Uplifting movies to watch now

If you need an escape from the news right now, these heartwarming films are a brilliant distraction

With dramatic weather and renewed Covid-19 restrictions this week, you may want to just curl up on the couch and watch something to lift your mood. These films are available to stream now and will easily put a smile on your face.

Netflix

Peanut Butter Falcon

This film from the producers of Little Miss Sunshine tells the story of a young man with Down’s Syndrome, Zak. He runs away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. On his way to the wrestling school run by his hero, he meets a shady stranger, Tyler (played by Shia LaBeouf) who is on the run. They form an unlikely friendship, and convince Eleanor (Dakota Johnson) the care home employee tasked with bringing Zak home, to join them on their adventure.

The Speed Cubers

This heartwarming documentary delves into the world of record-breaking Rubik’s cube players. It takes the average person about three hours to solve their first Rubik’s cube, but for these players, it takes less than seven seconds. The documentary focuses on two players in particular, and the unique bond they share.

Amazon Prime

How To Build a Girl

Inpired by Caitlin Moran’s book of the same name, this film is about a young girl who dreams of escaping life in a council house with her family to become a rock critic. The story is inspired by Caitlin’s own meteoric and hedonistic rise to fame, and Beanie Feldstein shines as the lead Johanna Morrigan.

Chasing Amber

Eddie and Amber decide to embark on a fake relationship to avoid people questioning their sexuality at school, but things start to get complicated. Should they continue to hide who they truly are, or risk it all in the hopes of finding love, and themselves? Written and directed by David Freyne, this is a brilliant film looking back on what it felt like to be a gay teen in 90s Ireland, and the power of friendship.