10 Feel-Good Movies To Brighten Your Gloomy Days

By Aditi Rana

 

Ever felt like you’re vibing somewhere between introvert and extrovert? Same here. You adore chilling with friends but also treasure those solo moments curled up on your couch with a good book. But let’s be real, sometimes the ultimate escape is binge-watching a line-up of feel-good movies that radiate pure joy and laughter. Feel-good movies often fly under the radar, but they totally shouldn’t. While everyone loves a blockbuster thriller, after the rollercoaster of the past few years, it makes sense that we’re all about lighthearted, uplifting entertainment. If you’re feeling a bit anxious or just need a mood boost, we’ve got you covered with a list of top feel-good films.

So, if you’re on the hunt for something chill to watch—whether you need a good laugh, a dose of inspiration, or a reminder that humanity’s still got it— Darjee has pulled together a list of guaranteed feel-good movies – 10 films sure to brighten your mood, just when you need it the most.

 

Kiki’s Delivery Service

Kiki’s Delivery Service might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those intrigued by anime or just dipping their toes in, it’s a fantastic feel-good starting point. Whenever you crave a heart-warming movie, you can turn to anything from Studio Ghibli. Yes, it’s animated, which might suggest it’s for kids, but this film truly resonate with all ages. The care put into the movie is phenomenal: the imaginative storyline, strong character, and breath-taking artistry make one feel like she’s dreaming while wide awake.

 

Given

Incredible cinematography and stunning beaches, all seen through the eyes of a 6-year-old as his gorgeous surfer parents take their family on a bohemian adventure around the world… what’s not to love? This documentary traces the travels of legendary surfers Aamion and Daize Goodwin and the story of their family’s connection to the natural world.

 

Harvey

In this quirky small-town comedy, you meet James Stewart as the charming local oddball, convinced he’s got a six-foot-something invisible rabbit buddy named Harvey. Filmmaker Henry Koster brings you a light-hearted spin on the Don Quixote tale, celebrating how dreamers make others see the world not as it is, but as it could be.

 

Sister Act 

They just don’t make ‘em like they used to—fizzy musical comedies about a lounge singer witnessing a murder, hiding out in a convent, and teaching the nuns to rock out. Whoopi Goldberg nails it as Deloris Van Cartier, the nun-on-the-run, so much that it’s wild to think the role was originally meant for Bette Midler. (Goldberg’s not being a real singer? Totally makes her even better for the part.) Plus, she’s got an all-star squad around her—Maggie Smith, Harvey Keitel, Kathy Najimy—turning what could’ve been just another ’90s flick into a timeless rewatchable gem.

 

Bend It Like Beckham 

In this charmer directed by Gurinder Chadha, you meet Jess Bhamra, an Indian teen in Hounslow, breaking the rules to join the local girls’ soccer team with her new BFF Jules (Keira Knightley). Goals are scored, the cute coach (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is totally swooned over, dreams come true, and the magic of sports bringing people together is celebrated.

 

Coco 

Is a feel-good movie still a feel-good movie if it makes you cry every single time? Totally, especially when it’s Pixar’s dazzling gem that might be their last big hit. You’ve got Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), who accidentally lands in the Land of the Dead on Día de Muertos and sets off on a quest to sort out some old family drama. The animation is fire, the soundtrack is lit, and the jokes—especially the ones with the extra ghost of Frida Kahlo—are hilarious.

 

Rye Lane 

Looking for a romcom that’s both joyful and inventive, set in modern black Britain? Rye Lane has you covered. Raine Allen-Miller’s debut takes you on a wild, emotional ride over just one day. You’ll meet Dom (David Jonsson from Industry) and Yas (Vivian Oparah) who have a meet-cute in a gender-neutral bathroom at an art gallery, where Dom’s crying over a breakup. Yas is also heartbroken, and the two end up wandering South London together. They grab burritos from a food stall called Love Quac’tually (a cheeky nod to Brit romcom legend Richard Curtis), swap dating stories, sort out their emotional messes, and—so adorably—fall in love.

 

Barbie 

Welcome to the Barbieverse! With over a billion dollars raked in at the box office, it’s no surprise that Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is a total blast. From the get-go, where you’re dropped into the perfect pink paradise of Barbie land, to that epic first look at the beach where Kens are living their best lives, you know you’re in for a wild ride.

 

Footloose

In a town where dancing is straight-up banned, Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) is on a mission to shake things up. With the help of his new buddy Willard (Christopher Penn) and his crush Ariel (Lori Singer)—whose dad just happens to be the town’s reverend—Ren is ready to break the rules and get everyone moving.

 

Billy Elliot

One thing that makes feel-good movies pop is watching an underdog chase a dream that seems totally out of reach. That’s exactly the vibe with Billy Elliot. Billy’s a kid from a tough northern mining town where hope is as rare as a unicorn. But when he decides he wants to be a dancer, he’s about to show everyone that sometimes, dreams can defy all odds.