This year's election season has been particularly brutal. For one, the coverage has been non-stop for what seems like a decade. The process has been more insane than ever before, people are more riled up and hateful than at any time I can recall, and the whole thing just seems like a never-ending nightmare. Thankfully, the end is coming in two weeks (that is, if Donald Trump accepts the results and doesn't call for an uprising), but if even that feels like too long of a wait, there's lots to watch on Netflix when the election is too much for you.
And that's the whole point of Netflix, right? To provide a distraction when life gets you down? OK, maybe that's not its main purpose, but it still works quite well in that function. There are literally thousands of titles on the streaming service, so figuring out what to watch can sometimes be a daunting task. So as my good deed for the day, I've culled through their library and found 19 movies and TV shows that work fantastically as a distraction — especially when it comes to helping you forget about the 2016 election. So check out all these things you can watch on Netflix that will help you forget there's an election going on.
1. Zootopia
Leave it to a Disney cartoon to remind America about the importance of racial tolerance in 2016.
2. Parks & Recreation
Government can actually be fun, see?
3. Gilmore Girls
Now's the perfect time to take in a refresher on this classic before the new episodes drop on Black Friday.
4. The Princess Bride
Pure fun and silliness for when you're feeling blue.
5. The Twilight Zone
Try and determine if you're actually living in the Twilight Zone by taking in some episodes of this all-time great.
6. Titanic
This movie is so long, that by the time you finish watching it the election will be over!
7. The Seventies
This documentary series serves as a nice reminder that the country has been through worse.
8. Mean Girls
It doesn't have to be Wednesday and you don't have to wear pink to enjoy this comedy.
9. Forrest Gump
Learn about American history in an uplifting way and actually feel good about life.
10. 72 Cutest Animals
There is no better cure for when you're feeling down than looking at cute animals. It's science.
11. Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson's brand of quirky humor is sure to brighten your spirits.
12. Stranger Things
In case you haven't seen this yet, watch it and you won't be able to think about anything else.
13. E.T.
You will believe in magic and the power of friendship by the time this acclaimed movie is over.
14. Lost
There's no better show to get completely lost in, no pun intended.
15. Cosmos
This should serve as a nice reminder that you're nothing more than an insignificant speck and nothing matters.
16. The Little Prince
A heartfelt story about the importance of hanging on to your childhood.
17. Friends
The '90s were a simpler time, so relive it with this timeless classic.
18. The Truman Show
Ever think your whole life is one big reality show? You may be onto something.
19. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
This is mainly a contingency plan in case you need to look for another country to live in.
All of these movies and television shows provide the perfect distraction to this crazy election season, so stop screaming and start streaming.
