We all have certain things that bring us joy and comfort. These favorite things can include anything from beloved movies and books to treasured possessions and cherished memories. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common categories of favorite things and provide examples that many people count among their top favorites. Understanding what makes something a favorite can provide insight into what matters most to people.
Favorite Movies
Movies allow us to escape into other worlds and experience new stories and perspectives. Many of us have go-to favorite movies that we’ve seen countless times and never get tired of watching. Here are some examples of commonly cited favorite movies:
| The Shawshank Redemption | Forrest Gump | The Godfather |
| Star Wars | The Sound of Music | Rocky |
| The Wizard of Oz | Titanic | It’s a Wonderful Life |
These classic and blockbuster hits remain cultural touchstones for generations of movie lovers. The most beloved films offer unforgettable characters, quotable lines, inspiring messages, and the ability to draw us into their stories over and over again.
Favorite Books
For bookworms, favorite books are like old friends that never grow tiresome. There’s something magical about getting sucked into a fictional world or gaining new perspectives through a memoir or nonfiction book. Here are some much-loved favorites:
| The Harry Potter series | To Kill a Mockingbird | The Lord of the Rings |
| Pride and Prejudice | The Great Gatsby | The Diary of Anne Frank |
| The Book Thief | The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy | The Catcher in the Rye |
People often re-read their favorite books multiple times, appreciating them in different ways at various stages of life. These books offer meaningful takeaways alongside engaging writing and storytelling.
Favorite Music
Music has a profound ability to evoke emotion and memories. When a song really speaks to us, it can become an instant favorite that we want to hear over and over. Some examples of widely beloved music favorites include:
| Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody” | The Beatles – “Hey Jude” | Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean” |
| Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You” | Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin'” | Eagles – “Hotel California” |
| Beyoncé – “Single Ladies” | Prince – “Purple Rain” | Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit” |
People make emotional connections to songs based on lyrics, melodies, vocals, and more. Hearing a favorite song instantly brightens moods and takes people back to certain times and places.
Favorite TV Shows
Binge-watching a favorite TV show is a popular pastime. There’s something comforting about losing ourselves in the familiar fictional universes and characters. Some examples of fan-favorite shows include:
| Friends | The Office | Breaking Bad |
| Game of Thrones | Stranger Things | The Simpsons |
| Seinfeld | Grey’s Anatomy | The Sopranos |
People end up quoting characters, rewatching episodes, and feeling connected to the shows that become their favorites. Even after a series ends, fans’ love for their favorite TV shows continues as they revisit them again and again.
Favorite Foods
When it comes to comfort food favorites, examples may include beloved family recipes, classic regional dishes, or popular indulgences. Some mouth-watering favorite foods include:
| Pizza | Ice cream | Chocolate chip cookies |
| Pasta | French fries | Cheeseburgers |
| Tacos | Sushi | Barbecue |
Food favorites can offer a taste of home, childhood, celebration, or simply a delicious treat. There’s often nostalgia and happy memories wrapped up in our most treasured foods.
Favorite Possessions
Many of us have items that hold special meaning and bring us comfort. These keepsakes and treasures become favorites that we hold onto for years. Some examples include:
| Childhood stuffed animal or blanket | Family heirloom | Souvenir from a special trip |
| Gift from someone special | Piece of artwork | Collection (books, stamps, etc.) |
We form emotional attachments to our most cherished possessions. They hold memories and meaning that make them irreplaceable favorites.
Favorite Memories
Nostalgic memories from meaningful moments in our lives often rank among our favorite things to recall. Some examples may include:
| Wedding day | Birth of a child | Memorable family vacation |
| Reunion with old friend | Graduation | First kiss |
| Winning a championship | Surprise party | Road trip adventure |
We hold these treasured memories closely, revisiting them fondly and remembering how they made us feel. Happy, poignant, and nostalgic memories never lose their special place among our favorite things.
Favorite Places
Certain places stay in our hearts as favorites we yearn to return to again and again. Some beloved places may include:
| Hometown | Family vacation cottage | Childhood best friend’s house |
| College campus | Trip to a national park | Study abroad location |
| Honeymoon destination | Grandparent’s home | Scene of a first date |
These special places feel comforting, vividly bring back memories, and become ingrained as our most loved favorites.
Favorite Activities
We all have activities that we find enjoyable, relaxing, and just make us happy. Some examples of favorite activities include:
| Reading | Exercising | Cooking |
| Gardening | Playing sports | Knitting |
| Listening to music | Watching movies | Hiking |
These favored activities provide creative outlets, opportunities to decompress, and ways to simply have fun in the moment. We make time for the hobbies and pastimes that rank among our very favorite things to do.
Conclusion
Our favorite things offer comfort, joy, and connection. They include gems across many categories from beloved pieces of pop culture to cherished possessions and memories. While everyone’s list of favorites is unique, common threads emerge in the types of things that typically earn a special place in people’s hearts. Favorites provide insight into our interests, values, nostalgia, and sources of happiness. They are the movies, music, foods, places, and more that we hold close throughout our lives.