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Life can be hard, and sometimes cultural and personal events are enough to send us spiraling into the depths of depression. Just trying to figure things out on a daily basis can be difficult enough as is, but is made all the more tricky by the persistent anxiousness, hopelessness, irritability, aches and pains, sleeping difficulties, and more that can be characteristics of struggling with depression.
While therapy and medication are the best true treatments for depression, in the meantime you can at least try to ease the symptoms you may be dealing with by watching content that runs the gamut from uplifting and funny to relaxing and introspective.
Even though depression can make a person feel lonely, we at Decider are here to assure you that you’re not alone, and we’ve got your back with these 13 titles that are some of the best to watch in order to help get through the dark times.
'Soul'
CAST: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Rachel House, Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade, Wes Studi, Fortune Feimster, Questlove, Angela Bassett, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs
RATING: PG
DESCRIPTION: This Academy Award-winning animated comedy-drama film out of Pixar was just what we needed when it first came out in December 2020, and if it could give us hope in that dark first year of COVID-19, then it’s capable of lighting the way through anything. Soul tells the story of middle-school band teacher Joe Gardner (Foxx), whose life hasn’t turned out how he’d always hoped as he is in his 40s, still struggling to “make it” as a jazz musician in New York City.
But when an untimely accident takes his soul to the “Great Beyond,” his unwillingness to die takes his soul on a journey to a whole new realm where he meets a jaded and cynical soul called 22 (Fey). Together, they attempt to discover what it means to find your “spark,” and in the process weaving a humorous, poignant, and clever film about passion, purpose, and the meaning of life.
'The Good Place'
CAST: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, D’Arcy Carden, Manny Jacinto
RATING: TV-14
DESCRIPTION: If your depression gets you feeling introspective, The Good Place is the perfect show to scratch that itch to engage with and expand your mind and heart, and is also just generally hilarious, well-acted, and smart. Over the course of four seasons, the Peabody and Hugo Award-winning fantasy comedy begins with former pharmaceutical saleswoman Eleanor Shellstrop (Bell) finding herself, both to her pleasure and surprise, that she has made it to a heaven-like utopia called the Good Place in the afterlife following her death.
It turns out, however, that she’s just ended up there by mistake, leading Eleanor to try to hide her unethical past and more negative aspects of her personality in order to blend in with the people around her. Her efforts inadvertently lead her down a path towards becoming a better person, even if it’s in death, and making us feel comforted by the knowledge that it’s never too late to change the course of your life (or afterlife, as it were).
'School of Rock'
CAST: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman, Miranda Cosgrove, Caitlin Hale, Maryam Hassan, Aleisha Allen, Joey Gaydos Jr, Kevin Clark, Rivkah Reyes, Robert Tsai
RATING: PG-13
DESCRIPTION: It’s hard to stay down for too long when you’re telling your woes to “Step off!” You can do just that by watching the delightful 2003 comedy film that is School of Rock, which follows Dewey Finn (Black), a guy who just wants to rock but is struggling to do so after being kicked out of his band and then asked to move out of the place he shares with his roommate Ned Schneebly (White), who has been encouraged by his domineering girlfriend Patty (Silverman) to cut Dewey out of his life.
At rock bottom, Dewey’s desperation to turn things around and make some cash leads him to impersonate Ned in order to take on a job as a substitute teacher at the elite Horace Green prep school, even though he’s completely unqualified, and, oh yeah, technically committing identity theft. But you know what, we can forgive ol’ Dewey, because he ends up bringing joy and fun to those kids’ rigid lives by showing them the pure epicness of rock’n’ roll, making for a truly delightful and timeless viewing experience from start to finish.
'The Great British Baking Show'
CAST: Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding, Matt Lucas
RATING: TV-14
DESCRIPTION: If you’re looking for something that is both calming and feel-good, look no further that The Great British Baking Show, which reminds us all how talented and kind (and British) human being can be. The long-running and beloved wholesome baking competition series takes a group of amateur bakers and sees them compete against each other in a series of various rounds and challenges that lead one baker to be eliminated each week until only one is left standing to be crowned best of the bakers. It will almost certainly make you smile (and get hungry), so it’s always a good idea to grab some cake and watch some Great British Baking Show when you’re feeling low.
'Bridesmaids'
CAST: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Chris O’Dowd, Rebel Wilson, Matt Lucas, Ben Falcone, Jon Hamm
RATING: R
DESCRIPTION: You may feel many things about the prospect of watching the wonderful Melissa McCarthy poop in a sink whilst shouting “Look away!”, but depressed likely isn’t one of them. Bridesmaids is a comedy film led by kick-ass women and full of so many laugh-of-loud moments you’re going to have chiseled abs by the time you’ve finished it thanks to all the yukking it up you’ll have done.
The Academy Award-nominated movie revolves around Annie Walker (Wiig), a 30-something in Milwaukee who has recently been dumped by the self-involved jerk (Hamm) she’s been hooking up with and is stuck working a job she dislikes whilst rooming with two heinous siblings (Wilson and Lucas) she dislikes even more after the recent recession shut down her bakery.
Things finally seem to take a turn for the better when her longtime best friend Lillian (Rudolph) asks Annie to be her maid of honor, but meeting with the fellow bridesmaids soon proves to kick off a tense rivalry and series of mishaps that devolve into absolute chaos and hilarity in the way that only the best comedies can. Do yourself a favor and see all of the magnificent mayhem go down in Bridesmaids ASAP.
'Friends'
CAST: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry
RATING: TV-14
DESCRIPTION: Depression can make you feel like you’re all alone, but perhaps you can at least take comfort in the nostalgic warmth and humor of Friends. With 10 seasons of content to choose from, the sitcom about six pals living in the same NYC apartment complex remains a fan-favorite, largely due to how good it feels to watch the fleshed out characters encounter relatable highs and lows of relationships, careers, and life in general, all while having each others’ backs.
Even when the going gets touch, Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Monica are there to lend a hand or shoulder to cry on for each other, but also for us viewers, too. Whatever you’re going through, Friends will be there for you, too.
'Kiki's Delivery Service'
CAST: Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Tress MacNeille, Janeane Garofalo, Matthew Lawrence, Brian Cummings, Kath Soucie, Jeff Bennett, Debbie Reynolds, Edie McClurg
RATING: G
DESCRIPTION: This 1989 animated fantasy film is one of the best from world-famous filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, and remains special and moving because it is nearly always relevant, no matter what age or stage of life you’re at now. On its surface, Kiki’s Delivery Service is a film about a 13 year-old witch named Kiki who must leave her home to spend a year making it on her own with only her trusty talking cat, Jiji, for company, as it the tradition for all of her small seaside village’s witches in training. But dig deeper and you’ll find that this movie is about change, coming-of-age, and the connections we make throughout the course of our lives, both in the families we’re born into and the ones we create for ourselves.
Kiki’s Delivery Service asserts that life on one’s own can be hard, lonely, and scary, but that by both leaning on others and believing in and accepting yourself as you really are, you can forge ahead and find simple but profound joys in this crazy broom ride that we call life.
'Key & Peele'
CAST: Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele
RATING: TV-14
DESCRIPTION: Laughter is often defined as “delighted surprise,” and that’s something you can find plenty of in Key & Peele. The 2012-2015 sketch show created by the ridiculously talented duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele may not have been on air for many years, but it sure made its mark with fresh, smart, and silly comedy that is endlessly watchable, quotable, and relevant. From “I Said Bitch” to “Substitute Teacher” and so much more, there’s no shortage of brilliant skits, social commentary, and moments that will amuse and enthrall you even when you’re feeling low.
'It's a Wonderful Life'
CAST: James Stewart, Henry Travers, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Beulah Bondi, Frank Faylen, Ward Bond, Gloria Grahame
RATING: PG
DESCRIPTION: Is this a bit on the nose? Of course. But It’s A Wonderful Life is a classic for a reason, people, and clearly it’s doing something right if we’re still talking about it and loving it even after 75 years. A Christmas classic, this 1947 fantasy drama George Bailey (Stewart), who is so frustrated and disappointed with his life that he wishes he’d never been born at all. When guardian angel Clarence Odbody (Travers) takes George on a journey to see how the world and other peoples’ lives would be if he had never existed, he begins to understand that his impact on others and worth is greater than he ever could have imagined. For a nice dose of hope, heart, and sweet nostalgia, watch It’s a Wonderful Life.
'Parks and Recreation'
CAST: Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Jim O’Heir, Retta
RATING: TV-PG
DESCRIPTION: If you’re looking for a title to spark some simple, pure joy, then be sure to check out Parks and Recreation. The Emmy-nominated sitcom is a political satire mockumentary that features all sorts of oddballs, misfits, and regular Joes, and gives them all a place to belong and be accepted for who they are.
Following Pawnee, Indiana’s deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department Leslie Knope (Poehler), Parks and Rec is a show built upon community, optimism, and humanity, and is sure to spark joy with viewers thanks to funny, tender, and ridiculous moments from any and all of its seven superb seasons. Between the lovable characters, sharp dialogue, and lived-in world, Parks and Rec is a stand-out show that was made to lift people up.
'Silver Linings Playbook'
CAST: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Anupam Kher, Chris Tucker, Julia Stiles, Shea Whigham, John Ortiz
RATING: R
DESCRIPTION: Silver Linings Playbook is an Academy Award-winning romantic comedy-drama from 2012, and though it is a decade old, it still does a nice job of addressing mental health and mental illness in a way that may make viewers today feel seen and understood. The film follows Pat Solatano (Cooper) as he moves back into his parents’ (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver) home in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania after spending eight months in a mental health facility due to his struggles bipolar disorder.
Pat’s main goal now is to get back on his feet so he can reconcile with his ex-wife, Nikki (Bee), who has since moved away and filed a restraining order against him for beating up her lover in a fit of jealous rage. In pursuit of reconnecting with Nikki, Pat forms a connection with a complicated young widow named Tiffany (Lawrence), who agrees to help him get back with his ex if he will be her partner for an upcoming dance competition. Silver Linings Playbook serves as a reminder of how people can find miraculous and beautiful ways to come together and support one another even in the face of grief, trauma, and personal struggles.
'Heartstopper'
CAST: Joe Locke, Kit Connor, Olivia Colman, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Tobie Donovan, Jenny Walser, Sebastian Croft
RATING: TV-14
DESCRIPTION: Heartstopper is pure joy, it’s as simple as that. This sweet Netflix Original romantic comedy series is all about coming-of-age and coming out, exploring these themes through the budding love story of British teens Charlie Spring (Locke) and Nick Nelson (Connor). As a year 9, Charlie went through a difficult time after coming out as gay at his largely heteronormative all-boys school. But now that he’s a year 10, Charlie hopes that things will be different, and indeed, change seems to be afoot as he finds himself falling for sweet, popular, and seemingly-straight year 11 rugby star Nick.
Heartstopper is a tender LGBTQ+ story about self-acceptance and first loves that will make your own heart stop (or at the very least, skip a beat) and mouth curve into a smile before you’ve even realized it. Now that’s what we call a quality pick-me-up.
'The Princess Bride'
CAST: Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, Fred Savage, Peter Falk
RATING: PG
DESCRIPTION: The notion of anyone leaving a viewing of The Princess Bride feeling blue is, quite frankly, inconceivable. Made in 1987, this Rob Reiner-directed fantasy romantic-comedy is a sweeping and comforting fairytale adventure that will bring a smile to the faces of viewers young and old alike. The film is a story within a story that follows a young man named Westley (Elwes) who is determined to find his one true love, a beautiful woman called Buttercup (Wright), AKA the titular “Princess Bride”, after they have been separated for several years.
Though many obstacles and enemies stand in their way, nothing will prevent the two from proving the depths of their love, making for a wildly entertaining, swoon-worthy, and fantastical film that will have you engaged and on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
