Top Feel Good Movies
These top feel good movies will have you uplifted by the time the end credits roll. Some deal with life and love, while others are simply a celebration of all things unique to the human condition. Whatever the case, you‘ll get a major boost to your spirits, and isn’t that the whole point of a feel good movie?
Forrest Gump (1994) – Tom Hanks stars as a simple-minded man who grows up during the turbulent ‘60s and rubs elbows with a number of important historical figures along the way. As Forest faces all the challenges that life throws his way, you’ll slowly come to realize that you’ve got it pretty good. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself crying at random moments, even if you’re a guy.
A Beautiful Mind (2001) – Based on the life of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Nash Jr., Russell Crowe stars in the title role as a genius whose struggle with schizophrenia threatens to undermine his marriage and tear apart his life. Winner of the Best Picture Oscar, it’s a testament to one man’s willpower in the face of mental illness. Co-starring Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Christopher Plummer and Paul Bettany.
Children of Heaven (1997) – After Ali loses his sister’s shoes, the two hatch a plan to share his so that their poverty-stricken parents won’t find out. What follows is a series of adventures as the siblings rotate the shoes, make new friends, and enter a race where third prize is a new pair of sneakers. Made in Iran, Children of Heaven was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. An uplifting tale that you can enjoy with your children.
Big Fish (2003) – Tim Burton served as director, which should immediately tell you that this film is packed with fantastical tales and bizarre imagery. As a traveling salesman (Albert Finney) is on his deathbed, he’s visited by his estranged son (Billy Crudup). The two men attempt to make amends, and the father weaves a series of amazing tall tales about his adventures as a younger man (played by Ewan McGregor). In the few years leading up to filming, Burton had lost both his parents, so the project took on a special importance to him (and it shows).
The Straight Story (1999) – David Lynch directed this G-rated film about Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth), an elderly man who journeys across two states on a lawnmower to make amends with his ailing brother (Harry Dean Stanton). A powerful film about regret and perseverance, it’s even more amazing when you consider that it was based on a true story. Farnsworth was suffering from terminal bone cancer during filming, and he gives a memorable performance to cap an impressive career.
Dead Poets Society (1989) – Set in a no-nonsense boys prep school during the late ‘50s, Dead Poets Society introduces John Keating (Robin Williams), an unconventional English teacher who inspires his students to discover the best in themselves. A bittersweet film, it still leaves you with a sense that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to (and that trying is the most important part). Co-starring Ethan Hawke, Kurtwood Smith, and Robert Sean Leonard.
Jerry Maguire (1996) – When a successful sports agent (Tom Cruise) suffers a crisis of conscience, he dedicates his life to putting the needs of his clients over his profit margin. Fired from his greedy firm, he must try to salvage his career and negotiate a big contract for his last remaining client (Cuba Gooding Jr. in an Oscar-winning role). And then there’s the romance with his loyal assistant (Renee Zellweger). The adorable Jonathan Lipnicki also stars as Zellweger’s son.
Grand Canyon (1991) – Overlooked at the box office, this drama from Lawrence Kasdan follows the life-changing events experienced by several middle-aged Americans. Mac (Kevin Kline), a lawyer, sets out to befriend the tow-truck driver (Danny Glover) who saved him from thieves. Davis (Steve Martin), an action film producer, decides to devote his life to eliminating film violence after a mugger shoots him in the leg. And Mac’s wife, Claire (Mary McDonnell), finds an abandoned baby while jogging and decides to adopt it. The inspirational climax alone–taking place at the Grand Canyon–is worth the price of a rental.
The Full Monty (1997) – Set among the dilapidated steel mills of Sheffield, the film follows the exploits of six unemployed blokes who decide to form a striptease act in order to make money. But where groups like Chippendales stop short, these men are prepared to go “the Full Monty.” A touching comedy that deals with issues like suicide, self-worth, and the rights of the father, the British film stars familiar names such as Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy and Tom Wilkinson.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006) – A charming-yet-dysfunctional family hits the road so that young Olive (Abigail Breslin) can compete in a beauty pageant. Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette are the parents, Alan Arkin the heroin-snorting grandfather, and Steve Carell the gay, suicidal uncle who knows way too much about Proust. Culminating in a performance of Rick James’ “Super Freak,” the film teaches the value of family and being true to yourself. Nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.
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This entry was posted on Friday, May 14th, 2010 at 12:03 pm and is filed under Good Movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
8 Responses to “Top Feel Good Movies”
Oh my gosh, is your list sexist! Strong (male) gender bias. No feel-good chick-flicks (actually, the category shouldn’t exist in any case because a good film, or a good feel-good film, should just be a good film.).
What is the male version of a “chick-flick?” Boy, is your list male-focused, male-dominated. I like these films — I love some of them. But too bad your bias is invisible to you — and probably most of your viewers.
Your keen perception at picking up my gender bias is incredible. In fact, it’s almost like a superpower. Have you ever thought about donning a costume and fighting crime?
Mairic, it’s people like you that make the mere word feminist something to wince over. Your post is one of the most moronic and ignorant things I’ve ever read. As for there being no ‘chick flicks’, generally, chick flicks suck. Melodramatic romance with the same premise every time.
Seriously, Mairic?! Seriously?
As a girl, and a film lover I see nothing wrong with this list. Those movies are excellent. Just because they’re not about a girl who meets a man and then they go through boring shit to be together in the end, it doesn’t mean it’s sexist. The movies on this list makes you think and gives you perspective. All a chick flick does is teach you to eat ice cream when your down.
And if most of his readers are male, why shouldn’t he post a list of movies that men would watch?! A good blogger knows his audience.
Who gives a shit if there’s not “chick-flick”. It’s because most of them are shit. And meaningless.
(And FYI, I am a girl)…
I think that the girls that wrote that chick flick movies are all shit … just need to find a man and get layed. There are MANY “chick flicks” that have wonderful movies, Love Actually, and multiple great novels that have been turned into great movies. Not saying these movies aren’t excellent in there own way. but feel good does not mean thinker … feel good is supposed to pick you up when your down.
WengL
Sunshine cleaning was pretty good too.