30 Feel-Good Movies to Brighten Your Day (or Night)

Sometimes, you just want to watch something easy. While feel-good movies can come from any genre, the majority are comedies, family films and romances. Because “feel-good” movies are often from these types of genres, sometimes they are discounted as “fluff,” “predictable” or even “chick flicks,” but fluff isn’t always a bad thing. The best feel-good movies are made to delight. They shouldn’t feel difficult. You should be laughing and/or “awwing” at the greatest feel-good films. There is a time for gritty dramas and there is a time for uplifting movies. So cuddle up, sit back and relax because these films are meant to be an easy watch.

Top Feel-Good Movies

There is no singular definition for a feel-good movie; however, this list considers a few key factors. Feel-good films can’t have a sad ending and generally don’t have high stakes. There will be no nail-biting on this list. Feel-good movies also need to have a likable main character or characters that you root for (and again, they need to end up on top at the end). It is not a perfect genre definition, but it is easily applied to the films on this list.

Feel-good is a subjective category that is also heavily influenced by nostalgia. For some viewers, 1940s horror movies might make them feel good. For others, maybe nothing feels as good a cathartic cry. That being said, this list prioritizes films that general audiences will recognize as feel-good. The writer of this list is a millennial woman in her 30s, which has undoubtedly shaped this ranking from showcasing female protagonists to a penchant for late 1990s and early 2000s films. However, generally, “feel-good” movies are often marketed towards women. This may be partially because the above definition works exceptionally well for romance and comedy movies (which is why many of the films on this list fit into those categories). While all the movies on this list are feel-good films, they are notably not ranked by how uplifting they are. Instead, they are ranked based on the overall quality of the film.

 

 

30. Ocean’s 8 (2018)

While most of the Ocean’s films could have made this list, Ocean’s 8 feels the goofiest and most joyous in some ways. Is it as good as 2001’s Ocean’s Eleven? Arguably, no. However, it delivers silly gags, has beautiful set pieces and captures the fun of the original trilogy and the original 1960s film.

Ocean’s 8 follows Debbie Ocean, a recently paroled con artist, and her team as they try to rob a famous necklace from the Met Gala. It stars Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Rihanna and Helena Bonham Carter. The film is available to stream on SlingTV.

29. Mamma Mia Here We Go Again (2018)

The sequel to 2008’s Mamma Mia!, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, is pure fun. Honestly, the first Mamma Mia! could have also easily made this list, but Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again may actually be the better movie.

Directed by Ol Parker, the film cuts between the present day and 1979 as a young Donna Sheridan navigates love, musical dreams and an unexpected pregnancy. The film, thus, is both a sequel and prequel to the original musical, which works surprisingly well. While the end is a little silly, this film is made by its fun musical set pieces and 1970s scenes. The film features a large ensemble cast which includes Amanda Seyfried, Lily James, Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Andy García, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Cher, Meryl Streep, Alexa Davies, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Josh Dylan, Jeremy Irvine and Hugh Skinner. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is available to rent on Google Play and Apple TV.

28. Penelope (2006)

Penelope is somewhat criminally underrated. It doesn’t have a significant cult status, garnered mixed reviews upon its release and hasn’t really been revisited. However, it is a delightful modern fairytale that feels like it should be reassessed. The film follows a girl who must break a curse that makes her look like a pig by having a man fall in love with her.

Directed by Mark Palansky, Penelope is a sweet and charming film about acceptance, elevated by its cast, which includes Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O’Hara, Peter Dinklage, Richard E. Grant and Reese Witherspoon. It is available to stream for free on Tubi, The Roku Channel and Amazon Prime.

27. Pride (2014)

Pride tells the true story of the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners campaign and follows a group of queer activists who became involved in the 1984 British miners strike in a small village in Wales. The film is incredibly earnest and showcases an uplifting message about community, collective liberation and acceptance.

Directed by Matthew Warchus, Pride stars Ben Schnetzer, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West and Andrew Scott. It received the Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival and is available to rent on YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

26. Ball of Fire (1941)

Directed by Howard Hawks and starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, Ball of Fire is a surprising take on Snow White. This screwball comedy follows a professor whose work gets him mixed up with a nightclub singer and her made-man fiancé. There is something wonderfully zany and 1940s about the film.

Ball of Fire was nominated for four Oscars, including the now-defunct Best Story category. The film currently has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and was preserved in the Library of Congress in 2016. While it isn’t the first classic comedy that probably comes to mind, it’s pure fun. Ball of Fire is currently streaming for free on Peacock and Pluto TV.

25. Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)

Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion is a cult classic film about two friends in their late 20s who go to their ten-year high school reunion in Tucson. It has bright visuals and a purposely wacky script, which makes it hard not to have fun while watching.

While it is a screwball comedy, it has also become a feminist hit. The film stars Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo and Alan Cumming. It inspired a prequel TV movie musical, and a sequel was announced in 2024. It is currently streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

24. First Wives Club (1996)

There is a bit of a micro-genre of “good for her” comedies about groups of women winning, which includes films like 9 to 5, B.A.P.S. and, of course, First Wives Club. While this genre usually doesn’t secure rave reviews or critical success, it is a staple of the “feel good” genre. These types of films feel good because they often focus on female friendships and women helping each other, and First Wives Club really delivers on that premise.

Directed by Hugh Wilson, the film follows three friends who reconnect after their college classmate kills herself amid a messy divorce. The friends realize their own marriages are falling apart, and they need to start standing up for themselves. The film stars Diane Keaton, Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Maggie Smith, Dan Hedaya, Marcia Gay Harden and Sarah Jessica Parker. It also features cameos from Gloria Steinem, Ed Koch, Kathie Lee Gifford and Ivana Trump. First Wives Club has taken on a cult following and is a familiar favorite to many. It is available to stream on Paramount+ with Showtime.

23. Josie and The Pussy Cats (2001)

Josie and The Pussy Cats is based on characters from Archie Comics; however, it works as a stand-alone piece of media and is a surprisingly funny and sharp satire. The film stars Rachael Leigh Cook, Tara Reid, Rosario Dawson, Alan Cumming and Parker Posey. It is gloriously early 2000s and follows a girl group whose music is used for a nefarious mind-control plot.

While the film wasn’t well received and was a commercial failure, its soundtrack achieved Gold status. Roger Ebert said of the movie in his half-star review, “Josie and the Pussycats are not dumber than the Spice Girls, but they’re as dumb as the Spice Girls, which is dumb enough,” seemingly shaming the film Spice World, which shares some aesthetics and beats (including Cumming playing a fictional manager). While Spice World is a movie “so bad that it is good,” Josie and The Pussy Cats is actually good. While it feels extremely Y2K, the film might have been ahead of its time. Josie and the Pussy Cats is an inditement on the commodification of girl power, which not everyone got the first time. The film is available on Google Play, Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

22. Girls Trip (2017)

Another film about female friendship, Girls Trip, follows four friends who reunite to travel to Essence Fest in New Orleans. While it has some of the bluest jokes on this list, it is an undeniable laugh-out-loud comedy with a great script and better performances.

Directed by Malcolm D. Lee, Girls Trip stars Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish, Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah. The film was a critical and commercial success; it was the first film written by a Black female screenwriter (it was co-written by Tracy Oliver and Kenya Barris) to cross a $100 million box office. It is available to rent on Google Play, Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

21. The Muppet Movie (1979)

Really all the Muppets films are feel-good movies. It is hard to be sad watching Kermit, Ms. Piggy and the gang. The Muppet Movie is the first of f eight full-length films to star the Muppets. The film is a comedy-road trip-musical that is also an origin story for Jim Henson’s Muppets.

Directed by James Frawley, the film stars Henson and Frank Oz. It features cameos by Bob Hope, Richard Pryor, Orson Welles, Mel Brooks and the final film appearance of ventriloquist Edgar Bergen. It includes iconic songs such as “Rainbow Connection,” “Movin’ Right Along” and “The Magic Store” and was nominated for two Oscars for its music. The film is currently available to stream on Disney+.

20. Bring It On (2000)

Brrrr, it’s cold in here… There is a reason that Roger Ebert once called Bring It On the “Citizen Kane of cheerleader movies.” The film stars Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford and Gabrielle Union and follows two rival high school cheer teams preparing for nationals.

The film prompted several direct-to-video sequels and a 2011 stage musical (with music by Lin-Manuel Miranda); however, the original is easily the best, partially due to its exploration of the themes of issues of systemic inequality, cultural appropriation and intersectional feminism. While that might not feel “feel-good,” Bring It On has a surprisingly easy and uplifting quality to it. Katie Barnes wrote for ESPN.com, “The entire film is an exploration of appropriation and the way whiteness works in our culture. It tackles race, gender and sexuality in stunning ways. Somehow within 98 minutes, queer politics gets addressed too. It’s a breakneck cultural mirror.” The film is available to stream on YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

19. Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar (2021)

While this film might technically have the highest stakes out of any of the movies on this list, it’s far too wacky to ever be taken too seriously. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar follows two friends as a girls’ trip to Florida leads them to save the world.

Josh Greenbaum directed the film, which stars Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Jamie Dornan and Damon Wayans Jr. Barb and Star has a great look that hinges on the bad taste of bright colors and culottes, and Wiig and Mumolo deliver a masterclass in comedy. The film still feels like a bit of a hidden gem since it was only released on video on demand after its theatrical release was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, it feels destined for a cult classic status. It is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.

18. Good Will Hunting (1997)

Good Will Hunting is a classic underdog story. The film follows a brilliant but troubled MIT janitor as a therapist helps him pursue an education in mathematics. The film is a little schmaltzy and predictable, but it’s big heart and powerhouse performances carry it.

Directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, Good Will Hunting stars Damon, Robin Williams, Stellan Skarsgård, Affleck and Minnie Driver. It was nominated for nine Oscars; Williams won for Best Supporting Actor, and “Matt and Ben” took home another for Best Screenplay. It is currently streaming on SlingTV.

17. Sense and Sensibility (1995)

While 2005’s Pride and Prejudice is probably the more popular Jane Austin adaptation, Ang Lee’s 1995 take on Sense and Sensibility is a must-watch for anyone interested in period romances. The film stars Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson, who also wrote it.

The film is one of the best Austen adaptations. While some characters are changed, the film captures more of the politics and societal expectations of the time than many other Austen-based films do. The film was nominated for seven Oscars, winning for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay). It is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime.

16. Tampopo (1985)

Tampopo is a Japanese comedy about the search for the perfect ramen noodle. It is a deeply human film that feels like a warm hug. It doesn’t hurt that the film also features a lot of delicious soup for its overall “feel-good” vibe.

Directed by Juzo Itami, Tampopo stars Tsutomu Yamazaki, Nobuko Miyamoto and Ken Watanabe. It is a fun and sexy film that was extremely popular in Japan. While Tampopo literally translates to “Dandelion” and refers to the Ramen chef’s first name in the movie, many restaurants have adopted the name due to the film’s popularity. It currently holds a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. It is currently streaming on Max.

15. Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

Nancy Meyers knows how to make a feel-good romance, and Something’s Gotta Give is arguably her best film. The movie follows an older man whose heart attack traps him at a beach house owned by his much younger girlfriend’s mom.

The film stars Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Frances McDormand, Amanda Peet and Jon Favreau. While Keaton was nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award for her role, Nicholson also shines (even if he may be playing himself a bit). It is currently available to stream on Max.

14. Amélie (2001)

Amélie is a French classic that introduced many to the world of French cinema. It was a runaway box office success both in France and internationally. The film follows a shy waitress who decides to improve the lives of those around her by helping them fall in love.

Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, the film stars Audrey Tautou as the titular Amélie. The film is as sweet as it is visually appealing. The BBC once called it the “most stylish film ever made,” and its influence on the look of later films is palpable. Amélie was nominated for five Academy Awards and won four César Awards. It is currently streaming on Max.

13. In & Out (1997)

While there have been several good recent queer rom-coms, including Fire Island and Crush, In & Out is an early Hollywood gay comedy. Directed by Frank Oz and written by Paul Rudnick, In & Out follows a small-town high school teacher who is outed by a former student in an Oscar acceptance speech.

The film was inspired by Tom Hanks’ Oscar acceptance for his role in Philadelphia, in which he thanked his drama teacher and a gay former classmate. In & Out stars Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Tom Selleck, Matt Dillon, Debbie Reynolds, Wilford Brimley and Bob Newhart. The film was nominated for one Oscar (for Best Supporting Actress for Cusack). It is currently streaming for free on Pluto TV.

12. ​​Ever After (1998)

Ever After is a retelling/reimagined version of Cinderella, but with a twist… what if Cinderella was historically accurate? Well, at least as historically accurate as most period romances. The film is set in 1500s pastoral France and follows a young girl’s romance with a prince as her “fairy godmother,” Leonardo Divinci, gives her wings.

Most fairy tale reimaginings are feel-good movies, and from A Cinderella Story to Ella Enchanted to Ever After, many Cinderella-inspired stories are feel-good favorites. What sets Ever After apart is the dreamy and aesthetically pleasing set pieces. The film stars Drew Barrymore and Anjelica Huston. It boasts a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and also enjoyed box office success. Ever After is currently streaming on Disney+.

11. Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Jane Austin adaptations are a staple for the feel-good genre, because who doesn’t want someone to tell them that they love them “most ardently.” While there are a lot of versions of Pride and Prejudice, Joe Wright’s 2005 version is arguably the best film version (however, if you include miniseries, especially the 1995 BBC series version, that argument gets more heated).

The film stars Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy and follows one of the most famous literary love triangles ever. It was nominated for four Academy Awards and has been credited with influencing the resurgence of the period romance genre in the 2000s. Pride and Prejudice is available to stream on Starz..

10. Ratatouille (2007)

Almost every film by Pixar could have made this list. They have cracked a code on emotionally resonant family films that leave the viewer feeling good (other notable films include The Incredibles, Luca and Coco). However, Ratatouille might be their masterpiece. Ratatouille follows a rat who proves that “anyone can cook” as he becomes a chef in Paris with help from a human restaurant worker.

Directed by Brad Bird, the film stars Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano, Brad Garrett, Peter O’Toole and Janeane Garofalo. Ratatouille won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and was nominated for four others. The film inspired an unauthorized social media-led fan musical, which led to a virtual concert that raised over $1.9 million to benefit The Actors Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic, 13 years after its release. Ratatouille has been referenced in many other movies and TV shows, including a parody called Raccacoonie in the film Everything Everywhere All at Once. The film is currently available to stream on Disney+.

9. Sullivan’s Travels (1941)

Preston Sturges’s Sullivan’s Travels follows a comedy director who has become tired of fluff as he decides to travel as a tramp to understand the plight of real Americans. The film is about the importance of comedy without being preachy. It is simply a classic comedy about comedy. The film stars Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake.

While Sullivan’s Travels was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in 1990 and heralded as a masterpiece by some in the 1940s, it hasn’t been as generally popular as some other classic comedies. However, it has been celebrated by critics, and the fictional film McCrea’s character hopes to make, Oh Brother Where Art, Thou?, is referenced in the 2000 Coen Brothers film of the same name. It is currently available to rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple TV and Google Play.

8. Legally Blonde (2001)

Legally Blonde is part of a golden age of female-led comedies in the early 2000s (other notable films from this period include Ms. Congeniality, Mean Girls, Bridget Jones’s Diary, 13 Going on 30 and The Princess Diaries). It is hard to say which of these films is the best, but there is a strong case that can be made for Legally Blonde.

The movie follows Elle Woods as she goes to Harvard Law School in hopes of becoming the “serious” type of girl that her ex-boyfriend wants to marry; however, she falls in love with something “so much better” — practicing law. While the film has been criticized for being formulaic, it has a quotable script, great performances and a sweet message about overcoming the devaluation of femininity. The film stars Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber and Jennifer Coolidge. It is currently streaming on Max.

7. Coming to America (1988)

Coming to America tells the story of a prince who comes to America (specifically Queens, New York) to find a love match because “Where in New York can one find a woman with grace, elegance, taste, and culture? A woman suitable for a king… Queens.”

Coming to America is a comedy classic filled with iconic lines and gags. Directed by John Landis, it stars Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall and James Earl Jones. While many reviews weren’t glowing in 1988, the film has remained popular, even prompting a sequel, Coming 2 America, in 2021. While the film is a feel-good, wacky royal romance, it still captures something real about the 1980s, Queens and the immigrant experience. It is currently streaming on SlingTV.

6. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of those films where almost every scene is iconic. A venerable 1980s classic, it is a highly quotable, feel-good teen comedy about a group of friends who play hooky from school to explore Chicago because “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

There is something both magical and nostalgic about Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Directed by John Hughes, the film stars Matthew Brodrick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara and Jennifer Grey. It has a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and was added to the Library of Congress for preservation in 2014. It is currently available for streaming through a subscription to Paramount+.

5. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

While many Studio Ghibli films could have made this list, My Neighbor Totoro is arguably the most “feel-good.” Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the film follows two young sisters and their run-ins with the spirits of the forest in 1950s rural Japan. It has a childlike dreaminess that delivers on nostalgia.

The film was initially screened as a double feature with the emotionally devastating animated film Grave of the Fireflies. My Neighbor Totoro received its first English dub in 1989 as an inflight movie for Japan Airlines. While some fans prefer this dub, it is far easier to find the 2004 Disney re-dubbed English version, which stars Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning and Timothy Daly. Totoro, the titular spirit of the forest, has become a cultural icon and serves as Studio Ghibli’s mascot. The film is available to stream on Max.

4. The Princess Bride (1987)

“This is true love. Do you think this happens every day?” The Princess Bride is a romance/fantasy classic directed by Rob Reiner. The film follows a farmhand turned pirate and a young maiden set to be married to an evil prince. The film has taken on a cult status, and for good reason.

The Princess Bride was based on William Golding’s 1973 novel of the same name. While the framing device is changed and there are some omissions, it is a very faithful adaptation. The Princess Bride stars Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, Peter Falk and Billy Crystal. It is currently available to stream on Disney+.

3. It happened One Night (1934)

It Happened One Night is a must-watch for romantic comedy fans. Directed by Frank Capra, it follows a newspaperman as he tries to help a young heiress connect with her scheming fiance. Yes, the plot feels very 1930s at times, but the film’s influence on modern romantic comedy tropes is undeniable. Even more surprisingly, the film still holds up 90 years later.

The film stars Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable. While a few comedies have won an Oscar for Best Picture, It Happened One Night was the first to win Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film is currently available on YouTube TV.

2. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

Singin’ in the Rain is a classic musical that is both a loving tribute to and parody of Hollywood in the late 1920s. The film follows three actors as they make the jump from silent pictures to “talkies.” Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, the film stars Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds.

Singin’ in the Rain was nominated for two Academy Awards. It was later selected as one of the first 25 films to be included in the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress in 1989. Singin’ in the Rain has become a cultural touch point. The film has been directly referenced in A Clockwork Orange, Glee, and Silver Linings Playbook and served as an inspiration for La La Land. It is currently streaming on Max.

1. Paddington 2 (2017)

While 2014’s Paddington is a delightful film, its sequel, Paddington 2, is even better. Paddington 2 is simply one of the best family films of all time. The film follows a bear who tries to buy a gift for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only to be falsely convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. The film is funny, tear-inducing and, most of all, heartwarming. Directed by Paul King, Paddington 2 stars Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw.

While Paddington 2 is a family film about a talking bear, it surprisingly explores themes of immigration, found family, anti-Brexit sentiments and inequalities in the justice system. For several years, it boasted a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes (notably ranking higher than Citizen Kane and The Godfather Part 2). However, in 2021, one negative review brought its ranking down to a 99%. The film was referenced in the 2022 film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, where the main characters bond over watching the movie, leading Pedro Pascal to deliver the line, “I cried through the entire thing. It made me want to be a better man.” Paddington 2 is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

Bottom Line

Not all great movies have to be heavy dramas. Sometimes, the most satisfying films leave you with happy tears or soreness from laughing. It’s not a crime to love a movie that makes you feel good.

 

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This article was written by Rosa Escandon from Forbes and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.