Top 50 Feel Good Movies To Watch In 2024 [Wholesome Movies]

 

What on earth is a ‘feel-good movie’? Aren’t all movies supposed to make you feel good, in a way? That’s the thing, isn’t it? Movies that don’t contain tragic themes can literally be called ‘feel-good films’. Come to think of it, you can’t feel good about a story unless its characters have something tragic to overcome in it.

 

Funny. So, in this list, we cherry-picked a list of feel-good movies from different genres. You simply must see, or rather feel, what these stories have to offer.

 

 

 

1. La La Land (2016)

 

 

 

This story features an aspiring actress named Mia (played by Emma Stone) as she tries to find her ‘big break’ in the seemingly glamourous world of show business. Journeying with her is a jazz musician named Sebastian (played by Ryan Gosling).

 

In their own ways, the two struggle to make ends meet while holding on to their dreams and ambitions. Modern-day LA serves as the perfect backdrop in this Oscar-winning musical which explores the importance of finding any and all opportunities to further one’s career but also taking a moment to indulge once-in-a-lifetime romances. Dance and song merge with relatable life moments in this regaling production.

 

 

 

2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

 

 

 

A single 30-something Greek woman lives (in Chicago) with her parents and brother. She is part of a large Greek community residing there. Toula Portokalos (played by Nia Vardalos) brings plenty of heart and comedy to her role in this story.

 

One day, she finds herself convincing her dad into letting her enroll at an out-of-town university. There, Toula ends up meeting and falling in love with a man named Ian Miller (played by John Corbett). Their decision to tie the knot ends up causing cultural chaos in Toula’s circle, mainly because Ian has an obvious non-Greek identity which does not (at first) sit well with the rest of the family.

 

 

 

3. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

 

 

 

This unforgettable romance movie features a couple – Harry Burns (played by Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (played by Meg Ryan) – who meet by sheer chance sometime during their final months in college. They later spend eighteen hours in a carpool as they travel to New York.

 

Both of them soon start talking and it becomes clear that they might never get along. Harry believes men and women cannot at all be friends, and that there’s always going to be a sexual element between the two genders. Sally strongly believes otherwise.

 

The next decade sees them meeting on and off without any real plan or purpose. Over time, Harry and Sally become thick friends and start sharing intimate life details with each other. As time goes, they end up falling in love with one another and making love. Things don’t look like they will ever be the same since Harry met Sally.

 

 

 

4. Legally Blonde (2001)

 

 

 

Being president of her sorority, a natural-blonde bombshell, her campus calendar’s ‘Miss June’, a ‘Hawaiian Tropic’ girl, and a profound patron of pets and fashion… Elle Woods (played by Reese Witherspoon) seems to be the perfect ‘girly girl’ beauty queen who can have anything and anyone she wants.

 

She dreams of marrying her longtime boyfriend and someday becoming Mrs. Warner Huntington III. Warner (played by Matthew Davis), however, seems to prefer ‘serious’ women who are in line with his East-Coast blue-blood upbringing. He finds himself being drawn to his childhood friend Vivian (played by Selma Blair), thus jeopardizing what Elle and he have together.

 

When Warner starts pursuing Law at Harvard, he couldn’t have guessed that Elle would (incredibly) pass the entrance test and join the prestigious institute herself. What began as a desire to win Warner back soon leads Elle down a whole new path in life.

 

Before long, she meets and falls for Emmett (played by Luke Wilson) and receives much-needed support from her best bud Paulette (played by Jennifer Coolidge). Elle soon embarks on a self-appointed mission to prove that blondes can do anything they set their mind to, and that the men in their lives don’t define them.

 

 

5. Forrest Gump (1994)

 

 

 

Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks) is a grown man who has his fair share of personal challenges. But he also has a spirit of unrelenting determination that carries him above his limitations. Though naturally disadvantaged, he finds a way to live a normal life thanks in large part to his mother’s (played by Sally Field) care, love, and support.

 

His childlike optimism leaves an indelible impression wherever he goes. Before long, it ends up becoming an inspiration to many. Forrest later harbours romantic sentiments for his childhood friend Jenny Curran (played by Robin Wright). However, this brings its own share of challenges, one that Forrest may never overcome.

 

This movie has plenty of heart, in the truest sense of the word, and features a man trying to make his way through the world despite his shortcomings.

 

 

6. It’s Complicated (2009)

 

 

 

A family event forces a divorced couple to be present in the same room. Their kids are the only reason they even say yes to attending. But one thing leads to another and Jane (played by Meryl Streep) and Jake (played by Alec Baldwin) end up relighting the fire they thought they’d lost.

 

After ten years being divorced, they discover they’re still attracted to each other. As much as they want this part of the family get-together to stay forgotten, it ends up disrupting their personal lives instead. Both Jane and Jake have their own separate romantic interests by this time, but their newfound passion for one another keeps drawing them back.

 

Jane’s desire to nurture a bond with Adam Schaffer (played by Steve Martin) adds comedic value to this unconventional romantic movie.

 

 

7. Bridesmaids (2011)

 

 

 

Maid of Honour Annie (played by Kristen Wiig) is off to attend her best friend Lillian’s (played by Maya Rudolph) wedding. Travelling along are other bridesmaids Helen (played by Rose Byrne), Megan (played by Melissa McCarthy), Rita (played by Wendi McLendon-Covey), and Becca (played by Ellie Kemper).

 

Though Annie’s personal life is in shambles, she manages to put on a happy face for her bestie whom she adores. This story is as touching as it is funny and focuses on not just romance but the love among best friends who will do anything for each other.

 

 

8. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

 

 

 

Plenty of fun and humour abound in this movie featuring Steve Carell (as Cal) and Julianne Moore (as Emily). They are happy together and are practically living the American Dream. Until Emily seeks a divorce from Cal. The man loses all hope of finding love again.

 

He ends up relying on his handsome best friend Jacob (played by Ryan Gosling) who makes bachelor life seem like an art form. Cal slowly learns to navigate the single scene with Jacob’s help, which is not exactly as fruitful or as useful as he needs it to be.

 

 

9. The Princess Bride (1987)

 

 

 

A grandfather shares a fantastic tale with his grandson, a story that’s been passed down from father to son for many generations. As he reads it out loud, the story comes alive around them, taking grandad and grandson on an adventure filled with love and heroism.

 

The gorgeous Buttercup (played by Robin Wright) is the titular Princess Bride. She’s engaged to the intolerable Prince Humperdinck (played by Chris Sarandon) who kidnaps her. Her childhood sweetheart Westley (played by Cary Elwes) is now a dreaded pirate called Roberts.

 

He seems to be Buttercup’s only hope. Westley encourages a thief and his friends to team up to save Buttercup. He also finds and recruits an expert swordsman and a strong giant to help him save her.

 

 

10. The Blind Side (2009)

 

 

 

The movie captures the real-life story of Leigh Anne Tuohy (played by Sandra Bullock) after she adopts and supports a homeless African-American boy named Michael Oher (played by Quinton Aaron). As controversial as it is emotional, the movie redefines inspiration, and what it truly means to connect as human beings regardless of race or gender.

 

Michael’s personal challenges are enough to break most people. His budding passion for football finds an ardent supporter in Leigh who also goes out of her way to ensure that Michael has a loving home. Moreover, she makes sure he gets all the opportunities he needs to do what he loves while maintaining good grades in school so that someday he can outgrow the limitations of his circumstances.

 

When Michael lands the coveted NCAA Division I athletic scholarship, Leigh feels most proud. Even in real-life, Michael became the first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL draft.

 

 

11. 13 Going On 30 (2004)

 

 

 

A teenager’s birthday party can sometimes turn out more humiliating than celebratory. This is precisely what happens to thirteen-year-old Jenna Rink (played by Jennifer Garner) who inadvertently wishes she turns into a thirty-year-old overnight. Her wish comes true with help from a handful of magic dust.

 

She wakes up in a dream apartment with a gorgeous wardrobe and a body to match. She soon learns that not only does she hold an enviable job but also has amazing friends and an athlete boyfriend. Her life seems perfect until Jenna realizes that her true happiness actually rests with her childhood friend Matt.

 

She wrongly assumed that Matt was responsible for ruining her thirteenth birthday. As her thirty-year-old self, she discovers a very different side of Matt. He seems to hold the answers to her heart’s numerous questions.

 

 

12. Death Becomes Her (1992)

 

 

 

Helen Sharp (played by Goldie Hawn) is a writer who has a ‘frenemy’ relationship with actress Madeline Ashton Menville (played by Meryl Streep). Madeline stealing her fiancé Dr. Ernest Menville (played by Bruce Willis) only adds fuel to their never-ceasing fire.

 

A mental breakdown later, Helen vows revenge and plots to kill Madeleine. Circumstances lead both women to the same mystic who gives them a magical cure that returns lost beauty and vigour. However, they also seem to gain a type of immortality where any physical harm done to their person is permanent.

 

Also, they can never die no matter how grave the injury.

 

 

13. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

 

 

 

Rachel Chu (played by Constance Wu) is a well-to-do Chinese-American New Yorker who is en route to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick Young (played by Henry Golding). She is off to attend her best friend’s wedding. Only later does Rachel realize that Nick is one of Asia’s wealthiest men and hails from a prominent family.

 

She soon finds herself a commoner among elites and is constantly tested in multiple ways. Many single women desire Nick, to say nothing of his disapproving mother Eleanor Young (played by Michelle Yeoh), who simply wants the best for her son.

 

Rachel is not surprised when she learns that Eleanor wants Nick to break up with her. This fun story is rife with amusement and heartwarming moments. It was adapted from Kevin Kwan’s novel of the same name.

 

 

14. Dead Poets Society (1989)

 

 

 

Todd Anderson (played by Ethan Hawke), is an unusually shy man who finds himself in a school where his older brother graduated as valedictorian. Neil Perry (played by Robert Sean Leonard), his roomie, is quite popular and twice as bright – his biggest problem is having an overbearing father.

 

Other friends slowly come together, particularly in English class where the new teacher John Keating (played by Robin Williams) is giving them lessons they won’t soon forget. He tells them about the made-up Dead Poets Society, a group of open-minded thinkers who fight against the status quo and see the world through clear eyes. Each of the students takes John’s words to heart and genuinely sees their hearts and minds change for the better.

 

 

15. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

 

 

 

Seven-year-old Olive Hoover (played by Abigail Breslin) has one aim, to become a beauty queen. So when the Little Miss Sunshine beauty contest comes up, she and her supportive family – Sheryl (played by Toni Collette), Frank (played by Steve Carell), and Dwayne (played by Paul Dano) – head out from Albuquerque to California.

 

Their road trip in a 1978 Volkswagen Station Wagon has its ups and downs, and adventures galore. Each of the family members brings their own character quirks to the fore, making for a refreshing and heartwarming story.

 

 

16. The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)

 

 

 

This movie was based on the true story of Christopher Gardner (played by Will Smith in the film). Christopher invests in bone density scanners and believes he’s got things sorted. One thing leads to another and he finds his life is not exactly going on track.

 

As a result, his wife Linda (played by Thandiwe Newton) leaves him. Having lost his apartment but still having custody of his little son Christopher (played by Will’s real-life son Jaden Smith), he strives to succeed in a fast-changing world.

 

Before long, Chris finds himself interning for a stockbroker, a job that does not seem to offer any guarantees of a permanent paid position. Through several months of training, Chris works as hard as he can to stand out in the competitive crowd and make a killing in the stock market, all the while still selling scanners to keep going and provide for his son.

 

 

17. Mamma Mia! (2008)

 

 

 

Using songs from the mega-hit band Abba, this movie delves into the lives and times of a bride-to-be and her mother whose past and present are portrayed through multiple evergreen Abba hits. This musical stars Meryl Streep as Donna, Pierce Brosnan as Sam, Amanda Seyfried as Sophie, Julie Walters as Rosie, Christine Baranski as Tanya, Colin Firth as Harry, Stellan Skarsgård as Bill, and Dominic Cooper as Sky.

 

Unraveling on a gorgeous Greek island, Donna is prepping to give her baby girl Sophie’s hand away in marriage. Sophie, however, wishes her biological father was in attendance. But said father could be one of three men – Sam, Bill, or Harry.

 

Donna is in for a pleasant surprise when her former backup singers – part of Donna and the Dynamos – Rosie and Tanya come over. Donna is even more surprised when all three of her former lovers also head over to the island.

 

 

18. Sleepless In Seattle (1993)

 

 

 

Sam Baldwin (played by Tom Hanks) was recently widowed. After a while, he seeks someone to love again, not just for himself but also for the sake of his son Jonah (played by Ross Malinger). His kid succeeds in putting his dad on national radio asking for a life partner, which results in hundreds of women writing Sam.

 

One of them happens to be Annie Reed (played by Meg Ryan) who’s currently engaged to a man named Walter (played by Bill Pullman) whom she doesn’t prefer. Annie goes out of her way to meet Sam. The sparks between them generate a steady flame worth fanning.

 

 

19. Grease (1978)

 

 

 

The summer of 1958 is almost over and Danny (played by John Travolta) exchanges oaths of eternal devotion with his longtime sweetheart Sandy (played by Olivia Newton-John). They know they’re going to part ways soon and hope to meet again in the future.

 

A sudden change of circumstance reunites the dream lovers at Rydell High for the new term. Ladiesman and leader of the greaser gang T-Birds, Danny finds himself caught between maintaining his Romeo reputation and giving in to Sandy’s one-girl-only love.

 

Outstanding song and dance routines and memorable rom-com moments highlight this cult classic.

 

 

20. Mary Poppins (1964)

 

 

 

Set in Edwardian London, George Banks (played by David Tomlinson) is finding it increasingly challenging to hire a competent nanny for his mischievous children Jane (played by Karen Dotrice) and Michael (played by Matthew Garber). One enchanting evening, a magical woman called Mary Poppins (played by Julie Andrews) arrives at his door.

 

Her disciplinarian aptitude and musical charm bring order to an otherwise chaotic household. She takes the kids on an exciting adventure, and a rather magical one at that. Following her on the journey is a chimney sweep named Bert (played by Dick Van Dyke).

 

Together, they change Jane and Michael’s lives for the better. And they do it all while indulging in unforgettable song and dance.

 

 

21. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

 

 

 

This production kickstarted a new movie fandom for a franchise that was already established in the literary world. The first movie tracks the coming-of-age story of Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe), aka ‘the boy who lived’. He learns that he’s a wizard destined for great things, and all at the ripe young age of eleven.

 

His adopted aunt and uncle, along with their son Dudley, treat him poorly. Harry lost his parents for reasons he later discovers had nothing to do with the ‘car crash’ lie his aunt and uncle told him. Rubeus Hagrid (played by Robbie Coltrane) comes to collect Potter when he is ready to attend Hogwarts, a school for magical learning headed by Albus Dumbledore (played by Richard Harris in the first few HP titles).

 

Danger, friendship, romance, and adventure confluence into one of the richest, most heartwarming, stories ever adapted for the silver screen. This is the first of eight films to carry on the highly acclaimed stories written by the talented J. K. Rowling.

 

 

22. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

 

 

 

The Stratford sisters Bianca (played by Larisa Oleynik) and Kat (played by Julia Stiles) are as different as they come. Bianca wants to start dating but their dad Walter (played by Larry Miller) insists she can only do so if Kat does.

 

This is a well-nigh impossible scenario because Kat is a headstrong intellectual who isn’t interested in silly romantic teenage pursuits. A plan is soon hatched to get Kat to fall in love. Rising to the deceptive occasion is Patrick Verona (played by Heath Ledger) who does it for the money because he too is just as uninterested in high school teen drama.

 

Bianca’s wannabe boyfriend Cameron (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) tries to do right by his desired girl. Meanwhile, Joey (played by Andrew Keegan) is the boy behind the scheme and is poised to break more than one heart with his plan.

 

One thing leads to another and Kat gradually falls for the sullen and mysterious Patrick.

 

 

23. Kate & Leopold (2001)

 

 

 

Kate McKay (played by Meg Ryan) shares her New York life with actor-brother Charlie (played by Breckin Meyer). Her ex, Stuart Besser, lives in an apartment just above hers. Stuart (played by Liev Schreiber) ends up discovering a rift in space-time near the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

He ‘travels’ to the 19th century and starts taking photos. A man living in that era (the 1870s) named Leopold (played by Hugh Jackman) encounters Stuart and is puzzled by his camera device. He secretly follows Stuart back through the space-time rift and into modern-day New York.

 

Now it’s Leopold’s turn to be awe-struck at the sights and sounds around him. He bumps into Charlie who assumes the man is fully committed to being in character and acting the part without a break. Eventually, Leopold meets Kate in her apartment, and a stirring romance blooms between them.

 

They soon see just how perfect they are for one another. But the time comes when one of them has to decide whether or not to leave their actual timeline behind so they can be with the one they love.

 

 

24. Chicago (2002)

 

 

 

When vaudeville star Velma Kelly (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones) is accused of murdering her husband and sister, whom she caught in bed together, she stirs up a media frenzy. Wannabe artist Roxie Hart (played by Renée Zellweger), meanwhile, kills the man (a potential agent) she’s cheating on her husband with.

 

Apparently, he made promises he never intended to keep. Prison beckons, but one or both of the ladies could go free if silver-tongued lawyer Billy Flynn (played by Richard Gere) finds a way to convince the jury of their innocence.

 

Around this time, Matron Mama Morton (played by Queen Latifah) works her own agenda by helping the criminal ladies under her ‘care’. Alibis are twisted and redefined through musical verse and dance routines, creating a realistic portrayal of society, legality, and crime.

 

 

25. Clueless (1995)

 

 

 

Cher (played by Alicia Silverstone) is popular in all the ways that matter. Her social skills are top-notch. However, her grades start to take a hit and she fails to convince a teacher to help her out. She exchanges notes with her bestie Dionne (played by Stacey Dash) to matchmake said teacher with another teacher.

 

Her idea is to help him find happiness so he will feel more inclined to let Cher pass. One thing leads to another and Cher learns there’s more to life than simply being popular. She realizes that love matters and starts to pursue a romance of her own.

 

 

26. Postcards From The Edge (1990)

 

 

 

Hollywood actress Suzanne Vale (played by Meryl Streep) has a substance addiction problem. Under the insistence of her studio, she checks into rehab and later has no choice but to go live with her mother Doris Mann (played by Shirley MacLaine).

 

Doris used to be a star too, but now enjoys her drink more than she does anything else. Suffice to say, Suzanne and she don’t get along. Doris always treated her daughter as if she were still a child, and Suzanne had to fight her way out from under her shadow.

 

One thing leads to another, and the two of them gradually reconcile their differences and learn to understand and appreciate the struggles they each went through in life.

 

 

27. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

 

 

 

Teenager Lara Jean Covey (played by Lana Condor) indulges in high school life in all the expected ways. Until strange letters are mysteriously sent out to her former crushes. Those love letters were extremely private and meant solely for her eyes.

 

Lara later learns that her own sister Kitty (played by Anna Cathcart) dispatched the letters to all the boys Lara loved before. The idea was for Lara to finally find the one who’ll make her happy. Back at school, the boys who received her letters gradually start approaching her.

 

One of the boys is her own next-door neighbor Josh (played by Israel Broussard). Lara finds her life thrown into turmoil as she tries to grapple with a lot of things at once. Things turn complicated, because Josh happens to be Lara’s older sister Margot’s (played by Janel Parrish) boyfriend.

 

Then there’s Peter (played by Noah Centineo), who is her arch-rival Gen’s (played by Emilija Baranac) boyfriend. As challenges unfold, Lara learns to sort through the chaos and find herself.

 

 

28. Sister Act (1992)

 

 

 

Lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier (played by Whoopi Goldberg) witnesses her mob-boyfriend Vince LaRocca (played by Harvey Keitel) kill a man in cold blood. She seeks help from the police and Detective Eddie Souther (played by Bill Nunn) puts her in witness protection.

 

He sends her to the one place where he believes flashy Deloris will be safe from the casino goons, namely to a church run by nuns. In her new temporary home, Deloris exchanges her nightlife glamour for a nun’s habit.

 

She soon befriends Sisters Mary Robert (played by Wendy Makkena), Mary Lazarus (played by Mary Wickes), and Mary Patrick (played by Kathy Najimy). Under the watchful eye of Mother Superior (played by Dame Maggie Smith), Deloris finds the going tough.

 

She joins the choir and gives it a boogie-woogie twist, one that gradually draws attention in both good and bad ways. Good, because people finally come to Church thansk to the new music playing there. Bad, because Vince and his hoodlums finally learn where Deloris is hiding.

 

 

29. Julie & Julia (2009)

 

 

 

The year is 1949, and Julia Child (played by Meryl Streep, and based on the real-life chef of the same name) finds herself in Paris where her diplomat husband has to shift. Wondering how best to spend her time, she takes up cooking lessons at Le Cordon Bleu where she discovers her passion for French cuisine.

 

In an alternate timeline 2002, Julie Powell (played by Amy Adams) is turning thirty and has an unpublished cookbook she strives to complete. Titled “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”, the book takes numerous points from Julia Child’s illustrious career accomplishments.

 

The story goes back and forth between the two women and chronicles their ups and downs in some of the most amazing ways.

 

 

30. Father Of The Bride (1991)

 

 

 

George Banks (played by Steve Martin) is from a middle-class background. His 21-year-old daughter Annie Banks (played by Kimberly Williams-Paisley) is getting ready to wed Bryan MacKenzie (played by George Newbern) who comes from an upper-class family. George grows worried about what life will be like now that his baby girl is leaving home.

 

His wife Nina Banks (played by Diane Keaton) does her best to calm his nerves. However, when the wedding eventually does happen and eccentric European wedding planner Franck Eggelhoffer (played by Martin Short) comes on the scene, George gradually reaches his boiling point.

 

 

31. Singin’ In The Rain (1952)

 

 

 

This movie is set during Hollywood’s ‘golden age’ just as the film industry is transitioning to ‘talking pictures’. The story features celebrities Don Lockwood (played by Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (played by Jean Hagen) who rise to stardom during the silent film era but are left facing a risky transition.

 

The two of them have always made a great on-screen pair, when the films were silent. With ‘talkies’ becoming all the rage, Lina’s high-pitched almost screechy voice stands at odds with her otherwise glamorous appeal. One thing leads to another and Don encounters Kathy Selden (played by Debbie Reynolds) who doesn’t have any real interest in becoming a star.

 

As Don and she get close, Kathy agrees to lend her voice to Lina’s first talking role. Love, friendship, comedy, dance, and song confluence in one of the most unforgettable ways in this timeless movie.

 

 

32. Patch Adams (1998)

 

 

 

The year is 1969, and Hunter Adams (played by Robin Williams) admits himself to a mental institution. He soon starts to help fellow inmates by giving them something to look forward to in life. Once he leaves the asylum, Hunter decides to become a doctor so he can help more people.

 

When he starts medical school, he is appalled by the ‘arm’s length’ attitude they teach students to follow. He believes such an attitude won’t resolve the emotional needs of patients, let alone the quality of their lives. Hunter “Patch” Adams strives to find a better way to help people even if it means risking the rules set in stone by authorities in the medical field.

 

 

33. The First Wives Club (1996)

 

 

 

While attending a mutual friend’s funeral, three ladies reignite their friendship after almost three decades. Elise (played by Goldie Hawn) has become a Hollywood actress. Brenda (played by Bette Midler) remains as mouthy as ever. And Annie (played by Diane Keaton) has turned into a quiet homemaker.

 

All three have one thing in common, they are divorced following their husbands’ infidelity. Finding the courage and inspiration to exact justice from their exes, all three ladies hatch a plot to get even with the men who wronged them by leaving them for other women.

 

They form the ‘First Wives Club’ and find opportunities for soul-satisfying vengeance.

 

 

34. Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)

 

 

When renowned candy and chocolate maker Willy Wonka (played by Gene Wilder) announces his plan to give an all-access tour of his factory to five lucky children, the town goes wild with excitement. He slips five golden tickets into his signature chocolate bars and leaves the field open for luck to choose the winners.

 

Young Charlie (played by Peter Ostrum) hails from an impoverished family. He considers himself genuinely lucky when he later finds one of the tickets. The first one he bought didn’t have one. But, thanks to his grandpa Joe’s (played by Jack Albertson) kindness, Charlie perseveres.

 

He soon finds a dollar bill, buys himself another bar, and strikes gold. Willy Wonka, on the other hand, is silently searching for the right child on whom to bestow his vast inheritance. He observes each of the five kids who won the golden ticket and hopes to find the one who has what it takes to carry on the joyous legacy he’s built over the years.

 

 

35. Big (1988)

 

 

 

Twelve-year-old Josh Baskin (played by Tom Hanks) is convinced that his problems will dissipate as soon as he becomes an adult. A magical card dealt by an enchanted fortune-telling machine called Zoltar changes everything. Josh makes a wish at the local fair where the machine is located and it literally changes his life.

 

He wakes up next morning as the thirty-year-old version of himself. Before long, Josh starts to realize that the adult world is not what he thought it would be. There are commitments to meet, a job to find, and responsibilities to uphold.

 

All the while, he strives to keep his secret safe, namely the truth that he’s a little boy stuck in the body of a man who, in turn, can’t help but see the world through the eyes of a child.

 

 

36. Moonstruck (1987)

 

 

 

Italian-American widow Loretta Castorini (played by Cher) says yes to a proposal of marriage from her boyfriend Johnny Cammareri (played by Danny Aiello). As time goes, she ends up falling for his younger brother Ronny (played by Nicholas Cage). She does everything she can to resist her growing feelings for him.

 

Ronny, however, has revenge on his mind. He wants to get back at his brother for an accident in which he lost his hand. Ronny is soon determined to get Loretta for himself. He pursues her in earnest once Johnny is out of the country.

 

 

37. The Parent Trap (1998)

 

 

 

Pre-teens Hallie Parker (played by Lindsay Lohan) and Annie James (double-acted by Lindsay Lohan) meet for the first time at a summer camp where they realize they’re identical twins. Their British mom is renowned dress designer Elizabeth James (played by Natasha Richardson).

 

Their American dad is winemaker Nick Parker (played by Dennis Quaid). Seeing how their divorced parents have no clue about the other twin’s existence, the girls decide to swap so they can spend time with the parent they never knew growing up.

 

Only later do Hallie and Annie reveal their little deception, which takes their folks by complete surprise.

 

 

38. A Star Is Born (1976)

 

 

 

When rock star John Norman Howard (played by Kris Kristofferson) sees his career going downhill, he realizes his time in the spotlight has come to a close. He has had his fair share of managers and concerts, and enough moments spent on the road doing tours.

 

All of it only made him cynical and bored, though. Until he meets an enchanting singer named Esther Hoffman (played by Barbra Streisand) who is as pure as she is innocent. He guides her toward stardom at the cost of his own career.

 

Before long, the two fall in love. But John soon understands that her success is eclipsing his own chances of making a comeback.

 

 

39. Moulin Rouge (2001)

 

 

 

It is 1899, and a young English writer named Christian (played by Ewan McGregor) is in Paris (particularly in its seedy underworld) to track the city’s Bohemian Revolution. He experiences novel thrills in a nightclub called Moulin Rouge where gorgeous dancers entertain rich and poor alike.

 

Christian can’t help but fall for its star courtesan Satine (played by Nicole Kidman). This sparks off a deadly love affair in which he has to compete with the club’s patron, known simply as the Duke (played by Richard Roxburgh).

 

A love triangle unfolds and Christian does whatever it takes to make Satine his own. However, something bigger than love seems to be guiding Satine’s choices in the matter.

 

 

40. The Birdcage (1996)

 

 

 

Armand Goldman (played by Robin Williams) is the owner of a popular nightclub for the drag-queen community. Albert (played by Nathan Lane) is one of the stars there, and he’s also Armand’s longtime lover. Armand was married to a woman once, a long time ago, and they had a son together.

 

Val Goldman (played by Dan Futterman) comes to see his estranged father to share some happy news, namely that he’s engaged to Barbara Keeley (played by Calista Flockhart). The twist comes when Armand and Albert realize that Barbara is Kevin Keeley’s (played by Gene Hackman) daughter.

 

Not only is Kevin a U. S. Senator, he is also co-founder of the Committee for Moral Order. Two entirely different lifestyles are set to clash when Kevin and his wife Louise (played by Dianne Wiest) fly over to meet Val, who enjoys being gay but has to hide it all from Kevin for the sake of his son.

 

 

41. The Princess Diaries (2001)

 

 

 

An awkward teen and hidden beauty, Mia Thermopolis (played by Anne Hathaway) learns more about the father she never knew growing up. Philippe Renaldi (played by Rene Auberjonois) is apparently the Crown Prince of Genovia, a place Mia never knew even existed.

 

A rival family is after the throne, forcing Queen Clarisse Renaldi (played by Julie Andrews) to find Mia and prepare her to take the reins. Her estranged granddaughter, however, is far from ready for such a royal makeover. Her grandmother is determined to extricate her from being a social misfit and transform her into an elegant and poised Crown Princess of Genovia.

 

Mia finds love in the strangest of places and learns to understand the difference between blood and bloodlines. Through it all, she is supported by her best friend Lilly Moscovitz (played by Heather Matarazzo).

 

 

42. Love Actually (2003)

 

 

 

A variety of characters fall in and out of love, some with the right people and some with the wrong ones. Varied shades of romance and desire prevail in this rom-com where flirting and love merge into an interesting tale, with humanity at the heart of it.

 

The setting is London at Christmas time, and the movie’s assorted characters find themselves enjoying a distinctly uplifting season of giving. The movie stars popular names like Bill Nighy, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Martine McCutcheon, Emma Thompson, Martin Freeman, Sienna Guillory, Kris Marshall, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andrew Lincoln, and Keira Knightley.

 

Each couple goes through the ups and downs of being in a relationship only to finally understand what love means.

 

 

43. You’ve Got Mail (1998)

 

 

 

Kathleen Kelly (played by Meg Ryan) owns a well-known bookstore that prides itself on children’s fiction. Though she and journalist Frank Navasky (played by Greg Kinnear) are together, she is later drawn to Joe Fox (played by Tom Hanks). The two interact via email and a chat room.

 

Before long, fate sees them crossing paths in real life when the new corner bookstore, Fox Books, sells its goods at a discount. This draws customers away from Kathleen’s store. The competitor’s son happens to be Joe. Before long, Kathleen is completely put off by his attitude toward business matters.

 

She also has no clue that Joe and her email ‘pen pal’ and the same person. As time goes, the cat gets out of the bag and romantic chaos ensues.

 

 

44. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

 

 

 

Daniel Hillard (played by Robin Williams) is a caring dad and an eccentric actor. At his son Chris’s birthday party, one thing after another goes wrong, which prompts his wife Miranda (played by Sally Field) to file for divorce. Daniel will hereafter get to see his three kids only once a week.

 

He abhors the whole idea and so decides to put his acting skills to good use. With help from his makeup friend Frank (played by Harvey Fierstein), Daniel transforms head to toe into a matronly woman and applies for the nanny position that his wife posted in the papers.

 

Calling himself Mrs. Doubtfire, Daniel performs a tricky balancing act each time he slips into his new avatar. Additionally, he has to deal with Miranda’s new boyfriend Stu Dunemyer (played by Pierce Brosnan) whom he does not approve of in the least.

 

 

45. Oliver! (1968)

 

 

After being sold to an undertaker, Oliver Twist (played by Mark Lester) finds his life changing for the worse. One evening at the orphanage, the boy gathers enough courage to ask for more food, which only gets him kicked out. Staring at a harsh life on the streets, Oliver’s fate soon leads him to Fagin’s (played by Ron Moody) troupe of child pickpockets.

 

One day, he’s wrongly accused of a robbery by a gentleman, who later takes Oliver in and gives him a chance at a better life. One of Fagin’s old ‘students’, Bill Sikes (played by Oliver Reed), finds Oliver standing between him and life of unbridled crime.

 

This sets in motion a series of dangerous events. Smack in the middle of all this is a bar waitress named Nancy (played by Shani Wallis) whom Oliver trusts and wants to save from Bill’s clutches. This musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’s unforgettable classic is a brilliant deep dive into the human condition and how love can take diverse forms.

 

 

46. Pretty Woman (1990)

 

 

 

Edward Lewis (played by Richard Gere) is a wealthy businessman who has made an art out of corporate takeovers. He later sells the companies slice by slice. During one of his business trips to LA, Edward hires a prostitute named Vivian Ward (played by Julia Roberts).

 

He ends up desiring only her company and nothing else. They indulge in long talks and, soon, Vivian starts accompanying Edward to posh events. One thing leads to another and the two develop romantic feelings for one another. Edward’s immoral business ethics gradually start to shift in the opposite direction thanks to Vivian.

 

 

47. The Sound of Music (1965)

 

 

 

Maria (played by Julie Andrews) has always harboured an interest in becoming a nun. However, when she finally joins an Order, she finds her free-spirited nature at odds with what the nuns expect of her. Her personality gets so difficult for the other nuns to tame that they send Maria away to serve as a governess.

 

The home she goes to belongs to military widower Captain Georg von Trapp (played by Christopher Plummer). Georg runs his household like a strict ship. His seven kids – Liesl (played by Charmian Carr), Louisa (played by Heather Menzies-Urich), Friedrich (played by Nicholas Hammond), Kurt (played by Duane Chase), Brigitta (played by Angela Cartwright), Marta (played by Debbie Turner), and Gretl (played by Kym Karath) – feel overly controlled, but don’t show it.

 

They start to unwind only after Maria enters their lives. Her music helps the kids see the world through wider eyes. The Captain is not happy with this blooming change, but he soon sees the need for it. He even develops feelings for Maria who, in time, returns it.

 

Maria sacrifices her life as a nun to marry the man, whom she believes is more in need of her love and support than anyone or anything.

 

 

48. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

 

 

 

Journalism graduate Andrea Sachs (played by Anne Hathaway) is seeking work in NYC. She has an interview at a major fashion publication (Runway) whose editor-in-chief is the gorgeous, powerful, and intimidating ‘dragon boss’ Miranda Priestly (played by Meryl Streep), who does not tolerate mediocrity or incompetence.

 

One year working for Miranda promises to open a world of opportunities for Andrea, so she begrudgingly attempts to survive her time at Runway. Between fashion shows, galas, gains, and losses, Andrea’s experiences transform her into a new woman. Working with ‘first assistant’ Emily (played by Emily Blunt) and stylist Nigel (played by Stanley Tucci) helps her gradually gain an appreciation for all things style.

 

Before long, she becomes a workaholic which directly affects her relationship with longtime boyfriend Nate (played by Adrian Grenier).

 

 

49. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

 

 

 

When a tornado wreaks havoc through a small section of Kansas, little does Dorothy Gale (played by Judy Garland) and her little dog Toto know that it will whisk them away to a whole new world. They leave the intentionally black-and-white ‘cinemascope’ of her homeland and go to a vibrant technicolour world called Oz.

 

Before long, Dorothy finds herself on a quest to the Emerald City where resides the titular wizard (played by Frank Morgan) who alone has the power to send her back to Kansas. Dorothy is offered this advice by the Good Witch Glinda (played by Billie Burke).

 

Along the way, Dorothy meets three curious characters: Hunk the Scarecrow (played by Ray Bolger), Hickory the Tin Man (played by Jack Haley), and Zeke the Cowardly Lion (played by Bert Lahr). They are each seeking a brain, heart, and courage respectively.

 

Together, they are “off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz.” But dark powers stand in their way, taking the form of the Wicked Witch of the West (played by Margaret Hamilton) who seeks revenge against Dorothy for accidentally killing her sister; Dorothy’s house landed on the other witch upon her arrival in Oz. Musical magnificence, menacing moments, and meaningful melodies define this classic movie.

 

 

50. Matilda (1996)

 

 

 

The unusually intelligent Matilda Wormwood (played by Mara Wilson) finds herself in a family who barely understands her, let alone accepts her love of learning. Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood (played by Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, respectively) are grubby folk who are as distanced from their daughter and her needs as they are from each other.

 

Only Matilda’s teacher Miss Honey (played by Embeth Davidtz) sees potential in the little girl and actively supports her. However, sadistic principal Trunchbull (played by Pam Ferris) runs a ship so tight it might as well be sunk. Matilda soon grows fed up with Trunchbull’s cruelty, to not only the other students but also to Miss Honey.

 

The little girl soon unleashes a magical power she never knew she had. Matilda’s penchant for telekinesis (moving objects with her mind) thus comes into play. When the time is right, and with Miss Honey’s help, Matilda escapes the destructive cycle of her life and goes to live with Miss Honey with whom her true potential promises to shine.