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With the recent release of A24’s Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, there is a renewed conversation surrounding the best feel-good and uplifting films. While moviegoers always have their fair share of mysteries, action, and dramas – sometimes audiences want to watch something on the silver screen that warms the heart rather than terrifies it.
Movie fans over at Letterboxd took to the polls to determine what were the ten best feel-good films of all time. From animated animals to sprawling love stories, the films chosen all have one thing in common – in times of sadness or hardships, these films are guaranteed to lift the viewer’s spirits.
10 Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
By the time 2018 rolled around, Spider-Man was a familiar face to audiences. Six films, three different actors, and a rollercoaster of receptions – there was a cloud of hesitance with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, a cloud that would dissipate almost immediately upon release. A coming-of-age story centered around Mile Morales, the film reached universal acclaim satisfying audiences and critics.
The film’s use of the multiverse would allow the introduction of fan favorites like Spider-Gwen, but also introduce hilarious new characters like Spider-Ham. But what made Into the Spider-Verse special was its unique use of animation to tell the deeply personal story of Mile Morales and his journey to conquer his fears and take a leap of faith.
9 Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
In his first soiree into the animation medium, the iconic Wes Anderson delivered arguably his most wholesome film to date. Fantastic Mr. Fox, a simple story about a fox and his family exacting revenge on the local farmers, is brimming with the heart and humor audiences have come to expect in Wes Anderson’s live-action films.
One of the many highlights of Fantastic Mr. Fox is that it’s endlessly quotable, largely thanks to the chemistry of its perfectly cast performances from veteran Wes Anderson collaborators to some of Hollywood’s biggest A-Listers. In addition, the use of stop-motion animation, a form of animation seldomly used nowadays, lends itself perfectly to the quirky nature of the dialogue and the story.
8 Amelie (2001)
While hundreds of romantic comedies could comprise a list of feel-good films, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amelie stands out to many as the most uplifting. A story of a young shy woman who inadvertently spends her day playing matchmaker to strangers, only to find herself falling in love with a stranger, struck the hearts of audiences around the world.
At its core, Amelie is a love story but what makes the film truly special is Amelie’s quest to improve the lives of the people she encounters and the ones that surround her. Paired with an inspiring musical score and stunning cinematography, Amelie is a treat for all the senses.
7 The Princess Bride (1987)
Inconceivable! Actually, The Princess Bride finding itself on Letterboxd’s list of the best feel-good movies is the furthest thing from inconceivable. Many fantasy films naturally have an air of comfort, but Westley’s quest to save Princess Buttercup is a story that has been loved by generations of audiences.
A story, within a story, The Princess Bride is told by a grandfather to his sick grandson, immediately triggering a strong sense of nostalgia for many viewers. Combine this with a cast of lovable heroes, dopey villains, and an endless amount of quotable moments – The Princess Bride rarely fails to be an uplifting watch.
6 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
The mundane life of high school is a trope that has been the premise of many films for decades, but arguably none more successful than Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The timeless story of one teenager’s wild day playing hooky from school continues to fulfill the escapist fantasies of generations of audiences.
While the premise is straightforward, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off also operates as one of the best coming-of-age films of the 1980s. Belting out The Beatles in the middle of a parade in Chicago may not be relatable for most audiences, but the feeling of reluctantly wanting to grow up and facing the intimidating mystery of the future is something many viewers can relate to on a deeply personal level.
5 La La Land (2016)
Love, dreams, and the historic city of Angels – La La Land is all about all of these things and a little more. A film about two determined souls who find their paths intertwined as they attempt to pursue their lifelong dreams of making it big in the entertainment business, La La Land is filled with hope but isn’t afraid to hit the audience with a dose of reality.
Injected with vibrant colors and immaculate cinematography, visually speaking, La La Land is a feast for the eyes. Toss in exciting musical numbers and La La Land already has the makings of a feel-good film. However, while some consider La La Land a happy movie with a surprisingly dark ending, for others, the ending evokes catharsis, a reminder that not all dreams come true.
4 Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Singin‘ in the Rain might be the oldest film to make the list, but it’s arguably the most recognizable movie as well. A story depicting Hollywood in the early 1920s as the world of film prepares for its transition from silent films to pictures with sound, Singin’ in the Rain initially was modestly received but has since been cemented as a landmark in cinema.
Singin’ in the Rain’s feel-good nature stems from its lighthearted musical numbers and its legendary choreography. Even those who haven’t seen the movie in full will recognize the dancing in rain and hanging off light posts moments of the film. Unlike La La Land, where the ending of love and dreams is slightly bleak, Singin’ in the Rain is well-known for its uplifting conclusion.
3 My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Studio Ghibli films, especially the ones directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, are notoriously known for being feel-good and uplifting, and My Neighbor Totoro is arguably his most comforting film. The story follows two young girls who move to the countryside to be closer to their sick mother, but when one gets lost in the forest, the older enlists the assistance of forest spirits to help find her.
While on the surface the story doesn’t seem immediately comforting, the film assures the audience that the lost sister is never in any true peril. Much of the comfort and feel-good nature of the film rises from the adorable spirits that the sisters encounter and interact with. Dust spirits, a giant cat-shaped bus, and of course the titular Totoro – the film’s vibrant animation brings the forest to life and instills a feeling of warmth in the viewer.
2 Paddington (2014)
In Paddington, Paddington Bear is on a simple mission – find a family and a place to call home. One of the best examples of a live-action/animation hybrid, Paddington seamlessly blends the two mediums to deliver an en experience that could have been jarring but instead is overwhelmingly delightful.
However, much of the feel-good nature is rooted in Paddington’s morals and attitude. Despite the obstacles, Paddington reminds those around him and the audience of the importance of love, family, and friendship. Paddington, Aunt Lucy, and the Brown family exude so much charm that it becomes impossible to not fall in love with the characters.
1 Paddington 2 (2017)
Take everything beloved in the first Paddington and then multiply that by a hundred, the result is Paddington 2. In the sequel, Paddington has begun to settle into his life with the Brown family, but when he is framed for stealing an antique book and sentenced to jail, Paddington and the Brown family must work to clear his name and capture the real culprit.
Paddington 2 adds an array of new characters which elevate the film over its predecessor. Hugh Grant as the eccentric villain, the failed actor who takes on multiple personas, is surprisingly hilarious and the entire prison gang serves up a hearty helping of laughter and heart. In the end, Paddington 2 does what all sequels should do – take the great aspects of the first film but introduce new themes and characters to keep the film fresh and exciting.
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