Opinion: Your Finals Week Should Include a Movie Night

By: Betsy Peters '27

Movies and television at Cate are a dying breed. Any student who isn’t torn between homework, meetings, and athletics is most likely just trying to catch their breath. So, the idea of sitting down for two plus hours to enjoy mindless entertainment? Practically unimaginable. Now, I think that the Cate student's aversion to television is valid… but it might be time for a change. Start with something slow: take fifteen extra minutes to wind down with a sitcom, or maybe reserve your Saturday night for a movie that’s been on your mind. After all, it’s okay to take breaks that are strictly meant to appease your momentary desires. Not every minute needs to be productive to be worthwhile. Let yourself step away, breathe, and just enjoy. So, allow yourself time to turn off your brain. Here are a few recommendations to get you started:

The Good Place:

A delightful blend of witty humor and sharp plot twists, The Good Place is an easy show to fall in love with. Thrown into the perspective of the recently deceased Eleanor Shellstrop, we watch as she meets her fate in the afterlife. Luckily for her, she has been chosen to proceed to the idyllic heaven-like setting known as “The Good Place,” only… they’ve got the wrong girl. Eleanor quickly realizes that she is living in the paradise of somebody else entirely, somebody who is likely suffering the fate that Eleanor has narrowly escaped in the elusive “Bad Place.” The morally commendable thing to do would be to turn herself in, but Eleanor’s morals have never been that strong. Now, Eleanor must make the charade continue for as long as possible. Each twenty-minute episode will leave you laughing out loud, scratching your head, or maybe even with a tear in your eye. 

10 Things I Hate About You:

An undeniable, unforgettable classic. Released in 1999, this movie squishes all the best parts of a 2000s romantic comedy into a package, adds the perfect sprinkle of originality, and ties it with a lovely, charming bow. This movie transports you to a San Francisco high school filled with love, drama, and… unexpected bets? Cameron James, the sweet and awkward new kid, is absolutely smitten with the most popular girl in school, Bianca Stratford. However, he quickly realizes that his own greatest enemy is none other than Bianca’s older sister and polar opposite, Kat. Kat is, well, a bit of a social pariah. Unapproachable, opinionated, and absolutely opposed to dating. The last fact remains relevant to Cameron since, as it turns out, Bianca is only allowed to date so long as Kat is dating someone, too. So, Cameron’s dreams are essentially dead…or are they? On a limb, Cameron reaches out to a friend, Patrick, for help. The deal? Patrick sweeps Kat off her feet long enough for Cameron to make his move on Bianca, and he receives heavy monetary compensation. Sounds easy enough… right? Well, turns out seducing the most antagonistic girl in school is harder than it looks. But, Patrick begins to find out it may be for an entirely different reason than he first anticipated…

Ted Lasso:

Truly a show of pure joy and hope. Nothing will fill you with more serotonin than the opening chords of the classic Ted Lasso soundtrack, and no other show will make forty minutes pass so quickly. Following the infamously charitable Ted Lasso as he embarks on a journey to London, we watch him begin his new job as coach of the Premier League soccer team AMC Richmond. Pure-hearted almost to a fault, he is met with a less-than-welcoming team of players, full of hostility, cliques, and a deep-rooted belief that the team is destined to fail. On top of that, Ted’s own boss has her own agenda. Her only hope of getting back at her cheating ex-husband is to sabotage his favorite team… AMC Richmond. Despite it all, Ted holds his head high, keeps his ideals strong, and shares a few things with the people around him. As you watch Ted teach some valuable lessons, maybe it’ll even teach you something, too.

While I only dove deep into the weeds of three of my personal favorites, the list goes on. More so, everybody’s “comfort film” will look different. So, go explore! I’ve added a few more of my comfort watches to the bottom. Please, do yourself a favor and look into a couple! As the looming cloud of finals approaches… Find yourself an umbrella. Watch a movie (or a show). You’ve earned it.

For When You Want to Feel Something

• Forrest Gump – A sweeping emotional journey through decades of love, loss, and hope.

• Pride and Prejudice – Quiet intensity, timeless romance, and all the tension of unspoken feelings.

For Some Classic Comfort

• The Sound of Music – Uplifting, musical, and full of heart. A go-to when you want something familiar and kind.

• The Princess Bride – Lighthearted, witty, and endlessly quotable. Comfort food in movie form.

For an Easy Escape

• Seinfeld – Dry humor and sharp writing make it perfect background (or foreground) entertainment.

• Barbie Spy School – Playful and over-the-top. Fun for when you just want something light and ridiculous.

For a Boost of Energy

• Top Gun: Maverick – High-paced, slick, and surprisingly emotional. Great for when you need a little spark.