17 "Perfect" Movies To Watch When You're Realllllllly Sad Or Just Need A Distraction

We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us their favorite comfort movies for when they need a distraction. Here are the super helpful results.

1.About Time (2013)

Three movie scenes: a young man in a living room, an older man gesturing passionately, and a couple talking in bed under a quilt
Universal Pictures

What it's about: "At the age of 21, Tim discovers he can travel in time and change what happens (and has happened) in his own life. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out to not be as easy as you might think."

Why you should watch it: "It’s such a heartwarming movie, and I love the time-travel aspect as well. Super creative, a great father-son relationship, and an incredible cast."

ouroborosbroken

Here's the trailer:

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2.The Way Way Back (2013)

A teen looks bored in a car. Two adults by the sea look at each other. A group walks past a beach shack, talking animatedly
Fox Searchlight Pictures

What it's about: "Shy 14-year-old Duncan goes on summer vacation with his mother, her overbearing boyfriend, and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen, manager of the Water Wizz water park."

Why you should watch it: "More people should know about this movie. Sam Rockwell is the best part, but I love the chemistry between him and Maya Rudolph. Also, watching Steve Carell be a douche is somewhat cathartic. But, man, I have so much respect for Liam James. Homeboy carried that movie wonderfully and nailed the awkward teen kid coming out of his shell."

glasseyemv

Here's the trailer:

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3.20th Century Women (2016)

Annette Bening, Greta Gerwig, and Elle Fanning talking in the kitchen in the movie
A24

What it's about: "In 1979's Santa Barbara, Dorothea is a determined single mother who's raising her son, Jamie. She enlists the help of two women — Abbie, a free-spirited punk artist, and Julie, a savvy teenager and Jamie's best friend — to help with his upbringing."

Why you should watch it: "This is the movie I always recommend to people when they're looking for something to watch. It feels like a warm hug. The entire film is so underrated (where was Annette Bening's Oscar nomination?!), and it has one of my favorite endings to any movie ever. I cry almost every time I watch it because it makes me feel so much love and hope and heartbreak. It also makes me feel nostalgic for something I've never even experienced, which is such a rare quality for a film. The whole movie will have you smiling so broadly that your cheeks will hurt. You're welcome."

spenceralthouse

Here's the trailer:

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4.Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Three scenes from the classic movie: people laughing in a kitchen, a man celebrating with women at a party, and a woman dancing on a cake
MGM / Warner Bros.

What it's about: "A silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his delusionally jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood."

Why you should watch it: "It's visually pretty, calming, and overall just a very happy movie."

novacaineblues

Here's the trailer:

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5.Mannequin (1987)

Two people, one in a rain scene with a large hat and one in an indoor setting, appear in dramatic movie scenes
20th Century Fox

What it's about: "A young artist, searching for his vocation, makes a mannequin so perfect he falls in love with it. Finding the mannequin in a store window, he gets a job there and his creation comes to life."

Why you should watch it: "It's a film that doesn’t have a single cynical bone in its body, and it’s a comedy where the humor never comes from the denigration of another person. It just makes me feel good."

theumgawa

Here's the trailer:

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6.The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Three scenes from a film featuring characters in lobby uniforms and military attire
Fox Searchlight Pictures

What it's about: "A writer encounters the owner of an aging high-class hotel, who tells him of his early years serving as a lobby boy in the hotel's glorious years under an exceptional concierge."

Why you should watch it: "The colorways and the story and the characters are just so charming. It's verrrrrry relaxing and a fun watch."

swimmingtackle2142

Here's the trailer:

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7.Ocean's 8 (2018)

Scenes from a film showing various women in different settings, including one in bed, one by a mirror, and a group discussing around a table
Warner Bros. Pictures

What it's about: "Debbie Ocean gathers an all-female crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City's annual Met Gala."

Why you should watch it: "You can’t go wrong with an all-women, high-value jewelry heist. It’s got a strong female cast (hello, Sandy Bullock), and some great comedic moments."

amym98

Here's the trailer:

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8.Last Holiday (2006)

Three scenes from a movie: woman at party, wearing red dress at event, relaxing with eye patches at spa
Paramount Pictures

What it's about: "Georgia, who leads a life full of unfulfilled desires, is left shocked when she discovers her terminal illness. Soon, she quits her job, gathers her savings, and sets out on a luxurious trip to Europe."

Why you should watch it: "It's pure joy. Queen Latifah is too funny, and the movie is super heartwarming and is all about living life to the fullest, even if things don’t go as planned."

shinykitten28

Here's the trailer:

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9.The Birdcage (1996)

Three film scenes featuring elegantly dressed individuals in a lavish room with ornate furnishings
Nichols Film Company

What it's about: "A gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to put up a false straight front so that their son can introduce them to his fiancée's right-wing, conservative parents."

Why you should watch it: "This is a movie that'll make you laugh out loud every time you watch it. I also think it's Robin Williams's best performance. It just puts me in a good mood."

amandaf438

Here's the trailer:

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10.Nobody's Fool (1994)

Scene from a drama film: a man in a cap outdoors, a woman looking down indoors, and an elderly person with white hair on a porch
Paramount Pictures

What it's about: "A stubborn man past his prime reflects on his life of strict independence and seeks more from himself."

Why you should watch it: "It stars an aging (and hot) Paul Newman, and the rest of the cast is fantastic, too. You've got Jessica Tandy, Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith. It's a sweet, funny hidden gem of a movie."

c49a6795

Here's the trailer:

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11.The Thin Man (1934)

  Loew's Inc.
Loew's Inc.

What it's about: "A former detective and his wealthy wife investigate a murder case, mostly for the fun of it."

Why you should watch it: "It's an older 1930s comedy-mystery about the perfect married couple, Nick and Nora Charles. It's my favorite movie."

glitteryangel852

Here's the trailer:

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12.My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Three movie scenes: 1. Person at a desk with headset. 2. Close-up of two people in an intimate moment. 3. Group of women with surprised expressions
IFC Films

What it's about: "A young Greek woman falls in love with a non-Greek man and struggles to get her family to accept him while she comes to terms with her heritage and cultural identity."

Why you should watch it: "This movie is SO funny and reminds me a ton of my own family (but in the best way possible). I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy it."

abourke5615

Here's the trailer:

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13.The Princess Diaries (2001)

A young woman with curly hair and glasses sits at a table, making a surprised face while an older woman watches, holding a teacup
Disney

What it's about: "Mia Thermopolis has just found out that she is the heir apparent to the throne of Genovia. With her friends in tow, she tries to navigate through the rest of her 16th year."

Why you should watch it: "Besides being a nostalgia trip and super quotable, I think the presence of Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse also ties everything together. She's, like, the grandmother everyone needs."

rojofeli

Here's the trailer:

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14.John Wick (2014)

Three scenes from an action film: a man preparing a weapon in a dim church, a dog sitting in a car, and a man deep in thought
Warner Bros. Pictures

What it's about: "John Wick is a former hitman who's grieving the loss of his true love. When his home is broken into, robbed, and his dog killed, he is forced to return to action to exact revenge."

Why you should watch it: "No complicated drama, no dumb, screaming children, no helpless damsel in distress, no unearned plot twists. It's just a pissed-off dude steamrolling his way through enemies."

smoothplatypus2991

Here's the trailer:

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15.Coming to America (1988)

Scene from a movie featuring men in elaborate costumes, showcasing traditional and modern styles
Paramount Pictures

What it's about: "An extremely pampered African prince travels to Queens, New York, and goes undercover to find a wife who he can respect for her intelligence and strong will."

Why you should watch it: "The writers' room for this movie must have been totally wild. Every joke is an ab murderer because you'll be laughing nonstop. Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall are forever goated."

glitterycheerios

Here's the trailer:

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16.Knives Out (2019)

Three movie scenes: a seated woman in a cozy setting, a man inspecting a floor, and another man pointing. All characters appear focused
Lionsgate

What it's about: "A detective investigates the death of the patriarch of an eccentric, combative family."

Why you should watch it: "Knives Out is definitely up there, especially if you love murder mysteries. It's super fun and easy to watch, and it's made with so much passion that it's hard to not enjoy it."

madmarx22

Here's the trailer:

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17.And finally: She's the Man (2006)

Three movie stills: a young woman at school, a soccer match with an acrobatic kick, and a young man lying on a bed holding a soccer ball
Paramount Pictures

What it's about: "When her brother decides to ditch for a couple of weeks, Viola heads over to his elite boarding school, disguised as him, and proceeds to fall for his school's star soccer player, but she soon learns she's not the only one with romantic troubles."

Why you should watch it: "It's pure silly nostalgia, peak Amanda Bynes + Channing Tatum, and has so many quotable lines. The movie is inspired by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, and it never fails to lift my mood."

sunflowersugar

Here's the trailer:

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Do you have your own comfort movie that wasn't mentioned above? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Note: Submissions have been edited for length and clarity, and some are from this Reddit thread.