Reel Relaxation: A Guide to Feel-Good Movies
Written By: Isabella Mathison ‘27
Edited By: Angelica Marin ‘27
In a world that often seems to move too fast, press play, sit back, and relax. Our society has instilled an “all work, no play” mentality as the path to success. This mindset is especially intense in college, where you are pushed to perform well academically, socially, and professionally, making balance seem unattainable. In a college’s fast-paced environment, rest is seen as lazy and unmotivated, but rest is essential for self-care, and students tend to forget that. Unwinding by watching a movie may feel indulgent and like a waste of time, but in reality, it is a form of self-care. Disconnecting from the real world and immersing yourself in fiction can bring comfort and relaxation, so reserve some time for yourself, whether for a movie or something else, as part of your wellness journey.
Feel-good movies are more than just entertainment. They provide an escape from reality, a place to laugh, cry, and enjoy yourself alone or with loved ones. Comfort movies take that title for a reason; they offer a moment of peace and disconnect. It’s essential to understand when to take a break and enjoy a silly comedy, a charming romcom, or a musical that has you singing along.
Here’s a curated list of some feel-good movies that help you do just that:
Feel Good Movie Guide:
RomComs: Something about the inevitable happy endings mixed in with comedy calls for the perfect recipe for a comforting, feel-good movie.
10 Things I Hate About You: A modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, taking place in high school starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles as the leads.
The Proposal: Features a cheeky fake engagement trope with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds as leads, including a dancing Betty White scene in the woods. Need I say more?
Animated: There is something so sincerely comforting about an animated film filled with vibrant colors and beautiful storytelling. Animated films always ensure that you feel supported and safe.
My Neighbor Totoro: This is a classic Hayao Miyazaki film with soft colors and a whimsical story about childhood imagination, full of quiet magic and spirits.
Trolls: Bursting colors, energetic songs, and a fantastical world, perfect for escaping our reality.
Period Pieces: An escape from our time into periods filled with elegance and emotion.
Little Women (2019): Greta Gerwig’s (that’s enough said honestly) adaptation of Little Women explores the four March sisters trying to define their lives.
The Sound of Music: Arguably the most iconic Julie Andrews role ever. A mix of beautiful scenery, perfectly curated music, and an uplifting family story.
Murder Mysteries: Not your usual feel-good genre, but escaping into a world where a mystery develops and is solved without lifting a finger brings a sort of comfort.
The Grand Budapest Hotel: A Wes Anderson film at its finest; pastel colors fill the screen with multiple fun twists and turns.
Knives Out: A warm and cozy murder mystery set in a cabin concerning a wealthy family. Bonus points for Chris Evans in THAT knit sweater.
Coming of Age Movies: Nothing is more comforting than seeing a character growing up and figuring out who they are as you are. Coming-of-age movies remind us that we are all on our paths, and each path leads us to where YOU need to go.
Almost Famous: Set in the 1970s, the film follows a young boy immersed in the rock’n roll scene as he accompanies a band on tour and discovers himself.
Lady Bird: Saoirse Ronan plays the protagonist, Lady Bird, who goes through the motions of her teenage years and college applications as she figures out what she wants the rest of her life to look like.
Musicals: Brings the magic of music and film together to make, in my opinion, the perfect genre. Although not everyone’s cup of tea, I am a musical enthusiast.
Mamma Mia: An ABBA music-inspired story set in Greece, filled with sequins, sunshine, AND Meryl Streep!
Pitch Perfect: A cappella, catchy riff-offs, and the college experience all bundled up into one movie.
Feel-good movies remind us that everything will work out in the end, while it sometimes doesn’t feel like it. Although they don’t solve our problems, they allow us to forget them, even if it’s just for a short 90 minutes. Wellness comes in all different forms, and unwinding to a comfort movie is most definitely included.
So next time you feel like your world is too much, grab your favorite snacks and a warm blanket and press play on your favorite movie (hopefully one on this list)!