When everything (the news, social media, the world) feels overwhelming, sometimes you just need to focus on the good stuff. You want something that transports you to that warm and fuzzy place — that spot on the couch where the wine flows, the blanket hugs you, and the only world that matters is the one on your screen. That’s where a good movie comes into play. You know the ones we’re talking about: The films where everyone is happy at the end. Or, well, almost everyone.

These are stories that warm your heart and teach you a little something about life. They make you laugh, bring you to the verge of tears, and, on occasion, make you reevaluate the stuff you’re taking for granted in your own life. So grab a cozy blanket and glass of wine (or a bowl of popcorn or whatever makes movie night extra special for you), and get settled in with one of these 13 films. This is the good place. We’ve got you.

The Adam Project

Life moves pretty fast, so the saying goes. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might end up a futuristic widower who has lost his optimism for life and thus, commits his life to traveling through space and time to battle against dark forces. Wait. That’s not the quote. It is, however, where we find Adam (Ryan Reynolds) at the start of The Adam Project. When he runs into a past version of himself — a 12-year-old kid (Walker Scobell) struggling to make sense of the loss of his dad and newfound dynamic with his loving mom (Jennifer Garner) — he must tread carefully. One wrong step could undo an entire timeline of events. But his chance encounter with himself also opens up an opportunity: correct the emotional pain of the past, in the hopes of creating a brighter future for himself.

The Adam Project

2022

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Dumplin'

Dumplin’ is an underdog story. A small-town yarn. It’s soundtracked by the great Dolly Parton, and Jennifer Aniston stars as a beauty queen. What more can you ask for from the feel-good powers that be? The film is practically an ode to the inspirational lyrics of Parton, which are used as confidence fuel for Dumplin’ (Danielle Macdonald), a plus-sized teenager who dares to shake up the pageant world when she enters a local beauty contest. Of course, that doesn’t sit right with her momma (Aniston), a former beauty queen who believes in the sanctity of the pageant process. But the Parton soundtrack should give the thesis away: Beauty is only skin deep, baby. Starring alongside Aniston and Macdonald are Maddie Baillio, Dove Cameron, and too many fabulous drag queens to count.

Dumplin'

2018

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Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

Eurovision is a gift from the Icelandic gods. Orchestrated by the comedic legend Will Ferrell, the film is based on the famed international competition that’s given us real-life stars like Céline Dion and ABBA. This version, however, follows Lars and Sigrid, two dreamers who’ve aspired since childhood to compete for Iceland on the Eurovision stage. Unfortunately, no one believes in them ... especially Lars’ father. Through a series of quirky circumstances (and perhaps, the power of elves), the two find themselves suddenly thrust into the finals of the competition. Ferrell is chaotically comedic in the role of Lars. Rachel McAdams plays the role of Sigrid to charming perfection. And much like the event itself, the film gave us several undeniable bops sure to worm their way into your brain. Hey, Lars! Play “Ja Ja Ding Dong”!

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

2020

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The Half Of It

This charming update of Cyrano de Bergerac tells the story of Ellie Chu (Alice Lewis), a straight-A student whose main focus is just getting through high school with her sanity intact. She has a small side hustle writing papers for other students, but it begins to get complicated when a popular football player requests her services. Papers? Not a problem. But what Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer) wants is a letter expressing his feelings to Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire) — the young woman Ellie happens to have a crush on as well. What results is the kind of ambiguous love triangle that feels all too real for any high schooler coming of age and grappling with their sexuality. Queer or not, though, the best part of The Half of It is that the message applies to everyone — because who among us hasn’t felt the sparks of first love?

The Half Of It

2020

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Holidate

Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey front this charming romantic comedy that’s in season no matter what time of year you’re watching. When Sloane and Jackson, holiday and dating pessimists, cross paths over the holidays, they agree to take the plunge and be each other’s stand-in dates. You know how it goes when you visit home and everyone asks, “When are you gonna bring someone home for us to meet?” Problem solved, right? But what starts out as an arrangement of convenience takes a hard left turn when someone starts catching feelings. Over the course of a year, the two find themselves mulling over the real reason for the season: the people you share it with.

Holidate

2020

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Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Some of the best adventures start out as absolute disasters, which is exactly what happens in Hunt for the Wilderpeople. When a troubled teen named Ricky (Julian Dennison) is left high and dry after his mother abandons him, he enters the foster system. He’s placed at a remote farm with a woman named Bella and her husband, Hec (Sam Neill). But to make matters worse, Bella dies. Not wanting to reenter the system, Ricky fakes his own death and Hec goes searching for him. No good deed goes unpunished, though: When Hec sets off, the authorities come to the house and surmise that Hec has abducted Ricky, resulting in a massive chase for the duo. The journey is silly and heartwarming and exactly the anecdote you need to restore your faith in the world.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

2016

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Irish Wish

Lindsay Lohan renaissance? Let’s celebrate that! The actor is officially back in the rom-com circuit, following her holiday film Falling for Christmas. This time, she heads to Ireland, playing a dutiful book editor to a man she believes is the love of her life. Problem is: he’s engaged to her best friend. Before they say “I do,” she wishes that she were the one lined up to marry him — but when her wish comes true, she quickly discovers that a wish doesn’t necessarily guarantee happiness. With a charming cast, set against a beautiful backdrop, Irish Wish is a fun look into the world of what-ifs, and a friendly reminder that the grass (and in this case, fiancé) is not always greener on the other side.

Irish Wish

2024

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Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

There are few movies as wholesome as Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. The stop-motion shell (voiced by Jenny Slate) got his start back in the heyday of YouTube, when viral videos weren’t a dime a dozen. He brought us a sweet, optimistic view of the world, where strands of hair and pieces of dust were larger than life. Now, Marcel has gotten the big screen treatment, sending him on an expedition to find his family. Back home, he lives with his aging grandmother (voiced by Isabella Rossellini), who wants Marcel to lead a happy, full life. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is the perfect feel-good film with an impossibly optimistic curiosity about the world, a caregiving story for the ages, and a wonderful twist that will change the way you watch 60 Minutes (trust us).

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

2022

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Paddington

If you haven’t seen Paddington, what exactly is there to say here? It’s the quintessential feel-good movie. The hero is the iconic London bear who wriggled his way into the hearts of the Brown family (and every family who’s ever read his tale). The film serves as his origin story — a young bear with a taste for marmalade and adventure leaves the Peruvian rain forest in search of a better life. Of course, what’s a strapping young bear to do in a city as buttoned up as London? Cause a bit of trouble, naturally. While the people of London are largely excited to have Paddington in their midst, one Londoner is a bit too excited ... Millicent Clyde, a taxidermist, has her eyes set on Paddington, and she won’t stop until he joins her collection. The cast is a movie lover’s dream, with Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins on deck as Henry and Mary Brown, Nicole Kidman as Millicent, and Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington.

Paddington

2014

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The Prom

Adapted from the Tony-nominated Broadway musical of the same name and directed by Ryan Murphy, The Prom has a roster of big stars — Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, Ariana DeBose, and Andrew Rannells among them — and a lot of heart. The film follows a young woman named Emma (newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman), who lives in a small town that would rather cancel the school prom than allow her to attend with her girlfriend. When a cohort of self-obsessed theater stars hear about Emma’s story, they descend on Edgewater, Indiana, to show what a little star power and a lot of dramatics can do for a worthy cause. By the time the credits roll on this earnest musical, no one would fault you for believing that a well-placed song and the right people in your corner are enough to change the world. We’re rooting for these kids, dang it.

The Prom

2020

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Someone Great

Not all love stories end in romance, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t love stories. It also doesn’t mean they end in sadness. That’s what you have here with Someone Great, directed and written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. The story focuses on Jenny, a music journalist who’s hired by Rolling Stone. The only issue is that she has to move to San Francisco, effectively ending her relationship with her long-term boyfriend. What results is a last hurrah that Jenny shares with her friends, but the good vibes are clouded with the memory of what the past nine years have meant to Jenny and her relationship. It’s bittersweet and all too familiar for anyone who’s ever had to leave a place they love in pursuit of the next step. But by the end, it’s clear that this love story is about way more than romance. It’s about love for a place, love for friends, and, more than anything, love for oneself.

Someone Great

2019

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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Oh, to be Lara Jean Covey. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before helped usher in a new era of romantic comedies, and that’s due to the electric, lovely chemistry between Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. While Lara Jean (Condor) is facing the tribulations of high school, she runs into one of the most horrifying things that can happen to a teen: a leak. When Lara Jean’s sister mails out the letters tucked away in her closet — letters written, privately, to all Lara Jean’s crushes — Lara Jean sets off on a mission to curb the fallout. She comes to an agreement with one of the recipients, Peter (Centineo): The two of them enter into a fake relationship to protect Lara Jean and make Peter’s ex jealous. Even if you can guess how that shakes out (and then continues across the next two films), the fun is in watching that story unfold. Peter and Lara Jean forever.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

2018

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tick, tick...BOOM!

Directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tick, Tick … Boom! comes from the mind (and piano) of Jonathan Larson, the wunderkind who gave us Rent. The film, based on Larson’s semi-autobiographical musical of the same name, is a love letter to New York, highlighting the uphill climb to creative success in a city that makes a sport out of chewing up and spitting out young talent. Even though Larson died before seeing the impact his work would have on the world, his story is one of triumph that will put a song in your heart and a chill down your spine. Simply put, it’s a celebration of a man who unknowingly made the most of his brief time on Earth. Bonus: Andrew Garfield is nearly perfect in the starring role.

tick, tick...BOOM!

2021

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