Sometimes you just want to shut the world out and put on something that cheers you up. Well, how about a feel good movie? Feeling good's literally in the name! Go ahead and put on your jammies and the comfy slippers, pop some popcorn, grab a glass of whatever floats your beverage boat, and let's dive into some of the best, most wholesome feel-good flicks out there!
Holdup though, what exactly are "feel-good movies?" Feel good for who?
Ok, fair question. These are movies that generally tend to leave you, the viewer, feeling happier when they're done. This could be through straight-up comedy, it could be inspiring, it might even be a kind of a release of sadness - like a good cry and a happy ending. There's a good chance these will also take you back to younger days, high school years for some, maybe even earlier for others.
We made our selections by researching which titles came up most often in other lists of this nature, as well as some personal favorites because you gotta change a few answers to the test, right? Bear in mind these are in no specific order and we've undoubtedly had to leave some great films on our editing room floor (just kidding, it's all a digital hell now!) so feel free to sound off in the comments about what you'd have included. That is the kind of cheatsheet for my own watch list healthy discussion we can really get behind!
True Classics
These are some of the true nostalgia bringers for most of us and are also widely regarded as classics of their genres. We loved these the minute we saw them way back when, and we always will.
1.) The Breakfast Club (1985)
Starring:
Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy
Plot Synopsis:
A group of plucky misfits representing each high school stereotype (Nerd, Beauty, Jock, Rebel, and Recluse) is forced to spend detention together, during which they realize "Whoa, all of these other people are complex human beings!" It's a lot better than I make it sound, I promise.
Where to watch:
AMC (via Amazon Prime), Peacock
As always, this and every other film on this list are available to buy/rent from pretty much everywhere.
2.) The Princess Bride (1987)
Starring:
Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, Robin Wright, Peter Falk, Fred Savage, Billy Crystal
Plot Synopsis:
An enchanting and wonderfully-acted fairy tale story of a beautiful princess and a dashing pirate, two long-lost lovers who must overcome truly staggering odds and a plethora of foes and even death itself to come together again.
Where to watch:
Prime Video, Disney+, Roku
3.) Big (1988)
Starring:
Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard
Plot Synopsis:
Tom Hanks, one of the most absolutely wholesome dudes in Hollywood, stars as a kid who wakes up in an adult body after making a wish at a sketchy fortune-telling kiosk. If you've ever seen a show/movie where a character dances across a giant piano floor, you have Big to thank.
Where to watch:
Starz, DirectTV, Spectrum On-Demand
4.) Matilda (1996)
Starring:
Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris, Mara Wilson
Plot Synopsis:
A brilliant, prodigious little girl from a cruel, uncultured family discovers she has telekinetic powers and uses them to improve the lives of her classmates in this live-action version of Roald Dahl's classic children's book.
Where to watch:
Freeform, DirectTV, Spectrum On-Demand
Slightly Raunchy
These may not exactly be super kid-friendly with some of the cruder scenes/themes that they sometimes explore, but that doesn't mean they aren't a really good time! If you like some dirty jokes sprinkled into your night in, these are a good place to start.
5.) Coming to America (1988)
Starring:
Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Madge Sinclair, Shari Headley
Plot Synopsis:
Eddie Murphy stars as a handsome, rebellious young prince from a small African country who goes undercover as a regular guy in America to find his own bride instead of marrying the girl his royal parents have chosen for him.
Where to watch:
Tubi, PlutoTV
6.) When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Starring:
Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby
Plot Synopsis:
Two students carpool from Chicago to New York, striking up a friendship while discussing the possibility of whether a man and woman can be platonic friends. Ten years later, they're friends again and things get complicated as their friendship becomes less-than-platonic. It's a truly classic rom-com.
Where to watch:
HBO Max
7.) Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Starring:
Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein, Robert Prosky
Plot Synopsis:
A loving but irresponsible dad/struggling voice actor gets separated from his exasperated spouse and gets minimal visitation rights with his children. After learning his ex is looking for a nanny, he secures the job disguised as an elderly Scottish lady, Mrs. Doubtfire.
It's Robin Williams in one of his more iconic roles - what else is there to say?
Where to watch:
Disney+
8.) Legally Blonde (2001)
Starring:
Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge
Plot Synopsis:
After getting dumped for being too much of a 'dumb blonde' stereotype, sorority queen Elle Woods applies to Harvard Law (following her ex) and, to everyone's surprise, more than rises to the challenge of being there.
Where to watch:
Netflix, Roku, Pluto TV
9.) Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Starring:
George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy García, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts
Plot Synopsis:
Who doesn't love a stylish-as-hell heist movie?? George Clooney and Brad Pitt head up an absolutely all-star cast of crooks, cons, and robbers looking to make the score of a lifetime.
This is a remake of the 1960 classic with the same name, starring OG ultra-suave leading man, Frank Sinatra. You should definitely check out both.
Where to watch:
HBO Max
10.) The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Starring:
Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd
Plot Synopsis:
A perfectly nice guy with a steady job and a LOT of hobbies turns 40 without having ever done the deed. This bothers his male co-workers/friends so much, they make it a mission to get him laid.
Where to watch:
HBO Max, HBO, MaxGO, DirectTV, Spectrum On-Demand
Worth the Drama
If you're the type who doesn't mind shedding a tear or two as you watch a movie, maybe being put through the emotional wringer a little bit before the payoff, or just appreciate a good dramatic performance, these are just what the doctor ordered.
11.) Forrest Gump (1994)
Starring:
Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, Sally Field
Plot Synopsis:
Tom Hanks won an Oscar for his lead role in this film about a man born with a very low IQ who goes on to accomplish a great many things despite what many might consider a disability.
Where to watch:
Fubo TV, Showtime, DirectTV, Spectrum On-Demand
12.) The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Starring:
Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, James Whitmore
Plot Synopsis:
An upstanding banker finds himself jailed after being framed for the murder of his wife and her lover. At Shawshank prison, his accounting skills help the warden cook the books, but he's also working out his own plan the whole time. There's a reason so many people say this is one of their favorite movies ever - it's a great story that's well-told and brilliantly acted.
Where to watch:
HBO Max
13.) Good Will Hunting (1997)
Starring:
Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård, Minnie Driver
Plot Synopsis:
Will Hunting comes from a rough neighborhood in Boston and cleans the floors at MIT, but possesses a genius-level intellect that is finally exposed when he solves an unsolvable problem. The professor who posted the problem takes him under his wing, and also makes him see a therapist (Robin Williams in another incredible performance) who becomes a father figure for Will.
Where to watch:
Starz, DirectTV, Spectrum On-Demand
14.) Billy Elliot (2000)
Starring:
Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, Jamie Bell, Jamie Draven, Adam Cooper
Plot Synopsis:
Against the backdrop of the 1984 Miner's Strike, a young boy discovers he'd rather do ballet than be a boxer.
Where to watch:
HBO Max
15.) The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Starring:
Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith
Plot Synopsis:
Based on the true story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who receives custody of his young son while trying to start a career as a stockbroker, a true rags-to-riches story that sees him going from homelessness to founding his own multimillion-dollar brokerage.
Where to watch:
Starz
Animated Films
These are the most obviously kid-friendly titles on this list, but don't kid yourself - there's plenty of great storytelling and uplifting messages for adults in here too!
16.) Up (2009)
Starring:
Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai
Plot Synopsis:
Carl Fredricksen and his wife always dreamed of traveling the globe one day, but at age 78, Carl is a lonely widower and life seems to have passed him by. That is until Carl decides to take action and straps countless helium balloons to his house, setting out to finally fulfill the promise he made to his wife.
Where to watch:
Disney+
17.) Inside Out (2015)
Starring:
Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling
Plot Synopsis:
This film turns a young girl's dominant emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness - into actual characters in her head as they do their best to help her navigate a cross-country move and the various pitfalls of growing up. It's a really great way to help younger kids (and even adults) understand sensitive concepts like anxiety and depression.
Where to watch:
Disney+, DirectTV
18.) Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Starring:
Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali
Plot Synopsis:
Miles Morales is a regular high-school kid. He's also this universe's only Spider-Man... until Wilson 'Kingpin' Fisk opens portals to other dimensions using a supercollider, bringing various other Spideys into this world.
Where to watch:
Buy/rent only (for now)
19.) Soul (2020)
Starring:
Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Rachel House, Angela Basset, Questlove
Plot Synopsis:
A middle-school jazz teacher and aspiring musician lands the gig of a lifetime... and gets into an accident that separates his soul from his body almost immediately after. Desperate to get back, he pairs up with an unborn soul, 22, who's refused to leave the Before for eons now.
This movie is genuinely such a beautiful metaphor for life and death in a way that kids can digest, but even adults can learn a beautiful lesson from. It left me bawling my eyes out with happy tears, and I'd wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone.
Where to watch:
Disney+
Musicals
Nothing like a good song-and-dance number to get you smiling! If you're a certified Gleek, seven days a week, these are for you (but they're also great even if musicals aren't REALLY your thing).
20.) Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Starring:
Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell, Cyd Charisse
Plot Synopsis:
A silent film company in 1927 makes the tumultuous transition to talking pictures. Just a whole lot Old Hollywood nostalgia, and the film's title has gone on to become a colloquialism for feeling happy, so you know the feel-good vibes are strong here!
Where to watch:
HBO Max
21.) Sister Act (1992)
Starring:
Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Harvey Keitel
Plot Synopsis:
Whoopi Goldberg plays a Reno singer who goes into witness protection at a nunnery after witnessing a mob murder. Once there, she takes over the failing choir and turns them around so well, it attracts enough media notice to bring the mob right back at her doorstep.
Where to watch:
Disney+, Fubo TV, Sling, DirectTV, Spectrum On-Demand
22.) School of Rock (2003)
Starring:
Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman
Plot Synopsis:
Struggling to make rent, failing musician Dewey Finn scams his way into a substitute teacher role at a swanky private school. Once there, he starts schooling his students on the finer points of rock 'n' roll, helping them find their own unique voices and self-expression along the way.
Where to watch:
Netflix, Paramount+
Holiday Cheer
You know there's no way we could make a list of movies to uplift and make you feel good without some Christmas joints in there. Goodwill and cheer are what the Holiday Spirit is all about, so it's basically a match made in heaven.
24.) A Christmas Story (1983)
Starring:
Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsley
Plot Synopsis:
The various childhood misadventures of a young boy and his family at Christmas time. Poor kid, all he really wants is a Red Ryder BB gun.
This is one of those movies that's on just about every channel during the Holidays, and it's one I'll stop and watch anytime, regardless of where I came in.
Where to watch:
HB Max
24.) Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Starring:
Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Mara Wilson, Dylan McDermott
Plot Synopsis:
A little girl has grown up disillusioned with one of childhood's most enduring miracles - Santa Claus - after her mom told her the truth about him very early on. However, a new department store Santa who has an unflappable conviction he's the real deal starts challenging that 'truth' for her - and the entire city.
I will never, ever not watch this movie. Just seeing the trailer made me choke up with childhood nostalgia and to me, this is just a perfect movie. It's also a remake of the beloved 1947 classic, which is spectacular in its own right.
Where to watch:
HBO Max, HBO, Max GO, DirectTV, Spectrum On-Demand
25.) Elf (2003)
Starring:
Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner
Plot Synopsis:
An infant accidentally falls into Santa's pouch on Christmas Eve, ending up at the North Pole where he's raised as an elf by Santa's helpers. As he grows into an adult, however, Buddy can't help but start feeling like maybe he belongs somewhere else and sets off to Manhattan to find his real dad.
Where to watch:
HBO Max, Starz, DirectTV, Spectrum On-Demand
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