It’s amazing what a good movie can do for you. So if you’ve got a broken heart, and you’re in search of a movie, here’s our list of suggestions.
If you’ve just had your heart broken, you may be tempted to drown your sorrows in wine and spirits, but those things don’t really help. If anything, they usually make things worse. So what can you do to get over a failed relationship? Watch movies, of course!
We have the perfect movie selection that can get you through this terrible time. Each and every one of these can help ease the pain of your broken heart. So, put on your PJ’s, get a pint of Ben & Jerry’s from the fridge and start watching.
Obligatory ugly cry movies
You know that these are the first DVD’s you’ll end up renting. I can understand that. Sometimes, it’s a good idea to make yourself cry after a break-up. Tears are pain leaving the body, or so a movie quote goes. Letting all of it out can actually make you feel better.
#1 The Notebook. Do I really have to explain this one? Okay, then. It’s a movie about an old man who reads a love story to a woman from his nursing home. This movie has made millions of people cry, even when they watch it over and over again. Let’s see you keep it all in after twenty minutes or so. [Read: Love lessons “The Notebook” can teach a cynical heart]
#2 A Little Thing Called Love. This is a Thai movie that gained a huge following after its showing. It’s about how a girl called Nam uses a book called the Nine Recipes of Love to make her crush fall in love with her. I was surprised to find that this movie could make me cry like that, even when I was watching a happy scene.
#3 Titanic. I am sorry for putting this on this list, but I know you need it. If this movie won’t squeeze all those tears out, I don’t know what will. This movie is about a girl named Rose and a guy named Jack – and a boat. Just so you know, I’m still pissed about that door.
Princess movies
Who doesn’t want to see a girl trying to make it in this world end up with their modern day prince or actually get married into the royal family? Watching movies like these make you think about all those Disney Princess movies you watched, and how you always wanted to be like them one day and find your own prince. As far as real life fairytales go, we’re still waiting on that biographical adaptation, House of Windsor!
#1 The Prince and Me. Paige, a college student, meets Eddie, an entitled young man who thinks he can make Paige fall in love by impressing her with his good looks and money. P.S. Do not watch the sequels immediately after.
#2 Pretty Woman. Julia Roberts might not be a princess in this movie, but every girl’s got to start somewhere, right? This movie makes it seem like anything is impossible, especially for a girl in love. Edward hires Vivian, a hooker, to escort him to various social events in the guise of a high-class date.
#3 Maid in Manhattan. This classic Cinderella pseudo-adaptation shows Marisa, a hotel maid, falling in love with one of their clients. She disguises herself as one of the guests, in order to spend time with Christopher, a handsome heir to a political dynasty.
Moving on movies
After indulging yourself in a cry session, and a few movies with disillusioning goals, you can finally watch something that can actually affect your situation. If you’re nursing a broken heart, these types of movies can help you learn about moving on and how other people in different situations cope with it. [Read: 11 things you should never do when you’re suddenly single]
#1 P.S. I Love You. Holly just lost her husband, Gerry, to cancer, but that didn’t stop him from helping her move on, even when he was already gone. I cried when I read the book, and I cried some more when I watched the movie. You’d think it was too sad to watch, but when you get to the part where Holly starts her journey, you’ll start thinking about how you can go on with yours as well.
#2 The First Wives Club. Three divorced women seek revenge on their husbands, after they were inspired by a friend who took her own life after she experienced the same troubles. It’s a comforting story about absolution and getting to know yourself better after a huge break-up. Aside from the life lessons you’ll learn, you can also enjoy the antics of some of the best actresses who ever walked this planet.
#3 Toy Story 3. I know they’re not people, but you have to look past the 3D imaging. Woody and his friends are just as much in the same boat as you are. Sometimes we outgrow our roles in the lives of our loved ones. We need to let them go, and we need to forge our own paths, in order to meet new people who need us as much as we need them.
Life lesson movies
Moving on is just the first step of the recovery process. You need to start thinking more about your life and the choices you make. If you’re having a little trouble getting back on your feet, you can watch these movies to see how these people played out their lives using the lessons that we learn every day. [Read: 8 daily reminders to keep you going forward]
#1 A Hundred-Foot Journey. The Kadam family leaves India in order to start a new life in France. This story revolves around a family who has lost everything and decided to follow their hearts and find a new home. The people in this story each have their own self-actualizing journeys, and there’s a chance that you might relate to some of them.
#2 3 Idiots. This story is about a group of people who went in search of their long lost friend. As they go on their journey, they recall everything they learned while they were younger, and how their friend taught all of them how to think differently.
#3 Eat, Pray, Love. Liz has just freed herself from a life full of comfort and stability. Now she has to find herself on a journey around the world. Maybe her experiences can give you a new perspective on life, and how you can start fresh as well.
Laugh your ass off movies
Once you’ve pondered the deeper side of things, you can start to let it all go and distract yourself with a few choice movies. Sometimes, the pain can run too deep, and all you need is a few laughs to find a little joy in your life.
#1 Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. I laughed so hard in this movie that I almost couldn’t breathe. Follow Ace Ventura as he searches for the Great White Bat in Africa. The comedy may be a bit old school, but I find those to be more humorous than the sarcastic sentiments of today’s “comedy” genre.
#32 The Sweetest Thing. I don’t think there’s a woman out there who hasn’t seen this movie. Christina meets the man of her dreams, and realizes that he’s Mr. Right. The story’s pretty much played out, but the in-between is so, so good! I mean, the Penis Song? Classic.
#3 Bridget Jones’s Diary. This is like the mega-movie for people with broken hearts. It’s like watching yourself do everything that you’re doing now. In terms of positive visualization, this movie could very well save your life. Bridget Jones is determined to find love as she chronicles her adventures in her diary. [Read: 10 reasons you’re relieved after breaking up]
We all need something to believe in when our hearts get broken, but maybe a little fiction and a little bit of dreaming can help ease our pain. Who knows? These might even inspire you to go out there and keep searching for your true love, once your broken heart has healed.
