The originalKarate Kidand the originalCobra Kaiis this 1984 film, and it is still the very best version ofThe Karate Kidfranchise. It follows a very similar premise to Jaden Smith’s version, since the 2010 film is based on this. But, this film is based in America, and the protagonist,Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio)moves from New Jersey to Los Angeles, California.
Also, Mr. Miyago (Pat Morita) is much kinder and less harsh. Here too we find a Karate competition and Daniel beating his nemesis Johnny (William Zabka) who ultimately sides with Daniel. Like the previously mentioned film,The Karate Kidwill also leave you motivated and inspired. However, if you are looking for something a little bit old-school and nostalgic, this is the film to watch.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
If you want a light-hearted film that will make you smile and warm, this rom-com is the one to watch. With Meryl Streep taking over the lead role,Mamma Mia!is filled with ABBA hits and a great story. The main plot line is based on Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) trying to figure out who her father is out of the three people her mother associated with when she got pregnant with her.
So, yes, the film will make you feel joyful because it is all about positive energy. The fact that thestory takes place in Greeceis an added bonus, since it makes the cinematography pop-out.
Eat, Pray, Love (2010)
The simple fact that this film is based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir is enough to suggest that it is one relatable story. The protagonist, Gilbert, played by Julia Roberts, is introduced as someone who is seemingly successful as she has “everything” a woman “needs”. It is then revealed that having a successful career, a good marriage, and a solid life is not enough for one’s happiness since these are, in one way or another, material things.
Thus, Gilbert embarks on a journey where she travels to three different countries and each culture exposes her to her inner happiness. Her focus on herself allows her to enjoy the simple things like spaghetti in Italy.Eat, Pray, Love, as the title suggests, is about finding joy by tapping into our senses. Additionally, even ifGilbert is no longer with the manfalls in love with, named Felipe (Javier Bardem) in the movie, her story of how they’ve been together for over 12 years is a hint thatEat, Pray, Love’s love is true and beautiful.
Lost in Translation (2003)
A film by Sofia Coppola,Lost in Translationfeatures Bill Murray as Bob and Scarlett Johansson as Charlotte, two Americans who cross paths while in Tokyo, Japan, and start to bond over their shared issues. Even if the film has a bittersweet ending since these two part ways, it carries a key message on how beautiful, even though temporary, intimate human connections can be.
It might be hard to say whether the bond between Bob and Charlotte carries a romantic layer, but one thing that is obvious is how they are able to find solace in each other while beinglost in a foreign country. The simple messages on the importance of connecting to people will definitely bring you a much-needed level of comfort.
It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010)
Yet another relatable story that will help you in seeing how this world consists of people with different experiences and pains, in turn, illustrating how subjecting each one’s pain is.It’s Kind of a Funny Storyfollows a protagonist, Craig (Keir Gilchrist), who goes to a psychiatric ward seeking help. The fact that Craig is pressured by society and feels incompetent might be something we all relate to.
The story shows how Craig is able to see how he is not alone while getting to know other people and sharing each other’s pains. This procedure helps him to understand who he is, what he wants and to forge his pwn path. The story might end with Craig being released and not being able to cure his condition, but that is exactly what makes it relatable. It shows that even if we might not be able to 100% cure our mental health issues, we can still find options that help us cope with it, like human connections and hobbies or passions.
