Ever found yourself reaching for your favorite old movie or TV show despite knowing every line and plot twist? You're not alone. Rewatching old favorites is a popular activity for many, especially during the holidays, when seasonal classics like It's a Wonderful Life, Love Actually, Charlie Brown's Christmas, and Home Alone dominate our screens. But why is the experience of rewatching so rewarding and comforting? Why don't we get bored?
We rewatch shows for emotion, not plot. Rewatching is an intentional choice based on our prior knowledge and desire to recreate meaningful emotional experiences. Knowing what's coming allows us to take charge of our feelings and actively support our well-being, particularly during periods of stress like the holidays. Rewatching and repetition lower our cognitive load, too, so our brains don't need to work as hard to process the information, leaving us free to fully immerse ourselves in the experience, enjoying details we might have missed the first time, or deepening our connection to the characters, storylines, or those around us.
The familiarity also provides a sense of safety and predictability, which is especially comforting during stressful times like the holidays. Returning to something known and........