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10 Shopaholic Movies You Should Watch 

“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” – Bo Derek (American actress and model)

I do agree with this statement but not entirely. Shopping can make one feel happy, but it isn’t the only source of happiness. I love watching good movies, they make me happy. I also enjoy shopping sprees but not the real-life kind that would leave me staring at a maxed-out credit card. No! My interest is in the ones that unfold on the big screen. I find shopaholic movies utterly delightful – the glamorous fashion, envy-inducing shopping sprees, and the resulting retail therapy which makes them quite relatable and fun to watch.

Most people enjoy shopping. Some more than others. If left unchecked, this excessive and problematic shopping behavior goes beyond simply enjoying shopping and becomes an addiction that negatively impacts many people’s lives.

Shopaholic movies are fun and they explore the often humorous, sometimes dark, and always relatable struggles of people with excessive shopping habits. From vintage classics that still inspire major style crushes to more modern tales of fashionistas finding love while searching for the perfect pair of heels, these movies showcase the best retail therapy on the silver screen. Here are the 10 shopaholic movies that you should watch.

1. Confessions Of A Shopaholic (2009)

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Confessions of a Shopaholic is a delightful rom-com story about Rebecca Bloomwood, acted by Isla Fisher, a charming young woman with a penchant for fashion and a not-so-charming addiction to shopping. Despite drowning in debt, she can’t resist the allure of a new purchase, leading to hilarious and chaotic situations.

On top of that, she accidentally lands a job writing for a financial magazine, preaching financial responsibility while secretly struggling with her own spending habits. As she juggles her career, love life, and mounting debt, Rebecca must confront her addiction and learn to manage her finances.

2. Identity Thief (2013) 

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Identity Thief is a comedy film released in 2013, directed by Seth Gordon. The movie stars Jason Bateman as Sandy Patterson, a mild-mannered businessman, and Melissa McCarthy as Diana, a brash and unapologetic identity thief. The story follows Sandy as he discovers that his identity has been stolen by Diana, who has been living it up, indulging in luxurious shopping sprees and extravagant purchases, all at his expense. She uses stolen identities to shop and fulfill her desire for luxury.

3. Clueless (1995)

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Clueless is a teen comedy film that was directed by Amy Heckerling. It is a classic coming-of-age story that revolves around Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone), a wealthy, popular high school student in Beverly Hills who is obsessed with fashion and shopping.

Cher’s love for fashion and her privileged upbringing undeniably involve her in frequent shopping sprees and brand-conscious choices. Her iconic yellow plaid outfit, for example, reflects her trendy and fashion-forward personality. However, the film goes beyond just portraying the glamorous side of shopping. It also subtly touches upon the potential downsides of materialism and the importance of finding value beyond possessions.

4. Pretty Woman (1990) 

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Pretty Woman  is a romantic comedy, directed by Garry Marshall and starring Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward a vivacious prostitute on Hollywood Boulevard and Richard Gere as Edward Lewis, a wealthy businessman.

Edward hires Vivian to accompany him to social events during his business trip to Los Angeles. Vivian does extravagant shopping sprees with Edward’s credit card, hoping that material possessions can provide happiness.

5. Material Girls (2006)

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Material Girls is a 2006 comedy movie that centers around Tanzie and Ava Marchetta, two wealthy sisters who inherit their father’s cosmetics empire. Accustomed to a life of luxury and excessive spending, they have little regard for the value of money or the source of their wealth.

Their world comes crashing down when their company is embroiled in a scandal, leaving them penniless and forced to fend for themselves. This sudden shift is a wake-up call and they end up clearing their father’s name and rebuilding their lives. At some point, they take on minimum wage jobs at a fast-food restaurant, and use retail therapy to cope with stress and negative emotions

6. Going Shopping (2005) 

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Going Shopping is a 2005 comedy-drama movie that revolves around the character of Holly G. (played by Victoria Foyt), an aspiring fashion designer and boutique owner facing various challenges in her personal and professional life. She tries to save her struggling boutique store by having a tumultuous weekend sale of her shop’s inventory by playing on the addictions of shopping for the women of Beverly Hills.

As she tries to navigate the competitive world of high-end fashion retail, she encounters issues with her marriage, relationships with friends, and the pressures of maintaining a successful business. The movie is an interesting exploration of women, shopping, and the complexities of consumerism.

7. The Devil Wears Prada (2006) 

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The Devil Wears Prada is a 2006 comedy-drama movie that stars Anne Hathaway as Andrea “Andy” Sachs and Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly. Andy, a recent college graduate lands a job as the second assistant to Miranda, the powerful and demanding editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine.

Her tasks revolve around Miranda’s impossible demands, each leading her on a wild shopping sprees to find the perfect cerulean blue sweater, sourcing vintage Chanel bags, or securing a one-of-a-kind accessory for a celebrity client. Each errand becomes a hilarious adventure, highlighting the absurdity and extravagance of the fashion world.

8. Sex And The City (2008) 

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Sex and the City is movie that was released in 2008, and was a continuation of the popular television series by the same name. The central characters include Carrie who is obsessed with shoes and designer labels, Miranda who indulges in expensive home decor, Charlotte who splurges on baby products, and Samantha seeks exclusive experiences and exotic souvenirs.

The plot revolves around Carrie’s engagement to Mr. Big, the enabler who  gifts her extravagant purchases and whisks her away on shopping sprees to exotic locations, thus fueling her shopping addiction. The movie is about the various challenges and complications that arise as the characters navigate their relationships and personal lives. The film explores themes of love, friendship, the pursuit of happiness, consumerism, and fashion obsession.

9. The Joneses (2009)

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The Joneses is a 2009 satirical comedy-drama movie about a seemingly perfect family, the Joneses, who move into an affluent suburban neighborhood. Steve, Kate, and their two teenage children, Mick and Jenn, are attractive, successful, and seemingly living the American dream.

The family’s purpose is to infiltrate the community and subtly promote various products and lifestyle items to their neighbors and peers. They live in a luxurious home, drive high-end cars, and wear fashionable clothing, all while creating envy and desire among those around them.

However, the twist is that the Joneses are not a real family but a team of undercover marketers working for a marketing company. They are influencers promoting consumerism.

10. 13 Going on 30 (2004) 

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13 Going on 30 is a 2004 fantasy romantic comedy movie about an unpopular teenager, Jenna Rink, who wishes to skip ahead to adulthood during her 13th birthday party. To her surprise, her wish comes true, and she wakes up the following morning as a 30-year-old woman. 

She now has the latest trends, plus endless shopping sprees, which fuels her transformation. Jenna also gets a high-paying fashion industry job with unlimited access to designer clothes and accessories. As the movie progresses, the consequences of her shopaholic ways emerge. Mounting debt, neglected relationships, and the emptiness of material possessions start to show. Jenna realizes she’s drowning in a sea of clothes, yet feels lonelier than ever.

Those are the 10 shopaholic movies that you should watch. Individuals who are addicted to shopping accumulate significant debt due to excessive spending and this leads to strained relationships, job loss, and sometimes even legal trouble. From trophy shoppers, to bargain hunters, collectors, and retail therapy seekers, these people require counseling on managing debt and developing healthy spending habits.