Every romantic relationship will go one of two ways: You’ll either be together forever or you’ll break up…and option number two obviously happens way more often than option number one. Breakups are a part of life, but that doesn’t mean they don’t totally suck—whether or not you know it needed to happen.
But getting over it right away isn’t always easy, and taking the time to heal is important in the process of moving on. And honestly, part of that healing time should include staying in, wearing PJs, and eating a lot of snacks—and watching movies to empower you to get over that breakup will help.
Ready to become your best single self? These movies should help.
Something Great
This Netflix original—which stars Brittany Snow, Gina Rodriguez, and DeWanda Wise—is about a woman who has to restart her life after her longtime boyfriend breaks up with her. If you’re looking for something to empower and inspire you, this is absolutely it.
He’s Just Not That Into You
This movie tells the story of a lot of different types of relationships…and how to know when it’s the right time to move on, which is probably something you’re identifying with right now. It’s also packed with actually useful advice when you decide to get back into the dating world (although not all of it is great—use your judgment!)
Like Crazy
Warning: This one’s gonna make you cry. Starring Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin, Like Crazy is about the ups and downs of a relationship between an exchange student from the UK and an American citizen…and how, no matter how much you love each other, sometimes love isn’t enough.
Mamma Mia!
Looking for something to cheer you up? Nothing’s gonna do it quite like Mamma Mia! will. And after going through a breakup, you’re going to want to take a few pages out of Donna’s book. Her approach to relationships—and saying goodbye—is chef’s kiss.
Marriage Story
If you haven’t already seen Marriage Story, you’ve definitely seen the memes of Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson as their characters’ marriage officially bites the dust. This one is about two people who were in love but ultimately couldn’t make it work—and how difficult divorce can be, even though it can lead to a much happier life for everyone involved.
The Last Five Years
Fans of musicals, this one’s for you. The film version of The Last Five Years stars Anna Kendrick and tells the story of the end of a relationship and everything that took place over the five years the couple were together—in song, of course—from both of their points of view.
Celeste & Jesse Forever
Starring Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg, this movie is about a couple who knows they need to get divorced but still want to remain best friends—although that’s definitely easier said than done. But if you want to believe it’s possible to move on and keep the respect for each other alive, this movie might help.
Runaway Bride
In Runaway Bride, Julia Roberts has attempted to get married plenty of times, but none of them have stuck—if anyone knows about breakups, it’s this lady, who never makes it down the aisle. But the movie’s hopeful ending is just inspiring enough to remind us that the right person is out there, even when it feels like they’re not.
Girls Trip
A breakup is the perfect time to take that big vacation you’ve constantly been group texting about! And Girls Trip is kind of the perfect inspiration for it. Pick up that phone and book those tickets, it’s time to unwind. (Maybe skip the absinthe though?)
The First Wives Club
Diane Keaton, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn create the First Wives Club to get back at their lousy cheating ex-husbands. And it is movie gold! Casting legends aside, this movie has everything you need for those shady Insta captions for post-breakup posts and, honestly, is a needed reminder that relationships can be messy at every age.
Gone Girl
This may not technically be a breakup movie, BUT there’s probably some part of you that really relishes everything that Amy does to hurt and tear down her husband’s image. It’s vindication. Although, if you decide to actually do anything you see here, let the police know you didn’t hear it from us.
500 Days of Summer
Yes, watching this movie may sting a little, since it is about a bad relationship that potentially hits too close to home. But it will help you realize that you can’t force someone to love you. Cue the “I don’t know who needs to hear this, but…” memes.
The Break-Up
An obvious choice, but you have to watch this if you lived with your now-ex so you can be grateful that one of you left your shared home instead of doing everything and anything to try to get the other person to bounce. Civility is underrated!
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
Suffering a nasty breakup from a non-relationship relationship? Luckily, TATBILB is the perfect movie to pump your squashed little heart back up with joy. Maybe you really will find your own Peter Kavinsky someday!
Eat, Pray, Love
Even if *you* can’t heal from your breakup by traveling the world and falling madly in love with pizza, you can at least watch Julia Roberts do it, which is almost as good! Plus, it’s all great inspo for when you do feel like going on a lavish vacay—it’s okay if that isn’t right now.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
As much as you may want to erase all memory of your ex, let this movie prove how bad of an idea that is. No matter what happened, they might be at least some good memories that you can cherish someday once the hurt passes, and this film shows that there shouldn’t be regret in remembering just how much a person meant to you at one time in your life.
La La Land
If you’re more in a musical mood, La La Land’s got you. It’s lush, it’s flirty, it’s sad as heck by the end, and it makes you realize how all relationships help us grow and become who we want to be—even if they’re not meant to last forever.
How to Be Single
Let me guess: The second your relationship was officially over, your best friend most ready-to-rip-shots dragged you out to a club and tried to hurl you into a new life of partying. How to Be Single is a movie about just that, and Dakota Johnson (the recently dumped), handles her newfound single status probably as well as you do. (Read: not that well.)
Crazy, Stupid, Love
This movie is like The Oprah Winfrey Show of film. Everyone gets a breakup! No, but seriously, Crazy, Stupid, Love has so many wonderful twists and turns, and some delightful Ryan Gosling shirtless scenes. Perhaps the biggest plot twist of this movie? The fact that “wait, is Steve Carell hot?” is a thought that might pass through your mind each time you watch.
Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids is the perfect breakup movie because it deals with approximately 1 million different kinds of loss. Kristen Wiig’s character, Annie, loses her relationship, her business, her freedom, and, for a hot second, her best friend. If your broken-hearted self can’t LOL at this Judd Apatow-produced masterpiece, you may never laugh again. (I’m kidding! I’m sorry!)
Silver Linings Playbook
Do you feel like bawling your eyes out while Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper try to heal their broken hearts and also do a bit of dancing? Well then, this just might be the breakup solution for you, even though the plot is super-duper predictable.
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Bridget Jones is the human embodiment of a breakup, so this movie will either comfort you or make you cry forever. Two things you’re gonna need during a breakup: your box of Tesco (or, uh, tub of Ben & Jerry’s, if you’re here in the States!) and your Whitney Houston. Grab ’em and get to mourning.
John Tucker Must Die
Three ex-girlfriends of a serial cheater hunt his ass down and ruin his life. So satisfying. It’s a damn shame this movie has a stereotypical happy ending for the dude, but that’s Hollywood for you!!! If you wanted to turn this off about 20 minutes before the end, I would not begrudge you that decision.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
This movie takes you from the lowest of lows and then to an even lowlier place and then lower still. I mean, our hero hits rock bottom. His ex-girlfriend follows up their breakup by dating a super-famous rock star! Oh yeah, and they’re having loud, hot sex in the room next to him. It’s torture. It’s so much torture. But also, it’s funny and sweet, and if this guy can get through his breakup, anyone can. You’re gonna be okay! What a gift!
My Best Friend’s Wedding
Julia Roberts is a total monster in this movie, and it is magnificent to live vicariously through her. Every time you want to do something stupid to your ex, just watch this movie instead. Oh, and while you’re at it, block all his shit on your phone. Do it. Do it right now. Good job! Now go watch My Best Friend’s Wedding again!
Kill Bill: Volume 1
Is there anything more appropriate than a woman hell-bent on seeking revenge on her former boss and lover for trying to kill her on her wedding day? I don’t think so. This cathartic classic is a perfect movie to add to your post-breakup watchlist.
Birds of Prey
Even Harley Quinn has to deal with breakups too. Since splitting from her problematic relationship with her “master” and partner-in-crime the Joker, Harley is still finding herself and is still up to no good. But who needs a boyfriend to come along for the ride when you’ve got a gang of badass women behind you?
Midsommar
Okay, look, hear me out! Sure, there’s a lot going on in this freakishly horrifying move. But at its heart is a breakup story. Maybe you can chase the feeling of sadness away and replace it with horror and fear at something that isn’t your own breakup? IDK, I’m not a therapist but it doesn’t seem like the worst idea.
Via Cosmopolitan US