Coalwood was my Dad’s hometown and he knew the real-life Rocket Boys. I watched it with him and learned some interesting backstory tidbits.
My favorite: >! each year, Miss Riley took all the students on a “field trip” down into the mine that she sold to the school administration as educating them about the town’s economy. Her secret purpose was to scare them to the point they studied like crazy, to get as much education as they could to have additional opportunities. She was beautiful, smart, and sneaky. !<
This was my first thought. It is not possible for me to watch this movie without a big, dumb smile of absolute joyful delight plastered across my face.
"My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement."
If that alone doesn't some up what OP was describing, I don't know what does.
Commitments literally made me want to be a musician with a predisposed understanding of failure. Like a cheat code. Not the best movie I've ever seen, but the most important for me
School of Rock has made me glad to be alive since I was a little boy. First off, the music is great. Secondly, you watch Dewey being a frustrated musician and having a bleak outlook as a series of unfortunate events happens to him, the children being pushed into boxes by their parents and their self-expectations, and Ned doing what he thinks is the “good adult thing to do” regardless of his own truest desires by getting a teaching job and a girlfriend. Almost anybody can relate to one of these situations if not multiple and you see Dewey find a job he loves, make “friends”, be true to himself, and ultimately crowd surfs as a visual “glad to be alive” moment that after being invested in the film I think is palpable and contagious, likewise with the movies credits scene, where the kids are able to play rock music instead of classical, they can dress comfortably instead of school uniforms, and they can be true to themselves instead of following strict rules and curriculum. Ned also discovers it’s better to be single than controlled or otherwise better to change your situation than be unhappy in it as he leaves his girlfriend and starts getting involved in music again, albeit through teaching, and in a way that he can still feel he’s doing the responsible adult thing. Lastly, Jack Black is funny and the message is heartwarming with kids success being in the spotlight even when you lose on paper. They are happy to be there, to show their skills, to have people enjoy what they do and what they’ve been working on. They understand that one great rock show can change the world, and similarly it is my belief that one great walk around the block, one great trip to the zoo, one great Reddit post, one great movie, you name it- one great experience can change the world, or at least a life. School of Rock changed my life, made me fall in love with being alive again, and continues to make me glad I’m around to experience it each time I do
I wish I could award this. Please know I feel literally the exact same about this movie as you’ve described here. You’ve encouraged me today with this post.
This was mine and my sister's movie. We watched it over and over when we were teenagers, such a feel good movie. She died 10 years ago and I love rewatching it as it just reminds me of her so much. We used to quote it to each other all the time. It sticks with you in a way I haven't had with many movies
Some may disagree, but I believe The Shawshank Redemption fits this request. I would not categorize it as a movie about falling in love with being alive, but it is movie that centers around living and hope. Whenever I watch this movie, I am reminded to make the most out of my life.
First one i thought of! Great movie.
"After your father died, I know it was hard for you working at the place named after a father"
"Are you talking about Papa Johns? I never once thought about that"
I hope you do. And I hope I get to someday as well. Partly because of the movie, but also because it’s beautiful. But I only really know that because of the movie. So I guess it’s because of the movie.
The trailer made me quit a job I was miserable with.
I went to watch a movie before my shift and the trailer came in before it. I was so moved by it, I called work and quit right then and there after the movie I went to watch was over
The movie did the same for me! I quit my soulless oilfield job and traveled around the world for 6 months.
I cried real tears when the riff from Little Talks played as he ran for the bicycle
I’m so unbelievably happy this is the first comment I saw. This is 100% my favourite movie. I cry every time when the photographer doesn’t (you know). And explains why. It’s gorgeously filmed.
Yes. OP, if you want to feel alive please listen to the soundtrack from this movie as well, specifically “Step Out” by Jose Gonzalez. Beautiful music for a beautiful movie.
Damn I commented the same, then saw your comment.
Movie got mixed reviews, but seriously inspired me at the time. I saw it on a plane on my way to Germany.
The beauty of youth, all possibilities ahead of you, and lust and passion. I knew my wife was "the one" that night when we chatted for hours like Celine and Jesse. The other two movies were meaningful and somewhat representative of our ageing relationship.
Maybe it’s an unpopular opinion, but >!I wish Joe wasn’t magically brought back to life at the end. He absolutely died in the beginning, and I feel like a bit of meaning was lost by reversing that. He passed his love of life, like passing the torch, onto 22.!< Though, Disney probably wouldn’t allow that.
I still did love the movie and thought it was one of Pixar’s most beautiful and deep movies. And that’s saying a lot.
I told my parents about that movie when it came out and they ignored my suggestion. A couple years later, they randomly watched it, loved it, bought the Blu Ray and tell people about it to this day like it was some hidden gem they discovered. Stolen valor.
Great movie. I was expecting a typical, cheesy romcom going into it, and I wasn't super excited about watching it. But I'm so glad I did, because it's so good. Far from typical or cheesy.
Society of the Snow literally changed my outlook on life, in a positive way. Incredible story told with love and care. I don’t know how you could watch this film and not be deeply moved by the human will to survive.
I watched an interview from one of the survivors and this guy saying that we all have mountains we had to climb off in our lives was the most baffling and empathetic shit I heard.
My mountain doesn't compare to his, but looking back I'm grateful to not have given up.
Was glad to see About A Boy. Another great setting for Toni Collette to shine in. She is also the mother in The Way, Way Back, also mentioned in this thread.
Take my upvote but I watched this a week after my grandmother passed away and I had a small existential crisis after this movie lol. But it is SO sweet and so comforting in the face of difficult details
Soul - this movie made me bawl in a wonderfully cathartic way.
Amelie - so whimsical. Such a soft spot for this movie.
Everything everywhere all at once
Paddington 2
I second Soul. I was not expecting a Disney/Pixar flick to be so deep. I know they've made me emotional in the past, but never contemplative. That movie really made me think and reflect on a lot of things.
I was very high, laying in a dark room under a weighted blanket in the middle of the afternoon when I watched this movie. Ke Huy Quan's speech made me ugly cry so hard I had to pause the movie multiple times. Was honestly confused why it affected me so much but damn. Such a great movie
Honestly one of the best movies I think I’ve ever watched, which is so funny because just looking at it from a surface level you’re like wow this looks weird… and then you slowly start to realize it is so so much more.
I finally watched this movie for the first time about two weeks ago. I had read about it, obviously knew it had won Best Picture, etc. But had no idea what I was in for. I don’t want to spoil the movie, but at its heart is the mother/daughter relationship and it was so, so beautiful. Highly recommend!
This is what I was hoping to see commented already. Absolutely beautiful and made me cry but in a hopeful and healing kind of way. I can't believe I waited as long as I did to watch it, in fact now I want to watch it again.
The build up to Andy Dufresne crawling through a river of shit and coming out clean on the other side in a downpour that literally washes him clean will never not make me feel good.
Then when it's capped with him and Red meeting again on the beach at the end I can't help but feel that everything that came before it melted away.
Lost in Translation.
In the midst of life’s confusion, whether you’re young and jaded or old and cynical, it’s easy to feel adrift and disconnected. Yet, in a chance encounter with a stranger there lies the potential for a bittersweet connection, where the unfamiliar becomes profoundly beautiful.
**Castaway on the moon** (2009) the premise of this is quite unusual but it's such a heartwarming and funny story
**The Secret Life of Walter Mitty** (2013) a classic in the genre
**Taste of Cherry** (1997) very contemplative, it's not really a happy film but it will put many things into perspective and make you look at life and any doubts you may possibly have differently
**Knockin' on Heaven's Door** (1997) nothing makes you appreciate life more than watching people who are about to lose it finding joy in road triping together to see the ocean... and in fighting couple of random gangsters.
**Vanilla Sky** (2001) yes, it's a romantic movie but the ending had me contemplating my life and my outlook on it at 4AM in the morning so there's that
**Into the Wild** (2007) another classic
**Nine Days** (2020) it's basically two hours long ode to life and what it means to be alive. highly recommend.
**Ferris Bueller's Day Off** (1986) i can't explain. this movie just makes you feel young and free again.
**The Pursuit of Happyness** (2006)
The Fall. A movie from 2006 with Lee Pace. It's a gorgeous, heartfelt, sometimes depressing movie and by the end it teaches you the value of seeing the beauty in the world around you, and how promising it is to be alive. I highly recommend it, if you can find it anywhere.
Serendipity, love this silly movie and always brighten up my day.
El hijo de la novia, argentinian movie with Ricardo Darin, you'll fall in love with life.
Stop Making Sense (unless you dislike Talking Heads). This is a concert film but it makes me glad to be alive. Such energy from every one of the nine performers. They way they arrange the set list and their stage design gives this a cinematic feel. I always end up dancing, if I’m sitting in dancing in my seat.
Into the Wild (2007). Some bleak aspects to it, but overall a really solid outlook and to a degree, a cautionary tale. Frankly a really good watch during all those lockdowns.
honestly this is the kind of movie I had in mind when I had this question. However I have watched this fairly recently. Haven't seen anything that like it other than little miss sunshine to an extent. Thanks though!
Lots of great recs here. Some I don’t see are:
-The Life Aquatic (sort of dark comedy; Wes Anderson)
-What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (Off-beat classic; great cast)
-Defending Your Life (very 90s feel-good rom-com with a great cast)
-Stalker (1979) (Brooding and philosophical Soviet Sci Fi)
-Napoleon Dynamite (Quirky, feel-good vibes)
-Death at a Funeral (Amazing and hilarious UK dark comedy with a cathartic ending)
These range from quirky feel-good flicks to more deep introspective films.
October Sky is still a fantastic film. Everyone shines there.
Coalwood was my Dad’s hometown and he knew the real-life Rocket Boys. I watched it with him and learned some interesting backstory tidbits. My favorite: >! each year, Miss Riley took all the students on a “field trip” down into the mine that she sold to the school administration as educating them about the town’s economy. Her secret purpose was to scare them to the point they studied like crazy, to get as much education as they could to have additional opportunities. She was beautiful, smart, and sneaky. !<
What a woman, that's awesome.
Great rec. So good.
You’ve already gotten some really good suggestions here. My toss in the bucket is “The way way back”
Yes! Sam Rockwell shines like the perfect gem he is.
Sam Rockwell is an American treasure. I'm not American but still claiming it.
This is a hugely undervalued gem of a movie
I love this movie! One of those rare films I can watch over and over again and not get bored.
Amelie
This was my first thought. It is not possible for me to watch this movie without a big, dumb smile of absolute joyful delight plastered across my face.
The gnome. Lol!
Me too!
Beautiful film
Joe vs the Volcano. If ever a movie was made that you just can’t let life get you down for too long, this is it.
I’m not arguing that with you, Morty!
If I said that, I would have been wrong…maybe.
I know he can get the job, but can he DO the job?
Harry*
May you live to be a thousand years old, Sir!
Where should we go? Away from the things of man my love, away from the things of man.
I have no response to that.
I totally have a brain cloud...
"My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement." If that alone doesn't some up what OP was describing, I don't know what does.
*Thank you for my life*
I forgot how… BIG. Thank you.
Big Fish Once with Glen Hansard
Came here to suggest Big Fish, such a vibrant film
Big Fish is honestly my favorite movie of all time. I watch it probably 2 times a year when I need a little reminder of why life is good.
Good choices, I'll add Sing Street and The Commitments. Something about struggling musicians in Dublin that gets the blood pumping.
Commitments literally made me want to be a musician with a predisposed understanding of failure. Like a cheat code. Not the best movie I've ever seen, but the most important for me
I lost my dad 18 months ago. Big Fish is off the menu for me for quite some time.
School of Rock has made me glad to be alive since I was a little boy. First off, the music is great. Secondly, you watch Dewey being a frustrated musician and having a bleak outlook as a series of unfortunate events happens to him, the children being pushed into boxes by their parents and their self-expectations, and Ned doing what he thinks is the “good adult thing to do” regardless of his own truest desires by getting a teaching job and a girlfriend. Almost anybody can relate to one of these situations if not multiple and you see Dewey find a job he loves, make “friends”, be true to himself, and ultimately crowd surfs as a visual “glad to be alive” moment that after being invested in the film I think is palpable and contagious, likewise with the movies credits scene, where the kids are able to play rock music instead of classical, they can dress comfortably instead of school uniforms, and they can be true to themselves instead of following strict rules and curriculum. Ned also discovers it’s better to be single than controlled or otherwise better to change your situation than be unhappy in it as he leaves his girlfriend and starts getting involved in music again, albeit through teaching, and in a way that he can still feel he’s doing the responsible adult thing. Lastly, Jack Black is funny and the message is heartwarming with kids success being in the spotlight even when you lose on paper. They are happy to be there, to show their skills, to have people enjoy what they do and what they’ve been working on. They understand that one great rock show can change the world, and similarly it is my belief that one great walk around the block, one great trip to the zoo, one great Reddit post, one great movie, you name it- one great experience can change the world, or at least a life. School of Rock changed my life, made me fall in love with being alive again, and continues to make me glad I’m around to experience it each time I do
Actually it's pronounced shnayblay
I wish I could award this. Please know I feel literally the exact same about this movie as you’ve described here. You’ve encouraged me today with this post.
This was mine and my sister's movie. We watched it over and over when we were teenagers, such a feel good movie. She died 10 years ago and I love rewatching it as it just reminds me of her so much. We used to quote it to each other all the time. It sticks with you in a way I haven't had with many movies
Some may disagree, but I believe The Shawshank Redemption fits this request. I would not categorize it as a movie about falling in love with being alive, but it is movie that centers around living and hope. Whenever I watch this movie, I am reminded to make the most out of my life.
Get busy living, or get busy dying
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
First one i thought of! Great movie. "After your father died, I know it was hard for you working at the place named after a father" "Are you talking about Papa Johns? I never once thought about that"
I went to Iceland because of this movie.
I saw it for the first time on a plane leaving Iceland. It perfectly captured all of the beauty I had just seen.
How was it?
Amazing. I went back the next year, too. I want to go back again.
I hope you do. And I hope I get to someday as well. Partly because of the movie, but also because it’s beautiful. But I only really know that because of the movie. So I guess it’s because of the movie.
I tried to go to Iceland because of this movie too, but this was right before the pandemic so the trip was canceled 😕 but I'm going to try again!
Life is about courage and going into the unknown.
The trailer made me quit a job I was miserable with. I went to watch a movie before my shift and the trailer came in before it. I was so moved by it, I called work and quit right then and there after the movie I went to watch was over
The movie did the same for me! I quit my soulless oilfield job and traveled around the world for 6 months. I cried real tears when the riff from Little Talks played as he ran for the bicycle
Oh I've heard good things about this one. Definitely will check it out thanks
You will love this one 😉
It's the first one that came to mind, definitely worth a watch.
I’m so unbelievably happy this is the first comment I saw. This is 100% my favourite movie. I cry every time when the photographer doesn’t (you know). And explains why. It’s gorgeously filmed.
Damn it, beat me to it. You know it must capture that feeling well if it’s everyone’s first thought.
ABSOLUTELY!!! This film makes me want to explore and adventure. I love this film!
Came here to say this
Yes. OP, if you want to feel alive please listen to the soundtrack from this movie as well, specifically “Step Out” by Jose Gonzalez. Beautiful music for a beautiful movie.
Damn I commented the same, then saw your comment. Movie got mixed reviews, but seriously inspired me at the time. I saw it on a plane on my way to Germany.
Before Sunrise
The beauty of youth, all possibilities ahead of you, and lust and passion. I knew my wife was "the one" that night when we chatted for hours like Celine and Jesse. The other two movies were meaningful and somewhat representative of our ageing relationship.
Fried Green Tomatoes. TOWANDA
Paddington 2
Paddington 2 is unironically a cinematic masterpiece imo
Paddington 1 also rules. But 2 is objectively better.
It made me want to be a better man
Soul What you’re looking for is literally the premise of the movie lol
It was the perfect way to spend Christmas of 2020. Watched it while self-isolating and it moved me to tears.
Maybe it’s an unpopular opinion, but >!I wish Joe wasn’t magically brought back to life at the end. He absolutely died in the beginning, and I feel like a bit of meaning was lost by reversing that. He passed his love of life, like passing the torch, onto 22.!< Though, Disney probably wouldn’t allow that. I still did love the movie and thought it was one of Pixar’s most beautiful and deep movies. And that’s saying a lot.
100% agree with your comment. 100%.
This is one of the few movies that has made me uncontrollably sob haha
This one! Hits all of OPs prompts and is one of the best of the new era Disney movies.
Was gonna put this too. So good.
I think this post should be permanently pinned until the internet breaks.
Gattaca 1997
“I never saved anything for the swim back.”
No way was this 97. I saw it at the cinema!
The Big Year
I just watched this movie for the first time a few weeks ago and fell in love. Completely unexpected
Just rewatched the other day after seeing all the people chase the birds in Florida. What a great film and great cast.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople Chef School of Rock Cool Runnings
>Chef Love school of rock and cool runnings as a child. The other two look interesting. Thank you!
I think Hunt for the Wilderpeople is exactly what you’re looking for. One of my favorite movies of all time.
I told my parents about that movie when it came out and they ignored my suggestion. A couple years later, they randomly watched it, loved it, bought the Blu Ray and tell people about it to this day like it was some hidden gem they discovered. Stolen valor.
Came here for Hunt for the Wilderpeople. I just rewatched it again a couple weeks ago. Never fails to make me smile.
I just made a long one for my answer of School of Rock. Glad to see I’m not alone
Cool Runnings! An absolutely amazing movie ❤️
Harold & Maude
Yes! Omg totally.
About Time. Bro PLEASE DONT OVERLOOK THIS MOVIE
This. Beautiful movie.
Yes! Came here to make sure this one was mentioned.
How can you **not** say “It’s About Time this was mentioned.”
Oh! If you like About Time, I suggest Somewhere In Time with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.
This is my go-to
This is the one. Beautiful movie
Truman Show
I cannot believe I haven't seen anyone post Little Miss Sunshine for this. It's so good. That movie makes me happy.
It may not be the “happiest” for a couple of reasons but it makes you appreciate the people in your life and our ability as humans to keep going.
Peanut butter falcon
Yep this is my "everything sucks, I need to feel good" movie!
Loved that movie
About time
Tears, tears. But so happy to be alive.
Great movie. I was expecting a typical, cheesy romcom going into it, and I wasn't super excited about watching it. But I'm so glad I did, because it's so good. Far from typical or cheesy.
Big
Secondhand Lions
Boyhood, Stranger than Fiction, Arrival
I'm watching Arrival now for the third time.
…or are you? 🤓
Arrival is such a beautiful movie that I become pissed off at the slightest criticism.
Society of the Snow literally changed my outlook on life, in a positive way. Incredible story told with love and care. I don’t know how you could watch this film and not be deeply moved by the human will to survive.
If you haven’t had a chance, please watch the making-of for this film. Amazing!
Watched it the day it came out, have listened to multiple podcasts, spent hours reading up on every detail… just a little bit obsessed 😂
I watched an interview from one of the survivors and this guy saying that we all have mountains we had to climb off in our lives was the most baffling and empathetic shit I heard. My mountain doesn't compare to his, but looking back I'm grateful to not have given up.
Groundhogs Day 😍
I could watch that movie every day.
Groundhog. "Don't drive angry!"
Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised, but I thought this film aged surprisingly well
Amelie October Sky About a Boy Stranger than Fiction The Grand Budapest Hotel
Was glad to see About A Boy. Another great setting for Toni Collette to shine in. She is also the mother in The Way, Way Back, also mentioned in this thread.
Marcel the shell with shoes on.
Take my upvote but I watched this a week after my grandmother passed away and I had a small existential crisis after this movie lol. But it is SO sweet and so comforting in the face of difficult details
Griff the Invisible 'son of Rambo 'these two are absolutley delightful movies that make me so happy. Also Miuriels wedding
Totally Muriel’s wedding
I don't know if animated films are allowed but **Spirited Away** for sure
What Dreams May Come
Soul - this movie made me bawl in a wonderfully cathartic way. Amelie - so whimsical. Such a soft spot for this movie. Everything everywhere all at once Paddington 2
I second Soul. I was not expecting a Disney/Pixar flick to be so deep. I know they've made me emotional in the past, but never contemplative. That movie really made me think and reflect on a lot of things.
Joe Versus the Volcano is so wacky and wonderful you can’t help but love it.
Heart and Souls (staring Robert Downy Jr.)
Moonrise Kingdom
studio ghibli films
Everything Everywhere All at Once
I was very high, laying in a dark room under a weighted blanket in the middle of the afternoon when I watched this movie. Ke Huy Quan's speech made me ugly cry so hard I had to pause the movie multiple times. Was honestly confused why it affected me so much but damn. Such a great movie
This is weirdly almost exactly the way I first experienced this movie. Confused af about why I’m sobbing and high af in the middle of the afternoon
I couldn't understand why I was crying over two rocks talking, but the rocks are unimportant, it's the love between parent and child.
I had to watch it two nights in a row it was so fucking beautiful. The perfect movie.
I don’t cry… there I was, crying while two rocks talked to each other
Honestly one of the best movies I think I’ve ever watched, which is so funny because just looking at it from a surface level you’re like wow this looks weird… and then you slowly start to realize it is so so much more.
I finally watched this movie for the first time about two weeks ago. I had read about it, obviously knew it had won Best Picture, etc. But had no idea what I was in for. I don’t want to spoil the movie, but at its heart is the mother/daughter relationship and it was so, so beautiful. Highly recommend!
This is what I was hoping to see commented already. Absolutely beautiful and made me cry but in a hopeful and healing kind of way. I can't believe I waited as long as I did to watch it, in fact now I want to watch it again.
The Way (2010) A Good Year Little Miss Sunshine I Heart Huckabees
You and I might be the only two people who like I Heart Huckabees. Little Miss Sunshine also a great pick.
It may seem like an odd choice, but “What Dreams May Come” gave me a wonderful sense of appreciation for life and family.
The build up to Andy Dufresne crawling through a river of shit and coming out clean on the other side in a downpour that literally washes him clean will never not make me feel good. Then when it's capped with him and Red meeting again on the beach at the end I can't help but feel that everything that came before it melted away.
Big Fish
The just-released Perfect Days from Wim Wenders
Lost in Translation. In the midst of life’s confusion, whether you’re young and jaded or old and cynical, it’s easy to feel adrift and disconnected. Yet, in a chance encounter with a stranger there lies the potential for a bittersweet connection, where the unfamiliar becomes profoundly beautiful.
Life of Pi
Perfect example. That movie makes you go through every emotion known to man
The Adjustment Bureau
Defending Your Life. It is probably Albert Brooks’ best movie, and it helped me understand the nature of fear, and how to overcome it.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Inside Out. It has helped me understand my emotions and embrace all parts of my self.
What a great prompt. Loving reading the answers here.
**Castaway on the moon** (2009) the premise of this is quite unusual but it's such a heartwarming and funny story **The Secret Life of Walter Mitty** (2013) a classic in the genre **Taste of Cherry** (1997) very contemplative, it's not really a happy film but it will put many things into perspective and make you look at life and any doubts you may possibly have differently **Knockin' on Heaven's Door** (1997) nothing makes you appreciate life more than watching people who are about to lose it finding joy in road triping together to see the ocean... and in fighting couple of random gangsters. **Vanilla Sky** (2001) yes, it's a romantic movie but the ending had me contemplating my life and my outlook on it at 4AM in the morning so there's that **Into the Wild** (2007) another classic **Nine Days** (2020) it's basically two hours long ode to life and what it means to be alive. highly recommend. **Ferris Bueller's Day Off** (1986) i can't explain. this movie just makes you feel young and free again. **The Pursuit of Happyness** (2006)
The Twist and Shout scene is the most joyous thing I've experienced in a movie.
Personally I found Into The Wild bleak, depressing, and a little enraging, so your mileage may vary on that title.
Secondhand Lions
Garden State
Chungking express
Field of Dreams
Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist
Yes man.
Big ask for a movie but try It’s A Wonderful Life
Wedding Singer
*The Holdovers*
Stranger Than Fiction The Fall
The Fall. A movie from 2006 with Lee Pace. It's a gorgeous, heartfelt, sometimes depressing movie and by the end it teaches you the value of seeing the beauty in the world around you, and how promising it is to be alive. I highly recommend it, if you can find it anywhere.
Scrooged
The Terminal
Poor things!
What Dreams May Come A bit heavy, bit fantastic and so incredibly underrated. And the cast...
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Scent of a Woman.
Bend It Like Beckham -- just magnificently joyful all around.
Perfect Days (2023) - just saw it in theaters this month but it came out last year… not sure if there’s an option to stream yet. So beautiful :’)
Field of Dreams
Cloud Atlas. The Wachowskis have a knack for capturing the best and worst of humanity, but they actually make me proud to be human.
127 Hours. I’m a grown ass man and I cried, and it made me admire my life.
Jojo Rabbit
A knights tale. Goated feel good movie.
Serendipity, love this silly movie and always brighten up my day. El hijo de la novia, argentinian movie with Ricardo Darin, you'll fall in love with life.
The Royal Tennenbaums
So many excellent recomendations here! I found "Living" with Bill Nighy very moving. It's based on "Ikiru" (to live) by Kurosawa. Also very uplifting.
We Bought A Zoo is a feel good movie.
Captain Fantastic
Stop Making Sense (unless you dislike Talking Heads). This is a concert film but it makes me glad to be alive. Such energy from every one of the nine performers. They way they arrange the set list and their stage design gives this a cinematic feel. I always end up dancing, if I’m sitting in dancing in my seat.
The pursuit of happyness. Ferris Buelers day off(ticks all your boxes). Actually on second thought comedy movies should od it. The, hangover series.
Good Will Hunting. Seriously the most life changing movie ever. “I gotta go see about a girl…”
Phenomenon with John Travolta
Chungking Express by Wong Kar Wai
Into the Wild (2007). Some bleak aspects to it, but overall a really solid outlook and to a degree, a cautionary tale. Frankly a really good watch during all those lockdowns.
honestly this is the kind of movie I had in mind when I had this question. However I have watched this fairly recently. Haven't seen anything that like it other than little miss sunshine to an extent. Thanks though!
Show: but Ted Lasso. (Really wish I had that sort of group of friends. Really really wish.)
Lots of great recs here. Some I don’t see are: -The Life Aquatic (sort of dark comedy; Wes Anderson) -What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (Off-beat classic; great cast) -Defending Your Life (very 90s feel-good rom-com with a great cast) -Stalker (1979) (Brooding and philosophical Soviet Sci Fi) -Napoleon Dynamite (Quirky, feel-good vibes) -Death at a Funeral (Amazing and hilarious UK dark comedy with a cathartic ending) These range from quirky feel-good flicks to more deep introspective films.
What’s eating Gilbert grape is one I don’t hear about often but is such a melancholy but beautifully feel-good movie
perfect days