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HELLO!'s 13 feel-good films to beat the January blues

These mood-boosting movies will put a smile on your face 

Split images from The Fabelmans, What's Love Got To Do With It? and Paddington 2
Megan Bull
TV Writer
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It's officially the month of New Year's resolutions and Insta progress pics, which can make January feel particularly overwhelming. Coupled with cold weather and darker mornings, you might get a taste of the January blues – but not to worry. 

Sometimes all you need is a feel-good film and a warm cuppa to lift your spirits, and thanks to our favourite streaming services, there are plenty of mood-boosting movies that'll make you laugh, smile and cry tears of joy – all at the click of a button. After a long, hard day, treat yourself to a feel-good flick from HELLO!'s round-up. 

The Fabelmans

Watch on: NOW TV 

Loosely based on the childhood of legendary director, Steven Spielberg, it's hard to feel anything other than optimistic after finishing The Fabelmans. Captured through the lens of Sammy, a young boy obsessed with the art of filmmaking, this heartfelt semi-memoir tells the story of the Fabelmans, a family divided into creatives and pragmatists. As Sammy navigates the ups and downs of family life in 1950s New Jersey, it's his passion for filmmaking that remains constant, allowing him to make sense of the real world, and allowing him to escape to new ones. 

Sammy in The Fabelmans© NBC Universal
The Fabelmans is loosely based on Steven Spielberg's childhood

Paddington 2

Watch on: Netflix  

Paddington is back and better than ever in this critically-acclaimed sequel. After settling into life with the Brown family, our favourite marmalade-loving bear must prove his innocence following the theft of a beautiful antique book – the very same one that he had set his heart on for Aunt Lucy's birthday. Featuring a star-studded cast that includes Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville and Brendan Gleeson, Paddington 2 is the ultimate pick-me-up on those down days.

paddington 2
Paddington 2 follows everyone's favourite bear on a new adventure around London

Dune

Watch on: Netflix

We all need a bit of escapism now and then, so an epic sci-fi saga is always a good idea. With Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac and Stellan Skarsgård rounding out the cast, Dune: Part One is spectacular in every sense of the word. Visually striking and full of action-packed sequences, Denis Villeneuve's adaptation will keep you on the edge of your seat. Following Paul, a member of the noble House Atreides, the young heir is forced to go into hiding after a brutal power struggle emerges on the desert planet Arrakis.  

Paul and Chani in Dune: Part Two© Warner Bros
Dune: Part One features a stellar cast led by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya

Spy 

Watch on: Disney+

Spy will have you crying with laughter thanks to the comedic stylings of Melissa McCarthy, Miranda Hart, Jude Law, Rose Byrne and Jason Statham. As she embarks on a globe-trotting adventure, unorthodox CIA employee, Susan Cooper, is thrown deeper and deeper into the world of espionage while trying to track down a stolen nuclear device. 

spy film
Melissa McCarthy delivers one of her most hilarious performances yet in Spy

When Harry Met Sally

Rent on: Amazon Prime

Can men and women ever just be friends? Harry Burns and Sally Albright have very different opinions on the matter. Complete opposites in love and life, after crossing paths on numerous occasions, the two decide to be friends, which would be far less complicated if they hadn't developed feelings for each other. A cult classic, When Harry Met Sally is the definition of a timeless rom-com.

when harry met sally
When Harry Met Sally is a cult classic

Enchanted

Watch on: Disney+

Putting a contemporary spin on the classic fairytale, Enchanted is the ultimate feel-good flick. Portrayed by Amy Adams, Gisele is the animated princess thrust into the live-action world of Manhattan by an evil queen. Both a homage and a parody of Disney's best-loved films, this magical movie puts a refreshingly positive spin on everyday life. 

enchanted
Enchanted puts a modern spin on the classic Disney fairytale

What's Love Got to Do with It?

Watch on: Netflix

Billed as a 'cross-cultural rom-com' that takes place between London and Lahore, What's Love Got to Do with It? follows long-term friends Zoe and Kaz. Having grown up as neighbours on the same street, the two come from completely different backgrounds. So, once Kaz reveals that he's chosen to begin the arranged marriage process, documentary maker Zoe asks if she can film his journey down the aisle, prompting her to question her own attitude towards finding love. 

whats love got to do with it
Lily James stars as Zoe in What's Love Got to Do with It?

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Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Rent on: Amazon Prime

A cult classic, Ferris Bueller's Day Off cemented Matthew Broderick's status as a Hollywood icon. Written, co-produced and directed by John Hughes, the movie follows high school slacker Ferris Bueller who, accompanied by his best friend and girlfriend, enjoys an epic day out in Chicago.

ferris bueller
Ferris Bueller's Day Off is about letting go and making the most of every day

13 Going on 30

Watch on: Netflix

After 13-year-old Jenna wishes that she was a popular and successful 30-year-old, she gets just that – but all is not as it seems. Humorous and self-empowering, this lighthearted movie examines what really makes each and every one of us happy in life.

13 going on 30
Jennifer Garner shines in this feel-good flick about finding joy at any age

Sing 

Watch on: Netflix

Described as a jukebox musical comedy, Sing is sure to lift your spirits. Featuring more than 60 songs from famous artists, the film's talented ensemble cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton and more. 

sing
Sing features more than 60 songs from famous artists - perfect for a sing-along

Pride

Disney+

Based on a true story, this inspirational movie surrounds a group of London-based lesbian and gay activists as they form an unlikely alliance during the 1984 Welsh miners' strike. An uplifting tale of community and kindness, Pride takes a closer look at the origins of what would become the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners campaign.

pride film
Pride is the ultimate inspirational movie

Trains, Planes and Automobiles

Watch on: Amazon Prime

All high-strung marketing exec Neal wants is to get home to his family in time for Thanksgiving, but after his plane is diverted, he's forced to map an alternative route home with an unlikely companion – curtain ring salesman, Del Griffith. As the travelling companions attempt to tolerate one another on their long-winded journey, what unfolds is a series of mishaps, and one or two emotional moments, of course. 

trains planes automobiles
Steve Martin and John Candy star as the unlikely duo thrust together on an unforgettable journey

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga! 

Watch on: Netflix

Starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as small-town singers with big dreams, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga! features a few familiar faces from the real-life competition. 

eurovision film
Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams take on Eurovision in this laugh-out-loud flick

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