- - The 12 best happy movies on Netflix that’ll inspire a smile

Andrew Walsh, Ilana GordonDecember 30, 2025 at 4:00 AM

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Columbia Pictures/Getty; Courtesy of Netflix; Ed Araquel/Netflix

Bill Murray as Phil Connors in 'Groundhog Day'; Ali Wong as Sasha Tran in 'Always Be My Maybe'; Noah Centineo as Peter Kavinsky and Lana Condor as Lara Jean Song-Covey in 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'

Cue the dopamine receptors; these films are designed to light up the joyful parts of your brain. Populated by awe-inspiring documentaries like My Octopus Teacher (2020) and holiday gems like Klaus (2019), the films on this list vary in genre and subject matter, but they all share an ability to transform bad moods and prompt good cheer.

Read on for Entertainment Weekly’s list of the 12 best happy movies on Netflix.

01 of 12

Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Ed Araquel/Netflix Ali Wong as Sasha Tran and Randall Park as Marcus Kim in 'Always Be My Baby'

Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park) were best friends–turned–high school sweethearts who, after a post-coital fight, lost contact for 16 years. When Sasha makes a triumphant return to San Francisco as a big-time chef, she and Marcus, who is not doing quite as well, find themselves nursing old grudges and long-dormant feelings. EW praises the stars' effortless chemistry, writing, “the bond between them is one of the many elements that make the film feel authentic, sweet, and wildly funny.” —Andrew Walsh

Where to watch Always Be My Maybe: Netflix

EW grade: B

Director: Nahnatchka Khan

Cast: Ali Wong, Randall Park, James Saito, Michelle Buteau, Daniel Dae Kim

02 of 12

Dumplin' (2018)

Netflix Jennifer Aniston as Rosie Dickson in 'Dumplin''

Frustrated by the judgment of her pageant-obsessed Texas town, as well as her former beauty queen mother, Rosie (Jennifer Aniston), Willowdean (Danielle Macdonald) — a.k.a. Dumplin’ — decides to enroll in the Miss Teen Bluebonnet contest as “a protest in heels.”

Despite declaring she’s not the “Joan of Arc” of plus-sized girls, her actions do inspire a few other outsiders to join her Dolly Parton-scored revolution and shake things up. “Like a pillow cross-stitched with sassy aphorisms,” EW’s critic writes, “Dumplin’ is kitschy and squishy and, if you let yourself, pretty sweet to sink into.” —A.W.

Where to watch Dumplin’: Netflix

EW grade: B

Director: Anne Fletcher

Cast: Danielle Macdonald, Jennifer Aniston, Odeya Rush, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Dove Cameron

03 of 12

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

John Wilson/Netflix

Will Ferrell as Lars Erickssong and Rachel McAdams as Sigrit Ericksdóttir in 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga'

Icelandic musicians Lars Erickssong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdóttir (Rachel McAdams) are lifelong friends and not-yet-sweethearts who dream of winning the Eurovision Song Contest. Despite disapproval from their parents, their town, and the local Eurovision selection committee, the duo dubbed “Fire Saga” refuses to let anything stop them from achieving their goal of songwriting immortality — including their romantic feelings for each other.

Underneath all the spandex and over-the-top production numbers is a sincere film that cares as much about sharing the joy of music as satirizing its ostentatious performance. —A.W.

Where to watch Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga: Netflix

Director: David Dobkin

Cast: Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens, Pierce Brosnan

04 of 12

Groundhog Day (1993)

Everett Collection Bill Murray as Phil Connors in 'Groundhog Day'

Decades before Hollywood started pumping out romantic comedies like Leap Year (2010), Valentine's Day (2010), and New Year's Eve (2011), there was Groundhog Day, the ultimate niche holiday comedy. The film follows a TV weatherman named Phil Connors (Bill Murray), who is assigned to cover the annual February festivities in Punxsutawney, Pa., only to find himself reliving the same day over and over again.

Groundhog Day casts Murray as a Scrooge-esque misanthrope, places him in an unwinnable situation, and watches as he proceeds to have an existential meltdown — before seizing on his unique situation and attempting to woo his producer, Rita (Andie MacDowell). As EW's critic writes, "Groundhog Day — with its really high concept — unfolds with a goofy elegance that feels like a tonic." —Ilana Gordon

Where to watch Groundhog Day: Netflix

EW grade: A

Director: Harold Ramis

Cast: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott

05 of 12

Happy Gilmore 2 (2025)

Scott Yamano/Netflix

Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin and Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore in 'Happy Gilmore 2'

Happy Gilmore fans waited almost three decades for a sequel and Adam Sandler made it worth their while. Happy Gilmore 2 picks up years after Happy won the Tour Championship; he’s now broke, dealing with alcohol abuse, and struggling to pay for his daughter’s ballet training. After not playing golf for a decade, Happy agrees to pick up the clubs once more to win money for his family and to take down a slimy new golf league.

Sandler treats the film like a giant party, inviting back members of the original cast, old friends and co-workers, his entire immediate family, and one musical sensation. Nineties nostalgists and Sandler fans will appreciate the references and cameos, and golf enthusiasts will enjoy the steady stream of professional players. —I.G.

Where to watch Happy Gilmore 2: Netflix

Director: Kyle Newacheck

Cast: Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, Benny Safdie, Bad Bunny

06 of 12

Klaus (2019)

Netflix/Everett

Jesper (voice: Jason Schwartzman) and Klaus (voice: J.K. Simmons) in 'Klaus'

Klaus is a Santa Claus origin story that’s enjoyable any time of the year. Starring Oscar winner J.K. Simmons as the film’s eponymous hero, Klaus tells the tale of a widowed Norwegian woodsman who is recruited by the town’s new postman, Jesper (Jason Schwartzman), to make toys for him to deliver in an effort to prove his postmaster general father wrong. But when Klaus’ toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a town whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself. Klaus isn’t just another feel-good film; it’s also a film that looks great. —I.G.

Where to watch Klaus: Netflix

Director: Sergio Pablos

Cast: Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Neda Margrethe Labba

07 of 12

A League of Their Own (1992)

Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Geena Davis as Dottie Hinson in 'A League of Their Own'

Penny Marshall directed one of the great American sports comedies with her work on A League of Their Own. A fictionalized take on the beginnings of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League — the league that was created to replace the MLB during World War II — the film stars Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan, the short-tempered manager of the Rockford Peaches, a rag-tag group of athletes who love the game, but lack opportunities to play. EW’s critic calls it “a winner of a movie, one filled with a love of sport unlike any seen before in a women’s sports picture. It’s an accomplishment that puts A League of Their Own in a league by itself.” —I.G.

Where to watch A League of Their Own: Netflix

EW grade: B+

Director: Penny Marshall

Cast: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty, Jon Lovitz

08 of 12

My Octopus Teacher (2020)

Netflix

Craig Foster with an octopus in 'My Octopus Teacher'

My Octopus Teacher is an Oscar-winning documentary that chronicles South African free-diver Craig Foster’s bond with an octopus he discovers while on an underwater expedition. As he observes the creature’s life, playfulness, and harrowing encounters with predators, he notices changes in his approach to his own life and relationships out of the water. Filled with gorgeous, entrancing cinematography, this true story of an unlikely friendship inspires wonder about the natural world and our place in it. —A.W.

Where to watch My Octopus Teacher: Netflix

Directors: James Reed, Pippa Ehrlich

Cast: Craig Foster

09 of 12

Nimona (2023)

Netflix Nimona (voice: Chloë Grace Moretz) in 'Nimona'

Shape-shifting troublemaker Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) aspires to be the villainous sidekick to the Queen’s would-be assassin, Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), despite the latter's protests that it was a frame-up. As the unlikely pair of outcasts team up, the kingdom’s ancient history and modern politics throw unexpected wrinkles into their quest to clear Ballister’s name.

We expect animated family adventures like this to be uplifting and heartfelt, but Nimona ups the ante with its explorations of chosen families, queer identity, self-expression, and its complex but inspiring understanding of heroism. —A.W.

Where to watch Nimona: Netflix

EW grade: B+

Directors: Troy Quane, Nick Bruno

Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint

10 of 12

Paddington in Peru (2024)

Sony

Paddington Bear (voice: Ben Whishaw) in 'Paddington in Peru'

Britain’s fuzziest marmalade enthusiast is back for his third adventure, and this time he’s headed home to the jungle. After learning that the bear who raised him after his parents died has gone missing, Paddington convinces his adoptive family to join him on a quest to Darkest Peru to find and rescue his Aunt Lucy.

Of course, nothing on a quest is ever as it seems, and Paddington and the Brown family must contend with gold hunters and scheming villains on their journey. In times of great stress, there’s nothing quite like turning on a Paddington movie and setting off on a well-mannered adventure. Paddington in Peru doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it does not disappoint. —I.G.

Where to watch Paddington in Peru: Netflix

Director: Dougal Wilson

Cast: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent

11 of 12

Rescued by Ruby (2022)

Ricardo Hubbs/Netflix/Everett Collection

Ruby in 'Rescued by Ruby'

Based on real events, this heartwarming tale of interspecies friendship stars Grant Gustin as Dan O’Neill, a state trooper who dreams of joining the K-9 unit. The only obstacle in his way is his lack of an actual canine. Enter Ruby: a rescue dog whose behavioral issues have kept her from finding a home outside of an animal shelter. Dan, who has dyslexia and ADHD, recognizes a kindred spirit, and the two set out to rescue each other. Rescued by Ruby is a treat for animal lovers, but also ideal for anyone who loves a good underdog story. —A.W.

Where to watch Rescued by Ruby: Netflix

Director: Katt Shea

Cast: Grant Gustin, Scott Wolf, Kaylah Zander, Camille Sullivan

12 of 12

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)

Netflix Noah Centineo as Peter Kavinsky and Lana Condor as Lara Jean Song-Covey in 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'

Lara Jean’s (Lana Condor) meddling little sister, Kitty (Anna Cathcart), unleashes havoc on her life when she finds the teen's secret collection of love letters and mails them to her crushes — including to their older sister Margot's (Janel Parrish) ex-boyfriend, Josh (Israel Broussard).

To do damage control, Lara and classmate Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) agree to fake being in love to disguise her feelings from Josh and make Peter's ex jealous. EW praises the film for having “more substance than you expect. And Condor as Lara Jean has a winning, be-true-to-yourself sense of independence that’s infectious.” —A.W.

Where to watch To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: Netflix

EW grade: B

Director: Susan Johnson

Cast: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Anna Cathcart, Janel Parrish, Israel Broussard

on Entertainment Weekly

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”