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25 Best Movies to Watch When You're Sad

Cinematic comfort food — guaranteed to lift your spirits.

Updated March 23, 2026 · ThumbScore Editorial

1

Paddington 2 (2017)

A warm hug in movie form

2

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Pure optimism and warmth

3

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Bursting with charm and heart

4

School of Rock (2003)

Overwhelmingly positive, warm hug

5

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Charm and heart, incredibly rewatchable

6

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

Pure optimism and warmth

7

Legally Blonde (2001)

Never fails to lift your spirits

8

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Wholesome and positive energy

9

Chef (2014)

Pure optimism, perfect antidote

10

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

Bursting with charm

11

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Ultimate comfort watch

12

The Princess Bride (1987)

Wholesome and positive

13

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Bursting with charm

14

Matilda (1996)

Lovable characters, incredibly rewatchable

15

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Iconic moments, positive message

16

Babe (1995)

Wholesome positive energy

17

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Ultimate comfort watch

18

The Goonies (1985)

Bursting with charm and heart

19

A Hard Day's Night (1964)

Wholesome positive energy

20

Mary Poppins (1964)

Iconic, warm hug in movie form

21

Shrek (2001)

Overwhelmingly positive message

22

Toy Story (1995)

Bursting with charm

23

Ratatouille (2007)

Wholesome positive energy

24

Up (2009)

Wholesome and positive

25

Coco (2017)

Bursting with charm, incredibly rewatchable

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26

The Shawshank Redemption

1994

87%

27

1972

87%

28

Schindler's List

1993

86%

29

The Godfather Part II

1974

86%

30

1957

86%

31

2014

85%

32

1994

85%

33

1994

85%

34

2019

85%

35

1999

85%

36

2001

85%

37

1990

85%

38

2016

85%

39

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

1995

85%

40

1954

85%

41

1999

84%

42

2014

84%

43

Life Is Beautiful

1997

84%

44

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

1975

84%

45

Howl's Moving Castle

2004

84%

46

2002

84%

47

2002

84%

48

Grave of the Fireflies

1988

84%

49

Once Upon a Time in America

1984

84%

50

Cinema Paradiso

1988

84%

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