Feel Good Movies on Netflix

Do you know what goes well with chaotic work weeks and endless to-do lists? Feel-good movies.

When your toast comes out all burnt, and you booked your Uber to the office a bit too late, so now your supervisor won’t stop calling you — a cosy movie on Netflix might be just the thing to lift your mood.

A film that does more than entertain — a film that heals you, reminds you of tiny joys, simply gives you a chance to forget some of your problems, or offers a perspective you have never considered before — will always be a worthwhile watch.

From overworked employees trying to set up their bosses to three Gen-Z roommates trying to figure out life (and the Instagram algorithm), and two neighbours literally and metaphorically breaking down walls, there are a lot of things to feel good about. Here are five feel-good movies on Netflix that’ll let you do exactly that.

Whisper of the Heart (1995)

Studio Ghibli films that romanticise daily life with simple characters and cosy storylines will always have our hearts. Whisper of the Heart has managed to stay relevant for almost three decades.

If you want a feel-good movie on Netflix that will make you laugh and cry at the same time, this is the one to watch. It’s the story of two teenagers figuring out life together, as well as deciding what they want their future to be like with their artistic pursuits.

Whisper of the Heart will make you feel better about not being where you want to be (yet), not knowing what you want to do, and moving out of your comfort zone. Though the protagonists Shizuku (voiced by Yoko Honna) and Seiji (Issei Takahashi) are teenagers, the emotions they go through are relevant at twenty, thirty, forty and beyond.

Qarib Qarib Singlle (2017)

This feel-good movie on Netflix is for the recently heartbroken and perpetually single who are feeling a bit too much FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).

Jaya (Parvathy Thiruvothu) and Yogi (Irrfan Khan) build an unusual friendship through a dating app. Jaya is a widow who wants to find love again, while Yogi is a poet who feels his exes are still pining for him. What unfolds is a series of mishaps interlaced with Jaya’s and Yogi’s growing bond as they go on a trip to meet these exes.

The witty dialogue, especially Khan’s amusing one-liners, adds uniqueness to an otherwise straightforward film. Parvathy and Yogi are as different as they could be, and their poignant chemistry makes this film a must-watch.

Set It Up (2018)

For those days when you want to rekindle your belief in love again, this feel-good rom-com is the one to watch.

Struggling writers will love the arc of Harper (Zoey Deutch), whose career path is akin to that of Andrea (Anne Hathaway) from The Devil Wears Prada (2006), with a Miranda-esque boss in Kirsten (Lucy Liu), who gives her lots of random responsibilities, but is a little less intense, and somehow causes even more chaos.

For anyone in their 20s suffering through a low-paying job with an overwhelming list of deliverables, Set It Up will make you feel heard, seen, and everything in between. The playful chemistry between Harper (Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell) and the surprisingly original dialogues contribute to this film being one of the most charming feel-good movies on Netflix.

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023)

Another one for the clueless and overwhelmed 20-somethings, this movie effortlessly captures the inherent pressure of living in the digital age.

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’s refreshing take on dating apps, the absurd but prevalent concept of “winning the breakup,” and the ins and outs of influencer life will give you some hard-hitting yet comforting truths.

Through the vehicle of the oft-used friendship trio trope, such as in Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), the movie fearlessly talks about how our generation is losing itself in the trenches of dating apps, revenge selfies, and “situationships”. The feel-good element comes from the vulnerability in the acting of Ahana (Ananya Panday), Imaad (Siddhant Chaturvedi), Neil (Adarsh Gourav), and Simran (Kalki Koechlin), and the honest storyline that binds them all together through fights, arguments, and reconciliations.

The movie is not about happy endings, resolving plot conflicts, or introducing twists. Instead, it’s about feeling good through all the messy emotions, as well as the power of friendship.

Love, Divided (2024)

Enemies-turned-lovers is not revolutionary by any means, but Love, Divided is a Spanish feel-good movie that does it right. Based on the French film Blind Date (1987), this movie is whimsical in its narration with charming performances by Valentina (Aitana), a Spanish pianist who loves to sing, and David (Fernando Guallar), a game designer who loves his peace and quiet more than anything else.

Their love story grows through the thin wall between their apartments. The best part is that Valentina and David barely share any screen time, so their bond rests on their conversations and silly arguments through the walls, and the actual meeting is worth the wait.

This rom-com film is easy and breezy, and the feel-good vibe comes from the pacing, the intelligent camera work, and the seamless acting. If you’re looking for a feel-good movie on Netflix that is high on the good and less on the sad heartbreak-y feels, this is the one to watch.