8 Movies To Deal With Insomnia

We get it. You can’t sleep. Insomniacs have taken over the internet in 2020, looking for remedies for their problem that’s literally keeping them awake all night long. You have probably tried reading, listening to a guy droning on a podcast, or warm, bubble baths to calm down your nerves. Unfortunately, nothing seems to work.

We have just the solution for you – Watching Movies! Now, I understand your skepticism. You are worried that watching movies to help you sleep runs counter-intuitive to every advice ever given by experts on quality sleep, but here’s the thing – We are all built different.

What works for some might not work for others, and seeing that you have tried thousands of other things to help you travel to the dream world, why not try this for a change? After all, sleep evades the troubled mind, and there’s nothing more relaxing and comforting than watching a warm, fuzzy movie that helps you do just that.

So tonight, when you are lying down in your bed, staring at the ceiling to bore yourself to sleep, try watching a movie that you love, that you are familiar with, and whose plot isn’t filled with twists and turns (WARNING: Thrillers are definitely not advisable!).

If you are thin on the ice for ideas, I have just the starter kit for you. These movies are not challenging, and the conflicts are breezy. With engaging, entertaining, light story-lines, you are bound to be on your way for some shut-eye.

 

Let It Snow | Romance-Drama

What is it with John Green and relatable teen romance? The man is a genius when it comes to writing about slice-of-life stories with memorable characters that stay with you forever. We have covered him and his work before on the website, too. To read our review of his debut novel Looking for Alaska and its Hulu Original adaptation, you can click here and for our listicle mentioning his novel Paper Towns, click here. Suffice it to say, in my mind, the characters of a novel Green co-wrote – Let It Snow, and its Netflix adaptation, are etched in my mind.

This hilarious, teen rom-com based on the book of the same name by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle, is a perfect sleep-inducer set in three different stories whose characters and locations converge, and leave you with a smile and warmth. While it’s meant for the holiday season, who’s to say it’s not the ideal movie for sleep season.

Available on Netflix

The Holiday | Romantic-Comedy

What’s better than a movie starring Jude Law and Cameron Diaz? A movie that stars them alongside Jack Black and Kate Winslet. This one’s for the ages. It seems like there’s a common thread that connects all the movies on this list – romance, drama, and comedy. The Holiday definitely has healthy doses of those elements.

This delightful movie will brighten your day/night, elevate your mood, and put you to ease. On top of that, the story is engaging and breezy, and if you watch it enough times, it can be the perfect white noise for when you decide to call it a night.

Available on Netflix 

Clueless | Comedy/Romance

Based on Emma by Jane Austen, this movie often features on the list of the most loved movies of all time, and for the right reasons, too! Cher Horowitz is amazing. She’s smart, intelligent, beautiful, and sassy. She’s also privileged, rich, spoilt and entitled, but, as you’ll see in the course of the movie (if you haven’t seen it 7 times already, that is), her character grows.

The transformation is gradual and amazing. It’s always fun to watch Cher become a mature and responsible person, and (SPOILER ALERT!!!) falling in love with Paul Rudd’s character, even if for the umpteenth time.

Available to rent on YouTube 

The Devil Wears Prada | Comedy/Drama

Based on the novel of the same name by Lauren Weisberger, this David Frankel movie stars some bigwig Hollywood names that are loved and admired by all – Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, and, of course, Meryl Streep! Fun fact: This movie also stars the amazing Simon Baker of The Mentalist fame in a pretty cool role. Talk of icing on the cake!

The linear and simple storyline of the movie is easy to follow and enjoy. You’ll find yourself rocking to sleep as you hear Emily Blunt’s British accent comfort you.

Available on Disney+Hotstar

High School Musical | Romantic/Comedy/Musical

We all remember watching this Disney movie as kids and loving it to bits. While the story doesn’t hold on multiple viewings and everything seems a bit far-fetched (and I’m not even talking about the dance numbers), there’s an element of nostalgia that helps seal the deal. Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens pair up to star in the school musical, but face ridicule from their friends, and understandably so.

High school can be tough. Friends can be judgmental, instead of supportive, but it’s still a fun ride because you know things would resolve eventually, so you can relax as you watch along. And we all know relaxation helps us sleep.

Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video 

Pride and Prejudice | Romantic/Drama

Maybe, the trick here is to just watch every Jane Austen based movie ever! This faithful adaptation would be remembered as a classic, in my opinion. If you have read the novel, you would know what I am talking about. We have also featured the novel Pride and Prejudice, in our compilation of the list of 10 mainstream fiction books you must read, that you can read here. Keira Knightley is Elizabeth Bennet for all intents and purposes, and no amount of naysaying would convince me that Matthew Macfadyen isn’t Mr Darcy.

The stellar casting aside, the movie is so well-shot that you forget you’re watching one, as you become one of the characters, swaying to the musicality of the dialogues and the soundtrack. While this isn’t exactly a trip down the memory lane, the scope for the willing suspension of disbelief is huge with this film.

Watching it while you are falling asleep on your 5^th viewing is one of the best things about this movie.

Available to rent on iTunes

 

Step Up | Romance/Dance

Do you like to groove? If dancing excites you, maybe give this one a miss. While dancing is a cherry on top, for sure, for most non-dancers just as myself, this movie is more about its simple and engaging storyline than about its crazy dance numbers.

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan really grab your eyeballs and keep them that way for the course of the movie. The best part? They tell you it’s a dance movie so you know what to expect and there’s no scope for disappointment. Multiple viewings recommended before utilizing it for sleep-inducing purposes.

Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video

 

The Intern | Comedy/Drama

Another Anne Hathaway movie that helps you dose off is The Intern. Also starring Robert DeNiro, it’s a sweet film about a budding relationship between a 70-year-old widower and his young boss, in the backdrop of his internship at the latter’s startup fashion website.

The movie is heartwarming and simple, and what’s not to love about DeNiro and Hathaway display their subtle and sublime acting in these real characters they play.

Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video