No matter what situation a person is in, we all find ourselves going through times where life feels bleak, sad or hopeless. We lose motivation or inspiration for whatever reason and dwell on the meaninglessness of whatever. It’s only normal. But now more than ever, the world has been caught in a pit of disfunction, fear and confusion. While a healthy dose of concern is encouraged, it is easy to become crippled with the ugliness of all that is going on. That’s why it’s good to take some personal time when available and get marinated like some good tofu in the spices and sauces of positivity provided by these movies.

8. Wreck-It Ralph

Ralph, a pixelated cartoon in a video game can’t escape the bad reputation the antagonist video game character he plays has garnered. Struck with loneliness and rejection by his peers, he goes on a journey to prove that once and for all, he is not the character he plays. The journey is surprisingly emotional for a children’s cartoon and as characters battle isolation and strive for acceptance it is impossible not to become emotionally invested. Watching Ralph progress, grow and begin to love and feel loved for the first time through the wacky adventures he goes on ought to bring those good happy tears to anybody’s eyes.

7. The Terminal

When Viktor Navorski’s home country Krakozhia is no longer recognized as a sovereign nation by the U.S, his passport is rendered useless and is unable to enter the U.S nor is he able to return home. Viktor finds himself stuck in the international terminal at the JFK airport where he acclimates to by learning English, discovering ways to obtain food and make money and eventually making friends. Throughout the movie you watch Viktor deal with unwelcoming and rude forces who want him out of the airport and you also see the kindness of strangers which eventually turns this scary terminal into a home.

6. The Boxtrolls

This animated feature focuses on the town of Cheesebridge where a species of nightcrawlers referred to as the “boxtrolls” are feared and hunted. When a young boy raised by boxtrolls sees that his friends are being taken away, he goes to the human world in order to look for them. He begins to see the false depictions of the boxtrolls that the citizens of Cheesebridge holds and sets out to change his minds and save them. The comedy approaches the topic of prejudice in a clever way that will tug many heartstrings and lift spirits all in just an hour and a half.

5. Lars and the Real Girl

Lars is a man who has trouble connecting with those around him. He orders a sex doll and through his delusions begins a romantic relationship with her. Though they are taken aback, the townspeople go along with Lars’ delusion in order to give him the emotional support he needs. The love and support that Lars receives is a great testament to the kindness that humanity is capable of and makes for a movie that will make any heart flutter.

4. Good Bye, Lenin!

It’s a common occurrence, your dad flees East Germany, consequently deserting your family and leading your mother to become a revered avid supporter of the autocratic government. Then you join protests calling for the downfall of the same government that your mother has so vehemently fought for; she sees you, she has a heart attack and falls into a coma. Eight months later she wakes up and her beloved country is no more. The famous Berlin wall has fallen, Germany is united and a young man named Alex needs to ensure his mother never finds out about these recent events no matter what kind of crazy hoops he has to jump through. This historical fiction explores a difficult and uncomfortably recent moment in history through a lense so eccentric and unusual that every emotion becomes magnified by a thousand and once the end is reached, all these emotions will be wrapped up into a satisfying little bow around your heart.

3. Vincent Wants to Sea

A teenager with tourette’s syndrome named Vincent is sent by his father to a mental hospital after the death of his mother under a dangerously misguided hope that his tourette’s will be cure. In order to fulfill his mother’s dying wish to spread her ashes, he runs away with a fellow patient who has anorexia. They steal a car and accidentally kidnap Vincent’s roommate who suffers from OCD. The journey, as cliche as ever, leads the protagonist on a path of self-discovery, acceptance and friendship. The trope might be a familiar one but the fluffy feelings this movie will give you are super worth it.

If you don’t feel like reading subtitles for this German movie, watch the American remake called The Road Within, starring our fave, Dev Patel.

2. Amélie

Amelie, an icon to many. A hero to others. A very adorable protagonist to all. The movie, named after its lovely main character is everything life should be. The plot centers on a quirky young woman named Amelie whose outlook and personality makes it difficult to fit in. She embarks on a mission to make the lives of all around her much more pleasant by helping them in whatever odd way she finds appropriate. On this journey of wholesomeness, Amelie does THAT!

1. The Way He Looks

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A blind teenager strives for independence and comes to terms with his sexuality in this heartwarming romance.The tender way in which the characters interact with the protagonist, Leonardo, will hopefully trigger some fond memories of loved ones. The Brazilian film did an important job in putting LGBTQ+ movies back in the public view by being Brazil’s official submission for the 2015 Oscar awards for best foreign language film. It has also managed to be considered one of 2014’s best films and my personal favorite movie of all time. The most charming aspect of this movie might just be how extraordinarily ordinary everything is. The way everyday life is portrayed, in a relaxing and pleasant manner is sure to warm your heart.