Sometimes you need a good movie to help you feel better. Luckily, Netflix has plenty of films that’ll do just that.
Streaming Sit back, relax, and let the good vibes wash over you. Netflix promises nothing short of tons of movies to watch at any time, beamed directly into your living room. You can find classics from your childhood to watch when you’re feeling nostalgic, interesting documentaries for when you want to learn something new, and plenty of tearjerkers for when you need a good cry. But one of the more underrated genres on Netflix is the “feel-good film” — the type of movie that will cheer you up when you’re feeling blue. The platform offers plenty of ways to escape to a happier place for a couple of hours while you forget about the harshness of the real world and come back refreshed. Some of the films included below will make you feel like a kid again, others will leave you inspired, and many of them promise to help with a much-needed laugh session. With 25 solid feel-good movies on this list, there are plenty to choose from. This film won near-universal acclaim, from the Beyhive to the music and film industry, which recognized Homecoming with six Emmy nominations and one Grammy win. I mean, this concert documentary even includes a Destiny’s Child reunion! The only people not into this celebration of Queen Bey’s Coachella performance — and its origins — would be people who don’t like Beyoncé, and let’s not even go there. John Mulaney ‘s beloved special marked the comedian’s return to stand-up after he took an extended hiatus while working in TV. It’s easy to see that he’s mastered the art — and why he’s gained such a devoted following. In this Netflix feature, Mulaney leaves no topic unturned, poking fun at his marriage, growing up as a Catholic, and meeting Bill Clinton. This is kind of a breakup movie, but hang in there because Someone Great is mostly about three friends (played by Gina Rodriguez, DeWanda Wise, and Brittany Snow) supporting one another through their darkest hour. It’s like a modern Sex and the City but better, as it’s more realistic (and there’s no Che Diaz, the most controversial new character from the SATC reboot). The legend Rudy Ray Moore seems like a contradiction: a devout, churchgoing man who also created the foul-mouthed pimp character who’d go on to influence a generation of rappers and comedians. The R-rated comedy Dolemite Is My Name tells his story, with Eddie Murphy starring as Moore in the actor’s much-awaited comedy comeback since his ’90s golden age. Wesley Snipes, Snoop Dogg, Tituss Burgess, and Chris Rock also star in the 2019 film. This 2017 rom-com is well worth adding to your list. Stars Jessica Williams and Chris O’Dowd are a winning match — despite their horrible blind date start — and watching them try to out-snark each other throughout the film is a delight. If you’re craving more Williams movies to watch, head over to Hulu (we won’t tell) to laugh along as she plays the immensely cool but questionable teacher in Booksmart. This 2019 documentary treads rough ground but is ultimately a tale of people coming together across a common plight of job loss. American Factory was one of the first projects to come out of Higher Ground, Barack and Michelle Obama ’s production company, and went on to win Best Documentary at the Academy Awards. Don’t knock a good animated movie. The Mitchells vs. The Machines is about an oddball family who has to save the world during a road trip after robots turn against humanity.
