This semester, the stress of homework seems to be building up faster than usual. Never have I ever had this much work at the beginning of a semester, and I already need a break. If you’re like me, you could be feeling the same way, or maybe even worse! Watching movies has always been a helpful way for me to unwind and pretend like I don’t have homework piling up as tall as Mount Everest. So put on your favorite onesie, grab a cup of tea or a pint of ice cream, huddle under a blanket with your laptop like you’re dead to the world, and watch these movies to forget about your responsibilities for just a few hours.

1. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

This movie is one of my absolute favorites, and half the time when I’m watching it, I still don’t understand what’s going on. There’s graphic novel editing, seven evil exes, Michael Cera’s weird, nerdy face, cameos from famous actors, and a ton of dream sequence scenes that will make you wonder if this kind of stuff is really happening in Canada. This 112-minute long flick will keep you from thinking about school and deadlines, while alternatively make you wonder about the Canadian music scene, double-Scotts, and action-filled battles that end in a fiery blaze of glory.

2. Titanic

Personally, I am not a fan of this movie, but I do know that every time someone mentions it, or young Leonardo Dicaprio, some teenage girl in the vicinity loses her shit, and things go downhill fast. If you like boats, hundreds of people plunging to their deaths, elderly women who take way too long to tell a story, rich people talking endlessly, the destruction of precious jewelry, and 21-year old Leo, you’re going to love this movie.

3. Amélie

This R-rated film about a quirky woman who makes a guy go through impossibly difficult hoops to earn her love and affection is as touching as it is strange. This is a French film, so you’re bound to spend the 122 minutes stressing out over not reading the subtitles fast enough instead of stressing out over schoolwork. The music is lovely, the acting is great, and our hero Nino’s ceaseless quest to get in Amélie’s pants is really something to be admired.

4. Harry Potter (any of them)

I don’t really have to explain this one, do I?

5. The Time Traveler’s Wife

Instead of spending your time bawling over homework assignments, you’ll spend your time bawling over this heart-wrenching film about a time-traveling man who can’t control his abilities. Instead of spending the little amount of time he has with his family, he spends it moping, working, arguing, and getting shit-faced, while his wife falls into a deep depression. Needless to say, this one will make you laugh while crying, reach for the tissues, and question if there’s a God.

6. Finding Nemo

This sweet tale is about a little fish named Nemo and his overprotective father-fish, Marlin. It's a Disney classic that will take you back to your childhood, where your biggest responsibility was packing your lunch by yourself. After his father’s worst nightmare comes true and Nemo is kidnapped, Marlin teams up with an unlikely band of sea creatures to find and rescue Nemo (the movie really should have been called "Rescuing Nemo.") The cast includes a bunch of no-name actors and also Ellen DeGeneres.

7. The Interview

There was a lot of controversy surrounding this movie when it first started production; death threats were made towards anyone who considered venturing to the theater to see it. A lot of people chose not to potentially risk their lives, so Netflix said, “F*** that” and released it online for everyone (who has a Netflix account) to view. Starring the hilarious Seth Rogen and eccentric James Franco, this movie will make you laugh, hate North Korea, love America, become uncomfortable around tigers, and finally learn what “honeypotting” is. With more "Lord of the Rings" references than "The Hobbit," this movie is definitely one-of-a-kind.

8. Avatar

This movie remains the 2nd highest grossing film of all time, second only to "Gone with the Wind," and somehow, most people thought this movie was only O.K. With a tree-hugger message, a colorful animated picture, and an all-star cast of mostly famous people (except the main guy; try to name that actor without looking it up), I thought this movie was well-deserved of its apparent fame.

9. Devil

You may be thinking, “If I’m trying to de-stress, why am I watching a supernatural thriller?” The horror of this Shyamalan film that takes place mostly in an elevator, and will make you take the stairs from now on, is supposed to distract you from the horror of your rapidly-falling GPA. With a surprise ending that everybody saw coming, Shyamalan will once again make you question why they’re still letting him write scripts.

There you have it! This list is a surefire way to distract yourself from the impending doom that this year’s course load evokes in you. And if you watch all these movies and you’re still stressed, then there just might not be any hope left for you.