What defines a feel-good movie? It’s hard to say. For some, a thrilling fight sequence or a series of Michael Bay-style explosions brings joy; for others, a jump scare does it. For others still, a satisfying mystery; for others romance is key. When putting together the below epic list of “feel-good” movies – a list we think will do movie lovers some good right now – we didn’t overthink it. As a staff, we at Rotten Tomatoes asked ourselves a basic question: What are the movies that, without fail, leave us feeling better than we did before we pushed play.
A sort of criteria emerged from our responses. Below you’ll find movies that lean heavily into nostalgia – titles that evoke that comfy feeling of going to the cinema as a youngster to see films you’ll later watch dozens of times on cable (Hook, The Sandlot, Mrs. Doubtfire). You’ll also notice a preponderance of hilarious, and often goofy, comedies (Step Brothers, Friday, Spy), and a bit of romance, too (Crazy Rich Asians, When Harry Met Sally). You’ll find big names whose decades spent atop marquees have been a kind of comfort over the years to moviegoers (Toms Hanks and Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, Eddie Murphy). And you’ll find the work of newer filmmaking voices that make us thrilled for the future of the medium (Taika Waititi, Olivia Wilde, and the team behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse).
The 150 titles featured in our guide to Great Feel-Good Movies are filled with laughs and heart, and characters you root for and relate to. In times like these, we think they’ll make good company.
#150
Adjusted Score: 33777%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#149
Adjusted Score: 34417%
Critics Consensus: The look of Hook is lively indeed but Steven Spielberg directs on autopilot here, giving in too quickly to his sentimental, syrupy qualities.
#148
Adjusted Score: 33424%
Critics Consensus: A queasy mishmash of poignant drama and slapstick fantasy, Angels in the Outfield strikes out as worthy family entertainment.
#147
Adjusted Score: 42438%
Critics Consensus: Eye-popping driving sequences coupled with a limp story and flat performances make this Drift a disappointing follow-up to previous Fast and Furious installments.
#146
Adjusted Score: 46526%
Critics Consensus: At times hilarious, but other times offensive, Director Jared Hess is unable to recapture the collective charisma of his Napoleon characters, instead relying on a one-joke concept that runs out of steam. Sure to entertain the adolescents, however.
#145
Adjusted Score: 43309%
Critics Consensus: Adam Sandler acquits himself admirably, but his charm isn’t enough to make up for Big Daddy‘s jarring shifts between crude humor and mawkish sentimentality.
#144
Adjusted Score: 43061%
Critics Consensus: Audiences who enjoy Adam Sandler’s belligerent comic energy may find him in joyously obnoxious form as Billy Madison, but this thinly-plotted starring vehicle surrounds its star with an aggressively pedestrian movie.
#143
Adjusted Score: 52362%
Critics Consensus: Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds exhibit plenty of chemistry, but they’re let down by The Proposal‘s devotion to formula.
#142
Adjusted Score: 54554%
Critics Consensus: A meandering, mindless family movie that frequently resorts to special effects and transparent sappiness.
#141
Adjusted Score: 52810%
Critics Consensus: A charming, if familiar, makeover movie for young teenage girls.
#140
Adjusted Score: 56209%
Critics Consensus: While it’s certainly sweet and even somewhat touching, The Holiday is so thoroughly predictable that audiences may end up opting for an early check-out time.
#139
Adjusted Score: 55021%
Critics Consensus: First Wives Club is headlined by a trio of comedic dynamos, but the script lets them down with tepid plotting and a fatal lack of satirical bite.
#138
Adjusted Score: 55286%
Critics Consensus: Critics say Scary Movie overloads on crudity and grossness to get its laughs.
#137
Adjusted Score: 62267%
Critics Consensus: This jukebox musical is full of fluffy fun but rough singing voices and a campy tone might not make you feel like “You Can Dance” the whole 90 minutes.
#136
Adjusted Score: 63188%
Critics Consensus: Step Brothers indulges in a cheerfully relentless immaturity that will quickly turn off viewers unamused by Ferrell and Reilly — and delight those who find their antics hilarious.
#135
Adjusted Score: 59576%
Critics Consensus: Although Queen Latifah’s bountiful life-affirming spirit permeates the film, director Wayne Wang is unable to revive this remake with any real flair.
#134
Adjusted Score: 61575%
Critics Consensus: Cute idea, but not consistently funny.
#133
Adjusted Score: 66758%
Critics Consensus: Bad Moms boasts a terrific cast and a welcome twist on domestic comedy — and they’re often enough to compensate for the movie’s unfortunate inability to take full advantage of its assets.
#132
Adjusted Score: 64704%
Critics Consensus: It’s difficult to make a persuasive argument for The Mummy as any kind of meaningful cinematic achievement, but it’s undeniably fun to watch.
#131
Adjusted Score: 64717%
Critics Consensus: Solid performances and a steady directorial hand help The Preacher’s Wife offer some reliably heartwarming – albeit fairly predictable – holiday cheer.
#130
Adjusted Score: 70629%
Critics Consensus: It may be shamelessly derivative and overly nostalgic, but The Sandlot is nevertheless a genuinely sweet and funny coming-of-age adventure.
#129
Adjusted Score: 71206%
Critics Consensus: Pretty Woman may be a yuppie fantasy, but the film’s slick comedy, soundtrack, and casting can overcome misgivings.
#128
Adjusted Score: 67374%
Critics Consensus: Chocolat is a charmingly light-hearted fable with a lovely performance by Binoche.
#127
Adjusted Score: 69602%
Critics Consensus: Despite the formulaic, fluffy storyline, this movie is surprisingly fun to watch, mostly due to its high energy and how it humorously spoofs cheerleading instead of taking itself too seriously.
#126
Adjusted Score: 65163%
Critics Consensus: If Muppets from Space lacks the magic and wit of its cinematic predecessors, this pleasingly silly space romp is funny and clever enough to make for better-than-average family entertainment.
#125
Adjusted Score: 63917%
Critics Consensus: I’m Gonna Git You Sucka puts a satirical spin on ’70s nostalgia with a comedy whose somewhat scattershot laughs are often offset by pure energetic silliness.
#124
Adjusted Score: 72516%
Critics Consensus: An action-packed, if anachronistic, look back at pulp matinee serials, The Rocketeer may ring hollow with viewers expecting more than simple fun and gee-whiz special effects.
#123
Adjusted Score: 69628%
Critics Consensus: Although the plot leaves a lot to be desired, 13 Going on 30 will tug at your inner teenager’s heartstrings thanks in large part to a dazzling performance from Jennifer Garner.
#122
Adjusted Score: 68391%
Critics Consensus: Though predictable and possibly too sweet, Brown Sugar is charming, well-acted, and smarter than typical rom-com fare.
#121
Adjusted Score: 72602%
Critics Consensus: Filled with inspired silliness and quotable lines, Anchorman isn’t the most consistent comedy in the world, but Will Ferrell’s buffoonish central performance helps keep this portrait of a clueless newsman from going off the rails.
#120
Adjusted Score: 84218%
Critics Consensus: The Fate of the Furious opens a new chapter in the franchise, fueled by the same infectious cast chemistry and over-the-top action fans have come to expect.
#119
Adjusted Score: 71589%
Critics Consensus: A relentlessly stupid comedy elevated by its main actors: Jim Carrey goes bonkers and Jeff Daniels carries himself admirably in an against-type performance.
#118
Adjusted Score: 77635%
Critics Consensus: Eddie Murphy was in full control at this point, starkly evident in Coming to America‘s John Landis’ coasting direction.
#117
Adjusted Score: 75820%
Critics Consensus: Despite Hitch’s predictability, Will Smith and Kevin James win praise for their solid, warmhearted performances.
#116
Adjusted Score: 75758%
Critics Consensus: It’s decidedly uneven — and surprisingly sappy for an early Adam Sandler comedy — but The Wedding Singer is also sweet, funny, and beguiling.
#115
Adjusted Score: 73035%
Critics Consensus: Doc Hollywood isn’t particularly graceful in its attempt to put a ’90s spin on its Capraesque formula, but a light touch and a charming cast make its flaws easy to forgive.
#114
Adjusted Score: 75252%
Critics Consensus: Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger add strong performances to an unexpectedly clever script, elevating 10 Things (slightly) above typical teen fare.
#113
Adjusted Score: 76175%
Critics Consensus: Gremlins 2 trades the spiky thrills of its predecessor for looney satire, yielding a succession of sporadically clever gags that add some flavor to a recycled plot.
#112
Adjusted Score: 74994%
Critics Consensus: The Rundown doesn’t break any new ground, but it’s a smart, funny buddy action picture with terrific comic chemistry between Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Seann William Scott.
#111
Adjusted Score: 76166%
Critics Consensus: Though the material is predictable and formulaic, Reese Witherspoon’s funny, nuanced performance makes this movie better than it would have been otherwise.
#110
Adjusted Score: 79298%
Critics Consensus: Like its winsome characters, Dirty Dancing uses impressive choreography and the power of song to surmount a series of formidable obstacles.
#109
Adjusted Score: 77553%
Critics Consensus: A charming, quirky, and often funny comedy.
#108
Adjusted Score: 79624%
Critics Consensus: Sing delivers colorfully animated, cheerfully undemanding entertainment with a solid voice cast and a warm-hearted — albeit familiar — storyline that lives up to its title.
#107
Adjusted Score: 74773%
Critics Consensus: On paper, Mrs. Doubtfire might seem excessively broad or sentimental, but Robin Williams shines so brightly in the title role that the end result is difficult to resist.
#106
Adjusted Score: 77231%
Critics Consensus: An endearing romance that puts a fairly fresh perspective on familiar framework, Love Jones is worth falling for.
#105
Adjusted Score: 76824%
Critics Consensus: Looking for a sweet musical comedy about a witness to a crime hiding out from killers in a convent? There’s nun better than Sister Act.
#104
Adjusted Score: 80522%
Critics Consensus: Sleepless in Seattle is a cute classic with a very light touch and real chemistry between the two leads — even when spending an entire movie apart.
#103
Adjusted Score: 80679%
Critics Consensus: It handles its potentially prickly subject matter with kid gloves, but Intouchables gets by thanks to its strong cast and some remarkably sensitive direction.
#102
Adjusted Score: 86769%
Critics Consensus: Grease is a pleasing, energetic musical with infectiously catchy songs and an ode to young love that never gets old.
#101
Adjusted Score: 82841%
Critics Consensus: A rare film that surpasses the quality of its source novel, this Devil is a witty expose of New York’s fashion scene, with Meryl Streep in top form and Anne Hathaway more than holding her own.
#100
Adjusted Score: 79669%
Critics Consensus: Lu Over the Wall can be more fun to watch than to follow, but director Masaaki Yuasa’s distinctive visual style offers colorful compensation for an occasionally scattered story.
#99
Adjusted Score: 84757%
Critics Consensus: A faithful interpretation that captures the spirit of whimsy, action, and off-kilter humor of Neil Gaiman, Stardust juggles multiple genres and tones to create a fantastical experience.
#98
Adjusted Score: 80552%
Critics Consensus: Brimming with energy and packed with humor, Big Trouble in Little China distills kung fu B-movies as affectionately as it subverts them.
#97
Adjusted Score: 83306%
Critics Consensus: Role Models is a frequently crude, always funny comedy with the cast providing solid work throughout.
#96
Adjusted Score: 87967%
Critics Consensus: Sentimental and light, but still thoroughly charming, A League of Their Own is buoyed by solid performances from a wonderful cast.
#95
Adjusted Score: 77454%
Critics Consensus: What Friday might lack in taut construction or directorial flair, it more than makes up with its vibrant (albeit consistently crass) humor and the charming, energetic performances of its leads.
#94
Adjusted Score: 86809%
Critics Consensus: Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping updates the rock mockumentary for the 21st century mainstream — and hits many of its low-hanging targets with side-splitting impact.
#93
Adjusted Score: 88526%
Critics Consensus: It never lives up to the first part of its title, but Crazy, Stupid, Love‘s unabashed sweetness — and its terrifically talented cast — more than make up for its flaws.
#92
Adjusted Score: 90154%
Critics Consensus: A funny and clever reshaping of Emma, Clueless offers a soft satire that pokes as much fun at teen films as it does at the Beverly Hills glitterati.
#91
Adjusted Score: 85250%
Critics Consensus: While You Were Sleeping is built wholly from familiar ingredients, but assembled with such skill — and with such a charming performance from Sandra Bullock — that it gives formula a good name.
#90
Adjusted Score: 89925%
Critics Consensus: Matthew Broderick charms in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, a light and irrepressibly fun movie about being young and having fun.
#89
Adjusted Score: 85660%
Critics Consensus: Though there was controversy over the choice of casting, Zellweger’s Bridget Jones is a sympathetic, likable, funny character, giving this romantic comedy a lot of charm.
#88
Adjusted Score: 82391%
Critics Consensus: The Wild Thornberrys Movie brings its beloved clan to the big screen for an animated adventure that should prove entertaining for all ages.
#87
Adjusted Score: 89020%
Critics Consensus: Pitch Perfect’s plot is formulaic, but the performances are excellent and the musical numbers are toe-tapping as well.
#86
Adjusted Score: 102903%
Critics Consensus: Jojo Rabbit‘s blend of irreverent humor and serious ideas definitely won’t be to everyone’s taste — but either way, this anti-hate satire is audacious to a fault.
#85
Adjusted Score: 88222%
Critics Consensus: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone adapts its source material faithfully while condensing the novel’s overstuffed narrative into an involving — and often downright exciting — big-screen magical caper.
#84
Adjusted Score: 84463%
Critics Consensus: Much like the titular cuisine, Soul Food blends a series of savory ingredients to offer warm, generous helpings of nourishment and comfort.
#83
Adjusted Score: 86849%
Critics Consensus: Despite its thin plot, Liar Liar is elevated by Jim Carrey’s exuberant brand of physical humor, and the result is a laugh riot that helped to broaden the comedian’s appeal.
#82
Adjusted Score: 88448%
Critics Consensus: Banderas returns as an aging Zorro in this surprisingly nimble, entertaining swashbuckler.
#81
Adjusted Score: 89646%
Critics Consensus: As fast-paced, witty, and entertaining as it is star-studded and coolly stylish, Ocean’s Eleven offers a well-seasoned serving of popcorn entertainment.
#80
Adjusted Score: 89134%
Critics Consensus: Confident directing and acting deliver an insightful look at young athletes.
#79
Adjusted Score: 86778%
Critics Consensus: If it’s not quite as sharp as The Muppet Movie, The Muppets Take Manhattan is still a smart, delightfully old-fashioned tale that follows the formula established by the first two movies — a madcap adventure assisted by a huge group of human stars.
#78
Adjusted Score: 90087%
Critics Consensus: Anchored by dazzling performances from Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Renée Zellweger, as well as Cameron Crowe’s tender direction, Jerry Maguire meshes romance and sports with panache.
#77
Adjusted Score: 86727%
Critics Consensus: A buoyant corporate Cinderella story, Working Girl has the right cast, right story, and right director to make it all come together.
#76
Adjusted Score: 93283%
Critics Consensus: Unapologetically sweet and maybe even a little corny, The Sound of Music will win over all but the most cynical filmgoers with its classic songs and irresistible warmth.
#75
Adjusted Score: 91111%
Critics Consensus: I Love You, Man makes the most of its simple premise due to the heartfelt and hilarious performances of Paul Rudd and Jason Segel.
#74
Adjusted Score: 90638%
Critics Consensus: Elevated by a brilliant screenplay and outstanding ensemble cast, Mean Girls finds fresh, female-fronted humor in the high school experience.
#73
Adjusted Score: 85309%
Critics Consensus: Fast-paced and packed with dozens of pop culture references, Hercules might not measure up with the true classics of the Disney pantheon, but it’s still plenty of fun.
#72
Adjusted Score: 96354%
Critics Consensus: Blockers puts a gender-swapped spin on the teen sex comedy — one elevated by strong performances, a smartly funny script, and a surprisingly enlightened perspective.
#71
Adjusted Score: 92966%
Critics Consensus: A movie full of Yuletide cheer, Elf is a spirited, good-natured family comedy, and it benefits greatly from Will Ferrell’s funny and charming performance as one of Santa’s biggest helpers.
#70
Adjusted Score: 92526%
Critics Consensus: It owes a huge debt to older (and better) teen comedies, but Easy A proves a smart, witty showcase for its irresistibly charming star, Emma Stone.
#69
Adjusted Score: 46322%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#68
Adjusted Score: 92051%
Critics Consensus: The deft comic interplay between Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei helps to elevate My Cousin Vinny‘s predictable script, and the result is a sharp, hilarious courtroom comedy.
#67
Adjusted Score: 93487%
Critics Consensus: Sure, it’s another adaptation of cinema’s fave Jane Austen novel, but key performances and a modern filmmaking sensibility make this familiar period piece fresh and enjoyable.
#66
Adjusted Score: 88006%
Critics Consensus: Spiritedly performed by a groovy cast and imaginatively directed by Milos Forman, Hair transports audiences straight to the Age of Aquarius.
#65
Adjusted Score: 92885%
Critics Consensus: Even if all it had to offer were writer-director Wong Kar-wai’s thrillingly distinctive visuals, Chungking Express would be well worth watching; happily, its thoughtfully drawn characters and naturalistic performances also pack a potent dramatic wallop.
#64
Adjusted Score: 95646%
Critics Consensus: The feel-good Amelie is a lively, fanciful charmer, showcasing Audrey Tautou as its delightful heroine.
#63
Adjusted Score: 96199%
Critics Consensus: Deftly balancing vulgarity and sincerity while placing its protagonists in excessive situations, Superbad is an authentic take on friendship and the overarching awkwardness of the high school experience.
#62
Adjusted Score: 95713%
Critics Consensus: While simultaneously embracing and subverting fairy tales, the irreverent Shrek also manages to tweak Disney’s nose, provide a moral message to children, and offer viewers a funny, fast-paced ride.
#61
Adjusted Score: 94340%
Critics Consensus: It contains some ugly anachronisms, but Blake Edwards is at his funniest in this iconic classic, and Audrey Hepburn absolutely lights up the screen.
#60
Adjusted Score: 100326%
Critics Consensus: Madcap and heartfelt, Edgar Wright’s apocalypse comedy The World’s End benefits from the typically hilarious Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, with a plethora of supporting players.
#59
Adjusted Score: 95378%
Critics Consensus: Boasting loads of quirky charm, a pair of likable leads, and confident direction from Jonathan Demme, Something Wild navigates its unpredictable tonal twists with room to spare.
#58
Adjusted Score: 94907%
Critics Consensus: The Breakfast Club is a warm, insightful, and very funny look into the inner lives of teenagers.
#57
Adjusted Score: 95544%
Critics Consensus: Featuring a starmaking performance from Shameik Moore and a refreshingly original point of view from writer-director Rick Famuyiwa, Dope is smart, insightful entertainment.
#56
Adjusted Score: 92969%
Critics Consensus: Danny DeVito-directed version of Matilda is odd, charming, and while the movie diverges from Roald Dahl, it nonetheless captures the book’s spirit.
#55
Adjusted Score: 90799%
Critics Consensus: Inventively animated, boldly creative, and refreshingly ambitious, The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl should resonate deeply with fans of outré anime.
#54
Adjusted Score: 96171%
Critics Consensus: Remixing Roger Corman’s B-movie by way of the Off-Broadway musical, Little Shop of Horrors offers camp, horror and catchy tunes in equal measure — plus some inspired cameos by the likes of Steve Martin and Bill Murray.
#53
Adjusted Score: 98143%
Critics Consensus: Effortlessly mixing scares, laughs, and social commentary, Attack the Block is a thrilling, briskly-paced sci-fi yarn with a distinctly British flavor.
#52
Adjusted Score: 100992%
Critics Consensus: A marriage of genuine characters, gross out gags, and pathos, Bridesmaids is a female-driven comedy that refuses to be boxed in as Kristen Wiig emerges as a real star.
#51
Adjusted Score: 98150%
Critics Consensus: Rob Reiner’s touching, funny film set a new standard for romantic comedies, and he was ably abetted by the sharp interplay between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan.
#50
Adjusted Score: 96022%
Critics Consensus: Tootsie doesn’t squander its high-concept comedy premise with fine dialogue and sympathetic treatment of the characters.
#49
Adjusted Score: 100686%
Critics Consensus: Hairspray is an energetic, wholly entertaining musical romp; a fun Summer movie with plenty of heart. Its contagious songs will make you want to get up and start dancing.
#48
Adjusted Score: 111810%
Critics Consensus: With a terrific cast and a surfeit of visual razzle dazzle, Crazy Rich Asians takes a satisfying step forward for screen representation while deftly drawing inspiration from the classic — and still effective — rom-com formula.
#47
Adjusted Score: 101269%
Critics Consensus: Girls Trip is the rare R-rated comedy that pushes boundaries to truly comedic effect — and anchors its laughs in compelling characters brought to life by a brilliantly assembled cast.
#46
Adjusted Score: 98965%
Critics Consensus: Black’s exuberant, gleeful performance turns School of Rock into a hilarious, rocking good time.
#45
Adjusted Score: 99022%
Critics Consensus: The brilliant minds behind Shaun of the Dead successfully take a shot at the buddy cop genre with Hot Fuzz. The result is a bitingly satiric and hugely entertaining parody.
#44
Adjusted Score: 113983%
Critics Consensus: La La Land breathes new life into a bygone genre with thrillingly assured direction, powerful performances, and an irresistible excess of heart.
#43
Adjusted Score: 99929%
Critics Consensus: Little Miss Sunshine succeeds thanks to a strong ensemble cast that includes Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Alan Arkin, and Abigail Breslin, as well as a delightfully funny script.
#42
Adjusted Score: 101137%
Critics Consensus: Endlessly witty, visually rapturous, and sweetly romantic, Shakespeare in Love is a delightful romantic comedy that succeeds on nearly every level.
#41
Adjusted Score: 99162%
Critics Consensus: Shaun of the Dead cleverly balances scares and witty satire, making for a bloody good zombie movie with loads of wit.
#40
Adjusted Score: 92248%
Critics Consensus: The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness is a captivating treat for Studio Ghibli fans — and may prove nearly as entertaining and enlightening for the unconverted.
#39
Adjusted Score: 105054%
Critics Consensus: Love, Simon hits its coming-of-age beats more deftly than many entries in this well-traveled genre — and represents an overdue, if not entirely successful, milestone of inclusion.
#38
Adjusted Score: 102916%
Critics Consensus: Fantastic Mr. Fox is a delightfully funny feast for the eyes with multi-generational appeal — and it shows Wes Anderson has a knack for animation.
#37
Adjusted Score: 100536%
Critics Consensus: A smart re-imagining of fairy tale tropes that’s sure to delight children and adults, Enchanted features witty dialogue, sharp animation, and a star turn by Amy Adams.
#36
Adjusted Score: 115611%
Critics Consensus: Packed with action and populated by both familiar faces and fresh blood, The Force Awakens successfully recalls the series’ former glory while injecting it with renewed energy.
#35
Adjusted Score: 108498%
Critics Consensus: In heartwarming, crowd-pleasing fashion, Hidden Figures celebrates overlooked — and crucial — contributions from a pivotal moment in American history.
#34
Adjusted Score: 105612%
Critics Consensus: Much like the sport it celebrates, Fighting with My Family muscles past clichés with a potent blend of energy and committed acting that should leave audiences cheering.
#33
Adjusted Score: 117528%
Critics Consensus: Exciting, funny, and above all fun, Thor: Ragnarok is a colorful cosmic adventure that sets a new standard for its franchise — and the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
#32
Adjusted Score: 99122%
Critics Consensus: About a Boy benefits tremendously from Hugh Grant’s layered performance, as well as a funny, moving story that tugs at the heartstrings without tilting into treacle.
#31
Adjusted Score: 98331%
Critics Consensus: Beautiful hand-drawn animation and a humorous, heartwarming narrative make Klaus an instant candidate for holiday classic status.
#30
Adjusted Score: 98875%
Critics Consensus: Richly detailed and loaded with surreal touches, The Triplets of Belleville is an odd, delightful charmer.
#29
Adjusted Score: 97241%
Critics Consensus: A fine example of writer-director-star Christopher Guest’s gift for improv comedy, Best in Show boasts an appealingly quirky premise and a brilliantly talented cast.
#28
Adjusted Score: 104549%
Critics Consensus: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and director George Roy Hill prove that charm, humor, and a few slick twists can add up to a great film.
#27
Adjusted Score: 102597%
Critics Consensus: One of the brightest, funniest comedies of the year, Juno‘s smart script and direction are matched by assured performances in a coming-of-age story with a 21st century twist.
#26
Adjusted Score: 96760%
Critics Consensus: Featuring one of Tom Cruise’s best early performances, Risky Business is a sharp, funny examination of teen angst that doesn’t stop short of exploring dark themes.
#25
Adjusted Score: 107649%
Critics Consensus: Simultaneously broad and progressive, Spy offers further proof that Melissa McCarthy and writer-director Paul Feig bring out the best in one another — and delivers scores of belly laughs along the way.
#24
Adjusted Score: 105101%
Critics Consensus: Sing Street is a feel-good musical with huge heart and irresistible optimism, and its charming cast and hummable tunes help to elevate its familiar plotting.
#23
Adjusted Score: 105698%
Critics Consensus: Wall-E‘s stellar visuals testify once again to Pixar’s ingenuity, while its charming star will captivate younger viewers — and its timely story offers thought-provoking subtext.
#22
Adjusted Score: 104306%
Critics Consensus: Clever, charming, and heartfelt, The Muppets is a welcome big screen return for Jim Henson’s lovable creations that will both win new fans and delight longtime devotees.
#21
Adjusted Score: 108665%
Critics Consensus: With a title character as three-dimensional as its lush animation and a story that adds fresh depth to Disney’s time-tested formula, Moana is truly a family-friendly adventure for the ages.
#20
Adjusted Score: 108503%
Critics Consensus: Smart, sweet, and inventive, Groundhog Day highlights Murray’s dramatic gifts while still leaving plenty of room for laughs.
#19
Adjusted Score: 103574%
Critics Consensus: Inventive, funny, and breathlessly constructed, Back to the Future is a rousing time-travel adventure with an unforgettable spirit.
#18
Adjusted Score: 102821%
Critics Consensus: With help from a strong performance by Leonardo DiCaprio as real-life wunderkind con artist Frank Abagnale, Steven Spielberg crafts a film that’s stylish, breezily entertaining, and surprisingly sweet.
#17
Adjusted Score: 106642%
Critics Consensus: The charmingly offbeat Hunt for the Wilderpeople unites a solid cast, a talented filmmaker, and a poignant, funny, deeply affecting message.
#16
Adjusted Score: 106189%
Critics Consensus: Fast-paced and stunningly animated, Ratatouille adds another delightfully entertaining entry — and a rather unlikely hero — to the Pixar canon.
#15
Adjusted Score: 119501%
Critics Consensus: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse matches bold storytelling with striking animation for a purely enjoyable adventure with heart, humor, and plenty of superhero action.
#14
Adjusted Score: 116469%
Critics Consensus: Fast-paced, funny, and fresh, Booksmart does the seemingly impossible by adding a smart new spin to the coming-of-age comedy.
#13
Adjusted Score: 102129%
Critics Consensus: An infectiously fun blend of special effects and comedy, with Bill Murray’s hilarious deadpan performance leading a cast of great comic turns.
#12
Adjusted Score: 106050%
Critics Consensus: Love & Friendship finds director Whit Stillman bringing his talents to bear on a Jane Austen adaptation — with a thoroughly delightful period drama as the result.
#11
Adjusted Score: 105718%
Critics Consensus: A delightfully postmodern fairy tale, The Princess Bride is a deft, intelligent mix of swashbuckling, romance, and comedy that takes an age-old damsel-in-distress story and makes it fresh.
#10
Adjusted Score: 104135%
Critics Consensus: Spirited Away is a dazzling, enchanting, and gorgeously drawn fairy tale that will leave viewers a little more curious and fascinated by the world around them.
#9
Adjusted Score: 109058%
Critics Consensus: In dramatizing Rudy Ray Moore’s stranger-than-fiction story, Eddie Murphy makes Dolemite Is My Name just as bold, brash, and ultimately hard to resist as its subject.
#8
Adjusted Score: 105047%
Critics Consensus: Refreshingly sweet and undeniably funny, Big is a showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and surprising poignancy.
#7
Adjusted Score: 101628%
Critics Consensus: Hairspray is perhaps John Waters’ most accessible film, and as such, it’s a gently subversive slice of retro hilarity.
#6
Adjusted Score: 101754%
Critics Consensus: Sense and Sensibility is an uncommonly deft, very funny Jane Austen adaptation, marked by Emma Thompson’s finely tuned performance.
#5
Adjusted Score: 102958%
Critics Consensus: As beautifully animated as it is emotionally satisfying, Your Name adds another outstanding chapter to writer-director Makoto Shinkai’s filmography.
#4
Adjusted Score: 121266%
Critics Consensus: Lady Bird delivers fresh insights about the turmoil of adolescence — and reveals writer-director Greta Gerwig as a fully formed filmmaking talent.
#3
Adjusted Score: 112679%
Critics Consensus: Paddington 2 honors its star’s rich legacy with a sweet-natured sequel whose adorable visuals are matched by a story perfectly balanced between heartwarming family fare and purely enjoyable all-ages adventure.
#2
Adjusted Score: 113139%
Critics Consensus: Clever, incisive, and funny, Singin’ in the Rain is a masterpiece of the classical Hollywood musical.
#1
Adjusted Score: 105073%
Critics Consensus: Thanks to director Juzo Itami’s offbeat humor and sharp satirical edge, Tampopo is a funny, sexy, affectionate celebration of food and its broad influence on Japanese culture.
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