- How movies can serve as therapeutic tools
- Curious about divorce
- Mad as hell
- Eager to find love again
- Parenting, custody, kids
- Need a good laugh
- Healing and personal growth
When you're experiencing a powerful life change, like divorce, watching a movie can be a wonderful coping mechanism.
Movies about divorce embody our experiences and can validate our feelings. They can also help us feel better and help us release the emotions we've bottled up inside.
How movies can serve as therapeutic tools
Movies can provide emotional support during difficult life transitions, such as divorce. Here are some of the potential benefits of watching a movie with positive messaging around life transitions.
- Emotional expression and catharsis: Characters and storylines that mirror the viewer's own experiences allow them to process and express feelings they might struggle with in real life.
- Perspective and insight: Movies can offer new perspectives and insights into one's situation. They can help viewers see their problems from different angles and may offer solutions or coping strategies through the characters' experiences.
- Validation and connection: Seeing characters go through similar challenges can validate a viewer’s emotions and experiences, making them feel less alone.
- Distraction and relief: Movies can offer mental relief and a break from what’s on your mind.
- Inspiration and motivation: Watching characters overcome significant obstacles and find new beginnings can inspire viewers to do the same and feel more hopeful about their futures.
By facilitating emotional processing, offering new perspectives, and providing both validation and distraction, movies can be a valuable therapeutic tool during challenging times like divorce.
There are hundreds of movies about divorce. Here are a few of our favorites to watch when you need a laugh, cry, reality check, or motivation. Let us know if we forgot any!
* Disclaimer: Movies with themes containing an asterisk (*) contain sensitive themes or scenes depicting things like domestic violence and sex. They may trigger difficult emotions, so viewer discretion is advised.
Movies for when you're curious about divorce
Marriage Story
Themes/situations: High-conflict*, separation, co-parenting, mental health
This movie is a brutally honest portrayal of a crumbling marriage. It shows just how stressful the co-parenting relationship can be. Some scenes can be tough to watch, but provide a window into the divorce process (and the struggle to stay amicable).
The Story of Us
Themes/situations: Communication, reconciliation, identity, family, separation
This film is a tad drawn out, but it's a powerful story about communication, both before, during, and after marriage. It stars 90s-era Michelle Pfeiffer and Bruce Willis (Katie and Ben). As they grapple with their differences and contemplate divorce, they reflect on their shared history and the love that once brought them together.
The Road Ahead
Themes/situations: Health, separation, communication, healing
As the protagonist (Liam) is about to ask for a divorce, he receives the devastating news that his wife Mia has cancer. Hoping to repair their relationship and her health, Mia suggests they take a road trip together as a healing journey.
The War of the Roses
Themes/situations: Property division, high-conflict divorce, communication, separation
See just how ugly (but entertaining) it can get when a divorce is far from amicable. Namely, when a couple refuses to reach a settlement agreement because neither wants to leave their over-the-top mansion. It’s a great lesson in letting go of physical things that really won’t set you up for the future you want.
Have Questions About Divorce? Don't Know Where to Start?
Movies for when you're mad as hell
Waiting to Exhale
Themes/situations: Friendship, dating, sex, infidelity, co-parenting, remarriage
This movie is a must-see friendship movie about four women dealing with men who play them, betray them, and just plain don't deserve them. The scenes where Bernadine (Angela Bassett) burns her ex's precious material possessions and sells the rest for next to nothing will make you squeal with wish-I-could-do-that delight.
The First Wives Club
Themes/situations: Divorce process, infidelity, remarriage, moving on, friendship
This film is the ultimate laugh-out-loud but also validating film for any woman who's been wronged by an unfaithful or super unappreciative husband. And, oh yes, they get revenge. It's also led by an all-star cast of kick-ass women.
Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Themes/situations: Infidelity, property division, dating, family, self-discovery
This movie is a bit over the top at times (it's a Tyler Perry flick with his famous Madea character), but it's satisfying to see the jilted ex-wife get her happy ending. The film blends emotional drama with comedic moments, highlighting themes of resilience, forgiveness, and the transformative power of self-respect and inner strength.
What's Love Got to Do with It
Themes/situations: High-conflict, abuse*, redemption, show business
This movie is the story of Tina Turner and Ike Turner's cringe-worthy relationship (fortunately, ending in divorce and Tina's incredible solo success). Warning: it also depicts some of the horrific abuse Tina endured.
Movies for when you're eager to find love again
Under the Tuscan Sun
Themes/situations: Moving on, dating after divorce, sex, travel, mental health
Follow Diane Lane, who plays the protagonist, as she tours Italy and indulges in a little (okay… a lot) of post-divorce romance and reinvention. This one will lift your spirits and let you explore all the possibilities that can lie ahead.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Themes/situations: Self-discovery, rejuvenation, romance, sex, travel, aging
This romantic drama follows the story of Stella Payne, a successful 40-year-old stockbroker who is burned out and seeking a change. She takes a vacation to Jamaica on the advice of her best friend, Delilah. There, Stella meets Winston, a handsome local who is 20 years younger, and they have a passionate romance. The relationship challenges Stella to confront her fears about age, societal expectations, and what she truly wants in life.
Definitely, Maybe
Themes/situations: Fatherhood, dating, self-discovery, break-ups
Ryan Reynolds plays a political consultant in the midst of a divorce. His 10-year-old daughter asks him to tell the story of how he met her mother. Through a series of flashbacks, Will recounts his romantic history with three significant women in his life: his college sweetheart Emily, his best friend and confidante April, and his journalist colleague Summer. As Will narrates his story, he changes the names and details, making Maya guess which of the women is her mother.
Enough Said
Themes/situations: Trust, mid-life, dating, communication, modern love
This romantic comedy-drama that follows the story of Eva, a divorced masseuse, who begins dating Albert, a sweet and funny man also dealing with a recent divorce. As their relationship deepens, Eva unknowingly befriends Albert's ex-wife. Torn between the positive aspects of her new relationship and the negative stories from his ex, Eva's insecurities and doubts begin to surface.
Movies focused on parenting and custody
Mrs. Doubtfire
Themes/situations: Parenting, custody, mental health, personal growth
This is a dramedy starring Robin Williams. He plays a divorced dad who loses custody of his kids (with ex-wife played by Sally Field) due to his inability to adult functionally. Since he's an actor, he disguises himself as an elderly female housekeeper and is hired by his ex. His act teaches him how to be the kind of father his children need.
Kramer vs. Kramer
Themes/situations: Custody*, parenting, career, personal growth
"Kramer vs. Kramer" is an award-winning legal drama that explores the emotional and legal complexities of divorce and child custody. The story follows Ted, a workaholic advertising executive, whose life is turned upside down when his wife, Joanna, unexpectedly leaves him and their young son. Suddenly thrust into the role of a single parent, Ted struggles to balance his demanding career with parenting. Just as they begin to settle into their new life, Joanna returns, seeking custody of Billy, leading to a bitter and emotionally charged court battle.
Hope Floats
Themes/situations: Parenting, custody, infidelity, moving on, dating
This is a romantic film starring Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick, Jr., but there are a few scenes that really hit. If your ex fails at co-parenting, those moments will require lots of tissues.
Stepmom
Themes/situations: Parenting, remarriage, stepparenting, health, friendship
This movie unfolds around a classic storyline: a husband (Ed Harris) leaves his devoted wife (Susan Sarandon) for a much younger woman (Julia Roberts). But there's a lot of depth and interweaving tragedies and triumphs in this movie.
The Squid and the Whale
Themes/situations: High-conflict, custody, parenting, identity, adolescence, family
Set in 1980s Brooklyn, this drama-comedy delves into the dynamics of a family going through a divorce. The story revolves around Bernard, a pretentious and self-absorbed writer, and his wife, Joan, a talented but underappreciated author. As their marriage falls apart, the film explores how their separation impacts their two sons.
Movies for when you need a laugh
Troop Beverly Hills
Themes/situations: Separation, parenting, personal growth, infidelity, friendship, wealth
This movie is a campy 80s flick starring Shelly Duvall, who becomes a wilderness girls troop leader to prove to her soon-to-be-ex-spouse that she can stick to something (but more than that, be a devoted mother). There's a bit of a Real Housewives vibe.
Death Becomes Her
Themes/situations: Vanity, aging, wealth, friendship, remarriage, fame
This movie shows just how nasty things can get when the desire for revenge and vanity takes over. The dueling ladies are played by Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep, with their antihero ex-fiancé, miserable husband Bruce Willis caught in their crossfire.
The Other Woman
Themes/situations: Deception, infidelity, separation, friendship, personal growth
Carly, a successful lawyer, discovers that her boyfriend, Mark, is married. Devastated and seeking closure, Carly confronts Mark's wife, Kate, and the two women form an unlikely friendship. They uncover yet another mistress, Amber, and form an alliance to plot revenge against Mark.
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Themes/situations: Separation, infidelity, dating after divorce, sex, co-parenting
This movie, while mostly a comedy, also gets deep into the "should I stay or should I go" dilemma. It stars Julianne Moore and Steve Carrell as a separated couple whose daughter (Emma Stone) is dealing with her own complicated love affair (with Ryan Gosling).
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Movies about healing and exploration after divorce
Eat Pray Love
Themes/situations: Travel, food/wine, personal growth, dating
This movie lets you live vicariously through Julia Roberts's character as she chooses herself, good pizza, and travels over marriage.
Joy
Themes/situations: Personal growth, entrepreneurship, creativity, courage
This movie is about struggling to make ends meet and is based on a true story. Jennifer Lawrence plays the lead, Joy Mangano, who makes a fortune with her Home Shopping Network-promoted inventions.
Wild
Themes/situations: Survival, courage, personal growth, travel, health, friendship
If you wish you could just get away from it all and have an adventure, Wild is a must-watch. It stars Reese Witherspoon and captures the real-life tale of writer Cheryl Strayed, who hikes the entire Pacific Crest Trail solo after the end of her marriage.
It's Complicated
Themes/situations: Reconciliation, dating, aging, remarriage, infidelity
This movie is a comedy starring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. It shows you what happens when boundaries get blurry and couples struggle to move on. "It's Complicated" is a lighthearted take on the messy and often unpredictable nature of love and relationships.
Ticket to Paradise
Themes/situations: Marriage, parenting, reconciliation, personal growth, travel, family
Divorced exes (George Clooney and Julia Roberts) reunite on a mission to stop their daughter from what they assume is a doomed marriage, as she plans to marry a man she met only a few months ago while on vacation in Bali.
