The past few years haven't exactly been the easiest times for anyone. Amid the pandemic, quarantine, financial hardships, and numerous other problems, it can be hard to find the motivation or even distractions from the current world at the moment. But what better distraction is there than movies, helping to provide viewers' temporary reprieve when life gets too hectic to handle?
While there is no shortage of movies out there that grant viewers some good, light-hearted entertainment, several Reddit users have helped narrow the list of uplifting movies down, highlighting some of the greatest, most enjoyable movies to watch in difficult times.
The Intouchables (2011) Stream On Amazon Prime
The Intouchables is one of the most well-known movies to come out of France in recent decades. In this award-winning film, a paralyzed, wealthy Parisian aristocrat hires a blue-collar worker to care for him, with the two forming a close friendship in the process.
Multiple Reddit users have stated how much joy they get from watching this 2011 film. Reddit user how-bizarre states, "The amount of feel-good in that movie is insane." Ibstayer writes, "I have already watched this movie 6 times and still not tired of it." Timfy62 writes, "Easily one of my favorite movies!"
Amelie (2001) Rent On Amazon Prime
Another French film, Amélie tells the story of a young Parisian woman who decides to help various people in her life (including strangers), eventually falling in love in the process.
A joyous romantic comedy, several Reddit users have pointed out the movie's strong features, including its cinematography and memorable images. Aasters writes that Amélie "always, always leaves me happy." Toddwalnuts also adds that the movie has "some of the best cinematography ever."
My Neighbor Totoro (1988) Stream On HBO Max
Studio Ghibli films, as a whole, are known for providing family-friendly entertainment that is perfect for all ages. In one of the studio's most famous movies, My Neighbor Totoro tells the story of two girls who move into the Japanese countryside with their father and their subsequent encounters with the nearby peaceful spirits of the forest.
Totoro himself has become an iconic character synonymous with Studio Ghibli and anime as a whole. The movie is just as warm and cuddly as its title character as well, containing numerous scenes that tug at viewers' heartstrings. Catstache678 writes, "When Mei and Satsuki are playing with the Totoros, and they summon up that giant tree, it always gives me happy feels."
Monsters, Inc. (2001) Streaming On Disney+
In this 2001 Pixar film, a young human girl crosses over into a world run by monsters. Taking her in, two friendly monsters try to return her back to the human world before they are found out.
Like Studio Ghibli's movies, Pixar's many films are known for providing quality animated films that are as funny as they are sincere and heartfelt. A hilarious but equally sad film full of emotion, Monsters, Inc. has been praised by an endless amount of Reddit users. Stupendous13 summarized it perfectly by saying, "The ending is such a beautiful moment. 'Kitty!'"
Stardust (2007) Streaming On Netflix
This 2006 adaptation of Neil Gaiman's fantasy novel follows a young man attempting to capture a fallen star in a magical realm in order to win the heart of his beloved.
Sillohollis more than adequately sums up the movie, saying, "Stardust always cheers me up! A great love story, pirates, and magic! I feel the same way about The Princess Bride." Reddit seems to be a huge fan of Neil Gaiman's creative genius, with multiple users plainly stating their affection for the writer and Gaiman's penchant for writing light, enjoyable works. Zombiefledermaus writes, "All of Neil Gaiman's stories have this magic spark for me that just makes me happy, even through the sad and dark parts."
The Princess Bride (1987) Streaming On Disney+
Speaking of The Princess Bride, many Reddit users singled out the cult 1987 fantasy film as one of the most enjoyable movies ever. In it, a young man tries to rescue the love of his life from a dangerous plot orchestrated by an evil, power-hungry prince.
Reddit user kmdg22c proudly proclaims The Princess Bride as one of the greatest movies there is, writing, "I often tell people, straight-faced, that this is the best movie ever made. It has comedy, drama, romance, an entire cast of very well-developed characters, and a totally compelling pace. There is not one weak moment, no wasted scene."
The Lego Movie (2014) Rent On Amazon Prime
It's hard to say what it is about animated movies that Reddit users love so much, but it's easy to understand why so many people enjoy this unique, entertaining 2014 film. Taking place in a Lego world, Emmett is an ordinary construction worker believed to be the "chosen one" sworn to defeat an evil businessman from gluing the Lego universe into place.
The Lego Movie is easily one of Phil Lord and Chris Miller's best movies to date. On the surface, one would think that from the premise alone, the movie would've been disappointing or negatively received. However, as The_Defiler writes, "This movie exceeded my expectations by about a mile. Totally was expecting a lame kids movie. Instead, I laughed my ass off and cried. Left that theater with the most childlike smile on my face."
The Toy Story Series (1995 - ) Stream On Disney+
The first feature-length Pixar movie ever made, the Toy Story movies tell the well-known story of childrens' toys who are able to come to life when no humans are around to watch them. All of the Toy Story movies remain fondly remembered as one of Pixar's most famous and popular titles. The series is a favorite of both young children and adults who grew up watching the original movie, as well as for delivering profound statements about growing up, such as the ending of Toy Story 3.
As McCyanide writes, "I don't think anything can beat the ending of Toy Story 3. That was so touching." It's unknown how Pixar's newest prequel movie, Lightyear, will compare to Toy Story's reception, but it's clear Toy Story set a high bar for any movie that follows.
How To Train Your Dragon (2010) Rent On Amazon Prime
The How To Train Your Dragon series is the perfect movie for children and adults. The franchise focuses on a young Viking boy in a village where dragons are considered a menace. When he eventually encounters a dragon in the wild, though, the boy realizes that dragons aren't as dangerous as he once thought.
Like Toy Story, all of the How To Train Your Dragon films, including the sequels, are beloved and contain some kind of lesson. The first entry in the franchise explores the "don't judge a book by its cover" motif, as well as breaking free from the assumptions of others within the community. Plus, it's just a good movie! As unicorninabottle writes, "It makes me all happy and smiley and makes me want to hug Hiccup and I love it so much."
Big Fish (2003) Stream On Netflix
Tim Burton's movies aren't always the most joyous movies out there, but this 2003 film is probably the closest he'll ever come to delivering an uplifting movie. Big Fish tells of a young man coming to terms with his father's death, sorting through the facts of his life with the lies he frequently told to understand the kind of person his father truly was.
Similar to most of Burton's films, Big Fish is bursting with originality and creativity, containing probably the best messages of any film the director has ever worked on. AskADude probably put it best by writing, "I love how the message of the movie is to have fun with life and imagine just for the sake of making life more interesting. Such a great movie."