Movies About Happiness

From Directors: Olivier Nakache, Éric Toledano, starring François Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot
Rated R

The Intouchables is a 2011 French buddy comedy-drama film directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano. It stars François Cluzet and Omar Sy. The film tells the story of Philippe (Cluzet), a wealthy quadriplegic, and Driss (Sy), an ex-con from the projects of Paris. Despite their disparate backgrounds and cultures, they form an unlikely bond that helps Philippe regain his zest for life. Through their hilarious and moving adventures together, they defy social conventions and prove that friendship knows no boundaries.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Chieko Baishô, Takuya Kimura, Tatsuya Gashûin, Akihiro Miwa
Rated PG

Howl's Moving Castle is a 2004 animated fantasy film written, produced and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film tells the story of Sophie, an 18-year-old girl who is turned into an old woman by a witch's curse. Sophie must then seek the help of a wizard named Howl, who lives in a magical moving castle. With the help of various allies, Sophie and Howl set out to break the curse and restore Sophie to her original form. Along the way, they battle evil and discover truths about themselves. Along the way, Sophie discovers the power of love and friendship as she and Howl experience adventures in a world of magic, adventure, friendship and love.

From Tomm Moore, starring David Rawle, Brendan Gleeson, Lisa Hannigan, Fionnula Flanagan
Rated PG

"Song of the Sea" is a charming and visually stunning animated film from Irish director Tomm Moore. It tells the story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse – the last Seal-child – who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. Along the way, they encounter magical creatures, mythical fairies, and ancient folklore, as they search for the secret to Saoirse's identity and save the spirit world. The film features stunning animation and a beautiful, folk-infused score that capture the beauty and wonder of Ireland's fabled past. Through its magical story and characters, "Song of the Sea" raises questions about identity, loss, and family, as well as the power of storytelling.

From Lars von Trier, starring Björk, Catherine Deneuve, David Morse, Peter Stormare
Rated R

Dancer in the Dark is a musical drama directed by Lars von Trier. Selma Ježková (Björk) is a Czech immigrant living with her son Gene in rural Washington. She works long hours at a factory to save up for an operation to prevent her son from going blind. Despite her hardships, Selma finds solace in musicals, dreaming of a better life. When her savings are stolen, Selma is arrested and put on trial. With the help of her lawyer and friend Bill, she is acquitted but her struggles are far from over. Selma must fight for her son’s vision, as well as her own freedom, in a desperate attempt to protect her son from a similar fate. Dancer in the Dark is a powerful story of loss, sacrifice and hope.

From Jûzô Itami, starring Ken Watanabe, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Nobuko Miyamoto, Kôji Yakusho
Rated Not Rated

Tampopo is a 1985 Japanese comedy-drama directed by Jûzô Itami. The plot follows the story of a truck driver, Goro, and his sidekick Gun, who help an aspiring restaurateur, Tampopo, make her ramen shop the best in town. Along the way, Goro and Gun encounter a variety of characters and situations that test their wit and skill. Through the movie, Tampopo learns the importance of food, friendship, and the art of noodle-making. The film is a mix of comedy, drama, and a unique culinary adventure that celebrates the joys of ramen. Ultimately, Tampopo learns the importance of hard work and perseverance, allowing her to achieve success and happiness.

From Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks
Rated R

Drive is an intense crime drama directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and starring Ryan Gosling. Set in the neon-lit streets of Los Angeles, the film follows an unnamed driver, a Hollywood stuntman by day and a getaway driver by night. He finds himself in over his head when he gets involved with a mobster and his beautiful but troubled wife. As he attempts to protect them and make sure they’re safe, he comes face to face with danger and violence, and finds himself caught in a web of deceit and betrayal. With thrilling action sequences and a soundtrack of pulsing electronic music, Drive is a gripping and stylish film that will leave you at the edge of your seat.

From Marc Webb, starring Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Geoffrey Arend, Chloë Grace Moretz
Rated PG-13

500 Days of Summer is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Marc Webb and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. The film follows the story of Tom Hanson (Gordon-Levitt), an aspiring architect who falls in love with the enigmatic Summer Finn (Deschanel), an assistant at a greeting card company. The story chronicles the 500 days of their relationship, from the first meeting to the day their love affair ends. Along the way, Tom experiences extreme highs of love and passion, and then the devastating lows of heartache and betrayal. As Tom struggles to make sense of his relationship with Summer, he ultimately discovers that love doesn’t always turn out the way you expect.

From Directors: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard, starring Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman
Rated PG

Tangled is a 2010 American computer-animated musical adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The film is inspired by the German fairy tale "Rapunzel" in the collection of folk tales published by the Brothers Grimm. The film tells the story of a lost, young princess with magical long blond hair who yearns to leave her secluded tower. With the aid of an unlikely companion, she embarks on an adventure to find her destiny. Along the way, she discovers the story of her mother, the mysterious origin of her magical hair, and that true love is the most powerful magic of all. The film features the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi as the lead characters, and features a score by Alan Menken.

From Marc Forster, starring Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah
Rated PG-13

Stranger Than Fiction is a 2006 fantasy comedy-drama directed by Marc Forster. The film stars Will Ferrell as Harold Crick, an IRS auditor whose mundane life is disrupted when he begins to hear a mysterious voice narrating his every move. As he struggles to make sense of the situation, he consults a professor of literature, who helps him discover that he is a character in a novel being written by famous author Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson). Harold frantically searches for a way to alter his story and escape a tragic ending, while Karen's struggles to overcome writer's block and finish her novel. The film is a humorous exploration of life, death, and the power of storytelling.

From Joel Schumacher, starring Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall, Barbara Hershey, Rachel Ticotin
Rated R

Falling Down is a 1993 drama film directed by Joel Schumacher. The film stars Michael Douglas as William "D-Fens" Foster, a divorced and unemployed defense worker who is overwhelmed by numerous personal and social problems. After getting stuck in traffic on his way to his daughter's birthday party, Foster's mental and emotional state slowly unravels as he embarks on a violent journey across Los Angeles. Along the way, he encounters a series of characters representing various aspects of society and government, and his confrontations with them bring him closer to a breaking point. As Foster's rampage escalates, the police set out on a citywide manhunt to capture him.

From Mike Figgis, starring Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands, Richard Lewis
Rated R

Leaving Las Vegas is a 1995 drama film directed by Mike Figgis and starring Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue. The film follows Ben Sanderson (Cage), an alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter who has recently lost his job and decides to move to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. There, he meets and falls in love with a prostitute named Sera (Shue), and the two embark on an intense, passionate, yet ultimately doomed relationship. As Ben's alcoholism worsens, the couple struggle to find a way to remain together despite the odds stacked against them. Through it all, they come to understand the true meaning of love and acceptance, and ultimately find peace in each other's arms.

From Patrice Leconte, starring Vanessa Paradis, Daniel Auteuil, Frédéric Pfluger, Dimitris Georgalas
Rated R

The Girl on the Bridge is a French romantic drama directed by Patrice Leconte. It tells the story of Adele, a young woman who has grown tired of life and attempts to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. However, she is stopped by a knife thrower, Gabor, who offers her a job as his assistant. Despite her initial reluctance, Adele agrees and embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she and Gabor begin performing in fairs and circuses. Along the way, Adele learns to appreciate life more and eventually falls in love with Gabor. The film explores themes of identity, love, and the power of redemption.

From Rob Reiner, starring Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd
Rated PG-13

From Iain Softley, starring Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges, Mary McCormack, Alfre Woodard
Rated PG-13

From Kar-Wai Wong, starring Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Ziyi Zhang, Faye Wong, Gong Li
Rated R

From Jon Favreau, starring Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman
Rated R

From Directors: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr., starring Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury, Alan Arkin
Rated G

From Richard Ayoade, starring Craig Roberts, Sally Hawkins, Paddy Considine, Noah Taylor
Rated R

From Mike Nichols, starring Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Clive Owen, Julia Roberts
Rated R

From Oliver Stone, starring Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore, Rodney Dangerfield
Rated R

From Shawn Christensen, starring Shawn Christensen, Fatima Ptacek, Emmy Rossum, Paul Wesley
Rated Unrated

From Jeremiah S. Chechik, starring Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson, Aidan Quinn, Julianne Moore
Rated PG

From Alex Lehmann, starring Christine Woods, Mark Duplass, Ray Romano, Jen Kuo Sung
Rated TV-MA

From Steven Shainberg, starring James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jeremy Davies, Lesley Ann Warren
Rated R

From Brett Ratner, starring Nicolas Cage, Téa Leoni, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Piven
Rated PG-13