10 Feel-Good Movies To Watch When You're Feeling Down
These films are so wholesome, they can fix pretty much anything (well, okay, almost).
1. The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)
Directed by Lasse Hallström, the film revolves around the Kadam family, who leave India and open an Indian restaurant in the south of France, across the road from a Michelin-starred French restaurant.
Naturally, this leads to a culinary war with the frosty proprietor of the French restaurant, Madame Mallory. However, when the talented young Hassan Kadam starts cooking at Madame Mallory's restaurant, the icy tension begins to thaw. Fair warning: do not watch this when you're hungry. Just trust us on this.
2. Sing Street (2016)
Ah, the 80s – the era of big hair, shoulder pads, and some of the most unforgettable pop songs. And that's precisely where Sing Street takes you.
This Irish musical comedy-drama from John Carney features a high school boy, Conor, who starts a band to impress a girl, Raphina. A simple premise, sure, but wait till you see how it unfolds. The band isn't just about winning the girl; it becomes a means for Conor to navigate his turbulent teenage years and find his own identity.
The movie is brimming with heart, humor, and of course, catchy 80s style tunes that'll have you humming for days. It's the kind of film that'll make you want to chase your dreams, no matter how big or small.
Seriously, even if you ain't gonna watch it, just go check that soundtrack.
3. Secondhand Lions (2003)
If you're looking for a feel-good movie that combines action, humor, and heart, look no further than Secondhand Lions. This comedy-drama film directed by Tim McCanlies presents a tale of a shy teenager, Walter, who is left in the care of his eccentric great-uncles in Texas.
The great-uncles, played by the phenomenal duo of Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, are rumored to have a hidden fortune, attracting an array of quirky relatives and salesmen. The fun lies in watching Walter's bond with his uncles grow, as they regale him with tales of their youthful adventures.
4. The Way, Way Back (2013)
Summer vacations aren't always fun and games, especially if you're a socially awkward 14-year-old boy. This is precisely the case for Duncan in The Way, Way Back. During his summer vacation with his mother and her overbearing boyfriend, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen, the manager of the Water Wizz water park.
The film does a splendid job of capturing the pains and small victories of adolescence. It's a charming, funny, and heartwarming coming-of-age story that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Despite its occasional dips into serious territory, it never loses its humorous edge, making it an ideal pick-me-up movie.
5. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Directed by and starring Ben Stiller, this movie has a knack for turning melancholy into magic.
Walter Mitty, a photo editor at Life magazine, lives an uneventful existence, punctuated only by his elaborate daydreams. When a negative from an esteemed photojournalist goes missing, Mitty embarks on a globe-trotting journey that's more fantastic than any of his daydreams.
The scenery alone—ranging from the bustling streets of New York to the majestic peaks of the Himalayas—is enough to give you a feel-good buzz.
6. Kikujiro (1999)
Welcome to the whimsical world of Takeshi Kitano's Kikujiro, a Japanese film that is as heartwarming as it is quirky. The story kicks off when a young boy named Masao sets off to find his estranged mother, only to end up with a rather unlikely companion – a middle-aged, eccentric man known as Kikujiro.
Now, if you think you've got this movie figured out, think again. This isn't your typical road trip movie, it's a road trip movie Takeshi Kitano-style. Along the way, Masao and Kikujiro encounter a host of offbeat characters, each one more entertaining than the last.
It's a film filled with charm, humor, and a lightness of spirit that can lift anyone's mood. But it also has an underlying sadness that, in a strange way, adds to the overall warmth of the story.
7. Local Hero (1983)
Director Bill Forsyth's Local Hero is a gem of a film that's worth digging up when you're feeling down. Set in a quaint Scottish village, the movie follows Mac, an executive from a Texas oil company, who is sent to buy out the entire town for a new refinery project. He expects resistance, but what he doesn't expect is to fall in love with the idyllic seaside village.
Local Hero is a story of a community where everyone knows each other, where life moves at a leisurely pace, and where the beauty of the natural world is truly appreciated. Can you imagine the plot being pitched today? An oil company, the environment, a picturesque village – sounds like the recipe for an explosive drama, right? But that's where Local Hero flips the script.
It's an antidote to cynicism and a much-needed reminder that sometimes, the world can surprise us in the most delightful ways.
8. The Station Agent (2003)
Tom McCarthy's indie hit, The Station Agent, is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling.
The movie revolves around Fin, a man of short stature who loves trains, and prefers his own company to that of others. When he inherits an abandoned train depot in the New Jersey countryside, his life takes an unexpected turn. Soon, he finds himself drawn into the lives of Joe, a friendly hot dog vendor, and Olivia, a grieving artist.
What makes this film special is its honest portrayal of loneliness, friendship, and acceptance, leaving you with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.
9. Waking Ned Devine (1998)
In this delightful comedy from Kirk Jones, a tiny Irish village learns that someone among them has won the national lottery. The catch? The lucky winner, Ned Devine, died from the shock of it. What ensues is a hilarious scheme by the villagers to claim the winnings.
Waking Ned Devine is one of those films that take you by surprise with its sharp wit and unmistakable charm. It's the kind of movie that'll have you grinning from ear to ear. Plus, who can resist the image of an old man zooming down a country road on a motor scooter, stark naked, and without a care in the world? Yep, Waking Ned Devine is that kind of movie.
10. Rams (2015)
This Icelandic drama from Grímur Hákonarson is just what you need when you're feeling down. Rams is about two estranged brothers, Gummi and Kiddi, who are brought together by a crisis that threatens their sheep farming tradition.
The film perfectly blends comedy and tragedy against the stark beauty of the Icelandic landscape. The simplicity of the story is its greatest strength, cause some plots really are timeless, simple as that.