I have collated what I believe are some of the best films which give you that warm and fuzzy feeling. These are perfect to cuddle up to and watch over the festive season. Although not all of them are directly related to Christmas, they will all definitely leave you feeling content and restore your faith in humanity with some pure and innocent heart-warming stories.
So, in no particular order…
1. The Greatest Store in the World
This beautiful film from the 90s is one of the most feel-good movies out there. It follows the story of a single mum and her two daughters who are on the brink of homelessness at Christmas. The mum makes the bold move of taking the girls and hunkering down in Scottley’s (London’s leading department store). They spend the night in the store’s bedding section and pretend to be part of the cleaning staff in the morning so they don’t get caught.
The young family gets up to all sorts of adventures and they eventually make friends with the ‘fierce’ doorman Mr Whiskers. All in all, this film is bound to leave your heart feeling a little warmer and your Christmas spirit feeling a little restored.
2. The Holiday
This personal favourite of mine is hands down a classic Christmas film. If you haven’t seen it, I envy you. It’s one of those beautiful films that you wish you could experience for the first time again and again. The story is that of two women, one living in England and the other in America. They both find themselves alone at Christmas time and, rather than wallow in self-pity, they decide to get a change of scenery and have a house swap.
From looking like they were going to be alone over Christmas, the two women end up finding comfort in the most unlikely of company. This lovely and sweet film really brings out the best in human nature and will no doubt bring a little hope into your heart over the festive season.
3. The Little Prince
This is the perfect example of a feel-good film which isn’t necessarily Christmassy. It’s simply too wonderful to miss off this list. The story of The Little Prince has been around since the 1940s when it was first published by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The 2015 animation film version, available on Netflix, is undoubtedly the best.
It is the charming story of a young girl, who is told a tale of adventure about a little prince from another planet. He comes to Earth in search of human connection, and she learns that this is what matters most in the world. She manages to save herself from the drab outcome of adulthood and creates memories that will last a lifetime.
I highly recommend this film to anyone. Young or old, it will have you laughing, crying and leave you feeling thoroughly uplifted with a restored faith in human nature.
4. Love Actually
Another all-time classic for the holiday period is this little Rom-Com that we all know and love. It almost goes without saying that this film is everybody’s favourite. Although there’s plenty of people out there with the old ‘it’s overrated’ opinion, I still hold this film in high regard. To me, nothing says Christmas more than cosying up of the sofa and finding this gem on the TV.
The plot is, obviously, about 8 different couples and how their lives all intertwine in the month leading up to Christmas day. This is one of those films you can come back to again and again and it won’t ever lose its charm. Enough said.
5. Bridget Jones’s Diary
The last, but most definitely not least, film on my feel-good list is another classic Rom-Com. Who doesn’t love seeing Bridget get up to all of her funny shenanigans? The love everyone has for this film is clearly strong as we keep coming back to it. Or I do at least.
Bridget is torn between the two men in her life and the battle for her affections will leave you laughing and crying your way to a delightful ending. One of the perfect films to make you feel that little bit happier over Christmas.
