1. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Any Marilyn Monroe film is guaranteed to put you in a good mood, because they're just a perfect cinematic balm, but there's something especially great about Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. There are a lot of great musicals from the 50s that use comedy really well, but this is kind of the reverse: a fast-paced, snappy, absolutely wild screwball comedy that features some cracking musical numbers along the way. It's best remembered for the utterly iconic Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend sequence, but even outside of that there's so much joy to be found in this movie. It's got a punchy, witty sense of humour and is gleefully unafraid to tip into batshit insanity. Marilyn is ace as always but I also love Jane Russell and her ferocious quips, and the chemistry they have together is pure, pure joy. It's just such a snappy, funny, stylish film that's bursting with fun and personality. It's a classic, and the perfect place to go if you just want a good laugh
2. You, the Living
This may seem like a bit of an odd one, and I'll admit that this film is not for everyone. I generally tried to avoid arthouse fare when compiling this list, because where something like Cries and Whispers may be foundational cinema, it's not exactly the most comforting thing in the world. The funny thing about Roy Andersson though is that there is something oddly soothing in his existential musings. He's so fascinated with the small frustrations and tragedies and moments of bizarre comedy that make up the human experience, and I think being able to watch these things on screen and recognise them just makes me feel better about being a person. Yes, this is also a film about the vastness of the void, but I think there is something very reassuring about how Andersson tackles it one short at a time. It's philosophical but it's not dour, with huge amounts of silliness and surrealism that actually make it a lot of fun. Again, this won't make everyone feel better, but for me, there's something very peaceful about this film, which suggests that sometimes laughing at how weird the universe is can make us feel less alone while we're living in it
3. Creepshow
Horror movies are kind of my go-to when it comes to comfort watching, and Creepshow is pretty much a huge love letter to the genre. Basically it's a collection of shorts that tell different bizarre tales, tied together by a really cool comic book aesthetic. This movie is a ton of fun, with a ridiculous sense of humour and a genuine passion for horror storytelling. Even if you're not a horror aficionado, there's a playfulness to Creepshow that's easy to get sucked into. Each of these shorts is over the top and silly, but they're all overflowing with creativity, courtesy of the legend that is George A. Romero behind the camera. It doesn't have the subtext that something like Dawn of the Dead has, but it's my favourite Romero movie because it leans into what makes horror movies fun. It embraces everything we love about the movies that scare us, and although there are some genuinely scary moments (the fifth short always makes me wince), it's guaranteed to put you in a good mood. Also Stephen King acts!
4. Body Double
Body Double is trash. And that's why it's incredible. Brian De Palma had a hot streak in the 80s of making these amazing, low-brow erotic thrillers, and although the quality is questionable, there's no denying how much fun these films are to watch. Body Double is my favourite because it embraces the De Palmaness of it all like few of his films do. It's essentially a rehash of Rear Window but hornier and not as good. It has an irresistible charm though, with so many bizarre choices that shouldn't work but really do, like the random music video in the middle of the movie. I'm not even recommending this with the so-bad-it's-good caveat either. It is exceptional at being what it is, and is exactly the kind of film that it wants to be. There are genuine moments of brilliant filmmaking here too, and they're delightfully mixed in with the crazy thriller elements and crass voyeurism. It's not a good film but it is a great one, so much fun and so fascinatingly weird that I'm just drawn to it every time I see it. It's just pure entertainment that transcends quality
5. Paper Moon
It's easy to write quirky films off as cloying or twee, but there's a real warmth to Paper Moon that makes it such an endearing favourite. It's a 1930s comedy caper made in 1973, but instead of making fun of that style, it fully embraces it and ends up delivering something really special. A lot of films that use quirkiness can be hit or miss in terms of their charm, and I think that's because they can hold people at a distance if there's nothing underneath the eccentric flourishes. Paper Moon feels so special to me because it has all the warmth and sincerity of an actual father-daughter relationship, and so it manages to stay genuine and feel real all throughout. It's also really, really funny, with a sharp back-and-forth that always manages to hit the mark. It's also really easy to rewatch, so even if you've seen it, it's a great one to watch again
6. Gambit
Michael Caine. Shirley McLaine. An ever-shifting plot, some sly comedy and an incredibly meta twist that happens in the first half an hour. Gambit's just fun. It's a pure caper, mischievous and funny, but it also has some really effective thrills, especially in the home stretch. This is a really cool film that I never really see people talk about, and that's a shame. It blends comedy, thrills and character so well, moving so fast and with so much fluidity. The two leads are ace, especially Shirley McLaine, who's just an absolute blast to watch. It's just such a slick film, funny without being silly and cooler than cool. If you haven't seen it though, I would say stick with it for the first twenty minutes or so. It may seem awkward, but amazingly that's actually intentional, and once the plot starts proper, it becomes pure fun that always leaves you guessing
7. Best Years of Our Lives
Maybe the most uplifting film on this list? Best Years of Our Lives is pure optimism, acknowledging hardship and difficulty but remaining adamant in our ability to live through it. That might sound like a cheesy thing to recommend for a crisis, but trust me, it isn't. Yes, this is a story about soldiers returning home from war, but it forgoes easy cliches in favour of a genuine, lived-in feel and a real sense of sincerity. There's some brutally honest moments but they're always rendered through a lens of love, so ultimately, you've got this fantastic story about the strength of the human spirit. It's also refreshing in how much it celebrates people. It's a faith restorer for sure, finding beauty in our ability to keep going no matter what. And that just gives me hope
8. Paddington 2
Obviously. Okay, it's no secret that Paddington 2 is a masterpiece, and it's highly likely that you've seen it already, but.... watch it again. It's so sweet and so warm and just so full of goodness. Kind of like Best Years of Our Lives, it's a film that champions acts of kindness. And just as it threatens to tip over into sugary schmaltz, it presents a smorgasbord of genuinely hilarious jokes. Hugh Grant is a pure delight here, playing one of my favourite movie villains ever. It's just so cool to have a film that's so unironically sweet, you know? It never fails to put me in a really good mood, and if you haven't seen it, you need to remedy that ASAP. Run a double bill with the first one and you're in for an absolute treat
9. Free Fire
Ben Wheatley is, by and large, not the best director to watch if you're stuck in one place, but Free Fire is a gleeful exception, embracing the chaos to deliver what is essentially a 90 minute shootout. Bullets and wisecracks fly and the cast are ace in what is a near perfect action gem that is nearly entirely contained to one building. It's electric, sharp and thrillingly unpredictable, taking a relatively minimal premise and running wild with it. It's a burst of pure adrenaline, proof that you don't need flashy spectacle to create great action. I love action films that do a lot with very little, and Free Fire is very much that. I love how it uses the razor-sharp exchanges of quips to further the carnage instead of massive setpieces. If you want pure, fast excitement, I really can't recommend this enough
10. Delicatessen
I would have said Amélie, but given that it's maybe my favourite film ever made, it felt a little too obvious, so I'll give Delicatessen a shoutout instead. This is perverted, warped, cartoony madness. It's hysterical, bouncing between pitch black comedy and breezy surrealism, and it almost plays like a messed-up fairy tale. True, it does (tangentially) deal with the apocalypse, along with some other dark subjects, but it always feels fun, and it's got a weirdly beautiful happy ending. It's just chaotically fun, and if you want a movie to transport you to a place you've never been before, look no further than Delicatessen and its decrepit apartment complex filled with lovable weirdos. The fusion of broad horror and twisted comedy never fails to crack me up. It's just the perfect cult treat, and it fills me with crazy glee. Also I watched it for the first time during this quarantine, so take it from me, it's a good 'un
11. The Straight Story
It's just so nice. David Lynch is a master of the surreal, but this is by far his friendliest film, dropping the oddness for a meandering, whimsical road trip. It's just a really wholesome film, and I love the focus on the simple things. It's masterfully put together and really easy to watch, as Richard Farnsworth's easy to love hero drifts from town to town on his tractor. There's some really moving insights here on ageing and life and family, and there's a genuine power to it. It's a sleepy road poem that anyone can watch and enjoy. It's just a good film, contemplative but not dry, warm but not twee, and stunningly well observed. I love this film so much, and I think it's the perfect way to pass an afternoon
2. You, the Living
This may seem like a bit of an odd one, and I'll admit that this film is not for everyone. I generally tried to avoid arthouse fare when compiling this list, because where something like Cries and Whispers may be foundational cinema, it's not exactly the most comforting thing in the world. The funny thing about Roy Andersson though is that there is something oddly soothing in his existential musings. He's so fascinated with the small frustrations and tragedies and moments of bizarre comedy that make up the human experience, and I think being able to watch these things on screen and recognise them just makes me feel better about being a person. Yes, this is also a film about the vastness of the void, but I think there is something very reassuring about how Andersson tackles it one short at a time. It's philosophical but it's not dour, with huge amounts of silliness and surrealism that actually make it a lot of fun. Again, this won't make everyone feel better, but for me, there's something very peaceful about this film, which suggests that sometimes laughing at how weird the universe is can make us feel less alone while we're living in it
3. Creepshow
Horror movies are kind of my go-to when it comes to comfort watching, and Creepshow is pretty much a huge love letter to the genre. Basically it's a collection of shorts that tell different bizarre tales, tied together by a really cool comic book aesthetic. This movie is a ton of fun, with a ridiculous sense of humour and a genuine passion for horror storytelling. Even if you're not a horror aficionado, there's a playfulness to Creepshow that's easy to get sucked into. Each of these shorts is over the top and silly, but they're all overflowing with creativity, courtesy of the legend that is George A. Romero behind the camera. It doesn't have the subtext that something like Dawn of the Dead has, but it's my favourite Romero movie because it leans into what makes horror movies fun. It embraces everything we love about the movies that scare us, and although there are some genuinely scary moments (the fifth short always makes me wince), it's guaranteed to put you in a good mood. Also Stephen King acts!
4. Body Double
Body Double is trash. And that's why it's incredible. Brian De Palma had a hot streak in the 80s of making these amazing, low-brow erotic thrillers, and although the quality is questionable, there's no denying how much fun these films are to watch. Body Double is my favourite because it embraces the De Palmaness of it all like few of his films do. It's essentially a rehash of Rear Window but hornier and not as good. It has an irresistible charm though, with so many bizarre choices that shouldn't work but really do, like the random music video in the middle of the movie. I'm not even recommending this with the so-bad-it's-good caveat either. It is exceptional at being what it is, and is exactly the kind of film that it wants to be. There are genuine moments of brilliant filmmaking here too, and they're delightfully mixed in with the crazy thriller elements and crass voyeurism. It's not a good film but it is a great one, so much fun and so fascinatingly weird that I'm just drawn to it every time I see it. It's just pure entertainment that transcends quality
5. Paper Moon
It's easy to write quirky films off as cloying or twee, but there's a real warmth to Paper Moon that makes it such an endearing favourite. It's a 1930s comedy caper made in 1973, but instead of making fun of that style, it fully embraces it and ends up delivering something really special. A lot of films that use quirkiness can be hit or miss in terms of their charm, and I think that's because they can hold people at a distance if there's nothing underneath the eccentric flourishes. Paper Moon feels so special to me because it has all the warmth and sincerity of an actual father-daughter relationship, and so it manages to stay genuine and feel real all throughout. It's also really, really funny, with a sharp back-and-forth that always manages to hit the mark. It's also really easy to rewatch, so even if you've seen it, it's a great one to watch again
6. Gambit
Michael Caine. Shirley McLaine. An ever-shifting plot, some sly comedy and an incredibly meta twist that happens in the first half an hour. Gambit's just fun. It's a pure caper, mischievous and funny, but it also has some really effective thrills, especially in the home stretch. This is a really cool film that I never really see people talk about, and that's a shame. It blends comedy, thrills and character so well, moving so fast and with so much fluidity. The two leads are ace, especially Shirley McLaine, who's just an absolute blast to watch. It's just such a slick film, funny without being silly and cooler than cool. If you haven't seen it though, I would say stick with it for the first twenty minutes or so. It may seem awkward, but amazingly that's actually intentional, and once the plot starts proper, it becomes pure fun that always leaves you guessing
7. Best Years of Our Lives
Maybe the most uplifting film on this list? Best Years of Our Lives is pure optimism, acknowledging hardship and difficulty but remaining adamant in our ability to live through it. That might sound like a cheesy thing to recommend for a crisis, but trust me, it isn't. Yes, this is a story about soldiers returning home from war, but it forgoes easy cliches in favour of a genuine, lived-in feel and a real sense of sincerity. There's some brutally honest moments but they're always rendered through a lens of love, so ultimately, you've got this fantastic story about the strength of the human spirit. It's also refreshing in how much it celebrates people. It's a faith restorer for sure, finding beauty in our ability to keep going no matter what. And that just gives me hope
8. Paddington 2
Obviously. Okay, it's no secret that Paddington 2 is a masterpiece, and it's highly likely that you've seen it already, but.... watch it again. It's so sweet and so warm and just so full of goodness. Kind of like Best Years of Our Lives, it's a film that champions acts of kindness. And just as it threatens to tip over into sugary schmaltz, it presents a smorgasbord of genuinely hilarious jokes. Hugh Grant is a pure delight here, playing one of my favourite movie villains ever. It's just so cool to have a film that's so unironically sweet, you know? It never fails to put me in a really good mood, and if you haven't seen it, you need to remedy that ASAP. Run a double bill with the first one and you're in for an absolute treat
9. Free Fire
Ben Wheatley is, by and large, not the best director to watch if you're stuck in one place, but Free Fire is a gleeful exception, embracing the chaos to deliver what is essentially a 90 minute shootout. Bullets and wisecracks fly and the cast are ace in what is a near perfect action gem that is nearly entirely contained to one building. It's electric, sharp and thrillingly unpredictable, taking a relatively minimal premise and running wild with it. It's a burst of pure adrenaline, proof that you don't need flashy spectacle to create great action. I love action films that do a lot with very little, and Free Fire is very much that. I love how it uses the razor-sharp exchanges of quips to further the carnage instead of massive setpieces. If you want pure, fast excitement, I really can't recommend this enough
10. Delicatessen
I would have said Amélie, but given that it's maybe my favourite film ever made, it felt a little too obvious, so I'll give Delicatessen a shoutout instead. This is perverted, warped, cartoony madness. It's hysterical, bouncing between pitch black comedy and breezy surrealism, and it almost plays like a messed-up fairy tale. True, it does (tangentially) deal with the apocalypse, along with some other dark subjects, but it always feels fun, and it's got a weirdly beautiful happy ending. It's just chaotically fun, and if you want a movie to transport you to a place you've never been before, look no further than Delicatessen and its decrepit apartment complex filled with lovable weirdos. The fusion of broad horror and twisted comedy never fails to crack me up. It's just the perfect cult treat, and it fills me with crazy glee. Also I watched it for the first time during this quarantine, so take it from me, it's a good 'un
11. The Straight Story
It's just so nice. David Lynch is a master of the surreal, but this is by far his friendliest film, dropping the oddness for a meandering, whimsical road trip. It's just a really wholesome film, and I love the focus on the simple things. It's masterfully put together and really easy to watch, as Richard Farnsworth's easy to love hero drifts from town to town on his tractor. There's some really moving insights here on ageing and life and family, and there's a genuine power to it. It's a sleepy road poem that anyone can watch and enjoy. It's just a good film, contemplative but not dry, warm but not twee, and stunningly well observed. I love this film so much, and I think it's the perfect way to pass an afternoon
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