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Top 10 Movies To Get You Over Even Your TOUGHEST Breakup

Top 10 Movies To Get You Over Even Your TOUGHEST Breakup

Let’s say it as it is: breakups are the worst. No matter the circumstances that led to the split, no matter who hit the buzzer, and no matter how mutual the split was, breakups are natural tear-jerkers.

The reality of it all stings a lot. To watch that one person who has shared in your joy and comforted you during troubled times walk out of your life is difficult to come to terms with. It is particularly hellish if you were at the bitter end of it. You struggle with crying yourself to sleep and waking up with a myriad of emotions lodged in your chest. Not forgetting ordering cliched buckets of ice cream.

Moving from a bad split all by yourself is not as easy as Celine Dion’s All By Myself makes it to be. You need to explore your emotions, deal with the pain, and move on with your life. One of the easiest ways to do so is to turn to a movie. And they’re never in short supply.

With so many options available on streaming platforms like Netflix, Apple TV, and Hulu, here are the top 10 movies to get you over a terrible split. So, sit tight in your pajamas, grab a popcorn, and binge roll these flicks.

1. The Break-Up (2006)

If you and your ex once lived in the same apartment, this is your go-to film. Just shortly after buying and moving into a condominium together, Brooke Meyers (Jennifer Aniston) and Gary Grobowski (Vince Vaughn) put an end to their budding relationship.

Since none of them is willing to move out of the condo, they both reach a compromise to live as roommates. This spirals into a series of ugly and nasty events that threatens their sanity. While last-minute efforts to salvage whatever flitting emotions they once had fails miserably, both of them accept their fate and move on.

This flick shows irrefutable proof that painful emotions do not have to stay forever. And that’s what you need.

2. Gone Girl (2014)

Are you nursing a tinge of anger towards your ex after the split? Do you feel like raining fire and brimstone upon your ex? You don’t have to enact it in real life, though. Sit through this movie with a revenge-driven plot.

Based on a book of the same title by Gillian Flynn, this movie isn’t particularly about a breakup. Rather, it depicts one of the age-long ills of marriages: cheating partners. After Rosamund Pike’s character finds out her husband’s (Ben Affleck) extramarital affairs with one of his students, she does the unthinkable. 

She pretends to be missing and frames him for her disappearance. As the cops and paparazzi put her husband in the spotlight, this super-intense flick will leave you questioning who the real victim is. 

3. 500 Days of Summer (2009)

This 2009 movie follows the life of Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who is an architect-cum-greeting card writer. Tom’s dreams of having a future with Summer (Zooey Deschanel) are dashed when she suddenly dumps him.

Saddled with depression, Tom reflects on the 500 days they’d spent together. This was all in a bid to discover when and how their relationship went downhill. He realizes he had been paying so much attention to the positive aspects of the union and ignored the nasty bits. Equipped with a better perspective, Tom forges ahead and shelves the past behind him. 

Breakups are a time to reflect on the split, learn every lesson possible—good or bad—and focus on being a better person as you move on. Research even suggests that reflecting after a split can help you get over your ex quickly. 

4. John Tucker Must Die (2006)

Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned.

What happens when it’s not just one woman scorned but three? High school sweethearts from different cliques: Heather (Ashanti), Carrie (Arielle Kebbel), and Beth (Sophia Bush) discover that they’re all dating the same serial cheat, John Tucker (Jesse Metcalfe).

Even worse, they find out he’s using the same romantic gestures for them, referring to each of them as “The One.”

They hatch a plan for revenge and enlist the assistance of a fourth girl, Kate (Brittany Snow) to dash his heart, smear his reputation, and totally destroy him. Even though this movie ends on a stereotypical note, it’s fun to see how vengeful people can be. Not that you should try any of the pranks you see in there.

This romantic-comedy chronicles how painful breakups are. It is also a reminder some exes never change. Come to terms with that fact, you’ll process your thoughts better, and get a grip on your life.

5. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)

What happens when promises are broken? This classic flick from the ‘90s features Julia Roberts (Julianne Porter) and Dermot Mulroney (Michael O’Neal) as Brown University students. Promising that they’d both get married if they both end up single at 28 years, Michael proposes to Kimmy (Cameron Diaz) before his 28th birthday.

Hearing the ‘unfortunate’ news, single Julianne realizes she’s very much in love with Michael, her bestie. She sets out to ruin his engagement in the hopes Michael will see a future wife in her.

This classic movie explores strong themes such as sacrifice, love, friendship. My Best Friend’s Wedding shows that future plans can alter at any time. Life goes on, regardless.

6. The First Wives Club (1996)

Heartbreak is a dangerous weapon as witnessed in the opening sequence of this ‘90s classic. Three old friends: Brenda (Bette Midler), Elise (Goldie Hawn) and Annie (Diane Keaton) reunite for the first time in 30 years at the burial ceremony of a mutual friend who had taken her own life. Their mutual friend had killed herself on the realization that her ex-husband had married a younger woman.

As these women reminisce about their lives, they come to the realization that their ex-husbands had wronged them greatly. They set out on a mission to make the former men in their lives pay for their crimes.

As the trio unearth embarrassing information about their exes, they begin to learn things about themselves as well. This movie reinforces that some splits are as a result of issues emanating from both people in the union. Understanding your role in what led to the breakup can be powerful in dealing with the pain, and moving on.

7. La La Land (2016)

This Oscar-winning musical follows the lives of Mia (Emma Stone) an up and coming actress, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) a jazz pianist. Both casts start off trying to make a name for themselves in Los Angeles and are brought together by love.

Eventually, their dreams become realities, too much for them to control. They must deal with staying together or chasing their mega careers separately. And even though it ends poorly for both of them, the movie shows that you should appreciate the role some exes play in your life—no matter what caused the split.

The plot isn’t the only thing you’d love about the movie. The music is bound to lift your spirit and get you out of that sorry state.

8. Legally Blonde (2001)

What do you do when your ex tries to ‘put you in your place’ after a nasty breakup? The answer is in this movie: be like Elle Woods. Elle (Reese Witherspoon), a sorority President gets dumped by Warner (Matthew Davis) just before he leaves for Harvard Law.

Determined to win him back, she pulls all her resources and gets into the same elite law school. Only to find out her ex now has a fiancé. Against all odds, she deals with this new reality and throws herself into her studies and life. She ends up top in her class despite the seeming obstacles in her path.

Breakups are an opportunity to become even a better version of yourself. Elle is the template for how it's done.

9. Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn) (2020)

Not exactly your typical superhero movie, but powerful nonetheless. Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) enjoyed so many privileges in Gotham City. That was, at least, before her boyfriend (The Joker) declared open season on her when he dumped her.

Crime lord, Black Mask, wants his pound of flesh. Scared and unprotected, she teams up Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez), The Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and Dinah Lance (Jurnee Smollett-Bell). And once again, Harley realizes she’s badass after all.

And just like Harley Quinn, even after a terrible split, you can bounce back even better.

10. Girls Trip (2017)

There’s nothing better than watching a good comedy flick with your besties with some popcorn to pass around.

This hilarious movie features top stars: Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, and Jada Pinkett Smith. These ladies, friends who have grown apart for several years, get the chance to reconnect again. As one of them gets invited as a keynote speaker for a music festival, she brings the entire squad. With all 4 together, her work vacation turns into a girls’ trip.

It is important to surround yourself with people who love and support you. Friends have a unique way of making you cope with the pain of the split. You’ll feel better in no time.

Breakups are tough, and no one has to go through it alone. Immerse yourself into these movies and you’ll feel better afterward.