Massages are nice, but if you are looking for a little stress relief without having to leave the comfort of your own home, look no further. This collection of self-care films is great for when you need a little boost, because slipping into a much calmer world for a couple of hours can be a huge relief.

While everyone needs a break sometimes, stress relief is different for each person, and so are the movies that help us relax. This collection will include films that motivate you, make you laugh, make you cry, and even films for reflection and mindfulness after the fact. Movies are one of the most immersive art forms we have, and for that reason, they're the perfect thing to turn to in times of stress. These are the best movies to watch when you need a break from the real world, which is full of stress.

Updated November 22nd, 2023: This article has been updated by Callum Jones with even more movies to calm your stress levels.

10 Big (1988)

Big
PG
Release Date
June 3, 1988
Director
Penny Marshall
Cast
Tom Hanks , Elizabeth Perkins , Robert Loggia , John Heard , Jared Rushton , David Moscow , Jon Lovitz , Mercedes Ruehl
Main Genre
Comedy

What could be more soothing than a Tom Hanks movie? Almost every film the actor has starred in is like a warm hug (Saving Private Ryan and Captain Philips aside), including the 1988 comedy-drama, Big. When a twelve-year-old boy called Josh makes a wish on a fortune-teller machine to be "big," he awakes the next morning to discover that he has aged overnight and is now a fully grown man. After his mom kicks him out, and he is forced to move to the city, Josh discovers that being an adult isn't all it's cracked up to be.

What Makes It Good for Stress

With lots of laughs and even more heart, Big is a charmingly sweet film all about growing up. Warm and imaginative, the film is a celebration of childhood and a reminder that life doesn't have to be mundane and gray; it can be fun if you let it. Tom Hanks is on top form as a child stuck inside a man's body, delivering a tender and surprisingly relatable performance. Overall, Big is the antithesis of stress. The giant piano scene alone is enough to make you forget your worries.

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9 Spirited Away (2001)

Spirited Away
Spirited Away
PG
Release Date
July 20, 2001
Director
Hayao Miyazaki
Cast
Rumi Hîragi , Miyu Irino , Mari Natsuki , Takashi Naitô , Yasuko Sawaguchi , Tatsuya Gashûin
Main Genre
Animation

Studio Ghibli's Oscar-winning animation, Spirited Away, is the perfect slice of escapist fantasy. The film revolves around 10-year-old Chihiro who, upon moving to a new neighborhood with her family, stumbles across the fantastical world of Kami. After encountering all kinds of spirits and gods, and following her parents being transformed into pigs, Chihiro sets out to find a way back to the real world.

What Makes It Good for Stress

Sometimes stress can overwhelm us and leave us yearning to escape this world. While that might not actually be possible, Spirited Away is the next best thing. With its beautifully mesmerizing animation style, surreal imagery, and fantastic score, the film is both uniquely original and oddly comforting. It's also the kind of film that you can watch again and again and spot something new each time. Uplifting and calming, Spirited Away is an intoxicating watch that'll hit the right spot.

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8 Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Based on Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novel of the same name, Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim vs. the World follows 22-year-old Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) who begins a relationship with the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Unfortunately, he soon learns that dating her comes with a price; he must first defeat her seven evil exes. The film also stars Chris Evans, Aubrey Plaza, and Brie Larson, among others.

What Makes It Good for Stress

Much like the comic it's based on, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a wildly creative and original film that's filled with great ideas from beginning to end. With offbeat humor, inventive action, and charming performances, it's a thoroughly entertaining watch that will take your mind off any real-life stresses. Much like Spirited Away, the appeal of Scott Pilgrim for anyone experiencing stress is its escapism factor. Ultimately, we all wish our biggest worry was which girl to date; Mary Elizabeth Winstead or Ellen Wong. With a new animated version out, it'll be interesting to see if this new Scott Pilgrim format will still have the power to de-stress.

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7 Some Like It Hot (1959)

Some Like it Hot
Some Like It Hot
Release Date
March 29, 1959
Director
Billy Wilder
Cast
Marilyn Monroe , Jack Lemmon , Tony Curtis , George Raft , Pat O'Brien , Joe E. Brown
Main Genre
Comedy

There's something about the enduring charm of classic films that makes them feel comforting, and the 1959 comedy, Some Like It Hot is no exception. Directed by Hollywood legend, Billy Wilder, the film follows two male musicians, played by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon, who pose as women in order to evade a group of gangsters whose crime they were witness to. Meanwhile, Marilyn Monroe stars as a ukulele-playing singer, with whom both men become obsessed.

What Makes It Good for Stress

Some Like It Hot is an example of good old-fashioned innocent and carefree fun. It's goofy in the best way possible, and endearingly funny all the way through. Featuring some career-best performances by the three leads, whose chemistry is palpable, the film has stood the test of time and is widely considered to be one of the best screwball comedies to have ever been made. Jolly and silly, but never dumb, Some Like it Hot is guaranteed to put a smile on anyone's face.

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6 Ocean's Eleven (2001)

ocean's eleven
Ocean's Eleven
PG-13
Release Date
December 7, 2001
Cast
George Clooney , Cecelia Ann Birt , Paul L. Nolan , Carol Florence , Lori Galinski , Bernie Mac
Main Genre
Crime

It's hard to think of a cooler film than the heist film Ocean's Eleven. Directed by Stephen Soderbergh and starring an ensemble cast that includes George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, and Andy Garcia, the film tells the story of Danny Ocean (Clooney) who puts together a team of criminals in order to rob three Las Vegas casinos belonging to his ex-wife's new man. As well as making him a rich man, he hopes the heist will help him to win back the love of his life.

What Makes It Good for Stress

Stylish, slick, and fast-paced, Ocean's Eleven is one of the most engaging and watchable films of the 21st century. A real crowd-pleaser, it gets almost everything right, from the witty humor to the clever editing to the excellent performances of the cast. Sometimes, stress can leave one needing reassurance and something they can rely on. Ocean's Eleven is just that. With assured direction, clever twists, and more Hollywood stars than you can count, it's the safe pair of hands we all need when life gets a bit much.

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5 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

the secret life of walter mitty
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
PG
Release Date
December 18, 2013
Director
Ben Stiller
Cast
Ben Stiller , Kristen Wiig , Jonathan C. Daly , Kathryn Hahn , Terence Bernie Hines , Adam Scott
Main Genre
Adventure

Directed by and starring Ben Stiller, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty tells the story of an asset manager at Life magazine named Walter Mitty, who feels trapped by the routine lifestyle his job has created. To combat this, Walter embarks on an imaginative adventure of epic proportions that sees him jump aboard a flying helicopter, outrun a volcano, and hike across the Himalayas. An adaptation of the book of the same name by James Thurber, the film also stars Kristen Wig, Kathryn Hahn, and Adam Scott.

What Makes It Good for Stress

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is both motivational and awe-inspiring. The beautiful cinematography and breathtaking landscapes that are showcased throughout the film help wordlessly articulate a sense of love for the planet and its inhabitants. Meanwhile, Stiller perfectly encapsulates the ethos of a man wanting more from his ordinary life. It's an adventurous and tremendously inspiring story that will almost certainly lighten the mood of anyone who watches it.

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4 The Other Guys (2010)

The Other Guys
The Other Guys
PG-13
Release Date
August 6, 2010
Director
Adam McKay
Main Genre
Action

Some people need motivation to relieve stress, while others may just want a bit of light-hearted distraction. If the latter sounds familiar, then The Other Guys might just be the perfect film. Directed by Adam McKay, the action-comedy stars Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg (each playing against type) as two New York City detectives who set out to prove that they are just as good as the top officers they idolize. The movie's all-star cast also includes Dwayne Johnson, Eva Mendes, Micheal Keaton, and Samuel L. Jackson.

What Makes It Good for Stress

With its hilarious performances and whacky storyline, The Other Guys is filled with non-stop laughs, which is great because laughter is proven to relieve stress. It's also ridiculously rewatchable, with the humor and action holding up well after repeated viewing, time and time again. As is typical for a Will Ferrell project, The Other Guys is extremely silly. However, silliness is a great antidote for stress, making this film the perfect medicine if you need to calm down.

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3 Good Will Hunting (1997)

Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting
R
Release Date
December 5, 1997
Director
Gus Van Sant
Main Genre
Drama

Oscar-winning drama, Good Will Hunting tells the story of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a janitor at M.I.T. who is incredibly gifted at mathematics. With the help of a psychologist named Sean (Robin Williams), Will tries to find direction in his life and overcome past trauma. The script was written by Damon and Ben Affleck, who were propelled into the mainstream following the film's success.

What Makes It Good for Stress

There's no getting away from it, Good Will Hunting is an emotional rollercoaster of a movie. Nevertheless, it's an incredibly heartwarming watch that makes the ideal complement to a night of self-care. The film is about human compassion, camaraderie, family, and overcoming difficult circumstances; it's motivational without being preachy, and emotional, but neither sentimental nor upsetting. It'll give your heartstrings a little tug, but the emotion exhibited throughout the film may be exactly what you need to relieve stress.

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2 O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2001)

A highlight in acclaimed filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen's careers, O Brother, Where Art Thou? is based on Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, and follows three escaped convicts who search for a hidden treasure all the while being pursued by the law. The relatively simple story and straightforward, if whimsical, presentation keeps everything light, while charming performances from George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Goodman give the story an uplifting and feel-good tone.

Related
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Inimitable and unmistakable for anyone else, the Coen Brothers have an extremely unique sense of humor that is on full display in these great movies.

What Makes It Good for Stress

O Brother, Where Art Thou? is worth watching just for the truly wonderful folk-driven soundtrack, which is sure to lift spirits all on its own. However, the fact the film also features delightful performances by a committed cast, beautiful imagery from the great Roger Deakins, and a highly imaginative story, make this the perfect thing to watch in order to relieve stress.

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1 Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Rounding out our collection of feel-good, stress-relieving movies is Little Miss Sunshine. The movie, which was directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, tells the story of the Hoover family, who are determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant. They are forced to take a cross-country road trip in their VW bus in order to get to the location of the competition, which leads to some hilarious moments. Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Abigail Breslin, and Paul Dano, make up some of the film's stellar cast.

Related
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These movies can be a cathartic experience for audiences, offering a chance to laugh at the dysfunction that exists in our own families.

What Makes It Good for Stress

Little Miss Sunshine is a compelling and unique story that has you coming out the other side feeling full of hope and determination. It perfectly executes its representation of a volatile but loving family dynamic, and is another film that may precipitate a few tears, but not without a simultaneous smile on your face. With superb acting and chemistry among the performers, this movie hits on the theme of family and what it means to really succeed. Specifically, it asks how far and to what extent a family can go to support each other, through thick and thin.

Stream on Hulu