13 Best Movies To Watch When Sick To Lift Your Spirits

Are you stuck in bed, sick, and not feeling like doing anything really? Well, I’ve been there just a few weeks ago so I know what that’s like. I don’t know what it was in my case, maybe Covid or the flu. Or some other virus. But the fact is that for an entire week, all I was capable of doing was rest in bed and watch movies while waiting to feel better.

So I don’t know what you have, but I do know that movies CAN and WILL lift your spirits. And I’m here to help you pick the perfect film for that. That’s why I made this list of the best 13 movies to watch when sick.

You can watch most of them on Netflix and some are available on HBO Max, Disney Plus, or Amazon Prime, depending on where in the world you’re watching (if you don’t have VPN).

*At the end of each movie, I wrote what streaming platforms you can use to watch them. Keep in mind however that it may differ from location to location. While some of them may be available in my country, they may not be in yours. Also, streaming services may make some films available for a limited period of time or they may not stream all the movies in a series.

List Of The Best Movies To Watch When You’re Sick

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The main characteristics that make a film perfect for this are:

• To be easy to follow and understand.
• AVOID EMOTIONAL OR SAD SCENARIOS!! I mean, you probably already have a runny nose. The last thing you want is more nasal fluids!
• A catchy story you can escape into
• To be visually appealing
• To be optimistic and make you smile or laugh

Also, if you feel like reading something this time around but don’t necessarily know what, you can get your inspiration from these beautiful quotes from books.

Pitch Perfect franchise

Pitch Perfect is a musical comedy franchise that includes three movies released in 2012, 2015, and 2017. Even though this is more teen or young-adult-oriented, I see no reason why you couldn’t enjoy them when you’re sick. Regardless of your age, of course. There’s no better time for a film like this than now. I’m 26 and I had fun watching them. They’re happy, they give you a sense of escape (which I know how badly you need), AND they have music and dancing. How can that not put you in a better mood?

Briefly, the three installments follow the journey of the college a cappella group The Barden Bellas from their formation to the struggle to win an a cappella competition, to their fall from grace and their post-graduation life.

Jurassic World (2015)

This is actually part of a trilogy which includes the first movie we’re talking about here Jurassic World (2015), then Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), and Jurassic World Dominion (2022). I’ve only seen the first one while I was sick, but now that I know there are two more, I’ll definitely watch those too.

Anyway, Jurassic World is exactly what you need when you’re stuck in bed, bored with all the romantic comedies you’ve watched on Netflix. It’s adventurous and transports you to a different dimension. Plus, it features a very sexy, very handsome Chris Pratt.

How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days (2003)

If you’ve seen all the new romantic comedies on Netflix and want more, this is perfect! The movie features Kate Hudson, who plays writer Andie Anderson, and Matthew McConaughey, who plays advertising executive Benjamin Barry. They meet, they talk, they like each other. But what neither of them knows is that they both have a task to fulfill. Andie has to write an article about how to lose a guy in ten days. The victim? Benjamin Barry. But Benjamin also has a bet to win. That he can make a woman fall in love with him in 10 days. The victim? Andie Anderson.

How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days is a sweet and at times hilarious movie, perfect to cozy up with when ill. Yeah, it’s silly and predictable, but that’s what makes it great for this occasion. Besides, the chemistry between Kate and Matthew is one of the best I’ve seen in rom-coms.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Now if this movie doesn’t lift your spirits, I don’t know what will. Mamma Mia! is a romantic musical with a very impressive cast. It has Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Christine Baranski, and Julie Walters. Based on the songs of the famous pop group ABBA, the film has tons of cheerful dancing and singing scenes, beautiful scenery (did I mention it’s filmed in Greece?), and funny situations.

Shotgun Wedding (2022)

This is the exact type of silly romantic and action comedy I want to watch when I’m not feeling well. Sadly for me, I couldn’t because it’s not streamed on Netflix AND Amazon Prime hasn’t made it available in Romania either. Though Amazon does stream it and if you’re in the UK you can watch it. That or if you have a VPN and use your laptop. I don’t know about the US and the rest of the world, however.

Jennifer Lopez, Josh Duhamel, Lenny Kravitz, and Jennifer Coolidge are among the main stars in this one. JLO and Josh play a couple who’s about to get married in a dreamy destination. The situation turns dire however when some gunmen take their friends and family hostage and they have to save their loved ones.

If you don’t have an Amazon Prime Video subscription and want to watch Shotgun Wedding and other movies on the list, make sure to SIGN UP FOR THEIR 30-DAY FREE TRIAL. Click on the banner below to get started!

Harry Potter franchise

Whether you have already seen Harry Potter or not, this franchise makes a great way of spending time when sick. If you haven’t seen the films, you’ll be captivated by the magical world J. K. Rowling and the production team created. During the course of eight movies, you’ll live inside that world and get to experience the lives of each of the main characters. It’s the perfect escape you need right now.

And if you did see the movies, revisiting them may be the familiar and comforting thing you need at this time.

Hitch (2005)

Another old-school romantic comedy on the list. This movie actually made me like Will Smith after that whole Oscars 2022 fiasco. He along with Eva Mendes and Kevin James manage to make this a hilarious, romantic, and relatable experience.

In this one, Will Smith plays a professional dating expert who helps men conquer their dream women.

If you’re in the mood for more romance, check out this list of romantic comedies. Though beware! Not all of them may be a good idea to watch when sick.

Not Another Teen Movie (2001)

This one makes more sense if you’ve watched She’s All That (1999) because it’s kind of a parody of it. They’re both teen rom-coms. The plot is the same. A high school popular guy bets that he can transform a socially awkward girl into the prom queen. The characters have different names and are portrayed by other actors, but it’s clear who and what this film references. Basically, the difference is in the obvious exaggerations of the characters’ traits and the situations.

Not Another Teen Movie features Chris Evans, Chyler Leigh (aka Lexi Grey from Grey’s Anatomy), and Jaime Pressly.

Mission: Impossible Movie Series

This may not be a comedy, but for some reason, it proved to be relaxing to watch. The stunts, the chasing scenes, the different locations the action takes place. They all turn out to be a great escape even when you’re ill and bedridden.

Mission: Impossible is an action spy film series that is definitely epic and memorable. This year (2023), the seventh installment is set to be released in the US and judging by Tom Cruise’s Instagram posts, it’s going to have some dangerous and never-done-before real stunts.

If you want to start this series, I’ll leave a list of the films in chronological order.

Deadpool (2016)

Deadpool is an American action and fantasy superhero movie based on the Marvel Comics. The first movie is from 2016 and centers around Deadpool’s character’s history, how an evil scientist experimented on him and left him scarred and ugly. The present-day action finds Deadpool (aka Wade, played by Ryan Reynolds) trying to find the psychopath who disfigured him and force him to reverse the experiments.

Deadpool 2 was released in 2018 and the third installment should appear in 2024.

The adventurous and comedic side makes them pleasant to watch when sick. They were also received really well by both the critics (that’s another story) and the fans.

Scooby-Doo Movies

I’m talking about Scooby-Doo: The Movie (2002) and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004) with Freddie Prinze Jr. (Fred), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Daphne), Matthew Lillard (Shaggy), Neil Fanning (Scooby-Doo), and Linda Cardellini (Velma).

Scooby-Doo is part of most of our childhood and there’s something comfy about watching the characters again in our adulthood. The familiar feel and fun interactions offer the best comfort you need when you’re not feeling well.

The Sleepover (2020)

The Sleepover is an American action comedy movie starring Malin Åkerman and Joe Manganiello. It’s great for when you want something easy, adventurous, and entertaining. And it’s also perfect to watch with your kids.

Malin Åkerman plays an apparently normal mother with a secret former identity her husband and kids don’t know about. Until she gets herself and her husband kidnapped and needs to be rescued by their underage children.

American Pie Film Series

American Pie is a sex comedy film series that includes four movies: American Pie (1999), American Pie 2 (2001), American Wedding (2003), and American Reunion (2012). This cultural phenomenon is the type of comedy that makes you laugh out loud or leaves you with your mouth wide open in shock. The characters, the dialogue, and the situations they put themselves in are hilarious. That and the overall laid-back nature of the films are exactly what you need to improve your state of mind when you’re not feeling well.

I think that’s enough films to cover a whole week and more. Hopefully, it won’t be the case for you. But technically there are more than 13, with all the franchises and trilogies.

Now that you have this list of the best movies to watch when sick, all that’s left to do for you is to give yourself a break from work, take your cup of hot tea with you, pick a movie, and enjoy! And feel better!