Astronauts call it “re-entry” when they hurtle into the Earth’s atmosphere, back from their time in outer space. It’s always a bumpy ride back home again.
Now that more of us are getting fully vaccinated, we’re experiencing our own version of re-entry as we meet up with friends and family after the long isolation. Some of us are adjusting more slowly, while others are rushing headlong into reunions with family and other vaccinated friends.
One thing we know, though: We’re hugging. Lots and lots of hugging. Elbow bumps will linger, but those full-on bear hugs will always be awesome.
This hugging gif sums it up pretty perfectly:
Can we hug if we’ve been vaccinated against Covid-19?
National Hugging Day came and went this year on January 21st; we weren’t ready for it yet. Now, with more than 3 million people getting vaccinated per day, we’re on track for some serious hug-fests.
According to NPR, “vaccinating a high percentage of the population against COVID-19 is a crucial part of the U.S. strategy to curb the pandemic. Since COVID-19 vaccine distribution began in the United States on Dec. 14, more than 232 million doses have been administered, fully vaccinating over 96.6 million people or 29.1% of the total U.S. population.”
Restrictions are loosening as a result. The CDC updated its guidelines this week, which included a green light on hugging for fully vaccinated people — defined as “people ≥ 2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen).”
Hugging is mutual
Can I order a large tight hug until I feel okay, please?
— ?????? (@rnldcruz) April 28, 2021
The lack of human connection while quarantining was really difficult. Our need for human connection and interaction intensified as time marched on through 2020. Now, as the country — and much of the world — gets their jabs, we’re ready to reunite with friends and family near and far.
Let’s get in the mood to throw our arms around each other with some of the best hug scenes in television and movies that have inspired plenty of hugging memes.
Best overall movie hug scene: Forrest Gump (1994)
We’re starting with the best scene first on this list. The Forrest and Jenny hug moment where they reunite in Washington D.C. at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is definitely one of the greatest hug scenes of all time.
I still get chills during Forrest Gump when Forrest and Jenny hug in the reflecting pool. #hopelessromantic
— ByeDon2020 (@babyduck72) July 31, 2010
Where to watch Forrest Gump: Buy or rent on Amazon
Best comedy hug: Tommy Boy (1995)
The hilarious Chris Farley to Rob Lowe: “Brothers don’t shake hands! Brothers gotta hug!”
#Bales2020FilmChallenge
Day 21: Someone gets a hug in a movieTommy Boy (1995)
Tommy meets future step-brother Paul—and non-specific NFL team fan Rob Lowe. pic.twitter.com/SRfDhXFvxv— ? ? ? ? (@drums_wires) January 21, 2020
Where to watch Tommy Boy: Buy or rent on Amazon
Best awkward hug: Trains Planes & Automobiles (1987)
“Those aren’t pillows!” Steve Martin and John Candy together are comedy gold.
John Candy and Steve Martin pic.twitter.com/t4xD2qw7gb
— Jonieblon (@jonieblon) April 7, 2021
Where to watch Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Watch for free on TubiTV
Best love scene hug: The Notebook (2004)
This is a movie we love to watch again and again. That moment when Allie returns to choose Noah is up there as one of the most iconic moments in romantic movies ever:
Where to watch The Notebook: Watch now on HBO Max
Best hug scene montage: Love Actually (2003)
The last scene in the airport where everyone is hugging their loved ones at the airport to the song “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys gives us all the feels.
You know the airport arrivals scene in Love Actually and how emotional it is? That’s what watching people reunite and hug in the park is like. It’s obvious it’s the first time a lot of people are seeing each other again and it’s so emotional and happy. ?❤️?
— Jess Dallow (@jldallow) April 28, 2021
Where to watch Love Actually: Watch now on Peacock TV
Best animated character hugger: Frozen (2013)
“Hi, I’m Olaf and I like Warm Hugs!” Frozen brought us one of the sweetest characters ever to be featured in a children’s animated movie and is one of many cute Disney characters.
I’m Olaf and I like warm hugs
— Hayley Costey (@Hayley_Costey) April 26, 2021
Where to watch Frozen: Watch now on Disney+
Best “I miss you” hug: The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)
A beautiful moment: Claire and Henry reunite after Claire thinks she will never see him again.
Where to watch The Time Traveler’s Wife: Watch now on Netflix
Best guy hug: Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Andy and Red reunite on the beach. “Get busy living, or get busy dying.”
The Shawshank Redemption ★★★★★
“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things & no good thing ever dies.”#FrankDarabont‘s perfect masterpiece is the greatest prison film ever made. Andy & Red reuniting with a hug on a beach in #Zihuatanejo might be the happiest ending ever pic.twitter.com/NxzlxE0EZX— Stephen Gibbons (@Gibboanxious) February 26, 2020
Where to watch Shawshank Redemption: Buy or rent on Amazon
Best bromantic hug: Rocky III (1982)
This scene is still making grown men cry after all these years.
All I need in my life is a girl to hug me like Apollo hugs Rocky after the beach race in Rocky III.
— James Schaser (@James_Schaser) December 22, 2017
Where to watch Rocky III: Watch on HBO Max
Best emotional release hug: Good Will Hunting (1997)
When Robin Williams as Sam hugs Matt Damon’s character Will and says “it’s not your fault,” we totally lose it.
If I could be anyone, it’d be Matt Damon. Not for the looks or money or anything like that. I just want to know what a warm hug from Robin Williams feels like.
— James Cerillion (@JamesCerillion) April 12, 2020
Where to watch Good Will Hunting: Watch now on Hulu
Best BFF hug: Will & Grace (1998-2006, 2017-2020)
These two characters were the best of friends, and we looked forward to tuning in each week to for the hilarity as much as to feel the genuine love they shared.
Get in here and let’s hug it out! ? pic.twitter.com/f0ZDk0bOtl
— Will & Grace (@WillAndGrace) February 28, 2021
Where to watch Will & Grace: Watch now on NBC
Best compassionate hug: Edward Scissorhands (1990)
The emotional pain and loneliness is palpable in this scene.
??????? ?? ?? ???????? ??????? ? pic.twitter.com/5oOpohSxpT
— ????????? ????????? ??? (@kaysar06) September 4, 2020
Where to watch Edward Scissorhands: Watch now on STARZ
Best children’s movie hug: Inside Out (2015)
Sadness Comforting Bing Bong is a masterclass in empathy.
I see a lot of great motivational tweets, however, it’s not realistic to be happy all the time – it’s okay to feel sad. There’s a great moment in Inside Out where Joy tries to distract Bing Bong from pain, sadness sits beside her. There is a place for sadness, & that’s okay. ?
— Dylan Sloan (@dylanrgsloan) April 10, 2021
Where to watch Inside Out: Watch now on Disney+
Best children’s movie hug: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)
This classic ‘70s kids’ movie includes an iconic hug scene with Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) and Charlie.
If you need cheering up today – here’s the hug at the end of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. pic.twitter.com/Yu7O6CYlko
— Rhett Bartlett (@dialmformovies) November 8, 2017
Where to watch Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory: Buy or rent on Amazon
Best mother-child hug: The Blind Side (2009)
We all wanted a proper hug after this heartwarming movie.
“Stop crying it’s just a movie”
The movie: pic.twitter.com/YNpG8lJdBv
— katie (@katiejaquez26) March 26, 2021
(this reminds us of all our favorite “stop crying it’s just a movie” memes)
Where to watch The Blind Side: Watch now on HBO Max
Best family hug: Modern Family (2009-2020)
The season finale made us all want to have one last group hug with this beloved family.
Where to watch Modern Family: Watch on ABC
Best Group Hug Scenes: Friends (1994-2004)
We love us some Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler, and Joey.
mondler hugs feel like home pic.twitter.com/xryBX1mOtL
— silvia ༄ friends reunion (@_IWishNiall_) April 25, 2021
Where to watch Friends: Watch on HBO Max
Best hug scenes in the Harry Potter series
We couldn’t just pick one, here are some of our favorites.
It’s a toss-up between the Harry and Hermione best friend hug
the part when harry and hermione hug is so cute skakakak
— hanner? (@uglycheesecake) July 4, 2016
Or the “There’s no Hogwarts without you Hagrid”
ok hear me out, I found the cure for depression:
the end of chamber of secrets when Hagrid returns from Azkaban and Harry says “there’s no Hogwarts without you Hagrid” and the whole school gives him a standing ovation. pic.twitter.com/dj8CcrEtgD
— Chrissy Costanza (@ChrissyCostanza) December 24, 2020
Where to watch all the Harry Potter movies: Buy or rent on Amazon
More Entertainment News Like This: “Stop crying, it’s just a movie” is the meme format we all needed
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