10 Wholesome, feel good movies to warm the soul

Wholesome, feel good movies to warm the soul

The Relatable Watchlist: Blog Post #3 

Casey Binge 

Today I saw a clip for a movie that I have watched a number of times that gave me the idea for this list. We all have rough days where everything feels exhausting, when you have had too much drama in the day to watch another one on your screen, too much sadness to cry again, and just want to feel whole. I think that it is safe to assume that everyone has a go to wholesome film, at the very least one they watch at Christmas. I know I have one movie in particular I watch every holiday season that I will include on the list that gets me through seeing my family. 

Without further ado I present my 10 picks starting with the movie that inspired this list. 

#1 Chef (2014) 

Chef is the ultimate definition of a wholesome movie.  Written, produced and directed by Jon Favreau, who you may know as Happy from Ironman, Chef delivers not only top performances from Jon but also John Leguizamo. Since you will probably google this film, you will notice Marvel co-stars Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson star in this film, while in minor roles. Essentially the film is about a brilliant chef Carl who works at a high end restaurant in LA, where he feels trapped creatively because the owner wants him to stick to a tired, tasteless menu.  He designs a brilliant menu with the intention to impress a top critic, but is forced to play it safe resulting in a poor review. Naturally, he is devastated because he is very talented and is capable of delivering something spectacular. He turns to twitter, now X, to contact the critic and challenge him to come back for a better, more inspired meal. However, new to the platform he doesn't realise that he replied publicly instead of writing a personal message, which leads to a big public response. The critic comes back to the restaurant, events unfold and Carl essentially goes viral for breaking down, resulting in him losing his job. 

Lost and defeated, he decides to open a food truck, selling Cuban food. He is joined by his sous chef who quits and his eager son, and they embark on a journey selling Cuban food over the summer in his truck. I will say no more, because frankly I just want to give you a taste. I watch this film and I every time I laugh, I feel soo happy and warm. It's not heavy, or complicated just beautiful. It comes with my highest recommendation as a hot chocolate movie, warm, sweet, sentimental and not good for people with lactose intolerance. WARNING: you will watch this film and go into a spiral of googling Cuban restaurants because the food looks soo good.     

#2 Then and Now (1995)

Perhaps one of the heavier movies on this list, then and now is a coming of age film about a group of friends who reminisce about the Summer they spent together when they were 12 and how the events shaped them as people and set the stage for who they are as adults. The girls are all very different and fit the typical 1990s archetypes: the popular fashion forward girl, the tomboy, the brooding melodramatic one and of course the chubby (not really chubby) friend. Although these archetypes are dated, the movie has still aged well enough and remains a classic I return to from time to time. The plot follows the girls as they try to uncover a town mystery involving a boy who died many years ago. It brings back memories of when I was younger and would ride my bike around the neighbourhood and play with friends, when the world was so much bigger because I wasn't confined by 4 walls. Not to say I'm confined now per say, more blissfully isolated. 

Although the plot and structure of the film is very different, it reminds me of a female stand by me. Another great coming of age film of childhood memories and how they have influenced us. 

#3 When Harry met Sally (1989)

This film belongs in my top 3 movies, not exactly for any particular reason other than the way it makes me feel. I watch this film and I see a realistic, simple kind of love that I used to long for until I found my current partner. Now I look at it with fondness. It is a romantic comedy, and while I do love a rom com as much as the next gal, do not be deterred if you loath the category. Set in New York, this film, which has been referenced to death, follows the evolving friendship of Harry and Sally. They meet on a road trip to New York and instantly detest each other. Mostly because Harry is blunt on how he views male-female dynamics and everything else in the world, and Sally is rigid and high maintenance. Their initial interaction revolves around how men and women cannot be friends, because sex gets in the way regardless if either one is attracted to the other. They meet several times over the years by chance and eventually become ironic friends. The thing the world seem to focus on about this film is male-female friendships. While this is a central theme, the highlight of this film is the romantic New York style, and the unfiltered thoughts of two lost people. They open each other to their worst selves and its ok. 

The movie for me at least, exposed me to the relationship I wanted for friendship or love. A relationship where I can be unafraid to show people the parts of myself I don't like, or that I'm afraid they won't like and everything will be fine. The movie is uneventful compared to most rom coms, and is largely a series of conversations about how their day went, what they did, dreams they had, regrets, hopes, fears... but is still easy to watch. My anti-rom com partner watched this with me kicking and screaming, coming out of pleasantly surprised. Don't put this movie on that list of great movies you should watch before you die. I have one of these and it's collecting dust. I am writing this because I want to share my love for this film and implore others to run for their phone at 1am and watch it. P.s If you recognise the male leads voice, yes he voices Mike Wazowski in Monsters Inc. 

#4 Brother bear (2003)

One of the sadder movies on this list Brother bear appears to be a pleasant, long forgotten memory for many. To date I have not met a person who dislikes this film because frankly there is nothing to hate. I re-watched this last year and was surprised how well it has aged and still remains a beautiful animated tale of love, loss and identity. Personally Disney is not on my top list of animators in the most recent years. There has been some notable releases that were beautiful, but I look back at brother bear and the hunchback of Notre Dame and wish for something more. One could argue that nostalgia greatly contributes to this bias, and they would not be wrong. This film is a massive childhood favourite. 

For those who have not watched this film it follows a young, strong willed, Inuit, hunter (Kenai) who is eager to prove himself in his tribe, and be like his older brothers. After his older brother Sitka sacrifices his life to save him and his other brother Denahi from a bear attack, Kenai seeks revenge. He kills the bear in his rage and as a result is punished by the Great Spirits and transformed into a bear. He is forced to experience life from the perspective of the creature he hates, and the only way for him to change back is to befriend a cub bear called Koda. This film is filled with  many interesting characters, hilarious scenes, heart-warming moments, beautiful animation, and great music. You will not regret watching this film if it escaped your childhood. It is a hidden gem in older animation, that hold a special place in my heart. 

#5 It's a wonderful life (1946) 

Ok, so I had to include a Christmas film, it is simply unavoidable. Honourable mention goes out to the under-rated 1998 rendition of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. It's a wonderful life is a quintessential Christmas film that funnily enough was not released as one. In fact the films initial release was not well received and wasn't put on it's golden pedestal until many years later when it was frequently aired on television during the Christmas season. Despite the film being almost 80 years old, it has aged surprisingly well with central themes of community, the value and beauty of life and the significance of small acts of kindness. It is interesting that the struggles outlined in this film are very very relevant today, with a focus on how people struggled to own homes and how the big banks contributed to this strain. The plot follows George Bailey, the manager of a small, community-oriented financial institution that helps families in his town secure home loans, which allows them to buy houses and avoid living in slums. The film first follows the events of his life, and his eventual attempt at suicide. He is, however saved by a guardian angel and shown what life would be like if he was never born. Many shows have done their own rendition of this, particularly for Christmas specials. Nothing compares to the original storyline which will leave you crying genuine happy tears at the end. Many films have me bawling like a baby from sadness, but very few can have me in blubbering mess from happiness. 

#6 Whispers of the heart (1995)

I love Studio Ghibli and am constantly amazed by the attention to detail in every one of their films. Whisper of the Heart, while not as well known as Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totoro, is a charming story about Shizuku, a young aspiring writer who stumbles upon a mysterious antique shop and meets Seiji, a boy with dreams of becoming a violin maker. Together, they inspire each other to chase their ambitions, and Shizuku begins to discover her limitless potential as a writer.

If you’ve ever watched a Studio Ghibli film, you will know that they are a wholesome powerhouse. This particular gem has always stood out to me because of its imaginative storytelling and the special dynamic between Shizuku, Seiji, and the wise antique shop owner. I could try to find a better way to describe it, but I think “special” sums it up perfectly.

Some people hesitate to watch anime due to the stigma attached to it, which, in my opinion, is incredibly limiting. If you ever decide to take the first step, Studio Ghibli will convince you to dive in headfirst. Why not start with Whisper of the Heart?

#7 The terminal (2004)

Tom Hanks is known for many big box office hits such as Forrest Gump, Cast away and Saving Private Ryan, however, perhaps one of his lessor know but still well received and famous films is the 2004 comedy drama film The Terminal. Based on a true story, the terminal loosely follows the story of Iranian refugee Mehran Karimi Nasseri, who lived in Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport for 18 years. In the films rendition of events a man named Viktor Navorski from the fictional country of Krakozhia en route to JFK airport in New York, a political events occurs in his home country that invalidates his passport, which leaves him stranded in the terminal. Unable to enter New York, nor go back home Viktor is forced to live in the airport indefinitely. His kind and innocent personality and the relationships he forms throughout is very heart warming. 

Honourable mention TV show: Ted Lasso

While this list is mostly made up of movies, I couldn’t, in good conscience, exclude the illustrious Apple original series Ted Lasso. The show follows Ted Lasso, a former American football coach who is unexpectedly hired to coach a struggling English soccer team—despite having no experience with the sport.

On paper, Ted’s endless optimism and relentless positivity might seem irritating, but Jason Sudeikis' spectacular performance makes him impossible not to love. His insatiable folksy charm is a big part of why this show is one of my favourites. If you’re not convinced, just watch any clip from the series on YouTube—you’ll be intrigued.