Comfort viewing: the 10 most soothing things to stream right now
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While it seems like all this extra time indoors could give us the chance to do things we’ve always been meaning to do—watch that intense documentary series, say, or read those classics we skipped—our actual experience of the current crisis tells us something else: namely that what we all need right now is comfort. Lots and lots of comfort.
That can come in the form of watching favorite shows on repeat, for sure. But once you’ve exhausted every season of Seinfeld and finished up Friends, what’s the move? We’ve got some great ideas: a plethora of soothing shows and films to stream from Netflix, Disney+ and more. Entertainment that goes down easy and keep you smiling.
Everything we chose is free to watch, so you don’t have to spend a dime—and most appeal to all ages. Curl up in your Slanket and your footsie sweatpants, and enjoy:
Oceans
This 2009 nature documentary looks at the role the world’s oceans play in human life—and vice versa. So obviously, there’s some good news and some bad news. But the dulcet tones of Pierce Brosnan’s voice (shades of Remington Steele and, of course, 007) help us keep calm and carry on. While Oceans is a DisneyNature production, it can only be streamed on Netflix right now—it’s not yet available on Disney+.
Shop it: Oceans, free with 30-day Netflix trial (starting at $9 per month), netflix.com
The Golden Girls
With their companionable chitchat, innocuous arguing, and guaranteed laughs, Blanche, Rose, Dorothy and Sophia are the perfect folks to have around while you’re cooking, cleaning, puttering, and sorting—or when you want to plop down and relax. Right now, all 180 episodes of The Golden Girls are available to stream on Hulu. And we’re willing to bet your quarantine home-mates will like these new tenants as much as you do.
Shop it: The Golden Girls, free with 30-day Hulu trial (starting at $6 per month), hulu.com
Mary Poppins
Right now we just need to be taken care of. And who better to do that than the world’s cleverest nanny? From “I Love to Laugh” to “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” the message improved by Mary Poppins, a film that, like its titular character, is practically perfect in every way.
Shop it: Mary Poppins, free with seven-day Disney+ trial (starting at $7 per month), disneyplus.com
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Light, irresistible, and great for a range of ages (teens and twentysomethings will fall for it, even if they try to fight it), Ferris Bueller is perfect for this cooped-up time because it zips you around on a virtual adventure. Matthew Broderick’s authority-defying charmer and his pals make the most of Chicago (fine dining, a Cubs game, even a parade) while cutting school, reminding us all that we used to dream about days off from work and classes. A total joy.
Shop it: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Free with Netflix 30-day trial (starting at $9 per month), netflix.com
Bridget Jones's Diary
A sweet (Ben & Jerry’s plays a big role) throwback to simpler times, this early aughts comedy delivers young, smooth Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant to your living room. The charm is off the charts, and you’ll find yourself all wrapped up in Bridget’s woes—will she ever get her life together and find Mr. Right?—and very far from the worldly concerns current news. A great one for a virtual film club (as in, tell your pals, daughters, cousins to watch too, then Zoom-chat about it later).
Shop it: Bridget Jones's Diary, free with 30-day Amazon Prime Video trial (starting at $13 per month), amazon.com
Bears
Released in 2014, DisneyNature’s Bears is a nature documentary that follows the life of an Alaskan brown bear mother and her two cubs. Their den is on a mountain slope, where they’re forced to contend with the threat of avalanche and other dangers. Done and done. The film is narrated by that sweet-bear-of-a-human John C. Reilly. I mean, how yummy can you get? There are so many layers of cozy here, you might need to peel off a blanket.
Shop it: Bears, free with seven-day Disney+ trial (starting at $9 per month), disneyplus.com
Some Like It Hot
From the iconic director Billy Wilder, 1959’s Some Like It Hot is a classic that, for reasons to complex (and goofy) to explain, has Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon hiding in plain sight by posing as women and slipping into an all-girl band. At the center of the story is Marylin Monroe (a performer named Sugar Kane), and her wise-crackin’ cohorts. A funny, engrossing, lively romp via the way-back machine.
Shop it: Some Like It Hot, free with 30-day Amazon Prime Video trial (starting at $13 per month), amazon.com
The Great British Baking Show
The Great British Baking Show is among the longest-running reality shows from the UK—and it’s incredibly popular stateside. Why? Maybe because the drama is so pleasantly and politely English. There’s nothing bitter about the competitive drama—which makes the show feel like a delightful confection and, ultimately, extreme comfort food, in the form of dessert. Bon appetit.
Shop it: The Great British Baking Show, free with Netflix 30-day trial (starting at $9 per month), netflix.com
Cheers
One the best sitcoms of all time, Cheers still holds up—and delivers on its name. You can’t not smile while watching this show. Thanks to well-drawn characters like Sam, Diane, and Woody; tight writing; and situations that are just wacky enough, this is the place you want to go. Newcomers to the bar (as in younger members of the family) will like it too—watching Cheers just feels like returning home, even if you’re seeing it for the first time.
Shop it: Cheers, Free with 30-day Hulu trial (starting at $6 per month), hulu.com
The Joy of Painting
From 1983 to 1994, painter Bob Ross took America on a low-key therapeutic journey as he taught aspiring artists to create landscapes on PBS. His warmth, inclusiveness, and easy-to-follow instructions made his quiet, meditative show The Joy of Painting a massive success. Right now, there’s nothing quite as effective for turning down the worry. Bob’s soothing voice, the gentle swoosh of his brush against the canvas, the visual magic he creates with minimal strokes, and the own sweet enjoyment in painting and sharing, are the ultimate antidote to modern stress. Every episode of The Joy of Painting is free to (legally) watch on the official Bob Ross YouTube Channel. No easel or materials required.
Shop it: The Joy of Painting, all 403 episodes are free on YouTube, youtube.com
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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