It’s been an intense and unpredictable year to say the least. While we’ve been one of the few lucky countries to keep their COVID numbers relatively low, we’ve by no means been immune to the stresses of restrictions and lockdowns.
Melbourne has been in and out in the wake of a number of outbreaks and Sydney is enduring its second cluster as we speak.
Whether the seemingly never-ending barrage of bad news is getting to be too much, or you’re simply having a bad day, getting into your PJs with a tub of ice cream and a feel-good flick can help lift your mood.
There’s plenty on offer to distract from the daily drama and impending doom, from inspiring stories to romantic comedies, or your next binge watch.
We’ve rounded up the best shows and movies to brighten your day.
Netflix
Love Is Blind
Think of Netflix’s reality series as the anecdote to Married At First Sight. Hosted by Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo, a group of singles are searching for love, however, each of their dates are separated by a wall.
Establishing strong emotional connections and falling in love in matter of days, blind, the only way to meet one another is to get engaged. But once these couples leave the pods, the drama begins!
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Kimmy Schmidt is a walking-talking-human-rainbow guaranteed to brighten your day.
After being rescued from a cult after 15 years in captivity, Kimmy is taking control of her life again. It may not sound uplifting but the bubbly character’s naivety and optimism is (the best kind) of infectious.
Kimmy is the smiling picture of resilience.
(Image: Netflix)Great News
30 Rock fans will fall in love with Tina Fey’s most recent project, the hilarious Netflix series Great News.
A cross between Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Aaron Sorkin’s The Newsroom, we follow dedicated TV producer Katie Wendelson as she suddenly find herself working alongside her overbearing mother Carol, who somehow talks her way into an internship at news program The Breakdown.
The jokes are laugh-out-loud hilarious, Nicole Richie’s character is amazing and the unconditional love between Carol and Katie will make you want to call your Mum immediately.
Stan
Basically every show on Stan
90s nostalgia fans rejoice! There are so many classics on offer you’ll be social distancing long after the COVID-19 concerns are over.
Revisit the Golden Girls or pour yourself a drink with Will & Grace, if they’re not your cup of soup there’s Seinfeld, Charmed, 30 Rock, Dawson’s Creek, McLeod’s Daughters, The Office and many, many more.
Nicholas tries to connect with his younger sisters.
(Image: Stan)Everything Is Gonna Be OK
The title says it all, and it’s all we need to hear in these trying times. In this quirky comedy about grief, love and growing up, Nicholas (Josh Thomas) becomes sole guardian of his two younger half-sisters after the death of his father.
While the premise for the show doesn’t sound all that happy, Josh Thomas brings his delightfully awkward humour to short episodes that focus more on the gracelessness of being a teenage girl than grief itself.
Amazon Prime
Brittany Runs A Marathon
Comedian Jillian Bell stars in this heart-warming comedy about an off-the-rails 27-year-old who starts running after realising her partying lifestyle is leading nowhere.
Brittany’s transformative journey becomes one of self-love, self-care and self-respect, in a hilarious uplifting, relatable and non-cliché way.
Anne Hathaway stars in romance series.
(Image: Amazon Prime)Modern Love
They say love comes in all shapes and sizes, and that’s never rung more true than in this modern age or this sweet show. Based on the widely popular weekly column of the same name from The New York Times, this anthology series tells a new love story with each episode.
These aren’t just your traditional tales but an exploration of love in all its forms, that will have your heart bursting at the seems! Grab the tissues and prepare to fall, madly, deeply, in love.
The Upside
Based on a true story, this comedy starring Nicole Kidman, Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston will have you looking at the upside of everything in life. Dell (Kevin Hart) is a struggling father looking for work after being behind bars.
He finds the perfect job, which he’s completely wrong and unqualified for, caring for a wealthy quadriplegic.
The unlikely duo form an even more unlikely bond that will have you laughing and crying (in the best way, promise).
Binge
Absolutely everything…Seriously!
Binge isn’t wrong when it says the world’s best dramas live on their site.
Having struck a deal with TV juggernaut HBO known for its incredible, bingeable dramas, Binge is home to Sex And The City, Game Of Thrones, The Newsroom, Gossip Girl and its soon-to-be released reboot, Big Little Lies, WestWorld, Chernobyl, The West Wing and SO MANY more. Seriously, check them out here.
Friends
If there’s one show that we can always count on to make us feel better it is Friends. With every episode from all 10 seasons available, there’s no shortage of viewing and once you’ve made it through you can then stream the exclusive HBO Max Friends Reunion.
Just make sure you grab the tissues first, happy tears are almost guaranteed.
Iconic.
(Credit: Supplied)