Have you ever been down in the dumps? Whether it is because you had a bad day at work, was up late finishing homework or studying, spent your only day off cleaning, got into an argument with a friend, was stood up, got dumped, or rejected. Yeah. Me too. Whenever I find myself in a bad mood, I generally find that watching movies do the job whenever I need a pick-me-up. Just to list a few at the top of my head, here are some of the best movies to watch, when you are having a bad day, or are just down.
One of the best movies that never fails to lift my spirits up, and make me cry—happy and sad tears—is The Lion King. Both versions of the classic Disney film—1994 and 2019—never cease to take me on a rollercoaster of emotions. If you have not seen either version of the Disney film, I encourage you to choose one and make it your priority to watch it on your next movie night. Not only does this film pull on your heartstrings, but it fills you with immense joy and empowering love. Hans Zimmer does immaculate things with music in both versions of this movie. I promise, at the end of the film you will have finished a box of tissue and have the biggest smile on your face.
The 80s film surrounds five high school students—who all walk a different path of life—enduring a Saturday detention together with a power-hungry principal. Not only does this film break down the cliques in high school, but it also unifies the group as they all come to understand that they are all the same or facing the same struggles in life—even if they do not walk the same path of it. The Breakfast Club is is easily recognized as one of the best movies that came out of the 80s. It is also renowned for its ending scene with Judd Nelson (the rebel of the group) throwing his fist in the air as he crosses the football field. However, one of my favorites scenes is when each of the five students smoked a little weed and started breaking out dancing together (I like the boys’ scene when they are dancing in a line).
A princess who is locked in the tower and is saved by a prince who climbs to her window, using her too-long-to-brush-by-herself hair. We have all heard that story. Imagine the prince is a thief, she bargains with him to take her to see the floating lights (lanterns), and her hair has magical powers (it can heal the sick and injured whenever they touch it—and when she sings a song). Also, there is a scene where men are singing in a pub called The Snuggling Duckling. Though it may not sound like much of a Disney film, it easily makes my list of best movies to watch when you are having a bad day. I guarantee the air around you will feel lighter after watching this movie.
Four New York girls are living their life in the Big Apple. Carrie and Big are shopping for apartments. Charlotte is married to Henry, and the two have adopted a little girl named Lily. Miranda is raising her son Brady with Steve in Brooklyn, and Samantha relocated to California to be with her celebrity boyfriend, Smith. With their lives becoming more chaotic than they ever expected it to be, the four best friends begin to feel the pressure of their family lifestyles. With everything seeming like it is falling apart, the four gals try to hold each other up and help one another through their struggles. This one, in particular, is a must-watch with your girls or by yourself, in your comfiest pajamas and a nice cup of tea, hot chocolate, or coffee. No tears will be shed in this movie, but watching it will make you feel better about your day before going to bed.
Adventure, a demigod, a daring chief, a giant crab that loves all things shiny, and the open sea. Can you pack any more into the Disney film? The 2016 Disney film is not one of your typical movies about a prince rescuing the princess and they all lived happily ever after. Instead of romance, a princess, a prince, a valiant steed, and a castle, you have a chief, a demigod, an air-headed chicken, and a glowing stone that will bring peace back to the land. Like any Disney film, there are musical numbers, lots to laugh at, and a story like no other. Moana is a fairly recent Disney film. It may not seem like much, but it will make your heart sway with the waves of the ocean.
War Room is neither an action, comedy, or adventure movie. It is more on the sentimental and spiritual side than anything. A husband flirts with temptation, and a wife becomes bitter while trying to maintain the perfect marriage and family. The film takes a dramatic turn when the wife, Elizabeth, tells Miss Clara about her crumbling marriage. She is surprised to hear Miss Clara’s response to be to pray about it. Though you may not particularly know what the characters are going through—throughout the film—you will witness it. This may not be your cup of tea for movies, but it sure does lift my spirit whenever I am down.
“Gentlemen, my Lady. You will always remember this as the day that you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow.” By far, one of Jonny Depp’s greatest roles is the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. In the first film of the series, Sparrow looks for a ship and crew at Port Royal. However, the only one willing to team up with the pirate is a blacksmith, who only agreed to join the pirate captain to rescue the governor’s daughter, Elizabeth, who was taken by a band of pirates to obtain the last gold coin that links them to a curse. Yes. The two are a couple, or will soon be one. Adventure, passion, dead men jokes, and a whole lot of rum. Disney really outdid themselves with this film series, making it one of the best movies to watch when you are feeling down. If there is one thing about the first film, of many, that will make it your-go-to whenever you need a pick-me-up, it will be the pirate captain himself, Jack Sparrow.
Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeremy Renner all in one film. Need I say anymore? The first of the Avengers series, bringing together Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye to fight the incredibly handsome villain, Loki, in New York. The first of many battles to take place between our favorite heroes and villains. I do not know what it is about the film, but it is one of my favorite ones out of the Avengers film series. It may not have a lot of romance, but it is jam-packed with everything else, and it is bound to make you smile at the end of the day. You have my word.
Patrick Swayze dancing! That is all I have to say. Baby is stuck spending what is left of her youth, at a dopey resort with her family, Catskill, before going off to the Peace Corps. Her luck takes a turn when she is recruited by the resort’s dance instructor to take his dance partner’s place for a final performance. Again, it is Patrick Swayze dancing. Who would not want to be his dance partner, let alone watch one of the best movies the 80s created? You may not be laughing or feeling the love throughout the entire movie, but I promise you will be dancing all the way through it.
A group of grown men playing tag one month out of the year, and it is based on a true story. Let me say that again. Grown men playing tag one month out of the year, every year. The five grown friends hit the ground (too many times to count) while trying to tag Jerry, the undefeated, before his marriage ceremony. What should be an easy and simple game of tag turns into an all-out-war as Jerry predicts that his buddies are coming for him. Filled to the brim with comedy and friendship, Tag will surely lighten your mood.
Another 80s film that will surely brighten your day is Ghostbusters. I know they did a remake of the film in 2016, and it was not bad, but the original will always be my go-to whenever I am down. The film takes place in New York City, where four scientists decide to become ‘ghostbusters,’ after losing their jobs. After stumbling upon a gateway that—if opened—will release chaos onto the city, the four men find themselves in a strange situation of trying to save the city from ruination. Also, be sure to say “hi” to Slimer.
After moving to L.A with his mother, Daniel finds himself being bullied by a group of Cobra Kai karate kids, at school. Desperate to stand up for himself, Daniel learns karate from his apartment complex’s repairman, Mr. Miyagi, who just so happens to be a master of the martial arts. Because this film is packed with scenes of Daniel fighting his way out of being bullied (it is more common than you know), as well as learning more about himself than anything, it is easy for me to say it is one of the best movies, that the 80s created. In terms of this movie, one of its most renowned scenes is when Daniel knocks out Jonny (the bully), at a karate tournament with the Crane Kick.
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