Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde (2001).
Whether you got broken up with, broke up with someone or mutually ended things with your partner, breakups are a hard, big part of life. A great way to deal with your breakup is by cuddling up on the couch by yourself or with friends and watching movies. We’ve rounded up a list of the best breakup movies to comfort you through your rollercoaster of emotions.
Channeling Elle Woods is what we should all be doing post breakup. Her determination, charm and intelligence represents everything it means to be a strong, independent woman. Watching Elle Woods pick herself up and put herself out there to achieve what she wants will unquestionably encourage you to do the same.
Watching these different characters engage in a whirlwind of predicaments with men who can’t commit, men who don’t call and men who cause you trust issues will have you feeling fortunate you’re single and ready to throw anything that involves drama out the door.
This comedy thriller will tap into your dark side, lighting a fire in you towards those that may have wronged you. The savage main character, Cassie, portrays a woman who does what she wants, when she wants and doesn’t let anyone walk all over her — or else. This film will have you embracing the power of your womanhood for all it is.
When you’re sitting in bed with a puffy face, surrounded by tissues, a mind full of memories and a heart full of pain, sometimes you just wish you could erase it all and forget it ever happened. This movie will remind you that these memories are ones that you will cherish and be thankful for in years to come even if it doesn’t feel like that at this moment.
We all could use a little Ryan Gosling in our lives to pick us up out of our depression, give us a makeover and get us back in the dating game. If you’re not ready now, after watching this movie you’ll realize that your soulmate is out there somewhere waiting for you and you’re not going to find them if you don’t try.
Romantic relationships are an important part of life, but what’s more important is going after your dreams and being everything you ever wanted to be. Now that you’re freshly single, you have all the time in the world to focus on your aspirations just like Andy does when she lands a high-profile job at the esteemed Runway magazine. Let’s just hope you don’t end up with a boss like Miranda Priestly.
What’s an essential ingredient to getting over a breakup? Distractions. This romantic comedy will have you laughing until you’re crying, so have some girlfriends over for a movie night and remember that life’s not that serious. Annie was a single woman with a messy life and she even found love again when she least expected it.
You might not be able to pick up your things and take a trip to Hawaii like Peter Bretter does when he gets dumped, but you can still live vicariously through him. Peter is distressed when he finds out his ex and her new boyfriend are staying at the same resort as him, but luckily he meets someone else whose even more perfect for him, just like you will.
Just when you think you’ve hit rock bottom, extraordinary things can happen to you. Gretta is at the lowest point in her life after a breakup, but she takes a chance and says yes to creating an album around New York City with a man she meets in a club. This movie will inspire you to stop sulking and get up and say yes to life because there’s endless possibilities waiting for you.
If you haven’t seen this movie yet, post breakup is the time to watch it. This fun, endearing musical will have you singing, dancing and smiling even if you feel like you haven’t in days. Sophie’s search for her real father and realization that she’s trying to grow up too fast will make you realize that the seriousness of life should be put off for as long as possible.
The best part about romantic relationships after they end is recognizing that you have learned something new and grown as a person from each one and this breakup is no exception. This movie will have you looking back on your past relationships with gratitude for the lessons you have learned and good times you’ve endured.
Many times when we go through breakups we feel hopeless and as though there is no one out there left for us. This film was made to show you that’s just not true. You may be watching happy couples all around you like Adam Sandler, a wedding singer who just got dumped, does in this movie. When Drew Barrymore asks him to plan her wedding, he falls head over heels for her and is hopeless no more. This movie will give you the optimism and inspiration you need to believe that everything will work out for you.
See also: All the Best Movies and TV Shows Streaming in February
Photography by: Courtesy Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
