By Reigha Weaver | Arts & Life Writer
Movies are more than just a creative way to tell a story. Movies are escapes and ways to feel at home.
Whether you’re homesick or just need to feel some comfort, here are four movies that are sure to make you feel cozy. Even though you might not be at home, these movies can make you feel like you’re right there.
“The Sheep Detectives” (2026), directed by Kyle Balda
This one might be a crazy first pick, but sometimes when I want to watch a movie, I watch it for simplicity and comfort. Even though this is a children’s movie, it has provided more than enough simplicity and comfort to make its way onto my list. When their shepherd is murdered, a flock of sheep try to solve the crime and deliver justice. The concept may be foolish, but it hashes out more complex themes along the way, like grief, loneliness, abandonment and acceptance. This level of poignancy is matched by early Pixar films and is something I haven’t seen from children’s films in a long time. If you like cozy, family friendly, heartwarming tearjerkers, “The Sheep Detectives” is perfect for you.
“Little Women” (2019), directed by Greta Gerwig
Little Women is the epitome of coziness. Most people who haven’t watched this film assume that it is boring, but I’d argue the opposite. Maybe it’s something about Gerwig’s cinematography, the color grading or the fierce relationships between the characters, but something about “Little Women” sucks you in. All the best parts of the book are translated to screen, and the all-star cast brings the March family to life. As we watch the daughters navigate adolescence, each actress brings real conviction. There is truly never a dull moment, only highlighted by Gerwig’s use of color and emphasis on human emotion. Each element makes “Little Women” feel like a warm hug.
“Big Fish” (2003), directed by Tim Burton
I first watched Big Fish in my English III class. It was my teacher’s favorite movie of all time, and I could see why. Burton brings out his signature whimsy while telling a story full of heart. In Big Fish, Will Bloom dives into his dying father’s past. However, his father only speaks of his past through fantastical stories that are too magical for Will to believe. As his father tells Will about his life, the viewer gets to see some of Burton’s best work. Big Fish’s crowning glory is that it tells a tale of previously strained relationships slowly healing, and Burton isn’t afraid to bring his own style to it. He seamlessly keeps things grounded while coating it in cozy fantasy.
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001), directed by Chris Columbus
When I think of cozy films, I think of Harry Potter, especially “The Sorcerer’s Stone.” As a little kid, there was nothing I wanted more than to live at Hogwarts. To me, this movie satisfied that want — it felt like a warm hug. Even now, I watch Harry Potter and escape to that comforting world. Chris Columbus (who worked on many other cozy films, such as “Night at the Museum,” “Stepmom” and “Christmas with the Kranks”) shares the ultimate vision of Hogwarts: a comfort, a home and a place where you occasionally fear for your life.
