A little optimism goes a long way.

The 13 best happy movies on Netflix that’ll inspire a smile

A little optimism goes a long way.

By Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

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and Andrew Walsh

on April 7, 2026 7:55 a.m. ET

Gromit in 'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl'; Edward Norton as Scout Master Ward in 'Moonrise Kingdom'; Emjay Anthony as Percy and Jon Favreau as Carl in 'Chef'. Credit:

Netflix; Everett (2)

Cue the happy chemicals: Netflix just performed its monthly inventory restock, and there are some options that will brighten your mood. Among this month's highlights: The film adaptation of the beloved novel *Matilda* (1996) is back on the platform and turning 30 years old this summer. Plus, British cultural icons Wallace & Gromit do battle with technology in their second feature film, *Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl *(2024).

Here are **'s 13 best movie picks to transport you to a happier plane of existence, all streaming on Netflix.

Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Ali Wong as Sasha Tran and Randall Park as Marcus Kim in 'Always Be My Baby'. Ed Araquel/Netflix

Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park) were best friends–turned–high school sweethearts who, after a post-coital fight, lost contact for 16 years. When Sasha makes a triumphant return to San Francisco as a big-time chef, she and Marcus, who is not doing quite as well, find themselves nursing old grudges and long-dormant feelings. EW praises the stars' effortless chemistry, writing, “the bond between them is one of the many elements that make the film feel authentic, sweet, and wildly funny.” *—Andrew Walsh*

Where to watch *Always Be My Maybe*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Nahnatchka Khan

**Cast: **Ali Wong, Randall Park, James Saito, Michelle Buteau, Daniel Dae Kim

Chef (2014)

Emjay Anthony as Percy Casper and Jon Favreau as Carl Casper in 'Chef'.

Director Jon Favreau was coming off a string of big-budget action movies (2008's *Iron Man*, 2011's *Cowboys & Aliens*) when he released *Chef*. A cinematic 180, this road dramedy tells the story of a celebrity chef (Favreau) who gets fired from his high-profile job at a Los Angeles restaurant, only to rediscover his love of cooking by opening a food truck.

The film was inspired by the success of Roy Choi's Kogi Korean BBQ truck in 2008, and the script is reflective of the 2014 social media culture into which it was born. (One of the major plot points involves a viral Twitter beef with a food critic.) A charming comedy, *Chef* is Favreau’s return to more intimate filmmaking after his Marvel success. *—Ilana Gordon*

Where to watch *Chef*: Netflix

**Director: **Jon Favreau

**Cast: **Jon Favreau, Sofía Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

Will Ferrell as Lars Erickssong and Rachel McAdams as Sigrit Ericksdóttir in 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga'.

John Wilson/Netflix

Icelandic musicians Lars Erickssong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdóttir (Rachel McAdams) are lifelong friends and not-yet-sweethearts who dream of winning the Eurovision Song Contest. Despite disapproval from their parents, their town, and the local Eurovision selection committee, the duo dubbed “Fire Saga” refuses to let anything stop them from achieving their goal of songwriting immortality — including their romantic feelings for each other.

Underneath all the spandex and over-the-top production numbers is a sincere film that cares as much about sharing the joy of music as satirizing its ostentatious performance. *—A.W.*

Where to watch *Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga*: Netflix

**Director: **David Dobkin

**Cast: **Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens, Pierce Brosnan

Klaus (2019)

Jesper (voice: Jason Schwartzman) and Klaus (voice: J.K. Simmons) in 'Klaus'.

Netflix/Everett

*Klaus* is a Santa Claus origin story that’s enjoyable any time of the year. Starring Oscar winner J.K. Simmons as the film’s eponymous hero, *Klaus *tells the tale of a widowed Norwegian woodsman who is recruited by the town’s new postman, Jesper* *(Jason Schwartzman), to make toys for him to deliver in an effort to prove his postmaster general father wrong. But when Klaus’ toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a town whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself. *Klaus* isn’t just another feel-good film; it’s also a film that looks great. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Klaus*: Netflix

**Director:** Sergio Pablos

**Cast: **Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Neda Margrethe Labba**

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The LEGO Movie (2014)

(Clockwise from lower left): Unikitty (voice: Alison Brie), Benny (voice: Charlie Day), Metal Beard (voice: Nick Offerman), Vitruvius (voice: Morgan Freeman), Batman (voice: Will Arnett), Wyldstyle (voice: Elizabeth Banks), Emmet (voice: Chris Pratt), and President Business (voice: Will Ferrell) in 'The LEGO Movie'.

*The LEGO Movie* walked so *Barbie* (2023) could run (in heels). An animated comedy that transforms the LEGO universe into a fast-paced, clever, and visually staggering family film, the comedy satirizes big business, conformity, and capitalism with a sophistication that still feels prescient today.

The film stars Chris Pratt as Emmet Brickowski, a construction worker and Everyman who is called upon to save the world from the evil Lord Business (Will Ferrell), who intends to freeze it using a weapon called the Kragle. EW’s critic writes that the film “invents a kind of child-friendly meta universe in which the playthings on display are at once objects and characters. The transparently fake LEGO constructions embody the pure spirit of make-believe.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The LEGO Movie*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A

**Directors:** Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

**Cast: **Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Morgan Freeman

Matilda (1996)

Mara Wilson as Matilda Wormwood in 'Matilda'.

Before Danny DeVito was Frank in *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia*, he directed and starred in one of the best adaptations of Roald Dahl’s work: *Matilda*. A movie about a prodigious 6-year-old who develops telekinetic abilities to deal with the bullying she experiences from the adults in her life, *Matilda* was not a box office success, but it is a millennial cult classic.

Like much of Dahl’s work, *Matilda* is ultimately the story of a brilliant child attempting to police the unstable adults around her. But DeVito’s direction — coupled with excellent casting and performances — finds whimsy, comedy, and connection amidst all the abuse and special abilities. A perfect family movie, and a welcome reminder of DeVito’s range,* Matilda* is a feel-good film with some bite. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Matilda*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director: **Danny DeVito

**Cast:** Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Kara Hayward as Suzy, Jared Gilman as Sam, and Jason Schwartzman as Cousin Ben in 'Moonrise Kingdom'.

Wes Anderson knows whimsy, and in *Moonrise Kingdom*, the director constructs a beautiful elegy to young love. Set on an island off the coast of New England in the 1960s, this coming-of-age dramedy follows two 12-year-old misfits as they become pen pals and agree to run away together.

Visually constructed using Anderson’s pastel palette and cast with some of his favorite stock players, the film combines dreamy, youthful fantasy with religious allegory, and ends up with a story that feels both edgy and innocent. Edward Norton is a treat in his role as the scoutmaster in charge of a local summer camp, but it’s the performances by the film’s child actors — Jared Gilman as Sam and Kara Kayward as Suzy, both industry novices — that make *Moonrise Kingdom* one of Anderson’s most compelling projects. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Moonrise Kingdom*: Netflix through April 30

**Director: **Wes Anderson

**Cast: **Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire in 'Mrs. Doubtfire'.

Phil Bray/20th Century Fox

A true ‘90s family classic, *Mrs. Doubtfire* tells the story of a man who will stop at nothing to spend time with his children — court-ordered legalities be damned. Robin Williams and Sally Field star as Daniel and Miranda Hillard, a couple going through a divorce. When Miranda is granted primary custody of their three children, Daniel looks for ways to reintegrate into their lives.

His solution? Finagle his way into a job as Miranda’s housekeeper by passing himself off as a dowdy English woman (with a Scottish accent, though) named Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire. The movie crosses into farcical territory at times — particularly in one oft-memed scene where both Daniel and Mrs. Doubtfire are invited to dinner with Miranda, the kids, and her new beau (Pierce Brosnan). But the movie still has heart, and its chief attribute is Williams, who EW’s critic writes “gives an inspired comic performance.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Mrs. Doubtfire*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Chris Columbus

**Cast: **Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein, Robert Prosky

My Octopus Teacher (2020)

Craig Foster with an octopus in 'My Octopus Teacher'.

*My Octopus Teacher *is an Oscar-winning documentary that chronicles South African free-diver Craig Foster’s bond with an octopus he discovers while on an underwater expedition. As he observes the creature’s life, playfulness, and harrowing encounters with predators, he notices changes in his approach to his own life and relationships out of the water. Filled with gorgeous, entrancing cinematography, this true story of an unlikely friendship inspires wonder about the natural world and our place in it. *—A.W.*

Where to watch *My Octopus Teacher*: Netflix

**Directors: **James Reed, Pippa Ehrlich

**Cast: **Craig Foster

Nimona (2023)

Nimona (voice: Chloë Grace Moretz) in 'Nimona'. Netflix

Shape-shifting troublemaker Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) aspires to be the villainous sidekick to the Queen’s would-be assassin, Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), despite the latter's protests that it was a frame-up. As the unlikely pair of outcasts team up, the kingdom’s ancient history and modern politics throw unexpected wrinkles into their quest to clear Ballister’s name.

We expect animated family adventures like this to be uplifting and heartfelt, but *Nimona *ups the ante with its explorations of chosen families, queer identity, self-expression, and its complex but inspiring understanding of heroism. *—A.W.*

Where to watch *Nimona*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B+

**Directors: **Troy Quane, Nick Bruno

**Cast: **Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint

Paddington in Peru (2024)

Paddington Bear (voice: Ben Whishaw) in 'Paddington in Peru'.

Britain’s fuzziest marmalade enthusiast is back for his third adventure, and this time he’s headed home to the jungle. After learning that the bear who raised him after his parents died has gone missing, Paddington convinces his adoptive family to join him on a quest to Darkest Peru to find and rescue his Aunt Lucy.

Of course, nothing on a quest is ever as it seems, and Paddington and the Brown family must contend with gold hunters and scheming villains on their journey. In times of great stress, there’s nothing quite like turning on a *Paddington* movie and setting off on a well-mannered adventure. *Paddington in Peru* doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it does not disappoint. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Paddington in Peru*: Netflix

**Director: **Dougal Wilson

**Cast:** Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

Noah Centineo as Peter Kavinsky and Lana Condor as Lara Jean Song-Covey in 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'. Netflix

Lara Jean’s (Lana Condor) meddling little sister, Kitty (Anna Cathcart), unleashes havoc on her life when she finds the teen's secret collection of love letters and mails them to her crushes — including to their older sister Margot's (Janel Parrish) ex-boyfriend, Josh (Israel Broussard).

To do damage control, Lara and classmate Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) agree to fake being in love to disguise her feelings from Josh and make Peter's ex jealous. EW praises the film for having “more substance than you expect. And Condor as Lara Jean has a winning, be-true-to-yourself sense of independence that’s infectious.” *—A.W.*

Where to watch *To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Susan Johnson

**Cast: **Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Anna Cathcart, Janel Parrish, Israel Broussard

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024)

Gromit, Norbot (voice: Reece Shearsmith), and Wallace (voice: Ben Whitehead) in 'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl'.

England’s most beloved national treasures aren’t all locked away in the British Museum: some are streaming on Netflix. Wallace & Gromit, the U.K.’s favorite stop motion claymation duo, return in their second feature-length film, *Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.*

Released 19 years after the franchise’s first feature (*The Curse of the Were-Rabbit*, 2005), *Vengeance Most Fowl *is a follow-up to the 1993 short, *The Wrong Pants*, and joins the eccentric inventor and his loyal beagle as they confront the modern world. After Wallace invents a robotic garden gnome — which is later hacked by Feathers McGraw, a criminal penguin seeking revenge — the pair must fight to save themselves from the dangers of technology. It's comfort comedy at its finest. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl*: Netflix

**Directors: **Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham

**Cast: **Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, Reece Shearsmith

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