50 Movies That Make Me Happy
by Mitch Wiley
We’re in the midst of the historic COVID-19 pandemic. You’ve probably heard? There is a lot of extra time on people’s hands as a result. Movie theaters, among many other establishments and businesses, have closed. We as a people are practicing social distancing and perhaps even a time of self-quarantine. Our cultural moment is one of both anxiety, fear, confusion, and isolation. Here is a list of movies that help me escape and make me happy. They are essentially “comfort movies.”
Almost Famous (2000)
A love letter to journalists, dorks, and classic rock. The film follows an ambitious and innocent high school journalist as he writes a profile of a fictional classic rock band he travels with. The spontaneous “Tiny Dancer” rendition on the tour bus makes me heart soar.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Amazing Grace (2019)
Originally recorded live at an Aretha Franklin-led two-night gospel concert at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles in 1972, the footage only was just recently put together as a feature film. The music bellowing from Aretha Franklin is powerful, as is the community of Christians around her. There is a adrenaline shot of sweaty and raw spiritual passion.
Streaming: Hulu
Annie Hall (1977)
While Woody Allen’s personal life continues to be filled with controversies and accusations, his career as an actor-director is prolific. Perhaps we would not have Seinfeld or Curb Your Enthusiasm without Woody’s influence. Annie Hall is a classic in the rom-com genre and is my personal favorite of his many films. It notably won Best Picture at the 1978 Oscars over Star Wars.
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Back to the Future (1985)
This list is filled with various classics from the 80s, which certainly says a lot about me and my own personal tastes. I can still remember the first time I saw this movie at a youth group lock-in. A rewatchable buddy adventure and a time capsule of the mid-1980s, there’s really nothing like it.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
The Big Lebowski (1998)
On my Mount Rushmore of personal favorite movies and that’s just, like, my opinion, man. The Coen Brothers constructed a layered hangout-noir that has a cult following and even a yearly festival in Louisville, KY. More quotable lines than you can throw a bowling ball at.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
The Big Sick (2017)
A romantic dramedy that follows a Pakistani-American stand-up comic (not unlike the actor Kumail Nanjiani himself) who begins to date a woman who then enters a illness-induced coma. It tackles hard questions like family vs individual, end of life care, and life as a Muslim immigrant. But it’s also funny and heartwarming.
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Booksmart (2019)
A movie that made my Top 10 Films of 2019 list, I’ll continue to beat the drum for a movie too few people have seen. A movie about two studious friends who try to have fun for the first time right before graduation. A truly great high school movie that captures the essence of Generation Z.
Streaming: Hulu
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Speaking of great high school movies, this is another iconic 80s classic. I shouldn’t have to explain the plot but five very different high schoolers spend Saturday morning detention together. Hijinks ensue.
Streaming: Starz
Bridesmaids (2011)
Perhaps pitched as a female version of The Hangover, it transcends its influence and is a hilarious riot all on its own with memorable scenes and great performances from Kristin Wiig and Melissa McCarthy.
Streaming: HBO
Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Paul Newman’s legendary performance as the titular protagonist is a stand-in not only for Christ with biblical imagery, but also for a symbol of hope in trying times. This movie is egg-celent.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Dazed and Confused (1993)
Alright, alright, alright. Another personal favorite of mine, Dazed and Confused is a high school hangout movie that takes place on the last day of school in Austin Texas in 1976. It’s got memorable characters and an all-time great soundtrack.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Die Hard (1988)
Welcome to the party, pal. The gold standard of action movies. Enough said.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
Richard Linklater, the director of Dazed and Confused, moves on from 1970s high school to 1980s college. The film follows a small college baseball team and their many inside jokes and hangouts. Just a great time.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
The retelling of Roald Dohl’s children’s book, Wes Anderson’ stop-motion animation is filled to the brim with joyous music, dry humor, and buoyant shenanigans.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Frances Ha (2012)
Noah Baumbach (director of last year’s Marriage Story) brings us the character of Frances, an aspiring dancer in her mid-20s living in New York. She’s awkward, but joyful; melancholic, but inspiring. The film is a portrayal of the power of female friendship and the difficulties of entering adulthood.
Streaming: Netflix, Criterion Channel
Game Night (2018)
There are a lot of mainstream comedies released every year. Many rely on raunchy jokes, most are forgettable. Few feel like a genuine ab workout while watching. This is a good core workout with clever twists and one hilarious scene with a bloody dog.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
The General (1926)
The early comedy of the silent era is timeless. It’s humorous for all kinds of people, regardless of age. Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin are the giants. I’ve included one film from each of them. This is one of Keaton’s best. He walked in The General so Fast and the Furious could run.
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Kanopy
Ghostbusters (1984)
Bill Murray is one of my heroes. That’s probably more of a confession than anything. One of the many 80s Stranger Things influences. Also, the Stay Puft marshmallow man is the best product placement in cinematic history.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
The Goonies (1985)
Another 80s Stranger Things influence. There is something about childhood adventures from this era that puts me in a good mood.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
I could easily put all of Wes Anderson’s filmography on this list, but I limited myself to 3. This is his most critically acclaimed and successful movie, following Ralph Fiennes’ wonderful gentleman Gustave H. Every single scene is great.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
I’ve been rewatching all of the MCU movies during this quarantine. They’re like junk food and none are more light and fun that Guardians. As good as The Avengers is, I enjoy the coming together of this team even more.
Streaming: Disney+
Hail, Caesar! (2015)
How to describe the plot to Hail, Caesar!? Would that it were so simple… The Coens give some surprsing amount of religious and philosophical depth to a movie so seemingly breezy. It’s an ode to the Golden Age of Hollywood with plenty of humor and great performances to go around.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Harold and Maude (1971)
I’ll admit this is a weird pick. A young man with existential dread and a fixation on death falls in love with an elderly woman. I know… BUT it’s so darn charming. I love the soundtrack by Cat Stevens.
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Hot Fuzz (2007)
Edgar Wright is another director whose entirely filmography I can put on here. Like Wes Anderson, I have 3. Simon Pegg plays an overachieving British police officer that has been transferred to a small village. Nick Frost is his bubbling buddy cop. Shenanigans and geese ensue.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Streaming: Starz
Hot Rod (2007)
A poignant and deeply personal look at family conflict and the quest for greatness. Bring a box of tissues and heat up some cool beans.
Streaming: Netflix
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Think Up meets Moonrise Kingdom. A New Zealand foster kid, Ricky Baker, teams up with his foster dad, the curmudgeon played by Sam Neill (read: that guy from Jurassic Park). Ricky Baker will win you over.
Streaming: Hulu, Kanopy
Isle of Dogs (2018)
Wes Anderson’s second stop motion animation feature. Set in a dystopian Japan, it’s a clever retelling of Japanese internment during WW2 as well as immigration issues we face today. But don’t let that fool you, it’s quite charming. A movie about kindness.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Juno (2007)
A favorite of mine from high school. High school pregnancy, adoption, and family dynamics are all serious issues, and Juno does not gloss over them. It does however tackle them with quirky charm.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Knives Out (2019)
The classic murder mystery genre is both honored and flipped on its head by Rian Johnson. It’s smart, clever, and fun. Also a movie for our divisive times.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes, Redbox
Lady Bird (2017)
Greta Gerwig (star of Frances Ha) tells a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age movie about her own upbringing in Sacramento. It’s a movie about friendship, longings, and mothers and daughters. It makes me so happy. It’s possibly a perfect movie.
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
The Lego Movie (2014)
Phil Lord and Chris Miller announced their presence to the world in a rare movie that pushes animation forward. While the sequels and spinoffs have not quite captured me like this original.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Little Women (2019)
You’ll cry. But that doesn’t mean it won’t make you happy.
Buy: Amazon, iTunes
Logan Lucky (2017)
A humorous heist movie set in rural America. Two brothers try to reverse a family curse in an attempt to rob a Nascar race track.
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Kanopy
The Lord of the Rings (2001-03)
Break out the Extended Editions. An escape to Middle Earth does the soul some good in times like this.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Modern Times (1936)
Like Buster Keaton’s The General but even more thematic depth. Simply classic comedy.
Streaming: Criterion Channel, Kanopy
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Hayao Mikazaki and Studio Ghibli have created some impressive works of animation like Spirited Away. Totoro is a timeless movie simply about the wonder and innocence of being a child. As good of a kids movie as there is.
Buy: Amazon, iTunes
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)
The Lonely Island, makers of Hot Rod, bring a hilarious parody of pop music and fame channeling music parodies like This is Spinal Tap. The soundtrack actually has some real bangers.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Paddington (2014) / Paddington 2 (2018)
When it comes to family movies, it’s hard to top these two. In an era in which angry vitriol is hurled around as commonplace, Paddington the bear comes along with a message for simple kindness and optimism. Gosh, we need this attitude.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
The Princess Bride (1987)
If you or your loved ones haven’t seen this, that’s simply inconceivable.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
My all-time favorite movie. The ultimate adventure movie that will whisk you away. Best opening scene ever.
Raising Arizona (1987)
Another light Coen Brothers comedy. It’s essentially a Looney Tunes episode in live action. Nicolas Cage is at his career-best as a former prisoner who steals a baby with Mrs. Incredible.
Streaming: HBO
Rio Bravo (1959)
My favorite John Wayne movie and perhaps my favorite Western. As opposed to more violent and intense Spaghetti Westerns with Clint Eastwood or John Ford Westerns that address big issues, Rio Bravo is simply a good hangout movie.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
School of Rock (2003)
“You’re not hardcore unless you live hardcore.” The movie that made me fall in love with classic rock in middle school. Jack Black is infectious in his ardent sarcastic glee.
Streaming: Showtime
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
A time capsule of a movie, this brings comic book escapism to life as Michael Cera’s Scott Pilgrim has to fight his new girlfriend’s ex-boyfriends to win her heart.
Streaming: Netflix
Sing Street (2016)
I never knew I needed an Irish high school punk rock movie in my life until this little gem.
Streaming: Vudu Free
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Before La La Land, there was Singin’ in the Rain. Not just the best musical of its time, but perhaps all time. The titular song is a pure shot of happiness. Gene Kelly rules.
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis are two jazz musicians on the run from the mob after witnessing a murder. They resort to dressing up and acting as female musicians in an attempt to escape. Marilyn Monroe makes a memorable appearance as their muse, Sugar Kane. An essential screwball comedy.
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Criterion Channel
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man is arguably the most beloved and relatable superhero of the MCU. Marvel nails it with the casting of Tom Holland and this is my favorite live action iteration of the character. Also a good high school movie in the vein of John Hughes (The Breakfast Club).
Streaming: Disney+
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
However, THIS is my favorite Spider-Man movie. I think an argument can be made that this is the best comic-book/superhero movie ever made. Animated to look like a true comic book, it’s overwhelming in its visuals and pop music soundtrack. A unique take on the idea of Spider-Man and being an hero. And I always love a John Mulaney appearance!
Streaming: Netflix
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Yes, I love Edgar Wright movies. This is a movie that feels as relevant as ever as Simon Pegg’s Shaun unexpectedly finds himself quarantined and on the run in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Hilarious.
Streaming: Starz
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
A top 5 MCU movie for me, Taika Waititi brings his New Zealand wit to make a silly and colorful (and let’s be honest, kinda weird) adventure with Thor and Hulk. My celebrity crushes Cate Blanchett and Jeff Goldblum bring some good supporting turns here as well.
Streaming: Disney+
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
You could call this list the Wes Anderson/Edgar Wright/Taika Waititi/80s classics list. I only discovered this film recently, but Waititi’s vampire comedy gives me some good laughs.
Streaming: Kanopy
Buy/Rent: Amazon, iTunes