9 Feel-Good Movies like Good Will Hunting

Considered to be a cult classic, Dead Poets Society follows a group of students at an elite, traditional boarding school. Through the guidance of their unconventional English teacher (Robin Williams), the boys learn to spread their wings—embracing the carpe diem philosophy. 

The coming-of-age film is all about living authentically and boldly in the face of a world that demands conformity. Exploring some very heavy themes, be sure to check the trigger warnings before watching this one—and have some tissues on standby. 

There is nothing more uplifting than watching someone accomplish their dreams—and doing away with stereotypes in the process! If you haven’t watched Billy Elliot yet, cancel your plans and get ready to feel inspired. 

The 2000 British coming-of-age drama follows an 11-year-old boy (Jamie Bell) living in a coal-mining community during the 1984–1985 miners’ strike in North East England. 

Challenging expectations across gender, class, and sexuality, Billy ditches the boxing gloves for ballet shoes, using dance to express himself—and ultimately changing the lives of those around him for the better. 

Some of the best comfort movies are set during Christmas time—but that doesn’t mean you have to limit your enjoyment to December. In fact, we love The Holdovers all year round. 

Set in 1970 at a New England boarding school, a grumpy history teacher (Paul Giamatti) must stay over the holidays to watch students who are unable to go home. After a few days, only one student remains: the troublemaking Angus (Dominic Sessa), along with head cook Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), who recently lost her son in Vietnam. 

A beautiful depiction of “chosen family,” The Holdovers definitely deserves a spot in your rewatch rotation.

Perfect Days is best characterized as a slice-of-life drama. Nothing drastic happens over the film’s 2+ hour runtime; instead, it focuses on the daily life of a Tokyo public toilet cleaner named Hirayama (Kōji Yakusho). 

Embracing structure and minimalism, Hirayama manages to find the intrinsic beauty in life. Although his day is disrupted by unexpected visitors and events, he continues to live in the moment. 

A heartwarming reminder that each day of life is a gift, Perfect Days is a great option for when you’re feeling a little down and need something introspective, and, in turn, moving. 

Life rarely goes as expected. In fact, it’s often in the moments when we’re faced with hardship that we not only reflect on who we are but also open ourselves to necessary change.

The Worst Person in the World shares a similar sentiment, centered on four years in the life of Julie (Renate Reinsve), a young woman trying to figure out who she is and what she wants. Julie is not, as the title implies, the worst person in the world—but rather someone who makes mistakes (like everyone else). 

If you’ve been feeling pressure or stress around aging, or, more generally, making choices, this film shows that the bravest thing you can do is simply be honest with yourself. 

Unlikely friendships are some of the most beautiful kinds of relationships. In Finding Forrester, Forrester (Sean Connery) is a famous author who, upon discovering a scholar-athlete’s talents, decides to take him under his wing. Enrolled in a prestigious private school, Jamal (Rob Brown) is able to bloom into the writer he’s always wanted to be. 

As they learn more about each other, they come to learn more about themselves. Matt Damon, the star of Good Will Hunting, also makes a cameo, serving as a passing-of-the-torch moment, given that the movies share a similar storyline. 

Winner of the 2017 Academy Award for Best Picture, Moonlight is a tender exploration of self-discovery. Perhaps a little more heartbreaking than heartwarming, it is a movie that you will never forget—and does offer a hopeful conclusion. 

Following Chiron (Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes), a young Black man growing up in rural Miami, the story begins in childhood and ends in adulthood, as he grapples with his identity, sexuality, and the social expectations of masculinity. 

Another Academy Award Winner for Best Picture in 2022, Ruby (Emilia Jones) is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), and the only hearing person in her deaf family. When her family’s fishing business goes under, she grapples with whether to continue supporting them or follow her love for music. 

An emotional, feel-good movie celebrated for featuring deaf actors who play deaf characters, with Troy Kotsur becoming the first male deaf actor to win an Oscar. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, first published in book form and later adapted into a movie, practically defined the coming-of-age genre—closely associated with those warm, moving sentiments. 

Charlie (Logan Lerman) is a 15-year-old boy navigating his mental health when he meets Patrick (Ezra Miller), a charismatic senior, and his stepsister (Emma Watson). He is quickly invited into their group of misfit toys, and, within this safety net, Charlie begins to heal. 

Navigating darker themes with much care, this is a remarkable story of found family and living life to the fullest. 

Featured image: Miramax Pictures