Well, I made a post in which I ask about movies that depict the uglier side of life and the dark reality. Since that post gained a lot of upvotes and a lot of replies I thought to myself why not ask for movies that go in the complete opposite direction? So, what are the most positive, uplifting and feel good movies that you have seen? Regardless of movie genre. You can also write why and how was this movie so good for you personally.
Very few films have actually changed the way I approach life, and this one of them.
6
MegaTurboLaserMar 29, 2026
+2
Came here to post this.
Beautiful movie.
2
Bob_LydeckerMar 30, 2026
+1
ABSOLUTELY!! You beat me to it.
😀👍
1
tw0tonetMar 29, 2026
+16
Secret Life of Walter Mitty - Shows what dropping your fear is doing can lead to incredible adventures.
Rental Family - Just a beautiful movie. What are seen as odd acts by a person turn into really beautiful moments.
16
vandezumaMar 29, 2026
+17
Chef. The appreciation of good food and sharing it with loved ones is a simple joy that a lot of us overlook.
17
Successful_Court809Mar 30, 2026
+1
And never serve a burnt sandwich
1
xztrazMar 30, 2026
+1
If you like chef, then have a look at 100-foot journey. A bit like it. Also feelgood.
1
Shoddy-Bobcat3929Mar 29, 2026
+7
Gifted - simplicity and humility triumphs academic intellect
Good Will Hunting - shows healing to finding your voice
Project Hail Mary - optimism at the dearth of the end of humanity, 'can-do' spirit
7
Venus_ivy4Mar 29, 2026
+4
Its a beautiful life
Cinema Paradisio
Beautiful movies
4
Local_Teaching_7849Mar 29, 2026
+1
Does Cinema peradiso dub in English...or is it subtitles?
1
Venus_ivy4Mar 29, 2026
+1
The one i found was subtitles in french (i am french) but i guess you can find it in english too?
1
Rocknroller658Mar 30, 2026
+1
It’s a Wonderful Life? But yes, that one.
1
davidbowiesmerkinMar 30, 2026
+1
Wait, do you mean Life is Beautiful or It's a Wonderful Life? Or is the movie called It's a Beautiful Life?
1
mexican_mystery_meatMar 29, 2026
+4
Our Little Sister
Big Fish
Recently, Rental Family.
4
tw0tonetMar 29, 2026
+1
Good call on Big Fish
1
GCC_Pluribus_AnusMar 29, 2026
+6
Life of Chuck
6
mitchkramerMar 29, 2026
+3
I contain multitudes
3
ExtensionParsley4205Mar 29, 2026
+3
Yes Man, though i think the book is better than the film.
3
_millenialcrisisMar 29, 2026
+3
Movies like Forrest Gump, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Intouchables, Little Miss Sunshine, and Amélie always leave me feeling a bit lighter. They remind me that life doesn’t have to be extraordinary to feel beautiful.. sometimes it’s just about perspective, kindness, or having the courage to try something different.
3
herbalationMar 30, 2026
+1
Ikiru (1952) is a bittersweet version of this. I thought it was a fantastic and ultimately uplifting view of our power to positively affect others lives
1
EbolatasticMar 29, 2026
+2
I love the Martian because of its ending: all about life going on and mankind coming together to explore space.
2
McCabbeMar 29, 2026
+1
* Les Enfants du Marais
* Alexandre le Bienheureux
* Mes Meilleurs Copains
1
OkDatingAintEasyMar 29, 2026
+1
Pi
1
Martin-V-BurenMar 29, 2026
+1
Life of
1
Old-Cauliflower-1414Mar 29, 2026
+1
84 Charing Cross Road (1987) - True story of two penpals. Their friendship spans decades. It's a beautiful movie.
Jerry and Marge Go Large (2022) - A retired man thinks he might have worked out a foolproof way to win the l******.
Brian and Charles (2022) - A lovely mockumentary about a lonely inventor. It's probably best to not know too much about this one beforehand, but it is very sweet.
1
Old-Cauliflower-1414Mar 29, 2026
+2
Defending Your Life (1991) - Is a movie set in the afterlife. It stars Meryl Streep, and definitely left me feeling warm and fuzzy afterwards.
2
Humble_Holiday_2137Mar 29, 2026
+1
Shawshank redemption, you can find friendship even in jail
1
ZorroMeansFoxMar 29, 2026
+1
Bill Forsyth's **Local Hero**.
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/local_hero
1
Bob_LydeckerMar 30, 2026
+1
David Lynch’s The Straight Story. One of THE greatest life affirming films!!
🚜🤠
1
lvoconorMar 30, 2026
+1
Klaus Kimski Aguirre Wrath of God
1
Successful_Court809Mar 30, 2026
+1
Saving Private Ryan. Makes you appreciate life after seeing what people experience in theirs
1
KindlyKey1243Mar 30, 2026
+1
Paterson - shows how special mundane life is
1
NorthCascadiaMar 30, 2026
+1
Life of Brian taught me to always look on the bright side of life.
1
humbuckarooMar 30, 2026
+1
Before Sunrise
1
dodadolerMar 29, 2026
-1
Scarface.
-1
christpuncher_69Mar 30, 2026
+1
I have two go-tos for this.
First is Amelie. Despite the bizarre choice for the DVD cover to make the lead character look like a bizarre, ghost white alien (seriously I've seen plenty of memes about how off-putting it is and I don't get why they did that) it is actually a very warm movie full of whimsy and stunning visuals.
However, it can be considered a bit saccharine and in the decades since its release the so-called "Manic Pixie Dreamgirl" trope has been done and discredited to death.
So if that's not somebody's speed...
My other choice is Hot Rod. It's dumb, it's absurd, it's nonsensical... It's just *fun*. I think my favorite things to do in life are laugh and make people laugh, and this movie really resonates with me in that regard. It's one of those litmus test movies that tells me if I'm gonna see eye to eye with somebody. It's so earnestly silly, I'm just glad it exists.
37 Comments