The 7 best feel-good Netflix films and shows to escape this scary world

Bank of Dave. Hugh Bonneville as Sir Charles. Cr Netflix / Paul Stephenson
We need more films like Bank of Dave right now… (Picture: Netflix / Paul Stephenson)

With Trump’s tariffs causing mayhem on top of general chaos from across the pond, rising global tensions, daily horrific news stories on our doorstep and the world burning with wildfires, everything feels a bit much right now.

As so much is going on around us, it’s important to take a step out of the real world into our imaginations every now and then. What better way to do that than tucking into a feel-good film or TV show?

Netflix has a whole host of uplifting classics and undiscovered treasures ripe for a binge or a Sunday film.

Shrek

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In case you’ve not been on Netflix in a while, a huge green addition has made its way into the film roster… Yes, it’s Shrek! Thank you, Netflix.

Not only is the first instalment of Donkey and Shrek”s adventures available on the streamer, but you could make a whole day of it with Shrek 2, Shrek The Third, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Get warmed up for Shrek 5, which is set to hit cinemas just in time for Christmas.

Sometimes the classics are the best. And no, Shrek is obviously not just for children…

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

Bridgerton

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If you’ve not been introduced to Bridgerton yet, you’re missing out.

It’s not your average period drama, with straight-backs and niceties, but a fully blown corsets-off affair. As it’s a romantic series, Bridgerton has a whole lot of heart-bursting energy with on-screen couples becoming firm favourites with fans.

While the latest season dropped to rave reviews – and one of the steamiest scenes from the series so far – the next will be released next year, focusing on the love life of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson).

Each series follows one of the Bridgerton family’s children as they try to find love in a world that’s set up for convenience marriages. So far Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest son Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) have found their happy ever after.

There’s also the spin off series Queen Charlotte which is arguably the best of the bunch. What a treat.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%

Somebody Feed Phil

Somebody Feed Film sees Everybody Loves Raymond producer Phil Rosenthal step in front of the camera for the happiest documentary series you will ever watch.

Phil grins from ear to ear as he globe-trotts finding the best of every city’s local cuisines, finest restaurants and most secret spots.

Expect lots of smiles, unwarranted but lovable jokes, and a wholesome experience. It’s definitely one for foodies – and especially for those looking for their next holiday inspiration.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%

Notting Hill

No feel-food film list would be complete without a Hugh Grant romantic comedy. Notting Hill, also starring leading lady Julia Roberts, Hugh Bonneville and Emma Chambers, is one of the very best.

Hugh is of course the bumbling – but ever-charming – English gentleman, who falls in love with a movie star called Anna Scott (Roberts) after she visits his Notting Hill bookshop.

What ensues is a string of miscommunication, awkward gaffes and tender moments in one of the most uplifting romantic comedies of all time.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%

Fresh Meat

If you want to revisit your heady university days when your biggest worry was how to get rid of a hangover, Fresh Meat is a venture into student life like no other.

The comedy follows six students – JP (Jack Whitehall), Josie (Kimberly Nixon), Oregon (Charlotte Richie), Howard (Greg McHugh), Kingsley (Joe Thomas) and Violet (Zawe Ashton) – as they navigate sex, booze, campus reputations and living in a shared house in Manchester together.

It’s not a celebration of cool like Skins, but a hilarious portrayal of oddballs reeking of desperation – just like most of us were at that age, let’s be honest now.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

Bank of Dave

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Bank of Dave is one of the most inspiring stories on Netflix right now.

It follows the true story of working class Burnley man – and self-made millionaire – Dave Fishwick, who sets up a community bank.

Also starring Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor, Rory Kinnear, Hugh Bonneville and Paul Kaye, the Netflix original comedy drama sees Dave go to war with London’s financial giants to achieve his dream.

A sequel film, Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger, was released on 10 January 2025, and is also available to watch on the streamer.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%

Chef

Nope, Chef is not like the stressful knives-throwing cooking shows we’ve become accustomed to like Boiling Point and The Bear – but it’s no less memorable.

Chef is an uplifting comedy film about a celebrity chef Carl Casper who loses his job after an online spat with a well-known food critic. After the fall-out he relocates, opens a food truck, and finds the real meaning of life.

Jon Favreau wrote, produced and stars in the film alongside the likes of Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson and Oliver Platt.

Chef premiered at South by Southwest in 2014 and grossed $46million (£35.96m) against a production budget of 11mil (£8.6mil).

Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%

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