One great way to do that: watch a feelgood movie! Few things are as effective as a bright and happy movie for a pick-me-up. Here are some of my personal favorite feelgood movies to watch when you’re feeling down. Everything will be okay!
20. School of Rock (2003)
Dewey Finn is a mess at being an adult. He doesn’t have a job and he just got kicked out of his band. Now he needs money to pay rent! He tricks a private elementary school into hiring him—by stealing his friend’s identity. Don’t worry, though, because this is a happy film. Dewey might not be a conventional teacher, but rock music and spontaneity are his life, and he’ll inspire the kids to be themselves.
19. Noises Off (1992)
British director Lloyd Fellowes (Michael Caine) is working with an American theater company. The show starts tomorrow, and then there’s the tour. But they aren’t ready yet! Not even remotely. It’s going to be a disaster… Or maybe not? Will the director have the guts to stay and find out? Noises Off is an underrated film from the 1990s that’s worth checking out if you want to smile.
18. Sister Act (1993)
Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) is a flamboyant and free-spirited singer who’s dating a mobster. Soon, her life choices will come back around and knock on her door. When she witnesses a mob hit, it’s time for her to disappear—at least for a while! But where to go? Where will no one look for her?
17. 13 Going on 30 (2004)
Jenna just turned 13, but her birthday did not go as planned. Stuck in a closet, she wishes to be thirty—the perfect age! Of course, when she wakes up, she wakes up as a 30-year-old version of herself. Her best friend is nowhere to be found. She’s not on speaking terms with her parents. No one even likes her. Maybe thirty isn’t the perfect age after all. Can she be thirteen again?
16. Grease (1978)
Sandy and Danny fell in love during the summer. Now, it’s time to say goodbye and go back to school. They think they’ll never see each other again, but that’s not quite the case… The moral behind Grease might be outdated by modern standards, but it’s still a feelgood classic. Plus, the soundtrack slaps! As long as you watch it self-reflectively, no one will judge you—even if you sing along.
15. Mamma Mia! (2008)
Donna owns a small hotel on the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi. Her daughter Sophie is about to get married, and everyone’s traveling there for the big day! And when I say everyone, I mean everyone! That includes Donna’s three former lovers, one of whom is Sophie’s father, but Sophie isn’t sure which one. In fact, no one knows. But that’s not the point! Sit back and enjoy the stellar cast, their bright dancing, their gleeful singing, and the nostalgic ABBA soundtrack.
14. Matilda (1996)
Someone once said that we choose our parents. It might be true for some people, but not for Matilda. She loves books, but her folks love TV. She’s smart and polite, but they’re ignorant and disrespectful. Her school is an absolute mess, but she loves it—because there she can learn things, play with friends, and, most of all, spend time with her teacher, Miss Jennifer Honey. Miss Honey loves Matilda like her own daughter and she accepts her for who she is, exactly as she is—even if Matilda has psychic powers.
13. Hercules (1997)
One of Disney’s finest yet underrated films, Hercules is a wonderful story about what it truly means to be a hero. The soundtrack is amazing and the tone is overall happy and cheerful. Plus, Ades (voiced by James Woods) is one of the best and most hilarious Disney villains you will ever see. It never fails to cheer me up!
12. Singing in the Rain (1952)
Singing in the Rain captures that moment in the history of cinema when silent films became talkies. Not every actor could adapt to the change. New voices, literally, had to be found! But how will the established silent stars take it?
11. Young Frankenstein (1974)
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) suddenly inherits his grandfather’s possessions, so he must travel to Transylvania. He does so regretfully, as he always thought that his grandfather was a bit of a ridiculous character. The medical community considers him a joke. When Frederick gets to the castle, though, he starts to change his mind. Perhaps his grandfather really did understand science after all. Maybe his experiments will work! There’s only one way to find out.
10. The Odd Couple (1968)
Felix is obsessively clean and full of quirks. Oscar is a divorcee who enjoys peace and his right to be messy. One day, their paths collide—Felix’s compulsion with cleanliness will ultimately drive Oscar insane, while Oscar’s messiness smothers Felix in anxiety. Will they be able to successfully live together? The Odd Couple is a story about friendship overcoming all odds, and it’s Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon at their best.
9. Some Like It Hot (1959)
Joe and Jerry are pennyless musicians. One day, they happen to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time—they witness a murder! Now, the mafia is after them. In search of a way to escape trouble, they discover that there’s an all-female jazz band about to travel to Florida. It’s their only chance! Disguised as women, they do their best to not stand out. Will it work? Some Like It Hot was ahead of its time in its conception of gender identity, and it remains one of the best films ever made.
8. Let’s Make Love (1960)
Jean-Marc Clement is extremely wealthy and has everything he could ever want, plus more. But there’s one thing he can’t stand: being ridiculed. So, of course, a group of actors set up a play that ridicules him. This nonsense must be stopped, so he goes there personally—at which point he’s mistaken for a parody of himself, and he ends up being cast in the play in the role of himself. Why doesn’t he say anything? Because this might be his only opportunity to win the heart of the charming Amanda Dell (Marilyn Monroe)!
7. Duck in Orange Sauce (1975)
Marriage is often complicated. Based on the play by William Douglas-Home and Marc-Gilbert Sauvajon, Duck in Orange Sauce (originally titled L’Anatra all’Arancia) plays on that with humor and romance. Lisa and Livio Stefani have been married for a long time and are no longer happy with each other. Lisa is in love with another man while Livio is so jealous he doesn’t know what to do with himself. He tries to distract himself, but there’s no way for him to get over Lisa. Maybe the best solution is to spend some time together? Together with his wife and her lover.
6. Amélie (2001)
Amélie loves spending time on her own. Her life is peaceful, quiet, and habitual. One day, though, she decides to spend time on others—and that decision will change her life forever. Amélie is a poetic film about outcasts, complete with a dreamy atmosphere that will definitely cheer you up!
5. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009)
Flint Lockwood is an inventor, but in his hometown of Swallow Falls, no one cares about his inventions. Not even his father. Until one day, a deep crisis hits the town—a crisis so bad that people can only afford to eat sardines. Flint is determined to change the future of Swallow Falls. It’s just a pity that he’s as clumsy as a June bug.
4. In & Out (1997)
In & Out centers on Howard Brackett, the literature teacher of the town, who’s about the get married. Everyone’s happy for him and his finacee, and they can’t wait to see the couple finally together! A few days before the wedding, however, an announcement on national television declares him as gay. Is it a prank? Is it divine intervention? Either way, it causes him to question his own sexuality.
3. Liar Liar (1997)
Fletcher Reede is a lawyer and a liar. His son Sam knows it, though, and he’s had enough of it. So, on his birthday, Sam makes a wish: for just one day, he wants his dad to be unable to lie. Of course, Sam’s wish comes true and Fletcher literally can’t tell a lie. Even worse, sometimes he can’t help but tell the truth. As you might be able to tell, Fletcher is about to have a very bad day.
2. The Blues Brothers (1980)
Jake is finally out of prison and his brother Elwood comes to pick him up. It’s time to celebrate and, of course, get the old band back together. The Blues Brothers is a film that started as a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live. In turning that sketch into a full-blown movie, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi give us a film that’s guaranteed to brighten your day.
1. Mid-August Lunch (2008)
Gianni lives with his elderly mother, but he’s not a mama’s boy. He actually takes great care of her by cooking, cleaning, and making sure she’s as happy as she can be. In the middle of summer, however, he’s lacking money—so he makes a deal with his friends to take care of their elderly mothers so they can go celebrate the summer without them. Stuck with the ladies, Gianni tries his best to keep them happy and healthy in this truly wholesome film that you shouldn’t overlook. Read next: The Saddest Movies for When You Want to Cry Your Eyes Out
