Trying to find a good movie to watch onNetflixis hard enough, but trying to find, specifically, ahappymovie to watch on Netflix can be extra difficult. Sometimes you just need a pick-me-up, and the right film at the right time can do wonders to improve your mood. That’s the power of storytelling, especially on a feature-length scale, and Netflix isn’t lacking in films that make you happy without forsaking quality. Below, we’ve assembled a curated list of the very best happy movies to watch on Netflix, from comedies to blockbusters to little-seen indies.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out our list of bestcomedies,rom-coms,family movies, orbest movies overallon the platform.
Editor’s note: This article was updated October 2023 to include You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)
Runtime: 1 hr 53 min |Genre: Animated Sci-Fi Comedy |Director: Michael Rianda, Jeff Rowe
Cast:Danny McBride, Abbi Jacobson, Maya Rudolph
If you are looking for a movie to put a smile on your face, it is impossible to go wrong with the vibrant animated comedyThe Mitchells vs. The Machines. Clever, sweet, and endlessly funny, it follows a family who must take on the robot apocalypse while also working through their own internal dysfunctions. There are just so many great sequences from start to finish that fully embraces the creative potential of animation, proving to be a love letter both to the form and to movies generally. Even if you have seen it before, there just is so much packed into every single frame that it rewards going back to it again and picking up on some visual gags you might have missed the first go around. It is also incredibly honest about family and the struggles of growing up, making it one that hits home amid all the goofiness going on. The heart and humor go hand-in-hand, making it one of the very best animated movies of recent memory. —Chase Hutchinson
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You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023)
Runtime: 1 hr 43 min |Genre: Comedy |Director: Sammi Cohen
Cast: Adam Sandler, Idina Menzel, Jackie Sandler, Samantha Lorraine
A coming-of-age story with the entire Sandler family in its cast,You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvahis a comedic diversion forAdam Sandlerin a family-friendly tale about two fighting teens, Stacy (Sunny Sandler) and Lydia (Samantha Lorraine), who destroy their chances at a dream Bat Mitzvah because of their rivaling attempts to woo a popular boy. A heartwarming reminder of what it’s like to be a teenager,You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvahexcels by comedically capturing the family dynamic at its story’s core, with directorSammi Cohenbringing out the best from a cast containing feature film first-timers. Also finding the time to teach about the Jewish faith,You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvahis a whole heap of endearing fun. -Jake Hodges
Matilda the Musical (2022)
Runtime: 1 hr 57 min |Genre: Family, Comedy |Director: Matthew Warchus
Cast: Alisha Weir, Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch
Musicals are typically difficult to translate to film, but Tony Award-winning directorMatthew Warchus(Pride) takes the stage musical based on the classicRoald Dahlbook and delivers a dynamic and uproariously fun adaptation.Matilda the Musicalfollows a rambunctious young girl, played byAlisha Weir, who loves to get lost in books. But when she is sent off to a drab new elementary school under the tyrannical rule of headmistress Miss Agatha Trunchbull (Emma Thompson), she rallies with the other kids to take back control of the school. Guiding Matilda along the way is Miss Honey (Lashana Lynch), who helps her embrace who she is. –Tauri Miller
A Tourist’s Guide to Love (2023)
Runtime: 1 hr 36 min |Genre: Romance Comedy |Director: Steven Tsuchida
Cast: Rachael Leigh Cook, Scott Lý, Missi Pyle, Ben Feldman
DirectorSteven Tsuchidatakes audiences on a romantic jaunt across the globe inA Tourist’s Guide to Love.Rachael Leigh Cook(She’s All That) stars in the filmas Amanda Riley, an executive sent undercover to learn about the tourism industry in Vietnam. Centered around travel and romance,A Tourist’s Guide to Lovefollows as Cook’s Amanda handles heartbreak while embarking on her journey towards resilience and a second chance at love. Written byEirene Donohue,A Tourist’s Guide to LovealsoMissi PyleandBen Feldman, along withScott Lýas Sinh Thach, a charmingly charismatic tour guide in Vietnam.– Yael Tygiel
Dumplin’ (2018)
Runtime: 1 hr 50 min |Genre: Comedy Drama |Director: Anne Fletcher
Cast: Danielle Macdonald, Jennifer Aniston, Odeya Rush, Maddie Baillio, Bex Taylor-Klaus
Based onJulie Murphy’s fantastic book,Dumplin’is a love letter toDolly Partonand Drag Queens, as well as a truly sweet film sharing a beautiful message about being yourself in the face of societal expectations and confronting unattainable beauty standards. Dumplin’ follows a lonely plus-size teenager named Willowdean Dickson (Danielle McDonald) and her beauty pageant-winning mother (Jennifer Aniston), who calls her Dumplin'. Also featuringOdeya Rush,Maddie Baillio, andBex Taylor-Klausand directed byAnne Fletcher,Dumplin’is a touching film ideal for all young women, regardless of their relationship with their mothers.– Yael Tygiel
Love Hard (2021)
Runtime: 1 hr 44 min |Genre: Romance Comedy |Director: Hernán Jiménez
Cast: Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang, Darren Barnet, Harry Shum Jr.
Nina Dobrev(The Vampire Diaries) stars in the adorably charmingLove Hard,a romantic comedy based on the trope of mistaken – and in this case misleading – identity.Love Hardupdates the common narrative with a modern perspective, setting up the story through contemporary technology like dating apps. DirectorHernán Jiménezexpertly utilizes the comedic talent of his stars, including underrated comedianJimmy O. Yang(Silicon Valley), whose character catfishes our lovelorn main character by pretending to look like heartthrobDarren Barnet(Never Have I Ever).Love Hardis an engaging and lighthearted love story with a wonderful message and an even better cast.– Yael Tygiel
Look Both Ways (2022)
Runtime: 1 hr 50 min |Genre: Romantic Comedy Drama |Director: Wanuri Kahiu
Cast: Lili Reinhart, Danny Ramirez, David Corenswet, Aisha Dee
One moment can change your life forever, andLook Both Waysexplores this concept in a fun and charming way. The movie revolves around Natalie (Lili Reinhart), who spontaneously has sex with her best friend Gabe (Danny Ramirez). A few weeks later, on graduation night, she takes a pregnancy test. The film explores both what Natalie’s life would be like if it was positive and if it was negative, showing us how both would play out over the next several years.Look Both Wayssucceeds in that both stories are equally compelling and fleshed-out with their own unique triumphs and challenges. The focus on Natalie’s animation career dream is especially refreshing. –Taylor Gates
The Prom (2020)
Runtime: 2 hr 10 min |Genre: Musical Comedy |Director: Ryan Murphy
Cast: Meryl Streep, Jo Ellen Pellman, Ariana DeBose, Nicole Kidman
The film version of the hit Broadway musical premiered on Netflix in 2020. In rural Indiana, a gay teenager, Emma, is turned away from her prom after wanting to bring a same-sex date. In New York, a bunch of self-righteous actors down on their luck decide to make Emma their cause in hopes of rehabilitating their image. As the overdramatic troupe arrives in town, what they find is a kid who actually needs their help, and if they put their egos aside, they may actually be able to do some genuine good. A worthy adaptation of the stage show with an all-star cast,The Promis a great way to celebrate Pride and the joy of accepting people, old and young alike, for who they really are. -Jennifer McHugh
The Half of It (2020)
Runtime: 1 hr 44 min |Genre: Coming-of-Age Comedy-Drama |Director: Alice Wu
Cast:Leah Lewis, Alexxis Lemire, Daniel Diemer, Wolfgang Novogratz, Collin Chou
In the small town of Squahamish, Ellie (Leah Lewis) lives with her father, who hasn’t been the same since her mother passed away. Ellie doesn’t have many friends but uses her skills as a writer to do homework assignments for her peers in exchange for money. When Paul (Daniel Diemer), a football player, approaches her with an unusual request – write love letters to his crush, Aster (Alexxis Lemire) – Ellie hesitates to do something so personal. However, given Paul’s not-so-smooth way with words and Ellie’s desperate need for extra cash to help her family, she begrudgingly agrees to help him. As Ellie and Aster correspond with each other, first via letter then through text message, feelings start to blossom – but not between whom you might expect in this scenario.The Half of Itis the kind of quirky queer romance I wish I had growing up. It’s a refreshing coming-of-age movie that is about friendship and self-acceptance just as much as it is about young love. -Brynna Arens
Carrie Pilby (2016)
Runtime: 1 hr 38 min |Genre: Comedy-Drama |Director: Susan Johnson
Cast: Bel Powley, Nathan Lane, William Moseley, Vanessa Bayer, Desmin Borges, Jason Ritter
Sometimes, you just need to get out of your shell. Based on the popular novel of the same name byCaren Lissner,Carrie Pilbyfollows the reclusive and stubborn Carrie Pilby (Bel Powley), a young New Yorker with a high intellect who is strongly averse to change and adventure. In an effort to get Carrie to embrace and experience the beautiful messiness that is life as a 19-year-old, her therapist Dr. Petrov (Nathan Lane) assigns her a series of tasks to accomplish one by one, which include everything from buying a pet to going on a date. This delightful and charming film will make you laugh, cry, and most importantly, appreciate the little things. -Emily Bernard
