5 Movies That Will Make You Happy

Whether or not we admit it, we all have it – a go-to movie that we pull out when we’re having a bad day.

No, I’m not just talking about chick flicks. I’m talking about movies that make us laugh, help us forget our troubles and put us in a good mood. Some people call them favorites, some people call them guilty pleasures…whatever you call them, here are 5 films that are sure to put a smile on your face no matter what.

Dancing minions, inventions gone wrong, a fluffy unicorn…this CGI animated feature, starring Steve Carell as the voice of Gru (a down-and-out thief who unintentionally ends up adopting three orphan girls) will not only make you laugh, but it will make you realize how much you can enjoy a kid movie without, well, feeling weird about it.

The best part about Despicable Me is that it doesn’t take itself seriously. When the movie came out in theatres, I went to see it with three of my girlfriends (all of us in our late 20’s) and we didn’t stop laughing throughout the entire film. You forget that you’re watching something that is primarily geared towards a younger audience, as the movie embraces its over-the-top moments in ways that appeal to both adults and children alike.

Listening to Julie Andrews sing puts a smile on my face no matter what the context is, so it’s no surprise that this movie makes the list. The story of a flighty nun who becomes a fixture of joy and hope for the Von Trapp family, The Sound of Music is both a sentimental and wholesome film. Its ability to weave a story that combines stage music with historic villains and a strong family appeal has helped it to remain a classic, years after its release.

The Sound of Music is the ultimate feel-good feature. In the days before big budget films and gaudy special effects, it exists to remind us about the simple enjoyments in life – the beautiful scenery of Austria, the love of small things, and the power of optimism in the face of danger.

Described as “a little film with a big heart,” the story of a dysfunctional family’s road trip across the country for their youngest daughter’s beauty pageant competition burst onto film festival scenes in 2006 and instantly became a hit among critics and fans.

On the surface, Little Miss Sunshine may not look like your “go-to happy film” but that’s part of its quirky and humorous charm. A large reason of why the movie was successful was because between all the eclectic characters, you could find yourself relating to at least one person throughout the film. The realness of their interactions make you laugh, even in the strangest of places, and the movie finds it way into your heart – reminding you of just how important your own family is in your life.

Admittedly, this may be my one of my favorite “go to” happy movies. What can I say? I’m easy to please.

Reese Witherspoon stars as Elle, a California sorority girl. After her long-time boyfriend Warner dumps her for someone “smarter,” she follows him out to law school at Harvard determined to win back his heart. Yes, Legally Blonde can be classified as a chick flick…but it’s not all fluff.

The film itself has merit. It’s smartly written, has fun characters, some great moments (bend and snap, anyone?) and sends a great uplifting message. Plus, there’s no way that you won’t smile at the end trial scene. Seeing Elle’s transformation from sorority girl to Harvard bookworm reminds us that we can do anything we set our minds to.

The magic of Enchanted is that it starts out in a completely animated world – the type where you think you’ve been thrown into a re-creation of a Disney film. By the time Giselle is thrown into the “real world” (aka, Manhattan) thanks to some magic by her evil stepmother, the movie takes on a different spin entirely. Giselle struggles to adapt to both her new lifestyle and the decision of whether to marry animated Prince Edward, her “true love’s kiss” or human Robert, the New York lawyer she has fallen in love with.

The best parts (and the ones that will make you smile the most) are when the real-life moments turn into those that would be found in an animated feature: an impromptu song and dance number through Central Park, a Cinderella-esque apartment cleaning segment (where instead of birds, bunnies and squirrels, the helpers are rats, mice and pigeons.) But the real source of happiness in this film is Amy Adams, who is delightfully perfect as a “fish out of the water” Disney princess and makes you smile with every scene.

Of course, the best part of the film for me personally was Patrick Dempsey’s dancing at the end, but we’ll try to leave the fangirl in me out of this article.

What’s the one movie you go to when you need to watch something happy? Is it an animated feature? A fantasy film you’ve seen ten times over and know by heart? Something involving a favorite actor? A chick flick? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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