Why We Rewatch the Same Shows Again and Again

The psychology of comfort viewing—and why familiar stories can reduce stress, ease loneliness, and make us feel more connected

For the last 15 years, I’ve traveled pretty regularly giving keynote talks; perhaps some of you are reading this newsletter precisely because you’ve heard one of those talks!

I love talking about psychology - especially when it doesn’t involve grading - but I don’t actually love traveling. I worry about experiencing flight delays, packing the right clothes for a given climate, and finding good food near my hotel.

But one of my go-to travel routines that helps reduce travel-related stress is turning on Friends immediately when I walk into a hotel room. I listen to whatever episode is on when I’m unpacking and I watch whatever episode is on as I’m going to bed.

At this point I’ve clearly watched all episodes more than once (or twice, or three times), so I’m clearly not watching to find out what happens. (Will Ross and Rachel finally get together?!?) Instead, this routine is comforting precisely because I do know what happens - and that familiarity makes travel feel easier.

The comfort I find in my admittedly-quirky travel routine is actually well-supported by empirical research.

Researchers in one study asked people how likely they were to engage in various activities when they were feeling lonely. They included a range of different options, such as cleaning the house, playing video games, going for a walk, and eating.

But the two most popular activities were watching a favorite TV show and listening to favorite music - and these specific activities were far more popular than simply watching television or listening to the radio.

Most importantly, people who watched a favorite television program reported feeling less lonely, suggesting that this strategy is in fact effective.

Why does watching a familiar program feel so good? Research points to a number of explanations:

• watching favorite television shows or movies is predictable, helping people feel engaged yet calm.

• seeing well-liked characters increases feelings of connection and belonging (even when such parasocial bonds are of course one-sided)

• viewing familiar stories creates nostalgia, which in turn reminds people of past experiences in their own lives

All of these benefits may be particularly valuable during times of stress, which helps explain why preferences for watching familiar shows skyrocketed during the COVID pandemic.

“When life is full of change, chaos, or drama,” notes psychologist Aimee Daramus, “rewatching an old favorite TV show can feel like getting together with old friends.”

These findings explain why little kids so often want to hear the exact same books read every night before bed, and reinforce my desire to stick with my comforting solo travel routine. They are also a good reminder to us all that small strategies for boosting well-being can have big effects.

Now I have a simple question for you. Is there a show, movie, book, or album you return to again and again? I’d love to hear what it is and why it still works its magic. Please share in the comments.

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