Comfort Shows and Movies to Cure Homesickness

By Emerson Driscoll

Edited by Taylor Morgan

Often, college is a period of excitement, where you are experiencing change rapidly, usually faster than you can process. It can also become lonely, especially as it gets colder and there is less to do between classes, or at night when you lack the energy to do anything. The perfect remedy: a comfort show or movie. Everyone has their favorites, and below is a list of my go-tos that rid me of that homesick feeling and make college life a little easier. If you are in need of a comfortable and relaxing night in, here are some of my favorite picks that will put you right at home.

“Gilmore Girls”

This is an obvious classic, especially for people who have a close relationship with their mom. If you have never seen “Gilmore Girls,” it follows the day-to-day life of Rory Gilmore and those around her in a picturesque town in Connecticut, in which she navigates obstacles around her, including her relationships and school. It’s the perfect show for someone who loves a little bit of drama, but resolution at the end. This is the kind of show you can leave and pick right back up at any point and enjoy it. It is available on many streaming platforms, like Hulu, Netflix and Disney+!

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“Nobody Wants This”

This show is much more recent; it debuted in September 2024 and immediately hit the top charts. Following the lead of Joanne, played by Kristen Bell, you experience her blooming relationship with a newly single rabbi, Noah, played by Adam Brody, and the drama and laughs that come along the way. This is the perfect show if you are a romance fanatic, and even better if you want to laugh along the way. It is available on Netflix!

“Sex and the City”

Arguably, “Sex and the City” is my favorite on this list for many different reasons. The plot follows four girls, Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha, through their relationships and explores the dating scene in Manhattan. Carrie is a sex and relationship columnist, and the entire storyline follows her narration, with a different point touched on in each episode that will make you laugh and fall for the characters easily. Not only is this a show about love, but it truly allows you to appreciate the friendships between the girls and how, in the end, those are the relationships you go back to. It’s available on many streaming platforms, like HBO Max, Netflix, Hulu and more.

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“The Princess Diaries”

If you grew up loving the classic princess story, this is a great pick. “The Princess Diaries” follows Anne Hathaway, or Mia Thermopolis, a shy teenager who learns she is a real princess and is taught by her grandmother, Queen Clarise Renaldi, “princess lessons.” Not only is this a comedy guaranteed to make you laugh, but it also has hints of a romantic story that you will love. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and more.

“Notting Hill”

“Notting Hill” is one of my favorites. It’s a classic rom-com following William Thatcher, played by Hugh Grant, who is a London bookstore owner who falls in love with movie star Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) at first sight. If you are one for a classic love story between two polar opposites, this will be your movie. I always find myself coming back to this movie. Not only is the film beautifully set in the Notting Hill neighborhood, but it also features much of London to admire. 

“Notting Hill” is available to watch on many streaming services, like Hulu and Amazon Prime.