On Greater Good this month, Jeremy Adam Smith discusses the 10 films that are most likely to make him happy. Researchers often use films to induce happiness in the lab, and it seems that if they wanted to boost Jeremy's mood, they should screen a mix of old films, German films, and a film with Will Smith.
Of course, Jeremy's list, and his entire criteria for happy movies, is totally subjective. So rather than presenting Jermey's list as the final word on happy films, we wanted to give you the chance to tell us what films make you the happiest. Comment below to nominate your happy films.
The nominees are…
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Jason Marsh is the editor in chief of Greater Good.
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No movie makes me happier than Hal Hartley’s “Trust.”
tb | 12:40 pm, September 2, 2009 | Link
Shawshank Redemption (not for kids obviously) or any other story of enduring friendship OR any Shirley Temple movie.
LBN | 2:15 pm, September 2, 2009 | Link
Yes, tb, “Trust” is up there for me too, as are most of Hal Hartley’s films, even Henry Foole, in its own bittersweet way. I derive more happiness from the dance sequence in “Simple Men” than I do from most films in their entirety.
Jason Marsh | 2:23 pm, September 2, 2009 | Link
city of joy with patrick swayze, pay it forward, and surprisingly a dramatic role for adam sandler, in the movie reign o’er me–about love and enduring friendships in life. i was stunned. the movie was awesome and is uplifting.
robin | 1:26 pm, September 3, 2009 | Link
Amelie- Great movie about a timid woman who finds happiness through simple pleasures in life. She makes it her goal to bring happiness to those around her. The movie always makes me happy and more aware of the delights in the world that we may take for granted.
Joanne Luna | 1:22 am, September 18, 2009 | Link
As a lifelong depressive person, the movie that fills my heart with happiness and brings me to tears is….“Antwone Fisher”.. A true story of an African-American young sailor beset by depression and anger. He is assigned a Navy psychiatrist (Denzel). What follows is a powerful film about a painful upbringing, and how gentle hearts can overcome the deepest rage.
This movie tears me apart, meaning, it touches and moves me, to the inner core of my spirit. Thank you.
Don | 8:56 pm, October 2, 2009 | Link
My first choice:‘The Sound of Music’- the innocence potrayed is fantastic, and no one can not love the songs…
Many more will follow
——-
Sathya | 3:02 am, January 30, 2010 | Link
Enchanted April easily makes me smile every time I see it. Warm, embracing, hopeful.
Jennifer | 8:22 pm, July 25, 2010 | Link
My two favorite happiness films are Ground Hog Day (it is
magnificent) and Searching for Bobby Fisher (hard to find
but worth all efforts). I am smiling now just thinking
about them.
Barbara Burns | 4:01 pm, August 5, 2010 | Link
District 9, while not exactly peaceful (they should have toned it down) was still the best “human” rights film ever and what’s more Sharlto Copley played the most warm, genuine and vulnerable character in any film to this day.
Emmy | 7:59 pm, November 6, 2010 | Link
i was stunned. the movie was awesome and is
uplifting.
otomotiv | 8:46 am, April 29, 2011 | Link
Warm, embracing, hopeful.
otomotiv | 6:43 am, May 5, 2012 | Link