Week 47

Wholesome, Uplifting or Light-hearted

With last week's challenge being about war, this week we're going in the opposite direction and watching something a little less dark.

This week’s movie challenge is all about finding joy and warmth in contrast to last week's War challenge. The idea is to pick a movie that lifts your spirits, tugs at your heartstrings, or simply makes you smile. Below are some subgenres to explore and a few recommendations for each. Let’s dive in!

Coming of Age Films
Coming of age movies are perfect for rediscovering the beauty of growing up and figuring life out. Films like The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), where a shy teen finds solace and healing in a quirky group of friends, or Lady Bird (2017), which explores the chaos of adolescence and the complicated bond between a daughter and her mom, show how these stories capture universal experiences. Another great pick is Sing Street (2016), where a boy in 1980s Dublin forms a band to impress a girl and ends up on a journey of self-discovery.

Feel-Good Dramas
Sometimes you want a story that’s a little heavier but still leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling by the end. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) follows a struggling single father who fights to build a better future for his son, while Little Miss Sunshine (2006) offers a chaotic road trip story about a family coming together to support their daughter in a beauty pageant. For something lighter, The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014) tells the tale of a young chef whose passion for cooking bridges cultural divides in a quaint French village.

Inspirational Biopics
True stories of resilience and hope remind us that we’re capable of amazing things. Hidden Figures (2016) highlights the brilliance of three women who broke barriers at NASA during the space race. Julie & Julia (2009) brings us the inspiring parallel stories of Julia Child and a modern-day food blogger finding purpose through cooking. For a heartfelt option, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) explores the life-changing impact Fred Rogers had on a journalist’s worldview.

Romantic Comedies
If you’re in the mood for love and laughter, rom-coms bring the charm without being too heavy. In 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), a clever Shakespearean twist leads to a high school romance filled with witty banter. Crazy Rich Asians (2018) dazzles with humor and heart as a woman meets her boyfriend’s ultra-wealthy (and intimidating) family. For a cozy seasonal pick, The Holiday (2006) follows two women who swap homes for Christmas and find unexpected love and healing.

Family Films
These are the kinds of movies that feel like a warm hug—fun for everyone but full of heart and meaning. Paddington (2014) tells the delightful story of a lovable bear who brings joy and chaos to his new family in London. Finding Nemo (2003) is an animated classic about a clownfish father’s epic journey to reunite with his son. And The Muppet Movie (1979) is a charming musical adventure where Kermit and the gang chase their Hollywood dreams.

So, there's just a few of many areas to look in to find a movie that fits this week's challenge. Below we’ve added some suggestions/recommendations for movies that would count for the challenge. Let us know what you’ve watched, what you’re thinking of watching, or whether you’ve got any recommendations to pass to your fellow CineChums.

Suggestions

These movies are mentioned in the video as potential suggestions for the challenge.

Challenge Stats

Completed the Challenge
41
Total Movies Watched
85
Different Movies Watched
73
Hours Watched
145
The Velveteen Rabbit
3
The Velveteen Rabbit (2023)
The Holiday
2
The Holiday (2006)
*batteries not included
2
*batteries not included (1987)
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin
2
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024)
Hidden Figures
2
Hidden Figures (2016)
The Wild Robot
2
The Wild Robot (2024)
Tampopo
2
Tampopo (1985)
Set It Up
2
Set It Up (2018)
The Core
2
The Core (2003)
Perfect Days
2
Perfect Days (2023)
Toy Story
2
Toy Story (1995)
Pilot
1
Pilot (2024)
The Nice Guys
1
The Nice Guys (2016)
The Rescue
1
The Rescue (2021)
The Lunchbox
1
The Lunchbox (2013)
That Thing You Do!
1
That Thing You Do! (1996)
A Christmas Story
1
A Christmas Story (1983)
Sing Street
1
Sing Street (2016)
The Love Parade
1
The Love Parade (1930)
Frances Ha
1
Frances Ha (2013)
The Party
1
The Party (1968)
Inside Out 2
1
Inside Out 2 (2024)
IF
1
IF (2024)
Kamikaze Girls
1
Kamikaze Girls (2004)
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
1
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
That Obscure Object of Desire
1
That Obscure Object of Desire (1977)
We Are Your Friends
1
We Are Your Friends (2015)
Bring It On
1
Bring It On (2000)
Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy.
1
Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy. (2013)
It Happened One Night
1
It Happened One Night (1934)
Dìdi (弟弟)
1
Dìdi (弟弟) (2024)
Before Sunset
1
Before Sunset (2004)
Wolf Children
1
Wolf Children (2012)
Full Time
1
Full Time (2022)
Hundreds of Beavers
1
Hundreds of Beavers (2024)
My Neighbor Totoro
1
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Jim Henson Idea Man
1
Jim Henson Idea Man (2024)
Begin Again
1
Begin Again (2013)
Galaxy Quest
1
Galaxy Quest (1999)
Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart
1
Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart (1985)
Yoyo
1
Yoyo (1965)
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
1
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)
She's the Man
1
She's the Man (2006)
Meet Me Next Christmas
1
Meet Me Next Christmas (2024)
Paddington in Peru
1
Paddington in Peru (2024)
Local Hero
1
Local Hero (1983)
Snowball Express
1
Snowball Express (1972)
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
1
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Haunted Honeymoon
1
Haunted Honeymoon (1986)
The Circus
1
The Circus (1928)
From Up on Poppy Hill
1
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
Holidate
1
Holidate (2020)
Céline and Julie Go Boating
1
Céline and Julie Go Boating (1974)
Lars and the Real Girl
1
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
Taken 2
1
Taken 2 (2012)
Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams
1
Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams (2021)
Jerry Maguire
1
Jerry Maguire (1996)
Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story
1
Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story (2024)
A Life Less Ordinary
1
A Life Less Ordinary (1997)
Christopher Robin
1
Christopher Robin (2018)
Música
1
Música (2024)
Bridge to Terabithia
1
Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
The Other Side of Hope
1
The Other Side of Hope (2017)
Your Name.
1
Your Name. (2016)
Half-Life 2: 20th Anniversary Documentary
1
Half-Life 2: 20th Anniversary Documentary (2024)
3 Idiots
1
3 Idiots (2009)
Daaaaaalí!
1
Daaaaaalí! (2024)
The Secret of Kells
1
The Secret of Kells (2009)
A Goofy Movie
1
A Goofy Movie (1995)
Shall We Kiss?
1
Shall We Kiss? (2007)
The Lady Eve
1
The Lady Eve (1941)
The Wizard of Oz
1
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!
1
The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage! (2019)

Most watched actors

Olivia Colman
Olivia Colman (3)
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Paddington in Peru (2024)
Stephanie Hsu
Stephanie Hsu (3)
The Wild Robot (2024)
Set It Up (2018)
Dìdi (弟弟) (2024)
Antonio Banderas
Antonio Banderas (2)
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Paddington in Peru (2024)
Gary Weeks
Gary Weeks (2)
Hidden Figures (2016)
The Nice Guys (2016)
Hayley Atwell
Hayley Atwell (2)
Christopher Robin (2018)
Paddington in Peru (2024)
Robert Ridgely
Robert Ridgely (2)
That Thing You Do! (1996)
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)
Bernardo de Paula
Bernardo de Paula (2)
Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams (2021)
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Maya Rudolph
Maya Rudolph (2)
IF (2024)
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks (2)
Toy Story (1995)
That Thing You Do! (1996)
Matt Berry
Matt Berry (2)
The Wild Robot (2024)
Christopher Robin (2018)