Great for snuggling up with on a rainy afternoon, or for watching when you feel like life is dragging you down, these feel good classic movies are essential viewing. From It’s A Wonderful Life to Silver Linings Playbook, these films will have you both simultaneously crying and smiling about the highs and lows of life.
In this article, we will detail the five essential feel good films that you need to watch, and why you should watch each of them.
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You’ve Got Mail (1998)
This iconic 90’s romantic comedy follows the lives of two competing booksellers as they start an online romance whilst unaware of their true identities. It stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in the leading roles, two heavy hitters of 90’s Hollywood, and is directed by Nora Ephron.
As with any good romance movie, a curveball will eventually appear which will make them question their relationship. Eventually Tom Hank’s character Joe finds out the real identity of his online romance, and must choose whether or not to continue to pursue this woman, now he knows that she works in his shop’s rival business.
Ending with sugary sweet scene that proves that love conquers all, this film is lovely to watch with a partner or loved one.
2. Good Will Hunting (1997)
The film that brought both Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to prominence, Good Will Hunting is a film that has a special place in many people’s hearts. Matt Damon stars as the titular character, Will Hunting, who is a maths genius that chooses instead to work as a janitor at the local college.
One day, after solving an intensely difficult math problem that was left on the blackboard, Hunting is discovered by Professor Lambeau. This professor decides that he is worth investing in, and so takes Hunting on as his student.
Unfortunately, Hunting gets himself into a spot of bother after assaulting a police officer, and his professor has to promise that he will seek help from a therapist (played by Robin Williams) in exchange for leniency.
The reason this film is so profound is because of how it rings true for all of us in life. Sometimes we let ourselves get in the way of our dreams, but there will always be someone out there to help us, even if that someone is also going through similar things themselves.
3. National Velvet (1944)
This 1944 film starring Elizabeth Taylor as Velvet Brown can tug at your heart strings for many reasons. The journey of her beloved horse from being won at the town’s raffle, to rambunctious and temperamental, to running in the Grand National, shows how with hard work and determination you can achieve your dreams.
When Velvet and her horse finally reach the Grand National, a problem with the jockey occurs, and you feel pain for the both of them as you watch their dreams shatter in front of them. However, there is a reprise, as a mystery jockey comes in to save the day.
This film evokes a sense of nostalgia too, of wanting to go back to childhood and simpler times. You’ll also feel a part of yourself in Velvet as you watch it, whether it’s her motivation, her childlike wonder, or her love for animals, we all have something that will remind yourself of her.
4. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Dealing with topics such as mental health and loss, this film is an outstanding adaptation of the much beloved book by Matthew Quick. It follows Bradley Cooper as Pat, who has recently lost both his job and his wife. After this happens, Pat decides to move in back with his parents, and starts to slowly rebuild his life.
Along the way he meets Tiffany (played by Jennifer Lawrence), who says that she will help him make things right with his wife again, but only if he helps her practice for her dance competition.
Tiffany has problems of her own, thanks to the death of her husband, and whilst the pair are practicing for the big day ahead, they fall deeply in love. It’s a complicated love, and one many of us will recognise when we’re going through hard times.
Be warned, this film is very emotional, and you will likely go through a whole box of tissues by the time it is finished. But, stick with it and you will have watched a film that will stay with you for years to come.
5. Forrest Gump (1994)
Another Tom Hanks film on this list, and for good reason. The film that taught us that ‘life is like a box of chocolates’ has had film lovers enamoured for decades. Forrest Gump is a slow-witted but charming man who has had a life unrestricted by his disabilities.
Through his never-ending optimism, Forrest has gone on to be able to fight in Vietnam, get involved in college football, and even captain a boat. Along the way he touches everyone he meets, and inspires them with his childlike character and lust for life.
However, there is one person that he wants more than anything, his childhood love, Jenny. He struggles to get a connection with her, and goes through his past life experiences to see where he may have went wrong.
A lovely and heartfelt movie, Forrest Gump is not one to be missed off your movie watch list.
There are so many more classic and modern films that you’ll be able to both laugh and cry at, but this list would turn into a book if we did so! So here are five great films to start you off with, and hopefully they inspire you as much as they inspired us.