13 Unorthodox Comfort Movies We Still Love to Relax With
Certain movies are made with the idea of being comforting in mind, covering wholesome topics in cozy locales. That, however, isn’t the only way for a film to be a ‘comfort movie,’ and it all comes down to preference and familiarity. After all, if you rewatch your favourite movie, it’s a comfort one for you.
We’ve gathered the titles we know people love to leave in the background on a rainy Sunday, repeating the lines of the characters they know and love. They’re not the first thing you think of when discussing this kind of film, and yet people keep watching them with that intent.
Pulp Fiction
Somehow, the out-of-order storyline and endlessly quotable dialogue of this 1994 crime film are just plain relaxing. Watching Vincent and Jules talk about burgers is a familiar kind of comfort, even with all the chaos that follows.
The Big Lebowski
Is there anything more comforting than just abiding, man? The Dude’s journey is a weird, rambling ride filled with eccentric characters and dream sequences, with a cult following that knows how it really ties the room together.
Goodfellas
Based on the 1985 non-fiction book Wiseguy, this 1990 Martin Scorsese masterpiece is a weirdly cozy watch. Maybe it’s the narration or the cooking scenes, making it feel like hanging out with a very dangerous family.
The Silence of the Lambs
Relaxing with a psychological thriller from 1991 sounds wild, but the familiarity is what sells it. This is one of the only horror films to ever win the Oscar for Best Picture, and its perfectly crafted suspense is oddly soothing to rewatch.
Jurassic Park
The awe and wonder of seeing dinosaurs for the first time never gets old, even when they start eating people. Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster is the perfect blend of sci-fi spectacle and pure adventure that always feels like home.
The Shining
While this 1980 horror film about a family’s descent into madness is terrifying, its cold, hypnotic pace can feel oddly calming for those who have seen it 100 times. Be careful not to quote the Simpsons version, though.
Beetlejuice
Tim Burton’s 1988 gothic comedy is the perfect mix of spooky and funny. The recently deceased trying to haunt their own home is a bizarrely charming premise that never fails to make us feel good.
Addams Family
They’re the scariest bunch around, and they’re also the most wholesome family on the block. This 1991 black comedy is a celebration of being different, and the love between Gomez and Morticia is something we can all aspire to.
Shaun of the Dead
This 2004 ‘romantic zombie comedy’ is the ultimate comfort watch for horror fans. It’s funny, surprisingly heartfelt, and the first film in the fan-favorite Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy.
Terminator 2
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 going from unstoppable killer to protector is one of cinema’s great character shifts. James Cameron’s 1991 action epic is so perfectly paced and exciting that watching it feels like putting on your favorite old jacket.
The Matrix
For some, true comfort is putting on a leather trench coat and dodging bullets in slow motion. The film’s mind-bending plot about a computer hacker discovering reality is a simulation is a familiar and awesome ride every single time.
Coraline
This 2009 stop-motion film from director Henry Selick is pure nightmare fuel for some, and a cozy, gothic fairy tale for others. Based on Neil Gaiman’s book, its creepy but beautiful world is a place many of us love to visit.
What We Do in the Shadows
This mockumentary film about vampire roommates is hilariously mundane. Watching ancient creatures of the night argue about household chores is the definition of low-stakes, comforting fun.