There is not better feeling on a gloomy day than putting on comfy clothes, making a snack and sitting down to watch a movie that gives you the feels and provides you with a satisfactory feeling inside once it’s done. Movies are not only a great way to disconnect from the world for a couple of hours, but they are also a great medium to cultivate creativity and reflect on life.
We compiled a list of our favourites movies to watch when you feel like putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and experiencing life from a different perspective.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
The first movie on this list is one of our favourite animated movies. Kiki is a 13-year-old witch who moves to a seaside town with her talking cat to complete her magical training. She decided to start a flying courier service, but she struggles with self-doubt, burnout and losing her powers before finding her own inspiration and confidence. This movie reflects a journey for independence and growing up. Watching Kiki overcome several obstacles and regain her confidence it’s both satisfactory and joyful. This is the perfect movie for those rainy days when you need an extra ray of sunshine.
2. Before Sunrise (1995)
Speaking of sunshine, this next movie perfectly encapsulates what a summer day feels like. This is a romantic drama about two twenty-somethings, an American named Jesse and a French student named Céline, they meet on a train in Europe and Jesse persuades Céline to get off with him in Vienna. With no money for a hotel, they wander the city all night, engaging in deep, intimate conversations before Jesse's flight home the next morning. The whole movie it’s just a very long first date for them, it’s intimate and by the time it ends you feel connected to the characters and find yourself relating with them in so many ways. This movie it’s part of a trilogy but the first one holds the most significance and it will get you on your feels, in a good way.
3. Dead Poets Society (1989)
This is my favourite movie and the one that made me fall even more in love with writing. Set in 1959 at the elite Vermont boarding school, Welton Academy, the film follows a group of shy, conformist students whose lives are transformed by their unorthodox English teacher, John Keating. He inspires them to "Carpe Diem" (seize the day), embrace poetry, and forge their own authentic paths. Even though this film makes me incredible sentimental it also provides a sort of reassurance, following your dreams it’s always better than not even trying at all.
4. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
As an avid romcom watcher this is the film I always put on when I want to feel some butterflies. In this 90’s classic teen romcom the new student Cameron falls for the popular Bianca, but her strict father won't let her date unless her anti-social, rebellious sister Kat does. To bypass the rule, Cameron and his rival, Joey, pay bad-boy Patrick to take Kat out. Real romance unexpectedly blossoms between Kat and Patrick, leading to dramatic betrayals and reconciliations. This movie manages to explore so many relatable aspects of the teen love experience that even as an adult I find myself connecting with.
5. Shrek 2 (2004)
This movie it’s a pretty popular pick for a lot of people; it has the balance between funny and heartwarming and it remains hilarious even after rewatching it a million times. I like it more than the first one because it has more characters and the plot it’s perfectly arranged. The story follows Shrek and Fiona after they return from their honeymoon to find an invitation from Fiona’s royal parents, who want to celebrate the marriage. The in-laws are shocked to discover Fiona and Shrek are both ogres. Manipulated by the Fairy Godmother, the King hires a hitman, Puss in Boots, who ultimately befriends Shrek instead. This movie it’s the perfect pick for when you just want to turn off your brain and get a good laugh, it’s ideal for every occasion.
6. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
The movie Fantastic Mr. Fox is based on Roald Dahl's 1970 book of the same name. It follows a witty and clever wild fox who promises his wife that he would stop his thieving ways, but ends up breaking his promise, after encountering three evil local farmers, robbing them and leading his family and neighbours in grave danger. This movie has such a great cozy vibe for fall. From the stop motion animation to the colour grading, Wes Anderson does an amazing job tying together the world of Fantastic Mr. Fox.
7. Howl’s moving castle (2004)
The movie Howl’s moving castle stars a young hat maker Sophie who gets cursed to appear as an old woman by an old witch called, The Witch of the Waste. After being cursed, she seeks refuge by looking for Howl, a wizard who lives in a moving castle. After finding Howl she learns that he too is also carrying a curse as well. As the movie moves to its final moments we see Howl and Sophie fall for each other and as war ravages their land, Sophie and Howl fall in love and ultimately break their mutual curses together. This movie is amazing, and by far has some of the best animation I have seen in a movie as old as it is. The dialogue is straight forward, and simple to understand, yet full of wonder and whimsy, making the story so much more warm and enjoyable.
8. Poetic Justice (1993)
Poetic Justice is a movie starring a young woman named Justice who lives in South Central LA and works as a hairdresser. She has a true passion for poetry that grew after she witnessed the murder of her late boyfriend. Despite her depression, she is convinced by her friend named Lesha to go on a long road trip alongside Lesha, Lesha’s boyfriend, and Lesha’s boyfriend’s friend named Lucky. Despite hating each other at first, Justice and Lucky began to bond over shared experiences with loss and trauma, and eventually fall in love with one another. This movie is unique and beautiful. Its writing is impactful, and it takes its time showing us how Lucky, and Justice grow romantically. The crazy adventures of the four friends on the road trip, and the strong topics this film tackles are heavy, but the setting of the movie, as well as the moments of friendship and connection are so warm and comforting, so it is such a great balance.
9. The Florida project (2017)
The Florida project is a movie that explores the true reality of poverty in America. The film follows a 6 year old named Moonee who lives with her young, unemployed mother named Halley, who is trying her best to provide for her child, the only way she knows how. It's a sad premise, but gives such a nostalgic feel because we see the world of poverty through the lens on Moonee rather than the lens of an adult. The film takes place in the cheap, budget motels in Orlando, Florida, called the “Magic Castle INN’s”, which are located in Disney land. It shows the dreamy setting of Disney, full of youth and colour, but as the viewer, we see what’s actually going on, a single mom who is struggling to provide for her child. It’s sad, happy, comforting, even scary at times. Great colour scale and the shots are very youthful and wide, just like the mind of a child.
10. Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Moonrise Kingdom is a wondrous whimsical coming of age story about Sam Shakusky, a young orphan scout, and Suzy Bishop, a young girl, who fall in love with each other and run away together into the wilderness of New England in 1965. Their escape causes a frantic search, leaving everyone on the island to search for them. The story is simple, but what really makes this movie unique is the camera shots, colour grading, and transition ideas. That along with the odd, straight forward dialogue makes this movie such a great cozy watch. It captures the innocence and confusion of early adolescence, using the visual shots to make the movie feel like how we may have felt as 12 or 13 year olds, trying to act like the adults we seen around us.
All ten of these films share something special, they pull you into worlds that feel deeply alive. They provide that great storytelling that isn't just about what happens on screen, it's about the visual style, music, humor, and quiet moments of human connection that make you feel something.
From animated escapes to grounded, emotional and humorous coming-of-age journeys, each of these movies offers a sense of comfort, warmth, and nostalgia. If you’re looking for stories that stay with you long after the credits roll, throw one of these on your watchlist, grab a blanket, some popcorn, and dive right in!!!
Want More Movie Recommendations?
Take a look at some of our lists of recommendations. All curated to help you explore different films! ✨
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