Best feel-good family movies

Set for release on Feb. 3, 2012, Big Miracle is the only current film on our list. This feel-good family movie, which stars Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski, is set in a small town in Alaska. News reporter Adam Carlson (played by Krasinski) recruits ex-girlfriend Rachel Kramer (played by Barrymore), an environmental activist, to help him save a family of gray whales trapped in the Arctic Circle. Co-stars include Kristen Bell, Ted Danson and Dermot Mulroney. Inspired by a true story, this movie shows what happens when people begin working together. Big Miracle is sure to capture the hearts of everyone in your family.

This Oscar-winning film starring Tom Hanks will be enjoyed for generations to come with its feel-good messages about integrity, friendship and how to treat people who you may perceive as stupid, unattractive or just different than yourself. Rent it on DVD or Netflix for your whole family to watch.

There are plenty of sports films out there that are feel-good movies and Rudy is one of the best. The classic tale of the underdog, this movie offers plenty of lessons about friendship, family, love and growing up. Even if you don’t like football or any other sport, you’ll surely enjoy this movie.

This feel-good film features strong themes about friendship and it offers a whole lot of laughs too. When nerdy Scotty Smalls loses his stepdad’s Babe Ruth signed baseball, his whole baseball team gets together to try to get it back, and hilarity ensues.

The animated version of this traditional fairy tale was a big hit in the theater back in 1991 and it remains popular on DVD today. The beauty — Belle — finds herself trapped in the Beast’s dark mansion after her father accidentally offends the creature. The Beast (who is really a prince) must find true love — and fast.

Everyone loves this classic family film featuring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. This 1964 movie is still a favorite today with its mixture of live action, animation and fabulous sing-along songs. Who could ever forget Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

Yes, it’s another musical starring Julie Andrews, but how could we leave The Sound of Music off of our list of feel-good films? Andrews gives a fabulous performance as the nun who becomes a governess to the children of a widowed naval officer. This heart-warming movie has a exciting plot, classic songs and amazing scenery.