The best feel-good movies on Netflix right now
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If you ever need the cinematic equivalent of a warm hug, Netflix has a wide selection of feel-good movies from nearly every genre except horror. This month’s heartfelt selections include the underrated rom-com Aloha, A Man Called Otto, and a wonderful Mister Rogers documentary.
There are a lot more options in our full list of the best feel-good movies on Netflix below, and you can bet that these films are almost always going to leave a warm feeling in your heart when you reach the end.
If this isn’t what you’re looking for, check out our other feel-good lists, including the best comedies on Netflix, the best stand-up comedy on Netflix, and the best romantic comedies on Netflix.
Aloha (2015) [New]
Metacritic: 40%
IMDb: 5.4/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 105m
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Stars: Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams
Directed by: Cameron Crowe
Aloha created a lot of flak for writer and director Cameron Crowe because he cast Emma Stone as Allison Ng, a woman who laments that she’s a quarter Chinese and a quarter Hawaiian. Stone’s appearance doesn’t reflect her character’s heritage, which is a big part of her character in this breezy rom-com that features Bradley Cooper as Brian Gilcrest, a military contractor who needs Allison’s help in brokering a deal with the local residents.
Allison is very into the spiritual side of Hawaiian culture, and Brian starts to fall for her pretty quickly. The complication for Brian is that his ex-girlfriend, Tracy Woodside (Rachel McAdams), is also nearby. And his old romantic feelings for her are also resurfacing, especially when she’s having marriage problems with her husband, John Woodside (John Krasinski).
A Man Called Otto (2022) [New]
Metacritic: 51%
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 126m
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Stars: Tom Hanks, Mariana Trevi?o, Rachel Keller
Directed by: Marc Forster
You may not think that a movie about a guy who is trying to end his life would be on a list of feel-good movies, but you’re going to have to trust us on A Man Called Otto. It goes in some heartwarming places when Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks) just can’t seem to take the time to end his life because he’s too busy helping his new neighbors, Marisol (Mariana Trevi?o) and Tommy (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and their children.
Otto isn’t trying to make a human connection, but he keeps on getting closer to Marisol and her family despite himself. Throughout the movie, we learn about the tragedies that have affected Otto, and the small things that may keep him going despite his despair.
Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018) [New]
Metacritic: 85%
IMDb: 8.3/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 95m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Margaret Whitmer, Tom Junod, Joanne Rogers
Directed by: Morgan Neville
It would take a stone-cold heart to remain unmoved by a man like Fred Rogers. For decades, he was the host of the beloved PBS children’s program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, which he used to gently teach kids how to be kind and generous people.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is a behind-the-scenes look into Rogers’ show, as well as an intimate portrait of the man himself. Fred Rogers practiced what he preached, and he dedicated his life to educational programming for children. This is a very moving film, and it only makes us wish that Mister Rogers was still with us. The world could surely use more men like him.
Matilda (1996)
Metacritic: 72%
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 98m
Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Stars: Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman
Directed by: Danny DeVito
Danny DeVito threw himself into the first cinematic adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda. DeVito not only directed the film, he cast himself as Harry Wormwood, and his then wife, Rhea Perlman, as Harry’s wife, Zinnia, the less-than-proud parents of Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson).
Matilda is a very bright six-year-old girl who has to fight to get an education, which earns her the attention of a kind teacher, Jennifer Honey (Embeth Davidtz). Matilda’s determination also makes the school’s evil principal, Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), target her. But Matilda has a big secret: She’s telekinetic and the power of her mind can make almost anything happen. Now, Matilda is ready to use that gift to create the life she’s always wanted.
The Long Game (2024)
Metacritic: 65%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 110m
Genre: Drama, Family
Stars: Jay Hernandez, Dennis Quaid, Cheech Marin
Directed by: Julio Quintana
Does Dennis Quaid star in anything anymore that isn’t an inspiring drama of some kind? Because he’s been in a lot of those in the last few years. Quaid may have the top credit in The Long Game, but he’s actually second banana to Jay Hernandez in this true story. In Texas during the ‘50s, anti-Mexican bias is so prevalent that even the superintendent of schools, JB Pe?a (Hernandez), is denied admission to a golf club despite his good buddy, Frank (Quaid), vouching for him.
When JB’s ambition is denied, he turns his attention to a group of young Mexican-American caddies who are so eager to learn how to play golf that they built their own mini golf course. This inspires JB, and later Frank, to help guide the teenagers and give them the lessons they need to succeed in golf and in life.
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Metacritic: 70%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 97m
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Zack Gottsagen, Dakota Johnson
Directed by: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
The most heartwarming thing about The Peanut Butter Falcon is the emotional bond that develops between two misfits: Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) and Zak (Zack Gottsagen), neither of whom knew each other before they both ran away from their lives in the hope of finding something better. Since Zak has Down Syndrome, Tyler becomes like an older brother to him. Tyler even tries to help Zak realize his ambition of becoming a professional wrestler.
Zak’s caregiver, Eleanor (Madame Web‘s Dakota Johnson), is supposed to bring him back to his assisted living facility. But because she actually does care about Zak’s well-being, Eleanor decides to stay with Tyler and see Zak’s dreams come to fruition.
Love at First Sight (2023)
Metacritic: 55%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 91m
Genre: Romance, Drama
Stars: Haley Lu Richardson, Ben Hardy, Rob Delaney
Directed by: Vanessa Caswill
Do you believe in love at first sight? It’s hard enough to find any person who will return your love, much less make an instant connection. But it does make for some fun romantic comedies. Netflix’s Love At First Sight centers on Hadley Sullivan (The White Lotus‘ Haley Lu Richardson) and Oliver Jones (Ben Hardy), a pair of strangers who meet at an airport and spend time together before getting on a long flight to London.
Fate steps in to give the two a push towards love by moving Oliver into the vacant seat next to Hadley during the flight. From there, it’s pure love right until the duo lose track of each other in customs. Hadley realizes that they may have had something special, and the only question is simple: How far will she go to find Oliver again?
The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)
Metacritic: 69%
IMDb: 7.9/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 97m
Genre: Documentary, Music
Stars: Lionel Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Dionne Warwick
Directed by: Bao Nguyen
There’s something almost quaint about the idea of the biggest music stars in the world coming together to record a charity song to combat a famine in Africa. But it really happened in 1985 with the recording of We Are the World. Some of those superstars, including Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers, and Harry Belafonte, are no longer with us.
One of the best Netflix movies of 2024 so far, The Greatest Night in Pop features an intimate look at the chaotic recording session that brought all these acts into the same room. Some participants, including Bruce Springsteen and Lionel Richie, participate in new interviews as they share their memories of the night they spent together almost 40 years ago.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023)
Rated: PG
Duration: 97m
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Stars: Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi, Bella Ramsey
Directed by: Sam Fell
For the first time in more than two decades, animated film fans can return to the world of Chicken Run with the long-awaited sequel to the 2000 classic. Dawn of the Nugget features much of the same British humor seen in the original, but with more advanced animation this time around. It’s a worthwhile watch, particular for young adults who can remember when the first installment of the franchise escaped into theaters.
The Speed Cubers (2020)
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: G
Duration: 40m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Max Park, Feliks Zemdegs
Directed by: Sue Kim
Most people have fiddled around with a Rubik’s Cube, but a select few have taken the toy beyond a hobby and into a legitimate skill. The Speed Cubers takes a delightful look at the rivalry and friendship of two of these young speedcubing champions. Coming in at a breezy 40 minutes, the documentary will have you grabbing your Rubik’s Cube out of the toy chest and trying to twist it into the desired pattern.
Your Place or Mine (2023)
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 109m
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher, Jesse Williams
Directed by: Aline Brosh McKenna
This movie is much in the traditional vein of romantic comedies, but that doesn’t make it any less endearing. Debbie and Peter get a chance to kindle something anew when staying at each other’s places over the course of a week. Each gains new respect for the other while realizing what they were lacking: love. Tig Notaro and Jesse Williams are part of a stellar cast.
The Redeem Team (2022)
Metacritic: 76%
IMDb: 7.4/10
Duration: 98m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony
Directed by: Jon Weinbach
Nobody would be bold enough as to call the USA men’s basketball team an underdog at any point in the last 30 years. But entering the 2008 Summer Olympics, the squad certainly had something to prove coming off a shocking bronze medal finish in 2004. The biggest names in basketball — LeBron James, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony — put ego aside to come together and bring the gold back to the United States. The team came to be known as the Redeem Team, earning redemption (spoiler alert?) with a gold medal performance in Beijing. The documentary also offers an interesting view of the late Kobe Bryant, featuring his lethal mentality on the court and a more human side off of it.
Hustle (2022)
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: R
Duration: 118m
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Stars: Adam Sandler, Juancho Hernangómez, Queen Latifah
Directed by: Jeremiah Zagar
During the rare times that Adam Sandler gets serious, his performances get much better. Following his turn in Uncut Gems, Sandler stars in Hustle. While this Netflix original film feels at times like a chance for Sandler to simply hang out with people involved in the sport he loves, it tells a heartfelt story about an NBA scout at a crossroads in life when he stumbles upon the best-kept secret in basketball. The film stars real NBA player Juancho Hernangómez, who could have a career in Hollywood when his playing days are over. Fellow player Anthony Edwards also has a significant role. This feel-good story has a lot of dark turns and isn’t for young viewers, but seeing Sandler and Hernangómez’s characters try to rise above their faults is a satisfying experience.
The Harder They Fall (2021)
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rated: R
Duration: 139m
Genre: Western
Stars: Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King
Directed by: Jeymes Samuel
When Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) learns that his adversary, the wretched Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is being released from prison, it’s war as usual for both parties. Rounding up a formidable posse to take down old Buck, Nat is looking to settle the score once and for all. But true to the spirit of the Old West, Buck has his own band of outlaws lassoed up to go toe-to-toe with Nat’s crew. A mesmerizing take on the Western genre, packed with powerhouse performances and glorious set pieces, The Harder They Fall is sure to raise your spirits. After all, nothing says “happy day” like triumphing over an old foe.
Wine Country (2019)
Metacritic: 56%
IMDb: 5.4/10
Rated: R
Duration: 103m
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch
Directed by: Amy Poehler
An ensemble laugh-fest featuring many great female comedy talents, Wine Country follows the likes of Rachel Dratch, Amy Poehler, and Maya Rudolph into Napa Valley, California for a weekend of drinking and celebration, as one of the ladies is tying the knot. But as the long weekend ensues, the working-life tribulations of the six longtime friends start bubbling to the surface, upending their girl’s getaway entirely. The feature directing debut of Amy Poehler, the onscreen chemistry between the six main players is certainly undeniable. And what’s not to like about the glorious sights and sounds of beautiful California vineyards?
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 113m
Genre: Drama, History, Family
Stars: Maxwell Simba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, A?ssa Ma?ga
Directed by: Chiwetel Ejiofor
The vast majority of feel-good films tend to involve romance and courtship. However, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind draws its inspirational and heart-warming moments from the true story of William Kamkwamba (Maxwell Simba). Chiwetel Ejiofor directed the film, wrote the script from William’s novel, and co-stars in the film as William’s father, Trywell Kamkwamba. As a young child in an impoverished village in Malawi, William struggles to educate himself after he is forced to withdraw from school. While nurturing his love for electronics and his ingenuity, William builds a working wind turbine that transforms the lives of his family, as well as his own.
The Half of It (2020)
Metacritic: 74%
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 104m
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Stars: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire
Directed by: Alice Wu
In The Half of It, Leah Lewis stars as a lonely yet academically successful high school student named Ellie Chu. Much to Ellie’s surprise, her classmate, Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer), earnestly approaches her to get help wooing Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire). What Paul doesn’t know is that Ellie is also infatuated with Aster, and the feelings and words that she tells Paul to express are a reflection of her own. Additionally, Ellie is conflicted about what to do after graduation because she is reluctant to leave her father, Edwin (Collin Chou), behind to live out his life alone. Over time, Ellie comes to realize whom she can really rely on, even if she doesn’t get everything that she wants.
Dumplin' (2018)
Metacritic: 53%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 110m
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Stars: Danielle Macdonald, Jennifer Aniston, Odeya Rush
Directed by: Anne Fletcher
In Dumplin’, Danielle Macdonald plays the title character, Willowdean Dickson – her mother, Rosie Dickson (Friends star Jennifer Aniston), calls her daughter Dumplin’ both as a sign of affection and because of her plus-size body. For years, Rosie has neglected her daughter’s needs in favor of running beauty pageants, while Rosie’s sister, Lucy (Hilliary Begley), essentially raised Rosie herself. In the wake of Lucy’s unexpected death, Willowdean enrolls in one of her mother’s pageants as a form of protest. Willowdean’s best friend, Ellen “Elle” Dryver (Odeya Rush), also joins the pageant to support her. However, their friendship is tested when Elle becomes more enthusiastic about the pageant. This also forces Willowdean to reexamine her own reasons for entering the pageant.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
Metacritic: 50%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 123m
Genre: Comedy, Music
Stars: Rachel McAdams, Will Ferrell, Pierce Brosnan
Directed by: David Dobkin
American fans may find this hard to believe, but the Eurovision Song Contest is very real … and it’s also a pretty big deal across the Atlantic. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is a very silly movie, but it is also a loving tribute to the annual competition. Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams co-headline the film as Icelandic singers Lars Erickssong and Sigrit Ericksdóttir. The duo’s band, Fire Saga, has only a limited amount of success together. Yet through a freak occurrence, Fire Saga is chosen to represent Iceland in Eurovision. Unbeknownst to Lars, Sigrit is deeply in love with him. But the pressure of the contest may doom their personal and professional relationships.
Concrete Cowboy (2020)
Metacritic: 67%
IMDb: 6.3/10
Rated: R
Duration: 111m
Genre: Drama, Western
Stars: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome
Directed by: Ricky Staub
If you want the feel-good vibes from Concrete Cowboy, you’re gonna have to be patient. It’s a family drama first and foremost. Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things season 5) stars as Cole, a troubled 15-year-old boy who is sent to live with his estranged father, Harp (Idris Elba). As it turns out, Harp is really into the local horse riding subculture, and he clearly loves his horses more than most of the people in his life. Although Cole has an affinity for one of the more difficult horses, he’s more drawn to his cousin, Smush (Jharrel Jerome). Smush was once a rider himself, but he turned to dealing drugs in order to fund his escape from the city. Ultimately, Cole will have to choose between following his father’s example or his cousin’s darker path.
The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
Metacritic: 55%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Duration: 97m
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Stars: Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts, Selena Gomez
Directed by: Rob Burnett
When Ben (Paul Rudd) becomes a registered caregiver, nothing prepares him for the once-in-a-lifetime road trip he takes with 18-year-old Trevor (Craig Roberts), a boy with muscular dystrophy. Convincing Trevor’s mother, Elsa (Jennifer Ehle), to allow him and Trevor to leave Seattle on a quest to visit roadside oddities, including the world’s deepest pit, Ben and Trevor form an undeniable bond that weathers a number of emotional events on their journey. In this adaptation of Jonathan Evison’s 2012 novel The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving, Paul Rudd delivers a stirring and grounded performance as Ben, helping this rather by-the-books road comedy become something much greater than just another buddy comedy.
Set It Up (2018)
Metacritic: 62%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Duration: 105m
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Stars: Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Lucy Liu
Directed by: Claire Scanlon
Charlie (Twisters star Glen Powell) and Harper (Zoey Deutch) are the dedicated assistants to two highly-demanding bosses, Kirsten (Lucy Liu) and Rick (Taye Diggs). Tiring of their lives as overworked go-getters, Charlie and Harper take it upon themselves to set their bosses up with the hope that once the two begin dating, their assistants will have more time to enjoy their lives. What ensues is a series of missteps and hijinks that hits all the major beats of the tried-and-true rom-com formula, but in a way that still feels fresh and authentic.
Work It (2020)
Metacritic: 58%
IMDb: 6.1/10
Duration: 93m
Genre: Comedy, Music
Stars: Sabrina Carpenter, Liza Koshy, Keiynan Lonsdale
Directed by: Laura Terruso
Dance competition films tend to have a formula and Work It is no exception. The key difference between Work It and other movies in its genre is that it executes the formula extremely well. Sabrina Carpenter stars as Quinn Ackerman, a high school senior who is desperate to build up her resume with some extra-curricular activities so she can get into the college of her dreams. When Julliard Pembroke (Keiynan Lonsdale) denies Quinn a place on the dance team, she joins forces with Jake Taylor (Jordan Fisher) and forms her own team. However, the demands of Quinn’s ambitions and her mother’s plans threaten to end Quinn’s burgeoning romance with Jake as well as her team’s chances to go all the way.
The Princess Switch (2018)
IMDb: 6/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 101m
Genre: Romance
Stars: Vanessa Hudgens, Nick Sagar, Alexa Adeosun
Directed by: Mike Rohl
Vanessa Hudgens has a very charming dual turn in The Princess Switch as both an ordinary young woman named Stacy DeNovo and the Duchess of Montenegro, Margaret Delacourt. Because Stacy and Margaret feel trapped in their respective lives, they agree to pull a Prince and the Pauper-style caper and temporarily trade places. However, complications ensue when both women start having romantic feelings for the men in each other’s lives. But don’t worry folks, there are no broken hearts in this movie.
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Metacritic: 64%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 101m
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Stars: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Keanu Reeves
Directed by: Nahnatchka Khan
Ali Wong (Beef) and Randall Park co-star in this clever 2019 romantic comedy about a pair of childhood friends who rekindle their romantic relationship after their paths cross as adults. The pair co-wrote with Michael Golamco, and the story has the two lead characters deal with the stresses that fame, fear, and old memories can have on a new relationship. While the pair’s experiences are funny enough on their own, the film also includes a cameo role for Keanu Reeves that ranks right up there among the actor’s most memorable performances of all time.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)
Metacritic: 64%
IMDb: 7/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 100m
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Stars: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish
Directed by: Susan Johnson
A teenage girl, content to spend her days with her nose in a romance novel, discovers that several secret letters she’d written to her crushes over the years were mysteriously mailed to them. This causes a domino effect of hilarious hijinks and heartwarming moments and leads this teen in a direction she never expected. This 2018 romantic comedy is based on Jenny Han’s novel of the same name; it featured Lana Condor (X-Men: Apocalypse) and became an overnight hit on Netflix. Two sequels have since debuted on Netflix.