19 People Share the Movies and TV Shows They Watch to Get Over a Breakup
In March, I went through a heinous breakup. I was shocked by my then-boyfriend's decision to break things off (via text message!), and I was not doing well emotionally. For some reason, I thought it would be smart to binge-watch the Netflix show Love. You know, the Judd Apatow one where Gillian Jacobs falls into an inconvenient, on-again off-again romantic thing with that curly-haired guy.
Let me tell you, that was a bad idea. Not only did the central love story keep my own broken romance top-of-mind, but the story did that thing indie movies do where they sort of leave things ambiguous for like, art, which failed to give me any catharsis. There was zero emotional respite to be found.
My instinct to turn to Netflix mid-heartbreak isn't unique. If you ask a group of people what their go-to breakup binge is, more often than not, they have one. For me, TV shows and movies are the answer to an impossible post-breakup problem: I'm terrified of feeling alone, but I don't have the energy to be around people. For others, this coping mechanism is more about escapism, or enjoying a few mindless laughs, or remembering that love does exist, somewhere.
Here, 19 people share the TV shows and movies they've relied on in times of emotional need. Their answers range from apocalyptic zombie stories to tear-jerker romantic comedies, proving that the only thing weirder than what makes us fall in love with someone, is what helps us when we fall out of love with them.
The Walking Dead / AMC1The Walking Dead
"I love watching The Walking Dead right after a breakup for a few reasons. First of all, it reminds me how good I still have it—I'm not spending my days running away from zombies or (God forbid) eating old canned food. Second, there's something really visceral about the zombie attack scenes that resonates with me when I'm upset. Third, cheesy as it sounds, the show reminds me to be brave. After all, I'm only facing my own heart—not brain-eating zombies. Finally, when all else fails, I can picture my ex getting attacked by a zombie. And that's pretty gratifying." —Emmi B., 29
This Is Us / TriStar Pictures2One Direction: This Is Us
"Whenever a guy breaks my heart, I turn to the five boys I know will never hurt me: Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall, and Zayn. At this point, I've watched the One Direction documentary so many times it feels like home. And it doesn't hurt to listen to a bunch of hot boy-band members sing about how wonderfully they'd treat me if we were together." —Lindsey L., 23, SELF Associate Editor
Daria / Paramount Television3Daria
"What drew me most to Daria was the fact that each episode didn't conclude with a happy ending tied up in a neat little bow. The show is dark and cynical, which is how I felt during a lot of my breakup. Daria spoke to a lot of the awkwardness and insecurity I was experiencing—plus, it's pretty funny." —Joanna R., 46
Gossip Girl / The CW4Gossip Girl
"Gossip Girl is my number one. I once watched all seven seasons after a breakup. The Devil Wears Prada is pretty great, too. Basically, any movie or TV show about fashionable women killing it in New York City makes me feel a lot better." —Julia B., 24
Back to the Future / Universal Pictures5Back to the Future
"When my heart is broken and I need to believe in love again, I watch the first Back To The Future movie. It serves a reminder that it's never too late to change where you are. While time travel might not be widely available to us, the ability to change is. And Back to the Future puts me in the mood to rebuild myself and move forward with my life." —Jennifer J., 25
Her / Warner Bros6Her
"I usually watch Her when sadness sets in, mainly because the first part of the movie is such an apt depiction of loneliness. (It creates this weird sense of camaraderie that I find oddly comforting.) The visuals in the film are aesthetically pleasing, too. It's just become such a comfort film for me that I usually fall asleep while watching it and wake up feeling a little bit better." —Jane S., 22
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills / HBO7Paradise Lost
"The last time I was getting over a broken heart, I binge-watched a bunch of true crime documentaries. I can't remember them all, but one that really stuck with me (and I've watched again since) is Paradise Lost, a lengthy three-parter made in the mid-90s about the West Memphis Three. A lot of the stuff I watched dealt with false imprisonment and racial and social issues, and I find that a healthy bit of rage directed at our justice system is just the thing to get your mind focused on bigger, more important issues than a breakup." —Tessa M., 29, SELF Health Features Editor
How I Met Your Mother / Fox Television8How I Met Your Mother
"There are a bunch of reasons why HIMYM is my go-to breakup show (it's not just because I love Robin Scherbatsky). But there's something she says in one episode (OK, fine, it's Season 7, Episode 1—don't @ me) that always gives me comfort: "If you have chemistry, you only need one other thing: timing." If nothing else, HIMYM reminds me that you can't control other people or force situations. If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, there's something else in store for you." —Amber B., 29, SELF Snapchat Editor
Amélie / Lionsgate Home Entertainment9Amélie
"I watch Amélie to remember that it is absolutely still possible to find love in the future, even when it seems like the person who was your future broke your heart. Also, it's just one of the most beautifully shot movies I've ever seen." —Taylyn W., 22, SELF Associate Social Media Manager
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit / NBC10Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
"My greatest guilty pleasure show is Law and Order: SVU. Olivia Benson is my queen, and she helps me remember that I don't need a romantic partner to be a lady boss." —Andi D., 23
Eat, Pray, Love / Columbia Pictures11Eat, Pray, Love
"Eat, Pray, Love feeds my inner single woman—the one who dreams of flying to Italy for the gelato and doesn't need no man to buy the plane ticket for her. It's a much-watch for ladies feeling like their lives are over after a breakup. Girl, it's just the beginning." —Cayla V., 29
Sex and the City / HBO12Sex and the City
"Whenever I'm going through a breakup, I binge-watch all six seasons of Sex and the City and post-game by watching the films. It helps me feel less alone in my heartbreak, and Samantha's one-liners make me laugh even when I'm down. Plus, Carrie never fails to remind me that 'the most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself.'" —Ana Z., 45
The Other Woman / 20th Century Fox13The Other Woman
"I love the way The Other Woman champions female friendship. Even though the plot is kind of silly and the antics can be a little over the top, Leslie Mann's character is a shining example of what it means to have your heart broken and still find a way to pursue whatever sliver of a silver lining there may be." —Elaine T., 24
Harry Potter / Warner Bros14Harry Potter
"When I'm heartbroken, I typically turn to Harry Potter. It lets me escape my real life into a world of wizardry, and all the dark magic makes my heartbreak seem a little bit smaller. Plus, Harry Potter reminds me of my childhood, when I didn't really know what heartbreak was yet. It makes me feel nostalgic and comfortable—and less like I want to rip my heart out." —Shauna W., 24
Legally Blonde / MGM15Legally Blonde
"I'm not much of a movie watcher, and I also don't like 'breakup movies.' So I usually turn to Legally Blonde, because I want to feel empowered when I'm going through something truly sh*tty." —Amy H., 22
New Girl / Fox16New Girl
"Since I was in high school, I've turned to New Girl for everything—a bad day, a breakup, being sick, being stressed, whatever. Jess (Zoey Deschanel) and her charming roommates cure all." —Lauren P., 23
Hot Fuzz / Universal Pictures17Hot Fuzz
"Hot Fuzz is fast-paced and irreverent, so it's engaging without asking you to feel anything. There's a super high death toll so the movie pretty much actively asks you to emotionally detach from it. Plus, there are no romantic subplots." —Becca E., 23
The Last Five Years / Radius-TWC18The Last Five Years
"I don't usually cry when watching movies, but I sobbed during The Last Five Years—and I think it was because I connected so strongly with the idea that relationships aren't everlasting. The Last Five Years helped me get out of my own head, feel grounded in my emotions, and express my myriad feelings." —Kelly N., 25
How to Be Single / Warner Bros19How to Be Single
"How to Be Single is relatable, empowering, funny, and emotional—all at the same time. Watching it restores my faith in having fun again and reminds me that being single really isn't so bad. In fact, it's not bad at all." —Morgan M., 24
*Quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.
SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
