Sunday afternoon. No plans. No obligations. Just you, the sofa, and a film that matches the vibe. Here are 12 perfect solo Sunday films streaming in the UK — absorbing enough to hold your attention, comforting enough to let you drift.
What Makes a Perfect Solo Sunday Film?
- Self-contained — no sequels required
- Absorbing but relaxed — holds attention without demanding it
- Pleasant atmosphere — visually or emotionally comforting
- No audience required — not a "watch with friends" film
- Leaves you satisfied — pleasant aftertaste
The Picks
1. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
UK streaming: Disney+
A daydreamer finally goes on a real adventure. Ben Stiller's best work as director. The Icelandic sequences are stunning.
Why it's perfect: Gently inspiring. Beautiful photography. Makes you want to try something new.
Watch The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
2. Amélie (2001)
UK streaming: Prime Video
A shy Parisian waitress decides to secretly improve others' lives. Candy-coloured Paris, accordion music, small pleasures.
Why it's perfect: Warm, whimsical, optimistic. Solo viewing feels appropriate — it's an intimate film.
3. About Time (2013)
UK streaming: Prime Video
A man discovers he can time travel and uses it mostly to navigate love. Richard Curtis at his most emotionally ambitious.
Why it's perfect: Will make you appreciate small moments. Gentle emotional workout.
4. Lost in Translation (2003)
UK streaming: Prime Video
Two Americans — a movie star and a young woman — drift through Tokyo. Quiet, atmospheric, somehow about loneliness and connection simultaneously.
Why it's perfect: Made for solo viewing. Matches the Sunday melancholy.
5. Chef (2014)
UK streaming: Prime Video
A chef quits his restaurant job and starts a food truck with his son. Jon Favreau's passion project is all food, family, and finding joy.
Why it's perfect: Feel-good without being saccharine. Will make you hungry.
6. Little Women (2019)
UK streaming: Netflix
The March sisters navigate love, ambition, and family. Greta Gerwig's adaptation is warm and alive.
Why it's perfect: Domestic and absorbing. Perfect autumnal/winter Sunday.
7. Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
UK streaming: Disney+
Two twelve-year-olds fall in love and run away. Wes Anderson's most purely charming film.
Why it's perfect: Nostalgic, enclosed, visually soothing. Perfect solo afternoon.
8. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
UK streaming: Disney+
A hotel concierge and his lobby boy get caught up in murder and art theft. Anderson's most accessible film.
Why it's perfect: Visual comfort food. Engaging but not demanding.
Watch The Grand Budapest Hotel
9. Midnight in Paris (2011)
UK streaming: Prime Video
A screenwriter wanders through 1920s Paris meeting literary legends. Woody Allen's nostalgic fantasy.
Why it's perfect: Dreamlike, undemanding, beautiful location photography.
10. Julie & Julia (2009)
UK streaming: Disney+
Meryl Streep as Julia Child learning to cook. Amy Adams recreating every recipe. Nora Ephron's last film.
Why it's perfect: Cosy, food-focused, dual narrative keeps you engaged.
11. Spirited Away (2001)
UK streaming: Netflix
A girl trapped in a spirit world works at a bathhouse. Miyazaki's masterpiece is hypnotic.
Why it's perfect: Immersive world-building. Easy to drift in and out.
12. The Martian (2015)
UK streaming: Disney+, Prime Video
An astronaut stranded on Mars must survive. Optimistic, clever, and Matt Damon problem-solving is oddly relaxing.
Why it's perfect: Dads love this. Solo viewing is ideal for this kind of procedural.
UK Streaming Quick Reference
| Film | Netflix UK | Prime Video | Disney+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Secret Life of Walter Mitty | — | — | ✓ |
| Amélie | — | ✓ | — |
| About Time | — | ✓ | — |
| Lost in Translation | — | ✓ | — |
| Chef | — | ✓ | — |
| Little Women | ✓ | — | — |
| Moonrise Kingdom | — | — | ✓ |
| The Grand Budapest Hotel | — | — | ✓ |
| Midnight in Paris | — | ✓ | — |
| Julie & Julia | — | — | ✓ |
| Spirited Away | ✓ | — | — |
| The Martian | — | ✓ | ✓ |
Availability checked March 2026
By Mood
Wanderlust: → The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Midnight in Paris
Cosy domestic: → Little Women, Julie & Julia, Chef
Wistful: → Lost in Translation, About Time
Visual delight: → The Grand Budapest Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom, Spirited Away
FAQ
What's the single best solo Sunday film? The Secret Life of Walter Mitty or Amélie — both designed for gentle solo viewing.
Any that work for rainy Sundays specifically? Little Women, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Spirited Away.
What if I want something more engaging? The Martian or About Time — more plot-driven but still Sunday-appropriate.
Looking for more personalised recommendations? Try our recommendation engine.