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At the end of a hard day, Netflix is never going to be able to give you the warm hug that you need. That’s something A.I. also falls well short on. But what Netflix can offer, that A.I. can’t, is a lineup of feel-good movies that serve as a reminder that humanity has more to offer than just our worst instincts. At our very best, we can all provide love, acceptance, friendship, and more.
This month’s top selections for the best feel-good movies on Netflix include the original version of Matilda, a sports drama called The Long Game, and Wonder, a film that has a very impressive cast. You can find all of these films and more below.
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.
Matilda (1996) [New]
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) [New]
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 Peña (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.
Wonder (2017) [New]
Metacritic: 66%
IMDb: 7.9/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 113m
Genre: Drama, Family
Stars: Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson
Directed by: Stephen Chbosky
Wonder is ultimately a feel-good film, but you may feel some very upset when you see the way that August “Auggie” Pullman (Room’s Jacob Tremblay) is treated by his classmates. Auggie was born with a severe facial deformity, and despite the best efforts of his parents — Nate (Owen Wilson) and Isabel Pullman (Ticket to Paradise‘s Julia Roberts) — he is mercilessly targeted by bullies at school.
Julian Albans (Bryce Gheisar) is by far the worst offender among the bullies. But despite the rejection from his peers, Auggie demonstrates great inner strength and he slowly makes real friends who can see past his disfigurement and accept him as he is.
The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
Metacritic: 77%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: R
Duration: 105m
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Stars: Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Haley Lu Richardson
Directed by: Kelly Fremon Craig
Nadine Franklin (Hailee Steinfeld) faces a lot of inner and outer turmoil in The Edge of Seventeen, especially after her best friend, Krista (The White Lotus‘ Haley Lu Richardson), starts dating her brother, Darian Franklin (Blake Jenner). Nadine didn’t have the best relationship with her brother before this, and now she and Krista are barely speaking to each other.
Both Nadine and Darian are also dealing with their lingering grief over the death of their father. Nadine gets some guidance from her teacher, Max Bruner (Woody Harrelson), but she’s ultimately got to get her own answers about her life and how she can reconcile with her brother and her friend.
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.
Paddington (2014)
Metacritic: 77%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 96m
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Family
Stars: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins
Directed by: Paul King
If you’re looking for a feel-good movie that will play especially well to children, then Paddington is an ideal choice. Even older viewers tend to be charmed by Paddington Bear (Ben Whishaw), a talking bear from Peru who is earnest, kind, and infallibly polite. All Paddington really wants is to find a new home in London and a family to love.
Henry (Hugh Bonneville) and Mary Brown (Sally Hawkins), and their children, Judy (Madeleine Harris) and Jonathan (Samuel Joslin), take Paddington in. But before Paddington officially becomes a member of the family, the Browns will have to protect him from Millicent Clyde (Nicole Kidman), a deranged woman who wants to have him stuffed.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2022)
Metacritic: 80%
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 90m
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Family
Stars: Jenny Slate, Dean Fleischer Camp, Isabella Rossellini
Directed by: Dean Fleischer Camp
There’s something inspiring about the way that Dean Fleischer Camp and Jenny Slate turned their viral videos about Marcel the Shell with Shoes On into one of the rare independently produced animated films. Although this movie does have some live-action characters, including Fleischer Camp’s Dean, a filmmaker who moves into an Airbnb only to discover a childlike talking shell named Marcel (Slate) and his grandmother, Nana Connie (Isabella Rossellini).
Marcel and Dean quickly bond and the latter’s videos of Marcel make him famous in a very short period of time. That’s not something that Marcel is entirely on board with, but he does really want to reunite with his shell family after years of missing them. Now, Marcel will get a chance to have that reunion.
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.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Rated: PG
Duration: 93m
Genre: Animation, Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy
Stars: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day
Directed by: Michael Jelenic, Aaron Horvath
One of the biggest animated movies of the year brought Mario, Luigi, Peach and Bowser back to the big screens in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Chris Pratt voices Mario in the film, though Jack Black is the one who steals the show as the big baddie by crooning “Peaches” and getting the earworm stuck in kids’ ears all year long. It’s a faithful dive into the world of Nintendo, without ever getting too heavy.
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 Fallis 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 Countryfollows 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, Aïssa Maïga
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 (Friendsstar 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 novelThe 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.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Metacritic: 81%
IMDb: 7.8/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 101m
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Stars: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata
Directed by: Taika Waititi
Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison), a foster child, is taken in by Bella Faulkner and her husband Hec. Living on a remote farm with the couple, city-raised Ricky isn’t warming up to their goodwill, and his standoffishness is further challenged when Bella passes away unexpectedly. Emotionally distraught, Ricky takes off into the nearby woods with his dog, Tupac. Hec tracks the pair down but suffers a broken ankle in the process. Together, the trio must contend with the New Zealand wilderness as a search party tries to find the farmer and his foster son. Taiki Waititi brings a breath of fantastical fresh air to the typical childhood adoption sub-genre, giving us one of the most delightful feel-good flicks of this roundup.
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 (Twistersstar 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 duch*ess 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.
