Yes, you read it right.
Movies can turn out to be great teachers. But most of us have been told not to watch movies in childhood ( I was one of them).
This has made movies look like something terrible. But you will be amazed to know there are some excellent benefits of watching films. From broadening your knowledge to developing your mindset, movies can play a crucial role in your growth and success.
Isn’t that exciting? In the following sections, I have listed some of the most significant benefits of watching movies that will blow your mind.
1. Movies Expand Your Imagination
One of the best benefits of watching movies is that they improve your imaginative powers and help you think outside the box. You may get a breathtaking idea from a film that can make your next project (or whatever you do) stand out from the crowd.
For example, science Fiction movies are based on future technology like artificial intelligence, flying cars, etc. They help you understand how the future is going to be and prepare you for the coming times. Fantasy movies like Alice in Wonderland and Pirates of the Caribbean broaden your minds and increase your creativity.
Cinema is a world of imagination.
-Marjane Satrapi
2. Make you a Better Person
Good movies teach valuable lessons and inspire you to be a person of integrity.
Most films consist of good characters (like Harry Potter) who fight against villains (like Voldemort) for the betterment of humanity. And almost every time, goodness wins over evils. No matter how powerful the evil is or how dangerous it grew, they always lose in the end.
This teaches the difference between right and wrong, why we should be honest and kind, why we should help others, and overall, why we should be good people. In this sense, movies play a crucial role in developing our character and making us decent human beings.
3. Escape from Reality
Sometimes the reality can be painful. Maybe you got yelled at by your boss, received too many bad reviews from your clients, your spouse is dissatisfied with your relationship, or you got too few likes on your hot Insta post.
These situations can suck the life out of you. At this time, you need an escape through which you forget all your problems. And what better escape there is than watching movies?
Movies take you to a whole different world like Hogwarts and Pandora, where you live a new life, face challenges, fight with all your might and grow powerful (in imagination). And when you return from this imaginary world to reality, you find yourself equipped with the mental strength to overcome all the pressing problems.
Cinema is the most beautiful fraud in the world.
-Jean-Luc Godard
4. Strengthen Mental Health
You return home after a busy day, stressed from work and anxious about tomorrow. After dinner, you watch an entertaining movie and suddenly realize you are feeling fresh and stress-free. We all have experienced this somewhere or other. Movies prove to be a great stress buster.
And this is not just a random event. Science also supports the fact. There is a process called Cinema Therapy that uses movies and videos as therapeutic tools. Cinema Therapy is used to heal people suffering from mental problems like depression and anxiety.
But how is it possible? When you get stressed, your body releases hormones such as Cortisol and Epinephrine. These can cause problems like anxiety, depression, and heart diseases. But when you watch a comedy or entertaining movie, the stress hormones reduce and help you relieve stress.
This proves movies can be a lifesaver for those suffering from mental issues.
5. Improve Social Relationships
Recently, I went to see Doctor Strange in the theatre with a friend because we were getting bored in the hostel (just eating and sleeping every day). I couldn’t believe how this simple activity strengthened our friendship. We started talking about marvel movies, favorite superheroes, upcoming movies, other hobbies, etc.
Whether with friends, girlfriend, boyfriend, family, or strangers, watching movies is one of the best ways to spend quality time. Moreover, you can make new friends if they share the same interest in the world of cinema. Isn’t it amazing? You get better at social relations by just watching movies.
The best reason to go to the movies is to be with other people. Eating the popcorn, being with other people you don’t know.
-Peter Weller
6. Help You Face Difficult Situations
There are movies like Pursuit of Happiness, The Martian, Life of Pi, Forrest Gump, etc., where the lead characters find themselves in challenging situations. They don’t give up but keep finding better solutions to achieve their goal. Sometimes they laugh at themselves; other times, they work with determination and hard work.
These masterpieces teach you how you can do the same. I consider this one of the best benefits of watching movies. They help you develop a problem-solving attitude, be goal-oriented, and work hard until you have achieved your mission.
They inspire you to stay strong even when everything seems to fall apart. Don’t believe me? Go watch The Dark Knight Rises and thank me later.
Cinema is a worldwide phenomenon.
-Wim Wenders
7. Source of Enjoyment
When we hear the term Cinema, the first thing that comes to mind is entertainment. And this is the reason why most of us love movies, they are fun to watch.
They make you laugh with hilarious jokes, thrill you with incredible stories, surprise you with unexpected plot twists, and force you to whistle and scream enthusiastically when a superhero makes an explosive entry. The entry of Thor is Avengers Infinity War, anyone?
Besides being a great source of enjoyment, movies help you relax your body, mind, and soul. Here are some examples- Chef (2014), Before Sunset (2004), Paddington (2014), Magic Mike XXL (2015), Mr. Bean movies, etc.
When a movie character is really working, we become that character. That’s what the movies offer: Escapism into lives other than our own.
-Roger Ebert
Related: The Ultimate List of the Best Sci-Fi Movies
Final Words
These are some of the fantastic benefits of watching movies. I hope you are now convinced that, apart from entertainment, cinemas are great mediums that teach, inspire, and motivate you.
Now, be aware that watching too many movies is not good. Procrastinating over your work and spending time on Netflix (although tempting) is not at all advised. So, make a habit of watching one or two movies a week, and you will realize the above benefits yourself.
That’s all. Thanks for reading.