21 wholesome feel-good films to watch on the sofa this weekend

From family favourites to forgotten classics, here are some heartwarming films to lift your spirits

'Hunt for the Wilderpeople' (2016), Nyree McFarlane, features editor: I love anything by Taika Waititi, but this tale of Hec and his foster son Ricky on the run deep in the New Zealand bush brings a smile to my face every time. It's funny and touching, but not at all soppy or saccharine. I could watch it again and again (and I do, because it's on Netflix).

'The Intern' (2015), Sophie Prideaux, assistant features editor: This film was such a welcome surprise. Starring Robert De Niro as a retired company man who wants to get back into the working world, he embarks on an intern scheme for senior citizens at a hip Brooklyn fashion start up, helmed by Anne Hathaway. The result is an unlikely friendship, some important life lessons, and a few laughs along the way. Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures

'Notting Hill' (1999), Farah Andrews, assistant features editor: I am a devout rom-com fan, and when I am looking for the movie equivalent of an entire tub of Ben and Jerry's, Nora Ephron and Richard Curtis can do no wrong. While I am tempted to dig out 'When Harry Met Sally' or 'Sleepless in Seattle' (and probably will), it is Curtis’s 'Notting Hill' that I reach for. With its heavy dose of London nostalgia, Hugh Grant at his floppy-haired best and flawless comedy from Rhys Ifans and Emma Chambers, it wins for me every time. Courtesy Universal Pictures

'Little Miss Sunshine' (2006), Emma Day, deputy features editor: This 2006 drama-comedy has all the trappings of a typical American road movie but is no regular, breezy ride. The film follows the hotpotch Hoover family on a 1,000-kilometre interstate journey, all so 7-year-old Olive can compete at a beauty pageant. Instead of being a filtered celebration of the American dream, this is more a portrait of how unconventionality can triumph over superficiality, showcased by a star cast of Toni Collette, Alan Arkin, Greg Kinnear and Steve Carrell. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, wry, and tear-inducing at times, and the perfect cinematic example of how there’s no such thing as a perfect family. Courtesy Fox Searchlight Pictures

'Eddie the Eagle' (2016), Sophie Prideaux, assistant features editor: You’d be hard pushed not to finish this film without a beaming smile spread across your face. It tells the true story of British Olympic ski jumper Eddie Edwards, played brilliantly by Taron Egerton, who will do anything just to take part in the Olympics and make his family proud. It’s a heartening tale proving that sometimes, it's the taking part that counts, and that how you handle yourself is everything. And bonus, there’s some real Olympic footage woven in. Courtesy 20th Century Fox

'Finding Nemo' (2003), Katy Gillett, Weekend editor: You'd have to have a heart made of stone to not be warmed by this 2003 animated film. After clownfish Marlin's son, Nemo, gets abducted by human divers from the Great Barrier Reef, he goes on an adventure to bring him home. Along the way, he meets loveable (and forgetful) fish Dory, plus a whole load of other creatures who are committed to helping the forlorn father find his boy. It's pure, innocent joy with themes of love and the importance of family, plus has a nice moral at its core: help a stranger out. Pixar / Disney

'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' (2001), Katy Gillett, Weekend editor: While all of the movies (and books) in the Harry Potter series are fabulous, the later instalments get a little dark. The first movie is still filled with magic, wonder and innocence. Sure, the acting isn't great, but Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are so cute - and they were just getting started. It's when we're first introduced to everything the wizarding world has to offer - from Diagon Alley to Quidditch and the ever-wonderful character of Hagrid. "You're a wizard, Harry." Warner Bros. Pictures

'You’ve Got Mail' (1998), Panna Munyal, lifestyle editor: I love words, and writing and receiving letters – both physical and digital. This film, with its slow-connecting modem and exchange of meaningful conversation between two relative strangers reminds me of the days I used to have pen pals as well as the days of Messenger, ICQ and other nascent chatrooms where I “met” people who were almost as interesting as Tom Hanks’s Joe Fox. To me, 'You’ve Got Mail' is like a movie version of 'Daddy-Long-Legs' (a favourite feel-good book), and the fact that Meg Ryan’s Kathleen Kelly runs a boutique bookshop just adds to the film’s charm. Warner Bros. Pictures

'Coco' (2017), Sophie Prideaux, assistant features editor: This is one of Disney Pixar’s most overlooked triumphs. After being encouraged to watch it by a group of Mexican journalists who were thrilled with how well it represented their culture, I gave it a go at the start of a long-haul flight, which was a mistake. Within an hour I had tears streaming down my cheeks - It’s a charming and touching tale with plenty of laughs that offers an insight into the Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations. It will definitely leave your heart warmed. Disney Pixar

'Father of the Bride' (1991), Sophie Prideaux, assistant features editor: I watched this a lot in my childhood, so it always leaves me with a warm dose nostalgia. The film follows a father (Steve Martin) who finds out his daughter has met someone while living away and is getting married, much to his surprise, at their family home – cue him being driven mad by the eccentric wedding planner and spiraling costs. Ultimately, it explores a father excepting his daughter is all grown up, leaving your heart full. Touchstone Pictures

'Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993), Aarti Jhurani, sub-editor: One of my favourite Robin Williams films, it is funny, heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time. His portrayal of a trustworthy Scottish nanny is hilarious, especially in scenes where he has to alternate between putting on the mask and being himself. The gags never seem forced, and even though I first saw the movie when I was 8 years old, it still brings me the same joy now. 20th Century Fox

'Love Actually' (2003), Aarti Jhurani, sub-editor: There’s nothing a little cheese can’t fix – whether it’s in your pizza or in a film. 'Love Actually' is a rom-com, so there won’t be any serious love lessons, but I like that it features different kinds of love – puppy love, old love, unrequited love and falling in love even when there’s no common language. Plus, there’s nothing like a happy ending to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside, and this film has multiple. Universal Pictures

'Ratatouille' (2007), Aarti Jhurani, sub-editor: The idea of a rat in the kitchen is pretty revolting, but this film makes you root for the little street rodent, aspiring to be a gourmand chef. One of my top Pixar films, I love this incredibly sweet success story of the underdog as he pursues his love for food and is set in one of my favourite cities in the world. One con though, watching this film always make me feel hungry. Pixar / Disney

'The Holiday' (2006), Aarti Jhurani, sub-editor: I know, the plot of this film makes no sense – two women who don’t know each other, decide over the internet to completely switch houses and lives – what could go wrong? Turns out not much, they fall in love, meet interesting characters and live happily every after. Predictable, funny, heartwarming and silly – sometimes that’s all you need. Columbia Pictures

'Space Jam' (1996), Faisal Salah, social media journalist: Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny. I could just stop there really, but there’s so much to enjoy in this 1990s cult classic. A lot of people enjoy 'Space Jam' for that familiar comforting feeling it brings, and it’s fun for all ages, too. Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures

'The Big Sick' (2017), Evelyn Lau, assistant features editor: The romantic drama is based on a true story. Written by Kumail Nanjiani, who stars in the film, and his wife Emily V Gordon, the movie is based on their real-life relationship. In 'The Big Sick', he plays a Pakistan-born comedian who falls in love with a grad student but they find their relationship struggles because of clashing cultures. When she contracts a mysterious illness, he find himself bonding with her parents. Sarah Shatz

'Some Like It Hot' (1959), James Langton, correspondent: Black and white and from 1959 but never gets old. Pitch-perfect performances from Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe. It delivers a smile a minute, and Joe E Brown delivers possibly the best last line in movie history. Courtesy United Artists

'Blades of Glory' (2007), Joe Jenkins, assistant editor-in-chief: Possibly the silliest, most joyful film of the last 20 years, this Will Ferrell vehicle is the ultimate 'bromance', with the wonderfully goofy Jon Heder as the ‘Elf’ star’s sidekick. Two disgraced Olympic figure skaters attempt to rebuild their careers in a story with just the right amount of dark humour to please older viewers, while the stunts will delight all. Dreamworks

'Up' (2009), Evelyn Lau, assistant features editor: Even though the animated Pixar film spends the first 10 minutes breaking your heart, it spends the rest of the run time lifting it back up. The story follows Carl and Russell as they go on an adventure of a lifetime. I don’t want to spoil too much but be sure to have the tissues ready. Pixar / Disney

'Premam' (2015), Aarti Jhurani, sub-editor: I love absolutely everything about this film – the soundtrack, the characters, the story and the cinematography. It is the tale of George, who falls in love with three women at different stages of life. While Nivin Pauly is undoubtedly the star of the film, it is the supporting cast that really make it incredibly fun to watch. Anwar Rasheed Entertainments

'Piku' (2015), Aarti Jhurani, sub-editor: This Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan-starrer is not your regular singing-dancing Bollywood fare. Padukone plays the disgruntled daughter, whose life is completely taken over by an overprotective father with bowel issues. In this situation, they decide to take a road trip to Kolkatta, with actor Irrfan Khan playing the driver, who proves to be the voice of reason. A mature drama with occasional comic relief, there are no crass innuendos here, but a sweet story of how they father-daughter finally make their peace. MSM Motion Pictures

If ever there has been a time to hunker down on the sofa and reach for a film that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, this weekend is probably it.

As the UAE and the rest of the world takes up the practise of self-isolation amid the coronavirus pandemic, your TV, Netflix and dusty DVD collection is likely to become your best friend.

Whether you fancy reaching for a tried and tested favourite, or discovering someone else's, we asked the team here at The National to share some of their favourite feel-good films.

From family favourites such as 1993's Mrs Doubtfire and 2007's Ratatouille, to lesser-know comedy The Big Sick and touching Bollywood tale Piku, scroll through our gallery above to see all of our choices.

If you've had enough of films, we've also chosen some of our favourite board games here.