According to Robert N Kraft, a professor of cognitive psychology at Otterbein University in Ohio, repeated viewing of familiar materials helps to fulfil our emotional needs, provide comfort, gives us a sense of control over our lives and connects us with our past.

As he writes for Psychology Today: “When rewatching familiar shows, we receive the stories and emotions we expect. We know how the episodes end and, more importantly, how we’ll feel when they end. Which is one reason we’re more likely to choose comedies for repeated viewing instead of dramas or tragedies.

“Many of us watch our favourite holiday movies because we want the story – and the emotional payoff we know is coming.” And there are quite a few psychological reasons behind it.

Turns out, there are psychological benefits to watching our favourite shows over and over again