LoFi Movies: 8 Cinematic Equivalents To LoFi Background Music

Whether it be the end of a long day and you need something to help calm you down, or you have a lot of work to do and you’d like something playing in the background, pretty much everyone has listened to a LoFi Music playlist nowadays. Can you blame them? Just listening to them has the power to clinically stop all anxiety (well, that and ice cream).

With how much LoFi Music has become a part of our culture nowadays, it got us thinking: what movies can have the same effect? It’s nothing new that movies can be put on as background noise or to help people sleep, but thinking about which ones could be classified as “LoFi Movies” is a question we can’t help but ponder. Now, of course, all taste is subjective, and as such, there are going to be some people that find serenity in any type movie. Our focus for this list is movies that can be generally agreed upon for the playlist of LoFi Movies, so apologies to anyone who might be watching Longlegs before bedtime. So, let’s grab a nice pillow, turn on the kettle for tea, and begin!

1. C’mon C’mon (2021)

Starting off the list is this underrated gem via Mike Mills starring Joaquin Phoenix as an uncle who is asked to take care of his monkey of a nephew when his sister needs to go help his father with some complicated issues. What arises is an incredibly mature film that talks about sensitive subject matters in gentle ways, all the while portraying deeply human relationships and how they can so often transfer into the world around us. So, do yourselves a favor and come put on C’Mon C’Mon to set off a night of chill vibes. (Stream on Prime Video)

2. When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

If any of you out there are smart, you’ve probably already seen this rom-com classic a million times to where you could quotes lines quite literally in your sleep. For those of you out there who have yet to experience the pure comfort food that is When Harry Met Sally..., well, you shouldn’t leave it laying about. This movie will make you believe in love, all the while making you laugh and just setting the mood with a movie about the mundane that is anything but. Plus, this movie takes you through all seasons in the most peaceful way so, like, ain’t that nice? (Available on VOD/Digital)

3. WALL·E (2008)

Hey Siri, define "dancing"... Do I really need to say more than that? Well, I probably will, because that’s just how it is with any Pixar movie. In this case, WALL·E has a first half that is mostly music and visual storytelling, and with how beautifully it’s done, you end up as mesmerized as you are at peace. Then, once the second act kicks into gear with a few more talking humanoids and a lot more at stake, director Andrew Stanton still knows how to focus on the little moments that make life worth living. Okay, after I go get another box of tissues, I should put this on so that I can feel at ease learning about love from two robots... (Stream on Disney+)

4. La La Land (2016)

We seem to be on a bit of a romance kick, so let’s keep it going with another day of sun and, likely, another box of tissues. La La Land. You know it. You probably love it, and if you don’t, then, well, good for you, you can skip this one. To everyone else, you already know the lines and the beats to every song and dance. Even when the sun is down on our favorite lovebirds, you can still savor in the gorgeous cinematography and jazzy sounds to keep your mind at bay. Here’s to a city of stars to anyone winding down to Damien Chazelle’s classic from 2016. (Stream on Hulu)

5. Any "Peanuts"/Charlie Brown Special

Okay, I might be cheating by how broad this one goes, but who cares? For every season of the year, scientists have proven that there’s a "Peanuts" special featuring Charlie Brown and the gang to cheer you up. Just about everyone has a character that speaks to them in the "Peanuts" lineup, so they can act as your guiding conscience through each special while you chat and hang out with your family and friends. Above all else, the music that Vince Guaraldi so wonderfully composed is guaranteed to lower your heartrate to some classic jazz and blues you might be humming without even trying. In the spirit of the Great Pumpkin Waltz, let’s stroll along to the next pick... (Stream on Apple TV+)

6. Blade Runner (1982)

If the last one captured the breeze of an Autumn sunset for your LoFi vibes, Blade Runner takes us to a rainy round of tranquility. Thematically darker, that’s for sure, though, there is an odd calmness to this dystopian depiction of Los Angeles that could be the perfect background partner to any sci-fi nerd’s night of writing. Outside of that demographic, it’s a classic regardless of the cult following that has Harrison Ford and Ridley Scott tackle existential themes of life, death, and what it means to be either. To me, that just sounds like Tuesday. Anyways, Blade Runner is a great movie that can bring you peace to the sounds of tears in rain and a whole lot more. (Available on VOD/Digital)

7. The Princess Bride (1987)

Alas, Rob Reiner, you have struck this list again! I mean, it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise when you make classics in the '80s and '90s for breakfast. In this case, you have The Princess Bride, which contains so many of the qualities you love from When Harry Met Sally... set against the backdrops of a fantastical fairy tale. Plus, the movie is quite literally a grandfather telling a story to his sick grandson to help soothe him on his sick day. What more could you want? Well, a battle of wits and a miracle-worker for one thing. If that’s the type of casual movie night vibes you’re looking for, then The Princess Bride has something to say to you… As you wish! (Stream on Disney+ and AMC+)

8. Spirited Away (2001)

Lastly and absolutely not leastly is a Hayo Miyazaki masterpiece… okay, that doesn’t really narrow it down. Truth be told, picking just one film from Studio Ghibli for this list was a challenging task, since so many of them have the power to caress your mind while you have a study session. What made me choose Spirited Away comes down to the same inspiration for this topic in the first place: the music. The score from Joe Hisaishi is a treat everyone should experience as it encompasses so much of life in an auditory space. It’s… breathtaking. If that sounds appealing to you, then I suppose it’s time to put on Spirited Away and don’t feel guilty if you drift off to sleep while watching — it just means that you get to watch it all again when you wake up! (Stream on Max)

With all that accounted for, feel free to leave us any suggestions for this new subgenre of LoFi Movies. In the meantime, I’m gonna take a nap!