Every film and TV show we turn to when we’re feeling blue.
Sometimes, when you’re feeling a little bit shitty, there’s no other option but to batten down the hatches and bunker down under the safety of your own duvet, with just snacks and happy, lighthearted entertainment to keep you company. And sure, it may only be a temporary fix, but there’s a sense of solace in getting tucked up and enjoying a few easy laughs when the world outside feels a little too confusing – and that’s exactly the strategy that we’re here to help with today. From hilarious sitcoms to inspiring classic films, here’s all the feel good movies and TV shows the Secret Media team turn to when feeling a little blue.
TV Shows
1. Schitt’s Creek
Recommended by: Georgie Hoole, Executive Editor for Secret Media UK & Aus
What they had to say 📺: I think I mentioned this in our ‘Shows that got us through the pandemic’ article too, but I’d never miss an opportunity to talk about this masterpiece. Just watch it. You’ll understand why.
2. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Recommended by: Kat Notman, Writer for Secret Kobenhavn/Amsterdam/Stockholm
What they had to say 📺: The thing I watch to cheer me up is It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, because not only is Danny DeVito hilarious in it, but the characters are such awful humans that it makes you feel better about your own life, haha. And then Bob’s Burgers – because it’s lovely.
3. Taskmaster
Recommended by: Alice Lorenzato-Lloyd, Writer of Secret Birmingham/Bristol/Glasgow/Liverpool
What they had to say 📺: Filled with some hilarious British comedy, this programme really helps me switch off after a long stressful day. Watching people do random and bizarre tasks that are beyond something of your wildest dreams is somehow comforting and has me laughing almost incessantly.
4. This Is Us
Recommended by: Julie Freeman, Writer of Secret London
What they had to say 📺: For a good cry and a whole lot of life perspective, my absolute favourite series to watch is This Is Us. If that show doesn’t make you bawl at least once every episode, then I don’t know what will.
5. Gilmore Girls
Recommended by: Ria Lawrence, Writer of Secret Sydney
What they had to say 📺: For TV, I tend to go back to Gilmore Girls a lot, it’s just such a comforting classic. Love the banter and the familiarity of it and the dreamy setting of Stars Hollow is unmatched in my opinion.
6. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Recommended by: Amanda Viller, Community Manager
What they had to say 📺: Brooklyn Nine-Nine is my go-to series to lift my spirits. Aside from being absolutely hilarious, the characters are diverse, well-rounded and each one of their storylines has something relatable. It’s great to watch their characters arcs through the seasons and makes you feel that even in a bad scenario you can always find some humour to it.
7. Peep Show
Recommended by: Jack Saddler, Writer for Secret London and Secret Dublin
What they had to say 📺: Just one of those achingly funny shows that’ll have you howling at the cringe and sadly, often quite relatable, situations the characters find themselves in. A guaranteed mood-booster if hysterical laughter does the trick for you.
8. Parks and Recreation
Recommended by: Laura Rogan, Editor of Secret Manchester
What they had to say 📺: I’ll admit. I was pretty late to the party with this one, but better late than never. Centred around an incredibly eclectic mix of government employees, Parks and Rec features seven seasons of lighthearted comedy – and it’s absolutely genius. Not only is the cast fantastic, but the storylines make for an easy watch, and it’s brilliant to see Chris Pratt at his best before he buffed up and sodded off to the Marvel franchise. If you haven’t seen it already, think The Office vibes with its own unique twist.
9. Queer Eye
Recommended by: Amanda Viller, Community Manager
What they had to say 📺: Every single one of the hosts is an absolutely amazing human being and watching people who constantly look out for everyone else other than themselves, get some help and get a makeover, I mean, it’s meant to make you cry happy tears.
Movies
1. Fantastic Mr Fox
Recommended by: Georgie Hoole, Executive Editor for Secret Media UK & Aus
What they had to say 📺: My all-time favourite film. I think there’s just comfort in its familiarity for me (I once watched it three times in a day), but it’s also just bloody excellent. It’s hilarious, the cast is genius, and we can’t forget those dreamlike Wes Anderson vibes. I’m obsessed and I don’t care who knows it.
Recommended by: Alice Lorenzato-Lloyd, Writer of Secret Birmingham/Bristol/Glasgow/Liverpool
What they had to say 📺: This is my favourite film of all time and although I have watched it numerous times, it never fails to put a smile on my face. The soundtrack has some absolute bangers that make me reminisce the 90s and early 00s. I love how this film challenges stereotypes and it influenced me to take up football too – which is a sport that has definitely helped to improve my mental health.
3. Breakfast At Tiffany’s
Recommended by: Laura Rogan, Editor of Secret Manchester
What they had to say 📺: Nothing beats an absolute classic when you’re feeling a little sad, and for me, Audrey Hepburn ticks all of the boxes. She had a real way of creating subtle, lighthearted comedy, and her co-stars were always just as high a calibre as herself. Naturally, it wouldn’t be a feel-good film without a happy ending, and it’s there where Breakfast at Tiffany’s definitely delivers.
4. It’s A Wonderful Life
Recommended by: Julie Freeman, Writer of Secret London
What they had to say 📺: In terms of movies, there’s nothing like a good classic film to make me feel nostalgic. It’s a Wonderful Life (even though considered a Christmas movie) takes me back to watching movie online or watchartoononline with my grandad, and it never fails to make me smile.
5. Midnight In Paris
Recommended by: Ria Lawrence, Writer of Secret Sydney
What they had to say 📺: It’s charming and whimsical and uplifting and just makes you fall in love with Paris and life in general. I’ve watched it so many times I can literally quote it word to word. It’s the ideal choice for culture and literature lovers and you get to soak up the dreamy Paris atmosphere from the comfort of your couch.
6. The Princess Bride
Recommended by: Amanda Viller, Community Manager
What they had to say 📺: For movies, The Princess Bride, is my all-time favourite. Excellent one-liners, it’s not your typical fairytale story and it is a complete masterpiece. It’ll have you wishing you knew how to fence, and will have you saying “inconceivable” all day.
7. Stand By Me
Recommended by: Jack Saddler, Writer for Secret London and Secret Dublin
What they had to say 📺: For a quick mood lift, it’s tough to look beyond Stand By Me (1986). A Stephen King adaptation following a group of young boys out on a coming-of-age adventure. In this love letter to youthful abandonment, you’ll vicariously live through their close shaves; their insults; their powerful friendship and the bitter-taste ending that yearns for a life where you never have to grow up.
8. Chef
Recommended by: Marco Ruiz, Writer for Secret Australia cities
What they had to say 📺: Jon Favreau is great, and in CHEF, his awesomeness seeps into the rest of the film, which is entertaining, damn funny and always leaves me feeling like I could eat so many Cuban sandwiches. And BBQs. And every other dish that’s shown in the film. But what I think I like most about the film is the story and the journey, both literal and figurative, that Favreau’s character goes on as well as the other characters that accompany him. Lastly, the colours of the film are bright and the music is on point.
Read more: Here’s Everything Worth A Watch On Netflix UK This May
[Featured image: NBC/Twentieth Century Fox]