Lately, I’ve been struggling with feeling really low and nothing seems to cheer me up. I’m looking for recommendations for uplifting or comforting movies that can help improve my mood. If anyone has go-to films they watch during tough times, I’d really appreciate your suggestions. Just need a little help finding something positive to watch.
Feeling Low? Movies That Brighten Even the Gloomiest Vibes
So, it’s one of those days. The world feels like your WiFi—slow, unreliable, maybe outright down. When that happens to me, nothing hits reset quite like a solid movie marathon. Tried and tested, here are my go-tos for crawling out of a rough patch and into a semi-decent mood.
If You Like ‘Life Is a Box of Chocolates’ Mentality
Whenever life’s dealing me lemons or, honestly, expired milk, I put on Forrest Gump (1994). The whole movie is this wild ping-pong match life plays with you, and Forrest? He just rolls with the backspins. There are moments that hit deep and others that’ll have you ugly-laughing until you choke on your popcorn. Basically, it’s hope bottled up and dressed in running shoes.
Craving Something Cozy and Wholesome?
There’s The Intern (2015). I’ll put my hand up and admit: workplace comedies usually trigger my Sunday Scaries, but not this one. Robert De Niro as a senior intern is like that grandparent who always knows when to bring snacks—and tissues. The movie oozes kindness, slow-cooked with friendship and finding new purpose. Feels? Served hot.
Need That “You Got This!” Energy?
Let’s talk Legally Blonde (2001). Whenever someone makes me feel like I can’t, Elle Woods practically materializes in my living room, flipping her hair and proving them wrong for me. Sure, it’s pink, it’s sparkly, but it’s also fierce. You’ll want to hand-write your own law school admission by the end—don’t actually do that, just feel empowered.
In the Mood to Wander Without Leaving Your Couch?
Hey, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) is the one. I’ll just say: it’s like your brain’s default wallpaper gets swapped out for Iceland. Plus, if you ever need a nudge to break out of your dull daily circuit, Walter’s journey is part travel-porn, part “rediscover yourself before your cat does” manual. Shots are stunning, story’s a gentle push.
For the Mac Users Who Despise Format Errors
Alright, let me save you from the “why won’t this file open?!” crisis. Elmedia Player exists, and honestly, it’s the Swiss Army knife of movie players for Mac. Pick a file, any file. Doesn’t care if it’s avi, flv, mp4—plays them all and even streams straight to your TV. The best part? Zero fiddling with weird codecs. Sometimes simplicity is the ultimate comfort.
Wanna Chuckle, Not Sob?
If comedy is all you want, drop a comment. I’ve got a stash of laugh-out-loud movies that work like therapy, only cheaper and with more snacks.
When things feel off, remember: sometimes the best first step is letting yourself enjoy a light movie, guilt-free. That, and snacks. But mostly, movies.
3 Likes
Honestly, when things get rough, I can’t always get behind the whole “cheer up with Forrest Gump” school of thought (sorry @mikeappsreviewer, I just end up ugly crying every time—Jenny, why?!). I gravitate more toward movies that let me wallow a little first, then gently pull me back up. There’s something comforting about a movie that kinda matches your mood at first but still leaves you lighter by the end.
So my go-to’s are usually:
- About Time (2013): Starts a bit melancholy but is basically a warm hug for your brain by the end. Not just a rom-com, it’s all about appreciating the present and the people around you—even if you’re a mess. Gets me every time.
- Julie & Julia (2009): Watching Meryl Streep cook up French food and Amy Adams spiral in her tiny apartment is some serious comfort food for the soul, minus the calories. Feels relatable (especially the meltdowns), plus the food shots are a total mood boost.
- Paddington & Paddington 2: If you haven’t tried these, do it. Inexplicably, a Peruvian bear in a duffle coat can fix a lot of sad days.
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: It’s silly and dated and that’s why it’s perfect. Ferris reminding you to slow down and have fun—sometimes I need the nudge, even if it’s from a guy who should probably be grounded.
- Spirited Away (or just about any Studio Ghibli): The weird magical stuff is overwhelmingly soothing, and you don’t have to track every bit of plot if your brain’s feeling foggy. Bonus: the background music is grounding.
Tbh, I don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all “feel better” film—sometimes comedy works, sometimes a slower burn does the trick. If you wanna share what’s not working for you, maybe I (or others) can rec similar-but-different stuff. Also, don’t underestimate a trashy reality show binge if all else fails—sometimes the brain just wants junk food.
Honestly, I’m gonna throw a wrench into this whole “only uplifting movies will save your mood” line of thinking that @mikeappsreviewer and @cazadordeestrellas have going. I tried riding the Forrest Gump train once and ended up sobbing into a pint of ice cream—sometimes inspirational just feels… exhausting? Instead, I say lean into the chaos a little: throw on Hot Fuzz or What We Do in the Shadows. There’s nothing quite like British humor when the world doesn’t make sense. The dry delivery, the ridiculous scenarios – you’ll probably laugh in spite of yourself, and if not, at least you get to watch Nick Frost try and explain swans.
Another move: disaster movies. Sounds wild, but watching The Day After Tomorrow or 2012 puts my own drama in perspective. Like, at least my living room’s not filling up with CGI floodwaters? If you’re into nostalgia, try School of Rock. Jack Black is peak chaotic sunshine and you get a killer soundtrack.
I know @cazadordeestrellas made a case for Studio Ghibli (which, fine, is like taking a warm bath for your brain), but for me, animation only helps if it’s just bonkers and colorful. That’s where The Emperor’s New Groove slaps. No sappy morals, just llama drama and hilarious one-liners.
And hey, if you try all these and STILL feel off, screw it—watch YouTube cats. Sometimes it’s not about the art, it’s about distraction.
So yeah, don’t feel boxed into “uplifting.” Comfort is whatever makes the world shut up for a minute, even if it’s exploding volcanoes or llamas plotting revenge.
Totally get needing a mood lifter, but honestly, I don’t always vibe with the super-uplifting, everything-will-be-okay picks from @cazadordeestrellas and @mikeappsreviewer. Sometimes “comfort” isn’t a perfect playlist of pure optimism or absurdist comedy—sometimes it’s about letting something gentle and quiet just occupy your headspace. For me, slow-paced films like Chef or Paddington 2 hit a different note than the big, pink “you got this!” energy of Legally Blonde or the chaos of Hot Fuzz. Watching someone gently solve small problems (like Jon Favreau making food, or Paddington being the nicest bear in London) just un-knots my brain, way more than disaster flicks.
Slight curveball: I sometimes cue up a favorite old documentary—Jiro Dreams of Sushi is meditative, and 20 Feet from Stardom is quietly inspiring without being in-your-face. It’s about letting yourself exist in a world where life is complex, but problems are solvable (most of the time).
On the tech side, massive props to Elmedia Player for being the one app that will run ANY format I hurl at it. The pro? Total ease using weird, old downloads without converting anything. The con? The free version has some locked features, and the UI won’t win any beauty prizes—but honestly, it does its job, which is rare. Like @jeff said, sometimes you just want a tool that works, no drama.
And just to nudge the convo a bit: “uplifting” is super personal. For some, it’s The Intern, for others, it’s Nick Frost in a ridiculous hat. For me? Sometimes it’s just watching a bear make marmalade sandwiches, and that’s perfectly fine.