These Little Scent Pods Will Help You Relieve Stress on the Go

Our noses are sensitive little suckers. This can be really iffy when it comes to smelling cities (ahem, New York and San Francisco), or delightful with things like homemade home sprays. But did you know that your nose knows even more than just what’s pleasant and unpleasant? According to ESYM, a company that’s hoping to get funded on Kickstarter, smell can impact your state of mind and your emotions.

The ESYM pod, a self-described “crafted-scent experience,” will help you unlock your sense of smell. Since our noses are closely tied to the parts of our brain that process experiences and emotions, it is important to use this sense to change your mood. ESYM aims to make sure that these recollections and feelings are positive ones, despite the fact that everyone’s connections differ in reference to scent.

Through the sleek pods, scents are released that can help you do everything from calm down to recharge to awaken. The scents are made from a blend of essential oils and come in three varieties: Tenkawa Passage (cypress, parsley and coriander for alertness), Curacao Breeze (lime, orange, black currant and tangerine for rejuvenation), and Parisian Morning (coffee, vanilla, almond and elderflower for comfort). The pods release their delicious, soothing smells for up to three months at a time, and you can order a subscription on the site to make sure that you never run out of your particular scent. Bonus points: The product is paraben-free, vegan, cruelty-free, sulfate-free and phthalate-free.

You can help fund this unique perspective on scent via Kickstarter. If funded, they’ll start production ASAP in order for a holiday delivery. Talk about the perfect stocking stuffer!

Tell us which scents you associate with good times in the comments!

The chilly weather sparks serious comfort food cravings, and vegans don't have to be left out in the cold. With a slew of meat alternatives, convincing vegan cheese, and a lot of creativity from vegan cooks, eating a vegan meal can be every bit as satisfying as traditional comfort food fare. Whether you’re craving filling pot pie or rich mac and cheese, these 23 vegan comfort food recipes will deliver when you need something a little more indulgent.

Minimalist Baker

BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

Jackfruit is that magical produce that seems to perfectly replicate meat in almost any dish. Thanks to its growing popularity, it's become relatively easy to find in grocery stores. Just make sure you buy a young green jackfruit in water, not brine or syrup. This is the key to achieving proper flavor and texture. Then all you need to do is sauté and add A LOT of barbecue sauce. (via Minimalist Baker)

Natural Girl, Modern World

Mushroom Stroganoff

Balance cozy carbs with nourishing vegetables in this mushroom stroganoff and you get the best of both worlds.

Ela Vegan

Vegan Chickpea Curry

When you mix chickpeas with eggplant, coconut milk, Indian spices, and rice you'll end up with the most satisfying vegan curry. When spicing your curry, be sure to select a blend that incorporates fresh spices to give you the maximum amount of health benefits and flavor.

Nutritional Foodie

Vegan Sweet Potato Nachos

It can be difficult to cut back on carbs when you’re vegan (or for anybody, really). Thankfully, sweet potato tortilla chips are here to solve that problem. Things get serious when you coat them in vegan cheese sauce and then pile them high with your favorite nacho toppings.

Hot for Food

Roasted Corn Chowder

Calling all ambitious chefs with leftover corn on the cob: This corn chowder is a bit involved to make but the results are 100 percent worth it. Corn kernels thicken the chowder that's scented with smoked paprika and thyme for a soothing bite with every spoonful.

Vegan in the Freezer

Dairy-Free Herbed Scalloped Potatoes

Potatoes baked into a casserole that's covered in a creamy white sauce is comfort food at its best. All you need to do is sprinkle a few herbs on top for a little somethin' extra.

Pinch of Yum

Moroccan-Spiced Chickpea Glow Bowl

This spiced bowl will soon be your new go-to for an ultra comforting, super nutritious, plant-based meal. There's so much deliciousness packed into this recipe that it'll be hard to pick your favorite part. Moroccan-spiced chickpeas are simmered in a sauce of fire-roasted tomatoes and then spooned atop couscous that's cooked and fluffed to perfection. Oh yeah, and there’s cucumber salad, some lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs to the max.

Vegetarian Ventures

Creamy Vegetarian White Chili

By this point in winter you probably want soup for every meal, and that's where this white chili comes in. It’s warm, filling, tasty, and not average in any way. Pro tip: Add lots of toppings for a wide variety of texture in your bowl.

This Savory Vegan

Vegan White Mac and Cheese

If you dream about a mac and cheese without the taste of nutritional yeast, this recipe will make your dreams come true. It turns out that the answer is vegan cream cheese and a dash of hot sauce. Who knew?! Now that the secret is out, feel free to share — and don’t forget to make seconds!

Fooduzzi

Buffalo Chickpea Pizza

Buffalo sauce and chicken is a match made in heaven. Buffalo sauce with roasted chickpeas is pretty darn good too. With a buffalo hummus base that incorporates just the right amount of spice, and a crispy cheesy topping, this recipe is about to be your new obsession.

Lazy Cat Kitchen

Vegan Pad Thai

Pad Thai is one of the easiest dishes to veganize because it already comes layered with an array of crunchy vegetables and cubes of tofu. The tricky part is substituting the fish sauce, but this is actually easier than it seems. You can either buy a non-fish-based fish sauce, or simply prepare your own by infusing soy sauce (or tamari) with a bit of seaweed and dried mushrooms.

Feasting on Fruit

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recreate a comforting, nostalgic childhood favorite with these gluten-free, vegan treats. You may even find you like them better than the original.

Veggies Don't Bite

Vegan Pizza Burrito

You’ll thank us later when you realize that this vegan pizza burrito is pretty much heaven wrapped in a burrito and placed on a plate. It’s also handy to grab when you have to eat on the run.

Munaty Cooking

Baked Aloo Samosas

Indian food is great because so much of it is already vegan. And samosas might be the ultimate choice because they can be an appetizer, a finger food, or a meal. Plus, they're concocted with a host of spices and dipping sauces that will keep your taste buds intrigued and wanting more.

Minimalist Baker

Vegan Sloppy Joes

If you never had sloppy joes growing up, there's no time like the present to give them a try. This warm sandwich is sweet, smokey, and savory all at once, and it can be made with everyday pantry items. This vegan version uses lentils instead of beef and is no less satisfying for it.

The Fitchen

Vegan Pot Pies With Cornbread Crust

Creamy veggies hide beneath a crispy cornbread crust in this quintessential comfort food dish. There will be nothing more satisfying than breaking through the cornbread with a spoon to enjoy that perfect filling-to-crust ratio.

The Works of Life

General Tso’s Cauliflower

Just when you think that everyone and their mother is tired of cauliflower recipes, General Tso’s cauliflower is here to revive the obsession. The cauliflower is marinated and then dusted in cornstarch and sesame seeds to form that crispy crust we all love. Now vegans and carnivores alike can get in on some of that General Tso’s action.

No Recipes

Vegan Spinach Dip

A blend of soft tofu with raw cashew nuts creates a satiny texture that's complemented by the spinach for an appetizer that tastes indulgent but won't have you regretting your snack choices.

Peas & Crayons

Vegan Grilled Cheese

Something about that ooey-gooey yumminess of grilled cheese is simply unbeatable. But the best part of this sandwich isn't even the cheese; it's the ability to be a blank canvas onto which you can add an array of herbs, spices, chutneys, pickles, and jellies. The world is your oyster here — go wild!

Karissa's Vegan Kitchen

Vegan Meatball Subs

When you wrap chickpea meatballs in carbs, smother them with marinara sauce, and top with a sprinkle of vegan Parm, the result is irresistible. If you make a huge batch of meatballs and then freeze them, this recipe becomes so simple that there's a high probability it will become your fave Friday night staple.

Gluten-Free Vegan Pantry

Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese

There's almost nothing better than veganized mac and cheese. This cheesy delight is a hug in a bowl and the exact thing you require on those days when you’re in need of a pick-me-up.

Minimalist Baker

One-Hour Vegan Pot Pies

This blogger says it all: “Delicious, flaky, veggie-packed vegan pot pies in less than one hour. That’s all you need to know."

Ambitious Kitchen

Lemon Blueberry Pistachio Cupcakes

Comfort food includes cupcakes. Opt for a magical combination like lemon, blueberry, and pistachio and watch the sparks fly.

If you can't get enough vegan comfort food in your life, follow us on Pinterest for more recipes!

This post has been updated.

The best part of english classes was discovering new authors because of assigned summer reading. I'd pretend to "complain," but I loved when my mom took me to the public library to find books I'd eventually cherish. From Maya Angelou's pivotal memoir to Barbara Kingsolver's assessment of one family's mission work, I learned women could be powerful wordsmiths.

As much as I love reading contemporary romance books or political thrillers that remind me of Paradise, the following novels are the ones I revisit when my TBR list is too overwhelming!

Read the instant-classic books that introduced me to the most iconic female authors of all time

Amazon

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice was the only book that challenged me because it's the true definition of a "slow burn" read. Between you and I, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy are the blueprint for the love stories found in Bridgerton because their romance wasn't rushed. The familiar strangers-to-lovers troupe is there, but Jane Austen took her time showing the seeds of how things blossomed between them.

Amazon

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

What was supposed to be a luxurious train ride turns into murder when the wealthy Samuel Edward Ratchett is discovered dead during a terrible storm. The guests are bewildered because it appears no one could've accessed his door from the outside, but his fatal wounds indicate otherwise. Detective Hercule Poirot is sure one of the guests is feigning innocence, but he'll have to deduce who was skilled enough to commit an undetectable murder.

Amazon

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

I was introduced to the film version of The Color Purple when I was a little girl and it left a memorable imprint on my mind. Starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, I believed they were Celie and Sofia for the longest. It's the reason why I devoured Alice Walker's book when I was old enough to read it. Mainly, the themes of sisterhood, sexism, racism, and love painted a vivid picture of life for Black women in the deep South. In their story, readers are sure to find something to relate to.

Amazon

White Teethby Zadie Smith

Zadie Smith's White Teeth outlines a friendship between two people from different backgrounds, showing how life isn't always confined to certain "rules." The things Archie Jones and Samad Iqbal found after fighting together in World War II have a profound effect on their friendship as well as their lives. From falling in love again to producing children who challenge the world around them, these two friends struggle to maintain a lease on the things they thought to be true.

Amazon

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings tells of her upbringing in the south with her brother Bailey. From witnessing the strength of their grandmother to experiencing terror at the hands of a "trusted" adult, Maya learns valuable lessons about tenacity, wit, and kindness at a young age. It's these very things that make her one of the greatest literary minds whose work I've been fortunate to read.

Amazon

To Kill a Mockingbirdby Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird broke me into pieces and stitched me back together after I read it for the first time. It's another book that touches on the limiting beliefs that the South is known for and its effect on those around them. Though beautiful, this region hasn't always been the kindest to Black people as evidenced by a one lawyer's determination to prove the innocence of a wrongly accused man.

Amazon

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood is known for writing dystopian books that paint a somewhat bleak picture of our future. In Oryx and Crake, readers are introduced to "Snowman" who ditched his former name Jimmy once a terrible tragedy changed the trajectory of the world around him. Not only is he alone as the last full being, he's also lost two people he loved dearly. The only thing that keeps Snowman going are Crake's children as he seeks to find the source of the greatest genetic breakdown known to mankind.

Amazon

The Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

The Parable of the Sower follows Lauren Olamina as she goes from living a protected life to being unable to ignore the realities of those who aren't as fortunate as her. She witnesses how societal and socioeconomic changes affect others, not including the growing calls to pay attention to the climate. As scary as it is, Lauren decides to take a stand to help others and witnesses a rebirth that no one's able to ignore.

Amazon

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

I still remember watching Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon take on the characters found in Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere during the height of the pandemic. It opened up conversations about motherhood and the choices women make that follow us even when we don't want them to. From confronting cover racism to realizing how a life unfulfilled leads to pushing children to live lives we've always wanted to, the world of Shaker Heights is taken for a wild ride when Mia Warren comes into town.

Amazon

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Last but not least, there's this incredible work of Barbara Kingsolver. I find myself revisiting The Poisonwood Bible because the themes of it feel more relevant than ever. From the blind faith of Baptist preacher Nathan Price to his wife finally finding her voice after their youngest daughter died, neither they or their children leave the Belgian Congo unscathed. Despite their best efforts to adapt, this family learns that their ignorance stemming from a domineering patriarchal household caused them to be chewed up and spit out. That sometimes there's more than one way to find God, love, and justice if we're willing to look.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

It's raining and you forgot all of your umbrella. And your rain boots. And your rain jacket. (Hey, we've all been there). This evening you're going to need something warm and incredibly simple that you can whip up in less than half an hour so that you can get cozier faster than you can blink. Well, maybe not that fast.

The point is, we know the feeling so we've come up with amazing quick and easy soup recipesor a tasty dinner. From creamy chickendumpling to a light, lemony vegetable, the 35 soups below will comfort you from the inside out on the most blustery of days.

via The Real Food Dietitians

The Best Loaded Cauliflower Soup

Kick off your fall soup season with tender cauliflower, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and kale with this satisfying bowl of soup.

Image via Half Baked Harvest

30-Minute Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen

Thai red curry paste, coconut milk, peanut butter, chicken, mushrooms, and bell peppers unite to create the most delicious base for this ramen soup.

via Averie Cooks

Sausage Tortellini Soup

Warm up on cool days with this easy Italian sausage tortellini soup made in one pot and ready in 30 minutes!

via The Girl on Bloor

Creamy Pumpkin Curry Soup

Add this easy recipe to your fall soup rotation with coconut milk, canned pumpkin and curry paste.

via Completely Delicious

Turkey and Dumplings Soup

Bookmark this recipe for your turkey leftovers! Fluffy buttermilk dumplings make this soup so comforting and delicious.

via The Original Dish

Creamy Tahini Carrot Soup

Flavored with peppers, garlic, ginger, coconut milk, tahini, and lime, this flavorful soup will keep you warm and cozy all week long.

via Kathryn's Kitchen

Easy French Onion Soup

Binge on Emily in Paris while slurping this delicious soup.

via Pink Owl Kitchen

Creamy Cajun Potato Soup

Add a touch of heat to your soup routine with this cheesy, creamy soup that combines tender russet potatoes, veggies, and sausage in a creamy, spicy broth.

Image via Brit + Co

Lemony Greens Soup

Plenty of lemon juice and fresh herbs take this simple, vegetable-forward soup to the next level.

via Bowl of Delicious

Stuffed Pepper Soup With Ground Beef And Rice

This one-pot, freezable meal also happens to be gluten free and dairy free. It's hearty and so tasty!

via Vanilla and Bean

Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup

Vegan recipe lovers will enjoy this rich, creamy soup with French lentils, coconut milk and warming curry spices.

Image via Brit + Co

Whole30 Chicken Zoodle Soup

If you’re looking for a soul-soothing recipe that’s still diet-friendly, you’ve come to the right place.

Image via Brit + Co

Chickpea and Lentil Soup

You can serve this immediately or let it simmer while you do other chores.

Image via Brit + Co

3-Ingredient Tortilla Soup

There is nothing better than one-pot dinners. We're always a fan of having just a couple of dishes to wash after we've fallen into a warm soup coma.

Image via Brit + Co

Roasted Tomato Soup

Way tastier than the canned stuff and almost as quick, this recipe is a twist on the classic tomato soup with roasted tomatoes and a grilled cheese on the side.

via Crowded Kitchen

Super Green Sheet Pan Soup

Satisfy your need for greens with this nutritious soup made with leeks, zucchini, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes and peas, topped with pesto grilled cheese croutons.

Image via Brit + Co

Ginger Butternut Squash Soup

Even if you’re the slowest chopper in the world, you can have this soup on the table in under 30 and feel pretty good about how healthy it is.

Image via Brit + Co

Chickpea Stew with Pesto

This weeknight stew will help you eat your vegetables.

Image via Brit + Co

Vegan Sriracha Chili

Yes, you can have a totally flavorful chili with one pot, and yes it will warm your soul.

Image via Brit + Co

Homemade Ramen Cup

This homemade version is the adult version of our dorm room favorite. Make it when you need something to mindlessly graze on while you come down from the day.

Image via Brit + Co

Chickpea and Lime Soup

Adding crispy, spiced chickpeas as a soup topper is any easy way to “beef” up this quick, simple, and delicious soup.

Image via Brit + Co

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Instead of waiting 40 minutes to bake a potato, whip up a bowl of this cheesy soup in half the time via your Instant Pot. Garnish it with bacon, sour cream, cheddar cheese, chives, and whatever else your heart desires.

Image via Brit + Co

Easy Blender Pea Soup

If you're starting to feel guilty about those winter month calories, try this healthy pea soup. We definitely won't judge if you end up adding some garlic bread to the meal.

Image via Brit + Co

Spring Onion Soup

Get your greens and warm up at the same time with this creamy dish. It can be eaten warm or cold, which makes it the perfect recipe for unexpected spring weather.

Image via Culinary Hill

White Bean and Kale Soup

With just five ingredients, plus salt and pepper, you can whip up this healthy, warming soup in no time.

Image via Half Baked Harvest

30-Minute Creamy Chicken and Parmesan-Sage Dumplings

Parmesan and sage take the dumplings in this easy chicken soup to a whole other level.

Image via Salt and Lavender

Easy Black Bean Soup

Made with inexpensive ingredients like canned black beans, tomatoes, and green chiles, this soup is as easy as chopping one onion and two garlic gloves and tossing everything in a pot.

Image via Half Baked Harvest

Easy Taco Soup

Taco Tuesdays just got cozier with this easy taco soup recipe. All it takes is 28 minutes to cook this yummy blend of wholesome ingredients for a meal that'll hit the spot every time you cook it in your Instant Pot.

Image via The Edgy Veg

Easy Crock Pot Lasagna Soup

This easy crock pot soup recipe is for all my lasagna and baked ziti lovers. It's hearty and filled with flavors that'll make your taste buds tingle with excitement.

Image via Clean Cuisine

Sweet Potato Curry

For a different burst of flavor, cook this flavorful sweet potato curry soup. It has anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the turmeric found in it so you'll get a tasty meal that's beneficial to your body.

via Feel Good Foodie

Vegan Broccoli Soup

Made with only four ingredients and perfect with frozen vegetables, this recipe comes from Sarah Copeland’s cookbook Instant Family Meals is perfect for busy weeknights.

Image via Give Recipe

Old-Fashioned Cabbage Soup

Just in time for fall, Give Recipe's take on the old-fashioned cabbage soup recipe is one worth making tonight. It's filled with Mediterranean flavors you won't be able to resist!

via Munching with Mariyah

Spicy Mushroom Noodle Soup

This healthy soup is a mix of spicy miso broth, packed with edamame, tofu, ginger, and garlic, poured over comforting soba noodles.

via Two Peas and Their Pod

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This is a delicious twist on chicken noodle soup and so easy to make!

Image via Vikalinka

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Looking for something that has a little kick to it? Try making this stuffed pepper soup!

Which easy soup recipe will you try tonight? Share with us @BritandCo!

This article has been updated.

Lead image via Vikalinka.

Even if you own endless options, what truly makes a great shoe collection is having the right ones. From classic sneakers to sleek boots, these 8 shoe styles are essential for pulling together any outfit in style and practicality. If you’re looking to build up a versatile shoe lineup, these must-have pairs belong in every closet.

Scroll on for 8 essential shoes worth investing in for every occasion!

1. Classic (& Comfy!) Black Heels

Steve Madden

Steve Madden Irenee Black Leather Heels

A well-fitted pair of heels can instantly elevate any outfit, whether it’s for work, formal events, or nights out.

DSW

Naturalizer Bristol Sandals

The most crucial part about having a pair of go-to heels is that they’re comfortable. Don’t go too crazy with the heel height or settle for straps that dig into your skin! Having a reliable black or nude heel also ensures you can wear ‘em across tons of different occasions.

2. Tall Black Boots

Amazon

QIY Knee High Boots

Tall black boots go with just about anything, so they’re not only stylish, but practical, too! Choosing a pair of tall black boots with a comfy insole and walkable heel height can be really useful for the cooler months.

Free People

Jeffrey Campbell Katrina Pull-On Tall Boots

They look effortlessly chic over skinny jeans, under skirts, or with sweater dresses!

3. Ballet Flats

Rothy's

Rothy's The Double Buckle Mary Janes

Ballet flats are the perfect mix of comfort and femininity, and they’re pretty much the ideal everyday shoe for work and weekends alike.

Quince

Quince Italian Leather Glove Ballet Flats

Ballet flats provide a formal, polished look without the pain of heels and can be worn with anything from office attire to baggy jeans and a graphic tee. A neutral or classic black pair is a closet essential for easy styling!

4. Walking Sneakers

Saucony

Saucony Ride 18 Sneakers

If you like to get your steps in, you might as well do it in sheer comfort!

New Balance

New Balance 530 Sneakers

A supportive pair of walking sneakers is a must for staying active. Whether you're running errands, exploring a new city, or going on a long hot girl walk, the right pair will keep your feet oh-so happy. Look for cushioned soles and breathable materials.

5. Street Style Sneakers

Adidas

Adidas Gazelle Bold Shoes

While walking sneakers are a total necessity, they don’t always work with every outfit due to their more technical-looking designs. That’s why you need a stylish pair of fashion-forward sneaks!

SeaVees

SeaVees Acorn Trainers

Street style sneakers are perfect for casual outfits, and especially for occasions you don’t really feel like wearing open-toed shoes.

6. Cozy Sandals

Teva

Teva Flatform Universal Sandals

Sandals with a lil’ bit of support are crucial – especially for spring and summer. When it’s hot out, you want your feet to be able to breathe without sacrificing comfort.

Chaco

Chaco Townes Midform Sandals

Opt for cushioned soles, secure straps, and soft materials to keep your feet comfortable while still looking cute!

7. Rain Boots

Quince

Quince Waterproof Ankle Rain Boots

We all know that rainy days can quickly ruin your shoes. That’s not until you have a sturdy pair of rain boots to rely on! Waterproof and durable, they keep your feet dry while still looking stylish.

Hunter

Hunter Refined Tall Rain Boots

A sleek pair in black or a fun pop of color can brighten up a gloomy day while protecting your steps from puddles and mud.

8. Slippers

Nordstrom

UGG Tazz Platform Slippers

When you’re stuck at home, a cozy pair of slippers is essential. They provide warmth and such coziness, especially during colder months.

Bombas

Bombas Sunday Mule Slippers

Look for pairs that offer some support for walking around indoors. Choose soft, plush materials for the ultimate cozy experience!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Some of the most memorable movies in pop culture history debuted in the 2000s, but not all of them have stood the test of time.

Of course, there are plenty of movies from the era that remain beloved classics, yet others feel painfully outdated because of cringeworthy plot lines, themes, or jokes that would leave modern audiences wincing.

Here are 10 movies from the 2000s that haven't aged well (and maybe should stay in the past).

Scroll to see which 2000s movies that definitely didn't age well...

Paramount Pictures

1. What Women Want (2000)

This film follows a charming but egotistical man, played by Mel Gibson, who gains the ability to hear women's thoughts, only to realize they're not as enamored with him as he thought.

While the premise is intriguing, the film relies on outdated gender stereotypes. Moreover, Mel's character is too easily redeemed, particularly by his daughter, who sees him as an absent father until he makes one grand gesture. As if that erases years of neglect.

Beacon Pictures

2. Bring It On (2000)

Bring It On may be a favorite among teens, but a lot of the film's choices don't hold up in hindsight. It's packed with promiscuous portrayals of teenage cheerleaders (and even flashing), casual use of offensive language, and a central conflict about cultural appropriation that doesn't get the depth it deserves.

The rivalry between the predominantly white and Black cheer squads does touch on an important issue. Still, Bring It On doesn't explore the deeper implications.

Touchstone Pictures

3. Sorority Boys (2002)

This plot follows three fraternity brothers who disguise themselves as women and infiltrate a sorority only to (shockingly) realize that treating women like garbage actually hurts them.

Sorority Boys is packed with fat-shaming, misogyny, and crude feminist stereotypes. On top of that, it includes an unsettling subplot where one character unknowingly falls for his own sibling.

Universal Pictures

4. Love Actually(2003)

Love Actually continues to be a holiday go-to watch for many, but it's riddled with problematic ideas about women and relationships. Emma Thompson's character is heartbreakingly mistreated, and she's still forced to endure her cheating husband.

Then, there's the bizarre fixation on Natalie's weight. And overall, the film reduces most of its female characters to love interests. Love Actually barely scrapes by the Bechdel test, with the only meaningful female-to-female exchange being between Karen and her young daughter.

Disney

5. Freaky Friday (2003)

This teen comedy features a mother and daughter who magically switch bodies and are forced to navigate each other's lives. While Freaky Friday felt funny and fresh for its time, one of the more uncomfortable aspects of the film involves covert age gap relationships.

Anna, played by Lindsay Lohan, has a crush on Jake. However, since Anna's mind is trapped in her mother's body, it creates awkward moments where Jake is unknowingly flirting with an adult woman inhabited by a teenager.

Eden Rock Media

6. Waiting... (2005)

This was meant to be a raunchy workplace comedy about the chaos of working in a restaurant, but looking back, much of its humor is cringe-worthy and uncomfortable.

Harassment is treated casually, with multiple scenes featuring male employees hitting on younger female staff members (including an underage hostess). The film also leans on homophobic slurs and misogyny, with many jokes revolving around degrading women.

20th Century Fox

7. John Tucker Must Die (2006)

With over-the-top high school drama and revenge plots, John Tucker Must Die is the epitome of 2000s teen comedy. But even though the movie tries to position itself as a feminist takedown of a serial womanizer, it actually ends up making John Tucker look more desirable.

Similar to Bring It On, many scenes also feel like they're designed for the male gaze rather than female empowerment.

Paramount Pictures

8. Freedom Writers (2007)

Freedom Writers follows a white teacher who steps in to "save" a group of underprivileged students. It falsely suggests that one determined teacher can single-handedly overcome systemic issues like racism and educational inequality as long as they're willing to sacrifice everything else in their life.

Sure, Erin Gruwell's real-life dedication is admirable, but the movie focuses on a feel-good narrative where personal effort alone is enough to fix deeply rooted social issues.

Warner Bros. Entertainment

9. The Blind Side (2009)

This film is one of the most glaring examples of Hollywood's white savior complex. Despite being marketed as an inspiring true story, it reduces Michael Oher to a passive character in his own journey and portrays him as helpless until a wealthy white family takes him in.

The Blind Side focuses far more on Sandra Bullock's character and her supposed heroism than Michael's actual experiences.

Warner Bros. Entertainment

10. The Hangover Part II (2011)

Finally, The Hangover Part II is remembered as a wild comedy hit. Still, it has some problems, most notably when Ed Helms' character, Stu, discovers the woman he slept with is actually a trans woman.

The scene is played for laughs as both Ed and Bradley Cooper's characters react with disgust. It's a tough watch today and serves as a reminder of how many 2000s films used outdated or offensive humor for shock value.

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