The Best Study Break Movies on Netflix for Every Assignment

By Ian Donnelly

No matter what your coursework is, every student who hits the books for hours on end knows that study breaks are just as important as studying itself. According to a 2008 University of Illinois study, the brain’s attentional resources drop after a prolonged period of focusing on a single task, which effects your ability to perform tasks fully, retain information, and stay engaged.

But like everything in life, it’s all about moderation. There’s no harm in clicking over to Facebook, scrolling through Instagram, or putting on a movie to give your brain a rest—as long as you don’t go down a rabbit hole of procrastination. If you’re looking for some quality R&R screen time that won’t completely pull you out of study mode, here’s some of the best movies on Netflix to help you unwind and clear your mind for the next round of studying.

If You’re Reviewing for Your Art History Exam:

Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

Nothing like a modern, outsider street artist to shake you out of a classical-survey funk. Known mostly as “the Banksy Movie,” Exit Through the Gift Shop is far from just a biography about the most (in)famous artist of the last decade. The documentary narrative takes a U-turn in the middle of the story as Banksy flips the camera back on the filmmaker, Thierry Guetta aka “Mister Brainwash,” to capture the birth of an artist, and explore what happens to inspiration in the tangled web of money, fame, and egotism that is the modern art world. It’s a gripping Oscar-nominated documentary that deals with problems as old as art itself, and a great way to unwind for a bit while you’re memorizing Renaissance painters and their portraits.

If You’re studying for Your Economic Final:

The Big Short (2015)

The Big Short retells the months leading up to the 2007 financial crisis, but it’s not just an apocalyptic cautionary tale of Wall Street evils. The movie is a fun and interesting watch, with characters you love to hate and vice versa, and does a good job of embodying how unbelievable and bewildering the Great Recession was. Watching the never-quite-moral heroes discover what’s coming for the Stock Market adds a style and intrigue to economics that, unfortunately for Econ buffs, is severely lacking these days. For anyone struggling to get through some cut and dry macro/micro theory, The Big Short could reenergize your spirit – even if it does change the way you look at Wall Street.

If You’re Cramming for Your Biology Test:

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

This witty, quirky Dark Comedy about a once-famous oceanographer and explorer is a movie that everyone can enjoy. Steve Zissou, played by everyone’s favorite party guest Billy Murray, has a nonchalant and subdued state of being towards the insanity that his life has become – a feeling that any overwhelmed and sleep-deprived college student can relate to at some point or another. The story is Wes Anderson at his finest, but you don’t have to be a film aficionado to appreciate the filmmaker’s breakout movie. At its core, the Life Aquatic is about the wonder of the ocean, and perfectly reimagines that childhood fascination that every Bio major shares on the big screen.

If You’re Poring Over Notes for Your Criminal Justice Midterm:

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Edgar Wright’s comedic homage to the good cop/bad cop motif is a well-loved cult classic, and for good reason. Hot Fuzz covers a wide range of genre-spoofing: it’s a blockbuster action flick, a murder mystery, an underdog fight against police corruption, and a hilarious buddy-cop story all rolled into one. For anyone who grew up on action movies, detective stories, or Law & Order episodes, all the references and self-aware clichés are lovably funny. And even if you aren’t familiar with the old genres, the dynamic co-starring duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost make the movie a fun and exciting trip. Even the good guys need to unwind every now and then, and Hot Fuzz delivers.

If You’re Trying to Get Through Your U.S. History Reading Assignments:

Forrest Gump (1994)

There’s no better way to survey American history than through the eyes of Tom Hank’s most lovable, wholesome character. Forest Gump masterfully juggles humor and a heartwarming story, weaving it all into the defining moments of the 1960s and 70s with a main character that is charmingly oblivious to the history made around him. He inspires Elvis with his dance moves, earns the Medal of Honor, and accidentally reveals the Watergate scandal, but these milestones are all just obstacles on Forest Gump’s quest to be with the love of his life, Jenny. The movie is as much a period piece as it is a feel-good comedy classic, and it sheds a light on the everyday concerns of people of the past—a refreshing idea for anyone reviewing the defining events, leaders and thinkers of history.

If You’re Going Over Your Psychology Vocab Flashcards:

Memento (2000)

The movie that puts the “psych” in psychological thriller, Memento is a crazy ride that isn’t for the faint of heart. But if you’re a Psychology major, you’re in for a real treat. Guy Pearce plays an insurance-fraud investigator who suffers a severe head trauma, leading to an inability to retain new memories for more than a few minutes. This poses some serious problems, but on top of all that he’s frantically trying to search for his wife’s killer, making for a jarring and wild movie with twists and turns you won’t see coming. The retrace-your-steps storyline and untrustworthy characters will keep your analytic skills sharp, and the ending is worth the ride.

If You’re Writing Your Philosophy Paper:

The Matrix (1999)

The Matrix is the quintessential mind-blowing movie, with all the big existential dilemmas and abstract theories jam-packed into a sci-fi adventure. It’s touches on every theme of your Philosophy 101 syllabus, from “I think therefore I am” to concepts of fate and metaphysics, but it never skimps on the amazing visuals and special effects that make the Matrix a fun and entertaining story. It started the edgy hacker craze of modern moviemaking, raised the bar on choreographed fighting, and shot some of the most iconic, high-energy chase scenes—but time hasn’t made the Matrix any less relevant. It’s a thrilling trip that will leave you with enough awe and wonder to tackle the densest philosophical topics with fresh eyes.

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