Winter has settled in. When the days are short and your patience even shorter, feel-good films like The Holdovers and Flow bring the perfect blend of humor, heart, and catharsis. Meanwhile, gems like Creed and Fire Island remind us that comfort movies don’t have to play it safe—they can pack a punch, both emotionally and quite literally. Over the past decade, filmmakers have redefined what “feel-good” means, crafting stories that balance warmth with wit and psychological complexity. While the comfort movie canon is safely packed with nostalgic fare and easy watching, we’re nominating the following films from the last decade to join their ranks.
Let the movie marathon begin.
Flow (2024)
Latvia’s animated marvel is already sweeping awards season, and for good reason. ("Thank you for embracing our little cat film," said director Gints Zilbalodis as his team won best animated picture at the Globes.) This dialogue-free adventure follows a plucky cat and its unlikely crew—a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a dog—sailing a makeshift boat across a waterlogged planet in search of dry land. Equal parts whimsical and profound, the film transforms its quiet narrative into a striking meditation on climate fragility and the unshakeable power of community.
Where to Watch: Available to rent on Apple TV+ and Prime Video
The Holdovers (2023)
In The Holdovers, director Alexander Payne delivers a tart yet tender holiday tale, anchored by Paul Giamatti’s delightfully cantankerous turn as Paul Hunham, a pompous, world-weary teacher stuck babysitting a handful of boys who can’t go home for Christmas. Set at a posh New England boarding school in 1970, the film thrives on the acerbic humor and sharp exchanges Payne has mastered. Crackling dialogue, vivid character dynamics, and Giamatti’s pitch-perfect performance make this a surprisingly heartwarming holiday offering that sidesteps schmaltz in favor of something real.
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Fire Island (2022)
Andrew Ahn’s Fire Island unapologetically reimagines Pride and Prejudice in a sun-drenched queer haven. Narrator Noah (Joel Kim Booster) tips his homage early, dismissing Austen’s ode to marriage and monogamy before dashing onto the ferry to meet his eclectic crew at their lesbian den mother’s (the incredible Margaret Cho) house. What follows is a cheeky yet heartfelt exploration of love, friendship, and the messy dynamics of queer identity, anchored by Noah’s brash confidence and his best friend Howie’s (Bowen Yang) quiet insecurities.
Where to Watch: Hulu
The French Dispatch (2021)
Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch is a vibrant cinematic ode to Francophilia, storytelling, and the printed page. Set in the fictional Ennui-sur-Blasé, the film unfolds as a team puts together the final issue of a magazine inspired by The New Yorker, blending whimsical humor with biting commentary on the tangled relationship between art and power. The film pulses with life, using live action, animation, split screens, and tableaux vivants to transform Anderson's meticulous style into something unexpectedly kinetic.
Where to Watch: Available to rent on Apple TV+ and Prime Video
American Utopia (2020)
Spike Lee’s American Utopia isn’t just a concert film—it’s a boundary-pushing performance that reframes what live music can be. David Byrne, ever the innovator, transforms a minimalist grey box framed by chainmail walls into a stage pulsing with life and movement. The result feels like a theater production born from the grit and ingenuity of downtown New York. The setlist—spanning Byrne’s Talking Heads hits, solo tracks, and a powerful cover of Janelle Monáe’s “Hell You Talmbout”—offers a poignant balance of joy and political urgency.
Where to Watch: Max
Little Women (2019)
Greta Gerwig’s masterpiece is a fresh spin on the timeless classic, weaving Louisa May Alcott’s 19th-century tale into a lively, time-hopping narrative. Saoirse Ronan leads a stellar ensemble, with Florence Pugh’s fiery Amy and Timothée Chalamet’s loveable Laurie stealing scenes. Gerwig’s modern touch makes the March sisters’ journey of independence, empowerment, and familial reckoning feel utterly relevant. Packed with character, warmth, and a standout score by Alexandre Desplat, Little Women is as big-hearted as it is inventive—a major achievement in every sense.
Where to Watch: Available to rent on Apple TV+
Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
Morgan Neville’s Won’t You Be My Neighbor? celebrates Fred Rogers’s quiet revolution in kindness and emotional education. Through heartfelt interviews and archival clips, the film explores how Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood tackled everything from racism to political violence with empathy and grace.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Logan Lucky (2017)
Steven Soderbergh balances the procedural thrills of the heist genre with sharp, understated commentary on the American working class. Two brothers, played by Adam Driver and Channing Tatum, aim to elevate their circumstances by robbing North Carolina's Charlotte Motor Speedway with a little help from Daniel Craig and a few other knuckleheads they pick up along the way. With its witty twists, quirky characters, and easygoing charm, Logan Lucky feels as much like a family reunion as it does a heist—a heartfelt, expertly crafted caper that’s as generous as it is entertaining.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Your Name (2016)
Makoto Shinkai’s film redefines the body-swap genre with breathtaking animation and a poignant story of love and fate. Mitsuha, a small-town girl, and Taki, a Tokyo teen, wake up in each other’s lives, sparking a connection that transcends time and space. Blending ancient folklore with J-pop iconography, Shinkai crafts a visually stunning, emotionally resonant tale that’s as playful as it is profound—equal parts dreamy and devastating.
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Creed (2015)
If you think you’ve seen it all in the Rocky franchise, think again. Creed is a powerful reimagining of a classic legacy, brimming with emotion, grit, and unforgettable performances. Michael B. Jordan electrifies as Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo, stepping out of his father’s shadow and into his own story. Guided by a career-best Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, the film delivers a raw and deeply personal exploration of family, identity, and ambition. (Bonus, there's two other films in this trilogy if you need three times the comfort!)
Where to Watch: Prime Video
