We know that gritty dramas that artistically depict the truly awful sides of humanity are all the rage these days, but since our reality is just as grim as the movies we're watching (except we're stuck without any super-heroes to help us out), we reckon that sitting down with some flicks that are a tad more positive is just the stuff we need. Take a gander at our list below, which will all do their best to land some smiles on your lovely faces. 

PRIDE June is over, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't stop celebrating Pride no matter what time of year it just so happens to be. This 2014 British flick stars some of our favourite actors including Dominic West, Andrew Scott, Imelda Staunton, Bill Nighy and George MacKay and is based on the real story of how, during the height of Maggie Thatcher's reign in the '80s, a group of LGBT+ activists and miners came together in a show of support and realised they had a lot more in common than they thought. We can guarantee you'll find a restored hope for humanity within yourself once you sit and watch this movie to the finish (you'll probably be a bit weepy, too). 

SHORT TERM 12 Starring Brie Larson in her first-ever leading theatrical performance of her career, this 2013 flick follows the lives of support workers in a foster home for troubled teenagers, as well as the young inhabitants who find themselves residing there. It also happens to star Rami Malek, LaKeith Stanfield and Kaitlyn Dever, who all give excellent performances if we do say so ourselves. If you find yourself not feeling even slightly better about the state of the world after this one, then we recommend giving it a crack for a second time – just so that it's message of love and solidarity really starts to set in your noggins (be kinder to yourself and others damnit!). A quick warning for this one: it does tackle heavy subjects like sexual abuse and domestic violence.

THE HOLDOVERS This flick only just came out in 2023, but we reckon it's set to be one of those timeless classics we'll find ourselves returning back to years down the line. Set in Christmas during the '70s at a prestigious New England boys' boarding school and starring the great Paul Giamatti as well as newcomer Dominic Sessa and the lovely Da'Vine Joy Randolph as three individuals stuck with nowhere else to go for the holidays, this film explores the budding relationship formed between the three – despite it starting off on very rocky terms (in fact, they all couldn't stand each other at the start). It might be a Christmas movie in the technical sense, but we think it's something to watch no matter what time of year it is, since we're always in need of some good old reminders about the importance of togetherness. 

THE BIG SICK We've been big fans of romcoms for yonks now, and this 2017 film starring (and written by) Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano is set to become a new favourite. It's based on the real-life story of Kumail's actual relationship with his now-wife Emily V. Gordon (who also co-wrote the flick, by the way), The Big Sick follows their fictionalised selves grappling with cultural differences and the effects of a serious illness that forces Emily into an induced coma. We know that that already sounds like a bit of a downer (isn't this supposed to be happy flicks?), but we promise that this cute movie isn't all doom and gloom – it's actually pretty dang funny and heartwarming. Also, Aidy Bryant and Bo Burnham make an appearance as Kumail's comedian pals, so you know that you're in for some much-needed laughs. 

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE This movie is really just a big stinking love letter to all of the ‘losers’ in life – and how failure might be something that all of us have to deal with, but that doesn't mean that we don't have to always let it consume us. We might not be prettier, smarter, faster or cooler than some other folks around us, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't get up on that dang stage and dance our hearts out anyway. An ensemble cast including Paul Dano, Steve Carell, our own Toni Colette and other familiar faces make an appearance, with each character experiencing some major bummers all throughout the film, while showing how they all manage to get through them due to the love they all share for each other. In other words, it's just a lovely thing to watch whenever life gets you down.