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32 Movies That Felt Like A Weighted Blanket For People's Brains This Year

It's been tough, but at least we've been able to rewatch these classics.

Isha Bassi
by Isha Bassi

Entertainment Producer

It's no secret that 2020 has been a tough year. So, we asked the BuzzFeed Community to share the movies they watched, which brought some much-needed joy back into their lives. Here are their answers!

1. How To Train Your Dragon

Hiccup cradling Toothless's head while they both look at each other
DreamWorks / Paramount Pictures

I have been watching either the first or second movie nearly every night as they help me calm down enough to sleep. Toothless is so adorable that it makes me forget the bad stuff for a while. My cat seems to like them as well as she'll curl up right in front of my tablet when I start watching.

—kayblu02

2. The Grinch

The Grinch bending down and looking at Cindy Lou
Universal Pictures

I’ve literally watched The Grinch at least 30 times in the past two months alone. I’m not sure why, but something about Jim Carrey playing the Grinch just fits my mood the entire year round.

—bellaellison100

3. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga

Will Ferrell as Lars and Rachel McAdams as Sigrit in "Eurvision Song Contest"
Netflix

Damn, this movie did not have to go in as hard as it did. But, the costumes, acting, and — most importantly — music were all amazing. While I’ve never been a huge fan of Will Ferrell’s characters before, Lars was hilarious and soft in just the right way. Plus, Rachel McAdams was a perfect Sigrit and her talk with Lars after their disastrous performance and then deciding to walk back into the contestants room got me through a lot.

—zoer4b5e921fd

4. Julie & Julia

Side by side of Julie Powell (played by Amy Adams) and Julia Childs (played by Meryl Streep)
Columbia Pictures

Honestly, it’s just such a feel-good film and Stanley Tucci is just adorable in it. Plus, it makes you want to cook and I love cooking!

—stipyit

5. Treasure Planet

Jim Hawkins and John Silver onboard a ship
Disney

Treasure Planet is so underrated! It's my ultimate comfort movie.

—lexirosemetts

6. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Characters from "Mamma Mia!" in the middle of a song and dance sequence
Universal Pictures

The second Mamma Mia movie is just perfect! The songs are all bops and honestly, Rosie is who I aspire to be.

—ameliarose1

7. The Twilight Saga

Bella and Edward sitting in a meadow surrounded by purple flowers
Summit Entertainment

I've watched one of the Twilight movies every time I had an unbearable day, because no matter how good or bad the movies may be, they always make me so nostalgic and happy. I absolutely adore the energy of them.

—emmab419b8a784

8. Death Becomes Her

Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep with surprised expressions on their face
Universal Pictures

It’s such a campy and funny movie that never fails to make me happy. Plus, Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn are icons.

—helenavanh

9. Us

Lupita Nyong'o as Adelaide Wilson/Red in "Us"; she is sitting down, with her hands touching her face
Universal Pictures

It's odd for such a terrible year, but horror has always been my go-to genre when I've needed a distraction from the problems and horrible things going on around me. And Jordan Peele's Us is one of my favourites!

—svenegas09

10. The Princess Bride

Westley and Buttercup in the forest; Westley has his sword drawn, while protecting Buttercup
20th Century Fox

I've watched The Princess Bride more than a few times since the pandemic started. It's so good, plus there's a moment when Westley says everyone will be wearing masks in the future and it makes me laugh every time.

—lbaughman

11. The Marvel Cinematic Universe movies

Black Widow, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye, Iron Man and the Hulk looking at an enemy in the distance
Disney / Marvel

I spent the year catching up on the MCU and have now fallen in love. I've watched all of the movies several times and I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching them.

—frederikkekloven

12. Pride & Prejudice

Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) and Mr Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) romantically embracing
Focus Features

Both the movie and the soundtrack are so comforting and soothing. I listen and watch it constantly!

—lkay09

I’m convinced that Netflix adding Pride & Prejudice to their lineup was the only good thing to come out of 2020.

—beckeroo

13. Legally Blonde

Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde"; she is sitting on a chair outside studying
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Watching Legally Blonde just makes all my stress go away.

—camerasapprentice

14. The Harry Potter films

Harry and Ron embracing, while Hermione smiles and laughs in the background
Warner Bros

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I recently took a couple of days off work just to destress and I watched all eight Harry Potter films, curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a fluffy blanket. It was the perfect mental getaway.

—shreyauk

15. Mary Poppins

Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins
Disney

Mary Poppins is one of those movies that I watched a whole bunch as a child and then promptly stopped watching as I got older. So, it was fun to go back and remember why I loved it so much.

—girlofice41

16. Hamilton

A screenshot of the cast of "Hamilton" performing
Disney

I had no way of ever getting to see Hamilton on Broadway and I had always wanted to see it with the original cast. So, it was truly a dream to finally see it on-screen. It brought such joy to my life when it was much-needed!

—jaimeleannew2

17. The Prince Of Egypt

Moses and his followers climbing up the steps towards the Pharaoh's home
DreamWorks Pictures

The soundtrack, themes and storyline of The Prince Of Egypt are so uplifting. It's a message of hope and endurance and provides me with comfort. Plus, it's one of the most beautiful animated movies of all time.

—sarobertson

18. 10 Things I Hate About You

Heath Ledger (Patrick) and Julia Stiles (Kat) leaning in for a kiss
Buena Vista Pictures

I watched it every night for like three weeks with my sister.

—valkyrie_77

19. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy

The Hobbits — Sam, Frodo, Merry and Pippin
New Line Cinema

The Lord of the Rings trilogy, always. The themes, music and cinematography are so comforting and calming. Plus, the extended editions have special features and commentary, which fill me up with so much joy!

—mollyconnelley

20. Mulan

Mulan with her hands on her hips, smiling
Disney

It's my favourite Disney princess movie and rewatching it took me back to a simpler time when I would spend my Saturdays using a broom handle to act out the moves in "I'll Make A Man Out Of You".

—Hameda Nafiz

21. Step Brothers

Dale Doback (John C. Reily) and Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell) leaning against the side of a pool
Sony Pictures

For pure and total comfort, Step Brothers. We put it on one night in March when everything was starting to feel especially apocalyptic and it was like putting a weighted blanket on my brain.

—reallywittyusername

22. Newsies

The cast of "Newsies" raising their arms up during a performance
Disney

I rewatched this Broadway musical with Jeremy Jordan during spring and wow, I fell in love all over again. The music, the acting, the dancing — I've since watched it 22 times and it has really kept me going.

—teverdean

23. Clueless

Dionne and Cher at school, wearing matching plaid blazers and skirts
Paramount Pictures

I hadn't watched Clueless in awhile and was recently reminded of how iconic it is. I definitely recommend it if you need a pick-me-up.

—marissa88

24. The entire Star Wars saga

Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo
LucasFilm Ltd.

Along with Rogue One and Solo, the Star Wars movies are so comforting to me.

—jac1126

25. Charlie's Angels

Charlie's Angels — Sabina, Elena and Jane — while on a mission
Sony Pictures

The new Charlie's Angels gives me so much serotonin. I love it.

—naranyak

26. Enola Holmes

Millie Bobbie Brown as Enola Holmes; she is standing with her hands on her hips and frowning
Netflix

I wouldn’t say it "got me through" the year, but the best movie I’ve seen in 2020 was Enola Holmes. I enjoyed it so much! It’s cute and clever and I love the fourth wall moments.

—AJPanda

27. Clue

The cast of "Clue"
Paramount Pictures

Clue was the first movie I ever owned as a kid and I still, to this day, know all of the lines. The entire cast is perfect and the twist endings never fail to make me laugh.

—tracy110302

28. Long Shot

Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron in "Long Shot"; they're holding up their hands in a stop motion and smiling
Summit Entertainment

It's such a heartwarming story, while being hilariously funny at the same time.

—rachaelq46276bf3f

29. The House With A Clock In Its Wall

Jack Black, Cate Blanchett and Owen Vaccaro in "The House With A Clock In Its Wall"; they're sitting around a table, reading books and sipping a cup of tea
Universal Pictures

The House With A Clock In Its Wall helped me through this messy year. Jack Black never fails to make me laugh during his funny scenes in the film. I also learned how to be indomitable — aka impossible to defeat — during this pandemic, just like Lewis learned to be indomitable and save the day at the end of the movie.

—asteinbergsteinberg04

30. The Firm

A closeup of Tom Cruise in "The Firm"
Paramount Pictures

The Firm hasn't disappointed me yet. It's peak Tom Cruise and a fun legal thriller, featuring twists and turns and a really great chase scene. It's a comfort classic for me.

—kminfl

31. The Chronicles Of Narnia film series

The Pevensie children — Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy — and Prince Caspian
Disney

It's escapism at its finest — enough said.

—heidrichaims

32. And lastly, My Neighbour Totoro

Totoro and some children sitting on a tree branch while fishing
Studio Ghibli

I've always loved Studio Ghibli films, but this year, they gave me a whole new level of comfort throughout these dark and difficult times. In particular, I remember watching My Neighbour Totoro with my parents one night. We didn't plan to watch it — it was just one of those "Oh, it's Friday! Let's watch a movie together" sort of vibe. But, by the end, man...I was just blown away by how simple, yet beautiful, the storyline was. It made me feel like a child again where you appreciate the small things and have such a huge imagination.

I truly, truly, TRULY recommend it if you haven't seen it yet. It'll fill you with all those warm, fuzzy feelings and will make you smile.

—Isha Bassi

Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

What other movies did you watch this year to get you through some difficult times? Leave them in the comments below, as someone else could benefit from your recommendation!

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2020 is finally (almost) over, and we're looking back on the year. Check out even more from the year here!