5 things to binge-watch this weekend if you need post-election escapism

Well, it's been a week.

Tuesday marked the end of a bitter election cycle, though many are still feeling the exhausting effects. If you need a pick me up, for any reason at all, we've rounded up five shows and movies that will lift your spirits, even for 23 minutes. Anything to make you smile.

If you're counting down the days until Nov. 25: Gilmore Girls 

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life will bring us all back to Stars Hollow later this month, but you don't have to wait to spend time with Lorelai and Rory. All seven existing seasons are streaming on Netflix, and those first three are especially optimistic. We recommend "Love, Daisies and Troubadours" from Season 1, "The Bracebridge Dinner" from Season 2 and "Those Are Strings, Pinocchio" from Season 3. Just thinking about Rory thanking her mom in her Chilton valedictorian speech is enough to bring a smile to your face.

Stream Gilmore Girls on Netflix.

If you want to believe in journalism: Good Girls Revolt 

Amazon's new series follows a group of female journalists in the 1960s fighting for equal rights. That might be just what you need to watch right now. And besides the subject matter the show is full of humor and a likable cast, and enough inspiration to get you off the couch.

Stream Good Girls Revolt on Amazon.

If you want great characters, laughs and hijinx: Happy Endings

Sometimes you just want to sit at a bar and be close to your friends. No matter how weird they are. Happy Endings may be a sitcom about 20-something friends and their love lives, but it's no Friends knock-off. The show is full of unique characters, enviable relationships and genuine hilarity. The silly costumes and pratfalls are just a bonus.

Stream Happy Endings on Hulu.

If you want to be inspired to create: Sing Street

Paste BN Film Critic Brian Truitt called Sing Streetthe best film of 2016 (so far), and it's easy to see why. The film, by Once director John Carney, finds optimism and hope in music, telling an 80s-set coming of age story. Come for the music, stay for the love.

Stream Sing Street on Netflix.

If you want to happy cry: Akeelah and the Bee

If you can get through this story of a young girl overcoming incredible odds to win the National Spelling Bee without ugly-crying all over the place, we don't know what to do with you. The movie that gave us Keke Palmer is one of the most upbeat, inspirational movies we can think of, with a joyful ending that is anything but cheesy.

Rent Akeelah and the Bee on Amazon or Google Play.

You can scroll through more of our binge recommendations below (see last week's here).