Need a Pick Me Up or a Laugh? These Are Our Favorite Comfort Movies

The Avengers, The Fast & Furious Franchise and The Incredibles are just a few of the movies that we’re watching during this difficult time.

Photo:  Universal Pictures

The news is unwatchable right now. There is literally nothing good happening in the world. To help you get through this traumatic time and save yourself from some unneeded stress, bookmark our suggestions for the comfort movies that will let you take a break from the madness and just feel good for a few hours.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Tyler Perry Deals ‘Mind Crack’, According to Judge Joe Brown

Toy Story Franchise – Disney+

Will the Toy Story movies take you on an emotional roller coaster? Yes, definitely. Will they also make you feel like a kid again and let you forget all your worries for the day? Yes, thank God.

Stream it now

The Equalizer Trilogy – Hulu, Prime Video

Considering how violent these films are, this may seem like an odd choice. However, sometimes you just want to watch Denzel Washington kick some ass and know that the bad guys will get what’s coming to them.

Stream it now

The Fast & Furious Franchise – Peacock

Say what you will about The Fast & Furious movies, but they’re always entertaining. If you’re looking for a fun piece of fluff to take your mind off the world’s problems, look no further. And of course, it’s all about family.

Stream it now

Beauty Shop – Max

There’s just something fun about a trip to the beauty shop. Even if it’s a fictional one that only exists on-screen, it still calms you down and makes you feel special.

Stream it now

Hamilton – Disney+

Singing along with this Tony-winning musical will always help you forget your worries. In a cool bonus, Disney+ actually has a sing along version available with the lyrics on-screen.

Stream it now

Men in Black – Prime Video

Will Smith is at his hilarious best in this classic sci-fi comedy. Knowing when and where the jokes are coming is like hanging out with friends and telling old stories.

Stream it now

Friday – Prime Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-TPxS1cVEY

Even though we know all the jokes and when they’re coming, Craig and Smokey never fail to make us laugh. When we need something to get us through the day, we love hanging out with the whole neighborhood.

Stream it now

Last Holiday – Paramount+

Queen Latifah’s rom-coms always leave us with a good feeling. The most inspiring of them is definitely Last Holiday, because it encourages us to live life to the fullest every single day.

Stream it now

The Best Man Franchise – Prime Video, Peacock

Photo: Clifton Prescod/Peacock Photo: Clifton Prescod/Peacock

You can’t go wrong with The Best Man. With two movies and an eight-episode limited series, the franchise provides a full-day comfort binge of the whole story. It’s like hanging out with old friends when you need a pick-me-up.

Stream it now

Central Intelligence – Prime Video

The chemistry between Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart is firing on all cylinders in this comedy where The Rock brilliantly plays against his action hero stereotype.

Stream it now

Coming to America – Prime Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXgx7Uzislo

There are jokes in this 1988 comedy that haven’t aged well, but it hits us with a nostalgic feel. It takes us back to the first time we saw this classic.

Stream it now

Marvel’s The Avengers – Disney+

We’re so deep into the MCU and its mythology, it’s easy to forget how amazing it felt when we finally got to see The Avengers assemble. There’s also something fun about watching it now that we know what happens after this.

Stream it now

Hitch – Prime Video

You can never go wrong with Will Smith at the peak of his leading man charm.

Stream it now

Homecoming – Netflix

Beyonce unapologetically celebrating HBCU culture is the confidence boost we all need when the world is telling us that nothing is working.

Stream it now

Love Jones – Prime Video

Sometimes you just need someone to romance you and read you love poems. And that’s OK.

Stream it now

Remember the Titans – Disney+

Sports movies are a great choice when you need an inspirational pep talk to get you over that last obstacle. And if it comes from Denzel Washington, even better.

Stream it now

Soul Food – Prime Video

If you’re missing your family, Soul Food will remind you why you loved all those family dinners, but also why you don’t call home as much as you used to. It comforts on two levels.

Stream it now

Waiting to Exhale – Amazon Freevee

It can be hard to get all your friends together, but Bernadine, Savannah, Robin and Gloria are always there when you need a girls’ night.

Stream it now

Black Panther – Disney+

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_i1rxuHLeo

Yes, there’s a sadness that comes with watching Black Panther. But there’s also an empowerment and pride that we can’t fully put into words. This is what we need when the unrelenting racism of the news cycle becomes too much.

Stream it now

The Incredibles – Disney+

The Incredibles is just a fun movie. It never fails to make us feel better. Pixar will always take you on an emotional journey, and one of those emotions is definitely joy.

Stream it now

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

These Little-Known Black History Facts Are Sure to Shock You

These Little-Known Black History Facts Are Sure to Shock You

100 years after the first Negro History Week, we’re looking at some amazing, little-known Black history facts …
Understanding the Plight of Somalis Making it to the U.S. -- Only to Get Trashed By Trump

Understanding the Plight of Somalis Making it to the U.S. — Only to Get Trashed By Trump

In order to understand the Somali Civil War and why President Trump is targeting Somalis, you have to start form the very beginning …
TODAY Co-Host Sheinelle Jones Gets Surprising News Months After Losing Husband to Cancer

TODAY Co-Host Sheinelle Jones Gets Surprising News Months After Losing Husband to Cancer

Sheinelle Jones has had a tough year as she took some time away from her role on the TODAY Show. But now things are looking up thanks to this new announcement! …
Vince Staples' Comment About How Black Folks Would've Dressed For Jan. 6 Insurrection is Deeper Than You Think

Vince Staples’ Comment About How Black Folks Would’ve Dressed For Jan. 6 Insurrection is Deeper Than You Think

Vince Staples joked that Black folks simply look “better” during revolutions, and the Civil Rights Movement and Black Panther Party are prime examples of why he has a point …
Rep. Jim Clyburn Stands With Michelle Obama on This Hard Truth About the American People

Rep. Jim Clyburn Stands With Michelle Obama on This Hard Truth About the American People

Congressman Jim Clyburn echoes Obama, calling out America’s double standard on women in power …
Why Singer Jason Derulo Vows to <i>Never</i> Work With Women Again

Why Singer Jason Derulo Vows to Never Work With Women Again

Jason Derulo states that he feels uncomfortable working alone with women ever since his sexual harassment case …
Why Lil Rod's Part in Shocking Diddy Documentary Was So Jarring

Why Lil Rod’s Part in Shocking Diddy Documentary Was So Jarring

Producer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones’ confessional was just one of many in Netflix’s new Diddy doc. But it’s got a lot of people talking for a lot of reasons. Let’s get into it! …
All About the Black Jan. 6 Pipe Bomb Suspect

All About the Black Jan. 6 Pipe Bomb Suspect

Authorities arrested Brian Cole Jr., a Black man and loner who lived in his mom’s basement, as the suspect who planted pipe bombs on Jan. 5, 2021 …
Mother Who Stabbed a Nurse to Fund Her Teen's Cheerleading Trip Learns Her Fate

Mother Who Stabbed a Nurse to Fund Her Teen’s Cheerleading Trip Learns Her Fate

Years after a nurse was stabbed 17 times, a cheer mom who needed cash for her daughter’s trip just learned her fate after pleading her innocence …
The Real Story Behind the Woman Everyone Identified as 'Juror 160' From the Diddy Netflix Doc

The Real Story Behind the Woman Everyone Identified as ‘Juror 160’ From the Diddy Netflix Doc

This woman has gone viral for a photo she took with Diddy more than 15 years ago. Here’s how it connects to the Netflix doc and how everyone has it all wrong …
Kimora Lee Simmons Finally Breaks Silence Over Her Daughter Dating Man 44 Years Older

Kimora Lee Simmons Finally Breaks Silence Over Her Daughter Dating Man 44 Years Older

Kimora Lee Simmons isn’t holding back her thoughts when it comes to the controversial relationship her daughter got entangled in, in 2024! …
The Story of Jasmine Crockett's Political Journey From Local Politics to an Historic Senate Run

The Story of Jasmine Crockett’s Political Journey From Local Politics to an Historic Senate Run

Long before her viral read on Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rep. Jasmine Crockett has been committed to doing the work of the people. Now, she has her sights set on the Senate …
Busta Rhymes Runs Up on Content Creator Who Said He Looks Like Tracy Morgan -- and It's Not Pretty

Busta Rhymes Runs Up on Content Creator Who Said He Looks Like Tracy Morgan — and It’s Not Pretty

In a now-viral clip, Busta Rhymes had to get a fan together after a case of mistaken identity …
Small Town of Latta, S.C. Makes History Twice With One Election of Black Mayor

Small Town of Latta, S.C. Makes History Twice With One Election of Black Mayor

Marcus McGirt’s historic victory in Latta came after generations of Jim Crow and racism in the South Carolina town …
How Jasmine Crockett’s Senate Run Could Completely Reshape U.S. Politics Right Now

How Jasmine Crockett’s Senate Run Could Completely Reshape U.S. Politics Right Now

On the final day candidates can qualify for the primary election, Root 100 honoree Rep. Jasmine Crockett announced she’s running for Senate …
Is Tyra Banks OK? Why Fans Don't Think So

Is Tyra Banks OK? Why Fans Don’t Think So

Tyra Banks is looking to expand her ice cream brand just in time for the holiday season, but her latest attempt has fans genuinely concerned and confused! …
How Cynthia Erivo’s Latest 'Wicked' Press Run Proves Misogynoir is Alive and Well

How Cynthia Erivo’s Latest ‘Wicked’ Press Run Proves Misogynoir is Alive and Well

Cynthia Erivo has been forced to endure awkward press moments and field inappropriate interview questions that Ariana Grande and her other non-Black “Wicked” co-stars don’t have to …
What Jeannie Mai and Jeezy Have to Say About Their Messy Divorce a Year Later Might Surprise You

What Jeannie Mai and Jeezy Have to Say About Their Messy Divorce a Year Later Might Surprise You

The divorce between Jeezy and Jeannie Mai kept going from bad to worse, but now it seems like the two have come out on the other side of it and are speaking out! …
Wait, Again?? Manhunt Underway for More Escaped New  Inmates in New Orleans

Wait, Again?? Manhunt Underway for More Escaped New Inmates in New Orleans

Months after 10 inmates escaped from a Louisiana prison, a second manhunt is underway in the same state for more escaped inmates …
3 Shocking Takeaways From Marjorie Taylor Greene's Bombshell '60 Minutes' Interview

3 Shocking Takeaways From Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Bombshell ’60 Minutes’ Interview

Weeks after announcing her resignation from Congress, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is back with an interview to spill all the tea on Trump and MAGA …