Happy days are here again, thanks to these films.

The 16 best happy movies on Netflix that’ll inspire a smile

Happy days are here again, thanks to these films.

By Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

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and Andrew Walsh

on June 12, 2026 7:12 a.m. ET

Recording artists in 'The Greatest Night in Pop'; Alex the Lion (voice: Ben Stiller) in 'Madagascar'; Danielle Macdonald as Willowdean 'Dumplin'' Dickson in 'Dumplin''. Credit:

Cue the happy chemicals: Netflix just performed its monthly inventory restock and filled its digital shelves with options sure to brighten your mood. Among this month's highlights: Widows get their second acts in *Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris* (2022) and *Remarkably Bright Creatures* (2026). In animated options, the uplifting sports comedy *GOAT* (2026) arrived on the platform just in time to cap off basketball season, and British cultural icons Wallace & Gromit do battle with technology in their second feature film, *Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl *(2024).

A happiness infusion awaits: here are **'s 16 picks for the happiest movies currently streaming on Netflix.

Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Ali Wong as Sasha Tran and Randall Park as Marcus Kim in 'Always Be My Baby'. Ed Araquel/Netflix

Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park) were best friends–turned–high school sweethearts who, after a post-coital fight, lost contact for 16 years. When Sasha makes a triumphant return to San Francisco as a big-time chef, she and Marcus, who is not doing quite as well, find themselves nursing old grudges and long-dormant feelings. EW praises the stars' effortless chemistry, writing, “the bond between them is one of the many elements that make the film feel authentic, sweet, and wildly funny.” *—Andrew Walsh*

Where to watch *Always Be My Maybe*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Nahnatchka Khan

**Cast: **Ali Wong, Randall Park, James Saito, Michelle Buteau, Daniel Dae Kim

Chef (2014)

Emjay Anthony as Percy Casper and Jon Favreau as Carl Casper in 'Chef'.

Director Jon Favreau was coming off a string of big-budget action movies (2008's *Iron Man*, 2011's *Cowboys & Aliens*) when he released *Chef*. A cinematic 180, this road dramedy tells the story of a celebrity chef (Favreau) who gets fired from his high-profile job at a Los Angeles restaurant, only to rediscover his love of cooking by opening a food truck.

The film was inspired by the success of Roy Choi's Kogi Korean BBQ truck in 2008, and the script is reflective of the 2014 social media culture into which it was born. (One of the major plot points involves a viral Twitter beef with a food critic.) A charming comedy, *Chef* is Favreau’s return to more intimate filmmaking after his Marvel success. *—Ilana Gordon*

Where to watch *Chef*: Netflix

**Director: **Jon Favreau

**Cast: **Jon Favreau, Sofía Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman

Dumplin’ (2018)

Jennifer Aniston as Rosie Dickson in 'Dumplin''. Netflix

A coming-of-age Southern charmer imbued with the soul of Dolly Parton, *Dumplin’ *is the story of Willowdean Dickson (Danielle Macdonald), a teenager who enters a local pageant overseen by her mom as an act of protest. When Willowdean’s rebellion spurs other misfits to sign up for the pageant, too, she struggles to manage the relationships in her personal life, especially with her semi-estranged mother, Rosie (Jennifer Aniston).

Parton wrote 12 new songs for the movie, filled with mantras, melodies, and the motivation to just be yourself. EW’s critic writes, “Like a pillow cross-stitched with sassy aphorisms, *Dumplin’ *is kitschy and squishy and, if you let yourself, pretty sweet to sink into.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Dumplin'*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Anne Fletcher

**Cast:** Danielle Macdonald, Jennifer Aniston, Odeya Rush, Maddie Baillio, Bex Taylor-Klaus

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

Will Ferrell as Lars Erickssong and Rachel McAdams as Sigrit Ericksdóttir in 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga'.

John Wilson/Netflix

Icelandic musicians Lars Erickssong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdóttir (Rachel McAdams) are lifelong friends and not-yet-sweethearts who dream of winning the Eurovision Song Contest. Despite disapproval from their parents, their town, and the local Eurovision selection committee, the duo dubbed “Fire Saga” refuses to let anything stop them from achieving their goal of songwriting immortality — including their romantic feelings for each other.

Underneath all the spandex and over-the-top production numbers is a sincere film that cares as much about sharing the joy of music as satirizing its ostentatious performance. *—A.W.*

Where to watch *Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga*: Netflix

**Director: **David Dobkin

**Cast: **Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens, Pierce Brosnan

GOAT (2026)

Modo (voice: Nick Kroll), Lenny (voice: Stephen Curry), Will (voice: Caleb McLaughlin), Olivia (voice: Nicola Coughlan), Jett (voice: Gabrielle Union), and Archie (voice: David Harbour) in 'GOAT'.

Sony Pictures Animation

Steph Curry produces and makes his feature film debut in *GOAT*, the animated sports comedy about a small animal who dreams of becoming a professional athlete and competing with the fiercest predators. Caleb McLaughlin (*Stranger Things*) voices Will Harris, an undersized 16-year-old goat who wants to become the greatest of all time at roarball — an all-gender contact sport that infuses basketball with MMA-style fighting, held in the most dangerous stadium. When Will gets a chance to play in the pros for his favorite team, the Thorns, he jumps at the shot. But once in uniform, he feuds with his roarball idol and current face of the Thorns, black panther Jett Fillmore (Gabrielle Union). Think a funnier version of *Rudy *(1993), but with anthropomorphized creatures. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *GOAT*: Netflix

**Director: **Tyree Dillihay

**Cast: **Caleb McLaughlin, Stephen Curry, Gabrielle Union, Nicola Coughlan, David Harbour

The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)

Recording artists in 'The Greatest Night in Pop'.

Courtesy of Netflix

The ‘80s were a different time, man. Back then, you could convince 45 of the world’s biggest artists to spend one night recording a song, with all sales intended to help fight famine in Africa. The song — “We Are the World,” co-written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson — facilitated one of the largest and most successful charitable collaborations in music history, and the story of how that one night came to pass makes for a pretty great documentary.

Narrated by the living artists who participated, the film is a shining example of what can happen when celebrities combine their platforms for good, and its relevance is particularly strong today. Littered with pop culture anecdotes and music history, *The Greatest Night in Pop *is a lovely reminder of the healing power of music and a moving tribute to the artists involved who have since died. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Greatest Night in Pop*: Netflix

**Director: **Bao Nguyen

**Cast: **Lionel Richie, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Huey Lewis

Klaus (2019)

Jesper (voice: Jason Schwartzman) and Klaus (voice: J.K. Simmons) in 'Klaus'.

Netflix/Everett

*Klaus* is a Santa Claus origin story that’s enjoyable any time of the year. Starring Oscar winner J.K. Simmons as the film’s eponymous hero, *Klaus *tells the tale of a widowed Norwegian woodsman who is recruited by the town’s new postman, Jesper* *(Jason Schwartzman), to make toys for him to deliver in an effort to prove his postmaster general father wrong. But when Klaus’ toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a town whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself. *Klaus* isn’t just another feel-good film; it’s also a film that looks great. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Klaus*: Netflix

**Director:** Sergio Pablos

**Cast: **Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Neda Margrethe Labba**

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Madagascar (2005)

Marty the Zebra (voice: Chris Rock), Gloria the Hippo (voice: Jada Pinkett Smith), Melman the Giraffe (voice: David Schwimmer), and Alex the Lion (voice: Ben Stiller) in 'Madagascar'.

DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett Collection

The Concrete Jungle has nothing on the actual jungle — or so says the premise of DreamWorks Animation’s 2005 comedy, *Madagascar*. When four Central Park Zoo animals escape for a night on the town, they find themselves on a boat headed for a wildlife preserve in Kenya, only to shipwreck on the titular island and find that their luxurious lifestyle has ill-prepared them for a life spent in nature.

Beyond touting a stellar voice cast, this animated film also features one of the catchiest versions of “I Like to Move It” in cinema history. EW's critic calls *Madagascar* "untamed fun," writing "the movie is so in love with craziness, with the infantile fun of What Comes Next, that it scarcely has time to worry about whether its heroes are being redeemed or not." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Madagascar*: Netflix through June 30

**EW grade: **A–

**Directors: **Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath

**Cast:** Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen

Matilda (1996)

Mara Wilson as Matilda Wormwood in 'Matilda'.

Before Danny DeVito was Frank in *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia*, he directed and starred in one of the best adaptations of Roald Dahl’s work: *Matilda*. A movie about a prodigious 6-year-old who develops telekinetic abilities to deal with the bullying she experiences from the adults in her life, *Matilda* was not a box office success, but it is a millennial cult classic.

Like much of Dahl’s work, *Matilda* is ultimately the story of a brilliant child attempting to police the unstable adults around her. But DeVito’s direction — coupled with excellent casting and performances — finds whimsy, comedy, and connection amidst all the abuse and special abilities. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Matilda*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director: **Danny DeVito

**Cast:** Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)

Lesley Manville as Ada Harris and Lucas Bravo as André Fauvel in 'Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris'. Everett Collection

*Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris* is a charming underdog story about Ada Harris (Lesley Manville), a 1950s English house cleaner who receives a war widow’s pension, and uses it to travel to Paris to splurge on a couture Dior gown. As sweet and soothing as a cup of tea, this historical dramedy was adapted from a 1958 novel that was previously adapted into a 1992 TV movie starring Angela Lansbury in the titular role.

Manville is adorable and determined as Ada, a woman accustomed to sacrificing and serving, who finally decides to acknowledge her own dreams and treat herself. While the plot can be mistaken as off-the-rack for the genre, there’s something special about seeing a wearable work of art being made specifically for someone so used to putting others first. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris*: Netflix

**Director:** Anthony Fabian

**Cast: **Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert, Lambert Wilson, Alba Baptista, Lucas Bravo

My Octopus Teacher (2020)

Craig Foster with an octopus in 'My Octopus Teacher'.

*My Octopus Teacher *is an Oscar-winning documentary that chronicles South African free-diver Craig Foster’s bond with an octopus he discovers while on an underwater expedition. As he observes the creature’s life, playfulness, and harrowing encounters with predators, he notices changes in his approach to his own life and relationships out of the water. Filled with gorgeous, entrancing cinematography, this true story of an unlikely friendship inspires wonder about the natural world and our place in it. *—A.W.*

Where to watch *My Octopus Teacher*: Netflix

**Directors: **James Reed, Pippa Ehrlich

**Cast: **Craig Foster

Nimona (2023)

Nimona (voice: Chloë Grace Moretz) in 'Nimona'. Netflix

Shape-shifting troublemaker Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) aspires to be the villainous sidekick to the Queen’s would-be assassin, Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), despite the latter's protests that it was a frame-up. As the unlikely pair of outcasts team up, the kingdom’s ancient history and modern politics throw unexpected wrinkles into their quest to clear Ballister’s name.

We expect animated family adventures like this to be uplifting and heartfelt, but *Nimona *ups the ante with its explorations of chosen families, queer identity, self-expression, and its complex but inspiring understanding of heroism. *—A.W.*

Where to watch *Nimona*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B+

**Directors: **Troy Quane, Nick Bruno

**Cast: **Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint

Paddington in Peru (2024)

Paddington Bear (voice: Ben Whishaw) in 'Paddington in Peru'.

Britain’s fuzziest marmalade enthusiast is back for his third adventure, and this time he’s headed home to the jungle. After learning that the bear who raised him after his parents died has gone missing, Paddington convinces his adoptive family to join him on a quest to Darkest Peru to find and rescue his Aunt Lucy.

Of course, nothing on a quest is ever as it seems, and Paddington and the Brown family must contend with gold hunters and scheming villains on their journey. In times of great stress, there’s nothing quite like turning on a *Paddington* movie and setting off on a well-mannered adventure. *Paddington in Peru* doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it does not disappoint. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Paddington in Peru*: Netflix

**Director: **Dougal Wilson

**Cast:** Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent

Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026)

Lewis Pullman as Cameron and Sally Field as Tova in 'Remarkably Bright Creatures'.

Courtesy of Netflix

If octopuses are on the brain after watching *My Octopus Teacher*, consider *Remarkably Bright Creatures* as a companion piece. The mystery casts Sally Field as Tova, a grieving cleaning woman living in Washington, who befriends an aging octopus named Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina) at the aquarium where she works. When an accident forces Tova to take time off, she forges a bond with Cameron (Lewis Pullman), the young musician hired to replace her. The film is adapted from the 2022 bestselling novel by Shelby Van Pelt, and tells a life-affirming story of grief and unlikely friendships — human and otherwise. Octopuses don't live long, but this Netflix Original is likely to endure. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Remarkably Bright Creatures*: Netflix

**Director: **Olivia Newman

**Cast:** Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

Noah Centineo as Peter Kavinsky and Lana Condor as Lara Jean Song-Covey in 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'. Netflix

Lara Jean’s (Lana Condor) meddling little sister, Kitty (Anna Cathcart), unleashes havoc on her life when she finds the teen's secret collection of love letters and mails them to her crushes — including to their older sister Margot's (Janel Parrish) ex-boyfriend, Josh (Israel Broussard).

To do damage control, Lara and classmate Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) agree to fake being in love to disguise her feelings from Josh and make Peter's ex jealous. EW praises the film for having “more substance than you expect. And Condor as Lara Jean has a winning, be-true-to-yourself sense of independence that’s infectious.” *—A.W.*

Where to watch *To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Susan Johnson

**Cast: **Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Anna Cathcart, Janel Parrish, Israel Broussard

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024)

Gromit, Norbot (voice: Reece Shearsmith), and Wallace (voice: Ben Whitehead) in 'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl'.

England’s most beloved national treasures aren’t all locked away in the British Museum: some are streaming on Netflix. Wallace & Gromit, the U.K.’s favorite stop motion claymation duo, return in their second feature-length film, *Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.*

Released 19 years after the franchise’s first feature (*The Curse of the Were-Rabbit*, 2005), *Vengeance Most Fowl *is a follow-up to the 1993 short, *The Wrong Pants*, and joins the eccentric inventor and his loyal beagle as they confront the modern world. After Wallace invents a robotic garden gnome — which is later hacked by Feathers McGraw, a criminal penguin seeking revenge — the pair must fight to save themselves from the dangers of technology. It's comfort comedy at its finest. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl*: Netflix

**Directors: **Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham

**Cast: **Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, Reece Shearsmith

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