If you’re anything like me and millions of other people, you’re staying home way more than average this year. In these weird times we’re living in, a good movie that provides both distraction and comfort can help ride out the worst of the pandemic. Here are three films that may help do just that…

Another Round 

Nominated for an Oscar in both categories for Best Director and International Feature Film, Another Round stars Mads Mikkelson and was directed by Thomas Vinterberg. The film follows four high school teachers who take it upon themselves to test a psychiatrist’s theory that humans with a blood alcohol level of 0.05 will improve one’s social and mental being. As the men’s drinking falls further into chaos and away from a self-improvement science experiment, they must decide where to draw the line. Another Round shows the distinction between celebratory drinking, drinking to artificially boost one’s confidence and drinking to drown one’s sorrows. It’ll make you laugh, it might make you cry, but most of all, it will make you wish you for another day and another round of shenanigans with your pals. (Now available to stream on Hulu)

Palm Springs 

In a year where everyday is starting to feel exactly the same and time is more of an illusion than ever, maybe we can escape that feeling of inevitability by watching the ever so charming Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti repeat their day over and over again…except while having fun and falling in love, whereas a lot of us are in our pajamas, binging whatever our friend just recommended to us. Max Barbakow’s time-loop romantic comedy, Palm Springs, saves us the trouble of thinking “what would I do if I could infinitely repeat today with no consequences?” Instead, Barbakow shows us how two, guilt-ridden disappointments approach the task of making each day different from the last, repenting from their betrayals while having an absolute blast. (Available on Hulu) 

Soul

Nominated for best animated feature and best score in this year’s Oscar race, Soul goes beyond an animated feature for kids and personally made me rethink my whole life, if only during the one hour and forty-seven minute run time…and okay, maybe a few weeks after that, too. 

In a society where our successful careers and our good grades are often valued over what passions we have to offer the world, Soul reminds its viewers to take a moment and appreciate the little things in life …like enjoying a good slice of pizza, appreciating the way people go about their days, or having a conversation that reminds you that life should be less about seeking our purpose through how much recognition or money we get, and more about how to live life to the fullest. (Available on Disney Plus)