Every now and again, we feel a bit upset. Maybe nothing seems to be going right in life. Possibly that job you were hoping for was offered to someone else. Perhaps a loved one has moved away. Whatever the reason, movies are a popular escape from the low points of life. There are countless films that are sure to lift one’s spirits regardless of what life throws at them. Today, we will be looking at some of them. Here are 10 feel-good movies to watch when you are feeling upset.
10. It’s A Wonderful Life
One of the best-known feel-good movies is the Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. The film follows George Bailey, a man with huge dreams to travel the world. He begins to sacrifice his dreams in order to help others at the risk of his own happiness. At his lowest point, a visitor from above shows just how important George is to those around him. It is easy to feel as if you are meaningless. This fantastic movie shows that even when you don’t feel like it, you are an essential part of the lives of those around you.
9. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
A movie doesn’t have to have an uplifting message in order to lift one’s spirits. Take, for example, the John Hughes classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Matthew Broderick stars as Ferris Bueller, a high school student who has decided he wants to play hookey that day. He drags his girlfriend and unwilling best friend along with him, and they enjoy the day exploring the city and trying to avoid trouble together. The plot is simple yet relatable. The movie reminds viewers of a more innocent time in their lives. A time when the only thing they had to worry about was what to do to pass the time. This film is sure to make even the most upset viewer leave with a smile.
8. The Odd Couple
Having been released in 1968, The Odd Couple is the oldest film on the list. The film follows Felix, a man on the verge of divorce and at his lowest point. His friend Oscar lets him move into his apartment while he gets back on his feet. They quickly realize their clashing personalities are going to be a huge problem. Felix is neat, orderly, and stern. Oscar is a slob, unkempt, and laid back. This leads to many hilarious moments that add to the charm of The Odd Couple. Most people have had a close friend that is their polar opposite. Still, they put their differences aside and make the friendship work. Felix and Oscar’s friendship is the key to tp making The Odd Couple one of the best feel-good movies.
7. Big
In a similar vein to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Big reminds viewers of a simpler time in their lives. A young boy is fed up with childhood and makes a wish to be an adult. His wish is granted, and he becomes an adult, played by Tom Hanks. Hanks does a great job at portraying a child in an adult’s body. The film’s message states that there is nothing wrong with one retaining their childhood wonder. Seeing an adult’s life through the eyes of a child is sure to turn any upsetting day around and make viewers reminisce about a simpler time.
6. The Princess Bride
It is close to impossible to watch The Princess Bride without having a huge smile throughout the movie. Told from the perspective of a grandfather reading a book, the movie is a fantastic and whimsical tale. It really does feel like a storybook come to life, filled to the brim with some of the best-known fairy tale cliches. The Princess Bride shows what one man will do in order to win back his true love. The humor in this film is funny yet unoffensive. Princess Bride is also highly quotable, with nearly every line being a daily utterance to some fans. When it comes to feel-good movies, few can compare to the classic tale of Wesley and his princess bride.
5. The Shawshank Redemption
On the surface, Shawshank Redemption is anything but uplifting. A movie with a man wrongfully convicted of his wife’s murder, prison assault, and corrupt wardens doesn’t exactly scream happy. However, it is Andy’s persistence and the film’s message of redemption that makes it cures any upset feeling. One line, in particular, is uplifting in itself, “Get busy living or get busy dying.” It may be hard to see Andy go through some of the things he does, but seeing him rejoicing in the rain as a free man makes it all worth it. There is a reason Shawshank Redemption remains IMDb’s highest-rated movie. The film gives a feeling of hope, a feeling that anyone can tackle the worst life has to offer.
4. Paddington
Once again, a movie doesn’t have to have a cut-and-dry message to bring a smile to one’s face. Paddington is sure to make any viewer smile and feel warm inside. Based on the classic book series, Paddington follows a bear who travels to Englund in search of a new home. He is taken in by a family and named after the Paddington station, where he was found. The film has a warm feeling throughout. It is simple, enjoyable, and, most importantly, happy. One of the more recent feel-good movies, Paddington is a proven cure for the blues.
3. 50 First Dates
Adam Sandler was in a handful of romantic comedies in the early 2000s. To many, the best of these was 50 First Dates. Sandler plays a bachelor who falls for a local girl named Lucy he has never seen before. Things go well, and they plan on meeting the next day. He is shocked to learn that Lucy acts as if she has never seen him before. That is because Lucy loses her memory every night after falling asleep. Sandler sets out to make her fall for him every day, much to the disdain of her family. This touching and funny love story is one of Sandler’s best and showcases how much someone will sacrifice just for love.
2. Ed Wood
Ed Wood may seem like an odd choice for making someone feel better when they are upset, but it does work. Edward D. Wood Jr. is known as one of the worst filmmakers of all time, even though this really isn’t true. This biopic shows what one man goes through to make his dreams a reality. All the odds are stacked against him, and critics harshly shut done his films. None of this phases him because he is doing what he loves. This is a message most people can relate to. Just because others are going out of their way to bring you down doesn’t mean you have to let them sway you. One should always chase their dreams, even if those around them are unsupportive.
1. Toy Story 2
Any film in the Toy Story series is sure to top anyone’s best feel-good movies list, but the second film is perhaps the happiest. When Woody is stolen, Buzz and the gang will stop at nothing to get their friend back. The movie is great because it shows the power of friendship. It also focuses on letting go of the past. things happen that are out of our control. We must push forward through life and not dwell on them. This message is just the tip of the iceberg of what makes Toy Story 2 one of the happiest and uplifting movies of all time. If someone is feeling upset, this movie is sure to reverse that.
