Though some movies are entrenched in realism and are meant to make the audience think critically about the world, many of these projects offer refuge from everyday life. Whether they’re otherworldly fantasy adventures or thebest underdog moviesabout overcoming adversity, these titles will provide comfort and a reliably uplifting story no matter when you watch them. Based on real life, books, or beautifully imagined worlds that are gorgeous to witness,it’s always a joy revisiting these films.
While somemovies have both bittersweet and uplifting endings, these projects shine because they’re full of kindness and possibility all the way through. Even when the characters experience struggles, these films impart positive messages about weathering this and proving your strength.By the end of these movies, viewers will feel moved and ready to take on their lives,using the themes and messages that the stories imparted to give them courage and inspire them to find joy in the small moments of life.
Though the sweeping fantasy trilogy,Lord of the Rings, is long and full of intensity, the first movie,The Fellowship of the Ring, is the most comforting installment.Chronicling the beginning of Frodo’s (Elijah Wood) epic journey to destroy the One Ring,The Fellowship of the Ringspends plenty of time in the Shire and Rivendell, two of the most beautiful and welcoming settings in the story. J.R.R. Tolkien includes much more action and violence in the later installments, makingThe Fellowship of the Ringeasier to rewatch.
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The soundtrack and music cues in the Lord of the Rings trilogy are some of the best examples of film scoring in cinema history alongside their scenes.
Fantasy films likeThe Fellowship of the Ringcraft exciting worlds audiences can escape intowhen the real world is too much to handle. Though the fictional elements ofThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ringdo reflect contemporary issues, they’re also different enough that viewers can take refuge in their narratives. Though the movie can be watched as a standalone, it’s also easy to continue Frodo’s adventure in the following two films.
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
92%
95%
Few movies have the longevity and legacy ofBack to the Future,the iconic movie starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a teenage boy who gets sent back in time. ThoughBack to the Futureutilizes many classic tropes of the time travel genre, most contemporary time travel shows and films wouldn’t exist today without this project. No matter how many times you seeBack to the Future, the humor and charisma of the cast and the story hit home.
Fox is joined by Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown,the offbeat scientist who serves as Marty’s friend and fellow outcast. During Marty’s time in the past, not only does he learn more about his parents and better understand them, but he also sees how the cycles of their family’s problems can be broken. The style and aesthetics of the 1980s and 1950s makeBack to the Futureimmersive and unforgettable, and the story has proven itself to be worth remembering many times.
Back to the Future (1985)
93%
A young Keke Palmer stars as Akeelah inAkeelah and the Bee,demonstrating her star power and talents early on in her career. She’s joined by icons like Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett, who play Akeelah’s spelling coach and mother, two authority figures pulling her in different directions. Through the lens of the spelling bee and Akeelah’s skills as a competitor, the movie takes on real issues of race and class and Akeelah’s struggle to find her place in the world and her family.
Despite being targeted toward young viewers,Akeelah and the Beecan teach audiences of all ages about the universal themes of self-acceptance and familial love.
All ofKeke Palmer’s best moviesshowcase a different side of the actress, and returning toAkeelah and the Beeremains nostalgic and engaging all these years later. Despite being targeted toward young viewers,Akeelah and the Beecan teach audiences of all ages about the universal themes of self-acceptance and familial love. Those who grew up watching the movie hold a special place in their hearts for the project, while new audiences still fall in love with the story today.
Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
86%
81%
Jack Black is at his best inSchool of Rockas Dewey,the unlikely substitute teacher who discovers that his love of music is a gift he can give his students. Though his plan to make his class into a rock band gets off to a rough start, beginning as a selfish endeavor, Dewey learns a lot from the kids and the other teachers. Music is a way for the kids to gain confidence, while Dewey understands the power of connection and thinking about others.
Written by Mike White and directed by Richard Linklater,it’s easy to see howSchool of Rockbecame such an instant classic with amazing creatives behind and in front of the camera. Though the narrative is ultimately moving and emotional,School of Rockis a comedy first and foremost, making good use of Black’s comedic timing. The film mines every moment for laughs but is laughing with the misunderstood kids, cheering for them as they come into their own.
School of Rock (2003)
64%
Jane Austen purists might balk at the changes that the 2005 feature adaptation ofPride & Prejudicemakes to the text, but these alterations are what helped translate the work to the screen. While there have been many takes on Austen’s seminal romance, the 2005 iteration, directed by Joe Wright and starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, is considered one of the definitive works.Twenty years after the film first premiered, it’s lost none of its dynamic romanceand emotional realism.
Visually,Pride & Prejudiceis stunning, taking the period piece genre and making it appeal to a wide array of audiences.
The central performances from Knightley and Macfadyen as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy explode with chemistry, making it easy to see how these characters could fall in love. Visually,Pride & Prejudiceis stunning, taking the period piece genre and making it appeal to a wide array of audiences. While the movie owes the timeless nature of its story to Austen, the way the narrative unfolds onscreen makes it the perfect project to get lost in.
87%
89%
Moonrise Kingdomis one of Wes Anderson’s most warm and inviting movies,welcoming the audience into his idiosyncratic and perfectly crafted world without sacrificing emotional realism. Following the story of Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward), two adolescents who feel isolated and misunderstood,Moonrise Kingdomsees the adults in their lives learn from their daring attempts to find a connection. Set against the backdrop of a beautiful summer and imagery of camp,Moonrise Kingdomdrips with nostalgia.
The sprawling ensemble cast includes many of Anderson’s frequent collaborators,like Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman.Moonrise Kingdomis truthfully acted by every actor, both embodying the coming-of-age genre and transcending its tropes. Anderson andMoonrise Kingdomare sometimes criticized for keeping the audience and emotions at arm’s length, but it’s in the unexpected moments of vulnerability that this veneer fades away. By the film’s conclusion, the audience has been let in and is moved by the characters' evolution.
Though it’s been many years since the film first premiered,watchingKiki’s Delivery Servicefeels like coming home. This magical coming-of-age tale has universal themes and emotional resonance no matter how old you are. Following the young witch Kiki as she strikes out on her own and attempts to make it as a witch away from home,Kiki’s Delivery Servicesees her struggle to adapt to these changes.She meets many friends and confidants along the way who teach her about the important thingsin life.
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Like every Studio Ghibli film,Kiki’s Delivery Serviceis a feast for the eyes,crafting a gorgeous world that audiences will want to curl up inside. Though the movie is defined by its atmosphere and soothing tone, Kiki goes through a lot and has to navigate a wide world she isn’t prepared for. However, by the end of the film, she’s found her place in her new city and learned that life is full of many different kinds of magic.
98%
Disney’s remake of the 1963 movieThe Incredible Journeybrings the story to a new era and is a reminder of how timeless the narrative is.Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journeyfollows the adventure of Chance, Shadow, and Sassy, a trio of pets who embark on a terrifying odyssey to find their humans and be reunited with their family. Anchored by voice work from Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, and Don Ameche,it doesn’t take long to get attached to the pet protagonists.
Homeward Boundkeeps you on your toes with hints of loss and near-missesthat tug at your heartstrings as the animals cross treacherous terrain. However, like any good Disney film,Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journeyends with a beautiful message and a happy ending, reminding the audience of the bond between animals and people. Though it’s meant for children, the movie can be watched well into adulthood and feel just as poignant.
71%
Based on the seminal children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett,The Secret Gardenis a rich and vivid adaptation of the work, full of friendship, love, and reverence for the natural world.The perfect movie to watch as the seasons change from winter to spring,The Secret Gardenfollows the story of the young Mary (Kate Maberly) when she arrives at her uncle’s estate following the death of her parents. Mary and the other characters in the film are cold and fearful of love, slowly thawing with the world as the movie progresses.
The Secret Gardenfinds a delicate balance between being emotionally truthful without ever becoming saccharine.
Mary’s development as a character is mirrored by her discovery and care for the titular garden, which helps her connect with others and encourages her uncle and cousin to do the same.The Secret Gardenfinds a delicate balance between being emotionally truthful without ever becoming saccharine. This is what allows the film to stand the test of time and impart a sense of comfort and familiarity with every viewing.
80%
Based on the true story of the unsung scientists and mathematicians who contributed countless hours of work to the Space Race,Hidden Figuresis a tale of triumph over adversity.The real people the story is based on, Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson,are brought to life by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe in the film. The chemistry between the actresses and their incredible performances do justice to the weight ofHidden Figures' narrative.
Hidden Figuresdoesn’t shy away from the rampant discrimination and racism these women facedand touches upon the fact that they deserved the recognition the film gave them many years ago. However, it’s still uplifting and unforgettable to watch the movie, as it leans into the feel-good genre, offering a full portrait of these women and their experiences. No matter how many times you revisitHidden Figures, it doesn’t lose its potency.
