The Best Movies to Watch After a Breakup
The Best Movies to Watch After a Breakup
Alright, we'll just say it. Breakups are hard. No matter how long you were with someone, splitting up is never easy. They bring on inevitable waves of emotion, ranging from sad and depressed to happy and relieved, and everything in between. So whether you're looking to have yourself a good cry or you're yearning for some empowering laughs, these 21 movies provide the perfect remedy for those post-breakup blues.
'Legally Blonde'
After getting dumped by her ivy league boyfriend, Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) decides to make something of herself and attend Harvard Law School "What? Like it's hard?" Nothing is more satisfying than thriving after a split, and Elle's journey is total post-breakup inspiration. Plus, we can't forget how fierce the bend-and-snap was.
'Eat Pray Love'
Self-love is the best form of love to practice after getting out of a relationship, and a viewing of this empowering Julia Roberts film about a woman who travels the world after a painful divorce is a great place to start.
'Blue Valentine'
This painfully authentic and intimate look into the unraveling of a marriage—featuring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams—will open the flood gates. Keep your tissues on hand for this one.
'Celeste and Jesse Forever'
A recently divorced couple (Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg) attempt to remain friends as they start seeing other people. The comedy/drama begs the question: Is it possible to be friends with someone you once shared a deeply personal relationship with?
'Crazy, Stupid, Love'
After his wife asks for a divorce, a middle-aged man (Steve Carell) befriends a suave, smooth talker (Ryan Gosling), and gains newfound confidence after his split. Emma Stone and Julianne Moore also star.
'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'
Shortly after Peter (Jason Segel) gets dumped by his television star girlfriend (Kristen Bell), he heads on a Hawaiian getaway in an attempt to lift his spirits–unfortunately for him, it's also the same resort his ex happens to be visiting. To make matters worse, she is accompanied by her new, eccentric boyfriend (Russell Brand).
'The Break-Up'
Splitting up is never ideal, but for Gary (Vince Vaughn) and Brooke (Jennifer Aniston), their luxurious condo is on the line. With neither one willing to give up the space, things are about to get really ugly for the recently separated duo.
'High Fidelity'
Rob (John Cusack) looks back on his past breakups, while currently experiencing his worst one to date–proving that the best way to persevere through pain is to remember the times you've survived it before.
'Call Me by Your Name'
No love is as strong or as passionate as a first love—and a first heartbreak is equally as emotional. This film, adapted from the book of the same title, follows Elio's (Timothée Chalamet) summer affair with his father's visiting research assistant (Armie Hammer). Sometimes the best thing after a breakup is to just let yourself have a good cry.
'How to Be Single'
Between all the texting, dating apps, and one-night stands, it's complicated to find love in the modern age. But it's easy to navigate love and relationships in New York City when Rebel Wilson is your best friend.
'(500) Days of Summer'
Experience the whirlwind relationship between Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Zooey Deschanel), from their first meeting to their final moment and everything in between.
'The House Bunny'
After a Playboy Bunny (Anna Faris) is dumped and kicked out of the Playboy Mansion, she must learn to navigate the real world. Her journey of self-discovery makes this campy comedy a positively inspirational ride.
'My Best Friend's Wedding'
Sometimes the heart wants what it wants, and in the case of Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts), her heart doesn't let her realize her true feelings for her long-time friend, Michael (Dermot Mulroney), until three days before his wedding.
'John Tucker Must Die'
When three teenage girls realize they're all being played by the school's serial-dating basketball star, they decide to seek a little old- fashioned revenge.
'The Girl on the Train'
After a demure housewife is found dead, a divorcée (Emily Blunt), who turns to booze to drown her pain, becomes wrapped up in the mysterious death, and secrets of the past relationship she shared with her estranged husband rise to the surface.
'The First Wives Club'
Three divorced women (Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton) seek revenge on their respective ex-husbands after they are dumped for younger replacements.
'Under the Tuscan Sun'
When a San Franciso-based writer (Diane Lane) becomes a new divorcée, she picks up her entire life and buys a villa in Tuscany. Sometimes the best thing is to just get a fresh start.
'He's Just Not That Into You'
The lives of several 30-somethings intertwine as they all attempt to make sense of the various intricacies that make up love and relationships. The all-star cast features Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Drew Barrymore, Bradley Cooper and Scarlett Johansson, just to name a few.
'The Broken Hearts Club'
As old relationships end, new ones begin to form for a group of 20-something friends in Hollywood–but when tragedy strikes, it forces them to re-evaluate what's important.
'Marriage Story'
This award season favorite follows the end of Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole's (Scarlett Johansson) love story–reminding the viewer that not every relationship ends with a single clean cut. People are complicated, and as Noah Baumbach's drama beautifully illustrates, so is marriage.
'Midsommar'
On the last legs of their relationship, a boyfriend (Jack Reynor) and girlfriend (Florence Pugh) travel to a Swedish summer festival that proves to be a bizarre, yet eye-opening end to their toxic relationship.
These flicks might be just what you need.