The 40 Best Feel-Good Movies That Will Boost Your Mood ASAP

“A modern take on Shakespeare, an enemies-to-lovers arc, and a musical number in the bleachers? I am seated. This ’90s classic follows prickly highschooler Kat Stafford (Julia Stiles) as she reluctantly gets charmed by the effortlessly cool Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger). We haven’t heard ‘Can’t Take My Eyes off You’ the same way since.”—Erica Gonzales, senior culture editor

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“You can’t go wrong with a Pixar film, and this one about a lonely robot finding love in Earth’s not-too-distant-future is sure to leave you feeling fuzzy inside. (That scene of Wall-E watching Singin’ in the Rain?!) But it’s a bit of a wakeup call too; in the midst of this sweet droid romance is an urgent message about mass consumerism and its effects on our environment.”—EG

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“Jenny Slate’s sweet, raspy-voiced minuscule shell gets a feature film of his own that follows his quest to reunite with his family. It’s an impressive feat that this internet sensation was adapted into a genuinely heartfelt story.”—EG

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“Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri play two loners who start a female fight club at school so they can pick up popular girls. Directed by Shiva Baby’s Emma Seligman, this high school comedy is a new coming-of-age classic. And it’s so, so funny.”—EG

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“Samantha Baker (Molly Ringwald) hopes that turning 16 will be a fresh start for her. But when she wakes up on the morning of her birthday and her entire family has forgotten the occasion thanks to her older sister’s upcoming wedding, she’s already off to a rough start. To make matters worse, her crush barely even knows that she exists, meanwhile the school nerd is in love with her. What’s supposed to be one of the best days of her life turns into one of the worst when embarrassing things keep happening to her. But don’t worry, this ’80s classic leaves you feeling a lot better than it sounds.”—Bri Rivera, editorial and social media assistant

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“Freaky Friday is a Disney classic based on the 1972 book by Mary Rodgers, which has been adapted several times now. This 2003 version starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis is arguably the most popular. It follows single mother Tess (Curtis) and her teenage daughter Anna (Lohan) who constantly butt heads. One day, they accidentally switch bodies, and the two are forced to (literally) spend a day in the other’s shoes.”—BR

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“As if! After taking new student Tai (Brittany Murphy) under her wing, Cher’s (Alicia Silverstone) status as queen bee might be up for grabs. This iconic comedy has it all: Teen romance, ’90s fashion, and plenty of high school drama. Also, Paul Rudd. Need we say more?”—Janaya Wecker, ELLE.com contributor

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“When Andy (Anne Hathaway) scores a job at a major fashion magazine, she quickly learns the gig isn’t all about the glitz and glamour. Her boss, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), is, well, a devil in stilettos. Come for the fashion, stay for Streep’s impeccable performance (per usual).” —JW

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“A film that needs no introduction, Mean Girls follows the story of Cady (Lindsay Lohan) vs. Regina George (Rachel McAdams)—a.k.a. one of cinema’s funniest rivalries. The laugh-out-loud plot, quotable lines, and amazing cast make it an easy, feel-good choice—whether it’s your fourth watch or 40th.”—JW

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“Ryan Gosling’s dance moves alone are enough to make us want to watch this one over and over again. La La Land, also starring Emma Stone, follows the love story of a pianist and actress as they carve their own paths in Hollywood. Grab tissues for this one.”—JW

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“Who hasn’t wanted to dance on the famous FAO Schwarz piano after watching this movie? In Big, a teen boy gets his way when he wishes to become an adult. Josh (Tom Hanks) must navigate the world in his new form. Watch this as a reminder that even as an adult, you can still act like a kid.”—JW

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“School is in session! Jack Black stars in this comfort comedy about a rocker-turned-teacher. Can he get his students in shape for the big performance? You might think you’ll love this movie for the laughs, but the music is what you’ll remember it for.”—JW

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“In Grease, Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) and Danny (John Travolta) have a summer lovin’ unlike any other. But what happens when they find themselves back in the real world at school? Filled with incredible choreography, classic songs, and some pretty sweet cars, this film is a classic for a reason.”—JW

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The pom-poms are out in full force in Bring It On, which centers around two rival cheer captains (Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union). Things get more heated once they discover one of the teams has been stealing moves from the other. The movie also provided us with one of the most memorable lines in teen comedy history: ‘This is not a democracy, it’s a cheerocracy!’”—JW

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“It’s still hard to believe this famous film—with all its special effects—was created back in 1939. Watching Dorothy (Judy Garland) find her way back to Kansas is comforting, exciting, and emotional all at the same time. This nostalgic gem deserves an annual rewatch.”—JW

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“In this 1985 classic, The Breakfast Club explores what happens when you lock a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal together in an empty library. The John Hughes film has it all: laughs, tears, romance, you name it.”—JW

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“It’s the 1980s, and Jenna is turning 13, but she’d much rather be ‘30, flirty, and thriving’ like the women she sees in magazines. Her birthday wish ends up coming true, and she wakes up as adult Jenna (Jennifer Garner), a fashion editor in early 2000s New York City.”—Hilary Weaver, ELLE.com contributor

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“Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park) were childhood sweethearts who grew up together in San Francisco. Years later, they discover their feelings for each other haven’t gone away, though there are a few complications—including one awkward double-date encounter with Keanu Reeves.”—HW

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“This delightful film should not be reserved only for December. This is Nancy Meyers at her best: a cozy English cottage in the Cotswolds, a sprawling Los Angeles mansion (both with idyllic kitchens, by the way), little kids with perfect British accents, and four main characters who seemingly work for companies with competitive vacation packages.”—HW

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“Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) sees her mobster boyfriend commit murder and is placed in witness protection. She ends up at a convent in California, where she shakes up the lives of the reserved nuns and turns their choir into a hit-making party.”—HW

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