Entertainment
Happy Movies To Watch After Fighting With Your Partner
Even if you and your partner resolve conflicts in a healthy way, fighting never feels good. There may be awkward tension between you, you might be nursing puffy eyes from crying, and those sad feelings don't always just go away. You might need some time to get your thoughts together in order to argue productively, or space if your emotions are raw and you're not ready to dive back into your regular dynamic yet. That's OK! When you need a fun, easy distraction, finding happy movies to watch after a fight with your partner can make all the difference.
The following movies will make you laugh, cry, and root for a magically resolved ending. Some are romances that'll remind you why a healthy relationship is worth fighting for; others are coming-of-age friendship stories that'll make you want to call your bestie immediately. And if you want to watch something that won't make you think too much because your mind literally can't handle anything else at the moment, there are options for that too.
So put your phone on silent, order your favorite sushi, and settle in with one of the following movies. Once you feel ready to re-evaluate your argument with your partner, you can do so knowing you took a step back and gave yourself time to rest. As the classic Friday Night Lights saying goes, "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose."
1. 'Dumplin'
If you're looking for a wholesome teen comedy, Dumplin' is it. The film tells the story of Willowdean (Danielle Macdonald), a plus-size girl who signs up for a beauty pageant to spite her former beauty queen mom (Jennifer Anniston). Along the way, they find they might just have more in common than they realized. And as a bonus, it features plenty of Dolly Parton songs to sing along to with your loved ones.
2. 'The Edge Of Seventeen'
The Edge Of Seventeen stars Hailee Steinfield as Nadine, an awkward high schooler whose relationship with her best friend (Haley Lu Richardson) becomes strained after she starts dating Nadine's older brother (Blake Jenner). It’s a relatable take on the intense rollercoaster that is growing up and is bound to make you think about your own coming-of-age journey in a whole new light. More angsty comedies, please!
3. 'Matilda'
Matilda follows the magical misadventures of the bookish title character (Mara Wilson), despite her tough parents and even tougher school principal, Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris). It’s such a nostalgic film for so many people that you’ll probably find yourselves bonding over it. Miss Honey forever!
4. 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before'
A modern classic, To All The Boys I've Loved Before shows what goes down when shy romantic Lara Jean (Lana Condor) starts a fake relationship with Peter (Noah Centineo) after secret letters to her former crushes get mailed out by her little sister (Anna Cathcart). And if you’re in the mood for a movie marathon, you’re in luck! Two sequels are also streaming on Netflix.
5. 'Heathers'
If you've got a soft spot for dark humor, watch Heathers. This classic from the '80s tells the story of how high schooler Veronica (Winona Ryder) gets swept up in a plot to take out the cool kids when she begins dating edgy new kid J.D. (Christian Slater). Growing up and figuring out your place in the world can feel like the end of the world sometimes, and Heathers gets that.
6. 'About Time'
In About Time, time-traveler Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) runs into unexpected consequences when he tries to change his future by changing his past. Sure, this movie has all the charming moments you’d expect from a rom-com. But it also turns into a bittersweet exploration on growing up and reckoning with things out of your control alongside your partner.
7. 'Let It Snow'
Based on the novel by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle (and starring Shameik Moore, Odeya Rush, Kiernan Shipka, and Jacob Batalon), Let It Snow tells the story of how a small-town snowstorm changes the lives of several teenagers forever. Like Love Actually before it, their stories eventually converge in surprising yet heartwarming ways. If you’re in the mood for something cozy that will leave you wanting to snuggle up together, this is the movie for you.
8. 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'
Four Weddings and a Funeral tells the story of a man named Charles (Hugh Grant) as he navigates love through — you guessed it! — four weddings and a funeral. It’s a hilarious take on the idea of reevaluating your own life during other people’s major life milestones. Plus, who doesn’t love a Grant rom-com?
9. 'The Little Prince'
If you're looking for something super light and hopeful, check out this animated re-imagining of children's book The Little Prince. It follows its titular character on a journey through the cosmos, resulting in an adorable meditation on human curiosity and human nature. Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Benicio del Toro, and Ricky Gervais all voice characters.
10. 'What Men Want'
Yep, this is a gender-swapped modernization of the 2000 classic What Women Want. In What Men Want, Taraji P. Henson stars as Ali, a sports agent who realizes she has the power to hear men's thoughts. If you’ve ever wanted to know exactly what your partner was thinking during your last fight, this movie will likely make you rethink things and reflect on what you have together.
11. 'Zombieland'
Zombieland is another modern classic, albeit one with way more blood and guts than its peers. It follows Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), and Wichita (Emma Stone) in their fight for survival in a post-apocalyptic America. If you’re just getting over a big fight, Columbus makes an important point: “Without other people, well, you might as well be a zombie.”
12. 'Booksmart'
Booksmart is a raunchy, riotous coming-of-age comedy about straight-laced high schoolers Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein), who let loose on the night before their graduation. As they attempt to make up for four years of good behavior, this celebration of female friendship calls to mind other classic teen quest movies like Superbad. If any movie will make you want to call your best friend and vent, it’s this one.
13. 'Long Shot'
Long Shot embodies the old saying "opposites attract." Seth Rogen plays Fred, a journalist who gets back in touch with his childhood crush, Charlotte — played by Charlize Theron — as she's running for president. The road to the White House is full of chaotic antics anyone can enjoy, even if high-stakes politics aren’t in your future.
14. 'Chicken Run'
Chicken Run is an animated prison-break movie about chickens. That's it! Simple and heartwarming, this plot will help put everyone watching in a good mood.
15. 'A Knight's Tale'
In A Knight's Tale, Heath Ledger plays William, a peasant set on making something of himself after his master dies. Full of more modern songs and punchlines, it’s the perfect blend of period piece and contemporary comedy. Keep an eye out for WandaVision star Paul Bettany as the lovably pathetic George Chaucer.
16. 'Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King'
If you want to laugh for an hour and learn some important things about life, check out this comedy special. Over the course of a little over an hour, Minhaj reflects on growing up in an Indian-American Muslim family, touching on funny coming-of-age anecdotes and important topics like xenophobia. If you’re left wanting more, check out the comedian’s Netflix show Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj.
17. 'Set It Up'
In Set It Up, corporate assistants Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell) hatch a scheme to make their demanding bosses fall in love with each other in order to make their own lives at work a little easier. Of course, since this is a rom-com, they end up slowly noticing each other, too. New York City in the summer, charming romances, Lucy Liu — what’s not to love?
18. 'Drinking Buddies'
Olivia Wilde and Jake Johnson are Kate and Luke — the drinking buddies referenced in the movie's title. The brewery employees have a flirty friendship even though they're both dating other people, and the tension between them comes to a head when the two couples go away for a weekend. Of course, this leads to hilarious confrontations that are bound to leave you and your partner laughing.
19. 'Ant-Man and The Wasp'
In Ant-Man and The Wasp, Paul Rudd reprises his role as Ant-Man and Evangeline Lilly plays the Wasp. The two take on a superhero mission in alternate universes as hilarious chaos ensues.
20. 'Always Be My Maybe'
In Always Be My Maybe, Ali Wong and Randall Park play Sasha and Marcus, two childhood best friends who had a falling out. But later, they run into each other 15 years later, and navigate the highs and lows of rekindling their relationship. It’s a great testament to how our bonds with other people evolve, and the unique joys and growing pains of dealing with that.
21. 'When Harry Met Sally'
In this classic rom-com, New Yorkers Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally’s (Meg Ryan) friendship evolves over several years, from college students to 30-somethings. They continue leaning on each other, even as they worry that sex could ruin their relationship. Apart from being the definition of a feel-good comedy, When Harry Met Sally is also a hilariously poignant tale of how friendship and romance don’t always unfold how we expect them to, and that’s OK.
22. 'The Princess Bride'
Even after a bad fight, it’s hard not to smile at the sweet absurdity of The Princess Bride. The film tells the story of Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright), a strong-willed heroine who braves everything from the Cliffs of Insanity to an evil prince to make things work with her one true love. Good luck not quoting every other iconic line at each other.
23. 'Pride and Prejudice'
To be fair, every version of this beloved Jane Austen tale is pretty great. But IMO, watching Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen’s Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy slowly realize their feelings for each other takes the cake. Why not watch two enemies-turned-lovers do their thing in gorgeous British locales to unwind?
24. 'Mamma Mia!'
Yes, Mamma Mia! is pure cheese. But the ABBA jukebox musical also captures how strong-willed women choose to carve out their own lives and approach all forms of love. Combined with an infectiously fun soundtrack to sing along to, it’s an instant mood-booster.
25. 'Paddington'
If you’ve just come down from a stressful day, it’s always comforting to remember sweet Paddington’s (Ben Whishaw) words of wisdom: If we’re kind and polite, the world will be right. But seriously, watching the movie’s titular bear find his family and take on a delightfully villainous Nicole Kidman is bound to bring people together. Grab the marmalade — you’re in for a treat.
