10 Films to Distract You from Reality.

You know you need it.

The world is a fucking disaster. It really is.

And it’s not just you. No one is okay right now and anyone who says that they are is either living in a bubble or flat-out lying.

But if you’re like me and find yourself longing for the 1999 end-of-the-world when Y2K was our biggest collective fear. And you’ve tried all the things to calm the anxiety and get out of your head for a while—but the meditation, yoga, journaling, reading, arting, music listening, dancing, walking, avoiding social media, not watching the news and maybe even weed, wine or Xanax aren’t even helping — it might be time for a movie break.

Don’t feel guilty. We don’t always have to sit in/with our feelings. Distraction really can be a form of self-care. The human brain can only take so much and it needs a break sometimes. So in order to feel better (especially when sleep alludes us) and we’ve already tried everything else, it’s okay to indulge in the distractions that you actually need. And if that’s a movie, then do it.

So, throw some blankets over the windows, pop some popcorn, make yourself a cozy nest on your sofa or bed and join me for one of my favorite flicks to give your mind (and body) the distraction break that it surely needs. Hopefully it will renew your faith in humanity, even if only temporarily. Maybe the world isn’t doomed? Yet.

1.     Amelie

Subtitles to start? Really? Yes. It’s worth it, I promise! Amelie is a super-sweet and kind, single,   waitress in Montmartre who doesn’t have a lot going on.  She finds herself drawn into creating happiness in the lives of all the sad and lonely people around her (and exacting some revenge on a nasty neighbor) through solving two mysteries of her own making and simultaneously changing her own life. This one will definitely give you the warm fuzzies that you probably need right now.

2.     Hector & the Search for Happiness

Hectors journey of self-discovery around the world and right back to where he started is fucking beautiful. That’s all.

3.     Sing Street

An entire was band was formed for the sole purpose of a boy impressing the girl that he liked.  The naivety of young love runs strong in this one. It also boasts excellent music, Irish accents and 80’s fashion. Love, love, love.

4.     Clueless

Cheesy 90’s teen movie? Yes. And also one of my favorites. A modern riff on Jane Austen’s Emma, Cher is a privileged Beverly Hills teen who lives in a world that most people could never even hope to visit, let alone inhabit. But as snobbish as she seems to be at the beginning, she’s also incredibly sweet as she starts waking up to the beauty and kindness in the people around her and feeling empowered when she realizes that she is in fact privileged and can use her “popularity for a good cause” to make the world a better place. Even if her starting attempts are a little selfish and misguided, her heart is actually in the right place. And did I mention a young Paul Rudd? Who doesn’t love that guy?

5.     The Sunlit Night

Jenny Slate, Zach Galifianakis officiating a Viking funeral, beautiful scenery, great music (I listen to the playlist often) and a Norwegian barn painted like the sun. That’s really all you need to know because if that’s not your jam, you’re looking at the wrong list.

6.     What We Did on Our Holiday

Two stressed parents who have recently separated take their children to visit one of their fathers. While there, he dies (unbeknownst to anyone else) and the kids give him a Viking funeral — just like he told them he wanted — before any of the adults even know that he’s dead. Another Viking funeral? Yes. Trust me. It may sound dark, but it’s an incredibly touching and refreshing story of real familial love and the parts that our pain-in-the-ass extended families play in our lives.

7.     Sunshine on Leith

A film adaptation of the musical based on the music of the Proclaimers album of the same name. It’s impossible not to sing-along with this one and generally just feel a whole lot better about life and all the people.

8.     Napoleon Dynamite

Ridiculous, I know, but it’s also hilarious. From Napoleon’s love of the Liger and pocket tots to Tina the alpaca and everyone in between. And does it get any sweeter than a kid who would throw himself under the bus with a public dance performance for his best friend?

9.     Yesterday

The Beatles music is absolutely timeless and this movie showing the music’s power to unite all people and every generation left my heart (and mouth) smiling and singing for days.  

10.  Rapture-Palooza

Dark end of the world comedy? It’s a thing. Maybe it seems counter-intuitive to think that a movie about the apocalypse could make you feel hopeful, but it’s definitely worth your time. Despite the suffer screaming locusts, crows telling everyone to fuck off and a girl fighting off the advances of the anti-christ, the movie is absolutely hilarious. I mean Craig Robinson and Anna Kendrick, how could it not be? And really if you know that even when the Anti-Christ takes over things can still be okay, there is still hope for better days.

What are your favorite go-to distracting, happy, comfort films? Please let me know in the comments, I could use some new suggestions.