Feeling moody, out-of-sorts, anxious, or zapped of energy in these uncertain times? Do you need to settle in with something pleasant which doesn’t remind you of, well, everything that’s happening just outside your front door? Then you might want to consult this list of selectedmovies you’re able to stream right nowif you’re searching for something comforting to help with your much-needed mental health break.
It seems streaming services of all sorts are a major saving grace right now. With many of us choosing to stay home so we can ensure our own health is in tip-top shape, we’re in need of something good to watch. Netflix’s constantly updating Top 10 rankings show us folks are turning toward romantic comedies, plain ol' rib-tickling comedies, and feel-good reality TV to help take our mind off the dire side of life. In that spirit, the list of comfort movies assembled here all have one thing in common: They are designed to make us smile, help us (mentally) escape, and give us a reprieve for just a few hours from anything troubling us. FromJulie & JuliatoStep BrotherstoMonsters, Inc.and beyond, this list of comfort movies is here to remind you there are some true gems waiting for you to watch
Below are some movies that will help you escape the reality blues. And if you want even more movie recommendations, why not check out our roundups of the best movies onNetflix,Hulu, andHBOyou can watching right now?
Director: Steven Spielberg
Writer: James V. Hart, Nick Castle
Cast: Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins, Maggie Smith, Caroline Goodall, Charlie Korsmo, Amber Scott, Dante Basco
If it’s been more than 30 days since you last sawHook, a.k.a.Steven Spielberg’s best movie (yes, Iwilldie on this hill), then you need to watch it immediately. A vivid update onJ.M. Barrie’s classic Victorian-era story,Hooktakes us into the ’90s — the 1990s — and introduces us to a grown-up Peter Banning, a.k.a. Peter Pan (Robin Williams). Peter is a workaholic who’s lost his sense of joy and isn’t much of a family man. When Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman) steals away Peter’s children, the former boy-who-wouldn’t-grow-up must reconnect with his magic and return to Never Never Land after a decades-long absence.Hookis a movie for anyone looking to find some magic and wonder in their own lives or anyone in dire need of a quick jaunt to their own, mental Never Never Land.
You can watchHookonNetflix.
Jerry Maguire
Director/Writer: Cameron Crowe
Cast: Tom Cruise, Renée Zellweger, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kelly Preston, Jerry O’Connell, Jay Mohr, Bonnie Hunt, Regina King, Jonathan Lipnicki
You can look toCameron Crowe’sJerry Maguireas the reason you’re always saying “Show me the money!” and “You had me at ‘Hello’” (don’t lie, we know you’realwayssaying that, psh).Tom Cruiseturns in one of his best performances of the decade as the titular Jerry Maguire, a cocky sports agent who is thrown into existential turmoil after he is forced out of his high-profile company for sharing his own epiphanies on life and work. Jerry’s search for meaning and true happiness leads him down a surprising road to redemption. While this is a movie ostensibly about Cruise’s Jerry,Jerry Maguireis also very much about charming, open-hearted single mom Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger) — a major selling point for why this movie is so dang good.
You can watchJerry MaguireonNetflix.
Julie & Julia
Director/Writer: Nora Ephron
Cast: Meryl Streep, Amy. Adams, Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina, Jane Lynch
Sure, sure, we all know the Julia storyline is really the best part ofJulie & Julia, but who has time to be picky when you’re in search of mental relief ASAP? Written and directed by the unparalleledNora Ephronand adapted from authorJulie Powell’s memoir of the same name,Julie & Juliais the definition of a soft, comforting, easy-on-the-brain movie. The movie is split into two stories which connect in unique ways.
In one storyline, we’re transported to midcentury France whereJuliaChild(Streep) and her husband,Paul Child(played byStanley Tucci) plant their flag post-WWII. Rudderless, Julia begins taking cooking classes and discovers it is a true passion, working overtime to develop her skills and find a way to reach home cooks everywhere through her love of food. In the early ’00s, we meet a fictionalized Julie Powell (Adams), also rudderless but also nursing a need to find a hobby. She lands on making her way through Child’s famous cookbookThe Joy Of Cookingand blogging about it, a pasttime which earns her some notice. Bringing together two ace actors,Meryl StreepandAmy Adams, this heartwarming story is watched with plenty of snacks on hands as you sink into its easy-to-digest story.
You can watchJulie & JuliaonNetflix.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Director/Writer: John Hughes
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jennifer Grey, Jeffrey Jones, Cindy Pickett, Lyman Ward, Edie McClurg
If there is anyone who knows what to do with a ton of free time on their hands, it’sMatthew Broderickas Chicago area teen Ferris Bueller. Writer/directorJohn Hughes’sFerris Bueller’s Day Offis (blessedly) the rare non-Brat Pack movie that’s actually incredibly fun and very cheeky as it follows Ferris around the suburbs and, later, city of Chicago. Ferris just needs a break from his madcap life as a teen, so he decided to take a day off with his girlfriend, Sloane (Mia Sara), and very depressed best friend, Cameron (Alan Ruck). Dodging a pesky principal, leading a parade, and creating elaborate Rube Goldberg machines to fool everyone into thinking he’s home sick…Ferris is one inventive, fun-loving teen whose antics will help you take a load off.
You can watchFerris Bueller’s Day OffonNetflix.
Step Brothers
Director: Adam McKay
Writer: Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, John C. Reilly
Cast: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Richard Jenkins, Mary Steenburgen, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn, Rob Riggle
Step Brothersis a comedy unmatched in its jokes, line delivery, casting decisions, and set pieces. The story is simple: What if two emotionally-stunted, 40-something adults who still live with their single parents had to suddenly live together after their parents got married? The results of this premise are, in fact, a work of comedic genius.Step Brothersis eternally quotable thanks to the performances from leadsWill FerrellandJohn C. Reilly, with a perfect supporting cast —Richard Jenkins,Mary Steenburgen,Adam Scott,Kathryn Hahn,Rob Riggle—working overtime to get every one-line stuck in your brain forever (and that’s a good thing).
You can watchStep BrothersonNetflix.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Writer: Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas, Philip Kaufman
Cast: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Alfred Molina
You want adventure? Okay, we’ll give you adventure… in the form of 1981’sRaiders of the Lost ArkstarringHarrison FordandKaren Allen. The first movie in the still-goingIndiana Jonesfranchise,Raider of the Lost Arkis a throwback adventure romp full of hidden treasure, dastardly villains, and one heroic protagonist, whip-wielding archaeologist Indiana Jones. Hearkening back to the radio plays and comic book adventures of the 1930s and ’40s,Raiders of the LostArkis pure, unadulterated fun that will truly whisk you away to another time and place. Plus, if you like what this movie is laying down, you can tuck into the next threeIndiana Jonessequels after the credits roll.
you may watchIndiana Jones & the Raiders of the Lost ArkonNetflix.
Magic Mike
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Writer: Reid Carolin
Cast: Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer, Matt Bomer, Olivia Munn, Cody Horn, Joe Manganiello
Sometimes, a mental health break means looking atChanning Tatum’s oiled abs while he dances onstage with the goal of visually seducing you into a sweaty mess. If that sounds appealing, then you need to get your hands onMagic Mike— the movie, not the person — immediately.Steven Soderberghpunches up an otherwise saucy premise (a male stripper takes on a protégé, teaching him how to make money while pleasing women) with elements of crime and intrigue, makingMagic Mikean entertaining watch from minute one.
You can watchMagic MikeonAmazon Prime Video.
The First Wives Club
Director: Hugh Wilson
Writer: Robert Harling
Cast: Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, Maggie Smith, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dan Hedaya, Stockard Channing, Victor Garber, Stephen Collins, Bronson Pinchot
Count onBette Midler,Goldie Hawn, andDiane Keatonto chase those blues away withThe First Wives Club, a perfect romp from start to finish. Midler, Hawn, and Keaton are the titular first wives seeking some sweet revenge on their ex-husbands who’ve screwed them over in various, gross ways. This is a dynamite trio of female leads in a sharp, modern-day screwball comedy, which means you can only feel uplifted when you watch.
You can watchThe First Wives ClubonNetflixandAmazon Prime Video.
Director: Akiva Schaffer
Writer: Pam Brady
Cast: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, Isla Fisher, Ian McShane, Sissy Spacek, Will Arnett, Chris Parnell
Drier than a white whine and goofier than a Disney character,Hot Rodliving in the same comedic wheelhouse asNapoleon Dynamitebut features 100% moreAndy Samberg.Hot Rodis Samberg’s first major feature after breaking big onSaturday Night Live. InAkiva Schaffer’s wry indie comedy, Samberg plays Rod, anEvil Knievel-wannabe who recruits his half-brother (Jorma Taccone) and his friends (Bill HaderandDanny McBride) to help him train to pull off one huge stunt that will help raise money for a life-saving heart operation for his stepddad (Ian McShane). Yes, this cast is bananas and yes, they’re all incredibly good in it and yes, there are lots of stunts that you know will end in hilariously bone-crunching ways. So yes, of course you have to watch!
You can watchHot RodonNetflixandAmazon Prime Video.
The Birdcage
Director: Mike Nichols
Writer: Elaine May
Cast: Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, Dan Futterman, Calista Flockhart, Hank Azaria, Christine Baranski
You can’t do much better thanThe Birdcageif you’re looking for a breezy, incisive comedy about gender, sexuality, and what it means to be a family. WithRobin WilliamsandNathan Laneat the helm as Armand and Albert, a gay couple who own a cabaret in South Beach whose lives are about to be upended when their son, Val (Dan Futterman), says he wants to introduce his parents to his fiancée, Barbara (Calista Flockhart), and her parents, played byGene HackmanandDianne Wiest. It would be a happy occasion for Armand and Albert if Val didn’t throw a wrench in their excitement: Barbara’s parents are notoriously conservative, so Armand and Albert have to find a way to (literally) play it straight over one family dinner.
