My feel good / slice of life movie list
I like to watch these movies when I am feeling lost, depressed or anxious. They bring me a feeling of hope, wonder and happiness. Most of them just show people overcoming obstacles, chasing after their dreams or looking for true happiness. I've tried organizing them according to the feel good vibes I get after watching.
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- DirectorAudrey WellsStarsDiane LaneRaoul BovaSandra OhFrances Mayes, a 35-year-old San Francisco writer, gets a divorce that leaves her with terminal writer's block and depression. Later, she decides to buy a house in Tuscany in order to change her life.My absolute favorite when most down. Always cheers me up and reminds me life does go on, and to find pleasure in everything.
- DirectorLasse HallströmStarsHelen MirrenOm PuriManish DayalThe Kadam family leaves India for France where they open a restaurant directly across the road from Madame Mallory's Michelin-starred eatery.Makes me feel great, I can't help but smile when I watch this. I hope you do too.
- DirectorJohn MaddenStarsJudi DenchBill NighyMaggie SmithBritish retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than advertised, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.It is lovely to see how there is more to life than what people expect. Just because you're old, doesn't mean you have to stop living and stop enjoying the wonders and experiences life has to offer.
- DirectorJoel ZwickStarsNia VardalosJohn CorbettMichael ConstantineA young Greek woman falls in love with a non-Greek and struggles to get her family to accept him while she comes to terms with her heritage and cultural identity.This movie just says to me "be true to yourself and do what you want to do, good things will always follow"
- DirectorLasse HallströmStarsJuliette BinocheJohnny DeppJudi DenchA French woman and her young daughter open up a chocolate shop in a small remote village that shakes up the rigid morality of the community.A feeling of relaxation mixed with the delightful sight of chocolate making makes this movie worth anyone's time.
- DirectorRyan MurphyStarsJulia RobertsJavier BardemRichard JenkinsA married woman realizes how unhappy her marriage really is, and that her life needs to go in a different direction. After a painful divorce, she takes off on a round-the-world journey to "find herself".I clearly love traveling, and this movie reflects perfectly how therapeutic traveling can be. Searching for yourself in a completely foreign country is something I relate to, and the wonders of traveling always put a smile on my face
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsRussell CroweAbbie CornishAlbert FinneyA British investment broker inherits his uncle's chateau and vineyard in Provence, where he spent much of his childhood. He discovers a new laid-back lifestyle as he tries to renovate the estate to be sold.It is never too late to turn your life around, and get in touch with what makes you happy
- DirectorJohn MaddenStarsJudi DenchMaggie SmithBill NighyAs the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has only a single remaining vacancy, posing a rooming predicament for two fresh arrivals, Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) pursues his expansionist dream of opening a second hotel.A lovely experience like the first movie
- DirectorNancy MeyersStarsRobert De NiroAnne HathawayRene RussoSeventy-year-old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin.This film has a lot of positivity. Again we go into the theme "it is never too late to turn your life around" and also "you're never too old to enjoy life", all of this, and of course "fight for your dreams and ambitions". A lot of good things in this film.
- DirectorJohn CarneyStarsKeira KnightleyMark RuffaloAdam LevineA chance encounter between a down-and-out music business executive, and a young singer songwriter new to Manhattan, turns into a promising collaboration between the two talents.I think the title says everything about this movie, the two main characters overcome their difficult situations, and find themselves through their relationship and music. At the end, I couldn't stop smiling for them.
- DirectorBen StillerStarsBen StillerKristen WiigJon DalyWhen both he and a colleague are about to lose their job, Walter takes action by embarking on an adventure more extraordinary than anything he ever imagined.I fell in love with this movie, the deep boring reality of it at first and the sudden jump to adventure. The phrase of "Adventure is right around the corner" is the perfect way to describe this film.
- DirectorEmilio EstevezStarsMartin SheenEmilio EstevezDeborah Kara UngerA father heads overseas to recover the body of his estranged son who died while traveling the "El camino de Santiago," and decides to take the pilgrimage himself.Thanks to the comment section, I found this hidden gem (at least hidden for me), I absolutely loved it in an unexpected way, as many of these films do. It is all about embracing life and change, being open to experiences, facing yourself and past mistakes, and moving forward
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsJon FavreauRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett JohanssonA head chef quits his restaurant job and buys a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.It is never to late to start over, and do something your passionate about
- DirectorPhyllida LloydStarsMeryl StreepPierce BrosnanAmanda SeyfriedThe story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular 1970s group ABBA.Cute and fun musical, it's an entertaining movie to watch, specially if you like ABBA
- DirectorSydney PollackStarsHarrison FordJulia OrmondGreg KinnearAn ugly duckling having undergone a remarkable change, still harbors feelings for her crush: a carefree playboy, but not before his business-focused brother has something to say about it.Discovering yourself, and learning what you truly want. This is what this movie is about, that and love, of course.
- DirectorMartin BrestStarsBrad PittAnthony HopkinsClaire ForlaniDeath, who takes the form of a young man killed in an accident, asks a media mogul to act as his guide to teach him about life on Earth and, in the process, he falls in love with the mogul's daughter.The whole mystery behind the situation, and the beautiful and luxurious life of the main characters always captures me. Brings to mind the importance of being surrounded by the people you love, cause at the end of the day that is all that matters, not money.
- DirectorJoe WrightStarsKeira KnightleyMatthew MacfadyenBrenda BlethynSparks fly when spirited Elizabeth Bennet meets single, rich, and proud Mr. Darcy. But Mr. Darcy reluctantly finds himself falling in love with a woman beneath his class. Can each overcome their own pride and prejudice?Frustrating throughout and truly captivating love story, it is so romantised in this film, that it makes my heart lighter every time I watch it.
- DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsIvana BaqueroAriadna GilSergi LópezIn the Falangist Spain of 1944, the bookish young stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer escapes into an eerie but captivating fantasy world.My childhood fantasies of adventure come to life in this film. It brings out the youth in me, and the parallel story about Franco's dictatorship adds a lot of drama and action to it. Overall it makes me feel happy, since the end gives you this positive magical vibe
- DirectorJames L. BrooksStarsAdam SandlerTéa LeoniPaz VegaA woman and her daughter emigrate from Mexico for a better life in America, where they start working for a family whose patriarch is a newly celebrated chef with an insecure wife.Life is complicated, I don't even know how to explain why it makes me happy, but I feel like the movie's message was to be proud of who you are and where you came from, among other things.
- DirectorNora EphronStarsAmy AdamsMeryl StreepChris MessinaJulia Child's story of her start in the cooking profession is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell's 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first book.It is very delicious to watch the food come to life. Very interesting and entertaining film
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTom HanksCatherine Zeta-JonesChi McBrideAn Eastern European tourist unexpectedly finds himself stranded in JFK airport, and must take up temporary residence there.Even in the most harshest situation, if you are positive and persevering, things will go your way
- DirectorAlfonso ArauStarsMarco LeonardiLumi CavazosRegina TornéWhen tradition prevents her from marrying the man she loves, a young woman discovers she has a unique talent for cooking.For me a classic, full of wonder and cultural symbolisms. It is rich in culture references from the era. Says to me "never give up on true love"
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsEwan McGregorAlbert FinneyBilly CrudupA frustrated son tries to determine the fact from fiction in his dying father's life.I'm always fascinated by the fantasy in this film, what is the truth and what is not? It doesn't matter, at the end, the message is life is all just a point of view, and he saw his life as a big adventure, and so it was.
- DirectorNancy MeyersStarsKate WinsletCameron DiazJude LawTwo women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other's countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love.Putting yourself in places and situations you never imagined to be in helps you grow as a person
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsMelanie GriffithHarrison FordSigourney WeaverWhen a secretary's idea is stolen by her boss, she seizes an opportunity to steal it back by pretending she has her boss' job.A woman fighting for her dreams. It makes me feel great and capable of anything.
- DirectorDonald PetrieStarsNia VardalosRichard DreyfussRachel DratchA disgruntled tour guide in Greece gains an unexpected new outlook on life thanks to one of the people on what she intends to be her last tour.You can't always plan your life, sometimes you have to let go, enjoy and let things flow... everything happens for a reason
- DirectorWayne WangStarsQueen LatifahLL Cool JTimothy HuttonUpon learning of a terminal illness, a shy woman decides to sell all her possessions and live it up at a posh Central European hotel.Hilarious and super fun to watch. I love how everything just falls into place. I just think "Positive Karma" when I watch this.
- DirectorGriffin DunneStarsSandra BullockNicole KidmanStockard ChanningTwo witch sisters, raised by their eccentric aunts in a small town, face closed-minded prejudice and a curse which threatens to prevent them ever finding lasting love.
- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsRyan GoslingEmma StoneRosemarie DeWittWhile navigating their careers in Los Angeles, a pianist and an actress fall in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future.This movie is super sweet and entertaining to watch, but it is more at the bottom of my list because of the bittersweet end. It isn't exactly a feel good movie, though there are several feel good scenes, however, it is a bit more melancholic at the end. I still liked it a lot though
- DirectorMark PellingtonStarsShirley MacLaineAmanda SeyfriedAnnJewel Lee DixonHarriet is a retired businesswoman who tries to control everything around her. When she decides to write her own obituary, a young journalist takes up the task of finding out the truth, resulting in a life-altering friendship.Found this unexpectedly interesting slice of life movie, which I wouldn't say is 100% "feel good", but definitely has some moments of it. It says to me: never to late to change things, not for others, but for yourself. Also says to me: open yourself up to new experiences, it will unexpected opportunities.
- DirectorEliza SchroederStarsCelia ImrieShannon TarbetShelley ConnA young woman wishes to fulfill her mother's dream of opening her own bakery in Notting Hill, London. To do this, she enlists the help of an old friend and her grandma.
- DirectorScott HicksStarsCatherine Zeta-JonesAaron EckhartAbigail BreslinThe life of a top chef changes when she becomes the guardian of her young niece.
- DirectorJohn WellsStarsBradley CooperSienna MillerDaniel BrühlAdam Jones is a chef who destroyed his career with drugs and diva behavior. He cleans up and returns to London, determined to redeem himself by spearheading a top restaurant that can gain three Michelin stars.
- CreatorBrendan HuntJoe KellyBill LawrenceStarsJason SudeikisHannah WaddinghamJeremy SwiftAmerican college football coach Ted Lasso heads to London to manage AFC Richmond, a struggling English Premier League soccer team.I sneaked this series in, cause honestly it is the full package of feel good. People overcoming their fears, their past, etc., and learning to be kind to others and themselves. I really enjoyed it.