What Is A Comfort Movie?

Imagine you want to watch something. You open a streaming app and start scrolling, unsure of what to watch. There are so many movies and series you haven’t watched, but one movie keeps catching your eye. You’ve watched it a million times, so why do you keep going back to that movie? What is so special about it?  

Well, that isn’t about the movie; it is about the connection you feel to it. You feel safe, warm, and emotionally close to that movie, and these emotions make you feel connected to it. You find yourself watching it again and again, never getting bored of it because you feel so connected to it that you want to relive how it made you feel the first time you watched it. This is a common experience for many people. 

As expected, this situation has a psychological explanation known as “comfort media”. This explanation is based on several psychological factors. 

To begin with, a comfort movie evokes a sense of nostalgia and connection in individuals, eventually making them feel close to it. The human brain is strongly connected to nostalgia, which makes you feel close to things you find nostalgic. It also reduces feelings of loneliness. Additionally, it brings out a sense of belonging, which is a powerful emotion for humans.  

Another reason people feel close to a comfort movie is the human brain’s aversion to uncertainty. You’ve already watched the movie, so you know what will happen next. Consequently, you don’t feel as concerned or upset when something bad happens. Similarly, you aren’t surprised and already know the plot twists, so there is nothing you don’t expect. This makes you feel safe and comfortable, and your brain chooses security over nervousness.  

The next factor is about emotional regulation. People often watch their comfort movies when they feel negative emotions such as sadness, stress, or loneliness. They temporarily escape from these negative emotions and experience positive emotions once again. In psychology, this process is called an “emotional coping mechanism”. Consequently, comfort movies help individuals regulate their emotions. 

The final factor is that comfort movies often require low cognitive effort. Movies often require intense concentration, analysis, and mental effort; however, comfort movies usually do not require the same level of mental engagement. This makes comfort movies perfect for people who feel mentally or physically exhausted, because the brain switches into a resting mode. 

Now, as we can see, the psychological meaning is clear, but does that mean everyone forms the same connection with their comfort movies? The answer is no. The type of comfort movie differs from person to person; the only requirement is having a connection, no matter which emotion creates it. For instance, some people’s comfort movie might be Harry Potter, others might choose Friends, while for some, it could be Gilmore Girls. For me, it is The Notebook. I guess the unrequited love is what fascinates me.

In conclusion, comfort movies are a reflection of the emotions they evoke in us and the connections we form with them.