Positive, feel-good, wholesome, GOOD movies?

The Matchmaker with Shirley Booth and Tony Perkins

Dan in Real Life with a very unlikely pairing: Steve Carrell and Juliette Binoche. Trust me!

Big

How Green Was My Valley is a timeless classic.

A Pocketful of Miracles

Babe, the movie about the cute little pig.

If you’re into oldies, I just watched “Saturday’s Children” with John Garfield and Anne Shirley. It’s a story of working class young love but the highlights are the whip cracking back and forth dialogue and hilarious character actors. The director and writer later collaborated on “Casablanca”.

oh oh oh ! Peter Rabbit! some people didn't like it but I loved it and it's so fun <3

Sing Street!

Oops, got confused... the director was Vincent Sherman, not Michael Curtiz who obviously directed “Casablanca”.

My Dog Skip.

You've Got Mail

Little Women (the recent version or the 1994 version)

Coco 2017

The Station Agent starring Peter Dinklage (pre-GOT), Bobby Cannavale, and Patricia Clarkson.

This trailer makes it seem like more of a comedy than it is- though it has funny moments for sure. But it’s more of a slow moving look into three lonely peoples’ lives and how they become friends. If you’re looking for a nice, mellow movie, where nothing horrible happens to nylons, check this out.

I love it.

* anyone, not nylons

Crazyheart starring Jeff Bridges

A second vote for the Babe. But they do have some very sad moments. First one had pigs going to slaughter. The second one was darker - the little cat describing having been put into a sack that was tied up and "throwed" into the river. And the surreal scene with Mickey Rooney in the old folks home.

I saw them when they came out, but I don't think I can now. I'm menopausal and I'm pretty sure I'd burst into tears during these scenes.

Mad Hot Ballroom

The Full Monty

I’ve always found Tom Wilkinson hot, I’d definitely watch him strip!

Nine to Five

Crooklyn

A Little Princess (the remake)

Batteries Not Included

Dear Frankie (starring a pre-bloat Gerard Butler)

Bridget Jones’ Diary part 1

Heartlands (with an adorable Michael Sheen)

Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day

Rudy

Paddington

Fantastic Mr. Fox

About A Boy

Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home

For those who like science fiction. Thanks for mentioning Batteries Not Included R24 - also one of my favorites.

[quote]You've Got Mail

If you're a fan of old movies, try one of the earlier versions of "You've Got Mail." The original is "The Shop Around the Corner," with James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan (1940). It was musicalized in 1949 as "In the Good Old Summertime" (a misleading title, since much of the movie takes place in the weeks leading up to Christmas), starring Judy Garland and Van Johnson.

The original Hungarian play was also adapted into the Broadway musical "She Loves Me."

[quote]The Matchmaker with Shirley Booth and Tony Perkins

It's a good movie, a positive movie.

Unspeakable Acts

Actually the opposite. Tonight I watched the 1993 movie And the Band Played On, about the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, and how of course Reagan and all the agencies and even some of the research doctors were such evil fucking pieces of shit. At the end they showed all the real people who died of AIDS, many of whom I'm ashamed to say I'd forgotten about. I just lost it and I was crying for over an hour. Goddamn the politicians then and now. BTW, it's a very well acted and written film.

Salo

Songs of the South. It is so nice that Uncle Remus forgave all those whites who tortured and even killed members of his family.

Billy Elliot

Fiddler on the Roof

Arthur

My Brilliant Career

3 in the seat

The Beautician and the Beast

Overnight Delivery

The musical of Tom Sawyer with Johnny Whitaker, Jodie Foster, Jeff East and Celeste Holm. Music b y the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty, many more). Absolutely charming.

Shadrach, with Andie McDowell and Harvey Keitel. A box office flop upon release, it is, nonetheless, a wonderful movie with a great story and terrific acting.

I’d suggest 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'

The King and I

No violence, R38!

Faces of Death

Educating Rita (1983) with Michael Caine and Julie Walters, about a lower class woman trying to improve her life. Great writing, cast and direction. It was almost made as a vehicle for Dolly Parton (actually not a bad idea) but it was decided to keep it close to the original stage play. A charmer.

Earth Girls Are Easy, with real life couple Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum.

The Court Jester. Danny Kaye and young Angela Lansbury and Glynis Johns. Hilarious.

Where/how did you see SATURDAY'S CHILDREN, r7? TCM?

Central Station is wonderful.

Any rom com with Kate Hudson or Sandra Bullock.

eCupid

*cough*

*cough*

Watching "High Noon" right now. I like the ending! Grace Kelly and Katy Jurado are great in it.

What's that one with RDJ in blackface and Tom Cruise in a fat suit?

That one.

Local Hero.

There's little as feelgood as a thwarted oil company, especially when it's done with this much charm.

Amelie

"AUNTIE MAME" AND NO, not the one with Lucille Ball, The Incredible Masterpiece with Rosalind Russel!

When Harry met Sally

How about some DL favorites:

What's Up Doc?

Soapdish

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

Pillow Talk

Lover Come Back

Move Over Darling

Planet Of The Apes (1968)

The Parent Trap -1961

R53 yes I remember that movie - with the woman/Silkie who had webbed feet.

Let me add Freaky Friday and Clue.

Dance with Me is a 1998 romantic dance drama directed by Randa Haines and starring Vanessa L. Williams and Puerto Rican singer Chayanne.

Napoleon Dynamite

Mrs. Doubtfire

My Cousin Vinny

French Kiss

Only You (RDJ and Marisa Tomei)

Roman Holiday

The King’s Speech

The Pursuit of Happyness

Emma

Sense and Sensibility (Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman)

R52 Tropic Thunder

Separate Tables (1958) with Deborah Kerr and David Niven

The Thrill of It All - James Garner and Doris Day, written by Carl Reiner. Doris Day is married to ob/gyn James Garner. She accidentally becomes a star of soap commercials.

Please, Don't Eat the Daisies - David Niven and Doris Day. I never would have cast them together, but they're a cute married couple with four bratty boys to keep in check.

I loved these as a kid, silly, wholesome romantic comedies.

Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day (2008). Great cast with Amy Adams (she sings!) Francis McDormand, cutie Lee Pace, and handsome Mark Strong. Sweet period piece. Very funny and it gently pulls at the heartstrings. Gorgeous costumes, sets and photography in a 1939 setting. One of my personal favorites.

Maybe "The Big W?" There was a recent thread about the classic Hollywood movie with all of the comedic actors of the time practically begging to get in on it.

It was a special "Movie of the Week" in the '70s when I was about 10. I only saw it once, but I remember laughing hard and my normally angry, dour parents absolutely loving it. It's a rare good memory from my childhood.

^^^ I think you mean It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

R66 no affection for Ciaran Hinds? I thought he was very sweet.

Sing (2016)

Mr. Holland's Opus

YES, R68.! That's it! It was a rare feel-good anything in our household. I'm going to watch on YT soon. The "big W" palms have been in my head since I was 10 or so.

McFarland USA and Million Dollar Arm

Peggy Sue Got Married

Pee Wee's Big Adventure

Napoleon Dynamite

Fatso

These are all great and I've seen them a dozen times each!

Down with Love (2003). The stylish sex comedy with Renee Z and a darling Ewan McGregor. A romantic "battle of the sexes" romp that was inspired by the Rock Hudson/Doris Day comedies of the 60's. Great supporting cast with the likes of Tony Randall (in honor of his roles in those films) Sarah Paulson, David Hyde Pierce, Rachel Dratch and Jeri Ryan. Beautiful old school studio big budget costumes and sets. Delightful, bouncy, and just plain fun. Don't miss the fantastic Marc Shaiman (who appears briefly onscreen) musical number at the end credits. Even better, the musical number is presented full screen (without the end credits) in the special features, along with some super funny outtakes. LOVE this underrated movie. Made for and by people who love classic studio romantic comedies.

I forgot two delightful documentaries-

Mad Hot Ballroom- the preview above made me tear up again

Bathtubs Over Broadway- dorky and charming, give it a try

I second Bathtubs Over Broadway. So good I cried tears of joy at the end.

Rocky (the first one) and Good Will Hunting.

The greatest musical-comedy of all time: Singin' in the Rain.

The Harvey Girls

The anal girls

Not sure if this exactly fits your parameters, but I recently watched Pride (2014) for the first time and I found that such a feel-good movie. It does touch on homophobia, gay-bashing, the ramifications of coming out and HIV but nothing negative is dwelt on or portrayed as degrading the characters. It definitely fits sweet without being too sappy as far as I found it, there's lots of good actors, and it leaves you on a high. I was yearning for that kind of gay community afterwards, rather than the more shallow, bitchy one of today. I thought I'd recommend it as I normally avoid gay movies as being too depressing and found this was completely the opposite.

I'd recommend several in this thread and include "The Mighty Macs" about the Immaculata College's women's basketball team and how they won the first three women's NCAA basketball championships.

Full Metal Jacket: The Musical!!!!!!

"The Thrill of It All" at R65 features DL fave Arlene Francis, whose character is pregnant. Miss Francis was 56 at the time.

October Sky.

Julie and Julia. Such a charming movie!

^^^^No one wants to watch you be more of a ham than the ones Julia actually cooked. There is so much ham in that movie I had to repent after watching it, M

Yes, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day was fantastic!

Really, it should be mandatory viewing for all of DL.

The Princess Bride still entertains after all these years. And how can you miss with a leading lady named Buttercup?

Human Centipede, Shoah

"Dinner For Schmucks"---Carrell and Rudd.

"The Incredible Burt Wonderstone"---Carrell, Carrey, Buscemi.

"Identity Thief"---Bateman, McCarthy.

"National Lampoon's European Vacation"---Chase, D'Angelo.

R16, The description with "nylons" was perfect, though!

David Lynch's The Straight Story

[quote]The Mighty Macs" about the Immaculata College's women's basketball team and how they won the first three women's NCAA basketball championships.

Gash! What a thrill!

The Artist.

Fatal Attraction -- mostly for the ending.

Another vote for "Pride". I expected it to be cloying, manipulative and saccharine, but I ended up loving it.

Two that were mentioned by others are also movies I love. Peggy Sue Got Married and Hidden Figures.

Sixteen Candles

Paris, Texas

This is Spinal Tap

A Room with a View

13 Going on 30. It’s a girl version of Big, basically. I usually don’t like Jennifer Garner, but she was actually pretty decent in this. Maybe because she has sort of a little girl voice that worked for this role.

Plus it has Mark Ruffalo and he’s just the cutest thing. He does so many dramas that it’s nice to see him in a comedy.

Seabiscuit

A Fish Called Wanda

Friends with Money -- I know, Jennifer Anniston. Not happy-happy either, but a nice, small movie.

Draft Day -- I have absolutely no interest in football, but I liked this.,

Hoosiers, too

I stopped watching romantic comedies because, with the exception of those already mentioned here, so few are good.

2 exceptions- "Music and Lyrics" is a superb, frothy, fun 2007 romantic comedy. I know Drew Barry and Hugh Grant generate strong negative reactions in some, but, they're pleasingly self-deprecating here, especially Hugh Grant whose character is a washed-up has-been former pop star. It's also a satire, and pokes fun at what is perceived as "talent" in pop music.

Haley Bennett is also very good as a Britney Spears- like star.

and of course, "While you Were Sleeping".

Silverado (1985) A Hard Day's Night (1964) Secretariat (2010) Another vote for the enchanting 1983 film Local Hero.

The original "Sabrina" with Bogart and Audrey Hepburn

Frau cunt thread

Elf

Clueless

Legally Blonde

Cool Runnings

C’mon, DL, this is the only answer

A League of Their Own

Tootsie

The Parent Trap

Sister Act

The Sandlot. I loved this movie as a kid. Can’t wait to show it to my nephew

The In-Laws, both versions, but especially the first one with Pete Falk and Alan Arkin

Musicals- Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Oliver, Carousel, West Side Story, Funny Girl, etc, etc, etc

Another vote for Sense & Sensibility - plus, it's so beautifully shot & includes the delightfully weird Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson before she became so shrill & annoying.

I think the Harry Potter movies are nice feel-good movies; the last two are a bit dark, but still uplifting

Fiddler on the Roof owns this thread!

Not sure if anyone has mentioned Breaking Away yet, but I’ve always loved this movie.

Easy A

Notting hill

Sleepless in Seattle

These are all over the map:

Persuasion, with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds

Dave, with Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver

Moneyball, with Brad Pitt

Yesterday, from last year about a world where the Beatles never existed.

Blinded By The Light

The Big Year. Crappy trailer- it doesn’t say this movie is about birding, but I enjoyed this movie.

A must see for bird lovers!

Big Miracle. Remember in the late 80s when everything was all about saving the whales?

Regular Miracle

Small Miracles

Hope and Glory

The Iron Giant

[quote]Local Hero. There's little as feelgood as a thwarted oil company, especially when it's done with this much charm.

Yes! What a fantastic gem. I think it was Burt Lancaster's last film.

Also, by Bill Forsythe Gregory's Girl. Also set in Scotland. Absolutely wonderful.

About A Boy, with Hugh Grant and a pre-pubescent Nicholas Hoult. Utterly charming and--if redemption is your thing (it is mine)--a killer.

I loved [italic]a Fish Called Wanda[/italic], but I don't know that I would call it wholesome.

Breaking Away. Chariots of Fire. Muppet Christmas Carol.

Waking Ned Devine

[R133] here. I forgot Local Hero (as posted above).

The Good Lie(2014) It didn't do well in reviews. But, I liked it.

Heartlands

Cute road trip movie with a sexy Mark Strong in a small role

The Winning Season- Sam Rockwell plays a alcoholic who is estranged from his daughter. He improves his life by coaching a girls basketball team.

Working Girl. Funny script and some terrific performances by Joan Cusack and the divine Sigourney Weaver, plus the feelgood ending with Carly Simon's rousing "Let the River Run".

Finding Forrestor

Clockwork Orange

The Brady Bunch Movie and A Very Brady Sequel. A few off color jokes but so silly and campy it's impossible not to have a good time.

Lars and The Real Girl

Any Pixar movie : Toy Story(s), Finding NEMO, Upwards, The Incredibles....

A dog's porpose/A dog's Journey

Patrick 1.5

Broadway Damage

The Women

All ABout EVE

A relative recent one from Netflix and a new Christmas favorite for me- Klaus.

Jason Schwartzman voices Jesper, a spoiled postal worker who is sent by his postmaster father to an isolated village in northern Scandinavia where there is a long-running feud between the townspeople and everyone is unhappy.

He meets this hermit woodcutter (J.K. Simmons) and together they bring joy to the kids of the village, etc. and the legend of Santa is born.

It’s one of the best animated movies I’ve seen in years.

Can’t you just watch TCM?

MOONSTRUCK

Shag: The Movie

This Frankie and Annette classic-

Back to the Beach

Has cameos by don adams, bob Denver, and peewee herman

The Heavenly Kid. A guy dies in a street race but can’t go to heaven until he helps out some other kid.

It started the hot Jason Gedrick. Idk in what high school he wouldn’t be popular though...

I just watched "That Thing You Do". Very charming, and very cute actors early in their careers. About a "one-hit wonder" boy band in the early 1960s. Written and directed by Tom Hanks.

That Thing You Do is a joy. And the song is good enough to have been a real hit of the era.

Stuck in Love

Billy Elliott (mentioned previously)

Down and Out in Beverly Hills. The dog Matisse steals the movie but Bette Midler and Richard Dreyfuss are very funny.

R147, I just rewatched Moonstruck this past Saturday. I had forgotten how great it was. I especially like the final scene when everyone is gathered in the kitchen.

[quote]I just watched "That Thing You Do". Very charming, and very cute actors early in their careers. About a "one-hit wonder" boy band in the early 1960s. Written and directed by Tom Hanks.

[quote]That Thing You Do is a joy. And the song is good enough to have been a real hit of the era.

Tom Everett Scott is just dreamy!

Strictly Ballroom(1992)

Roll Bounce(2005)

Dawson’s 50-Load Weekend

Calendar Girls

Excellent suggestion r155.

"The dog is running the house"- Delivered by Dave Whitemen (Richard Dreyfuss) in a weary, exasperated, tone to Matisse's therapist cracks me up just thinking about it.

I re-watched DAUIBV (1986) about 10 years ago. It's one of those that rare flicks that was very topical for its time but weirdly, being dated actually adds to its humor.

The Peanut Butter Falcon.

This is one of the only movies I liked Shia Laboef in. And the guy who played Zach is really likeable, too.

Synopsis: twenty something Zach breaks out of the retirement home he has to live in in order to go to a wrestling school. Along the way he meets Shia’s character and the two bond as they make their way to the school, trying to avoid the people looking for both of them.

There’s a little violence, but *spoiler spoiler* everything turns out okay.

R163 I saw The Peanut Butter Falcon a couple of weeks ago and I was surprised by how much I liked it.

R 116. The film that taught me the ultimate boy to boy insult. "You play baseball LIKE A GIRL".

Roller Boogie. It's cheesy but it's fun and has a great soundtrack. And lots of roller skating!

Some wonderful titles above! I thought the Holy Trinity would be Pretty Woman The Devil Wears Prada Legally blonde

If you're into classic cinema, "My Man Godfrey" has an 8.0 rating on IMDb and is one of my favorite movies. It's on TCM frequently and I watch it almost every time. Fun Fact: Gail Patrick, one of the supporting actors, was the executive producer of "Perry Mason" for its entire run, but only appeared in the final episode an an extra.

Kiss Me Goodbye; Always; Antonia's Line; Baby Boom

My Cousin Vinny.

A sharp comedy with a delightful turn by Marisa Tomei that earned her an Oscar. Her Mona Lisa Vito is a memorable comic creation.

Swiss Family Robinson

I wanted Fritz to be my boyfriend so much- he was perfect!

To Be and To Have. It’s a 2002 documentary about a schoolteacher and his students in rural France. He teaches twelve kids aged 5-12 or so in a one room schoolhouse. It’s really charming.

The kid below is my favorite- Jojo. He’s so personable.

I hope they do a where are they now 20 years later in 2022.

FREAKS

The most charming cast and the most satisfying ending of any movie I've seen.

I've loved introducing many children to it over the years. Their reactions are always the same. Such a delight for me.

Ebbie’s Story; Miracle At Christmas with Susan Lucci. Where did I put that DVD from1995?

I second Baby Boom, Amelie, and definitely Breaking Away! Dreamer: based on a True Story, starring Kurt Russell and a young Dakota Fanning.

R174 I remember watching that a bunch of times on Lifetime. I remember a year or two later, USA had their own female Scrooge type movie with Cicely Tyson. But, I thought Ebbie was much better. I also liked A Diva's Christmas Carol.

Brassed Off.

A Serbian Film. The whole family can enjoy it.

I miss some of the feel good TV movies that broadcast networks(CBS, ABC, NBC and FOX) made back in the 80s and 90s like Camp Cucamonga, Kids in the Wood, Summertime Switch, etc.

Raising Arizona.

For animal lovers (and Anglophiles) especially:

A STREET CAT NAMED BOB, based on the true story of a recovering addict/street busker and the tomcat who adopts him.

A true classic: The Big Broadcast of 1938

Bob Hope (singing "Thanks For the Memory" for the first time), W.C. Fields, Dorothy Lamour, Martha Raye, Shirley Ross, Ben Blue, Kirsten Flagstad, Tito Guizar, NS host of familiar faces. A transatlantic ocean liner race, with the ship full of "specialty acts" to entertain the passengers. Fields plays twin brothers, and shows off in scenes on a golf course and at the pool table.

Pillow Talk

Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell

What's So Bad About Feeling Good? (if you can even find it)

All movies I first saw as a kid and later enjoyed just as much as an adult.

The original "Hairspray"

R102, "Hoosiers" is the best! "My team's on the floor."

Another vote for "Pride". It was the only film that made me feel gratitude to the writer for telling a story.

A lot of films that center around teens and kids like "Roll/Bounce", "Wonder". "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" was really comforting to me. It stars Lilly James and Michiel Huisman.

Glad to see the love for "Roll/Bounce". It's a very underrated film. Bow Wow was very good in it.

[quote]"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" was really comforting to me. It stars Lilly James and Michiel Huisman.

No Huismandong, I imagine. Any shirtlessness?

I always enjoyed Serial Mom

I don't know that I'd call Serial Mom wholesome, but it's a great movie and very, very DL!

Victor/Victoria

Tootsie!

r172's post put me in my mind of the wondrous SEVEN-UP series. An extraordinary series of being and becoming and the miracle of existence.

Both Paddington movies.

Polyester is rough around the edges but very sweet.

Salo 120 Days of Sodom

Cannibal Holocaust

Irreversible

A Serbian Film

Bambi

Grave of the Fireflies. The story about two plucky kids trying to make it on their own in a rough world.

Psycho

Definitely "The Princess Bride."

Maybe also "Big," "Groundhog Day," and "Back to the Future."

Cinema Paradiso

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) - a standup guy with a boring life goes on an adventure, with a really good soundtrack.

Misery!

[quote]The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) - a standup guy with a boring life goes on an adventure, with a really good soundtrack.

Unlike critics, I really loved Ben Stiller's take on that film. I found it very life-affirming. And surprisingly nice turn by Sean Penn playing someone normal.

[quote]No Huismandong, I imagine. Any shirtlessness?

Definitely no sight of his Dutch dong. I don't remember a shirtless scene, but there's also the good looking Glen Powell and Matthew Goode in small roles. That somewhat makes up for it.

I know Matthew Goode hates it but I love Leap Year. Amy Adams is so cute in it and Goode is too, though he loathes it.

Stepping Out with Liza.

The Trouble With Angels with Hayley

The Pajama Game with Doris.

Agree about Sean Penn in this TSoWM, r202. It reminds me of another movie where I thought it was refreshing to see an actor playing a normal person, against type - Robert DeNiro in The Intern. Light fare, of course, but the first hour or so was entertaining and just pleasant to watch.

"Yours, Mine and Ours" starring Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball as two widowed, middle aged people who both have a slew of kids. They fall in love, get married and attempt to combine their respective families into one family unit. Although Ball's character looks to be in her fifties she gets pregnant, adding another little whelp to the oversized family. This movie was based on a real couple; the real story was not nearly as wholesome and funny as the movie version.

"The Trouble With Angels." Rosalind Russell stars as the Reverend Mother of a Catholic school for girls; the movie is about her trouble controlling two rebellious girls at the school. It's very funny and entertaining and Rosalind Russell should have been nominated for an Oscar for it.

Little Miss Sunshine!

It starts off slow and keeps getting funnier and funnier.

Clueless

Mrs. Doubtfire

I Remember Mama

Meet Me in St. Louis

While You Were Sleeping

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Cinderella (Disney)

Good-bye Mr. Chips (1939)

The Enchanted Cottage

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

Lost Horizon (1937)

Sunday in New York

SPOILER: Final scene from Little Miss Sunshine. When I saw it in the theater the entire audience was howling with laughter. No one saw this coming:

"Portrait of Jenny." While somewhat sad, it's definitely a wholesome, good movie, a lovely fantasy.

"Polyester" and "Serial Mom" are Datalounge wholesome.

Son of Rambow

It’s about two kids- a bully and an outcast, who become friends in order to make a movie for an amateur film contest. They decide on a Rambo sequel called Son of Rambow. One kid comes from a religious family and isn’t allowed to watch tv or movies, but he accidentally sees First Blood and it ignites his imagination and creativity and he jumps in head first into filmmaking with his new friend.

It’s set in England in the 80’s and stars Will Poulter ( Black Mirror Bandersnatch, We’re The Miller’s, Maze Runner, etc) and Bill Milner as the two kids and they’re great.

I haven’t seen it in years, but I remember thinking it was a very funny and charming movie.

R211 I adore Little Miss Sunshine, that's a great choice! I will say though that the ending seems very obvious in that typical Hollywood-American way. Not a criticism as I love the movie, I just can't believe no one saw it coming. It's kinda what we expect out of American movies.

The Point. The animated movie about a little boy who doesn't fit in and his dog. The song "Me and My Arrow" brings me to tears every time.

I just watched “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” this afternoon. The parade scene always cheers me up.

Back to the Future

Paper Moon. It gets a little darker at the end, but it's a masterpiece.

Check out animated movies from Laika Studios and Studio Ghibli.

One of the only Goop movies I like- View From the Top

A cute and silly movie for sure, but definitely enjoyable. It has Mark Ruffalo in it as well- bonus!

"Paper Moon. It gets a little darker at the end, but it's a masterpiece."

By no stretch of the imagination is Paper Moon a "positive, feel-good, wholesome, GOOD" movie. It's about a con man who somehow gets stuck with a bratty little girl who may or may not be his daughter. She becomes his accomplice in his crimes and they travel the towns together, grifting people out of their money during the DEPRESSION. None of the characters were likable or sympathetic; there was nothing "positive" about this movie. And it was no "masterpiece." It was one of Peter Bogdanovich's better efforts, but everything he did was incredibly overrated.

50 First Dates is really cute and unique.

The Black Stallion is excellent.

No one mentioned Romy And Michele's High School Reunion. Maybe not 'wholesome' but it's feel-good.

The Little Rascals

Space Jam

Jumanji (1995, I haven’t seen the new one)

Annie (1982) with Ann Reinking

Murphy's Romance with James Garner and Sally Field

Little Big League

Another vote for a DL fave, "What's Up, Doc?"

By no stretch of the imagination is What's Up Doc? a "Positive, feel-good, wholesome, GOOD movie". It's about a con woman who somehow gets stuck with a ditzy young man who may or may not be in love with her. She becomes his accomplice as they travel a hotel trying to get grant money during a MUSIC CONFERENCE. None of the characters were lickable or sympatico: there was nothing "positive" about this movie. And it was no "DL favorite". It was one of Peter Bogdonavich's bitter efforts, but everything he did was incredulously overacted.

Local Hero

Gregory's Girl

Evil Under the Sun

Murder By Death

Pink Panther Strikes Back

Naked Gun 2 1/2

Oh, Good/ Oh, God Pt. 2

Jack and Jill

The Goodbye Girl

My Favorite Year

The Money Pit

Rocketman

Mamma Mia!

Bohemian Rhapsody

"Breaking Away"

"Benji: The Hunted." Seriously. That dog epitomizes "adorable."

"Shiloh." Gotta love that beagle!

"Babe."

"To Sir, With Love."

"Swiss Family Robinson." (James MacArthur, Janet Munro, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran)

"Third Man on the Mountain." (James MacArthur, Janet Munro)

The last two showcase actors of the great Walt Disney "stable" of the late 50s--60s. Others were (of course) Hayley Mills (in the overlooked great "Moonspinners"), Fred MacMurray, and Dean Jones.

While You Were Sleeping and other 90's romantic comedies.

Shall We Dance and Legally Blonde

Check out the "feel-good police" at R222 and R232.

Kedi - a documentary about cats in Istanbul. It’s available on YouTube.

The Hundred-Foot Journey on Netflix with Helen Mirren. I didn’t read the whole thread so my apologies if this is a duplicate.

I Know Where I'm Going by Powell & Pressburger. One of my all-time favorites. (Also, rather amusingly, one of Martin Scorsese’s faves.)

The Sapphires - also on Netflix.

The Sapphires - also on Netflix.

r241: we've got our eye on you too, missy.

"By no stretch of the imagination is Paper Moon a "positive, feel-good, wholesome, GOOD" movie."

Wrong. Audiences watch Paper Moon with the silliest of grins, it's that completely charming and engaging. We root for them to stay together from the beginning to the end, and, of course, they do.

PERSONAL SERVICES - produced (directed by?) by Terry Gilliam and George Harrison, stars Julie Walters; it's kind of a foretaste of Absolutely Fabulous; it's got some kind of magical quality.

EMPIRE OF THE SUN - the young Christian Bale is just incredible in it.

SLEEPER and EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX by DL fave, Woody Allen.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, the funniest movie ever made.

R240, LOVE "Shall We Dance?"! Richard Gere and J-Lo in their Tango scene? Yowzah!

Bobby Cannavale and Stanley Gucci are hilarious!

Foul Play

I love Bobby Carnival and Stanley Gucci!

Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead

R232, you've not being clever. You're just being stupid. I take it you're a fan of Peter Bogdanovich. Like I said, you're stupid.

" Audiences watch Paper Moon with the silliest of grins, it's that completely charming and engaging. We root for them to stay together from the beginning to the end, and, of course, they do."

Oh, what bullshit. A foul-mouthed little girl who smokes and engages in con games and her con-man partner are "charming" and "engaging?" Maybe YOU "rooted" for them, but I most people who saw this movie realized from the beginning that the little con artist and her mentor will stay together because they deserved each other. They were two of a kind. "Paper Moon" was a nasty little movie with some amusing moments. It was in no way cute, charming, engaging, blah, blah, blah. It was not that kind of movie.

Someone needs to pull a stick out of somewhere.

CATS

R256 Indeed.

About a Boy

Yes, About a Boy!

Schindler's List

Triumph of the Will

WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN - ALMODOVAR.

Paul

"Meet Me in St. Louis." Charming throughout, although little Margaret O'Brien tends to get on my nerves.

R252, Ha! I guess I didn't proof-read! Tucci!

Although I love Stanley Gucci, too. And his prints!

I Spit On Your Grave

Million Dollar Duck- with Dean Jones and Sandy Duncan

The Computer Who Wore Tennis Shoes- original with the adorable Kurt Russell

Son of Flubber- With Fred MacMurray

Herbie Rides Again-a great sequel to The Love Bug

The last two with Keenan Wynn playing the same evil character. They're just fun and I can't imagine not enjoying them.

Irreversable

Kingpin

Best In Show

Office Space

You Again (Jamie Curtis/Sigourney Weaver)

Hall Pass (Farrrelly bros.)

Horrible Bosses (Jason Sudekis)

Spy (Melissa McCartney)

Cedar Rapids (Ed Helms, John C. Reilly)

Another vote for "Spy". I couldn't stand Melissa McCarthy and considered her the sort of performer whom only fat flyover fraud liked, so I resisted watching it for a long time.

I finally gave in and watched it on Netflix a couple of weeks ago and actually found the movie and McCarthy very funny. Rose Byrne was the best thing in the movie and I was kinda hoping the script would surprise us by making Byrne the love interest for McCarthy rather than the bland and tedious Jude Law.

R272. Although it's not a comedy, Can You Ever Forgive Me is a good follow-up. She's less of a sympathetic character, the role had character. I suggest you check it out.

[quote]The Trouble With Angels." Rosalind Russell stars as the Reverend Mother of a Catholic school for girls; the movie is about her trouble controlling two rebellious girls at the school.

I'd also recommend the sequel "Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows", the sequel. While not as good as the original, it is still lots of fun. Russell is in it, along with my favorite nun Mary Wickes. Stella Stevens plays a young nun who leads protests, and Susan Saint James plays a character similar to the one played by Mills in the original. The nuns takes the students on a cross-country bus trip to California. Along the way they have many adventures. Robert Taylor and Van Johnson co-star.

Local Hero, While You Were Sleeping, and My Favorite Year are all on my favorites list as well.

From my childhood, but will watch whenever they're on:

My Six Loves (Debbie Reynolds, Cliff Robertson, David Janssen, Eileen Heckart, a bunch of kids, and a dog)

Walk, Don't Run (Cary Grant [his last movie], Jim Hutton, Samantha Eggar)

Support Your Local Sheriff (James Garner, Joan Hackett, Jack Elam, Harry Morgan, Henry Jones, etc.)

Support Your Local Gunfighter (James Garner, Suzanne Pleshette, Jack Elam, Harry Morgan, Henry Jones, etc.)

Also loved Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (1965 version with Lesley Ann Warren, Stuart Damon, Celeste Holm)

Thank you for posting the CINDERELLA clip, r275. I haven't watched it in some time (though I prefer the original Andrews edition). But more than anything, I absolutely weep at the beauty of the songwriting--the elegant melody, unexpected turn of harmony and purity of sentiment. It puts to shame the crass, pedestrian dreck that passes as musical theatre on our stages (or used to).

Thanks, r275 - Cinderella is a fantastic choice.

The same song from "Cinderella," sung by Julie Andrews and Jon Cypher. It was also broadcast in color, in 1957, but the surviving kinescope of the live performance is in black and white.

It's good to know other besides me like Shall We Dance. I remember the critics hated it. But, I loved it when it first came out on cable.

"Lili" starring Leslie Caron is a sweet movie. Leslie Caron is wonderful in it.

Thanks for Cinderella as well. That's when I fell in love with Lesley Ann Warren -- I was seven!

I wanted to add National Velvet and, of course, the Wizard of Oz.

National Velvet is more charming and deeply affecting every time I see it.

It's expertly directed by the great Clarence Brown.

Wimbledon. I love James McAvoy’s character. So cute.

Speaking of Cinderella, The Slipper and the Rose. Don't know if it holds up but I do love the music by The Sherman Brothers.

Secretariat(?) (2010). I really enjoyed a Diane Lane and John Malkovich in it.

R280, Lili has some charming moments but it requires a huge suspension of disbelief. Lili would have to be either a complete moron or very young and innocent in order to not be able to figure out that the puppets aren't real.

If she's a nitwit that makes her an unappealing heroine, and if she's too young and innocent the story verges on pedophilia.

One of my favorite, severly underrated films is Bruno. Not that garbage movie by Sasha Baron Cohen, the one directed by and starring Shirley MacLaine. It was a lovely, simple film with a great message and a stellar cast (MacLaine, Gary Sinise, Kathy Bates). I read they released it under a different name on DVD but it looks like it is available via streaming services under Bruno.

Catch me If You Can. The last movie that I found Leonardo DiCaprio enjoyable in, both looks- and acting wise. And I know he is not popular on DL, but I thought Tom Hanks was hilarious. There are a few somewhat sappy scenes in the film IIRC, but overall I'd consider it a light-hearted comedy.

"A Matter of Life And Death" (aka "Stairway to Heaven") starring David Niven, Kim Hunter, Roger Livesey, Raymond Massey and Marius Goring as a "flamboyant" Frenchman. It will be on TCM June 20. David Niven's character must argue for his life when he survives a plane crash that he wasn't supposed to.

A movie you never heard of - The Coca-Cola Kid, starring DL fave Eric Roberts.

How could I have overlooked:

"State Fair": The awesome version with Tom Ewell, Pat Boone (shirtless!), Bobby Darin, Pamela Tiffin, and....Ann Margret!

"Bye-Bye, Birdie"---Paul Lynde, Bobby Rydell, and...Ann Margret!

"Journey to the Center of the Earth"---James Mason, Pat Boone (shirtless!).

"Scaramouche"---Stewart Granger in the best sword-fighting scene in cinema!

"Zorro"---Tyrone Power and Basil Rathbone in the second-best sword-fighting scene in cinema, both men being expert fencers in real life. And Ty looks smashing in his dancing outfit with Linda Darnell!

"The Art of Getting By"---Freddie Highmore (cutest smile ever) as a high school slacker.

"Mamma Mia!"---What can I say? It's charming.

Hugo. Asa Butterfield was a great child actor

To Sir, With Love.

Butch Cassidy and Sundance

The Great Race

The Reivers

Thomas Crowne Affair

All the Presidents Men

Flight of the Navigator

I loved this movie as a kid, but it made me afraid of falling asleep in the woods because then eight years would pass like they did in the film.

Zootopia.

The Muppets Take Manhattan, The Great Muppet Caper, Muppets Most Wanted

Any of the movies from Aardman Studios - Flushed Away, Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run

There are a lot of kids' films that do nothing for me as an adult, but these are all very charming.

You left out THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD---the absolute SUPREME sword-fighting scene in Hollywood!!!!!!!!

I'm sure someone mentioned it upthread, OP, but I couldn't miss an opportunity to recommend SALO: 100 Nights of Sodom by Pier Paolo Pasolini

One of the direct to video animated Tinkerbell movies, The Secret of the Wings is pretty good and it's not to cheesy or sappy.

Spencer's Mountain

[quote]One of my favorite, severely underrated films is Bruno. Not that garbage movie by Sasha Baron Cohen, the one directed by and starring Shirley MacLaine.

Entire film, courtesy of Youtube.

"The Quiet Man" with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, directed by John Ford.

Muppet's Christmas Carol with Michael Caine, and Muppet Treasure Island are also beloved favorites.

Mrs. Henderson Presents

fuck u though, R94

I've enjoyed reading this thread. My parents and several friends are addicted to Hallmark movies and I know the main reason people like them is because they are feel good with always happy endings. But, they are really bland when it comes to the writing and acting. I have a friend who can't stand Hallmark movies due to the acting. She said that computer animated movies show better emotional acting than Hallmark movies.

R221 I love that movie. But, these days I find Mark Ruffalo to be insufferable than Goop.

Murder By Death

High Anxiety

History of the World Pt. 1

Local Hero

Gregory's Girl

Airplane

Tootsie

Superman (Christopher Reeve)

9 to 5

I wouldn't call Grave Of The Fireflies a "feel good" movie.

Housekeeping

Started watching Bully and lasted 10 minutes. Terrible.

Apartment Zero

The Silence of the Lambs - It’s a remake about the day Trump supporters shut the fuck up!

[quote]Started watching Bully and lasted 10 minutes. Terrible.

"Bully"? With Nick Stahl and Brad Renfro? In what universe is that movie positive, feel-good or wholesome?

Chef (2014) - sweet movie about a chef who walks out on his job and eventually finds a better life on his own. Very good cast, fun locations, food porn, great soundtrack. Jon Favreau later created The Chef Show on Netflix.

The Gnome Mobile

"Last Year in Marienbad"

Shelter. A low-key gay indie that's usually in the top 10 on favorite gay movies lists. There's something very special about the film.

Babette's Feast

Field of Dreams

The Mighty Ducks

Troop Zero on Amazon Prime wasn’t bad. A little too cutesy maybe, but worth a watch. The lead little girl is pretty talented.

It’s about some misfit kids who start their own Girl Scout troop to try to win a NASA contest to record a message to be sent into space and hopefully discovered by alien life. (Based on something NASA really did in the 70’s). Co-stars Allison Janney, Viola Davis, Jim gaffigan.

Salò by Pasolini

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Clueless, 9 to 5 Grease Overboard Christmas vacation

Bull Durham. Costner’s hotness. And Sarandon may be annoying in real life but I like her in this movie. It’s a fun summery movie.

I don't know if the movie Now and Then fits into the category of feel-good. For the most part it's wholesome and pretty positive ending.

[quote]Salò by Pasolini

It's already been mentioned 3 times. Because you're all just so fucking clever.

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

Hidalgo

Mr. Mom

I love the scene when the mom reaches over to her boss’ plate and starts cutting his meat. It was such a natural instinct for her to cut the meat b/c she had to do it for her kids all the time. Then she got embarrassed for doing it.

The Way, Way Back

Loner, outsider kid finds his place with good people at a waterpark. Sam Rockwell was fantastic. Steve Carell was a dick. Good movie.

[quote]"Journey to the Center of the Earth"---James Mason, Pat Boone (shirtless!).

First movie I saw over and over and over in the theatre, at age 8 or 9. Oh, that lucky sheep!

[quote]"Journey to the Center of the Earth"---James Mason, Pat Boone (shirtless!).

I saw this at a drive-in with my family when I was very young. I usually fell asleep at drive-ins (there were always two features), but this one I remember watching all the way to the end.

It Could Happen To You

One of the few decent Nicolas Cage movies. Bridget Fonda was adorable

“Les Demoiselles de Rochefort” (1967).

Spirited Away & Howl's Moving Castle

The Happiest Days of Your Life

The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T

Holiday (1938)

The Bishop's Wife (1947)

Fantasia

Traffic (1972)

L'Atalante

Peewee's Big Adventure

Edward Scissorhands

The Runaway Bus

Beautiful Thing

Matilda

My Afternoons with Margueritte

The More the Merrier

Pan's Labyrinth

"Yesterday" (2019), wherein everyone gets amnesia or something except this one guy who decides to pretend he wrote all the Beatles songs. I was surprised I liked this because I usually like intense dramas or suspense. It was pleasant.

Smoke Signals (1998). A wonderful film exploring Native American culture and troubled family relationships. Includes sublime storytelling, magic realism, memorable music, and Evan Adams' incandescent smile.

War Horse

It Happened One Night

Overboard.

Legally Blond

Before Sunrise trilogy - ethan hawke

Kiss me Kate- sally field

They're good movies. You can rewatch them.

[quote]Kiss me Kate - sally field

I never miss a Sally Field musical.

"Big Eden" with Ayre Gross and Louise Fletcher.