Photo credit JESHOOTS.com
Why watch a funny movie? Funny movies can boost our happiness and health. In one study, laughter increased positive emotions for people watching a funny clip. In another study, laughter improved mood and lessened pain for hospital patients as they selected items from a “laugh-mobile”.
Need more evidence of laughter as medicine? A cancer patient study showed laughter decreased stress and improved immune system function. Who wouldn’t want that? Also, psychologist Barbara Fredrikson found that positive emotions broaden-and-build, and this creates more positive emotions, and also increases health and happiness.
Emotions from happy movies can also improve mood due to emotional contagion. In fact, when we feel happy, friends and acquaintances can feel happier. A study with more than 600.000 Facebook participants found that user emotions were influenced negatively or positively by a newsfeed displaying similar emotions. For instance, when Cher in Clueless finds true love we smile, and we share Ferris Bueller’s ditch-day fun. So, let’s smile and laugh more.
Let’s Laugh
In search of the funniest movies ever, we reviewed Top “Funny Movie” lists from Buzzfeed, Rotten Tomatoes, OprahMag, and more. Numbers indicate the “funniest” appearances for each movie.
- Clueless – 8x
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – 7x
- Legally Blonde – 6x
- Princess Bride – 5x
- Bird Cage – 5x
- Mamma Mia – 5x
- School of Rock – 5x
- The Devil Wears Prada – 5x
- Forest Gump – 5x
- Pitch Perfect – 4x
- Elf – 4x
Your library may have free copies of these movies or find them online. Then pop some popcorn, choose a comfy couch, and dose yourself with laughter by binge-watching movies from our list. Also, to increase laughter’s benefits, invite a friend or family member to watch along with you. You’ll broaden-and-build their positive emotions along with yours, and boost immunity for all.
Try not to laugh at my favorite comedy, Ferris Bueller, or at Shellee’s favorite funny movie, Night at the Roxbury. What’s your favorite comedy, or which essential funny movie are we missing?
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About the author(s)
Kendeyl Johansen
Tech-geek Kendeyl creates inspirational multimedia content to increase happiness and health for individuals and organizations.
Shellee Godfrey
Shellee Godfrey creates happiness for her clients as a Systems Analyst and writes comedy screenplays based on her smart and sassy 80’s diva background.