You don’t need any reason to spend two hours and watch the best light-hearted movies on Netflix. They’re specifically made so the audience can get feel-good vibes and have a little fun. Even when you are happy, you sometimes need to watch these movies to lift your spirits. Movies are great things to turn to in times of need as they provide an escape from the real world.
Netflix has several films in the genre of feel-good. If you want to watch films of this genre, here is a list of the best light-hearted movies on Netflix that’ll make you feel warm and cuddly. Sit back, relax, have some snacks, and enjoy these films from the comfort of your home!
11 of the Best Light-Hearted Movies
1. The Intouchables (2012)
- Director: Olivier Nakache, Éric Toledano
- Writer: Olivier Nakache, Éric Toledano
- Cast: François Cluzet, Omar Sy, Audrey Fleurot, Anne Le Ny, Clotilde Mollet, Alba Gaïa Bellugi, Joséphine de Meaux
- IMDb: 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
The Intouchables is based on a true story of an unlikely friendship between a man and his caregiver. The movie is perfect and at least deserves a single watch.
Make sure to distinguish this film from The Upside, the English film starring Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart. The Intouchables is a French film that was released in 2011. It has been highly praised for the sensitive onscreen representation of people with disabilities. Omar Sy and François Cluzet have depicted the story beautifully and form great buddies. They force the audience to rethink how they perceive others. The 2010s most impactful moments have been delivered through this movie.
2. The Princess Bride (1987)
- Director: Rob Reiner
- Writer: William Goldman
- Cast: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal, and others
- IMDb: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
The Princess Bride proves to be equally interesting for both kids and adults. The love stories get combined with witty humor and adventure in the movie. The Princess Bride includes classic characters played by the likes of Robin Wright and Andre, The Giant. This film has been named one of the best love and comedy stories. A unique twist to the formula used in fairy tales has been used, making the movie as funny as it was in 1987.
The Princess Bride is a fairy tale about a charming young woman and her true love. The man must find her after a long separation to save her. The evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin must be fought so that they can come together again. Based on the novel of the same name by William Goldman, the film has successfully earned a loyal fan base.
The most famous line from the film remains: “Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line!”. The film teaches many important lessons, like whenever your parents ask you to do something, comply! Never trust anyone with sex fingers on their right hand. And, never ever jump into a water body full of man-eating eels. Also, learning rock climbing might save your life one day.
3. Hustle (2022)
- Director: Jeremiah Zagar
- Writer: Taylor Materne, Will Fetters
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Juancho Hernangóme
- IMDb: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Adam Sandler is sometimes serious, but his performance seems to get so much better on those rare occasions. After Uncut Gems, he got to star in Hustle. This Netflix Original film sometimes feels like a chance for Sandler to hang out with his loved ones in sports.
Hustle narrated the story of an NBA scout when he came across basketball’s best-kept secret. Juancho Hernangomez, a real-life NBA player, is seen starring in Hustle. There’s a probability for Juancho Hernangomez to have a career in Hollywood when his playing days end. Anthony Edwards, his fellow player, also has an important role to play.
Hustle is one of the latest and best light-hearted movies on Netflix; however, it isn’t suitable to watch with your family due to the dark turns it takes. Watching Hernangomez and Sandler trying to rise above their mistakes will prove to be a satisfying experience.
4. Paddington (2014)
- Director: Paul King
- Writer: Paul King, Hamish McColl, Michael Bond
- Cast: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins
- IMDb: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 80%
What can be better than a talking live-action bear? Paddington Bear gets taken by the Brown family after he ends up on the streets of London. Nicole Kidman, playing the role of an evil taxidermist, picks up instant interest in this anthropomorphic bear.
This is one of the best light-hearted movies on Netflix and can be watched with family. Compared to other live-action CGI animal animation films, it is much better. There’s also a sequel to Paddington, among the last decade’s most highly praised family movies. Paddington and its sequel are not available to stream on Netflix.
Please can I have a weekend, times two. Thank you.
— Paddington (@paddingtonbear) April 14, 2022
5. All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
- Director: Susan Johnson
- Writer: Sofia Alvarez
- Cast: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish
- IMDb: 7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
Based on Jenny Han’s novel of the same name, Lara Jean is a teenage girl who likes to read romance novels. She stumbles upon the numerous love letters she had written to her and crushes over a while. One day, someone mysteriously mailed posts all of them. This unexpectedly affects Lara’s life, and her life becomes all jumbled up.
This 2018 romantic comedy film includes Lana Condor in the lead role of Lara Jean and became an instant hit on Netflix. There are two sequels to the movie, and they’re also available to stream on Netflix. All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a Netflix original movie, and those who missed watching the adorable love story between Lara Jean and Peter should watch it just now.
With its two sequels, this is the tender, moving, funny, and sweet rom-com which will lift your spirits. Lara has a lovely family, and she developed real feelings for the boy she was fake dating. Finding true love was something that she never expected!
I want to be the one by your side. It won't always be easy, but I want to do whatever it takes to make this work. – Peter Kavinsky#toalltheboysivelovedbefore#toalltheboysalwaysandforever pic.twitter.com/mQUMZC7LXa
— Rach (@blkrchiel) February 12, 2021
Peter Kavinsky stole all our hearts with his simple lines and million-dollar smiles.
6. The Half of It (2020)
- Director: Alice Wu
- Writer: Alice Wu
- Cast: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire
- IMDb: 6.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
In The Half of It, Leah Lewis plays the character of an academically bright yet lonely high school student, Ellie Chu. One day, her classmate Paul Munsky (played by Daniel Diemer) approaches her and asks for her help to woo Aster Flores (played by Alexxis Lemire). Paul wasn’t aware that Ellie also liked Aster, and the things she told Paul were a reflection of her feelings.
Ellie also doesn’t know what to do after graduation because she doesn’t want to leave her father. With time, Ellie learns whom to rely on if she cannot achieve everything. The Half of It is a funny film filled with drama, love, passion, and the awkwardness of teen love. Ellie is very insecure and brilliant and needs self-acceptance. Her sexuality plays an important part in making her character magnificent.
gravity is matter's response
to loneliness.
-the half of it (2020)#thehalfofit #netflix #fanart pic.twitter.com/yY1apiTr9A— d⁷// inac✨ (@dumpdecay) December 15, 2020
The beauty in these lines can feel more relatable after the readers watch the film.
7. Always Be My Maybe (2019)
- Director: Nahnatchka Khan
- Writer: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Michael Golamco
- Cast: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Keanu Reeves
- IMDb: 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 79%
Randall Park co-stars with Ali Wong in this rom-com movie about two childhood friends who cross their paths as adults and want to rekindle their romantic relationship. Co-written with Michael Golamco, the story’s lead characters are shown dealing with various emotions like fear, fame, and old memories. The film has a cameo role by Keanu Reeves, and the lead role pair is very funny. The movie has one of the most memorable characters, played by Keanu Reeves.
Always Be My Maybe is a Netflix original movie, and Ali Wong and Randall Park play the role of Sasha and Marcus, respectively. They come across each other by chance after becoming adults. Many deeper themes like success, culture, and family have also been explored. The must is mandatory to watch as you’ll get to watch Keanu Reeves playing Sasha’s boyfriend. Wong is seen playing the role of a highly successful celebrity chef while Park is pursuing his rap career half-heartedly.
Both of them still feel for each other, but the male lead character cannot relinquish his ego and appreciate Wong’s success. She doesn’t like his lack of drive and is in no mood to have him back in her life. The movie’s brilliance lies in the one-off jokes that’ll make you fall laughing.
Watching the bloopers will make Always Be My Maybe even more entertaining.
8. Dumplin’ (2018)
- Director: Anne Fletcher
- Writer: Kristin Hahn
- Cast: Odeya Rush, Jennifer Aniston, Danielle MacDonald
- IMDb: 6.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
Synonymous to sweet, Dumplin’ is a coming-of-age story about a small-town girl from Texas, Willowdean Dickson (played by Danielle MacDonald). She enters the local pageant to upset her mother, Rosie Dickson (played by Jennifer Aniston), also a beauty queen.
Rosie calls her daughter Dumplin’ because of her plus size and out of affection. For several years, Rosie neglected her daughter and focused on running beauty pageants. Lucy (played by Hilliary Begley), Rosie’s sister, raised Willowdean. After Lucy’s death, as a protest, she enrolled herself in one of the pageants organized by her mother. Her best friend Ellen Dryver also joins the pageant to show support.
The friendship shared by Elle and Willowdean is put to the test when Elle becomes serious about the beauty pageant. This makes Willowdean think about the main reasons why she enrolled herself in one. In her journey, she learns important lessons about self-worth.
This best light-hearted movie on Netflix has great characters and elements that improve everything, like Jennifer Aniston, songs by Dolly Parton, and costumes.
9. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
- Director: David Dobkin
- Writer: Andrew Steele, Will Ferrell
- Cast: Rachel McAdams, Will Ferrell, Pierce Brosnan
- IMDb: 6.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is among the movies that are so bad and so good simultaneously. In the film, Rachel McAdams and Will Ferrell are seen as Sigrit Ericksdóttir and Lars Eriksson, members of an Icelandic band (which has two members). The band is called Eurovision, and the film is yet another project that shows Will Ferrell’s ability to transform himself into his characters who are devoted to their passion.
The film’s casting director deserves an award as he had the perfect choice of making Rachel McAdams play the role of a woman who is head over heels in love with Ferrell, a man who doesn’t even care about her existence. Fire Saga band finally performed in the contest and gave an amazing performance. The film earned an Oscar nomination and a Grammy.
Watch what Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams had to go through while filming this entertaining and light-hearted movie.
10. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
- Director: David E. Talbert
- Writer: David E. Talbert
- Cast: Keegan Michael Key, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Bonneville, Anika Noni Rose, Madalen Mills
- IMDb: 6.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
Just relax and enjoy the magic of Christmas with this original musical, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, about toys, family, and mechanical innovation. This best light-hearted movie on Netflix follows an imaginary world that comes to life in a tale of the extraordinary toymaker with his magical invention that holds power to change lives forever.
Jeronicus (played by Forest Whitaker) is a toymaker; his heart shatters to millions of pieces after realizing that his assistant stole his book (in which his ideas were mentioned) and a matador doll. He loses the will to create new dolls once his granddaughter visits him after several years.
11. Over the Moon (2020)
- Director: Glen Keane
- Writer: Audrey Wells, Jennifer Yee McDevitt, Alice Wu
- Cast: Phillipa Soo, Cathy Ang, Glen Keane, Ken Jeong
- IMDb: 6.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 69%
Over the Moon will give the audience the same feeling, they get when they watch a colorful bath bomb fizz. The Netflix animation is pretty and comforting to look at.
Fei Fei, a Chinese girl, is the lead character, and she is taking a journey after her mother’s death to meet the moon goddess. There are fanciful visuals, and the movie delivers a touching message about moving on. It is difficult not to feel relief by the time credits roll.
