We all know and love our comfort foods.

Whether it’s meatloaf and mashed potatoes, a good hunk of chocolate or an old family recipe, everybody has that one food (or a few) that just seem to make us feel better about life.

But this weekend I realized food isn’t the only thing I find comfort in. There are many times when watching a good movie cures whatever is ailing me, or at least entertains me with the characters and stories I love to watch over and over again.

These are the movies you’ll watch just about any time they come on TV — even if you own a copy and could watch it any time you want. They are the movies you want to immediately force a friend to watch when they confess they’ve “never seen it.” They are the movies you can put on and become utterly lost in, or just as often, ignore while you do other things because, let’s face it, you pretty much know every line and scene already.

The movie that triggered this great epiphany for me was “Back to the Future.” Is it one of the best movies ever made? Maybe not, but it makes my list of movies I can put on and enjoy on many different levels.

First, it’s just a good comedy/science fiction flick that involves one of my favorite subjects — time travel (because it’s cool, that’s why).

Then there’s the nostalgia aspect.

Of course, as a child of the 80s, I can’t help but love and laugh and reminisce about all of the great inside jokes and references from that decade, and honestly, who doesn’t love a DeLorean?

I can also hear my dad delivering Doc’s line from the end of the movie, “Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need…roads.” No road trip with him was complete without it.

And “Back to the Future” is far from my only comfort movie. There are many, many more. I’m sure I’m about to embarrass myself with the movies that make my comfort list, which I will now share. There are too many to really list here, but I’ll try to hit the highlights. I’ll also admit I tend toward the happy and heartfelt, the movies that show good triumphing over evil, love conquering all, or at least a really cute leading man (kidding…sort of).

• Comedies — probably the longest list since laughter has always been the best of medicines.

I love pretty much anything with Mel Brooks as the director. “Spaceballs,” “Blazing Saddles,” and “Young Frankenstein” make the top of that list. I’ll add in “The Blues Brothers,” “The Princess Bride,” “The Big Lebowski,” “Office Space,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and quite a few more. I just went with what I consider to be the classics in my world.

• Musicals — Yep, I love musicals. I’m not ashamed to say it. If you can’t break into song on occasion, then you’re missing out on life.

My all-time favorite — “The Music Man.” Everything about this one is great. The music, of course, the casting, acting and story are just so fabulous, I can’t gush about it enough. Coming in at a strong second would be “The Sound of Music.” I can watch either of these a hundred times and not get tired of them.

• Children’s movies — I’ll also admit I love children’s movies. They are awesome, and there’s always a point to them unlike many, many other movies.

The “Harry Potter” movies hit near the top of the list along with “The Jungle Book,” the fox “Robin Hood” (everyone my age should know what I’m talking about), “Anne of Green Gables” (a great book as well), “The Sandlot,” (all I have to say is “For-ev-ver”), “Up,” “Toy Story,” and so many more.

• Romantic Comedies and just plain Romance — I am, despite being a girl, not the biggest fan of romantic comedies. However, I do like almost anything with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks because they are the poster couple of cuteness. For romance, you just can’t beat the six-hour (yes, guys I said six-hour) A&E version of “Pride and Prejudice.” Don’t try to understand this one, guys, it is one of those mysteries you’ll never get, but Colin Firth has a lot to do with it.

• Horror — Yes, there are a few horror movies I consider comfort movies because I’m weird like that.

“The Stand,” (technically a TV miniseries, but whatever). I don’t know why but I like contemplating apocalyptic/post apocalyptic scenarios. It’s a weird thing about me that you now know. “Zombieland” because if you don’t think a zombie apocalypse can be funny, you are wrong. I’ll add in “Lake Placid” because I’m not sure what this movie is trying to be, but anything with giant crocodiles and Betty White with a potty mouth makes me happy.

• Really bad sci-fi —“Snakehead Terror?” Seen it, love it, don’t judge me.

There are so many more but I’ve rambled on long enough. And now you get to comment. What are some of your comfort movies?