Happy Friday! It's time to turn that frown upside down because today is International Day of Happiness, and boy do we need some of that at the moment.
To brighten your mood, here are 19 feel-good movies that can always effortlessly lift our spirits.
1. Eddie the Eagle
Who could resist Kingsman star Taron Egerton's winningly infectious turn as plucky British ski-jumper Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards? Wild Bill director Dexter Fletcher's movie is the quintessential underdog story, one that compels us to do nothing less than cheer from our seats and
Factor in X-Men's Hugh Jackman as Eddie's no-nonsense trainer Jackson Peary and it's a done deal. Plus, that Hall and Oates montage is a real winner.
2. Stardust
Before he brought us the jaw-dropping comic book thrills of Kick-Ass and
Adapted from Neil Gaiman's story, this fairy tale bonanza of fallen stars, dashing heroes, cross-dressing pirates (hello, Robert De Niro) and evil witches is funny, scary and thrilling by turns.
3. Love Actually
How much feel-good spirit is it possible to pack into one movie? British comedy institution Richard Curtis refuses to hold back on either the laughs or the tears in his star-studded directorial debut, a sprawling anthology of emotional
Even so, we still think it's Bill Nighy's hysterically funny turn as an
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Logan Lerman, Emma
Filled with memorable characters and a refreshing lack of sentimentality, it earns the 'feel good' label and then some.
5. Forrest Gump
Who can resist the power of Tom Hanks' Oscar-winning performance as loveably slow-witted Forrest?
It's an underdog story through and through as our title character relays his epic, and sometimes tragic, life from his early childhood in leg braces to his epic running across America and the ups and downs
6. Back to the Future
Is there a single scene or second that you can remove from this time-travel masterpiece? No, we thought not.
Right from the off it carries us on an infectious air of fun and adventure as Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox in a career-defining role) travels back in time to save his parents' marriage, all with a little help from wacky Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd).
7. School of Rock
The spirit of rock and roll courses through this classic Jack Black comedy, in which he plays a rebellious musician posing as a teacher at a posh prep school who inspires his pupils to cue the music. We can't help but fall in love with Black's anarchic attitude and it's huge fun watching these kids transform into music gods in front of our eyes – rock on!
8. Dirty Dancing
Whenever we want to have the time of our lives we stick on this timeless eighties staple, one in which the heat between stars Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey radiates from the screen.
With the former playing the put-upon Baby and the latter playing her hunky dance instructor Johnny Castle who compels her to get out of the corner, it's the stuff feel-good dreams are made of.
9. Pretty Woman
It's hard to resist a rags-to-riches story, and this one catapulted Julia Roberts from watchable actress to full-blown A-listers.
She plays a hooker who is transformed, ugly duckling-style, into a high society figure by suave Richard Gere – a ridiculous story for sure, but who says that everything has to be based on reality? In truth, the formula for movie happiness is right here.
10. Toy Story
Movies were never the same again after Pixar unleashed their first CGI adventure. A wondrously imaginative, hilariously funny and heart-wrenchingly emotional feast, it plays on
Let's face it, this is something that has crossed all of our minds when we were kids, and watching the glorious end results is nothing less than happiness distilled in movie form.
11. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
We've all had that urge to bunk off school – and John Hughes' timeless eighties comedy brilliantly plays on this wish-fulfillment fantasy. It's a movie that brims with a sense of youthful freedom, and that's exactly what we need to feel happy.
12. Clueless
Director Amy Heckerling brilliantly moved the work of quintessentially English author Jane Austen over to sun-baked California in this hit comedy, one that made a superstar of Alicia Silverstone (albeit briefly!)
It makes us laugh in recognition of our high school days and it makes us finally fall in love with its smart-mouthed characters – exactly what we expect from a movie that makes us feel a million dollars.
13. Matilda
In 2016, we marked the centenary of the legendary Roald Dahl's birth, and adaptations of his work don't get better than Danny De Vito's heartwarming family classic, in which Mara Wilson won our hearts as the book-loving title character.
As Matilda learns to defy both her horrid parents and fearsome headteacher The Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), we positively find ourselves glowing with happiness.
14. Guardians of the Galaxy
Marvel's movies are lots of things – exciting, adrenaline-pumping, spectacular – but can they ever be described as 'feel good'?
Far kookier, more unpredictable and joyously lighthearted than its other blockbuster brethren, Guardians soars off the back of a
15. Bridget Jones's Diary
We all love a klutz and they don't come klutzier than hapless singleton Bridget Jones, wonderfully played by Oscar nominee Renee Zellweger who nails the English accent and mannerisms of author Helen Fielding's character.
However bumbling Bridget is, we can't help but fall in love during her quest to find true happiness, which may reside in the form of sleazy Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) or pompous Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). In 2016, Bridget Jones's Baby resolved her story in fine style.
16. Cool Runnings
This true story of the world's first Jamaican bobsled team always tops our list of the greatest comedy movies. Not only a hilarious fish-out-of-water story but also an inspirational one of sticking true to your dreams, it contains everything needed for raising one's mood and also features the late John Candy in one his greatest roles. Sorted.
17. Mrs. Doubtfire
It still pains us to think that Robin Williams is no longer here – but we can take solace in the unforgettable movies he left behind. One of his biggest hits brings the laughs and plays on the tear ducts as his divorced father poses as a Scottish nanny in order to spend more time with his kids. It's the kind of wholesome enjoyable experience that the movies were made for.
18. The King's Speech
Colin Firth won his first Oscar – and the hearts of people all over the world – with his stirring portrayal of stammering King George VI, who must overcome his impediment whilst
It's always a treat to watch 'Bertie' grow in stature to become the king we know he can be, and the hilariously prickly scenes with therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) are a delight.
Every Animated Disney Movie
What are your
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
