We’ve all been there. You’ve been studying so hard and for so long that it’s all you can think about. You still have piles of homework to do, and you’re so stressed out about it that you’ve been losing sleep. It’s normal to experience fatigue after extended periods of studying, and as counterintuitive as that may sound, what you can do right now is take a break. Unwinding in study breaks is a very effective way to get your energies back, by allowing your brain time to rest and doing something that requires no concentration instead.
There are many ways to unwind, from jogging and exercising to reading, listening to music, and doing any number of activities that make you happy. Of course, what we recommend is watching a good movie. So if you’re stuck with an assignment and are googling ways to pay for essay because you can’t focus on the task anymore, do not despair: here are 7 great movies that will help you feel like yourself again, as you take a break between study sessions! We made a list of feel-good films and beloved gems from various genres, and they’re all guaranteed to boost your mood! You’ll find them all below, in alphabetical order! Happy watching!
1. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
David Frankel
“Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking.” What better way for unwinding after a stressful day than channeling the protagonist of The Devil Wears Prada? Believed to be inspired by Vogue EiC Anna Wintour, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) is someone you don’t want to mess with. In the movie, she’s the Editor-in-Chief of fashion magazine Runway where young aspiring writer Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) happens to be hired for an intern position, despite her knowing absolutely nothing about fashion.
Andy is a likable young woman and she immediately befriends fashion expert Nigel (Stanley Tucci), who also works at the magazine. But she’s still up against a manager who couldn’t care less about her, a co-worker (Emily Blunt’s Emily) who doesn’t take her seriously and might even be a little jealous of her, and her own insecurities, which are also working against her. The Devil Wears Prada is the perfect movie to watch if you need a reminder that failing is only human, and that being yourself is what matters most. It’s also an incredibly uplifting film with a fantastic cast and an array of quotable lines.
And if you still need convincing: Variety announced that Disney is currently working on a sequel. As Miranda would say, “That’s all.”
2. Freaky (2020)
Christopher Landon
If horror comedy movies are what you’re into, writer-director Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day 2U) comes to the rescue. This body swap slasher comedy took the world by storm upon release, and for good reason. Freaky takes a compelling premise and uses it to craft a story that’s not only genuinely hilarious, but also original, full of surprises, and filled with heart. At the center of it all is high schooler Millie Kessler (Kathryn Newton), who has just lost her father and is not very popular at school. One day, the local serial killer (Vince Vaughn’s Barney Garris aka “Blissfield Butcher“) tries to make her her next victim, but happens to use an Aztec dagger as his weapon of choice.
Needless to say, things don’t go as planned, and in the best Freaky Friday tradition, our two unlikely heroes swap bodies. It’s best if we don’t tell you what happens next, but you’re in for a treat. If what you need is a laugh, look no further than this 2020 gem.
3. Hit Man (2024)
Richard Linklater
Richard Linklater, Glen Powell, Adria Arjona. Need we say more? Actually, we do, because this is one Netflix comedy you don’t want to miss. After a hugely successful festival run, the Before trilogy director’s new film is available to stream, and it’s pretty much guaranteed to put you in a good mood. The premise behind Hit Man is based on the true story of a man named Gary Johnson, which Texas Monthly posted an article about in 2001. According to the magazine, Johnson was a professional killer that most wanted to hire, because he used to tailor his appearance to the specific need of each client.
Linklater’s film starts from a similar premise: Gary (Glen Powell, also on producing duties) is the most ordinary, dullest professor in the world. He teaches psychology and philosophy at the University of New Orleans, and lives alone with his cats. But he also has a second job as a van technician for the police, who hires him whenever they need someone to record conversations between the fake killer they send to talk to people interested in hiring a hit man and the clients. One day, Gary is promoted to “fake hit man,” and just like that, his personality changes. Let’s leave it at that to avoid spoilers, but trust us: watch the film! It’s great for unwinding in study breaks, but you’ll also be entertained from start to end.
4. Hot Fuzz (2007)
Edgar Wright
No list of movies for unwinding in study breaks would be complete without at least one Edgar Wright film. Hot Fuzz is the second film in what is unofficially known as the “Cornetto Trilogy” – as cornettos are one of the things the movies have in common. The other is that they are all parodies of different genres, starting with zombie slasher gem Shaun of the Dead, which has acquired cult status. If you haven’t seen any of the films yet, we recommend starting with Hot Fuzz, which is the most accessible “Cornetto Trilogy” movie, particularly if you’re not so familiar with British humor.
In Hot Fuzz, the overachieving Sergeant Angel (Simon Pegg) is transferred from London to a remote English village where the police, who has nothing to do, is not as strict on rules and regulations. Initially, Sergeant Angel is extremely irritated by everyone’s attitude, but when he befriends the easygoing PC Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), he starts to see the appeal. But don’t get us wrong: something still is going on in this apparently quiet town, and Angel and Butterman will have to team up to solve the puzzle. We dare you to keep a straight face as you watch them in action.
5. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Hayao Miyazaki
if animation is what you’re after, make Kiki’s Delivery Service your next watch. This 1898 gem from master storyteller Hayao Miyazaki is not as popular as other Studio Ghibli movies, such as the universally loved Spirited Away. Yet, this hidden gem will make for a great way to spend an afternoon as you take a break and unwind. It tells the story of Kiki, a young witch who leaves her family’s home to try to make it on her own, alongside her black cat Jiji. She moves to a seaside town, where she decides to start a business: the titular high-flying delivery service via broomstick. But this business move is only the first step toward Kiki becoming independent, with all the responsibilities that come with it. Kiki’s Delivery Service is essentially a movie about life, and it will charm you with its incredible worldbuilding from its very first shots.
6. Rye Lane (2022)
Raine Allen Miller
Here’s another recent release! Rye Lane is a fantastic rom-com that manages to be subversive in a very crowded genre. The film simply revolves around two strangers, Yas (Vivian Oparah) and Dom (David Jonsson), who have a meetcute and end up spending the day together in South London, navigating their city as they talk about their lives. As you watch the film, you’ll be so immersed in it that it will feel as if you’re right there with our protagonists. Rye Lane is an effortless watch, and another great choice for unwinding during study breaks!
7. Singin’ In The Rain (1952)
Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly
Have you ever seen a Gene Kelly movie? If you haven’t, take a look at the clip above and let it convince you to drop everything and start watching Singin’ In The Rain right now. The film takes place in the 1920s, when Hollywood’s silent movies are coming to an end with the advent of “talkies,” or “talking pictures.” Which is still fine for Hollywood star Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly), but not so much for his co-star, superstar Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen), whose voice is, ahem, not meant to be heard by anyone. To prevent her from being fired, Don comes up with a plan: without Lina knowing, he’ll have his latest crush, singer Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds), dub her in secret. Needless to say, his plan backfires.
There’s a reason Singin’ in the Rain is one of the most beloved musicals – and movies – of all time. Not only does it have hypnotic musical numbers (also featuring the larger than life Donald O’Connor, whose dancing and facial expressions are so impressive that he’ll make you believe he’s made of plastic), but it features a plot that will teach you about film history and a heart that will make you believe in movies again. And on top of this, it’s absolutely hilarious. Give it a try: it might even become your new favorite film.
The 7 films listed above are all great movies for unwinding in study breaks. Whether you’re looking for rom-coms, body swap slashers, all-time classics, animated gems, and more, there’s something for everyone. Enjoy!
