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Things to watch when you re sad


Movies to Watch When You're Depressed I Psych Central

They’re called “feel-good” movies for a reason. Watching movies could distract you from reality and lift your spirits.

Medication and therapy are the main treatment options for depression, but activities that spark joy could also be helpful.

When you’re feeling down, movies are a good way to lift your mood. A good movie could take you through an emotional journey — all within the span of a couple of hours.

You could be laughing one moment and crying the next, or transported into outer space where you battle other beings for world domination.

If you’re looking for an enjoyable way to lift your spirits, consider popping some popcorn and sitting down to your favorite movie.

Medication and therapy are effective treatments for depression, but they’re not the only ways to lift your mood.

Doing things you enjoy could also improve your mental health and overall well-being, according to a 2016 study. Whether your hobbies include listening to music, riding your bike, or watching movies, these leisurely activities could have a positive effect on your mood and mental health.

Cinema and video therapy — therapy involving watching commercial films or videos — became popular after the invention of video home system (VHS) players.

According to a 2021 study, cinema and video therapy typically involve using films or videos to expose a person to a character who might be going through a similar physical or emotional experience. The characters and scenarios on the screen could spark conversation about you and what you’re feeling.

A 2020 study found that particular films could impact your brain’s activity. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity, researchers found that movies could exert control over the brain to some extent.

This was based, however, on the movie content and style of editing and directing.

We’ve all watched a movie we could relate to or felt inspired by. Watching movies when you’re sad or depressed is no different — it could give you something to relate to.

But the type of movie that will uplift you will depend on you and your preferences. Not all movies will work for every person.

Movies of any genre could be a helpful distraction or source of inspiration during a depressive episode.

Comedies

The most obvious genre of film to watch when you’re sad is comedy. A 2016 study found that laughter could have therapeutic benefits. Humor can have a positive effect on mental health and the immune system.

When you laugh, levels of the stress hormone cortisol are reduced, which helps to reduce stress. Laughter also alters serotonin and dopamine activity and releases the feel-good hormone endorphins — all of which can help ease feelings of depression.

Dramas or tragedies

Even dramatic or tragic movies could spark an emotional response. Similar to laughter, crying could activate the release of endorphins, according to a 2016 study.

Dramatic movies could increase feelings of gratitude and reduce feelings of isolation.

They could also act as a reminder that everyone experiences struggles of their own and invite viewers to reflect on their own problems.

Sad or tragic movies, while not a mood booster, remind us that we’re not alone.

Documentaries

Documentaries could be an engaging choice. These movies are based on true events, which could be inspiring or eye-opening.

They might not distract from reality but could highlight it.

Documentaries that emphasize amazing or thought-provoking events that have happened or are currently happening in the world could be a humbling and grounding realization.

Romantic comedies (aka Rom-Coms)

Romantic comedies, aka rom-coms, could make you feel better about your situation or inspire you to look at your current situation from a different perspective.

Depending on the storyline, a romantic comedy could be just the distraction and source of lighthearted humor you need.

Horror and suspense

Many of us love to be scared — whether that’s through watching scary movies or reading suspenseful books.

The tension, buildup, and conflict that’s often seen in horror and suspenseful movies drive our enjoyment and arouse us emotionally and cognitively, according to a 2019 review. Researchers note, however, that the studies reviewed were small and many were based on self-reports.

A 2021 study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic found that watching horror and pandemic films allowed people to practice coping strategies that could be helpful in a real-world situation. It’s important to note that this study was also small and more research is needed.

No matter the type of movie you prefer, there are many movies you could watch when you’re feeling sad or depressed.

Here’s a breakdown by streaming service. You might also find a movie on other platforms such as YouTube TV and Frndly TV, which houses the cable TV stations Hallmark and Lifetime — well-known for their vast selection of made-for-TV rom-com movies.

Netflix

  • “About Time” (2013)
  • “A Knight’s Tale” (2001)
  • “Annie” (1982)
  • “As Good As It Gets” (1997)
  • “Get On Up” (2014)
  • “Good Burger” (1997)
  • “Greater” (2016)
  • “Hugo” (2011)
  • “Les Misérables” (2012)
  • “My Dog Skip” (2000)
  • “Rain Man” (1988)
  • “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012)
  • “Soul Surfer” (2011)
  • “Stand By Me” (1986)
  • “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” (2019)
  • “The Fundamentals of Caring” (2016)
  • “The Holiday” (2006)
  • “The Karate Kid” (1984)

Hulu

  • “Adventureland” (2009)
  • “Bend It Like Beckham” (2002)
  • “Bridget Jones’s Diary” (2001)
  • “Dirty Dancing” (1987)
  • “Eat Pray Love” (2010)
  • “Fun with Dick and Jane” (2005)
  • “Hearts Beat Loud” (2018)
  • “Hidden Figures” (2016)
  • “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” (1998)
  • “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” (2016)
  • “Interstellar” (2014)
  • “La La Land” (2016)
  • “Mamma Mia!” (2008)
  • “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993)
  • “Skate Kitchen” (2018)
  • “The Help” (2011)
  • “The Martian” (2015)
  • “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012)

Disney+

  • “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)
  • “Cool Runnings” (1993)
  • “Encanto” (2021)
  • “Finding Dory” (2016)
  • “Inside Out” (2015)
  • “Mulan” (1998)
  • “Splash” (1984)
  • “Togo” (2019)
  • “Toy Story” (1995)
  • “Up” (2009)
  • “We Bought a Zoo” (2011)
  • “Zootopia” (2016)

HBO Max

  • “13 Going on 30” (2004)
  • “27 Dresses” (2008)
  • “42” (2013)
  • “Crazy, Stupid, Love” (2011)
  • “Life of Pi” (2012)
  • “Pride & Prejudice” (2005)
  • “The Goonies” (1985)
  • “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)
  • “The Truman Show” (1998)
  • “When Harry Met Sally” (1989)
  • “Where The Wild Things Are” (2009)
  • “Yes Man” (2008)

Amazon Prime

  • “(500) Days of Summer” (2009)
  • “Back to the Future” (1985)
  • “Brittany Runs a Marathon” (2019)
  • “Forrest Gump” (1994)
  • “Grease” (1978)
  • “Green Book” (2018)
  • “It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946)
  • “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” (2010)
  • “Synecdoche; New York” (2008)
  • “The Blind Side” (2009)
  • “The Butler” (2013)
  • “The Farewell” (2019)
  • “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (2013)
  • “Troop Zero” (2019)

Peacock

  • “Definitely Mabye” (2008)
  • “Grown Ups” (2010)
  • “Hitch” (2005)
  • “Meet the Patels” (2015)
  • “Miss Congeniality” (2000)
  • “The Breakfast Club” (1985)
  • “Uncle Buck” (1989)

Movies offer a temporary escape from reality. Even when a movie has ended, you might still feel an emotional high and spend time reflecting on it with friends and loved ones.

Movies can make you feel happy, inspired, and give you a sense of community.

When you need a quick pick-me-up, what better way to do that than sitting down to watch your favorite movie.

But movies aren’t a treatment for depression. If your depression symptoms are affecting your day-to-day life, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for help.

What To Watch When You're Depressed

By Maddy Casale

Twitter @madhoops

Photos: Everett Collection, Netflix ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps

Where to Stream:

Bridesmaids

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Life can be hard, and sometimes cultural and personal events are enough to send us spiraling into the depths of depression. Just trying to figure things out on a daily basis can be difficult enough as is, but is made all the more tricky by the persistent anxiousness, hopelessness, irritability, aches and pains, sleeping difficulties, and more that can be characteristics of struggling with depression.

While therapy and medication are the best true treatments for depression, in the meantime you can at least try to ease the symptoms you may be dealing with by watching content that runs the gamut from uplifting and funny to relaxing and introspective.

Even though depression can make a person feel lonely, we at Decider are here to assure you that you’re not alone, and we’ve got your back with these 13 titles that are some of the best to watch in order to help get through the dark times.

1

Photo: ©Disney+/Courtesy Everett Collection

CAST: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Rachel House, Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade, Wes Studi, Fortune Feimster, Questlove, Angela Bassett, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs

RATING: PG

DESCRIPTION: This Academy Award-winning animated comedy-drama film out of Pixar was just what we needed when it first came out in December 2020, and if it could give us hope in that dark first year of COVID-19, then it’s capable of lighting the way through anything.  Soul tells the story of middle-school band teacher Joe Gardner (Foxx), whose life hasn’t turned out how he’d always hoped as he is in his 40s, still struggling to “make it” as a jazz musician in New York City.

But when an untimely accident takes his soul to the “Great Beyond,” his unwillingness to die takes his soul on a journey to a whole new realm where he meets a jaded and cynical soul called 22 (Fey). Together, they attempt to discover what it means to find your “spark,” and in the process weaving a humorous, poignant, and clever film about passion, purpose, and the meaning of life.

Where to watch Soul

2

Photo: NBC

CAST: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, D’Arcy Carden, Manny Jacinto

RATING: TV-14

DESCRIPTION: If your depression gets you feeling introspective, The Good Place is the perfect show to scratch that itch to engage with and expand your mind and heart, and is also just generally hilarious, well-acted, and smart. Over the course of four seasons, the Peabody and Hugo Award-winning fantasy comedy begins with former pharmaceutical saleswoman Eleanor Shellstrop (Bell) finding herself, both to her pleasure and surprise, that she has made it to a heaven-like utopia called the Good Place in the afterlife following her death.

It turns out, however, that she’s just ended up there by mistake, leading Eleanor to try to hide her unethical past and more negative aspects of her personality in order to blend in with the people around her. Her efforts inadvertently lead her down a path towards becoming a better person, even if it’s in death, and making us feel comforted by the knowledge that it’s never too late to change the course of your life (or afterlife, as it were).

Where to watch The Good Place

3

Photo: ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

CAST: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman, Miranda Cosgrove, Caitlin Hale, Maryam Hassan, Aleisha Allen, Joey Gaydos Jr, Kevin Clark, Rivkah Reyes, Robert Tsai

RATING: PG-13

DESCRIPTION: It’s hard to stay down for too long when you’re telling your woes to “Step off!” You can do just that by watching the delightful 2003 comedy film that is School of Rock, which follows Dewey Finn (Black), a guy who just wants to rock but is struggling to do so after being kicked out of his band and then asked to move out of the place he shares with his roommate Ned Schneebly (White), who has been encouraged by his domineering girlfriend Patty (Silverman) to cut Dewey out of his life.

At rock bottom, Dewey’s desperation to turn things around and make some cash leads him to impersonate Ned in order to take on a job as a substitute teacher at the elite Horace Green prep school, even though he’s completely unqualified, and, oh yeah, technically committing identity theft. But you know what, we can forgive ol’ Dewey, because he ends up bringing joy and fun to those kids’ rigid lives by showing them the pure epicness of rock’n’ roll, making for a truly delightful and timeless viewing experience from start to finish.

Where to watch School of Rock

4

Photo: Netflix

CAST: Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding, Matt Lucas

RATING: TV-14

DESCRIPTION: If you’re looking for something that is both calming and feel-good, look no further that The Great British Baking Show, which reminds us all how talented and kind (and British) human being can be. The long-running and beloved wholesome baking competition series takes a group of amateur bakers and sees them compete against each other in a series of various rounds and challenges that lead one baker to be eliminated each week until only one is left standing to be crowned best of the bakers. It will almost certainly make you smile (and get hungry), so it’s always a good idea to grab some cake and watch some Great British Baking Show when you’re feeling low.

Where to watch The Great British Baking Show

5

Photo: Everett Collection

CAST: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Chris O’Dowd, Rebel Wilson, Matt Lucas, Ben Falcone, Jon Hamm

RATING: R

DESCRIPTION: You may feel many things about the prospect of watching the wonderful Melissa McCarthy poop in a sink whilst shouting “Look away!”, but depressed likely isn’t one of them.  Bridesmaids is a comedy film led by kick-ass women and full of so many laugh-of-loud moments you’re going to have chiseled abs by the time you’ve finished it thanks to all the yukking it up you’ll have done.

The Academy Award-nominated movie revolves around Annie Walker (Wiig), a 30-something in Milwaukee who has recently been dumped by the self-involved jerk (Hamm) she’s been hooking up with and is stuck working a job she dislikes whilst rooming with two heinous siblings (Wilson and Lucas) she dislikes even more after the recent recession shut down her bakery.

Things finally seem to take a turn for the better when her longtime best friend Lillian (Rudolph) asks Annie to be her maid of honor, but meeting with the fellow bridesmaids soon proves to kick off a tense rivalry and series of mishaps that devolve into absolute chaos and hilarity in the way that only the best comedies can. Do yourself a favor and see all of the magnificent mayhem go down in Bridesmaids ASAP.

Where to watch Bridesmaids

6

©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

CAST: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry

RATING: TV-14

DESCRIPTION: Depression can make you feel like you’re all alone, but perhaps you can at least take comfort in the nostalgic warmth and humor of Friends. With 10 seasons of content to choose from, the sitcom about six pals living in the same NYC apartment complex remains a fan-favorite, largely due to how good it feels to watch the fleshed out characters encounter relatable highs and lows of relationships, careers, and life in general, all while having each others’ backs.

Even when the going gets touch, Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Monica are there to lend a hand or shoulder to cry on for each other, but also for us viewers, too. Whatever you’re going through, Friends will be there for you, too.

Where to watch Friends

7

Photo: Gkids /courtesy Everett Collection

CAST: Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Tress MacNeille, Janeane Garofalo, Matthew Lawrence, Brian Cummings, Kath Soucie, Jeff Bennett, Debbie Reynolds, Edie McClurg

RATING: G

DESCRIPTION: This 1989 animated fantasy film is one of the best from world-famous filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, and remains special and moving because it is nearly always relevant, no matter what age or stage of life you’re at now. On its surface, Kiki’s Delivery Service is a film about a 13 year-old witch named Kiki who must leave her home to spend a year making it on her own with only her trusty talking cat, Jiji, for company, as it the tradition for all of her small seaside village’s witches in training. But dig deeper and you’ll find that this movie is about change, coming-of-age, and the connections we make throughout the course of our lives, both in the families we’re born into and the ones we create for ourselves.

Kiki’s Delivery Service asserts that life on one’s own can be hard, lonely, and scary, but that by both leaning on others and believing in and accepting yourself as you really are, you can forge ahead and find simple but profound joys in this crazy broom ride that we call life.

Where to watch Kiki's Delivery Service

8

Hey, what are comedic duo Key and Peele doing in Fargo? This was a weird, pleasant surprise from the hit FX series and we were truly bummed when they got offed after just a couple of episodes. [Watch Fargo on Amazon Instant Video] Photo: FXP/Everett Collection

CAST: Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele

RATING: TV-14

DESCRIPTION: Laughter is often defined as “delighted surprise,” and that’s something you can find plenty of in Key & Peele. The 2012-2015 sketch show created by the ridiculously talented duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele may not have been on air for many years, but it sure made its mark with fresh, smart, and silly comedy that is endlessly watchable, quotable, and relevant. From “I Said Bitch” to “Substitute Teacher” and so much more, there’s no shortage of brilliant skits, social commentary, and moments that will amuse and enthrall you even when you’re feeling low.

Where to watch Key & Peele

9

Photo: Everett Collection

CAST: James Stewart, Henry Travers, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Beulah Bondi, Frank Faylen, Ward Bond, Gloria Grahame

RATING: PG

DESCRIPTION: Is this a bit on the nose? Of course. But It’s A Wonderful Life is a classic for a reason, people, and clearly it’s doing something right if we’re still talking about it and loving it even after 75 years. A Christmas classic, this 1947 fantasy drama George Bailey (Stewart), who is so frustrated and disappointed with his life that he wishes he’d never been born at all. When guardian angel Clarence Odbody (Travers) takes George on a journey to see how the world and other peoples’ lives would be if he had never existed, he begins to understand that his impact on others and worth is greater than he ever could have imagined. For a nice dose of hope, heart, and sweet nostalgia, watch It’s a Wonderful Life. 

Where to watch It's a Wonderful Life

10

Photo: NBC

CAST: Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Jim O’Heir, Retta

RATING: TV-PG

DESCRIPTION: If you’re looking for a title to spark some simple, pure joy, then be sure to check out Parks and Recreation. The Emmy-nominated sitcom is a political satire mockumentary that features all sorts of oddballs, misfits, and regular Joes, and gives them all a place to belong and be accepted for who they are.

Following Pawnee, Indiana’s deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department Leslie Knope (Poehler), Parks and Rec is a show built upon community, optimism, and humanity, and is sure to spark joy with viewers thanks to funny, tender, and ridiculous moments from any and all of its seven superb seasons. Between the lovable characters, sharp dialogue, and lived-in world, Parks and Rec is a stand-out show that was made to lift people up.

Where to watch Parks and Recreation

11

Photo: Everett Collection

CAST: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Anupam Kher, Chris Tucker, Julia Stiles, Shea Whigham, John Ortiz

RATING: R

DESCRIPTION: Silver Linings Playbook is an Academy Award-winning romantic comedy-drama from 2012, and though it is a decade old, it still does a nice job of addressing mental health and mental illness in a way that may make viewers today feel seen and understood. The film follows Pat Solatano (Cooper) as he moves back into his parents’ (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver) home in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania after spending eight months in a mental health facility due to his struggles bipolar disorder.

Pat’s main goal now is to get back on his feet so he can reconcile with his ex-wife, Nikki (Bee), who has since moved away and filed a restraining order against him for beating up her lover in a fit of jealous rage. In pursuit of reconnecting with Nikki, Pat forms a connection with a complicated young widow named Tiffany (Lawrence), who agrees to help him get back with his ex if he will be her partner for an upcoming dance competition. Silver Linings Playbook serves as a reminder of how people can find miraculous and beautiful ways to come together and support one another even in the face of grief, trauma, and personal struggles.

Where to watch Silver Linings Playbook 

12

Photo: Netflix

CAST: Joe Locke, Kit Connor, Olivia Colman, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Tobie Donovan, Jenny Walser, Sebastian Croft

RATING: TV-14

DESCRIPTION: Heartstopper is pure joy, it’s as simple as that. This sweet Netflix Original romantic comedy series is all about coming-of-age and coming out, exploring these themes through the budding love story of British teens Charlie Spring (Locke) and Nick Nelson (Connor). As a year 9, Charlie went through a difficult time after coming out as gay at his largely heteronormative all-boys school. But now that he’s a year 10, Charlie hopes that things will be different, and indeed, change seems to be afoot as he finds himself falling for sweet, popular, and seemingly-straight year 11 rugby star Nick.

Heartstopper is a tender LGBTQ+ story about self-acceptance and first loves that will make your own heart stop (or at the very least, skip a beat) and mouth curve into a smile before you’ve even realized it. Now that’s what we call a quality pick-me-up.

Where to watch Heartstopper

13

Photo: Everett Collection

CAST: Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, Fred Savage, Peter Falk

RATING: PG

DESCRIPTION: The notion of anyone leaving a viewing of The Princess Bride feeling blue is, quite frankly,  inconceivable. Made in 1987, this Rob Reiner-directed fantasy romantic-comedy is a sweeping and comforting fairytale adventure that will bring a smile to the faces of viewers young and old alike. The film is a story within a story that follows a young man named Westley (Elwes) who is determined to find his one true love, a beautiful woman called Buttercup (Wright), AKA the titular “Princess Bride”, after they have been separated for several years.

Though many obstacles and enemies stand in their way, nothing will prevent the two from proving the depths of their love, making for a wildly entertaining, swoon-worthy, and fantastical film that will have you engaged and on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Where to watch The Princess Bride

30 movies to watch when everyone is tired of everything

Belarusians have a very hard day on Thursday. And in order for your cuckoo not to fly off completely, it is very important to switch to something. For example, to watch a movie: therefore, we publish a list of films that you can watch when you are tired of everything. Go.

Part one. Films that give a feeling of joyful melancholy

"Mektub, my love"

The French know a lot about good movies about love and sex. This film can be watched as a prelude - for the first 10-15 minutes it seems that there is no plot at all in the tape: frames depicting the beach, universal joy and beautiful people in swimsuits flash on the screen. The plot of the film is about young people who came to relax in the resort town and have fun all day long. What else to watch when the mood is not to hell?

"Midnight in Paris"

A hopeless romantic travels to Paris with his practical wife and miraculously finds himself at night in the 1920s, the time in which he dreamed of living all his life. He meets the still young, but already successful couple of Fitzgeralds, Hemingway, Picasso, Gertrude Stein. And, of course, falls in love with the heroine Marion Cotillard. And he understands: it always seems to a person that “then” was better than “now”. Woody Allen will not make a bad film, especially since this is his first film, which grossed more than $ 100 million at the worldwide box office.

"Behind the Mask of a Gigolo"

The story of how two stable aged people - a family man, a bookstore owner and a florist - decide to make money on erotic services. A family man takes on the role of a pimp and invites wealthy women to meet his florist friend. The film is not erotic at all, rather it is a comedic metamorphosis on the theme of the oldest profession in the world. Vanessa Paradis also plays there.

Bear and Doll

A classic story about how one capricious lady struggled to get the attention of an ordinary cellist. Only not always such heroines are played by the young Brigitte Bardot. What do you think will happen if the urban socialite begins to win the heart of the rural introvert?

"Summer"

The media wrote that "Summer" is perhaps the most important Russian film of the year and the best picture of Kirill Serebrennikov (he was arrested right during the filming, and the team finished the film without him). The movie invites you to immerse yourself in nostalgia for the 80s through the story of the cult character of that time - Viktor Tsoi. Leningrad 1981 years old, rock and roll, Mike Naumenko, a lot of love and hope - well, what else is needed to get out of the state of the aggressor?

The Pool

Iconic director Ozon's film is a much more explicit remake of the classic 1969 thriller starring Alain Delon. The writer goes to create her new novel at the publisher's dacha, but his not the most prudent daughter is already staying there. Lots of sun, unpredictable plot and deep female characters. Watch for anyone who likes the movie "The Big Splash".

“It Happened One Night”

The love stories described by directors of the last century are so pleasant and accurate that they evoke a greater sense of embarrassment than Gaspard Noe's frank films today. This tape is about the pretty daughter of a rich father who chose a groom for herself, but her parents did not like him. Showing her “I want and I will”, the girl leaves the house - jumps from her father's yacht, gets on the bus and goes towards her happiness. Who knew that a handsome unemployed reporter would be in public transport.

The Tenenbaum Family

Three gifted children were born in the same family: a financial genius, a recognized playwright and a professional tennis player. And all three were brought up by their mother, because their father had better things to do. At some point, he again showed up on the doorstep of his family with a false statement: "I have cancer." And although it doesn’t seem so from the description, this is a very warm film, where the funny is sad, and the sad is funny.

Fall in love with me if you dare

A boy and a girl meet at the school bus and develop an intoxicating friendship playing a strange and sometimes cruel game of “are you weak?”. Twenty years pass, and they are still building their relationship around this game. But now the tests are already much more serious. But in general, the atmosphere of the film is rather carefree, which is why we included it in this list.

In the Mood for Love

On the one hand, this is a film about adultery through the eyes of those who are being cheated on. On the other hand, this is a deep movie by Wong Kar-Wai about the fact that not all love tension needs to be removed instantly (because it can be prolonged in this way). This is where the age-old wisdom of Asia is revealed - their contemplative philosophy is strikingly different from ours - especially in the age of Tinder.

"Roman Holiday"

Audrey Hepburn is a young princess who is bored with her refined life, so she rebelliously decides to run away from her palace. True, before escaping, she was given an injection of sleeping pills, so the royal did not manage to escape far. The princess fell asleep on the bench. She was "picked up" by a stately journalist and showed what an unburdened life can be.

The Great Beauty

Oscar and Golden Globe Award winning painting by Paolo Sorrentino is a comedic sketch of bourgeois life in the Italian capital. The story begins with a showcase for a privileged party (almost like Gatsby's) hosted by the protagonist to look at ordinary people. Thus, the director decided to ridicule human pathos through an aged journalist who lives with a glass of gin in his hand. And he succeeded.

"Stories"

It's like a collection of stories in one movie. First, we see a story about a young couple who negotiate with some toastmaster about the wedding ceremony, the profession of future children, and even the number of lovers. Then - a corruption opportunity in OVIR, after - a story about a burned-out library. The last story is the most intimate - it was from it that the public's favorite phrase "What to fuck with you?" came out.

Part two. Films that develop empathy

"The Man Who Surprised Everyone"

This film should be watched at least for the sake of the actor Evgeny Tsyganov, who plays the main role in the film. An ordinary huntsman lives in an ordinary house, with an ordinary family and an ordinary life. But then, on the usual "Tuesday", the father of the family finds out that he has cancer and decides to cheat death. He only does it by wearing women's clothes. Have you ever thought that in the provinces it's easier to die than to be gay?

"Khrustal"

Each individual Belarusian made his own harsh verdict on the film about Belarus. For some, the tape turned out to be a banal and not the most truthful sketch about 90's, others recognized themselves in the film. The plot revolves around a young girl who dreams of going to America for the sake of a DJ career. But getting an American visa in Minsk twenty years ago was not so easy, so the heroine has to leave for a week in the canonical village of Khrustal, where simple, straightforward people live.

"Pan's Labyrinth"

If you watch this film as a child, you will leave the cinema with the satisfaction of a beautiful fairy tale. In fact, the fantasy horror film Guillermo Del Toro tells about life in Nazi Spain44 years: how people fought one enemy, but suffered from their own arrogant commanders. In the center of the plot is a ten-year-old girl who is trying to return home to her father: she thinks that he has become the king of a magical country, and she is a princess. Worst of all is the realization of the metaphor with which the director designated the fabulous labyrinth.

"Three billboards on the border of Ebbing, Missouri"

A film about strong and at the same time weak people who did not find the strength to cope with feelings of anger and their own powerlessness. The plot begins with a story about a woman whose daughter was raped and burned near their small provincial town. The police cannot find the perpetrators, so the heroine buys advertising space on three billboards, where she leaves a non-ambiguous message to the sheriff. The film is worth watching to understand how rage can lead us to the most absurd and wrong decisions. And what a titanic effort is the adoption.

"Boyhood"

This film has been in production for 12 years! For what? So that the main character (and everyone else too) really grew from a child into a teenager, and then into a young man. At the beginning we see a little boy and his deep confusion due to the divorce of his parents. The hero stays with his mother, endures her next husbands and enjoys Sunday meetings with his own father. A must-see for anyone who thinks that life passes quickly, like sand through fingers.

No connection

A very topical movie now about how one public photo on social networks can poison a schoolboy, how one correspondence with a stranger can upset a marriage, and how one TV story can endanger his hero. In general, these are several stories that are connected to each other - they all tell about people who have lost touch. An example of a movie where there is no happy ending, but that's why after watching you want to go hug all your loved ones and start appreciating your own life.

"Correction class"

Russian schools still have "correction classes" - special classes in which children with physical and mental disabilities are collected from the standards generally accepted in the Ministry of Education. The film directed by Tverdovsky can hardly be called hyperbolic, it really conveys the atmosphere of teaching "not such" children almost 100%. They are cruel to themselves and to each other. Perhaps their character adapts to the cage in which they were placed by the teachers. Watch for anyone with atrophied sense of empathy.

Swiss Army Man

This is a film about how Hank finds Manny on a desert island. The problem is, Manny is a corpse. But Hank does not despair and learns to overcome obstacles thanks to Manny. The film is truly healing: if you can take it deeper than a movie about a decaying corpse, you will see a super-humanist movie with the right ending.

Part three. Satirical comedies with a good sense of humor

Long live Caesar!

Cast: George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Tilda Swinton, Scarlett Johansson. If you still do not have a desire to watch this film, we will tell you further. The comedy about Hollywood of the 50s of the last century was shot by the wonderful Coen brothers. The action takes place on a film set: the main character of the film disappears. Naturally, the kidnappers send a ransom note, and the actor's friends hire a detective. Well, then the funny story begins.

Real Ghouls

A truly hilarious pseudo-documentary about the lives of modern day vampires. A group of non-humans has been living alone in a mansion for more than one hundred years. Before the next "Devil's Masquerade", where socially active evil spirits gather, the inhabitants of the mansion decide to step out of the shadows and tell the cameras of sensation lovers about their hard life. The dialogue in the film goes something like this:

- I found that my antique sofa was covered in blood.
- Which one is red?
Well, it's red now, yes.

"Bluff"

As the classics said, a woman in anger is scary. This directorial story from 1976 is proof of this: in order to take revenge on a man (who, as always, was brilliantly played by Adriano Celentano), the main character decides to organize an escape from prison for him. True, her assistant changed his views on cooperation, and she herself was in trouble.

"Dr. Strangelove, or how I stopped being afraid and fell in love with the bomb"

The culturally significant film directed by the iconic Kubrick is a direct satire of US actions during the Cold War. At the head of the plot is a general who is haunted by the obsessive thought that the communists are sleeping and watching their military ideas being stolen from the Americans. In the end, the general does not think of anything better than to bomb the USSR. Throughout the rest of the film, the American president, along with Dr. Strangelove, try to fix the situation in a rather satirical way. It is especially shocking that Kubrick released this black comedy at the height of the Cold War and the arms race.

Black cat, white cat

Emir Kusturica made a great film about gypsy friendship and family ties before it became mainstream. At the beginning, we are told about two almost gray-haired barons who made their fortune not in the most “white” ways, but managed to remain good friends. When a carefree retirement was visible on the horizon, the barons were disturbed: they say, your relatives are doing multi-million dollar deals with the mafia, they are chasing them from the police - come back. Well, how can you stay here?

"Monty Python and the Holy Grail"

This part of the collection should have included at least one nonsensical film of the last century, the humor of which is not suitable for everyone. This is a real absurdity, consisting of parodies of the British legends of King Arthur. In the West, cinema is considered quite important: it was made in 1975 and it completely undermined the idea of ​​​​many directors about the sketch genre.

"Cococo"

The film is satirical, but not the most comedic. Two completely different people find themselves in the same train compartment: an intelligent museum worker from St. Petersburg (Mikhalkov), and a provincial woman Vika (Troyanova). It would seem that they got off the train and dispersed, but all their things were stolen right on the train, so the compassionate museum worker invites her neighbor to live with her. At first, a new girlfriend arouses wild admiration: she cleans, cooks, and in the evening they drink wine and go out together. But the intelligentsia, it seems, will never understand the "common man".

“Eddie the Eagle”

The boy Eddie dreamed of taking part in the Olympic Games since childhood. But he was so unsightly and clumsy that he was not taken to the big sport. The other was given up and learned to be a lawyer, but Eddie, despite the constant ridicule from the great athletes, still got into the British team as a ski jumper. Trained hard and fulfilled his dream. This movie may make you want to get off the couch, but first you'll have to laugh heartily at his jokes.

"American Vandal"

Finally, we recommend a cool series to fans of satire. The plot is tied to a story about the consequences of a prank: not the most humble student painted male reproductive organs on twenty-seven teachers' cars. Everyone considers the narrow-minded Peter to be the culprit, and his classmates begin to investigate this case, making a documentary and finding evidence in the students' stories, in the ridiculous testimonies of teachers, and even in the manner of drawing these same penises. Believe me, this is not a dumb teen comedy.

90,000 films that will save when you are very bad

Free time

“Beauty for the whole head” (2018)

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from the film

Quote: “Change all, not change all, not changing nothing. "

If you want to be happy, you will be. A simple truth that is often forgotten. And the heroine of this comedy, Renee (Amy Schumer), believed that in order to successfully marry, you need to have ideal parameters. After endless attempts to go on diets and fitness classes, the girl's figure was far from the cherished forms. One day, Rene falls off the exercise bike and hits his head hard. After the incident, the girl gains confidence that now she is simply irresistible. One problem: in the eyes of other people, she has not changed a bit. Paradox: such a beauty on the whole head begins to be a success with men.

"She" (2013)

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frame from the movie

Quote: “We're coming for a little while. And as long as I live, I want to enjoy life. And don't care."

The protagonist of the film, the writer Theodore, is painfully going through a breakup with his wife. At this difficult moment, Samantha appears in his life, an operating system designed to fulfill any desire of the user. I want to write down the conversations between the writer and Samantha in a separate notebook so that I can reread them later. “Today, after you left, I thought a lot,” the smart system argues. “About you and how you treat me. And I tried to understand: why do I love you? And suddenly I felt like some kind of spring unclenched inside me. And I realized that I have no reasonable reason to love you. Yes, I don't need it. I believe in myself, I believe in my feelings. I won't try to break myself anymore. I am who I am. And I hope you can accept it."

"We are the Millers" (2013)

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Quote: "It's my motto: don't regret anything."

Sometimes you just need to relax with a light popcorn movie. For this, the picture of Rawson Marshall Thurber with the participation of the sexy Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis is best suited. The plot is original. Four misfits - a small-time drug dealer, a stripper, a nerd and a cheeky underage girl - have to play the role of a model family. The task of this suddenly formed cell of society is not to get caught at customs. As a result, this road adventure appealed to viewers around the world. The comedy grossed $270 million (with a budget of $37 million). Of course, there were some American vulgar jokes here, but on the whole it turned out to be a funny and funny story.

"Hello, my name is Doris" (2015)

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Quote: "Don't let the fear of what can happen prevent you from living."

Directed by Michael Showalter, he created a positive film that uplifts the mood and tells the viewer that life is beautiful at any age. Doris Miller (Sally Field) is an elegant old woman in her 60s who falls in love with a new colleague, John (Max Greenfield), who is half his age. From this moment on, amazing changes will begin to occur in the life of the heroine. Doris understood the main thing: everything is possible. The film inspires and teaches not to be afraid of change.

Promise at Dawn (2017)

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still from the movie

Quote: “I'm not saying stop mothers from loving their babies. But I'm sure it would be better if they loved someone else."

Screen adaptation of the autobiographical novel by writer Romain Gary. The action takes place in provincial Poland, where a single woman is raising her only son. The family constantly endures ridicule and bullying from others. Who would have thought that this boy in a ridiculous girly fur coat could make a dizzying career and become a diplomat and a famous writer. Maternal love and support helped the boy to believe in his own strength. “Of course, at the age of 45, believing everything your mother told you,” Romain Gary would later write, “is a little naive, but I can’t help myself. I failed to remake the world, defeat stupidity and malice, restore dignity and justice to people, but still at 1932 in Nice I won the ping-pong tournament and still do 12 push-ups every morning, so it’s too early for me to despair.”

"We bought a zoo" (2011)

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Quote: "I love the rain, I love the sun and I love you."

Sad, but at the same time life-affirming story. The action takes place in Southern California. After the death of his wife, a father with two children moves out of town to restore and reopen the old zoo. The basis for the film was published in February 2009memoirs of Benjamin Mee. Painting. The author shows that in difficult times those who need help themselves will help. By saving others, you can heal yourself.

Inside Out (2015)

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Quote: "There are no words, only emotions."

When you are sad, you always remember your cloudless childhood. I want it to be 10 years again, and ahead - only joy and happiness. In the cartoon, the behavior of 11-year-old Riley is determined only by five basic emotions: joy, sadness, fear, anger and disgust. They change very quickly. For adults, things are much more complicated.

August Rush (2007)

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Quote: “Music is not learned from books. She is all around us."

“Listen! You hear? Music! asked the main character of the film, a boy named Evan Taylor. - I hear it everywhere: in gusts of wind, in the air, in the rays of light - it is everywhere. All it takes is just to open up. All you need to do is just listen.” An amazing movie about the love of music, which is inherited and which helped the family to reunite. It is possible that in this story there is a lot of fabulous and unrealistic, but in real life we ​​lack miracles so much.

"Woman in Gold" (2015)

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Quote: "The fight for justice never stops."

This is the story of a bright and strong woman who decided to fight against the whole state in order to return the relics that the Nazis took away from her family several decades ago. Of particular value is the painting "Golden Adele" by the famous artist Gustav Klimt. Together with an inexperienced but courageous young lawyer (played brilliantly by Ryan Reynolds), a woman tries to prove her rights to the legacy of her ancestors. A very kind and at the same time deep film that makes you think about how important it is to preserve and pass on the history of your ancestors. Also, this movie gives hope that in a cruel world there is still a place for justice. The main thing is to fight and go to the end.

"My Boy" (2002)

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Quote: "Man is not an island."

The protagonist Will (Hugh Grant) compares himself to Ibiza. He does not work anywhere, lives off the interest that he receives from his father's popular Christmas track. Will doesn't believe in love and friendship. The purpose of life is entertainment and endless connections with women. 12-year-old botanist Marcus will prove to Will that a person cannot be an island.

“Ice” (2017)

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Quote: “Spring is coming”.

The sensational Russian musical about a figure skater from Irkutsk makes you cry and laugh. A good idea - the emotions of the main characters are expressed using famous songs. There are no professional competitions in the picture (this film is more about feelings, not about sports). But for some reason, it is this story that makes you believe in yourself and your own strengths. And in the end, the desire of the champion to just be happy is especially touching. It becomes more important than any cups.

The Age of Adaline (2015)

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Quote: "Tell me something I'll remember forever. "

A beautiful story about a girl who does not age makes you think about the main luxury in life - time. How not to miss the point. Is it great to be an attractive woman at the age of 100? Of course, this is a light movie without complex philosophical problems, but after watching you understand that you need to appreciate every moment.

“What else do men talk about. Continued (2018)

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Quote: "Every time I feel bad when I just want to be happy."

Everything filmed by Quartet I can cheer you up. It is only this film, which has a good touch of nostalgia, that can support in difficult times. There is not so much humor here, more romance and male conversations. It's great that friends go to St. Petersburg - a special Russian city, where for some reason it always gets better and there is a kind of reboot.

Muriel's Wedding (1994)

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Quote: “I'm married! I am beautifull".

Especially for the role of the main character, actress Toni Collette gained 20 kg in seven weeks. According to the plot, the ugly Muriel lives in a small resort town in Australia. The girl listens to the ABBA group, reads glossy magazines and dreams of a prince who will take her away from her rude father and stupid brothers. Only a rich guy doesn't rush to Muriel's. She is not one of those who think that "happiness will come and find it on the stove." The heroine goes to look for her betrothed in Sydney. Great movie to lift your spirits.

True Values ​​(1998)

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Quote: "Love what you have.

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