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What to watch when you can't sleep
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Updated October 24, 2026
When you cannot sleep, pick something short, familiar in tone and low in stakes, such as Modern Times, The Lion King. Every film below runs 100 minutes or less, is rated PG-13 or lower and has no horror, thriller or war tag on TMDB. Keep the brightness down.
Short, gentle films under 100 minutes
These skip horror, thriller, crime and war tags and are rated PG-13 or lower. The short runtime means you can stop at the end and not stay up.
| Title | Rated | Length | TMDB rating | US streaming (October 24, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Times (1936) | G | 87 min | 8.3/10 | Prime Video, HBO Max |
| The Lion King (1994) | G | 89 min | 8.3/10 | Disney+ |
| Klaus (2019) | PG | 97 min | 8.2/10 | Netflix |
| WALL·E (2008) | G | 98 min | 8.1/10 | Disney+ |
| My Neighbor Totoro (1988) | G | 86 min | 8.1/10 | HBO Max |
| Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009) | G | 93 min | 8.0/10 | Rent or buy only |
Modern Times (1936)
1936 · G · Comedy, Drama, Romance · 87 min · TMDB 8.3/10
87 minutes, rated G, comedy, drama.
TMDB synopsis: A bumbling tramp desires to build a home with a young woman, yet is thwarted time and time again by his lack of experience and habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time...
US streaming: Prime Video, HBO Max
The Lion King (1994)
1994 · G · Animation, Family, Drama · 89 min · TMDB 8.3/10
89 minutes, rated G, animation, family.
TMDB synopsis: Young lion prince Simba, eager to one day become king of the Pride Lands, grows up under the watchful eye of his father Mufasa; all the while his villainous uncle Scar conspires to take the throne for himself.
US streaming: Disney+
Klaus (2019)
2019 · PG · Animation, Family, Comedy · 97 min · TMDB 8.2/10
97 minutes, rated PG, animation, family.
TMDB synopsis: A selfish postman and a reclusive toymaker form an unlikely friendship, delivering joy to a cold, dark town that desperately needs it.
US streaming: Netflix
WALL·E (2008)
2008 · G · Animation, Family, Science Fiction · 98 min · TMDB 8.1/10
98 minutes, rated G, animation, family.
TMDB synopsis: After hundreds of years doing what he was built for, WALL•E— a robot designed to clean up the earth—discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE.
US streaming: Disney+
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
1988 · G · Fantasy, Animation, Family · 86 min · TMDB 8.1/10
86 minutes, rated G, fantasy, animation.
TMDB synopsis: Two sisters move to the country with their father in order to be closer to their hospitalized mother, and discover the surrounding trees are inhabited by Totoros, magical spirits of the forest.
US streaming: HBO Max
Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
2009 · G · Drama, Family · 93 min · TMDB 8.0/10
93 minutes, rated G, drama, family.
TMDB synopsis: Professor Wilson discovers a lost Akita puppy on his way home.
US streaming: rent or buy only as of October 24, 2026
Questions
What should I watch when I cannot sleep?
Something short and low in stakes. Modern Times, The Lion King fit: each is 100 minutes or less and rated PG-13 or lower.
Is it okay to watch TV to fall asleep?
Sleep experts commonly advise limiting screens before bed. This list is for nights when you are already awake. We do not give medical advice, so see a doctor if sleeplessness continues.
Why avoid horror and thrillers?
They are built to keep you alert. That is our reasoning, not a study, and TMDB has no calm score, so the filter is genre and rating only.
How were these chosen?
From TMDB comedy, animation, family and romance titles with 4,000 or more votes, a runtime of 100 minutes or less and a US rating of PG-13 or lower.
Is the streaming list current?
It was pulled on October 24, 2026 from JustWatch data via TMDB for the United States. Services rotate titles often, so check before you start.
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Sources: TMDB for titles, ratings, runtimes and synopses. JustWatch (via TMDB) supplies streaming availability. Streaming lists change often. Check the service before you plan your night.
See it in action
Can't sleep? Our post sorts films for when you can't sleep, from Drive to In the Mood for Love.
films for when you can't sleepOur post on TikTok. Tap to play here, or watch on TikTok.