As we all know, this winter is colder than usual. In many places, you can’t get away with just an extra layer and go about business as usual. It’s the kind of winter where, if you don’t need to go outside, it’s probably best to just stay home where it’s warm.
When you can’t go out after work, and you’re trapped hibernating in your home, what are you to do? There are only so many chores to do, new recipes to try, and TikTok rabbit holes to fall into. When the cabin fever strikes, bundle up for a cozy movie night. Here are four of my favorite “comfort movies” that are sure to become your favorites, too:
1. “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” (Hayao Miyazaki, 1985)
Anime classics, like “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away,” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” are sweet throwbacks to childhood, but my personal favorite is “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.” This film diverges from many of the more mainstream Ghibli creations, as it centers on life a thousand years after a war destroys all civilization and turns the environment into a toxic wasteland that swarms with mutant bugs. The remaining humans have created new societies around their poisonous surroundings, one of which is the Valley of the Wind.
Nausicaä, the princess of the Valley of the Wind, explores the Toxic Jungle with a unique ability to connect with the insects. Throughout the movie, she exhibits pacifism and empathy for all creatures, regardless of background or species.
While this story is slightly more somber and portrays more violence than some of the other Ghibli classics, the film’s art style, soundtrack, and message are beautiful, and I couldn’t recommend it more.
2. “Kubo and The Two Strings” (Travis Knight, 2016)
Whether you’re a parent looking for a kid-friendly film or an adult wanting to watch something wholesome, you’ll find exactly what you need in the phenomenal film “Kubo and the Two Strings.” The production company behind the hit movie Coraline also produced this film, so you can trust that the movie’s stop-motion animation is exquisite.
“Kubo and the Two Strings” is a fantastical story of a young boy who makes origami and uses a magical shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument, to enchant his creations as he tells the story of his missing father. When he accidentally unleashes the evil spirits of his two aunts and his grandfather, the Moon King, he must use his shamisen and the help of two magical animal companions to find his father’s armor and avenge what the Moon King has taken from him.
“Kubo and the Two Strings” tells a touching story about family, destiny, and rebirth. At times, it can be more eerie and emotional than many other kids’ movies, but it’s absolutely worth watching.
3. “Searching” (Aneesh Chagantry, 2018)
“Searching” is a psychological thriller for people who typically don’t enjoy thriller movies, and it’ll keep you guessing throughout the entire film. The movie follows a father desperate to find his missing teenage daughter, and plot points arise in the form of security camera footage and the contents of the daughter’s laptop. The film executes this found-footage style exceptionally and flawlessly captures the eerie circumstances and the father’s desperation.
Even when everyone, including the police and his family, is convinced that his daughter has run away, this father refuses to give up on his child. His determination makes this story a heartbreaking, suspenseful, and unpredictable masterpiece.
4. “Teen Beach Movie” (Jeffrey Hornaday, 2013)
Even if your friends can’t come over because of the weather, “Teen Beach Movie” will give you that “girls’ night in” feeling. This movie is fun, it’s campy, and it has the catchiest songs. If you haven’t seen it before, get ready for a new girls’ night go-to.
“Teen Beach Movie” begins with teen couple Brady and Mack surfing near Mack’s grandfather’s beach hut in Waikiki, but everything changes when the pair ends up trapped inside Brady’s favorite ’60s movie musical, “Wet Side Story.” The two quickly begin to throw the story off track, but to return home, they need to figure out how to fix their mistakes.
Since this movie premiered in 2013, my sister and I have watched it at least 30 times. When we’re stuck at home, it’s our “sister thing.” So when the outside world melts again, invite your friends over for an old-fashioned girls’ night with “Teen Beach Movie,” snacks, and a bottle of wine.
If you’re looking for something new to watch as you huddle away from the cold, these four movies are perfect for you. Whether you like anime, prefer thrillers, or love lighthearted teen flicks, you’ll definitely find your “comfort movie” to help you ride out this weather.
Featured Photo via YouTube.
I especially appreciate the variety from anime classics like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind to heartwarming family films and fun teen flicks — there’s truly something for every vibe this winter.