Few things are more comforting than spending a cosy night on your couch, watching a movie or two with the whole family or relaxing with a book. Especially if it is after an intimate and nourishing iftar meal with loved ones. Our resident pop culture connoisseur Rima Alhaddad compiles a list of ‘cosy’, lighthearted films and books to boost your spirits.


My Neighbours The Yamadas (1999)

WHAT’S a cosy films list without a Studio Ghibli production! This slice-of-life comedy drama is a series of vignettes that follows the day-to-day happenings of the Yamada family. From losing a child in a department store to the relationship between father and son, coming of age and more, the adventures present a relatable picture of family life, showcasing their love for one another despite their flaws. Directed by Isao Takahata, the film is presented in a stylised, comic-strip aesthetic.

 

What We Do in The Shadows (2014)

THE mockumentary showcases the life of four vampire housemates, who share a flat in Wellington. The crew follows the ancient creatures as they navigate the 21st century, showcasing their day-to-day life. It includes the mundane like taking the bus into town to prowl the streets for people to kill, and their long-lived feud with werewolves. Directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, this is a lighthearted take on a genre that rarely gets comedic treatment.

 

The Holdovers (2023)

THE film is set in a 1970’s New England boarding school, where curmudgeonly teacher Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) is forced to chaperone a handful of students who have nowhere to go during the Christmas break. He ends up forming an unlikely bond with the brainy yet troubled Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), whose mother cancels a family trip to honeymoon with her new husband. Directed by Alexander Payne, this festive comedy is fun to watch any time of the year.

Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)

DIRECTED by Wes Anderson, the stop motion animation follows the titular clever fox (George Clooney) and his wife Felicity (Meryl Streep). Driven by an existential crisis and sense of pride, he breaks a promise and raids his human neighbour’s farms – an action that forces him to save his community from the farmers’ wrath. Wes’ films often gained praise for his unique visual style that is pleasing to the eye – using a limited colour palette, handmade frames and miniatures.

 

Monsters University (2013)

 

THE coming-of-age Pixar animation and prequel to Monsters Inc (2001) follows college buddies James P ‘Sulley’ Sullivan (John Goodman) and Mike Wazowski’s (Billy Crystal) as they go from rivals to best friends. The story explores their journey at the elite Scare Programme and their teamwork with misfits to win the ‘Scare Games’. It also highlights Mike’s ambition to overcome his limitations of being small figured. Directed by Dan Scanlon, the film hits home as it brings alive friendship, self-discovery and determination.