We all have those series and movies we return to again and again. No matter how many alternatives we have, that title draws us in and becomes our refuge. Although we may feel guilty for “wasting our time,” indulging in a holiday rewatch offers us calm and safety, which are ideal for December and its accumulated fatigue.
When I was in college, I had a list of movies to help me unwind, but there was one in particular. My dad would walk into the living room and say, “Harry Potter again?” and then sit down to watch it with me. For him, it was also a moment of rest, without the pressure of anticipating what was to come. In life, that translates into a breather: letting go of control and indulging in a chain of memories that end up being treasures. Years later, I still watch the saga, now with my nephew, even on my smartphone.
Psychological studies confirm that rewatching a series or movie is not just a habit, but a way of regulating emotions. Predictable stories stabilize our mood by eliminating uncertainty and allowing us to reconnect with pleasant feelings. And December, with its emotional charge and the tension accumulated throughout the year, is the ideal setting for that refuge. That’s why we return to classics at this time of year: Love Actually, Titanic, The Holiday, It’s a Wonderful Life, or Die Hard. But these are not the only ones.
As a Latina, there is one ultimate holiday rewatch: El Chavo del 8. Although it premiered in the 1970s, the show spans generations and continues to screen in many of our homes more than half a century later. We all know when Don Ramón will make Chilindrina and el Chavo cry, when Doña Florinda will spoil Quico, or when el Chavo will get caught up in an argument with Professor Jirafales that is as absurd as it is funny. You didn’t have to be Mexican: millions of us throughout Latin America enjoyed it every afternoon during the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s, episode after episode. It is said that, in its heyday, El Chavo del 8 reached more than 90 million viewers daily. An exceptional and difficult-to-repeat figure.
But why did it keep connecting? If there were a magic formula, it would have been replicated by now. Although Roberto Gómez Bolaños created a unicorn that transcended borders and generations, he also built a universal language. Emotionally, El Chavo offers security, simple laughter, a sense of belonging, and a television family. Every time an episode begins, we let go of control and allow ourselves to simply watch.
Chespirito, of course, is not solely responsible for the holiday rewatch phenomenon. Over the years, we add to our lists of “I can watch them anytime” or “I’ve seen them so many times that I know all the words.” El Zorro certainly has a spot. Yes, it’s a Disney version… but its impact in Latin America is on another scale. In countries such as Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, and Peru, its reruns were leaders for decades. Guy Williams (who played Diego de la Vega) even ended up living in Argentina because of the enormous popularity he achieved there. In fact, for many Latinos, El Zorro is the ultimate superhero, a symbol of our identity, protection, and security.
When it comes to telenovelas, many people might mention Betty la Fea or Thalía’s trilogy (María la del Barrio, Marimar, María Mercedes), but for me, the ultimate example is always O Clone, the Brazilian blockbuster with a fascinating plot and spectacular settings. After seeing it for the first time in my teens, I return to it every time a television station re-airs it. Even during my years as a TV reporter and producer, I would put it on while organizing the news folders. In that one moment of calm just before going on air, it would let me breathe after a day loaded with hard information.
For series lovers, there’s always Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and The Office, some of the most rewatched shows in the world. Many of these productions are with us all year long, but during Christmas they feel different. The season gives them a warmer glow, a familiar comfort that lands deeper.
You probably have another favorite too, because it doesn’t matter whether you choose a title with millions of viewers and decades on the air or something that’s more particular to you. Revisiting those stories helps us reconnect with who we were when we first watched them and find a calmer version of who we are now. What truly matters is discovering that quiet space that brings us back to center. And for anyone hoping to start the new year revitalized, feel free to rest by grabbing a blanket and spending a couple of days in front of the TV. Yes, I’m giving you permission to savor a holiday rewatch and relive the moments that make us fall in love, laugh, and, above all, relax.
