Top 5 Feel-Good Movies to Watch When You're Feeling Anxious

Movies make us feel a range of emotions, from excitement to fear. But sometimes you just need something soothing and comforting. Something to chase away all your bad thoughts.

These five movies will do just that.

The Age of Adaline (2015, 7.2 on IMDb)

Available on: Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Set mostly in the 2010s and starring Blake Lively, this romantic fantasy tells the story of the title character, a woman born in 1908 who died in a car accident in her late twenties but was revived by a bolt of lightning. Since then, unlike her family, Adaline hasn't aged and must hide that fact from the people around her, which drives her to move from place to place.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013, 7.3 on IMDb)

Available on: Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Based on James Thurber's short story of the same name, this adventure film follows the title character, a Life magazine photo editor. Walter leads a very reclusive life, spending little time outside of work and his apartment, where he entertains himself by daydreaming. But his life takes a sudden turn when he has to travel around the world to retrieve a missing negative from the magazine's photographer.

Chef (2014, 7.3 on IMDb)

Available on: Hulu, Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Jon Favreau's comedy-drama centers on Carl Casper, a talented chef at a popular Los Angeles restaurant who becomes jaded by cooking the same menu over and over again and falls out with the restaurant's owner. Accompanying his ex-wife Inez and their son Percy on a trip to Miami, Carl rediscovers his passion for Cuban cuisine and starts a small food truck business with his old friend and Percy.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006, 8.0 on IMDb)

Available on: Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Adapted from Chris Gardner's memoir, this biopic follows Will Smith's version of Chris, a single father and salesman trying to make ends meet and provide for his son, Christopher Jr., while pursuing a career in sales. Along the way, Chris faces many challenges, and at one point he and his son are homeless, but Chris never gives up on his pursuit of happiness.

Good Will Hunting (1997, 8.3 on IMDb)

Available on: Max, Hulu, Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Written by Hollywood's best buddy duo, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, this drama tells the story of the title character, a twenty-year-old Bostonian who has just been released on parole after serving time in prison. Will finds employment as a janitor at MIT, where his mathematical genius is discovered by the local math professor, who offers Will to study under his mentorship, provided the young man attends psychotherapy sessions. And the two characters gradually form a remarkable friendship.