Unlock Ultimate Comfort: 25 Cozy Movies That’ll Boost Your Mood and Keep You Coming Back for More
Ever wonder why some movies just wrap you in a warm blanket of comfort, while others leave you shivering in the cold? It’s like these films have a secret recipe for coziness – a mix of captivating stories, unforgettable characters, and a setting that feels like home. Whether it’s the enchanting woods of Tuck Everlasting or the nostalgic suburban scenes in Father of the Bride, these movies aren’t just entertainment – they’re an experience, a refuge when the world gets a little too wild. So, if you’re craving that perfect feel-good vibe, lean in — because this list, handpicked by Harper’s BAZAAR editors, serves up the ultimate lineup of cozy classics and new favorites. Ready to dive into films that soothe your soul and spark that inner warmth? Let’s get you comfy.
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The Princess Bride (1987)
The Princess Bride quite literally feels like a cozy bedtime story because it is one. The film begins with a grandfather reading a storybook to sooth his ill grandson, who initially brushes off the fairytale before becoming completely enraptured by the tale of Buttercup (Robin Wright), a young woman living in the kingdom of Florin. When Buttercup’s true love is presumed to be dead at sea, she is forced to marry the odious Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). But, on the eve of her wedding day, a band of criminals kidnap Buttercup. As an anonymous masked man pursues Buttercup and her captors, she must figure out a path to forge ahead in her uncertain future.
Practical Magic (1998)
![1998 sandra bullock and nichole kidman stars in the new movie practical magic.](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-1150528-68b07fb7a99f4.jpg?crop=0.666xw:0.879xh;0.253xw,0&resize=980:* "1998 Sandra Bullock and Nichole Kidman stars in the new movie "Practical Magic."")
Practical Magic is the kind of rare Halloween movie that can simultaneously execute spooky and cozy vibes. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star as Sally and Gillian Owens, sisters who are ostracized in their seaside Massachusetts town due to their witch lineage. A family curse dooms any man loved by an Owens woman to death, leading Sally and Gillian to take completely different approaches to relationships. Despite some downright paranormal scenes, Practical Magic earns its place on this list for its impeccably curated Victorian mansion and aspirational small-town vibes.
Father of the Bride (1991)
Anyone who grew up in the ’90s might find themselves instinctually drawn to the suburban nostalgia that oozes throughout Father of the Bride. Steve Martin stars as George Banks, a businessman living the all-American-and-white-picket-fence dream—that is, until his daughter (Kimberly Williams) comes home from college to announce that she’s engaged to a boy she just met. The movie also includes talented performances from the likes of Diane Keaton, Martin Short, Kieran Culkin, and Eugene Levy.
Mystic Pizza (1988)
Slap together a young adult coming-of-age story with a small coastal Connecticut town and you get a cozy movie to watch and rewatch for the ages. Mystic Pizza stars Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, and Lili Taylor as three friends who waitress at Mystic Pizza, a humble pizza parlor located in Mystic, Connecticut. In the summer after high school, the girls go through various challenges as they attempt to find a way to leave Mystic in the rearview mirror.
The Holdovers (2023)
Cozy movies can be critically acclaimed, too. In this Oscar-winning film set in the 1970s, high schooler Angus (Dominic Sessa) is forced to spend winter break at his boarding school after his negligent mother cancels a family trip in order to spend alone time with her new husband. In the midst of the bleak holiday season, Angus finds himself bonding with two unlikely friends: Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti), the curmudgeon classics teacher, and Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), the grieving cafeteria manager.
Anastasia (1997)
This 1997 historical fantasy musical has it all: a star-studded cast, dazzling musical numbers, and a propulsive love story. The film follows the Grand Duchess Anastasia (Meg Ryan), the sole surviving child of the last Tsar of Russia. After an attack at the palace leaves Anastasia with amnesia, she is forced to go by the name Anya and undergo a hostile orphanage system that treats her as an unwanted outcast. Meanwhile, her grandmother, the Dowager Empress Maria (Angela Lansbury), has announced an extraordinary reward for anyone who is able to find and return the real Anastasia. When Anya meets conmen Dimitri (John Cusack) and Vlad (Kelsey Grammer), who intend to train a random girl to act like a Romanov in order to reap the reward, she can’t help but think that she has finally found a way home.
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
While the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice gains points for its devoted adherence to the source material, the 2005 Focus Features adaptation wins for its sumptuous world building. Joe Wright’s indelible take on Jane Austen’s most-famous novel includes lush countryside landscapes and decadently lived-in interiors. The chemistry between its two leads—Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy—is just the cherry on top.
Cinderella (1997)
Brandy, Whitney Houston, Whoopi Goldberg, and Bernadette Peters all in the same movie musical? Sign me up. This refreshing adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella stars Brandy as the titular fairytale heroine, who must overcome the wicked provocations of her stepmother and stepsisters in order to find true love. The magnificent sets and enchanting costumes only add to the film’s charming and otherworldly fairytale spirit.
Midnight in Paris (2011)
Writer Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) has embarked on a vacation to Paris with his fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), and her wealthy parents. While he contends with creative struggles that block him from finishing his debut novel, Gil accidentally steps back in time to 1920s Paris, where he meets famous figures like Zelda Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Salvador Dalí. In the past, he also can’t help but feel drawn towards Adriana (Marion Cotillard), a costume designer and Pablo Picasso’s mistress.
Little Women (2019)
Greta Gerwig’s Oscar-winning adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel offers a fresh perspective on a timeless story. Told through two timelines, Little Women follows the four March sisters—Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Amy (Florence Pugh), Meg (Emma Watson), and Beth (Eliza Scanlen)—as they grow up and attempt to stamp out their own distinct paths. The naturally intimate dynamics within the family may feel familiar for anyone who grew up alongside sisters, and the seasonal progression of their small Massachusetts town makes for a visually appealing watch.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Is any cozy movies round-up complete with at least one Studio Ghibli film? While you can’t go wrong with other popular titles like Howl’s Moving Castle and My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service earned its place on this list for its calming animated style and its message about self-discovery. The movie follows a young witch-in-training named Kiki, who begins a flying courier service on her broomstick in the small seaside village she resides in.
Emma (2020)
Autumn de Wilde delivers a frothy rom-com in this adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved 1815 novel. Anya Taylor-Joy stars as the titular Emma Woodhouse, a young and wealthy woman who decides to exercise her intelligence by matchmaking the residents of her small village. In addition to a starry cast (including Mia Goth, Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor, and Bill Nighy), the film relies on resplendent visuals and period accurate costuming to execute de Wilde’s unmatched vision.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople takes audiences through the New Zealand bush for a heartwarming tale about found family. Ricky (Julian Dennison) is a young boy who has been churned through New Zealand’s foster care system. He is eventually taken in by Bella (Rima Te Wiata), a kindhearted woman who slowly begins to gain Ricky’s trust. When Bella unexpectedly dies, Ricky attempts to escape foster care services by running into the bush, where Bella’s cranky husband, Hector (Sam Neill), follows after him.
Tuck Everlasting (2002)
Based on Natalie Babbitt’s 1975 novel of the same name, Tuck Everlasting is a gorgeous romantic fantasy film about a young girl on the cusp of womanhood. Winnie (Alexis Bledel) is desperate to make a life on her own terms. When she learns that she will soon be sent to boarding school, she runs away into the woods, where she meets Jesse Tuck (Jonathan Jackson), a young boy drinking at the base of a mysterious spring. Winnie meets the rest of Jesse’s family and finds herself falling for their uninhibited lifestyle. However, the Tucks are harboring a secret, and, soon, it will force Winnie to choose between her old life and the unknown future.
Love Jones (1997)
Darius (Larenz Tate) first meets photographer Nina (Nia Long) at a jazz club in Chicago, where he’s set to perform spoken word. The two quickly fall for each other, but their romance is cut short when Nina unexpectedly decides to return to New York in order to rekindle her relationship with her ex-fiancé. By refreshing the tried-and-true romcom blueprint, this tender film will pull at your heartstrings and make you reconsider your own conceptions on lost love.
The Sound of Music (1965)
This iconic musical puts Julie Andrews in the driver’s seat as Maria, a free-spirited woman studying to be a nun in the years before the outbreak of World War II. When she gets assigned as the governess to the unruly children of Captain Georg von Trapp, Maria makes it her mission to revive the dull household with her love of music. Expect singing, dancing, and breathtaking Austrian views.
The Parent Trap (1998)
This quintessential Nancy Meyers film is responsible for making Lindsay Lohan a household name. The then-child actor stars as Annie and Hallie, twin sisters separated shortly after birth due to their parents’ bitter divorce. After they unexpectedly reunite at a summer camp, the girls concoct a plan to switch places—one returning to their mother in London and the other to their father in Napa—in order to force their parents to reconcile. If you can get past the baffling premise, The Parent Trap stands the test of time as one of the ultimate comfort movies ever made, bolstered by a nostalgic soundtrack, Lohan’s electric performance, and Meyers’s aesthetic eye.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Of course, When Harry Met Sally is on this list. This classic romcom about a friendship-turned-romance is known for its glittering chemistry between stars Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal as much as its known for its cozy visuals and storytelling. Think perfectly chunky knit sweaters, golden foliage splashed across Central Park, and sparkling dialogue written by none other than Nora Ephron.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
Not all Harry Potter movies are made the same. While later installments in the fantasy film franchise explore darker material, the earlier installments feel a bit more light-hearted—even as the Golden Trio battle giant trolls and enchanted diaries. In particular, The Sorcerer’s Stone holds a special place in my heart as the coziest movie in the Harry Potter franchise. We first meet our titular young hero, played by a bushy-tailed Daniel Radcliffe, as a young boy hungry for life after spending so much of his under lock and key at the behest of his cruel aunt and uncle. The magical introduction to the world of Hogwarts also sets the tone for the rest of the series.
Waiting to Exhale (1995)
Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett star in this pleasantly heartwarming ’90s romcom about four best friends navigating complicated love lives side-by-side. While Savannah (Houston) and Robin (Lela Rochon) are both mistresses to married men, Bernie (Bassett) and Gloria (Loretta Devine) are learning how to love again after experiencing unexpected divorces. Men in their lives may come and go, but their friendships to each other remain a constant.
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