The silver screen is a fantastic form of escapism that allows us to sit down and get away somewhere different for an hour or so, leaving our problems behind and becoming engrossed in something else.
Feel good films are a classic self-help source that can leave you feeling reinvigorated and that little bit more positive; what’s not to love about that?
Here are our top five feel good films that will serve as a pick me up no matter what troubles you may be having. Or even if you want to top-up the happiness with more good vibes, these are the movies for you!
National Velvet (1944)
What isn’t to love about an underdog coming out on top?
Starring the stunning Elizabeth Taylor, National Velvet depicts the story of a horse that a 12-year old girl wins in a raffle. She believes that despite his unruly ways, he can be trained to become the best horse in the world and win the Grand National, the most famous horse race in the world.
Triumph in the face of adversity ensues as Taylor, playing Velvet, jumps in the saddle when her jockey doesn’t seem to have as much faith in her horse as she does.
Winning in the end, Velvet makes it clear that she didn’t do it for money or fame, but just to prove that her stead could make it to the finish line as the winner. A warm and fuzzy film that will make you want to buy tickets for the next meeting!
You’ve Got Mail
You know it’s going to be a good one when Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan reunite. Dare we say it; it’s a film that could potentially top the original pairing of the two in Sleepless in Seattle.
Meg stars as a woman who owns a quaint bookshop, whilst Hanks is her corporate bookshop rival and is taking her business away from her. Striking up an anonymous relationship online with neither knowing who they are speaking to, we follow the twists and turns of the unlikely pair getting to know each other and despite their differences, they eventually fall in love.
This is a film that will take you back to the days of dial up internet and attractive anonymity!
Love Actually
A Christmas classic that depicts the twists and turns of different people through the holiday season, with the prime minister, his secretary, a long-married couple with kids and a best man falling in love with the groom’s wife all featured in the plot.
Full of festive cheer and the odd tear-jerking moment that is true to life, it is a great film that ends on a high so grab the hot chocolate and get ready to sit back and relax.
One of the most classic rom-com feel good films out there.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Watching It’s a Wonderful Life is a right of passage, albeit a long one, and it’s a film that you will want to watch religiously year in, year out.
George Bailey is thinking about ending his life but is fortunate enough to get some intervention from the angels. They show him his life in playback mode and allow him to see just how much he has changed his town by the good deeds he has done over the years.
A positive boost that shows everyone that they have an impact on others that is meaningful, no matter how big or small.
Good Will Hunting
There are very few films out there with the power to warm your heart like Good Will Hunting, and it epitomes the phrase ‘never judge a book by its cover’.
Will Hunting is working as a janitor despite having an IQ that equates to genius levels. When this skill is uncovered by a Professor, he decides to encourage the janitor to move forward and reach the potential that he was blessed enough to have.
A film that reinforces the fact that no matter where you are from, no matter what your background is and no matter what point you are at in your life, you can always push forward to be the very best that you can be, especially if you are lucky enough to get some guidance, too.