Why I Rewatch Movies (Over and Over Again)
Written By : Hannah Corbett
There’s something I need to admit: I’m a chronic movie rewatcher.
Not in a pull-out-the-popcorn-and-watch-every-scene-like-it’s-the-first-time way (though sometimes, yes), but more of a let-it-play-in-the-background-while-I-do-life kind of way.
I’ve been told this habit is tied to the nervous system — that rewatching familiar movies calms you, grounds you, helps ease anxiety. And maybe that’s true. But that’s not why I do it. Not consciously, anyway.
I do it because it makes everything better.
The mundane feels cozier. The quiet moments feel fuller. I’ll fold laundry with The Holiday playing in the background. I’ll answer emails while It’s Complicated hums from the other room. I’ve cooked countless dinners to the sound of Diane Keaton sighing into her white turtleneck and Jack Nicholson asking for another croissant.
Nancy Meyers movies are my go-to. Always.
Not because they’re the best movies of all time (though I will argue they’re close), but because they’re the softest place to land. The kitchens are dreamy. The pacing is slow. The sweaters are oversized. The dialogue is comforting, even when it’s dramatic. No one’s screaming. There are no jump scares. Just beautiful homes, emotional growth, and perfectly lit wine glasses.
It’s seasonal, too. I don’t watch The Holiday in July. I don’t reach for The Parent trap in December. My rewatching habits follow the seasons. Fall calls for You've Got Mail, sweaters and coffee. Summer leans more Under the Tuscan Sun (yes, not Nancy, but spiritually aligned) or Mamma Mia! if I need a serotonin boost. Winter is strictly Meyers — fireplaces, introspection, love stories. Spring might be quieter, lighter, more background buzz than full rewatch mode.
Rewatching movies is like lighting a candle or putting on a playlist. It’s atmosphere. It’s routine. It’s a feeling I can turn on whenever I need it.
People love newness — new shows, new series, new plots to follow — and I get it. But there’s a particular magic in returning to something you already know. It’s not about suspense or plot twists. It’s about rhythm. Rewatching is like rereading a favorite book, or walking a path you’ve memorized. You’re not doing it to be surprised. You’re doing it to feel home.
So no, I don’t always need something fresh. Sometimes I just want a kitchen in the Hamptons and a soft piano score. Sometimes I just want to hear a voice I know, saying something I’ve heard before, while I move through my day.
And more often than not, that’s enough.