Keeping up with the news in 2025 can cause side effects.
Nausea. Anger. Disillusionment. Fear. The desire to leave civilisation behind, run to the woods, befriend a squirrel, and never come back. We’ve all been there.
When the real world becomes too much to handle, a little escapism can go a long way. And if you pick your entertainment carefully, your downtime won’t just be relaxing. It will put a big smile on your face.
On that note, we’ve gathered 10 uplifting movies guaranteed to temporarily restore your faith in humanity. That’s exactly what you need at the end of a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
Rocky
Rocky acts as a reminder that life isn’t always about winning. It’s about showing up and not giving up when the odds seem stacked against you. That makes it one of the most motivational movies available.
The action follows Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the world heavyweight title. Watching him give it his all is downright inspiring. Not only that, but the movie can give you a much-needed push to ignore the noise and focus on what truly matters to you.
The only problem is that you might want to immediately binge the entire franchise.
The Pursuit of Happyness
This 2006 gem revolves around a struggling salesman trying to build a better life for himself and his young son. When everything goes wrong, however, he finds himself broke and homeless.
As a result, he must push forward in dire conditions, hoping that his hard work will eventually pay off.
The Pursuit of Happyness might be painful to watch at times, but it’s incredibly moving. It’s also the kind of story that makes you want to root for humanity. The fact that it’s inspired by true events is just the cherry on top.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Ever wished you could live a big, bold life? Walter Mitty sure does.
A daydreamer at heart, he works for a magazine and leads an overall unremarkable existence. When he embarks on a journey to track a legendary photographer, his path takes an exciting turn.
With great cinematography and a soundtrack for the ages, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a love letter to anyone who has ever felt invisible. Turns out, even the most ordinary people can pull off extraordinary things. They simply need to relocate their spark.
Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine centres on a dysfunctional family that goes on a road trip to support young Olive in her bid to win a beauty pageant. As they approach their destination, chaos ensues.
This is the kind of movie that finds beauty in humanity’s messiness. The characters are all imperfect, but their flaws only make you cheer them on harder.
Ultimately, a good life is about showing up for the people you love. That’s doable even when the world seems to be falling apart.
Barbie
While it may look like a straightforward comedy, Barbie is so much more. It’s a celebration of individuality and growth.
In other words, the exact kind of movie that invites some introspection and nudges you to reflect on what it means to be human. The fact that it also makes you laugh throughout is a nice bonus.
The movie follows “Stereotypical Barbie,” who lives a perfect life in Barbie Land. When something goes wrong, she begins to question her purpose, leading her to journey into the real world. Gear up for a wild ride.
The Martian
If you’ve ever questioned your resilience, The Martian will make you reconsider.
The movie revolves around an astronaut left behind on Mars after a storm forces his crew to abort their mission. Alone on a hostile planet, he must use his scientific knowledge and wits to survive as people around the world come together in a daring effort to bring him home.
Thrilling and surprisingly funny, The Martian serves as a testament to the fact that creativity and human connection can help you find a way out of the darkness. Even when all seems lost.
Amélie
Amélie centres on a shy young woman who is bent on secretly improving the lives of those around her. As she performs small acts of kindness, she might accidentally stumble upon some happiness of her own.
Quirky and captivating, this French marvel harbours a deep belief in the goodness of people. You’ll feel like the universe just gave you a warm hug.
The Shawshank Redemption
Equal parts devastating and inspiring, The Shawshank Redemption is incredibly popular for a reason. It’s a story about dignity and the unbreakable nature of the human spirit.
The movie follows a man wrongly convicted of murdering his wife. Once in prison, he befriends a fellow inmate and begins to carve a place for himself, despite knowing very well that he doesn’t belong there. Most importantly, he holds on to the hope that he’ll someday manage to break free.
Life can be cruel. But the belief that it can improve is essential for those keen to persevere.
Big Fish
Directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish is a gorgeous movie with a lot of heart. It revolves around the strained relationship between a son and his dying father, a man known for telling fantastical tales about his life.
As the father nears the end of his life, the son sets out to separate fact from fiction. His purpose is to finally understand the man behind the myths.
There’s power in seeing life through a lens of wonder. This movie will help you remember that.
Godzilla Minus One
Godzilla Minus One is set in Japan after World War II and centres on a former kamikaze pilot haunted by survivor’s guilt. As the country struggles to rebuild, a terrifying threat emerges, and ordinary citisens must band together in a desperate fight for survival.
I pressed Play on this movie hoping to see a big lizard cause all sorts of havoc, and ended up crying through the end credits. Godzilla Minus One honours the power of community and courage. It’s nothing short of phenomenal.
