David Farnor | On 13, Nov 2020

Let’s face it. Sometimes, life isn’t easy. Sometimes, there isn’t an easy solution. Sometimes, elections, referendums or other global events seem completely beyond your control. And sometimes, you just need something to distract you, cheer you up and make you feel that bit better about the world.

For any emergency you may encounter, here are the best feel-good movies on Sky Cinema and NOW:

The Shawshank Redemption

Wrongly convicted, Andy Dufresne is sentenced to two life terms in Maine’s Shawshank prison. He learns how to get by in the brutal confines of prison while earning the respect of his fellow inmates, most notably lifer Red. Based on the Stephen King novella of the same name and starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, this stirring drama is one of the best films of the last 30 years.

Babe

A timeless family-friendly fable that walks a tightrope between sweetness and unexpected darkness.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

This impossibly enjoyable sequel is a pure blast of feel-good movie magic.

Forrest Gump

To be watched while holding a box of chocolates and eating a can of Bubba Gump Shrimp.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

In this groundbreaking blend of animation and live action, Bob Hoskins plays a gruff gumshoe, who agrees to take on the case of a cartoon star who’s been framed for murder. Wonderful.

Toy Story 4

Pixar’s animated sequel still has bucketloads of heartfelt charm to spare.

Jerry Maguire

“Show me the money!”

Groundhog Day

Harold Ramis’ comedy about a weatherman who finds himself reliving the same day over and over again is funny, sweet, profound and features a superb central turn from Bill Murray. A verifiable classic.

Airplane!

For sheer gag-per-minute count, this fast-paced comedy is one of the funniest movies ever made.

Mean Girls

This knowing high-school movie about a new girl trying to fit in, only to end up in the wrong clique, is an instant cult classic with endlessly quotable dialogue.

Matilda

Danny DeVito’s Dahl adaptation of Roald Dahl’s kids’ classic crackles with the same electricity as the book.

School of Rock

Jack Black is on winning form in this film about a failed musician who tricks his way into becoming a supply teacher educating children in how to play music. The result is a supremely silly comedy in which kids learn to rock, a loser learns to care, and director Richard Linklater captures the sheer joy of performing music.

The Naked Gun

The late Leslie Nielsen at his finest.

Roman Holiday

A day out on the town with Audrey Hepburn? William Wyler’s romantic comedy, which stars Gregory Peck as a reporter who crosses paths with a runaway princess, is a delightful, charming ride.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Paul Newman as Butch and Robert Redford as Sundance make the story of these Wild West outlaws as funny as it is flashy in this fantastic Western by George Roy Hill and William Goldman. The performance of Bacharach’s Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head, complete with bicycle, seals the deal.

The Wizard of Oz

This flawless family classic is a fantastic treat for all ages.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood

Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys are superb in this beautiful, heartfelt tale of kindness and compassion trumping cynicism.

The LEGO Movie

Everything really is awesome in this hilarious, subversive and endlessly inventive animation.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Matthew Broderick is iconic form in this comedy about a high-school slacker who skips school for a day in Chicago.

Love Actually

For all its cliches, Richard Curtis going full Richard Curtis in this festive Advent Calendar ensemble is irresistible, actually.

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