I despise wasting hours scrolling through possibilities of movies when I just want to unwind at the end of the day. And what is even worse is when I spend an hour watching a movie that turns out to be super cheesy, has terrible acting, or is graphic and disturbing. I do not want to feed myself with any more violence, anxiety, or stress at the end of the day. I am sure that I am not the only one asking: What can I watch when I have already seen all the feel good blockbuster movies?
I went on a hunt to find what are some movies that I can get lost in because of the storytelling and acting and at the same time feel better about the world after watching them. The movies listed below are all hope-filled and have great acting. Most of them are true stories which make them even better.
On Netflix:
- The Intouchables (the french version)- I don’t know how anyone cannot love Omar Sy (from Lupin), especially in his portrayal of the real-life ex-con Abdel who becomes a caretaker for an aristocratic quadriplegic. Their relationship and ability to find humor in every day life is a beautiful lesson.
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind– Another true story, this one about an intelligent, determined young boy in Africa who sets out to solve the problem of hunger in his village.
- The Fundamentals of Caring– A roadtrip with Paul Rudd…need I say more?
- Penguin Bloom– No, it is not about a penguin, but rather a black and white magpie found on the beach by the son of a mother who has recently become handicapped. I found this movie slower paced and more boring than the others but still heartwarming. Who doesn’t love seeing people bond with animals and overcome depression? And again, the fact that it is a true story makes it even more inspiring.
On Hulu:
5. Another Round– This Danish film is centered around a group of High School Teachers who do an experiment to keep their blood alcohol level at .05 every day, thinking it may improve their performance and bring more joy. There are some difficult moments in the film but the ending made me want to dance.
6. A Hologram for the King– Tom Hanks portrays a man who is stuck but finds new life in Saudi Arabia.
On Amazon Prime:
7. Peanutbutter Falcon– Another great road trip movie involving characters with great chemistry and life-changing experiences. Zak is a man with down-syndrome who escaped the group home to follow his dream of becoming a wrestler. He is a delight to watch! And Shia LaBeouf delivers again.
On other Free Streaming Platforms:
8. The Short Term 12 (Peacock)- A story about a young couple working at a group home for troubled teens. I love their relationship, their sense of purpose, and the way they heal their own wounds while healing others.
9. The Beautiful Fantastic (Roku TV)- A reserved lonely young lady slowly blooms in this story with the help of a curmudgenly neighbor.
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