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Movies are cheaper than therapy – here are my 7 best comfort watches on HBO Max, Disney+ and more
When the time comes for me to take a step back and slow down, I can always rely on movies to help me through. It's times like this when I enlist the help of my favorite comfort movies.
I'm a keen gym-goer and runner, and while these activities have done wonders for helping me to maintain a clean mental wellbeing, there are times where being less active is more affective for helping me unwind. Comfort movies are great for this, and I've decided to share my top seven picks with you to give you an insight into the types of movies I love to watch to take a break from reality.
The movies listed below are some of my most re-watched pieces of media for a number of different reasons: be that for its cast, music, or humor. But they all share one thing in common –a sense of familiarity and comfort. These are my top seven comfort movies I can rely on during times of stress.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Director: David Frankel
Age rating: PG-13
Runtime: 109 minutes
Where to stream: Disney+, Hulu (US); Disney+, Prime Video (UK); Disney+ (AU)
David Frankel knew exactly what he was doing with The Devil Wears Prada. Not only is this comedy-drama stacked with one of the best casts, but there's an iconic line in every scene that's still referenced today. The Devil Wears Prada is one of my most revisited comfort movies, and is one I can rely on when I need to unwind – and when I want to imagine myself in the shoes of Anne Hathaway.
Graduate Andy (Hathaway) is an aspiring journalist who lands a job as an assistant to Miranda Priestley (Meryl Streep), the ruthless editor-in-chief of Runway – the biggest fashion magazine out there. With no fashion sense or knowledge of the industry, Andy is thrown into the fast-paced world of fashion, struggling to cater to the constant demands from Miranda while navigating an environment that's all looks, and no personality.
Determined to make it as a journalist and win the approval of Miranda, Andy steps up to the challenge by changing her plain and simple appearance, and committing even harder to her job by embracing new styles and trends. But this jeopardizes her private life, and her relationship with her boyfriend and friends drastically changes.
Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010)
Directors: Edgar Wright
Age rating: PG-13
Runtime: 112 minutes
Where to stream: HBO Max (US)
It's not the type of film you'd expect to see in a list of comfort movies given it's dynamic, video game-style action sequences, but Scott Pilgrim vs the World was one of my favorites growing up – and one I can trust to comfort me.
My love for this movie begins with the cast itself, which, if you ask me, is one of the best ensembles of the past few decades. But cast aside, the movie is a unique modern romance, with an ambiguous and quirky love interest at the center. And let's not forget that iconic Brie Larson cover of Metric's Black Sheep – if you know, you know.
22-year-old Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a bassist in a Toronto-based rock band who's dating a 17-year-old high school student Knives Chau (Ellen Wong). Despite recovering from his relationship with a singer who's now a huge success, he lives an ordinary life, until he meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), which complicates his current relationship.
Immediately, Scott falls in love with Ramona, but secrets of her past soon creep up. Before Scott can consider Ramona as his girlfriend, he must prove himself worthy by defeating her seven evil exes in a series of battles, each getting more deadly as the game evolves.
Legally Blonde (2001)
Directors: Robert Luketic
Age rating: PG-13
Runtime: 96 minutes
Where to stream: Fubo, Hoopla (US); Stan (AU)
The justice system has never looked more fabulous. Legally Blonde is one of the most iconic chick flicks of the early '00s, and is often grouped with movies such as Mean Girls (2004), 13 Going on 30 (2004), and Bring It On (2000). While I love its sister movies, Legally Blonde is by far my favorite.
Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) has everything she's dreamed of: she's the president of her sorority house, has a killer wardrobe, and is one step closer to marrying her handsome, wealthy boyfriend Warner (Matthew Davis) . Her dreams are shattered when Warner unexpectedly dumps her and gets engaged to Vivian (Selma Blair), a law student at Harvard.
Determined to win him back, Elle ditches her fashion degree and decides to enroll at Harvard Law to prove to Warner that she's more than just a pretty girl with blonde hair. At first, she struggles to fit in with the other students and the world of law academia, but when she's selected to assist a lecturer on a court case, she learns that there's more to her than just her appearance.
Ratatouille (2007)
Directors: Brad Bird
Age rating: G
Runtime: 111 minutes
Where to stream: Disney+ (US, UK & AU)
What's more relaxing than see a street rat craft the most delicious looking food in a restaurant set in the center of Paris?
It's not uncommon for movie lovers to deem Ratatouille has one of their comfort movies, which is a testament to the movie's success and longevity. As well as it's magical animation and soothing French-inspired score, it's a charming tale showing that anyone can achieve their dreams despite their background.
Remy (Patton Oswalt) is a rat living under the streets of Paris. He's different from the rest in his family, in that he has a passion for food and dreams of becoming a chef. When he's separated from his family, he finds himself at the restaurant of his idol Chef Auguste Gusteau where he forms an unlikely bond with the restaurant's garbage boy Liguini (Lou Romano) – and the two make culinary history.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Directors: Robert Wise
Age rating: G
Runtime: 174 minutes
Where to stream: Disney+ (US, UK & AU)
Despite being almost three hours long, The Sound of Music doesn't feel like a long movie to me – but that's all down to how many times I've seen it. Being one of my favorite movie-musicals of all time, it's one that I return to when I'm craving a good sing-along – Julie Andrews' impressive vocals give my goosebumps each time and can't help but bring back so many happy memories.
Set in the late 1930s in the early days of the Second World War, young nun Maria (Andrews) discovers that her vocation isn't exactly what she'd hope to be, and finds herself getting into trouble for the most part. When the Mother Abbess (Peggy Wood) advises Maria to leave the convent temporarily to find herself, she lands a job as a governess for Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) and his seven mis-behaved children.
Met with hostility at first, Maria learns how to navigate the children's unpredictable behavior, but with her understanding and sense of fun she introduces the children to the joy of music and song, bringing happiness back into their home. This sees a significant improvement in the Captain's relationship with his children, but it also blossoms an unexpected romance with Maria.
School of Rock (2004)
Directors: Richard Linklater
Age rating: PG-13
Runtime: 109 minutes
Where to stream: Peacock, Paramount+, Hoopla (US); Paramount+ (UK); Stan (AU)
Another childhood favorite of mine and one that will always succeed in providing that sense of comfort and familiarity. School of Rock was one of the first music movies I remember watching and while it's a fun comedy-drama packing the many talents of Jack Black, it's also an educational piece that highlights the greatest rock artists of all time.
When guitarist Dewey Finn (Black) is kicked out of his rock band, he's left without a job, late on rent payments, and desperate to make money. One day his teacher roommate Ned (Mike White) gets a call for a substitute teaching position at an elite elementary school, but Dewey swipes in pretending to be Ned and accepts the role.
In his class he discovers that the young kids are talented classical musicians, and Dewey sees this as his money-making opportunity. He decides to form a rock band with the kids and enter them into the local battle of the bands for a $20,000 prize, in hopes to raise money and insert himself back into the work of rock.
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Directors: Shawn Levy
Age rating: PG
Runtime: 99 minutes
Where to stream: Disney+, Hulu (US); Disney+ (UK); Disney+, Stan (AU)
When it comes to slapstick humor and all-round silliness, there's no movie that does it for me quite like Cheaper by the Dozen – and I refuse to sit here and accept its Rotten Tomatoes slander.
This movie is the perfect antidote for when I'm feeling overwhelmed and need a good distraction. That's all down to its whacky and unserious comedy sequences, from the opening scene at the breakfast table to the big birthday party scene. Its sequel is just as funny, which is an honorable mention.
The Baker family is no ordinary family. With parents Tom (Steve Martin) and Kate (Bonnie Hunt) running the shop, they work together to raise 12 high maintenance children. Their routine becomes more complicated when Tom is offered his dream football coaching job and Kate embarks on a book tour, leaving Tom to look after the children while juggling staying dedicated to his job.
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