There is no denying that we live in times where it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with what is expected of us. Whether it’s working hard to earn enough money to pay for our (exponentially rising) cost of living or being constantly inundated with bad news from around the world, the reality can be overwhelming at times.
What better way to escape it than turning on our favorite movies that comfort us even in the toughest of times? In fact, as we saw during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was art that most of us turned to in search of comfort, levity, and escape. We’ve put together a list of movies that are known to provide the escape when needed, ranging from heartfelt rom-coms to magical fantasy. Let’s take a look at 12 movies that will give you the escape you need.
12/12 You’ve Got Mail (1998)
What better way to distract yourself from everyday tasks than to lose yourself in a probably unrealistic romantic comedy? With Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, You’ve got mail follows two people in an “online” relationship, unaware that they are also business rivals in real life. While Kathleen Kelly (Ryan) owns a small bookstore, Joe Fox (Hanks) is a bookstore magnate. Nora Ephron movies excel at encapsulating every human emotion, which is exactly what we sometimes need above the mechanisms of our daily lives.
11/12 Beautiful Woman (1990)
Originally intended as a dark cautionary tale, per Vanity Fair, Beautiful woman was eventually reimagined as a romantic comedy. Richard Gere and Julia Roberts star as wealthy businessman Edward Lewis and Hollywood sex worker Vivian Ward, respectively. Edward needs someone to take to social events, so he hires Vivian as his escort, not expecting to actually fall in love with her. The plot is easy to follow, the actors’ chemistry is contagious and also delves into the darker aspects of Vivian’s work.
10/12 Pursuit of Happiness (2006)
Established in San Francisco in 1981, The Pursuit of Happiness is based on the best-selling 2006 memoir of the same name written by Chris Gardner with Quincy Troupe. This biographical drama follows Will Smith as Gardner and his son Jaden as Christopher Jr. The elder Gardner is a salesman who is divorced by his wife, left broke and forced to settle custody of his son. He has also been forced to become homeless for over a year. The film has a different take on it as the system failing an African-American man as he tries to achieve the “American Dream.” It helps you appreciate the life you have a little bit more.
9/12 Notting Hill (1999)
Romantic comedies starring Julia Roberts really are the best way to escape reality. The highest grossing British film of all time, Notting Hill stars Hugh Grant as bookshop owner Will Thacker and Roberts as famous American actress Anna Scott. After accidentally walking into his shop, the couple’s complicated love journey begins. The difference in their social status is central to the film. The film perfectly demonstrates why the true Golden Age of cinema is 90s and 2000s rom-coms.
8/12 The Lion King (1994)
Turn on any Disney animation and you’ll instantly feel like you’re back in your childhood. years 1994 The lionking is definitely on the list. It follows Simba, a lion cub, whose father Mufasa is killed by his uncle Scar. Simba is led to believe he is responsible for the death and is forced into exile. After years away from home, he returns to claim his right to the throne. It shows a beautiful representation of royalty. It also showcases some of the most beautiful and best done animations or movies ever released.
7/12 Wall-E (2008)
As the ninth feature film produced by the studio, Wall-E is a Pixar animated film, which follows the love story of two robots WALL-E and EVE, in the distant future of 2805. WALL-E is responsible for cleaning up garbage on Earth, but after he goes on a space trip with his new love gone, the fate of mankind changes. They are deeply empathetic and embarrassingly heartfelt stories of love with minute details in the animation and incredible humanization of robots that barely say a dozen words throughout the film. It’s one of the most politically radical Pixar films ever made.
6/12 Three Wishes for Cinderella (1973)
This section is for Eastern Europeans who cannot do without watching Three Wishes For Cinderella every year at Christmas. It’s the perfect nostalgic fairytale to help you escape the stress of holidays. Based on a fairy tale written by Božena Němcová, this Czechoslovak film follows a housekeeper whose life changes dramatically when the driver gives her three magical hazelnuts. Inspired by the story of Cinderella, the maid decides to make herself beautiful for the upcoming prince’s ball. The film portrays Cinderella as a strong woman with a life full of daring adventures.
5/12 Star Wars
Star Wars could be a perfect getaway for those who have in fact grown up with the franchise, since its inception in 1977. The franchise spans 12 movies and nine television series (so far), so there’s sure to be a lot to choose from and get lost in . The epic space opera is set “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” where humans and many types of aliens coexist with robots and droids. When you’re tired of the world Star Wars helps transport you to a galaxy far away, where it’s easier to deal with your struggles.
4/12 Dead Poets Society (1989)
If you’re a dark academia fanatic, Dead Poets Society is the one for you. Starring big names such as Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard, the story is set in a fictional elite conservative boarding school. Everything changes when a forward-thinking English teacher is hired and the boys’ lives are completely changed through poetry. Despite being set in a male-dominated environment, there isn’t an ounce of toxic masculinity. The boys form a brotherhood through poetry, words and emotions.
3/12 Harry Potter
You can certainly count on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to provide the much-needed escape you crave. The fantasy series spans over eight films focusing on the Golden Trio (Harry, Hermione, Ron) as they fight through obstacles Voldemort throws their way. The series pulls you in and makes you believe that you are also able to practice magic and live in a world where anything is possible. It makes you feel like part of a new found family at Hogwarts.
2/12 Hocus Pocus (1993)
Hocus Pocus was not as celebrated during its release in 1993 as it is now. The annual celebration of Halloween helped make this Disney photo a cult classic. Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as a villainous trio of witches, it follows them as they are resurrected by a young boy named Max on Halloween night. They begin to retaliate and begin a reign of terror. The film doesn’t take itself seriously and enjoys its kitschy setting.
1/12 Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (2013)
Last but not least, we can’t finish without including at least one Indian cult classic. In this case it is none other than Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, a Hindi-language coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. It revolves around their characters as they meet on a trek and instantly fall for each other. They do not express their feelings, drift apart, but reunite at a friend’s wedding. It will definitely make you smile and give you a warm feeling inside.