Everyone has bad or stressful days, and that’s totally normal. No matter what’s going on in your life, you’ve probably had times when you just wanted to curl up in bed and lose yourself in a good movie. Fortunately, there are tons of movies that are perfect for giving you that warm, fuzzy feeling to drive away bad thoughts. Above everything else, there’s something about animated movies that excel in this category, from Aardman's stop-motion animation hits to Pixar's vast catalog of animated classics.
There’s an animated feature for just about every occasion — holiday films, coming-of-age movies, and colorful adventures in new worlds are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to animation. Some of them offer an honest, heartwarming take on real-world issues while others are immersive enough to draw you in and give you a break from your troubles. If you’re searching for something to comfort you on a bad day, here are some animated movies that can get the job done.
9 Encanto
The newest in Disney’s animated lineup, Encanto follows the lives of the Madrigal family; each member is blessed with a unique ability aside from heroine Mirabel. Nevertheless, she realizes her family’s magical home and way of life are in danger, and she sets out to make things right once and for all. Half incredible musical, half heart-wrenching tale of generational trauma and healing, this film is touching in countless ways. The soundtrack was masterfully crafted by Broadway legend Lin-Manuel Miranda, so the songs are bound to make you get up and dance.
8 My Neighbor Totoro
This Studio Ghibli phenomenon uses two major themes to spread good feelings: sincere love and imagination. Two sisters, Mei and Satsuki, move to a new home in the country while their mother is in the hospital. When the duo makes friends with the enormous spirit living in the forest by their house, they set off on a whirlwind of adventures and learn about the old magic surrounding the area. My Neighbor Totoro is a film that will make you cry purely out of wholesomeness, and seeing Totoro’s fluffy visage onscreen is like a hug for the soul.
7 The LEGO Movie
If you’re looking for big laughs from an A-list cast, this is the movie for you! We join protagonist Emmet, a resident in a sentient world of LEGOs, as he’s whisked away from his pleasantly routine life to stop an evil businessman from destroying everything he loves. Packed with fan favorites like LEGO Batman and Unikitty, every scene is in The LEGO Movie is explosive in its color and style. The actors deliver amazing performances, and the ending breaks the storytelling mold to achieve something truly spectacular.
6 The Nightmare Before Christmas
You don’t need to wait for the holiday season to enjoy this classic! Told in beautiful Tim Burton-style claymation, we see Pumpkin King Jack Skellington venture away from his home in Halloweentown. Disenchanted by the same old thing every year, he wanders into Christmastown, falls in love with the wintry wonderland, and decides to take up Santa’s job for the year. The soundtrack is one of the best in animated films, and you’ll probably be singing along to all the songs when you’ve learned all the words. In The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack’s character arc is endearing, and his relationships with the different members of Halloweentown are delightful to watch.
5 Rango
This quirky Western-style tale is full of laughs, and the characters are adorably bizarre in their own way. Rango is a chameleon who lived a comfortable life as a house pet; when his family travels across the country, a car accident throws him from the trunk and strands him in the desert. Fortunately, our hero is incredibly theatrical, and he finds himself taking on the role of the sheriff (and a much-needed beacon of hope) to a lawless critter town that’s running out of water. Rango is insanely silly, and seeing Rango overcome his fear of not being accepted is strangely empowering.
4 Luca
One of the most gorgeous animated films of late, Luca is a unique coming-of-age story in that it focuses on two young sea monsters: Luca and Alberto. The two boys can disguise themselves as humans on land, and Luca runs away from his home in the sea to live with his new best friend on the Italian Riviera. The duo meets a kind young girl named Giulia, and the three of them band together to win a triathlon and, more importantly, teach the world a lesson about acceptance. The film has a lot of great things to say about selflessness and empathy, and the visuals are truly breathtaking.
3 Mulan
Disney fans will recognize Mulan as a war hero willing to sacrifice everything for her family. As a young woman in ancient China, Mulan struggles to meet societal expectations and chooses to take her injured father’s place in a military draft. Fighting alongside friends and warriors, she finds the freedom to be herself and earns the respect of the entire nation. One of the most wholesome parts of Mulan is her relationship with her father; despite her penchant for going against the grain, he makes it clear that she is the rarest and most beautiful thing in his life.
2 Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a Spider-Man movie unlike anything you’ve ever seen before! Rendered in a breathtaking comic book style, the movie follows Spider-Man fan Miles Morales as he gains spider powers of his own. Struggling to protect the city alone, he joins forces with a team of fellow spider-heroes from other dimensions. Make no mistake: the movie covers topics like loss and grief, but Miles’ ultimate triumph makes his experience relatable, heartfelt, and a treat for the eyes.
1 Onward
If you love tabletop RPGs, urban fantasy and heartfelt buddy comedies, Onward is here to provide. Brothers Ian and Barley are elves living in a modern-day magical town, but they set off on a journey to resurrect their late father using old-world wizardry. The humor is on-point and the film tackles subjects like loss, step-parenting and grief with tact and a lot of heart. Plus, actors Tom Holland and Chris Pratt did an incredible job bringing the two protagonists to life!