10 Feel-Good Movies To Watch For A Political Detox

It certainly feels like our daily and family gatherings have been overwhelmed by political discourse over the past few years. Thanksgiving dinners may lead to intense arguments with Grandpa, or someone ended up on the naughty list for Christmas over a policy argument.

It doesn’t have to be this way! While you may never be able to detach fully from politics, you can at least detox a little from the chatter with some good old-fashioned media consumption (our favorite healthy coping mechanism).

Without further ado, here are 10 of the most universally beloved movies to watch after politics dominate the news, guaranteed to give you the warm and fuzzies without complicated partisan thoughts.

1. It’s A Wonderful Life

George Bailey (James Stewart) thinks his life is anything but wonderful. He resigns himself to drowning in a freezing river in Bedford Falls the day before Christmas after realizing he is in a financial rut, that he hasn’t accomplished any of his dreams by middle age, and that he is going to be arrested if he isn’t able to solve his problems.

It is difficult to imagine this is the plot of one of the most enjoyable holiday films (and films in general) of all time. Yet somehow, It’s A Wonderful Life starts out bleak, gets even bleaker, and then when all hope is seemingly lost, the audience is shown that ordinary lives matter just as much as extraordinary ones. The most memorable rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” of all time is sung on screen, and George gets the happiest ever after he could wish for.

Tomatometer: 94%

Where to Watch: Xumo Play

2. The Princess Bride

Every member of The Princess Bride’s cast gives their absolute best (and then some) to their fairytale counterparts in this spirited genre-blending and bending metafictional film. Come for the swashbuckling farmhands, ethereal princesses, and vengeful villains, then stay for André the Giant. Because why not?

Cary Elwes and Robin Wright’s chemistry is off the charts, while Mandy Patinkin and Wallace Shawn are the best pair of bantering pirates to ever cause chaos and make movie magic together. Of course, don’t forget Fred Savage, who will forever be seen as the cutest cynical kid to ever roll his eyes at a book.

Without giving away any plot details, we say give The Princess Bride a shot by going into it completely clueless to all of the Monty Python-esque hijinks that await.

Tomatometer: 96%

Where to Watch: Disney+

3. The Wizard of Oz

It’s hard to write a mere blurb about the cultural and historical significance of The Wizard of Oz, but why has it been considered such a hoot to so many around the world for nearly a whole century?

It boils down to this: unlike most dark and dreary movies of today, this fantastical musical of yesteryear is all cotton candy technicolor (with the most ruby red hues, wicked greens, and bubbly pinks a person could ever dream up, let alone see on-screen).

The Wizard of Oz really does look like it takes place “somewhere over the rainbow,” and its beguiling beauty is part of its everlasting charm — in addition to teen Judy Garland’s angelic voice as Kansan heroine Dorothy, its soundtrack chockfull of classic earworms, and its stunning costuming and practical effects. The Wizard of Oz would, of course, go on to inspire Gregory Maguire’s fan-fiction series, which would then go on to be reimagined as one of the most popular musicals to hit Broadway in Wicked. The show wouldn’t just be a stage phenomenon, but would be adapted into a two-part film saga starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

Tomatometer: 98%

Where to Watch: Max

4. Shrek 2

Do you really have to watch Shrek to appreciate Shrek 2?

Probably, but that’s not what’ll make you truly understand why the sequel to the swampy ogre fairytale spoof is so universally beloved (but, okay, maybe it’ll make you get why its sophomore outing was considered far superior to its freshman debut).

Nevertheless, we’re giving you the controversial advice to forego Shrek if you haven’t watched it already and just dive into the brilliant animated-musical satire of Shrek 2. You’ll find a vapid Prince Charming, an evil Fairy Godmother, an annoying talking Donkey, a thong-wearing Pinocchio, and that really only scratches the loopy surface of the Dreamworks movie. which, Underneath all the overt poking-fun at Disney and Hollywood-inspired gaffes, it has a surprisingly moving message about loving oneself and embracing the beauty within.

Tomatometer: 89%

Where to Watch: Peacock

5. Forrest Gump

“Stupid is as stupid does,” “life is like a box of chocolates,” “shrimp is the fruit of the sea,” and countless other highly-quoted gems came straight from the screenplay of Forrest Gump. It’s a fantastical dramedy about a simple man (Tom Hanks) whose fierce kindness and patriotic sensibilities render him a mythical fixture in American folklore, and whose overall awesomeness makes him an ubiquitous figure in the most important moments of American history throughout his extraordinary life.

Funny as Forrest Gump is, the film is also a heartfelt (and occasionally heart-wrenching) tearjerker, as it deals with heavy themes like intolerance and bullying, and subjects like the AIDS crisis and drug addiction. Still, Forrest Gump’s ability to tackle the aforementioned and still leave a smile on audiences’ faces is part of its enduring movie magic.

Tomatometer: 75%

Where to watch: Pluto TV

6. Good Will Hunting

What makes Good Will Hunting so, well, good, is how gripping the story is from start to finish about a not-so-relatable protagonist with a very relatable problem.

Not all of us are blessed enough to be bonafide math geniuses like Will Hunting (Matt Damon), but all of us have squandered away our potential at one point or another, or flat-out sabotaged it. And that’s the whole universally enjoyed and understood message behind Good Will Hunting: Uh, don’t do that!

If you do, you might miss out on Robin Williams’ wisdom, or job offers from Stellan Skarsgård, or smooches from Minnie Driver— but at least you’ll always be able to count on Ben Affleck’s friendship.

Tomatometer: 97%

Where to watch: Pluto TV

7. My Cousin Vinny

After you watch My Cousin Vinny, you won’t ever think about carburetors or look at Marisa Tomei the same way again. And you’ll be all the better for it.

My Cousin Vinny may not be the most family-friendly pick on this list, but that doesn’t make it any less universally beloved of a film. The R-rated comedy is a spoof on courtroom dramas and stereotypical country mouse/city mouse stories, with phenomenal 90s fashion sprinkled in along with Joe Pesci’s most legendary movie performance.

If that wasn’t all you needed to convince you to give it a watch (for the first time, or the 10th, wherever you are on your My Cousin Vinny journey), it has also been revered for its accurate depiction of the criminal procedure and trial strategy process — a rarity in Hollywood, but somehow, almost totally right in this funny flick.

Tomatometer: 85%

Where to watch: Hulu

8. The Lion King

The impact of this safari-set musical re-imagination of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” cannot be understated. Not to be dramatic, but The Lion King changed up Disney’s game and all family-friendly animated storytelling thereafter.

The Oscar-winning movie’s invigorating soundtrack and its punchy storyline (backdropped by breathtaking animation and punctuated by an unforgettable score by Hans Zimmer) make it seem livelier than most stage or screen musicals despite its 2D aesthetics. After The Lion King, Disney never stopped trying to one-up itself (and rival companies followed suit).

Still, nearly 30 years later, no animated movie-musical has ever come quite as close to achieving its singular magic. It really is hakuna matata for The Lion King, and its a high rank in all movie lovers’ hearts.

Tomatometer: 92%

Where to watch: Disney+

9. The Green Mile

Tom Hanks is at the helm of yet another universally beloved movie with fantastical elements.

This time, he’s a death row prison guard in The Green Mile who witnesses miraculous, supernatural events upon the arrival of a physically imposing (but ultimately harmless and wrongfully imprisoned) convict (played with emotional heft by Michael Clarke Duncan).

The Green Mile deals with a lot of challenging subjects — racism and capital punishment, to start. But the film’s universal messages about the healing powers of belief and acceptance, as well as its cast’s rousing performances and unique storyline (provided by horror-with-a-pinch-of-humanity master Stephen King), have made it a cinematic favorite.

Tomatometer: 79%

Where to watch: Roku Channel

10. The School of Rock

Leave it to director Richard Linklater (of Before trilogy fame), writer Mike White (The White Lotus) and film lead Jack Black (iconic funny guy and voice actor) to come together to create one of the most joyous and hilarious movies of the early aughts.

School of Rock has everything — quotable lines, memorable songs, and standout performances from its kid actors (including iCarly’s Miranda Cosgrove and the late Kevin Clark) and its adult actors alike (comedienne heavy-hitters Joan Cusack and Sarah Silverman round out the cast). It is no wonder the movie, which centers on a faux substitute teacher at a posh prep school who infects his students with his rock and roll ambitions, was the highest-grossing musical comedy of all time for 12 years straight until Pitch Perfect 2 dethroned it in 2015.

Tomatometer: 92%

Where to watch: Pluto TV

Honorable mentions: All of Pixar’s greats (The Toy Story franchise, Ratatouille, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles franchise, Up, Wall-E), Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Moulin Rouge, La La Land, Back to the Future, Spirited Away, The Dead Poets Society, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Legally Blonde, Kung Fu Panda, The Nice Guys, and Citizen Kane.