20 Movies that Make Me Happy

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This week is trying really hard to kick my behind. It has been a really stressful one filled with a lack of sleep, migraines, and an upset stomach.

2020 has not been an easy year so far and for some reason, the past week has been one of the most difficult for me. Still, I can’t let it get the best of me.

When this starts to happen, I know it’s time for me to take control and purposely do things that will help me relax and unwind. So, I spent part of today snuggled in my bed watching some of my “happy movies”.

20 Movies that Make Me Happy

These are 20 movies that make me really happy! They are a sure-fire way of making me smile and laugh and leave my woes behind for a little while.

1. The Goonies – 

In this movie, a group of misfit kids go on a treasure hunt as their last great adventure together before they all have to move away as their homes face foreclosure.

It’s a great story of friendship and never giving up. “Goonies never say die.”

2. Ghostbusters –

I still remember seeing this movie in the theatre with my besties at university. We had such a blast that we went back several more times. Bill Murray makes the movie for me!

After being fired from the university they taught at, three professors launch their own business in hunting and removing ghosts.

And yes, I even like Ghostbusters 2!

3. Sabrina –

The remake or the original are both good but I prefer the original because, well, it’s Audrey Hepburn and I adore her. This is a classic endearing love story that is Audrey Hepburn at her finest.

4. Groundhog Day –

Another Bill Murray film in which he relives the same day over and over again with comic results. Full disclosure: I’m a big Bill Murray fan and there’s very little that he has done that I don’t love.

5. Letters to Juliet –

I’m enchanted by the idea of a wall in Italy where women leave “letters for Juliet”, hoping to get advice on issues of romance from the famous woman of Shakespeare’s Verona.

The budding romance between Sophie and Charlie along with the long-lost romance between Claire and Lorenzo are both so enchanting.

6. Amelie –

Just the use of colour and design in this movie is appealing to the artist in me!

Add to that the character of Amelie (who reminds me of Audrey Hepburn) and this delightful story of her setting out to bring happiness to those around her (and accidentally finding love for herself along the way), and I’m all in!

7. Zombieland –

You’re probably thinking this is a strange choice. I suppose it is but there’s something about this movie that really makes me laugh.

Perhaps it’s partially because my daughter has a very real fear of a zombie apocalypse that I find this extra funny but I pretty much bust a gut from laughter every time I watch it.

8. Pillow Talk –

Doris Day and Rock Hudson. That’s pretty much all it takes for me. And of course it’s one of those classic start-out-hating-each-other-but-end-up-in-love stories.

9. Hocus Pocus –

This is one my daughter and I watch together every Halloween (and usually at least 1 or 2 other times a year). The Sanderson sisters (the witches) are just so campy and silly.

And it’s one of those underdogs becoming the heroes to defeat the evil witches stories that appeal to me.

10. Any of the Ironman/Avengers movies or Sherlock Holmes movies –

Okay, so I have a thing for Robert Downey Jr. So sue me. Being a comic book super hero nerd helps here too.

11. Finding Nemo and Shrek –

Either of these would work well because they’re fun and they have special meaning for my daughter and me. We pretty much know ALL the dialogue in both movies and recite it to each other on a regular basis.

12. Mamma Mia –

The ABBA music alone draws me in here, but I have a serious love for this story too. Mamma Mia 2 is just as fun.

It’s the story of women who think for themselves and take charge of their lives. I love that aspect of it. The fact that the lead character is a single mom raising her daughter on her own is something I can really relate to too!

Add in some gorgeous scenery and I’m hooked.

13. White Christmas –

Yes, I watch this all year round. It’s definitely one of my all-time favorite movies ever.

I love the music and the dancing. The big cinematic musical numbers complete with spectacular costumes and scenery are absolute perfection.

14. Mary Poppins and Mary Poppins Returns –

15. Singin’ in the Rain –

16. Pitch Perfect –

17. Paddington 1 and 2 –

18. Sister Act –

19. The Princess Diaries –

20. Clue –

There are more but these are the definite highlights for me. What about you? What movies would you put on your “happy movie” list?