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

Most watched actors

Stephanie Hsu
Stephanie Hsu (3)
The Wild Robot (2024)
Set It Up (2018)
Dìdi (弟弟) (2024)
Olivia Colman
Olivia Colman (3)
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Paddington in Peru (2024)
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
Roger Ashton-Griffiths
Roger Ashton-Griffiths (2)
Haunted Honeymoon (1986)
Christopher Robin (2018)
Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor (2)
Christopher Robin (2018)
A Life Less Ordinary (1997)
Tony Shalhoub
Tony Shalhoub (2)
Galaxy Quest (1999)
A Life Less Ordinary (1997)
Tim Allen
Tim Allen (2)
Toy Story (1995)
Galaxy Quest (1999)
Masami Nagasawa
Masami Nagasawa (2)
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
Your Name. (2016)
Robert Torti
Robert Torti (2)
She's the Man (2006)
That Thing You Do! (1996)
Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu (2)
Set It Up (2018)
Jerry Maguire (1996)
Koji Yakusho
Koji Yakusho (2)
Tampopo (1985)
Perfect Days (2023)