362 Best Lighthearted Movies to Watch (Page 11)

Sometimes, you just need a good movie that poses neither an emotional rollercoaster nor an intellectual challenge. Here are the best lighthearted movies and shows to stream now for a carefree and uplifying watch, from the funny to the offbeat.

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151. Cunk on Earth, 2022

Cunk on Earth is a five-episode mockumentary that takes the piss out of every single historical documentary you’ve seen. The host, Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan), asks actual experts stupid but funny questions about world history, which will often leave them stunned and speechless.

That’s part of where the brilliance of this show lies really—in the reaction of the intellectuals who take Cunk’s questions seriously without ever breaking. A much bigger part relies on Morgan’s deft impression of a daft host. It’s all idiotic good fun, and it's a breeze to binge if you’re looking for something lighthearted to put on the screen.

Genre: Mockumentary

Actor: Diane Morgan

Director: Christian Watt

Rating: TV-MA

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152. Chicken for Linda!, 2023

	
While the market for animation is mostly dominated by American 3D and Japanese anime, once in a while, a film outside the two industries comes up with an entirely new style of its own, with the design inspired by their respective countries. European animation has garnered some interest with Loving Vincent, but Chicken with Linda! takes it further, taking a more vibrant than impressionistic approach to its art. Somewhat like a neon-colored Fauvist Madeline, the film proceeds with a series of hijinks that wouldn’t be out of place in a children’s storybook, but it charmingly captures the mother-daughter relationship healed through the power of homemade food. It’s sweet and chaotic, much like childhood and the art movement that inspired the film, and it’s undeniably human. Chicken with Linda! is an unexpected delight for both kids and adults.Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Actor: Claudine Acs, Clotilde Hesme, Estéban, Laetitia Dosch, Mélinée Leclerc, Patrick Pineau, Pietro Sermonti
Director: Chiara Malta,  Sébastien Laudenbach
Rating: NR

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153. At the Moment, 2023

With the worldwide pandemic, there were less and less opportunities for a potential meet-cute when everyone was encouraged to stay home. At the Moment finds those rare moments where love was still able to bloom. It plays with so many of the familiar cheesy romantic tropes, but always with a twist, never playing the tropes straight out. Being an anthology, it doesn’t stick with one couple, so it doesn’t develop really in-depth dynamics, but each episode feels self-contained yet part and parcel of the quarantine experience. Ultimately, At the Moment feels like a little sweet treat for romance fans after a long period of self-isolation.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Austin Lin, Berant Zhu, Derek Chang, Esther Liu, Gingle Wang, JC Lin, Jing-Hua Tseng, Johnny Yang, Puff Kuo, Shiou Chieh Kai, Terrance Lau, Vivian Sung

Director: Lien Yi-Chi, Norris Wong, Pin-Chuan Kao, Ray Wu, Remii Huang

Rating: TV-MA

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154. You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, 2023

Funny, refreshing, and heartwarming, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah gives the seminal girlhood film Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. a Gen Z update. Stacy and her friends are constantly on social media and watch each other for potentially politically incorrect terms, but they also struggle with period pain, crushes, and falling out with former friends. It’s a confusing time in a kid’s life, and You Are So Not Invited, like Are You There God? before it, honors that. It never condescends, never strays far from the child’s perspective. It’s jubilant and heartwarming, and (to me at least) it’s always fun to see real-life families play themselves in movies. Judd Apatow experimented with this structure in his semi-autobiographical films Knocked Up and This Is 40, which first gave us a glimpse into his daughter Maude Apatow’s acting prowess. I feel You Are So Not Invited will do the same to its young star Sunny Sandler, whose effortlessly funny and charming performance will surely carve a path for a promising career in the future.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Actor: Adam Sandler, Allison McKay, Beth Hall, Briana Andrade-Gomes, Bunny Levine, Dan Bulla, Dean Scott Vazquez, Dylan Chloe Dash, Dylan Hoffman, Idina Menzel, Ido Mosseri, Jackie Hoffman, Jackie Sandler, Jean Edwards, Joseph Vecsey, Luis Guzman, Michael Buscemi, Miya Cech, Nigel Downer, Oscar Chark, Sadie Sandler, Samantha Lorraine, Sarah Sherman, Sunny Sandler

Director: Sammi Cohen

Rating: PG-13

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155. This Fool, 2022

This Fool is a half-hour, 10-part series following Julio Lopez (played by co-creator Chris Estrada) a self-proclaimed “punk-ass bitch” and pushover who’s still in the process of learning to stand up for himself. Julio works for a gang rehab center called Hugs Not Thugs, where he also helps his cousin Luis (Frankie Quiñones) get back on his feet. It's equal parts silly and sweet, but it also reflects the socio-political problems that tend to pervade Julio and Luis' Southern LA community. References to violence and inequality are as present as they'll be in stories like these, but they're injected here with surreal humor, making it an easygoing but meaningful watch.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Chris Estrada, Frankie Quiñones, Julia Vera, Laura Patalano, Michael Imperioli, Michelle Ortiz

Rating: TV-MA

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156. The Cave of the Yellow Dog, 2005

Vivid, sweeping landscapes surround the simple beauty of a Mongolian family navigating the pressures of globalization while still practicing their traditional nomadic lifestyle. Ostensibly it's about the charming, captivating relationship that forms between a young girl, Nansal, and a dog that she finds. However, the magic of this slow, enthralling film is that it captures the brilliance of familial relationships and power of culture and stories through this simple backdrop. And it is a simple film; everything you can learn from this film comes through its gentle storytelling that invites you to recognize the beauty and profundity that exists in everyday lives.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Babbayar Batchuluun, Batchuluun Urjindorj, Buyandulam Daramdadi, Nansal Batchuluun, Nansalmaa Batchuluun

Director: Byambasuren Davaa

Rating: G

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157. Shrill, 2021

It's no fun being plus-sized—or at least, that's the message that we get everywhere, from tragic documentaries to self-help articles to shows that make weight the butt of every joke. Fat people are often perceived as inactive and sad and stubborn when those aren't mutually exclusive with one's size. In fact, there's nothing inherently wrong with being big.

In Shrill, our plus-sized hero Annie (played by the lovable Aidy Bryant) knocks down all those lazy myths with her sharp wit and buoyant charm. She goes on everyday adventures that prove she can be just as delightful (and exasperating) as any witty millennial writer trying to make it big in her city. Annie isn't perfect, but the fun lies in seeing her grow (not transform) into a better person.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Aidy Bryant, John Cameron Mitchell, Lolly Adefope, Luka Jones

Rating: TV-MA

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158. Replacing Chef Chico, 2023

Viewers are familiar with cuisines around the world such as the food from France, Italy and Japan, but now it’s Filipino cuisine that takes the spotlight. Replacing Chef Chico portrays different Filipino dishes in each of its eight episodes, but these meals are great side dishes to sous chef Ella’s journey in managing the Hain fine dining restaurant. Alongside this journey of self-discovery comes heartwarming stories from the Hain restaurant’s customers, the receptionist’s cheeky commentary, and sweet tracks from Leanne & Naara. They all mix into a lighthearted, if a tad bit familiar, cooking drama series, and it does so with the breezy and calm attitude of lead character sous chef Ella.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Alessandra de Rossi, Joel Saracho, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Yesh Anne Burce

Director: Dan Villegas

Rating: TV-MA

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159. Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)

The Red, White & Royal Blue film adaptation might feel familiar to some viewers, albeit with a gay twist. A rivals to hidden lovers relationship that shifted because of increased exposure to each other via PR outings is exactly the type of plot seen in romance comedies like the second Princess Diaries. However, this film keeps these tropes fresh through careful reimagining and through excellent casting. While some moments in the book are skipped or sped through, director Matthew Lopez keeps the attention where it needs to be, specifically on the US president’s son Alex (Taylor Zakhar Perez) and the UK’s Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine). The moments they share may not be totally relatable – after all, most teenage romances aren’t matters of state – but it’s easy to root for them when the film drives home what’s at stake for the two, as well as what’s at stake for gay couples when considering coming out.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Actor: Clifton Collins Jr., Nicholas Galitzine, Rachel Hilson, Taylor Zakhar Perez, Uma Thurman

Director: Matthew López

Rating: R

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160. Play It Cool, Guys, 2023

There’s a classic male character trope of stoic guys that don’t seem to be fazed by anything. Play It Cool, Guys has an ensemble cast of four of these cool characters, but they aren’t quite put together as others might think. While on the outside, they seemingly handle setbacks easily, the show’s short vignettes and corresponding internal monologues reveal their relatable day-to-day clumsiness. The contrast makes these characters feel so endearing, more so as they get to know each other. As the show progresses with their friendship, the series feels like kind reassurance for all clumsy people out there.

Genre: Animation, Comedy

Actor: Chiaki Kobayashi, Haruka Shiraishi, Kazuyuki Okitsu, Kengo Takanashi, Kohei Amasaki, Koki Uchiyama, Satomi Sato, Seiichiro Yamashita, Shoya Chiba, Taku Yashiro, You Taichi, Yuuichirou Umehara

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161. Miracle Workers, 2023

	
What does corporate heaven, the Dark Ages, the Oregon Trail, and a post-apocalyptic world have in common? Nothing, except that they are all settings for each season of Miracle Workers. The eccentric comedy anthology series plays out somewhat like a set of extended Saturday Night Live skits, with one of its youngest writers Simon Rich running the show, but the absurd humor works as Rich juxtaposes today’s modern behavior in these novel settings each season. It’s quirky and light on its feet, focusing on silly situations, but through these short episodes, Miracle Workers do create miracles in the way Daniel Radcliffe, Steve Buscemi, and Geraldine Viswanathan’s characters resolve to make a meaningful change, despite terrible circumstances. It’s not as in-depth and profound as The Good Place, but it’s funny and surprisingly witty, dealing with ideas about what’s good and how to get the will to do it.Genre: Comedy, Drama
Actor: Daniel Radcliffe, Geraldine Viswanathan, Jon Bass, Karan Soni, Steve Buscemi
Rating: TV-MA

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162. Maamla Legal Hai, 2024

	
With the stakes involved in plenty of cases, legal dramas tend to be more serious and dramatic. However, sometimes, ludicrous events can happen in these courts, and they have, in real life. Maamla Legal Hai may not be 100% factual, but the way they mix and match real life legal headlines gets into unexpected, hilarious ways, poking fun at how ridiculous the Indian legal system can be. It might shy away from the serious cases, but Maamla Legal Hai smartly depicts the legal ecosystem, from the wily higher ups, to the idealistic newcomers, with unique charm and witty humor.Genre: Comedy, Drama
Actor: Anant Joshi, Anjum Batra, Naila Grewal, Naila Grrewal, Nidhi Bisht, Ravi Kishan, Yashpal Sharma
Director: Rahul Pandey

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163. Love & Basketball, 2000

The title says it all: this is a story of love and basketball, one where the two intertwine and excitedly inform one another. Two childhood friends with a passion for ball develop deep feelings for one another. They have ambitions to go pro, but as Monica discovers how uneven the playing field really is for female athletes, and as Quincy grapples with his own needs and career, they reconsider their relationship both to each other and to the game they so love.

Love & Basketball is a beautiful and sensitive movie that breaks stereotypes about Black love, which exists here as soft and nuanced as any other expertly drawn pairings in movies, and about Black women; Monica gets angry, but also vulnerable, hardworking, and loving. The sports component of the movie is just as finely detailed, with the energy of the matches bouncing off the screen walls. Clearly ahead of its time, Love & Basketball gets at the core of the game without losing sight of its talented players.

Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, Romance

Actor: Al Foster, Alfre Woodard, Boris Kodjoe, Chick Hearn, Chris Warren, Christine Dunford, Colleen Matsuhara, Debbi Morgan, Dennis Haysbert, Erika Ringor, Gabrielle Union, Glenndon Chatman, Harry Lennix, James DuMont, Jesse Corti, Kyla Pratt, Monica Calhoun, Naykia Harris, Omar Epps, Regina Hall, Robin Roberts, Sanaa Lathan, Shar Jackson, Tyra Banks

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Rating: PG-13

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164. Green Eggs and Ham, 2022

What this Dr. Seuss adaptation might lack in originality, it makes up for by committing to the bit: visual gags aplenty, colorful art direction, and ridiculous situations ramping up into full set pieces. But beyond the show's playfulness is a story about families just trying to make things work and people who don't get along (with the second season even touching on anti-war themes)—which should all prove insightful enough for adults and for slightly older kids. And with simple animation that has clear effort put into it, Green Eggs and Ham's unfortunately short run never comes off as a cheap cash grab.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family, Kids

Actor: Adam Devine, Diane Keaton, Ilana Glazer, Jillian Bell, Keegan-Michael Key, Michael Douglas, Patricia Clarkson

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165. Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, 2022

As classic children's TV done in the same style as The Muppets, this reboot of Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock manages to thread together wacky adventures, an environmental message, lots of music, and light satire about human behavior in less-than-30-minute chunks. This show is firmly for kids first, with the carefree, somewhat naive subterranean Fraggles meant to be childlike in nature as they learn how to accept others' differences and their own complicated feelings through kindness and community. But parents who are at all interested in colorful variety shows should still find lots to enjoy, be it in the intricate craft of puppetry across various species of creatures, or in the genuinely catchy songs that range from innocent earworms to beautifully composed anthems straight out of the musical theater tradition.

Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Kids, Music

Actor: Dave Goelz, Donna Kimball, Karen Prell, Lili Cooper

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