19 Movies You Should Watch After the Week You've Had

Updated on Jan 20, 2017 at 3:29 PM

It's been a rough week for us all. There's no sugarcoating it. But: how better to deal with a hard time than forgetting your reality for a couple hours? As a movie-lover, that's always been the main reason for being a cinephile: escaping. All I know is that I need to escape this weekend with either a good laugh or a good cry. I've put together a list of recommended movies to watch while snuggling inside with a loved one (large glass of wine also recommended as accompaniment).

Bridesmaids

This is one of the funniest movies of all time, period. It can help.

Where to watch: Amazon

Elf

Will Ferrell talking about how smiling is his favorite and not knowing how to use an escalator is what you need right now. Trust me.

Watch it here: Amazon

Pretty Woman

We need Julia's throaty laugh right now. Seriously. It's the ingredient in a lot of medicine, actually.

Where to watch: Amazon

Wayne's World

Do you need nostalgia-tinged laughs? Invite Wayne and Garth in. You can't be unhappy during Wayne's World. You just can't.

Where to watch: Amazon

Steel Magnolias

If a good cry is what you're after, stream this one. The story may be sad, but the theme of women lifting one another up will inspire you.

Where to watch: Amazon

Breakfast at Tiffany's

This icon of Old Hollywood movies is still so dreamy and lovely. Audrey Hepburn, take me away!

Where to watch: Netflix

Half Baked

This movie is Dave Chappelle's ridiculous love letter to marijuana, and it could not be sillier. Oh, and if you happen to live in California, Massachusetts, or Nevada, it might be a timely watch. Either way, it's stupid and hilarious.

Where to watch: Amazon

Shakespeare in Love

Want to disappear into a romantic dream for a couple of hours? This'll do the trick.

Where to watch: Netflix

Forrest Gump

On the list of movie stars who can always lift you up, there's Tom Hanks. This pick is one of the only movies that are semi-topical on this list — it reminds you that a lot of ups and downs will happen in your lifetime, and ultimately, you'll come out OK.

Where to watch: Netflix

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Yes, like Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them star Ezra Miller reminded us: now is the time for Harry Potter. I'd go with the first one, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, when you first start to feel the magic (and before sh*t really goes sideways at Hogwarts). Or just marathon them all.

Where to watch: Amazon

Beginners

This underrated 2010 drama is undeniably sad — Ewan McGregor's character Oliver loses both parents upfront, but it's not about that; it's about how his father (Christopher Plummer in an Oscar-winning role) comes out of the closet in his later years and finally lives his life. Good if you want to cry.

Where to watch: Netflix

Wedding Crashers

Like going to an actual wedding, this movie is a total escape (only a lot funnier).

Where to watch: Amazon

Love Actually

It's the holidays pretty much, anyway (remember?). Put your cynicism on the shelf and just enjoy it.

Where to watch: Netflix

Grease

If there was ever a time to belt out the words, "Look at me, I'm Sandra Deeeeee . . .", it's now. Sing along as loudly and as poorly as you can to everything, in fact.

Where to watch: Netflix

The Wedding Singer

The world is better for Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore movies in it, and this '80s-themed comedy is a modern comedy classic.

Where to watch: Amazon

Amelie

Not only is this French film visually stunning, it will make your heart sing.

Where to watch: Netflix

Legally Blonde

There's just a great time to be had in Elle Woods's candy-colored world. And ahem, she is a shining film example of a woman working hard in a system that wants to keep her down.

Where to watch: Amazon

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Is it just me, or do you really need to see Rey wielding a lightsaber right now?

Where to watch: Amazon

Titanic

To quote Love Actually: "We need Kate, and we need Leo."

Where to watch: Amazon>