Best Feel-Good Movies
When I was kind of feeling sad and down, I remember searching on the internet some Feel-Good movies and for some reason, the lists that I've found so far weren't really appealing to me. Maybe it's because of the description in my head that is rather different than what is considered as a motivational feel-good movie, but regardless of any genres, I'd say any movie that has a glimpse of truth, more realistic perspective that can really get under my skin earned to be on this list. I didn't add any movies with over the top happiness moments filled with cliché, neither the ones who end up with Deux-Ex Machina moments with a paced up happy ending. I think you'll be able to at least feel some comfort and peace after watching these movies. Enjoy!
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- DirectorJim SharmanStarsTim CurrySusan SarandonBarry BostwickA newly-engaged couple have a breakdown in an isolated area and must seek shelter at the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-n-Furter.
- DirectorFrank DarabontStarsTim RobbinsMorgan FreemanBob GuntonA banker convicted of uxoricide forms a friendship over a quarter century with a hardened convict, while maintaining his innocence and trying to remain hopeful through simple compassion.This classic HAD TO be on this list. Hope, friendship, trust.. One of the best movies ever made.
- DirectorJames L. BrooksStarsJack NicholsonHelen HuntGreg KinnearA single mother and waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.What can be better than seeing a sociopath socializing with a homosexual artist, a waitress and a super cute dog?
- DirectorHarold RamisStarsBill MurrayAndie MacDowellChris ElliottA narcissistic, self-centered weatherman finds himself in a time loop on Groundhog Day.Depressed? Just watch it!
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinMack SwainTom MurrayA prospector goes to the Klondike during the 1890s gold rush in hopes of making his fortune, and is smitten with a girl he sees in a dance hall.This list wouldn't make any point without a Chaplin movie, especially The Gold Rush. You'l laugh so hard that at the end of the movie, you will definitely forget what you were whining for. PS: And also don't miss out the satirical approach of Chaplin to the period; this movie is more than a comedy.
- DirectorsJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsJeff BridgesJohn GoodmanJulianne MooreJeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.One of my favorite movies of all time. If you haven't met the dude yet, do it now.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsMarilyn MonroeTony CurtisJack LemmonAfter two male musicians witness a mob hit, they flee the state in an all-female band disguised as women, but further complications set in.
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsBradley CooperJennifer LawrenceRobert De NiroAfter a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.The relationship between a biopolar and a manic-depressive is not the only focus of this movie. It's got more to say and that's why it deserved to be on this list.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsAlec BaldwinGeena DavisMichael KeatonThe spirits of a deceased couple are harassed by an unbearable family that has moved into their home, and hire a malicious spirit to drive them out.Join Winona in the end!
- DirectorsJemaine ClementTaika WaititiStarsJemaine ClementTaika WaititiCori Gonzalez-MacuerViago, Deacon, and Vladislav are vampires who are struggling with the mundane aspects of modern life, like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, trying to get into nightclubs, and overcoming flatmate conflicts.One of the best comedies in a decade. Brilliant mockumentary to watch.
- DirectorsClyde BruckmanBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonMarion MackGlen CavenderAfter being rejected by the Confederate military, not realizing it was due to his crucial civilian role, an engineer must single-handedly recapture his beloved locomotive after it is seized by Union spies and return it through enemy lines.
- DirectorsOlivier NakacheÉric ToledanoStarsFrançois CluzetOmar SyAnne Le NyAfter he becomes a quadriplegic from a paragliding accident, an aristocrat hires a young man from the projects to be his caregiver.Watch it for the "fraternité" which seems impossible at first. You will get caught up just within minutes.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsPeter SellersGeorge C. ScottSterling HaydenA mentally unstable American general orders a hydrogen bomb attack on the Soviet Union, triggering a path to global nuclear holocaust that a war room full of politicians and generals frantically tries to stop.
- DirectorJean-Pierre JeunetStarsAudrey TautouMathieu KassovitzRufusDespite being caught in her imaginative world, young waitress Amelie decides to help people find happiness. Her quest to spread joy leads her on a journey during which she finds true love.Some hate it, some love it. Well, I was obliged to put Amélie on my list.
- DirectorHal AshbyStarsRuth GordonBud CortVivian PicklesYoung, rich, and obsessed with death, Harold finds himself changed forever when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral.This odd friendship is really convincing, believe me.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsDaveigh ChaseSuzanne PleshetteMiyu IrinoDuring her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.If you still haven't discovered Miyazaki's boundless imaginary world, it's high time you did it when you're feeling lonely, sad or any kind.
- DirectorsTerry GilliamTerry JonesStarsGraham ChapmanJohn CleeseEric IdleKing Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table embark on a surreal, low-budget search for the Holy Grail, encountering many, very silly obstacles.Laugh, laugh and endless laughter..
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsGene HackmanGwyneth PaltrowAnjelica HustonThe eccentric members of a dysfunctional family reluctantly gather under the same roof for various reasons.Maybe one of the oddest families ever.
- DirectorsPete DocterBob PetersonStarsEdward AsnerJordan NagaiJohn Ratzenberger78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to South America in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway."Up" will put a smile on your face.
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsBilly CrystalMeg RyanCarrie FisherHarry and Sally have known each other for years, and are very good friends, but they fear sex would ruin the friendship.I said no clichés, no, this movie clearly defies the genre!
- DirectorJoe WrightStarsKeira KnightleyMatthew MacfadyenBrenda BlethynSparks fly when spirited Elizabeth Bennet meets single, rich, and proud Mr. Darcy. But Mr. Darcy reluctantly finds himself falling in love with a woman beneath his class. Can each overcome their own pride and prejudice?Funny, witty and a story we all know, but we like it anyways.
- DirectorsChris WeitzPaul WeitzStarsHugh GrantNicholas HoultToni ColletteWill, who attends single parent meetings to woo women, meets Marcus, a troubled 12-year-old boy. As they become friends, Will learns to be responsible while he helps Marcus with his studies.I loved the movie, I loved the soundtrack. It's a genuine feel-good movie.
- DirectorMichel HazanaviciusStarsJean DujardinBérénice BejoJohn GoodmanWhen George, a silent movie superstar, meets Peppy Miller, a dancer, sparks fly between the two. However, after the introduction of talking pictures, their fortunes change, affecting their dynamic.This modern classic will surely enlighten your day.
- DirectorYann SamuellStarsGuillaume CanetMarion CotillardThibault VerhaegheAs adults, best friends Julien and Sophie continue the odd game they started as children -- a fearless competition to outdo one another with daring and outrageous stunts. While they often act out to relieve one another's pain, their game might be a way to avoid the fact that they are truly meant for one another.Like the title suggests, it's a children's game. With the outstanding performances of the actors (who now married and have a son by the way), you'll immediately wanna join their game.
- DirectorMarc WebbStarsZooey DeschanelJoseph Gordon-LevittGeoffrey ArendAfter being dumped by the girl he believes to be his soulmate, hopeless romantic Tom Hansen reflects on their relationship to try and figure out where things went wrong and how he can win her back.I have one word: The Smiths.
