Trying to heal from a broken heart? Need to forget about your ex bestie? Whether you’re sobbing into a pint of ice cream, rage-texting your situationship, or embracing your newfound single era, these movies will get you through it. Grab your snacks and tissues and turn your phone on airplane mode – it’s time for the ultimate heartbreak movie marathon.
1. Her (2013)
If only Scarlett Johansson had said yes to being ChatGPT’s chatbot voice, we’d all relate better to Joaquin Phoenix’s sad, moustachioed character. This beautifully melancholic film reminds us that heartbreak isn’t always about losing a person – it’s about losing the version of ourselves we were with them.
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Arguably the most essential breakup film ever made: after a painful split, Joel opts for a controversial procedure to erase his memories of ex-girlfriend Clementine, only to rediscover the moments that made their relationship worth remembering. This poignant film explores themes of love, memory, and loss, reminding us that every heartbreak carries valuable lessons.
3. Midsommar (2019)
Ever felt like your boyfriend wasn’t listening to you? Ever thought about dressing him up in a bear suit and setting him on fire? If yes, Midsommar is the film for you. A breakup movie disguised as a horror film, Ari Aster’s sun-drenched cinematic nightmare explores grief, gaslighting and revenge. This film will leave you weirdly empowered and possibly ready to join a Swedish cult.
4. Kill Bill Vol 1 and 2 (2003-2004)
Reckoning has never looked this stylish. Uma Thurman stars as ‘The Bride’, a betrayed assassin who wakes up from a coma with one goal: to take down the people who left her for dead – including her former lover Bill. Across two action-packed volumes, Quentin Tarantino delivers gravity-defying fight sequences, a killer soundtrack and, of course, his signature close-ups of bare feet. Kill Bill is the ultimate breakup catharsis – because sometimes, moving on means embracing your inner warrior.
5. The Worst Person in the World (2021)
Messy relationships? Quarter-life crises? Fear of commitment? If any of that sounds familiar, this Norwegian gem will feel like a cinematic therapy session. The film follows 20-something Julie navigating her way through fleeting romances, major breakups, and the existential dread of growing up. It’s raw, relatable, and perfectly captures the highs and lows of modern love without sugarcoating a thing.
6. Frances Ha (2012)
Before Barbie, Greta Gerwig gave us this heartfelt ode to female friendships. It’s a reminder that platonic love can be just as deep as romantic love – and that your twenties are for self-discovery, spontaneous adventures, and a little bit of flailing.
7. Tangerine (2015)
Cheating scandals, explosive arguments, and a legendary donut shop showdown – this film has it all. Shot entirely on an iPhone, Tangerine takes you on a whirlwind tour of LA’s underbelly, proving that breakups can be messy, hilarious, and sometimes the start of a brand new chapter.
8. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Any film from this classic romcom series is sure to make you feel better. Whether you’re looking up a recipe for the perfect blue soup or frantically updating your wardrobe to fit the frazzled English-women aesthetic, this breakup movie proves that a little self-deprecating humour and a glass (or bottle) of wine can fix a whole lot.
9. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
If you’re in the mood to embrace heartbreak in its most breathtaking form, this French masterpiece is for you. Centred around the passionate affair between an artist and her subject, this mesmerising love story features stunning oil paintings and moody coastal landscapes that enhance its emotional depth. The film reminds us that love – even the fleeting kind – leaves a mark.
10. Mulholland Drive (2001)
Need something cerebral? Or just something confusing to stare at for two and a half hours to fully escape reality? Mulholland Drive is your answer. David Lynch weaves a twisted tale of identity, dreams, and the dark side of Hollywood, featuring a captivating performance by Naomi Watts as an amnesiac woman trying to piece together her past. With its lesbian-coded subtext and a narrative that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, this masterpiece will make your breakup feel significantly less complicated in comparison.