We need a bit (more like a truckload) of cheering up these days. Let’s face it, the pandemic induced stress and anxiety is slowly draining the joy from all the small things we loved doing. One of these things is cinema. Going to the movies along with your date, friends or family, snacking on a tub of popcorn and watching the magic unfold in front of you is truly a mesmerising experience.
Feel Good Movies have the power to transport you into a different world. It can be an escape, it can be a journey into the unknown, or it can be a mirror showing us the reality. Good movies possess the ability to change, inspire, and bring us joy. It’s a reminder that there are people all over the world, just like us, with trials and tribulations, and if they can win, we can win too!
So, here are our top picks for Feel Good Movies to make you smile and feel alive again.
The Shawshank Redemption
No feel good movie list is complete without this 1994 masterpiece. Often cited as the greatest film ever made, The Shawshank Redemption is based on a novella written by Stephen King.
It’s about a man, Andy Dufresne, imprisoned for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. In prison, he forms a bond with another inmate named Ellis ‘Red’ Redding, who narrates the story. The plot moves gradually, building our curiosity, pity, and admiration. The film has several deep philosophical, almost spiritual moments, though it’s set almost entirely in prison. With an inspiring, tear-jerking ending, Shawshank Redemption is must watch.
Little Miss Sunshine
This 2006 family satire/comedy explores various themes from the concept of winners and losers to body image to the superficiality of social beliefs, among others. The movie tells the story of the imperfect Hoover family. When their seven-year-old daughter, Olive, is unexpectedly selected to participate in a beauty pageant, the family is forced to embark on a 700-mile long journey in their ageing yellow Volkswagen van.
The family faces many misfortunes along the way and comes to appreciate the value of one another and learn the true meaning of happiness. With sharp writing, spectacular acting and tender moments, Little Miss Sunshine truly shines throughout the movie. One of our all-time favourites.
Groundhog Day
Delivering one of the finest performances of his career, Bill Murray stars as Phil, a cynical weatherman in this 1993 classic. Due to unexplained supernatural event, Phil finds himself living the same day over and over and over again. The day is the annual Groundhog ceremony in Pennsylvania, and he is the only one who knows that he is stuck in a time loop. In the beginning, Phil goes through a period of dismay, despair, self-destruction, and cynical recklessness until finally, he begins to change and understand himself better. He yearns to become a good man, do the right things and deserve the love of Rita, his producer.
The film is a testament to good films becoming a cultural phenomenon. There are papers written analysing Groundhog Day, often hailing it as the most spiritual film of all time. Do not miss this.
The Pursuit of Happyness
This 2008 biographical film is based on the life of Chris Gardner. Portrayed by Will Smith, Gardner is a struggling salesman longing to make ends meet for his family. His financial instability takes a toll on his marriage with his wife moving out and leaving Chris to raise their five-year-old son Christopher Jr. alone. This moving tale of a dad’s determination and desperation is sure to make you cry, smile and inspire, sometimes all in the same scene. A must watch.
Midnight in Paris
This Woody Allen directed 2011 film tells the story of Gil, a disappointed screenwriter. Gil, who longs to become a novelist, travels to Paris with his fiancee and her parents. He dreams of staying in Paris and loves the 1920’s Jazz era. One night mysteriously, he goes back to the 1920s and meets his idols Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, the likes, and begins falling in love with another woman.
The movie has a blend of whimsy and wisdom. It explores what happens when our wish comes true and how humans- irrespective of which era they live in- repeatedly crave for the bygone glorious days. With brilliant cinematography, star cast, and soulful music, Midnight in Paris is a rare cinematic beauty.
Wonder
This 2007 movie is based on R.J. Palacio’s novel of the same name. The story is about August “Auggie” Pullman, who was born with a rare facial abnormality resulting in him undergoing 27 surgeries. The ten-year-old homeschooled Auggie is enrolled in a private school by his parents in order to socialise with other kids. Scared of how his peers will look at him, Auggies braves through schools, slowly forming a close friendship with Jack.
What makes this movie Wonderful is that the story shifts the narrative from Auggie to his older sister, her best friend, and Jack to show us how all of them are fighting battles in their own way, albeit unseen by the people around them. Wonder provides an important message of kindness and makes us look at others with more compassion and love.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
This 2013 movie follows the story of Walter Mitty, a negative assets manager at Life Magazine. The shy Walter is prone to daydreaming about adventurous and romantic scenarios to escape the daily drudgery. However, when a missing negative threatens his job, Walter must overcome his fear and go on a crazy real-life adventure.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty shows that it takes courage to live your life to the fullest and be happy. The movie boasts breathtaking scenes of the nordic landscapes and a soundtrack, which you will be streaming for hours once you are done watching this movie. This movie will inspire you to live your dreams!
Honourable Mentions:
As Good As It Gets, Forrest Gump, Big, Harry Potter, Jerry Maguire, The Princess Bride, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Well, that was our recommendation for movies to make you feel good and hopeful about life. Invariably, we have excluded the famous ones (Amélie, It’s A Wonderful Life, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Singin’ In The Rain)
Do let us know if you have watched them; what’re your thoughts. We would love to know your favourite cheerful/feel good movie, along with where do you watch/stream them?
Also, you can check out our Best Animated Movies List and our Best Thriller Movies List for more awesome recommendations.
Until then… Stop Dreaming and Start Living!
72 Comments
Like it very much. Very enjoyable
It’s nice
Good to know. Thanks.
Looks interesting
Gostaria muito de assistir esses filmes.
All really good movies. Thanks for the review on the movies.
Thank you Panel Station for the recommendation,I sure will watch all the feel good movies to uplift my hopes in life.
I love most of this movies, especially The shawshank redemption, The pursuit of happiness, and Wonder
I will watch these movies. Thanks.
I would really Like to watch these movies.
Good day and trust you are well. Thank you TPS, this is some serious stuff for the whole family. Kind regards and take care.
gostei das dicas vou aproveitar ao máximo
espero que todos se encuentren bien de salud. gracias afortunadamente yo casi no veo películas o series y cuando prendo la televicion siempre estoy ocupada y solo necesito el ruido ya que que para eso la prendo o bien escucho música. gracias
Hola Tania por esta información de las películas ya sean nuevos extremos o encartelera las clásicas lógico me encantan
Absolutely an amazing choice of feel good movies, I concur there’s nothing like it to spread some optimism in these strange times. Thanks for it, take care and be safe.
Thank you panel station
Lovely..
Muito bom amei os filmes
أشعر بحالة جيد جدا
Amazing 🤩
Thank you for this wonderful selection, great stuff.
Obrigada por essa seleção de filmes tem alguns que já assisti
I choose three….people should stay indoors and alwayls wear a musk when goin out
Good evening these are nice movies to watch i am definitely going to ask my family to join in for some fun n relaxing time plus i only know one movie in the list.
Bellissima selezione di film…complimenti
Я посмотрел классный документальный фильм “Крым. Путь на Родину”.
Thank you so much for this. In fact, I was looking for feel-good movies to watch for our family movie night.
Una scelta di notevole interesse
بولين
لاكاسا دي بابل
Thank you! It is necessary to get distracted from the routine more often and watch the classic))
Ficar em casa
Obrigada por esta seleção maravilhosa. Um grande abraço.
como siempre haciendo las cosas bien, muchas gracias gran entretenimiento para la toda la familia saludos desde ciudad de Guatemala,
Grazie per l’interessamento sul nostro benessere, spesso mi immergo in un buon film per sorridere o pensare, personalmente amo la fantascienza ed in particolare sono un’accanita fan di Star trek.
Oltre ai film ho scoperto la bellezza degli audiolibri che mi portano in mondi fantastici e mi fanno vivere avventure meravigliose!
Ancora grazie per il vostro interessamento e vi auguro una buona serata
Sin duda una lista de películas con valores que se pueden ver en familia, todas tienen un mensaje positivo y son realmente interesantes, algunas nos tocarán el corazón y sacaran una que otra lagrima y nacerán diversos sentimientos. Las recomiendo.!!
Bons filmes, que nos fazem refletir sobre o que a vida pode nos proporcionar.
Dessa lista A procura da felicidade e linda
Thank you
very beautiful excellent
have seen a few of the a few times will look into others mentioned
Muy buena selección de pelis
It’s remind me of old memories about this movies. Very good and trilling
Really interesting movies, both captivating and thrilling. This is really nice.
Thank you for this selection. They are great collections to behold. I found three as most appealing which is a great way to start.
It’s really good having this movies coz I haven’t viewed them before
Thank for the nice movies I really appreciate it
Iwould love to be part off this Creative station
Zamanın krallarıydı bunlar güzel filmler bilgilendirme için teşekkür ederim.
If you have free time watch all of these movies.
Good
Thank you for this selection , I’ll watch them with my family
اختيار رائع أحسنتم
A beautiful gesture by the panel station. I will definitely see these movies with my family, many many thanks!!
Very good idea
LIKE it very much
It’s nice
Intéressant cette liste de films !
ขอบคุณสำหรับหนังดีๆครับช่วยผ่อนคลายได้ดีทีเดียวเลย
Muito top todos Filmes
انهم حقا رائعين للغاية ساوصى بهم للأصدقاء
Super information
Nice video
cool
Nice watch
I liked
Todas están interesantes pero en especial La búsqueda de la felicidad😍😍
Muy bueno. Muchas gracias.
Fast and furious
Really an good share , oldies are goldies movie time
สุนกดีทุกเรื่องค่าบ เนื้อหาดีค่าบ
Good recommendations
Wow…this really interesting. Although, I havent watched them. But the reviews are interesting.
Eu gosto muito de romanticamente