Cover To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (Photo: Netflix)

Bored of watching the same TV shows on Netflix? If you’re looking for a light-hearted film to see you through the day, these movies are sure to put you in a good mood

We all know that Netflix is a gold-mine when it comes to binge-watching – from true crime, to inspiring documentaries, feel-good series and more, there's plenty on offer. But the streaming site is sometimes overlooked for its wide range of movies.

With such an array on offer, we're helping you whittle down your watch list by rounding up 10 feel-good movies. Expect rom-com classics, cult comedies and plenty of nostalgia.

See also: 9 New Netflix Releases To Watch Out For

1. Always Be My Maybe

Always Be My Maybe is a 2019 American romantic comedy film, written by Ali Wong, Randall Park and Michael Golamco. It stars Park and Wong as childhood friends Marcus and Sasha, who have not been in touch since a brief teenage fling that ended badly.

Winning over fans, rating site Rotten Tomatoes praises Wong and Park for their "infectious charms", with the film taking "familiar rom-com beats and cleverly layering in smart social commentary to find its own sweet groove."

Couple that with a sweet happy ending and you've got yourself a feel-good rom-com to lighten your mood.

Watch here

2. Chef

This 2014 comedy drama was written, co-produced and directed by Jon Favreau, who also stars in the movie. Favreau plays a chef who, after a public altercation with a food critic, quits his job at a popular Los Angeles restaurant to operate a food truck with his young son. 

Promising to be a lighthearted comedy, if the movie doesn't leave you wanting to quit your day job and do want you really love, it will at the very least have you craving a Cubano sandwich.

And if you're really hungry for more, in 2019, Netflix released a documentary television spin-off, The Chef Show, that sees two friends, Jon Favreau and Roy Choi, "experiment with their favorite recipes and techniques, baking, cooking, exploring and collaborating with some bold-face names in the entertainment and culinary world".

Watch here

See also: 10 Shows On Netflix To Binge-Watch Over The Long Weekend

3. Clueless

If you haven't ever seen Clueless, where have you been? The 1995 teen comedy stars Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Paul Rudd, Dan Hedaya, and Brittany Murphy as Beverly Hills high school students.

Still much-loved over 20 years after it's release, the film has stood the test of time for its mix of likeable characters, goofy comedy and '90s fashion.

A must watch if you need an instant hit of nostalgia that's sure to lift your mood.

Watch here

4. Crazy Stupid Love

Featuring an all-star cast of Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling and Kevin Bacon, Crazy Stupid Love is a rom-com that follows middle-aged Cal Weaver (Carell) as he tries to cope after his wife of nearly 25 years (Moore) decides to leave him.

Reluctantly facing life as a single man, Cal meets Jacob Palmer (Gosling) a ladies man who agrees to coach him on how to impress women. The results are a mixed bag, with the obvious ups and downs of any classic rom-com, but Carell's comedy manages to make it worth a watch, and leave you in a good mood.

Watch here

5. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

New to Netflix – only released at the end of June – Eurovision stars Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as singers from small town Iceland as they embark on their dream of winning the Eurovision Song Contest. 

As an ode to the real-life and much-loved contest that was sadly cancelled this year due to Covid-19, the film promises just as much in the way of kitch, ballads and costumes. 

Some have already lauded it as Farrell's best comedy in years, while others haven't been quite so flattering, but it's still worth a watch if you're looking for a light-hearted comedy with a smattering of laugh out loud moments. 

Watch here

See also: The Best True Crime Documentaries To Watch On Netflix

6. Juno

This coming-of-age drama won over many hearts when it was released in 2007, quickly becoming a cult favourite of the decade.

Following Juno, a quirky teenager who unexpectedly falls pregnant, the film manages to turn a not-so-funny scenario into a comedy. Along with Ellen Page as the title role, the film stars Michael Cera, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner. 

The Oscar-nominated comedy-drama is noted for featuring a stellar soundtrack of indie tracks that are perfectly in keeping with the quick-witted yet warm-hearted plot. 

Watch here

7. Matilda

This kids classic from 1996 has stood the test of time and will always be a much-loved favourite.

Sure, you may watch it now and wonder why on earth all those parents let their children go to that school (the chokey, really?), but then you remember that the film is centred around a young girl with telekinetic powers and all concepts of a realistic plot are left firmly at the door. Don't forget that the film is based on the children's book by Roald Dahl, known for other stories such as The Witches, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Fantastic Mr Fox, among many others.

If you haven't watched Matilda in a while, it's the perfect light option for a rainy afternoon that will leave you feeling good.

Watch here

8. Sex and the City The Movie

Super fans of the cult TV series will have no doubt watched this movie countless times since its release in 2008.

Continuing to follow the lives of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda as they navigate New York City, Sex and the City The Movie picks up where the series left off, with all of the girls seemingly happy in their relationships – including Carrie finally being with Big. Though as we all know, the show is really less about sex and relationships, and more about the power of female friendships. 

Even if you find the character of Carrie Bradshaw unbearably annoying (just me?), you can still appreciate the standout fashion that the show become known for.

Watch here

9. The Notebook

Some may not think of the classic rom-com as a feel-good movie – and though it's certainly also a major tearjerker – The Notebook's heartwarming tale is sure to melt even the most cynical of hearts and leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy.

Released in 2004, the romantic drama stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s, but are faced with the challenges of young love, class differences and the outbreak of the second world war. 

Watch here

 

10. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

When her secret love letters accidentally get sent out to her crushes, Lara Jean has to deal with the consequences as her quiet high school life gets turned upside down.

Since its 2018 release To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before has been highly-rated, with praise given for its charming characters, and classic rom-com plot – that has just enough of a smart edge to please modern audiences, while still offering a dose of lighthearted escapism. 

If you love this, don't miss there sequel, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You.

Watch here

See also: 5 Feel-Good Series To Binge On Netflix

Topics