The Best Lighthearted Movies to Watch on Kanopy
Sometimes, you just need a good movie that poses neither an emotional rollercoaster nor an intellectual challenge. Here are the best lighthearted movies and shows to stream now for a carefree and uplifying watch, from the funny to the offbeat.
This heartwarming tale of friendship and motherhood is packed with Ilana Glazer’s signature absurd and acerbic wit.
Less a biography than a career appraisal, this documentary is an important account both for Wilder’s fans and industry hopefuls.
A fresh spin on the horror genre and a welcome addition to TV’s growing roster of by-Muslims-for-Muslims comedies.
A satisfying feel-good film about the real-life businessman who spearheaded reform in the UK’s banking sector.
Wise, funny, and utterly relatable, this mediation on the merits of white lies and bitter truths is a delightful piece of work.
A refreshingly absurdist take on superhero movies, courtesy of a singular cinematic mind.
Delightfully edited and amusingly observed, The Automat gives you a fill of 20th-century nostalgia.
An entertaining portrait of the creation of Cyrano and its iconic French playwright.
An absurd, ridiculous parody of classic Chinese dramas that comes with a sweet twist.
A witty and refreshing comedy-of-errors depicting the gay community in the big city.
«When comedians get a bit older they do a movie with “emotions” in it. Here’s mine.» Flight of the Conchords’ Jemaine Clement on Twitter. People Places Things is exactly that, a funny yet heartfelt comedy. Will Henry, A New York City graphic novelist walks in on his girlfriend cheating on him at their kids’ birthday […]
Vivid, sweeping landscapes surround the simple beauty of a Mongolian family navigating the pressures of globalization while still practicing their traditional nomadic lifestyle. Ostensibly it’s about the charming, captivating relationship that forms between a young girl, Nansal, and a dog that she finds. However, the magic of this slow, enthralling film is that it captures […]
North Norfolk’s favorite radio DJ makes his big-screen debut in this endlessly quotable, ‘textbook’ cringe comedy.
A group of college freshmen baseball players hit the town in 1980, Texas, where they’re here for a good time, not a long time.
A hilarious comedy about politics in the UK and US. The secretary of State for Internal Development Simon Foster accidentally backs the plans for a war in the Middle East and suddenly finds he has a lot of friends in Washington. What follows is a difficult to follow maneuvering of pro- and antiwar factions in […]
An anthology ode to the City of Love stacked with talent behind and in front of the camera.
Happy-Go-Lucky is a Mike Leigh feel-good movie tells the story of Poppy, a North London teacher, whose story we follow through a number of different situations: driving lessons, solving work issues, having fun with friends, all while trying not to lose her optimism. The acting is superb, Sally Hawkins is a gem as Poppy, and […]
A superlative cast, gorgeous setting, and contagious sense of fun make this Shakespeare adaptation a joyous ride.
An exceedingly earnest small-town slice of life, starring the incomparable Paul Newman.
This failed attempt at a romcom sci-fi is embarrassing at best and offensive at worst.
A popular chef loses his job and respect after a bad review. He ends up with a food truck and tries to show the world he still has his creative side, while at the same time trying to fix his broken family. Chef is a heartwarming feel-good movie, after you finish it you will want […]
A teen drama that lacks the authenticity to compete against many better films of its kind.
A joyously offbeat movie befitting the musician it celebrates.
Love has never looked so joyless in this semi-passionate, tolerably funny romantic comedy.
Come for Paul Rudd, stay for Paul Rudd. Yes, Paul Rudd is absolutely amazing in this. Not only is his acting smooth, believable and innocent; his profile fits the role perfectly. Backed with a strong supporting cast, and a great story line as well as a fair amount of laughs, this movie is simply charming!
