Every comfort film is different to different people, and so are the stories connected to them.
What is a comfort film? Typically, a comfort film is a movie that never gets old despite the number of times you’ve probably seen it. They’re meant to evoke positive feelings and a sense of ease when enjoyed. These tend to be our go-to movies because they’re easy to consume and trigger a sense of nostalgia.
Nostalgia is related to most things we like and dislike in our adult life. When discovering something new, we will often relate it to something we loved as a child. This sense generates intense feelings of stability and increases optimism in our current situation. Take the game Animal Crossing, which blew up in 2020. Sure, this is partly due to everyone being inside for months, but nostalgia was also a prevalent factor in why the game became so popular. Many played the game in their younger years and felt obligated to buy the newest version when it was released for the Nintendo Switch.
Watchability is the most important role nostalgia can play. In most films we love as adults, there was an unbreakable connection with when we were children. Some of our first memories revolve around movies, which is why these films are closely associated with our childhood. They can also be so special to us in ways other people may never understand.
For the most part, movies like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Breakfast Club, and multiple Disney movies fall into this category. Each film is known for its ease and watchability. They’re also associated with high school or our younger selves. Regardless of how much of the movie you watch, it’s still found enjoyable after the dozens of times you’ve seen it.
Even now, amid a pandemic, streaming platforms have made it easier than ever to rewatch a cherished classic. Any animated movie you could ever think of is available on Disney+, along with other services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Crave have their own backlog of hits. You might not have realized it before, but a comfort film might be right under your nose.
I have a long list of comfort films I continuously watch. A few of my favourite comfort films are Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Jackie, Hercules, The Devil Wears Prada, Moneyball, and All the President’s Men.
These films are special to me in a way that is different from someone else. The subject matter in Jackie and All the President’s Men are mainly involved with American politics. I tend to have a strong connection with movies about history and politics, whereas other people may not. These films, in particular, bring me joy because they’re about political moments I’m fascinated by.
Another example of why we can watch our favourite movies over again is the actors in them. Moneyball includes one of my favourite actors, Brad Pitt, as well as being a heartbreaking sports movie. That combination is an immediate draw to my eyes, which is why I can’t get enough of that film.
As previously mentioned, as children, we form connections with characters we watch on screen. Growing up, Hercules was hands down my favourite Disney movie and even as an adult, I’ve found myself revisiting it at least twice a year. The songs are fantastic, and I love the story, so why wouldn’t I rewatch it?
Every comfort film is different to different people, and so are the stories connected to them. Even if you don’t feel the same way about a movie or genre, it’s important to listen to the story behind it and why it might be memorable to someone else. That’s what makes all of our choices so unique.
