How movies help you appreciate life is more than a catchy idea—it’s a gentle, science-backed invitation to notice the glow in your everyday moments.
Film critic Roger Ebert famously said, “the movies are like a machine that generates empathy.” I love that. When a story ushers us into someone else’s shoes, we step back into our own life with softer eyes and deeper gratitude. Researchers call this narrative transportation—a kind of immersive attention that can shift feelings and beliefs long after the credits roll (peer-reviewed study; overview in current scholarship). And empathy’s ripple effects are well documented by the Greater Good Science Center.
The Empathy Machine: how movies help you appreciate life
When we connect with a character’s longing, courage, or joy, our own world feels bigger. Ebert’s “empathy machine” captures this beautifully (source). Psychology writers also note how seeing ourselves represented on screen can increase belonging and reduce prejudice, which in turn supports wellbeing (Psychology Today).
There’s more: watching a good film can improve mood, reduce stress, and even motivate prosocial behavior (PsychCentral overview). The American Psychological Association has also highlighted how psychologists work with filmmakers to portray mental health more accurately—another way movies can fine-tune our understanding of real life.
Stories that stick (and shift us)
Narrative transportation isn’t just “getting lost” in a plot; it’s a measurable, immersive state linked to emotion and action (Wang et al., 2021). That’s one reason a film moment can echo during a walk, a conversation, or a quiet kitchen cleanup later on. We feel what characters feel, then we notice similar textures in our day—and appreciate them.
When on-screen bonds lift real-world care
Our one-way bonds with characters—called parasocial relationships—can be surprisingly nourishing, especially when they model resilience and kindness (explainer). While parasocial ties aren’t a replacement for real friendships, they can nudge empathy and reflection that carry into our relationships.
A personal note from the tall grass
I had this thought today as I was walking through the tall grass and appreciating the sun shining on it and the feel in my hand. This reminded me of the movie The Gladiator, where Maximus is doing the same thing in his wheat field. That simple sensory moment—sun on my skin, fingers brushing seedheads—felt like a split-screen with Maximus’s memory. The movie didn’t replace reality; it tuned me to it. Because I’d felt that scene before, I noticed this scene more vividly. That’s how movies help you appreciate life: they seed our senses with meaning so that everyday light looks a little more golden.
Try this “after-credits ritual”
- Name the note: Pick one feeling the film stirred—tenderness, courage, relief.
- Spot the echo: Within 24 hours, look for a real-life moment carrying the same note—on a walk, in a hug, while washing dishes.
- Say it out loud: “I’m noticing it.” That tiny acknowledgment cements memory and gratitude.
Want to go deeper? Explore empathy resources from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good, Ebert’s original “empathy machine” reflection (here), and an APA perspective on media and mental health (here). When you weave film moments into daily life, ordinary minutes pick up a cinematic shimmer—and gratitude becomes a habit.
Selected sources: Ebert on empathy; narrative transportation study; transportation theory overview; films and empathy; benefits of watching movies; parasocial relationships; APA on portrayals.
