Best movies to distract from a recent breakup?
My partner and I broke up a few days ago and I am really struggling. I miss them so much. I really just want to wach a good break up movie. Can be funny, romantic, heartwarming, sad, etc. Any suggestions are very welcome and appreciated! Thank you in advance from a sad sad girl xoxo
View hidden comment
Reader Comments
Gonna go against the grain and say that the best movie to watch after a breakup is one that will take your mind off the breakup. I'd steer away from any kind of romantic movie because that will just make you wallow in your emotions. Instead, find a lighthearted comedy, engrossing fantasy or sci-fi film, or even a spine-chilling horror movie to really grab your attention and distract you.
View hidden comment
I'm so sorry you're going through a breakup. I hope you're doing OK. These are some of the movies I've found helpful when I'm coping with a breakup. I've sorted them by mood/vibe:
Cozy/wholesome/feel good:
- animated classics (Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Disney, Shrek, etc)
- You've Got Mail (or basically anything Nora Ephron)
- The Holiday (or anything Nancy Meyers)
- The Jane Austen Book Club
- Amelie
- Little Miss Sunshine
- Frances Ha
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
- Dan in Real Life
Funny:
- The Big Lebowski (or most Coen brothers movies)
- Pee-wee's Big Adventure
- The 'Burbs
- The Wedding Singer (or other Adam Sandler movies)
- Young Frankenstein
- Uncle Buck
Something to help you process:
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
- 500 Days of Summer
- Midsommar, lol (I'm actually semi-serious with this one)
- Marriage Story
- Her
- The Breakup
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall
- Scenes from a Marriage (the original 1970s one and the remake - technically a limited TV series)
I'm also going to recommend some TV shows, since IMO a TV series is a great way to distract yourself from the pain of a breakup for longer, but feel free to ignore if you're in movie-mode:
- Friends (10 seasons, easy to connect with the characters but also doesn't require a lot of mental focus)
- Frasier (same)
- Succession (if you really want to get sucked into something, this is the one)
- Broad City (a testament to female friendship, also very dumb and silly)
View hidden comment
Cozy/wholesome/feel good:
- animated classics (Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Disney, Shrek, etc)
- You've Got Mail (or basically anything Nora Ephron)
- The Holiday (or anything Nancy Meyers)
- The Jane Austen Book Club
- Amelie
- Little Miss Sunshine
- Frances Ha
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
- Dan in Real Life
Funny:
- The Big Lebowski (or most Coen brothers movies)
- Pee-wee's Big Adventure
- The 'Burbs
- The Wedding Singer (or other Adam Sandler movies)
- Young Frankenstein
- Uncle Buck
Something to help you process:
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
- 500 Days of Summer
- Midsommar, lol (I'm actually semi-serious with this one)
- Marriage Story
- Her
- The Breakup
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall
- Scenes from a Marriage (the original 1970s one and the remake - technically a limited TV series)
I'm also going to recommend some TV shows, since IMO a TV series is a great way to distract yourself from the pain of a breakup for longer, but feel free to ignore if you're in movie-mode:
- Friends (10 seasons, easy to connect with the characters but also doesn't require a lot of mental focus)
- Frasier (same)
- Succession (if you really want to get sucked into something, this is the one)
- Broad City (a testament to female friendship, also very dumb and silly)
How to Be Single felt good to watch after my breakup! I appreciated its message to enjoy and appreciate being single. There are actually a lot of positives to being single, it's not all bad.
View hidden comment
Readers Like You Love These Quizzes
What’s on your mind? Ask anything.
Get advice and feedback from experts and wikiHow readers just like you.