The 17 Best Feel-Good Movies of All Time
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With adulthood being as hard as it is, feel-good movies serve a crucial function: Sometimes, you just arenât in the mood to challenge your brain with an Oscar-winning thriller or a critically acclaimed documentary. Comfort-food movie-viewing is extremely valid, and, in our opinion, a necessary part of a balanced media dietâso why deny yourself? Below, find 17 feel-good movies to escape into the next time you need a little coziness.
A League of Their Own (1992)
As Jess on New Girl says, this movie is âabout sisterhoodâŠand the war.â Accordingly, there are some tense moments, but mostly A League of Their Own concerns lusting after a young Tom Hanks and watching Madonna and Rosie OâDonnell run around in period softball costumesâa.k.a. instant serotonin.
How to watch: Stream on Peacock, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Sure, this oneâs for kids, but after that terrifying opening scene (you know the one I mean), itâs pretty much smooth sailing, like an âunderwaterâ screensaver with a touching plot about family, friendship, bravery, and independence attached. (Thomas Newmanâs rousing score doesnât hurt, either.)
How to watch: Stream on Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Amélie (2002)
Parisian waitress Amelie Poulinâs whole mission in life is to help people find joy, and this movie is sure to help you do the same every time you rewatch it.
How to watch: Stream on Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Arguably the most feel-good entry in Nora Ephronâs oeuvre, this movie comes in handy just when youâve convinced yourself that love is dead after one too many breakups. Why didnât Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan ever costar in anything else?
How to watch: Stream on Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Julie & Julia (2009)
Actually, is this the most feel-good Nora Ephron movie of all time? Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, and the endless shots of mouthwateringly flaky crust and melting butter all say yes.
How to watch: Stream on Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Shrek (2001)
There are just enough sly little winks in this animated kidsâ favorite to make it fun for adults too, and come onâwho doesnât shed a tear when Shrek learns to love fellow ogress Fiona?
How to watch: Stream on Peacock, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
No offense, but if you can get to the end of this Greek island romp without singing along, thereâs something incurably wrong with you.
How to watch: Stream on Netflix, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
The Princess Bride (1987)
A classic for a reason, this epic adventure gets thrown on the TV pretty much any time Iâm grumpy on a Sunday (and want to bask in the beauty of Robin Wright).
How to watch: Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Blue Crush (2002)
The creme de la creme of aughts surfer-girl rom-coms! (Okay, fine, maybe itâs the only one.) Kate Bosworth and her gang of sun-streaked besties are so charming in this film, youâll want to abscond to Hawaii and learn to pop up alongside them.
How to watch: Stream on Starz, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Clueless (1995)
Arguably the Austen rom-com adaptation against which all others must be measured, this movie is excellent PR for nosy popular girls.
How to watch: Stream on Paramount+, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Father of the Bride (1991)
If you want to escape into some truly low-stakes â90s dramaâthe characters in this movie areâŠplanning a wedding!âNancy Meyersâs Father of the Bride is for you. (Also, is it me, or was Steve Martin kind of hot?)
How to watch: Stream on Hulu, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Itâs Complicated (2009)
Speaking of Nancy Meyers and Steve Martin, thereâs probably nothing more soothing than watching Meryl Streep cook in a gorgeous Santa Barbara kitchen.
How to watch: Stream on Netflix, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Across the Universe (2007)
A Beatles soundtrack updated in a way thatâs actually successful and not (totally) cringe? Iâd be suspicious too, but trust me, it worksâand is cozy as hell to watch on a boring Friday night.
How to watch: Stream on Max, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
March of the Penguins (2005)
I can honestly say I hadnât ever given much thought to the migration patterns of emperor penguins before seeing this movieâbut now Iâm hooked on how insanely cute they are.
How to watch: Stream on Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Booksmart (2019)
Even if youâre not a formerly weird high school girl of the âonly has one friendâ variety (ahem, hi), this movie is sure to make you crack up and feel at least a little bit like the kids are all right.
How to watch: Stream on Peacock, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Home for the Holidays (1995)
Holly Hunterâs ineffable charm makes this Thanksgiving-centric movie a perfect rewatch for any time of year, not just on the third Thursday in November.
How to watch: Stream on Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Little Women (2019)
To paraphrase Ariana DeBose, Greta Gerwig (and Saoirse Ronan, and Florence Pugh, and Emma Watson, and Timothée Chalamet, and Laura Dern, and Bob Odenkirk, and Meryl Streep) did the thing, and we are all infinitely grateful.
How to watch: Stream on Starz, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
1992 is almost 32 years now . Wonderful