Top 10 Movies That Will Make You Appreciate Being Single

They say you never really know someone until you live with them, and this 2006 rom-com proves that. Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston play Gary and Brooke, a Chicago couple who decide to end their long term relationship. But they can’t just go their separate ways. The split is complicated by the fact that they own a condo together. Since both of them refuse to leave, they end up living as roommates while dealing with the fallout from their uncoupling. Unlike most romantic comedies, “The Break-Up” isn’t all laughs. It’s an authentic and surprisingly gutting portrayal of adulthood. Sometimes, love simply can’t conquer all.

Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling tug on audiences’ heartstrings with their honest portrayal of a marriage’s demise. When protagonists Dean and Cindy meet, they aren’t exactly a match made in heaven. Yet soon enough, a relationship blossoms. But things are complicated by the fact that she’s pregnant - likely with her ex-boyfriend Bobby’s child. Still, they decide to get married and raise the baby together. Sadly, Cindy and Dean eventually fall into the trappings of life. During a getaway, they find themselves at a crossroads, and have to decide whether or not to continue their marriage. Featuring improvised dialogue by Williams and Gosling, “Blue Valentine” depicts a relationship that’s hanging on by a thread with eerie accuracy.

After the death of her family, psych student Dani’s grief is made worse by her emotionally unsupportive boyfriend, Christian. When she joins him and a group of friends on a trip to Sweden for a unique midsummer festival, things take a dark turn. Brace yourself, because it turns out the commune is actually a cult. Starring Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor, this 2019 film is full of shock and gore. Its writer and director, budding horror legend Ari Aster, aptly describes the picture as “a breakup movie dressed in the clothes of a folk horror film”. With its jaw dropping ending, “Midsommar” is enough to make anyone want to say goodbye to dating for good.

Directed by Forest Whitaker, this star studded drama fearlessly exposes the painful side of love. Based on author Terry McMillan’s book, “Exhale'' follows the lives of four friends who are navigating love, family and careers. Featuring Angela Bassett and Whitney Houston, the movie features one of the most iconic revenge scenes of all time. You know, the one where Bernadine sets fire to her cheating spouse’s clothes? This film proves that a soulmate doesn't have to come in the form of a romantic partner. Sometimes, it can appear in the shape of a true friend.

It’s no secret that divorce can be ugly, but the separation in this film is a whole other beast. Oliver and Barbara are dueling spouses played by Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. Their impending divorce pushes them both over the edge, as do petty and dangerous things in an attempt to make each other suffer. Fueled by hatred and contempt, there are no lengths these two won’t go to in order to win. In Germany, the film’s translated title - “Der Rosenkrieg” - is even used to reference especially messy divorces! This Danny DeVito directed flick is one of the darkest comedies to date. According to “The War of the Roses,” marriage isn’t just a union, it’s a battleground.

Part romance, part sci-fi tale, this film is a breathtaking hybrid of genres that engulfs audiences in the story of Joel and Clementine. After a difficult break-up, they both decide to use a technology that will wipe their memories of each other. Boasting an impressive cast including Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst and Mark Ruffalo, “Eternal Sunshine” examines love in a dizzying and bittersweet manner. What’s more, it asks viewers to reflect on the impact of memory on our experiences. In other words, it’s pretty deep. It’s easy to see why the movie won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2005!

Inspired by writer and director Noah Baumbach’s own experiences with divorce, “Marriage Story” is a drama of the heaviest kind. It depicts the unraveling of a marriage between an actress, played by Scarlett Johansson, and a theater director, played by Adam Driver. It’s a profound look at the emotionally and legally taxing process of separation that will grip you from start to finish. The movie features some of Driver and Johansson’s best work to date, and sticks with you long after the credits roll. Racking up a hefty share of Oscar nominations in 2020, it’s a love letter to the end of love.

One of the most terrifying characters to emerge from the big screen in the 2010s, Amy Dunne sent chills down audiences’ spines in 2014. Based on the Gillian Flynn novel of the same name, the movie follows the media frenzy surrounding Amy’s mysterious disappearance. Naturally, her husband Nick’s apathetic behavior makes him the main suspect, and assumed killer. This David Fincher thriller is packed with twists, turns, and startling revelations. Plus, Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck deliver performances to remember. In short, “Gone Girl” is a dark and weighted tale that gives a new - and menacing - meaning to “Till Death Do Us Part”.

Jordan Peele elevated the horror genre with this 2017 film that captivated moviegoers. When Chris Washington, a Black man, meets his girlfriend Rose’s parents, he gets way more than he bargained for. From the get-go, he senses that something is off with this white family. His fears are confirmed when it’s revealed that they experiment on Black people. Their sick and twisted method of choice: brain transplant. And his so-called girlfriend is in on it. Thus, Chris becomes embroiled in a terrifying fight for his life. Rose Armitage is certainly one of the worst girlfriends in the history of the silver screen, and could make even the most hopeless romantic think twice about getting into a relationship.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Ex Machina” (2014)
When a Programmer Gets the Opportunity to Communicate with a Female AI, Things Go Awry

“The Last Five Years” (2014)
A Musical About a Marriage Told Through Opposing POVs

“Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (2008)
A Man’s Vacation Takes a Turn When He Finds His Ex & Her New Boyfriend Staying at the Same Resort

“The Color Purple” (1985)
Celie’s Life Gets Better Once She Leaves Her Cruel Husband

“The Shining” (1980)
A Hotel Caretaker Job Pushes Husband & Father Jack off the Deep End

This fling can only be described as an affair to remember. When Alex has a brief affair with a married lawyer named Dan, things take a sinister turn as she begins to stalk him. Michael Douglas and Glenn Close star as the toxic pair, and flawlessly bring one of darkest thrillers of the 80s to life. Interestingly, the film has been extensively analyzed and criticized since its premiere, namely due to its portrayals of Alex, feminism and mental health. But no matter how you look at it, “Fatal Attraction” is a cautionary tale that proves relationships aren’t for the faint of heart.