5 feel-good movies released in 2019
Still in a cheerful spirit but out of Christmas movies to watch? Here are five feel-good movies you should watch that were released in 2019.
As the year winds down, it’s always to fun to reflect on what the film industry had to offer. 2019 featured the release of many movies that put us in the feels, all the way from superhero blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame to the final Star Wars movie in The Rise of Skywalker. If you’re like me and you’re looking to watch non-Christmas movies to keep you in good spirits, here are five feel-good movies to check out or re-watch going into the new year.
Fighting With My Family
Based on a true story, Fighting With My Family hit theaters in February and followed the career of a young British pro wrestler, Paige, who had aspirations of competing for WWE. The film dives into the trials and tribulations she faced when it came to scoring a tryout and moving to America to chase her dreams.
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Produced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and featuring Vince Vaughn in a prominent role, this film also served as a big break for Florence Pugh, who starred in blockbusters such as Midsommar and Little Women in 2019. Fighting With My Family is not only essential viewing for pro wrestling fans, but also for those looking for a good, cinematic underdog story.
Little
Little was released in April and has a couple of feel-good aspects to it. Starring Regina Hall, Issa Marie, and Marsai Martin, Little tells the story of tech company boss Jordan Sanders, who not only bullies her employees but even a little girl who is just trying to have fun. As a result, Jordan wakes up the next morning as her 13-year-old self and has to manage running her company and attending school at the same time.
Through all the shenanigans, Jordan has to figure out what life changes need to be made so she can revert back to her normal self. Marsai Martin, who portrays 13-year-old Jordan, also serves as an executive producer, making her the youngest person to ever hold that title on a major Hollywood production at the age of 14!
Booksmart
You’d be hard-pressed not to find Booksmart on many “best movies of the year” lists. That’s a testament to the story that was brought to life through comedy and teenage drama in this Olivia Wilde-directed pic. Starring Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein as Amy and Molly, these two high school seniors seek to fit in as many thrills and adventures as possible on the night before graduation to make up for lost time spent studying and preparing for the educational futures.
Whether viewing this as a young adult or 20 years removed from high school, Booksmart is a perfect reminder to have fun in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. The perfect mix of laughs and tears are just one of the reasons why Booksmart has been nominated for many awards heading into 2020. Be sure to check out Booksmart on Hulu for a good dose of the feels.
Toy Story 4
The Toy Story franchise easily could’ve ended with the third installment, which I’m sure may have been the plan about a decade ago. However, our favorite toys still had one more story to tell before saying, “So long, partner.” Toy Story 4 welcomes us back into the lives of Woody and Buzz as they get separated from Bonnie during a family vacation. The addition of Forky to the toy collection keeps the toys on their toes and the audiences laughing in disbelief.
Toy Story 4 isn’t just another comedy, though. The summer blockbuster explores the love story between Woody and Bo Peep, who was mysteriously missing from 2010 hit. Toy Story 4 explains her absence and gives her the proper spotlight to shine alongside the cowboy and space ranger. Much like the heart-wrenching third movie, the emotion is alive and well in this one too, so keep those tissues handy after viewing Booksmart.
The Peanut Butter Falcon
Rounding out this list is an independent film that may have flown under many radars this year in The Peanut Butter Falcon. Shia LaBeouf portrays Tyler, an outlaw who befriends Zak, a Down syndrome man who has escaped a nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a pro wrestler. (Who would’ve thought 2019 would include two wrestling-related films?)
Dubbing himself The Peanut Butter Falcon, Zak is ultimately tasked with stepping into the ring with Sam, played by the legendary Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Other familiar faces spotted in this heart-warming tale include Thomas Haden Church, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, and wrestling legend Mick Foley. The Peanut Butter Falcon will go down as one of the year’s most inspirational stories to grace the big screen.
Next. 5 Netflix movies to help cope with post-Christmas blues. dark
This is just a starting point if you need a good pick-me-up flick to watch heading into 2020. Seeing as though this list only covers a handful of theatrical releases, there are plenty more feel-good movies from 2019 to check out on the various streaming platforms if you’re looking for warm fuzzies.
Which 2019 movie is your new go-to? Let us know in the comments below!