Five Netflix films to cure midweek blues
The middle of the week is a weird no man’s land. Thankfully, you pass Monday blues, but Friday still feels miles away, and somehow your inbox has learnt how to multiply overnight. The cure? Curling up with a Netflix film that hits reset on your brain.
Netflix has the kind of comfort lineup that can turn a dragging Wednesday into something bearable, even joyful. The key is finding movies that don’t just pass the time but actively lift you out of the slump. Also, it does not have to be a new release every time. During the middle of the week, you need something that provides comfort, and rewatches often do that.
These five films aren’t just background noise. They are cinematic pick-me-ups. Each one has a vibe that matches exactly what you need on a Wednesday night. A little bit of whimsy, a little bit of fun, a sprinkle of nostalgia, and a little adventure to shake the cobwebs.
So, if your week has been chewing you up and spitting you out, here are five films on Netflix that can soften the blow and get you through to the weekend.
Five Netflix films to cure midweek blues
Amélie (Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2001)
There are very few films that feel as magical as Amélie. It follows Amélie Poulain, a shy Parisian waitress who finds joy in secretly improving the lives of people around her. She reunites long-lost lovers, helps her neighbours chase happiness, and leaves behind tiny acts of kindness that ripple across her Montmartre community.
At the same time, Amélie struggles with her own loneliness, especially when she falls for a quirky stranger who collects discarded photo booth pictures. The mix of whimsical visuals and offbeat humour makes this film feel like stepping into a dream. And Audrey Tautou’s luminous performance can never be talked about enough. It’s the perfect reminder midweek that even the smallest gestures can spark magic.
Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, 1993)
Bill Murray’s Phil Connors is a cynical TV weatherman sent to cover Groundhog Day in a small town. So far, so great, right? But the film takes a twist when Phil finds himself waking up to the same day over and over again. At first, he leans into overeating, lying, and even reckless stunts because nothing has consequences.
But as the days pile on, Phil’s frustration turns into reflection. He learns new skills, helps strangers, and eventually tries to win the heart of his producer, Rita (Andie MacDowell). You know you can never go wrong with a time loop film. It gives you both thrill and humour, and watching Phil move from despair to meaning reminds you that even monotony can shift if you look at it differently.
Love Actually (Richard Curtis, 2003)
It might be a Christmas movie, but Love Actually works any time of year. The film tells nine interwoven stories about love in its many forms. From Hugh Grant as the prime minister falling for his staff member to Liam Neeson as a widowed stepfather helping his young son through his first love. There is heartbreak, hilarity, and that unforgettable airport montage that ties everything together.
What makes it such a midweek cure is its mix of tones. You will laugh at Rowan Atkinson’s chaotic gift-wrapping, melt at Colin Firth learning Portuguese for love, and maybe shed a tear at Emma Thompson’s quiet heartbreak. It is a film that reminds you that love is messy and awkward yet completely worth it.
Eat Pray Love (Ryan Murphy, 2010)
This film is for all the heartbroken food lovers out there. Julia Roberts plays Liz Gilbert, a woman who realises she’s deeply unhappy in her marriage and decides to leave everything behind for a year of self-discovery. Her journey takes her to Italy, where she indulges in food and freedom. From there to India, where she explores spirituality and healing. And then Bali, where she finds balance and an unexpected romance with a charming stranger (played by Javier Bardem).
The beauty of Eat Pray Love is how escapist it feels. You travel with Liz through colourful streets, temples, and beaches, soaking in her moments of joy and struggle. On a dreary Wednesday, it’s the ultimate fantasy and proof that reinvention is possible, anytime, anywhere.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (John Hughes, 1986)
Ferris Bueller is the teen we all wish we could be. He skips school with his best friend Cameron and girlfriend Sloane, pulling off one outrageous stunt after another. You watch him joyriding in a classic car to lip-syncing in a city parade and feel refreshed. Meanwhile, his suspicious principal spends the whole day trying (and failing) to catch him.
The fun of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is how unashamedly rebellious it is. Ferris breaks the fourth wall, looks straight at the audience, and tells us life moves pretty fast. And if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. For anyone dragging through the week, this film is a permission slip to laugh and let go and maybe, take your own perfect day off.