8 movies to match your every mood

Movies are like dreams, able to transplant us in other people’s stories and transport us to other worlds. This pure escape and the power of storytelling can inspire and stir our emotions, enabling us to live vicariously through characters and immerse ourselves in another time and place.

The allure is magnetic and getting the chance to live through someone else’s frame of reference can actually make us better human beings. When it comes to self-care, there’s nothing better than finding a movie that connects the dots, hits the spot and resonates. To help you on your movie quest, here’s a selection of movies to match your mood.

Movies to watch if you’re anxious

Someone said worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere. If you find yourself in a rocking chair, point it at the closest screen, grab the remote and hit play on a classic comedy.

Dumb and Dumber

The Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels chemistry is strong in the classic buddy movie, Dumb and Dumber. A veritable laugh-a-minute, this outrageous comedy from the Farrelly brothers has serious replay value and will immediately lighten your load as Harry and Lloyd try to return a suitcase to a pretty lady.

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Let Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me get you in a silly mood as Mike Myers dishes out classic one-liners and outwits nefarious villains and their slightly-less-evil henchmen. A groovy spy spoof of everything James Bond with Heather Graham as a Powers girl, it’s easy to forget your troubles when your body’s convulsing with fits of laughter.

Movies to watch when you’re happy

When you’re on top of the world and don’t want to come down, movies can ensure cloud nine stays puffy and pink. One surefire way to keep spirits high is to seek out fun and heartwarming coming-of-age adventures with a dash of comedy and romance.

Arthur the King

Bouncy, happy and loyal… the hightail energy of dogs is infectious, much like in Arthur the King starring Mark Wahlberg. Based on a true story, this heartwarming and inspiring adventure follows a tough endurance race where athletes welcome a stray dog to the team. Set in the Dominican Republic, this beautifully shot and uplifting story resonates on many levels.

Mamma Mia

If you’re looking to keep your happy buzz with some holiday fun in the sun, Mamma Mia is just the tonic. If ABBA’s toe-tapping disco music doesn’t get you moving, the urge to sing along may prove to be irresistible. The popular stage adaptation makes the jump to screen with a stellar ensemble including: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård and Pierce Brosnan.

Movies to watch if you’re lonely

In this digital age, many people are ironically united and divided by social media, turning to apps to find their one true love through the power of the internet. As much as we feel connected to the world, it’s difficult not to feel lonely at times. In that space? Pick a romance drama about an otherworldly human connection.

Passengers

“Titanic in space” may not be the most complimentary tag but it certainly helps you figure out if Passengers is your kind of movie. Instead of Kate and Leo, it’s Jennifer and Chris… Pratt and Lawrence. When two people on a space colony transporter wake up prematurely, they’re forced to engage and discover their forced friendship has the potential for star-crossed romance.

Past Lives

Past Lives is a soulful and tender romance drama that explores the providential concept of in-yun, which deals with destiny and how the interactions of past lives have a bearing on us today. When childhood sweethearts are forced to go separate ways, they reconnect across the oceans many years later to rekindle their flame. An artful and stirring film, Past Lives is a mature love story that feels refreshingly real.

Movies to watch when you’re sad

If you’re feeling a bit low or down in the dumps, don’t despair. There’s a movie with your name on it out there. Sometimes it’s good to cave to the old adage that misery loves company. Find a movie buddy to commiserate or just seek out any movie starring Russell Crowe.

Gladiator

Gladiator is one of those movies that finds its way onto people’s top 10 lists and for good reason. This sword-and-sandal epic about a former Roman General’s slow-burning vengeance is visually powerful with a goosebump-inducing soundtrack that reverberates long after the credits. An inspirational tale of hope and resilience with pearls like “what we do in life echoes in eternity”, this is Russell Crowe’s finest two-and-a-half hours of celluloid.

A Beautiful Mind

Based on a true story, A Beautiful Mind chronicles the life of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician, John Nash. As he copes with schizophrenia, this compassionate exploration of genius, sanity and the human condition delves into some dark and haunting places in its sensitive portrayal of mental illness. Aided by powerful performances from Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly, the human spirit remains strong in this Oscar-winning psychological drama.