Life gets a little rough sometimes and can be a little much to deal with. We’ve all been there. So you’ve had a bad week and need something to turn your mood around? Go ahead, stay in your sweats and enjoy a nice marathon. Don’t feel guilty for grabbing the popcorn and kicking back with these 10 movies.
10. "Groundhog Day"
I remember watching this movie with my dad and it never failed to cheer me up. The plot line follows weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) who is reluctantly doing a story on a weather-forecasting groundhog. When he wakes up the following morning, he finds that he is reliving Groundhog Day over and over again until he finds a way to escape the crazy time loop.
9. "The Blind Side"
Who doesn’t enjoy a feel-good film about the power of love and the impact that people can have on each other? This movie was based on the true story of Michael Oher, who is currently an offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers, and the Tuohy family, who opened their hearts and home to him. It is sure to warm your heart and restore your faith in humanity.
8. "Mamma Mia"
Crazy drama and confusion ensues when a young bride-to-be invites three men from her mother’s past, each of whom could potentially be her father, to her wedding. With songs from the '70s group ABBA used carefully to tell and enhance the story, you’ll be laughing, crying and singing along as the story unfolds on your screen.
7. "Mean Girls"
If you haven’t yet seen this movie, then you’ve basically been living under a rock. New girl from Africa (yes, Karen, she’s white), Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan), takes on queen bee Regina George (Rachel McAdams) and her clique, the Plastics, in order to seek revenge for her friend Janice Ian. Produced by Tina Fey, this movie is practically pure comedic genius.
6. "Happy Gilmore"
Adam Sandler stars in this comedy as a hockey player turned pro-golfer who joins the PGA tour in hopes of winning money to save his beloved grandmother’s house. With some classic Sandler jokes and a fight with Bob Barker, you’re sure to be rolling in laughter before the final credits.
5. "Mulan"
Of course I couldn’t get through this list without including my personal favorite Disney movie. "Mulan" is the story of a clumsy and seemingly unlucky young woman in China who secretly takes her father’s place in the army to fight for the freedom of her country from the invading Huns. With the help of a comical dragon, Mushu, and a cricket given to her for luck, Mulan fights her way through the war to find herself and bring honor to her family.
4. "Soul Surfer"
This movie is based on the true story of professional surfer Bethany Hamilton (portrayed by AnnaSophia Robb) who lost her arm in a shark attack when she was 13-years-old. The plot follows Bethany’s life from days before the attack to after the attack when she struggles with returning to the surfing world. It is a truly inspirational film.
3. "10 Things I Hate About You"
A new kid in school has to find the perfect guy to date his crush’s complex older sister in order for him to be able to take his crush on a date. An absolute classic by my standards, this movie gets a little more complicated as the plot unfolds.
Fun fact: It is loosely based on William Shakespeare’s "The Taming of the Shrew."
2. "The Notebook"
Yes, the classic Nicholas Sparks film earned its spot my list. This tearjerker tells the epic love story of Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) and restores my faith in true love.
1. "Sweet Home Alabama"
This movie is the perfect balance of comedy and romance as it follows New York fashion designer Melanie Carmichael (Reese Witherspoon) on her quest back home to Alabama to get divorced from her stubborn high school sweetheart (Josh Lucas), in order to marry an aspiring young politician (Patrick Dempsey).
