WATCH | Watching meaningful movies can 'help people cope with difficulties in their own lives'

Certain films can help people prepare for challenges that life throws at them, researchers from Ohio State University discovered.

The researchers created two lists of 20 Hollywood films: meaningful films and less meaningful films. More than 1 000 adults participated in this study, requiring them to watch the movies at home rather than in a lab.

They were randomly selected for either the meaningful or less meaningful film. Researchers then asked the participants a series of questions based on their reactions to the movie. 

Researchers suggested that, the poignancy and emotional range of those movies helped elevate and inspire viewers and had more positive effects than less meaningful films. 

*Additional information compiled by Tauhira Dean, Health24